Jerusalem
no Longer a Sacred Place Until it has Been Cleansed by the
Purifying Fires of Heaven
“The city of
Jerusalem is no longer a sacred place. The curse of God is upon it because of
the rejection of Christ, the crucifixion of the only begotten Son of God. The
darkest blot of guilt is upon Jerusalem, and never again will it be a sacred
place until it has been cleansed by the purifying fires of heaven. When this
sin-cursed earth is purified from every stain of sin, Christ will again stand
upon the Mount of Olives; and as His feet shall rest upon it, it will part
asunder and become a great plain, prepared for the city of God.” Ellen G. White
{Lt100-1895 (October 11, 1895) par. 21}
Age to Come “God has shown me about some trying to get a substitute after the time
passed, some would get Jesus upon the great white cloud, others would be looking to old Jerusalem, or as they
called it the age-to-come.”—Letter 8, 1851, p.
4. (To “Dear Brother and Sister Howland,” November 12, 1851.) {4MR 404.1}
Released May 14, 1970.
“The city of Jerusalem
is no longer a sacred place. The curse of God is upon it because of the
rejection and crucifixion of Christ. A dark blot of guilt rests upon it, and
never again will it be a sacred place until it has been cleansed by the
purifying fires of heaven. At the time when this sin-cursed earth is purified
from every stain of sin, Christ will again stand upon the Mount of Olives. As
His feet rest upon it, it will part asunder, and become a great plain, prepared
for the city of God.” {RH July 30, 1901, Art. A, par. 2}
"Then I was
pointed to some who are in the great error of believing that it is their duty
to go to Old Jerusalem, [see Appendix.] and think they have a work to do there
before the Lord comes. Such a view is calculated to take the mind and interest
from the present work of the Lord, under the message of the third angel; for
those who think that they are yet to go to Jerusalem will have their minds
there, and their means will be withheld from the cause of present truth to get
themselves and others there. I saw that such a mission would accomplish no real
good, that it would take a long while to make a very few of the Jews believe
even in the first advent of Christ, much more to believe in His second advent.
I saw that Satan had greatly deceived some in this thing and that souls all
around them in this land could be helped by them and led to keep the
commandments of God, but they were leaving them to perish. I also saw that Old
Jerusalem never would be built up; and that Satan was doing his utmost to lead
the minds of the children of the Lord into these things now, in the gathering
time, to keep them from throwing their whole interest into the present work of
the Lord, and to cause them to neglect the necessary preparation for the day of
the Lord." {EW 75.2}
Page 75: Duty to go to
Old Jerusalem.—Mrs. White refers to erroneous views then held by a very few.
The next year, in the The Review and Herald, October 7, 1851, James White
writes of “the distracting, unprofitable views relative to old Jerusalem and
the Jews, etc., that are afloat at the present time,” and of “the strange
notions that some have run into, that the saints have yet to go to old
Jerusalem. Etc., etc.” {EW 300.5}
Page 77: Editor of the
Day-Star.—Enoch Jacobs lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, and published the Day-Star,
one of the early journals proclaiming the second advent of Christ. It was to
Enoch Jacobs that Ellen Harmon in December, 1845, sent an account of her first
vision, hoping to stabilize him. She had observed that he was wavering in his
confidence in God’s leadership in the Advent experience. It was in the Day-Star
that the editor published Mrs. White’s first vision, in the issue of January
24, 1846. In a special number of his journal, the Day-Star Extra, February 7,
1846, the memorable article concerning the heavenly sanctuary and its
cleansing, prepared by Hiram Edson, Dr. Hahn, and O. R. L. Crozier, was
published. It set forth the scripture teaching relative to the ministry of
Christ in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary beginning October 22,
1844. In this journal also on March 14, 1846, a second communication from Ellen
Harmon’s pen was published. (see Early Writings, 32-35.) Reference in the
paragraph under discussion is to later views held by Mr. Jacobs and the
spiritualistic delusions he espoused. {EW 300.6}
"Walk in Jesus’
footsteps, not by visiting where He lived, but by working as He worked—Among
our workers are some who feel that a great object would be gained if their feet
could tread the soil of old Jerusalem. But God’s cause and work will never be
advanced by His workers wandering about to find where Jesus traveled and
wrought His miracles. Would you trace the footsteps of Christ, behold Him in
that hovel, ministering to the poor; see Him at that sick bed, comforting the
suffering, and speaking hope and courage to the desponding. Those who walk in
the footsteps of Jesus will do as He did. “Whosoever will come after me,” He
said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”—The Review
and Herald, July 30, 1901. {PaM 224.1}
I was pointed to some
who are in the great error of believing that it is their duty to go to Old
Jerusalem, [Written in the early 1850’s when “the age-to-come” advocates taught
that Old Jerusalem would be built up as a center of Christian witness
fulfilling certain prophecies of the O.T.] and think they have a work to do
there before the Lord comes. Such a view is calculated to take the mind and
interest from the present work of the Lord, under the message of the third
angel; for those who think that they are yet to go to Jerusalem will have their
minds there, and their means will be withheld from the cause of present truth
to get themselves and others there. I saw that such a mission would accomplish
no real good, that it would take a long while to make a very few of the Jews
believe even in the first advent of Christ, much more to believe in His second
advent. {Mar 136.3}
Men and women may
study the will of God with profit. Let young men and young women, while the dew
of youth is upon them, begin to study the word of God, which expresses his
will. The steps of Christ are certainly marked out in the word. Go where they
can be found today. Do not seek to go back to the land where Christ’s feet trod
ages ago. Christ says: “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.” We can know far more of Christ by following him
step by step in the work of redemption, seeking the lost and the perishing,
than by journeying to old Jerusalem. Christ has taken his people into his
church. He has swept away every ceremony of the ancient type. He has given no
liberty to restore these rites, or to substitute anything that will recall the
old literal sacrifices. The Lord requires of his people spiritual sacrifices
alone. Everything pertaining to his worship is placed under the superintendence
of his Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the Father would send the Holy Spirit in
his name to teach his disciples all things, and to bring all things unto their
remembrance that he had said unto them. The curse rests upon Jerusalem. The Lord
has obliterated those things which men would worship in and about Jerusalem,
yet many hold in reverence literal objects in Palestine, while they neglect to
behold Jesus as their advocate in the heaven of heavens. {RH February 25, 1896,
par. 8}
Where is Christ? We
would see Jesus, not the places where he used to make his abode. Christ is the
bread of life, and we must feed upon his word, and be a doer of his commands.
What is Christ to me? How am I related to Christ? He is in the heavens above,
and as our high priest, is offering up the incense of his own merit. His
holiness mingles with our prayers of repentance and faith. Through conversion
we are brought into close relationship with God, and the Father loves those for
whom Christ has died as he loves his own Son. Through the almighty ransom he
has made, we become sons and daughters of God. We should earnestly inquire, not
in regard to old Jerusalem and concerning the fables that are repeated for
truth, but we should turn our eyes to the loving Saviour, who ever liveth to
make intercession for us. We should prostrate the soul before the incarnate
God. We are not to trust in fables, and worship places that God has cursed, and
foster idolatry in so doing. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman: “Ye worship ye
know not what; we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews. But the
hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in
spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a
Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Many visit Jerusalem, and go away cherishing ideas which they suppose represent
the truth, while in fact they have only come in contact with fables. They
publish these falsehoods as truth. {RH February 25, 1896, par. 9}
“You need never feel
that you are alone. Angels are your companions. The Comforter that Jesus Christ
promised to send in his name, abides with you. Christ said of his followers,
“Ye are the light of the world.” It is your part to let the light shine forth
in clear, steady rays. Let your good works represent Christ. How many there are
who feel that it would be a good thing to tread the soil of old Jerusalem, and
that their faith would be greatly strengthened by visiting the scenes of the
Saviour’s life and death! But old Jerusalem will never be a sacred place until
it is cleansed by the refining fire from heaven. The darkest blot of guilt
rests upon the city that refused the light of Christ. Do we want to walk in the
footsteps of Jesus? We need not seek out the paths in Nazareth, Bethany, and
Jerusalem. We shall find the footprints of Jesus by the sick-bed, by the side
of suffering humanity, in the hovels of the poverty-stricken and distressed. We
may walk in these footsteps, comforting the suffering, speaking words of hope
and comfort to the despondent. Doing as Jesus did when he was upon earth, we
shall walk in his blessed steps. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” When the sin-cursed
earth is purified from every stain of sin; when the Mount of Olives is rent
asunder, and becomes an immense plain; when the holy city of God descends upon
it,—the land that is now called the Holy Land will indeed become holy. But
God’s cause and work will not be advanced by making pilgrimages to Jerusalem.
The curse of God is upon Jerusalem for the rejection and crucifixion of his
only begotten Son. But God will cleanse away the vile blot. The prophet says,
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth
are passed away; and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, new
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned
for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall
be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he
shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither
shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are
passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things
new.” Revelation 21:1-5, R. V. {RH June 9, 1896, par. 4}
“I am told that before
finishing the life of Christ I ought to visit Jerusalem, the holy land. What
made it holy? The Majesty of heaven clothed His divinity with humanity, and
dwelt upon our earth. He was despised and rejected of men; in Jerusalem He was
crucified by wicked hands. I have not the slightest inclination to visit
Jerusalem, to see where it is thought probable that Jesus trod, where He may
have labored, and where He may have been crucified. The means which might be
expended thus I would prefer to treasure, that I may point souls to the Saviour
risen from Joseph’s tomb, and proclaiming, “I am the resurrection and the
life.” I can trace His footprints in the sure word of prophecy, and can obtain
a better idea of His works and of His ways, than I could by visiting Jerusalem,
defiled with unholy feet and unholy deeds. I could not expend money to visit
these places when the living interests of Christ’s kingdom are to be presented
to the people. We are to teach the word of God, and to be doers of that word,
which is represented as building upon the rock; the structure thus built will
withstand the storm and the tempest, because it is founded on the eternal Rock.
{PC 137.2}
I wish to see Jerusalem when the fires of the last great day shall have
cleansed it from all sinful defilement. Jerusalem is now no more sacred to me
than any other place on the globe. Wherever by his Holy Spirit Jesus makes
known His presence, wherever his righteousness shines forth in bright and
glorious beams, wherever his divine love illuminates the humble places of the
earth, wherever his honor dwells, there I am pleased to be. Christ looks with
sadness upon the delusions that ensnare human minds who are so eager to behold
the place where His feet are supposed once to have trodden, and yet who do not
heed His command, “Follow me,” who do not walk in the light as He is in the
light. A shadow is resting over Jerusalem, a terrible shadow, which I have no
desire to come under. Everywhere a curse is visible, which I have no desire to
look upon. I can see marks of the curse everywhere. To be able to say I have
visited Jerusalem would not shed a distinct ray of light upon one soul. It
would not enable me better to tell men and women what they must do to be saved.
I present the word of God in truth. I listen to the precious lessons which
Christ gave His disciples. In my mind the scenes of His ministry, the places
where He taught by the lake side, and clothed with the solemnity and beauty
which nature and the word of God have given them. I am content: I would not
have darker pictures. I do not wish to look upon the desecrated shrines, with
all the repulsive features that would meet my view. I would not be hired to
behold the traces of the curse so evidently resting upon Jerusalem. I hope to
see this spot when the earth shall be made new, when I shall behold Him whom my
soul loveth, in His majesty and glory crowned as King of kings and Lord of
lords. {PC 138.1}
I have not one word of encouragement for any person, neither have I
money to impart to any person, to visit Jerusalem. As it now is, it would be a
picture I would never wish to hang in memory’s hall. Brethren, do you believe
that you will soon see Jesus? Then do not needlessly expend means that is of so
great value to save precious souls; they need never get a sight of Jerusalem
under the curse, but with inspired words you can point them to the New
Jerusalem, to Jesus the Mediator of the better covenant, who ever liveth to
make intercession for us, and whose intercession is wholly efficacious in our
behalf. I know that Christ looks with sadness upon those who are searching for
the places He passed over while in the flesh, but who fail to recognize Him as
a living Saviour, on any ground, in any place. He says, “Lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the world.” Men may search in vain for the foot-prints
of Christ in Jerusalem. I care more for where He is now, in heaven, and for
what He is doing in my behalf. {PC 138.2}
Give to Jesus your devotion where He is in the heavenly sanctuary; seek
for the holy Spirit as His representative wherever His people bow to worship
Him. It becomes us to know Jesus by an experimental knowledge, as a personal
Saviour. We should be gathering up every ray of divine light, not looking to
old Jerusalem where Christ was once, but to the New Jerusalem where He is now. Let
us be gathering from the tree of life that God has planted, leaves that shall
be for the healing of the nations, and fruit, precious, life-giving fruit as
food to the soul.” {PC 138.3}
Brother Haskell, you
need never feel that you are alone. Angels are your companions. The Comforter
that Jesus Christ promised to send in His name abides with you. Christ said of
His followers, “Ye are the light of the world.” It is your part to let the
light shine forth in clear steady rays. Let your good works represent Christ.
How many there are who feel that it would be a great thing to tread the soil of
old Jerusalem, and that their faith would be greatly strengthened by visiting
the scenes of the Saviour’s life and death. But old Jerusalem will never be a
sacred place until it is cleansed by the refining fire from heaven. The darkest
blot of guilt rests upon the city that refused the light of Christ. {Lt26-1895
(October 11, 1895) par. 10}
Do we want to walk in
the footsteps of Jesus? We need not seek out the paths in the old Nazareth,
Bethany, and Jerusalem. We shall find the footprints of Jesus by the sick bed,
by the side of suffering humanity, in the hovels of the poverty-stricken and
distressed. We may walk in these footsteps, comforting the suffering, speaking
words of hope and comfort to the despondent. Doing as Jesus did when he was
upon earth, we shall walk in His blessed steps. Jesus said, “If any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow
me.” When the sin-cursed earth is purified from every stain of sin, when the
Mount of Olives is rent asunder and becomes an immense plain, when the holy
city of God descends upon it, the land that is now called the Holy Land will
indeed become holy. But God’s cause and work will not be advanced by making
pilgrimages to Jerusalem. The curse of God is upon Jerusalem for the rejection
and crucifixion of His only begotten Son. But God will cleanse away the vile
blot. {Lt26-1895 (October 11, 1895) par. 11}
The prophet says, “I
saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are
passed away: and the sea is no more. And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her
husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne, saying, Behold, the
tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be
his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall
wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall
there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed
away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.”
[R.V.] {Lt26-1895 (October 11, 1895) par. 12}
Give to Jesus your
devotion where He is in the heavenly sanctuary, seek for the Holy Spirit as His
representative wherever His people bow to worship Him. It becomes us to know
more of Jesus by an experimental knowledge, as a personal Saviour. We should be
gathering up every ray of divine light, not looking to old Jerusalem where
Christ was once, but to the New Jerusalem where He is now. Let us be gathering
from the tree of life that God has planted, leaves that shall be for the
healing of the nations, and fruit, precious, life-giving fruit as food to the
soul. {Ms52-1896, par. 29}