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Heart Book (All Nations Gospel Publishers)

THE HEART OF MAN OR THE SPIRITUAL HEART MIRROR (An Allegorical Representation in Ten Pictures)

This Booklet originated in France in 1732, was revised and rewritten for the mission fields of Africa by Rev. J.R. Gschwend in 1929, and has subsequently been translated and printed under copyright in over 538 indigenous languages by ALL NATIONS GOSPEL PUBLISHERS who are distributing it today in 127 mission countries. People of all languages, classes and religions are being led by this booklet to experience the deep spiritual truth and significance of God’s message to mankind as expressed by the prophet Ezekiel 586 years before Christ, “I will give you a new heart and a new mind then you will be my people, and I will be your God!” Ezekiel 36:26-28.

The text used was taken from the compact (or shorter) format of the booklet. Different formats of the booklet including the complete booklet in .pdf format can be downloaded free of charge from www.angp-hb.co.za

Quotes from Scripture comes from The Good News Bible https://www.biblestudytools.com/gnt/

THE HEART OF MAN: THE TEMPLE OF GOD OR THE WORKSHOP OF SATAN
(1 John 3:4-10)

As you read this book, please bear in mind that it is like a mirror in which you will be able to see yourself. Whether you are a heathen or a Christian, one who does not believe in Christ or a backslider, you will see yourself as God sees you. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7). God sees us as we really are.

Satan is the father of all lies. He is the prince of darkness and god of this world, who disguises himself as an angel of light to lead men and women the wrong way. In these days, as in times past, there are many false apostles who disguise themselves, pretending to be apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself is transformed (disguised) into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13,14). Satan, the god of this world, keeps people in the dark so that they cannot see that God loves them or that Jesus died to save them (2 Cor. 4:4). All sinners and those who do not believe are spiritually dead and blind concerning God. They are ruled by the evil of this world (Eph. 2:1-2). Unless their eyes are opened in some way to their lost condition, they are heading for eternal destruction. The person who says, “I have never sinned” is deceiving himself. For “The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the devil had done.” (1 John 3:8). “So then, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” (James 4:7,8)

As you read this book and study its pictures, you will be able to see your own heart. Allow God’s searchlight to show you the condition of your heart. Acknowledge your sins and do not deny their existence, for God’s Word tells us that “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, He will keep His promise and do what is right: He will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:1-10). “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin”.

You are ruled either by Satan or by God; you are a slave to sin or a servant of God. If sin controls your life, do not deny it, but cry out to God. He will set you free through Jesus Christ who came to this world to save sinners, to break the power of Satan and sin over us. He is our Saviour. You are in the presence of a holy God who knows all the secrets, the hidden thoughts and actions of your life. It is impossible to hide yourself and actions from God, for “God made our ears – can’t He hear? He made our eyes – can’t He see?” (Ps. 94:9).

The Lord keeps close watch over the whole world to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to Him.” (2 Chron.16:9).

He watches every step men take. There is no darkness dark enough to hide a sinner from God.” (Job 34:21,22).

But Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew them all.” (John 2:24).

Therefore “happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy is the man whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit.” (Ps. 32:1-2).

THE SINNERS HEART
This picture shows the heart of a worldly sinful man or woman, described in the Bible as a sinner.

Below the head in this picture, the heart of man can be seen occupied by various animals which speak of the many different sins in the human heart, as the heart is the centre and breeding place of our sins. God tells us by the mouth of His prophet Jeremiah, that “Nobody can understand the human heart. There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed.” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Jesus Himself confirms this by saying, “For from the inside, from a person’s heart, come the evil ideas which lead him to do immoral things; to rob, kill, commit adultery, be greedy, and do all sorts of evil things; deceit, indecency, jealousy, slander, pride, and folly – all these evil things come from inside a person and make him unclean” (Mark 7:21-23)

The bleary, red eyes speak of drunkenness. Proverbs 23:29-33. “Don’t let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, though it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly. The next morning you will feel as if you have been bitten by a poisonous snake.” (Proverbs 23:31-32)

Different animals and signs used in the pictures reminds us of the following sins:

The Peacock
While the beauty of the peacock is admired by everybody, here in the heart of man, it speaks of the sin of pride.

The goat
The goat represents bodily desires, immorality, adultery.

The pig
The pig speaks of the sins of drunkenness and gluttony. It is a dirty animal eagerly swallowing up everything in its way, clean or dirty, and in the same way a sinful heart devours every immoral suggestion, expression, picture, literature, etc.

The tortoise
The tortoise speaks of laziness, sluggishness to obey and witchcraft. “A lazy man who refuses to work is only killing himself, all he does is think about what he would like to have.” (Prov. 21:25,26).

The leopard
The leopard is a very savage and cruel beast. Hatred, anger and a bad temper often rule the heart of man and many times lead to murder. “Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbour a grudge.” (Eccl. 7:9)

The snake
The snake represents the devil who is very deceitful, clever and misleading, and does everything possible to destroy our relationship with God.

The frog
The frog speaks here of the sins of greediness and the love of money which is the source of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10). Certain frogs in the Congo have been seen eating ants by the hundreds until they burst and died.

Satan
Satan is the father of all lies, and is the one who persuades us to sin, and then he rules our hearts.

The star
The star speaks of the conscience in the heart of every man. Even in the bad heart the conscience is still there, but is being ignored, and cannot therefore help this person.

The eye of God
The eye of God sees everything that goes on in the heart. Nothing can be hidden from His flaming eye, and therefore He knows and sees all the secret thoughts and intentions of the heart. Whether you do your evil deeds in the darkest night, in the thickest forest, in the deepest ditch or wherever it may be, God sees it.

The little tongues of fire
The little tongues of fire round about the heart show the love of God surrounding the sinful heart. While God hates sin He loves man and does not want the death of a sinner, but that he should turn away from his sins and live. Jesus came to save sinners. There is great joy in heaven over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:7). The little tongues also speak of the blood of Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).

The angel
The angel represents the Word of God. God wants to speak to those who have been deceived and are carrying heavy loads of sin, so that they may turn from their sinful ways and let the light and love of God come into their hearts.

The dove
The dove is a sign of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who reveals the truth about God, about sin and what is right, and about God’s judgement (John 15:26).

THE HEART CONVINCED OF SIN
This picture shows the heart of a man who is sorry for his sins and is beginning to look for God.

Here we see the sinner beginning to take notice of the message of God and to open his heart to the love of God. The Holy Spirit begins to shine into the dark and sinful heart. The light of God comes into his heart to drive all darkness away. When God’s light comes in, darkness has to go. Sin, described here by all the various animals, has to go. Therefore, dear reader, allow Jesus, the Light of the world, to come into your heart, and darkness and the evil actions of darkness must leave the heart, as shown in this picture.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” (John 8:12).

Your heart is intended to be God’s house, God’s temple. He wants to live in it, make it beautiful, fill it with light, love and joy. Jesus not only came to forgive us our sins, but He came to deliver us and set us free from the power and domination of sin. “If the Son (Jesus) sets you free, then you will be really free.” (John 8:36).

THE REPENTING HEART
This picture shows us the heart of someone who is really serious about finding the right relationship with God.

As he sees the cross which the angel, the Word of God, shows to him, it breaks his now sorry heart, and he is moved with deep, heartfelt regret and sorrow over his many sins. As he sees the great love of God expressed in Christ Jesus, this love melts his heart, especially as he begins to realise that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to take away his many sins, as He was willing to die in his place on the cross.

The love and peace of God enter his heart as he begins to realise that “the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin.” (1 John 1:7).

“Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.” (Psalm 51:10).

Again God’s Word says, “I am pleased with those who are humble and repentant, who fear me and obey me.” (Isa. 66:2).

The Holy Spirit makes the words of Jesus clear to him, “Courage, my son (daughter)! Your sins are forgiven.” (Matt. 9:2).

DYING WITH CHRIST
This picture speaks of a Christian who has found perfect peace and eternal salvation through the death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

This person boasts in nothing else except “only about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; for by means of His cross the world is dead to us, and we are dead to the world.” (Gal. 6:14). Jesus died on the cross so that we too, might “die to sin and live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24); a Christian dead to the world. We are commanded to “let the Spirit direct our lives, and we will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.” (Gal. 5:16,25).

Do you declare openly that you have given your heart to Jesus Christ, by what you say and do? Or are you ashamed to let others know? Jesus said, “If anyone declares publicly that he belongs to me, I will do the same for him before my Father in heaven. But if anyone rejects me publicly, I will reject him before my Father in heaven.”(Matt. 10:32,33). Jesus also said, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow in my steps is not fit to be my disciple.” (Matt. 10:38). Happy are those who find protection in the Rock, Jesus Christ!

THE TEMPLE OF GOD
This picture shows the clean and purified heart of the sinner who has been saved by God’s grace and mercy.

The heart has now become a true temple of God. Sin has been driven out. Instead of the various animals controlled by Satan, the father of lies, we see the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, living in the heart. Instead of being the breeding place of sin, the heart has become a beautiful, fruit-bearing tree or garden, bearing the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, humility, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control and others which are acceptable and pleasing to God and man (Gal. 5:22-23). He has now become a fruit- bearing branch of the real vine – our Lord Jesus Christ. The secret of this fruit-bearing is that he remains united with Christ, and Christ and His words remain in him (John 15:1-10).

“Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!” (Matt.5:8). King David knew that the greatest battle was taking place in his own heart and recognizing his deep spiritual need, prayed, “Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.” (Psalm 51:10). Nobody is able to purify his own heart, or to create a clean heart, unless through truly repenting he comes to God as David did, asking God to create a pure heart in him.

THE TEMPTED AND DEVIDED HEART
'''This is the sad picture of one who has fallen back into his old ways. One eye is starting to close, showing that he is beginning to grow cold and sleepy in his relationship with God.'''

The light inside has grown dim, and the pictures in his heart, showing his readiness to suffer with Christ, have fallen and are no longer upright. He is surrounded by temptations to which he is slowly giving in instead of resisting them. Instead of listening to God’s voice he now begins to listen to the devil’s cunning suggestions and false promises. Although he may still be a church-goer, hiding his desires for the things of the world under a form of religion, the love for God has grown cold in his heart. Obey the warnings of our Lord Jesus when He says, “Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41). “Whoever thinks he is standing firm had better be careful that he does not fall.” (1Cor.10:12). We must put on all the armour that God gives us, so that we will be able to stand up against the devil’s evil tricks. (Eph. 6:11-18).

THE FALLEN OR STUBBORN HEART
This picture reveals the condition of the person who has fallen completely into his old ways again, in spite of what God did for him.

After this person was once in God’s light and had tasted heaven’s gift and received his share of the Holy Spirit, he has abandoned his faith. (Heb. 6:4). Jesus Himself described the backsliders’ condition when He said, “When an evil spirit goes out of a person, it travels over dry country looking for a place to rest. If it can’t find one, it says to itself, ‘I will go back to my house.’ So it goes back and finds the house clean and tidy. Then it goes out and brings seven other spirits even worse than itself, and they come and live there. So when it is all over, that person is in a worse state than he was at the beginning.” (Luke 11:24-26). “What happened to them shows that the proverbs are true; ‘A dog goes back to what it has vomited’ and ‘A pig that has been washed goes back to roll in the mud.’ ” (2 Peter 2:22). If you continue to be stubborn, and love darkness rather than light, there is no hope, no help, because you are choosing death instead of life – “sin pays its wage - death.” (Rom. 6:23).

THE SINNERS JUDGEMENT
Here we find the stubborn sinner who did not want to open his heart to God again.

The false pleasures of sin have disappeared, and the awful reality of the high and dreadful cost of sin now has to be faced. The agonies of hell are becoming real to him. Although he now longs to pray, he finds he cannot communicate with God whose love he has rejected for so long. His friends are afraid to stand at his bedside, and their empty words of comfort cannot help him now. His riches can neither lengthen his life, nor save his soul, nor reduce the agony of his soul.

He begins to realise that “it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” (Heb. 10:31). He had hoped to give his life to God when it suited him. This dying sinner who rejected the forgiveness and love of God during his lifetime now has to hear the voice of his Judge, the Saviour whom he rejected saying: “Away from me, you that are under God’s curse! Away to the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels!” (Matt. 25:41).

“Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.” (Heb. 9:27).

THE VICTORIOUS HEART
This picture shows a Christian who remains faithful and wins the victory over painful tests and temptations.

While he is tempted on all sides, he remains firm and holds out to the end, being victorious through Jesus Christ. He has not only entered the Christian race, but he is continuing in it, running with determination, “keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Heb. 12:1,2). He remembers the words of Jesus. “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.” (Matt. 5:11,12).

This person is ready to meet God, and is like a tree that grows beside a stream; that bears fruit at the right time (Ps. 1:3); like a branch of the real vine, bearing much fruit. He does not know the fear of death, for the perfect love of God, which he has received through the Holy Spirit, has filled his heart.

THE GLORIOUS HOMEGOING
'''Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 1:25,26).''' “Whoever hears my words and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life. He will not be judged, but has already passed from death to life.” (John 5:24). Death holds neither fear nor punishment for the Christian. “Death is destroyed; victory is complete! Where death is your victory? Where death is your power to hurt?… Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”(1 Cor. 15:54-57)

A person who has lived and walked with God is not afraid of death. When the time comes for him to die, he will go gladly, as the Apostle Paul puts it, “I want very much to leave this life and to be with Christ, which is a far better thing.” (Phil. 1:23)

“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!’ ‘Yes indeed!’ answers the Spirit. ‘They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them.” (Rev. 14:13).

Prayer
“He watches every step men take. There is no darkness dark enough to hide a sinner from God” Job 34:21-22

“So then, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come close to God, and He will come near you.” James 4:7-8

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

'''Let us pray: My father in heaven, I am really sorry for the sins in my heart. I want your light to shine into my heart, to remove all the bad things that are ruining my life. Please give me a new heart, and fill my heart with your own presence. Please help me to live a life that will be pleasing to you, and that will help me to be the person I should be. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. AMEN'''

“happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy is the man whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit” Ps. 32:1-2

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Reference
Text: The Heart of Man: COPYRIGHT ENGLISH BOOKLET: ISBN 0-908412-16–9

Photos: ALL NATIONS GOSPEL PUBLISHERS