A
Review of Karl Wagner's Book My Gospel Journey Part 1
Click to go to our Home PageDear Reader, What follows is a book written by Karl
Wagner, who is a Bible teacher and itinerant SDA preacher in My purpose in critiquing Karl’s book is
to demonstrate the insidiousness of how the New Theology is taught side by
side with truth, admixing serious truth with serious error and the impact
this methodology has on Laodicea Christians.
My purpose is not to expose Karl Wagner’s errors per say, but to use
his teachings as a prototype of what is being taught by all such New Theology
advocates. When I say that they mix pure truth with
serious error, Karl’s book provides a very apt example of that fact. The methodology of mixing truth with error
is that folk think the error part is true because it is mingled with
truth. Within the scope of his book,
he will touch on the true gospel, but then he will heal the wound of the
daughter of my people slightly by teaching that there is security and
assurance in Jeer 6:14 They have healed also the hurt [of the
daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is]
no peace. Karl establishes that his message is to Mat 25:5 While
the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. The question is: Can one awaken a sleeping people,
especially Make no mistake about it, the 1888
message of righteousness by faith has been perverted into one of the most
subtle misrepresentations ever perpetrated by Satan and his host. The intended teaching of Jones and Waggoner,
was that by faith in Christ’s ability to dwell and work within the believer,
the same faith Abraham had, one will make the full surrender to Christ and
let Him work His works of obedience in and through the true believer. Also, regarding a scriptural rendition of
righteousness by faith, this is the only reasonable and rational conclusion
one can make of Scripture if one interprets all relevant data so that nothing
contradicts. I will highlight passages by Karl that I
want you to note in this color. My commentaries
will be in this color (Dark Blue). I
have made a few grammatical corrections which I will always place in brackets
and in this color, while
leaving Karl’s original. At times I will use red for emphasis. All Karl’s
material is in black print. Any sections that are encased in a white
background contain data entered by me. Now to my review of Karl Wagner’s book: Something for the new year... My Gospel Journey Karl S. Wagner 2000 revision 2002 Introduction I had found the
gospel, but why Adventism?1 I stood at
a crossroads on a journey I've been on for seven years when I asked that question.
I'm still on it today some ten years later. My journey into the gospel is not
unique. My words will resonate with my
fellow travelers and I hope my words will speak to those contemplating their
own journey. The major
catalyst in my experience that brought me back into the church of my youth
was the study of the Adventist critics.
Those who called the denomination a cult and attacked Ellen White
became the focus of my study. I
figured if our understanding of the 2,300 days were indeed wrong; then I'd be
better off not coming back and jeopardizing my relationship with my
Master. Instead, what I discovered was
an interconnection between the true gospel and the Advent message. I found the gospel's central position
within our message and mission that still seems to be largely neglected
today. I hope to give a
succinct presentation that will also help those who have been walking in the three angels' messages for
a long time. It embraces more then dealing with
evangelical and legalistic issues.
Know this, that not one “legalist” would suggest that what one does
can merit their salvation. In this sense, they are not legalists. And still
we are robbed daily of our power as a people and a movement by those who
would look to self instead of Jesus. Nevertheless know this before you judge
me. I believe in perfectionism!
Because I believe in my very being that what the Holy Spirit has begun in me,
He can complete. You see, I believe in Jesus! I don't believe in me! Ron’s Commentary: Notice the words: “I found the gospel's
central position within our message and mission that still seems to be
largely neglected today.” It is true that SDA’s got sidetracked on
true righteousness by faith, but Karl’s gospel is not true righteousness by
faith. And in addition to that, he,
and the church are now swinging the pendulum to the opposite extreme of
neglecting not only true righteousness by faith, but the second angel’s
message as well! I am fully cognizant that Karl is trying
to define the gospel part of Revelation 14, as it relates to righteousness by
faith, but I also am fully aware that his gospel is false. And, since the true gospel cannot be
separated from the law or the three angel’s messages, it is futile to try to
explain one without the other, especially in light of the fact that the
capstone to the Everlasting Gospel of Revelation 14, is verse 12, and this
verse is directly involved with the correct understanding of true
righteousness by faith. You will find a conspicuous part of the
Everlasting Gospel largely neglected in Karl’s book—and not only in his
book—the second angel’s message is being strangely neglected today by the New
Movement SDA church. It is unpopular,
and it is denounced by the World Council of Churches. That body of Satan demands no stealing of
sheep; that a church can only proselytize from the unchurched—try to seek
members from the unchurched only. The
SDA church is now largely ceding to those demands in order to receive
financial benefits from the WCC and NCC by way of reduced radio and
television broadcast rates. Know this: Not one true “New Theology” teacher will
admit that he is not a perfectionist!
Does that sound odd?! Did you think
that they do not believe in perfectionism—that by NO MEANS available can the
human arrive at perfection this side of glorification? Well, friend, they have found a way to
arrive at perfection this side of glorification! They merely take the white, sinless robe of
Christ’s righteousness and try to cover their filthy robe with His. They call that imputed righteousness. They are perfect IN CHRIST. There is one huge problem with the above
scenario. Christ is not perfect IN
THEM. Why? Because the Holy Spirit will not abide in a
soul that has not died to sin and self by His free grace gift of dying to
self. These sad souls want the
security and assurance of believing they are saved IN THEIR SINS, instead of
FROM THEIR SINS. So Karl and his fellow
travelers are PERFECTIONISTS in the totally wrong sense of the word. Karl is not the most honest New Theology
person I have heard. He has his own
hybrid gospel. The more honest of them
will tell you forthrightly that they believe that we cannot overcome all
known sin this side of glorification.
Karl says that we can overcome sin this side of glorification, but
what he really means is that Christ’s substitute obedience outside of us,
rather than IN AND THROUGH US, is our perfection and overcoming this side of
glorification. Also, he teaches that we can overcome
with the aid of the Holy Spirit, but that such works have nothing to do with
salvation because it is all a free gift and if works were involved, it would
not be a gift. What he and many other
New Theologists do not understand is that the Holy Spirit indwelling us and
obeying in and through us is also a free gift. Is this concept biblical? Indeed it is. The
Christ In-You Motif That Karl Omits Hbr 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do
his will, working in
you that which is wellpleasing in his
sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever.
Amen. "In order for man to retain
justification, there must be continual obedience through active living faith
that works by love and purifies the soul:'
E.G. White, 1 Selected Messages, 366. Notice the faith and love duet! When we receive the free gifts of faith in
and love for Christ, He then indwells us and purifies the soul. He is the only one who can render continual
obedience in and through us. Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak,
but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Jhn 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath
sent, him ye believe not. Jhn 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not
the love of God in you. Jhn 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and
drink his blood, ye have no life in
you. Jhn 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's
seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. Jhn 14:17 [Even] the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him; for he dwelleth with
you, and shall be in you. Jhn 14:20 At that day ye shall know that
I [am] in my Father, and ye in me, and
I in you. Jhn 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Jhn 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what
ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Jhn 15:11 These things have I spoken unto
you, that my joy might remain in you,
and [that] your joy might be full. Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but
in the Spirit, if so be that the
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his. Rom 8:10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the
Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the
dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 1Cr 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the 1Cr 6:19 What? know ye not that your body
is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which
is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1Cr 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his
heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God,
and report that God is in you of a
truth. 2Cr 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that
as he had begun, so he would also finish in
you the same grace also. 2Cr 9:14 And by their prayer for you,
which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 2Cr 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye
be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye
be reprobates? Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I
travail in birth again until Christ be
formed in you, Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who
[is] above all, and through all, and in
you all. Phl 1:6 Being confident of this very
thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: Phl 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: Phl 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do
of [his] good pleasure. Col 1:27 To whom God would make known
what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which
is Christ in you, the hope of
glory: Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. [Christ is the Word] 1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God
without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of
us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the
word of God, which effectually worketh
also in you that believe. Phm 1:6 That the communication of thy
faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children,
and have overcome them: because greater
is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Hbr 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work
to do his will, working in you
that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be]
glory for ever and ever. Amen. The New Theologists who really give themselves
away are the ones who say that proof that one cannot overcome this side of
glorification is the fact that there is no one who is perfect. Then they will ask you if you are perfect
in order to test you. What should you
be able to answer without deceiving yourself and others? You should be able to answer thusly:
1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. If we buy (receive) gold (faith and love)
tried in the fire, the same love and faith that Christ had for His father,
and was tested in the fire of His experience, then we will be indwelled by
Him and He will keep His character (which is a transcript of His law) in and
through us. That is the New Covenant
placed in the heart of man. We will prove that Karl believes in
Christ’s perfectionism and that His perfection is imputed to us by forensic
(legal) proxy—rather than by working His works in and through us. Karl has referred to this concept as “a
black hole.” Indeed it is a
“dark hole” TO KARL, and his “fellow travelers,” that they cannot seem to
understand. There is a huge difference here that “broad way” initiates cannot
understand—especially the “dumb-dog” watchmen of Isaiah 56:10-12. So I will elaborate. But keep in mind that what you are about to
read is what I have already presented to Karl Wagner, and indeed, he did
refer to it as “a dark hole” and error.
The entire gospel is legal. The gospel cannot be separated from the
law, because the gospel is God’s way of propitiating the law. Ellen White also realized that they cannot
be separated. Paul recognized that
they cannot be separated. He said: Rom
3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God
forbid: yea, we establish the law. 2Cr 9:8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound
toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may
abound to every good work: 1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto
his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make
you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you]. Psa 19:7 The law of the
LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. It is a bit difficult to avoid the legalities of the law when
discussing the gospel, because God says that the law of the Lord if perfect, converting the soul. But relax friend, I am one Reformer who
believes and proves that Christ does
it all in and through us, as opposed to “for us.” If Christ does it all in and through us,
then any legalism that you will encounter in my commentary will be the
inherent legalism that is only a natural part of the gospel. It should be noted here that Karl Wagner strictly avoids what he
deems “ecumenical and legalistic issues.
It should also be noted what Ellen White thinks of such issues: "The peculiar
work of the third angel has not been seen in its importance. God meant that
His people should be far in advance of the position which they occupy today.
But now, when the time has come for them to spring into action, they have the
preparation to make. When the National Reformers [the title of the ecumenical movement before it became the Federal
Council of Churches in 1908, and then the World Council of Churches, in 1948)
began to urge measures to restrict religious liberty, our leading men should
have been alive to the situation and should have labored earnestly to
counteract these efforts. It is not in the order of God that light has been
kept from our people--the very present truth which they needed for this time.
Not all our ministers who are giving the third angel's message really
understand what constitutes that message. The National Reform [Ecumenical]
movement has been regarded by some as of so little importance that they have
not thought it necessary to give much attention to it and have even felt that
in so doing they would be giving time to questions distinct from the third
angel's message [the Everlasting Gospel of Revelation 14]. May the Lord
forgive our brethren for thus interpreting the very message for this
time." E.G. White, Testimonies, vol. 5, 714, 715. The three angel’s
messages involve a legal command of God.
That legal command is in the form of a call made to all professing
Christians in Babylon to come out of the fallen churches that have become so
much like the world that there is no difference E.W. 273. "The law and the gospel cannot be
separated. In Christ mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and
peace have kissed each other. The gospel has not ignored the obligations due
to God by man. The gospel is the law
unfolded, nothing more nor less. It
gives no more latitude to sin than does the Law. The Law points to Christ, Christ points to the Law. The gospel calls men to repentance.
Repentance of what?--Of sin. And what is sin?--It is the transgression of the
Law. Therefore the gospel calls men from their transgression back to
obedience to the Law of God. Jesus, in His life and death, taught the
strictest obedience. He died, the just for the unjust, the innocent for the
guilty, that the honour of God's law might be preserved, and yet man not
utterly perish.... In giving His Son,
God gave Himself that man might have another trial. If God could have changed this Law to meet man in his fallen
condition, would He not have done this, and retained His only begotten Son in
heaven?--He certainly would. But because His law was as changeless as His character, He gave His beloved
Son, who was above Law, and one with Himself, to meet the penalty which His justice demanded. Satan is working
with all his deceptive power to ensnare the world. He would have them believe that this great sacrifice was made in
order to abolish God's law. He represents Christ as opposed to the law of
God's government in heaven and in earth. But
the Sovereign of the world has a law by which to govern His heavenly
intelligences and His human family, and the death of His Son fixes the immutability
of that Law beyond any question. God has no intention of doing away with His great standard of righteousness. By
this standard He can define what a correct character is. Christ consented to
die in the sinner's stead, that man, by a life of obedience, might escape the
penalty of the law of God. His death did not make the law of God of none
effect, it did not slay the law, lessen its claims, or detract from its
sacred dignity. The death of Christ proclaimed the justice of His Father's
Law in punishing the transgressor, in that He consented to suffer the penalty
of the law in order to save fallen man from its curse. The death of God's beloved Son on the cross shows the immutability of
the Law of God. His death magnifies the Law and makes it honourable, and
gives evidence to man of its changeless character. From His own divine lips
are heard the words, 'Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the
prophets I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.' The death of Christ
justified the claims of the law." E.G. White, Bible Echo and Signs of
the Times, 02-08-97, pr. 1. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans had to do with the
doctrines of Baal. Ellen White further elaborates on this doctrine: "But the
doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of
God of none effect that by 'believing' we are released from the necessity of being doers
of the word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so
unsparingly condemned. To the church of Ephesus He says, 'I know thy works,
and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are
evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and
hast found them liars and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's
sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy
first love. Remember then from whence thou are fallen, and repent, and do
the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove
thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast,
that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Those who are
teaching this doctrine today have much
to say in regard to faith and the righteousness of Christ but they pervert
the truth, and make it serve the cause of error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that
faith is all-sufficient that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner's
credentials that this imputed righteousness fulfils the law for us, and that
we are under no obligation to obey the law of God. This class claim that Christ came to save sinners, and that He has
saved them. 'I am saved,' they will repeat over and over again. But are they
saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah?--No for the garments of
Christ's righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity. Such teaching is a gross deception, and Christ becomes to
these persons a stumbling block as He did to the Jews,-- because they would
not receive Him as their personal Saviour; to these professed believers in
Christ, because they separate
Christ and the law, and regard faith as a substitute for obedience.
They separate the Father and the Son, the Saviour of the world. Virtually they teach, both by precept
and example, that Christ, by His death, saves men in their transgressions.
[versus from their transgressions]. It is necessary
that every intelligent being shall understand the principles of the Law of
God. Christ through the apostle James declares, 'Whoso shall keep the whole
law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.' These words were
spoken this side of the death of Christ therefore the Law was binding upon
all at that time. The Saviour raised
His voice in protest against those who regard the divine commandments with
indifference and carelessness. He said, 'Whosoever shall break one of these
least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in
the kingdom of heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall
be called great in the kingdom of heaven.' And He also declared, 'Till heaven
and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till
all be fulfilled. Many talk of
freedom, of gospel liberty. They may assert that they are not in bondage to
the Law. But the influence of a gospel hope will not lead the sinner to
look upon the salvation of Christ as a matter of free grace, while he
continues to live in transgression of the Law of God. When the light of
truth dawns upon his mind, and he fully understands the requirements
[conditions] of God, and realizes the extent of his transgressions, he will
reform his ways, become loyal to God
through the strength obtained from his Saviour, and lead a new and purer life.
'Whosoever abideth in Him,' says John,
'sinneth not whosoever sinneth, hath not seen Him, neither know Him."
E.G. White, Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, 02-08-97. There is no abiding
IN HIM, without the accompaniment of HIM ABIDING IN US! Since Ellen White
also says that there is not one thread of our own devising in the salvific
process, then we must conclude that Christ must do it all and indeed, He has
promised His Divine Nature Holy Spirit for that express purpose. We can only escape the lust for sin by
partaking of His Divine Nature: 2Pe 1:4
Whereby are given unto us 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. Then, having
partaken of the Divine Nature, that nature works in and through us and it
overcame the corruption that is in the world through lust. Christ then imputes His obedience in and through
us. Would you think that He will
indwell us and manifest only our corruption?
Of course not! In fact, He will
not indwell any who will not die to self daily and receive the working of His
Will in and through them. Is there
bible evidence for this truth? Notice: Luk 12:47
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not
[himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten
with many [stripes]. Jhn 7:17 If
any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself. Jhn 9:31 Now
we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God,
and doeth his will, him he heareth. Act 22:14
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest
know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the
voice of his mouth. Rom 9:19
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted
his will? Eph 1:5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to
his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Col 1:9 For
this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for
you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 2Ti 2:26 And
[that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are
taken captive by him at his will. Hbr 13:21
Make you perfect in every good work to
do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sigh, through Jesus Christ;
to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1Jo 5:14 And
this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us: I-THE MESSAGE:
TIME TO TAKE THE POINT
Chapter One
The First Angel's Message Our mission. "And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell
on the earth, and to every nation,"2
We have long understood this text to be the preaching of the gospel to the
world in an end-time setting. Ron’s
Commentary: Strangely, and what more,
importantly, Karl chose to omit the second angel’s message from his
book. The Everlasting Gospel includes
all the messages of the angel’s in Revelation 14, with the church being given
the commission of the three angel’s.
Here are those messages which detail OUR MISSION: 6 And I saw another angel [first angel] fly in the midst of heaven, having
the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every
nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud
voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains
of waters. 8 And there followed another angel [the second], saying, Note: It is interesting that John the Revelator
says in 14:6, that he saw “another
angel.” The only other reference
to any prior personage is Christ, the Lamb. 1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Going forth as last day Elijahs with the
good news, we are to turn, “the hearts of the fathers to the children, and
disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord."3 In this grand mission, it’s Seventh-day
Adventists who are to take the point! We are to be up front leading others
and not the followers. Instead, we
stumble around in confusion. Many not even knowing what the gospel
is. Some are more concerned with the 27
fundamentals then they are about a person accepting Jesus Christ as their
personal savior. We argue
about the gospel and what it is, while our
mission goes neglected and we become a shadow of what we were called to be.4 Unable to explain the gospel, a
significant number of us haven't even had an experience with the Lord! It was
no different one hundred years ago. 5
Ron’s
Commentary: The reason professing
Seventh-day Adventists argue about the gospel is because they fail to use the
following formula in their study of the Bible and the Spirit of
Propehcy. This is profound, not
because I say so, but because of the built in check and balance of the
formula—being that if all pertinent data is brought forth and interpreted so
that nothing contradicts, then and then only, ONE CAN KNOW THAT HE IS NOT IN
ERROR AND HAS ARRIVED AT PURE TRUTH: Weight of Evidence Formula: "1. Every word must have its
proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible. 2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be
understood by diligent application and study 3. Nothing revealed in Scripture
can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering. 4. To understand doctrine, bring all the
scriptures together on the subject you wish to know, then let every word have
its proper influence and if you can
form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in error. 5.
Scripture must be its own expositor, [interpreter] since it is a rule of
itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its
meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be
thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, and not
the Bible." E.G. White, Second Advent Review and Herald, 11-25-34, pr.
24. Karl, if you and every other SDA would employ the above formula,
we would all come into the unity of the faith because we would be forced to
the conclusion of truth by interpreting so that NOTHING contradicts. It works!
Try it! God has so managed and
arranged truth, that He even gives us the latitude of forming theories
regarding spiritual things, and if there is nothing to contradict our
theories, they are true! That is
positively amazing! Conversely, if
there is any error to anyone’s conclusions, there is Scripture to expose the
error. Were this not the case, man
could not be held responsible for believing error! Think about it! The variant
interpretations of the 1888 message is a good example of the reason why there
are so many gospels! The weight of
evidence formula is not followed.
There are too many personal opinion theologies and not enough
interpreting of all available evidence so that nothing contradicts! If ANYONE can demonstrate a contradiction
in one’s conclusions, he/she should be fully willing to re-study the issue
and make no conclusions until he/she can do so without any contradictions! 1888 all over again It should have been very different in
1900 than it was. Twelve years this
side of the 1888 conference in Ron’s
Commentary: Though it is true that the
gospel of righteousness by faith is to be proclaimed as part of the
Everlasting Gospel of Revelation 14, the Loud Cry and Latter rain message is
more precisely the call to come out of While Ellen took this message to the people
along with the two young men responsible for it's presentation at Ron’s
Commentary: Sadly, Karl and the New
Movement SDA church he represents, does not understand the true gospel of
righteousness by faith. Both have now
perverted the true intent of the 1888 message. Both have adopted the false version taught
by the fallen churches, “the In-Christ” motif, versus that plus “the Christ
in you” motif. Karl dabbles in the
Christ in us motif, but only enough to cause confusion. And where is the confusion? His incessant harping on the substitution
element in an way that conveys that Christ did it all FOR US, instead of IN
AND THROUGH US. I have
dialogued with Karl for a number of years now and I can assure you that like
the mainstream churches, he emphasizes the substitution part of the cross—the
part whereby Christ died for the sins we can do nothing about! Those He certainly substituted for, but His
other mission was to indwell us and
works His will in and through us. That
mission of Christ is minimized by Karl and all who want to regard Christ as
our substitute only. They mix just
enough of the concept of Christ in us, to say that they covered that, while
their great focus and emphasis is the substitution act, rather than the
reconciling and restoration act of Christ reproducing His image and character
in us. That is as fair as I can
possibly be to Karl’s attempts at the gospel. The heart of
any teaching of the gospel is concerned with the fact of what Christ does IN
AND THROUGH US. He does it all, but
some do not want ALL THAT HE DOES. The
tension in all teachings of the gospel concerns the issue of the who’s,
what’s, where’s and when’s and why’s of all that transpires in the good news
of the gospel. For example, who does
the works? What is the purpose of the
works? Where are the works
performed? And when are they
performed, eg. when does justification and sanctification begin? The answers to all these questions are
quite simple and do not require a book to teach them. I will answer these questions in a few
sentences:
(a)
The sacrifice at the Incarnation was the crowning and greatest good gift that
made proviso for the Divine Nature Holy Spirit of the Son of God to be given
to all for the purpose of restoring man to the image of God’s character, His
law. This sacrifice was very
subjective and very fraught with legality.
Without this gift the sacrifice on the cross would have been to no
avail except to provide for the pardon of sin on an everlasting basis. (b) The death of God’s Son on the Cross,
enacted for the purpose of paying the penalty for man’s violation of the law
of God, by His substitutionary death.
This was a legal sacrifice.
The
Incarnation took place in heaven. The
Substitutionary sacrifice took place on the cross.
The
substitutionary death on the cross took place circa A.D. 33.
Laodicea
This story has roots that go back even further.
Over twenty years earlier in 18568 the
little flock of Adventist accepted the fact that they were Laodicea and not
the "good" church of Philadelphia.
Many today may be tired of hearing that we are Laodicea, while many
others just accept it with a sigh of resignation. But did you know that the message to Laodicea
is a promise, and not a curse? When
we discover the victory that is to be had by the Church of Laodicea if she receives the
counsel of the true and faithful witness, we will have discovered the heart and soul of our
mission and message! Ron’s Commentary: Actually, it was in 1852, that the church was
first recognized by the Spirit of Prophecy to be in the Laodicea condition: Church Laodicea 1852 (June 10) "Many who profess to be
looking for the speedy coming of Christ, are becoming conformed t this world,
and seek more earnestly the applause of those around them, than the
approbation of God. They are cold and formal, like the nominal church, that
they but a short time since separated from. The words addressed to the Notice Karl’s’
words: “When we discover the victory that is to be
had by the Church of Laodicea if
she receives the counsel of the true and faithful witness, we will have discovered the heart and soul of our
mission and message!” Here Karl goes
directly contrary to Ellen White's counsel. The message to In Ezekiel 5:9,
he mentions the worst thing God ever does in connection with that
chapter. That chapter involved one of
the punishments to God’s people,
the Jews. Are we to conclude that
punishment to God’s first chosen people was the worst thing He would ever
do? Nay! Matthew 24:21, tells us that God’s
professing people will experience the worst thing He ever does at the
end-time: Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such
as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall
be. So we see that
God’s professed people are in for another punishment by God, because Ezekiel
5:9 involved God’s people only. Then
we have Ellen White’s statement that Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled again
LITERALLY: "Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled yet the
time is passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls
and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and
important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into
their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling will YOU
hear? Will YOU receive His message? Will YOU be converted before it is too
late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity. Letter 106,
1909, pp. 2, 3, 5, 7. (To "The churches in Oakland and Berkeley,
September 26, 1909.)" E. G. White Manuscript Releases Volume One, p. 260. Ezekiel 9 deal ONLY with "Here we see that the
church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the
wrath of God. The ancient men, those
to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the
spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken
the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation
of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen
their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do
evil. He is too merciful to visit His
people in judgment. Thus 'Peace and safety" is the cry from men who
will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and
the house of Jacob their sins.
These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance
of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish
together." E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211. That is precisely what happened to the "The things you have described as taking place in The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a
bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious
methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling,
sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended
with music, than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January
was represented to me would be brought into our camp meetings. The truth for
this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting souls. A
bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright
might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and
noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit's
working." E. G. White, Selected Messages, Vol. 2, 36. So here (above) we have the church, "The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins,
is also spoken of as the Laodicea state." E. G. White, Review and
Herald Articles, Vol. 2, 420. So
Karl Wagner’s hope for Karl continues (Keep in mind that Karl’s material is in black
print): Let's
look at the message to the seventh church in Revelation. We'll begin by reading it. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodicea’s
write; Ron's
Commentary: Here Karl goes directly contrary to Ellen White's
counsel. She said that the Laodicea state of the church is the foolish
virgin state. These things saith the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that
thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because
thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the
fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint
thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door,
and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to
him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even
as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that
hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Rev
3:14–22). What strikes you about the counsel of the true
witness? What is the message that
calls to be understood? It is the very
gospel of Jesus Christ! Ron’s Commentary: Indeed, the
gospel may be found in the message to "Inasmuch as a man in earnest, be he right
or wrong, is even a better man than one professing what he does not
feel."9 Ron’s Commentary: An earnest
man is better than a hypocrite, but when it comes to spiritual things,
wherein the heart is deceptive above all things, one must test “earnestness,”
and God Will God let the earnest seeker of truth be wrong? I say no!
He will send the truth by way of the Holy Spirit if all other avenues
fail. Notice the source of Karl’s
quotation. He is quoting man. 9 M.R. Vincent,
"Word Studies in the New Testament", Vol. I, (Mac Dill AFB, FL: Mac
Donald Publishing Company-N.D.,
originally published in 1886), 595, 596. I choose to consult God when it
comes to a test for deciphering between feeling and genuine experience. Why?
Because earnestness will not save the foolish virgins and Ellen White
says that they are not hypocrites: “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, 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. { 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 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. { 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, "Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere
REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION. There must be decided changes in the life;
everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of
genuine sorrow for sin. Says Paul, speaking of the WORK OF REPENTANCE: 'Ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what
clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what
vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have
approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." E.G. White,
Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 640. That is the problem with Ron’s Commentary: The only
bible prescribed test for knowing that we have the genuine experience Karl
speaks of, is not man assessed earnestness, but rather as follows: 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. Faith
tested by experience! Clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and spiritual
discernment! These are the things of salvation, these are the marks of a true
Christian. "Buy of me…" are
not some code words to indicate that we can purchase these things.10 Instead, we are to attach value to
these things, and not to take them lightly.
This counsel is the straight
testimony that is to be received before we can have power11 to carry forward the work. The Lord's messenger tells us that it will
be the cause of the shaking! There
will be those who will rise up against the counsel of the true witness. They will not bear it, yet it will
accomplish its work.12 I can hardly believe it, but its true. The gospel will be the center of attack by
our very own! Ron’s Commentary: Yes Karl,
“Clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and spiritual discernment! These are
the things of salvation, these are the marks of a true Christian.” Yes indeed, and there is only ONE WAY to
self-test the reality of being clothed in the righteousness of Christ and
possessing spiritual discernment, and it is not mental assent to
believing. It is, and I repeat for
important emphasis: 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. When we hear the words, "straight
testimony", we usually think of our distinctive doctrines. We may say
someone is preaching the straight testimony, as opposed to a watered
down message designed to soothe the people. Within Adventist culture, I haven't a
problem with that usage. However, the principal application of the
terminology belongs to the message to the Ron’s Commentary: Yes Karl, be
very careful what you call a “black hole!”
You are teaching the New Theology!
The following dialog took place between Karl Wagner and myself. Take very careful note of what he terms a
“black hole” in my presentation to him: --- In SDAIssues@yahoogroups.com, "Ron
Beaulieu" <rsbeauli@telusplanet.net>... wrote: Karl, God gave the personal test for KNOWING that one is
in relationship with Him. If we
receive the gift of full surrender (empowerment) as well as the gift of
pardon AT THE SAME TIME, we will KNOW we are doing HIS WILL that is
wellpleasing in His sight. He will be
working in us, so it is not of us lest any man should boast, but any view of
salvation without full surrender to Christ and thereby dying to self daily
and letting Him do His Will in us, is nothing more than the Doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, who believe as you do, that works of righteousness, even those
done by the Holy Spirit working in and through us, have nothing to do with
salvation. Hbr 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do
his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through
Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 2:6 But
this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Rev 2:15 So
hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I
hate. "...The
doctrine of the Nicolaitans appears to have been a form of antinomianism (see
SDACom 7:957). Nicolaitans of the 2d cent. seem to have continued and
extended the views of the 1st-cent. adherents, holding to the freedom of the
flesh, and teaching that the deeds of the flesh had no effect
upon the health of the soul and consequently no relation to salvation." SDA Bible Dictionary, vol. 8 of the Commentaries, p. 770, 771. You have said many times and you do it again in your
post below, that the deeds of the flesh eg. behavior etc., have no effect
upon the heath of the soul and consequently no relation to salvation. The truth is that if we receive the gift of
daily dying to self and surrender to God will, our deeds of the flesh are
then His, and they have everything to do with every relation to
salvation. He went through the same
process with His Father, while on this earth.
He had to remain surrendered moment by moment. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy teach
that we can avail ourselves of the same process. Your process Karl, says only confess belief, and the
rest is a forensic act imputing His righteousness, His obedience, to our
account without working His Will in and through us. That is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Then you say that we do good works because
we are saved and not in order to be saved.
The former contradicts the latter! We don't do any of it when we are saved! It is all gift. You say the gift is legal--forensic
only. I say the gifts include forensic
pardon, and a subjective working of His Will BY HIM, IN AND THROUGH US at the
same time we receive the gift of full surrender and forensic pardoning. The part you leave out Karl is: Hbr 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do
his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through
Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen. His will involves behavior--acts of obedience--as He
obeyed His Father's Will by surrendering to His Father's will. Did that process have anything to do with
His victory over sin? Yes indeed. The Son's victory WAS NOT forensically
imputed to Him, and neither is our victory forensically IMPUTED to us without
a daily surrender of the will to Him, and letting Him work His good will in
and through us. We do not do it lest any man should boast. By His empowerment, we permit Him to do it. You have termed this concept as another language
before Karl. You do not understand
it. I realize that, so I will just
agree to disagree. I will restate this
truth at times for others who might be able to discern the truth of it. I am not trying to convince you Karl. I am fully aware that you cannot understand
what I am saying. You rejected the concept years ago [when you
rejected the True Reformer Adventist position], and now your mind is darkened
to an understanding. It is truly like
another language to you. I accept that
and merely agree to disagree. Your theory of the salvation conflicts with
Scripture and Ellen White. I see that
clearly. The Son's victory WAS NOT forensically imputed to
Him, and neither is our victory forensically IMPUTED to us without a daily
surrender of the will to Him, and letting Him work His good will in and
through us. We do not do it lest any
man should boast. By His empowerment,
we permit Him to do it all. You have termed this concept as “another language”
before Karl. You do not understand it" Ron Karl Wagner responded: Let me term it not another language, but another
gospel. A black hole. Karl End of dialog with Karl. The New Theology of Justification
Alone Will we accept the gospel today and let it do its
work? Will we let the cry go forth to
receive the Latter Rain? Or will we
call it new theology and turn our backs on it? It was almost accomplished in 1888; it will
be accomplished before Jesus returns. In his book, "The Shaking of
Adventism",13 Geoffrey
Paxton seeks to show Seventh-day Adventists the errors of their ways. Steeped in
Reform theology he points out Adventism’s "other" gospel in three
areas. They are, 1) Sanctification, 2) original sin, and 3) the Final
Atonement. Ron’s Commentary: Now we have
nominal Adventists like Karl, using Babylonian preachers to tell us what
righteousness by faith means!
Evidently, Karl does not feel that Ellen White was sufficient! And I can assure you that I know precisely
why Karl regards Ellen White as insufficient in properly defining
righteousness by faith. The following
page is a link on Geoffrey Paxton’s Website.
It tries to paint as Catholic what Christ promises to do when we
partake of His Divine Nature. IF YOU
EVER DECIDE THAT PAXTON AND ROBBINS ARE RIGHT, GO TRHOUGH THIS CRITIQUIE OF
KARL’S BOOK AND CUT OUT EVERY TEXT I PRESENT, AND/OR RECONCILE THEM WITH
THEIR TEACHINGS AND TELL ME HOW TO
DO IT! PLEASE! http://members.aol.com/DaevidHT/RURC.html Addressing each, Paxton suggests that Adventists who believe
they must live sanctified lives in order to obtain salvation are seeking it
by works. He notes Adventism's lack of an
integrated doctrine on original sin, which would help define man's
sinfulness. Somehow, if looked at on the surface, these
two areas can lead to a kind of legalism. We see sin as just an act, not a
state of being. It is both, not one or the other. I will address some of the
issues on the nature of sin later in the book. But for now lets continue to
look at sanctification. I hope here to unmask the legalism that threatens the Advent movement. It's worse
then merit-based systems. If we
believe that an exercise of our will to obey God
by a modification of our habits in order that we may meet the requirements of
His law, all the while saying it's not merit, we are lost! Did you get that? Even though we know it's not by
"merit", if we still believe that we by our
own efforts (uno, ego) alone or combined obtain, then we are in trouble. To those who may be wagging their heads, I
know what Ellen White said14
about obedience. But she also says, "It is peace that you need--Heaven's
forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect
cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your
own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift, "without
money and without price." Isa. 55:1. " (FLB, 103). It seems that
the tensions here are in the areas of faith and works. We will continue to
address those issues in the section, "Working the Works of God." Ron’s Commentary: God will exercise His Will if and when we receive
the free grace gift of surrender of our wills. Karl is correct on this, we
do not combine our effort with His—it is all His Will that He exercises in
and through us. I guess that Karl
has concluded that Ellen White taught peace in the soul some other way than
dying to self and surrender to Christ’s Holy Spirit dwelling within! And how do we know that we have love in the
soul? When the heart is deceitful
above all things, how can we know that we truly love? I will say it again, and again, and
again—there is one biblical test whereby we may KNOW such an important
element that we are counseled to buy as part of the Laodicea message: 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. Anyone who
teaches in a manner that would obfuscate the above test is to be feared! Beware!
Further, anyone who teaches contrary to the above biblical test is
teaching the doctrine of the Nicolaitans that God especially hates. However, Paxton's reform theology emphasizes the
"Christ for you" motif, (justification alone) while Adventism
includes Christ "in" you (sanctification). Put in it's right place, it's both. Christ for us and in us. Ron’s Commentary: Thank you
Karl. You are correct, it is
both! And it is not just Adventism
that includes Christ “in-you” “in-us” sanctification. It is very Bible which all the verses I
cited near the beginning of my critique attest. In the first epistle of John, verse 9, we read,
" If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our]
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." He not only forgives
us, but he cleanses us from sin. It is a work for us and
in us. It's only when we believe that this work in us is
something we do in order to obtain salvation does it become legalism. Paxton
believes this to be the case in Adventism. If this is true, Paxton is
correct. Ron’s Commentary: Paxton’s
Website and other sites he links to, teach that any teaching that stresses
Christ in us is something to avoid like the plague and Catholicism, like the
following link he makes to John Robbins’ Website:
You can see how the above scenario discounts all the texts of
Scripture I provided regarding the IN
US MOTIF. If the above
assertions are correct, and they are not, the Bible is false and Ellen White
is a false prophet! Take your
choice! Robbins or the Bible, because
there is a whole lot of contradiction going on! That contradiction is what causes the
shaking and there is also a whole lot of shaking going on! According to Paxton and Robbins,
justification is just a legal means of pardoning sin and atoning for it. No solution to the sin problem
whatsoever! No character
development! Just mental assent belief
and you are saved! If one can take
solace in that theology despite all the scripture to the contrary, then he/she
could believe anything! So what is wrong with the Catholic belief? They believe that God infuses His
righteousness into us, rather than our surrendering the will and dying to
self and being born again. Men like Don Hawley, a former Adventist wrote in
his book, "Getting It All Together", "With the passage of time
we should require less emphasis on Christ's imputed righteousness and should
actually posses more and more of His imparted righteousness." He has since left Adventism. Its too bad we
have to have people leave Adventism in order to find the gospel.15 We must remember Imparted righteousness (sanctification) is not a
human act. It is all Christ, and none of us. We will
continue to see how we are connected to this work in the sections, "Persistent Grace" and "Rushing to
Abide". Ron’s Commentary: Indeed,
imparted righteousness is Christ indwelling us. When we surrender to such
imparted righteousness, then He imputes His righteousness to us, but it is
His righteousness in both cases, lest any man should boast. The other area Paxton addresses is the area of
the final atonement. The subject he really means here of course is the
doctrine of the Investigative Judgment. Lets just say here that if a
favorable decision in the judgment is based on my works, then I'm in trouble.
It's based on the merits of Christ, and Christ alone. Its based on
who is wearing the robe of Christ's righteousness. If we have the right garment on, we pass!16 Ron’s Commentary: Ellen White
was a good Catholic! She believed that
Christ does not put His White Robe on anyone to cover sin. She believed that Christ saved us from
sinning and not in sinning. That is
what Scripture teaches if one takes all pertinent data and interprets so that
nothing contradicts, and without this formula, one could believe about
anything he/she wishes, and that is indeed why we have so many different
belief systems! What Paxton wants to emphasis [emphasize] is the
completion of the cross. When Christ said, "It is finished"17, Paxton says that Adventism seems to
add something to the sacrifice of Had the sin problem been wrapped up at the cross with nothing more
needing to be done to expunge sin from the universe, my question is,
"Why are we still here?" Ron’s Commentary: Scripture
implies that Christ is waiting for His bride to prepare herself by surrendering
to the character of Christ and His indwelling Holy Spirit. Rev 19:7 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. Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Rev 2:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with
the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ. Oswald T. Allis seemed to believe so. He wrote, "But sin was
finally dealt with ("made an end of") and
reconciliation brought about through the death of Christ…It only remains that
the benefits of the finished work be applied to all those for whom it was
performed."18 In a certain way, Allis was right. The
finished atonement needs to be applied to all those in the universe for whom
it was performed. Getting sin out of the universe is more then just dealing
with fallen man, it's a problem in the whole universe. It is in the model of
the sanctuary that we are to understand how God is to deal with it. So now the question. Was the atonement complete? Yes it was. Was it
completed? Of course it wasn't. Because if it was completed, we wouldn't be
here! Ron’s Commentary: The question
is: What is there to complete? I believe God is waiting to perfect a bride
whose righteousness will be demonstrated to the entire earth. That bride is 1 “For Zion's sake will I not hold my
peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the
salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2 And the
Gentiles shall see thy
righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of
the LORD shall name. 3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the
hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 4
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be
termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for
the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy
land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so
shall thy sons marry thee: and as
the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall
never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep
not silence…” Critical points
in identifying the final church:
Notice that Jer 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes
whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given
her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah
feared not, but went and played the harlot also. https://members.tripod.com/omega77/harlotdocument2.htm |
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10 Isaiah 55:1
“Ho, every
one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come
ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without
price. 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which
is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken
diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul
delight itself in fatness.” |
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11 Romans 1:16
“For I am
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek.” |
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12 “I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the
straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the
Laodicea’s. This will have its effect
upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and
pour forth the straight truth. Some
will not hear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this
is what will cause a shaking among God's people." "I saw that the testimony of the True Witness
has not been half heeded. This solemn
testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly
esteemed, if not entirely disregarded.
This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it
will obey it, and be purified." (CET, 176). |
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13 Geoffrey J. Paxton, "The Shaking of
Adventism",
(Grand Rapids, Baker Book House-1977).
"A documented account of the crisis among Adventists over the
doctrine of justification by faith." |
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14 These are some references to Ellen White's
writings that appear to suggest our efforts
is our contribution
to our salvation. See, Acts of the Apostles, page 500; Education, page 123;
Gospel Workers, page 107; Lift Him Up, page 122; Selected Messages, book two,
page 166; Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, page 255 and others. |
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16 Matthew 22:1-14, The story of the Wedding Feast. The man who
was cast out was not because he was a bad man. He just wasn't wearing the
correct garment. When we attempt to add to the garment, we are saying that
Christ's righteousness is not good enough.
See also, Zech 3:1, the story of Joshua the High Priest and the angel
of the Lord. |
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