Hidden
1888 Treasures--The Key of Knowledge -- Part 1
The 1888 Message
Psa 51:6
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part]
thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Rev
2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna,
and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which
no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
“It is contrition and faith and love that enable the soul to receive
wisdom from heaven.” E.G. White, Lift
Him Up, p. 168.
Dear Reader,
God instructs us to search His Word as for
hidden treasure.
“Our work is aggressive. We need the heavenly anointing, that our
spiritual eyesight may be clear. We are living in the last remnant of time. Truth
is now to be sought for as hidden treasure. The commandments of men have
taken the place of the commandments of God. The Lord calls upon His workmen
to watch and work and pray. Precious truths are to be recovered from the
human traditions under which men have buried them. God desires His people
to show a constantly increasing interest in the things of eternity. He
desires us to value more highly the favor of His friendship. Let us not
become Satan's agents to belittle the solemn, important truth which we
profess to believe. Let us not show an evil heart of unbelief in departing
from the living God.” {RH, June 4, 1901 par. 16}
God says that men have devoured souls by taking (robbing the people
of) the treasure and precious things. This leaves the professing church as
widows without its husband Jesus Christ. We are going to search as for hidden
treasure the things that the church has been robbed of since 1888. We are
going to plumb the depths of the 1888 message that has eluded God’s people.
The Lord has shown me in no uncertain terms that this series of messages
should be read and re-read until He comes and that only those who will do so
will partake of the Kingdom
of God. When you have
read the series in full, you will see the reason.
Eze 22:25
[There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring
lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure
and precious things; they have
made her many widows in the midst thereof.
Isa 45:3 And
I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of
secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by
thy name, [am] the God of Israel.
Isa 48:6 Thou
hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare [it]? I have shewed thee
new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know
them.
1Cr 2:7 But
we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom],
which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Pe 3:4 But
[let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not
corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight of God of great price.
Exd 19:5 Now
therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye
shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the
earth [is] mine:
Deu 28:12
The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give
the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine
hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
Psa 135:4 For
the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.
Pro 15:6 In
the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of
the wicked is trouble.
Pro 21:20
[There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Isa 33:6 And
wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, [and] strength of
salvation: the fear of the LORD [is] his treasure.
Mat 6:21 For
where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mat 12:35 A
good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good
things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil
things.
Mat 13:44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the
which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth
all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Mat 13:52
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [which is] instructed unto the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which bringeth
forth out of his treasure [things] new and old.
Mat 19:21 Jesus
said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and
give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come
[and] follow me.
Mar 10:21
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou
lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and
follow me.
Luk 12:34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Slain bird that did not die --
"The wonderful symbol of the living bird dipped in the blood of the bird
slain and then set free to its joyous life (Lev. 14:4-8), is to us the symbol
of the atonement. There were death and life blended, presenting to the
searcher for truth and hidden treasure, the union of the pardoning blood with
the resurrection and life of our Redeemer. The bird slain was over living
water that flowing stream was a symbol of the ever flowing, ever cleansing
efficacy of the blood of Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world..." E.G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 226.
“The work of sanctification is the work of a lifetime;
it must go on continually; but
this work cannot go on in the heart while the light on any part of the truth
is rejected or neglected. The sanctified soul will not be content to remain in ignorance,
but will desire to walk in the light and to seek for greater light. As a
miner digs for gold and silver, so the follower of Christ will seek for truth
as for hidden treasures, and will press from light to a greater light, ever
increasing in knowledge. He will continually grow in grace and in the
knowledge of the truth. Self must be overcome. Every defect
of character must be discerned in God's great mirror. We may discover whether
or not we are condemned by God's standard of character. {1SM 317.2}
If you are condemned, there is but one
course for you to pursue: you must repent toward God because of the
transgression of His law, and have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ as the
one who only can cleanse from sin. If we would obtain heaven, we must be obedient to God's holy requirements. Those who strive lawfully
will not strive in vain. Only believe the truth as it is in Jesus, and you will be
strengthened for the battle with the powers of
318
darkness.
The wrestlers of old strove to obtain a perishable crown, and should we not
strive to win the crown that fadeth not away?
{1SM 317.3}
Every art and device of Satan will be
used to accomplish our ruin. If you sit down with the ease-loving ones, with
the words on your lips, "I am saved," and disregard the commandments of God, you will be eternally
lost. There
is truth in Jesus that is terrible to the ease-loving, do-nothing ones. There is truth
in Jesus that is full of soothing joy to the obedient. It is the joy of the
Holy Ghost. Be persuaded, then, to open the mind and heart, that you may see
every ray of light shining from the throne of God. {1SM 318.1}
This is no time to be indifferent and
careless and pleasure loving. Christ is coming with power and great glory.
Are you ready? Are you putting away
your sins? Are you
becoming sanctified through the truth in answer to the prayer of Christ? He prayed concerning
His disciples, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth"
(John 17:17). {1SM 318.2}”
We will answer the question: what does it mean to
strive lawfully and unlawfully. We will discover the only means of putting
away sins and becoming sanctified. We will discover the true meaning of
righteousness by faith and the 1888 message which is the Three Angel’s
Message in verity. We will discover exactly what one must do to be saved.
I urge you to read and re-read the pages of this
series of searching’s for the treasure trove of saving truth. Every word,
every sentence, every paragraph should be plumbed to its depth that you may
have a full understanding of the message of the faithful and true witness of
Revelation 3: 14-18.
Christ’s words to the people on the mount
connoted blessing upon the poor in spirit; those who recognized their
spiritual poverty and felt a deep need within for redemption from their
sinful waywardness. These were the ones who hungered and thirsted for
righteousness, verse 6. Those are they who will be satisfied (filled) and
saved.
1 And seeing the multitudes, he
went up into a mountain: and when
he was set, his
disciples came unto
him:
2 And he
opened his mouth, and taught them,
saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs
is the
kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they
shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they
shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they
shall see God.
“Beholding Christ
whom we have pierced, we should be ever mournful for the sins that have
brought and still bring anguish upon Him. Those who truly purchase the gold
tried in the fire will be lead to renounce sin in all its destructive forms.
Such sentiments are
regarded by worldlings as weakness and foolishness, but in reality, sincere
sorrow for sin is the strength that binds the penitent to the Infinite One by
links that can not be broken. Such true sorrow for the sin that has caused so
much anguish to God and so much sorrow in the earth, shows that the Holy
Spirit and the angel’s of God are recovering to the soul the graces that were
lost through selfishness and sin.
“The tears of the
penitent are only the raindrops that precede the sunshine of holiness.” True
sorrow for sin heralds a joy which will be a living fountain in the soul:
“Unto them that
mourn in Zion,
He has appointed to give beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 61:3.
“The
disciples' place was always next to Jesus. The people constantly pressed upon
Him, yet the disciples understood that they were not to be crowded away from
His presence. They sat close beside Him, that they might not lose a word of
His instruction. They were attentive listeners, eager to understand the
truths they were to make known to all lands and all ages.
With a feeling that something more than
usual might be expected, they now pressed about their Master. They believed
that the kingdom was soon to be established, and from the events of the
morning they gathered assurance that some announcement concerning it was
about to be made. A feeling of expectancy pervaded the multitude also, and
eager faces gave evidence of the deep interest. As the people sat upon the
green hillside, awaiting the words of the divine Teacher, their hearts were
filled with thoughts of future glory. There were scribes and Pharisees who
looked forward to the day when they should have dominion over the hated
Romans, and possess the riches and splendor of the world's great empire. The
poor peasants and fishermen hoped to hear the assurance that their wretched
hovels, the scanty food, the life of toil, and fear of want were to be
exchanged for mansions of plenty and days of ease. In place of the one coarse
garment which was their covering by day, and their blanket at night, they
hoped that Christ would give them the rich and costly robes of their
conquerors. All hearts thrilled with the proud hope that Israel was soon to be honored before the
nations as the chosen of the Lord, and Jerusalem
exalted as the head of a universal kingdom.
Christ disappointed the hope of worldly
greatness. In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had
been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right conception
of His kingdom and of His own character. Yet He did not make a direct attack
on the errors of the people. He saw the misery of the world on account of
sin, yet He did not present before them a vivid delineation of their
wretchedness. He taught them of something infinitely better than they had
known. Without combating their ideas of the kingdom of God,
He told them the conditions of entrance therein, leaving them to draw their
own conclusions as to its nature. The truths He taught are no less important
to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to
learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.
Christ's first words to the people on the
mount were words of blessing. Happy are they, He said, who recognize their
spiritual poverty, and
Page 300
feel their need of redemption.
The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud, those
who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, is it revealed, but to those who
are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been opened for sin, a
fountain for the poor in spirit.
The proud heart strives to earn salvation;
but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the
righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man
until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency,
he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that
God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is
withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells.
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose
name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive
the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. 57:15.
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted." By these words Christ does not teach that mourning
in itself has power to remove the guilt of sin. He gives no sanction to
pretense or to voluntary humility. The mourning of which He speaks does not consist
in melancholy and lamentation. While we sorrow on account of sin, we are to
rejoice in the precious privilege of being children of God.
We often sorrow because our evil deeds
bring unpleasant consequences to ourselves; but this is not repentance. Real
sorrow for sin is the result of the working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit
reveals the ingratitude of the heart that has slighted and grieved the
Saviour, and brings us in contrition to the foot of the cross. By every sin
Jesus is wounded afresh; and as we look upon Him whom we have pierced, we
mourn for the sins that have brought anguish upon Him. Such mourning will
lead to the renunciation of sin.
The worldling may
pronounce this sorrow a weakness; but it is the strength which binds the
penitent to the Infinite One with links that cannot be broken. It shows that
the angels of God are bringing back to the soul the graces that were lost
through hardness of heart and transgression. The tears of the penitent are
only the raindrops that precede the sunshine of holiness. This sorrow heralds
a joy which will be a living fountain in the soul. "Only acknowledge
thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God;"
"and I will not cause Mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful,
saith the Lord." Jer. 3:13, 12. "Unto them that mourn in Zion," He has
appointed to give
"beauty for ashes, the
oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness." Isa. 61:3.
And for those also who mourn in trial and
sorrow there is comfort. The bitterness of grief and humiliation is better
than the indulgences of sin. Through affliction God reveals to us the plague
spots in our characters, that by His grace we may overcome our faults.
Unknown chapters in regard to ourselves are opened to us, and the test comes,
whether we will accept the reproof and the counsel of God. When brought into
trial, we are not to fret and complain. We should not rebel, or worry
ourselves out of the hand of Christ. We are to humble the soul before God.
The ways of the Lord are obscure to him who desires to see things in a light
pleasing to himself. They appear dark and joyless to our human nature. But
God's ways are ways of mercy and the end is salvation. Elijah knew not what
he was doing when in the desert he said that he had had enough of life, and
prayed that he might die. The Lord in His mercy did not take him at his word.
There was yet a great work for Elijah to do; and when his work was done, he
was not to perish in discouragement and solitude in the wilderness. Not for
him the descent into the dust of death, but the ascent in glory, with the
convoy of celestial chariots, to the throne on high.
God's word for the sorrowing is, "I
have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore
comforts unto him and to his mourners." "I will turn their mourning
into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their
sorrow." Isa. 57:18; Jer. 31:13. Desire
of Ages, 299-301.
The
Only True Faith
The Scriptures teach that there is “one faith”
only, ‘the faith that was once delivered unto the saints,’ and that without
this faith, ‘it is impossible to please God.’” Ephesians 4:5; Jude 3; Hebrews 11:6.
This faith, says the apostle Paul, is “the
faith that works by love,” as it lays hold upon the merits of the blood of
the Savior. This is the only true faith. Galatians
5:6; Romans 3:25. This alone can bring us into harmony with God, for
‘love is the fulfillment of the law,’ the law of God being a transcript of
the character of God, ‘holy, just, and good.” Romans 13:10; 7:12.
The only true faith, then, is that which
lays hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Savior to
bring His love into the heart. This is the “yoke” that is placed upon the
believer.
“God will accept everyone that [who] comes
to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Savior. LOVE
SPRINGS UP IN THE HEART. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an
abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the YOKE which Christ
imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path
that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with the beams of the
Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as He is in the light.” Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 354.
“The moment His yoke is adjusted to your
neck, that moment it is found easy; then the heaviest spiritual labor can be
performed, the heaviest burdens born, because the Lord gives the strength and
the power, and He gives gladness in doing the work. Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 110, 111.
This is how the requirements of the law are
fulfilled in the life. This is “legal striving,” for the mastery.
1Cr 9:25 And
every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in
all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an
incorruptible.
Luk 13:24 Strive
to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to
enter in, and shall not be able.
To the Nicolaitans, such
“striving” is not necessary.
“All are to be united in
carrying out God’s requirements, revealing at every advance step that faith
which works by love to purify the soul.” Selected
Messages, Vol. 1, p. 115.
“Every soul saved will be
saved through love, which begins with God.” Ibid. 115.
Love accomplishes
everything! 1 Corinthians 13.
Thus, when the apostle Paul
speaks of “the righteousness which is of God by faith,” (Philippians 3:9) he
is speaking of the love of God which is shed abroad into the hearts of all
who are united to God by faith. “Love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans
5:5; 13:10; See Desire of Ages,
Chapter 57, On Thing Thou Lackest:
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Chapter 57
"One Thing Thou Lackest"
[This
chapter is based on Matt. 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23.]
And when He was gone forth into the way,
there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what
shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
The young man who asked this question was a
ruler. He had great possessions, and occupied a position of responsibility.
He saw the love that Christ manifested toward the children brought to Him; he
saw how tenderly He received them, and took them up in His arms, and his
heart kindled with love for the Saviour. He felt a desire to be His disciple.
He was so deeply moved that as Christ was going on His way, he ran after Him,
and kneeling at His feet, asked with sincerity and earnestness the question
so important to his soul and to the soul of every human being, "Good
Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
"Why callest thou Me good?" said
Christ, "there is none good but One, that is, God." Jesus desired
to test the ruler's sincerity, and to draw from him the way in which he
regarded Him as good. Did he realize that the One to whom he was speaking was
the Son of God? What was the true sentiment of his heart?
This ruler had a high estimate of his own
righteousness. He did not really suppose that he was defective in anything,
yet he was not altogether satisfied. He felt the want of something that he
did not possess. Could not Jesus bless him as He blessed the little children,
and satisfy his soul want?
In reply to this question Jesus told him
that obedience to the commandments of God was necessary if he would obtain
eternal life; and He quoted several of the commandments which show man's duty
to his
Page 519
fellow men. The ruler's
answer was positive: "All these things have I kept from my youth up:
what lack I yet?"
Christ looked into the face of the young
man, as if reading his life and searching his character. He loved him, and He
hungered to give him that peace and grace and joy which would materially
change his character. "One thing thou lackest," He said; "go
thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
Christ was drawn to this young man. He knew
him to be sincere in his assertion, "All these things have I kept from
my youth." The Redeemer longed to create in him that discernment which
would enable him to see the necessity of heart devotion and Christian
goodness. He longed to see in him a humble and contrite heart, conscious of
the supreme love to be given to God, and hiding its lack in the perfection of
Christ.
Jesus saw in this ruler just the help He
needed if the young man would become a colaborer with Him in the work of salvation.
If he would place himself under Christ's guidance, he would be a power for
good. In a marked degree the ruler could have represented Christ; for he
possessed qualifications, which, if he were united with the Saviour, would
enable him to become a divine force among men. Christ, seeing into his
character, loved him. Love for Christ was awakening in the ruler's heart; for
love begets love. Jesus longed to see him a co-worker with Him. He longed to
make him like Himself, a mirror in which the likeness of God would be
reflected. He longed to develop the excellence of his character, and sanctify
it to the Master's use. If the ruler had then given himself to Christ, he
would have grown in the atmosphere of His presence. If he had made this
choice, how different would have been his future!
"One thing thou lackest," Jesus
said. "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to
the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow
Me." Christ read the ruler's heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that
was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul. This lack,
unless supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become
corrupted. By indulgence, selfishness would strengthen. That he might receive
the love of God, his supreme love of self must be surrendered.
Christ gave this man a test. He called upon
him to choose between the heavenly treasure and worldly greatness. The
heavenly treasure was assured him if he would follow Christ. But self must
yield; his will must be given into Christ's control. The very holiness of God
was
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offered to the young ruler.
He had the privilege of becoming a son of God, and a coheir with Christ to the
heavenly treasure. But he must take up the cross, and follow the Saviour in
the path of self-denial.
Christ's words were verily to the ruler the
invitation, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Joshua 24:15.
The choice was left with him. Jesus was yearning for his conversion. He had
shown him the plague spot in his character, and with what deep interest He
watched the issue as the young man weighed the question! If he decided to
follow Christ, he must obey His words in everything. He must turn from his
ambitious projects. With what earnest, anxious longing, what soul hunger, did
the Saviour look at the young man, hoping that he would yield to the
invitation of the Spirit of God!
Christ made the only terms which could
place the ruler where he would perfect a Christian character. His words were
words of wisdom, though they appeared severe and exacting. In accepting and
obeying them was the ruler's only hope of salvation. His exalted position and
his possessions were exerting a subtle influence for evil upon his character.
If cherished, they would supplant God in his affections. To keep back little
or much from God was to retain that which would lessen his moral strength and
efficiency; for if the things of this world are cherished, however uncertain
and unworthy they may be, they will become all-absorbing.
The ruler was quick to discern all that
Christ's words involved, and he became sad. If he had realized the value of
the offered gift, quickly would he have enrolled himself as one of Christ's
followers. He was a member of the honored council of the Jews, and Satan was
tempting him with flattering prospects of the future. He wanted the heavenly
treasure, but he wanted also the temporal advantages his riches would bring
him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired eternal life, but
he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost of eternal life seemed too
great, and he went away sorrowful; "for he had great possessions."
His claim that he had kept the law of God
was a deception. He showed that riches were his idol. He could not keep the
commandments of God while the world was first in his affections. He loved the
gifts of God more than he loved the Giver. Christ had offered the young man
fellowship with Himself. "Follow Me," He said. But the Saviour was
not so much to him as his own name among men or his possessions. To give up
his earthly treasure, that was seen, for the heavenly treasure, that was
unseen, was too great a risk. He refused the offer of eternal life, and went
away, and ever after the world was to receive his worship.
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Thousands are passing
through this ordeal, weighing Christ against the world; and many choose the
world. Like the young ruler, they turn from the Saviour, saying in their
hearts, I will not have this Man as my leader.
Christ's dealing with the young man is
presented as an object lesson. God has given us the rule of conduct which
every one of His servants must follow. It is obedience to His law, not merely
a legal obedience, but an obedience which enters into the life, and is
exemplified in the character. God has set His own standard of character for
all who would become subjects of His kingdom. Only those who will become
co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I have and all I
am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God. All should
consider what it means to desire heaven, and yet to turn away because of the
conditions laid down. Think of what it means to say "No" to Christ.
The ruler said, No, I cannot give You all. Do we say the same? The Saviour
offers to share with us the work God has given us to do. He offers to use the
means God has given us, to carry forward His work in the world. Only in this
way can He save us.
The ruler's possessions were entrusted to
him that he might prove himself a faithful steward; he was to dispense these
goods for the blessing of those in need. So God now entrusts men with means,
with talents and opportunities, that they may be His agents in helping the
poor and the suffering. He who uses his entrusted gifts as God designs
becomes a co-worker with the Saviour. He wins souls to Christ, because he is
a representative of His character.
To those who, like the young ruler, are in
high positions of trust and have great possessions, it may seem too great a
sacrifice to give up all in order to follow Christ. But this is the rule of
conduct for all who would become His disciples. Nothing short of obedience
can be accepted. Self-surrender is the substance of the teachings of Christ.
Often it is presented and enjoined in language that seems authoritative,
because there is no other way to save man than to cut away those things
which, if entertained, will demoralize the whole being.
When Christ's followers give back to the
Lord His own, they are accumulating treasure which will be given to them when
they shall hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant; . . .
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." "Who for the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God." Matt. 25:23; Heb. 12:2. The joy of
seeing souls redeemed, souls eternally saved, is the reward of all that put
their feet in the footprints of Him who said, "Follow Me."
Christ’s
Second Coming Delayed
The purpose of this study is to examine more
closely what is the measure of that love that is to dwell in the hearts of
God’s people so that the law of God may be “magnified and made honorable,”
that the earth may be lightened with the glory-character-of God! Isaiah
42:21; Revelation 18:1. This is the light that has been kept away from
the church and the world in a large degree and that is the reason why the
second coming of Christ has been so long delayed.
Especially
the Moral Law
“The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto
Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Gal. 3:4). In this scripture,
the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law.
The law reveals sin to us, and causes us to feel our need of Christ and to
flee unto Him for pardon and peace by exercising repentance toward God and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
And unwillingness to yield up preconceived
opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of
the opposition manifested at Minneapolis
against the Lord’s message through Brethren [E.J.] Waggoner and [A.T.] Jones.
By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people,
in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to
impart to them. The enemy prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which
might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles
proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. The light that is to lighten
the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our
own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world.
“The law of ten commandments is not to be looked
upon as much from the prohibitory side, as from the mercy side. Its
prohibitions are the sure guarantee of happiness in obedience. As received in
Christ, it works in us the purity of character that will bring joy to us
through eternal ages. To the obedient it is a wall of protection. We behold
in it the goodness of God, who by revealing to men the immutable principles
of righteousness, seeks to shield them from the evils that result from
transgression.
We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the
sinner for his sin. The sinner brings the punishment upon himself. His own
actions start a train of circumstances that bring the sure result. Every act
of transgression reacts upon the sinner, works in him a change of character,
and makes it more easy for him to transgress again. By choosing to sin, men
separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel of blessing,
and the sure result is ruin and death.
The law is an expression of God’s idea. When we
receive it in Christ, it becomes our idea. It lifts us above the power of
natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin. “Great
peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Ps.
119:165)—cause them to stumble.
There is no peace in unrighteousness; the wicked
are at war with God. But he who receives the righteousness of the law in
Christ is in harmony with heaven. ‘Mercy and truth are met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other (Ps. 85:10.—Letter 96, 1896,
Selected Messages, Bk. 1, 234, 235.
“There is nothing that Christ desires so much as
agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character. There is
nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of
the Saviour’s love. All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be
poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts.” Christ’s
Object Lessons, p. 419; Isaiah 60:1-3.
That should explain why the following testimonies
were sent to the professed people of God over a hundred years ago:
“We may be active, we may do much work, but
without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered
with the family in Heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 158.
“The fervor of the love of God is wanting in
their hearts, but it is this very fervor of love that makes God’s people the
light of the world.” Faith and Works, p. 83.
“The love that was in the heart of Christ is to
be in our hearts that we may reveal to those around us the light of life.” Sons
and Daughters of God, p. 84.
As we can see, the message contained in these
solemn declarations is of the highest consequence. To help us grasp its
significance we need to follow this instruction:
“The Testimonies themselves will be the key that
will explain the messages given as Scripture is explained by Scripture.” Selected
Messages, Bk, 1, p. 42; 1 Corinthians 2:13.
The
Straight Testimony
“Without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of
Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of Heaven.” Truly, this
message is the “straight testimony” sent to those who, in these last days,
profess to believe the truth. For that reason, the Faithful and True Witness
counsels us to buy of Him “gold tried in the fire.” Revelation 3:17, 18.
The Nicolaitans will deny this conditional
element of love. Their focus is on justification only without sanctification,
as the condition for salvation, and which involves a type of faith that does
not embrace this love element. They always avoid the love element because God
says that the test of our love is:
1Jo
5:2 By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jo
5:3 For this is the love of God, that
we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Jesus had the love in His heart that kept the
commandments. If we have that love in our hearts, we will keep His
commandments. This is the straight testimony that angers the world. They call
it legalism rather than love. The truth is that we cannot keep the
commandments rightfully without love; from a motive of love. Any attempt to
keep them on our own power is legalism and void of proper love for Christ and
His character.
“The gold tried in the fire is faith that works
by love. Only this can bring us into harmony with God. We may be active, we
may do much work, but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of
Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of Heaven.” Christ’s
Object Lessons, p. 158.
Therefore, this testimony must work deep
repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified.” See Early
Writings, p. 270; Daniel 12:10.
It is impossible to be the light of the world
unless the Love that dwelt in the heart of Christ dwells in our hearts. In
other words, “His experience is to be ours.” Desire of Ages, p. 363;
Revelation 3:21.
“You cannot equal the pattern; but you can resemble
it and, according to your ability, do likewise.” Testimonies, Vol. 2,
p. 170.
This is what it means to be clothed with the
garment of His righteousness:
“When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is
united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one
with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His
life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His
righteousness which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Christ’s
Object Lessons, p. 312.
“Oh, how greatly we need a moral renovation.
Without the faith that works by love, you can do nothing. May God give you
hearts to receive this testimony.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 188.
This is the testimony of the Faithful and True Witness
addressed to the church at Laodicea.
We need to meditate upon this message day and night. This is what Scripture
means when it says:
Psa 1:2 But
his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night.
Luk 18:7 And
shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night
unto him, though he bear long with them?
Psa 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and
nothing shall offend them.
Psa 119:97 O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the
day.
Psa 119:113 I hate [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Psa 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: [but] thy law do I love.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even]
in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Jam 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the
scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
“The gold tried in the fire
is faith that works by love. Only this can bring us into harmony with God.
Without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be
numbered with the family of Heaven.” Christ’s
Object Lessons, p. 158.
“To write the same things
to you, to me indeed is not tedious, but your you it is safe.” Philippians 3:1.
It is important for us to
know what was the measure of that love that dwelt in the heart of the Savior
for this is what we need more than anything else.
Begin quoting exactly:
The Hoarded Love of Eternity
“When God gave His Son to
our world, He endowed human beings with imperishable riches, riches compared
with which all the treasured wealth of men since the world began is nothingness.
Christ came to the earth and stood before the children of men WITH THE
HOARDED LOVE OF ETERNITY, and this is the treasure that, through our
connection with Him, we are to receive, to reveal, and to impart.” Ministry of Healing, p. 37.
This was the measure of the
Love that dwelt in the heart of Christ: The heralded love of eternity! And
this is the treasure that awaits our demand. But it is imparted only tho
those who have a sense of their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of
redemption.
“Happy are they, Jesus
said, who recognize their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of
redemption. The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually
proud, those who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, it is revealed, but
to those who are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been opened for
sin, a fountain for the poor in spirit.” The
Desire of Ages, p. 300.
To the poor in spirit is
promised “the hoarded love of eternity,” and this gift is nothing less or
nothing more than the divine fullness:
“The indwelling of the
Spirit will be shown by the outflowing of heavenly love. The divine fullness
is to flow through the consecrated human agent, to be given forth to others.”
Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 419.
That should help us better
appreciate the value of the blood that was shed for us upon Calvary’s
cross. It is the merits of that precious blood that Jesus pleads before the
Father in our behalf, claiming for us the blessing that brings all other
blessings in its train. Jesus is claiming the blessing that is to flood the
soul with the glory of divinity. See
John 17:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; The Desire of Ages, p. 23-26; 123; 507;
509.
“’The prince of this world
cometh,’ said Jesus, ‘and hath nothing in Me.’ John 14:30.
There was in Him nothing
that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a
thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ’s humanity
was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of
the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So
long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God
reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold of the
divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character. And how
this is accomplished, Christ has shown us. By what means did He overcome in
the conflict with Satan? By the Word of God. Only by the Word could He resist
temptation. ‘It is written,’ He said: And unto us are given ‘exceeding great
and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.’” Desire of Ages, 123.
“We can receive of heaven’s
light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the
character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the
bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all
who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure.” Desire of Ages, p. 181.
“No outward observances can
take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man
can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the
work. Then the language of the soul will be; Lord, take my heart; for I
cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for
Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me,
fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere where the rich currents
of Thy love can flow through my soul.” Christ’s
Object Lessons, p. 159.
“The prayer of the publican
was heard because it showed dependence reaching forth to lay hold upon
Omnipotence. Self to the publican was nothing but shame. Thus it must be seen
by all who seek God. By faith,--faith that renounces all self-trust--the
needy suppliant is to lay hold upon infinite power.” Ibid, p. 159.
The Golden Candlestick
The representation of the
golden candlestick in Zachariah 4 shows that “faith which works by love” is the
“foundation stone” upon which God builds the temple of the soul, to be “an
habitation of God through the Spirit.” Zachariah 4:6, 7; Ephesians 2:22.
“And the angel that talked
with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.”
Zachariah 4:1.
This is speaking of a
spiritual awakening. The servants of God are asleep. This representation was
given to Zechariah for our instruction upon whom the ends of the world are
come. 1 Corinthians 10:11.
“The prophets of God spoke
less for their own time than for the ages to come, and especially for the
generation that would live amid the last scenes of this earth’s history.” Signs of the Times, Vol. 3, p. 445.
“Each of the ancient
prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their
prophesying is in force for us.” Selected
Messages, Bkl. 3, p. 338.
Back to the representation:
“The angel said unto me:
What do you see? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of
gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven
pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees
by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side
thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying,
What are these my Lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said
unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No my Lord.” Zachariah 4:2-5.
Like Nicodemus, Zechariah,
a leader in Israel,
lacked spiritual discernment. Today’s spiritual leaders are asleep. There is
nothing new under the sun. A spiritual awakening is our greatest need:
“Surely one entrusted with
the religious interests of the people should not be ignorant of truth so
important for them to understand as the condition of entrance into the kingdom of Heaven.” Testimonies to Ministers, 369.
“The lesson to Nicodemus I
present as highly applicable to those who are today in responsible positions
as rulers in Israel, and whose voices are often heard in council giving
evidence of the same spirit that Nicodemus possessed. Will the lesson given
to the chief ruler have the same influence upon their heart and life?
Nicodemus was converted as the result of this interview. The words of Christ
are spoken just as verily to presidents of conferences, elders of churches,
and those occupying official positions in our institutions. ‘Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” Ibid, p. 369.
There is a direct
connection between the representation given to Zechariah, the words spoken to
Nicodemus, and the parable of the ten virgins:
“We all need to study as
never before the parable of the ten virgins. Five of them were wise, and five
were foolish. The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. This is
the holy oil represented in Zechariah 4. This representation is of the
highest consequence to those who claim to know the truth. If we do not
practice the truth, we have not received the holy oil, which the two golden
pipes empty out of themselves. The oil is received into vessels prepared for
the oil. It is the Holy Spirit in the heart which works by love and purifies
the soul.” SDA Bible Commentary, Vol.
4, p. 1179.
“No man can impart that
which he himself has not received. In the work of God humanity can originate
nothing. No man can by his own effort make himself a light-bearer for God. It
was the golden oil emptied by the heavenly messengers into the golden tubes,
to be conducted from the golden bowl into the lamps of the sanctuary, that
produced a continuous bright and shining light. It is the love of God
continually transferred to man that enables him to impart light. Into the
hearts of all who are united to God by faith, the golden oil of love flows
freely, to shine out again in good works, in real, heartfelt service for
God.” Ibid, p. 419.
So, in this vision, the
gold represents the faith without which it is impossible to please God; the
oil represents the love of God which is shed abroad into the hearts of those who
are united to God by faith; and the continuous bright and shining light
represents the good works through which God is glorified, hence the faith
which works by love. Galatians 5:6.
Now, let us see, according
to this representation, what is the measure of that love which is to be
imparted to the human agent in order for him to be an influence for good:
“In this vision the two
trees which stand before God are represented as emptying the golden oil out
of themselves through golden tubes into the bowl of the candlestick. From
this the lamps of the sanctuary are fed, that they may give a bright,
continuous light. So from the anointed ones that stand in God’s presence THE
FULLNESS OF DIVINE LIGHT AND LOVE AND POWER is imparted to His people, that
they may impart to others light and joy and refreshing. Those who are thus
enriched are to enrich others with the treasure of God’s love.” Prophets and Kings, p. 594.
The two anointed ones are
the angels who stand in God’s presence to impart to God’s people the holy
oil:
“And when these angels
empty from themselves the golden oil of truth into the heart of him who is
teaching the Word, then the application of the truth will be a solemn,
serious matter. The angel messengers will expel sin from the heart, unless
the door of the heart is padlocked and Christ is refused admission. Christ
will withdraw Himself from those who persist in refusing the heavenly
blessings that are so freely offered them.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 338.
“There are men who stand in
the pulpits as shepherds professing to feed the flock, while the sheep are
starving for the bread of life. There are long-drawn out discourses, largely
made up of the relation of anecdotes; but the hearts of the hearers are not
touched. The feelings of some may be moved, they may shed a few tears, but
their hearts are not broken. The Lord Jesus has been present when they have
been presenting that which was called sermons, but their words were destitute
of the dew and rain of Heaven. They evidenced that the anointed ones
described by Zechariah (see chapter 4) had not ministered to them that they
might minister to others. When the anointed ones empty themselves through the
golden pipes, the golden oil flows out of themselves into the golden bowls,
to flow forth into the lamps, the churches. This is the work of every true,
devoted servant of the living God. The Lord God of Heaven cannot accept much
that is brought into the pulpit by those who are professedly speaking the
Word of the Lord. They do not inculcate ideas that will be a blessing to
those who hear. There is cheap, very cheap fodder placed before the people.” Ibid, p. 336, 337.
The Man of the Situation
“Then the angel answered
and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel,
saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of
hosts.” Zechariah 4:6.
Zerubbabel was the man of
the situation chose of God to rebuild the sanctuary and the walls of the
city. He represents those whom God is using as His instruments in these last
days to rebuild His church, the spiritual temple of the soul, which has been
ruined by apostasy and sin. 1
Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:22.
“Those who build the temple
of the Lord are to build according to the pattern shown in the mount,--the
divine similitude.” Desire of Ages, p.
354.
And this is to be done “not
by might nor by power but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Those
represented by Zerubbabel are to build this temple upon the foundation stone
with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it! Zechariah 4:7.
And we already know what
the “foundation stone” of this spiritual temple must be: the faith that works
by love and purifies the soul. This faith is the only true faith and the key
of knowledge: “Faith working by love
is the key of knowledge, and everyone that loveth ‘knoweth God.’” Desire of Ages, p. 139.
"Therefore
also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some
of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets,
which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this
generation From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished
between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required
of this generation. Woe unto you,
lawyers! [Israel’s
teachers of the law] for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye
entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered."
Luke 11:49-52.
"In the very courts of the
temple, scenes will be enacted that few realize. God's people will be proved
and tested, that He may discern 'between him that serveth God and him that
serveth Him not.' Vengeance will be executed against those who sit in the
gate, deciding what the people should have and what they should not have. These take away the key of knowledge.
They refuse to enter in themselves, and those who would enter in they
hinder. These bear not the seal of the living God. All who now occupy
responsible positions should be solemnly and terribly afraid lest in this
time they shall be found as unfaithful stewards." E.G. White, Manuscript
15, 1886, Paulson Collection, p. 55.
“It is the Holy Spirit in the heart
that works by love to purify the soul.” Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 1179.
It is by the action of the Holy Spirit
that the kingdom
of God is established
in the earth:
“Not by the decisions of courts or
councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly men, is
the kingdom of Christ established, but by the
implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity through the work of the Holy
Spirit. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind.” Desire
of Ages, p. 509, 510; John 1:12, 13.
Of the disciples of Christ, during the
days following Pentecost, it is written that “great grace was upon them all.”
Acts 4:33; 2 Peter 1:10, 11. In order to accomplish their God-given task, the
fullness of the Spirit was imparted to them. Up until then the influence of
the Holy Spirit had often been revealed but never in its fullness:
“During the patriarchal age the
influence of the Holy Spirit had often been revealed in a marked manner, but
never in its fullness. Now, in obedience to the word of the Savior, the
disciples offered their supplications for this gift, and in Heaven Christ
added His intercession. He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour
it upon His people.” The Acts of the Apostles, p. 37.
Thus, when the day of Pentecost was
fully come, “The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a
fullness that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power
to His church. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in
restraint, and now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the church
the riches of the Savior’s grace. All heaven bent low to behold and to adore
the wisdom of the matchless, incomprehensible love. Lost in wonder, the
apostles exclaimed “Herein is Love.” They grasped the imparted gift. And what
followed? The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the
lightnings of Heaven, cut its way through unbelief. Thousands were converted
in a day.” Ibid, p. 38.
“The Savior knew that no argument,
however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of
worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the
heavenly endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was
proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge
of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed to the
disciples would require great efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and
strong against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the
forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right
only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give them.” The Acts
of the Apostles, p. 31.
“Christ’s visible presence was about
to be withdrawn from the disciples, but a new endowment of power was to be
theirs. The Holy Spirit was to be given them in its fullness, sealing them
for their work.” Ibid, 30.
Mountains of Difficulty
“Who art thou, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel thou shall become a plain.” Zechariah 4:7.
This “great mountain” represents the
difficulties the people of God will have to encounter since the leader of the
forces of darkness is determined to do all in his power to prevent the light
from shining:
“Throughout the history of God’s
people, great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable, have loomed
up before those who were trying to carry out the purposes of heaven. Such
obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith… Before the intrepid
spirit and unwavering faith of a Zerubbabel, great mountains of difficulty
will become a plain.” Prophets and Kings, p. 595.
Clothed with the full armor of God,
the people of God will be surrounded as by an encompassing wall of fire which
the powers of hell shall not prevail against:
“I will be unto her a wall of fire
round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” Zechariah 2:5.
“The gift of the Holy Spirit, rich, full,
and abundant, is to be to His people as an encompassing wall of fire, which
the powers of hell shall not prevail against.” Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 18.
“Human power and human might did not
establish the church
of God, and neither can
they destroy it. Not on the rock of human strength, but on Christ Jesus, the
Rock of ages, was the church founded, ‘and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.’ The presence of God gives stability to His cause. God’s
glorious work, founded on the eternal principles of right, will never come to
nought. It will go on from strength to strength, ‘not by might, nor by power,
but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’” Prophets and Kings, p. 595,
596.
“The church is God’s fortress, His
city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world.” The Acts of the
Apostles, p. 11.
“The soul that is yielded to Christ
becomes God’s fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends
that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in
possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.”
Desire of Ages, p. 324.
“From
the beginning, faithful souls have
constituted the church on earth.
In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful
testimony to the generation in which they lived. These sentinels gave the message of
warning; and when they were called to lay off their armor, others took up the
work. God brought these witnesses into
covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church
in heaven. He has sent forth His
angels to minister to His church, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people.” E.G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 12.
"God
has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national
establishment, neither is it the
various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His
commandments. 'Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am
I in the midst of them' (Matt. 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble
few, this is Christ's church, for the
presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone
constitute a church.
Where two or three are present who
love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the
desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in
prison walls." E.G. White, The Upward
Look, 315.
The True Sign of Discipleship
“For who hath despised the day of small
things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the had of
Zerubbabel.” Zechariah 4:10.
“The way of the world is to begin with
pomp and boasting. God’s way is to make the day of small things the beginning
of the glorious triumph of truth and righteousness.” Prophets and Kings,
p. 595.
“The Sun of Righteousness did not
burst upon the world in splendor, to dazzle the senses with His glory. It is
written of Christ, ‘His going forth is prepared as the morning.’ Hosea
6:3. Quietly and gently the daylight breaks upon the earth, dispelling
the shadow of darkness, and waking the world to life. So did the Sun of
Righteousness arise, ‘with healing in His wings.’” Malachi 4:2.
“Without the law, men have no just
conception of the purity and holiness of God or of their own guilt and
uncleanness. They have no true conviction of sin and feel no need of
repentance. Not seeing their lost condition as violators of God’s law, they
do not realize their need of the atoning blood of Christ. The hope of salvation is accepted without
a radical change of heart or reformation of life. Thus superficial
conversions abound, and multitudes are joined to the church who have never
been united to Christ.” The Great Controversy, p. 468.
The servants of God cannot accomplish
their God-given task unless they restore the law to its rightful position:
“It is only when the law of God is
restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive
faith and godliness among His professed people.” Ibid, 478.
In order to restore the law in its
rightful position, it must be enthroned in the hearts of all who seek God.
“Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My
law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.”
Isaiah 51:7.
It is only as the love that dwelt in
the heart of Christ is implanted in our hearts that we can be the people in
whose heart is God’s law written:
“If the divine love is implanted in
the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the
principle of love is implanted in the heart, the new-covenant promise is
fulfilled: ‘I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I
write them.’ And if the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the
life? Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of
discipleship.” Steps to Christ, p. 60.
And this is the “foundation stone”
upon which the spiritual temple of the soul must be built: “The faith which
works by love to purify the soul,” for “Love is the fulfillment of the law.” Galatians
5:6; Romans 13:10. The love that dwelt in the heart of Christ is the
treasure that we, through our connection with Christ, are to receive, to
reveal, and to impart! “Those who are thus enriched are to enrich others with
the treasure of God’s love.” Prophets and Kings, p. 595. Thus the law
of God is to be “magnified and made honourable.” Isaiah 42:21.
“The indwelling of the Spirit will be
shown by the outflowing of heavenly love. The divine fullness will flow through
the consecrated human agents, to be given forth to others.” Christ’s
Object Lessons, p. 419.
In Full and Final Display
“To
His church, Christ has given ample facilities, that He may receive a large
revenue of glory from His redeemed, purchased possession. The church, being
endowed with the righteousness of Christ, is His depository, in which the
wealth of His mercy, His love, His grace, is to appear in full and final
display.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 18.
“God’s
ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach.
‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.’
This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete
recovery from the power of Satan.
Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the
works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be
imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning.” Desire of
Ages, p. 311.
“The
power of evil has been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men
to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome
only through the mighty Agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would
come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power…to overcome
all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress Christ’s
character upon His church.” Ibid, 671.
Ministry of Healing
What
is to take place as the treasure of God’s love is imparted to the human agent
in all its purity and power:
“The
love that Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power.
Every vital part, the heart, the brain, the nerves, it touches with healing.
It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care that crush
the life forces. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to
activity. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul a joy
that nothing earthly can destroy, joy in the Holy Spirit, health-giving,
life-giving joy.” Ministry of Healing, p. 115.
Is
this not the only authentic ministry of healing? (Without minimizing the
importance of health-reform).
“The
religion of Jesus Christ is one which will revolutionize the entire man. The truth
of God has power to transform the character. We are to have the faith that
works by love and purifies the soul. A faith that does not result in this is
of no value.” Testimonies to Ministers, p. 185.
“The
only true faith is that which works by love to purify the soul. It is as
leaven to transform the character.” Mount of Blessing, p. 53.
In
other words, “We may be active, we may do much work, but without love, such
love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered with the
family of Heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 158.
“Oh,
how greatly we need a moral renovation. Without the faith that works by love,
you can do nothing. May the Lord give us hearts to receive this testimony.” Testimonies
to Ministers, p. 188.
Love
accomplishes everything! 1 Corinthians 13.
Spoken of Throughout the
Whole World
As we read Paul’s letter to the Romans
we see that in the days of the Apostles this faith was “spoken of throughout
the whole world.” Romans 1:8. It was this faith that moved the arm of God
and God’s people were a blessing to others. It is this same faith that will,
in these last days, make God’s people the light of the world. It is this
faith that will allow the Lord to finally and promptly execute on the earth
what He ahs resolved! Romans 9:28.
“It is that faith which works that you
want. How does it work? It works by love. What love? Why, the love flashing
from the cross of Calvary. It is set up
midway between earth and heaven, and salvation is gained by looking at this
cross… The devil is working against this all the time. It is the faith that
works by love that is witnessed by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. It is the love that He has had for my soul.” Faith
and Works, p. 72.
Let us repeat it: “We may be active,
we may do much work, but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of
Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of Heaven.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 158.
“And though
I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all
knowledge…and have not love, (the love that dwelt in the heart of Christ) I
am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor…but have not
love, it profiteth me nothing.” 1Corinthians 13:1-3.
The Key of Knowledge
“The faith
that works by love is the key of knowledge.” Desire of Ages, p. 139.
We take good care of the keys to our houses and cars. We always make sure
that we have them in our possession. Their loss can cause us many headaches
and sorrows. How much more should we take care of THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE!
“The life of
Christ that gives life to the world is in His word. It was by His word that
Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea, and
raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power. HE
spoke the word of God, as He had spoken through all the prophets and teachers
of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ, and the
Saviour desired to fix the faith of His followers on the word. When His
visible presence should be withdrawn, the word must be their source of power.
Like their Master they were to live ‘by every word that proceeds out of the
mouth of God.’” Desire of Ages, p. 390.
From the
smallest gift up[ to the largest blessing all flow to us through the merits
of Jesus Christ. It is through the merits of Christ’s sacrifices that the
word of God imparts life to us. Psalm 107:20; 119:50, 93. God Himself
has given the command:
“Put on love
which is the bond of perfection.” Colossians 3:14. This is the word of the Lord.
This command is a promise, for “In every command or injunction that God
gives, there is a promise, the most positive, underlying the command.” Mount
of Blessing, p. 76.
Thus it is
written that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Romans
10:17. As the child of God hears the voice of God in His commandments,
faith springs up in his heart and says, “Lord, let it be done unto me
according to Your Word.”
The same
word that spoke the universe into existence, which said to the earth, “Bring
forth grass,” speaks to us in the words of God’s law. God’s law in Christ is
not a hard, lifeless decree, which weak mortals are to strive in vain to
keep, while God watches them with a stern eye ready to taunt and punish them
for failure, but we “know that His commandment is life eternal.” John
12:50. That word which says to us: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and they neighbour as thyself,” sheds that love abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us. Psalm 104:30; 107:20;
Romans 5:5. This is the love that dwelt in the heart of Christ! Hence
“the faith that works by love to purify the soul.” Galatians 5:6.
The Lord
bids us: “Put on love.” Colossians 3:14. We cannot “put on love”
ourselves any more than we can repent of ourselves or walk upon the water. We
are to allow God’s word to have “free course” in us that we may “stand
perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:14. The
command has gone out of God’s mouth in righteousness saying, “Be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is the good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2; Isaiah 45:19.
We are all
familiar with the story of how the angel of the Lord brought the word of God
to Mary saying: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a
Son, and shall call His name Jesus… Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can
this be, since I do not know a man?’ And the angel answered and said to her,
‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will
overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be
called the Son of God…’ Then Mary said: ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord!
Let it be done to me according to your word. And the angel departed from
her.’” Luke 1:31-38.
Mary heard
the word of the Lord and said, “Let it be done to me according to the word.”
This is what faith is and the Holy Spirit was imparted to her to fulfill the
word of God which she heard. Thus we read: “Blessed is she who believed, for
there will be a fulfillment of these things which were told her of the Lord.”
Verse 45.
It is the
same with us. The word of God has lost none of its power. And now the Lord
commands all men everywhere to “repent and be converted” and to “be filled
with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 17:30; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 5:18. Since we
cannot repent of ourselves, convert ourselves, anymore than we can fill
ourselves with the Holy Spirit, it therefore follows that our answer must be
the same as Mary, and that is the answer of faith: “Lord, let it be done unto
me according to your word.” And the Lord says: “As you have believed, so be
it done unto you.” Matt. 8:13; 9:29. Thus we have the blessing:
“Blessed is he who believes, for there will be a fulfillment of those things
which were told him of the Lord.” Thus by the operation of the Holy Spirit,
the true believer is kept in a state of repentance and contrition, of
conversion and he is Spirit filled as long as by the same word he continues
in the faith, for the Lord ahs given the command: “Continue in My love.” John
15:9.
And this is
how the disciples of Christ are to be sealed for their God-given task: “By
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. To the
Ephesians, the apostle Paul wrote these words: “In Him you also trusted,
after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also
having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians
1:13.
To the child
of God, every command is a promise. “The creative power that called the
worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power, it
begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into
the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the
nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God. The life thus imparted is
in like manner sustained, ‘By every word that proceeds out of the mouth of
God’ shall man live.’” Education, p. 126.
The Lord
Himself has given the command: “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16. This
is “the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5. Every command that
proceeds out of the mouth of God is a promise of the impartation of the
Spirit. “The reception of the word, the bread that comes down from Heaven, is
declared to be the reception of Christ Himself.” Review and Herald, Vol.
5, p. 227.
“For all the
promises of God in Christ are Yea and in Him Amen, to the glory of God by
us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.
“The seed is
the Word of God.” Luke 8:11.
Every seed
has in itself a germinating principle. In it the life of the plant is
enfolded. So there is life in God’s Word. Received as the voice of God, every
command and promise of His Word is the impartation of the Spirit, the
impartation of the life of Christ.
“In every
command and in every promise of the Word of God is the power, the very life
of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized. He
who by faith receives the Word is receiving the very life and character of
God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 38, 40; John 6:63.
In the Bible
there are most precious promises for the people of God:
“Let the
peace of God rule in your heart.” Colossians 3:15. “Let this mind be
in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5. “Be strong in
the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10. “Be ye
therefore perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
Each one of
these commandments is an exceeding great and precious promise by which we may
become partakers of Christ’s nature. 2 Peter 1:4. See Bible
Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 1104; Ministry of Healing, p. 122; Testimonies, Vol.
6, p. 393.
When the
commandments of God are received as the voice of God speaking to the soul in
promise, the language of the soul is:
“Lord, Your
commandments are wonderful. They are my delights. I love Your commandments
above gold; yea above fine gold.” Psalm 119:127, 129, 143. Lord, let
it be done to me according to Your will as it is expressed in Your gracious
words. And the Lord says: “Go your way, and as you have believed, so let it
be done for you.” Matthew 8:13. Thus the word of God has “free course” in the
believer (2 Thessalonians 3:1) and every jot and tittle of the Word of God is
fulfilled in his life. It can then be said that “the very keynote of the Word
of God is rejoicing.” Psalm 119:162; Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 162.
“Our Lord
Himself has given the command: ‘Be filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians
5:18), and this command is also a promise of its fulfillment.” Mount
of Blessing, p. 21.
That is how
we are to receive the Word of God, not a the word of man, but as it is in
truth “the Word of God which also worketh in you that believe.” 1
Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:13; John 6:63; 12:50.
“Blessed is
the people that know the joyful sound. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light
of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy
righteousness shall they be exalted.” Psalm 89:15.
The Burning Bush
“And the
Angel of the Lord appeared unto Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of
a bush; and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush
was not consumed.” Exodus 3:2.
The symbol
chosen for the representation of Deity was a lowly shrub, that seemingly had
no attraction. This enshrined the Infinite. God’s glory was enshrouded in a
most humble type. The invisible glory in the visible human form! See Desire
of Ages, p. 23. So it is with the true child of God. He is a “burning
bush.” In Christ his humanity is united to Christ’s divinity, a consuming
fire which purifies the soul without consuming humanity. To the Christian,
the love of Christ is a consuming fire. It consumes the sin in him without
him being consumed!
“Divine
power and the human agency combined will be a complete success.” Faith and
Works, p. 27. “When divine power is combined with human effort, the work
will spread like fire in the stubble.” Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 118.
By His life
and His death, Christ has achieved even more than recovery from the ruin
wrought through sin. It was Satan’s purpose to bring about an eternal
separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united
to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Savior has
bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the
eternal ages He is linked with us.
“God so
loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son.”
He gave Him
not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the
fallen race. God gave His only-begotten Son to become on of the human family,
forever to retain His human nature.
“Unto us a
child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His
shoulder.” Isaiah 9:5, 6.
God has adopted
human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the
highest heaven. Christ glorified in our brother. Heaven is enshrined in
humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of infinite love! See Desire
of Ages, p. 25, 26.
Of His
people, God says: “They shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an
ensign upon His land. For how great is His goodness, and how great is His
beauty!” Zechariah 9:16, 17; Daniel 12:3.
The
exaltation of the redeemed will be an eternal testimony to God’s mercy. And
through endless ages as the redeemed walk in the light of the Lord, they will
praise Him for His unspeakable gift, Immanuel, “God with us.”
Conclusion
To the “poor
in spirit,” that is, to those who have a sense of their spiritual poverty and
feel their need of redemption, but one thing is needful: “The faith that
works by love.” Galatians 5:6.
The Lord
Himself has given the command: “Put on Love.” Colossians 3:14. To the
poor in spirit, this command is a promise, a most positive promise of its own
fulfillment. As they receive the word in faith, the love of God is “put on”
them, imparted to them by the Holy Spirit which is given unto them and they
are brought into fellowship with the Deity! The soul is flooded with the
glory of Divinity and exclaims:
“I delight
to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8.
“O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97;
Ephesians 1:13; Romans 5:5; Acts 10:44; 11:15.
They study
their Bible like never before and, like their Master, the “live by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4; Desire of Ages, p. 390.
Amen
Suggested
readings:
Christ’s Object Lessons, last chapter
Prophets and Kings, Chapter 48
Desire of Ages, Chapters 1-4, 12, 24,
and 31.
Steps to Christ, Chapter: The Test of
Discipleship
Desire of Ages, p. 320, 389, 390.
In order to finish His work, the Lord will use simple means. See Selected
Messages, Bk. 1, p. 128; Acts of the Apostles, chapter 32.
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