Isaiah 22 : Fasting in the Anti-Typical Day of Atonement

Compilation of statements by Stephen Haskell and Ellen White

Isaiah 22:12 AND IN THAT DAY did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. 22:14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

IN WHAT DAY? The antitypical day of atonement.

“The Saviour says that during the time of the judgment, while individuals are being “accounted” worthy or unworthy, we are to take heed lest we become overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness. Surfeiting is taking too freely of food, whether it be good or bad. Drunkenness is partaking of improper food. We are to be the master, and not the slave of our appetite.” The Story of Daniel the Prophet, p. 310, Outline study.

“God calls upon His people to be masters of their appetites instead of slaves to it, that they may have clearer minds to comprehend divine truth and follow the work of their High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary.

“How few are willing to deny themselves the things their appetite craves, even when they know the claims of God!” The prophet Isaiah, looking down through the ages, describes the state of things as follows: “In that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine.” Isa. 22:12, 13. What a vivid picture of the present condition of the world! God calls upon His people to afflict their souls, to control their appetite, to partake of food that will give blood and a clear mind to discern spiritual truths; but instead of obeying, they engage in “eating flesh and drinking wine.” The prophet records the final result of this course: “It was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die.” Isa. 22:14.

“The Saviour gave special warning against the evil of giving loose rein to the appetite during the time when the records of human lives are being examined and individuals are being accounted worthy or unworthy of eternal life: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares…. 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.” Luke 21:34-36. The warning is against “surfeiting” — overeating, and “drunkenness” — eating injurious food. In other words, the Saviour designs that His people, during the antitypical day of atonement, shall take heed to both the quantity and the quality of their food. One can becloud the mind and ruin the health by overeating of the best of food. The glutton and the drunkard are classed together: “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh; for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.” Prov. 23:20, 21.

“Our first parents failed on the test of appetite; (Gen. 3:1-6.) but where they failed, Christ triumphed. Matt. 4:3, 4. And it is possible for a Christian, with the indwelling Christ in the heart, to be complete master of his appetite, — to abstain from all food that is injurious, however much the natural appetite may crave it, and not to overeat of good food.

“As He entered upon His earthly ministry, the Saviour was not only tested upon the point of appetite, but from childhood He was taught to control His desires. In speaking of His childhood, Isaiah says, “Butter and honey shall He eat, that He may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Isa. 7:14, 15. His manner of eating developed in Him spiritual power to discern between good and evil. many who have gone into drunkards’ graves have eaten “butter and honey,” but Jesus ate it in a way to develop spiritual strength. He ate it according to the Bible rule. There are three texts which, taken together, contain a rule for eating honey, and the same rule will apply to all food that is good. They read as follows: “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good.” Prov. 24:13. “Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee.” Prov. 25:16. “It is not good to eat much honey.” Prov. 25:27. The one who follows the above instruction, and eats none but good food and only “so much as is sufficient,” will enjoy good health and a clear mind. God wishes His people to have good health, with souls free from condemnation. 3 John 2. Satan delights in beclouding the brain and destroying the health. All who will fulfil the antitype will be masters of their appetites, that they may prepare to meet the Saviour when He comes to the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Cross and Its Shadow, pp. 224-226.

“Their bread and water will be sure, and habits of simple diet have become so fixed during their time of probation that though there may be a drought, God can feed them as He did Israel in the wilderness. The Story of the Seer of Patmos, p. 276.

“HEALTH REFORM. Lev. 23:27, 29. “Every man was required to afflict his soul while the work of atonement was going forward. All business was to be laid aside, and the whole congregation of Israel were to spend the day in solemn humiliation before God, with prayer, fasting, and deep searching of heart.” — Great Controversy, p. 420.

“Isa. 58:5. To fast is to afflict the soul. The day of atonement in the type was a fast day. The appetite was held in perfect control, a type of the control of appetite God requires during the antitypical day of atonement.” The Story of Daniel the Prophet, p. 310, Outline study.

A long-term fast when something important is happening is the Daniel vegetarian diet. It’s still a fast even though we’re eating.

“Luke 21 :34-36. The Saviour says that during the time of the judgment, while individuals are being “accounted” worthy or unworthy, we are to take heed lest we become overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness. Surfeiting is taking too freely of food, whether it be good or bad. Drunkenness is partaking of improper food. We are to be the master, and not the slave of our appetite.

“Isa. 22:12-14. In this period when God calls to self- control, many will give loose reigns to their appetite.

“Isa. 66:15-17. All such will be destroyed, “consumed together saith the Lord.”” Ibid.

WHY?

The brain nerves which communicate with the entire system are the only medium through which Heaven can communicate to man and affect his inmost life. Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind. In consideration of these facts, how important that ministers and people who profess godliness should stand forth clear and untainted from this soul-debasing vice! {CG 446.3}

The parents who know the truth in regard to the indulgences of appetite should not permit their children to eat to excess, or to eat flesh-meat or other foods that excite the passions. Man is built up from what he eats. The use of flesh-meat strengthens the lower propensities, and excites them to increased activity. Parents should discard everything that endangers the moral and physical health of their children. They should not place flesh-meat on the table. And if they allow their children to eat meat freely, use butter and eggs, disease in some form will surely result, impairing the health of mind and body. Thus spirituality is weakened and often destroyed. {SpM 251.5}

Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

When Daniel wanted to understand the vision, what did he do? He fasted. Did he stop eating? no. He ate clean foods to have a CLEAR brain. This is the type of fast God is calling us to today.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 4:3 Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats (FOODS), which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4:4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.