What Was Secured by the Death of Christ
What Was Secured by the
Death of Christ
Signs of the
Times Dec. 30, 1889
by Ellen White
It became Him for whom
are all things, and by whom are all things, in the redemption of the world to
save sinners by the blood of the Lamb. The great sacrifice of the Son of God
was neither too great nor too small to accomplish the work. In the wisdom of God
it was complete; and the
atonement made testifies to every son and daughter of Adam the immutability of
God's law. The value of the law of Jehovah is to be estimated by the immense
price that was paid in the death of the Son of God to maintain its sacredness.
The law of God is a transcript of his
character; it portrays the nature of God. As in Christ we behold the brightness
of his glory, the express image of his person, so also in the law the
attributes of the Father are unfolded. Although the law is unchangeable, his having
provided a means of salvation for the law-breaker does not in the least detract
from the dignity of the character of God, since the penalty of man's
transgression was borne by a divine Substitute. The Father himself suffered
with the Son; for "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." Man, with his human, finite judgment, cannot
safely question the wisdom of God. Hence it is unbecoming for him to criticize
the plan of salvation. Before the theme of redemption, let man lay his wisdom
in the dust, and accept the plans of Him whose wisdom is infinite.
God grants men a probation
in this world, that their principles may become firmly established in the
right, thus precluding the possibility of sin in the future life, and so assuring
the happiness and security of all. Through the atonement of the Son of God
alone could power be given to man to establish him in righteousness, and make
him a fit subject for heaven. The blood of Christ is
the eternal antidote for sin. The offensive character of sin is seen in what it
cost the Son of God in humiliation, in suffering and death. All the worlds
behold in him a living testimony to the malignity of sin, for in his divine form he
bears the marks of the curse. He is in the midst of the throne as a Lamb that hath been slain. The
redeemed will ever be vividly impressed with the hateful character of sin, as they behold Him who
died for their transgressions. The preciousness of the Offering will be more
fully realized as the blood-washed throng more fully comprehend how God has
made a new and living way for the salvation of men, through the union of the
human and the divine in Christ.
The death of Christ upon the cross made sure
the destruction of him who has the power of death, who was the originator of
sin. When Satan is
destroyed, there will be none to tempt to evil; the atonement will never need
to be repeated; and there will be no danger of another rebellion in the
universe of God. That which
alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent
sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints
and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Shall we not then exalt
the cross of Christ? The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not
secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are
guarded from apostasy. Without the
cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the
fall of Satan. Angelic
perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of
bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of
God.
The plan of salvation, making manifest the
justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in
unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of
the Lamb. Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to
the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross
of Calvary is our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the
world to come. Oh, we do not
comprehend the value of the atonement! If we did, we would talk more about it.
The gift of God in his beloved Son was the expression of an incomprehensible
love. It was the utmost that God could do to preserve the honor of his law, and
still save the transgressor. Why should man not study the theme of redemption?
It is the greatest subject that can engage the human mind. If men would
contemplate the love of Christ, displayed in the cross, their faith would be
strengthened to appropriate the merits of his shed blood, and they would be
cleansed and saved from sin.
There are many who will be lost, because they
depend on legal religion, or mere repentance for sin. But repentance for sin
alone cannot work the salvation of any soul. Man cannot be saved by his own
works. Without
Christ it is impossible for him to render perfect obedience to the law of God;
and heaven can never be gained by an imperfect obedience; for this would place
all heaven in jeopardy, and make possible a second rebellion.
God saves man through the blood of Christ
alone, and man's belief in, and allegiance to, Christ is salvation. It is no
marvel to angels that the infinite sacrifice made by the Son of God was ample
enough to bring salvation to a fallen race, but that this atoning sacrifice
should have been made is a wonder to the universe. It is a mystery which angels
desire to look into. The angels are amazed at the indifference and coldness manifested by
those for whom so great a salvation has been provided. They look with grief and holy indignation upon those who do not seek to
appreciate the unspeakable gift of God. Instead of offering adoration to God, finite
men think themselves capable, without divine unction, of determining what is
worthy of praise or blame in their fellow-men. But to be glorified by man is no
glory. We should learn to value the praise of man at what it is worth. The Lord
says, "Them that honor me I will honor." Let every breath of praise,
every word of exaltation, flow to him who is worthy, flow to Jesus, the Prince
of life, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of
the world. Elevate the
cross of Christ. Elevate the Mediator. Lift up Jesus. In him is everything
noble. Contemplate God in Christ. He is surrounded with angels, cherubim and
seraphim continually behold him. Angelic voices day and night cry before him:
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to
come.... Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for
thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were
created." "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing."
"Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are
thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy
name? for thou only art holy; for all nations shall
come and worship before thee." But although God only is holy and worthy to be praised, human tongues
are perverted to praise and glorify man rather than God.
The greatest gift that God could bestow upon
men was bestowed in the gift of his beloved Son. The apostle says, "He
that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not
with him also freely give us all things?" There was nothing held in
reserve. No second probation will ever be provided. If the unspeakable gift of
God does not lead man to repentance, there is nothing that ever will move his
heart. There is no power held in reserve to act upon his mind, and arouse his
sensibilities. The whole character of God was revealed in his Son, the whole
range of the possibilities of heaven is displayed for the acceptance of man in
the Son of the Infinite One. The way for man's return to God and heaven has no
barriers. The matchless depths of the Saviour's love have been demonstrated;
and if this manifestation of God's love for the children of men does not
prevail to draw men to himself, there is nothing that
ever will.
Those who will be saved in the kingdom of God
will be those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb. The image of Christ will be perfected in every soul who accepts the
gift of his grace, and those who are perfected through his grace, will stand
before God equal in elevation, in power and purity, to the angels, and will be
honored with them before the eternal throne. The angels of heaven will love
those whom Christ has loved, and has bought with his own precious blood.
The attention of all the inhabitants of all
worlds will be directed to the cross of Christ, around which will cluster the
exceeding and eternal weight of glory. The imagination becomes exhausted in its
stretch to comprehend the wonderful work of redemption. The plan of salvation is
too high to be fully reached by human thought. It is too grand to be fully
embraced by finite comprehension. The apostle says, "Eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him." Can we wonder what Heaven is amazed because
men act as though the gift of God were valueless? What will be the eternal loss
of those who reject so great a salvation, offered freely through the merits of
God's only-begotten and well-beloved Son!