“Now the acts of King David, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Samuel the seer . . . with all his reign and his might, and the times that passed over him, over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the lands.” Times passed over David and over Israel, and there are times that pass over our life and also over the church. Many things are discovered by searching in these times. Our life is hidden there. David had a time when he was a shepherd; he had a time at the royal court of Saul, a time in exile, a time when he was king of Judah, then king over all Israel, a time when he had to flee from his son, etc. These times can be compared to the layers of the earth. These layers correspond to the different ages, and by studying these layers, scientists find out about the civilizations that existed in those days. From their excavations they can form a picture of how people lived and developed centuries ago. One era forms the basis for the next. Had David not been faithful as a shepherd, then he could never have slain Goliath and thus been invited to sit at Saul’s table. If he had not been faithful in the time of his exile, he could never have become king over Israel. If he had not been faithful as king, then his throne could not have been established forever. Different times also passed over Israel while David was king and in a position of responsibility. There were times of war, times of upheaval, of famine, of pestilence, and times of peace. Whatever affected Israel also affected David. By examining these times, we can “excavate” David’s wisdom, his great deeds, and his mistakes. Nothing is lost, for it lies hidden in the layers—in these times. God also allows different times to pass over our lives. We experience times of prosperity, times of blessing, and times of honor. We experience times of adversity, with cursing and reproach. We experience times of misunderstanding and jealousy, times in which we are the object of envy and backbiting. We also have a time of childhood, of youth, a time of manhood, and a time of old age. These times present us with their various difficulties and temptations, as well as tasks and possibilities. There are victories to be won and opportunities to be grasped during a particular time that cannot be won or grasped during the time that follows. Nothing of what we do or do not do is lost. It lies buried in these layers. Only a few are awake to this fact, and they understand it only after the time has passed them by. Then they wake up and realize everything they should have done and not done, but then it is too late, and the layers in the earth testify against them. Isa. 57:12. Therefore Jesus also rebuked the scribes, because they did not understand the time in which they were living and the grace that was available to them only during that time. Matt. 16:3; 23:29-32. The Pharisees said, “If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” They were building the tombs of the prophets, but because they did not understand the time in which they were living, they killed Jesus. There are also times that pass over the church—times of revival, times of drought, times of peace, of turmoil, times of honor and of reproach. We are also included in these layers. There have to be at least two witnesses. When they wrote about Israel, David was also included. It is the same with the church and us. When these times pass over the church, then the question is whether or not we understand the time so we become as a gold nugget in this layer of the church and not a rusty piece of scrap iron. There was a time in Israel when they did not know who should be king, whether it should be David or Saul’s son. Then we read about the sons of Issachar. They were men who had understanding of the times, “to know what Israel ought to do.” 1 Chron. 12:32. They went out to make David king. We must also learn to understand the times, so we can know what the church has to do in the different times. Nevertheless, there are many who do not know what to do, and their folly will remain as an admonition for those who live after them. People usually prefer one time to another. They would rather have only times of revival and peace, and not times of war and drought. However, such desires are not born of wisdom, because all these times must pass over our life and the church, so we can be tested and qualified to sit on thrones with Jesus. But just as Jesus was the cause for the fall and rising of many, so these times will also reveal people’s attitudes and will be either for their fall or their rising. Most people do not want anyone to dig in these layers; they hate these “scientists.” Nevertheless, we cannot hinder them, and we must accept it. People cannot find everything, but God shall one day manage to dig up everything that is hidden in these layers—in these times. Therefore we must watch and pray so we can remain blameless during these times, and stand without spot or wrinkle after having overcome all things.Sigurd Bratlie

“Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?’ They answered and said, ‘He is deserving of death.’” Matt. 26:65-66. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was sentenced to death for blasphemy. As was done to the trunk, so we can expect it will be done to the branches. We can therefore expect to be accused of blasphemy, despite the fact that we truly love God and worship Him alone with all of our heart. “For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him.” Matt. 27:18. Because Jesus possessed more life and power than the religious leaders of those days; because His life and words judged their lives and words; because the people looked up to Him and said, “Never have we heard any man speak like this Man,” because Jesus spoke better than their leaders, with more content, and filled with the Spirit and with authority: therefore these leaders were envious of Jesus, hating Him and sentencing Him to death. The reason for sentencing Jesus to death was therefore neither blasphemy nor anything else of which they accused Him; the reason was the envy in their hearts. The envy of the religious leaders even drove them to call up witnesses. This bitter envy is one of the worst things that can be found; it is concentrated evil. Cain murdered Abel because of envy. Joseph was almost murdered because of envy. Saul tried to kill David because of envy. Who was it that condemned Christ? It was the contemporary religious leaders. It was the high priest and his like-minded ones! For what did they sentence Him and condemn Him? For blasphemy! But what was the real reason? It was their own evil: their envy. The wise man says, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The same thing recurs throughout the ages and generations. If God has greatly blessed us with light and life, then we can with certainty expect to find men of envy among our contemporary religious leaders too. Take a good look and see whether this can be avoided! See if this hasn’t been going on for a long time already. Who condemns the light and the life and the glory that God in His great grace and goodness has given us? Religious leaders! What is the false judgment now? Blasphemy! What is the true reason? Their own envy! However, we will to do as Jesus Christ, God’s Son from eternity has done; as our firstborn and most excellent Brother, as our Savior and Atoner, as our High Priest and Sanctifier and Forerunner has done: we will continue to serve and worship and faithfully give thanks and praise to God with all of our hearts until we die or (if we live that long) until Jesus returns with power and glory to be admired in all those who have faithfully followed Him in this evil world. During this waiting period we will, together with our precious, like-minded ones, sing from David’s ancient songbook: “Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, let them be ashamed, but let Your servants rejoice. Let my accusers be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle. I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yes, I will praise Him among the multitude.” Ps. 109:28-30.Elias Aslaksen