Ellen
White on an Eternally Progressive Understanding of the Godhead
Dear Reader,
Just as the Reformation was to progress steadily
and not die with the early Reformation, so, according to Ellen White, the study
of the Godhead is to progress in understanding and development for eternity.
Those who will not progress with its development will fall prey to the stagnant
errors of the past and return to the iniquities of their forefathers in
rejecting progressive truth. Ellen White saw another clear dimension of the
Godhead, and all who reject that clearer vision reject the teaching of the Holy
Spirit to the church. May God rest the souls of all who reject His
ever-unfolding understanding of Himself and His plan for the Universe.
"The Bible is a treasure house of
knowledge, and all who make this book their study, sinking the shaft deep in
the mine of truth, will exclaim, 'I behold wondrous things out of Thy Word.'
The INCARNATION of Christ is but dimly appreciated by many students who have
studied long in our schools, This subject should be and will be better
understood by all who in truth love truth, and walk in the way of the Lord. The
experimental knowledge of this is as essential to sanctify daily, as to
redeem." E.G. White, Educational Messenger, 03-19-09, 06.
The INCARNATION IS THE VERY HEART OF THE PLAN OF
SALVATION: INCARNATION OF CHRIST TYPIFIED IN THE SANCTUARY SACRIFICIAL SERVICE
"The INCARNATION of Christ, typified in the sacrificial service of Israel,
and symbolized in all their devotions, is a glorious mystery. In His only
begotten Son, God was made manifest to the world. The Son of God laid aside His
glory, and clothed Himself with humanity. He became the meek and lowly Jesus.
For the sake of sinful men He became poor, that they through His poverty might
be made rich." E.G. White, Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, 02-20-99,
pr. 01. "The plan of salvation, of which the incarnation is the very
heart, is an exhaustless theme into which we may now look, and that will be the
PRIME TOPIC of study through the ceaseless ages of eternity." Selected
Messages, Vol. 3, p. 126.
"The mystery of the INCARNATION of Christ,
the account of his sufferings, his crucifixion, his resurrection, and his
ascension, open to all humanity the marvelous love of God. This imparts a power
to the truth. The attributes of God were made known through the life and works
of Christ. He was the representative of the divine character. The agony of
Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, his betrayal, his rejection by the Jewish
nation, his trial, the suffering inflicted by scourging and by obliging him to
bear his cross,--every incident should be indelibly imprinted upon the minds of
men. Each separate event was an important chapter in the working out of the
redemption of the world."
Was the Incarnation Painful? "(1 Peter
1:11, 12.) The INCARNATION a Painful Process.--The work of redemption is called
a mystery, and it is indeed the mystery by which everlasting righteousness is
brought to all who believe. The race in consequence of sin was at enmity with
God. Christ, at an infinite cost, by a painful process, mysterious to angels as
well as to men, assumed humanity. Hiding His divinity, laying aside His glory,
He was born a babe in Bethlehem. In human flesh He lived the law of God, that
He might condemn sin in the flesh, and bear witness to heavenly intelligences
that the law was ordained to life and to ensure the happiness, peace, and
eternal good of all who obey. But the same infinite sacrifice that is life to
those who believe is a testimony of condemnation to the disobedient, speaking
death and not life (MS 29, 1899)." E.G. White Comments, SDA Bible
Commentary Vol. 7, pr. 03, p. 915.
THE THEMES OF THE GREAT SALVATION "Those
who are seeking the righteousness of Christ will be dwelling upon the themes of
the great salvation. The Bible is the storehouse that supplies their souls with
nourishing food. They meditate upon the INCARNATION of Christ, the contemplate
the great sacrifice made to save them from perdition, to bring in pardon,
peace, and everlasting righteousness. The soul is aglow with these grand and
elevating themes. Holiness and truth, grace and righteousness, occupy the
thoughts. Self dies, and Christ lives in His servants. In contemplation of the
word, their hearts burn within them, as did the hearts of the two disciples
while they went to Emmaus, and Christ walked with them by the way, and opened
to them the scriptures concerning Himself." E.G. White, Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 89.
NOTHING SO SHOWS THE WONDERFUL CONDESCENSION OF
GOD AS THE INCARNATION: "The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in
human flesh is a mystery, 'even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and
from generations' (Col. 1:26). It is the great and profound mystery of
godliness. 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us' (John 1:14). Christ
took upon Himself human nature, a nature inferior to His heavenly nature.
Nothing so shows the wonderful CONDESCENSION OF GOD as this." E.G. White,
Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 246.
"The humanity of the Son of God is
everything to us...We should come to this study with the humility of a learner,
with a contrite heart. And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful
field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth." E.G.
White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, 244.
"How necessary that this mine of truth be
explored, and the precious treasures of truth be discovered and secured as rich
jewels. The Incarnation of Christ, his divinity, his atonement, his wonderful
life in heaven as our advocate, the office of the Holy Spirit,--all these
living, VITAL THEMES of Christianity are revealed from Genesis to
Revelation." E.G. White, Special Testimonies on Education, p. 235.
"As the worker studies the life of Christ, and the character of His
mission is dwelt upon, each fresh search will reveal something more deeply
interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study
of the INCARNATION of Christ, His ATONING SACRIFICE and MEDIATORIAL WORK, will
employ the mid of the diligent student as long as time shall last." E.G.
White, Gospel Workers, p. 251. SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7a, p. 444.
"When we want a deep problem to study, let
us fix our minds on the most marvelous thing that ever took place in earth or
heaven--the INCARNATION of the Son of God." E.G. White, That I May Know
Him, p. 25.
"The bible is a treasure house of
knowledge, and all who make this book their study, sinking the shaft deep in
the mine of truth, will exclaim, 'I behold wondrous things out of Thy Word.'
The INCARNATION of Christ is but dimly appreciated by many students who have
studied long in our schools. This subject should be and will be better
understood by all who in truth love truth, and walk in the way of the Lord. The
experimental knowledge of this is as essential to sanctify daily, as to
redeem." E.G. White, The Educational Messenger, 03-19-09, pr. 06.
"The bible is a treasure house of
knowledge, and all who make this book their study, sinking the shaft deep in
the mine of truth, will exclaim, 'I behold wondrous things out of Thy Word.'
The INCARNATION of Christ is but dimly appreciated by many students who have
studied long in our schools. This subject should be and will be better
understood by all who in truth love truth, and walk in the way of the Lord. The
experimental knowledge of this is as essential to sanctify daily, as to
redeem." E.G. White, The Educational Messenger, 03-19-09, pr. 06.
"When we want a deep problem to study, let us fix our minds on the most
marvelous thing that ever took place in earth or heaven--the INCARNATION of the
Son of God." E.G. White, That I May Know Him, p. 25.
AS ESSENTIAL TO SANCTIFY DAILY AS TO REDEEM:
"The Bible is a treasure house of knowledge, and all who make this book
their study, sinking the shaft deep into the mine of truth, will exclaim, 'I
behold wondrous things out of thy word.' The INCARNATION of Christ is but dimly
appreciated by many students who have studied long in our schools. This subject
should be and will be better understood by all who in truth love Truth, and
walk in the way of the Lord. The experimental knowledge of this is as essential
to sanctify daily as to redeem." E.G. White, The Advocate, 05-01-99, pr.
03.
"How necessary that this mine of truth be
explored, and the precious treasures of truth be discovered and secured as rich
jewels. The Incarnation of Christ, his divinity, his atonement, his wonderful
life in heaven as our advocate, the office of the Holy Spirit,--all these
living, VITAL THEMES of Christianity are revealed from Genesis to
Revelation." E.G. White, Special Testimonies on Education, p. 235.
"As the worker studies the life of Christ, and the character of His
mission is dwelt upon, each fresh search will reveal something more deeply
interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study
of the INCARNATION of Christ, His ATONING SACRIFICE and MEDIATORIAL WORK, will
employ the mid of the diligent student as long as time shall last." E.G.
White, Gospel Workers, p. 251. SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7a, p. 444.
"When we approach the subject of Christ's
divinity clothed with the garb of humanity, we may appropriately heed the words
spoken by Christ to Moses at the burning bush, 'Put off thy shoes from off thy
feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.' We must come to the
study of this subject with the humility of a learner, with a contrite heart.
And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, and will repay
the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth (MS 67, 1898). E.G. White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 904.
"As the life of Christ and the character of
His mission are dwelt upon, rays of light will shine forth more distinctly at
every attempt to discover truth. Each fresh search will reveal something more
deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible.
The study of the INCARNATION OF CHRIST, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial
work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last;
and looking to heaven with its unnumbered years he will exclaim, 'Great is the
mystery of godliness.'" E.G. White, Lift Him Up, p. 378.
"No one can search the Scriptures in the
Spirit of Christ without being rewarded. When a man is willing to be instructed
as a little child, when he submits wholly to Christ, he will find the truth in
His Word. If men would be obedient, they would understand the plan of God's
government. The heavenly world would open its treasures of grace and glory for
exploration. Human beings would be altogether different from what they are now;
for by exploring the mines truth, men would be ennobled. The mystery of
redemption, the Incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, would not be, as
they are now, vague in our minds. They would be, not only better understood,
but altogether more highly appreciated." E.G. White, My Life Today, p.
108.
"Disobedience has closed the door to a vast
amount of knowledge that might have been gained from the Word of God. In
eternity we shall learn that which, if we had received the enlightenment that
it was possible for us to obtain here, would have opened our understanding. And
understanding means obedience to all God's commandments. The plan of God's
government would have been understood. The heavenly world would have opened its
chambers of grace and glory for exploration. Human beings would have been
altogether different from what they now are in form, in speech, in song, for,
by exploring the mines of truth, they would have been ennobled. The mystery of
redemption, the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ in His mediatorial
character, the INCARNATION of Christ our Redeemer, His atoning sacrifice, would
not be as they now are, vague in our mind. They would have been, not only
better understood, but altogether more highly appreciated." E.G. White,
The Upward Look, p. 103.
THE PURPOSE OF HEAVEN IS FULFILLED BY THE
INCARNATION: "From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created
being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the
indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for
God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the
glory of the divine One. But by the INCARNATION of the Son of God, the purpose
of heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the
heart of man becomes again his temple." E.G. White, Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, 12-31-08, pr. 02.
May God bless your study of this eternal
subject,
Ron
Beaulieu