Is the Health message a Third Institution?
Among the many definitions of the term institution one of them has to do with customs or traditions in our society. In this sense an institution is defined as a custom or system that is considered an important or typical feature of a particular society or group, usually because it has existed for a long time. Other similar definition is worded as such: a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture. Lastly, a third definition of institution in the same context: a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society. Some examples given in these definitions are: the institution of marriage, the institution of the family, the institution of slavery, etc.
It is in this context that we as Seventh Day Adventist believe that there are two institutions that prevail from the days before the fall into Sin, those are: Marriage and the Sabbath. Adam and Eve were married by God before the fall; they remained married after the fall. People have been marrying ever since. Of course, this vital institution has been under attack by Satan ever since. Unfortunately, he has pretty much been successful. We now see the consequences of that.
Satan has displayed the same kind of hatred against the Sabbath. This is a day that celebrates God as Creator and Redeemer of the world. It was instituted before the fall. It was ratified through Moses in the Ten Commandments. And, Christ kept it even in His death. He died Friday afternoon and was not resurrected until after sunset the next day. Unfortunately, Satan has been very successful in convincing the majority of the world that Sunday is the day of rest. We today see the consequences of that, also.
Could it be that the health message is a third institution we receive from before that fall into Sin. There are very similar patterns between these three practices. All three were instituted by God. We know that Satan has also convinced people of eating things and in ways outside of the parameters established by God before the fall into Sin. We read in Genesis 1:29,
"Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food" (Genesis 1: 29).
Ellen White refers to this diet in the following quote,
"In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God's original plan for man's diet. . . . Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables . . . prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet."—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 295, 296.
The Lord gave manna to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:15); a very simple yet nutritious and satisfying food. We see Daniel and his friends preferring a simple, low-fat, low-sugar vegetarian diet (Daniel 1:8). The subsequent chapters show the consequences of their choice. By the way, their goal was not merely to live seven years longer and take more holiday trips; they wanted to keep their minds clear to comprehend the teaching of the Holy Spirit in an era of solemn significance.
Today we still struggle with this issue. Just like God was interested in what Adam and Eve ate, He was interested in what Daniel and His friends ate. Could it be that he is interested in what we eat today? If He was not interested He would had not given Ellen White to preach to us the Health Message. How do we know it still matters? Most of what she said in her writings about food has now been proven true by scientific research. As with Marriage and the Sabbath we have seen – perhaps live - the consequences of not following God's original plan. Will we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in the direction of following what could be the third institution we get from the Garden of Eden?
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Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com
