D29 Discover the Forgotten Religion of the Chinese People

Righteousness (Yi}is to put the Lamb of God above me. God sees me from above through the Lamb

Contents – Pg 1-35, Posted on July 31, 2021

1 Invitation; 1.0.1 Genesis in the Chinese Language; 1.0.2 The Personal Discovery Videos; 1.1The Revealed Mystery in Chinese Words; 1.1.1 Border Sacrifice in China; 1.1.2 Expectation of a Perfect Sacrifice; 1.1.3 Sanxingdui Bronze Tree; 1.1.4 Key Chinese Characters Explained; (Note: read at least to 1.3.2.3.1 (19 pages))

1.2 Discovery of Genesis in Chinese Characters; 1.2.1 Pr Kang’s Discovery; 1.2.2 The Flood Story around the World; 1.2.3 Creation Story in Chinese Word; 1.2.4 Overview of Genesis in Chinese Words; 1.2.4.1 Righteousness in Christ-Lamb of God; 1.2.4.2 The Boat in the Great Flood;

1.3 Superficiality in Modern Chinese; 1.3.1 Darwinism replacing Creation Origin; 1.3.2 Testimony of Chinese Believer After Retirement; 1.3.2.1 Learning Chinese Language; 1.3.2.2 Paper Chase; 1.3.2.3 Blessings Received as Co-worker with Christ; 1.3.2.3.1 Person’s Character in the Name;

1.4 Original God Worship in China; 1.4.1. Concepts of God Found in Ancient Documents; 1.4.2 Border Sacrifice; 1.4.3 Witnesses of Foreign Chinese Missionary Experts; 1.4.4 Records and Interpretations of Astral Events; 1.4.5 Chinese Language- Monument of China;

1.5 Forgotten Religion of the Chinese Part 1 of 2; 1.5.1Genesis (Gen 1-11) Embedded in Chinese Words; 1.5.2 Forgotten Religion of the Chinese Part 2 of 2; 1.5.2.1 Christianity in China through Foreigners - Matteo Ricci; 1.5.2.2 Emperor Kang Xi; 1.5.2.2.1 Some of Kang Zi’s Writings;

1.6 Forgotten God of the Chinese; 1.6.1Transition to Idols Worship; 1.6.1.2 Chinese Lunar New Year;

Appendix “A” Great Controversy- Lesson Book of the Universe  (The Desire of Ages (1898) Chap 1- “God with Us.”

 (Read Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G. White:

 “Aa”-Chapter 7—The Flood - https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.336#336

 “Ab”-2Chapter 8—After the Flood - https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.399#399

 “Ac”-Chapter 9—The Literal Week- https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.428#428

“Ad”-Chapter 10—The Tower of Babel- https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.454#454 )

 Appendix “B” The Five Historical Dynasties of China (Simplified);

Appendix “C” God’s Call and Change Names- Importance of Name

Appendix “D” The Unknown God Inscription in Athens

 Appendix “E” The Jesuit Counter Protestant Reformation

Appendix “F” Jesus Invitation- “ Come unto Me”at https://www.ellenwhite.info/books/ellen-g-white-book-desire-of-ages-da-34.htm

D29 Discover the Forgotten Religion of the Chinese People

1 Invitation

The Chinese people, not race*1,is the largest group with about 20%*2 (1in 5) of the world’s population. Together with the Jews, Chinese is one of the earliest and the oldest enduring civilizations. We know the Jews handed the Old Testament*3 to us. But do we know how God has left us again the indelible Chinese language to unify us as one people in the knowledge that we are all descendents of Adam and Eve as recorded in the book of Genesis, of the Old Testament. The Chinese language is unique as its written form is common for all the diverse Chinese dialect groups that have evolved over time. (Mandarin Chinese is known as 普通话 (Pǔtōnghuà), the “common speech,” and it has only been the official language of China since the 1930s, when the country established it as the standard dialect and began pushing to make this a reality nationwide.) This feature surely must be by design of God the Creator.

“D29 Discover the Forgotten Religion of the Chinese People” is the all important personal discovery based on studying a series of videos that speaks the truth that has evaded most of us who are still skeptical that God made us in His image and that He is the Supreme Ruler of the universe.  By the understanding through this discovery we should review our old worldview and be convinced of the truth that is in the word of God.The first declaration from  God is: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”- Gen 1:1 But how many really believe this vital truth whereby we breathe and live and have hope of everlasting life as the sure promise of God.

Here is where we need to search for evidences that our Creator, the God of love, has provided in the Bible*3 as the primary standard that contains the revelation of Jesus Christ filled with His teachings, prophecies and histories to anyone who earnestly seek for the truth and promises that is in His word. Jesus Christ came to personally reveal the true and living God, the Father, to us.  Jesus had taught us to see the works of God in nature. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, is to be our comforter who will remind us of what Jesus had taught us.

Knowing the signs of the time (see Fa3 Signs of End-time at http://www.wakeupow.com/449830812 ) for such a critical time when we are in the midst the Covid-19/ Delta Variant Pandemic is in knowing that we are living in the midnight hour before the second coming of Christ and the end of the world.  The unification that could come about by the revelation of this truth in the Chinese language characters could be the catalyst for all  to believe in the true and living God who gave us revelations in the Bible*3.  

 (Note*1: Race*1 by definition is – “any one of the groups that humans are often divided into based on physical traits regarded as common among people of shared ancestry; also : the fact of dividing people, or of people being divided, into such groups : categorization by race.” This word,“race*1”, is not appropriate as it promotes the lie of Satan that we cannot be united as one people as the creation of God as His children. )

(Note*2: China population*3 is equivalent to 18.47% of the total world population. The current population of China is 1,445,009,213 as of Sunday, July 11, 2021, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. This count does not include overseas Chinese that are living all over the world which could be about 50 million.)

(Note*3 The Bible*2 is predictive prophecies and history from the inspired writings of chosen prophets. Prophecy is God foretelling events before they occur. Furthermore, biblical predictions are not vague prophecies, but are specific in nature. In addition, they cannot be accounted for by chance, common sense, or collusion

The Bible*2 itself is a starting point for us to believe in the existence of God. One of the strongest lines of evidence that can be marshaled for God’s existence is the subject of predictive prophecy. The Scripture records many events that were predicted in advance by God. Fulfilled prophecies are evidence of God’s knowledge of all things. Only God, who is outside of our time-space existence and our finite knowledge, could accurately and consistently reveal the future. (For more about Bible prophecy watch “The Bible’s Time Prophecies” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie7m3Q8vAS43ABN  Today Live (TDYL190031)

 1.0.1 Genesis in the Chinese Language

"God has not left Himself without witness." The ancient Chinese celebrated an annual Border Sacrifice to the "Lord of Heaven." This system of worship is very similar to the worship described in the book of Genesis. This begs the all important question: Did the ancient Chinese know the God of the Bible? (This ritual points to the first advent of the Messiah as the sacrificial “lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”- Jn 1:29. This truth of the Bible is embedded in the Chinese language characters that tell the story to corroborate the story in Genesis. This is the mystery to the majority of Chinese people that will now be made known that their ancestors who they faithfully worship, in turn, worshipped the one true God, Shang Di, the same God that the Jews worship.

The origin of the Chinese language goes all the way back to the Great Flood that destroyed the antediluvians for their evils they practiced in defiance of God’s law and only one man, Noah (rest) who feared God was preserved to start anew as the faithful remnant and we are the descendants from Jephthah (God given), Ham (warm) and Shem (name) after the great flood.

It was God’s purpose in the creation of this world and the human race to be part of His family. God knew that Satan*4 was the angel He created that was the mastermind who deluded the antediluvians to rebel against God as he did. God allowed him rather than killing him as a ‘lesson book for the universe’(see Appendix "A"-Great Controversy-Lesson Book of the Universe) on the terrible consequences of sin

So God picked Noah who has been faithful and be the example as the new beginning with Noah and his family of eight in 2348 B.C. (Read Patriarchs & prophets – Appendixes “Aa”- The Flood & “Ab”-After the Flood.)

It was at the Tower of Babel (Appendix “Ad”- Fall of Babylon) when the original language was divided and spread out to populate the whole world which is the outcome of our present world. It was oral tradition that was handed down. The people of China would have known the very same story that is recorded in the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis. They knew about Shang Di (Lord on High} based on Chinese historical Classics.  The pioneer ancient Chinese people honored and worshipped Him.

But over time the knowledge of God became diminished until it was the emperor’s worship of the God of the Emperor only (under the incessant work of Satan*4 to take every opportunity to sow unbelief to those who forget God). However it doesn’t change the reality of the history that brought all this into being and the very purpose of it. God (as embedded in the Chinese language characters) needs to be known by the people of China today (and for all of humanity to return to God before the close of probation and the day of judgment with the coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world). He is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ who was sent by God the Father to reveal the truth and He died on the cross, as the sacrificial lamb who bore all our confessed sins that we may live.

(Note*4 Satan is the antagonist in the great controversy that we are all engaged in, even though we are not aware of it and are by default being deluded by his lies about the true God who is our Creator and as such is the Supreme Ruler of the universe. - See Appendix A:The Lesson book for the Universe.)

1.0.2 The Personal Discovery Videos

To date we have access to this truth and listed for your personal discovery are YouTube videos as follows:

R1a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMp1kdtzgmA&t=288s Discovery of Genesis in Chinese Jul 25, 2015 S.A.B. B.S.A

R1b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjGUC9GNqfE (13:55) Genesis Code Hidden Within The Ancient Chinese Language Dec 13, 2013 WorthyIsTheLamb888

R1c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oYs- (41:45) BIBLE CREATION MIRRORED IN INDEPENDENT CHINESE HISTORY AND WRITING. C K Thong, TSFT15 Sep 21, 2015

R1d https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpUqqtE2qUo (10:14) -How Chinese characters evolved | The Origin of Chinese characters | EXPLORE MODE Sep 6, 2019

R1e https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssl3O0iqAS4 (1:33:46) God in Ancient China - by CK Thong, author of Faith of Our Fathers. TSFT15-GIAC Sep 23, 2015 VB FairHearing

R2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA-AkJzpKmg (59:50)  “God in Ancient China” – Part 1 of 2 (English & Chinese): Two sermons for Chinese New Year in 2009 by Rev Kang Hee, City Harvest Church , Singapore - Scott Sacker posting Oct 2, 2011.

R2a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kkxUyMAMXQ&t=205s (1:12: 11) God in Ancient China 古代中國人的神 - Part 2 of 2 (English & Chinese) 第2部分 (中文 / 英文) Jul 7, 2012 eyong52 

R3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv2Phrua0Po (56:36)  Rev Albert Kang - Unknown God of Ancient China Mar 20, 2020 Faithline International Ministries

1.1The Revealed Mystery in Chinese Words

(R1 BIBLE CREATION MIRRORED IN INDEPENDENT CHINESE HISTORY AND WRITING. C K Thong, TSFT15 Sep 21, 2015 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oYs- (41:45))

Dr C.K Thong*, a fourth generation Singaporean Chinese Christian theologian presents his research study.  It is appropriate to begin with this video showing archaeological relics and historical records plus ancient Chinese pictographs inscribed on bronzeware and oracle bones retained for millennia to show clear independent knowledge of the same events of the Creation, Temptation, and Fall of Man as recorded in the Bible. For example, the traditional character for "righteousness" amazingly portrays the entire core message of the Bible in one glorious character. (Dr. C K Thong*, author of Faith of Our Fathers, is presenter at the True Science for Theologians conference in Los Angeles, May 2015 (TSFT15))

The Chinese written language are truly monuments of China to tell the world they are knowledge of the Genesis record attesting of the Creator God who created the heavens and the earth.They are well preserved on Oracle Bones of the late Shang Dynasty 1200-1045 B.C. with about 55,000 fragments found in the 19th century. Chinese characters are also engraved in Bronzeware, inscriptions that date back to the Shang Dynasty with about 12,000 extant from Shang to Han. In spite of the changes in its modern form the word can be traced back to the ancient form. The language is unique and is formulated independently from the rest of the cultures in the Ear East. It was not borrowed from the Jews as they have no direct communication with the Middle East. The Chinese language is a graphic language built up of Pictographs and Ideographs and then phonetics for speaking. Chinese is the only language that retains its graphic form for a few thousand years. In the 1960’s Chairman Mao wanted to simplify the written language by introducing the phonetic form called Pin-Yin but it didn’t take hold.

By studying and observing Chinese characters we can get into the minds of ancient Chinese and know to a certain degree how they design those words. In order for the words to take hold they have to be accepted by a large number of people.

The interpretation of the stories embedded in the characters are not speculations or fables as they are supported by historical documents and rituals within the Chinese culture. One of the most important and elaborate ritual is the Border Sacrifice.

1.1.1 Border Sacrifice in China

In the Border Sacrifice many prayers and songs are sung which are very well documented albeit much later in history – i.e .the Ming Dynasty. During the ceremony this song will be sung:

1.“ Zhong He” Song ( Song of Central Peace)

“Of old in the beginning, there was the great chaos, without form and dark. The five planets had not begun to revolve, nor the two lights to shine. You, O spiritual Sovereign, came forth in Your Sovereignty, and first did separate the impure from the pure. You made heaven; You made earth; You made man. All things became alive with reproducing power.”

2.“Tai He” (Song of Excellent Peace):

“All the numerous species of living things are indebted to Your grace for their beginning. Men and things are all enveloped in Your benevolence, O Di. All living things are indebted to your goodness, but who knows from Whom his blessing come to him, It is You alone, O Lord, who are the true Ancestors of billions and trillions of things.””

These are the authoritative translations by James Legge (1815-1889), the renown World authority on Chinese Historical Classics (See R1e 1:03:00).  From these songs we can tell the ancient Chinese believe in creation, in the Creator God who created all things. These are songs carried over many centuries to the Ming Dynasty and beyond until 1911.

The religion of Ancient Chinese worships a relational God who is interested in having a relationship with His creation as expressed in the next song:

3.“Jing He: (Song of Brilliant Peace)

“When Di, the Almighty, had so decreed, He called into excellence heaven, earth, and man. Between heaven and earth) He separately appointed men and things. But Heaven has given me the Mandate. So, I (the king in person), a servant of Di (the Deity), pray for His enlightenment—so may I, a simple person forever appear before Him who is in the highest heaven.”  

This relationship goes further in the most intimate kind:

4.“Xiu He” ( God as Father):

“You have promised, O Di, to hear us. For You are our Father. I, Your Child, dull, and unenlightened, am unable to show forth my dutiful feelings. I thank You, that You have accepted our pronouncement. Honourable is Your great name. With reverence we spread out these gems and silks, and, as swallows rejoicing in the spring, praise Your abundant love.” 

Thus the ancient Chinese believe in the Creator God, in a God who cares about mankind, in the father-son relationship with God.

These are the supporting documents, among many others, in the interpretations of the embedded stories in the Chinese characters.

But they also know that mankind is unworthy or sinful so here they sang :Shou He.

5.“Shou He” Song ( Song of Longetivity Peace) “

“The great and Lofty One pours out His grace and love; how unworthy are we to receive it. I, His foolish servant, while I worship, hold this precious cup, and praise Him, whose years have no end.”

The Emperor, probably the most powerful nation on earth then said that he was a foolish servant (liken to Jesus who is a servant for all and Jesus is our righteousness)

The word Righteousness in Mandarin is Yi, is a good character to illustrate the meaning in the construction of the word (see clip 14:18-21:12). Righteousness is to put the Lamb of God above me. God sees me from above through the Lamb. The modern version is represented by the blood and a cup (the covenantal cup used in a sacrifice).The blood is life and in this sacrificial act my life and your life are now intertwined and forever.

To refute that this reading is a fabrication, there is in addition, a related word “Xi”, sacrifice. The classical form has two variations.  The word Sacrifice is formed by adding the classifier or radical bull “Niu” to “Yi”. The other variation (less often used replaces “Wo’’(I) with “Siu” (beauty or perfection).

The historical support for this concept embedded in the word “Yi” is from Historical Records, Vol 27, Book of Astronomy:

1.1.2 Expectation of a Perfect Sacrifice:

“The primary meaning of Altair, the key supporting pillar of the heaven, is the Perfect Sacrifice.”

Out of an astral phenomenon, fourteen Chinese astronomers observed around 4 B.C, two stars separated by 13 months, the second being “the star in the East”  as described in Matt 2:2. 

The word “Te” (Special) has the bull radical to describe the kind of bull that is to be sacrifice. The word is now commonly used to denote something special.

Replicas of these special sacrifice can be found in the Temple/Altar of Heaven

1. The 7-Year Famine

The Ancient Chinese religion understood the meaning of substitutionary (vicarious) death. During the reign of Shang Tang (1766-1754 B.C.), the first emperor of the Shang Dynasty, there was a 7-Year famine and the people made all types of sacrifice to appease God but to no avail and they turned to the emperor and suggested the need to sacrifice a human being and he agreed.

On the appointed day, at the mulberry, the emperor had cleansed and dressed himself as the sacrifice to the surprise of the people. He made this prayer:

2.“Vicarious Sacrifice”: “I have sinned, the people have no part in it. If, however, the people have sinned, the offence must also rest upon me, Please do not let one person’s lack of virtue cause Shang Di and the spirits destroy the lives of the people.” – Lu’s Chronicles Vol 9, Ji Qui Ji, Shunmin,par 3 .

After this prayer rain came and he no longer needed to be sacrificed. This is similar to the self sacrifice offer made by Moses and King David. So Shang Tang understood that one person can die for sins of all the people, pointing to Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amazingly, this truth of Jesus death on the cross was captured in this historical record:

“Summer, fourth (month of the year), on the day of Ren Wu, the imperial edict reads, “Yin and Yang have mistakenly switched, and the Sun and Moon were eclipsed. The sins of all the people are one on one man (the emperor) proclaims pardon to all under heaven.” – Record of Latter Han Dynasty. Vol 1 Part 2, Chronicles of Emperor Guanh Wu, 7th year. (This was recorded around the time 31 A.D. that the Bible recorded on the day of crucifixion.)

3. Blessing “Fu”

The word “Fu” (Blessing) (See clip 25:42) has been wrongly understood  as pertaining to prosperity and well-being mainly (because the Chinese have lost the original belief). This word carries a very spiritual meaning. The radical stands for God (who reveals Himself.) (The people know  as stated  in Mo Zi, Vol 7, The Will of Heaven Pt 1, par 5) : “ How do we know that heaven loves the people of the world? Because He enlightens them universally.” This is encapsulated in “Fu” (whereas present day Chinese who worship idols misinterpret as having clothing and food and land)

The original word found in the oracle bone dictionary carries additional elements below. It is actually a pictogram not an ideogram of a jar in a pair of hands. The whole pictogram is God and human hands lifting up a jar in worship to Him. The spiritual meaning is the dynamic human relationship with this Creator God especially in worship. Then blessing comes from having a worshipful (fear/reverence of the Lord) relationship with God. The ancient Chinese understood that the Supreme Creator deserves to be worshipped. “Shang Di is revered because His will extends to the nine limits (i.e. everywhere)” – Record of Rites, Confucius, Xian Ju, verse 29.

1.1.3 Sanxingdui Bronze Tree

The word mouth “Kou” or a person when combined with wood, “Mu”, becomes the word “Shu” (restrain). This word refers to the Genesis record for the ancient Chinese remembered the first restrain placed on man was not to eat from that tree.  Again this is substantiated by the archaeological discovery in Sichuan of the Sanxingdui Bronze Tree ( 2700-4700 years old) (see 30:48). It is 3.95 m tall with a fruit protected by branches and leaves that look like knives.On this tree inhabits a snake with two front feet. There is a human hand reaching out to touch the tree.

1.1.4 Key Chinese Characters Explained

1. Forbid “Jin”

Forbid “Jin” is made up of two trees (tree of life and the tree of the knowledge and evil _ Gen 3: ) and God  to signify God reminded the Chinese of the first restrain that God put on men. The man was forbidden to eat from the tree of life after eating the forbidden fruit.

2.It “Ta”

Third person, it, “Ta”, (33:29) has the ancient pictograph of a snake which is equating the third person with a snake (the snake being Satan in the garden of Eden)“. Snake “She” is a combination of the radical for worm with “Ta”.

3. Covet “Lan”

Covet “Lan” is the pictograph of two trees and a woman. Surely, this word must bear the first occurrence of covetousness to be wise like God that Satan tempted Eve  into disbelief in God’s word.

4. Sin “Zui”

The word for sin “Zui” (35:06) as the ancient Chinese understood it means to contradict. The top part can mean 4, the 4 contradictions in sinning as Adam and the serpent contradicted God in four occasions. It can also mean a snare. The bottom half is crime. In another older form found in dictionary, the top part is a nose implying self with the bottom half for bitterness.

The Genesis record tells us that the consequence of sin is death, “Sang”, which is the ideograph of two mouths and the tree.

5. Naked,“Luo”

The design for the word Naked,“Luo”, is dress plus fruit. This again is reminiscent of the Genesis record that Adam and Eve realized they were naked after eating the forbidden fruit.

After Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan to sin against God, they became guilty. This is their conditions and the word for guilt “Kui”, is the radical for heart plus the devil,”Kui”. (The word “Kui” is shown in R1a -8:06 )The ancient Chinese understood that guilt is to allow the devil into your heart.  Satan wanted to usurp the position of God in your heart and he is so successful considering that so many secular people do not belief in God.

6. Older brother, “Xiong” 

Sin also resulted in crime as documented in the word. older brother, “Xiong” – mouth and man, and in “fierce/violen “ “Xiong”. This is the story of Cain, the first human born as the older brother of Abel, murdering Abel over the difference in the type of sacrifice being offered in worship to God. For his crime, God actually protected him by putting a mark on his forehead when Cain complained that the curse on his crime was too obvious and others will want to kill him and this is the word “Xiong” with the X in the mouth.

7. Boat, “Chuan”

There are many more and to cap off, we have the word boat “Chuan” , The ancient Chinese thought of Noah’s ark (boat- “vessel”)  that carried 8 “ba”  persons “kou”  and derive “Chuan”. This is the epic account that other civilizations have also left records which we will see explained in other videos.

These Chinese language characters must surely be very sound evidence with more than two living witnesses that will count in the court of law.  This proves that the Chinese pioneers account for posterity is independent of the Hebrew Scripture to corroborate and vindicate the word of God.

The Chinese like everybody else on earth were descendents of Noah’s three sons. And this is the whole will of God that we will in the end of this earth’s history be reunited as one people for God to come again to deliver mankind to our eternal city, the city of God.  

1.2 Discovery of Genesis in Chinese Characters

(R1a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMp1kdtzgmA&t=288s  (56:56) Discovery of Genesis in Chinese Jul 25, 2015 S.A.B. B.S.A)

This presentation attributes the discovery of the hidden mystery of God embedded in the characters of the Chinese writing corroborated the stories of the first eleven chapters of Genesis. The study of the 118 characters presented originated with a small book printed in Hong Kong in 1950. “Genesis and the Chinese” written by Pr. C.H. Kong, a Chinese doing missionary work in China. Dr Ethel Nelson, a medical missionary offered to rewrite it to reach a wider audience. Kong was delighted , and sent Ethel many more to include. (watch from 45;26- 47:25)

1.2.1 Pr Kang’s Discovery

Kang had started about forty years earlier (around1950), when giving out Bible portions in a mission hospital. A woman took him to task for wasting her time with a fairy tale suitable for children. “Educated people believe in evolution”, she said. He didn’t know how to provide evidence for the truth of the Genesis narrative.

Then he came across a Mandarin textbook left by a missionary with a note pointing out that the Chinese character for “person” is an open mouth, and the character for “boat” is made up of the characters for vessel, eight and mouth, Noah’s ark, the first boat in the Bible, was a vessel with eight people on board, Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. This as too good to be a coincidence, so Kang began to analyse other significant words., such as “Creation” and as is presented earlier. 

Chinese historical records provided the fact that the Chinese written language had its origin to about the time some 200 years after the great worldwide flood in 2348 B.C. The written language was contemporary with the other ancient written languages, Sumerian cuneiform, Wallam Olum and Egyptian hieroglyphics. These languages started as simple pictorial drawings which became stylized over the centuries in totally different ways as people separated. (The alphabetic languages, first of which was Hebrew, were invented much later.) All languages were started after the flood.

The section from (7:40- 55:46) are partly covered before. However, it is good to hear all the 118 principal characters following the flow of the Genesis account. In the videos following, you will be able to learn how to read and pronounce it in Mandarin.  

1.2.2 The Flood Story around the World(20:53-21:26)

Provided in this video (20:39) is the chart compiled in the collation of the 270 flood legends across the world which all agree in a great extent about the details and they could only had these details in common if they came from the same creation story  The legends on the flood are almost identical to the Bible account  and as the countries are further from the Middle East the details become more and more fuzzy. Some researcher (unnamed) presented this chart (21:01) denoting the agreement to the elements described in Genesis starting with flood was caused by man transgression. It was a divine destruction, a boat provided for, a favoured family to be saved from a universal destruction, some animals were saved, etc. The chartist went through the legend of the flood with different cultures and people groups of around the world to be evidence  on the truth of the Bible account of the great flood as the original story. (These borrowed elements and themes reflected in creation stories from cultures all over the world and for thousands  of years indicate they all came from this original work- ( Ph.D.s Kenneth Kitchen, D,J. Wiseman, Gary Brantley, Charles Pfeiffer, the probable researchers)

1.2.3 Creation Story in Chinese Word

Then followed the Chinese characters starting with “garden”associating each character telling the verses in Genesis. (( 21:26 – 55:48) Some insightful word formation on “soul  = devil says (39:33);  “Paradise, heaven = two people + covered + fire (light) + enclosure + dust; (40:20);  “day “ is defined as evening and then day  (41:20); “Confusion” = tongue  + mystery ; Tower + dust = grass = people + one + mouth. (This refers to the Towel of Babel, since the Chinese did not build towers or pagodas until the Buddhist era  in around 60 B.C)(43:00- 44:50); “Wickedness “ = second + heart+ people + perfect + net + one + heart;  sacrifice = flesh + again + command ( 49:10); “Fire” = man + flames radiating from him ( why shoul thi be unless original man had a brilliant appearance?) ( 52:21) ; There  are three types of beginnings in Chinese: beginning of Creation ( only two people) , beginning of sin and the beginning of atonement ( 54:00 – 54: 56)

There is the Blood-line document of the Descent of the Miautse People of China  ( 19:23- 19:55))  Their word for Adam was  dirt, ( They knew he came from dirt) They seem to know about Methuseselah, and Noah.

The 118 Chinese ideographs reflect knowledge of Genesis and the Judeo-Christian Bible. They together tell of the creation, Babel, the Flood and Biblical theology.They were formed some 700 years before Moses wrote Genesis.  It confirms the Bible Creation account as the first creation account reflecting truth in God’s word and is protected by God from being destroyed. The ancient Chinese received it by mouth and were inspired by design to have it embedded in the Chinese language to be God’s way in the final end-time of this earth to be made known to the whole world in bringing all who believed in Him through Jesus Christ to enter into God’s eternal kingdom.

 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: “-Rom 1:20 

“ Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”- Rom 1:21

God’s message to us in the Chinese language of His existence, is the confirmation of the Bible’s historical accounts of these huge events which shaped the world’s history and the unmistakable recognition of Biblical theology in Chinese writing as another evidence of The truth in the word of God  revealed in the Bible;

1.3 Overview of Genesis in Chinese Words  

(R1b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjGUC9GNqfE (13:55) Genesis Code Hidden Within The Ancient Chinese Language Dec 13, 2013 WorthyIsTheLamb888)

This video is very clearly structured in illustration the formation of the Chinese language word that bears the message of God as it was revealed to the Jews through Moses in the Book of Genesis. It clearly relates the Genesis Chap1-11 together with the Chinese word that depicts the respective verses. With an open mind that would be free from preconceived worldview we are to decide whether the connection is a coincidence or by design. 

The Bible tells us the whole world had one language and a common speech as we are all descendents from Adam and Eve. But the antediluvian people forgot God and live as they please and became evil and wicked in following Satan as the chief rebel who was cast out from heaven together with one third of the angel he had deluded. God decided to remove the antediluvians by the great flood and save only Noah and his family of eight in the Ark which he built according to God’s instruction.( Gen 6-10).  Again, later on, Nimrod from the line of Ham, rebels against God by building the Tower of Babel, to make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth as God has commanded. So God intervened by confusion the language so that they could not understand each other in wicked works (11:1-9).(See Appendix A-Aa-Ab-Ad)

The nations and languages were divided around 100 years after the flood in 2348 B.C., i.e. about 4200 years. Most probably the oldest written language was developed over the first five hundred years as the divided groups migrated from Babylon and settle in the respected parts of the world.

The Chinese would have walked from the west to China. The third word illustrated is migrate. The other words illustrated then follow sequentially the story of Genesis 

Elder brother; God; migration; talk- create- first- blessing-; West-desire-beginning; Two tree-command-forbid- woman-covert-Devil- tempter-fruit-naked-clothing; Peace-pain; ancient-weed-sorrow; Violent; Me- lamb-lance-Righteousness.

The ancestors of the Chinese people knew that the guilt of sin (as in the first murder of Abel by his elder brother, Cain) separated him from fellowship with God. But God provided a way for man’s relationship with Him to be restored through sacrifice  which ancient Chinese knew. They therefore left this message for posterity in the word righteousness, depicting the sacrifice of a lamb brought righteousness and God’s favour. They were given insights to hope in the future of the righteousness in Christ as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.

The Bible (attested by history books) tells the world, even if they would not heed the Bible that Jesus Christ, the unblemished Lamb of God, was crucified for our sins and by His perfect sacrifice He has reconciled us back to God through faith in the finishing work of Jesus Christ.

1.2.4.1 Righteousness in Christ-Lamb of God

No man is righteous of their own. We need the Lamb of God and it is by grace and through faith in Him that we are declared righteous and forgiven of our sins. All of those animal sacrifices and offerings to God throughout history were only a shadow and prophecy*3 of Jesus Christ. He Himself is the perfect sacrifice, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”- Heb 10:4. It was all about Jesus Christ that the God loving ancient Chinese knew about from God Himself. He is the unblemished Lamb of God as he was without sin. Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross and He resurrected to glory on the third day. On the Day of Pentecost was exalted at the right hand of God and He is coming back at the second advent to judge the whole world by righteousness.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”- 2Pe 3:9.

Come to God now and He can change you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Don’t try to get yourself clean and then come to God, come as you are now.He will change you if you truly surrender to Him.

1.2.4.2 The Boat in the Great Flood

Consider the great flood because the earth was evil in God’s eyes and full of violent ways and God looking on the earth saw that it was evil and God said to Noah “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Gen 6:13. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. …

The ancient Chinese knew of their origin and is related to all humanity irrespective of colour and tongue  because we are all descendants from Adam and Eve. They want to tell us to remember the great flood was a true epic global event by simply depicting  in the Chinese word “Boat” made up of eight, mouth and water.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”- Luk 21:36. 

Remember to always pray and to keep watch for the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back very soon to deliver those who believe in the only true God, the Father, who loved us and sent Jesus to reveal God to us that we may believe and live.

1.3 Superficiality in Modern Chinese   

(R1c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpUqqtE2qUo (10:14) -How Chinese characters evolved | The Origin of Chinese characters | EXPLORE MODE Sep 6, 2019)

The description of this video: “Chinese characters are beautifully designed and have an air of wisdom to them. But there’s more to Chinese characters than aesthetics — they’re a reflection of 3,000 years of cultural evolution. In this Explore Mode, we dive into the history behind Chinese characters. We’ll also teach you how they are formed and how they developed into the logograms we see nowadays. 01:02 How Chinese characters work / How to read Chinese characters 01:54 Chinese Oracle Bone Script, explained 04:07 Chinese Seal Script, explained 04:44 Qin dynasty accomplishments 06:12 Chinese Clerical Script, explained 06:41 Traditional vs Simplified Chinese explained

This is a good brief overview on the history behind Chinese language characters (words). Chinese words are built part by part, with the radical for meaning, and the other for pronunciation.  There are lots of basic characters that can stand alone, like water (Shui), Heart (Xin), and mouth (Kou) Others are built from left to right , like Good (Hao) depicting a female ( Nu) and a child (zi). Some are built from top to bottom, like grass (cao) with the radical for grass at the top and early at the bottom which gives it its pronunciation. The word stuffy (men) is written outside in with the word door and the word heart (zin) inside it. ( But there is no mention of the meaning embedded in the word, no soul)

Apart from historical records the original Chinese characters are preserved in oracle bones ( Jia Gu Wen) and bronzeware with scripts. The Seal Script Chinese form or Zhuanshu was developed in the late Zhou Dynasty ( 221-106 B.C.) with  Qin Shi Huangdi who unified China, He destroyed much of ancient literature and built for himself the Tomb with courtesians and  8000 life size terracota warriors  to protect him in his afterlife in Shanxi. His reign was the shortest in China’s history (thirty six years).

Modern Chinese began with Clerical script or Li shu appeared around 206B.C- 220 A.D.. that evolved into the regular Chinese script of today known as traditional characters. But the evolution extended into simplified Chinese characters (initiated by Chairman Mao Tze Tung in 1956) by decreasing the number of strokes per character or even rewriting it in another form. Thus much of the meaning and soul of the ancestor’s legacy embedded in each of the character was stripped away. For example, the word for love  (ai), the heart in the centre of the word is taken away. The word listen (ting) where the ear (er), heart (zin) eyes (yien) and a line to symbolize undivided attention meaning that to truly listen one’s  heart, eyes and ears  have to give undivided attention to whom or what we are listening to.  This is replaced with mouth and jing, a unit measurement for weight.

The Communist government under Mao Zedong  also wanted to create a romanised version of ther pronunciations that would help globalise the language. The Hanyu PinYin  by Zhou and his team of linguists took almost three years to develop the pronunciation guide book.

1.3.1 Darwinism Replacing Creation Origin    

This clip is introduced here as an important interlude to reflect the clinical treatment of knowledge in the wisdom we are all conditioned to acquire from the worldly wise. We are educated in public schools provided by most nations into the belief in Darwin’s theory of evolution.(See D2 Darwinism). This will be the main obstacle in our acceptance of the information being shared here in D29 that contradicts the natural history (Anthropology) we learn in school.   

This is what we accept without questioning about our origin; (Homos started out like other animals, foraging for plants, small insects/animals, carrion from carnivores, and occasionally hunting larger game. Initially, all Homo species were living on the Afro-Asian landmass. Around 70,000 years ago, Homo sapiens started to break away from other species; about 45,000 years ago, we flooded to other continents and caused massive extinction globally, including all other Homo species. This was the first of the 3 revolutions.)

Consider that in this short 10 minutes clip we are able to know the facts about the history and evolution of the Chinese language. But what is missing is the spiritual dimension which is the more crucial component that gives us meaning and hope in our lives by unraveling the mystery of the origin of the human being.

1.3.2 Testimony of Chinese Believer After Retirement

Here is my testimony as a first generation Chinese Singaporean as both my parents were emigrants from China. I am a 78 years old, retiree since 2005, a former free thinker who was receptive to ghost stories ( being fearful of the dark) and fortune telling and would have nothing to do with the Bible) who became an SDA in 2006 being impressed by knowing about the prophecies of Daniel in the historicist perspective. The prophecy of Daniel 2 offers a panoramic view of history from the time of the Babylonian Empire to the end of the ages with the second coming of Jesus to set up God’s everlasting kingdom with the destruction of Satan and this sinful world. History texts confirm the transition of nations from Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Pagan Rome, to Papal Rome as it is today. As human history unfolds, God is working to defeat evil and establish His eternal kingdom.(See Appendix A- Great Controversy- Lesson Book for the Universe.) This convicted me into the truth being revealed in the Bible.

1.3.2.1 Learning Chinese Language

Learning Chinese (a compulsory subject) was extremely difficult as it was taught by rote memory. I lost the language very quickly through disuse and can only speak but not read let alone write presently. Had I known about the origin of the word as I do now it would have made the difference, it would have brought me to know my identity and know the true God as the Creator of the universe and justifiably is the Supreme Ruler who cares for every one of His children and all His created works. Surprisingly, I passed the G.C.E O level Exam with C4 whereas I failed in English language (F8) and subsequently regraded with C4 in the next examination. My grades were 4-A1, 1-A2, & C5 for carpentry. The  G.C.E. results dissuaded me from continuing in my formal education. I began work and took up part-time diploma study in Civil Engineering, Singapore Polytechnic. This took me on a paper chase amassing a number of C&G Certificates and even topped in Pt 1. Struct, Eng Inst. I can now attests that my knowledge of these subjects were superficial and readily lost without application.

1.3.2.2 Paper Chase

My paper chase only ended after my 5 year part-time Master Degree in Environmental Science. I was in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia from 1971-1982, initially for two years fulltime study and then part-time studies with fulltime work. I acquired quite a number of Post-Graduate Diplomas and even started attending lessons in MBA. I spent most of my spare time in oft-course betting on horses, trots, and dogs races practically six times a week bar Sunday when races are prohibited. By providence because of my studies I did not have time to associate with the wrong company while in Australia.  Neither did I receive the true education in the time I spent chasing after knowledge which was in the study of the Bible. All my learning are long forgotten and foreign to me on picking up some of my old study notes.

1.3.2.3 Blessings Received as Co-worker with Christ

I am the last surviving male sibling (4 males and 4 females –youngest died 2 years ago) in my family being the youngest. My father past away when I was around one year old. My illiterate mother (demised more than 30 years ago) together with most of my siblings had to provide for the family livelihood during the Japanese occupation.

Being a single, I am blessed with a very dear and loving nephew and his family extending the Thursday evening dinner with them. This was a long standing practice of my late eldest brother who past away 4 years ago. What I wIsh to relate is to glorify God in the way He loves us intensely desirous for our return to Him. This was conveyed to Jeremiah as a message to the Judeans whom God had warned them to accept this temporary punishment for a period of seventy years and then they will be able to return to rebuild Jerusalem: “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” - Jer 31:3.

1.3.2.3.1 Person’s Character in the Name

My two dearest grand nephews, Daniel and Adam are given Christian names in addition to their Chinese names. This combination is most appropriate as godly characters living in the last days of earth history. It must be by providence as the mother chose this pairing without knowing the significance of Hebrew names in describing the person’s character.  The mother, Catholic by birth, who most probably have not attended church since her marriage to my nephew, a staunch none believer in God,  schooled in Chung Cheng High School and studied the ancient Chinese classic literatures on the history of the Chinese civilization. He faithfully upkeeps ancestral observation being schooled in Confucian moral education. Both the Christian names, Daniel (God is Judge), the elder, and Adam ( man, Adamah (ground/dust) (the younger, were chosen based on her observations that people she knows with that two names have very good characters. She did not know the meaning of the names in the Hebrew language ( See Appendix "C" God’s Call and Change Names- Importance of Name) This is God’s calling out to the family to return to learn of Him through Jesus Christ while probation is still open in view of the signs of endtime and of impending worsening crisis in the world.

1.4 Original God Worship in China

(R1d God in Ancient China - by CK Thong, author of Faith of Our Fathers. TSFT15-GIAC Sep 23, 2015 VB FairHearing -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssl3O0iqAS4 (1:33:46))

This is the expanded presentation where Dr Thong provided a fuller account of his thesis. Some of the key passages are highlighted in this discussion.

Presentation Outine : 1. Concepts of God found in ancient documents ( 0:0 – 23:12 )  2. Imperial Sacrificial System (23:13 – 56:45); 3; Experts’ opinions of the 17th and 18Th Centuries( 56:55- !:09:50);  4. Records and interpretations of Astral events(1:09:51-1:19:10);  5. Ancient Ideologies embedded in Chinese characters( !:19:10-1:33:15)

1.4.1. Concepts of God Found in Ancient Documents

Documentary proofs are the first evidence of the God ancient Chinese worship,

1 Confucius Thoughts on worship:

“He who offends Heaven has none to whom he can pray”- Confucius Analect (4:56)

“At fifteen, I had my mind bent on learning,

At thirty, I stood firm,

At forty, I had no doubts,

At fifty, I knew the Mandate of Heaven,

At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth,

At seventy, I could follow what my heart desired without transgressing what was right.”

2 The opinions of two foremost foreign experts on Chinese Culture:  (7:30- 9:12)

“In no case do we find Shang-ti exhibited under any figurative representations; indeed, we are warned against confounding him with the images in the temples; while the Supreme Ruler is declared, again and again, to be distinct from the visible heavens. The main idea attached to Shang-Ti is universal supremacy, uncontrollable power, justice, glory majesty, and dominion.”’- W.H Medhurst, A theology of the Chinese with the view to Elucidation of the Most Appropriate Term for expressing The Diety in the Chinese Language. ( Shanghai: The Mission Press, 1897. Pp 273-274.

“But the Chinese stand out distinctly from all the other heathen nations in these two points- that their representations of Shang Te are consistent throughout. And that they never raise any other being to an approximation to Him. He is always the same- the Creator and Sovereign Ruler, holy and just and good. And no other is ever made: made equal or second” to Him. He has no rival.” – James Legge, The Notions of the Chinese Concerning God and Spirits ( Hong Kong Hong Kong Register, 1852, reprinted by Ch’eng Wen Publishing Company, Taipei. 1971). P.33. (James Legge, was  considered the foremost Chinese expert  in the 19th century even by the top Chinese expert , Wang Tao .)

3. The natural attributes of God: (9:43- 15:15)

“The conclusive appointment of Heaven rests on your person; you must eventually ascend the throne of the great sovereign”- Classic of History, Book of Yu, Counsel of Great Yu, end of paragraph 14.   (God appoints the rulers of China,)

“O bright and high Heaven, Who enlightens and rules this lower world!”- Classic Poetry, Xiao Ya, Anecdotes of Beishan, Xiao Ming, Chapter 1, verse 1.

“The Mandate was from Heaven, mandating the throne to King Wen, establishinh his capital and Zhou dynasty”. Poetry, Anecdotes of King Wen, Da Ming Chapter 11, verse 1.

King Wen lives above, his virtus shine in heaven. Though our Zhou nation is old, God’s mandate is still with us. The Zhou nation was not established when the time of Di’s manate had not arrived. King Wen’s soul is active and he lives in the presence of Shang Di. “-Poetry, Anecdotes of King Wen,

“ Only Shang Di is inscrutable. He will shower blessings on those who do good. He will pour down calamiyies on those who do evil. We must not neglect to do small acts of righteousness because it is by the accumulation of these do the nations celebrate. We must not neglect to avoid small acts of righteousness because it is by the accumulation of these that an entire generation is corrupted.” –Classic of History, Book of Shang

 Most of these translation came from James Legge who took twenty five years to translate the entire series of Chinese Classic. His translation had been deemed to be most authoritative by the experts at that time. Some Chinese scholars today may dispute this, because Classical Chinese is no longer in use today even by the scholars. They only do it as an academic exercise. Whereas during the time of James Legge the Chinese authorities at that time classical Chinese was what they use in the written form daily. When the top Chinese expert Wang Tao said that James Legge was accurate we can believe him. James Legge as a very top –notch scholar would annotate his translation and explain why he translated this word that way versus the other way. Most Chinese scholars do not have the discipline to do it in giving a translation without meticulously explaining how they come to the conclusion. Furthermore during the Boxer Rebellion, the HanLlin Academy was burnt down. The HanLin Academy is equivalent to the Library of Congress, where most of Chinese classics and very important documents were kept .

“The descendants of Shang (Dynasty) were in number more than hundreds of thousands; But when Shang Di gave the command they became subject to Zhou ( Dynasty)- Classic of Poetry, Da Ya, Anecdotes of King Wen, end of  Chapter 4.

“Heaven is all –intelligent and observing, let the godly (emperor) imitate Him, then his ministers will honor him, and the people will be governed well.” Classic of History, Book of Shang, The Charge of Yue, Middle Section, beginning of paragraph 3.

“O almighty Shang Di, You come to us in Your majesty, You discern all that is happening for the peace of the people.” Classic of Poetry, Da Ya, Anecdotes of King Wen, Huang Yi, verse 1.

“Shang Di is revered because His will will extends to the nine limits  ( i.e. everywhere).”  Record of Rites, Confucius, . are called our parent.. “- Poetry, Xiao Ya, Anecdotes of Xiao Min, Qiao Yan, beginning of chapter 1.

4. The other moral attributes of God: (18:00)

"Heaven loves the people, the ruler should honor Heaven.” Classic of History, Book of Zhou, The Great Declaration, Middle Section, beginning of parapraph 4, ( Shang Di is love. This is a very important point because majority of present dy Chinese  worship idols, would never think of idols being loving  and having a relationship with the idols. They worship the idols because they want to get something from the idols or for protection.  But to the ancient Chinese this is a fundamental concept that because God loves the Chinese people that God will always appoint good rulers to rule them. When they see that the ruler no longer exhibits God’s character, then they can change the mandate, The word for change of mandate is the word . Mandate is God’s will and a person can only become the ruler of China when he has the mandate tfrom God.

“How do we know that Heaven loves the people of the world? Because He enlightens them universally.” – Mo Zi Vol.7. The Will of Heaven Part1, para 5.( 20:04)

“It is virtue which moves Heaven. There is no distance to which it does not reach. Pride brings loss, humility brings rewards, This is the way of Heaven,”- Classic of History, Book of tang, The Counsel of Great Yu, middle of para 21.  

“Among the ancients who exemplified this fear ther was the founder of Xia Dynasty. When his house was at its strength, he sought for able men to honour Shang Di “ History, Book o Zhou, Establishment of Government, pars 2, verse 2.

“There is peace throughout our numerous regions, there has bee a succession of plentiful years, Heaven does not wearly in its favor,” - Classic of poetry, Tribute, Anecdotes of a Child, Wen Yu, Huan, verse 1.

“The ordinances of Heaven,- how deep are they and unceasing!”- Classic of poetry, Tribute,Tributes of Zhou, Anecdotes of Quing Miao, Wei Tian Zhi Min. ( God is faithful as he always keep His promises).

“Faithfulness is the way of Heaven, to be faithful is a man’s way.” – Book of Means, Chapter 20, verse 18.  ( We are called to be faithful because  God is faithful. )

“ Heaven took notice of His virtue, and entrusted His great mandate on him, that he should calm and settle the great number of regions.” – Classic of History, Book of Shang, Tai Jia, Part 1, middle od paragraph 2.

The ancient Chinese describes this God but they never make an image. This is the second commandment  in God’s law.  ( Exo 20: 4) .

1.4.2 Border Sacrifice (23:13 – 56:45)

The second evidence is the Border*1 Sacrifice which is the longest and most continuous religious practice in China. This practice started when the Chinese civilization started. It only stopped officially in 1911 by Dr. Sun Yat Seng who overthrew the Qing Dynasty and ushered in a Republic. But in 1914, this sacrifice was performed by Yuen Sir Kai.

This Border sacrifice is similar conceptually to the biblical Jewish sacrificial system. The explanation is in greater detail here than R1.   

(Note*1 “In ancient time, the son of Heaven (i.e. the emperor) of the Xia Dynasty personally and reverentially sacrifices to shang Di at the border, That’s why it is called the Border Sacrifice “- Historical Records, Vol 10, Chronicle 10. Xiao Wen Vol 28, Book of Feng Shan.)

1.4.3 Witnesses of Foreign Chinese Missionary Experts (57:14- )

China built the Millennia Hall to celebrate beginning of the year 2000, The Millennia Hall  has a wall reiief (117x 5 m) paying tributes to people and major events who made contribution to China’s civilization. There is only one foreigner on the wall, Matthew Ricci, an Italian who was honorably buried in the Imperial Tomb in Beijing He was part of the Chinese missionary of the Jesuit Order.

1. Matthew Ricci

Matthew Ricci came to China and seriously studied Chinese language  and customs, He mastered the Chinese Classics and was the first to latinize Chinese words and died in China. The People’s Daily credits Ricci for the introduction of the world map, western mathematics, and astronomy to China. He was a foremost scholar and academic gifted with a great memory skill, and even made clocks, After he studied Chinese classica he concluded, “he who is called Lord of Heaven in my humble opinion is He who is called Shang- ti ( Sovereign on High) in Chinese.” – The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven, p 121. “ Therefore, having leafed through a great number of ancient books, it is quite clear to me that the Lord of Heaven are different only in name.” – p 125. (The fact that He dedicated his life to China, he manifested characteristic of one Jesuit  who by his integrity was serving God first being influenced by the Chinese classics rather than the allegiance to to the Jesuit  order..- (See Appendix “E” The Jesuit Counter Protestant Reformation). It was the intention of theJesuit missionary to come to China to subvert it under the control of the Pope.) Even the head of the Jesuits in China, Prof Yi Sun Li, called Ricci, a man of men. He led quite a few Ming ministers to Jesus; such as  Paul Xu Guang Qi, chief minister of the Ming Dynasty during Wan Li period. He also refused to baptize a number who had concubines. He would not compromise to win converts. ( See also R2a on Matteo Ricci)

2. James Legge

James Legge (1815-1897), a Protestant, was the First Professor of Chinese at Oxford University. He was considered the foremost Chinese expert in the 19th century Classics. At his memorial service were  the memoirs:”  For if ever man loved a people, James Legge loved the Chinese, and he could not bear to see them do wrong or suffer it…” “The longest and the most embittered controversy in which he was ever engaged was one with certain missionaries who did not think of the root- ideas of the old Chinese religion as he did.” (The controversy was between the American missionaries and the British Missionaries. The American  missionaries, did not have  better scholarship  than  Medhurst and Legge, and held the view that the Chinese could not have known God and so they refused to use the Chinese term Shang Di for God.

“ Norminally, it relate to the question, whether they had any word that could be used to translate the idea of God; really and substantially, it concerned whether they had any ides of god at all. And he maintained they had, for did he not judge with charity as well as knowledge!”- Rev A.M. Fairbairn, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford at James Legge’s Memorial Service.

Thirty years after Legge’s death, a Congress of Oriental Languages was held at Oxford in 1928. During the conference, a representation of professors from countries such as France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Latvia, America and Canada, laid a wreath on his grave. On the card attached to the wreath was written: To the immortal genius of the great master, James Legge, from the sinologists at the 17Th Congress of Orientalists at Oxford, August 32st, 1928.

This is James Legge conclusion: “I maintain that the Chinese do know the true God, and have a word in their language answering to our word God, to the Hebrew Elohim, and to the Greek Theos.”

1.4.4 Records and Interpretations of Astral Events(1:09:51-  1:19: 00)

The emperor believe that you can observe the heavens to discern changes and have 14 astronomers watch the stars.. It is not astrology but based on the understanding like in Psalm: 19, 20. The heavens declare the glory of God. So the ancient Chinese also believs that God who created the stars could communicate with  Human through the stars. So the Chinese observe the heavenly bodied to discern the changes o the ages, observe humanity to teach people and govern the world.  

1. During the Reign of Jian Ping ( 7-1 B.C.)

“ In the second month of the second year, the comet was out of Altair for more than 70 days. It is said, “Comets appear to signify the old being replaced by the new.” Altair, the Sun, the Moon and the five stars are in movement to signify the beginning of a new epoch; the beginning of a new year, a new month and a new day. The appearance of this comet undoubtedly symbolizes change. The extended appearance of this comet indicate that this is of great importance.

The second month of the second year of Jian Ping correlates to March 9 to April 6, B.C. (History of the former Han Dynasty, Vol 26, Record of Astronomy.)

2. Another Record of the Event:

In the second year of Jian Ping of Emperor Xiao Ai, in the spring , the first month, a Bei comet was found in Altair. – Zi Zhi Tong Jian Vol 34, Chronicles of Han Dynasty No 26.

Interpretation of the event:

The primary meaning of Altair, the key supporting pillar of the heavens, is the Perfect Sacrifice- Historical Records, Vol 27, Book of Asrtronomy.

Dr Thong explained that this would be the time of the star from the East that showed the Magi how to find Jesus who came to die for us on the cross as the perfect sacrifice.  This is independent of Hebrew record as was no dimplomatic ties at that that between The Jews and the Chinese.

13 months later: It was recorded that on the Ji You day of the third month of the third year of Jian Ping there appeared a bo star at Aquila. ( History of Former Han Dynasty, Chronicles of Emperor Ai, 3rd year. ) ( probably it would take the Magi that many months to move to the East to Jerusalem. The fact that King Herod ordered the killing of  children two years old and under substantiate the 13 months interval,

3. Another event 33 years Later:

In the of Gui Hai ( later Han Dynasty), the last day of the month, there was  solar eslipse. The emperor avoided entering the Throne room, withheld all military activities, and did not handle official business for 5 days. And he made an official announcement proclaiming that “My poor character has caused this calamity, that the sun and the moon were veiled. I am fearful and trembling. What else can I say?... Anyone who presents a memorial, is not allowed to mention the word ‘holy’” (History of Latter Han Dynasty, Vol1 Chroncles of Emperor Guang Wu, 7th year.)

Response to the Event:

Summer, fourth month , on the day of Ren Wu, the imperial edict reads, “ Yin and Yang have mistakenly switched, and the Sun and Moon were cclipsed. The sins of all the people are now on the one man ( the emperor) proclaims pardon to all under heaven.”- (Record of Latter Han Dynasty, Vol1, Pt 2.  Chroncles of Emperor Guang Wu, 7th year.)

They had no idea of the crucifixion in Jerusalem but this was recorded around that time.

Interpretation of the Event:

The record of the Latter Han Dynasty, commentator Quian Tan Ba said, “ Eclipse on the day of Gui Hai means that the Man from heaven dies.”  

The  Bible recorded another astral phenomenon on the day of the cross “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.  Luk 23:44-46)
 

1.4.5 Chinese Language- Monument of China ( 1:19: 20- 1:33:46)

This is similar to the article presented in R1.

1.5 Forgotten Religion of the Chinese Part 1 of 2

(R2 “God in Ancient China” – Part 1 of 2 (English & Chinese): Two sermons for Chinese New Year (Niu Nien-Ox Year) in 2009 by Rev Kang Hee, City Harvest Church , Singapore - Scott Sacker posting Oct 2, 2011-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA-AkJzpKmg (59:50))

This presentation is at half pace with the Mandarin translation and should be more relaxing and given time to absorb any new impression. We get to learn some Mandarin in the process. Most of the characters have been mentioned in earlier presentations. But note the discrepancy in the time period to reflect that it is the best approximation based on past records. 

The main points of Pr. Kang’s presentation:

Chinese Christians are made to feel that they have forsaken their Chinese roots. We are made to feel that we have abandoned our heritage and culture by embracing a foreign, Western religion. Generally, relatives will remark that they no longer love their family.

Most Chinese are deeply rooted in ancestral worship and most homes will have an altar. The popular religions are Daoism (6th B.C, Lao Tze), Confucianism (5th B.C.) (so called) and Buddhism ( 5th B.C. imported from India much later). They are introduced very much later in the Chinese civilization timeline which began in around 2200 B.C (although most say 2500 B.C).(See Appendix “B” The Five  Historical Dynasties of China (Simplified)) Here is the forgotten history that by God’s design is indelibly recorded in the Chinese Language characters (a combination of  pictograms and ideograms)

By unlocking the mysteries in each character together with archaeological evidence and historical records available is what the video will unravel:    

Chinese greatest Historian Sima Qian (135-86 B.C.) in his classic historical records told of a king call Yellow Emperor Huang Di – 2500-2400 B.C. The dating of this historical period is most widely quoted (Therefore, 2500 B.C. is the beginning of the first emperor ( High King, Heaven)in the Chinese civilization of ancient China (God’s Country) It is the historians common understanding without reference to the dating of Biblical account of Genesis. It could not predate the Great flood in 2348 B.C. This error is obvious as other historical reference says that the Shang Dynasty ere was 1766 BC-1047 BC, based on archaeological evidences. He built an altar in Tai San, a mountain in Shandong Province to worship Shang Di, the one supreme God whose other name is Tian, He also recorded a comment by a Han Dynasty scholar, “ Shang Di is another name for Tian. The spirits do not have two Lord.“ Shi Ji (Vol. 28, Book 6, pg 624) it confirms what the Old Testament says of Jehovah. Shang Di has the same character, nature and power as the God of the Jews.  

Pr Kang also states a song found in the classic collected statues of the Ming Dynasty ( 1368-1644 A,D.)

The translation: “Of old in the beginning, there was the great chaos, without form and dark. The five planets had not begun to revolve, nor the two lights to shine. In the midst of it there existed neither form or sound. You, O spiritual Sovereign, came forth in your sovereignty, and first did separate the impure from the pure. You made heaven; you made earth; you made man. All things became alive with reproducing power.”

This is very similar to the Genesis account in chapters 1 & 2.  However, this could be attributed to this scholar  who had this knowledge of the Bible from the Christian missionary who first came to China  as early as in the ninth century and subsequent Christian missionaries were most active during the Ming Dynasty . (The Ming Dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644 A.D., during which China’s population would double. This Dynasty is known for its trade expansion to the outside world that established cultural ties with the West).

1.5.1 Genesis (Gen 1-11) Embedded in Chinese Words

The Chinese language is unique. Nobody knows when the Chinese language originated. It is generally agreed it came about at the same time as the reign of Huang Di. It was the ability to write that leaves us with evidence of the history of the past. From the time they were able to document history there were several global events that everybody could remember.

It began with the Great Flood which destroyed all living things other than Noah and his family. Noah built the first altar and offered animal sacrifice in worship of God. The disruption in the construction of the Tower of Babel and caused people to be scattered everywhere and languages to come forth after the confusion to the one language by God to cause them to disperse rather than congregate together under Nimrod, who rebelled against God by building the Tower.   

It was recorded in the Bible. Noah was the tenth generation from Adam to the flood (The people had a life span of over 900 years and the people alive must remember their origin as conveyed by Adam. Adam was able to tell Methuselah (8th Generation) and just died when the flood came. Surely they would want to pass down the information for posterity. The original classical Chinese language was unique because it was able to capture Chinese history. Every Chinese word not only expresses a meaning, it captures a history and tells a story of the past. All the stories of creation, Genesis chap 1-11, are recorded in the Chinese language characters (words).

This is the hypothesis based on the premise that if the ancient Chinese people were descendants from the three sons of Noah and the event of the need for the confusion of the one language at the Tower of Babel. It was the will of God that they will disperse and spread to every parts of the world. Therefore the people will want to tell the global cataclysmic events to their children and through them from generation to generation so that they will know their origin and identity.

The bulk of the presentation is to show you how the Chinese characters documented their origin and identity as the descendants of Adam and Eve and as children of the one true God who make (create) man in His image and created (zao) the world (Gen 1:26) about 6000 years ago. Additional words- scatter, hide, tower, unite, confusion, divide, dispel., blood, eternal, faith. confess (15:07- 49:00)

He ended with the word righteousness (yi) that prophesy Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God sent by God to be the savior of the world and was fulfilled at the cross of Calvary, Passover 31 A.D. For our Chinese ancestors the Holy Spirit has impressed them to expect the self-sacrifice of Jesus that they may have His righteousness by faith to overcome sins and Satan. When the present day Chinese writes this word they are unknowingly being reminded of our hope in Christ and to search for the truth in the word of God and to return to worship the only true God. – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Joh 3:16) 

Most Chinese of today have forgotten the God their ancestors worshipped  as they are influenced to worship Satan by default through worshipping images of idols. Apostle Paul addressed this condition of the Athenians who had an inscription made “To the Unknown God.”-Act 17:22. (See Appendix "D")  We need to go back to our roots rather than thinking that the religion of Christ is a western religion.

1.5.2 Forgotten Religion of the Chinese Part 2 of 2     

(R2 a God in Ancient China - Part 2 of 2 (English & Chinese) Jul 7, 2012 eyong52- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kkxUyMAMXQ&t=205s (1:12: 11))

Part 2 is a presentation of Chinese historical records that documented the religion of China from the Shang Dynasty (1776-1122 B.C) , coinciding with the time of Exodus ( 1491-1451B.C) and all the way to the Book of Judges. Confucius in his five classic and Sima Qian in his historical classics records.confirmed that the ancient Chinese then worship Shang Di.  Shang Di had sovereignty over the nations, like Daniel 2 in the Bible, He appoints and removes kings. He governs the elements of nature and is the Lord of the harvest.

The Zhou Dynasty succeeding the Shang called Shang Di,Tien (Heaven- God) literally meaning of everything big on earth, He is higher than them (6:03) i.e. the most High God ( El Elyon). During this period the” mandate of heaven” was widely used. Shang Di was mentioned 175 times in the Chinese classics  (7:78- 11:30) These verses are the same as discussed by Dr Thong earlier.

The Sacrificial system connected with the Temple (Altar) of Heaven built in 1420  (Ming Dynasty) is next discussed  (12:05- 30:39) and as presented by Dr, Thong. He pointed out that the temple is mistakenly associated with Taoism, a religion that only began in 5 B.C. He mentions that all the kings of the eighteen dynasties  sacrificed to Shang Di.on an altar built in the respective capital city. He says that the Chinese are descendants of Shem , the third son of Noah, just as Abraham was from the same lineage. (15:30)(However, a small number of interpreters prefer  instead Japheth, the eldest son ) ,  So the Israelites and the Chinese share a common heritage.

Noah built an altar to the Lord as the first thing when he  came out of the Ark: Gen 8:20  “And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. :21  And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.” The next important epoc episode was the tower of Babel where God confused the original common language ( See Appendix Ad) and  one band of Shem’s descendants migrated east to China. They kept up the sacrificial offering to God. This ritual was recorded by Sima Qian as discussed earlier as the Border sacrifice.  Confucius wrote: “The ceremonies of the celestial and terrestrial sacrifices are thoe by which men serve Shang Di”- (the Doctrine of Mean, Ch 19, verse 6).  Pr. Kang elaborated on the similarity of the Chinese rites to the Jewish sacrificial system as described in Leviticus. The ancient Chinese had remembrance of Abel who dutifully made the animal sacrifice , but was killed by Cain who offered the produce of the land, in opposition to God’s command.  The Chinese always remember the importance of blood sacrifices in cutting the covenant in blood.

 Only the emperor serving as high priest can offer the sacrifice on behalf of the sin of the people. This is same as the Bible teaches which points to coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate King of kings and the great high priest , to become the Lamb of God to take away our sins The ancient Chinese had a very elaborate sacrificial system, and like the Israelites who performed their sacrifices dutifully without the full understanding ( This is also not comprehended as Pr Kang did and which SDA has as one of its six pillars of faith. - See Appendix "A")

Qin Shi Huang ( 259-210 B.C.) was the first Chinese emperor  to reject Shang Di worship and shun this practice. He was the most corrupted king in Chinese history, although he united the whole of China. During his reign, massive idolatory came into China. Taoism, Buddhhism and Confucianism grew and dominated the Chinese.

Pr. Kang also clearly elaborated on the astronomic record in the historical records that pertains to the birth of Jesus and His death on the cross (31:58-43:03)   and also discussed by Dr Thong more than six years later. Pr Kang added  to: “When the emperor saw the eclipse he got fearful and proclaimed ( prophetic truth about Jesus) “the sins of all the people are now on one man, Pardon is proclaimed to all under heaven “ “Eclipse on the day of Gui Hai, man from heaven died”-History of Latter Han, Annals No 18, Gui Hai. Three days later, the Chinese astronomer recorded : During the reign of Guang Wu, on the day of Bing Yin of the fourth month of Jian Wu, a halo-a rainbow-encircled the sun.” This corroborated the resurrection of Jesus after resting three days in the tomb.

1.5.2.1 Christianity in China through Foreigners - Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) ( 43:00- 53:23)

He was a lawyer and scientist who became a Jesuit priest. This portion is discussed in R1b and his rendition is equally good. When Ricci was convicted the Chinese worshiped the same God of heaven, he began to show the Chinese the similarities and translation many Christian books into Chinese and translated the Chinese books into Latin for the Europeans and was the first man to show Chinese culture to the west. He showed great respect to the culture and sometimes dressed himself as a Buddhist monk or as a Confucian scholar and was not as rigid to his sworn Jesuit oath (See Appendix "E"-The Jesuit Counter Reformation) . His purpose was to engage the culture of the Chinese and win them to Christ through his genuine love and friendship. His goal was to gain a position in the royal palace and share the love of Christ to the Chinese emperor himself, because you can’t change a nation without changing the elite (This is why the endtime prophecy did not mention China, but only the U.S.A , although China is now challenging the U.S for supremacy. This is why China’s president need to know about the forgotten God of the Chinese people and in due time he will be convicted as was King Nebuchadnezzar.)  Matteo believed that if he can convert the emperor, he can change the whole of China.

After 20 years of hard work, Ricci became an advisor (the first foreign advisor,( just like the biblical Joseph, and  Daniel) to Emperor Wan Li . He died at 58  and led  2500 Chinese to Jeus Christ , the first man to bring the gospel to China. He established four mission bases throughout China. Through his leadership among the Jesuits, a number of Chinese elite, the top of society they came to Christ. By 1664, there were more than a quarter million Christians in China. Many princes, and dowagers became Christians. Among those saved was one of the greatest emperor in Chinese history. 

1.5.2.2 Emperor Kang Xi (1654-1722) (53:34- )

He was a Qing Emperor who began at 14 and was tutored by another brilliantJesuit Ferdinand Verbiest, a mathematician and scientist. One of the most educated Chinese emperor, Kang Zi wrote thirty thousand poems to glorify God. He was well versed in science, mathematics, and literature. His reign was known as the golden era of China.

1.5.2.2.1 Some of Kang Zi’s Writings

“The heaven’s gate was closed due to the first man’s sin. The path to salvation tp salvation is through the son only. I accep the Holy Son of God through Him. I receive eternal life.”

“ His works was completed on the CrossHis blood shed like a creek. Such deep stream of grace flowed from the West.” Kang Xi’s The Death of Christ.   

By 1692, he issued an edict granting Christians all throughout China to evangelise. The Bible was spread throughout China. Then crisis  hit  with persecution  as Jesus had taught . The worst were from the leaders within the Catholic church who were against the missionaries engaging Chinese culture. These religious Catholic Christians considered Chinese as pagans and looked down on their culture and their language.  They were against the learning of the Chinese language and condemn all Chinese emperors to burn in hell. They demanded all converts to give up the rites of honoring their ancestors. Although most Chinese don’t worship their ancestors but they honour the dead. It is part of the Chinese culture.   Kang Xi made it very clear he and most Chinese believe in the supreme sovereign Most High God. The rites of honoring ancestors were only signs of respect. They don’t pray to them and they are not afraid of departed spirits and they have no superstitious beliefs concerning spirits. But the pope cannot accept it and this became known as the “Rite Controversy”*1 Pope Clement XI sent Dominican*2 missionary to Kang Xi demanding all China must renounce the honoring of the ancestors. The Pope’s missionary were totally insensitive to the feelings of the Chinese and insulting the Chinese and their culture. It was the French bishop who challenged Emperor Kang Xi and insulted him. This result in him banning Christianity in China.  He wrote:

“I have concluded that the Westerners are petty indeed. It is impossible to reason with them because they do not understand larger issues as we understand them in China. There is not a single Westerner versed in Chinese works, and their remarks are often incredible nd ridiculous. To judge from this proclamation, their religion is no different from other small, bigoted sects of Buddhism or Daoism. I have never seen a document, which contains so much nonsense. From now on, Westerners should not be allowed to preach in China, to avoid further trouble”- The Chinese Rites Controversy, 1715, Dan J. Li trans.

Kang Xi secretly tried to negotiate with the pope to convince the pope who refused to relent and Kang Xi was so saddened and wrote to the pope:

“ You have corrupted your teaching and disrupted the efforts of the former Westerners. This is definitely not the will of your God, for He leads men to good deeds. I have often heard fro you Westerners that the devil lead men astray- this must be it.”- Billington, “Matteo Ricci, the Grand Design, the Disaster of the ‘Rite Controversy’”. 

God  who is working behind the scene among the Chinese people  from the beginning will not let this long period of silence since Kang Xi to bring all His children (from all ‘races’ ) to know the truth and be reconciled through Christ  to Him. We are all of one blood and the descendents of the righteous Noah. It is God’s design and timing that this knowledge of the story in the Chinese Language be the catalyst to bring us to seek the truth that is in God’s word.

(Note*1 The Rites Controversy (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/ethnic/2009-08/13/content_8565180.htm  ) After Matteo Ricci's death in 1610, his successor Niccolo Longobardi started the controversy. He was very dissatisfied with many phenomena at the time. His action led to the split-up of the missionaries. They kept on their arguments on the three major issues for a long time and it went more and more serious.

In 1643 a missionary went back to Europe and accused the Society of Jesus in the Religious Court of Rome. In 1945, the Pope issued an order to forbid Chinese Catholics to take part in traditional activities. Later, the controversy spread to Europe. The Jesuits put forward the issue to Chinese emperor, which further complicated the event. The Pope stuck to his opinion, which made the Chinese emperor anger. As a result, he expelled the stubborn missionaries.

This event lasted more than 100 years. In 1775, the Pope dismissed the Society of Jesus, which brought the event to an end. It was also called China affair in Europe.)

(Note*2 Dominicans were the main arm in the sale of indulgence certificate in Europe in the 16th century at the time of Luther’s reformation. “In Germany the sale of indulgences had been committed to the Dominican friars and was conducted by the infamous Tetzel. In Switzerland the traffic was put into the hands of the Franciscans, under the control of Samson, an Italian monk. …{GC 178.4} They were the ones sent to China by Pope Clement during the reign of Kang Xi.)

1.6 Forgotten God of the Chinese

R3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv2Phrua0Po (56:36)  Rev Albert Kang - Unknown God of Ancient China Mar 20, 2020 Faithline International Ministries (Sermon by Rev Albert Kang, | Petaling Jaya | 26 January 2020)

How did the worship of Shang Di change into the current forms of idol worship among the Chinese? Rev Kang from Malaysia also posed the question, What happened to Shang Di? The answer begins at 39:58 . He was delivering his sermon on the second day of the Lunar New Year of the Rat.( It is worth watching from the beginning for his perspective which is commendable and simple.)

Historical records show that for the first thousand years there was no idol in the Temple of Heaven. There was no worshipping of ancestors in the first one thousand years of Chinese history. If we look today at Chinese culture and Chinese religion we will find a large majority of Chinese are Buddhists, another large majority subscribe to the teachings of Confucius, and also Daoism. 

Transition to Idols Worship

This is Pr Kang explanation. Like Israel, the Chinese people later began to worship other gods. (See Appendix “D” The Unknown God Inscription in Athens) The Bible records Israel in a short time when they went into Canaan, the promise land, they were influenced  by their environment, by the elements of nature to be the attributes of gods, and be detached from their origin. From one God they have many gods with one major God over many gods. So now Shang Di became Tien Di and in the Chinese pantheon of Gods are Buddha and Quan Yin But where did Quan Yin come from? He came as a male god from India in the Han Dynasty. But by the Tang Dynasty, he became a female goddess. This understanding was passed down parents to their children and she is now entrenched  as a goddess by many Chinese. We now have the elderly Chinese praying to the kitchen god, door god, and all other kinds of god. There are parents who go to the temple of Confucius to pray for their children’s good grades in school. Some religion turns people into god. The concept is from many gods of all things to all things are gods, and this extends to praying to all departed ancestors  which is perpetuated in some of the traditional rites such as “Ching Ming” festival. when many families visit the graves and tombs of their ancestors.Ching Ming officially starts 104 days after the winter solstice. The festival usually begins on April 4th or 5th, but activities may start as early as 10 days prior.

1.6.1.2 Chinese Lunar New Year

This is the main traditional Chinese festival being discussed to illustrate how it is still perpetuated  like the Christmas and Halloween that are founded on fables and lies.( see D19- Halloween’ Origin; D20-Xmas Myth; D21 Easter Truth )

This is one of the folklore on the Chinese New Year:

On New Year’s Eve, “Nian”, the monster, would come out from the sea and devour children and livestock.  There was a monk who came to the village and said if you pay me I will get rid of the Nian. The head of the village replied that they will run away instead. But when they came back they found that all the livestock were still there but the whole place was painted red. They also found that the monk also did some fireworks to frighten away the Nian. Apparently, Nian was afraid of two things- loud noise and the colour red.  Red is reminiscent of the sacrifice that God originally make. Red , later on became good luck because of the Blood. (See D24 Godly Mystery- Par 2. The Folklore Meaning of Chinese New Year (CNY); 2 a. What are the origins of Lunar New Year?; 2 a-i. How is Lunar New Year celebrated? 2 a-ii. Gift of Red Packet (Ang Pow;2 b. The Counterfeit of CNY; 2 c. Chinese Worldwide CNY Celebration;) 

When the Chinese say “Kuo Nien” – Passover Nian, it is similar to the Jewish Passover. (Exo 12). It  was the last judgment on the Pharaoh  for refusing to release the Israelite to go. God commanded the Israelites to put the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the door post so that the death angel will pass over them  So  Kuo Nian has the same application. Fire crackers, red lanterns, red cloths on doors and drums  are meant to frighten and chase away the Nien.  The Chinese seems to remember the painting of the red blood on the lintel and the two door posts but not on the threshold.( no trampling on the blood and only the blood of Jesus to cover you). For the celebration of New Year, most Chinese family will put up red cloth over the main door of the house, but they don’t understand the original meaning.

He ends by quoting John 3:16 and points out that everyone of us do need the Saviour for we cannot save ourselves. Many Chinese unbelieversof the one true god  believe in  the “eighteen levels of hell”. As preparation to go to hell, they burn some hell notes for those who go to hell to use. This is extended to paper models of Mercedes, house, maids, handphone, laptop, etc. But the Bible says we don’t have to be citizens of hell, the netherworld. Satan said the wages of sin is death and you must go hell. But Jesus said I will pay the price, He went to hell to pay the price for all confessed sins and on the third day he rose again to give us the chance to have life. Because He is alive today, we have the chance to be set free from the bondage to Satan and sins. This is the good news. He paid the price so that we can make it to heaven. He also gives anyone who believe in Him and the Father, the third person of the Holy Spirit who tarts to transform you to become more and more like Jesus. It is only by the righteousnes of Jesus Christ coming upon you who have humbled yourself to receive the kindness and grace of God and you are saved from yourself while on earth and be prepared to go to heaven.

It is very appropriate to watch the Bible Sabbath School "Come To Me..."- 31. Worship Service - 07/31/2021 - Jesus in the Sanctuary Part 2 of 2 Premiered 8 hours ago secretsunsealed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u26W7r2s8Hc (:01 – 52:56) (See also Appendix “F” Jesus Invitation- “ Come unto Me” at https://www.ellenwhite.info/books/ellen-g-white-book-desire-of-ages-da-34.htm )

End of D29 –35 pages.

Posted  on July 31, 2021 by Tsc at singtsc@yahoo.com

Your feedback, comments, suggestions and article contributions will be deeply appreciated. There is a provision for brief comments below. And better still email me at singtsc@yahoo.com Also please refer and share the article with your friends and relatives

P.S A new article D30 Discover C-19 Mess and Clear up  is being posted by October 25, 2021. (discovered tech hitch on loading articl - delay expected) Before that at www.wakeupow.com is FA4 Don’t Forget God on October 3 , 2021.

We are now only seeing the modern Inquisition being established before our very eyes for those who want to see in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy

If you are convicted to want to know more about the truth that is in the Bible, the revelation of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, there are two ways suggested: 

1. The articles  are posted periodically in two websites and easy to print out or read online  They are www.wakeupow.com (i.e. wake up prisoner-of-war (pow) and www.discoverylifediy.com All the topics are listed in either the menu bars on the left column or drop down menu at the top. A good earlier article to start with is  FoC12 “Tales of Unbelief” at http://www.wakeupow.com/159912051

2.  In addition there is also an upcoming very good weekly Bible study serried via Zoom  that you may enrol  in arranged by Yip Kok Toh and Roxana Yip on  “Mystery Babylon & Prophecy Again”- End time prophecy study to gain clarity and confidence in Daniel and Revelation. . Starting date: Oct 30 (Sat). 2021. Time: 10 am ( USA 7pm PST 10/29) Meeting ID: 833 6741 7149 Password: faith For more information , please contact Roxans at +65 9327 6151 You need to have access to Zoom

Appendix “A” Great Controversy- Lesson Book of the Universe  (The Desire of Ages (1898) Chap 1- “God with Us.”

In the beginning, God was revealed in all the works of creation. It was Christ that spread the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth. It was His hand that hung the worlds in space, and fashioned the flowers of the field. "His strength setteth fast the mountains." "The sea is His, and He made it." Psalm 65:6; 95:5. It was He that filled the earth with beauty, and the air with song. And upon all things in earth, and air, and sky, He wrote the message of the Father's love.  {DA 20.1}

(The Lord reveals through His word, even the spiritual dimension of the spiritual cosmic conflict that we are engaged in since the fall of Adam and Eve to the deception of Satan. The great controversy is about the spiritual fight against the power of darkness, not against earthly human powers. We must understand that when we pray we engage the power of the Holy Spirit to ask Jesus help, His grace in the battle against Satan in our behalf.

Ultimately,on the the Day of the Lord, our success in the conflict rests on Jesus who defeated Satan at the Cross (He died and resurrected in overcome Satan and sin from death) to return to rule in Heaven on the right hand of God. This is the promise of the Cross- this is the apocalyptic prophecy given to encourage God's people in times of crisis and persecution by disclosing God's overarching plans for history. These plans culminate with the deliverance of God's people, the obliteration of evil, and the establihment of God's eternal kingdom.)

 Now sin has marred God's perfect work, yet that handwriting remains. Even now all created things declare the glory of His excellence. There is nothing, save the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself. No bird that cleaves the air, no animal that moves upon the ground, but ministers to some other life. There is no leaf of the forest, or lowly blade of grass, but has its ministry. Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub and leaf. The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing to the world. The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds. The ocean, itself the source of all our springs and fountains, receives the streams from every land, but takes to give. The mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may bring forth and bud.  {DA 20.2} 

The angels of glory find their joy in giving,--giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know.  {DA 21.1} 

But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. "I do nothing of Myself," said Christ; "the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father." "I seek not Mine own glory," but the glory of Him that sent Me. John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18. In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father's life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.  {DA 21.2}

In heaven itself this law was broken. Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator. Thus he deceived angels. Thus he deceived men. He led them to doubt the word of God, and to distrust His goodness. Because God is a God of justice and terrible majesty, Satan caused them to look upon Him as severe and unforgiving. Thus he drew men to join him in rebellion against God, and the night of woe settled down upon the world.  {DA 21.3} 

The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, "with healing in His wings." Malachi 4:2.  {DA 22.1} 

The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of "the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal." Romans 16:25, R. V. It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God's throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten Son, "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.  {DA 22.2} 

Lucifer had said, "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; . . . I will be like the Most High." Isaiah 14:13, 14. But Christ, "being in the form of God, counted it not a thing to be grasped to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:6, 7, R. V., margin.  {DA 22.3} 

This was a voluntary sacrifice. Jesus might have remained at the Father's side. He might have retained the glory of heaven, and the homage of the angels. But He chose to give back the scepter into the Father's hands, and to step down from the throne of the universe, that He might bring light to the benighted, and life to the perishing.  {DA 22.4} 

Nearly two thousand years ago, a voice of mysterious import was heard in heaven, from the throne of God, "Lo, I come." "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me. . . . Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God." Hebrews 10:5-7. In these words is announced the fulfillment of the purpose that had been hidden from eternal ages. Christ was about to visit our world, and to become incarnate. He says, "A body hast Thou prepared Me." Had He appeared with the glory that was His with the Father before the world was, we could not have endured the light of His presence. That we might behold it and not be destroyed, the manifestation of His glory was shrouded. His divinity was veiled with humanity,--the invisible glory in the visible human form.  {DA 23.1} 

This great purpose had been shadowed forth in types and symbols. The burning bush, in which Christ appeared to Moses, revealed God. The symbol chosen for the representation of the Deity was a lowly shrub, that seemingly had no attractions. This enshrined the Infinite. The all-merciful God shrouded His glory in a most humble type, that Moses could look upon it and live. So in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, God communicated with Israel, revealing to men His will, and imparting to them His grace. God's glory was subdued, and His majesty veiled, that the weak vision of finite men might behold it. So Christ was to come in "the body of our humiliation" (Philippians 3:21, R. V.), "in the likeness of men." In the eyes of the world He possessed no beauty that they should desire Him; yet He was the incarnate God, the light of heaven and earth. His glory was veiled, His greatness and majesty were hidden, that He might draw near to sorrowful, tempted men.  {DA 23.2} 

God commanded Moses for Israel, "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8), and He abode in the sanctuary, in the midst of His people. Through all their weary wandering in the desert, the symbol of His presence was with them. So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment. He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men, that He might dwell among us, and make us familiar with His divine character and life. "The Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." John 1:14, R. V., margin.  {DA 23.3} 

Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners. For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour's life on earth, we see "God with us."  {DA 24.1} 

Satan represents God's law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men to look upon God as the author of sin, and suffering, and death. Jesus was to unveil this deception. As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our experiences. "In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren." Hebrews 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are." Hebrews 4:15. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God. He says, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart." Psalm 40:8. As He went about doing good, and healing all who were afflicted by Satan, He made plain to men the character of God's law and the nature of His service. His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God.  {DA 24.2}

By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey. It was Christ who from the bush on Mount Horeb spoke to Moses saying, "I AM THAT I AM. . . . Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14. This was the pledge of Israel's deliverance. So when He came "in the likeness of men," He declared Himself the I AM. The Child of Bethlehem, the meek and lowly Saviour, is God "manifest in the flesh." 1 Timothy 3:16. And to us He says: "I AM the Good Shepherd." "I AM the living Bread." "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." John 10:11; 6:51; 14:6; Matthew 28:18. I AM the assurance of every promise. I AM; be not afraid. "God with us" is the surety of our deliverance from sin, the assurance of our power to obey the law of heaven.  {DA 24.3}

In stooping to take upon Himself humanity, Christ revealed a character the opposite of the character of Satan. But He stepped still lower in the path of humiliation. "Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:8. As the high priest laid aside his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of the common priest, so Christ took the form of a servant, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him." Isaiah 53:5.  {DA 25.1} 

 Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. "With His stripes we are healed."  {DA 25.2} 

By His life and His death, Christ has achieved even more than recovery from the ruin wrought through sin. It was Satan's purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." John 3:16. He gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature. This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder." God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven. It is the "Son of man" who shares the throne of the universe. It is the "Son of man" whose name shall be called, "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6. The I AM is the Daysman between God and humanity, laying His hand upon both. He who is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners," is not ashamed to call us brethren. Hebrews 7:26;  2:11. In Christ the family of earth and the family of heaven are bound together. Christ glorified is our brother. Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love.  {DA 25.3}

Of His people God says, "They shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land. For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!" Zechariah 9:16, 17. The exaltation of the redeemed will be an eternal testimony to God's mercy. "In the ages to come," He will "show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." "To the intent that . . . unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known . . . the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 2:7; 3:10, 11, R. V.  {DA 26.1}

Through Christ's redeeming work the government of God stands justified. The Omnipotent One is made known as the God of love. Satan's charges are refuted, and his character unveiled. Rebellion can never again arise. Sin can never again enter the universe. Through eternal ages all are secure from apostasy. By love's self-sacrifice, the inhabitants of earth and heaven are bound to their Creator in bonds of indissoluble union.  {DA 26.2} 

The work of redemption will be complete. In the place where sin abounded, God's grace much more abounds. The earth itself, the very field that Satan claims as his, is to be not only ransomed but exalted. Our little world, under the curse of sin the one dark blot in His glorious creation, will be honored above all other worlds in the universe of God. Here, where the Son of God tabernacled in humanity; where the King of glory lived and suffered and died,--here, when He shall make all things new, the tabernacle of God shall be with men, "and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." And through endless ages as the redeemed walk in the light of the Lord, they will praise Him for His unspeakable Gift,--                    Immanuel, "God with us."  {DA 26.3} 

 (Read Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G. White:

“Aa”-Chapter 7—The Flood - https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.336#336

 “Ab”-2Chapter 8—After the Flood - https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.399#399

 “Ac”-Chapter 9—The Literal Week- https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.428#428

“Ad”-Chapter 10—The Tower of Babel- https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.454#454

 Appendix “B” The Five Historical Dynasties of China (Simplified) 

1. Shang Dynasty (1766 BC-1047 BC)

Shang Dynasty is considered by modern historians as the first Chinese dynasty. The historians have been able to confirm its existence through the numerous archaeological sites found by the Yellow River. The dynasty ruled the lower Yellow River from 1766 BC to 1047 BC. Its capital was the modern-day Anyang. The Shang Dynasty is associated with the metallurgy of bronze and armory and jewelry techniques. The dynasty was highly hierarchical with King Shang at the top.

2. Zhou Dynasty (1047 BC-256 BC)

The Zhou Dynasty was one of the most important dynasties in the history of China. The Western Zhou Dynasty ruled China from a period of 275 years from 1047 BC to 771 BC and was replaced by the Eastern Zhou which ruled for 514 years until 256 BC. The Zhou Dynasty gave birth to Taoism and Confucianism and other new ideas including religion such as Moism. The dynasty was also the pioneer of the “Mandate of Heaven” that formed the justification of the ruler’s power.

3. Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC)

The Qin Dynasty was one of the shortest dynasties in China, lasting only 14 years. It was the first dynasty of China’s Imperial era. The dynasty was established by Qin Shi Huang Di as the first emperor. The authoritarian emperor was able to unify all China and carried out several conquests including the Seven Warring States. The construction of the Great Wall of China also began during his reign.

4. Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD)

The Han Dynasty was the second dynasty in Imperial China. It spanned over 4 centuries and is often referred to as China’s golden age. The dynasty is divided into two periods; Western Han (206bc-9ad) and Eastern Han (25AD-220AD). During the period of this dynasty, the paper was invented and Confucianism was also promoted. Other achievements included the opening of the Silk Road and extension of the Chinese border past the Yangtze River.

5. Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

The Qing Dynasty was the last Chinese dynasty. It was founded in 1636 but ruled China Proper from 1644 to 1911. The dynasty was established by the Manchu of Manchuria and was highly successful in the 18th century. The Chines Empire was expanded to cover Taiwan, Tibet, Mongolia, and Xinjiang. However, it deteriorated into poverty in 1800 due to revolts and external pressure. The Qing Dynasty was replaced by the Republic of China.

Appendix “C” – God’s Call and Change Names- Importance of Name

When Abraham had been nearly twenty-five years in Canaan, the Lord appeared unto him, and said, "I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect." In awe, the patriarch fell upon his face, and the message continued: "Behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations." In token of the fulfillment of this covenant, his name, heretofore called Abram, was changed to Abraham, which signifies, "father of a great multitude." His wife Sarai (contentious) became Sarah--"princess;" for, said the divine Voice, "she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her."  {PP 137.3} 

The background to this began with God’s call to Abraham:

After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism. Even his father's household, by whom the knowledge of God had been preserved, were yielding to the seductive influences surrounding them, and they "served other gods" than Jehovah. But the true faith was not to become extinct. God has ever preserved a remnant to serve Him. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will. The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust. Idolatry invited him on every side, but in vain. Faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God. "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18. He communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law and of the salvation that would be accomplished through Christ.  {PP 125.1}

There was given to Abraham the promise, especially dear to the people of that age, of a numerous posterity and of national greatness: "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing." And to this was added the assurance, precious above every other to the inheritor of faith, that of his line the Redeemer of the world should come: "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Yet, as the first condition of fulfillment, there was to be a test of faith; a sacrifice was demanded.  {PP 125.2} …

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8. Abraham's unquestioning obedience is one of the most striking evidences of faith to be found in all the Bible. To him, faith was "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Verse 1. Relying upon the divine promise, without the least outward assurance of its fulfillment, he abandoned home and kindred and native land, and went forth, he knew not whither, to follow where God should lead. "By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise." Hebrews 11:9, R.V.  {PP 126.2}…

More spectacular was the blessing to Abraham’s grandson, Jacob (Supplanter) to Israel ( the prince that prevailed in wrestling with God). As an evidence that he had been forgiven, his name was changed from one that was a reminder of his sin, to one that commemorated his victory.

The event as amplified by the Spirit of Prophecy:

It was in a lonely, mountainous region, the haunt of wild beasts and the lurking place of robbers and murderers. Solitary and unprotected, Jacob bowed in deep distress upon the earth. It was midnight. All that made life dear to him were at a distance, exposed to danger and death. Bitterest of all was the thought that it was his own sin which had brought this peril upon the innocent. With earnest cries and tears he made his prayer before God. Suddenly a strong hand was laid upon him. He thought that an enemy was seeking his life, and he endeavored to wrest himself from the grasp of his assailant. In the darkness the two struggled for the mastery. Not a word was spoken, but Jacob put forth all his strength, and did not relax his efforts for a moment. While he was thus battling for his life, the sense of his guilt pressed upon his soul; his sins rose up before him, to shut him out from God. But in his terrible extremity he remembered God's promises, and his whole heart went out in entreaty for His mercy. The struggle continued until near the break of day, when the stranger placed his finger upon Jacob's thigh, and he was crippled instantly. The patriarch now discerned the character of his antagonist. He knew that he had been in conflict with a heavenly messenger, and this was why his almost superhuman effort had not gained the victory. It was Christ, "the Angel of the covenant," who had revealed Himself to Jacob. The patriarch was now disabled and suffering the keenest pain, but he would not loosen his hold. All penitent and broken, he clung to the Angel; "he wept, and made supplication" (Hosea 12:4), pleading for a blessing. He must have the assurance that his sin was pardoned. Physical pain was not sufficient to divert his mind from this object. His determination grew stronger, his faith more earnest and persevering, until the very last. The Angel tried to release Himself; He urged, "Let Me go, for the day breaketh;" but Jacob answered, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." Had this been a boastful, presumptuous confidence, Jacob would have been instantly destroyed; but his was the assurance of one who confesses his own unworthiness, yet trusts the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God.  {PP 196.3} 

Jacob "had power over the Angel, and prevailed." Hosea 12:4. Through humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal prevailed with the Majesty of heaven. He had fastened his trembling grasp upon the promises of God, and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn away the sinner's plea.  {PP 197.1} 

The error that had led to Jacob's sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud was now clearly set before him. He had not trusted God's promises, but had sought by his own efforts to bring about that which God would have accomplished in His own time and way. As an evidence that he had been forgiven, his name was changed from one that was a reminder of his sin, to one that commemorated his victory. "Thy name," said the Angel, "shall be called no more Jacob [the supplanter], but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed."  {PP 197.2} 

Jacob had received the blessing for which his soul had longed. His sin as a supplanter and deceiver had been pardoned. The crisis in his life was past. Doubt, perplexity, and remorse had embittered his existence, but now all was changed; and sweet was the peace of reconciliation with God. Jacob no longer feared to meet his brother. God, who had forgiven his sin, could move the heart of Esau also to accept his humiliation and repentance.  {PP 198.1} 

While Jacob was wrestling with the Angel, another heavenly messenger was sent to Esau. In a dream, Esau beheld his brother for twenty years an exile from his father's house; he witnessed his grief at finding his mother dead; he saw him encompassed by the hosts of God. This dream was related by Esau to his soldiers, with the charge not to harm Jacob, for the God of his father was with him.  {PP 198.2}

 Appendix “D” The Unknown God Inscription in Athens

This is a condensed version of Acts of the Apostle, chapter 23 Berea and Athens as lessons for us concerning the Forgotten God to the Chinese. The Bereans were willing to investigate the truth concerning God’s message. But the Athenians, who were Idols worshippers were impressed but hung on to their reasoning and human wisdom.

At Berea Paul found Jews who were willing to investigate the truths he taught. Luke's record declares of them: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."  {AA 231.1} 

The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice. They were willing to investigate the truthfulness of the doctrines preached by the apostles. They studied the Bible, not from curiosity, but in order that they might learn what had been written concerning the promised Messiah. Daily they searched the inspired records, and as they compared scripture with scripture, heavenly angels were beside them, enlightening their minds and impressing their hearts.  {AA 231.2} 

Wherever the truths of the gospel are proclaimed, those who honestly desire to do right are led to a diligent searching of the Scriptures. If, in the closing scenes of this earth's history, those to whom testing truths are proclaimed would follow the example of the Bereans, searching the Scriptures daily, and comparing with God's word the messages brought them, there would today be a large number loyal to the precepts of God's law, where now there are comparatively few. But when unpopular Bible truths are presented, many refuse to make this investigation. Though unable to controvert the plain teachings of Scripture, they yet manifest the utmost reluctance to study the evidences offered. Some assume that even if these doctrines are indeed true, it matters little whether or not they accept the new light, and they cling to pleasing fables which the enemy uses to lead souls astray. Thus their minds are blinded by error, and they become separated from heaven.  {AA 232.1} 

All will be judged according to the light that has been given. The Lord sends forth His ambassadors with a message of salvation, and those who hear He will hold responsible for the way in which they treat the words of His servants. Those who are sincerely seeking for truth will make a careful investigation, in the light of God's word, of the doctrines presented to them.  {AA 232.2}…. 

The Athenians have forgotten the only true God that they remember as the Unknown God. This is a reminder to the Chinese worshippers who are now worshipping Idols.      

The city of Athens was the metropolis of heathendom. Here Paul did not meet with an ignorant, credulous populace, as at Lystra, but with a people famous for their intelligence and culture. Everywhere statues of their gods and of the deified heroes of history and poetry met the eye, while magnificent architecture and paintings represented the national glory and the popular worship of heathen deities. The senses of the people were entranced by the beauty and splendor of art. On every hand sanctuaries and temples, involving untold expense, reared their massive forms. Victories of arms and deeds of celebrated men were commemorated by sculpture, shrines, and tablets. All these made Athens a vast gallery of art.  {AA 233.4} ..

 The apostle was not deceived by that which he saw in this center of learning. His spiritual nature was so alive to the attraction of heavenly things that the joy and glory of the riches which will never perish made valueless in his eyes the pomp and splendor with which he was surrounded. As he saw the magnificence of Athens he realized its seductive power over lovers of art and science, and his mind was deeply impressed with the importance of the work before him.  {AA 234.2} 

In this great city, where God was not worshiped. …{AA 234.3} …,his principal work in Athens was to bear the tidings of salvation to those who had no intelligent conception of God and of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race. The apostle was soon to meet paganism in its most subtle, alluring form.  {AA 234.4} 

The great men of Athens were not long in learning of the presence in their city of a singular teacher who was setting before the people doctrines new and strange. Some of these men sought Paul out and entered into conversation with him. Soon a crowd of listeners gathered about them. Some were prepared to ridicule the apostle as one who was far beneath them both socially and intellectually, and these said jeeringly among themselves, "What will this babbler say?" Others, "because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection," said, "He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods."  {AA 235.1} 

Among those who encountered Paul in the market place were "certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics;" but they, and all others who came in contact with him, soon saw that he had a store of knowledge even greater than their own. His intellectual power commanded the respect of the learned; while his earnest, logical reasoning and the power of his oratory held the attention of all in the audience. His hearers recognized the fact that he was no novice, but was able to meet all classes with convincing arguments in support of the doctrines he taught. Thus the apostle stood undaunted, meeting his opposers on their own ground, matching logic with logic, philosophy with philosophy, eloquence with eloquence.  {AA 235.2} 

His heathen opponents called his attention to the fate of Socrates, who, because he was a setter forth of strange gods, had been condemned to death, and they counseled Paul not to endanger his life in the same way. But the apostle's discourses riveted the attention of the people, and his unaffected wisdom commanded their respect and admiration. He was not silenced by the science or the irony of the philosophers, and satisfying themselves that he was determined to accomplish his errand among them, and, at all hazards, to tell his story, they decided to give him a fair hearing.  {AA 236.1} 

 They accordingly conducted him to Mars' Hill. This was one of the most sacred spots in all Athens, and its recollections and associations were such as to cause it to be regarded with a superstitious reverence that in the minds of some amounted to dread. It was in this place that matters connected with religion were often carefully considered by men who acted as final judges on all the more important moral as well as civil questions.  {AA 236.2} 

Here, away from the noise and bustle of crowded thoroughfares, and the tumult of promiscuous discussion, the apostle could be heard without interruption. Around him gathered poets, artists, and philosophers--the scholars and sages of Athens, who thus addressed him: "May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know thereof what these things mean."  {AA 236.3} 

... "Ye men of Athens," he said, "I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." With all their intelligence and general knowledge, they were ignorant of the God who created the universe. Yet there were some who were longing for greater light. They were reaching out toward the Infinite.  {AA 237.1} 

With hand outstretched toward the temple crowded with idols, Paul poured out the burden of his soul, and exposed the fallacies of the religion of the Athenians. The wisest of his hearers were astonished as they listened to his reasoning. He showed himself familiar with their works of art, their literature, and their religion. Pointing to their statuary and idols, he declared that God could not be likened to forms of man's devising. These graven images could not, in the faintest sense, represent the glory of Jehovah. He reminded them that these images had no life, but were controlled by human power, moving only when the hands of men moved them; and therefore those who worshiped them were in every way superior to that which they worshiped.  {AA 237.2} 

Paul drew the minds of his idolatrous hearers beyond the limits of their false religion to a true view of the Deity, whom they had styled the "Unknown God." This Being, whom he now declared unto them, was independent of man, needing nothing from human hands to add to His power and glory.  {AA 237.3} 

The people were carried away with admiration for Paul's earnest and logical presentation of the attributes of the true God--of His creative power and the existence of His overruling providence. With earnest and fervid eloquence the apostle declared, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things." The heavens were not large enough to contain God, how much less were the temples made by human hands!  {AA 238.1} 

In that age of caste, when the rights of men were often unrecognized, Paul set forth the great truth of human brotherhood, declaring that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." In the sight of God all are on an equality, and to the Creator every human being owes supreme allegiance. Then the apostle showed how, through all God's dealings with man, His purpose of grace and mercy runs like a thread of gold. He "hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us."  {AA 238.2} 

Pointing to the noble specimens of manhood about him, with words borrowed from a poet of their own he pictured the infinite God as a Father, whose children they were. "In Him we live, and move, and have our being," he declared; "as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.  {AA 238.3} 

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." In the ages of darkness that had preceded the advent of Christ, the divine Ruler had passed lightly over the idolatry of the heathen; but now, through His Son, He had sent men the light of truth; and He expected from all repentance unto salvation, not only from the poor and humble, but from the proud philosopher and the princes of the earth. "Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead." As Paul spoke of the resurrection from the dead, "some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter."  {AA 239.1} 

Thus closed the labors of the apostle at Athens, the center of heathen learning, for the Athenians, clinging persistently to their idolatry, turned from the light of the true religion. When a people are wholly satisfied with their own attainments, little more need be expected of them. Though boasting of learning and refinement, the Athenians were constantly becoming more corrupt and more content with the vague mysteries of idolatry.  {AA 239.2} 

Among those who listened to the words of Paul were some to whose minds the truths presented brought conviction, but they would not humble themselves to acknowledge God and to accept the plan of salvation. No eloquence of words, no force of argument, can convert the sinner. The power of God alone can apply the truth to the heart. He who persistently turns from this power cannot be reached. The Greeks sought after wisdom, yet the message of the cross was to them foolishness because they valued their own wisdom more highly than the wisdom that comes from above.  {AA 239.3} 

In their pride of intellect and human wisdom may be found the reason why the gospel message met with comparatively little success among the Athenians. The worldly-wise men who come to Christ as poor lost sinners, will become wise unto salvation; but those who come as distinguished men, extolling their own wisdom, will fail of receiving the light and knowledge that He alone can give.  {AA 240.1}  ..

Inspiration has given us this glance into the life of the Athenians, who, with all their knowledge, refinement, and art, were yet sunken in vice, that it might be seen how God, through His servant, rebuked idolatry and the sins of a proud, self-sufficient people. The words of the apostle, and the description of his attitude and surroundings, as traced by the pen of inspiration, were to be handed down to all coming generations, bearing witness of his unshaken confidence, his courage in loneliness and adversity, and the victory he gained for Christianity in the very heart of paganism.  {AA 240.3} 

Paul's words contain a treasure of knowledge for the church. He was in a position where he might easily have said that which would have irritated his proud listeners and brought himself into difficulty. Had his oration been a direct attack upon their gods and the great men of the city, he would have been in danger of meeting the fate of Socrates. But with a tact born of divine love, he carefully drew their minds away from heathen deities, by revealing to them the true God, who was to them unknown.  {AA 241.1} 

Today the truths of Scripture are to be brought before the great men of the world in order that they may choose between obedience to God's law and allegiance to the prince of evil. God sets everlasting truth before them--truth that will make them wise unto salvation, but He does not force them to accept it. If they turn from it, He leaves them to themselves, to be filled with the fruit of their own doings.  {AA 241.2} 

 "The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are." 1 Corinthians 1:18, 19, 27, 28. Many of the greatest scholars and statesmen, the world's most eminent men, will in these last days turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God. Yet God's servants are to improve every opportunity to communicate the truth to these men. Some will acknowledge their ignorance of the things of God and will take their place as humble learners at the feet of Jesus, the Master Teacher.  {AA 241.3} 

In every effort to reach the higher classes, the worker for God needs strong faith. Appearances may seem forbidding, but in the darkest hour there is light above. The strength of those who love and serve God will be renewed day by day. The understanding of the Infinite is placed at their service, that in carrying out His purposes they may not err. Let these workers hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end, remembering that the light of God's truth is to shine amid the darkness that enshrouds our world. There is to be no despondency in connection with God's service. The faith of the consecrated worker is to stand every test brought to bear upon it. God is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the strength they need and to give them the wisdom that their varied necessities demand. He will more than fulfill the highest expectations of those who put their trust in Him.  {AA 242.1} 

 Appendix “E” The Jesuit Counter Protestant Reformation

“Throughout Christendom, Protestantism was menaced by formidable foes. The first triumphs of the Reformation past (Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517 started the protestant Reformation), Rome summoned new forces, hoping to accomplish its destruction. At this time the order of the Jesuits was created, the most cruel, unscrupulous, and powerful of all the champions of popery. Cut off from earthly ties and human interests, dead to the claims of natural affection, reason and conscience wholly silenced, they knew no rule, no tie, but that of their order, and no duty but to extend its power. (Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, published his Spiritual Exercises in 1548 and intended to use them at a retreat as part of the central first year training for Jesuit novitiates.) The gospel of Christ had enabled its adherents to meet danger and endure suffering, undismayed by cold, hunger, toil, and poverty, to uphold the banner of truth in face of the rack, the dungeon, and the stake. To combat these forces, Jesuitism inspired its followers with a fanaticism that enabled them to endure like dangers, and to oppose to the power of truth all the weapons of deception. There was no crime too great for them to commit, no deception too base for them to practice, no disguise too difficult for them to assume. Vowed to perpetual poverty and humility, it was their studied aim to secure wealth and power, to be devoted to the overthrow of Protestantism, and the re-establishment of the papal supremacy.  {GC 234.2} 

 When appearing as members of their order, they wore a garb of sanctity, visiting prisons and hospitals, ministering to the sick and the poor, professing to have renounced the world, and bearing the sacred name of Jesus, who went about doing good. But under this blameless exterior the most criminal and deadly purposes were often concealed. It was a fundamental principle of the order that the end justifies the means. By this code, lying, theft, perjury, assassination, were not only pardonable but commendable, when they served the interests of the church. Under various disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of state, climbing up to be the counselors of kings, and shaping the policy of nations. They became servants to act as spies upon their masters. They established colleges for the sons of princes and nobles, and schools for the common people; and the children of Protestant parents were drawn into an observance of popish rites. All the outward pomp and display of the Romish worship was brought to bear to confuse the mind and dazzle and captivate the imagination, and thus the liberty for which the fathers had toiled and bled was betrayed by the sons. The Jesuits rapidly spread themselves over Europe, and wherever they went, there followed a revival of popery.  {GC 235.1} 

 To give them greater power, a bull was issued re-establishing the inquisition. Notwithstanding the general abhorrence with which it was regarded, even in Catholic countries, this terrible tribunal was again set up by popish rulers, and atrocities too terrible to bear the light of day were repeated in its secret dungeons. In many countries, thousands upon thousands of the very flower of the nation, the purest and noblest, the most intellectual and highly educated, pious and devoted pastors, industrious and patriotic citizens, brilliant scholars, talented artists, skillful artisans, were slain or forced to flee to other lands.  {GC 235.2} 

Such were the means which Rome had invoked to quench the light of the Reformation, to withdraw from men the Bible, and to restore the ignorance and superstition of the Dark Ages. But under God's blessing and the labors of those noble men whom He had raised up to succeed Luther, Protestantism was not overthrown. Not to the favor or arms of princes was it to owe its strength. The smallest countries, the humblest and least powerful nations, became its strongholds. It was little Geneva in the midst of mighty foes plotting her destruction; it was Holland on her sandbanks by the northern sea, wrestling against the tyranny of Spain, then the greatest and most opulent of kingdoms; it was bleak, sterile Sweden, that gained victories for the Reformation.  {GC 235.3}

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