Dear Reader,
If you read only one thing on this Website, please let it be the
following chapter from Christ’s Object Lessons, depicting why the foolish
virgins are not saved.
I recently publicly asked the following question of Karl Wagner, a
person who preaches in his church and is a Bible teacher:
--- In SDAIssues@yahoogroups.com, "Ron Beaulieu"
<rsbeauli@t... wrote:
The
foolish virgins believe in Jesus Christ.
Yet they are lost! Why?
Karl
responded:
Ron,
They
lacked faith. Karl
That is
very true. The foolish virgins surely
lack faith, but please read the following chapter from Christ’s Object
Lessons to discover what else the foolish virgins will lack. I believe this is one of the most important
religious items you will ever read and it may well determine your eternal
life or eternal death.
We know
from Scripture as well, that the foolish virgins, whom Ellen White identifies
as the foolish virgins, lack more than just faith. I have told Karl many times that the gold
is not faith only. This is no mistake
on Karl’s part. New Theology advocates
always teach the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans—that we are saved by faith
alone, as regards all that is meritorious toward our salvation. Many times he has told me that faith is all
Laodicea
lacks. But why, then, is Laodicea counseled to
buy other of the free grace gifts? And
can she be saved without those gifts? Notice:
Who
will heed the counsel of the True Witness, to seek the gold tried in the
fire, the white raiment, and the eye-salve? The gold is faith and love, the
white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the eye-salve is that spiritual
discernment which will enable us to see the wiles of Satan and shun them, to
detect sin and abhor it, to see truth and obey it. {ST, December 7, 1882 par.
8}
In
addition to faith, Laodiceans, the foolish virgins, lack the following:
·
Gold tried in the fire—faith and love.
·
White raiment—the righteousness of Christ.
·
Eyesalve—spiritual discernment.
One may
correctly conclude that the wise virgins possess all of these free grace
gifts of Christ’s Holy Spirit. All
these gifts are the basic conditions of salvation and are thus meritorious toward
our salvation, else the foolish virgins would be saved! So we find sanctification linked with faith
(justification) in the message to Laodicea. The Nicolaitans—mainstream Christianity and
now New Movement, New Theology SDA’s, teach that only forensic justification
is meritorious and essential to salvation.
They are sadly and seriously wrong.
While you are reading the following chapter, please keep in mind Ellen
White’s following definition of Laodicea:
"The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins,
is also spoken of as the Laodicean state." E. G. White, Review and
Herald Articles, Vol. 2, 420.
Chap. 29 - "To Meet the Bridegroom"
Christ with His
disciples is seated upon the Mount of Olives. The sun has set behind the
mountains, and the heavens are curtained with the shades of evening. In full
view is a dwelling house lighted up brilliantly as if for some festive scene.
The light streams from the openings, and an expectant company wait around,
indicating that a marriage procession is soon to appear. In many parts of the
East, wedding festivities are held in the evening. The bridegroom goes forth
to meet his bride and bring her to his home. By torchlight the bridal party
proceed from her father's house to his own, where a feast is provided for the
invited guests. In the scene upon which Christ looks, a company are awaiting
the appearance of the bridal party, intending to join the procession. {COL 405.1}
Lingering near the bride's house are ten young women robed in white. Each
carries a lighted lamp and a small flagon for oil. All are anxiously watching
for the appearance
406
of the bridegroom. But
there is a delay [the tarrying time]. Hour after hour passes; the
watchers become weary and fall asleep. At midnight the cry is heard, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him." The sleepers, suddenly awaking, spring to their
feet. They see the procession
moving on, bright with torches and glad with music. They hear the
voice of the bridegroom and the voice
of the bride.
Ron’s Commentary: The ten virgins are awakened by the voice
of God and the voice of the bride.
She is the procession they see moving on.
Matthew 25:5 says: “They all slumbered and slept.” So who is the bride? Compare with Zion, the bride
mentioned in Isaiah 62, who is married (verse 5) and who does not sleep day
nor night verse 6. That is
figuratively of course. This passage
distinguishes between the bride and the ten virgins. Compare with The Great Controversy, pp. 426-7.
The ten maidens seize
their lamps and begin to trim them, in haste to go forth. But five have neglected to fill their
flasks with oil. They did not anticipate so long a delay, and they
have not prepared for the emergency. In distress they appeal to their wiser
companions saying, "Give us of your
oil; for our lamps are
going out." (Margin.) But the waiting five, with their freshly
trimmed lamps, have emptied their flagons. They have no oil to spare, and
they answer, "Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye
rather to them that sell, and buy
for yourselves." {COL 405.2} Cf.
Message to Laodicea,
Rev. 3:14-22.
While they went to buy, the
procession moved on, and left them behind. The five with lighted
lamps joined the throng and entered the house with the bridal train, and the door was shut. When the foolish
virgins reached the banqueting hall, they
received an unexpected denial. The master of the feast declared,
"I know you not." They were left standing without, in the
empty street, in the blackness of the night. {COL 406.1}
As Christ sat looking upon the party that waited for the bridegroom, He told
His disciples the story of the ten virgins, by their experience illustrating
the experience of the church that
shall live just before His second coming. {COL 406.2}
The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be
waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word of God. The psalmist
says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto may path."
407
Ps. 119:105. The
oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus the Spirit is represented in
the prophecy of Zechariah. "The angel that talked with me came
again," he says, "and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his
sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? 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 he
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. . . . And I
answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which
408
through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of
themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand
by the Lord of the whole earth." Zech. 4:1-14. {COL
406.3}
Ron’s
Commentary: Facts to recall up to this
point:
·
Their oil was gone.
Their lamps were going out. "Give us of your oil; for our
lamps are going out." (Margin.)
· By the lamps is represented the word of God.
Their understanding of the Word was not fulfilling according to their
plan.
·
The oil is a symbol of the Holy
Spirit.
They
had not considered the IMPARTATION of the Holy Spirit and His works in and
through them as the basis for their salvation. They thought belief only, faith only was
their IMPUTED title (entitlement) to heaven.
They neglected the IMPARTED fitness, the oil, the free gift of the
Imparted Holy Spirit and its empowerment as essential to salvation.
From the two olive trees the golden
oil [Holy Spirit] was emptied through the golden pipes into the bowl
of the candlestick, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the
sanctuary. So from the holy ones that stand in God's presence His Spirit is imparted to the human
instrumentalities who are consecrated to His service. The mission of
the two anointed ones is to communicate to God's people that heavenly grace
which alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by
My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 4:6. {COL 408.1}
In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had
lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between
them. So with the church that lives
just before Christ's second coming. All
have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of
Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the
parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold,
the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," many are unready. They
have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy
Spirit. {COL 408.2}
Ron’s Commentary: Laodicea
is counseled to buy gold tried in the fire.
Ellen White says that the gold is faith and love. Our faith is tried by the intervening
tarrying time. Later it will be tried
by persecution.
Without the Spirit of God a knowledge
of His word is of no avail. The
theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul
or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and
promises of the Bible; but unless the
Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed.
Without the enlightenment of the
Spirit, men will not be able to
411
distinguish truth from error, and they will fall
under the masterful temptations of Satan. {COL
408.3}
The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they
have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth;
but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit's working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their
old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the
stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its
principles. Its influence is
not abiding. The Spirit works upon
man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a
new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been
content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion
with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust [have true faith], how to
look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. "They come
unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they
hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but
their heart goeth after their covetousness." Eze. 33:31. The apostle Paul points
out that this will be the special characteristic of those who live just before
Christ's second coming. He says, "In the last days perilous times shall
come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves; . . . lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3:1-5. {COL 411.1}
Ron’s Commentary: They deny that works emPOWERED by the Holy Spirit are meritorious toward their
salvation. That is how they deny the
power thereof. Also, they teach that
sin is so pervasive that it cannot be overcome until glorification. That also is a denial of the POWER of the
Holy Spirit.
This is the class that in time of
peril are found crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into security, and dream not
of danger. When startled from their lethargy, they discern their destitution,
and entreat others to supply their lack; but in spiritual things no man can
make up
412
another's deficiency.
Ron’s Commentary: They are forever seeking security and
assurance from all the wrong places—mainly from their Doctrine of the
Nicolaitans—only believe and you are saved by faith alone—works are not
meritorious—even the works of the Holy Spirit, they console themselves with
this peace and safety teaching. They
rely on Christ’s character outside of themselves as their bastion of peace
and safety. They do not believe in the
power of the Holy Spirit to IMPART character development in and through them. The believe and teach IMPUTED salvation
only.
The grace of God has been
freely offered to every soul. The message of the gospel has been heralded,
"Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the
water of life freely." Rev. 22:17. But
character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the Spirit for
another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of
the Spirit's working. "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it
[the land], as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor
daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their
righteousness." Eze. 14:20. {COL
411.2}
It is in a crisis that character is
revealed [faith and love is then tried in the fire]. When the earnest
voice proclaimed at midnight, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out
to meet him," and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers,
it was seen who had made preparation
for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was prepared for
the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So now, a sudden and unlooked-for
calamity, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will show
whether there is any real faith in the promises of God. It will
show whether the soul is sustained by grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it
will be too late for the soul's need to be supplied. {COL 412.1}
The ten virgins are watching in the evening of this earth's history. All claim to be Christians. All have a
call, a name, a lamp, and all profess to be doing God's service. All
apparently wait for Christ's appearing. But five are unready. Five will be found surprised, dismayed,
outside the banquet hall. {COL 412.2}
At the final day, many will claim admission to Christ's kingdom, saying,
"We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our
streets." "Lord, Lord,
413
have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have
cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?" But the answer is, "I tell you, I
know you not whence ye are; depart from Me." Luke 13:26; Matt. 7:22;
Luke 13:27. In this life they have not
entered into fellowship with Christ; therefore they know not the language
of heaven, they are strangers to its joy. "What man knoweth the things
of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
1 Cor. 2:11. {COL
412.3}
Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom,
"I know you not." The
fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one
with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you cannot
participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears.
Its love and joy could awake no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed
heart. You are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its
companionship. {COL 413.1}
Ron’s Commentary: Fellowship with the IMPARTED INDWELLING SPIRIT
can ALONE make us one with the joyous throng.
This attests to the absolute
meritorious work of the indwelling Holy Spirit!
We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking when
414
the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom!" and then gathering up our empty
lamps to have them replenished. We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives
here, and yet be fitted for
His companionship in heaven. {COL
413.2}
Ron’s
Commentary: The foolish virgins place
their misinformed stake solely in the IMPUTED, forensic (legal) pardon ONLY,
as being meritorious of their salvation.
They do not consider their fitness (character) for heaven as of
meritorious concern. They always focus
on what they regard as our title—JUSTIFICATION ONLY, as being meritorious
toward salvation. This is the position
of ALL New Theology advocates! This is
the great warning sign of a New Theology advocate. They will always single out the
justification part of the following statement by Ellen White, and brand
anyone who teaches that sanctification is meritorious as a legalist. But by
refusing the free gift of Christ’s Holy Spirit sanctification in and through
us as meritorious, they hold to a legal (forensic) religion ONLY, as being
meritorious. Thus, ironically, they
are legalists without the abiding love of Christ in the soul.
"The righteousness by which we are JUSTIFIED is imputed the
righteousness by which we are SANCTIFIED is imparted. The first is our title
to heaven [Justification], the second is our fitness for heaven
[Sanctification]." Messages to Young People 35.
In the parable the wise virgins had oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Their light burned with undimmed flame through
the night of watching [cf.
Isa. 62:6]. It helped to swell the illumination for the bridegroom's
honor. Shining out in the darkness, it helped to illuminate the way to the
home of the bridegroom, to the marriage feast. {COL 414.1}
So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God's word is a
light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver.
By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy
Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His
glory--His character--is to shine forth in His followers. Thus they are to
glorify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom's home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the
Lamb. {COL 414.2}
Ron’s Commentary: The New Theology Nicolaitans mock such
language by saying things like: “So you think we must become little God’s,
little Christ’s before we can be saved.”
They chide our notions of “modified behavior.” But notice what Ellen White has to say
concerning this:
"But through the
power of the incarnation of Christ, God manifest in the flesh, the
strength of God is revealed in gentleness and beauty. To 'as many as received
him, to them gave he POWER to become the sons of God.' By this POWER we may
OVERCOME OUR EVIL TENDENCIES and so
modify our imperfect dispositions that the will of God may be fulfilled in us."--Letter
79, May 7, 1903, to J.A. Burden and wife. The Upward Look, 141.
The New Theology advocates say that our behavior is not modified. Notice this dialog between Karl Wagner and
myself:
Ron
You ask me, "Is the gift of Christ's
Divine Nature for modifying
behavior a shabby gift?"
First, it is not the basis for our salvation,
and second, our
behavior is not modified, but we are recreated.
Hence...regenerated, not redecorated.
Karl
Their mockings will turn to inner terror in the time
of the indignation.
The coming of the bridegroom was at midnight--the darkest hour. So the coming
of Christ will take place in the darkest period of this earth's history. The
days of Noah and Lot pictured the condition of the
world just before the coming of the Son of man. The Scriptures pointing
forward to this time declare that Satan will work with all power and
"with all deceivableness of unrighteousness."
2 Thess. 2:9, 10. His working is plainly revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the multitudinous errors, heresies, and
delusions of these last days. Not only is Satan leading the world
captive, but his deceptions are
leavening the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will develop into
darkness deep as midnight, impenetrable as sackcloth of hair. To God's
people it will
415
be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of
persecution for the truth's sake. But out of that night of darkness
God's light will shine. {COL
414.3}
Ron’s
Commentary: This is when the gold,
faith and love, true, practical, righteousness by faith will be tried in the
fire of persecution.
He causes "the light to shine out of darkness." 2 Cor. 4:6. When
"the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of
the deep," "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And
God said, Let there be light; and there was light." Gen. 1: 2, 3. So in
the night of spiritual darkness, God's word goes forth, "Let there be
light." To His people He says,
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen
upon thee." Isa. 60:1. {COL 415.1}
Ron’s Commentary: Compare with Isaiah 62, where Zion, the bride’s
righteousness goes forth with brightness and the salvation thereof as a lamp
that burneth. She has the Spirit that
burns unto light and character transformation.
"Behold," says the Scripture, "the darkness shall cover the
earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee."
Isa. 60:2. {COL 415.2}
It is the darkness of misapprehension
of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His
character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a
message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence
and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness
of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness,
mercy, and truth. {COL 415.3}
This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, "O
Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift
it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord
God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His
reward is with Him, and His work before Him." Isa. 40:9,10. {COL 415.4}
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people,
"Behold your God." The last
rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world,
is a revelation of His character of love. The children
416
of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and
character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them. {COL
415.5}
Ron’s
Commentary: Christ’s character of love
is presumed upon to turn grace into lasciviousness and covetousness. This has led to the New Theological Prism:
New
Theological Prism: "'One source of danger is the neglect of the pulpit to enforce
the divine law. In former days the pulpit was an echo of the voice of
conscience.... Our most illustrious preachers gave a wonderful majesty to
their discourses by following the example of the Master, and giving
prominence to the law, its precepts, and its threatenings. They repeated the
two great maxims, that the law is a
transcript of the divine perfections, and that a man who does not love the
law does not love the gospel for the law, as well as the gospel, is a
mirror reflecting the true character of God. This peril leads to
another, that of underrating the evil of sin, the extent of it, the demerit
of it. In proportion to the
rightfulness of the commandment is the wrongfulness of disobeying it....
'Affiliated to the dangers already named is the danger of underestimating the justice of God.
The tendency of the modern pulpit is to strain out [minimize] the divine
justice from the divine benevolence, to
sink benevolence into a sentiment rather that exalt it into a principle.
The new theological prism
puts asunder what God has joined together. Is the divine law a good or an
evil? It is a good. Then
justice is good for it is a disposition to execute the law. From the habit of
underestimating the divine law and justice, [by minimizing] the extent and demerit
of human disobedience [eg. ecumenical involvement], men easily slide into the habit of underestimating the grace which
has provided an atonement for sin. Thus the gospel loses its value and
importance in the minds of men, and soon they are ready practically to cast
aside the Bible itself." The Great
Controversy, 465, 466.
The light of the Sun of Righteousness is
to shine forth in good works--in words of truth and deeds of holiness. {COL 416.1}
Christ, the outshining of the Father's glory, came to the world as its light.
He came to represent God to men, and
417
of Him it is written that He was anointed "with the
Holy Ghost and with power," and "went about doing good." Acts
10:38. In the synagogue at Nazareth He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is
upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He
hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the
captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that
are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18, 19.
This was the work He commissioned His disciples to do. "Ye are the light
of the world," He said. "Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. 5:14, 16. {COL
416.2}
This is the work which the prophet Isaiah describes when he says, "Is it
not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are
cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and
that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break
forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy
righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy
rereward." Isa. 58:7, 8. {COL 417.1}
Thus in the night of spiritual darkness God's glory is to shine forth through
His church in lifting up the bowed down and comforting those that mourn. {COL 417.2}
All around us are heard the wails of a world's sorrow. On every hand are the
needy and distressed. It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life's
hardships and misery. {COL
417.3}
Practical work will have far more
effect than mere sermonizing. We are to give food to the hungry, clothing
to the naked, and shelter to the homeless. And we are called to do more than
this. The wants of the soul, only the love of Christ can satisfy. If Christ
is abiding in us, our hearts will be full of divine sympathy. The sealed fountains of earnest,
Christlike love will be unsealed.
418
{COL
417.4}
God calls not only for our gifts for the needy, but for our cheerful
countenance, our hopeful words, our kindly handclasp. When Christ healed the
sick, He laid His hands upon them. So should we come in close touch with
those whom we seek to benefit. {COL 418.1}
There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back the sunshine to them.
Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them.
There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the word of
God. Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach nor
physician heal. Pray for these souls,
bring them to Jesus. Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead
and a Physician there. {COL 418.2}
Light is a blessing, a universal
blessing, pouring forth its treasures on a world unthankful, unholy,
demoralized. So it is with the light of the Sun of Righteousness. The
whole earth, wrapped as it is in the darkness of sin, and sorrow, and pain,
is to be lighted with the knowledge of God's love. From no sect, rank, or class of people is the light shining from
heaven's throne to be excluded. {COL 418.3}
The message of hope and mercy is to be carried to the ends of the earth.
Whosoever will, may reach forth and take hold of God's strength and make
peace with Him, and he shall make peace. No longer are the heathen to be
wrapped in midnight darkness. The gloom is to disappear before the bright
beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The power of hell has been overcome. {COL 418.4}
But 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
419
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. {COL
418.5}
In the great and measureless gift
of the Holy Spirit are contained all of heaven's resources. It is not
because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of His grace do
not flow earthward to men. If all
were willing to receive, all would become filled with His Spirit. {COL 419.1}
It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through which God
can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable
riches of Christ. 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. {COL 419.2}
Christ has made every provision that His church shall be a transformed body,
illumined with the Light of the world, possessing the glory of Emmanuel. It
is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace. He desires that
we shall reveal His own joy in our lives. {COL 419.3}
The indwelling of the Spirit will be
shown by the outflowing of heavenly love. The divine fullness will flow
through the consecrated human agent, to be given forth to others. {COL 419.4}
The Sun of Righteousness has "healing in His wings." Mal. 4:2. So
from every true disciple is to be diffused an influence for life, courage,
helpfulness, and true healing. {COL 419.5}
The
religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness
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of sin; it means taking away our sins, and filling
the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination,
rejoicing in God. It means a heart
emptied of self, and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul, there is
purity, freedom from sin. The
glory, the fullness, the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the
life. The acceptance of the
Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance.
The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life
testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour. {COL
419.6}
Ron’s
Commentary: Instead of seeking
security and assurance in the half-gospel of the Nicolaitans, how much better
to heed the following plan:
“The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of
perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance.”
Christ does not bid His followers strive to shine. He says, Let your light shine. If you have
received the grace of God, the light is in you. Remove the obstructions, and
the Lord's glory will be revealed. The light will shine forth to penetrate
and dispel the darkness. You cannot help shining within the range of your
influence. {COL
420.1}
The revelation of His own glory in the form of humanity will bring heaven so
near to men that the beauty adorning the inner temple will be seen in every
soul in whom the Saviour dwells. Men
will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ. And in currents of
praise and thanksgiving from the many souls thus won to God, glory will flow
back to the great Giver. {COL
420.2}
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen
upon thee." Isa. 60:1. To those who go out to meet the Bridegroom is
this message given. Christ is coming with power and great glory. He is coming
with His own glory and with the glory of the Father. He is coming with all
the holy angels with Him. While all
the world is plunged in darkness, there will be light in every dwelling of
the saints. They will catch the first light of His second appearing. The
unsullied light will shine from
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His splendor, and Christ the Redeemer will be admired by all
who have served Him. While the wicked flee from His presence, Christ's
followers will rejoice. The patriarch Job, looking down to the time of
Christ's second advent, said, "Whom I shall see for myself, and mine
eyes shall behold, and not a stranger." Job 19:27, margin. To His
faithful followers Christ has been a daily companion and familiar friend. They have lived in close contact, in
constant communion with God. Upon them the glory of the Lord has risen.
In them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ has been reflected. Now they rejoice in the undimmed rays of the
brightness and glory of the King in His majesty. They are prepared for the
communion of heaven; for they have heaven in their hearts. {COL
420.3}
With uplifted heads, with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness
shining upon them, with rejoicing that their redemption draweth nigh, they go
forth to meet the Bridegroom, saying, "Lo, this is our God; we have
waited for Him, and He will save us." Isa. 25:9. {COL 421.1}
"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour
to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. . . . And he saith unto me,
Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the
Lamb." "He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with
Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Rev. 19:6-9; 17:14. {COL 421.2}
May God bless all who have
read this beautiful entreaty in earnest—all who hunger and thirst after
righteousness—His righteousness fulfilled in and through us, is my incessant prayer,
Ron Beaulieu