Ellen White on an Eternally Progressive Understanding of the Godhead

Dear Reader,

Just as the Reformation was to progress steadily and not die with the early Reformation, so, according to Ellen White, the study of the Godhead is to progress in understanding and development for eternity. Those who will not progress with its development will fall prey to the stagnant errors of the past and return to the iniquities of their forefathers in rejecting progressive truth. Ellen White saw another clear dimension of the Godhead, and all who reject that clearer vision reject the teaching of the Holy Spirit to the church. May God rest the souls of all who reject His ever-unfolding understanding of Himself and His plan for the Universe.

"The Bible is a treasure house of knowledge, and all who make this book their study, sinking the shaft deep in the mine of truth, will exclaim, 'I behold wondrous things out of Thy Word.' The INCARNATION of Christ is but dimly appreciated by many students who have studied long in our schools, This subject should be and will be better understood by all who in truth love truth, and walk in the way of the Lord. The experimental knowledge of this is as essential to sanctify daily, as to redeem." E.G. White, Educational Messenger, 03-19-09, 06.

The INCARNATION IS THE VERY HEART OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION: INCARNATION OF CHRIST TYPIFIED IN THE SANCTUARY SACRIFICIAL SERVICE "The INCARNATION of Christ, typified in the sacrificial service of Israel, and symbolized in all their devotions, is a glorious mystery. In His only begotten Son, God was made manifest to the world. The Son of God laid aside His glory, and clothed Himself with humanity. He became the meek and lowly Jesus. For the sake of sinful men He became poor, that they through His poverty might be made rich." E.G. White, Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, 02-20-99, pr. 01. "The plan of salvation, of which the incarnation is the very heart, is an exhaustless theme into which we may now look, and that will be the PRIME TOPIC of study through the ceaseless ages of eternity." Selected Messages, Vol. 3, p. 126.

"The mystery of the INCARNATION of Christ, the account of his sufferings, his crucifixion, his resurrection, and his ascension, open to all humanity the marvelous love of God. This imparts a power to the truth. The attributes of God were made known through the life and works of Christ. He was the representative of the divine character. The agony of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, his betrayal, his rejection by the Jewish nation, his trial, the suffering inflicted by scourging and by obliging him to bear his cross,--every incident should be indelibly imprinted upon the minds of men. Each separate event was an important chapter in the working out of the redemption of the world."

Was the Incarnation Painful? "(1 Peter 1:11, 12.) The INCARNATION a Painful Process.--The work of redemption is called a mystery, and it is indeed the mystery by which everlasting righteousness is brought to all who believe. The race in consequence of sin was at enmity with God. Christ, at an infinite cost, by a painful process, mysterious to angels as well as to men, assumed humanity. Hiding His divinity, laying aside His glory, He was born a babe in Bethlehem. In human flesh He lived the law of God, that He might condemn sin in the flesh, and bear witness to heavenly intelligences that the law was ordained to life and to ensure the happiness, peace, and eternal good of all who obey. But the same infinite sacrifice that is life to those who believe is a testimony of condemnation to the disobedient, speaking death and not life (MS 29, 1899)." E.G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7, pr. 03, p. 915.

THE THEMES OF THE GREAT SALVATION "Those who are seeking the righteousness of Christ will be dwelling upon the themes of the great salvation. The Bible is the storehouse that supplies their souls with nourishing food. They meditate upon the INCARNATION of Christ, the contemplate the great sacrifice made to save them from perdition, to bring in pardon, peace, and everlasting righteousness. The soul is aglow with these grand and elevating themes. Holiness and truth, grace and righteousness, occupy the thoughts. Self dies, and Christ lives in His servants. In contemplation of the word, their hearts burn within them, as did the hearts of the two disciples while they went to Emmaus, and Christ walked with them by the way, and opened to them the scriptures concerning Himself." E.G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 89.

NOTHING SO SHOWS THE WONDERFUL CONDESCENSION OF GOD AS THE INCARNATION: "The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in human flesh is a mystery, 'even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations' (Col. 1:26). It is the great and profound mystery of godliness. 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us' (John 1:14). Christ took upon Himself human nature, a nature inferior to His heavenly nature. Nothing so shows the wonderful CONDESCENSION OF GOD as this." E.G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 246.

"The humanity of the Son of God is everything to us...We should come to this study with the humility of a learner, with a contrite heart. And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth." E.G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, 244.

"How necessary that this mine of truth be explored, and the precious treasures of truth be discovered and secured as rich jewels. The Incarnation of Christ, his divinity, his atonement, his wonderful life in heaven as our advocate, the office of the Holy Spirit,--all these living, VITAL THEMES of Christianity are revealed from Genesis to Revelation." E.G. White, Special Testimonies on Education, p. 235. "As the worker studies the life of Christ, and the character of His mission is dwelt upon, each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study of the INCARNATION of Christ, His ATONING SACRIFICE and MEDIATORIAL WORK, will employ the mid of the diligent student as long as time shall last." E.G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 251. SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7a, p. 444.

"When we want a deep problem to study, let us fix our minds on the most marvelous thing that ever took place in earth or heaven--the INCARNATION of the Son of God." E.G. White, That I May Know Him, p. 25.

"The bible is a treasure house of knowledge, and all who make this book their study, sinking the shaft deep in the mine of truth, will exclaim, 'I behold wondrous things out of Thy Word.' The INCARNATION of Christ is but dimly appreciated by many students who have studied long in our schools. This subject should be and will be better understood by all who in truth love truth, and walk in the way of the Lord. The experimental knowledge of this is as essential to sanctify daily, as to redeem." E.G. White, The Educational Messenger, 03-19-09, pr. 06.

AS ESSENTIAL TO SANCTIFY DAILY AS TO REDEEM: "The Bible is a treasure house of knowledge, and all who make this book their study, sinking the shaft deep into the mine of truth, will exclaim, 'I behold wondrous things out of thy word.' The INCARNATION of Christ is but dimly appreciated by many students who have studied long in our schools. This subject should be and will be better understood by all who in truth love Truth, and walk in the way of the Lord. The experimental knowledge of this is as essential to sanctify daily as to redeem." E.G. White, The Advocate, 05-01-99, pr. 03.

"When we approach the subject of Christ's divinity clothed with the garb of humanity, we may appropriately heed the words spoken by Christ to Moses at the burning bush, 'Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.' We must come to the study of this subject with the humility of a learner, with a contrite heart. And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, and will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth (MS 67, 1898). E.G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 904.

"As the life of Christ and the character of His mission are dwelt upon, rays of light will shine forth more distinctly at every attempt to discover truth. Each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study of the INCARNATION OF CHRIST, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last; and looking to heaven with its unnumbered years he will exclaim, 'Great is the mystery of godliness.'" E.G. White, Lift Him Up, p. 378.

"No one can search the Scriptures in the Spirit of Christ without being rewarded. When a man is willing to be instructed as a little child, when he submits wholly to Christ, he will find the truth in His Word. If men would be obedient, they would understand the plan of God's government. The heavenly world would open its treasures of grace and glory for exploration. Human beings would be altogether different from what they are now; for by exploring the mines truth, men would be ennobled. The mystery of redemption, the Incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, would not be, as they are now, vague in our minds. They would be, not only better understood, but altogether more highly appreciated." E.G. White, My Life Today, p. 108.

"Disobedience has closed the door to a vast amount of knowledge that might have been gained from the Word of God. In eternity we shall learn that which, if we had received the enlightenment that it was possible for us to obtain here, would have opened our understanding. And understanding means obedience to all God's commandments. The plan of God's government would have been understood. The heavenly world would have opened its chambers of grace and glory for exploration. Human beings would have been altogether different from what they now are in form, in speech, in song, for, by exploring the mines of truth, they would have been ennobled. The mystery of redemption, the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ in His mediatorial character, the INCARNATION of Christ our Redeemer, His atoning sacrifice, would not be as they now are, vague in our mind. They would have been, not only better understood, but altogether more highly appreciated." E.G. White, The Upward Look, p. 103.

THE PURPOSE OF HEAVEN IS FULFILLED BY THE INCARNATION: "From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the divine One. But by the INCARNATION of the Son of God, the purpose of heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again his temple." E.G. White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 12-31-08, pr. 02.

May God bless your study of this eternal subject,

Ron Beaulieu