Saturday, February 7, 2009

WHEN GOD BLOTS OUT OUR SINSby: Elder Lawrence Nelson
It is customary to greet one another with the words, "Happy New Year" at the beginning of a new year. However, as we daily witness the terrible conditions developing worldwide, one may hesitate to extend the usual expression, "Happy New Year." Yet this is the time when millions make new resolutions to overcome bad habits and try to forget past failures expecting better days in the coming year.
As we reflect upon the new year, have you considered that God is looking for a complete change in the lives of His saints? According to His prophetic time clock which has never failed, He will soon proclaim greetings not of a "Happy New Year" but greetings of a "Happy Eternity." This will be made possible by the pouring out of the Latter Rain, enabling His people to experience a totally new kind of godly happiness. When this happens we shall forget our past sinful lives and live forever without any remembrance of sin. What's more, God also will join with us in this wonderful, new experience for He too will forget our past sins and enjoy the fellowship with His redeemed family.
Inspiration puts it in these words, "The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in unshadowed beauty and perfect joy declare that God is love." Great Controversy p. 678.
Let us pray. Loving Father, as we prepare for the outpouring of the Latter Rain, we realize that only by Thy divine power can we be ready for a glorious future of sinless living. In this study please open our spiritual eyesight as to what we must do and what God is ready to do for us. In His dear name we plead, Amen.
Let us begin with a very dramatic statement revealing the power of love and what the cross has made possible for each of us. I am reading from Isaiah 43:25. It is the voice of Jesus speaking, "I even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Oh what amazing grace! Throughout the scriptures we find God continually telling us and reminding us of this good news. First, God tells us that He will forgive us of our sins as found in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." Secondly, God will blot out those sins as stated in Isaiah 43:25, "I have blotted out thy sins." Finally, God will forget those sins and remember them no more for our text says, "I will not remember thy sins." Don't you just feel like praising God?! God is so good. Could we ask anything more than this comforting assurance as found in God's plan for our redemption?
Some of you have heard those who declare that our sins are blotted out at the very moment that we confess our sins, but the Bible does not substantiate such a teaching. To make sure, we must discover the answers to the following questions: 1. When does the blotting out of sins take place; and why is it necessary to blot out the sins? 2. When will God remember our sins no more; and what will be accomplished by blotting them out? I believe we are going to have an exciting time as we discover these great truths.
First of all we must find out where these sins are recorded that are to be blotted out. The Bible states that they are recorded in two difference locations. First, they are recorded in our minds. The individual that commits a sin has that sin recorded in his brain and amazingly it is also recorded in the books of heaven.
Now, let's study how the sin is recorded within the mind. In Jeremiah 17:1 is a very thought-provoking statement. These words are addressed to Judah who represents the individuals who are within the church. Notice these words, "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." That is a very positive statement.
When you want to write something with a pen and it doesn't write clearly you press harder and harder to make sure that the words are readable, but God uses a pen of iron. Can you imagine the weight? God has no problem for His pen has the necessary weight and what's more the end point of His pen has the point of a diamond. Everyone knows that diamonds are the hardest substance that God ever created. Since it has a cutting edge, the Bible says that it engraves the sin within the heart. Could anything be more clear? God has given us an accurate description of just how our sins are recorded in our minds. There is no question about it.
Perhaps this is easier to understand since we have arrived in the computer age. We can better illustrate the function of the mind and just how it records both good and evil within the folds of the brain as we look at the computer of our day. Permit me to give you a simple description of how the computer functions. Within the computer you can place millions and millions of bits of information which are recorded on tiny chips of silicone material. At the wish of the operator any of these facts can be instantly displayed on a visual screen or they can be printed out on paper so they can be read. If the capacity of the computer is great enough there is no limit as to how much data the computer can handle. Unless these facts are erased or blotted out they will remain forever to be recalled by the operator.
Now I need not tell you that I am sure that the greatest computer in existence is the human brain. Any normal mind is able to record every expression, every experience of a lifetime. Such as whatever we see, whatever we hear, whatever we touch or taste and amazingly, every word we speak. And believe it or not every thought that enters the mind is recorded with a pen of iron; they are engraven with the point of a diamond and cut there to stay forever on the cells of the brain.
There are a few people who wonder why it is that we can't always recount or recall as a computer does. This is because sin has weakened our computers, but this does not mean that they are not able to put on the tissues of our cells the remotest details of experiences of our lives.
Consider this: There are some individuals in this world who are able to recount or reproduce anything that they hear. They are very unusual, gifted people. Such individuals can reproduce what the brain has recorded and I must tell you a story about just such a person. A famous musician heard that there was a blind man who claimed that he had such ability, but the musician questioned it. He decided that he would test this man to see if this was possible. Since this blind man played the piano the musician purposely played a very difficult melody for this blind man to hear. He had been told that this blind man had never heard it before, but to make sure he added some erroneous notes on purpose as he played the melody. In several places he also added an original score of his own which he had never played to anyone. You see, he wanted to make absolutely sure that this man had not heard this piece of music before.
The blind man listened carefully and then sat down at the piano and he rendered the exact musical notes in every detail. He even reproduced the erroneous notes which had been purposely put into the musical score and the personal score that had been added by the musician who was testing him. The blind man played exactly what he had heard and what he had recorded in his brain. He was able to record and recall the notes exactly from his human computer, his brain. Furthermore, any time thereafter in the days to come, he could reproduce the musical rendition exactly as this world-famous musician had played it.
Now this tells us something about our brains. What did God say about our sins? Let me read it to you again in Jeremiah 17:1, "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." If you were following in your Bible you will notice I didn't read it all. I will now read the last phrase, "And upon the horns of your altars." Did you notice that? Not only is it engraven in the heart with a pen of iron and with a diamond point that engraves it there permanently within the mind, for Inspiration adds that it is also placed upon the horns of your altar.
Now this takes us to the sanctuary, the second place where our sins are recorded. This refers to the sanctuary in heaven, for our sins are not only engraved within the heart but they are recorded on the record books of heaven. I want to read a most vivid description to you of this as found in Great Controversy p. 482 and it makes me tremble. "Every man's work passes in review before God and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered with terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful disassembling. Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, the influence exerted for good or for evil, with its far-reaching results, all are chronicled by the recording angel." I must tell you that when I think this through I tremble. No wonder I am anxious to have such things blotted out of my memory and blotted out of the books of heaven forever or I wouldn't enjoy heaven at all. Now you think that through.
But when is this going to happen? God gives us the answer. In Acts 3:19 it tells us, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." I hope that since you have heard this verse of scripture that you will stop to digest and discover three great facts: 1. To repent and to be converted is necessary in a preparation for heaven. 2. That your sins may be blotted out if you meet the requirements of repentance and conversion. 3. It tells us exactly when that will happen. It says, "When the time of refreshing shall come," and that is the Latter Rain.
I believe we can determine exactly when this refreshing will come. In Great Controversy p. 611, 612 I quote, "The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel, are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are 'the times of refreshing' to which the apostle Peter looked forward when he said, 'Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out [in the investigative Judgment] when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus.'" So the refreshing and the Latter Rain are one and the same. Note: this comes at the close of the gospel for Peter added in the next verse, Acts 3:20, "And he shall send Jesus Christ." So the coming of Christ follows the blotting out of sin.
Now I think we can understand why it is impossible for sins to be blotted out at the present time. Notice carefully the quotation from the Great Controversy p. 485, "It is impossible that sins of men should be blotted out until after the judgment at which their cases are to be investigated. But the apostle Peter distinctly states that the sins of believers will be blotted out 'when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall sent Jesus Christ.'" This tells us that when the Investigative Judgment closes Christ will come and His reward will be given to every man as his work shall be.
Let's pause here and summarize what we have discovered so far. Our sins are to be blotted out after the Investigative Judgment has ended, which takes place during the time of the refreshing of the Latter Rain. Therefore I can state positively that the blotting out of sins is yet in the near future. I am continuing to read from Great Controversy p. 612, "Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers."
On the following pages (613, 614) I read, "When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received the 'latter rain,' 'the refreshing from the presence of the Lord,' and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received 'the seal of the living God.' Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, 'It is done;' and all the angelic hosts lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn pronouncement: '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.' Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins."
This information should activated out minds as nothing else because to prepare for the Latter Rain we must correct every defect of our characters in order to receive the Latter Rain. This is in keeping with the counsel found in Early Writings p. 71, "I saw that none could share the 'refreshing' unless they obtained the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, draw nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence."
To make this absolutely clear let me quote further from Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 214, "Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us [not God] to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement." Did you catch that? Every defilement – that includes sin, doesn't it?
Now let's correlate a little further what we have found between what happens in the heavenly sanctuary and what takes place in our mind. You are aware that on the Day of Atonement in Israel of old that the sins that were blotted out on that special day were the sins that had previously been pardoned and forgiven. These were the sins that had been transferred to the sanctuary which took place when the repentant sinner brought his lamb, confessed his sin over the lamb's head, thus transferring his sin to that of the lamb which was then slain by the hand of the sinner. The blood of that lamb was then carried into the sanctuary by the priest and sprinkled on the horns of the altar.
Do you remember our text in which it said, "And upon the horns of your altar"? That altar stands before the inner veil of the sanctuary. Thus, pardoned sins which were recorded in the brain of the sinner were also recorded in the sanctuary in heaven. In the book Great Controversy p. 421 we are told, "For eighteen centuries this work of ministration continued in the first apartment of the sanctuary. The blood of Christ, pleaded in behalf of penitent believers, secured their pardon and acceptance with the Father, yet their sins still remained upon the books of record. As in the typical service there was a work of atonement at the close of the year, so before Christ's work for the redemption of men is completed there is a work of atonement for the removal of sin from the sanctuary … to cleanse the sanctuary. …As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through the blood transferred, in figure to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant."
Now listen, this is what takes place for us today. I continue reading, "So in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary and as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of sin."
This is why it is paramount that today we now make necessary preparations so these sins can be removed. It is when every confessed, forsaken and pardoned sin which has been transferred to Jesus who then places them in the sanctuary, that on the final day of atonement Christ our High Priest will be able to blot out those sins. This is what Paul was talking about in 1 Timothy 5:24, "Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after."
Here we must again pause for a very important question and perhaps one that you have never thought of in your life. Is it possible that you can annul your pardoned sins? Have you ever thought of that? When you ask Jesus to forgive you is it possible that Christ, who has forgiven you, may in the future cancel what He has done because of a change of evil in your life? Let me read something to you in Patriarchs and Prophets p. 357, "The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement."
Now you ask, "Why in the world does God do this in this manner? Why doesn't He blot them out when we come in repentance and ask for forgiveness." You remember the parable of the unjust steward? Jesus tells us of a king who is investigating his servants and he finds a man who owes him an enormous debt of 10,000 talents. In our world today that would be millions of dollars. This poor fellow is in serious trouble; he cannot pay. He doesn't have the millions. The king commands that he be sold into slavery to make payment.
Can you see this poor man? He gets down on his knees and with tears running down his cheeks he pleads, "Oh please forgive me. I would pay if I could, but I don't have the money. Please." I'm reading in Matthew 18:27, "The lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt." Isn't that just like God? Our sins are so many that we couldn't begin to atone for them, but when we come in repentance and pleading to God He forgives us.
But watch what happens. A few weeks later this same man who was forgiven this enormous debt finds a poor man who owes him 100 pence. That's pennies. He is so poor that he doesn't even have a penny and this man who had been forgiven of the millions that he owed demands that this poor man gives him the pennies that he owes him. The fellow gets down and pleads with tears and asks this man to forgive his debt. But this man who was forgiven of millions throws the poor man in prison because he cannot pay his debt of pennies. Listen to what it says in Matthew 18:34. "His lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him."
Now you may say, "Wasn't he forgiven?" – Yes, but by his evil action he had annulled his forgiveness. I hear you say, "Elder Nelson, are you sort of stretching this a little bit? Are you making an application that ought not to be?" Listen, I'm reading from the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:35, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." The lesson is clear: If we have been forgiven but choose to be unfaithful in our actions we will thereby annul our previous pardon. The marvelous word "forgiven" that had been recorded over our sins in heaven will be erased from our record and the guilt of our past sins that have been forgiven will no longer be forgiven.
I hear someone say, "That's hard to believe that my God would do that." Let me give you more positive proof. Listen as I read in Christ Object Lessons p. 251. The servant of the Lord is writing about this very same man who owed millions to the king. "It is true that he may once have received forgiveness, but his unmerciful spirit shows that he now rejects God's pardoning love. He has separated himself from God, and is in the same condition as before he was forgiven. He has denied his repentance, and his sins are upon him as if he had not repented."
Now I believe that you are in a position to see the divine wisdom of God that tells us that He does not blot out our sins at the moment that we seek forgiveness. As long as probation is open and not closed God will cancel our pardoned sins if we prove unfaithful. In today's justice system we do the same here in America. For instance, a criminal serves five or six years in prison of a term of say 20 years and because he has lived a right kind of life in the prison he is then placed on probation. But if that man violates that pledge, that parole is revoked and he returns to prison to serve the full sentence.
We can now see why God does not blot out our sins in the record book of heaven. He is waiting until the judgment is finished, waiting to see if our repentance and conversion is genuine, then He will blot out our sins and our names will be retained in the book of life; Then He will offer the crown of life.
Now comes the most thrilling part of this sermon. In the records of heaven and in the records of our minds the moment is about to come in this final atonement when God will erase every memory of sin. He performs this wonderful act in heaven of blotting out of our minds every past sin so we will never remember them again and they will be banished in the sea of forgiveness. Our loving God has also promised to blot out every sin recorded in heaven, just as the operator of a computer can touch a certain key and cancel everything that has been recorded.
Sometime ago I heard about someone who had spent months in preparing a final paper for her degree and it was all in her computer. Because she was weary and tired and not realizing what she was doing her finger accidentally touched that key which deletes and instantly it was all wiped out. So God has promised to blot out our sins and we shall never be able to recall them.
Let me read this to you from Great Controversy p. 620, "In the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no cancelled wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out, and they cannot bring them remembrance." Praise God.
I must tell you that there are things in my heart I would like blotted out today, but I shall have to wait until the judgment ends when God will wipe them out forever and I can go to heaven and enjoy such a place never again to remember the evils that I participated in as a sinner. Praise the Lord. When God does something He does it right, Amen? What joy we should have as we look forward to the future. Let me read again from Patriarchs and Prophets p. 358, "In the final atonement the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted out from the records of heaven, no more to be remembered or come into mind." Beloved, isn't it going to be wonderful to live in heaven and never remember any of the evils that we have done in this world? No wonder I am looking forward to that day! What a Savior!
This is why in Jeremiah 50:20 it says, "In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none." Why? – Because the sins have been blotted out. Isaiah 4:3 makes it very clear, "And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy." Holy? Why? – Because there is not a trace of sin in the individual. The sins have been blotted out in the heavenly sanctuary and blotted out of our minds. All this because of Calvary. Thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus that made this possible. Isn't it going to be wonderful to take His hand in heaven and the only thing that will ever remind us of this old world is when we see the scars of sin in His hands in Satan's attempt to take His life on Calvary.
I appeal to you today, with the prophet Joel, that it is time for us to do some special heart searching. God says, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; … Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." Joel 2:1, 12, 13.
We are nearing the close of that final moment of the atonement in heaven when we will either be sealed and declared "saved" with every sin blotted out, or we will have unforgiven sins and we will not be saved. Could it be that in our church today, because of unbelief and rebellion, that some are following in the steps of ancient Israel, unprepared for this final day of atonement? God has told us what to expect. Could it be that some of us look at this blueprint and because of unbelief in our hearts we want to be like the churches of Babylon? We want their worldly rock music, we want to dress like the world and we want to hope that somehow God will save us in our sins as the surrounding churches teach. This is why many are looking for a detour from the divine blueprint of "Thus saith the Lord." But to such they will hear God say, "Depart from me, I never knew you."
You may not like this kind of preaching but I have no choice. I must give the trumpet a warning sound for today is the time when we should be seeking victory over every sin and besetment in our lives. Listen to the following found in Great Controversy p. 425, "Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above, are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their character must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative Judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away sin, among God's people on earth."
Listen to this. These are not my words, they are words of Inspiration by the servant of the Lord found in Review and Herald April 21, 1891, "We have slept too long, shall we sleep on, and be lost at last? Are there those who have been sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting, and will they continue to do so till Christ shall come? May God help us." You see, sinning and repenting is a teaching exactly like the kind of teaching that the devil is trying to bring into our church today. When you believe that you can sin until Jesus comes, as preached by unfaithful shepherds, you will be lost.
But praise the Lord, today God is offering us power to overcome. Will you take hold of it? That is why I blow the trumpet loud and long. God wants to provide for us victory so that our sins can be blotted out of the books of heaven and blotted out from our minds forever so that our names can be retained in the book of life. Then and only then we shall hear the most marvelous words that a human being can ever hear, "Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Let us pray. Oh loving Father, please hold our hand tightly and never let go, and help us by Thy Holy Spirit to have complete victory in our lives over every sin that we may be ready to see Jesus. Grant us this experience today, we pray. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
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Friday, February 6, 2009

HEAVEN AND EARTH REUNITED(The Family of God)by: Elder Lawrence Nelson
Pentecost. Whenever you have studied or talked about Pentecost I doubt very much if you have ever thought about it in the light that I am presenting this sermon. We usually think of Pentecost as the time when the power of God was poured out and they spoke in tongues, but listen carefully. I have chosen a most heart-warming, emotional and stimulating text and I trust that it will be riveted in your minds forever. It is found in John 20:17. It reveals what happened when Mary discovered that Jesus was alive after His crucifixion, death and burial. "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."
I hope that somehow this text will have a new and tremendous meaning before we are finished, and may we experience and exclaim with the Apostle Paul, "I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthen with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ might dwell in your heart by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Ephesians 3:14 – 19.
Let us pray. Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. As Thy children, we trust the Holy Spirit will help us to comprehend as never before how Jesus made it possible for us to become sons and daughters of the family of God and be loved individually as much as God loves His Son. This we ask in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
In the typical sanctuary service of ancient Israel it was customary for the high priest to lay aside pontifical robes and to officiate in the white linen dress of an ordinary priest. So likewise, the Son of God came down to this earth from heaven and He laid aside His royal robes, clothing Himself with humanity to offer Himself a ransom for you and for me. Paul, speaking of this in 1 Corinthians 5:7 spoke of it in these words, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." Why did He do this? – To fulfill the requirements of the Passover.
As the Word of God reveals, Christ Himself became the Priest and Christ Himself became the Victim. Thus He made an atonement for our sins, but in God's blueprint for complete salvation He foresaw the need for yet some additional steps in order to restore man to his rightful place. The atonement provided only for the forgiveness for sins, but sin had separated humanity from God. So something more needed to be done to reunited man with his Creator. Therefore God devised additional plans so that this could be accomplished. If these details were followed precisely this would make it possible for finite man to comprehend how heaven and earth, which was now separated, could be reunited in oneness making it possible for you and me to actually become part of the family of God.
Please follow me closely. Immediately after the Passover Sabbath, on the first day of the week, we read in Leviticus 23:5, "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover." Then in verses nine through eleven it tells us, "The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it."
Did you notice that it was on the first day of the week that the sheaf was to be waved before God by the priest? Let me show you how Jesus fulfilled this in person since He was the wave sheaf. You remember that the Passover Lamb was slain on Friday at the ninth hour (which was 3:00 in the afternoon as we talk of time today). You also remember that great curtain in the sanctuary separating the Holy from the Most Holy which was some 60 feet to 70 feet in height was ripped from top to bottom by none other than God Himself. This happened at that precise moment the priest was about to kill the sacrificial lamb, but because of this terrifying experience the lamb slipped away and in its place Jesus was crucified at the exact moment that the lamb was to be slain.
During the Sabbath hours after His crucifixion Jesus lay in a sleep of death in the tomb. But on the first day He is to awake and present the wave-sheaf offering. Divine predication must be fulfilled for Christ was the wave sheaf. He became the first fruits by His own resurrection, thus He was able to comply with the stipulation which was laid down by God a thousand years before.
Let's see how He did this. This first sheaf of grain was to be presented on the first day following the Passover sabbath. Consider with me what actually took place. It is still dark. The gravestone covering the tomb's entrance is still in place. The Roman seal is still unbroken and around the tomb stand the Roman guards. If you look by divine perception you will see a host of evil angels, but looking more closely you will see a heavenly host immediately surrounding the sepulchre.
Matthew tells us what took place. I'm reading from Matthew 28:2, "Behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." This was the same angel that took the place of Lucifer. Instantly, when this angel arrived, all of the evil angels fled and the soldiers fell as dead men. This mighty angel rolled away that great stone which was at least six feet in diameter. He rolled it as if it were a pebble and then he cried out, "Son of God come forth, thy Father calls thee." Immediately Christ comes forth from the tomb as the angelic host sings with great joy, "Thou hast vanquished Satan and the powers of darkness; thou hast swallowed up death in victory!" Desire of Ages p. 780.
But something else has taken place as Jesus arose. It's a startling event for an earthquake has opened a multitude of other graves. Individuals arose from their graves who had given their lives as a testimony to God's truth. I wouldn't be surprised if one of those was John the Baptist. God had other plans for him and that is why He did not interfere with his death. These resurrected saints are the Savior's trophies of victory over the power of death. No longer are they captives of Satan; they are now redeemed, brought forth from the grave, the first fruits of the end-time resurrection. Christ had raised many others of the dead when he was here on this earth. For example there was the son of the widow of Nain, there was the ruler's little daughter and there was Lazarus who had died and been buried for three days. But each of these had to die again. However these resurrected saints that arose when Christ arose would never die; they were raised to everlasting life.
Shortly after these saints had arisen out of their graves Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. Imagine her amazement as she discovers that the tomb is empty. She fears that someone has stolen the body of Jesus. Let me read this to you from John 20:13 as the angel said to her, "Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." You see her eyes were so filled with tears that she could not see clearly.
I continue to read, "Jesus saith unto her, Mary, She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 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." Do you understand what that means? There is something about this that we have in common. We are now the family of God and God is our Father. Listen as we go on. Something is about to occur that makes this possible, something that will reunite heaven with earth. What is this wonder? – Christ is about to ascend to heaven where He will present Himself to the Father as the wave sheaf – the symbol of the first resurrected life of the great harvest to come. Immediately Jesus leaves this earth, He leaves Mary, and goes to heaven where He is to approach His Father for the express purpose to present Himself as the wave sheaf.
Apparently travel in space is no problem with deity. One moment He is talking with Mary and the next moment He is billions of miles away standing before His Father. There he presents Himself as the first fruits of the resurrection. It is a private meeting and it is not open to the universe. Here the assurance is given that Christ's sacrifice has been accepted. Let me read it to you in Desire of Ages p. 790, Christ "ascended to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, that through His blood all might gain eternal life. The Father ratified the covenant made with Christ, that He would receive repentant and obedient men" Mark these words. The Father said what? – "That He would receive repentant and obedient men, and would love them even as He loves His Son." Amazing! Can you comprehend that? Naturally the Father loves His Son, but we who have been sinners, we who have damned Him, we who have done all kinds of evil things, that God still loves us! Oh yes, we have always believed that, but loved us as much as He loved His Son?! That's what a family is all about, isn't it? I must tell you that to be in the family of God and to be loved individually as much as God loves His Son, it boggles my mind.
No sooner had this short visit been accomplished with the Father than He immediately returns to this earth. Space doesn't mean anything. During His absence it has been just a few minutes. Other women have arrived at the tomb. Listen as I quote from Desire of Ages p. 793, "After He had ascended to the Father, Jesus appeared to the other women, saying, 'All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshiped Him.'" Remember he wouldn't let Mary touch Him as He first had to go to heaven and present the wave sheaf. "'Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.'"
The time has now arrived when He can reassure His disciples that He had fulfilled His pledge. What was it? – Remember back to Isaiah 13:12, "I will make a man more precious than fine gold." No question about it we can become sons and daughters of the family of God – each loved as much as God loves His Son who died for us. Praise His holy name! I can't help but shouting Hallelujah! Oh, what God has planned for us.
Now He says to these women, "Tell the disciples, Go unto Galilee, where I am going to instruct them for the next forty days." In Acts 1:3 we read, "To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs." There they handled Him, they slept with Him, they ate with Him, they talked with Him, they were with Him forty days. No question about it; Jesus was alive.
But remember, there must be fifty days, not forty, that must take place before the next great event which is called Pentecost. It would be at this coming celebration, when the covenant will be ratified with His church. It was ratified with God when Christ presented Himself as the wave sheaf, but at Pentecost it is to be ratified to the church. Why is this? Had not Christ already died for the atonement? – Yes. Had Christ not already arisen in victory over death? – Yes. Had He not already presented the wave sheaf to His Father in heaven? – Yes. Then why must there be a Pentecost? Because something else is needed to unite heaven with earth.
The church of God must be given divine power to give the gospel to the entire world and this cannot take place until an additional first fruits are presented to God the Father in heaven before the universe. You see, every divine stipulation that you find in the scripture must be fulfilled; nothing fails. Let me read this to you. Leviticus 23: 15 – 17, "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete (that is 49 days, isn't it?): Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord."
These verses draw our attention once again to this special group who were resurrected when Jesus arose. They arose with Him on the resurrection day. They represent the family of God on this earth. They are the pledge of assurance that the resurrection of all the righteous will take place when Christ comes the second time. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 says, "If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." So it was in the divine plan that when Christ, after His resurrection had presented the wave sheaf to His Father, that He would go back to earth and return again to heaven, this time bringing a great multitude of His trophies to present them as the family of earth to be united with the family of God.
But before this takes place a multitude of captives from the grave must first perform a special work. They are to go into the city of Jerusalem and to declare to the honest in heart that Christ had indeed risen from the dead. They were to be living proof that He had risen. Why was this necessary? – For several reasons. The priests had paid the soldiers to lie by commanding them to say that His disciples came by night and stole Jesus away while they slept. That in itself was quite a deception because any soldier knew that if he went to sleep at his post he would be killed. But furthermore, the Sadducees, who were supposed to be God's ministers in His temple during the day of Christ, had for centuries taught the people to disbelieve in the resurrection. For a hundred years they had preached the devil's doctrine that there was no resurrection, so God is going to make sure there is no misunderstanding. Imagine when these risen saints came to a person's home and knocked at the door and said, "Look at me. I just arose from the grave with Jesus of Nazareth." There could be no question about it. Here was living proof for they declared that when Jesus arose, they arose with Him. Can you imagine the impact that this made?
Here is a lesson for us. In those days the ministers were teaching Satan's lies to the people so that they would not accept Jesus when He came. We are told that the same evil power today will have his men preaching from the hellish torch of Satan. They will be teaching false doctrines today and if you believe them you will not be ready to go home with Jesus when He comes. This is why we need to be studying continually. God's Word never leaves an honest soul in doubt.
For forty days these risen saints went from house to house and from person to person telling the good news. The Spirit of God led them to the honest souls proving beyond a doubt that Jesus had indeed risen. I am quoting from Desire of Ages p. 786 of what these risen saints said, "Christ has risen from the dead, and we be risen with Him." In Isaiah 26:19 prophecy had predicted this, "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. … And the earth shall cast out the dead." Every prophecy in the Bible is always fulfilled to the exact letter.
But more than this, these risen saints were to give assurance to us who are alive today that God always keeps His promise for we soon shall witness a coming resurrection ourselves. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." What a day that's going to be. I'm looking forward to that morning to seeing my mother again. I'm looking forward to seeing my father again. Many of you who have lost a loved one recently will see them again. The fact that these saints arose with Him is absolute, living proof that your loved ones who were faithful will live again.
We read in Desire of Ages p. 787, "Thus will it be when the voice of Christ shall be heard from heaven. That voice will penetrate the graves and unbar the tombs, and the dead in Christ shall arise. At the Saviour's resurrection a few graves were opened, but at His second coming all the precious dead shall hear His voice, and shall come forth to glorious, immortal life." My dear brethren and sisters, won't that be a marvelous experience to behold? Now let me complete the quotation, "The same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise His church and glorify it for Him above all principalities, above all powers, above every name that is named not only in this world, but in the world to come."
Now back to the forty days Christ spent with His disciples before He returned to heaven with His trophies. He knows that there is needed time in heaven to prepare for a glorious homecoming. Besides this His disciples will need time to prepare for heaven's overflow of that great celebration at which time heaven will bestow the Holy Spirit in its fullness ratifying the covenant with His church.
Now let us follow this step by step. Jesus the risen Savior is about to return victoriously to heaven bringing with Him his trophies. For forty days Jesus has authenticated to His disciples that He is the living Savior. No longer must He be associated with the tomb; now they must think of Him as being alive – a glorified Being, indeed, our great High Priest who is in heaven's sanctuary for us.
Next Jesus chooses the spot for His ascension. It will be the Mount of Olives on which His feet will again rest at the close of the Millennium when Jesus brings the New Jerusalem to this earth. As Jesus bids His disciples good-bye they watch as He slowly ascends from among His disciples and they hear clearly the very last words that He ever spoke on this earth, "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20. As the disciples watch a cloud of glory hides Jesus from their sight.
As the chariots of angels receive the Savior, the air is filled with the sweetest music as the angelic host sings. It is now that two angels reveal themselves and speak. I am reading from Acts 1:11, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." These are the same two angels who were His personal bodyguards while He was here on earth throughout His mission. They longed to go with Jesus to heaven, but in love for the disciples they linger behind to remind His faithful disciples that Jesus would come again.
In the meanwhile, the multitude of captives who arose with Christ had joined the Savior in the clouds. They are on their way to heaven with Jesus as He returns to the Father. These risen saints are of the first fruits and this is what Paul meant when he said, "As Christ ascended on high he led captivity captive." Ephesians 4:8. As Jesus ascended with His trophies all of heaven is astir in preparation to welcome the Savior. Jesus leads the way and the multitude of His captives follow as the escorting angels began to cry, "Lift up your heads O ye gates; and be lift up ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." Psalm 24:7.
And then those angels who are on the walls of Jerusalem cry back, "Who is this king of glory?" Not that they didn't know, but they love to hear it.
Back came the words, "The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." Again, "Lift up your heads O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." Psalm 24:8, 9.
"Who is the King of Glory?" – Back comes the word, "The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of glory!" Psalm 24:10.
Now look closely with me as this mighty reception takes place at the walls of the New Jerusalem. Here is Moses, and he is the one who opens the gates as Jesus and the redeemed that arose with Him sweep through the gates into the city itself. There they go to the center of that great city where that throne is found that has a rainbow encircling it. Here the countless sons of God, the representatives of unfallen worlds and the billions of unfallen angels also assemble to celebrate Christ's triumphant return. This is the same heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son. Here are the representatives of sinless worlds over which Satan had fought to establish his dominion. They are all eager to celebrate the triumph of their King.
But wait. Christ lifts His hand and says, "Not yet. He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of the nails. He points to the token of His triumph." Here are all those that arose with Him and "He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming." Desire of Ages p. 834.
Now watch as Christ approaches closer to the Father. Sense with me the joy as God beholds the family of earth that are now before Him who are resurrected with Christ – the trophies of the Savior. Recall with me the pledge of God and Christ that they made before sin entered. Recall the covenant promise to redeem sinners. Listen once again to that cry on the cross when Christ cried, "It is finished." Watch as Christ now presents the trophies to the Father with these words, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am." John 17:24.
Listen as the Pentecostal celebration takes place when you hear the words of God, "Justice is satisfied. Satan is forever vanquished." Glory to God. At last Christ's struggling children are accepted by God for where Christ is there His church shall be. "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 83:10. Behold the Father's arms as they encircle His Son. Now God gives the command to the millions of billions that all the angels of God shall worship Christ.
In Desire of Ages p. 834 we read, "With joy unutterable rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of Life. The angel hosts prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.' Revelation 5:12."
Now the words of Christ have full assurance, "My God is your God. My Father is your Father." Oh if we could only comprehend this when troubles come that we have a Father that we can go to. Never forget that He has told us that He loves us as much as He loves our Savior, Jesus Christ. What kind of lives would we live in this world if we really realize that we are now sons and daughters of the Almighty; the family of earth is reunited with the family of God. This is why Revelation 5:13 states, "Every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, … heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
Words cannot adequately express the joy that the family on earth is now united with the family of heaven. This Pentecost celebration should ring a bell every day in our lives. We belong to Jesus. We are His. We were bought, we were redeemed; we are sons and daughters of Divinity. God is our Father for Pentecost had finally arrived.
In Acts 2:1, 2 we read, "When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." This earthly celebration is important for us because the Savior's sacrifice is now accepted by the universe. The gospel story is now beyond question. Now the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, fills the hearts of each disciple on this earth with a Spirit that leads God's church to victory.
When we speak of Pentecost our memories should recall Calvary's atonement that was accepted, that the enemy of death itself has been defeated, that Christ has ascended with His risen saints giving us full assurance of a final resurrection soon to take place. Pentecost assures us that we are now the family of God.
Brothers and sisters, this joy of Pentecost should be our daily experience. Every day let us remember the words of Jesus, "I ascend unto my Father and your Father; to my God and your God."
Let us pray. Oh heavenly Father, we have discovered new courage in our hearts as we think of what Pentecost means to the church today. We have found courage as we stand by the grave of a loved one to know that it would be just a little while and we shall see them again. It gives us courage as we face a time of trouble such as never was to know that our Savior is with us always, even to the end of the world. And most of all it gives us courage today to know that God is our Father and He loves you and me as much as He loves His Son. In the name of Jesus, help us to be worthy of such love. Amen."
www.ElderNelson.com

Thursday, February 5, 2009

INFILTRATIONBy: Elder Lawrence Nelson
Many Seventh-day Adventist living today seem to be totally unaware that, as members of God's true church, we are actually at war with the devil and his angels. The majority seems to be living in an atmosphere of tranquility and peace oblivious to the battle we are engaged, in which God is depending on each faithful member to defend the divine authority of His law.
Our Commander is Michael, the Lord Jesus Christ. The commander of the opposing side is Satan, the devil. This gigantic struggle has to do with the character of God as revealed in His law. Freedom, justice and love are at stake. Should Satan succeed in abolishing God's law, the government of God would cease to exist. Every individual would then be governed by force and freedom would be gone forever.
To ensure the protection of each soldier for Christ we must investigate the plans of the enemy. But this could be a disaster without God's help. So let us first seek for divine aid. Let us pray. Our loving Father, as we embark on this dangerous mission to discover Satan's sinister plans for our destruction, please commission the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, the Representative of the Captain of the Lord's hosts, to guide us in this perilous mission. We acknowledge that our infirmities are many; our sins and mistakes grievous, but with humble contrition we beg this great Power of Omnipotence be granted in our behalf to guide us with success. We thank Thee for such divine assurance. In Jesus' name, we ask, Amen.
Now in this war, in which every believer must participate, we must be aware that this great struggle began in heaven and has spread to this earth. Let us read of its history from God's word. I'm reading beginning with Revelation 12:7. "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him….Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time….And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
From the beginning history reveals that in any war, each opposing side tries to secretly discover what the enemy's plans are for attack so they can successfully meet and overcome them. We should not be surprised to discover, from God's word, of Satan's attempt to break into heaven's council to ascertain God's plans in this great war.
We read of such an attempt in Job 1:6. "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them." Can you see Satan slipping in to a planning session of the universe? He's a master at infiltration. And we should not be astonished that Satan infiltrates the committees of God's true church here on earth, whether it be the local church, the Conference, Union, Division, or even the General Conference.
For some thirteen years, from 1962 – 1975, I took part in some of the committees at our world headquarters. At that time, the General Conference was located in Tacoma Park, Washington, D.C. If I remember correctly there were something like 125 committees to plan church action. Seldom a day would pass, when I was not somewhere overseas, that I had to attend a committee. I am certain that the devil and his angels listened in to every committee meeting, and I believe that some of his human agents attended also.
Remember the Watergate scandal some years ago when the whole world was shocked when this country's political party was able to listen in to the secret plannings of their rival, which ultimately caused President Nixon to resign? Now, in the book Testimonies to Ministers p. 472-475, the Holy Spirit, through Ellen White, has given to us a legitimate "Watergate" conducted by God's angels who have revealed Satan's top secrets. In these writings we are given a verbal description of what actually took place in the darkest recesses of one of Satan's councils. So let us go, by the way of inspiration, to an actual visit to a council of hell conducted by Satan and his angels. Don't be afraid, for God has revealed what took place in order for His saints to know what to expect.
I must remind you, that this is no imaginary story, but rather a graphic description of what actually took place in one of the devil's committee meetings right here on this earth. First of all we should know the name of this committee. It's an ad hoc committee, meaning that it is dedicated to a special task. As we listen in through the ears of divinity, you will agree with me that this is Satan's end-time committee dedicated to develop plans to destroy the faith of God's servants. Sounds impressive doesn't it? Since this is such an important committee the devil himself is the committee chairman. You will discover that he not only challenges his angels, but he directs and guides these satanic angels to develop methods and plans that will fool the very elect of God so that they will unknowingly join the devil's side and become Satan's agents to deceive others.
Listen carefully now as I'm reading from Testimonies to Ministers p. 472. Satan "directs his angels to lay their snares especially for those who are looking for the second advent of Christ, and endeavoring to keep all the commandments of God. (Why he is talking about you and me, isn't he? We had better take heed. Now listen as inspiration gives us a word-by-word of Satan's opening remarks.) 'We must watch those who are calling the attention of the people to the Sabbath of Jehovah; they will lead many to see the claims of the law of God and the same light which reveals the true Sabbath reveals also the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, and shows that the last work for man's salvation is now going forward. Hold the minds of the people in darkness till that work is ended, and we shall secure the world and the church also.'"
Sounds chilling, doesn't it? But catch the significance of this proposed scheme. The devil's committee is to spend time in developing a master plan to destroy the very pillars of our faith such as the holy Sabbath day and the sanctuary doctrine. You can easily see why these two teachings are of major importance for both have to do with God's holy law, which Satan hates. This is the very heart of the great controversy, for the seventh-day Sabbath is the focal point of the commandments; the very seal of God's authority to rule. And the sanctuary in heaven is where the holy law is contained within the ark, which is the very foundation of God's throne upon which our God sits.
It is here in the Most Holy Place that Christ, our High Priest, is conducting His mediatorial work in our behalf for our salvation. This is why Satan demands of his cohorts to find a way to keep these two cardinal doctrines from being studied and preached so he can capture God's true church. After all, this is the last great obstacle remaining to keep Satan from full control of the world which he is planning to bring into reality through the New World Order of the United Nations.
Now the committee of these fallen angels gets down to business as Satan outlines a five-point program of attack. God has given us a word-by-word quotation from the very lips of Satan. (1) "'I will influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from the commandments of God.'" Now how do you suppose these devils are going to come up with a workable plan to attain such? Do you suppose they would suggest that the commandments no longer exist? I'm afraid not. They know that the church would arise and defend the law.
Rather, I believe, they would attempt a more subtle plan of attack such as: Why not discourage any discussion of the law. In fact, better still, never mention it. And then don't use the word "obedience," that's legalism. Let the members believe these are distasteful words for today's generation. Never mention "the beast" or "the image" and especially "the mark." Just get the preachers to talk about "love" – after all this is how Babylon fills their churches.
And we must get people so involved in church activity that they will have little or no time to question their hearts to discern if they are ready for Jesus to come. Let them form cell groups and spend hours in NLP labs; and how about projects for the community? Keep the members so busy that they never think of personal evangelism. Now listen, don't you agree that in a short time the people's attention would turn from the law? This would be a subtle approach. You decide. I'm only mentioning what Satan and his angels have suggested.
Satan continues, (2) "'That which the Scriptures declare to be a perfect law of liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage.'" Now remember, these are the words of Satan. Don't you suppose that his committee would agree that the best plan of all would be to have the ministers teach that Christ has already kept the law for you; therefore you need not worry about keeping that "old law of bondage." And how about having books printed in Adventist presses so that those who don't follow the preacher will accept such New Theology because it comes from the church publishing houses. After all, everyone has been redeemed by the cross, because all our your past, present and future sins have been forgiven because of the cross. If the saints hear such teachings often enough and read it from Adventist books they will believe that all you need to do is to present the law as a yoke of bondage. Has not God already declared you righteous? So relax, celebrate. There's no more "dos" and "don'ts" because you are now under grace. Don't you suppose this would be Satan's masterpiece of attack? Surely it sounds plausible. You make the decision. I'm simply suggesting what Satan's angels might have decided to do in this committee meeting.
Satan suggests, (3) Let "'the people accept their minister's explanations of Scripture and do not investigate for themselves. Therefore, by working through the ministers, I can control the people according to my will.'" In other words, control the people through the ministers. How? Never let them question the authority of the church and never question the General Conference. Could this be the decision of Satan's committee to destroy us?
Why, even God's word declares in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." And never forget the Bereans of the Bible time were commended for questioning the teachings of the church. Let me read it to you in Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, (and now notice) and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Could it be that Satan is using church authority in the end time to keep God's people from investigating for themselves? What a sneaky approach to control the people. Don't dare to question the minister and especially a man from the General Conference. You decide; I'm only suggesting Satan's methods. I'm not attacking my church. I love my church. I'm simply revealing why such things are taking place in our church. "So and So has a Doctor of Divinity degree and he tells us, 'Ellen White didn't mean what she wrote for our time.' So just take the minister's word." Could this be the aim of this ad hoc committee of Satan? Think it over.
(4)"'The church must be led to unite with the world in its support." Perhaps this is the reason why we have for years participated in the World Council of Churches with financial support and taking an active part in its committees – even carrying out the actions of such committee without being actual members of this religious world organization. The laity has been told, "We are not members," when indeed our church leadership has done everything it can to encourage our people to participate in its ecumenical movement and to join with other churches in community projects, when God has plainly counseled, "Be ye separate."
Satan continues, (5) "'We must work by signs and wonders to blind their eyes to the truth and lead them to lay aside reason and the fear of God and follow custom and tradition." Is this why our church is participating in Easter sunrise services, providing Halloween parties for God's youth, having men of the cloth act as Saint Nicholas (a Catholic priest) and being Santa Claus at church Christmas parties? Is this why we are involving our members in Saint Valentine's Day (a pagan custom) or asking the church members to come up to the rostrum to receive the sacred communion bread from the pastor as practiced in Catholicism to receive the emblems from the priest? Some are even changing the name of the Lord's Supper to that of the pagan Eucharist. Could all this be the result of the devil's plan?
At this point, Satan sums up these objectives. Testimonies to Ministers p. 473 says, "'(1) Our principle concern is to silence this sect of Sabbath keepers. (2) We must excite popular indignation against them. (3) The sabbath (Sunday) which I have set up shall be enforced by laws the most severe and exacting. (4) Those who disregard them shall be driven out from the cities and villages, and made to suffer hunger and privation.'"
At this point Satan pauses to recount his past triumphs against those who refused to sever their allegiance to God. In Testimonies to Ministers p. 473 he says, "'We led the Romish church to inflict imprisonment, torture, and death upon those who refused to yield to her decrees.'" What boasting! Alas, history reveals that the papal church put to death 150 million Christians who refused to give up their faith.
Suddenly Satan begins to brag about his accomplishments today. Listen carefully, "'We are bringing the Protestant churches and the world into harmony with this right arm of our strength.'" With such success he again tells of his present-day aims: "'We will finally have a law to exterminate all who will not submit to our authority. When death shall be made the penalty of violating our sabbath, then many who are now ranked with commandment keepers will come over to our side.'"
With these remarks, Satan now precedes with his cunning deceptive maneuvers. "But before proceeding to these extreme measures, we must exert all our wisdom and subtlety to deceive and ensnare those who honor the true Sabbath." At this point the committee begins its deadly work in developing these satanic plans. It's chilling to even think of it for it's Satan's plans to try to capture you and me. I hope you are spiritually awake to comprehend the eight startling methods which the servant of the Lord has revealed as Satan's top-secret scheme.
Let's consider them one by one.
Point #1 I'm quoting from Testimonies to Ministers p. 473. Satan brags, "'We can separate many from Christ by worldliness.'" Separate from Christ? How alarming! To be separated from Jesus is to be lost for eternity. Separated? We have no protection from the plan of Satan. We are in the hands of the devil! This is why Jesus prayed for us in John 17:15,16, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." "Enter ye in at the straight gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat. Because straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth onto life and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:13,14 These two roads are distinct and separate, going in opposite directions. One leads to life, the other to eternal death.
In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1, p. 127, 128, "The roads are opposite. One is broad and smooth, the other narrow and rugged. So the parties that travel them are opposite in character, in life, in dress, and in conversation. Those who travel in the narrow way are talking of the joy and happiness they will have at the end of the journey. Their countenances are often sad, yet often beam with holy, sacred joy. They do not dress like the company in the broad road, nor talk like them, nor act like them. A pattern has been given them. A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief opened that road for them, and traveled it himself. His followers see His footsteps, and are comforted and cheered. He went through safely; so can they, if they follow in His footsteps."
O what assurance! Dearly beloved, Satan is using the same approach today as he did at Christ's first coming. Notice these words in Desire of Ages p. 309. "The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness." Dearly beloved, the same danger exists today.
Point #2 Tempt them to indulge in appetite and passions. Testimonies to Ministers p. 473 says, "'They may think themselves safe because they believe the truth, but indulgence of appetite or the lower passions, which will confuse judgment and destroy discrimination, will cause their fall.'" You see, Satan is a smart rascal. He knows the power of man's appetite. How sad to learn that over 50% of our youth attending our colleges and universities have taken up with drink, as I read in the Review and Herald, to say nothing of the adult church members who are caught up in Satan's web.
We are surrounded with cesspools of impurities on every side. Many of our members are captured by the late-night TV movies to be seen in the privacy of their own bedroom. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the result of the actions of this committee which has been revealed to us. Never forget, it is by beholding we become changed. Everywhere we go we are faced with corrupt paperback books and obscene literature, even in the supermarket. The rotten videos in the grocery stores and in video stores can be found almost everywhere. O how God pleads in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Point #3 Now notice Satan's third scheme to capture the faithful. Get God's people to fall in love with money. "'Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with the cares of this life. Present the world before them in its most attractive light, that they may lay up their treasure here and fix their affections upon earthly things.'"
You can readily see that Satan knows the scriptures. I'm quoting, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10. Did you notice how the saints can be led to err from the faith? It's by becoming involved in materialism, such as houses, lands, stocks, bonds, you name it, the utopia of this age. But the word of God plainly states in Mark 4:19, "The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."
In my ministry for the Master I have seen so many leave this message because they became involved in riches. Would to God we would ever remember, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break in and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6: 19-21.
Point #4. Satan appeals to our selfish nature and he bars no holds; he is out for big game. Notice this plan of attack: "'Make them care more for money than for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom and the spread of the truths we hate, and we need not fear their influence; for we know that every selfish, covetous person will fall under our power, and will finally be separated from God's people.'"
Dear one, are we faithful with our tithe and our offerings for the Lord's work, or do we bend to selfish desires to keep for ourselves that which actually belongs to God? Do we miss the great blessing in giving? Remember the sin of Achan. Joshua 7:21, "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it." And consider Ananias and Sapphira who actually lied to God over money that they had promised from the sale of a piece of property. Remember Judas, the traitor of our Lord, who would betray Jesus to be crucified for a paltry thirty pieces of silver.
Point #5. Satan continues his devilish plan to deceive the saints into thinking that a mere profession of faith is all that is necessary. "'Through those that have a form of godliness but know not the power, we can gain many who would otherwise do us harm.'" This is the favorite ploy of the great deceiver. Remember the parable of the sower? Young shoots that, "have not root in themselves," they soon die. Mark 4:17. Why? -They never experienced the power of victory over sin. They made a profession, they believed but they put forth no personal effort to strive for victory, and the result - a genuine repentance is never experienced. They misunderstand God's character and never invite Christ to write His law within their hearts. Yet we read in Jeremiah 31: 33, "But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." Remember, a mere profession is absolutely worthless.
Point #6. Here Satan tells his satanic workers, if all this fails I have another scheme. "'Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God will be our most effective helpers. Those of this class who are apt and intelligent will serve as decoys to draw others into our snares. Many will not fear their influence, because they profess the same faith.'" God has clearly admonished us not to join in the pleasures of the world such as the circus, the gambling dens, the theater, or to be sports spectators of our day. I remember when a good Adventist would never consider being seen in such a place. What has made the change of mind? - Could it be we have fallen into this trap of Satan?
God has exposed such by infiltrating his committee meeting. This committee work of demons is not unreal; it is not far-fetched. There is too much evidence of its awful reality. Its effectiveness among us is very evident. Yes, I know some of you will say that I am narrow minded in presenting this sermon but the good book says in Matthew 7:14, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Point #7. Next Satan discusses how to pull down the standards of the church. "'We will thus lead them to conclude that the requirements of Christ are less strict than they once believed, and that by conformity to the world they would exert a greater influence with worldlings.'" God did not say this; Satan says it, in his council. And it can all be summed up in one word, "compromise."
This is why there is so much of the following in our church: Pregnancy before marriage, the use of "the pill" and the condom in adultery. Statistics show that divorce is as common in our church as it is in the churches of Babylon. The music of Baal - so called "Christian rock", is often heard from God's pulpit during the 11 o'clock worship service. Jewelry is often seen dangling from the ears of some members. Satan knows exactly what he is doing to God's professed people. I quote from his lips in this devilish committee meeting, "'Thus they will separate from Christ; then they will have no strength to resist our power, and erelong they will be ready to ridicule their former zeal and devotion.'" Think it over.
Finally, point #8. He comes up with his favorite idea. He will succeed by implanting doubt just as he did with Eve. Listen, Testimonies to Ministers p. 475 says, "'I will have upon the ground, as my agents, men holding false doctrines mingled with just enough truth to deceive souls. I will also have unbelieving ones present who will express doubts in regard to the Lord's messages of warning to His church. Should the people read and believe these admonitions, we could have little hope of overcoming them. But if we can divert their attention from these warnings, they will remain ignorant of our power and cunning, and we shall secure them in our ranks at last.'"
Such is the plottings of Satan. If you have had your "thinking cap" on you can see he is working within God's church today, by getting many ministers and the congregation to question the Spirit of Prophecy by implanting doubt. "Is there actually a sanctuary in heaven?" "Did Christ come to this earth to fight Satan in our nature?" "Is it really possible to stop sinning before Christ comes?" "Is the Holy Spirit's power great enough to give us victory over sin?" "'We must get the saints to doubt the pillars of God's truth,'" and then Satan says, "'we can capture them.'"
Now the question: "What shall we do with this inspired, God-given light of Satan's plans to capture you and me?" As one of God's ministers I beg you to take to heart the following counsel. I am reading from Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4, p. 350, "Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness."
O beloved, we ought to praise the Lord. To abide in Christ is to daily take time for prayer and study of God's word found in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. This is why the servant of the Lord has unmasked Satan's agenda for our destruction. Our help is only in Christ. Make the study of divine guidance your daily habit. Obedience to such is our only refuge.
I quote from Manuscript 78, 1905: "The Lord would have our minds aroused regarding the influence of evil angels. Christ does not tell us of the danger threatening us from the attacks of the apostate foe without furnishing us with power to resist every attack. Having assumed the rightful heirship of the world He is fully able to lead His army on triumphantly in the warfare with spiritual foes." Praise God!
Let us pray. O loving Father, we are reminded of Thy counsel that no man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer. Through Thy Holy Spirit and His heavenly angels, we pray that Thou will shield us from the great adversary and deceiver, Satan, and his evil angels. Help us to never doubt Thy mighty power which can keep us from compromising truth and teach us how to fully surrender our wills to Thy divine control so that we may abide in Thee. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

THE DIVINE AGENT OF THE GODHEADby: Elder Lawrence Nelson
We have been warned that every wind of doctrine would be blowing within the Seventh-day Adventist church as the end draws near. I have been amazed at the large number of letters addressed to me in the past six months questioning the doctrines of God's true church. Seldom a week goes by but that some misguided soul sends me articles, pamphlets and sometimes large books stating that there is no such doctrine as a Trinity and that such a belief has been taken from the teachings of the papacy.
There is no doubt in my mind that when Christ predicted in Mark 13:22 that "false prophets shall rise,…to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect," that this is certainly taking place today. I believe it's time to re-examine this pillar of truth and settle this issue once and for all. A belief in the Holy Spirit is essential to our salvation and we should become intimately acquainted with Him.
As we approach this most important subject let us first seek the counsel of our mighty God. Let us pray. Our Loving Father, as we investigate the greatest mystery of heaven, open to us from Your Holy Word and the writings of Thy last-day prophet the revealed truth regarding the personality of the Godhead. May such truth be so clearly understood that it will remain forever in our minds as the foundation of our faith and make possible our total surrender to the divine agent of the Godhead, that we may be sealed in the likeness of Christ, ready for heaven. This we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
As we begin, let us keep in mind the excellent counsel given to us by the servant of the Lord. "The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passages of Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden." Acts of the Apostles p. 52.
With such admonition, I'm sure we will feel the same as G. B. Thompson, who stated in his book The Ministry of the Spirit, p. 63, "I am aware that I should tread softly here. I am dealing with One whose nature is a mystery; where no fanciful views or human construction of scripture should be given. I have no desire, nor do I deem it wise or profitable, to seek to define or analyze the personality of either the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit. When it comes to definitions here silence is indeed golden. The Godhead is incomprehensible."
However, in the revealed Word of God we find names applied to the Holy Spirit that can only mean that the Holy Spirit is a person. There is also recorded definite acts which are attributed to Him which only God could do. The Holy Spirit Himself, through Ellen White, revealed Himself as "the Third Person of the Godhead." Testimonies to Ministers p. 392. With such a background of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, Seventh-day Adventists feel warranted in attributing both deity and personality to the Holy Spirit.
Opening our Bible to Acts 5:3, 4 it says, "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?…Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." From this then we can be safe in saying that the names "God" and "the Holy Spirit" or "the Holy Ghost" are the same and may be used interchangeably. The Holy Spirit is God, that is, one of the three that compose the Godhead, as we shall discover.
Compare these two passages of scripture. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16. But in 1 Corinthians 6:19 this temple is called the temple of the Holy Ghost. Listen, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
Then in different portions of scripture we find three divine beings spoken of as being together but also distinguished as three separate beings. Notice in this first passage that the article "the" is used in describing each. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19.
Now let us examine the experience of Jesus when He was baptized as recorded in Matthew 3:16. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." We also read in Luke 3:22, "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice (that is God's voice, "the Father") came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."
Another passage we are well acquainted with reads, "I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." John 14:16. These verses clearly teach of three separate Beings of the Godhead. Even in the Old Testament we find there too, a Trinity, in that three separate "Lords" are mentioned together. Numbers 6:27 says, "They shall put my name upon the children of Israel," and this verse is proceeded with the expansion, "The Lord", "The Lord", "The Lord" not four times, nor two, but three. We read in verses 24-26, "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." We may therefore conclude that the Holy Spirit is separate from God the Father, and Christ the Son. However by this I do not wish to convey the idea that I believe in three separate "Gods"; for while there are three beings, yet these three are so perfectly united that they form one God.
Now I can hear you say, "Brother Nelson, how is this possible?" - To this I may say, "It is one of the most difficult of Christian doctrines to explain and understand." Let me quote what Floyd E. Hamilton says, "The definition given of this doctrine in the Westminster Shorter Catechism is as good a definition as any. 'There are three persons in the Godhead – the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost – and these three are one God; the same in substance, the same in power and glory.' What is meant by this definition is that the Christian God is one God, not three gods, but that in this single Godhead there are three equal persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit."
There are other factors which prove the Holy Spirit to be divine aside from being called "God" and one of the three. Notice in the following that the Holy Spirit has divine attributes:
1. He is the Truth. John 16:13 says, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
2. The Holy Spirit can love. Romans 15:30 tells us, "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."
3. The Holy Spirit has holiness. Ephesians 4:30 says, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
4. The Holy Spirit is eternal. Hebrews 9:14 reads, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God."
5. He is omnipresent. Psalm 139:7 tells us, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"
6. He is omniscience. 1 Corinthians 2:10 says, "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
7. He is omnipotent. In 1 Corinthians 12:11 we read, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
The Holy Spirit also performs the works of God.
1. He had a part in creation. Job 26:13 tells us, "By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent." And in Job 33:4 it says, "The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."
2. The Holy Spirit is able to cast out demons. In Matthew 12:28 we read, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."
3. He does the work of regeneration. John 3:8 says, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." And in Titus 3:5 we read, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
4. He does the works of Providence. Psalm 104:30 tells us, "Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth."
5. He has a part in the resurrection. Romans 8:11 reads, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Now with all of these thoughts well in mind let us now turn to a few well pointed quotations from the pen of inspiration, the Spirit of Prophecy. In the first we shall find the heavenly Trio explained. "The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight. The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be 'the express image of His person.' 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Here is shown the personality of the Father. The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fulness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour.
(Now, notice how she explains these Three together.)"There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ." Testimonies Series B #7 p. 62,63. "In the great closing work we shall meet with perplexities that we know not how to deal with; but let us not forget that the three great powers of heaven are working,…and that God will bring His promises to pass." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p. 254.
"Evil had been accumulating for centuries and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power." Testimonies to Ministers p. 392. "Christ gave His representative, the third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit." Christ Triumphant 301, manuscript 44, 1898. "The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out the plan of redemption." Counsels on Health p. 222. "Christ made baptism the entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." Bible Commentary, Volume 6, p. 1075.
"We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds." Evangelism p. 616. "We are to cooperate with the three highest powers in heaven,-- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." Special Testimonies Series B, #7, 51. "The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit." Special Testimonies, Series A, #10, 37.
"There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers -- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized." Evangelism p. 615. Out of these nine quotations anyone who professes to believe in the Spirit of Prophecy must be convinced that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. To reject this plain teaching of the Spirit of Prophecy is to separate yourself from God's remnant.
There are some who admit that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead but they will not accept Him as an actual being, but rather believe the Holy Spirit to be some "essence" or "influence." To such, consider the following: If we think of the Holy Spirit only as an impersonal "power" or "influence," then our thought will continually be, "How can I get a hold of and use the Holy Spirit?" But if we think of Him in the Biblical way, as a Divine Person, infinitely wise, infinitely holy, infinitely tender, then our thoughts will constantly be, "How can the Holy Spirit get a hold of and use me?" "Is there no difference between the thought of the worm using God to thrash the mountain or God using the worm to thrash the mountain?" The Christian Layman – The Fundamentals 55.
Now let us examine closely the following passages from scripture. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26. Further we read, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." John 15:26. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." John 16:7.
From these texts we get some important facts. From the first two passages we notice that the Spirit is capable of being sent by both the Father and the Son and in the latter we find that Christ will send the Holy Spirit - Christ being at that time on the earth and the Holy Spirit being in heaven. The conclusion then could be that the Spirit is capable of going and coming; of being sent and staying away. Now, would this be true of an "influence" or an "essence"? I'm afraid not. An "influence" cannot be sent.
There are two places in the Greek that bring out added thoughts showing that the nature of the Holy Spirit as a personal Being. In John 14:16 we find an excellent example. "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." In the Greek we find that there are two words that bear the meaning of "another." One is spelled "mtepos" meaning "another of a different kind" and "allov" meaning "another of a similar kind." How fitting that through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit John used the latter "allov" which shows definitely that Christ, when He spoke of the Spirit to come, declares that the Spirit is "another of a similar kind." In other words, another God - similar to Christ.
In other places the Holy Spirit is also given other terms. For example, the Spirit is likened unto the wind. (See John 3:1-10). But I believe that with the other "proofs" one will readily agree that this has reference to the nature of His work. In other words, how He would go about doing it. True, we know that there is a wind, but has anybody seen it? We only behold that which it accomplishes. I believe that it is true, beholding the nature of His work, that the real evidence of a personality is revealed.
Let us also consider a few of His names used in the scripture that revealed Him to be a person. He is called "a Comforter" (John 14:18), "the eternal Spirit" (Hebrews 9:14), "the holy spirit" (Psalm 51:11) , "the free spirit" (Psalm 51:12), "the good spirit" (Nehemiah 9:20).
He is also capable of personal acts such as He searches the heart (Romans 8:27), He makes intercession for us (Romans 8:27), He selected individuals (Acts 13:2), He forbade (Acts 16:6,7), He guides (John 16:13), He speaks (John 16:13), He loves (Romans 15:30), and He witnesses (Acts 20:23).
And notice that the Holy Spirit has in His possession an intelligence (Nehemiah 9:20), a knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:11), a will (1 Corinthians 12:11), and a mind (Romans 8:27). He can love (Romans 15:30), He can hold communion (2 Corinthians 15:13), He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), and the Holy Spirit can be insulted and lied to (Hebrews 10:29; Acts 5:9; and Acts 5:3,4).
The Holy Spirit is Christ's representative but divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore, it was for their interest that He should go to the Father and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ.
"By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high." Desire of Ages p. 669. True, this does prove why Christ sent the Holy Spirit to us who are fallen and need help, but it does not prove the theory of an "influence." It is through the Holy Spirit and the angels that this is done. Note the following: Hebrews 1:13,14 says, "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" In Psalm 34:7 we read, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." We see in these passages that God the Holy Ghost, uses His angels in being "all present."
Note the following: "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." Ministry of Healing p. 417.
Herein then, we may explain the great work done on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit; He used the angels. "Under the Holy Spirit's guidance, thousands were converted in a day (that's Pentecost). When the truth in its simplicity is lived in every place, then God will work through His angels as He worked on the day of Pentecost." Special Testimonies, Series B, # 7, p. 63.
Thus we can now catch a vision of the high and exalted position of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who is in charge of the entire force of the angelic hosts as they do His bidding in hastening the return of Christ. Beloved, what a lofty position the Holy Spirit holds. We read further that He is the representative of the Captain of the Lord's hosts. Speaking of His laborers we read, "They are to contend with supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help." Desire of Ages p. 352. Praise God! All the intelligences of heaven are in this army! And more than angels are in the ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the Lord's hosts, comes down to direct the battle. "Our infirmities may be many, our sins and mistakes grievous; but the grace of God is for all who seek it with contrition. The power of Omnipotence is enlisted in behalf of those who trust in God." Desire of Ages p. 352. What a promise!
Note the following: "Evil had been accumulating for centuries and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of (are you listening? It says, 'in the fullness of'…) divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing." Testimonies to Ministers p. 392.
Now let us study the phrase, "another spirit must be met." Here we have the picture of Satan, the captain of the hosts of evil, in conflict with the mighty Holy Spirit and with the hosts of unfallen angels. What a battle! It brings us again to the familiar text, "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels." Revelation 12:7. But the war has not ceased; it is now become a real spiritual battle today. Instead of Christ as the leader, now His representative, the Holy Spirit (the third Person of the Godhead) is now in charge, fighting for us against the powers of darkness. O beloved, why then do we not as Adventists seek a greater need of having the Holy Spirit with us today?
"Their warfare is not to be waged against flesh and blood, but 'against principalities,…against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.' Ephesians 6:12 R.V. They are to contend with supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences of heaven are in this army. And more than angels are in the ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the Lord's host, comes down to direct the battle. Our infirmities may be many, our sins and mistakes grievous; but the grace of God is for all who seek it with contrition. The power of Omnipotence is enlisted in behalf of those who trust in God." Desire of Ages p. 352.
The scripture tells us to be full of the Spirit, but how is this to be accomplished? The answer: By faith. Compare the following: The scripture says of Christ, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." John 15:5. But now the question: Does Christ abide in you personally? - He does not, for we plainly know that the Word teaches us that Christ is now in heaven in the heavenly sanctuary. How then, you ask, does Christ dwell in us? - The answer is: By faith. Both Christ and His representative, the Holy Spirit, dwell in the heart by faith.
"Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. (Now notice: It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us)…And the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of life eternal." Desire of Ages p. 388. Again we read in this book how the union is formed. "By faith in Him as a personal Saviour the union is formed. The sinner unites his weakness to Christ's strength, his emptiness to Christ's fullness, his frailty to Christ's enduring might. Then he has the mind of Christ. The humanity of Christ has touched our humanity, and our humanity has touched divinity. Thus through the agency of the Holy Spirit man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is accepted in the Beloved." Desire of Ages p. 675.
So friend, through faith, we give Christ and the Holy Spirit our wills and we become possessed with a good spirit. Our minds become quickened. The conscience becomes active and clear. Our faith deepens. We learn to commune with God. We are in constant touch with Him. We become so closely united with Him that our actions are prompted by His will. By faith we abide in Him. It was thus that Enoch walked with God daily reflecting more and more of God's image. We too, may walk with God until it is said of us that we are one with God. "As you empty the heart of self, you must accept the righteousness of Christ….If you open the door of the heart, Jesus will supply the vacuum by the gift of His Spirit." Review and Herald, February 23, 1892.
Let us then pray God for power from on high to be released from the wiles of Satan and to allow the Holy Spirit and His angels to direct our lives. And praise God, dear beloved, they can do even more for us. I quote from Prophets and Kings p. 591, "While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and fro, placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God." What a revelation! Does this not help us to understand how the Holy Spirit works?
Soon, very soon, we shall be given the final test with a universal Sunday Law. Each of us will have to give a personal answer but in John 14:26 it states that the Holy Spirit, "shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." But this too is the work of angels. I am quoting: "Angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus 'when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against them.' Isaiah 59:19." Great Controversy p. 599.
Don't you want to join me in praising God for such a divine plan of help - a plan that never fails? Let us remember, "Under God the angels are all powerful." Desire of Ages p. 700. What a gift God the Father has bestowed on mankind! What help He extends to lost souls who desire to live the better life. I believe that next to God's great gift, the Son, the next greatest gift to us has been the gift of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead. He is directing, in person, the myriad's of angels who only wait our call for divine aid to overcome every sin so we may be sealed, ready to meet Jesus when He comes.
Let us pray. Thank you, dear God, our Father, for the precious gift of Jesus and Thy Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead; who with His angels is able to prepare us for the soon coming of Thy Son. With praise and gratitude we pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
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