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Part 1 of 13
We have put together a series of short videos focusing on the key tenets of the three angels’ message. These videos are merely synopsis of the key tenets. Additionally, we have included write-ups on each presentation for those who may want to have a more comprehensive understanding into this vitally important last-days message.
We offer this narrative as a modest contribution towards our high-calling, in the hope that in the midst of present-day satanic deceptions, all would prove to be more than capable of responding not with mere conjectures and suppositions, but with the power of the gospel* as the Apostle Peter counseled in 1Peter 3:15 “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Every message of importance must be earnestly proclaimed, especially one that involves eternal salvation or eternal damnation of souls. But the nearer one comes to the end, the louder must the message be proclaimed. If you saw a man approaching a precipice, you would cry out, to warn him of his danger. If he did not pay any attention, you would cry louder; and the nearer he approached, unconscious of his danger, the louder you would cry. Even so the nearer we come to the end of the world, which will be the eternal destruction of unwary souls who are not looking for it, the louder and clearer must the Gospel message announcing it ring forth.
Much has been preached on the Three Angels’ message of Revelation chapter 14, and much more is needed to be proclaimed as we rapidly approach the close of this world’s history. With rapid steps we are already approaching this period.
The closing work of the everlasting gospel in the last-days is the witnessing of the three angels’ message to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, so extensively that the entire world shall hear it.
God is now testing and proving His people. His Word will be the standard for each one, and He is now revealing character defects and errors wherever they exist in order that those who love and honor Him may forsake their own ways, and come together*
“…in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” as recorded in Eph. 4:13.
This little company which is not metaphorical, but numbering figuratively 144,000, is the most interesting class of people brought to view in the Word of God.
The matter of greatest importance in the universe is not only the salvation of men, important as that is. The most important work is the clearing of the Father’s name from satan’s false accusations. Out of the last generation the Father will have His faithful ones to boldly proclaim the third angel’s message, a stark warning against the worship of a false god as represented in the spurious sunday Sabbath and the false heathen trinity dogma.
The controversy between Christ and satan is drawing rapidly to a close. God is preparing His last-days people for the last great conflict. Not the strong or the mighty, not the honored or the rich, not the wise or the learned, but common ordinary people will God take, through and by them the closing work of the everlasting gospel shall be brought to a close.
In a nutshell, this is our High Calling, to witness the one true God message to the world, the closing work of the everlasting Gospel.
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The Three Angels’ message is referred to as the “everlasting gospel.” The gospel of Jesus Christ changes not, and this is the very reason that it is referred to as the “everlasting gospel.” There is but one gospel to save men. It will continue as long as there are men to be saved. There never will be another gospel.
In Galatians 1:8 the Apostle Paul confirms this point: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed”
There is a great need for all to go back to the purity of the gospel as preached by the OT prophets, as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, and as expounded by the NT apostles. Besides, in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. His righteousness never changes, that’s why it is referred to as the everlasting gospel.
In 1 Pet 1:25 we read “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you”*
Jer 6:16 tells us to go back to the purity of the old paths, away from the enemy’s false teachings of today “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls”
*Sister White wrote in Review and Herald, March 2, 1886 par. 6 “Through all these centuries the truth of God has remained the same. That which was truth in the beginning is truth now. Although new and important truths appropriate for succeeding generations have been opened to the understanding, the present revealings do not contradict those of the past. Every new truth understood only makes more significant the old.”*
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The key tenets of the three angel’s message are summarized here for easy understanding.
The first angel’s message declares that all are to render proper reverence, glory, and worship to our Creator and Redeemer, the one true God of the Bible. The grand theme in the first angel’s message is the emphatic call to “Fear God and give glory to him” and “worship him” the one true God; and not “worship them the trinity” as insidiously suggested in the false pagan three-gods-in-one or one-god-in-three trinity dogma.
The fear of the Lord is not only to hate evil but more importantly to love righteousness. The fear of the Lord is that reverent attitude comprising love, awe, gratitude, and allegiance that distinguishes men who have realized their own nothingness and unworthiness; and with absolute faith, trust and confidence in the sanctifying power of God’s Spirit, have found salvation in God’s gracious plan.*
Man has neither might nor power nor wisdom in themselves. All of man’s glory is vanity and shall perish like grass. God is everything and man is nothing. Knowing that we are nothing, we do not need to waste any time looking at ourselves, for it is certainly a waste of time to look at nothing. We have no strength at all, so that we may learn to say “for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation” as written in Isaiah 12:2.We are to accept God’s statement of what we really are, which is nothing.
*One may enquire who the Creator in the first angel’s message is. The Bible clearly teaches the Father is the Creator, while at the same time it also teaches that all acts of creation are undertaken by Christ the only begotten Son, in whom is all the fullness of divinity, one who is worthy of worship.
John 1:3 states “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made”*
The Bible teaches that there is absolute clarity as to whom the expressions “Fear God and give glory to him” and “worship him” refer to here.*
Acts 17:24 states that the Creator is the Lord of heaven and earth “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth…”
Jesus confirmed that the Father is Lord of heaven and earth in Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”
From these two verses, most assuredly the creator “that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” in the first angel’s message refers to the Father.
The Gospel presents God as Creator, as supreme. It presents an Almighty Saviour, who saves by His power to create, in that He saves by creating us anew.
Worshipping knowingly or unknowingly a false god or gods as in the spurious Sabbath or in the false trinity would sadly result in one having to drink of the wine of the wrath of God, suffer the terror and anguish of the seven last plagues, and the terrible second death. The most solemn call today to worship God-the-Father, the Creator and Redeemer, the one true God of the Bible, is urgently needed because almost the whole of Christendom is deceived into worshipping a false god, another substitute god-being. *
Another vital aspect of the first angel’s message is in the character of the investigative judgment. What the investigative judgment brought to view is not a new truth revealed for the first time, but merely a restatement of an old truth with one new feature, which is the special emphasis that the time has now come for the judgement to begin. Denial of the investigative judgment is denial of the final atonement. In this case, there will be no vindication of the Father’s divine character and satan wins the great controversy. There will be no second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, no resurrection of the righteous dead, no salvation, no blessed hope, God will be made a liar and all will be vanity.
Daniel 7:10 states “thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened”
A work of investigative judgment has begun in heaven, and at the same time a special preaching of this Gospel message also began on earth in 1844. The standard of judgement is God’s Law. Jesus Christ is our mediator and judge. The investigative judgement is applicable only to those who have at some time in their lives had acknowledged and been in the service of God, whose names are recorded in the book of life in heaven. It is a great privilege to have a part in the investigative judgment. Those who are found worthy will not have their names blotted out from the book of life. It is indeed a time for the separation of the sheep from the goats. The judgement of the wicked will be undertaken at another time.
Sadly, the carnal mind is wholly incapable of submitting to the law of God. Only by the transforming power of the Father’s Spirit is obedience again made possible. What the law cannot do, what the conscience cannot do, what unaided human strength cannot do, can be accomplished by the indwelling of the Father’s Spirit which is also Christ’s Spirit, His righteousness, the life of His life. Complete deliverance, which includes not only hating iniquity but more importantly loving righteousness, is available from the Father the source of all promises and blessings, through Jesus Christ and through Him alone.*
The second angel’s message warns that the world’s religious organizations and their leadership are fallen away from God’s truth. Many have unwittingly worshipped a false god by the observance of the sunday sabbath or by submission to the false trinity. To be clear, Sunday sacredness and the trinity dogma are masterful pieces of satanic deceptions, the crowning masterpiece of the wines of the wrath of her fornication in the last-days. Most of us are aware of the dangers of Sunday Sabbath but may not be aware of the insidiousness of the trinity dogma that subtly perverts the personality and presence of God. It is the omega of deadly heresies warned of by Sister White. *Notwithstanding, in the days preceding the second coming of Christ, shall mystical Babylon sink into oblivion with finality and certainty, never more would she like a great millstone, produce the wine of the wrath of her fornication to deceive the world. While Satan appears to be triumphing in the earth, while the apostate churches unite with the world and all its leaders in rejecting the one true God of the Bible, trampling on the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and denying the righteousness of Christ, His faithful last-days servants with gladness and confidence shall declare the glad tidings that Babylon is fallen, is fallen. Many a captive shall hear the message and go free from the bondage of Babylon.*
The third angel’s message is a stark warning against the worship of a false god and its sad consequences. The trinity dogma is the central doctrine of the Catholic faith and is the most fundamental of their faith on which everything depends and from it everything else derives*
*The Douay Catechism of 1649, p143 states “It is a day dedicated by the Apostles TO THE HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY… It is also called Sunday from the old Roman denomination of Dies Solis, the day of the sun, to which it was sacred.”
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, uCatholic, May 27, 2018 states “Sunday, therefore, is the day of the Most Holy Trinity.”
Hereby, the insidious link between the observance of Sunday and submission to the trinity dogma is clearly established. Sunday sacredness which represents the mark of the beast is the day of the Most Holy Trinity. The third angel’s message warns against receiving the mark of the beast. Therefore the third message warns against submission to the Most Holy trinity. Observance of Sunday as the Sabbath or submitting to the trinity dogma are effectively paying homage to the Papacy and submitting to Dies Solis the day of the sun, acknowledging the worship of the god of the Roman church, the sun god. Many have been lured into denying the Father and His only begotten son by observing the Sunday Sabbath and submitting to the false trinity.
No man needs to go through this most horrific predicament in the last-days. No man needs to drink of the unmixed wine of the wrath of God. God’s love excludes no man from the opportunity of salvation. All those who are eventually lost will suffer the consequences of their own failure to accept God’s overtures of love. * Although there is no salvation in knowledge alone, but neither can there be salvation without this essential knowledge. The particular saving-knowledge that is missing in so many souls today is the knowledge of God, His personality and presence, the most essential of all knowledge. Essential knowledge in the one true God of the Bible and in our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the key factors that will determine eternal life as recorded in John 17:3. Many might have had the knowledge had they put forth the effort to obtain it. Many would inevitably be “destroyed” because they do not seek and therefore lack the essential knowledge of God. Repent ye therefore and be converted, or ye shall reap what you sow.
In a nutshell the three angel’s message is effectively the one true god message, comprising the essential knowledge of the Infinite one and of Him whom He has sent. It is a revelation of the character of love, personality and presence of the Father and the divine relationship He shares with His only begotten son.
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*Within the three angels’ message are also encapsulated the key tenets of the 5 distinctive pillars of the SDA faith. Therefore, marvel not the enemy of God and souls specifically targets the 5 distinctive pillars of the SDA faith, the old landmarks of truth, for a total onslaught while God’s last-days people are lulled into Laodicean spiritual lukewarm blindness, destitute of the Holy Spirit. In these momentous last-days, the enemy of souls continues making relentless attempts to tear away the foundations of our faith – the foundations that were laid at the beginning of our pioneers’ work by prayerful study of the word and by the Holy Spirit’s revelations which they had built for the last fifty years as at 1903. Towards this end it is imperative that the five pillars of the SDA faith must be constantly re-visited, strongly reemphasized and reiterated to the congregation, bring to the fore front of our daily living, that we might gain a true understanding of our position and our work, that they are always within view and serving as a constant reminder to the soul as expounded in* Proverb 7:3,5 “Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart” “That they may keep thee from the strange woman.”*
*Sister White wrote in Testimonies to the church volume 6 page 17.2 “No line of truth that has made the Seventh-day Adventist people what they are is to be weakened. We have the old landmarks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firmly in defense of our principles, in full view of the world.”*
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With one mind, purpose, and one voice shall His last-days remnant go forth and herald God’s last day message of love and mercy with righteousness and fervent zeal to the world without fear; secure in the comforting assurance that God’s protecting presence is our rear guard.
Isaiah 58:8 states “and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward”
However, we have a word of caution here. The fervent zeal thus manifested must not be a misplaced zeal, but a zeal that is directed towards the true way of righteousness, according to knowledge, with Godly values, with true insight into God’s word, and not mere unenlightened fanaticism.
At the same time we ought to be looking for and hasten the coming of the day of God, doing our utmost to expedite its arrival and “earnestly desiring” that day.
*In the book Amazing Grace page 353.3 Sister White wrote “By giving the gospel to the world, it is in our power to hasten the coming of the day of God”.
*However Sister White in 6 Testimonies to the church page 331.2 counseled “The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His commands. If we make no effort to win souls to Christ we shall be held responsible for the work we might have done, but did not do because of our spiritual indolence. Those who belong to the Lord’s kingdom must work earnestly for the saving of souls”.
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*On the point of unity, there must be the most perfect unity, and there will be when the true message is given; for it is nothing but the unchangeable Word of God that is to be given. The voice is God’s; the people furnish only the mouth; so that although there be tens of thousands of mouths, only one voice is heard. In the days of the coming of the Lord the admonition of the Apostle Paul will be perfectly heeded.
This message is to be proclaimed in sanctified unity. This sanctified unity is confirmed in John 14:23 “… and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him”
Sister White in Bible Echo, January 15, 1893 par 8 confirmed this point: “By the Spirit the Father and the Son will come and make their abode with you.”
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*The preaching of this saving-truth will undoubtedly attract unfavorable attention from the evil forces seeking to control the heart and mind of men and continue to shroud them in darkness.
The enemy of God and man is wrath, and he sets about with great determination to wage war upon the people of God, the “remnant of her seed.” God’s last day remnant’s proclamation of His final warning of love and mercy will face unprecedented and relentless persecution from both inside and outside of the organized church, because the enemy knows he has but only a short time.
Revelation 12:17 portrays the scene of the dragon persecuting God’s last day remnant. Notice, he is wroth with the woman, meaning the church, yet the persecution is not on the woman, not on the church; for he went to make war with the remnant of her seed, the faithful of God, them which keep all the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The deception would be so complete that “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” as stated in John 16:2.
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*Christ said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” Since this is the Lord’s commission, we may expect the Lord to open the way. If sometimes our own way seems hard, and we grow weary, this will disappear when we go to work for others. There are resources of spiritual power available to us beyond our farthest thought, and the believer has but to lay hold of it.
In Ps 34:7 we see God’s ministering angels surround His saints to encourage, inspire, and protect them “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” The closing work of the everlasting gospel is not committed to heavenly angels, but is entrusted to men. But God never raises His people for a work and leaves them to fend for themselves.
*In the book Acts of the Apostles page 154.2 sister White wrote: “It would be well to remember that every true child of God has the co-operation of heavenly beings. Invisible armies of light and power attend the meek and lowly ones who believe and claim the promises of God. Cherubim and seraphim, and angels that excel in strength, stand at God’s right hand, “all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Hebrews 1:14.
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Today even as we speak, we see the enemy of God and soul is busy laying his plans for the last mighty conflict, when all will take sides in this gigantic spiritual battle. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness, satanic forces arrayed in open rebellion against God and His children.
Satan is preparing the way for compliance with Sunday sacredness, putting in place an all-encompassing global network to suppress liberty of conscience, freedom to worship the one true God of the Bible, a law on Sunday sacredness which some of us may be aware is already in place in the US but not yet invoked, prohibition of worship on the Bible Sabbath day, enforced acceptance and submission to the false teaching of the trinity dogma which pope Francis in his second encyclical “Laodato Si” hinted at and which the SDA church had promulgated in their church manual page 62 item (1), and a mandatory edict to work on God’s divinely appointed day of rest.
*In pope Francis’s second encyclical Laudato Si p4 item 3, 2015, under the guise of caring for the environment, he is addressing not just members of the catholic faith but every person living on this planet to unite under the banner of his false trinity.
Laudato Si p4 item 3 Nothing in this world is indifferent to us “Now, faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet. In my Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, I wrote to all the members of the Church with the aim of encouraging ongoing missionary renewal. In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.”
*Furthermore, in this encyclical the pope is officially urging all to embrace the trinity dogma.
Laudato Si p.174 par 238 “Consequently, “when we contemplate with wonder the universe in all its grandeur and beauty, we must praise the whole Trinity”
Laudato Si p175 par 240 “Everything is interconnected, and this invites us to develop a spirituality of that global solidarity which flows from the mystery of the Trinity”
*Prophecy is clearly being fulfilled right before us, while sadly God’s people are still in Laodicean spiritual blindness.
Sister White wrote in Testimonies vol. 9, p. 11 “Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.”
One way to dominate and gain control over people is to spread chaos, despair, and discouragement, under the guise of defending certain common values. Satan, through global social, economic, financial and political chaos creates conflict, fear, and insecurity. He is preparing a people filled with his evil mind and heart, his evil purpose, his evil spirit, and nothing less than his evil character to advance his agenda, to clamor for the destruction of God’s last-day faithful servants who would not bow down to the worship of a false god, just as his evil servants and angels were actuated by the same satanic spirit that moved them to clamor for the blood of the Son of God. These unsuspecting people, who do not know the realities of spiritual life, receive satan’s evil character enshrined in their foreheads.
*In Luke 6:22,23 Jesus comforts those excommunicated or dis-fellow shipped for His sake as Blessed “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets”
*It is indeed comforting to know that even as the wicked are breaking Jehovah’s authority and persecuting His last-days servants, God overrules the designs of men of corrupt hearts and turns their evil course into foolishness as recorded in Psalm 2:4 “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision”
*Unsuspecting minds are now being insidiously conditioned by satan and his evil agencies. Insidiously, overall public allegiance is being secured in preparation for the efficient and smooth, enforcement of Sunday law in the near future, the final conflict.
Rev 18:23 states “for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived”
The Greek word translated “sorceries” is “pharmakeia” from which the English word pharmacy derived, meaning the administering of drugs, poison or toxic substances.
Indeed, the deceptions practiced by mystical Babylon to secure the allegiance of the inhabitants of earth are through both spiritual or magical arts and the administering of drugs, poison or toxic substances. Perhaps, the current COVID-19 virus pandemic and potential public clamor for the so-called preventive vaccine is a unique case in point.
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*In the book the Great controversy page 601.2, Sister White wrote these words: “It is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to answer His expectation by bearing fruit.”
Sister White stated in Signs of the Times, June 6, 1892 “There will be no one saved in heaven with a starless crown. If you enter, there will be some soul in the courts of glory that has found an entrance there through your instrumentality”
*The highest incentive for all the toils, efforts, and sacrifices for God’s last-days faithful in their heavenly journey is to behold among the blessed, those who have been won to Christ through their prayers, their labors, and their loving sacrifices.
In the future kingdom of glory Christ shall present to His Father the purchase of his own blood, the ransomed ones with sin’s discord banished, its blight removed and are once more in harmony with the divine. With unutterable love, Jesus shall welcome and bid his faithful ones to “enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” the reward of the world to come. The Savior’s joy is in witnessing the salvation of these souls who have been saved by his agony and humiliation.
Isaiah 53:11 states “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied…”
In the same way, the redeemed will be sharers of Christ’s joy, as they behold among the blessed, those who have been won to Christ through their prayers, their labors, and their loving sacrifices. And shall “rejoice with joy unspeakable” as they meet and behold in the kingdom of glory those whom they have won for Christ.
Indeed, the end of the Christian course well repays all the toils, efforts, and sacrifices of the heavenly journey.
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*We do not presume that this narrative is the final word on God’s last message of mercy to a world that is fast coming to an end. Indeed, more divine light on this subject shall flash from God’s heavenly throne in His time.
Sister White cautioned as such in 6 Testimonies p17.2 “The light we have received upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. The Lord’s command to His servants is: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
Part 2 of 13
The three angel’s message is a prophetic message. In the OT Isaiah 40:3-10 is a parallel to the first angel’s message; while in the NT Matthew 24:14 sets out the experiential witnessing aspect of the first angel’s message.
We believe Isaiah chapter 40:3-10 are precursors or forerunners that precede and predict the heralding of the first angel’s message in these last-days.
We also believe Matthew 24:14 defines the manner the three angels’ message is to be shared. The emphasis here is on the word “witnessed”. The vital tenets in this last-days present-truth are to be “witnessed” as a personal testimony. In reaching out to hearts it is not just professional preaching but the telling of a personal living experience with love that counts most.
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Let us now do a quick comparison between Isaiah 40:3-10; and Revelation 14:6&7 and verses 14&15.
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It can be seen that Isaiah chapter 40:3- 10 in principle closely resemble that of the First Angel’s message.*
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; 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!
10 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.
Whilst Revelation chapter 14 verses 6&7, and 14&15 bring to view the beginning of this last-days’ work of God’s remnant, and terminates with the second coming of Christ. *
6 And I saw another 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.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
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Now let us examine the close similarities between the prophetic passages in Isaiah and those in the book of Revelation:
Firstly, let us look specifically at Isaiah chapter 40:3-5.
It is the special work of John the Baptist to prepare the way for the first advent of Christ to the earth. We see this work in the life and ministry of John the Baptist.
Likewise, today it is the privilege of God’s last-days faithful to “prepare the way of the Lord,” through the proclamation of the first angel’s message, it is followed closely by the second and third messages, that Christ may return to earth in power and glory.
In order to believe, a man must have something to believe in. The grand objective of John’s ministry was to lay a firm foundation for belief that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the promised Messiah, that He is “the Lamb of God,” and “the only begotten Son of God”. It is indeed the Messiah who brought “remission” of “sins”, but it is John His forerunner who brought knowledge of sin to mankind.*
Matthew 3:2 “… Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”
Likewise, we can see in the First Angel’s message, it is the privilege of God’s last day remnant as His forerunner who will bring knowledge of sin to mankind.*
Revelation 14:7 “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God…”
Proverb 8:12 states “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil…”
Secondly, in Isaiah verses 6 to 8, God’s messengers are to cry loudly that men who have turned away from God may be transformed and renewed in the image of their Creator, but if they resist, they will perish like a flower of the field. The imagery is that all flesh is as grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field, and all the glory of man will perish like grass and flowers of the field. Likewise the first angel’s message exhorts man to give glory to God and not to self. Jesus has fought and won the battle for us. The reason why He has fought and overcome for us is that He knows we have no power to fight and overcome for ourselves, but to submit, co-operate, and depend wholly on Him.
Thirdly, in Isaiah verse 9 this message of good tidings which is the everlasting gospel in Revelation, is to be given fearlessly with a loud voice. The voice that cries is to be lifted up with strength, and the crier is to get up upon a high mountain, in order that the sound may reach to the furthest possible extent. The same is clearly spelt out in Revelation 14:7 “ 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.”
And lastly, in both Isaiah and Revelation, it is revealed that immediately following the completion of giving these messages, the coming of Christ is brought to view. This confirms that both passages are to be looked upon as God’s final message of warning to the world.
From the above mentioned points, one cannot but notice the close prophetic relationship between Isaiah chapter 40 verses 3 to 10 with Revelation chapter 14: verses 6&7 and verses 14&15. They clearly establish that the first angel’s message is indeed a prophetic message. Since all three messages in Revelation are but one complete message, therefore we conclude that the second and third angels’ messages are prophetic too.
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A transformed character must come first, and then shall one be willing and able to herald the three angels’ message with power.
The statement in Isaiah 40:4 is equally applicable to both the messengers and to the hearers of the word. All who seek to do God’s Will, must firstly be reconciled back to Him, give proper reverence, glory, and worship to the one true God.*
Isaiah 40:4 states “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain”
Most certainly the Cryer must first be made straight himself.
For without God’s righteousness abiding in the heart, it is all but impossible to bring about a personal character transformation, let alone the proclamation of the last-days gospel truth.
As the Apostle Paul strongly emphasized in Philippians 2:12,13, when Christ’s righteousness dwelleth by faith in the heart, each individual will cooperate with the will and power of God. One will “strive to enter in”, “put off the old man”, “lay aside every weight,” “run with patience, “resist the devil”, and “endure unto the end”.
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In the plan of salvation God demonstrates the way to sow, and He guarantees the harvest. In proclaiming the three angels’ message, the emphasis here is on the key word “witness.”
The Gospel as a witness is to be preached to all the earth to accomplish its work. It is only appropriate that a “witness” should be borne when the hour of judgment is come. The character of this last proclamation of the everlasting Gospel is essentially in the nature of a personal testimony. It is not professional preaching, but the telling of a living experience. God’s messengers must witness and testify to all nations that Jehovah is the strength and deliverance of all who trust in Him. The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life.*
The closing work of the gospel will be carried forth not so much by doctrines or arguments as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God.
Sister White wrote in RH June 4 1895 “Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without”
In Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come”.
In these words a special world-wide proclamation of the Gospel is brought to view. It is the same work as recorded in Rev 14:6 “And I saw another 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…” This correlation is based on the fact that in both passages the next event in the prophecy is the second coming of Christ. This message must be given before the second coming of Christ.
When Jesus Christ preached the Gospel He did not speak as the scribes, quoting the doctrines of the fathers. He drew His wisdom and understanding from God-the-Father and lived by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
In every action of His life here on earth Christ was revealing His Father’s character of love. In the same way, so must everyone who earnestly seeks to reveal our Father’s character lived by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Wherever Jesus went as He moved among the people, in His attitude toward them, in His speech, in the way in which He set principle above custom, He bore witness to the truth. In the same way, His disciples and those who go forth as witnesses for the truth must bear that witness as Christ did.*
John 20:21 “… as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you”
Again we reiterate that in every action of His life Jesus was revealing the character of His Father, and thus declaring the glad tidings. It is “this Gospel,” the Gospel as it was made known by Christ, the revealing of His Father’s character of love, which is to be preached in the entire world for a witness before the end comes.
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Consecrated men are the agent of the Agency of the Holy Spirit chosen to do this work. Angelic power is also connected with the work, and that the preaching occupies a central place among the holy angels, receiving the attention and co-operation of every one of them. In the preaching of the everlasting Gospel, men seem to be doing the work, but John saw the part acted by the holy angels. It is encouraging to remember that those who work for God are not left to toil alone. However, we must caution here that* although the holy angels are an agent of the Agency of the Holy Spirit, they are assuredly “NOT the Holy Spirit,” and we repeat this most significant phrase “they are assuredly NOT the Holy Spirit”
In Hebrews 1:14 we read: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
In Genesis 28:12 Jacob was given an insight of angels working for men’s salvation* “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it”.
The ladder was a visible symbol of the real and uninterrupted fellowship between God in heaven and His people upon earth through the connecting conduit provided by the body of Jesus. The angels ascend to present men’s needs before God, and descend with promises of divine assistance and protection.
This concept is again reiterated by Jesus in the gospel of *John 1:51 when He said “And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” In this figure of speech Jesus envisaged His own ministry for mankind.*
Sister White in Christian Education 155.2 wrote “The ladder which Jacob saw in the night vision, the base of it resting upon the earth, and the topmost round reaching unto the highest heavens, God himself above the ladder, and his glory shining upon every round, angels ascending and descending upon this ladder of shining brightness, is a symbol of constant communication kept up between this world and heavenly places. God accomplishes his will through the instrumentality of heavenly angels in continual intercourse with humanity. This ladder reveals a direct and important channel of communication with the inhabitants of this earth. The ladder represented to Jacob was the world’s Redeemer who links earth and heaven together.”
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Working according to Christ’s example will be successful, as He was. He had no difficulty in getting the ears of the people. The secret of His success was that “He went about doing good.” Christianity has not changed. All the world knows of Christ is what it sees revealed through His representatives, and when their work is entirely different from that of the Saviour, He is not revealed, but His character is misrepresented.*
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”
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While in prison, John the Baptist, hearing concerning the works of Christ, sent two of his disciples to Him to inquire*
“Art Thou He who should come, or do we look for another?” as recorded in Matthew 11:3. Instead of answering him Jesus simply replied as recorded in *
Matthew 11:4,5 “ Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them”
In this case it was the works that testified to the true messiahship of the Saviour. So to-day, it is the “works we do and the words we utter” that tell for or against the Gospel. May they all be wrought in Jesus Christ, so that whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, we may do it to the glory of God.*
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Sister White wrote in the book Desire of Ages page 357.1: “As you confess Me before men, so I will confess you before God and the holy angels. You are to be My witnesses upon earth, channels through which My grace can flow for the healing of the world. So I will be your representative in heaven. The Father beholds not your faulty character, but He sees you as clothed in My perfection. I am the medium through which Heaven’s blessings shall come to you. And everyone who confesses Me by sharing My sacrifice for the lost shall be confessed as a sharer in the glory and joy of the redeemed”
He who would confess Christ must have Christ abiding in him. He cannot communicate that which he has not received. The disciples might speak fluently on doctrines or prophecies, they might repeat the words of Christ Himself; but unless they possessed Christ-like meekness and love, they were not confessing Him. A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would deny Him, whatever the profession.* Men may deny Christ by evil-speaking, by foolish talking and jesting, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny Him by shunning life’s burdens, and by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them.*
Matthew 10:33 states “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven”
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God’s last-days witnesses are not simply telling others that they are sinners, but because the Spirit of God are so manifested in the individual, that His life is a reproof to those who walk contrary to God’s Word.
It is not necessary that one should stand in a public place and declare to people that they are sinners, in order that the world should be reproved of sin, although words spoken in the power and demonstration of the Spirit will convict, but the individual who has within him the Spirit of Christ will be a witness, whose life without a word will convict of sin.*
In spirit of Prophecy vol 4 1884 p28.1 Sister White wrote “They hated Christ because his purity and holiness revealed their iniquity; and they accused him of being the cause of all the troubles which had come upon them in consequence of their sins”
Again she wrote in RH, April 25, 1893 par 1 “The spotlessness of Christ’s life, the unstained purity of his character, brought against him the most intense hatred”
So it can be stated as fact that all success in working for God in the extension of His kingdom is based upon a person’s own individual experience, and his work is simply to minister to others the experience that God has given him. What more can one do?
Man cannot give of Christ when he does not possess Christ. But when he has Christ, he knows it, and cannot but quickly share his precious gift with others, like the apostle Peter did in*
Acts 3:6 “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee”
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Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me. As God is, so must his witnesses be.
This is what Paul meant when he said figuratively in 2 Corinthians 3:2: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men”
Sermons are worth nothing more than hollow words, if we do not preach Christ by our lives. If we do not commend the Gospel to people by our holy walk and conversation, we shall not win them to Christ.
There are many Gospel workers who are longing to see more fruit from their labors. Let such remember that* the power to convert men is from God. It depends not so much upon the information they impart, but to a large extent in the life they live.
The man that practices the truths which he preaches to others carries with him the vitalizing power of God, working through him to convert others from the error of their ways. But every ray of light must be cherished and walked in. Just as soon as we preach one thing and practices another, our words are as the Apostle Paul puts it* “sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal,” giving an appearance of great importance but is merely a lifeless emitter of sound. Or in other words as recorded in*
2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”, specifically referring to those who identify themselves with Christianity, having all the external characteristics of religion, such as church attendance, church gifts, tithes, holding leadership or sacred positions in the church, and even personal service for the church.
Sadly, these who profess loyalty to God’s way of life and yet reveal no tangible evidence of a development in Christlikeness, has become a greater handicap to the progress of the gospel.
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In this most perilous time when God’s people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet they intercede for their enemies as recorded*
in Great Controversy page 619.3: “Their faith does not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions.”
It is the goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering of God that lead men to repentance, and so shall it also be manifested in the conduct of His faithful servants towards their enemies. The Apostle Paul confirms this principle in*
Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Notice the contrast between those who trust in the Lord and those who try to “fight their own battles.” God’s promise to Israel of old was that if they trusted in Him, and kept His commandments, one man should chase a thousand, and two should put ten thousand to flight.*
Deut 32:30 “How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
Joshua 23:10: “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you”
But what a change takes place when God is forsaken. Then “one thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one;” and at the rebuke of five ten thousand shall flee. The case is exactly reversed. It needs only a threat to make them flee when they do not trust in the Lord.* Prov. 28:1 states “The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
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At the Red Sea crisis an important object lesson is recorded for the benefit of posterity, especially at the time when oppression and persecution by the enemies of God reach a climax.
When pursued by Pharaoh’s army and 600 chariots, God’s people were greatly alarmed but* the noble courage and confidence of Moses is surprising. He now remained calm and confident that all would be well. His own quiet confidence is reflected in his admonition to the people to wait patiently for the Lord to deliver them. Obviously there was nothing else that was in their power they could do. Moses knew not how God might accomplish His will, but his own experience in working with God in the land of Egypt made it certain He was fully able to rescue His people, however unlikely such a prospect might appear at this moment of great danger.*
The Israelites were not to remain completely inactive while the Lord brought about their deliverance. They were to move forward, and as they did so, to witness the mighty power of God. He could have divided the Red Sea without the assistance of Moses, if the lifting up of the rod may be called assistance. God again chose to work through Moses in order that the people might come to trust more fully in their appointed leader. God ever operates in accordance with the principle of utilizing consecrated human agencies, agent of the Agency of the Holy Spirit, to accomplish His work on earth, whenever and wherever possible.*
The guidance of Israel through the sea was designed by God to establish in the hearts of the people reverence and faith in Him. But faith in the Lord was inseparably connected with faith in Moses as His representative, and for this reason the miracle had been wrought through Moses. In the same way,* God’s last-days people shall be His witnesses even as Moses was to the Israelites.
So shall it be in the final conflict just before Christ’s Second Advent. In the hour of utmost extremity, when all seem lost, the Lord God almighty shall interpose for the deliverance of His chosen. Trust in Him.
We have as a living witness for our time the experiences of Israel of old recorded in the Song of Moses. It celebrated the deliverance from Egyptian oppression and annihilation. In future the song of Moses will once again be sung by the saints, who bear witness to their deliverance from the tyranny of “Babylon the great”, for their experience has made them what they are.
What a great privilege it is that we can draw strength from this song of deliverance as we go forth in witness of God and his great love towards mankind, with the pouring forth of our innermost soul, in praise of God for all His goodness, and power.*
Sister White wrote in Patriarchs and prophets page 289.2 “That song does not belong to the Jewish people alone. It points forward to the destruction of all the foes of righteousness and the final victory of the Israel of God”
The song of Moses is indeed an object lesson to all who shall bear witness to the proclamation of the three angels’ message. This song of praise will exalt God’s last-days people and all who accepts this last-days message to prepare their hearts to stand in the times of trouble ahead.*
Sister White’s exaltation in Patriarchs and Prophets p 289.3 “Let us learn the song of the angels now, that we may sing it when we join their shining ranks”
Part 3 of 13
This focus of this presentation will be on the expression “fear god”*
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Revelation 14:7 states: “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God…”
The glad tidings is not only to be preached to all the world but loudly proclaimed with God’s Authority.
As confirmed in presentation-1,* the Creator is none other than God-the-Father, who created all things through His only begotten Son. All are to render reverence, glory, and worship to God-the-Father and not the so-called “one God comprising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons” as promulgated in the current SDA 28 fundamental belief item 2.*
Therefore the term “God” as used here refers to the Father.
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Proverbs 8:13 very clearly states: “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil…”
The word “fear” used here is not in the sense of being afraid of God, but in the sense of coming to Him with reverence and awe, to trust and love Him, to come into His presence with joy. It conveys the thought of absolute loyalty to God, of full surrender of the heart, of saying amen to His Will, of bringing our will completely into harmony with God’s Will. The fear of the Lord is that reverent attitude comprising love, awe, gratitude, and allegiance that distinguishes men who have realized their own nothingness and unworthiness; and with absolute faith, trust and confidence in the sanctifying power of God’s Spirit, have found salvation in God’s gracious plan.
This line of thought to regard God with profound reverence and have proper regard for His will is confirmed in* Deut 4:10 which states “Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children”
But man loves sin and in his carnal mind, in his fallen condition, is enmity against God and will not subject himself to God’s divine principles. Ever since man fell under the power of sin, he has followed the inclinations of the flesh, which have inevitably led to disobedience of God’s divine principles.* He is incapable of hating the evil that is in him, although he is fully capable of enjoying the pleasures of sin and hating the evil in others.* The carnal mind is wholly incapable of submitting to the Will of God unless he dies to self and sin, and is born again to a new life in the Spirit.* Only by the transforming power of God’s Spirit is obedience again made possible.
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Sin is indeed pleasurable as depicted in *
Hebrews 11:25: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” Only by faith in the promises of God could Moses refuse the throne of Egypt with its associated pleasures of sin.
The Apostle Paul explicitly declares in Rom 8:7 that the carnal mind is wholly incapable of submitting to the law of God.* “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be”.
The depraved wickedness of deriving satisfaction from the evil practices is being emphasized by the Apostle Paul in*
Romans 1:32 where he wrote “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Many, if not all can easily relate to this sad and tragic condition in one’s life and experiences. How many times have we seriously purposed in our heart to forsake sin, and how many times have we failed, miserably? Without being judgmental, I believe each one of us is a witness to himself.
Anytime a man tries to find victory over sin, of himself, apart from the power of God, he is doomed to failure.
Recognizing the impossibility for sinners of themselves, to order their lives in harmony with the principles of the divine law, Christ points His people to the Source of power for Christian living. What they cannot do in their own strength can be accomplished when human effort is united with divine power.*
The sanctifying power of God’s Spirit shall not disappoint.
What the law cannot do, what the conscience cannot do, what unaided human strength cannot do, can be accomplished by the indwelling of Christ’s righteousness through His Spirit in the heart. Complete deliverance, which is not only hating iniquity but more importantly loving righteousness, is available from the Father through Jesus Christ and through Him alone.
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Yes, the sanctifying power of God’s spirit shall not disappoint.
The fourth chapter of Zechariah illustrates that to hate sin and to love righteousness depends entirely upon the indwelling workings of the Spirit of God. Towards this end abundant divine provision has been made for everyone to receive His Spirit in all its fullness. Like Israel of old His purposes would be attained not by human “might” or “power,” but by His own Spirit and His own power. Even so shall it be in the last-days for His people.
The prophet Zechariah was shown in a vision a candlestick with seven lamps. There was no need for any of the lamps to become extinguished, because the two olive trees referred to as the two anointed ones, supplied oil to the central bowl, which in turn supplied oil to the lamps.
This vision clearly shows that all who are wholly consecrated to God’s service will always be supplied with a continuous supply of God’s Spirit.
As the LORD said to Zerubbabel, so He said in* Zechariah 4:6 to His people: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
One should always fervently seek for more of God’s Spirit. The obtaining of more of God’s Spirit will always ensure greater success.
The same principle applies with respect to every other means by which men think to advance the kingdom of God. The power of numbers (perhaps like higher church membership?), the influence of the media, the leverage of wealth, the leverage of governmental powers, worldly patronage through affiliation with non-believers, are much sought after, but it is not by these that success comes. God’s Spirit, His righteous character, is the one means by which His work of saving men can be carried forward. And the Spirit is given freely, without measure. Zechariah saw this in the vision of the two olive trees. No promise is more clear or more emphasized than the promise of the Spirit, especially so in the last-days, when the latter rain shall be poured out abundantly*.
Zechariah asked in 4:11 “What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?”
Zechariah enquired as to the purpose of the two olive branches in* Zechariah 4:12 “What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?”
The angels gave the answer in Zechariah 4:14 “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth”
We believe the two olive trees depicted here, the two anointed ones, the heavenly instrumentalities, are two of the four holy angels that stand in God’s presence in the most holy place as depicted in the temple built by King Solomon. The cherubim in Solomon’s Temple were much larger than those in the ancient portable tabernacle, and were made of olive tree wood and then overlaid with gold. Their wings were stretched out to the full, so that the four wings, each 5 cubits long reached across the entire width of the Temple. The details of these two cherubim are given in 1 Kings 6:23-28*
Sister White gave a deeper insight into this vision in Testimonies to Ministers page 510. “From the two olive trees, the golden oil was emptied through 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 human instrumentalities that are consecrated to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to God’s people. It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in God’s presence. As the olive trees empty themselves into the golden pipes, so the heavenly messengers seek to communicate all that they receive from God. The whole heavenly treasure awaits our demand and reception; and as we receive the blessing, we in our turn are to impart it. Thus it is that the holy lamps are fed, and the church becomes a light bearer in the world.”
Without God’s Spirit, as we have seen, numbers and wealth would have availed the ancient Israelites nothing, for their enemies is certainly stronger than they in both respects. But with God’s Spirit working for them, the more opposition they met, the better they would get on. Everything would work together for their good even as the Apostle Paul wrote in * Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” And so shall it be with God’s last-days faithful servants who love God, who are the called according to God’s specific purpose of heralding the three angles’ message to the world. At every step God’s last-days remnant shall be in the hands of God and be carrying out the divine purpose. Nothing can touch them except by our Lord’s permission, and all things are permitted work together for good to those who love God. If God permits suffering and perplexity to come upon us, it is not to destroy us but to refine and sanctify us. Prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes.
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Having said all these, the question remains how can one receive the righteousness of God?
Moses answered this question in* Genesis 15:6 through the experience of Abram, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
The Apostle Paul used this text in Genesis 15:6 as the cornerstone on which he erected the entire doctrine of Justification by faith.*
Romans 4:3 “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness”
Galatians 3:6 “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”
Abram expressed complete trust in the power and covenant promises of God. He “believed” which has the same meaning as “amen”, in the same way we emphasize our desire that God may hear and fulfill our prayers.* Abram put his faith in God. It was not merely a belief in something impersonal, but a personal trust and confidence in God. This was also not just Abram’s experience for the moment, but an abiding character trait. When God instructed him to go into a far-away place which he shall receive for an inheritance, without knowing where this place is, he believed what God told him and acted accordingly. His faith found expression in faithful obedience. Abram gave more than a mental assent. He appreciated and treasured the promises of God, and in this sense kept the covenant with God, thus becoming the father of all them that believe as confirmed in Romans 4:11.*
The Apostle Paul in Heb 11:8 wrote “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went”
Yet Abram was not looking for the literal land of Canaan. He accepted that he was literally a pilgrim and a sojourner in this world. His ultimate objective was the eternal inheritance which God has provided for those who love and serve Him.*
The Apostle Paul confirmed this point in Heb 11:10 “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”
To be sure, Abram’s faith and childlike trust in God did not make him “righteous”. Rather, God “counted it to him for righteousness.” God imputed His righteousness to Abram. When righteousness was imputed to him, mercy and grace were also extended, effecting in the pardon of his sins and bringing the rewards of righteousness. It was one hundred percent God’s work, man’s part is to submit and co-operate. God is everything, and man is nothing.*
Sister White surmised this point succinctly in RH Nov 4 1890. “Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of his Son to the sinner’s account. Christ’s righteousness is accepted in place of man’s failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as he loves his Son. This is how faith is accounted righteousness; and the pardoned soul goes on from grace to grace, from light to a greater light.”
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In contrast, at Mount Sinai God exhorted Israel of old to keep His covenant assuring them of the results. They could keep it simply by keeping the faith. God did not ask them to enter into another covenant with Him, but only to accept His covenant of peace. The proper response of the people should have been, “Amen, even so, O Lord, let it be done unto us according to thy will.” Instead the people responded by making a promise themselves saying in* Ex 19:8 “And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do” Their promises were worthless because they did not have the power to fulfill them, yet Israel repeated the promise twice as recorded in Ex. 24:3, 7. It is no wonder that with a longing heart God responded, as recorded in* Deut 5:29 “ O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”
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In Zechariah 4:3,4 the removal of the filthy garments signified the remission of sin and restoration to God’s divine favor. The new raiment represented the imputed righteousness of God.* “3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”
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Earlier on we touched on Abram’s belief and how he expressed complete trust in the power and covenant promises of God. Now, let us look more deeply as to why Abram said amen in his heart, and believed in the power and the covenant promise of God*
Genesis 15:5 records this belief and trust in God’s promise “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.”
In a night vision, the patriarch was led out into the open and bidden to lift his eyes to the starry sky and count the stars if he could. The awesome creative power of God was in this way revealed to Abram. He then understood the creative power of God, and that this awesome power exerted in creation is the same power exerted for man’s redemption, and that this power can be his if he wanted it to gain victory over sin.
God in previous occasions assured Abram that he is to possess the entire land of Canaan. At intervals God repeated the promise, and Abram accepted it without ever seeing a visible sign of its fulfillment. He was still the homeless wanderer he had been when he arrived from Mesopotamia, and was still childless.
The question arose in his mind, and he said in* Genesis 15:8 “And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?”
God recognized the right of his faithful servant Abram to seek for faith’s full assurance, and condescended to enter into a solemn covenant with Abram, in a form customary among the people of that time for the ratification of a solemn engagement.
God instructed Abram in* Genesis 15: 9,10 “And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.”
The parties entering into the covenant were to walk between the divided pieces, symbolically vowing perpetual obedience to the provisions thus solemnly agreed upon. The lives of the animals pledged the lives of those participating in the covenant. Abram reverently walked between the severed parts of the sacrifice, according to custom, making a solemn vow to God of perpetual obedience.*
Sister White confirmed this in PP p137.1/.2 “The Lord condescended to enter into a covenant with His servant, employing such forms as were customary among men for the ratification of a solemn engagement. By divine direction, Abraham sacrificed a heifer, a she-goat, and a ram, each three years old, dividing the bodies and laying the pieces a little distance apart. To these he added a turtledove and a young pigeon, which, however, were not divided. This being done, he reverently passed between the parts of the sacrifice, making a solemn vow to God of perpetual obedience.”
“As a pledge of this covenant of God with men, a smoking furnace and a burning lamp, symbols of the divine presence, passed between the severed victims, totally consuming them”
The basis for this ancient practice is recorded in* Jeremiah 34:18 “And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof”
Sister White in Patriarchs and Prophets page 137.1 wrote: “The plan of redemption was here opened to him, in the death of Christ, the great sacrifice, and His coming in glory. Abraham saw also the earth restored to its Eden beauty, to be given him for an everlasting possession, as the final and complete fulfillment of the promise.”
As recorded in Genesis 15:17 “And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.” God confirmed His covenant promise to Abram and his decedents by an “oath” as represented by the above recorded event. In short, God had pledged Himself, and His own existence, to our salvation in Jesus Christ, His life for ours, if we are lost while believing in Him.
The “oath” referred to above was that given by God in confirmation of His covenant with Abram. It is one of the two “immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie” as recorded in Heb. 6:18, the other being the promise which the “oath” confirms. In giving Abram “an oath for confirmation” God employed a human custom in order to assure Abram of the certainty of His promise. Thus the oath would help strengthen our faith, even though there was absolutely no necessity for God to give an oath, His word is power and lasts forever.*
As stated Hebrews 6:18 “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
“19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…”
Therefore, the everlasting covenant gives us “a strong consolation” and is “as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast”
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God’s righteousness, His character, is the single most important thing in this world one must seek, as recorded in* Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 6:9 the Apostle Paul wrote: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived…”
One may now ask, since the character of God is so critically important to have, how then can the character of God be attained by sinful imperfect man?*
Sister White wrote in Ministry of Healing pages 419.3/419.4 “Christ came to teach human beings what God desires them to know. In the heavens above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we see the handiwork of God. All created things testify to His power, His wisdom, His love. Yet not from the stars or the ocean or the cataract can we learn of the personality of God as it was revealed in Christ.”
“God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both His personality and His character. He sent His Son into the world to manifest, so far as could be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible God.”
Again Sister White counsels in Ministry of Healing page 425.2 “The knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have. It is the knowledge that works transformation of character. This knowledge, received, will re-create the soul in the image of God. It will impart to the whole being a spiritual power that is divine.” Notice the words: This is the knowledge that works transformation of character. As Jesus was in human nature, so God means His followers to be.”
The Apostle Paul confirms this line of thought in Colossians 1:9-11 “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; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”
Paul in Ephesians 5:1 state that we are to be “imitators” of God’s character “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children”. The word “followers” in Greek means “imitator.” If God Himself had not commanded us to do this we might think that the requirement is practically impossible, but since it is God Himself who bids us to be like Him in our character, to say that it is impossible is to charge God with light and foolish talking.*
Sister White in Testimonies for the church volume 5 page 155.2 wrote “Yield yourself up to Me; give Me that will; take it from the control of Satan, and I will take possession of it; then I can work in you to will and to do of My good pleasure.” When He gives you the mind of Christ, your will becomes as His will, and your character is transformed to be like Christ’s character.” Yes, yes, Yield yourself up to Christ, give Him your will, please do this without delay, that your character is transformed, that Christ’s mind, heart, purpose, and character are yours too.*
Review and Herald November 10, 1891 par 4 she wrote* “Men who turn away from the knowledge of God, have placed their minds under the control of their master, Satan, and he trains them to be his servants.”
Sister White concludes as such in page 426.4 “This is the knowledge which God is inviting us to receive, and beside which all else is vanity and nothingness”. Yes, without the essential knowledge of God all else is vanity.*
John 17:3 states “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” The essential knowledge of the personality and presence of God-the-Father and His only begotten son leads to eternal life. In contrast an absence of the knowledge of the personality and presence of God-the-Father and His only begotten son leads to eternal damnation.
Experiential, living knowledge leads to life eternal. Although there is no salvation in knowledge alone, but neither can there be salvation without this essential knowledge.* Rom 10:14 tells us “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”
Essential saving knowledge in John 17:3 is here defined as that which is centered upon the “one true God” of the Bible and upon Jesus Christ, in contrast with false gods. It was the knowledge of Jesus Christ that was strikingly absent from the religion of the Jews. Men will be rejected in the last day because they have rejected this essential knowledge.* Hosea 4:6 declares “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…”
Many souls would inevitably be “destroyed” because of their lack of this essential knowledge. They might have had the knowledge had they put forth the effort to obtain it. Men are held responsible not only for what they know, but also for what they might have known had they put forth the effort to obtain essential knowledge. God gave to all His divine thoughts as recorded in the 66 books of the Holy Scripture for man’s salvation. To claim ignorance on this essential knowledge on the day of judgement is no excuse.*
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Hebrews 1:9 states: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows”
The Father commends Christ for His love of righteousness, and also for His hatred of sin. It is possible to resist sin without actually hating it. To love righteousness is a higher virtue than merely doing righteousness. Many sincere Christians take an active part in various good enterprises more from a sense of duty than from any inherent love for the work.
It is when God’s righteousness, His mind, His Spirit, His character, abideth in the heart, only then can the man who has actually learned to hate sin is really secure, and glorify the one true God of the Bible, who alone through His only Begotten son can save man.
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Take Home message
One who truly seeks will never fail to reach an understanding of the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. Although an exhaustive knowledge of God can never be obtained, even though an eternity is spent in learning ever more of His loving nature, knowledge sufficient for salvation is promised to every searcher for truth.
Part 4 of 13
In this presentation, we now explore the meaning of the expression “give glory to him” in God’s last-days message of mercy.
Again we reiterate that the Creator is none other than God-the-Father, and man is to give glory to God-the-Father and not the so-called “one God comprising the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal persons”. All are to give glory to “him” the Creator, the one true God of the Bible.
The Gospel does not tell us to look to ourselves, but to God. It tells us what we really are, and then says, “Behold your God.” We are to accept God’s statement of what we really are, which is nothing.* Paul tells us in 2 Cor 13:5 to ‘examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
Paul challenged everyone to turn a critical eye upon their own selves. Are we in the love of God? Are we the humble, consecrated believer upon whom the Master of the vineyard places a burden for the salvation of souls?* There is a great work to be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members in the proclamation of the one true God message. Time and money must not be given to self-gratification but instead consecrated to the work of the Lord in these last-days when God’s work in the earth is closing, when the scenes of this earth’s history are soon to close.* Time is rapidly passing, and there is much to be done. Every agency must be set in operation, that God given opportunities may be wisely improved.
Every follower of Christ can profitably examine his own life each day. We must take time to study the Word of God and to examine self. If we closely search our own heart, and give our self completely to the Lord, then we will better understand how to grasp the hidden things of God.* If we would be more critical of ourselves, we would be less critical of others.
Galatians 6:3 states: For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself”
There is always the danger of becoming self-confident, and so filled with self-esteem that we will not realize our own deficiencies, which are many. We do not become more and more capable, but more and more self-important. We have not brought Jesus into our hearts and into our experiences.
Our charge is, “Behold your God!” Where shall we look, in order to see Him? Look at everything that He has made, at the heavens, the seas, the earth, nature and all that is in them. When we see ourselves, as we must every day, let it be only to recognize the fact that* “in Him we live, and move, and have our being” as recorded in Acts 17:28. Through the agencies of nature, God is working, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, to sustain us, to keep us alive, to build up and restore us … The power working through these agencies is the power of God-the-Father through His only Begotten son Jesus.
Sister White warned in 2 Testimonies for the church vol 2 p144.1 “There is great necessity for close self-examination in the light of God’s Word; let each one raise the inquiry: “Am I sound, or am I rotten at heart? Am I renewed in Christ, or am I still carnal at heart, with a new dress put on the outside?”
Let no flesh glory in man, but instead, “Fear God, and give glory to Him,” “and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
This point is confirmed in Jeremiah 9:23 “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” Once again notice the vital importance of having the essential knowledge of God, that is His character which is nothing less than lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, attributes that all who are to enter into His inheritance must possess.
We are not to glory in self that we may “understand and know me”, but rather to understand and know the one true God of the Bible. To claim for one-self honor for success is to dishonor God by turning men’s eyes from God to the human instrument, and to exalt man above God.*
2 Cor 10:17 “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord”
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In contrast, the Creator is by the very nature of things infinitely greater than all created things. Only by His greatness can anything exist; and whoever gladly recognizes and acknowledges that greatness is by it exalted. When mam exalts himself, everything is reversed and in disorder. It is necessary that the Father’s rightful place in the universe should be recognized; otherwise confusion would always reign, such as when a false god-the-eternal-spirit is worshipped in the place of the one true God.*
Again we reiterate Sister White’s counsel in Ministry of Healing page 425.2 “The knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have. It is the knowledge that works transformation of character. This knowledge, received, will re-create the soul in the image of God. It will impart to the whole being a spiritual power that is divine.”
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God is infinitely greater than man, yet He does not despise man on that account.*
Psalm 138:6 states “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly”
So much does God regard man, that He gave Himself to redeem us. He gave Himself for us, not for what we are, but for what He is able to make of us. We are but nothing, yet God is able to make that which is not and bring to naught that which is.* As stated in 1 Cor. 1:28 “… and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are”
He tells us these things that we may know how easily He can do what He Will with us. And this is for our comfort. Who is a God like unto our God?
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Is 43:7 states “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him”
Here we have the last-days remnant of the Lord, those whom He gathers out of every country, who is called individually by His name, and whom He has created for His glory.
At the investigative judgment God shall blot out their iniquities, and poured His Spirit upon them like floods, which they shall gladly received, so that they may go forth and loudly testify of Him and His glory.
This scenario is described figuratively in* Isaiah 44:2-5 “Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
5 One shall say, I am the LORD’S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel”
God speaks to each one individually, and tells each one not to be afraid. He is the first and the last, the one true God, and each one individually as His end-time witness is not to be afraid to lift up the voice with strength, and to declare His name and glory.*
Is 43:10 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me”
In Isaiah 43:1 God said “I have called thee by thy name thou art mine” We are so glad to know that God calls each one individually. He calls me personally by my name. He has established a close intimate relationship between Himself and me, and we call each other by name. I am on the roll-call of heaven, the Lamb’s book of life. My name is written there, and it will stay there as long as I go on giving glory to Him, for He says even of the stars in* Isaiah 40:26 “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth”
“Thou art Mine.” God says it, and I believe it, for I am honoring Him now and believe His statements. I am not seeking glory for myself, for His is “the kingdom and the power and the glory,” and I am His, and in Him I have it all. So that when I keep the glory from Him, I wither like the grass, but when I give all glory to Him, He crowns me with glory and honor.
In a special way in ancient times the Jews were to be God’s witnesses. As a nation they were to be a living testimony that the Lord is God. God’s last-days faithful remnant today has a highly privileged role, a role that Israel of old did not fulfill.
As applied to the end-times, Peter here declares that God has now assigned the privileges and responsibilities of the Jewish nation to the His last-days faithful remnant, not as a national group, but as a people called out of every nation to constitute one spiritual entity, one great family, throughout the world.*
As confirmed in 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”
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God through Isaiah said in Isaiah 44:20 “ He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside”
The proud and boastful does not know that there is nothing real but God, and that in Him all things hold together. A deceived heart is what makes men so proud and boastful. This is the root of all self-confidence and vain-glory.
Now if a man recognizes this truth, and trusts in the Lord wholly, yielding his body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, he will be “filled with all the fulness of God,” and there will be substance and reality to him and his words. He will be able to speak with authority. It is God that worketh in him, and it is the Holy Spirit that speaks in him.
But when a man who is nothing to begin with, rejects the source of all life and wisdom, and trusts in the idols which he himself has made, and which must of necessity be nothing, it follows that the whole thing is but emptiness.
His words and deeds are wind, and he himself is but chaff. His own testimony carries him away; or, as clearly stated in* Isaiah 1:31 “the strong is tow, and his work is a spark, so that he has nothing but destruction in himself”
Jute when ready for spinning is highly inflammable. Men who consider themselves strong and independent of God will be consumed like the tow or jute in the last-days’ unquenchable fire that devours the wicked.
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God’s power to save, to make something for eternity out of men who are nothing, is the mighty power that will shake the heavens and the earth when the Lord comes to save His people. All that power is even now exerted to save man, and will save them, if only they will but trust in Him.*
Sister White wrote in Ministry of Healing page 435.1 “As we learn more and more of what God is, and of what we ourselves are in His sight, we shall fear and tremble before Him”
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The desire for self-exaltation was the cause of the downfall of Lucifer. Before his fall he was the most beautiful and the wisest of all the created angels of heaven. He took surpassing pride in the honor God had bestowed upon him, but sought still greater glory for himself. He coveted Christ’s honor and glory, to be “who is like God” which is what the name Michael means. He aspired to be like Michael in position, power, and glory, but not in character. He desired for himself the homage the angelic host gave to the only begotten son of God. Only a created being, he sought honor due to Christ. Instead of rendering to the Father supreme reverence, he sought for himself first place in those affections. Let this be an object lesson to all.*
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Take home message
Lucifer was envious and jealous of the only begotten son of God. Why should Christ be honored before him? His covetousness led to his fall, a highly exalted covering Cherub in heaven who is next in honor to God’s dear Son. Herein is a sad object lesson on the dangers of covetousness, of self-exaltation, and of self-glorification. So, fear God and give glory to Him.*
“In Manuscript 90-1910.4 Sister White wrote “… Satan, knowing that CHRIST HAD THE FIRST PLACE NEXT TO GOD, began to insinuate to the angels that he should be next to God. His great beauty and exalted position made him feel that he was not receiving due honor in being second to Christ. Therefore he would suggest this to the angels, and this suggestion [began] to be communicated to the heavenly angels, and finally [it was] brought before God that Lucifer was the one who should be next to God. Thus the seed was sown and the result was that angels sympathized with Lucifer; next, there was war in heaven. Lucifer’s beautiful appearance was constantly exalted and the Lord God of heaven [saw] that Lucifer and his party were very strong against Christ.”
“In Lt 55-1903.15 Sister White wrote “…Lucifer coveted THE HONOR AND GLORY GIVEN TO CHRIST. He became so self-exalted that he supposed that he could do anything he desired to do because of his high position as covering cherub, and he tried to obtain for himself THE POSITION GIVEN TO CHRIST. But Lucifer fell. He was cast out of heaven; and now he works on human minds, tempting them to follow in his footsteps. He strives to fill minds with feelings of self-exaltation and to lead them to dishonor God by turning from their allegiance to the truth and inventing many things not after God’s order”
As recorded in Col 3:5 Covetousness is idolatry and this will inevitably lead to the transgression of the first three commandments of the Decalogue.
In Ex 20:17 the tenth commandment prohibits covetousness “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s”
In summary,* through covetousness a wrong thought entertained promotes a wrong desire, which in time gives birth to a wrong action.
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It is our hope and prayer that this short presentation may lead some, peradventure many, to a deeper appreciation of the meaning to “give glory to him,” to give all glory to the one true God through a transformed character unto His likeness, and not to a false god-the-eternal-spirit.
Amen
Part 5 of 13
Ungodly men who have departed from the faith tremble at the thought of the investigative judgment whilst God’s righteous ones welcome it with joyous anticipation.* It is applicable only to those who have at some time in their lives acknowledged and been in the service of God, whose names are recorded in the book of life in heaven. It is a great privilege to have a part in the investigative judgment.* Those who are found worthy will not have their names blotted out from the book of life. It is indeed a time for the separation of the wheat from the tares, the sheep from the goats;* it is the making up of God’s treasure, Christ’s kingdom, and the conclusion of Christ’s work in behalf of His people. The judgement of the wicked will be undertaken at another time.
A work of investigative judgment has begun in heaven, and at the same time a special preaching of this Gospel message also began on earth in 1844.* The standard of judgement is God’s Law. Jesus Christ is our mediator and judge.
The thought of a judgment is rarely welcome to the ungodly. The wicked and the unbelieving ones do not like to face the prospect of coming before the judgment bar of the living God.*
In the SDA Hymn No. 300 (Rock of Ages): The Investigative Judgment is downgraded. In verse three, the message of God’s judgment has been taken away from the hymn. Augustus Toplady had written: “When I soar to worlds unknown, see Thee on Thy judgment throne.” This was reflected in the SDA song book “Christ in Song Hymnal.” But in the 1985 new SDA hymnal the lyrics have been changed to: “When I soar to worlds unknown, and behold Thee on Thy throne.”
Why was the word, “judgment,” left out, especially at a time when the judgment hour message is so essential to be shared with the inhabitants of the world? Could this be a deliberate attempt to eliminate the judgment message from this hymn? There must be a judgment before the Second Advent of Christ! Do we need a new hymnbook that will not lead unsuspecting souls astray, one that is in harmony with the Holy Scripture?*
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King Solomon the wisest of men gave a definite warning of a coming judgement in Ecclesiastes 12:14 at the very last verse of the book of Ecclesiastes “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil”
Men may think to conceal their words and deeds from other men, but the Apostle Paul who counseled in* Hebrews 4:13 “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do”
God reads the secret motives of our hearts; He knows how much of the light of truth has penetrated the darkness of our hearts, and for every ray He will hold us accountable. In the great day of final reckoning it is those who have done the Will of God who will enter into the kingdom.*
Furthermore, the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 2:16 that “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel.”
Also as recorded in Acts 17:31 the Apostle Paul wrote: “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” This is the assurance God gave to all that there will be an Investigative Judgment.*
In Amos 3:7 the prophet informs us that “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.”
God does not leave men in ignorance of what awaits them, but warns them of events to come. He does not hide His work from men. He dwells in the light, and it is not His fault if men are found in darkness, so that God’s dealings take them by surprise. When the time is at hand for the hour of His judgment, God takes care that everyone shall know about it. He sends a special message to his servants the prophets, and in the message He gives full and clear information as to the judgment, the standard, the witnesses, the evidences, and the Judge. He states clearly what is expected of men, and how they may be prepared for the final test.
So in our day, before the destruction of the world at the second coming of Christ, God has abundantly instructed us through the prophecies of His Word. The high honor God bestows upon the prophets is shown by the fact that they are not only “his servants,” but His confidants, entrusted with His own counsel.
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Sin means “a failing to hit the mark,” the act of wandering from the law of God, of violating the moral law.
The standard of holiness is the divine law of God. If a man fails to meet this standard in his life, he is a sinner.
Every transgression is condemned by the law of God.*
Rom. 7:7 “Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law…”
1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law. For sin is the transgression of the law”
This law is the test in the judgment. If a man’s life record reveals obedience to God’s law, and a love of its principles, he will not be condemned. Christ is impartial in the judgment. Each will be judged by the method appropriate to his case. They that have the Law will be judged by the written law against which they have sinned, and they that have not the Law by the unwritten law of conscience against which they have sinned.*
As stated in Romans 2:12 “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law”
Obviously, the Gentiles who have not the Law will not be judged by a law that they do not possess. Nevertheless, if they transgress the unwritten law of conscience they will be lost just as those who have sinned against greater light. In Romans 1:19, 20, 32 Paul has already explained that the sins of the Gentiles are inexcusable, for they have rejected God’s revelation to them in nature and conscience.*
Furthermore, Sister White in EW p276.1 gave an even greater insight into another class who are deliberately kept in ignorance of God’s Law “I saw that the slave master will have to answer for the soul of his slave whom he has kept in ignorance; and the sins of the slave will be visited upon the master. God cannot take to heaven the slave who has been kept in ignorance and degradation, knowing nothing of God or the Bible, fearing nothing but his master’s lash, and holding a lower position than the brutes. But He does the best thing for him that a compassionate God can do. He permits him to be as if he had not been, while the master must endure the seven last plagues and then come up in the second resurrection and suffer the second, most awful death. Then the justice of God will be satisfied”
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Jesus Christ is the Judge. 2 Cor 5:10 states“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”
Some would have said that the Father hath given the Son authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of God; but no, the reason is He is the Son of man. It is a Man who judges men. God the Father does not sit in judgment on men, although ultimately he is the judge, but leaves it to One who has Himself met the temptations that beset men, and knows what it is to be human. He alone knows the full power of temptation; He alone has borne the sins of the world.*
As stated in John 5:22 “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”
In commissioning the Son to carry out the plan of redemption for the saving of man and the glory of God, the Father has also committed to Him the execution of judgment. That this should be so is reasonable, for the Son of God, a divine being, is also the Son of man, a human being, who has resisted temptation, borne sin vicariously, and tasted death.*
As stated in John 5:27 “And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.”
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It is for this reason that God is now calling attention to the fact that, although His law is unchangeable,* a human ordinance Sunday sacredness, has been instituted as a substitute for the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, teaching men to honor a day which God has not set apart as holy, leading them to dishonor the rest day divinely appointed, and thus paying allegiance to a false god.
Sabbath keeping was a prominent feature in the life of Christ, and now that men are to be judged by that life, the true standard is to be lifted up that none may be deceived by human alterations.*
Similarly, a pagan ordinance conferring unholy authority to another being the so-called god-the-eternal-spirit, has also been instituted as a substitute for the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Jesus Christ and of the Father, allowing insidious fallacies to be promulgated to the ruin of souls, and through this delusion deceived unsuspecting souls into paying homage to a false god. Again the true standard must also be lifted up that none may be deceived by human alterations.
In the last-days the point of contention is “worship”, the worship of the one true God of the Bible versus the unholy Sunday Sabbath and the false trinity.
Some are receiving and accepting God’s correction; others are fighting against it. They hate the reform for which God is calling. If they could only realize that the hour of God’s judgment is come, and that their lives are being tested by the law of God, they would value the light that comes, and turn from every commandment of man so as to be fashioned after the Divine Pattern.
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What about the judgment of the righteous?
It is evident that some kind of investigation must take place before the righteous are permitted to enter into eternal bliss. This is where the investigative judgment is brought into view.*
Sister White in the Great controversy page 480.1 wrote “In the typical service, only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin-offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the day of atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative Judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period”
In the investigative judgement it must be decided whether the life and attitude of those whose names are written in the “Book of Life” warrant entrusting them with eternal life; and this decision must be arrived at before the Lord comes to take them home.
The wicked are not destroyed until the end of the thousand years.* Revelation 20:5 clearly states this condition “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” That gives abundant time to judge them after the Lord comes. But this is not the case with the righteous. If they are to be judged at all, if any reward is to be meted out to them, their cases must be decided before the Lord comes. When He comes, His reward is with Him.*
Revelation 22:12 confirms this point “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”
The cases of the righteous must be settled before the Lord comes otherwise how can it be known who is to be saved?
It seems eminently fitting that when the question of who are to be saved comes up, the angels should be present both to give their testimony and to follow the proceedings as recorded in* Daniel 7:10 “thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
They have been vitally concerned in men’s welfare; they have been ministering spirits. Throughout the ages we are to associate and be with them, and they have a right to know who will inherit God’s kingdom.* Heb 1:14 confirms this point “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
This also is God’s plan. The angels have experienced some of the results of sin. They have seen Lucifer apostatize, and rebelled against God’s government. They have seen millions of angels go with him. They have seen the Savior suffered and died, and they know the misery which sin has caused. They are vitally interested in knowing who are to have eternal life. They have no desire to repeat the experience with sin through which they have passed. It is therefore God’s wise plan that they have a part in the proceedings.
The Day of Atonement is a fitting type of the Day of Judgment. On that day there was a separation between the righteous and the wicked.* The decision is pivoted entirely on who had confessed and repented of their sins and who had not. Those who had brought their offerings and complied with the ritual had their sins blotted out. The others were cut off. Today, we are right now living through the great Day of Atonement.
We do not know of any record being kept in the sanctuary on earth as to who appeared during the year with a sacrifice. However, we do know that the blood placed on the horns of the altars constituted a record.* Jeremiah 17:1 confirms this fact “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart.”
We believe God took notice of those who served Him in truth and uprightness.
Only the names of the faithful will be retained in the book of life as recorded in* Rev 3:5 “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
The names of those who do not endure until the end will be blotted out. Many never had their names recorded there, for the book contains only the names of those who at some time in their lives professed faith in Christ as stated in* Luke 10:20 “but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”*
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According to 1 Peter 4:17 “Judgment begins at the house of God”
The closed up records of the lives that have long been forgotten among men are brought forth. They have not been forgotten in heaven.
The Lord does not regard with indifference the death of His saints. Guardian angels accompany the saints through the valley of the shadow of death, mark their resting places, and are the first to greet them in the glorious resurrection morning. The scriptures confirms this is in* Psalm 116:14 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints”
Christ does not forget any that have committed the keeping of their souls to Him. Loving memories stir afresh in angel hearts as familiar names are called from the book of life. The record of their lives is read: it is seen that on earth they endured the cross, despising the shame and they are accounted worthy of a part in the glory. Name after name is called, and for every one that Christ acknowledges, called and chosen and faithful, there is joy among the angels over a soul snatched from Satan’s power, and saved for the Redeemer’s kingdom.
Those who bear witness for Christ among men are the ones for whom Christ can bear witness before the Father. Jesus is now our Witness, our Ambassador before the Father, as we are to be His witnesses and ambassadors before men.
But what of those who heard the call, and girded on the armour, who fought the good fight for a while, and then made peace with the enemy, and returned to his yoke of sin?*
Matt. 10:33 states “Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven”
Rev 3:21 confirmed the privilege of the overcomer “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”
When the investigative judgement is completed and Michael stands up and deliver every one whose name that shall be found written in the book of life, the loud pronouncement will be heard as recorded in* Rev 22:11 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
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The hour of God’s judgment began in 1844 and is ongoing even today till Michael stands up. All who are “accounted worthy” of a part in the first resurrection have passed the test, and the Saviour comes for them, His reward is with Him as recorded in* Rev. 22:12 “and my reward is with me ,to give every man according as his work shall be.”
The future duties of each one have been appointed in the investigative judgment, and Christ brings them the fitness for their future work. Those who have been faithful on earth over a few things are now made rulers over many things, and enter into the joy of their Lord in doing the Father’s will. The question may be asked: What is this joy of the Lord that God’s faithful servants shall enter into? The joyous answer is obvious. There shall be great joy in heaven when God’s faithful servants shall meet the redeemed saints, saved through their witnessing of the three angels’ message.
In part, a reward for faithful service comes in this life, but Jesus here refers primarily to the rewards of the future world to come. The reward for faithful service was to be an increased opportunity to serve.*
This is confirmed in both Matthew 25:21 and 23 “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord”.
Sister White confirms this point in Christ’s Object Lesson page 361.4 “They will enter into the joy of the Lord as they see in His kingdom those who have been redeemed through their instrumentality. And they are privileged to participate in His work there, because they have gained a fitness for it by participation in His work here. What we shall be in heaven is the reflection of what we are now in character and holy service.”
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The cases of those whose names have been blotted out of the Lamb’s book of life yet remain to be dealt with, and among these come the fallen angels. These are the one third of angels that have lost their original position enjoyed by them in heaven, when they followed Lucifer and were cast out of heaven.
A reference is now made to a period of time following the second advent of Christ. The saints ascend to heaven with Christ at His second advent; there they are to share with Jesus His authority and power to judge. The saints will judge the fallen angels and unrepentant human beings who have not made peace with God through Jesus Christ. This work will be done during the millennium, that is, the thousand years that elapse before Christ together with the saints, come back to this earth.
The judgment of the wicked will take the form of an examination of the records of their lives in the book of iniquity and the book of remembrance, and the apportioning of the punishment to be meted out to them. Their destruction has already been settled by their voluntary rejection of God’s offer of salvation through Christ. By their rejection they have by their own choice chosen eternal death. The examination of the life records of the wicked will enable the righteous to see the justice of God and the fairness of His dealings with those who remain rebellious to the end.
This is confirmed in* Jude 6 “The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
The Apostle Peter confirms this point in 2 Peter 2:4 that if God will not spare angels, spirit beings who had lived in His very presence, He will not fail to punish wicked men who lead others astray.*
“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment”
These evil angels and those whose names have been blotted out of the Lamb’s book of life have sought in every way to overthrow the people of God. Their power and influence have been used unsparingly to make the pathway to heaven a bitter and dangerous one, but through the grace of God their efforts have been defeated, and now the saints who have so often felt their wrath are to sit in judgment upon them, and upon all those who have joined with them in rebellion. The Lord shall deliver the godly and punish the ungodly.*
The Apostle Paul wrote in* 1 Corinthians 6:2,3 “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? …” “3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels?…”
In Revelation 20:4,5 it is recorded “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection”
Before that tribunal of glorified martyrs and overcomers are laid the life records of every sinner. The work of judgment will doubtless involve a careful investigation of the records of evil men in the book of iniquity, and the book of remembrance, so that every man will be convinced of the justice of God in the destruction of the wicked.
Among them come the cases of their own persecutors, the very men who caused them to be beheaded for the witness of Jesus. Will they take full advantage of the change in the situation, and mete out a rich retribution to their tormentors, and everyone connected with their past sufferings?*
There will be no vindictive feeling in that judgment. Those who sit there in judgment are men who gave their lives for others. When persecuted on earth, the Spirit of Christ enabled them to pray and forgive those who despitefully persecuted them so as to make manifest their love for their enemies. Now, when the whole life history of the agents of Satan are unfolded before them, the saints can realize as they could not before, that* the man who wrongs another wrongs himself more deeply, that sin is death, and that the pleasures of sin mean torments of despair.
They see that those who sell themselves to Satan thereby procure to themselves a harder fate than their worst enemies could wish them. From their own bright heavenly home, rejoicing in the love of the Savior, and the perfect bliss of the re-united family of God,* the saints have no thought for the wicked but one of unutterable pity that the lost children should have forfeited so much, and have been so woefully deceived by the common enemy, Satan.
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The servants of Christ are not to judge now on earth, but to leave all judgment till the time that God has appointed for it.*
In 1 Cor. 4:5 Paul makes it plain that it is wrong to entertain a harsh or unkind opinion regarding our fellow men. Being imperfect ourselves, we are not qualified to form correct estimates of the characters of others. It is possible for men to hide their true characters from their fellow men, but when Christ comes again, nothing will remain covered, not even the most carefully guarded secret thoughts and purposes that are harbored in the minds of men*
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Eccles. 12:14 states “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
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The judgment is not conducted according to human powers of forming decisions. It is written of Christ in* Isaiah 11:2 “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding…”
Isaiah 11:3,4 “… and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth…”
In the same way, the saints shall judge with the Spirit of God resting upon them.
This word shows that judging after the sight of the eyes and the hearing of the ears is not righteousness. Every Christian should avoid judging “after the sight of his eyes,” and reproving others “after the hearing of his ears.” How many otherwise exemplary Christians form opinions concerning their fellow Christians and criticize them on hearsay evidence! In so doing the unwise Christian unfits his soul for heaven.
Therefore, it is evident that if anyone would sit with the saints in judgment must not judge indiscriminately.
Christ states this truth in* Matthew 7:1,2 “Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.”
The merciful man faces the judgment with glad confidence, unafraid. He knows that God will be merciful to those who show mercy. In showing mercy God does not dispense with justice as Satan had charged. This point is reflected in* James 2:13 “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy…”
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At the end of the thousand years the wicked dead are raised from the graves.* “The rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished” as recorded in Rev. 20:5.
John 5:29 states that they that have done evil come forth “unto the resurrection of damnation”
They had lived in open violation of God’s divine precepts. They flouted the authority of God’s law and challenged its jurisdiction over them.
They have no bright future before them, only a fearful prospect of judgment and eternal death as stated in* Hebrews 10:27 “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” as recorded in 2 Cor. 5:10.
The day is coming when everyone will have to stand face to face with Jesus Christ to answer for himself. He will not be able to take comfort in being one among many. He will see no other. There will be no place to hide. Heaven and earth flee before the face of Him that sitteth on the throne. Seeing nothing but Christ, the sinner has to stand in the light, naked and alone, to face Him. The wicked may urge his excuses then, and plead his cause if he will, but he will be speechless. He has slighted divine love, and he is without excuse. Sadly, he hears his sentence, and he knows that God is both just and merciful.
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Ungodly men turn from Christ to-day and seek to forget Him. But every day that passes brings them nearer to that terrible encounter with the King they will not serve. Their choice has been made, they have judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life, and they see, in that bright light where falsehood cannot come, that the blame is all their own. They shall confess that God has done all that a loving God could do for them, but their stubborn hearts have thwart His purposes of love. Their hardness of heart is voluntary and continued to increase unabated, in spite of God’s leading.
This is confirmed in* Romans 2:5 “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” The rejection of the riches and goodness of God has as its consequence a treasure of wrath. A man who rejects God’s love is not in the same condition as one who has never known divine grace. Persistent resistance of the love of God imperceptibly but surely accumulates a store of God’s wrath for the day of reckoning.
Revelation 20:14 confirmed this condition “This is the second death.”
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The fulfilment of the righteous judgment of God is seen in* Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Because of Christ’s self-emptying, God has been able to raise Him to an even more glorious position than He enjoyed before His incarnation. The Son was all-glorious before, but His voluntary humiliation has added to the glory which He had with the Father before the world was. John 17:5 states* “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
As man Christ lived a perfect earthly life, overcame the adversary, and won salvation for mankind. Such triumphs certainly added an inestimable weight of eternal glory to God’s dear Son!
This is the life of His life experiences here on earth that Christ gave his disciples.
Sister White confirmed this point in* Review and Herald, January 5, 1911 par. 6 “Christ gives them the life of his life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in mind and heart.”
She wrote in* The Desire of Ages, p. 805 “The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.”
Again she reiterated in* The Desire of Ages, p. 827 “Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind.”
Satan with all his angels, the nations of the lost, and the nations of them that are saved, unite then in acknowledging Christ. If only the whole world would do it now, instead of waiting till it is too late; if they would let the love of God save them instead of resisting Him until the kindest thing He can do is to take from them the life which has become a curse to themselves and to others, how bright and glorious would that day be which, through their own stubbornness, must now end in the lake of fire.
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Take Home Message
The Investigative judgment is completed.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”
“This is the second death”
“And there shall be no more curse”
“The former things are passed away”
“Affliction shall not rise up the second time”
“And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new”
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It is our hope and prayer that this short presentation may lead some, peradventure many, to deeply desire to have a part in this most solemn event that is even now taking place in heaven, the investigative Judgment.
God’s Spirit shall empower all who so desire, to resist with all resolute firmness even unto blood, striving against sin, that our names shall be retained in the book of life in heaven for eternity.
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Doxology
Romans 11:33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Part 6 of 13
*In the Investigative Judgment we have the Father judging men through Christ. At the same time we have the Father as the one being judged, yet winning His case.
In the first instance Christ’s kingdom is being made up through the investigative judgment, while in the second the character of the Father is vindicated.
The Father is accused by Satan of injustice and indifference. Thousands upon thousands of ungodly men have echoed this charge. But *the investigative judgment will declare the righteousness of the Father. His character, as well as that of man, is on trial. In the judgment every act, of the Father and of man which have been done since creation, will be seen by all the intelligences in the universe in all its clarity. And when everything is seen in that perfect light, the Father will be acquitted of all wrongdoings, even by His enemies.
To many people the investigative Judgment is regarded as the time when it is determined who are worthy, and who are not worthy to enter heaven. They imagine all the people of earth gathered about the throne, where an examination of the books is undertaken, and the characters of men are brought into view. While there is some truth in this perception, yet such an idea does not do justice to the omniscience of the Father.* The Father does not need to study character in order to discern one’s disposition. He does not need enquire into a case, and to examine witnesses as men do, in order to know the facts.* In Proverbs 15:3 our heavenly Father watches with the pitiful, loving eye of one who knows the frailty of man’s nature “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” By His Spirit He is everywhere present.
Psalm 139:7 “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” There is no place in the vast universe where the Spirit’s presence is not felt.
From these two verses it is clear that the “eyes” here refer to the Father’s Spirit, and to His “presence”*
Sister White gave more insight into this thought in Ministry of healing p417.2 1905 “The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all waiting to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active communication with every part of His dominion. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men”
When Jesus was here on earth he knew all men* “And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” as stated in John 2:25.
The precise status of every person who has at any time lived on this earth, every act, and every thought, is known to the Father at any moment.
Therefore it is evident that the Judgment of the last-days is not for the purpose of helping the Father to decide as to the worthiness or unworthiness of any person. It will not reveal to the Father a single thing that He did not already know. Indeed, it will be the Father Himself who will reveal the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the heart through Christ.
The investigative Judgment is not only for the purpose of judging the character of men, but to cause the entire universe to see the true justice and character of the Father. What we wish to keep before our minds is the great issue controverted by the adversary satan, which is the Father’s Law. The Father has infinitely more at stake than any man can possibly imagine.
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The demonstration which the Father intends to make with the last generation on earth means much, both to His people and to Himself. Can the Father’s law be kept? This is a vital question. Many deny that it can be done, while some may admit that it is plausible. Yet very few are convicted that it can be kept.
Satan alleged that his successful temptation of Eve and then Adam to sin is irrefutable evidence that the Father’s law cannot be kept. He challenged the Father that no one can keep the law. That it is impossible. If there be any that can do it or that have done it, let the Father demonstrate it. Where are they that keep His commandments?
Yet, to produce a people that will keep the law is the task which the Father has set for Himself, and He expects to accomplish it. The Father will quietly answer the adversary as stated in* Revelation 14:12 “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” The faith of Jesus is a gift of God. No man can keep all the commandments of God without the faith of Jesus, and His faith has been given to all.
Romans 12:3 states “…according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”
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When the Father commands men to keep His law, it does not serve His purpose to have just only a few men keep it; just enough to show it can be done. He does not pick outstanding men of strong purpose and superb training, and demonstrates through them what He can do.* It is His plan to make His requirements such that even the weakest need not fail, so that none can ever accusingly say that the Father demands that it can be done but by only a few selected ones. It is for this reason that the Father has reserved His greatest demonstration for the last generation. This last generation bears the results of accumulated sins. If any are weak, they definitely are. If any suffer from negative inherited tendencies, they definitely do. If any have an excuse because of weakness of any kind, they certainly have. Therefore, when these can keep all the commandments, there is no excuse for any other generation not being able to keep it.*
But this is not enough. The Father intends in His demonstration to show, not merely that ordinary men of the last generation can successfully pass a test, such as the simple test that He gave to Adam and Eve, but that they can survive a test much more difficult than that which befalls common men. It will be a test comparable to the one job passed through, and approaching those which Jesus went through. It will test the Father’s last-days faithful to the utmost.
“You have heard of the patience of job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” as recorded in James 5:11.
The Lord permitted Satan to trouble Job in order that the splendor of Job’s tested faith might vindicate the Father’s judgment of Job’s sincerity. The Father has never forsaken Job, and when Job demonstrated his fidelity the Father rewarded him many fold.
Job passed through some experiences that will be repeated in the lives of His faithful ones of the last generation.
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A serious situation arose in heaven when Satan made his charges against the Father. The accusations in reality constituted an impeachment. Many of the angels believed the charges. They ranged themselves on the side of the accuser. One third of the angels and that must have been millions, rebelled against the Father with their leader Lucifer. It was no small crisis. It threatened the very existence of The Father’s government in heaven. How should The Father deal with it?
The only way the matter could be satisfactorily settled so that no question would ever arise again, was for The Father to submit His case to the ordinary rules of evidence. Was The Father’s government just, or was not?
Satan said it was not.
The Father could have destroyed Satan, but that would not prove His cause just but would in fact be counted against Him. Yes indeed, “the wages of sin is death” and the Father could have instantaneously destroyed satan and the angels that took his side. They would have paid the penalty for their sin, but in so doing there will not be an atonement to vindicate divine justice in the sight of the whole universe. There was no other way but for each side to present its evidences, produce its witnesses, and rest its case on the weight of testimony.
The picture is that of a court scene. The Father ‘s government is at stake. Satan is the accuser; the Father Himself is the accused and is on trial. He has been charged with injustice, with requiring His creatures to do that which they cannot do, and yet punishing them for not doing it.* The law is the specific point of attack. The law is a transcript of the Father’s character, so it is the Father’s character that is the point controverted.
Romans 7:12 states “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good”
Moral Law = Holy, Just, and Good
Father’s Character = Holy, Just, and Good
Therefore the Moral Law = The Father’s Character
In order for the Father to sustain His contention, it is necessary for Him to show that He has not been arbitrary, that the law is not harsh and cruel in its requirement, but that it is holy, just, and good, and that man can keep it.* It is necessary for the Father to produce at least one man apart from Jesus who has kept all the law. In the absence of such a man, the Father loses and Satan wins. The outcome therefore hinges on the production of one or more who keep the Father’s commandments. On this He has staked His government.
While it is true that many from time to time have dedicated their lives to God and lived without sin for periods of time, Satan claims that these are special cases, as was Job’s case, and do not come under the ordinary rules. He demands a clear-cut case where there can be no doubt, and where the Father has not interfered.
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The Father is ready for the challenge. He has bided His time. The supreme manifestation has been reserved until the final contest. Out of the last generation the Father will present His faithful ones*
The apostle Paul states in 1 Cor 1:27,28 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are”
Satan has claimed that those who in the past have served the Father have done so from selfish motives, He has pampered them, and that Satan has not had free access to them. If he were given full permission to press his case they also would be won over to his cause.
To silence forever Satan’s charges; to make it evident that His people are serving Him from motives of loyalty without reference to reward; to clear His own name and character of the charges of injustice; and to show to the universe that all His law can be kept by the weakest of men under the most discouraging and most untoward circumstances, the Father permits Satan in the last generation to try His people to the utmost. They will be threatened, tortured, persecuted. They will stand face-to-face with death through the issuance of the decree to worship the beast and his image as confirmed in Revelation 13:15. But they will not yield. They are willing to die rather than to sin against the Father and man.* They will worship the one true God of the Bible, the Creator and Redeemer, and will not worship a false god by submitting to the impositions of the false sacredness of the spurious sunday and the false trinity dogma.
Satan will have a greater measure of control than he has ever had before. He he uses every permission he was allowed to. He knows what is at stake and he has but a short time.
To make the demonstration complete, the Father does one more thing. He hides Himself. The sanctuary in heaven is closed. The time for intercession is past, no one can enter and have access to the mercy seat.
Revelation 15:8 states “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple…”
The saints cry to the Father day and night for deliverance, but He appears not to hear. The Father ‘s chosen ones are passing through Gethsemane. They are having a little taste of Christ’s experience on the cross. Seemingly they must fight their battles alone. They are passing through the time of Jacob’s trouble. They must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor.
But though Christ has finished His intercession, the saints are still the object of the Father ‘s love and care. Holy angels watch over them. He provides them shelter from their enemies; He provides them with food, shields them from destruction, and supplies grace and power for holy living.* Isaiah 33:16 states “… bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure”
In Psalm 91, throughout the entire 16 verses they described all of the Father’s blessings and promises as His last-days faithful go through the little and great times of trouble. Yet they are still in the world, still tempted, afflicted, tormented, and persecuted by satan and his evil agencies.
Will they stand the test? To human eyes it seems impossible. If only the Father through Christ would come to their rescue, all would be well. They are determined to resist the evil one. If need be they will die, but they will not sin. Satan has no power, and never has, to make any man sin. He can tempt, he can seduce, he can threaten; but he cannot compel. And now the Father demonstrates through the weakest of the weak that there is no excuse, and never has been any, for sinning. If men in the last generation can successfully repel Satan’s attack; if they can do this with all the odds against them and with the heavenly sanctuary closed, what excuse is there for men to ever sin?
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In the last generation the Father gives the final demonstration that men can keep all His law and that they can live without sinning. He leaves nothing undone to make the demonstration complete. Satan may tempt them, he may harass and threaten them; and he does his best. But he fails. He cannot make them sin. They stand the test, and the Father puts His seal upon them.
Through the last generation of saints the Father will stand finally vindicated. Through them the Father defeats Satan and wins His case. They form a vital part of the Father’s plan. They go through terrific struggles, they passed through Sunday Law, Jacob’s trouble, the seven last plagues; they battle with great unseen evil powers in “high” that has its origin in heaven when Lucifer rebelled against the Father’s government. But they have put their trust in the Most High, and they will not be ashamed.
They have suffered hunger and thirst, but now* “they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” as recorded in Revelation 7:16, 17.
Revelation 14:4 states “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes.” When at last the doors of the heavenly temple shall swing open, a voice will sound forth:* “Only the 144,000 enter this place.” – as given in Early Writings, page 18.2.
By faith they have gone with the Lamb into the most holy place. They will stand in the unveiled presence of the Father. *
They will be “before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple,” as recorded in Revelation 7:15.
We are now living in the great Day of Atonement, the investigative judgment, and the cleansing of the sanctuary. Every sin must be confessed and by faith be sent beforehand to judgment.* We must ensure that every sin is confessed, that no stain of evil remains. The cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven is dependent upon the cleansing of God’s people on earth.
The anguish which the Father’s faithful suffer is not dread of persecution for the truth’s sake. They fear that every sin has not been repented of. That through some fault in themselves they will not be able to be counted as faithful witnesses to the vindication of the Father’s character. Their single most important thought at the time is expressed in* Great controversy page 619.1: “If they could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or death; but should they prove unworthy, and lose their lives because of their own defects of character, then God’s holy name would be reproached.”
In this most perilous time when the Father’s people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet they intercede for their enemies as recorded in* Great Controversy page 619.3: “Their faith does not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions.”
It is the goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering of God that lead men to repentance, and so shall all these attributes be manifested in the blameless character of His last generation faithful servants towards their enemies.* The Apostle Paul confirms this principle in Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
How important it is that the Father’s last generation people be holy and without blame! In them every sin must be purged out, so that they will be able to stand in the sight of a Holy God and live with the devouring fire.
The sinners asked fearfully in* Isaiah 33:14:“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
The answer as stated in Isaiah 33:15,16 is just this “He that walks righteously, and speaking uprightly… he shall dwell on high”
The Father has been judged by His people. Their unfaithfulness has brought dishonor upon Him. Now He is vindicated. The hour of His judgment is come, and His faithful witnesses bear true testimony to His wonderful love and great salvation. Henceforth none but His enemies, who hate Him simply because He is good, can speak a word against Him.
As the last generation faithful witnesses come into harmony with His own life, He is free to work with power. In the past, he has been bound because His people have been unlike Him, devoid of His character, devoid of His Holy spirit, and He could not work mightily through them. Now there is nothing to hinder His full cooperation with His faithful remnant, and the full tide of divine life, the life of His life, flows with mighty power through His people. They go forth upon their work conquering and to conquer.
It is a wonderful privilege for this last generation people to help clear the Father’s name by their testimony. It is wonderful that we are permitted to testify for Him.
When Israel of old served strange gods or idols, the Father could not manifest His power in their behalf. In these last-days neither could the Father manifest His awesome power in our behalf when we serve and worship a false god, such as in the mark of the beast, and the false god-the-eternal-spirit. Only when one serves and worships the one true God and His only begotten son, then can one be willing to be a true witness for His glory.
May we be true witnesses indeed, to the one true God of the Bible and to His Only-Begotten son, testifying what the Father has done for us!
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Take home message
The great question always has been: Is the Father just, or are Satan’s accusations that the Father’s law cannot be kept true?
The verses below speak for it. The Father’s character is vindicated in the sight of the whole universe.
At the end of the controversy the angel of the waters shall say as in Revelation 16:5 “And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.”
Another angel says in verse 7 “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments” “
Those who have been victorious over the beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name shall sing the song of Moses as in Revelation 15:3 “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints”
Part 7 of 13
*The final theme of the first angel’s message is “… and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” as recorded in Revelation 14:7. Worship the Creator and redeemer, the one true God of the Bible.
This theme “worship him” is a very solemn, sensitive, and controversial one, and it is not to be approached in a light or irreverent manner. A most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world today.
Almost the whole of Christendom is deceived into worshipping a false god the trinity. God allows this unscriptural trinity dogma to be officially incorporated into His last-days church beliefs that it shall stand as a living testament against the spiritual leaders’ departure from the firm foundation of God’s word.
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*In this presentation the emphasis is on what inspiration has revealed, with regards to the personality, presence, and character of God-the-Father and His only begotten son, and also on the intimate divine relationship between them both. The Father and His only begotten Son are two separate entities, yet little short of being identical. They are two in individuality, yet one in spirit, in purpose, in mind and heart, and in character.
*Deuteronomy 8:19 clearly warns of the sad consequence for them that walk and worship after other gods “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.”
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The most solemn call today to worship God-the-Father, the Creator and Redeemer, the one true God of the Bible, is urgently needed because in the insidious trinity deception Lucifer deploys precisely the same principle he is doing right now with the spurious Sunday Sabbath, leading unwary souls away from worshipping the one true God of the Bible.* The spurious sabbath leads unsuspecting souls away from allegiance to the one true God of the Bible, similarly the false trinity dogma seduces unwary souls to eternal damnation.
The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is directly related to the worship of the one true God of the Bible. It is a sign between God and man pointing to the one true God of the Bible, a firm reminder that the Father is our creator and redeemer, confirming its specific function that all may know that it is the Father that sanctifies through His only begotten son.
*Ezekiel 20:12 clearly confirms this point “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them”
Ezekiel 20:20 also clearly confirms this point “And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God”
The third angel’s message makes it unmistakably clear that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the point especially controverted in the days preceding the second coming of Christ as expounded in GC p605. To be clear* Sabbath observance is vitally important, yet it is not the destination per se; it is not the ultimate goal. The primary function of Sabbath observance is to direct man to the worship of the one true God of the Bible who sanctifies. More importantly, one can be easily lured into a false sense of security, a mistaken mindset, thinking that all will be well if the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is dutifully observed. The Sabbath, coming with regularity every seventh day, was designed to keep the one true God of the Bible ever in remembrance. It directs man’s attention to the worship and allegiance to the one true God of the Bible, the Father, the Lord God Almighty, the Creator. A word of caution, our thoughts reflected here must not be misstated or misrepresented. We do not in any way infer that Sabbath observance has diminished in significance and can be regarded with irreverence, negligence or carelessness.*
Sister White in 1888 Materials, p. 886 1891 wrote: “Let the missionaries of the cross proclaim that there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, who is Jesus Christ the Son of the Infinite God. This needs to be proclaimed throughout every church in our land. Christians need to know this, and not put man where God should be, that they may no longer be worshipers of idols, but of the living God. Idolatry exists in our churches.”
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*Conviction of the truth in regard to the one true God message happens not overnight. Every soul must study the Scriptures prayerfully with the heart open to receive the light that God shines into the soul. When the light comes, cherish it as you would a lighted candle on a dangerous roadway. It may be that it will require the forsaking of many former ways, and the giving up of many cherished idols, but do it no matter what the sacrifice, even at the cost of losing friendship, status, livelihood, or even our lives. Eve and Adam were driven from the Garden of Eden because she listened to the words of Satan. Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt because she “looked back” towards Sodom, contrary to the Lord’s express command. Joseph, Daniel, and his three companions were strong to stand for righteousness in a great crisis, because they stood by God’s divine principles every day, every moment in the ordinary duties of life. For it be will be so when the final test is upon us.
*Jer 12:5 states “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?”
*If we fail to meet the difficult situations of present day, how will we be able to stand the almost unendurable hardships and overmastering delusions that will come upon us during the “little time of trouble” or the “great time of trouble” without an intercessor? The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure persecution from within and without the church, a faith that will not faint though severely tried, nothing less than the faith-of-Jesus.
When God’s truth is given, it is an honor and privilege to accept. As stated in* Proverbs 13:18 “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured”
Sister White in Letter 326, December 4, 1905; Manuscript 111-1905; NY Indicator, February 7, 1906, par. 6 wrote “When the Lord sends a message to any man or woman, and they refuse to be corrected, refuse to receive it, that is not the end of the message by any means. All the transaction is recorded, and those who took part in it, by their refusal to be corrected, pronounce their own sentence against themselves.”
*Sister White commented in Gospel Workers page 125.3 1892: “Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind against the reception of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view of Scripture is presented, many do not ask, Is it True, – in harmony with God’s word? but, By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that pleases them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly satisfied are they with their own ideas, that they will not examine the Scripture evidence, with a desire to learn, but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices.”
To every man is the right and power given to decide for himself, especially on the most momentous last-days situations.* The teacher may hold up the light; the man must for himself know that it is light. Open a man’s eyes and you do not need to tell him what is light or what are darkness; what God’s truth is and what falsehood is.
*Sister White cautioned in GC p310.2 “To them that cry, “My God, we know Thee,” yet have transgressed His covenant, and hastened after another god, hiding iniquity in their hearts, and loving the paths of unrighteousness – to these the day of the Lord is “darkness, and not light, even very dark, and no brightness in it”
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On the dangers of speculative theories in regard to Dr Kellogg’s book the living temple,* Sister White cautioned in Ministry of Healing page 429.1 and also in Testimonies for the church volume 8 p279.1
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.” Deuteronomy 29:29. The revelation of Himself that God has given in His word is for our study. This we may seek to understand.
*But beyond this we are not to penetrate. The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out in conjectures regarding the nature of God, but the effort will be fruitless. This problem has not been given us to solve. No human mind can comprehend God. None are to indulge in speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above discussion.”
Yes, absolutely, speculation regarding God’s nature, silence is eloquence. However, at the same time Sister White also clarified her statement that the “revelation of Himself that God has given in His word is for our study. This we may seek to understand.” So, obviously all that are revealed of God’s personality through the inspired word in the Bible and Sister White’s inspired writings are for our study. The phrase “Silence is eloquence” or “golden” is applied only to speculations regarding God’s nature, and not to be taken out of context and used as an excuse to silence the one true God message.
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The question may be asked: who is the one true God of the Bible? is it a trinity of sorts?
*Sister White in Testimonies Volume 6, p. 166 1901 answered it: “Jehovah is the only true God, and He is to be reverenced and worshiped.”
God the Father, the LORD God Almighty, is the Creator and Sovereign of the entire universe.
God-the-Father created all things through His only begotten Son.By virtue of this Christ has power and authority over every created thing 1Corinthians 8:6 “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him”
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Let us now look at what inspiration has revealed about the personality and identity of God-the-Father.
*In Sketches from the Life of Paul, p. 296 1883 Sister White wrote: “God is the great I AM, the source of being, the center of authority and power.”
God-the-Father is the sole great source of all moral and physical benefits, of promises, of blessings, and of life, given to all.
James 1:17 confirms this point: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”
*In Desire of Ages page 21.2 Sister White confirms that the Father is the only great source of all promises, of blessings and of life:
“I do nothing of Myself,” said Christ; “the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father.” “I seek not Mine own glory,” but the glory of Him that sent Me…
*In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.”
The Father’s life flows through the Son. The Father is “the great Source of all”. He is the source of all life. He is God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is His life that we can receive through Christ. Christ has this very same life by right of inheritance. This life was GIVEN to Him by His Father!*
This point is confirmed in* John 5:26 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself”
Sister White in Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 par 12 wrote “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” Christ declares;”no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.”Christ is invested with power to give life to all creatures”
*Sister White in Patriarchs and Prophets, p305 1890 confirmed this understanding: “Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated One, Himself the Source and Sustainer of all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence and worship.”
In Ministry of Healing p417.2 Sister White wrote “… By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men”
To conclude,* stated below is our SDA pioneers’ 1872 statement of beliefs item (1) encapsulating all the key features of His personality, identity, and character: “That there is one God, a personal, spiritual being, the creator of all things, omnipotent, omniscient, and eternal, infinite in wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, truth, and mercy; unchangeable, and everywhere present by his representative, the Holy Spirit. Psalm 139:7”
There is not the slightest suggestion of a triune God, neither are there expressions that are completely not in harmony with the teachings of the Holy Scripture like god-the-eternal-son and god-the-eternal-spirit.
Ephesians 4:6 clearly states “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all”
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Let us now look at what inspiration has revealed regarding the personality and identity of the Father’s only begotten son Jesus Christ, and His intimate relationship with the Father.
*The question may be asked, who is Christ?
Sister White answered this in the Youth’s Instructor, June 28, 1894 par. 9: “He is the only begotten Son of the living God. He is to the Father as a word that expresses the thought, as a thought made audible. Christ is the word of God.”
According to Signs of the Times, May 3, 1899, par. 2 Sister White confirmed this point that “Jehovah is the name given to Christ.”
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*What is the relation between God-the-Father and Christ? What has Christ been given?
Sister White in Testimonies Volume 8, p. 268 1904 wrote: “The Scriptures clearly indicate the relation between God and Christ, and they bring to view as clearly the personality and individuality of each. God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of God. To Christ has been given an exalted position. He has been made equal with the Father. All the counsels of God are opened to His Son.”
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Who was Christ begotten of?
Sister White in Review and Herald, July 9, 1895 par. 13 wrote: “The Eternal Father, the unchangeable one, gave his only begotten Son, tore from his bosom Him who was made in the express image of his person, and sent him down to earth to reveal how greatly he loved mankind.”
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*God the Father had a co-worker in the work of creation.
Sister White in PP p34.1, 1890 confirmed that the Father had only one co-worker and not two co-workers* “The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate, a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings”
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* God-the-Father has a literal son who came forth from him and was sent to reveal His Father’s character to the world, representing two distinctly separate events, and not as an added emphasis on a single event.
John 7:29 “But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me”
John 8:42 “for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me”
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John 5:37 tells us the Spirit that descended on Jesus during His baptism was the Father. The Father himself was the witness to Christ’s sonship. “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me”
1John 5:9 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.” God’s witness is superior, not only because it comes from One who never lies, but because it comes from the only One who is fully qualified to testify concerning the Sonship of Jesus, that is, the Father.
*Sister White confirmed this point in RH, January 21, 1873 par. 5 “Never before had angels listened to such a prayer as Christ offered at his baptism, and they were solicitous to be the bearers of the message from the Father to his Son. But, no; direct from the Father issues the light of his glory. The heavens were opened, and beams of glory rested upon the Son of God, and assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dove-like form was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. While the people stood spell-bound with amazement, their eyes fastened upon Christ, from the opening heavens came these words: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The words of confirmation that Christ is the Son of God was given to inspire faith in those who witnessed the scene, and to sustain the Son of God in his arduous work.
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Nevertheless, today SDA trinitarians overtly teach unbegottenism. The SDA 28 fundamental beliefs item 2 states “There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal persons.” This statement teaches that the pre-incarnate Son of God is not begotten since they claim He is coeternal with the Father. Whereas Scripture clearly teaches that the son is begotten of the Father.
*In A Question of Sonship, Angel Manuel Rodriguez (Retired president of the Adventist Biblical Research Institute, BRI) wrote “We are dealing with a metaphorical use of the word ‘son.’… There is no biblical support for the eternal generation of the Son from the Father. The Son came from God but was not generated by Him. [T]he [human] father-son image cannot be literally applied to the divine Father-Son relationship within the Godhead.
*The Son is NOT the natural, literal Son of the Father. A natural child has a beginning, while within the Godhead the Son is eternal. THE TERM “SON” IS USED METAPHORICALLY when applied to the Godhead. It conveys the ideas of distinction of persons within the Godhead and the equality of nature in the context of an eternal, loving relationship.”
The driving idea of this theology generally comes from the believe that a divine being must exist without beginning and therefore according to this view, any compromise on the Son’s eternal existence downgrades the integrity of Christ’s divinity. This however is a great irony, for biblical affirmation of Christ’s divinity is clearly established by the very fact that Christ was begotten of His Father. Christ is divine like His Father because He is the only begotten Son of God! The Bible confirms that Christ was begotten of the Father, the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person, and in Him dwelleth all the fullness of divinity.
To be clear, we are not in any way being disrespectful to the SDA Biblical Research Institute (BRI). It comprises highly respected SDA theologians.
In light of the institute’s high respectability, a statement like “The Son is NOT the natural, literal Son of the Father” makes it all the more perplexing and troubling, to say the least.
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Lucifer knows that Christ is the literal only begotten Son of God, but he attempted to put doubt in Christ’s mind.
*Matthew 4:6 states “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down …”
Matthew 8:29 “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? …”
*John 1:34 states “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” John the Baptist by inspiration confirmed that Jesus is the son of God.
1 John 4:15 states “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” The confession that Jesus is the son of God by the believer testifies that God dwelleth in him. Conversely, the denial that Jesus is the son of God is an outward manifestation that God dwelleth not in him.
John 20:31 states “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” The Apostle John testifies that the primary purpose in his writing is to confirm that Christ is the son of God and that in believing all might have life.
From the above Bible texts, it is conclusive that Christ is the literal son of God. Even Lucifer and his demons confessed this truth. If the only begotten son of god is metaphorical and not literal, then His sacrificial death at the cross is also metaphorical, and man’s salvation is vain.
Our earnest prayers are for these unbelieving souls to come to this truth and have life in the son of God, the very truth which they tried to rationalize away.
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The Father and Christ alone are to be exalted.
The King of the universe summoned the heavenly hosts before Him, that in their presence He might set forth the true position of His Son and show the relation He sustained to all created beings.
*Sister White in Patriarchs and Prophets, p36.2 1890 wrote “The Son of God shared the Father’s throne, and the glory of the eternal, self-existent One encircled both… Before the assembled inhabitants of heaven the King declared that none but Christ, the Only Begotten of God, could fully enter into His purposes, and to Him it was committed
to execute the mighty counsels of His will” *
“The Son of God had wrought the Father’s will in the creation of all the hosts of heaven; and to Him, as well as to God, their homage and allegiance were due. Christ was still to exercise divine power, in the creation of the earth and its inhabitants. But in all this He would not seek power or exaltation for Himself contrary to God’s plan, but would exalt the Father’s glory and execute His purposes of beneficence and love.”
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*The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God in Hebrews 1:3 declares “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person”. In Christ is the sum total of all the Father’s attributes. He is the exact and true expression of the very inmost nature of God the Father. As is the Father, so is the Son: one in mind and heart, one in purpose, one in character, and one in Spirit. So alike are they that Christ could say,* “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” in John 14:9, and “I and my Father are one” in John 10:30. Indeed, one of the great purposes of Christ’s coming to this earth was to give men a true picture of the Father’s character.
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*The expression “only begotten son” does not in any way infer that Jesus Christ the Son of God is a lesser God than is the Father.
The Bible clearly states that in Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead. The term godhead simply means “divinity”, not 3 co-eternal persons. He is the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person, Isaiah calls Him the “mighty God” and also the “everlasting Father”, because in a special sense as our Creator He is Father to all mankind, being the one who undertook the creation of men and of the world.
Notably, apart from the expression “only begotten son of God”, Jesus is also referred to in the Bible in many different expressions such as Michael meaning “who is like God”, or Michael the Archangel, or “Michael one of the chief princes”, or “captain of the Lord’s host”, or in numerous places in the Bible where Jesus is at times referred to as the “angel of the Lord”. These expressions do not infer Jesus is a lesser God. Therefore, clearly the expression “the only begotten son does not in any way infer that Christ is a lesser God, or a created being, or inferior to the Father.
*However, having said this, it must be clear that God-the-Father is not included in the things that are put under Christ’s feet. God-the-Father is the Father of Christ; he is the Lord God Almighty, the sovereign of the whole universe. In no way must God-the-Father be relegated to the background or be made secondary to Christ. He is the source of all blessings and promises given to all through His only begotten son Jesus Christ.
This point is well documented in 1 Corinthians 15:27,28 “For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he (the Father) is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him (the Father), that God may be all in all.”
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If it can be proven from the Holy Scripture that Christ the only begotten son is not God, that he is not the only co-worker who undertook the act of creation, that he was a created being, that he was not the Lawgiver, in which case our salvation is vain.
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*A passage from The Desire of Ages page 530 is much misunderstood today: “In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived.”
What light is shed on this passage when we read it in context?
Sister White in 1SM p296.2 wrote “I lay it down of myself” (John 10: 18), He said. In Him was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as His personal Saviour. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). This is the open fountain of life for the world”
Therefore life original, unborrowed underived life can be GIVEN to all who will believe in Christ as His personal Saviour.
This is confirmed in John 5:26 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself”
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As we do not believe that the Holy Spirit is another divine person to be worshipped, the question is often raised: How can the Holy Spirit be grieved?*
Sister White clearly stated that God’s Spirit can be grieved in Testimonies to Ministers p431.1 “How can you, oh, how can you grieve your Redeemer? How can you dishonor Him before His angels and before men? How can you grieve the Holy Spirit of God? How can you crucify the Lord of glory afresh, and put Him to open shame? How can you give occasion for Satan and his angels to exult and triumph over those who claim to be loyal subjects of Jesus Christ?”
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Let us now look at the Holy Spirit which we firmly believe is the Spirit of God the Father & the Spirit of the only begotten son as taught in Scripture.
When God gives us His Spirit, does He give us someone else different to Him?.*
Sister white declared in Testimonies Volume 7, p. 273, 1902 “In giving us His Spirit, God gives us Himself, making Himself a fountain of divine influences, to give health and life to the world.”
Is the soul of Christ’s life a different being to Christ?
Sister White again declared in Review and Herald, May 19, par 1, 1904 “Christ declared that after his ascension, he would send to his church, as his crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take his place. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit, – the soul of his life, the efficacy of his church, the light and life of the world. With his Spirit Christ sends a reconciling influence and a power that takes away sin.”
*Sister White, in Manuscript Releases Volume 8, p. 49. 1892 wrote “The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.”
Sister White in Manuscript Releases Volume 14, p. 23, 1895 again wrote “Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.”
Is the Holy Spirit a third individual being different to the Father and the Son? * Sister White in Desire of Ages, p. 805 wrote “The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.”
Is the life of Christ a different individual being to Christ?
Sister White in Desire of Ages, p. 827 wrote “Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind.” Christ gave to His disciples the life of His very own life experiences during his thirty three and a half years as a man here on this earth. Jesus puts into them His “mind” as confirmed in Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”
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Did the Father’s council include a third member?*
This is answered in* Zechariah 6:13 “… and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” No so-called god-the-eternal-spirit was in the council.
*In Ellen White’s original handwritten manuscript, a copy is reproduced here, which she herself corrected to read:* “Here are the living three personalities of the heavenly trio…”. Sister White saw a difference and corrected the word “persons” to “personalities”. She obviously considered that it warranted a correction lest she be misunderstood to be teaching a trinity.
Sister White in Review and Herald, August 26, 1890 par. 10 wrote “The reason why the churches are weak and sickly and ready to die, is that the enemy has brought influences of a discouraging nature to bear upon trembling souls. He has sought to shut Jesus from their view as the Comforter, as one who reproves, who warns, who admonishes them, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it” This is precisely what Lucifer and his evil agencies have so successfully accomplished, by substituting the comforter, the omnipresence of Christ, with the false god-the-eternal-spirit.
Sister White in Signs of the Times, November 23, 1891 par. 1 wrote “The divine Spirit that the world’s Redeemer promised to send, is the presence and power of God.”
It is absolutely clear that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, or the third person of the Godhead is the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, and the third god-being as in god-the-eternal-spirit is a falsehood.
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Take home message
The Trinity dogma is a false assumption.
Fernando L. Canale, The Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology, Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopaedia, Volume 12, page 138, ‘Doctrine of God’ “The concept of the Trinity, namely the IDEA THAT THE THREE ARE ONE, IS NOT EXPLICITLY STATED BUT ONLY ASSUMED.”
Adventist Review 7-30-1981 Special Issue on Bible Doctrines p4 states “While no single scriptural passage states formally the doctrine of the Trinity, it is assumed as a fact by Bible writers… Only by faith can we accept the existence of the Trinity.”
*Paul Petersen, Andrews University, May 2015, page 3, ‘God in 3 Persons in the New Testament’ “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one, yet three. To express this conviction, words and expressions came into use that are not explicitly used in the Bible…”
Where in Scripture can be found such an idea as the trinity? The answer is it cannot be found. This is because it is not there. It is purely supposition, philosophical speculation. This is why the trinity dogma is only an assumed pagan doctrine, a falsehood.
*Sister White in Testimonies for the Church vol. 5 p173.4 counseled with these sobering words “No outward shrines may be visible, there may be no image for the eye to rest upon, yet we may be practicing idolatry. It is as easy to make an idol of cherished ideas or objects as to fashion gods of wood or stone. Thousands have a false conception of God and His attributes. They are as verily serving a false god as were the servants of Baal. Are we worshiping the true God as He is revealed in His word, in Christ, in nature, or are we adoring some philosophical idol enshrined in His place?
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Prayer
It is our earnest prayer that all our spiritual leaders, all who hold sacred positions in the church, and the entire SDA congregation, turn from loving the world and the friendship of the world; study the Holy Scriptures prayerfully, with a humble and contrite heart, and with a teachable spirit; that all may clearly discern truth from falsehood, that victory over the beast, his mark, his image, and the number of his name is only through the Father and Christ’s righteousness and not the righteousness of another trinity god or a false so-called god-the-eternal-spirit.
Part 8 of 13
Today, the SDA spiritual leaders have bridged the gulf that separates them from the children of darkness. They have rejected the inspired Word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy writings. They have submitted to the daughters of the Harlot in fear of being labeled a cult because the Word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy writings do not reflect evangelical theology. They are now submitting to the trinity dogma, the central doctrine of the Catholic faith, and are worshipping a false god, leading unsuspecting souls to eternal damnation.
*In ST Feb 19, 1894 Sister white counseled “It is a backsliding church that lessens the distance between itself and the papacy”
Again in 1894 she warned in Bible Echo, April 9, 1894, par 6, “It is a grave mistake on the part of those who are children of God to seek to bridge the gulf that separate them from the children of darkness by yielding principle, by compromising the truth”
Yet her counsel went unheeded.
*Even the Catholics admit the trinity doctrine is only assumed in Scripture. In their challenge to so-called Protestants who invoke “Sola Scriptura,” they have this to say:
Roman Catholic novelist Graham Greene, Assumption of Mary, Life magazine, October 30, 1950, p. 51 wrote “Our opponents sometimes claim that no belief should be held dogmatically which is not explicitly stated in scripture . . . But the Protestant Churches have themselves accepted such dogmas, as the Trinity, for which there is no such precise authority in the Gospels”
Today, unsuspecting Christians are taught to accept the trinity dogma as true because the clergy and the church creed said so.
Just like the unscriptural sunday sabbath, almost the whole of Christendom accepted the trinity dogma without knowing its immense implications
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*The seventy-day Adventist church in 1980 officially accepted the Trinity dogma as a part of its fundamental beliefs. This belief is so vitally sensitive to the organized church that provisions have been made for disciplinary action against non-submission. Reasons for which members shall be subject to discipline are “Denial of faith in the fundamentals of the gospel and in the fundamental beliefs of the Church or teaching doctrines contrary to the same” as stated in the SDA Church Manual page 62 item (1).
*Item (10) states “Adherence to or taking part in a divisive or disloyal movement or organization” and further elaborated in page 59 “no individual member or group should start a movement or form an organization or seek to encourage a following for the attainment of any objective or for the teaching of any doctrine or message not in harmony with the fundamental religious objectives and teachings of the Church”——-
*Questions are often raised: What is this trinity dogma? Is the Roman catholic trinity dogma the same as the trinity doctrine promulgated in the SDA 28 fundamental beliefs or is it something different? Did our SDA leading pioneers subscribe to the trinity dogma, if not then why is the SDA church embracing it today? Are there implications to our salvation in accepting the trinity dogma?
We will seek to address these questions in this presentation.
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*What is the trinity dogma?
Let us look at some salient features of what the Roman Catholic church claimed to believe in their trinity dogma:
Catholic doctrine on the trinity, Catholic education resource center: “The mystery of the holy trinity is the most fundamental of our faith. On it everything else depends, and from it everything else derives. Hence the church’s constant concern to safeguard the revealed truth that god is one in nature and three in persons.”
Handbook for Today’s Catholic, p. 11 states “The mystery of the trinity is the central doctrine of the Catholic faith. Upon it are based all the other teachings of the church.”
*Catechism of the Catholic Church article 266 “Now this is the Catholic faith: We worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the persons or dividing the substance; for the person of the Father is one, the Son’s is another, the Holy Spirit’s another; but the Godhead of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one, their glory equal, their majesty coeternal” (Athanasian Creed: DS 75; ND 16).
*The Douay Catechism of 1649, p143 “Question: What is Sunday, or the Lord’s Day in general?
Answer: It is a day dedicated by the Apostles TO THE HONOUR OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, and in memory that Christ our Lord arose from the dead upon Sunday, sent down the holy Ghost on a Sunday, &c. and therefore is called the Lord’s Day. It is also called Sunday from the old Roman denomination of Dies Solis, the day of the sun, to which it was sacred.”
*Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, uCatholic, May 27, 2018 states “Sunday after Sunday we should recall in a spirit of gratitude the gifts which the Blessed Trinity is bestowing upon us. The Father created and predestined us; on the first day of the week He began the work of creation. The Son redeemed us; Sunday is the ‘Day of the Lord,’ the day of His resurrection. The Holy Spirit sanctified us, made us His temple; on Sunday the Holy Spirit descended upon the infant Church. Sunday, therefore, is the day of the Most Holy Trinity.”
The insidious link between the observance of Sunday and submission to the trinity dogma is hereby clearly established. Sunday sacredness which represents the mark of the beast is the day of the Most Holy Trinity. The third angel’s message warns against receiving the mark of the beast. Therefore the third message warns against submission to the Most Holy trinity. Observance of Sunday as the Sabbath or submitting to the trinity dogma are effectively paying homage to the Papacy and submitting to Dies Solis the day of the sun, acknowledging the worship of the god of the Roman church, the sun god. Many have been lured into denying the Father and His only begotten son by observing the Sunday Sabbath and submitting to the false trinity.
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The question is often raised: Many SDA pastors and preachers often claim that the SDA belief in the trinity doctrine is different from the Roman Catholic trinity dogma. If this is so then what is the difference?*
Dr Ganoune Diop, Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department (PARL), SDA General Conference, a PhD from the Catholic university of Paris, in an interview with the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Georgetown Jesuit University in Washington DC, Oct 12 2020 “The trinity god is a one essence in three persons. To divide the essence or to confuse the persons is to fall into heresy.”
Notice the similar expressions used in both statements.*
Catechism 266: “without either confusing the persons or dividing the substance”
Dr Ganoune Diop: “To divide the essence or to confuse the persons”
Dr Ganoune Diop’s official position in the GC is equivalent to that of a nation’s foreign minister, at least this is what he claimed in his talks.* His above statement is tantamount to confirming the SDA trinity doctrine is indeed the catholic trinity dogma. This statement is not made in his personal capacity but representing the SDA church’s official position on the trinity. When the SDA spiritual leaders subscribe to the catholic trinity dogma, it is tantamount to paying homage to the Papacy, and accepting and worshipping the god of the Roman catholic church, the sun god
Dr Ganoune Diop in his own words gave an account on his Roman Catholic education background. This is undoubtedly a very serious situation when some of the highest leaders of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Seventh-day Adventist Church are products of the same theological institution, Jesuit universities. This is clearly seen in the ideals defended by Dr Ganoune Diop during his recent October 2020 interview with the Jesuits which are indeed more in line with Pope Francis’ third encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” published on 3 Oct 2020 focusing on universal ecumenical brotherhood than with the beliefs held by our Seventh-day Adventist pioneers.*
Pope Francis’ third encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” in article 85 states “We likewise believe that Christ shed his blood for each of us and that no one is beyond the scope of his universal love. If we go to the ultimate source of that love which is the very life of the triune God, we encounter in the community of the three divine Persons the origin and perfect model of all life in society”
Pope Francis is explicitly pushing the religious model of the false trinity dogma for acceptance by all as the basis for the perfect model of all life in the world to achieve religious, secular, political, and ecumenical unity to world peace; apparently a shrewd and perfect solution to all the woes of our present world.
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*How was the trinity dogma introduced into our beloved church? Did our leading SDA pioneers subscribe to the trinity dogma?
Towards this end, we have compiled a brief chronological time-line showing the events that took place reflecting the beliefs of our early leading SDA church Pioneers on the “trinity” issue. For comparison we have included a brief representation of what a few of our SDA contemporary writers have to say on this issue.
The early SDA leading pioneers beliefs are based on the word of God according to scripture. It is evident that God has not revealed Himself to be a trinity in His Word. No one has found one clear text in Scripture to prove the doctrine, to show that God is composed of three co-equal, co-eternal persons or beings composed of the same substance. Scholars around the world have acknowledged for years that the trinity dogma is not found in Scripture but is a later addition.
*According to the Adventist Review Jan 6 1994 p10.11 “The trinitarian understanding of God, now part of the SDA fundamental beliefs was not generally held by the early Adventists. Even today a few do not subscribe to it”
Dr George Knight, Professor of History, Andrews University said in Ministry, Oct 1993 p10, “Most of the founders of Seventh-day Adventism would not be able to join the church today if they had to subscribe to the denomination’s Fundamental Beliefs…. Most specifically, most would not be able to agree to belief number 2, which deals with the doctrine of the trinity.”
As these pioneers pass on, scholars and spiritual leaders of the movement exerted their academic and administrative influences and progressively diluted the movement’s belief from one of scripture based to one that is decidedly not in harmony with scripture teachings, from a belief based on sola scriptura to one based on the traditions of man and pagan practices, initially imperceptibly and insidiously but now blatantly and officially subscribing to the trinity dogma.
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The time-line outlined below is a brief chronology of the developments in the SDA church leading to the official approval of the human creed known as the 27 fundamental beliefs in 1980.
The salient events are re-reproduced for easy reference.
It was in 1896 that trinitarian sentiments started to infiltrate into the SDA church when H. Camden Lacey re-accepted the Trinity doctrine and lectured on Trinity in Cooranbong, Australia. Arthur G. Daniells did not oppose the lectures.
In 1897 – John Harvey Kellogg presents his first concepts leading to Pantheism at a series of studies he gives at the General Conference session.
*In 1898 The Review and Herald prints an article from “The King’s Messenger” which is Trinitarian in teaching – “The God-Man” (1898). In that same year R.A. Underwood’s view of the Holy Spirit changed from an “influence” to a person, thus becoming a Trinitarian.
In 1900 The Review and Herald again prints two more articles from “The King’s Messenger” both of which are Trinitarian in teaching –“The Third Person” (January 1900), and “ Blended Personalities (April 1900)”
*1902 – J.H. Kellogg prepares to publish his work, The Living Temple. He tries to gain approval at the Autumn Council for his book to be published but a letter from Ellen White to Daniells counsels him to have nothing to do with the book. Kellogg takes his manuscript to the Review and Herald publishing house as outside work, and they agree to print it. The Battle Creek Sanitarium (February 18) headed by Kellogg and the Review and Herald printing office (December 30) burn to the ground. But he takes the manuscript to a non-Adventist printer. Judgment has ruled from the heavens above.
*In 1902 Ellen White feels perplexed and frustrated with the G.C and decides to withdraw herself from all their meetings. She writes to her sons Edson and Willie, “I have but very little confidence that the Lord is giving these men in positions of responsibility, spiritual eyesight and heavenly discernment. I am thrown into perplexity over their course; and I desire now to attend to my special work, to have no part in any of their councils, and to attend no camp meetings, nigh or afar off. My mind shall not be dragged into confusion by the tendency they manifest to work directly contrary to the light that God has given me. I am done. I will preserve my God-given intelligence. My voice has been heard in the different conferences, and at camp meetings. I must now make a change… I shall therefore leave, leave them to receive word from the Bible… This is the light given me and I shall not depart from it.”
*In 1903 – Kellogg prints the book in which he has placed his theories. Ellen White says they are “spiritualistic” and “akin to pantheism” (Special Testimonies B, No. 6, p. 41). She says these teachings are the “alpha of deadly heresies” (1SM 200), and that “the Omega would follow in a little while. I tremble for our people. Kellogg claims that his book is in harmony with Ellen White’s writings and can be sustained by statements from the testimonies. Ellen White tells him he has taken her statements away from their connection, and interpreted them according to his own mind.”
*In 1903 – Dr. John Harvey Kellogg promotes Trinitarian doctrines in Battle Creek after converting from Pantheism.
*Sister White warned in Letter 410, 1907, p. 2 [to J.E. White, Aug 26, 1907]; 7MR 195 “The time of this apostasy is here. Every conceivable effort will be made to throw doubt upon the positions we have occupied for over half a century.”
In 1913 – F. M. Wilcox publishes a supposedly “Trinitarian tract”, and rolled out the divine Trinity which includes the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead.
*In 1915 the year when she died Sister White warned of great changes to take place after her death in Manuscript 1, Feb 24, 1915. “I am charged to tell our people, that do not realize, that the devil has device after device, and he carries them out in ways that they do not expect. Satan’s agencies will invent ways to make sinners out of saints. I tell you now, that when I am laid to rest, great changes will take place. I do not know when I shall be taken; and I desire to warn all against the devices of the devil. I want the people to know that I warned them fully before my death.”
*The “Synopsis of Our Faith” which is the SDA statement of beliefs mostly written by James White in 1872 and inserted in the 1889 Yearbook and again in the 1905-1914 Yearbooks are now removed from the 1915 SDA Yearbook by a mere General Conference statistician, Edson Rogers. He obviously did it as soon as the living prophet has died. Thus the Fundamental Principles held in great unanimity by the pioneers are put out of the way.
*In 1922 Judson Washburn writes an open letter to AG Daniells saying the 1919 Bible Conference was “the most terrible thing that had ever happened in the history of this denomination.” ( J. S. Washburn, An Open Letter to Elder A. G. Daniells and an Appeal to the General Conference, 1922, p. 28,29) Another letter written by Washburn to Claude Holmes is published as a 36-page tract called The Startling Omega and its True Genealogy. It was distributed at the General Conference of 1922. (Omega Tract, Washburn, p. 1, 6)
*In 1926 – LeRoy Edwin Froom (who was the first associate secretary and then made secretary of the GC Ministerial Association until 1950) is asked to present studies on the Holy Spirit at the Milwaukee General Conference Session. In preparation for his studies, Froom went to books written by authors outside of the SDA faith (he went to Babylon for his material) to reference their writings as he could not find in our own denomination writings that would line up with his secret agenda.
*Also in 1926 the G.C Working Policy (075) was adopted. The SDA Church became a part of evangelical churches. The policy states, “We recognize every agency that lifts up Christ before men as a part of the divine plan for the evangelization of the world, and we hold in high esteem the Christian men and women in other communions who are engaged in winning souls to Christ.” (“Relationship To Other Societies,” GC Exco, 1926) This would include the Jesuit Order. This is the first “wrong step” toward ecumenical concessions taken by the G.C.
Sister White in Great Controversy 1888, p 571.1 warned “Shall this power, whose record for a thousand years is written in the blood of the saints, be now acknowledged as a part of the church of Christ?”
*In 1928 LeRoy Froom is invited to present a series of studies on the Holy Spirit at the North American Union Ministerial Institute. He says, “You cannot imagine how I was pummeled by some of the old timers because I pressed on the personality of the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead.” (Letter from LeRoy Froom to Dr Otto H. Christenson, Oct 27, 1960). Although Sister White had also used the term “third person of the Godhead” it was with very different connotations.
*In 1928 – The “Coming of the Comforter,” a pro-Trinity book by LeRoy Froom, is published upon urgent request of hundreds of ministers who heard him speak. In the book he emphasizes strongly the personality of the Holy Spirit as a separate being from the Father and Son. The book contains many quotations from the Spirit of Prophecy, but the interpretation is totally different than the teaching of the pioneers.
*In 1928 General Conference leadership adopts the American Revised Version Bible, which is inspired by the Jesuits of Rome, above the Authorized KJV Bible of the pioneers. This is the second “wrong step” toward ecumenism. This step is now possible with the passing of the last pioneer.
*In 1930 the General Conference voted to publish a Church Manual. In 1883 the G.C. session had voted NO. They have also decided it was time for a new statement of fundamental beliefs. This is the third “wrong step” toward ecumenism.
*In 1930 – Attitudes have now changed and become more liberal. Theological wounds have “healed.” The last of the pioneers has died and their voices are no longer heard. The Leadership wants to change the old SDA doctrines on (1) The final atonement in heaven, (2) The human nature of Christ, (3) The place of Scripture and prophecy in the church, and (4) The doctrine of the Trinity as taught by evangelicals.
*In 1931 the SDA Church has a new statement on the Trinity, a new Christ with an unfallen human nature instead of a fallen (but not corrupted) human nature, and a new final atonement that was completed on the cross rather than finished in the most holy place in heaven. These doctrinal changes place the SDA Church in harmony with the Sunday-keeping churches of Babylon, and make it possible for ecumenical ties with other denominations. To substantiate these new apostate doctrines, a new Bible, the American Revised Version (now approved by the Papacy), is embraced.
*In 1936 Benjamin Wilkinson answers a letter from Dr. T.S. Teters saying, “Replying to your letter of October 13 regarding the doctrine of the Trinity, I will say that Seventh Day Adventists do not, and never have accepted the dark, mysterious, Catholic doctrine of the Trinity.” (http://omega77.tripod.com/bivensholyspirit.htm)
*1939 – W.W. Prescott preaches a sermon at the Takoma Park Church, where he says that Scripture “clearly implied the doctrine of the Trinity… There are three persons in the Godhead, but they are so mysteriously and indissolubly related to each other, that the presence of one is equivalent to the presence of the other.” Elder Judson S. Washburn protests what he hears and sees happening in the church by writing a letter to the G.C president J.L. McElhany against the Trinity doctrine. It was circulated by a conference president to 32 ministers.
*Between 1941-44 – Hymnal “Christ in Song” and “Hymns and Tunes” song book copies are ordered back to the conferences for burning so that a new Church Hymnal with Trinitarian influence can replace them.
*In 1944 all 18 non-Trinitarian statements from Uriah Smith’s book Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation were deleted in an attempt to cover up history. The committee eliminate every portion that said Christ was begotten of the Father. W.W. Prescott and others change the meaning of the “daily sacrifice” in the 2300 days message. Changes are also made to Spirit of Prophecy books, such as lower case changed to capital letters for Third Person.
*In 1944 – Truth Triumphant by Benjamin G. Wilkinson is published, an exhaustive study of the history of God’s Church in the Wilderness. It contains strong statements against the Trinity doctrine. LeRoy Edwin Froom is angry, and orders the destruction of the original offset press plates so the book cannot be reprinted.
*In 1946 The compilation of the book “Evangelism” with careful, calculated use of certain Ellen White statements, many not even complete sentences, to paint a picture that she was supposedly Trinitarian, is done by LeRoy Edwin Froom, Roy Allan Anderson and Miss Louise C. Kleuser under the encouragement of Elder Branson (1966 Froom Letters). This is how LeRoy Edwin Froom eventually managed to lead almost the entire SDA Church astray.
*Between 1955-56 Evangelical Conferences take place between the General Conference (represented by Froom, Anderson, Read, and Unruh) and Walter Martin and Donald Barnhouse, editor of Eternity magazine. Are Adventists a cult? That was the question of the Evangelicals. The Trinity doctrine is one of the first issues discussed. Concessions are made on the Atonement and the humanity of Christ. Christ’s nature was changed to that of Adam’s nature before the Fall. The teaching of the atonement was changed to “completed at the cross.
*These changes were required by the protestant denominations for the SDA church to be classified as an evangelical Christian church instead of a cult or sect. We submit to the daughters of the Harlot in fear of being labeled a cult, and reject the Spirit of Prophecy writings because they do not reflect evangelical theology. But we were previously labeled a cult for years because our beliefs stood out from the rest of Protestantism. Ellen White warned in 1894 not to bridge the gulf that separates the children of God from the children of darkness. But this is not heeded.
*In 1957 Questions on Doctrine was published following those meetings – a pro-Trinity book written by LeRoy Edwin Froom, W.E. Read, R.A. Anderson and T.E. Unruh. This is to match the SDA Church with the Protestant and Evangelical world, to be accepted so we would not be labeled a “cult”. The Church declares oneness with the fallen Protestant denominations. “We are one with our fellow Christian denominational groups in the great fundamentals of the faith once delivered to the saints.” (Questions on Doctrine, p.32) Like the 28 fundamental beliefs, God permits the official publication of this book to be a living testament against our spiritual leaders’ departure from the Word of God.
*1971 – Movement of Destiny by LeRoy Edwin Froom gets published. Froom admits to alterations made from 1931 to “standard works” to correct “erroneous views on the Godhead” to make them Trinitarian. His historical account says “we began as Semi-Arians, but steadily rose to become a strong Movement, able to take our place among mainline Protestant denominations. Together with them we wholeheartedly profess Christendom’s doctrine of the Trinity and the full deity of Christ.” He also makes other admissions of wrongdoing which include going to Sunday-keeping authors for his material that is included in his book The Coming of the Comforter that was published in 1928. (Movement of Destiny, p. 322, 422)
*In 1976 Neal Wilson, President of the North American Division of SDA, gives this sworn statement in the Silver-Tobler legal case involving the Seventh-day Adventist Church: “Although it is true that there was a period in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the denomination took a distinctly anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint, and the term hierarchy was used in a perjorative sense to refer to the papal form of church governance, that attitude on the Church’s part was nothing more than a manifestation of widespread anti-popery among conservative protestant denominations in the early part of this century and the latter part of the last, and which has now been consigned to the historical trash heap so far as the Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned.” (Merikay McLeod lawsuit, p. 4, footnote #2, Docket Entry #84: EEOC vs PPPA C-74-2025 CBR, Sworn statement dated Feb.6, 1976)
*In 1979 – W. Duncan Eva and Bernard Seton are working behind the scenes in moving an agenda to adopt a new Statement of Fundamental Beliefs
*In 1981 Neal C. Wilson, now General Conference President, announces that the Church has officially adopted the Trinity doctrine, which is now number 2 in the Church’s 27 Fundamental Beliefs. He declares before the Seventh-day Adventist Church that: “…there is another universal and truly catholic organization, the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” (Adventist Review, March 5, 1981, p. 3)
In 1984 Baptismal vow is reformatted again – pro-Trinity.
*In 1985 A new SDA Hymnal takes the place of the older Church Hymnal of 1941. It is decided that there are even more songs that can be replaced or changed to fit the new 1980’s Fundamental Beliefs. Catholic terms are used in headings and responsive readings.
*In 1990 Baptismal vow revised to make it decidedly Trinitarian. Fifty-Fifth General Conference Session, on July 11, 1990, 2:00 p.m. voted to revise the church manual p. 44, Baptismal Vow and Baptism, to read as follows: 1986 Church Manual’s first baptismal vow states, “1. Do you believe in God the Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit?” 1990 Revised first baptismal vow states, “1. Do you believe there is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons?”
*1996 – Devotional ‘Ye Shall Receive Power’ is printed, in which ellen White’s words are changed. She has used the word ‘it’ four times, and one ‘its’ when speaking of the Holy Spirit. But in the devotional ‘Ye Shall Receive Power’ p.59, ‘it’ has been changed to ‘He’ or ‘His’ and ‘Him’. (See also ‘Ye Shall Receive Power’ p.93, 151, 164, 183, 303, 318, 319, 321, 323, 325, 344 for other changes.)
*In 2005 Baptismal Vow is revised to the Trinity creed to read: “Do you accept the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and do you pledge to live your life by God’s grace in harmony with these teachings?” For the first time in Adventist history, the Church has based its membership on a creed. The prophet had told us 95 years earlier, “The Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be our creed” (RH, Dec 15, 1885)
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*Sister White in Preach the Word, p 5 (1905.) Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 31, 32 “And the standard-bearers who have fallen in death, are to speak through the reprinting of their writings. I am instructed that thus their voices are to be heard. They are to bear their testimony as to what constitutes the truth for this time”
This is what some of our leading pioneers have to say regarding the falsehood of the trinity.
*James White in the Day Star, January 24, 1846 “The way spiritualizers have disposed of or denied the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ is first using the old unscriptural Trinitarian creed, that Jesus Christ is the eternal God, though they have not one passage to support it, while we have plain scripture testimony in abundance that he is the Son of the eternal God.”
*James S White in Review & Herald, January 4, 1881 wrote “The Father was greater than the Son in that he was first. The Son was equal with the Father in that he had received all things from the Father.”
Joseph Bates in The Autobiography of Elder Joseph Bates, pp. 204, 205. 1868 wrote “Respecting the trinity, I concluded that it was an impossibility for me to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, was also the Almighty God, the Father, one and the same being. I said to my father, “If you can convince me that we are one in this sense, that you are my father, and I your son; and also that I am your father, and you my son, then I can believe in the trinity”
*JN Andrews
John N Andrews in Review & Herald, March 6, 1855 wrote “The doctrine of the Trinity which was established in the church by the council of Nice, A. D. 325. This doctrine destroys the personality of God, and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The infamous measures by which it was forced upon the church which appear upon the pages of ecclesiastical history might well cause every believer in that doctrine to blush.”
*J Loughborough
John N Loughborough in Review & Herald, November 5, 1861 wrote “To believe that doctrine, when reading the scripture we must believe that God sent himself into the world, died to reconcile the world to himself, raised himself from the dead, ascended to himself in heaven, pleads before himself in heaven to reconcile the world to himself, and is the only mediator between man and himself. We must believe also that in the garden God prayed to himself, if it were possible, to let the cup pass from himself, and a thousand other such absurdities.
*This doctrine of the trinity was brought into the church about the same time with image worship, and keeping the day of the sun, and is but Persian doctrine remodeled”
*The Spirit of God is spoken of in the Scriptures as God’s presentative the power by which he works, the agency by which all things are upheld. This is clearly expressed by the Psalmist…Psa. 139:7-10. We learn from this language that when we speak of the Spirit of God we are really speaking of his presence and power”
*Uriah Smith
Uriah Smith, Thoughts on the Book of Daniel and the Revelation, p. 430. 1882 wrote “The Scriptures nowhere speak of Christ as a created being, but on the contrary plainly state that he was begotten of the Father. But while as the Son he does not possess a coeternity of past existence with the Father, the beginning of his existence, as the begotten of the Father, antedates the entire work of creation, in relation to which he stands as joint creator with God. John 1:3; Heb 1:2.
*Could not the Father ordain that to such a being worship should be rendered equally with himself, without its being idolatry on the part of the worshiper? He has raised him to positions which make it proper that he should be worshipped, and has even commanded that worship should be rendered him, which would not have been necessary had he been equal with the Father in eternity of existence.”
*Uriah Smith in The Bible Students Assistant, pp. 21, 22. 1858 wrote “We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Matt. 28:19. By this we express our belief in the existence of the one true God, the mediation of his Son, and the influence of the Holy Spirit.” Clearly, Matthew 28:19 is not proof of the dogma of the trinity.
*Uriah Smith in Review & Herald, October 28, 1890 wrote “This Spirit is the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ; the Spirit being the same whether it is spoken of as pertaining to God or Christ. But respecting this Spirit, the Bible uses expressions which cannot be harmonized with the idea that it is a person like the Father and the Son”
*Judson S Washburn
Extracts of a letter written by J S Washburn in 1939 are quoted. This letter was liked by a conference president so much that he distributed it to 32 of his ministers.*
“The doctrine of the Trinity is a cruel heathen monstrosity, removing Jesus from his true position of Divine Savior and Mediator. This monstrous doctrine transplanted from heathenism into the Roman Papal Church is seeking to intrude its evil presence into the teachings of the Third Angel’s Message…
*The whole Trinity doctrine is utterly foreign to all the Bible and the teachings of the Spirit of Prophecy. Revelation gives not the slightest hint of it. This monstrous heathen conception finds no place in all the free universe of our Blessed heavenly Father and His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…
*“If we should go back to the immortality of the soul, purgatory, eternal torment and the Sunday Sabbath, would that be anything less than apostasy? If, however, we leap over all these minor, secondary doctrines and accept and teach the very central root doctrine of Romanism, the Trinity, and teach that the son of God did not die, even though our words seem to be spiritual, is this anything else or anything less than apostasy, and the very Omega of apostasy?…”
*When a man has arrived at the place where he teaches the heathen Catholic doctrine of the Trinity, and denies that the Son of God died for us, is he a true Seventh-day Adventist? Is he even a true preacher of the Gospel? And when many regard him as a great teacher and accept his unscriptural theories, absolutely contrary to the Spirit of Prophecy, it is time that the watchmen should sound a note of warning.”
——-
*The single most important question uppermost in our minds would be: What are the implications for non-submission to trinity dogma?*
John 16:2-3 states “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.”
*Sister White in Signs of the Times, September 2, 1897 par 8/9 confirmed this sad state of affairs in the last-days when satan’s deception is so complete “It is not the world, who make no profession, from whom the persecution comes. It is those who profess to be doing God service who manifest the most bitter hatred. But no man may have power to harm the bodies of those who exalt the law of God above all human enactments, he cannot harm their souls. God’s grace will be given in every way proportionate to the trial suffered to come upon us”
The promise is given in John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” This is what we are to strive for.
——-
*Take home message
By officially approving the Trinity dogma as a part of the fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, the SDA spiritual leaders have publicly declared to the world that she is following in the steps of the daughters of the mother of harlots the Roman Catholic church, whose central pillar doctrine is the Trinity.
Therefore the SDA spiritual leadership has departed from the closing work of the everlasting gospel, the royal commission to proclaim the three angels’ message and the firm foundation of our faith that are based upon the unquestionable authority of God.
*No longer can the present SDA Church be considered as the “remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ”, but is now nothing more than a Counterfeit New Movement as prophesied in 1903 by Ellen White.
In 1 Selected Messages p. 204 “The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result?
*The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced…”
——-
End
Lucifer allowed his jealousy of Christ to prevail, and became the more determined. {PP 35.3} To dispute the supremacy of the Son of God, thus impeaching the wisdom and love of the Creator, had become the purpose of this prince of angels.
…Lucifer coveted THE HONOR AND GLORY GIVEN TO CHRIST. He became so self-exalted that he supposed that he could do anything he desired to do because of his high position as covering cherub, and he tried to obtain for himself THE POSITION GIVEN TO CHRIST. But Lucifer fell. He was cast out of heaven; and now he works on human minds, tempting them to follow in his footsteps. He strives to fill minds with feelings of self-exaltation and to lead them to dishonor God by turning from their allegiance to the truth and inventing many things not after God’s order. {Lt55-1903.15}
… Satan, knowing that CHRIST HAD THE FIRST PLACE NEXT TO GOD, began to insinuate to the angels that he should be next to God. His great beauty and exalted position made him feel that he was not receiving due honor in being second to Christ. Therefore he would suggest this to the angels, and this suggestion [began] to be communicated to the heavenly angels, and finally [it was] brought before God that Lucifer was the one who should be next to God. Thus the seed was sown and the result was that angels sympathized with Lucifer; next, there was war in heaven. Lucifer’s beautiful appearance was constantly exalted and the Lord God of heaven [saw] that Lucifer and his party were very strong against Christ. {Ms90-1910.4}
When Satan and the Son of God first met in conflict, Christ was the commander of the heavenly hosts; and Satan, the leader of revolt in heaven, was cast out. Now their condition is apparently reversed, and Satan makes the most of his supposed advantage. One of the most powerful of the angels, he says, has been banished from heaven. The appearance of Jesus indicates that He is that fallen angel, forsaken by God, and deserted by man. A divine being would be able to sustain his claim by working a miracle; “if Thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” Such an act of creative power, urges the tempter, would be conclusive evidence of divinity. It would bring the controversy to an end. {DA 119.2}
Some of the reasons for which member shall be subject to discipline are:
1 “Denial of faith in the fundamentals of the gospel and in the fundamental beliefs of the Church or teaching doctrines contrary to the same” (SDA Church Manual pg. 62)
10. Adherence to or taking part in a divisive or disloyal movement or organization. (See p. 59.)
11. Persistent refusal to recognize properly constituted church authority or to submit to the order and discipline of the church.
However Sister White in TM 347.3 warned the leadership in Battle Creek in 1895: “The Lord has not placed any one of His human agencies under the dictation and control of those who are themselves but erring mortals… But there is a power exercised in Battle Creek that God has not given, and He will judge those who assume this authority… Brethren, leave God to rule.”
A well-known Adventist Trinitarian Jerry Moon who was a co-author of the book The Trinity wrote: “That most of the leading SDA pioneers were non-Trinitarian in their theology has become accepted Adventist history.”
He then goes on to say, “either the pioneers were wrong and the present church is right, or the pioneers were right and the present Seventh-day Adventist Church has apostatized from biblical truth.” — Jerry Moon, The Trinity, Chapter, Trinity and antitrinitarianism in Seventh-day Adventist history, p. 190
“His heavenly ministry to be the mediation of His complete and ever-efficacious atonement, which He made and completed on the cross for man” QOD page 264 1957
“By the death of the Son of God, full sacrificial atonement was made for the redemption of a lost world” QOD page 285 1975
The explanation that seems most credible to me is that the authors and their main advisors, including the then General Conference President, Elder Reuben Figuhr, were so consumed in their desire to save the Seventh-day Adventist Church from the stigma of the label “cult” that they were ready to reshape pillar beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to gain favor with these prominent evangelicals.
Seventh-day Adventists prior to 1957 believed that, while the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was fully sufficient to pay the penalty for our sins, Christ’s work of atonement is to be completed in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. It appears that the authors of QOD wilted under the withering pressure of the evangelicals, and they failed the test on each of these two issues.
Was Andreasen divisive when he went public with his concerns? Decidedly not! He was following in the same pathway as did Enoch, Noah, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, all the “minor” prophets, John the Baptist, Stephen, Peter, John, James, Jude, Paul, and many others. To have been silent in the time of crisis in the 1950s would have been sin against God. His was the only valid response when the souls of humanity are in the balance.
The history of God’s church through the ages is replete with leaders who have endorsed and embraced false teachings and who have vilified those faithful ones who stood against the heresy and condemned it.
It is the infiltration of error into God’s perfect truth which, without exception, has engendered division into God’s church. Personalities may at times exacerbate the division, but no division can be assigned to those who uphold truth. Yet the upholders of truth are routinely labeled the “troublers of Israel.” The Sanhedrin accused Christ of dividing the church.
Sister in 1 Selected messages page 199.1-.3: “I am given a message to bear to you and the rest of our physicians who are connected with the Medical Missionary Association. Separate from the influence exerted by the book Living Temple; [A 568-PAGE BOOK ISSUED IN 1903 BY DR. J. H. KELLOGG IN WHICH PANTHEISTIC PHILOSOPHIES WERE PROMULGATED.–COMPILERS.] for it contains specious sentiments. There are in it sentiments that are entirely true, but these are mingled with error. Scriptures are taken out of their connection, and are used to uphold erroneous theories. {1SM 199.1}
The thought of the errors contained in this book has given me great distress, and the experience that I have passed through in connection with the matter has nearly cost me my life. {1SM 199.2}
It will be said that Living Temple has been revised. But the Lord has shown me that the writer has not changed, and that there can be no unity between him and the ministers of the gospel while he continues to cherish his present sentiments. I am bidden to lift my voice in warning to our people, saying, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked” (Gal. 6:7). {1SM 199.3}
“You are not definitely clear on the personality of God, which is everything to us as a people. You have virtually destroyed the Lord God Himself” Letter 300 1903
“In the controversy that arose among our brethren regarding the teachings of this book, those in favor of giving it a wide circulation declared: “It contains the very sentiments that Sister White has been teaching.” This assertion struck right to my heart. I felt heartbroken; for I knew that this representation of the matter was not true.” {1SM 203.1}
Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people. I knew that I must warn our brethren and sisters not to enter into controversy over the presence and personality of God. The statements made in Living Temple in regard to this point are incorrect. The scripture used to substantiate the doctrine there set forth, is scripture misapplied. {1SM 203.2}
Few can discern the result of entertaining the sophistries advocated by some at this time. But the Lord has lifted the curtain, and has shown me the result that would follow. The spiritualistic theories regarding the personality of God, followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away the whole Christian economy. . {1SM 203.4}
In a vision of the night I was shown distinctly that these sentiments have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be brought in and made prominent at the present time. I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers–the truths of the Word of God. Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I heard a voice saying, “Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.” {1SM 204.1}
The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work.
Let none seek to tear away the foundations of our faith–the foundations that were laid at the beginning of our work by prayerful study of the word and by revelation. Upon these foundations we have been building for the last fifty years. Men may suppose that they have found a new way and that they can lay a stronger foundation than that which has been laid. But this is a great deception. Other foundation can no man lay than that which has been laid. {8T 297.1}
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Sabbath is the issue that divides the entire world.
About the time that Living Temple was published, there passed before me in the night season, representations indicating that some danger was approaching, and that I must prepare for it by writing out the things God had revealed to me regarding the foundation principles of our faith. (1SM 202.3)
“I am so sorry that Living Temple came out as it did, and was circulated, and the worst of it—that which struck right to my heart—was the assertion made regarding the book: “It contains the very sentiments that Sister White has been teaching.” When I heard this, I felt so heartbroken that it seemed as if I could not say anything. Had I said anything, I would have been obliged to speak the truth as it was. (par. 7)”
The Sabbath is a sign between God and us, but it is not the end in itself. The Sabbath points us to the Lord that sanctifies us, to the God we worship. Too many people have a false sense of security because they are keeping the Sabbath and obeying all the commandments of God.
John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” To serve Him is to follow Him wherever he goes, and this is the 144000. We should know and understand doctrines correctly, but we don’t serve God by knowing all the doctrines.
Rev 13:1 “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
Blasphemy: making into God that which is not God, to take the attributes of God like forgiving sins and apply it to someone else.
Therefore the name has something to do with blasphemy.
The mystery of the trinity is the central doctrine of the catholic faith. Upon it are based all the teachings of the church. (Handbook for today’s Catholics page 16). Sunday is a sign that points to the god they worship, the trinity.
The light we have received upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. The Lord’s command to His servants is: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1. {6T 17.1}
Present truth is time sensitive eg Noah’s message of rbf
FAM is the present truth carrying the everlasting gospel. Acceptance of rejecti0on of FAM will determine what happens next
SAM n TAM are warnings to them that do not accept the FMA
SDA distinctive pillars of faith encapsulated in the three AM
Worship God in Jesus’s words But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him”
That is, in all sincerity, with the highest faculties of the mind and emotions, applying the principles of truth to the heart (see on Matt. 5:3, 48; 7:21–27; Mark 7:6–9).
The same distinction here made between true worship and the forms of worship is clearly stated by the prophet Micah (ch. 6:7, 8).
The call to worship the Father is because many r not worshipping the father, they are worshipping a false god.
When another third being is interceding in the heavenly sanctuary other than Christ, then the sanctuary message is subverted. Rom 8:34, 1 Time 2:5
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Here are they that keep the commandment of god, Christ’s father’s commandments. Jesus kept his father’s commandments and he worships the father.
The first commandment says thou shall have no other gods before me, according to Jesus it’s the father, but we now have another god before the Father. John 4:22 “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”
Matt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Honor the son also honor the father, therefore we worship Jesus.
Trinity worships 3 so-called gods, but the first commandment says worship only one true god. It breaks the first commandment; therefore it breaks all the rest of the commandments.
1 Cor 3:9 n 1 cor 8:6 Father is the source, Jesus undertook all creation.
2 cor 1:22 “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” It is also used of an engagement ring. It constituted a down payment, a pledge that the full sum would be paid as promised. It thus ratified the bargain. The earnest was to be payment of the same kind as that stipulated for the full amount, and was regarded as an integral part of it. In case the transaction was not completed by the purchaser, the earnest money was forfeited to the seller.
Paul here uses the figure of earnest money to illustrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers, as a first installment, an assurance of their full inheritance in the hereafter (see Eph. 1:13, 14; cf. Rom. 8:16). The “earnest of the Spirit” may be considered equivalent to the “firstfruits of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:23), which is a sample of what the harvest at the end of the world will be like. True children of God, who have this “earnest of the Spirit,” are in no state of uncertainty as to whether God has accepted them in Christ, and has in readiness for them their eternal inheritance (see on John 3:16; 1 John 3:2; 5:11). But full and complete payment—actual admission to heaven—is deferred in order to provide time for the development of character, so that the children may be fully prepared for heaven. The Christian’s title, or right, to the kingdom of heaven automatically becomes his the moment he experiences justification by faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ; fitness for the kingdom is achieved through a lifetime of appropriating the imparted righteousness of Christ and applying it to the daily problems of the Christian life (DA 300; MYP 35). As the Holy Spirit imparts grace and power to overcome sin, the Christian experiences an “earnest” of the complete triumph and victory that will be his upon admission to heaven. Fellowship with Christ and with one another here on earth is likewise a foretaste of the fellowship of heavenly beings. Only those who have received the “earnest of the Spirit” can know what it is and what joy it brings (1 Cor. 2:11, 15). A knowledge of spiritual things comes only by experience. To those who lack such spiritual knowledge heaven is more or less unreal.
Gal 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Rom 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Christ gain victory over satan thru his own death. Heb 2:14 “that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil”. Some thinks that Christ’s death is unique and is special in that he is not fully dead, that the dead knows nothing is not applicable to Christ, that he resurrected himself. Roms 8:11 tells us that it is the father that resurrects him. The trinity teaching is subversive to the state of the dead doctrine. Because he forms one third of the godhead, so the other two thirds are still alive in him. Rom 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Nicaean creed proclaims Christ’s body was dead, but he is not dead. (Nicene & post-Nicean Fathers, series 1, vol 6, page 565, St Augustine, sermons on selected lessons of the NT.)
Catholic doctrine on the trinity: The mystery of the holy trinity is the most fundamental of our faith. On it everything else depends, and from it everything else derives. Hence the churchs constant concern to safeguard the revealed truth that god is one in nature and three in persons. Catholic education resource center, under the heading of culture.
Sister White wrote in Early Writings pasge 258 regarding the Three Angels’ message:
“I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps– the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance.”
Sister White in 1 Selected messages page 202 caution us regarding Dr John Harvey Kellogg’s book the Living Temple.
“I have been instructed by the heavenly messenger that some of the reasoning in the book Living Temple is unsound, and that this reasoning would lead astray the minds of those who are not thoroughly established on the foundation principles of present truth.”
She continues on page 204.1:
“I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers–the truths of the Word of God. Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I heard a voice saying, “Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.”
Again Sister White continues on page 204.2
“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.”
She continues on page 205.1/205.2:
“Who has authority to begin such a movement? We have our Bibles. We have our experience, attested to by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit. We have a truth that admits of no compromise. Shall we not repudiate everything that is not in harmony with this truth?”
“I hesitated and delayed about the sending out of that which the Spirit of the Lord impelled me to write. I did not want to be compelled to present the misleading influence of these sophistries. But in the providence of God, the errors that have been coming in must be met.”
She warned that those who “try to bring in theories that remove the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary or concerning the personality of God or of Christ, are working as blind men. They are seeking to bring in uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift without an anchor.” Manuscript Release 760, page 9.10
Be not deceived, many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega will be of a most startling nature.” 1 Selected Messages p196.197.
It is impossible that the seeds of the deadly alpha of heresies would blossom into a different type of fruit, for the law of reproduction applies in every area. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7.
“In the book ‘Living Temple’ there is presented the alpha of deadly heresies. The omega will follow, and will be received by those who are not willing to heed the warning God has given.” 1 Selected Messages p200. Series B No.2 p49.50.
Those who refused to heed the warnings of the prophet accepted “the
omega of deadly heresies”, and our religion began to be changed, not in an obvious way, but subtlely, slowly and unperceptively. Sister White said, “I trembled for our people.” 1 Selected Messages p203.
The Omega on the other hand, has not developed into Pantheism, but into the Trinity doctrine itself. (Let us beware that it may yet develop into the New Age doctrine of God in nature, for this has already shown its head in meetings that emphasize ‘the power within’, totally distinct from ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’)
At first the Omega was shown to be the doctrine established at Nicaea and Chalcedony, but in 1980, it was voted at the General Conference Session that the Trinity was made up of three separate, co-equal and co-eternal God-Beings (called Persons), which is in contrast to the consubstantial Triune Godhead of Catholicism and Protestantism.
“We should not engage in the study of the Bible with that self-reliance with which so many enter the domains of science, but with a prayerful dependence upon God, and a sincere desire to learn His will.
We must come with a humble and teachable spirit to obtain knowledge from the great I AM. Otherwise, evil angels will so blind our minds and harden our hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth.” Counsels on Sabbath School Work p37.
Remember that the doctrine is deadly. It is the “omega of deadly heresies” — not just one heresy, for it has a number of aspects. It relates to the Fatherhood of God, the Sonship of Christ, the omnipresence of God, Christ and the Spirit.
I am so sorry that Living Temple came out as it did, and was circulated, and the worst of it–that which struck right to my heart–was the assertion made regarding the book: “It contains the very sentiments that Sister White has been teaching.” When I heard this, I felt so heartbroken that it seemed as if I could not say anything.–MS 46, 1904.
I have some things to say to our teachers in reference to the new book, “The Living Temple.” Be careful how you sustain the sentiments of this book regarding the personality of God. As the Lord represents matters to me, these sentiments do not bear the indorsement of God. They are a snare that the enemy has prepared for these last days. I thought that this would surely be discerned, and that it would not be necessary for me to say anything about it. But since the claim has been made that the teachings of this book can be sustained by statements from my writings, I am compelled to speak in denial of this claim. There may be in this book expressions and sentiments that are in harmony with my writings. And there may be in my writings many statements which, when taken from their connection, and interpreted according to the mind of the writer of “The Living Temple,” would seem to be in harmony with the teachings of this book. This may give apparent support to the assertion that the sentiments in “The Living Temple” are in harmony with my writings. But God forbid that this opinion should prevail. {RH, October 22, 1903 par. 1}
I am given a message to bear to you and the rest of our physicians who are connected with the Medical Missionary Association. Separate from the influence exerted by the book Living Temple; [A 568-PAGE BOOK ISSUED IN 1903 BY DR. J. H. KELLOGG IN WHICH PANTHEISTIC PHILOSOPHIES WERE PROMULGATED.–COMPILERS.] for it contains specious sentiments. There are in it sentiments that are entirely true, but these are mingled with error. Scriptures are taken out of their connection, and are used to uphold erroneous theories. {1SM 199.1}
The thought of the errors contained in this book has given me great distress, and the experience that I have passed through in connection with the matter has nearly cost me my life. {1SM 199.2}
It will be said that Living Temple has been revised. But the Lord has shown me that the writer has not changed, and that there can be no unity between him and the ministers of the gospel while he continues to cherish his present sentiments. I am bidden to lift my voice in warning to our people, saying, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked” (Gal. 6:7). {1SM 199.3}
Kellogg claims that EGW used “he” and “third person”, so it must be a person.
This is what egw meant
The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. (DA 324.1)
Christ declared that after His ascension, He would send to His church, as His crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take His place. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit – the soul of His life, the efficacy of His church, the light and life of the world. RH May 19 1904 par 1
Pioneers
JS White
“Paul affirms of the Son of God that he was in the form of God, and that he was equal with God. ‘Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God.’ Phil. 2:6. The reason why it is not robbery for the Son to be equal with the Father is the fact that he is equal… The inexplicable Trinity that makes the Godhead three in one and one in three, is bad enough; but that ultra Unitarianism that makes Christ inferior to the Father is worse. Did God say to an inferior, “Let us make man in our image”?” {J. S. White, Review & Herald, November 29, 1877}
The way spiritualizers have disposed of or denied the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ is first using the old unscriptural Trinitarian creed, viz., that Jesus Christ is the eternal God, though they have not one passage to support it, while we have plain scripture testimony in abundance that he is the Son of the eternal God.” {J. S. White, The Day Star, January 24, 1846}
“The Father was greater than the Son in that he was first. The Son was equal with the Father in that he had received all things from the Father.” {J. S. White, Review & Herald, January 4, 1881}
The greatest fault we can find in the Reformation is, the Reformers stopped reforming. Had they gone on, and onward, till they had left the last vestige of Papacy behind, such as natural immortality, sprinkling, the trinity, and Sunday-keeping, the church would now be free from her unscriptural errors.” {J. S. White, Review & Herald, February 7, 1856}
Joseph Bates
Respecting the trinity, I concluded that it was an impossibility for me to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, was also the Almighty God, the Father, one and the same being. I said to my father, “If you can convince me that we are one in this sense, that you are my father, and I your son; and also that I am your father, and you my son, then I can believe in the trinity.”” {J. Bates, The Autobiography of Elder Joseph Bates, pp. 204, 205. 1868}
JN Andrews
“The doctrine of the Trinity which was established in the church by the council of Nice, A. D. 325. This doctrine destroys the personality of God, and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The infamous measures by which it was forced upon the church which appear upon the pages of ecclesiastical history might well cause every believer in that doctrine to blush.” {J. N. Andrews, Review & Herald, March 6, 1855}
J Lobourough
To believe that doctrine, when reading the scripture we must believe that God sent himself into the world, died to reconcile the world to himself, raised himself from the dead, ascended to himself in heaven, pleads before himself in heaven to reconcile the world to himself, and is the only mediator between man and himself. We must believe also that in the garden God prayed to himself, if it were possible, to let the cup pass from himself, and a thousand other such absurdities.
This doctrine of the trinity was brought into the church about the same time with image worship, and keeping the day of the sun, and is but Persian doctrine remodeled. It occupied about three hundred years from its introduction to bring the doctrine to what it is now. It was commenced about 325 A. D., and was not completed till 681. {J. N. Loughborough, Review & Herald, November 5, 1861}
“The Spirit of God is spoken of in the Scriptures as God’s representative- the power by which he works, the agency by which all things are upheld. This is clearly expressed by the Psalmist…Psa. 139:7-10. We learn from this language that when we speak of the Spirit of God we are really speaking of his presence and power.” {J. N. Loughborough, Review & Herald, September 20, 1898}
Uriah Smith
“The Scriptures nowhere speak of Christ as a created being, but on the contrary plainly state that he was begotten of the Father. (See remarks of Rev. 3:14, where it is shown that Christ is not a created being.) But while as the Son he does not possess a coeternity of past existence with the Father, the beginning of his existence, as the begotten of the Father, antedates the entire work of creation, in relation to which he stands as joint creator with God. John 1:3; Heb 1:2. Could not the Father ordain that to such a being worship should be rendered equally with himself, without its being idolatry on the part of the worshiper? He has raised him to positions which make it proper that he should be worshipped, and has even commanded that worship should be rendered him, which would not have been necessary had he been equal with the Father in eternity of existence.
Christ himself declares that ‘as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.’ John 5:26. The Father has ‘highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.’ Phil. 2:9. And the Father himself says, ‘Let all the angels of God worship him.’ Heb. 1:6. These testimonies show that Christ is now an object of worship equally with the Father; but they do not prove that with him he holds an eternity of past existence.” {U. Smith, Thoughts on the Book of Daniel and the Revelation, p. 430. 1882}
“1. We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Matt. 28:19. By this we express our belief in the existence of the one true God, the mediation of his Son, and the influence of the Holy Spirit.” {U. Smith, The Bible Students Assistant, pp. 21, 22. 1858}
This Spirit is the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ; the Spirit being the same whether it is spoken of as pertaining to God or Christ. But respecting this Spirit, the Bible uses expressions which cannot be harmonized with the idea that it is a person like the Father and the Son. Rather it is shown to be a divine influence from them both, the medium which represents their presence and by which they have knowledge and power through all the universe, when not personally present. Christ is a person, now officiating as priest in the sanctuary in heaven; and yet he says that wherever two or three are gathered in his name, he is there in the midst. Mt. 18:20. How? Not personally, but by his Spirit. In one of Christ’s discourses (John 14-16) this Spirit is personified as “the Comforter,” and as such has the personal and relative pronouns, “he,” “him,” and “whom,” applied to it. But usually it is spoken of in a way to show that it cannot be a person, like the Father and the Son. For instance, it is often said to be “poured out” and “shed abroad.” But we never read about God or Christ being poured out or shed abroad. If it was a person, it would be nothing strange for it to appear in bodily shape; and yet when it has so appeared, that fact has been noted as peculiar. Thus Luke 3:22 says: “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him.” But the shape is not always the same; for on the day of Pentecost it assumed the form of “cloven tongues like as of fire.” Acts 2:3, 4. Again we read of “the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6. This is unquestionably simply a designation of the Holy Spirit, put in this form to signify its perfection and completeness. But it could hardly be so described if it was a person. We never read of the seven Gods or the seven Christs.” {U. Smith, Review & Herald, October 28, 1890}
JH Waggoner
From it we learn that the Spirit of God is that awful and mysterious power which proceeds from the throne of the universe, and which is the efficient actor in the work of creation and of redemption.” {J. H. Waggoner, The Spirit Of God; Its Offices And Manifestations, pp. 8, 9. 1877}
“The Scriptures abundantly teach the pre-existence of Christ and his divinity; but they are entirely silent in regard to a trinity. (J.H. Waggoner, 1884, The Atonement In The Light Of Nature And Revelation, p, 173)
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It is a day dedicated by the Apostles to the honor of the most holy Trinity, and in memory that Christ our Lord arose from the dead upon Sunday, sent down the holy Ghost on a Sunday, &c.; and therefore it is called the Lord’s Day. It is also called Sunday from the old Roman denomination of Dies Solis, the day of the sun, to which it was sacred. – Douay Catechism, Page 143.”
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Haskell
“Before the creation of our world, “there was war in heaven.” Christ and the Father covenanted together; and Lucifer, the covering cherub, grew jealous because he was not admitted into the eternal councils of the Two who sat upon the throne.” {S. N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, p. 217. 1905}
RF Cottrell
But though the Son is called God yet there is a God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1:3. Though the Father says to the Son, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, yet, that throne is given him of his Father; and because he loved righteousness and hated iniquity, he further says, Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee. Heb. 1:9. God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ. Acts. 2:36. The Son is the everlasting Father, not of himself, nor of his Father, but of his children. His language is. I and the children which God hath given me. Heb. 2:13.” {R. F. Cottrell, Review & Herald, June 1, 1869}
EJ Waggoner
A word of caution may be necessary here. Let no one imagine that we would exalt Christ at the expense of the Father or would ignore the Father. All things proceed ultimately from God, the Father; even Christ Himself proceeded and came forth from the Father, but it has pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell, and that He should be the direct, immediate Agent in every act of creation. Our object in this investigation is to set forth Christ’s rightful position of equality with the Father, in order that His power to redeem may be the better appreciated.” {E. J. Waggoner, Christ And His Righteousness, p. 19. 1890}
JS Washburn
“The doctrine of the Trinity is a cruel heathen monstrosity, removing Jesus from his true position of Divine Savior and Mediator. This monstrous doctrine transplanted from heathenism into the Roman Papal Church is seeking to intrude its evil presence into the teachings of the Third Angel’s Message. …
The whole Trinity doctrine is utterly foreign to all the Bible and the teachings of the Spirit of Prophecy. Revelation gives not the slightest hint of it. This monstrous heathen conception finds no place in all the free universe of our Blessed heavenly Father and His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…
If we should go back to the immortality of the soul, purgatory, eternal torment and the Sunday Sabbath, would that be anything less than apostasy? If, however, we leap over all these minor, secondary doctrines and accept and teach the very central root doctrine of Romanism, the Trinity, and teach that the son of God did not die, even though our words seem to be spiritual, is this anything else or anything less than apostasy, and the very Omega of apostasy?…
when a man has arrived at the place where he teaches the heathen Catholic doctrine of the Trinity, and denies that the Son of God died for us, is he a true Seventh-day Adventist? Is he even a true preacher of the Gospel? And when many regard him as a great teacher and accept his unscriptural theories, absolutely contrary to the Spirit of Prophecy, it is time that the watchmen should sound a note of warning.” {Portions of a letter written by J. S. Washburn in 1939.} (This letter was liked by a conference president so much that he distributed it to 32 of his ministers.)
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“Who is Christ?–He is the only begotten Son of the living God. He is to the Father as a word that expresses the thought,–as a thought made audible. Christ is the word of God.” {E. G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, June 28, 1894 par. 9}
In Ellen White’s original handwritten manuscript, a copy of which appears here, it was corrected to read: “Here are the living three personalities of the heavenly trio…”.So she doesn’t say “three living persons of the heavenly trio” but she actually says “the living three personalities of the heavenly trio”. Some may be inclined to think there is no difference between the two, but the prophet herself saw a difference in that she corrected it. She obviously thought there was enough difference to warrant a correction, lest she be misunderstood (as is the case today) to be teaching a trinity. If these two words both conveyed the same meaning in her mind, the change would not have been necessary. Allowing the Testimonies to interpret themselves, here are the “heavenly trio” as defined by her: “They have one God and one Saviour; and one Spirit–the Spirit of Christ–is to bring unity into their ranks.” {E. G. White, Testimonies Volume 9, p. 189}. “Christ tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and the Comforter is the Holy Ghost, “the Spirit of truth, which the Father shall send in My name.” … This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter.” {E. G. White, Manuscript Releases Vol.14, p. 179}
“Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.” {E. G. White, Manuscript Releases Vol.14, p. 23}
As can be plainly seen from above, the spirit is “the spirit of Christ”; it is Christ’s very own omnipresence by which He (not someone else) represents Himself “as the Omnipresent”. As in all her other writings, she maintained that God the Father and His Son were the only divine beings (See appendix II ‘How many divine beings?’ p. 27).
“The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead”, “The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead” {Evangelism, p. 615}. This is her consistent belief in ALL her writings. This was the belief of the entire denomination at that time. Having established this faith of two beings who are the fullness of the Godhead, she then said the “Comforter is the spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead” meaning the comforter brings us the fullness of the Godhead which is the Father and the Son. This Comforter is defined by her: “This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter” which she described as Christ Himself “divested of the personality of humanity”. This is the third “personality” according to her own definitions; not another separate divine being. There was no “third being” – no third separate divine individual. She sums it all up by affirming:
“The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted.” {E. G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898 par. 2}
“The divine Spirit that the world’s Redeemer promised to send is the presence and power of God.” {E. G. White, Signs of the Times, November 23, 1891}
Christ was the Son of God in His pre-existence (i.e. He did not become the Son of God in Bethlehem). Ever since the birth of Christ in heaven (back in the dateless ages) He has been in close fellowship with His divine Father.
Christ is the pre-existent Son of God, meaning that He was a Son in His pre-existence. We know that this Son-ship is a real and literal one based on birth (brought forth). It is after clarifying this fact, that Christ is the Son of God in His pre-existence, she then says there never was a time when He was not in fellowship with the eternal God. The meaning should be clear to all. Ever since Christ was begotten of the Father He has ever been in close fellowship with Him. This is what the statement says.
“God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of God. To Christ has been given an exalted position. He has been made equal with the Father. All the counsels of God are opened to His Son.” {E. G. White, Testimonies Volume 8, p. 268}The fact that Christ is the Son of God (being begotten of Him) is the key to understanding Christ’s exalted and equal position with the Father. He is so because this is how He was begotten; possessing all these divine attributes. The fact that Christ is the Son of God (being begotten of Him) is the key to understanding Christ’s exalted and equal position with the Father. He is so because this is how He was begotten; possessing all these divine attributes.
Christ was GIVEN (by divine inheritance) the original, unborrowed, underived life of His Father. This is plainly what He said in John 5:26.
“All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all.” {E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 21}
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Who purposed to make man in their own image?
“After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now God says to his Son, “Let us make man in our image.”” {E. G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy Volume One, pp. 24, 25} 1870
“God, in counsel with his Son, formed the plan of creating man in their own image.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, February 24, 1874 par. 3}
“The divine Son of God was the only sacrifice of sufficient value to fully satisfy the claims of God’s perfect law.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, December 17, 1872 par. 4}
Why did Satan fall? “It was in seeking to exalt himself above the Son of God that Satan had sinned in heaven.” {The Desire of Ages, p.129}
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Take home message
I beseech those who are laboring for God not to accept the spurious for the genuine. Let not human reason be placed where divine, sanctifying truth should be. Christ is waiting to kindle faith and love in the hearts of His people. Let not erroneous theories receive countenance from the people who ought to be standing firm on the platform of eternal truth. God calls upon us to hold firmly to the fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority. {8T 298.2}
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At this point we have come to the end of the fifthth of 8 short presentations.
If you truly desire to be among the end-time privileged few to witness for the vindication of God’s character, we invite you to come with us to presentation-5, where we will bring to view what inspiration has revealed to all of us the nature of the one true God and His Only-Begotten son. Do not miss out on this. It is a salvation issue.
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It is our hope and prayer that this short presentation may lead some, peradventure many, to have more inspired light on the subject of the investigative Judgment. That it is not only for the purpose of judging the character of men, but to cause the entire universe to see the true justice and character of God.
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Doxology:
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).
Amen
Isaiah 2:3 predicts in the latter days there will be a religious power that exalts itself to ruler-ship over all other powers, and to whom all the nations of the earth will give honor. It is a power in which many, including God’s professed people, are led to put their trust, instead of trusting the Lord.
As recorded in Isaiah 2:3 “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths”. Note, it is not, “Thus saith the Lord,” but thus saith the people, as it is the people who “shall go and say Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD.” This is a false cry and is nothing more than the vain word of man.
She continues in Ministry of Healing pages 431.1/.2: “Neither by searching the recesses of the earth nor in vain endeavors to penetrate the mysteries of God’s being, is wisdom found. It is found, rather, in humbly receiving the revelation that He has been pleased to give, and in conforming the life to His will.
Men of the greatest intellect cannot understand the mysteries of Jehovah as revealed in nature. Divine inspiration asks many questions which the most profound scholar cannot answer. These questions were not asked that we might answer them, but to call our attention to the deep mysteries of God and to teach us that our wisdom is limited; that in the surroundings of our daily life there are many things beyond the comprehension of finite beings”
All this is closely connected with the work of the Day of Atonement. On that day the people of Israel, having confessed their sins, were completely cleansed. They had already been forgiven; now sin was separated from them. They were holy and without blame. The camp of Israel was clean.
We are now living in the great antitypical day of the cleansing of the sanctuary. Every sin must be confessed and by faith be sent beforehand to judgment. As the high priest enters into the most holy, so God’s people now are to stand face to face with God. They must know that every sin is confessed, that no stain of evil remains. The cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven is dependent upon the cleansing of God’s people on earth. How important, then, that God’s people be holy and without blame! In them every sin must be burned out, so that they will be able to stand in the sight of a holy God and live with the devouring fire.
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walks righteously, and speaking uprightly. He that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high. His place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Isaiah 33:13- 16.
As God’s people take up this work, they reveal what spirit they are of. It is seen that the effect of the Gospel is to put into men the spirit that was in Christ, “who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”
Christ will be admired in all them that believe. Men can find nothing then to say against Him, for His life is only good. The Lord has been judged by His people. Their unfaithfulness has brought dishonor upon Him. Now He is vindicated. The hour of His judgment is come, and His faithful witnesses bear true testimony to His wonderful love and great salvation. Henceforth none but His enemies, who hate Him simply because He is good, can speak a word against Him. As the church of Christ comes into harmony with His own life, He is free to work with power. In the past, he has been bound because His people have been unlike Him, and He could not work mightily through them without seeming to countenance their evil ways. Now there is nothing to hinder His full cooperation with His church, and the full tide of divine life flows with mighty power through His people. They go forth upon their work conquering and to conquer.
“Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father–one in nature, in character, in purpose–the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” {E. G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34} 1890. Also {E. G. White, The (1888) Great Controversy, p. 493} 1888
Take home message”
Hebrews 1:9 states: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows”
God commends Christ for His love of righteousness, and also for His hatred of sin. It is possible to resist sin without actually hating it. It is when God’s character abideth in the heart, only then can the man who has actually learned to hate sin is really secure, and glorify the only true God.
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At this point we have come to the end of the third of 8 short presentations.
If the oil from the two olive trees has been dispensed into your heart, and you have a deep desire to declare as did the prophet Jeremiah “here am I”, we invite you to proceed with us to presentation-4.
This is where we learned in the first instance that we have God as the Judge, and in the second we have Him as the one being judged, yet winning His case.
In the first instance Christ’s kingdom is made up through the investigative judgment, and in the second the character of God the Father is vindicated.
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It is our hope and prayer that this short presentation may lead some, peradventure many, to a deeper appreciation of the meaning to love righteousness and hate iniquity through a transformed character into His likeness.
Doxology:
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Hebrews 1:9 states: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows”
God commends Christ for His love of righteousness, and also for His hatred of sin. It is possible to resist sin without actually hating it. It is with God’s character abiding in his heart, only then can the man who has actually learned to hate sin is really secure.
Indeed, the fact that Christ is a part of the Godhead, possessing all the attributes of Divinity, being the equal of the Father in all respects, as Creator [44] and Lawgiver, is the only force there is in the atonement. It is this alone which makes redemption a possibility. Christ died “that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18); but if He lacked one iota of being equal to God, He could not bring us to Him. Divinity means having the attributes of Deity. If Christ were not Divine, then we should have only a human sacrifice. It matters not, even if it be granted that Christ was the highest created intelligence in the universe; in that case He would be a subject, owing allegiance to the law, without ability to do any more than His own duty. He could have no righteousness to impart to others. There is an infinite distance between the highest angel ever created, and God; therefore the highest angel could not lift fallen man up, and make him partaker of the Divine nature. Angels can minister; God only can redeem. Thanks be to God that we are saved “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and who is, therefore, able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him.
we know the Divine unity of the Father and the Son from the fact that both have the same Spirit. Paul, after saying that they that are in the flesh cannot please God, continues: “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. 8:9. Here we find that the Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. Christ “is in the bosom of the Father;” being by nature of the very substance of God, and having life in Himself, He is properly called Jehovah, the self-existent One, and is thus styled in Jer. 23:56, where it is said that the righteous Branch, who [24] shall execute judgment and justice in the earth, shall be known by the name of Jehovah-tsidekenu—THE LORD, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Paul wrote in Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Sister White wrote in 1SM 382.2 “When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit.”
Roman 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Matt 6:13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Psalmist declared in Psalms 96:11-13 “11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth”
The following verse (v. 12), shows that these words, so fraught with life or death to every soul, are spoken before the coming of the Lord. Death arrests the development of character, and fixes man’s destiny. As the tree falls so it Iies. The same stop comes then to living men, but they do not know that the fateful word has been spoken, the division has been made, the choice has gone for ever.
“Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke 21:34, 85.
It is in this clearing of Christ from the misjudgment of men, and setting Him before the world in His true light, that Christians will meet the issues of the hour of judgment.
They cannot be present in the courts above, except as they commit themselves to Christ, the Advocate. He cannot be present on the earth, where He is being judged, except as He can find ambassadors here who will represent Him. If we will confess His name here, and bring honor to His name among men, He undertakes to speak for us in heaven, and procure glory for us there. Matt. 10:32. So that it is here, and not in heaven, that we have to meet the test of the judgment. The decision is in our own hands. We are not to be in fear and trembling, waiting for the moment when the judgment may pass from the dead to the living. If we do not know yet that our interests are secure in heaven, we can make them so at once, and put the matter beyond question, by becoming whole-hearted, blood-bought witnesses for Jesus Christ, who follow Him fully. Whatever others may say or do, we can take our stand boldly in the place where the angelic verdict of the judgment approvingly descends: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
The Judgment is simply the summing up of a case that has been pending since sin entered the universe of God. God has been declared to be unjust, not only by Satan, but by every one who has committed sin.
“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Therefore every one who justifieth himself, thereby declares that God is wrong; and whoever refuses to acknowledge himself to be a sinner, thereby justifies himself.
But every man is unlike God. Therefore if men were right, that would prove God to be in the wrong. Everybody who refuses to confess his sins, by that very refusal charges God with being unjust. And the same thing is done by those who acknowledge themselves to be sinners, but who doubt God’s willingness to forgive.
It is evident that if God could be convicted of one act of injustice, He could not judge the world. In order that rebellion shall be put down for ever, never more to have any possibility of arising, every creature in the universe must see and acknowledge the righteousness of God. Few of the inhabitants of this world do that now; but the Judgment is to make it plain.
This is our strong consolation. God’s righteousness is revealed in the forgiveness of sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John i. 9.
Whoever declares that God will not forgive sins, no matter whose, charges Him with being unjust. He forgives by His righteousness, His justice, and when we confess our sins, we become partakers of His righteousness. This assures our standing in the Judgment.
Now God challenges us to try the case in court, and calls upon heaven and earth to act as jury, to see if there is a single case of acknowledged sin that He does not forgive. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as wool; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as white as snow.”
This is His case. He stakes His life upon that. That is the thing upon which He bases His claim to righteousness, and His right to judge the world. If God is willing to risk His case upon that claim, cannot we? Our life stands with His if we do. We will trust Him, believing that His character will stand every test. Indeed, that is the only sensible thing to do; for if it were possible that we could prove Him unjust, we should gain nothing, since that would mean the end of His Government, so with that would go our lives and the life of all creatures. So we see that it is the height of folly to try to pick flaws in God’s character. It is like a man trying to saw off the limb upon which he is sitting over an abyss. But no fault can be found in God. “There is no unrighteousness in Him.” “Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”
This call to come and be forgiven is to those who are as bad as they can possibly be. Every sin has produced its sore, and the result is that there is not a sound spot in the whole body. There is not a spot on which a stroke of correction could be laid, if sin were to be increased. To such ones He calls, in order that all may have hope, and may come with confidence. With what boldness we maycome! How it enlarges our view of the Gospel, and lifts the whole subject to a plane infinitely beyond the mere selfish inquiry. Is it possible for me to be saved? It is God’s case, not ours. He must forgive, or lose His life; for He gave His life for the express purpose of cleansing sins, and if He should not do it the life would be thrown away. Let us then come boldly to the throne of grace, fully assured that we shall obtain mercy, and find grace to help in tim Their song is called the song of Moses and the Lamb. Moses, the servant of God, who gazed into the land of promise from the height of Pisgah, and then lay down to sleep on the very borders of the inheritance, is the type of those who in the closing message look into eternity, but lie down in the grave until the appearing of their Lord. Christ Himself came to earth, and claimed the body of Moses. He did not wait until all came from their graves. So those who have fallen asleep, having the seal of God, will have a special resurrection, and will be called forth to hear the covenant of peace, and to behold their Lord as He comes in the clouds of heaven. These join their voices with those who tell their life story of Christ the Lamb, — a story of sacrifice and love. “Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty,” and the response comes, “Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” This is a song of “victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.” Standing on the crystal sea, resplendent with the glory of God, they sing the songs of soul union with Jehovah. This is the consummation of the history as related in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. p. 252, .e of need.
Part 9 of 13
In this presentation a comparison is made between the one true God message and the falsehood of the trinity dogma, the “omega of deadly heresies.”*
The three angel’s message is effectively the one true God message.
Man’s duty to worship the Father is based upon the fact that he is the Creator, and that to him all beings owe their existence. Central to this message is the keeping of the living God ever before the minds of men as the source of being and the object of reverence and worship. A clear biblical understanding on issues like the Fatherhood of God, the Sonship of Christ, the omnipresence of God the Father, Christ the only begotten son, and the Holy Spirit shall lead to a perfect rendering of worship, honor, reverence, and exaltation due to the Father and to His only begotten Son.
*On the other hand, Satan strives to turn men from their allegiance to Christ and the Father and from rendering obedience and worship to Them. Through the trinity falsehood he subtly perverts the personality, presence and individuality of the Father and His only begotten son, resulting in a confused understanding of the Fatherhood of God, the Sonship of Christ, the omnipresence of God the Father, Christ the only begotten son, and the Holy Spirit. Thereby leading unsuspecting souls to exalt and worship a false god unto eternal damnation.
The Father requires that He be worshiped. A mere belief alone will not do, nor even the acknowledgement that the He is the one true God of the Bible. We owe wholehearted allegiance and devotion to the Father as a personal Being whom it is our privilege to know, to love, and to trust, and with whom we may have blessed fellowship.
Exodus 20:3 states “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”
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The key focus of this presentation is on Dr John Harvey Kellogg’s trinitarian sentiments in his book the Living Temple together with Sister White’s counsel to worship the one true God, and her strong rebuke, rejection, and warnings against accepting such sentiments.
Also presented here for our learning are historic documentations of repeated persecutions from within the church against God’s faithful servants for not submitting to the worship of a false god, all falsely carried out in the name of religion.
Many sincerely claim they do not submit to the trinity dogma. But in singing the “trinity sentiments” in some of the SDA hymns are they not unwittingly and unsuspectingly submitting to the false trinity dogma?
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*The doctor not only tended towards pantheism where pantheistic philosophies were promulgated which Sister White called the “alpha of deadly heresies”, but more importantly Dr Kellogg perverted the presence, personality, and individuality of the Father through subtle deceiving sophistries that harbored trinitarian sentiments. He was twisting statements from the Spirit of Prophecy to support his eventual belief in the so-called god-the-holy-spirit, whom he considered to be worthy of worship, beside the Father and the only begotten Son; and this sentiment is according to the doctor’s own admission. All these sophistries Sister White openly rebuked and clearly rejected in her writings. Yet sadly and tragically these trinitarian sentiments which are not in harmony with the teachings of the Holy Scripture are officially and firmly established in our beloved church as her fundamental beliefs today.
During the years leading up to the turn of the century, Dr. Kellogg had begun to introduce Pantheistic teachings, God in everything, in the General Conference Sessions. These teachings were a departure from the foundational truths of our leading SDA pioneers regarding the personality of God and Christ. By 1901 Pantheism was rampant in Battle Creek.
*More than just mere pantheism, the “omega of deadly heresies” which Sister White trembles for our people, is today flourishing in our beloved church perverting the very pillars of our faith, and leading souls to eternal damnation.
In 1 Selected Messages p200. Series B No.2 p49.50 Sister White wrote, “In the book ‘Living Temple’ there is presented the alpha of deadly heresies. The omega will follow, and will be received by those who are not willing to heed the warning God has given.”
Those who refused to heed the warnings of the prophet accepted “the omega of deadly heresies”, and the SDA pioneers’ belief in the one true God was changed, not in an obvious way, but subtlety, and slowly.
Dr Kellogg’s understanding of the personality of the Godhead as in the Alpha of deadly heresies developed into Pantheism as the doctor related it to God in nature. Intially, he spoke of the trinitarian idea of God-the-Father, God-the-Son and God-the-Holy-Spirit, all three existing in nature. But eventually he changed it to only God-the-Holy-Spirit existing in nature, a teaching completely opposed by the Sister White. The Omega on the other hand, has not developed into Pantheism or panentheism, but into the Trinity doctrine itself.
*In 1980, it was voted at the SDA General Conference Session that the trinity was made up of the so-called one god comprising the father, son, and holy spirit, a unity of three co-eternal persons.
SDA 28 fundamental Beliefs item (2) “There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons.”
Sister White was aware that her writings can be twisted to teach a trinity of 3 divine beings. This is the very thing that Kellogg was trying to do. Today this is the very thing that many are also trying to do! But tragically, the deception today is far deeper and worse. The “Omega” is far greater and deadlier in that it has a number of aspects. It not only relates to the Fatherhood of God, the Sonship of Christ, but also to the omnipresence of God the Father, Christ the only begotten son, and the Holy Spirit.
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* In February 1902, the* Battle Creek Sanitarium in the US burned to the ground. Sister White wrote about this being a judgment from God. She did not want this Sanitarium rebuilt with the intentions Dr Kellogg had. But he ignored her advice.
The then GC president Arthur G Daniells requested Dr. Kellogg to write a medical book about physiology and health. The sales of this book the Living Temple would go toward building a new sanitarium. The GC Committee reviewed the manuscript and rejected it because some of the sentiments expressed therein were very problematic.
Kellogg submitted an order to the Review and Herald publishing house to print 5000 copies of the book. The printing was accepted as an outside work inferring that the publishing house did not approve of some of its contents. Before the book could be printed, the publishing house burned down too. The Sanitarium was burned to the ground in February 1902, and then a little later on December 30, 1902 the Review and Herald Publishing House was also completely burnt down. Many Seventh-day Adventists thought this was just a coincidence, but not sister White.
*Sister White in Special Testimonies B07 – November 20, par 9.3 1905 wrote “The burning of these two institutions was verily a judgment from God. And yet men who have been given wonderful advantages and opportunities, and who are capable of understanding the dealings of God with His people of old, have stood up to defy, as it were, the Holy One of Israel, and to make of none effect the working of God’s providence in His dealings with His people.”
Nevertheless, Dr. Kellogg went ahead and had the book printed by another publisher.
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*Sister White had a controversy over Dr John Harvey Kellogg’s book the Living Temple.
In Loma Linda Messages, p. 293 1903 she counseled: “The teaching regarding God that is presented in Living Temple is not such as our students need.……Those who express such sentiments regarding Him show that they are departing from the faith.”
*The problem being that Dr Kellogg believed God is not an actual person who is a physical tangible being. That God is this essence that pervades in everything, and today this is clearly seen in the new age movement belief. That God is in everything, in the flowers and in the trees. This tends to lead to nature worship. If God is in the trees and the flowers, then you can worship that. It is called Pantheism.
*Sales of the book went badly and Sister White’s negative review and warnings made it worse. In an effort to reverse the poor sales of the book, Kellogg claimed to have refined and modified his views. His so-called new modified view is reflected in his letter to AG Daniells.* He now claimed to believe in God-the-Father, god-the-Son, and god-the-holy-ghost, and that this third person the so-called god-the-holy-ghost was everywhere present.
In a letter from A.G. Daniells to Brother Willie White, Oct. 29, 1903, Dr. John Kellogg is quoted as having said* “He then stated that his former views regarding the trinity had stood in his way of making a clear and absolutely correct statement; but that within a short time he had come to believe in the trinity, and could now see pretty clearly where all the difficulty was, and believed that he now believed in God-the-Father, God-the-Son, and God-the-Holy-Ghost; and his view was that it was God-the-Holy-Ghost, and not God-the-Father, that filled all space, and every living thing.”
*AG Daniells had responded to Kellogg saying, “I placed before him the objections I found in the teaching, and tried to show him that the teaching was so utterly contrary to the gospel that I did not see how it could be revised by changing a few expressions.”
Kellogg would use Sister White’s writings for credibility support, but she rebuked him over it. She called Kellogg out for his beliefs, thoughts and teachings that were not only Pantheistic, but spiritualistic in a negative way.
*In Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 39 she wrote “He (Kellogg) has not known whither his feet were tending. But in his recent writings, his tendencies toward pantheism have been revealed.”
*In the Review & Herald, October 22, 1903, she wrote an article calling attention to what Dr. Kellogg has been doing wrong. A short excerpt from the article is reproduced here:
“I have some things to say to our teachers in reference to the new book, “The Living Temple.” Be careful how you sustain the sentiments of this book regarding the personality of God. As the Lord represents matters to me, these sentiments do not bear the endorsement of God. They are a snare that the enemy has prepared for these last days. I thought that this would surely be discerned, and that it would not be necessary for me to say anything about it.
*But since the claim has been made that the teachings of this book can be sustained by statements from my writings, I am compelled to speak in denial of this claim. There may be in this book expressions and sentiments that are in harmony with my writings. And there may be in my writings many statements which, when taken from their connection, and interpreted according to the mind of the writer of “The Living Temple,” would seem to be in harmony with the teachings of this book. This may give apparent support to the assertion that the sentiments in “The Living Temple” are in harmony with my writings. But God forbid that this opinion should prevail.”
*Sister White in Letter 136, April 27, 1906, to Brethren Butler, Daniells, and Irwin,” and also in This Day with God, p. 126, wrote.
“Sometimes, that which men teach as “special light” is in reality specious error, which, as tares sown among the wheat, will spring up and produce a baleful harvest. And errors of this sort will be entertained by some until the close of this earth’s history. So it was with the heresies taught in Living Temple. The subtle errors in this book were surrounded by many beautiful truths. . . . The seductive fallacies of Satan undermined confidence in the true pillars of the faith, which are grounded on Bible evidence.
*Truth is sustained by a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” But there has been a weaving in of error, and the use of scriptures out of their natural connection, in order to substantiate fallacies, which would deceive, if possible, the very elect. Let not the days pass by and precious opportunities be lost of seeking the Lord with all the heart and mind and soul. If we accept not the truth in the love of it, we may be among the number who will see the miracles wrought by Satan in these last days, and believe them”
After Sister White called him out, Kellogg wrote a letter to George I Butler questioning Ellen White’s usage of a term, “third person of the Godhead”.
*Letter from John Harvey Kellogg to G. I. Butler. Oct 28. 1903 “As far as I can fathom, the difficulty which is found in ‘The Living Temple’, the whole thing may be simmered down to the question: Is the Holy Ghost a person? You say no. I had supposed the Bible said this for the reason that the personal pronoun ‘he’ is used in speaking of the Holy Ghost. Sister White uses the pronoun ‘he’ and has said in so many words that the Holy Ghost is the third person of the Godhead. How the Holy Ghost can be the third person and not be a person at all is difficult for me to see.”
What did Sister White meant by the “third person”?
*Sister White in Desire of Ages p. 671.2 wrote “Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual, what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.”
*She further emphasized the meaning of the third person in the Desire of Ages, p. 324 “The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness.”
*Sister White in Review & Herald May 19 1904 par 1 wrote “Christ declared that after His ascension, He would send to His church, as His crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take His place. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit – the soul of His life, the efficacy of His church, the light and life of the world.”
*In summary a proper understanding is thus: Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church, which is the mighty agency of the third person of the Godhead, the soul of His life, the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Most emphatically the Holy Spirit is not another so-called god-being erroneously and insidiously referred to as god-the-eternal-spirit. God-the-holy-spirit and god-the-eternal spirit are expressions which are completely not in harmony with the teachings of the Holy Scripture, not found anywhere in the Bible, totally foreign to the Bible.
Sister White did not mean the third person as a real literal being, but used the language in the grammatical third person. She used these words in lower case form. In the original 1898 edition of the book Desire of Ages the expression “third person” was not capitalized. In later editions this expression was capitalized, but not by Sister White.
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Did Sister White reversed or changed her own understanding of the doctrines given at the beginning, or subsequently became a Trinitarian as alleged by some? Did she continue to uphold the truths that were God revealed to her from the start?
*Speaking of herself in the third person, Sister White in 1 Selected Messages p35 1906 wrote “I understood that some were anxious to know if Mrs. White still held the same views that she did years ago when they had heard her speak in the sanitarium grove, in the Tabernacle, and at the camp meetings held in the suburbs of Battle Creek. I assured them that the message she bears today is the same that she has borne during the sixty years of her public ministry.
*She has the same service to do for the Master that was laid upon her in her girlhood. She receives lessons from the same Instructor. The directions given her are, ‘Make known to others what I have revealed to you. Write out the messages that I give you, that the people may have them’. This is what she has endeavored to do.”
*According to the prophetess in 1 Selected Messages p200 “We have a truth that admits no compromise.”
From Cooranbong, Australia, Sister White wrote in 8 Testimonies p162 “Never, never seek to remove one landmark that the Lord has given His people. The truth stands firmly established on the eternal Rock – a foundation that storm and tempest can never move.”
To maintain that Sister White changed her belief on the trinity is tantamount to alleging that she is not a true prophet of God, for the Word of God changeth not. The so-called “paradigm shift” that is attributed to her is in the realm of illusion and wishful thinking; there is no evidence to substantiate it.* Sister White did not change the foundational doctrines of the Godhead upon which the church was founded. That a change of our foundational doctrines has come about cannot be denied, but to attribute Sister White with that change flies in the face of all reasoning, logic and evidence. We have allowed Sister White to speak through her pen. All can plainly see that she maintained a consistent belief throughout her entire career as a messenger from God. Her consistent belief regarding the Godhead is that there are only two divine beings, the Father and His begotten Son, and Their Spirit is Their life which They share with us. The Father and Son alone are to receive all honor and praise.
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Did God impressed upon Sister White a steady and escalating sense of foreboding that the fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error, especially in the last-days?*
Sister White warned in 1 Selected messages p204.1 “In a vision of the night I was shown distinctly that these sentiments have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be brought in and made prominent at the present time. I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers–the truths of the Word of God. Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform.
*Then I heard a voice saying, “Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.
*Again in 8T Testimonies for the church vol 8 1904, p297.1 Sister White warned “Let none seek to tear away the foundations of our faith – the foundations that were laid at the beginning of our work by prayerful study of the word and by revelation. Upon these foundations we have been building for the last fifty years. Men may suppose that they have found a new way and that they can lay a stronger foundation than that which has been laid. But this is a great deception. Other foundation can no man lay than that which has been laid.”
In Sister White’s Letter 136, April 27, 1906, to Brethren Butler, Daniells, and Irwin, she cautioned for that time and also with prophetic insight for the last-days* “There are some, who upon accepting erroneous theories, strive to establish them by collecting from my writings statements of truth, which they use, separated from their proper connection and perverted by association with error. Thus seeds of heresy, springing up and growing rapidly into strong plants, are surrounded by many precious plants of truth, and in this way a mighty effort is made to vindicate the genuineness of the spurious plants.”
The case in point is the book Evangelism compiled by LeRoy Edwin Froom where there is a weaving in of false sentiments and errors, and the use of scriptures out of their natural connection, in order to substantiate fallacies, which would deceive, if possible, the very elect.
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Now let us look briefly through the pages of history on those who opposed the Papacy’s trinity dogma and were branded as Arians and persecuted unto death.
*Among the principal obstructions to the rise of papal Rome to political power were the Heruli, the Vandal, and the Ostrogoth. All three were supporters of Arianism, which was the most formidable rival of Catholicism. At that time they posed a serious threat to the supremacy of the Catholic church. They were particularly intolerant toward the Catholics, whom they termed heretics. By 538 AD the pope through the Roman emperor Justinian completely “plucked up by the roots” these three tribes.
The Heruli, the Vandal, and the Ostrogoth were systematically annihilated, physically and culturally, as though they never existed. They were labeled as heretics and Arians by the clergy. The world has only the word of the papacy that they were heretics. The Papacy stigmatized as Arians those who disagreed with her in general. In particular she branded those as Judaizers who were convinced that “the Sabbath” of the fourth commandment was the seventh day, and as heretics those who would not submit to the trinity.
*BG Wilkinson Truth Triumphant p85 wrote “Then the papal party proceeded to call those who would not subscribe to this teaching, Arians, while they took to themselves the title of Trinitarians. An erroneous charge was circulated that all who were called Arians believed that Christ was a created being. This stirred up the indignation of those who were not guilty of the charge”
*BG Wilkinson Truth Triumphant p85 footnote 41 “It is doubtful if many believed Christ to be a created being. Generally, those evangelical bodies who opposed the Papacy and who were branded as Arians confessed both the divinity of Christ and that He was begotten, not created, by the Father. They recoiled from other extreme deductions and speculations concerning the Godhead”
Would history repeat itself on all who would not submit to the trinity dogma? The SDA church Manual p62 items (1) and (10) speak for itself. Today many church members and pastors are dis-fellowshipped for preaching the one true God message.
The pages of history recorded repeated persecutions from within the church against God’s faithful servants for preaching the Truth, all falsely carried out in the name of religion. In the last-days error is so well mixed with God’s truth that many are not immune to this most devious deceptions inasmuch that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service as recorded in John 16:2.
It is also well documented in the work of John Wesley that in much the same way he suffered persecution from within the church itself.*
Sister White in GC 258.1 warned “The servants of God trod a rugged path. Men of influence and learning employed their powers against them. After a time many of the clergy manifested determined hostility, and the doors of the churches were closed against a pure faith and those who proclaimed it. The course of the clergy in denouncing them from the pulpit aroused the elements of darkness, ignorance, and iniquity. Again and again did John Wesley escape death by a miracle of God’s mercy.”
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*In 1861, when Seventh-day Adventist ministers in the state of Michigan gathered in Battle Creek to consider the prospect of adopting a formal organizational structure, James White introduced the idea of a “church covenant.” some in the group were suspicious that this was the beginning of a “creed,” and thus a step toward “becoming Babylon.”
John Loughborough’s blunt response to James Whites’ idea of a “church covenant”. Doings of the Battle Creek Conference, October 5 and 6, 1861,” Review and Herald, October 8, 1861. “The first step of apostasy is to get up a creed, telling us what we shall believe. The second is to make that creed a test of fellowship. The third is to try members by that creed. The fourth is to denounce as heretics those who do not believe that creed. And fifth, to commence persecution against such.” It is a response we should never forget.
It is most ironic that in 1872 we have a creed that is called a “Statement of Belief.” Today its contents are radically different from the 1872 version and officially incorporated into the church in 1981 by then SDA president Neal C Wilson as the “SDA fundamental beliefs.” Repeatedly Seventh-Day Adventist believers have been persecuted and dis-fellowshipped today because they choose to remain true to scriptural beliefs.
Most troubling and sadly Loughborough’s predictions are fulfilled to the letter today. The SDA church manual outlined some of the reasons for which member shall be subject to discipline. This is tantamount to nothing less than enforced acceptance and submission to the worship of a false god, enforced acceptance and submission to a human creed while casting aside the word of God, paying of homage to the Roman church in the worship of the “sun god”. All these are accomplished insidiously and unknowingly to a generally unsuspecting congregation.
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*Many sincerely claim they do not submit to the trinity dogma. But in singing the “trinity sentiments” in some of the SDA hymns are they not unwittingly and unsuspectingly submitting to the false trinity dogma? Never before in any SDA Hymnal has there been an entire section of hymns dedicated to the trinity. The SDA 1985 hymnal has at least ten such hymns, which designates it as acceptable to Babylon. Indeed, we would be very naive if we did not believe that there are those within our Church who are working deceptively to change the very foundations of our faith.
Before the 1985 General Conference Session in New Orleans, much had been said about the development of the new Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Unfortunately, this new but strange hymnal would musically introduce into the Seventh-day Adventist divine worship service hymns and Scripture readings containing Roman Catholic teachings which were totally absent from all earlier Adventist hymnals and songbooks.
*Hymn : Holy, Holy, Holy . This hymn was originally written in the early 1800s by Reginald Heber, an Anglican bishop. In its original form it was a Trinitarian song, which reads at the end of the first and fourth stanzas as follows: “God in three persons, blessed Trinity!” This song was placed in the early Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, Christ in Songs hymn no 200, but the trinity part was at that time changed to: “God over all who rules eternity.” This song was purposely changed into a non-trinitarian song by faithful Seventh-day Adventists, expressing their views on the trinity back then. In the new 1985 Adventist Hymnal, hymn no 73, this song was changed back to its Anglican trinitarian version.
* Hymn 27 (Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!): Fifth stanza is as follows: “Praise Him who reigns on high, The Lord whom we adore, The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God forevermore.”
Hymn 47 (God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven): In this new hymn, Adventists sing, “Blest Three in One.”
Hymn No. 72 (Creator of the Stars of Night): Adventists are led to sing to a false God with these words: “To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in one.”
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*Take home message
Clearly, the falsehood of the trinity dogma is the “omega of deadly heresies.”
We should engage in the study of the three angels’ message with a prayerful dependence upon God, and a sincere desire to learn His will. Otherwise, evil angels will so blind our minds and harden our hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth.
As a minimum, read and study the following passages 7 times prayerfully, diligently, and slowly meditate on them with a contrite heart, a humble mind and a teachable spirit.
John chapters 14 to 17; Proverbs 8:22-30; Zechariah chapter 4, Hebrews chapters 1 and 2; Patriarchs & Prophets Chapter 1; John 5:26, Ministry of Healing chapter 35 onwards.
Lastly, Would Naaman be healed of his leprosy if he had not by faith dipped himself in the Jordan river 7 times?
Part 10 of 13
*The second Angel’s message is addressed to those religious organizations where God’s people can mainly be found.
Revelation 14:8 states “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
*The instrument which God saw fit to use in the closing work of the everlasting gospel is the First Angels’ Message. The preaching of this first message in 1844 drew a dividing line among the professed followers of the Lord. Those who longed for a higher spiritual development drank of the pure water of life, as given by the first angel.
The Protestant churches were still clinging to many papal errors and superstitions. The power of the everlasting gospel was impaired in their hands. To correct these evils the doctrine of the second coming of Christ was introduced and proclaimed with power through the Millerites in 1844. The protestant churches could accept God’s light and truth as declared in the first message and advanced to a higher spiritual attainment or they could reject it and experience a moral fall. Had they received it they would have been quickened by it into new life. Instead they rejected it and suffered the consequences spiritually.
*Sadly the protestant churches showed they had lost their love for Christ by disregarding the message of His return. To them the angel pronounced the words, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.”
In the hands of the fallen protestant churches a golden cup was filled with the wine of fornication. *When the time passed in 1844 instead of offering the life-giving drink from the fountain of life, the protestant churches closed their doors against the everlasting Gospel. Ministers gave their flocks to drink of the wine of fornication. A mixture of truth and error, like any intoxicant, benumbs the sensibilities, and caused those who drink it to turn away from the word of God which alone could revive them.
*The protestant churches of that time experienced a moral fall, because they refused the light of the advent message; but that fall was not completed yet. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time, they have fallen lower and lower. But the work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination and will continue unabated in these last days.
*Sister White confirmed in Early Writings p237.2 “As the churches refused to receive the first angel’s message, they rejected the light from heaven and fell from the favor of God. They trusted to their own strength, and by opposing the first message placed themselves where they could not see the light of the second angel’s message. But the beloved of God, who were oppressed, accepted the message, “Babylon is fallen,” and left the churches.”
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*Babylon, both literal and mystical is the traditional enemy of God’s truth and people. The name is symbolic of all apostate religious organizations and their leadership, from antiquity down to the close of time. Therefore, there is a need to view the moral fall of Babylon as progressive and cumulative, ultimately resulting in her final destruction.
*Progressively, the history of Babylon through the ages, from Nimrod’s Babel to Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece, pagan Rome, and papal Rome is the story of the great controversy between Christ and His holy angels and Lucifer and his evil angels; which begun in heaven, continued on earth, and will end only when the stone cut out without hands from the mountain shall fill the whole earth.
*Satan planned to establish a kingdom on earth the glory of which will rival and excel the glory of the kingdom of God in heaven. He chose the plains of Shinar. The spirit of self-exaltation, born of Lucifer himself, took possession of the men of the valley of the Euphrates, and they openly defied their Creator. It was Lucifer’s design to counterfeit the plan of God. The earthly city was patterned after the heavenly. The Euphrates flowed through it as did the river of God through Paradise.
The government was an absolute monarchy; a man occupied the throne, and as it grew, every knee of earth shall bow to its king. In the earthly kingdom tyranny rules supreme and replaced love which is the very essence in the heavenly kingdom.
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*In Babylonian language the name Babel, or Babylon meant “gate of the gods,” By a play on words the Hebrew linked the name of the city Babel with the Hebrew verb balal meaning “to confuse.”*
Genesis 11:9 “Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth”
*Babylon was founded by Nimrod. Gen 10:8-10 states “And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel”
From the very beginning the city was emblematic of disbelief in the one true God and defiance of His Will, and its tower a monument to apostasy, a citadel of rebellion against God.
* Gen 11:4 states “…let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name…” This high tower would give the inhabitants of the city the desired feeling of security. Such a citadel would protect them against attack, and enable them to escape another future flood, although God had promised would never again take place. The desire for renown was apparently one of the impelling motives for building the tower, and pride in such a structure would tend to maintain unity in the accomplishment of their other unsanctified schemes. According to the divine purpose, men were to have preserved unity through the bond of true religion. When idolatry and polytheism broke this inner spiritual bond, they lost not only unity of religion but also the spirit of brotherhood. A project such as the tower, to preserve by outward means the inward unity which had been lost, could never succeed.
*Sister White provided more details in PP p. 123.1 “The men of Babel had determined to establish a government that should be independent of God. There were some among them, however, who feared the Lord, but who had been deceived by the pretensions of the ungodly and drawn into their schemes. For the sake of these faithful ones the Lord delayed His judgments and gave the people time to reveal their true character. As this was developed, the sons of God labored to turn them from their purpose; but the people were fully united in their Heaven-daring undertaking.
*Had they gone on unchecked, they would have demoralized the world in its infancy. Their confederacy was founded in rebellion; a kingdom established for self-exaltation, but in which God was to have no rule or honor. Had this confederacy been permitted, a mighty power would have borne sway to banish righteousness – and with it peace, happiness, and security – from the earth. For the divine statutes, which are “holy and just and good”, men were endeavoring to substitute laws to suit the purpose of their own selfish and cruel hearts”
For this reason God saw fit to destroy the tower and to scatter its builders.
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*When Nebuchadnezzar II rebuilt Babylon it became one of the wonders of the ancient world. His plan to make his kingdom universal and eternal was a success in that this Babylonian Empire surpassed its predecessors in splendor and power. The beauty and power of the kingdom were increased by him in every possible way, until it was spoken of everywhere as “Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency” as recorded in Isaiah 13:19. However, in a dramatic series of events God humbled Nebuchadnezzar and secured the submission of his will. But his successors refused to humble themselves before God and eventually the kingdom was weighed in the balances of heaven, and found wanting.
So strong and self-confident were the Chaldeans that they acknowledged no power but their own, crediting their grand attainments to their own abilities. But the kingdom of Babylon committed the unpardonable sin, imputing the power of the Spirit of God to the gods of the heathen, and by this act the lion was shorn of its strength, the wings were plucked, and a man’s heart was given to it.
This is also an object lesson to many. In the same way men today commit the unpardonable sin, by attributing the work of the Spirit of God to the work of a false god in the trinity.
*Jeremiah saw Babylon at the height of its power also predicted that its overthrow would be like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Its destruction would be absolute, it would never be rebuilt.
Jeremiah 50:40 “As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein”
Jeremiah 51:64 …Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her…”
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Ever since the fall of Nebuchadnezzar’s ancient Babylon Satan has sought, through one world power after another, to control the world, and would probably have succeeded had it not been for repeated instances of divine intervention.
*But Rome the fourth kingdom was “diverse from all the others.” She possesses all the combined cruel characteristics of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, as represented by the figures of the leopard, the bear, and the lion. Revelation 13:2 states “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority”
As the plans of the arch-enemy had failed to succeed in the history of the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, Satan now attempted with redoubled vigor to thwart the plans of God. He chose for this purpose the seven-hilled city.
*In Rome was united the false system of the religion of ancient Babylon, the governmental tyranny of Medo-Persia, and the mixture of good and evil in the intellectual culture of Greece. Ancient Babylon enslaved the bodies of God’s people and sought to make men drunk with idolatry. Satan working through Medo-Persia made laws to slay those who were faithful to their God.
*Through the teachings of Greece satan had so fascinated man with the powers of his own mind that by their works of righteousness and philosophies of their own conjecturing, men were led to forget any higher power than that which he himself possessed. Greece decidedly captured men’s minds, and enslaved them to her ideas. She ever so quietly and surely, wound her tendrils around God’s people stifling them, that their slavery was far worse than their earlier Egyptian or Babylonian bondage. So in Rome was embodied the strength of all previous nations. What wonder that it was a terrible and dreadful nation, and that except the time of its supremacy should be shortened there should be none left to witness for God’s truth.
*In the ebb and flow of history, Rome gradually started to decline into ruin; her cities were been sacked, her government broken. As from the decaying log of the marsh the mushroom imperceptibly springs up in a night, gaining its life from the decay, so there arose in the Roman Empire a power which was nourished by this national decay. This power was the little horn power of Daniel chapters 7 & 8 known as the papacy.
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As stated earlier, satan through Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome attempted the overthrow of God’s truth, but there was a constantly increasing grandeur in place of defeat.
Outward pressure, though tried again and again, had proved unavailing in stamping out God’s truth. In Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace was seen the form of a fourth, the only begotten son of God. From the lions’ den came forth a Prime Minister, Daniel. From Joseph’s new sepulcher arose a conqueror, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
*A new plan was devised by Satan. If paganism could be placed in the heart, while Christian principles were acknowledged outwardly, the overthrow would be certain; for apostasy and destruction works from within outwards.
Behind this activity Satan was seeking to exterminate the true church of God. When he found that his efforts to annihilate the followers of Christ through persecution proved unavailing, he altered his tactics and sought to lure the church away from Christ through the establishment of a vast counterfeit religious system. Instead of working directly through paganism the dragon now worked behind the facade of a professedly Christian organization, the papacy, hoping thereby to disguise his identity.
The power succeeding the Roman Empire is clearly papal Rome. “Out of the ruins of political Rome, arose the great and supposedly moral Empire in the ‘giant form’ of the Roman Church”
Into this church, although noted for its early purity, insidiously crept the life of paganism. While camouflaged and sheltered in Christian garment it is the serpent, the old dragon.
Paganism on the throne had been cruel enough, but when those pagan principles which had lived since the days of Babylon took the name and outward form of Christianity, the power which bore sway was even more cruel. Not only would the little horn blaspheme against the Most High, but it would “presume to change the appointed times and the law;” through substituting the holy Sabbath of the fourth commandment with the unholy Sunday sabbath, by the changing of the Decalogue, and in its opposition to the Most High would set itself up as being equal with God.
*Daniel 7:25 states “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws…”
*Ecclesiastical literature is replete with exhibits of the arrogant, blasphemous claims of the papacy.
(Extract from “Papa II,” Prompta Bibliotheca, Vol. VI, pp. 25–29):
“The Pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God …”
“The Pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions …”
“The Pope is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power, to whom has been intrusted by the omnipotent God, direction not only of the earthly but also of the heavenly kingdom …”
* “The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, explain, or interpret even divine laws …”
“The Pope can modify divine law, since his power is not of man but of God, and he acts as vicegerent of God upon earth with most ample power of binding and loosing his sheep”
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Undoubtedly satan’s nearly successful attempt to subvert the church has been through the papal apostasy of the Middle ages, especially in the 1260 years of papal persecution of God’s faithful servants. But God intervened to prevent the success of each subsequent threat to the ultimate accomplishment of His purposes. *However, near the end of time Satan will be permitted to briefly achieve what appears to be success through the three fold union of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
Rev 16:13,14 “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty”
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In the last days, the second angel’s message on the fall of Babylon finds its fulfillment in the departure of Protestantism at large from the purity and simplicity of the gospel.
*Sister White in GC p382.1 confirmed this point “The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries”
The second angel’s message will have increasing relevance as the end draws near, and will meet its complete fulfillment with the union of the various religious elements under the leadership of Satan. The second angel gives the warning that destruction hangs over those who claim to be representatives of God on earth, but do not love His appearing. The message of Rev 18:2 – 4 announces the complete downfall of Babylon and calls upon God’s people who are scattered throughout the various religious bodies comprising Babylon, to separate from them.
*The Apostle Paul’s appeal to God’s people to separate from the world and from mystical Babylon as represented by the various religious bodies comprising Babylon is as stated in 2 Cor 6:17,18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”
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*The Apostle John was shown in symbolic vision mystical Babylon in the closing scene of this world’s history. John was given a complete and startling account of her crimes which filled him with utter astonishment.
Her crimes would include seducing world leaders into illicit union with her to further her own sinister agenda. Exercising direct control and oppression over men as recorded in Rev 17:1 “…the great whore that sitteth upon many waters”. Deceiving the world with her false political policy and caused them to become her accomplices in her evil plot as recorded in Rev 17:2 “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication” and finally persecuting and murdering God’s faithful servants who refused to submit to her ambition to rule the world.
Rev 17:3-6 states “3 and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns” 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus”
“Babylon the great” here represents the three fold union of paganism, the papacy, and apostate Protestantism in the last-days of this world’s history; with the beast representing political power and the woman religious power.
The “harlot” is represented here as directing the policies of civil government as she “ … sit upon a scarlet coloured beast…” It has ever been the character of apostate Christianity to attempt a union of church and state, in order to consolidate religious control over public policy.
The color of this beast shows that it is the epitome of evil, even as the names of blasphemy with which it is covered indicate that it stands in opposition to God. The beast itself may be identified as political agencies in all ages that have submitted to Satan’s control.
During the 1260 years of tyranny, the Roman church claimed that it never took the life of a single individual. The church merely decided who were identified as heretics, at least so they argued, and it was the state which executed the judgment. The beast ridden by the woman who holds the reins of control over them cannot do otherwise than carry out her will.
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*Repetition lends emphasis to the message “Babylon is fallen is fallen.” The message “is fallen, is fallen,” is twice repeated. The repetition is to emphasize the certainty of the events indicated and the urgency of taking measures to meet the emergency, even as Pharaoh’s dream was twice repeated to warn him and his subjects of the devastating events to come.
Genesis 41:32 states “And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” In the same way, God has pronounced the two phases of Babylon’s fall, that is firstly her moral fall from God’s truth and secondly her physical destruction, so God will shortly bring it to pass.
God has given warning, and those who desire life, will heed the call, and separate themselves. This message will also swell into a loud cry just before the universal close of probation. Those who hear to-day will obey to-day; others may be snatched from the burning as Lot and his family was hurried out of Sodom. But sadly the effect of drinking the wine of fornication will be to deaden the spiritual senses until, like the physical drunkard; there will be no possibility of returning. Then as a drunkard it will be the sad end.
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*Sister White in GC p388.2 wrote “The great sin charged against Babylon is that she “made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This cup of intoxication which she presents to the world represents the false doctrines that she has accepted as the result of her unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth”
*Continuing in GC 388.2 she wrote “Rome withheld the Bible from the people and required all men to accept her teachings in its place. It was the work of the Reformation to restore to men the word of God; but is it not too true that in the churches of our time men are taught to rest their faith upon their creed and the teachings of their church rather than on the Scriptures?”
Today, as the second angel’s message continues to be proclaimed, almost the whole of Christendom through creed-power, willingly or in a state of being deceived, inadvertently or willfully rejected the one true God message by continuing with their submission to the false trinity.
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When Babylon the Great is drunk with power and earthly glory, when her sinful ambitions are all realized, when “all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,” then in her hour of triumph shall be heard once again * a voice from heaven declaring as recorded in Revelation 18:4-6 “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double”
In the message of the second angel we learn that close to the end of this world’s history, to all outward appearance mystical Babylon is prospering greatly. All nations are serving her. Her triumph seems assured. Opposition seems hopeless. Yet God’s servants are to declare aloud, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” It is when Babylon triumphs that she falls. Just as in her hour of prosperity and glory, ancient Babylon failed to consider the result of her evil course and her arrogant pride.
*This point is well documented in Isaiah 47:9 “But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood…” The papacy together with her daughters as represented by apostate Protestantism shall God destroy together suddenly.
Rev 18:21 “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” With one tremendous throw of the mighty angel the millstone is hurled into the depths of the sea. With finality shall mystical Babylon sink into oblivion, never more would she, like a great millstone, produce the wine of the wrath of her fornication to deceive the world.
*We should never be discouraged when evil seems to be victorious. As given in Psalm 92:7 “When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever”
So God’s servants are to declare boldly, notwithstanding all, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” It was when Babylon fell that Israel went free. Babylon is fallen: therefore it has no power to hold its captives.
That there are prisoners still in Babylon is clear from Rev. 18:4, where the Lord calls upon His people to come out of her and escape her fate.
*Sister White in GC p604 wrote “But God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and “receive not of her plagues.” Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people.”
Satan has no power over them. It is Christ who holds the keys of death and the grave. The power of Satan is his power to deceive, the power of blinding the eyes, the power of darkness, but the man who walks in the light submitting to God will not be in darkness, and satan will not have power over him.
The message of the second angel goes with the everlasting Gospel, to set men perfectly free from Satan’s power. It means entire deliverance from every yoke of bondage. It means having power over all the power of the enemy. Satan has bound many, as he bound the woman who was bowed down by a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years as described in Luke 13:16, but this message will give deliverance from all such bondage to all who will take it by faith.
While Satan appears to be triumphing in the earth, while the apostate churches unite with the world and all its leaders in rejecting the law of God and denying the faith of Christ, and the one true God of the Bible, believers will with gladness and confidence declare the glad tidings that Babylon is fallen. Many a captive will hear the message and go free.
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*Take home message
Prophecy is history foretold in advance, and history is prophecy fulfilled in God’s time. When both history and prophecy are in harmony we are assured of the infallibility of God’s word. From the sad history of literal Babylon, and the equally sad fate of the Harlot and her Daughters in future, we know we are in the last-days and closer than we can imagine to the close of this world’s history.
*The special providence of God over those who are faithful to Him is brought out in clear contrast to the sad inevitable fate of those who ignore his guiding hand and remain in spiritual darkness.
God’s Truth brings life but the least perversion of truth, as in the spurious Sunday Sabbath and the false trinity dogma, no matter how slight, brings eternal death.
Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 state “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”
We earnestly desire that even the skeptic may not cast this presentation aside; but that he may give it a careful rendering, and while tracing the fulfilled prophecies in the history of the world, learn to prize the rare gems of truth outlined in the Word of God.
The force of God’s truth is equally applicable, be it in the history of the rise and fall of nations or in the life of every individual being.
Part 11 of 13
The Third Angel’s Message is God’s last message of mercy to the world. Throughout the ages God’s judgments have always been mingled with His tender mercies.
Ezra 9:13 “seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this…”
Lamentations 3:33 “For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men”
Yet this is a most fearful message. No threatening of divine wrath more severe than this can be found anywhere in the Bible. Today we have the third message, embracing all three as one threefold message, leading the final proclamation.
Sister White wrote in GC p. 449.2 1888 “The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortal is contained in the third angel’s message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God’s judgments, that all may know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them”
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The first part of the Third Angel’s message enlightens and warns man against allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God. Every man is called upon to make an intelligent and informed decision as to the god he will worship, the Creator or another false god. If any man elects to worship the one true God of the Bible the Creator, he must be prepared to face the wrath of Satan. But if he decides to accept the mark of the beast which is sunday sacredness or submit to the false trinity willingly or by inference, then he must inevitably drink of the unmixed wine of the wrath of God. This is a terrible fate for those who reject God’s overtures of love. Full enlightenment and warning are given that none may blindly follow the path that has such an ending.
Revelation 14:9, 10 states “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation…”
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Satan knows his time is short and continues relentlessly to make every effort to stop the third message from going out. Sister White confirmed this point in Spirit of Prophecy vol 4 p. 423.1 “Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. The prediction that Church and State would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God has been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been, the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message produces an effect which it could not have had before”
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The conflict between the first beast of Revelation 13, the Roman church and the servants of God is clear and definite. It is over the commandments of God. Specifically, it is over the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
Rev. 13:6 states “He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle” This is an attack on God’s name, His Commandments, His character, and His government.
Daniel 7:25 states “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” The little horn power shall “think” to change times and laws. He attempts to change the Sabbath of the fourth commandment from Saturday to Sunday, and also to change the Decalogue to advance his false teachings on idol worship.
The first beast of Revelation 13 is professedly Christian. The conflict is over the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. God commands men to keep the seventh day holy. The beast has thought to change the law of God, and to make the Sunday first day of the week sacred. Almost the whole of Christendom has obeyed the beast, but the time has come to return to God, and obey the Lord God Almighty.
At the very time that this mark is to be enforced, God is marking His own. The winds of strife are held in check until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the living God. Rev. 7:2, 3 states “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads”
God’s remnant will be distinguished by their observance of all the commandments of God, including the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
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What does God say about His seal?
Exodus 31:13 states “Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you”
Through Abraham, circumcision is given as an outer “sign” in their flesh ratifying God’s “covenant” relationship with Israel of old. It reminds Abraham and his descendants that righteousness comes by faith as confirmed in Gen 17:9 – 14, and Acts 7:8. The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to be an additional “sign” of this covenant relationship, not in the flesh but in the heart. Sabbath violation severs the covenant relation between God and his people. The Sabbath is the distinctive sign of loyalty to God, and its violation is therefore an offense of the gravest character, an act tantamount to treason against the divine government of God.
Ezekiel 20:12 “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them”
Ezekiel 20:20 “And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God”
The Sabbath of the fourth commandment stands for the memorial of God’s creative and redemptive work, as manifested in the making new of His creatures.
The Bible Sabbath is the seal of the living God. It directs man to the one true God of the Bible. True Sabbath-keeping means that man gives up his own ways, denies himself and his own selfishness, not glorifying self, but allowing God to work in him. It means absolute confidence in the awesome power of God that was manifested in the creation of the universe which is right now being exerted in the recreation of the sinners’ heart. It means not trusting in the flesh, but obeying God’s voice at any sacrifice, and following Him even if no one else does so.
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The Decalogue did not have its origin at Sinai. It was not for the first time being instituted at Sinai. It had existed since creation as confirmed in Gen 2:1 – 3. But it was there at Sinai that the Decalogue together with the seventh-day Sabbath was reiterated or commanded anew. The observance of the Sabbath is a mark, or a sign, that whosoever honors the day acknowledges Jehovah as his God.
It stands for God’s rest, into which only the believer can enter, when he ceases from his own works as God did from His. This is the “rest” of the soul that comes with full surrender of the heart to Christ and conforming one’s life into the eternal purpose of God.
Hebrews 4:3 “For we which have believed do enter into rest…”
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On this momentous issue, of making an informed and intelligent choice between eternal life in Christ or eternal damnation, there is no sitting on the fence and leaning over conveniently onto the winning side so to speak. As stated in Matthew 12:30 “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad,” In the great conflict for the soul of man, there is no middle ground; neutrality is impossible. He who is not wholly on the side of Christ is wholly on the side of the enemy. The weight of his influence is in that direction. To be almost, but not wholly with Christ, is to be but wholly against Him.
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Sister White wrote in GC p. 449.1 1888 “But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath, and there are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before him. But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome, and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of his authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome–“the mark of the beast.” And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive “the mark of the beast”
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What does the beast claim as its mark?
Rev Stephen Keenan, A doctrinal Catechism p174 wrote “Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her; she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no scriptural authority”
Therefore, sunday stands for the beast. It is a commandment of men, by which they think to make the commandment of God of none effect.
Sunday is the mark of the Papacy, which falsely puts man’s work for God’s work. The Papacy gives us a woman, Mary, as our chief intercessor in the place of Christ, traditions of the fathers instead of the Word of God, saved in sin instead of saved from sin, purgatory by works, money and penance, a human priest instead of Christ, and the spurious god-the-eternal-spirit in place of the Spirit of God which in Truth is the spirit of the Father and of the only begotten son, and a rest-day appointed by men instead of the one appointed by God.
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Sunday observance and submission to the trinity dogma are tantamount to paying homage to Rome, and to the worshipping of the sun god of Rome. The enforcement of sunday keeping by the union of secular powers, the papal power, and the apostate Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of a false god promoted by the papacy, instead of Jehovah the one true God. In enforcing by law a religious duty, the apostate churches and the secular powers would form an image to the beast, a union of church and state.
Monsignor Louis Segur, Plain Talk About Protestantism of Today, 1868, p213 states “It was the Catholic Church which, by the authority of Jesus Christ, has transferred this rest (from the Bible Sabbath) to Sunday . . . . Thus the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the Catholic Church”
Bertrand Conway, The Question Box, 1915 edition, p. 179
“Question — What Bible authority is there for changing the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week? Who gave the Pope the authority to change a command of God? Answer — If the Bible is the only guide for the Christian, the Seventh-day Adventist is right, in observing the Saturday with the Jew . . . . Is it not strange that those who make the Bible their only teacher, should inconsistently follow in this matter the tradition of the Catholic Church?” Obviously, it is not by the authority of Jesus Christ that the Sabbath was transferred from Saturday to sunday as claimed by some in the catholic faith, but by the tradition of the Catholic Church.
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The third angel’s message warns all that it will be a frightful time when the apostate churches unite with the secular powers to enforce a national law which decrees that no man may buy or sell. This is an imposition of economic sanction upon every individual except those that have the mark of the beast. Finally whoever refuses to receive the mark of the beast shall be put to death.
Sister White in Spirit of Prophecy vol 4 p. 422.2 provided details of this frightful time “Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that no man may buy or sell, save he that has the mark of the beast, and, finally, that whoever refuses to receive the mark shall be put to death. [REV. 13:15, 17.] The word of God declares: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation.” [REV. 14:9, 10.] But not one is made to feel the wrath of God until the truth has been brought in contact with his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many in the churches of our country who have never, even in this land of light and knowledge, had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. Jesus reads every heart, and tries every motive. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Every one is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty; for it is the point of truth especially controverted”
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The last generation is living in the most solemn and somber time, yet this is but the most privileged and exciting time of this earth’s history, a time which the prophets of old desired to be in. Holy men of old looked forward to the second advent of the Messiah in glory as the consummation of their hope. The patriarch Enoch declared in Jude 14 “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints…”
This most assuredly is not a metaphorical second coming. This last generation is to witness the final conflict, and those who would serve God and obey Him, must be prepared to look death in the face as our fathers had done many times in the ages past.
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Sister White wrote in GC p605.2 “The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God’s law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God”
By accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers on the spurious sabbath, the mark of the beast is received consigning every unsuspecting soul to eternal damnation. Similarly, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers on the false trinity dogma, the number of his name is received consigning every unsuspecting soul to eternal damnation.
Sister White in GC p640.1 wrote “The enemies of God’s law, from the ministers down to the least among them, have a new conception of truth and duty. Too late they see that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. Too late they see the true nature of their spurious sabbath and the sandy foundation upon which they have been building. They find that they have been fighting against God. Religious teachers have led souls to perdition while professing to guide them to the gates of Paradise. Not until the day of final accounts will it be known how great is the responsibility of men in holy office and how terrible are the results of their unfaithfulness. Only in eternity can we rightly estimate the loss of a single soul. Fearful will be the doom of him to whom God shall say: Depart, thou wicked servant”
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Even now, men who have no faith in God fear for their livelihood and their status and power in society, should they obey God and keep His Sabbath. But future conditions will soon be even harder still, and that day is hastening rapidly. Yet there are many promises for the obedient, and God can care for His children, even in a desert.
Is 33:16 “… bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure …”
Psalm 91:1,2 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust”
While the wicked suffer for lack of food and water during the seven last plagues the saints will have life’s necessities provided for them.
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The strife will soon be here; the beast will seek to enforce its conditions upon man. Happy are those who have made their choice, whose feet are treading the pathway of obedience to God, and who have learned that through trials and tests God’s Word holds true. They will not flinch with fear before the threats of men. They will gain the victory over the beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name, and stand at length on the sea of glass, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, in celebration of their victory and deliverance experience from the tyranny of Babylon the great.
Rev. 15:2, 3 states “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb…”
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The second part of the third Angel’s message brings to view the sad and terrible fate awaiting those who receive the mark of the beast. Full warning is given that none may blindly follow the path that has such an ending. The second coming of the Lord is unto salvation. It is the “blessed hope of believers.” It brings the corporate resurrection of the dead and the reward of the righteous. But to the disobedient, the presence of the Lamb and of the holy angels brings destroying fire. It is a time of joy for His saints, and a time of trouble and fear for the ungodly. It speaks hope and joy to the faithful, but severity and wrath to the transgressors of God’s Law.
Hebrews 12:29 states “For our God is a consuming fire” This warning was clearly manifested at Mount Sinai when the Decalogue was reiterated to Israel of old. The fires of the last day will destroy all that is still tainted with sin. Today, all are given more opportunities than deserved to confess our sins and make repentance to our wickedness. Jesus comes to save all from their sins and not in their sins.
Revelation 14:10,11 state “10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name”
Malachi 4:1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” The Scriptures know nothing of the popular fallacy of an eternally burning hell. The wicked do not keep on burning endlessly; the fires of the last day will literally “burn them up.” It indicates the complete destruction or annihilation of the ungodly. They will not linger on in everlasting suffering as is often erroneously believed, but will be as readily consumed as is “stubble”.
2 Peter 3:10 states “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” He who wishes to be saved must be right with God before the day of the Lord arrives, for there will be no opportunity for repentance on that great day.
At the coming of Christ in His glory, the beast and the false prophet, representing the papacy and the USA, that wrought deceiving miracles before them, were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Rev. 19:20 states “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone”
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When the Son of God comes to bring home His redeemed, and the angels are sent to gather together His elect from the four winds, the worshippers of the beast are destroyed. The entire earth will be destroyed in a great conflagration. When Christ returns that which is glory to the saints is torment to the ungodly.
Many have cast in their lot with the rebel powers, they are still tainted with sin, and they reap what they have sowed.
While the saints are taken to heaven and reign with Christ a thousand years, sitting on thrones of judgment, and entering into the joy of their Lord, a very different scene is to be witnessed on the earth.
As John the revelator looked upon the earth, smitten with fire and brimstone from heaven, he sees thick volumes of smoke rising from its surface. He sees God’s enemies perish in fire and brimstone at His presence. Although figuratively the impression is that “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever,” but the wicked quickly perished in the flames.
Isaiah used an imagery based on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to describe this terrible scene. Isaiah 34:9,10 states “And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.”
Yet, although the land will lie waste for ages, it will not be eternally waste, for we read in Isaiah 35:1“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” Herein is portrayed the beauty and fragrance of a land that blooms again after being freed from the curse of sin.
The message of the Third Angel warns men against the course which will consign them to so dismal a fate, when they might, by choosing God’s side, enjoy the inheritance of the saints.
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Revelation 14:11 states “… and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name”
To understand the terrible significance of these words, it is only necessary to glance at the experience of those who have been subjected to the control of evil spirits.
Mark 9:17-22 states “Master, I have brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away, . . . and they brought him unto Him: and when he saw Him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed, foaming… “ What a terrible existence it must have been for the child!
Again we read in Mark 5:2-5 , “When He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. . . . And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones…”
Such scenes as this will be witnessed among those who receive the mark of the beast: “they have no rest day nor night.” God has forewarned us of this terrible evil, that none may experience it. Even now in its present form, spiritualism shows what manner of fruit it will bear when it is fully developed.
The Apostle Paul wrote that the second coming of Christ will be preceded by a great apostasy in 2 Thess 2:3, 4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God”
This prophecy has already met a partial fulfilment in the history of the Papacy, but it will be yet more terribly fulfilled when Satan takes complete possession of the bodies of men, which are the temples of the Holy Ghost, and sets himself forth as God and is worshipped, just as the false god-the-eternal-spirit takes complete possession of the bodies of the unsuspecting souls.
From such a sad fate, God would save His creatures, and He sends forth His everlasting Gospel into all the earth with great power, the third angel’s message his final message of mercy to enlighten, warn and save unto the uttermost all that will look unto Him and be saved.
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Take home message
It is God’s deepest desire that everyone be saved as stated in 1 Tim 2:4 “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth”
Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”
God’s character is decidedly merciful and longsuffering yet will He hold all accountable for their conduct as recorded in Exodus 34:6,7 “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty”
If one is still professing to observe the first day of the week in honor of Christ’s resurrection, or continue to submit to the false trinity dogma perhaps unknowingly through the singing of adulterated hymns, or pledging loyalty to a human creed, let all be reminded that there is no scripture authority for doing so. In this we are not honoring Christ or the Father, but declaring allegiance to the harlot.
Part 12 of 13
* “The message of Justification by Faith is the third Angel’s message in verity.” This message is the Law and the Gospel combined which is to be witnessed to the world with a loud cry. Revelation 14:12 states “… here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” The next great event shall be the second coming of Christ.
*In 1888 Materials p217.3 Sister White declared “The third angel’s message is the proclamation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. The commandments of God have been proclaimed, but the faith of Jesus Christ has not been proclaimed by Seventh-day Adventists as of equal importance, the law and the gospel going hand in hand”
*Sister White in Selected Messages, Volume 3, p184 [written in 1889] declared “The soul-saving message, the third angel’s message, is the message to be given to the world. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are both important, immensely important, and must be given with equal force and power. The first part of the message has been dwelt upon mostly, the last part casually.”
In uniting the law and the gospel, the 1888 message by elders Waggoner and Jones at the Minneapolis General Conference session returned power to our Advent message and promoted the possession of a purified character.
*In 1888 Materials p1336.2 Sister White summarized the 1888 JBF message presented by Jones and Waggoner “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety (Christ); it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family”
*Sister White in 1888 Materials p 1337.2 wrote regarding Jones and Waggoner’s message “This message of the gospel of His grace was to be given to the church in clear and distinct lines, that the world should no longer say, Seventh-day Adventists talk the law, the law, but do not preach or believe Christ”
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*What is Justification by faith?
Sister White provided a clear understanding to the expression “justification by faith” in Special Testimonies for ministers No 9 p. 62.2 “What is justification by faith? — It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. When they begin to praise and exalt God all the day long, then by beholding they are becoming changed into the same image. What is regeneration? — It is revealing to man what is his own real nature, that in himself he is worthless”
*Sister White put further emphasis on the meaning of the expression the “faith of Jesus” in Selected Messages, Volume 3 p. 172 “The faith of Jesus.’ It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus that belongs to the third angel’s message? … He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.”
*As recorded in Isaiah 28:16 “I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste”
The faith of Jesus refers to Christ being more than able and willing to save fully, entirely, and to the utmost all who will come unto him and believe in him as their personal Saviour. This is Christ’s faith that the Father has gifted to man.
Romans 12:3 “… according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”
*The apostle Paul confirmed this point in Galatians 2:20 when he wrote “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”
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* Christ’s righteousness is our title and fitness for heaven.
In Messages to Young People, p. 35 Sister White wrote “Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without… 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, the second is our fitness for heaven.” Both Justification and sanctification are one hundred percent God’s work, empowering us through His Spirit.
*Sister White stated in Review & Herald, September 21, 1886 “God requires of all His subjects obedience, entire obedience to all His commandments. He demands now as ever perfect righteousness as the only title to heaven. Christ is our hope and our refuge. His righteousness is imputed only to the obedient. Let us accept it through faith, that the Father shall find in us no sin”
*Romans 6:16 states “ … of obedience unto righteousness” However there is no salvation based solely on obedience to God’s Law.
*Sister White in DA p324.1 cautioned “But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place”
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*Man is entrusted with the Holy Spirit according our response to His promptings, to our capacity to receive it and our ability to impart it to others.
Sister White in RH 1896, No. 18 wrote “The measure of the Holy Spirit we receive will be proportionate to the measure of our desire and faith exercised to get it, and the use we shall make of the light and knowledge that shall be given us. We shall be entrusted with the Holy Spirit according to our capacity to receive it and our ability to impart it to others”
*God allows trials in our lives so that we can exercise the faith of Jesus that we have received that it may grow exceedingly strong.
In 3T 555.2 she wrote “Faith grows strong by coming in conflict with doubts and opposing influences. The experience gained in these trials is of more value than the most costly jewels”
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The question may be raised: In practice how may one be assured that the “faith of Jesus” is all sufficient?
*Sister White in DA p753.2 declared “The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal…”
*In that hour of greatest need when the spotless Son of God hung dying on the cross, a propitiation for the past sins of the world, His faith did not for one moment waivered. Christ did not know that His Father and the holy angels were right there beside the cross. This is confirmed in DA p753.4 “In that thick darkness God’s presence was hidden. He makes darkness His pavilion, and conceals His glory from human eyes. God and His holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed… And in that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father’s presence. He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him”
Whilst Christ did not know the Father was by His side. Whilst He could not see through the portal of the tomb, whilst hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice, yet He knew prophecy was being fulfilled and His faith in His Father was greatly strengthened to “trod the wine press alone”, especially when he looked down from the cross and saw the soldiers casting lots upon His garments.
*All these are confirmed in Psalm 22:13-19 which foretold the cruel treatment He was to receive at the hands of satan, his evil angels, and the wicked persecutors.
Psalm 22:16 -19 state “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me”
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*The question remains how can one receive the righteousness of Christ which is also the righteousness of God the Father?
Moses answered this question in Genesis 15:6 through the experience of Abram “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Abram expressed complete trust in the power and covenant promises of God. Abram “believed” which has the same meaning as “amen”, in the same way we emphasize our desire that God may hear and fulfill our prayers. Abram put his faith in God. It was not merely a belief in something impersonal, but a personal trust and confidence in God. This was also not just Abram’s historical experience for the moment, but an abiding character trait. Justification by faith was applicable to Abram. Praise be to God that it is also applicable to all.
*Sister White resonated this understanding in Selected Messages, vol 1 p 366 “But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ’s righteousness while practicing known sins, or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire surrender of the heart before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul.”
*Sister White summarized this point succinctly in RH Nov 4 1890. “Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of his Son to the sinner’s account.
*Christ’s righteousness is accepted in place of man’s failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as he loves his Son. This is how faith is accounted righteousness; and the pardoned soul goes on from grace to grace, from light to a greater light.”
Indeed, it is God doing for man that which is not in his power to do for himself. Therefore, there are none so debased and so vile a sinner as to be beyond the power of God to save. Everyone who will submit themselves to the workings of the Holy Spirit a new principle of life will be implanted in his heart.
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The question may be raised, how does someone like me have the will power to obey God? I fall flat on my face every time I purpose in my heart to obey Him.
*Sister White gave a most comforting assurance in Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890 par. 6 “When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and he makes up for the deficiency with his own divine merit”
*In Christ Object Lesson p311.4 Sister White distinctly defined what is meant to be clothed with the garment of Christ’s righteousness “When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness”
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A serious question arose in the minds of many who heard the message of Justification by Faith presented at the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference session by elders Waggoner and Jones, as to the relation that message bore to the third angel’s message. In their perplexity, a number wrote to Sister White for an expression of her views on this question.
*In this regard Sister White’s wrote in the Review and Herald, April 1, par 8 1890 “Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, “It is the third angel’s message in verity.”
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*The enemy of man and God is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented, for he knew that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken. Indeed, the thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought.
Sister White gave further emphasized on this in Manuscript Releases, Volume 7, page 357.3 “When we bring our lives to complete obedience to the law of God, regarding God as our supreme Guide, and clinging to Christ as our hope of righteousness, God will work in our behalf. This is a righteousness of faith, a righteousness hidden in a mystery of which the worldling knows nothing, and which he cannot understand.”
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*Both the Law of God and Christ righteousness must be equally lifted up, both are critical to man’s salvation.
Sister White further expounded on the message of justification by faith in RH August 13, 1889 par 15. “There are grand truths, long hidden under the rubbish of error, that are to be revealed to the people. The doctrine of justification by faith has been lost sight of by many who have professed to believe the third angel’s message. The Holiness people have gone to great extremes on this point. With great zeal they have taught, “Only believe in Christ, and be saved; but away with the law of God.”
*This is not the teaching of the word of God. There is no foundation for such a faith. This is not precious gem of truth that God has given to his people for this time. This doctrine misleads honest souls. The light from the word of God reveals the fact that the law must be proclaimed. Christ must be lifted up, because he is a Saviour who forgiveth transgression, iniquity, and sin, but will by no means clear the guilty and unrepentant soul”
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*Sanctification or imparted righteousness is also the third angel’s message:
Sister White confirmed this point in Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 92 “All power is given unto His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.”
Justification and sanctification, are inseparable concepts which permeate Scripture. By including justification and excluding sanctification, Satan has a masterful deception. The unscriptural concept of forensic justification teaches a universal justification at the cross which qualifies every human being for heaven, provided he does not persistently reject it.
*In Dynamics of the Everlasting Gospel p13 EH (Jack) Sequeira expounded this concept which is completely not in harmony with the teachings of the Holy scripture “This righteousness ‘in Christ’ is the only means of our salvation and unless we resist and reject it, it fully qualifies us for heaven now and in the judgment.”
*Seventh-day Adventists prior to 1957 believed that, while the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was fully sufficient to pay the penalty for our sins, Christ’s work of final atonement is to be completed in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary.
The sacrificial phase of the atonement was completed on Calvary by the death and spilt blood of Jesus, but the final atonement of Christ would not be completed until after Jesus, as our ministering heavenly High Priest, sprinkled His blood on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies.
*The work of atonement cannot be completed here on earth because the sanctuary message determines that the final work of atonement can only be performed by a priest and must be carried out in heaven. Jesus was not a Levite therefore he cannot be a priest on this earth.
Sadly, and tragically the authors of “Questions on doctrine” QOD and their main advisors, including the then General Conference President, endorsed an official so-called authoritative SDA church document filled with reshaped pillar beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to gain favor with the prominent evangelicals, notably Martin and Barnhouse. Long-held Seventh-day Adventist pillar beliefs were dismissed as mere semantics, a defense frequently employed later by the “new theology” proponents of the 1970s and early 1980s.
*Sister White in EW p253.1 confirmed that Jesus made a final atonement for all in the most holy place “The blood of Jesus was then shed, which was to be offered by Himself in the heavenly sanctuary. As the priest entered the most holy once a year to cleanse the earthly sanctuary, so Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8, in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be benefited by His mediation, and thus to cleanse the sanctuary”
*But statements in QOD p264 1975 claimed that the atonement was completed at the cross for man.
“His heavenly ministry to be the mediation of His complete and ever-efficacious atonement, which He made and completed on the cross for man”
It is therefore not strange that Christ’s imparted righteousness that is His sanctification, is so despised in God’s church today. Holiness of living, when espoused and promoted by faithful church members, is frequently sufficient reason to be ostracized.
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*In 1888 the 27th General Conference Session was held at Minneapolis, with 91 delegates and approx. 475 attendees. God brings the truth of justification by faith to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. But it generated a great controversy among the leading brethren in leadership or in sacred positions like then GC president GI Butler, Uriah Smith, Dan Jones, JH Morrison, Isaac Van Horn, Leroy Nicola etc, whose negative sentiments were to a significant degree replicated throughout the denomination.
Sister White in Manuscript 40, 1890; 1888 Materials, ch115 wrote, “The prejudices and opinions that prevailed at Minneapolis are not dead by any means. The seeds there sown are ready to spring into life and bear a like harvest, because the roots are still left…. and will bear their unholy fruit, to poison the perception and blind the understanding of those you connect with, in regard to the messengers and messages that God sends…”
*In 1888 Materials p349 Sister white gave full support to Waggoner’s JBF message presented at the Minneapolis meeting “I have had the question asked, ‘What do you think of this light that these men are presenting?[’] Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last 45 years—the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas in Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband…” And when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said, Amen”
*In 1888 Materials p608.2 she confirmed that God has sent Jones and Waggoner to deliver the JBF message “If we place ourselves in a position that we will not recognize the light God sends or His messages to us, then we are in danger of sinning against the Holy Ghost. Then for us to turn and see if we can find some little thing that is done that we can hang some of our doubts upon and begin to question! The question is, has God sent the truth? Has God raised up these men to proclaim the truth? I say, yes, …
*God has sent men to bring us the truth that we should not have had unless God had sent somebody to bring it to us. God has let me have a light of what His Spirit is, and therefore I accept it, and I no more dare to lift my hand against these persons, because it would be against Jesus Christ, who is to be recognized in His messengers” She made it absolutely clear on “what His Spirit is”. It is in the form of these messengers, these instrumentalities, “these persons”.
If only we had listened as we should to the warning and appeal in that seemingly strange yet impressive manner at the 1888 General Conference session at Minneapolis. What uncertainty would have been removed; what wanderings and defeats and losses would have been prevented, even as ancient Israel at Kadesh-barnea right at the door step of the Promised Land. What light and blessing and triumph and progress would have come.
*Sister White in 1888 Materials 152.6 wrote “If the ministers will not receive the light, I want to give the people a chance; perhaps they may receive it. God did not raise me up to come across the plains to speak to you and you sit to question His message and question whether Sister White is the same as she used to be in years gone by”
*In RH, September 3, 1889 par. 11 she pointedly declared “There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare” Delegates and attendees at the 27th Minneapolis GC session numbered only about 566, meaning perhaps little more than only Waggoner, Jones and herself understood the message.
*Sister White wrote at the Ottawa Kansas camp meeting July 23 1889 “At the Kansas meeting my prayer to God was, that the power of the enemy might be broken, and that the people who had been in darkness might open their hearts and minds to the message that God should send them, that they might see the truth, new to many minds, as old truth in new frame-work”
The question remains, how many today who claim to believe this truth comprehend the third angel’s message?
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Ever since the1888 experience, there has been a tendency among SDAs as a people to credit ourselves with accepting and experiencing the message of righteousness by faith. Since the 1920s, however, when this acceptance idea began to be questioned by some of the leading brethren, there has been a more determined effort through the writings of various leaders and church historians, to portray the acceptance theory, that Minneapolis is portrayed as a “glorious victory.”
In numerous places Sister White confirmed that the message of JBF was rejected by the leading brethren in leadership or in sacred positions and to a significant degree their negative sentiments were consequently reflected throughout the denomination of that time.
*In 1888 materials p425.2 she wrote “The message of God has been presented to the people with clearness and force; it is the very message which God means that His church shall have at this time. Your refusal to listen to it, your rejection of it, while it will not stop the work, will result in great loss to your souls.
*Every ray of light that God has given to His people is necessary for them in the emergency that is to come; but if the rays of heaven’s light are not discerned, if they are not appreciated, accepted and acted upon, you will lose the heavenly benefit yourselves, and keep the light from others whom God designed should receive it through you”
*Sister White in TM97.1 1896 warned against despising God’s message “I have no smooth message to bear to those who have been so long as false guideposts, pointing the wrong way. If you reject Christ’s delegated messengers, you reject Christ … I entreat you now to humble yourselves and cease your stubborn resistance of light and evidence…”
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*Take home message
The righteousness of Christ accepted by faith is crucial to man’s salvation.
1 Cor 6:9 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived…”
The unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Their greedy, grasping, selfish carnal character is altogether out of harmony with the selfless, humble love that characterizes the inhabitants of Paradise.
*The rejection of the Christ’s righteousness represents the rejection of those traits of God’s character that qualify men to become sons and daughters of God. Men are acceptable in the presence of God-the-Father only when clad in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ His only begotten son, by virtue of His merits.
The imperfect righteousness of a false god-the-eternal-spirit consigns unsuspecting souls to eternal perdition.
Part 13 of 13
*We have no controversy with any person or any society or any church or any government; neither is it our intention nor desire to slight, offend, criticize, or to cause disharmony to any person, or society, or church, or even nations. Our work is to preach the Gospel, “the Truth as it is in Jesus.”
*In the process of setting forth God’s Truth it sometimes becomes necessary to call attention to errors, not for the purpose of refuting them, since the presentation of the simple truth from the Holy Scripture is the only true refute of all errors, but to show the fulfilment of God’s Word of Truth, which has foretold that in the last-days apostasy would take place in the church, and would assume such proportions as to seem to be the church itself.
*Sister White wrote in GC p. 460.2 1888 “We should choose the right because it is right, and leave consequences with God”
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*The question is often raised: Is one being divisive to the organized church by going public with the momentously significant concern on the issues of the spurious Sunday sacredness and the falsehood of the trinity dogma in these last-days?
When both teachings are completely not in harmony with the teachings of the Holy Scripture, When both are leading unsuspecting souls away from the worship of the one true God of the Bible, when both are leading unwary souls to eternal damnation. Decidedly not! One has to go in the same pathway as did all the prophets of old. To be silent would be to sin against God. To remain silent in this crisis is a great form of disloyalty to God. The worth of a soul cannot be fully estimated by finite minds. The salvation of souls is in the balance, not forgetting the very ones that deny and rebel against God, or those who are holding the truth in unrighteousness, or them who have been “ignorant” of the right way to obtain righteousness. The deliberate evasion of known duty is forthright rebellion against the Will of God, resulting inevitably in receiving the curse of Meroz as all are reminded in Judges 5:23, “curse ye bitterly”
Unfortunately, the history of God’s people through the ages is replete with leaders who have officially endorsed and embraced teachings which are not in harmony with the teachings of the Holy Scripture and who have vilified those faithful ones who stood against the heresy and condemned it.
*Sister White in PK p448.3 documented the leaders’ apostasy in Ezekiel’s time “Those who should have been spiritual leaders among the people, “the ancients of the house of Israel,” to the number of seventy, were seen offering incense before the idolatrous representations that had been introduced into hidden chambers within the sacred precincts of the temple court. “The Lord seeth us not,” the men of Judah flattered themselves as they engaged in their heathenish practices; “the Lord hath forsaken the earth,” they blasphemously declared”
*Jeremiah 23:14 states “I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah”
*2 Chronicles 36:14 states “Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem”
*Extract of JS Washburn’s 1939 letter which a conference president endorsed and made available to 32 ministers “…and accept and teach the very central root doctrine of Romanism, the Trinity, and teach that the son of God did not die, even though our words seem to be spiritual, is this anything else or anything less than apostasy, and the very Omega of apostasy?… it is time that the watchmen should sound a note of warning …”
Every message of importance must be earnestly proclaimed, especially one that involves eternal salvation or eternal damnation of souls. The nearer one comes to the end, the louder must the message be proclaimed.
*Ecclesiastes 3:1,7 tells us “1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;”
“7 … a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”
To proclaim the last message of mercy in this season is not just merely a convenient time, but now is the time decreed of God to speak forth. Prophecy is fulfilling before our eyes. This warning to be sounded by God’s last-days faithful has a more direct application to the people of this time than to any other people that ever lived.
*The Third Angel’s Message is a stark warning not to worship a false god in the form of Sunday sacredness or the trinity. It warns all “not to worship the beast, his image, and not to receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand. And not to submit to the number of his name. This message is emphatically present-truth, saving-truth, although not necessarily a pleasant truth for the last-days of this world’s history.
*Ezekiel 3:18 states “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand”
Again Ezekiel 3:21 states “Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul”
The infiltration of error into God’s perfect truth has engendered division into God’s church. No division can be assigned to those who uphold truth. Yet the upholders of truth are routinely labeled the “troublers of Israel.” In the same way, the Jewish spiritual leaders accused Christ of being the cause of division.
*In Signs of the Times, August 6, 1896 par. 2 Sister White wrote “Jesus was a nonconformist, and did not always remain a silent spectator to men’s erroneous practices”
*God’s faithful remnant are constrained to proclaim His last-days truth as recorded in Amos 3:8 “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”
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*Trinitarians claimed the phrase “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” as proof of the authenticity of the trinity teaching. Uriah Smith gave an insight into the meaning of this expression in The Bible Students Assistant, pp. 21, 22 1858: “We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Matt. 28:19. By this we express our belief in the existence of the one true God, the mediation of his Son, and the influence of the Holy Spirit” In short, baptizing them into the family of God, but not as proof of the authenticity of the trinity teaching.
Furthermore, this phrase is most certainly not a confirmation of the truth in the trinity dogma. If this is so, then both the Apostles Paul and Peter, and others as recorded in the book of Acts, would be found to be teaching heresies. For Paul in Acts 19:5 said “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”, and Peter in Acts 10:48 commanded the manner the converts were to be baptized “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord …”
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*When Christ gave His disciples their commission, He made full provision for this work, and took upon Himself the responsibility for its success. Indeed, it is specifically for accomplishing the closing work of the glad tidings in the last-days that the promise of His presence was given in great measure. Go teach all nations, He said; “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” While Christ in his human form is now officiating as high priest in the sanctuary in heaven; he could not be everywhere present. But the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of the Father and of Christ is here promised. This is not another spurious god-the-eternal-spirit. Christ said “I will not leave you comfortless” as orphans, “I will be with you alway.” By virtue of the gift of His Holy Spirit, which comprises the life of His life experiences, His pure perfect sinless life that was wrought out on this earth for thirty three and a half years as a man, Jesus would be closer to believers throughout the earth than would be possible had He remained bodily present. Furthermore, Jesus said “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” as recorded in Matthew 18:20. How is that possible? Not personally, but by His Spirit.
*Sister White in The Ministry of Healing, p. 159 1905 confirmed the meaning of the expression life of his own life “All who consecrate body, soul, and spirit to His service will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical, mental, and spiritual power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in mind and heart”
*In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work, but gave them their message. Sister White confirmed this most important point in DA p826.1 “Teach the people, He said, “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included. Human teaching is shut out. There is no place for tradition, for man’s theories and conclusions, or for church legislation.
*No laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority are included in the commission. None of these are Christ’s servants to teach. “The law and the prophets,” with the record of His own words and deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world. Christ’s name is their watchword, their badge of distinction, their bond of union, the authority for their course of action, and the source of their success. Nothing that does not bear His superscription is to be recognized in His kingdom”
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*Since the ascension of Christ, churches all over the world have been making disciples, some in truth, some in pretense; some genuinely through the inspired word while others through human creeds and traditions having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. This condition will persist till the close of time.
Paul wrote in Philippians 1:18 “whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” Though the motives of the preachers may be questionable, the result may be a victory for Christ. Therefore, we too take heart and rejoice in the good that God brings out of evil, the positive results out of negative events, even though the good was indirectly produced by our adversaries.
But now the great controversy between Christ and satan is rapidly drawing to a close. In the closing work of the everlasting gospel the time has now come for a different emphasis in the work of making disciples.
*The focus is now not so much in simply making disciples per se, but in preparing a last little company “in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” as recorded in Eph. 4:13. We are today living in the great Day of final Atonement. Our work here on earth must be in harmony with the great work that is taking place in the Holy of Holies. All interest in heaven is now centered on these few in the last generation who will receive the seal of Jehovah, who shall go forth to reach out with God’s last message of mercy. This little company which is not metaphorical, but numbering figuratively 144,000, is the most interesting class of people brought to view in the Word of God.
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*In her early years the Father gave Sister White a vision of His people and world lings in the last-days. It illustrates the principle that the Father is the source of all promises and blessings, which originate from Him to all mankind through His only begotten son.
An exceeding bright light was given to all but only a small company of worshippers cherished it and rejoiced in it. Another company of worshippers were careless and resisted this exceeding bright light.
In 1844 Jesus entered as high priest into the most holy place. Most of those who cherish this exceeding important message by faith followed Jesus into the most Holy Place. In response to their request for the Holy Spirit Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace. The company of careless worshippers did not by faith follow Jesus into the most holy Place. Satan masquerading as Jesus would deceive this careless company of worshippers and breathed an unholy influence unto them where there is light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace.
*Sister White wrote in EW p54.2-56.1 “Before the throne I saw the Advent people–the church and the world. I saw two companies, one bowed down before the throne, deeply interested, while the other stood uninterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company.
*Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the light, and it moved off from them. Some cherished it, and went and bowed down with the little praying company. This company all received the light and rejoiced in it, and their countenances shone with its glory”
*I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, “Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.”
*Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.
*I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children”
*The question remains: Will we be accounted to be among those who rose up with Jesus and send up their faith to Him in the Holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit,” and receive from Christ light, power, and much love, joy, and peace; or will we unwittingly be deceived into receiving Satan’s breath of unholy influence and worship a false god where there is light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace.
*Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”
Those who thus address Christ as Lord on the great final Day of Judgment do so as professed Christians. They have pretended in this life to be His followers, but have been weighed in the heavenly balances and found wanting.
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*Sister White wrote urgently to Uriah Smith regarding his error in 1888 Materials p 336.1 “Last night I was awake at midnight with a heavy burden on my soul from you. I saw you walked upon a path that almost imperceptibly diverged from the right way. A noble personage stood beside me and said, “Uriah Smith is not on the brink of a precipice but he is in the path that will shortly bring him to the brink and if he is not warned now it will soon be too late. He can now retrace his steps. He is walking like a blind man into the prepared net of the enemy but he feels no danger because light is becoming darkness to him and darkness light. His only hope is in being undeceived”
*Sister White gave a short but vivid account on Uriah Smith’s repentance in 1888 Materials p852.1 “Brother Smith has fallen on the Rock, and is broken, and the Lord Jesus will now work with him. He took my hand as he left the room, and said, “If the Lord will forgive me for the sorrow and burdens I have brought upon you, I tell you this will be the last. I will stay up your hands. The testimonies of God shall hold this place in my experience.” It is seldom that Elder Smith sheds a tear, but he did weep, and his voice was choked with the tears in it” The Lord can now work with Uriah Smith or for that matter with any man who falls on the Rock and is broken, and have come into harmony with the testimonies of the Spirit of God.
The case of Uriah Smith rejecting the 1888 message of Justification by faith, the heavy burdens on Sister White in bringing this truth to him and the leading brethren, and his subsequent repentance and acceptance is an object lesson for the benefit of the last generation of the history of this world.
*Uriah Smith was not alone in coming to see the need of making confessions and coming into the light. Among others were the then GC president George I. Butler and Rupert. In 1893 several other leading brethren also repented of their attitude and negative responses at the 1888 Minneapolis GC session and made confessions: Isaac Van Horn, Leroy Nicola, J. H. Morrison, and Madison Miller.
*It is our earnest desire and appeal today that godly sincere men will be moved by God’s Spirit to prayerfully and diligently search the Holy Scripture for this hidden truth, repent of their attitude towards the one true God of the Bible message, and become as Paul counseled his spiritual son Timothy, in 2 Timothy 2:21 “he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
As in all ages, a contrite heart, a humble and teachable spirit is a prerequisite before God can work with any man.
*The response to the one true God message of the Bible in these last-days in a special sense can be considered as closely resembling the message of Justification by faith presented at the Minneapolis 1888 GC session by elders Jones and Waggoner. In both instances the messages are to a significant degree negligently misunderstood, misrepresented, and rejected through preconceived opinions and biases; the messengers are largely ridiculed and ostracized. The one true God message must be presented to the people with clearness and force; it is the very message which God’s church shall have in these last-days. This is the three angels’ message. Man’s refusal to listen to it, the rejection of it, while it will not stop the work, will result in great loss to souls.
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*As in all ages apostate spiritual leaders are giving false assurances to mislead unsuspecting souls to perdition.
Jeremiah 8:11 states “For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”
These apostate leaders gave false assurances as confirmed in Ezekiel 13;22 “Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life” Their lies had created false impressions of God on the minds of the righteous and the wicked, discouraging the former in their efforts to do right and confirming the latter in their evil way.
*God’s warning to the unfaithful spiritual leaders as given in Jeremiah 23:1,2 “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD”
*Jeremiah 25:34,35 “Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. 35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.”
This woe is directed against the false religious leaders, who in the last days, have caused the people to trust in a lie.
Zechariah 14:12 gives a most fearful description of the fate that awaits all who rebelled against God, who have pretended in this life to be His followers, some holding sacred positions and are spiritual guardians, but now are weighed in the heavenly balances and found wanting “And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth” God is ever merciful and longsuffering but also of justice. No man needs to go through this most horrific predicament. Repent ye therefore and be converted, or ye shall reap what you sow.
*Sister White confirmed this most frightening event in GC 656.2 1888 “The mark of deliverance has been set upon those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done.” Now the angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel’s vision by the men with the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given: “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.”
*Says the prophet, “They began at the ancient men which were before the house.” [EZE. 9:1-6.] The work of destruction begins among those who have professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the first to fall. There are none to pity or to spare. Men, women, maidens, and little children perish together.”
*The frightful fruit of rebellion against God is recorded by Sister White in EW p654.2 “Then I saw that the seven last plagues were soon to be poured out upon those who have no shelter; yet the world regarded them no more than they would so many drops of water that were about to fall. I was then made capable of enduring the awful sight of the seven last plagues, the wrath of God.
*I saw that His anger was dreadful and terrible, and if He should stretch forth His hand, or lift it in anger, the inhabitants of the world would be as though they had never been, or would suffer from incurable sores and withering plagues that would come upon them, and they would find no deliverance, but be destroyed by them. Terror seized me, and I fell upon my face before the angel and begged of him to cause the sight to be removed, to hide it from me, for it was too dreadful”
*Sister White in 5T p620.2 1889 warned “we must realize how terrible are the pains of the second death”
God is justice yet He is merciful. Ezekiel 18:31, 32 clearly confirm His character of love. “… for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye”
*The call to come and be forgiven is particularly applicable to those who are as bad as they can possibly be. Every sin has produced its sore, and the result is that there is not a sound spot in the whole body. There is not a spot on which a stroke of correction could be laid, even if sin were to be increased.
Isaiah 1:5,6 describe the carnal condition of them who are persistently rebellious against God “… the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment”
*Isaiah 1:18 clearly shows forth the abundant tender mercies of God “… though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” In this promise the worst of sinners, the most unworthy and vilest of fallen man may find comfort and hope. God here assures us that however guilty we may have been in the past, however deep dyed our sin may have been, it is possible to be restored to purity and holiness. This promise deals not only with the results of sin but with sin itself. It can be eradicated and completely put out of the life. Only through the help of the sanctifying power of God’s Spirit, and assuredly not with the deceptive power of the false god-the-eternal-spirit, the sinner may secure complete mastery over his every besetment.
Jeremiah 13:23 tells us that with God all things are possible “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil” Carnal man is not able of themselves to “change” their evil ways. It is futile of any human endeavor to overcome evil apart from the power of the Holy Spirit abiding in the heart. The only possible way to obtain righteousness is by faith in Jesus Christ. By this experience of faith men are once again brought into a right relation with God. New hearts are created within them and they are enabled by faith to live once again in perfect obedience to God’s divine principles.
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*Sister White gave a message of great inspiration to them who have rebelled against God to turn from their apostasy in GC p665.1 “Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith”
Indeed at the end of the 1,000 years at the inauguration of Christ as king of kings will be those who were once zealous in the cause of satan, but now have the great privilege of standing nearest to Christ’s throne. Surely, this should be preferred to the horror of going through the seven last plagues and the pain of the terrible second death. God’s awesome power manifested in creation is extended to all who wants it to be victorious over Babylon’s wine of fornication.
To such ones He calls, in order that all may have hope, and may come with confidence. With what boldness all may come! Let all then come boldly to the throne of grace, fully assured that all shall obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 confirms this consolation “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”
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*Take home message
The Work for This Time, Australasian Union Conference record, January 1, 1901
“We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange, eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven. Everything in our world is in agitation. Events are changing to bring about the day of God, which hasteth greatly. Already nation is rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. But there is not now a general engagement. As yet the four winds are held until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. Then the powers of earth will marshall their forces for the last great battle.
*Satan is busily laying his plans for the last mighty conflict, when all will take sides. After the gospel has been proclaimed in the world for nearly two thousand years, Satan still presents to men and women the same scene that he presented to Christ. In a wonderful manner he causes the kingdoms of the world in their glory to pass before them. These he promises to all who will fall down and worship him. Thus he seeks to bring men under his dominion. Satan is working to the utmost to make himself as God, and to destroy all who oppose his power. And today the world is bowing before him. His power is received as the power of God. The prophecy of the Revelation is being fulfilled, that “all the world wondered after the beast.
*But the cloud of judicial wrath hangs over it, containing the elements that destroyed Sodom. John saw this multitude. This demon-worship was revealed to him, and it seemed as if the whole world were standing on the brink of perdition. But as he looked with intense interest, he beheld the company of God’s commandment keeping people. They had upon their foreheads the seal of the living God, and he exclaimed, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.
When the storm of God’s wrath breaks upon the world, it will be a terrible revelation for souls to find that their house is being swept away, because it is built upon the sand. Let the warning be given them before it is too late. We should now feel the responsibility of laboring with intense earnestness to impart to others the light which God has given for this time. We cannot be too much in earnest
*The heart of God is moved. Souls are very precious in His sight. It was for this world that Christ wept in agony, for this world He was crucified. God gave His only begotten Son to save sinners, and He desires us to love others as He has loved us. He desires to see those who have had great light, flashing that light upon the pathway of their fellow-men. Now is the time for the last warning to be given to the world. There is a special power in the presentation of the truth at the present time, but how long will it continue?–Only a little while. If ever there was a crisis, it is now.
*All are now deciding their eternal destiny. Men need to be aroused to realize the solemnity of the time, the nearness of the day when human probation will be ended. Decided efforts should be made to bring the message for this time prominently before the people. The third angel is to go forth with great power. Let none ignore this work, or treat it as of little importance. God’s people are not to cease their labors till they encircle the world. The truth is to be proclaimed to all mankind. All must have an opportunity to see the light
*No line of truth that has made the Seventh-Day Adventist people what they are, is to be weakened. We have the old land-marks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firmly in defence of our principles in full view of the world. It is essential that men be raised to open the living oracles of God to all nations, tongues, and peoples. Men of all ranks and capacities, with the various gifts, are to stand in their God-given armor, to co-operate harmoniously for a common result. They are to unite in the work of bringing the truth to all nations and peoples, each worker fulfilling his own special appointment”
*Through the character of Christ-like men and women God’s last call of mercy shall be witnessed to the world. All who do not reveal the moral integrity of Jesus Christ are vessels of “dishonour” and become a stumbling block to non-Christians.
Isaiah 21:11,12 states “…Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?” The watchman said, “The morning cometh and also the night”
The unique nature of the three angels’ message brings to view that the glorious morning of salvation will bring deliverance to the God’s faithful, and the night of eternal death to those who reject the repeated warnings given in the Word of God. It speaks hope and joy to the faithful, but severity and wrath to the transgressors of God’s law. Eternal life to the worshippers of the one true God of the Bible but eternal damnation to the worshippers of the spurious Sabbath and the false god-the-eternal-spirit. Those who have sacrificed all for Christ are now secure, hidden as in the secret of the Lord’s pavilion.
The imminent second advent of Christ is the next great event. This is the great climactic event of the age-long conflict between good and evil that began in heaven when Lucifer challenged the character and government of God.
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*This narrative is sent forth on its mission of love that it may point all to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, and to the one true God of the Bible. May the Bible students find treasure, the skeptics find ground for faith, and the thoughtless become acquainted with the thoughts of God.
*This narrative is not infallible. We do not presume that this narrative is the final word on God’s last message of mercy to a world that is fast coming to an end. But that God’s Spirit which inspires all will kindle a spark of love and holy fervor in the hearts of those who would be like unto Christ in character. Indeed, more divine light on this subject shall flash from God’s heavenly throne in His time.
Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world today.
*There is no statement presented here that cannot be questioned or challenged. We do believe that God has given a most important present-truth for the last-days. We beseech you please do be careful how we treat it.
Amen
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