Saturday, February 21, 2009

HOW TO OBTAINRIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITHby: Elder Lawrence Nelson
In a book by Margaret Davis, I discovered a very heart-rending experience. The author tells how she and her husband returned home after spending twenty years in the mission field to find that both of her parents were in poor health. Her father had a most serious health condition that could bring death at any time. As he lay on his bed, knowing that he could die at any moment, he was deeply concerned because he had never experienced victory in controlling his temper.
This dear father knew that he must gain victory over this sin in order to be ready to meet Jesus. Since his daughter, Margaret, had been a missionary, leading many to Christ and helping them to gain the victory over their sins, he cried, "Margaret, please help me before I die. I'm seventy-eight years old, and I have this fatal heart condition and could die at any moment. Please help me to obtain righteousness by faith so I can be ready to meet Jesus."
Margaret's father needed to know how to obtain victory, and he had a right to know. During his life he had accepted the teaching that all he had to do was to believe in Jesus, do his best, and Jesus would have to make up the difference. He had tried to overcome his evil temper but was frustrated because he always yielded to his temper rather than yield to Christ for victory. Now that he was about to die, his life of guilt rose up before him in a crushing defeat. He wept upon his bed.
Like the apostle Paul, he too experienced the problem as recorded in Romans 7:19 and 24: "The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." "O wretched man that I am!" Dearly beloved, is this story of Margaret's father the story of your life? O, I know it may not be the problem of a temper but of some other evil, but is there some sin in your life that you have not overcome and gained the victory?
Before we search for God's solution let us pray. Loving Father, in Thy holy word we read in 2 Peter 3:9 that "the Lord is not slack concerning his promise…not willing that any should perish." Father, we pray that Thou wilt send us Thy Holy Spirit to teach us how we may obtain the victory over every sin through the righteousness of Christ. This we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
In the book of Luke we discover a word-by-word discourse uttered by two young men. One was a rich young ruler, the other an expert lawyer. Both of these men were members of the Jewish religion in the days of Christ. Both were acquainted with the doctrines of their faith. Both considered themselves in full obedience to the Ten Commandments. Therefore, both expected that their salvation was assured, yet down deep in their heart they felt that something was missing. They knew that they were not ready for the coming kingdom so it is not strange that they both asked precisely the same question. In Luke 18:18 and in Luke 10:25 – 28 the ruler and the lawyer asked, "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Apparently both of these young men were under deep conviction of the Holy Spirit. Outwardly they were living a godly life, but inwardly they knew that something was wrong.
Now, for a moment let's leave these two young men in our thoughts and focus our minds on our Christian experience. We are members of God's church. We know the correct Bible doctrine, and most of us are outwardly living the Christian life, but are we positive that we are ready for Christ's Second Coming? Let me suggest that both you and I permit the Holy Spirit to freely examine our hearts as we consider the following from inspiration. In Christ's Object Lessons p. 315 we read, "Many (now that's a large group, isn't it?) who call themselves Christians are mere human moralists. …The work of the Holy Spirit is to them a strange work." Could it be that we are unwittingly trusting in our own obedience. Could it be that we are classed as those who are trying to work our own way to heaven?
In The Mount of Blessings p. 7 we are told, "He who feels whole, and who thinks that he is reasonably good, and is contented with his condition, does not seek to become a partaker of the grace and righteousness of Christ." Now that's an eye-opener, isn't it? What a statement! So I question: "Have we gone through the last couple of months feeling we are right with God?" Have we said to ourselves: "I'm in the right church. I pay my tithe, I give of my offerings, I think I'm doing pretty good." Have such thoughts been in our mind? Let me put it bluntly: Are we satisfied with our spiritual condition? Could it be that we are not a partaker of Christ's righteousness?
Inspiration tells us in Testimonies for the Church, Volume 4, p. 394, "The people are more ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation and need more instruction upon this all-important subject than upon any other." But instead of pastors feeding the flock in such spiritual preparation they are being forced by the conference to spend precious time in weight control, stress control, marriage seminars and a lot of other agenda items that have nothing to do with the preparation so necessary to meet Jesus.
Both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy have something to say about this alarming need. In Romans 10:2, 3 we read, "For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
In Ministry of Healing p. 143 we are told, "Everywhere there are hearts crying out for something which they do not have. They long for a power that will give them mastery over sin, a power that will deliver them from the bondage of evil." So this is why I ask the question, "Could it be that we, too, have been a product of this new theology that is invading God's church, which teaches that we have been born in sin, and that we can never expect to overcome sin until Jesus comes; that it is at that time He makes us so that we cannot sin? All that we need is to do our best and believe that God will save us in our sins?"
But beloved, the Bible has an answer to this false conception. The Word of God positively states in Matthew 1:21, God "shall save his people from their sins." This is a life and death issue facing every individual who expects to see the coming of Christ. This is not a time to rest on supposed hope. In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1, p. 163 I read, "A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin … since you are to stand or fall by the word of God."
Now this counsel brings us back to the rich young ruler. What did he say? – "Good Master, what good things should I do that I might have eternal life?" And Jesus said unto him, If you will enter into life, keep the commandments. He said, Which? Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man said unto Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?"
Jesus said unto him: "If you will be perfect, go and sell what you have and give to the poor and you shall have treasures in heaven: and come and follow Me." Was this young man sincere? – Of course he was, but Jesus knew his heart. There was one thing lacking. Only one, but this one thing was of major importance. He needed to love God.
Sometimes we think that Christ was asking this young ruler to sell everything that he owned and we have missed the point. If he had done this he would have been a beggar. What the Master implied was that which He has always required of any individual who desires eternal life - "Thou shalt love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy might." Deuteronomy 6:5. The fact remains, this young ruler did not love the Lord with all of his heart. Likewise this points the same question about ourselves.
In the book Sons and Daughters of God p. 49 Ellen White writes, "Many are deceiving themselves for the principle of love does not dwell in their heart." Now could this involve you and me? Do we attempt to keep the law of God just to prove to ourselves that we are obedient and entitled to heaven? Let me illustrate. When we discipline our children do we become impatient and irritable and blame them for our lack of love? As husbands and wives do we resent our spouse and insist that our way is better than their way?
Now I think I hear someone say, "Brother Nelson, don't you know that we are only human?" Are you ready for my answer? – How can we have God's love in our heart and still be human? If we are only human we are not Christians. A true Christian is more than human, for a Christian has become a partaker of the divine nature and is no longer just "human." In Christ Object Lessons p. 158 I read of a Christian, "They have Christ in them. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and God's love is controlling them. We may be active, we may do much work, but without love, such love as dwells in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of heaven." You see, this was the problem with the rich young ruler. The same can be said of the lawyer, as we read in Luke 10:25 – 28: "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."
The righteousness of Christ must abide in our hearts for this is absolutely essential to victorious living. Jesus said in John 3:3, "Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This is the problem with many within our church today for they have never experienced the New Birth. They try to live the "Christ life" in their own natural nature.
Now, do I hear someone say: Elder Nelson, you are using some pretty strong language. Beloved, I am simply stating what God's servant says. Let me read it to you. It is found in Bible Commentary, Volume 6, p. 1075. "The new birth is a rare experience. …[It] is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the church. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ."
"Elder Nelson, are you trying to tell us that if we are not gaining victories over our evil habits through the divine power of God, that we have not partaken of the divine nature?" – Exactly. Let's read further on p. 1101, "The old nature, born of blood and the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The old ways, the hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up and for grace is not inherited. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies. Those who are begotten into the new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature, and in all their habits and practices they will give evidence of their relationship with Christ." The Bible agrees. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
So you see, this is now God, through Christ, who reconciles us to Himself. True conversion is a radical change. You and I may be living outwardly a godly life, but as with the ruler and the lawyer this will not count. In Matthew 5:20 Jesus said, "I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
God has not left us in doubt as to how His righteousness by faith can be obtained. In Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings p. 54, 55 we read, "While the law is holy, the Jews could not attain righteousness through their own efforts to keep the law. The disciples of Christ must obtain righteousness of a different character from that of the Pharisees, if they would enter the kingdom of heaven. God offered to them, in His Son, the perfect righteousness of the law. If they would open their hearts fully to receive Christ, then the very life of God, His love, would dwell in them, transforming them into His own likeness; and thus through God's free grace they would possess the righteousness which the law requires…- a reproduction in themselves of the character of Christ." Isn't that beautiful! Nothing could be more plainly stated.
We read in Philippians 3:9, "Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." How is this righteousness of faith obtained? – In Messages to Young People p. 55 it says, "The Lord Jesus acts through the Holy Spirit; for it is His representative. Through it He infuses spiritual life into the soul, quickening its energies for good, cleansing it from all moral defilement, and giving it a fitness for heaven." Praise the Lord. What more could we ask?
The most earnest prayer that Seventh-day Adventists should be praying these days is, "God, fill me with the Holy Spirit." Such an experience comes to us only through the Holy Spirit. It is likened to the oil in our vessels. Remember those ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom? God says that five were foolish and five were wise. The foolish took no oil in their lamps. In Christ Object Lessons p. 406 - 408 we read, "The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By lamps is represented the word of God … oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit…. For a time there was seen no apparent difference between them [members within the church]. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's approach, and confidently expect His appearing. [But] many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit. These virgins without their oil were not hypocrites; they advocated the truth, they supported the truth, but they had not yielded to the Holy Spirit. They had not fallen upon the Rock Christ Jesus and they had never permitted their old nature to be broken up. These five foolish virgins did not have on the wedding garment. They were content with a superficial work and of them it can be honestly said, 'They do not know God.'" These foolish virgins were content with only forgiveness. They were not reaching out for victory.
We are plainly told in Christ Object Lessons p. 419, 420, "The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sins; it means taking away our sins and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit." Righteousness by faith is not a religion of just trying to do our best, it is more than having a relationship with Jesus; it is an overcoming experience. It is victory over sin. Believe me, the Lord is just waiting to give victory to His people today. In Christ Object Lessons p. 419 it says, "All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessings to human hearts." If we are willing all would be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The marriage of the Lamb is going to take place. I read in Revelation 19:7, 8, "Rejoice…for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Let me tell you, a perfect character can be ours. In Christ Object Lessons p. 310 it reads, "It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour." Amen.
"But pastor, please explain how this robe is actually put on." Again I read in Christ Object Lessons p. 311, "This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. (Now notice how it becomes a part of us…) 'All our righteousness are as filthy rags,' Isaiah 64:6. Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God 'was manifested to take away our sins.' 1 John 3:5…By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments."
Now the question: "How is this righteousness obtained?" – I continue to read, "When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garments of His righteousness." Oh beloved, this is talking victory.
I read in Desire of Ages p. 555, "The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; It is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct…. It is the entire surrender of the heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven." So friend, I believe in moral perfection and it is obtainable before Jesus comes. In Christ Object Lessons p. 330 are these words, "Moral perfection is required of all. Never should we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or cultivated tendencies of wrong doing. We need to understand that imperfection of character is a sin. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes."
This is the time when we should do the washing and ironing. In the book In Heavenly Places p. 356 are these beautiful words, "If it were possible for us to be admitted into heaven as we are, how many of us would be able to look into the face of God? How many of us have on the wedding garment? How many of us are without spot or wrinkle or any such thing? This is the washing and the ironing time; the time when we are to cleanse our robes or character in the blood of the Lamb."
Like the rich young ruler, and the lawyer, we need a Savior. Believe me, I am not trying to discourage anyone, I'm trying to awaken all of God's dear people out of their satanic deep sleep. We are facing a life and death issue and there is no question about it. I read in Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2, p. 453, "God will accept nothing but purity and holiness. What we need is this robe of Christ's righteousness that gives the sinner admittance to heaven." If we would gain the victory we must cooperate with Christ. We must respond. In Messages to Young People p. 147 we read, "To make God's grace our own, we must act our part. The Lord does not propose to perform for us either the willing or the doing. His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our efforts."
Our souls are to be aroused to cooperate. The Holy Spirit works in us that we may work out our own salvation. The secret of righteousness by faith, which Margaret's father obtained a year before he died, can work for you. How did he do it? – It is as simple as it can be. I've tried it myself and discovered it is a divine plan that will give victory over any sin.
Here is how it works: When you awaken in the morning, before you roll out of bed, pause to have a little talk with Jesus. Ask Him, "Lord, please fill my heart so full of Thy Holy Spirit today that when the devil comes to tempt me, the Holy Spirit will at once alert me that I'm being tempted so that I can immediately cry, 'God, help me.'" Suddenly you will feel divine power flooding your soul and the devil will flee from you.
So beloved, it is actually this simple. This is what righteousness by faith is all about. This is how Margaret Davis' father gained the victory over his temper. He found God's power was sufficient, and you too can have such victory in your life.
Let me close with inspiration's promise found in Review and Herald, September 27, 1906. I quote, "To everyone who surrenders fully is given the privilege of living without sin in obedience to the law of heaven." Praise God. All it takes is to permit this godly plan of righteousness by faith to be experienced in our daily life.
Let us pray. Loving Father, how we praise Thy name for giving us this simple, divine plan of righteousness by faith so we may gain the victory over every sin and live without sinning. For we ask this in the name of Thy dear son, Jesus. Amen.
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Friday, February 20, 2009

INCREDIBLE APOSTASY #3(But there is hope!)by Elder Lawrence Nelson
Some years ago the General Conference sent me, as a world-youth leader, to visit the Cameroons in the heart of Africa. I was to spend thirty days visiting our schools and outposts in behalf of youth evangelism. Our first day of travel in a Volkswagen ended quickly, for we experienced six flat tires in the first ten miles. I insisted we return to the capital city and try to find some better used tires, and our driver agreed. After hunting through stacks of old tires we finally found four that we thought would do the job.
While these were being installed I decided to go for a short walk to see some of the shops which lined the streets. Little did I realize what I was about to encounter. Rounding the corner of the block I was suddenly confronted with a very tall man who was about to bump into me. I quickly jumped aside over the open sewer by the sidewalk to avoid hitting him.
Never shall I forget this man. He was stark naked and covered with the filth of the open sewer, for apparently he had tumbled in. His body odor made me sick to my stomach. Amid such filth I noticed that his chest and abdomen were covered with open sores from which the pus was oozing out. Several of his fingers and toes were missing, having been destroyed by leprosy. Through his matted hair, I could see the opening where his nose used to be for it too had been eaten away by leprosy. And behind that matted hair, I noticed that both his eyes were missing. Only the eye sockets remained. He was a walking skeleton. Actually, he was a living corpse and the sight of this nearly-dead person still troubles me. He was wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Now, in the word of God there is a description of such people who are filled with the leprosy of sin. They, He says, are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked." But praise the Lord, with such there is hope. Let me read this to you as found in Revelation 3:14 – 22. "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne: even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Now, before we study this chapter regarding the Laodiceans, let us approach God for guidance in prayer. Loving Father, how Thy heart must be filled with grief as Thou dost behold Thy professed children who are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked, following the customs and teachings of Babylon and disregarding Thy offer to help them that they may be filled with hope. For Thou canst recreate them to be sons and daughters of the heavenly King. Please guide us in this study that Thy Holy Spirit may convict such to their deepest need to feel the touch of the great Physician's power to heal and restore. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Let me begin with a question: Who are those that God declares compose His true church? The answer is found in inspiration entitled The Upward Look p. 315. "God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. 'Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them.' (Matt. 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church." Nothing could be stated more clearly.
Such precious souls are recognized by God as His remnant people. I read, "In holy vision, John saw the remnant church on the earth in an age of lawlessness, and he points them out in unmistakable language: 'Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.'" Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888. So from this we understand that God's people are those who believe the Three Angels' Messages. This is the exact language that God uses in the Holy Scripture to describe His remnant as they battle the devil in this end time. Revelation 12:17 states, "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 these inspired statements God's remnant are found to have four characteristics.
They love God
They keep His commandments
They have the faith of Jesus
They believe and obey the Spirit of Prophecy
But sad to say, the vast majority of those found within the Laodicean church do not meet these requirements. Notice how the Bible describes them. It's not a pleasant picture. In fact, it reveals them to be in a most miserable state of affairs, yet thinking that they are ready to meet Jesus. Let me read this again so there will be no mistake, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Why? "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Again I want to reemphasize there is hope. For God says if such will repent and open the door that He will come in to them.
Now I hear a question: "Are you sure, Elder Nelson, that this chapter applies to our church today?" In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1, p. 186 I read, "I was shown that the testimony to the Laodiceans applies to God's people at the present time." Now that's a startling denunciation for it applies to the present time. I have been doing some research concerning God's remnant people, both in ancient Israel and those of today's modern Israel. As I give you these comparisons, keep in mind that in spite of ancient Israel's apostasy a remnant was saved. Likewise, in spite of today's apostasy within God's modern Israel there will be a remnant who will be saved. So praise God, there is hope!
The Bible clearly teaches such a doctrine. I am reading from Romans 9:27, "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved." Praise God. As I read these words, my heart leaps for joy and is filled with hope, for amid the apostasy of Old Testament times a remnant was saved. And amid today's apostasy a remnant will be saved.
Inspiration describes what is now taking place. "I have been shown that the spirit of the world is fast leavening the church. You are following the same path as did ancient Israel. There is the same falling away from your holy calling as God's peculiar people. You are having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." Let me break in here. That's ecumenical in every sense. That's taking place today. "You are having fellowship with the unfruitful words of darkness. Your concord with unbelievers has provoked the Lord's displeasure. You know not the things that belong to your peace, and they are fast being hid from your eyes. Your neglect to follow the light will place you in a more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ pronounced a woe."
She continues, "I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies has been steadily increasing as the people backslide from God. It is all through our ranks, all over the field. But few know what our churches are to experience. I saw that at present we are under divine forbearance, but no one can say how long this will continue. No one knows how great the mercy that has been exercised toward us. But few are heartily devoted to God. There are only a few who, like the stars in a tempestuous night, shine here and there among the clouds." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 75, 76. What a picture. Only a few? How shocking, but thank God for a remnant.
Ellen White writes what the Lord has revealed to her. "Since the time of the Minneapolis meeting, I have seen the state of the Laodicean church as never before. … Like the Jews, many have closed their eyes lest they should see." Review and Herald, August 26, 1890. "The desolation of Jerusalem stands as a solemn warning before the eyes of modern Israel." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 4, p. 167.
Let us keep in mind that if ancient Israel had been faithful to God's truth Jerusalem would have remained forever as you read in Jeremiah 17:25. The Old Testament church would have been the last church of God in this world; but the people failed. Only a remnant were saved. And so it is today. This church would have been the last church of God in the nineteen hundreds for I read, "Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, p. 450. That was published in the year 1900.
How amazing. Let's consider the problem. "There is an astonishing backsliding with God's people, to whom has been entrusted sacred, holy truth." Testimonies to Ministers p. 450. The cable between us and God has been severed. "The facts concerning the real condition of the professed people of God, speak more loudly than their profession, and make it evident that some power has cut the cable that anchors them to the Eternal Rock, and that they are drifting away to sea, without chart or compass." Christ Our Righteousness p. 35.
Now that's a most serious situation. In giving the following comparisons I hope and pray that those who are ignorantly following man's leadership instead of obeying God's instructions will awake before the door of hope is forever closed. So please, prayerfully consider the following as I compare between ancient Israel and modern Israel.
Let's look at ancient Israel: "The kingdom of God," I read, "shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Matthew 21:43. Now compare that with modern Israel: "He will take His Holy Spirit from the church, and will give it to others who will appreciate it." Review and Herald, July 16, 1895.
Let's look again at ancient Israel: "The people gave credence to what the priests and Pharisees taught, in place of seeking to understand the word of God for themselves." Desire of Ages p. 489. And in modern Israel the same is taking place: "But God is greatly dishonored when men are placed in the position where God should be." Testimonies to Ministers p. 326.
Again, ancient Israel: "The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was that a mere assent to the truth constituted righteousness. … They thought themselves the greatest religionists in the world, but their so-called orthodoxy led them to crucify the Lord of glory." Desire of Ages p. 309. And the same is taking place in modern Israel for I read, "As it was in the days of Christ, so it is now; the Pharisees do not know their spiritual destitution. … The righteousness of Christ is to them as a robe unworn, a fountain untouched." Desire of Ages p. 280.
In ancient Israel divine power was lacking. I read in Matthew 23:38, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." And compare that with today's modern Israel: "But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 210.
Now you all know what a harlot is. Consider this of ancient Israel, "How is the faithful city become a harlot!" Isaiah 1:21. And now consider modern Israel, "'How is the faithful city become a harlot!' My Father's house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p. 250.
And one more comparison, please. I almost hesitate to read it. First of ancient Israel: Matthew 11:23, "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." And now of modern Israel: "And thou, Capernaum, [Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light], which art exalted unto heaven [in point of privilege], shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." Review and Herald, August 1, 1893.
What a comparison. I can't speak for you but I'm astonished that inspiration declares that things will become so evil. No wonder God will spue the Laodiceans out of His mouth. But beloved, I have not presented these facts to encourage you to leave God's people. Never, never! Remember there is hope, even though our church boasts of growing millions of members. Amid its apostasy God says, "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea a remnant will be saved." Romans 9:27. I can't help but say, Praise the Lord.
But then I hear someone say, "But Elder Nelson, how can you insist that we not separate when you have just read how Ellen White described the growing apostasy within our church?" I answer, "My dear brother, my dear sister, believe it or not, we haven't seen anything yet! The worst is yet to come, but this is not the time to separate as God wants you to become one of those whom He calls His remnant to be saved."
Permit me to present a bit more of the comparison between ancient and modern Israel. Old Israel became so wicked that God had to divide the kingdom. Yet the kings of Israel increased in evil year by year while the kings of Judah still retained a few good kings like Josiah. Of this time I read in Prophets and Kings p. 384, "At the time that Josiah began to rule, and for many years before, the truehearted in Judah were questioning whether God's promises to ancient Israel could ever be fulfilled. From a human point of view the divine purpose for the chosen nation seemed almost impossible of accomplishment."
Consider this – Under the reign of Manasseh, Josiah's grandfather, apostasy really hit the bottom. This man undid all the good works of King Hezekiah. He brought Baal worship into the city of Jerusalem, placing altars to the pagan sun god at the very entrance to the sanctuary of God. And keep in mind that Baal worship included temple prostitutes for which the king built houses to conduct their evil ways around these altars to Baal. Now tell me, if you had lived at that time, what would you have done? If such evil existed on our church grounds today, where you worship each Sabbath, what would you do?
But that's not all. This wicked king, who was to represent God in leadership, made his sons to pass through the fire in pagan worship. Manasseh gave up every pretence to serve the Lord. The Bible states of him in 2 Kings 21:9, "Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel." You know, that's an overwhelming thought. But in such apostasy there was still hope. This young king, Josiah, commanded to remove Baal worship from God's house. As the sanctuary was undergoing a housecleaning to remove the rubbish of idolatry, they discovered the book of God's law. As it was read to the king he discovered that God still extended hope to His people.
I'm reading, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Deuteronomy 30:19. As the king heard these words of hope he asked to read further and found courage to continue his housecleaning, for he read in Deuteronomy 30:6, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." What a God!
It was thus that a great reformation took place and it all began with a study of God's law. Beloved, the law of God is the only basis for a genuine revival. It is not "love" and "unity" as we find promoted today in our church. For the law reveals what sin really is. After the law is established in the heart then love and unity are to follow based on truth. It was after this manner that Josiah became a great reformer for God
I continue to read, "And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him." 2 Kings 23:25. What many have overlooked today is the teaching of Jesus, that in the end time there would be a division within the church as the wheat and tares mature. The wheat represent the people who have the faith of Jesus and keep His commandments and heed the Spirit of Prophecy. Inspiration calls them "a little company," a "very small remnant who sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the midst of the church." The tares are those who have accepted the pagan customs as presented by misguided leadership. Of these individuals God declares, "They are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked." And they are convinced that they are "rich and in need of nothing." I read in Review and Herald, July 18, 1904, "Here is plainly represented two distinct parties, formed from a company once united. The members of one of these parties are in resistance to the will of God. … The ruin of this class is certain."
Look with me for a moment through the eyes of God's prophet as we read the following in Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 394, "Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by them unless we by faith hang our helpless soul upon Christ." Consider how the pen of inspiration pictures the present conditions. I'm reading from Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 389. "The truth for this time is precious, but those whose hearts have not been broken by falling on the rock Christ Jesus, will not see and understand what is truth. They will accept that which pleases their ideas, and will begin to manufacture another foundation than that which is laid. They will flatter their own vanity and esteem, thinking that they are capable of removing the pillars of our faith and replacing them with pillars they have devised. (Shall I read the last sentence? …) This will continue as long as time shall last."
Now who would dare to remove the foundation which God has laid? You can see it happening today. In the book Maranatha p. 192 we read, "Before the last developments of the work of apostasy there will be a confusion of faith. There will not be clear and definite ideas concerning the mystery of God. One truth after another will be corrupted." Every month I receive letters telling me of some truth that is now being corrupted.
Those who knew Ellen White tell us that she seldom wept, but in the year 1885 she wept so that her tears actually fell on the manuscript she was writing concerning our day. You can read this in Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 77 – 84. Why did she weep? - Because she foresaw how our ministers, trained in the schools of Babylon, would teach false doctrines in God's church, a time "when holy hands bear the ark no longer." She tells us that God would use these false teachers to scourge idolatrous Israel in an effort to arouse His people by permitting heresy to continue in the church, thus separating the chaff from the wheat.
Later she wrote in Testimonies to Ministers p. 409, 410, "Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan." How utterly shocking. Did you note "many" would stand in our pulpits teaching Satan's doctrines, and believe me that time has arrived. But in spite of these sickening conditions within the Laodicean church these individual members are seen by God to be wretched, poor, blind and naked, yet, in His great love, He comes to each with hope, knocking at their heart's door, trusting they will open the door and let the Great Physician come in with His cleansing and healing power, for He is able to recreate a Laodicean into the image of God.
Beloved, this hope He extends to every member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church today. Praise His name. "Behold," He says, "I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me." What a Savior. "To him that overcometh I will grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and sat down with my Father in his throne."
As a servant of God I join with Christ and plead with you to open your heart's door and surrender to Jesus now so that the Savior may dwell within you. "For until the heart is surrendered unconditionally to God, the human agent is not abiding in the true Vine, and cannot flourish in the Vine, and bear rich clusters of fruit. God will not make the slightest compromise with sin. If He could have done this, Christ need not have come to our world to suffer and die. No conversion is genuine which does not change both the character and the conduct of those who accept the truth. The truth works by love, and purifies the soul." Sons and Daughters of God p. 288.
This is why Christ pleads, "My son, [my daughter,] give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." Proverbs 23:26. Jesus is asking for an entire, full surrender. But let us not forget that while God supplies the power that is needed in man's surrender it requires effort on the part of man to surrender to Christ. Note the following: "There must be heart-felt surrender of our will to God; we must renounce all our own supposed merits, and look to the cross of Calvary. This surrender to God involves effort on the part of the human agent to co-operate with the divine agencies; the branch must abide in the vine." 1888 Materials p. 1105.
Remember, divine power is essential. "To as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God." John 1:12. "When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural working, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. … But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one." Manuscript Release, Volume 17, p. 314.
In writing to some of our prominent ministers who thought themselves in need of nothing, but who were in need to be restored to spiritual power by surrender, Ellen White used words which reveal that a divine hand was needed to achieve what God was able to do. She used the words "melted over," "resoldered," and "remodeled." Listen, "Give yourself over to God, and let Him resolder you, that you may not be defective vessels. … It is only when self, falling on the Rock, is broken, that the Lord has opportunity to remodel." Manuscript Release, Volume 17, p. 263, 264. "Hand yourself over to Jesus, to be molded and fashioned by Him, that you may be made vessels unto honor." Manuscript Release, Volume 21, p. 302. "I tell you, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, your wills must die; they must become as God's will. He wants to melt you over and to cleanse you from every defilement." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9, p. 181. Isn't that a beautiful description of what God wants to do for you?
So, "If you pray in sincerity, surrendering yourself, soul, body and spirit unto God, you put on the whole armour of God, and open the soul to the righteousness of Christ; and this alone, -- Christ's imputed righteousness, -- makes you able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The work of every soul is to resist the enemy in the power and might of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the promise is that the devil shall flee from us. But let all realize that they are in peril, and there is no assurance of safety except as they comply with the conditions of the text. For the Lord says, 'Draw nigh to God.' How? – By secret, earnest examination of your own heart; by childlike, heart-felt, humble dependence upon God, making known your weakness to Jesus, and by confessing your sins. Thus you may draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." Sons and Daughters of God p. 346.
So beloved, there is hope for all who find themselves sick with the leprosy of sin. I could do nothing for that poor man in the Cameroons who was wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked, but God, He not only offers you hope, He can heal you and fully restore you so that you may become a part of His remnant church. Praise the Lord. With His divine power, plus your full surrender, you can be separated by holy angels from the tares as probation closes, to be sealed, anointed with the Holy Spirit, to give the Loud Cry, and be ready to see Jesus when He comes. Remember, in spite of modern Israel's apostasy and its claiming growth in the millions, God says only a remnant will be saved. Praise His holy name, today this blessed hope can be a reality in your life and in mine.
Let us pray. Thank you dear God for making it possible that we can become a part of Thy remnant church so soon to dwell with Thee throughout eternity in praising the holy name of Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.
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Thursday, February 19, 2009

INCREDIBLE APOSTASY(God says – Man says, #2)by Elder Lawrence Nelson
In the great closing battle between truth and error Satan speaks to us through his subjects contradicting what God has revealed as truth through divine Inspiration. Let me give you a few examples. Creation – God says, "In six days God made heaven and earth." Exodus 20:11 but man says, "It took millions and millions of years." The Sabbath – God says, "The seventh day is the sabbath…keep it holy." Exodus 20:8-11 but man says, "Keep holy the first day, Sunday." Baptism – God says, Immerse, "Buried with him in baptism." Colossians 2:12 but man says, "Sprinkle." Sin – God says, "Go and sin no more." John 8:11 but man says, "Sin till Jesus comes." The atonement – God says, "[Christ] was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:25. "On the cross Jesus made a sacrificial atonement by paying the ransom for our sins and now He is in heaven making the final atonement as a Redeemer for cleansing and justification." But man says, "Christ made the final atonement on the cross for salvation and nothing more is needed. All you have to do to be saved is to believe."
Let us pause here and invite the Holy Spirit to clearly reveal what God says about the atonement which Christ made on Calvary, and the atonement that He is now making in heaven. Our Father, which art in heaven, We have been instructed in Your holy word that 'when the Spirit of truth is come He will guide you into all truth.' We plead, please send us Thy Holy Spirit that we may fully understand the atonement of Christ which He made on the cross, and the final atonement that He is making in heaven for us. This we ask in His holy name, Amen.
We will now clarify that there are two atonements essential for complete salvation. The atonement made on the cross provided the ransom for our sins and imputes to us a title to heaven. In addition, there is the final atonement which is now being made in heaven's sanctuary which imparts Christ's righteousness, giving us a fitness to live in heaven. Inspiration clearly designates the importance of these two atonements. "The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven." Great Controversy p. 489.
Let us first discuss the atonement upon the cross that was so beautifully prefigured in the Old Testament book of Leviticus. When an individual sinned and found himself faced with the penalty of death, the scripture says, "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23. God, in His great love, provided a way of escape. The sinner was to bring a lamb to be offered for his sins on the altar of sacrifice located just outside the entrance to the sanctuary. It was here that he must place his hands upon the head of the lamb and confess his sins, thus figuratively transferring the sin to the lamb. When this had been done he must slay the lamb by his own hands as the priest catches the blood in a bowl. Then the priest would place the slain lamb on the altar of sacrifice to be consumed. The sinner could now rejoice for an atonement had been made by which his sins had been placed on the lamb which died in his place.
But, what of the blood that had been caught in the bowl? What was its purpose? We will turn to God's word where it reveals that this blood was needed for a final atonement to be made within the sanctuary for cleansing and justification. We read of this in Leviticus 17:11, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." This blood of the victim was taken within the sanctuary and sprinkled on the horns of the altar before the veil. It contained the life of the flesh in the blood - the record of the individuals sins, which was now transferred to the sanctuary.
The final atonement was made only for individuals who met the requirements making it possible for the High Priest to take such sin records out of the sanctuary and placing them on the head of a male goat called the "scapegoat." This animal was then led out into the wilderness to die. Those individuals who did not comply with the requirements of this final atonement were cut off from the congregation without hope. You can now understand the importance of this atonement for complete salvation.
How could the leadership of God's church dare to alter and destroy the divine doctrine of a final atonement? What caused these men of the General Conference to succumb to the demands of the Evangelicals? I will give you the answer. For twenty-five years our leadership had been fraternizing with the Evangelicals in the schools of Babylon. Naturally, they now wanted to be accepted by them. Up to this point of time we had been considered to be a "cult" because of our belief regarding the nature of Christ, for we had consistently taught that when Jesus came to earth He would take the place of fallen Adam. But when the Evangelicals studied our doctrine of the atonement this also became a major problem.
Dr. Barnhouse and Walter Martin, of the Evangelicals, called our sanctuary doctrine "stale, flat and unprofitable." They declared we positively could not be called a Christian church for we were only a cult. Perhaps this epithet was what stunned the brethren into yielding God's truth by compromising. The following comparison between what man says and what God says will clarify.
Consider this question: Was the atonement that forgives, cleanses, and blots out all sin and justifies finished on the cross? I'm reading the official document concerning the atonement by our Ministerial Department of the General Conference. Note what these liberals are teaching: "The sacrificial act on the cross is a complete and final atonement for man's sins." Seventh-day Adventist Ministry magazine, February, 1957. They have never renounced this position to this day. These men continue to teach, "When, therefore, one hears an Adventist say, or reads in Adventist literature - even in the writings of Ellen G. White - that Christ is making an atonement now, it should be understood that we mean simply that Christ is now making an application of the benefits of the sacrificial atonement He made on the cross." Questions on Doctrines p. 354, 355. (Italics used in original). Now isn't that clever? How dare these liberals try to change even the writings of Ellen White by not believing what she wrote but to insist that she meant something else. Here they openly question the Spirit of Prophecy.
But now God says through inspiration, "Jesus, our great High Priest, officiates for us in the presence of God, offering in our behalf His shed blood." Youth Instructor, April 10, 1903. I quote again, "In the typical system, which was a shadow of the sacrifice and priesthood of Christ, the cleansing of the sanctuary was the last service performed by the high priest in the yearly round of ministrations. It was the closing work of the atonement -- a removal or putting away of sin from Israel. It prefigured the closing work in the ministration of our High Priest in heaven, in the removal, or blotting out of the sins of His people which are registered in the heavenly records. This service involves a work of investigation, a work of judgment; and it immediately precedes the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; for when He comes, every case has been decided. Says Jesus, 'My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his works shall be.' Revelation 22:12. It is this work of judgment, immediately preceding the second advent, that is announced in the first angel's message of Revelation 14:7: 'Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.'" Great Controversy p. 352.
We have discovered the truth. The atonement made at the cross did not include forgiveness, cleansing and the blotting out of sin and justification. The amazing atonement at the cross of sacrifice was not final so that nothing more was needed. It provided only the required ransom. This is why inspiration teaches that the blood of Christ is now being presented to the Father by our High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is making the final atonement for all who successfully meet the requirements of the investigative judgment, enabling them to be clothed with the wedding garments of Christ's righteousness.
Now, one more question: "Is the investigative judgment a part of the atonement made at the cross?" You will be surprised to learn that because our liberal leadership had accepted the Evangelical doctrine of atonement - which teaches the atonement on the cross was final and nothing more is needed for salvation - these leaders now discovered that they had a problem: What to do with the Bible doctrine of the investigative judgment.
God says, "Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts (notice that's plural) of His ministration in behalf of man (why?) to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits." Great Controversy p. 480. Beloved, there is nothing in the investigative judgment of an atonement work so this did not take place at the cross. How sad that prominent leadership of the General Conference would join with Babylon to teach that forgiveness, cleansing, and the blotting out of sins and justification took place at the atonement of the cross. By accepting this false doctrine they have literally destroyed, "God's way within the sanctuary," of finally separating the records of sin from the sinners. They have actually done away with the righteousness of Christ provided by our High Priest's ministry in heaven to cover the repentant sinner with the wedding robes. This is incredible apostasy.
Amazingly this is exactly what Inspiration declared would happen. "The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 204.
There is one more witness I feel impressed to present to you. Elder M. L. Andreasen wrote the following when he discovered what the liberals had done to God's sanctuary doctrine. Keep in mind that he was a professor in our Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary during the years in which this incredible apostasy took place. I will now read his letter word for word. "The serious student of the atonement is likely to be perplexed, when he consults the Spirit of prophecy to find two sets of apparently contradictory statements. Sister White says that when Christ 'offered himself on the cross, a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the people.' Signs of the Times, June 28, 1899. (All underlining is in the original letter). Again she says that 'the Father bowed before it (the cross) in recognition of its perfection. "It is enough," He said, "the atonement is complete." Review and Herald, Sept 24, 1901. …
"But in Great Controversy I read, that 'at the termination of the 2300 day, in 1844, Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, to perform the closing work of atonement.' p. 422…. I read in Patriarchs and Prophets, p.357, that the sins will, 'stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement' (in 1844). I read further, on page 358, that 'in the final atonement the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted from the records of heaven' … Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8, to make the final atonement.' Early Writings p. 253.
"The first statements assert that the atonement was made on the cross…. The second statements say that the final atonement was not made until 1800 years later…. I have found seven statements that said the atonement was made on the cross. I have found twenty-two statements saying that the atonement was made in the sanctuary in heaven. Both of these figures are incomplete; for I am constantly finding other statements that increase the number. But whatever the correct number may be, it is evident that I may not accept one set of statements and ignore the other if I wish to arrive at the truth in regard to the atonement. The question would naturally arise…how can [these statements] be harmonized? …
"In the February number of the 1957 Ministry, our official ministerial journal, I found a statement saying that 'the sacrificial act of the cross (was) a complete, perfect, and final atonement.' [This was a distinct contradiction to Mrs. White's pronouncement that the final atonement began in 1844. I found that this was not a misprint but an official and approved statement. If we still hold the Spirit of prophesy as having authority we have two contradictory beliefs. The final atonement was made at the cross; the final atonement began in 1844.] … I have listened to several learned discussions of the meaning of the Hebrew word "kaphar," (which is the word used in the original for "atonement"), but have received little information of value….The best definition I have found is a short explanatory phrase in Patriarchs and Prophets p. 358 which simply states that atonement is 'the blotting out of sin.' Here is the complete statement: 'In the type, the great work of Christ, of blotting out of sin , was represented by the services on the day of atonement.'
"This definition is in harmony with Leviticus 16:30 which says that, 'on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.' Atonement is here equated with being "cleaned from all your sins.' It was sin which in Eden caused separation between God and man. [The removing of sin would again unite God and man]. …
"While the word 'atonement,' consisting of three separate words: at one ment may be considered obsolete, and is so designated in some dictionaries, it nevertheless represents a vital truth….Sister White thus uses the word when she says that men are in a hopeless condition 'unless they accept the atonement provided for them in the remedial sacrifice of Jesus Christ who is our atonement, at-one-ment, with God.' In Heavenly Places p. 146….
"God's plan is that in 'the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ." Ephesians 1:10. When this is done, 'the family of heaven and the family of earth are one.' Desire of Ages p. 835. Then 'one pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation.' Great Controversy p. 678. At last the atonement is complete. The final atonement comes at the end of the world.
"Much confusion in regard to the atonement arises from a neglect to recognize the two division of the atonement. Says Sister White of John the Baptist: 'He did not distinguish clearly the two phases of Christ's work – as a suffering sacrifice, and a conquering king.' Desire of Ages p. 136, 137. The book Questions on Doctrines makes the same mistake. It does not 'distinguish clearly the two phases of Christ's work.' …
"The first phase of Christ's atonement was that of a 'suffering sacrifice.' This began before the world was, included the incarnation which is said to be a 'painful process.' Christ's life on earth, the temptation in the wilderness, Gethsemane, the cross, and ended when the Father's voice called Him from the stony prison house of death. In all these various activities He was the 'suffering sacrifice.' The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah is a vivid picture of this….
"Satan had successfully overcome Adam in the garden, and nearly the whole world had come under his sway. At the time of the flood, only eight souls entered the ark. Satan claimed to be the prince of this world, and no one had challenged him.
"God did not recognize Satan's claim to this earth; so when in due time He sent His Son, the second Adam, He 'gave the world into the hands of the Son, that through His mediatorial work He may completely vindicate the holiness and the binding claims of every precept of the divine law.' Bible Echo, January, 1887. Satan claimed to be the ruler of the earth, but now God had given the earth to His Son. This was a challenge to Satan. Thus began, in earnest, the great controversy between Christ and Satan.
"'The great work of redemption could be carried out only by the Redeemer taking the place of fallen Adam. With the sins of the world laid upon him, he would go over the ground where Adam stumbled.' Review and Herald, February 24, 1874. "Jesus volunteered to meet the highest claims of the law.' Review and Herald, September 2, 1890. "Christ made himself responsible for every man and woman on earth.' Review and Herald, February 27, 1900.
"When God gave the earth to Christ, He repudiated Satan's claim to ownership. However, Christ would have to overcome Satan before He could take possession of the kingdom and wrest from Satan his dominion and unlawfully held prisoners. He therefore made an attempt to kill Christ as soon as He was born. But God frustrated this. Such a contest would be manifestly unfair. Satan must wait.
"The first encounter took place in the wilderness. After forty days of fasting, Christ was emaciated and weak, at death's door. It was at this time that Satan made his attack. But Christ resisted even 'unto blood,' and Satan retired defeated.
"Throughout His ministry Satan dogged the footsteps of Christ and made every moment a hard battle….The climax of the great controversy came in the Garden of Gethsemane. Throughout His ministry Christ had been upheld by the knowledge of the approval of the Father. But now He 'was overpowered by the terrible fear that God was removing His presence from Him.' Spirit of Prophesy, Volume 3, p. 95. If God should forsake Him, would He still resist Satan and die rather than succumb? 'Three times His humanity shrank from the last, crowning sacrifice…The fate of humanity trembled in the balance.' Ibid., p. 99. 'As the Father's presence was withdraw, they saw Him sorrowful with a bitterness of sorrow exceeding that of the last struggle with death.' Desire of Ages p. 759. … 'He fell dying to the ground,' but with his last ounce of strength murmured, 'If this cup may not pass from me except I drink it, thy will be done.' 'A heavenly peace rested upon his bloodstained face. He had borne that which no human being could ever bear: He had tasted the sufferings of death for every man.' Desire of Ages p. 693, 694. …
"'When Christ said, "It is finished," God responded, "It is finished," the human race shall have another trial. The redemption price is paid, and Satan fell like lightning from heaven.' Manuscript Release, Volume 12, p. 409.
"'As the Father beheld the cross He was satisfied. He said, "It is enough, the offering is complete." Signs of the Times, September 30, 1899. But 'it was necessary that there should be given the world a stern manifestation of the wrath of God.' And so, 'in the grave Christ was the captive of divine justice.' Signs of the Times, November 15, 1899. It must be abundantly attested, that Christ had really died, so He must 'remain in the grave the allotted period of time.' Review and Herald, April 26, 1898. When the time was up, a 'messenger, [was] sent to relieve the Son of God from the debt for which He had become responsible, and for which He had made full atonement.' Youth Instructor, May 2, 1901. …
"'In the intercessory prayer of Jesus with His Father, He claimed that He had fulfilled the conditions which made it obligatory upon the Father to fulfill His part of the contract made in heaven with regard to fallen man. He prayed: "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do."' Sister White in parenthesis makes this remark, 'That is, He had wrought out a righteous character on earth as an example for men to follow.' Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 3, p. 260.
"[When, before the foundations of the earth were laid, the compact was made between the Father and Son, to save man, the Father agreed to accept the work of the Son on two conditions: 1. That the Son work out 'a righteous character on earth as an example for men to follow' (Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 3, p. 260) and 2. That God would also 'receive repentant and obedient men, and would love them even as He loves His Son,' but on the condition that Christ would 'complete His work, and fulfil His pledge to] 'make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.' Desire of Ages p. 790….
"'Christ had fulfilled one phase of His priesthood by dying on the cross. He is now fulfilling another phase by pleading before the Father the case of the repenting, believing sinners.' Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 7, p. 929.
"'In His incarnation He had reached the prescribed limit as a sacrifice, but not as a redeemer.' Manuscript Release, Volume 12, p. 409. On Golgatha He died as a sacrifice. That was as far as He could go as sacrifice. But now His work as Redeemer began. 'When Christ cried "It is finished," God's unseen hand rent the strong fabric which composed the veil of the temple from top to bottom. The way into the holiest of all was made manifest.' Ibid. …
"With the cross the first phase of Christ's work as 'the suffering sacrifice' ended…. He had gone 'the prescribed limit as a sacrifice.'…And now, with the Father's approval He was empowered to be the Savior of mankind. At His ensuing coronation [forty days later] He was given all power in heaven and earth and could begin His redeeming work in the sanctuary above….
"'After His ascension, our Savior began His work as high priest…In harmony with the typical service He began His ministration in the holy place, and at the termination of the prophetic days in 1844…He entered the most holy to perform the last division of His solemn work – to cleanse the sanctuary.' Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4, p. 265, 266. [On the same page, Sister White repeats, apparently for emphasis] 'He entered into the presence of God, to perform the closing work of atonement, preparatory to His coming.' …
"'John the Baptist failed to 'distinguish clearly the two phases of Christ's work—as a suffering sacrifice and a conquering King.' Desire of Ages p. 137. [Our theologians are making the same mistake today and are inexcusable. They have light which John did not have]. In studying this part of the atonement we enter a field that is distinctly Adventist doctrine and in which we differ from all other denominations. We consider this our unique contribution to religion and theology, that which "has made us a separate people, and has given character and power to our work.' Counsels to Editors and Writers p. 54. Sister White in this connection warns us against 'fantastic theories invented to make void the truths of the atonement, and destroying our confidence in the doctrines which we have held sacred since the third angel's message was first given.' Ibid. p. 54."
Beloved, this is vital counsel and written for this very time when efforts are being made by some among us to have others believe that we are like the churches about us – an Evangelical body and not a sect. Paul in his day had the same heresy to meet. He was accused of being a pestilent fellow, a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Acts 24:5. In his answer before Felix, Paul confessed "that after the way which they called heresy, (or sect) so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets." Acts 24:14.
In those days men spoke sneeringly of the true church as a sect, as men do now. Paul was not disturbed by this. We have no record that he attempted to have the church of the Living God recognized as an Evangelical body by men who trampled the law of God in the dust. On the contrary, whatever they might call him and his "sect" he confessed that he believed all things which are written in the law and the prophets. (verse 14).
Beloved, because of what our leaders have done in changing our sanctuary doctrine, they have opened the door to other satanic doctrines. I'll mention a few. We now teach the false doctrine that the atonement was final at the cross; Jesus having done what was needed, we no longer need to worry about sin – He took care of it on Calvary so you can sin till Jesus comes.
Since we now teach the false doctrine that salvation was totally completed at the cross why do we need a sanctuary in heaven? No need to believe that Jesus is our High Priest while making an atonement as our Redeemer. And consider the false teaching that the gift of prophecy is no longer to be taught as essential to our knowledge for doctrine. Oh yes, it's good motherly advice, but let's abandon it all together in worship in our churches as they do in the churches of Babylon with their Celebration, drums, Christian rock music, clapping, drama entertainment, the raising of hands which invites Satan's spiritualism to bestow upon them the ability to speak with unknown tongues.
Friend, now you know how and why apostasy is daily growing within our church today. Beloved, will you join me, with God's help, to determine to hold fast to the pillars of faith that God has bestowed upon His church that we may be counted as God's remnant.
Let us pray, Thank you, Father, for sending Your Holy Spirit that we might know the truth. For we ask in Thy Son's name, Amen.
www.ElderNelson.com

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

INCREDIBLE APOSTASY
(Will It Ever Stop?)
by: Elder Lawrence Nelson

In recent weeks I find myself with a heart-rending perplexity. For my soul sighs and cries daily as I see abominations developing within God's church. No one of high authority seems to have the spiritual courage to stem the rising tide. I ask, "Is everyone at our world headquarters asleep, or are they so afraid because of Jesuit pressure they dare not say a word? Is there not at least one godly leader who knows what is taking place? In the light of inspiration can't someone visualize what the end results will be in promoting that which God condemns?"
Throughout the world a number of ministries are arising and exposing these apostasies. Surely there must be at least one of high authority who sees and knows what is taking place – one who will arise with power from on high and call for a return to the counsel of God as found in the Spirit of Prophecy, and start a reformation. But we hear nary a word of such. Why? In searching for an answer I was led to the following quotation that describes to a "t" what is taking place in our church today, and it also answers the question: Will there soon be a change for the better? Will this incredible apostasy stop?
Listen, the answer is found in Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 204, 205. "The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure."
Did you catch the answer? – Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of this new movement. How revealing! In other words, nothing will stop this apostasy until the vast majority of Seventh-day Adventists become so involved in apostasy that they finally depart from God's remnant church and return to Babylon. Now I realize you are startled, and you ask, How and when did all this begin? We had better know the facts or else we may also be captured by this satanic movement.
But before we proceed, let us pray for guidance. Dear Loving Father, we plead that Thou wilt commission Thy Holy Spirit to be in charge of this presentation, giving divine guidance that we may discern truth from error. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
From the beginning of God's end-time remnant church Satan has constantly attempted to destroy it by introducing false doctrines, knowing that if they were accepted, such would lead to apostasy. Permit me to give you a brief summary of such activity from past years starting with the very beginning in 1844. God's small group of remnant were immediately faced with the fanatical teaching of magnetism which taught that once you were sanctified you would never sin again. Praise God, knowing that such false doctrines would enter His church He gave His people a prophet to guide and expose such error.
Listen to her words, "Let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips, 'I am sinless; I am holy.' Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words." Acts of the Apostles p. 561, 562. And she further warned, "The experience of the past (speaking of fanaticism after 1844) will be repeated. … Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds will be hypnotized." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p. 293.
So long as the growing church followed the counsel of its prophet every false movement that arose quickly came to an end. For example, in 1851 Joseph Bates (of all people you would suspect) predicted that the second Advent would occur that year. This was but the beginning of many false predictions based on supposed prophetic prophesies. But the servant of the Lord instructed the following, found in Spiritual Gifts, Volume 1, p. 138 – 148; 158, that prophetic periods reached to 1844. "Prophetic time closed in 1844. I was shown prophetic periods ended in 1844."
Then in 1887 D. M. Canright began to preach "new theology" which the Lord's servant immediately exposed. And sorry to say, some of his same false doctrines can be found in Desmond Ford's preaching today. Such was the devil's continuous attempt to cause disbelief in the Testimonies.
This was followed in 1908 by W. W. Prescott who boldly attempted to change the words found in the Great Controversy book. But Ellen White would not permit this. She wrote, "Such was rejected." That was taken from her letter "Elmshaven" p. 307.
Now this brings us to the year 1915 when L. R. Conrad tried to change Ellen White's writings as published in the German language. But the church leadership, now without a prophet, began to fumble by not following her written counsel which caused the beginning of the Advent Reform Movement.
By 1929, without a living prophet, the Shepherd's Rod Movement found little trouble, under the leadership of Victor Houteff, to secure a following with his false doctrines that the 144,000 were not found in heaven but would be located in Palestine.
Then came 1931, the year in which accreditation of our educational institutions took place. Again, leadership failed to exercise faith in the Spirit of Prophecy. This action opened the door to educating our college and university professors to obtain doctorate degrees in the schools of Babylon, where for the next twenty-five years many of our teachers succumbed to the false doctrines they were forced to study. Thus they gradually brought a change into our denomination as to our teachings.
Now with this short background the evangelical conference took place next in the mid-fifties. It was the decisions made during these meetings that started our church on the road to apostasy. A history of how such conferences developed are as follows:
On November 28, 1949 Pastor E. E. Unruh, president of the East Pennsylvania Conference, heard a sermon on the radio on Righteousness by Faith based on the book of Romans by a Dr. Barnhouse, radio preacher and minister of the Tenth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; founder and editor of Eternity magazine. He wrote a letter to Dr. Barnhouse and commended him on his sermon. Dr. Barnhouse was astonished that an Adventist clergyman would commend him for preaching Righteousness by Faith since, in his opinion, it was a well-known fact that Seventh-day Adventists believed in Righteousness by Works.
This precipitated meetings beginning in 1954 between Dr. Barnhouse and Dr. Walter Martin, a consulting editor of the Eternity staff. Dr. Walter Martin was to search out thoroughly the human and historical resources of the Seventh-day Adventists. This developed into a fourteen-member committee and resulted in the book Questions on Doctrines being published in 1957 and it contained serious aberrations of Adventist truth. During these discussions the seeds were sown which are now producing the harvest of apostasy.
The General Conference leaders discovered that the Evangelicals were planning to publish a book containing the names of religious bodies which they declared to be non-Christian or a cult and this list contained the name of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Evangelical reasoning was as follows:
Since our church taught that Christ was now in heaven's sanctuary making a final atonement, therefore we didn't believe in the atonement made by Christ at the cross. So they considered Seventh-day Adventists to be nothing more than a cult.
These Babylonian Evangelicals held that Jesus made the final atonement on the cross and nothing more was needed, and if we did not agree with their belief and change our beliefs then they would print the book proclaiming that we were not Christians. And would you believe it, instead of holding to the divine inspiration that states, "Christ is now making an atonement," these General Conference men compromised and determined to change our sanctuary doctrine so we could be considered by Babylon as "Christians."
Soon new books were printed stating that we believe salvation was completed at the cross, denying that there was an atonement now taking place in heaven's sanctuary. This is why you seldom, if ever, hear anything about a heavenly sanctuary from our pulpits today. Some even now preach there is no heavenly sanctuary, but God foreknew that this would take place and what would be the results. Inspiration proclaimed, "The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. … The Sabbath of course would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of this new movement." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 204.
So much for the details. Let us now examine what the General Conference leadership actually changed. But first of all, we must secure a foundation in God's Holy Word so let us read Romans 4:25. "[Christ] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." This amazing scripture of one text reveals that the atonement provided by Christ was of a dual nature which made possible how God could destroy our sins and yet save the sinner. This verse reveals that the atonement at the cross provided the ransom price for sins, for scripture also states, "Christ was delivered (that is He died) for our offenses (that's our sins) and was raised again for our justification." This is exactly what the Old Testament sanctuary taught –
1. That the lamb was sacrificed on the alter for an atonement and
2. Its blood provided for the atonement which took place within the sanctuary for cleansing and justification of the sinner.
Thus the Bible doctrine of a dual atonement became a pillar of our faith established by God's Holy Word and verified by the Spirit of Prophecy. This Bible doctrine is never to be altered and it stands today untouched by all the intellectualism of Babylon. Yet, our church leadership dared to disregard God's truth. Consider once more Romans 4:25, "[Christ] was delivered for our offences (that is, He died for our sins) and was raised again for our justification." Nothing could be stated more clearly. This is why God's end-time prophet declares that Jesus must perform a work of atonement for the repentant sinner in addition to the atonement made at the cross in order to obtain full salvation. We read in Great Controversy p. 489, "The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death, He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven."
Never forget, both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy were co-authored by the Holy Spirit. They are always in complete agreement. When we talk of Christ's death on the cross, and what He is now doing for us as our High Priest in heaven's sanctuary, we acknowledge that both of these events have to do with Christ's atoning work for us. In the Spirit of Prophecy the word "atonement" is used in five different expressions as follows:
1. "He made an atonement"
2. "A full atonement"
3. "A perfect atonement"
4. "A complete atonement"
5. "He is making an atonement"
Now let us examine these expressions so you will have a clear understanding of these two atonements. The first, "He made an atonement." We find this in Signs of the Times, December 17, 1902. "On the cross of Christ the Savior made an atonement for the fallen race." Now this statement is given in the past tense meaning that the sacrifice was completed. The price agreed upon was honored. The debt was paid in full for the sins of the whole world and it never needed to be repeated. For we read in Hebrews 9:28, "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many." This expression, "made an atonement" has to do strictly with that which was done on the cross.
Now let's consider #2 – "a full atonement." This statement is found in the book Lift Him Up p. 345, "Christ made a full atonement. He gave His life a ransom." In a similar quotation she writes of Christ when He arose from the grave. "Christ made a full atonement." Youth Instructor May 2, 1901. You can see from these two quotations that Christ paid the debt we owed. It was a full atonement – a full payment. He died in our place, making a full atonement on the cross.
Now the third statement – "a perfect atonement" – is found in the book Lift Him Up p. 319. "When He offered Himself on the cross, a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the people." Now compare this with the following in Manuscript Releases, Volume 5, p. 114 in 1899. "In the council of heaven the cross was ordained as the means of atonement." So when Ellen White uses the term "a perfect atonement" we may include a perfect sacrifice. Now we should praise God for Christ's sacrifice on the cross and with Paul glory in the cross! What an atonement, what a price for our ransom!
The fourth statement – "a complete atonement" – is found in the book The Faith I Live By p. 91. "God has accepted the offering of His Son as a complete atonement for the sins of the world." The same expression is used in Review and Herald September 24, 1901, "[Christ] planted the cross between heaven and earth, and when the Father beheld the sacrifice of His Son, He bowed before it in recognition of its perfection. 'It is enough,' He said. 'The atonement is completed.'" These words refer specifically to Christ's atonement on the cross for she wrote in Signs of the Times July 31, 1901, "As [Christ] hung on the cross, He could say, 'It is finished.' The demands of justice were satisfied. The way to the throne of grace was opened to every sinner."
All these quotes refer to Christ's atonement on the cross. But those words, "open the way to the throne of God for every sinner," reveals that the atonement of the cross was the beginning of His atoning work for sinners and that He went to heaven to complete the work He had begun at the cross. In heaven's sanctuary He now pleads His blood before the Father providing forgiveness and cleansing and a blotting out of sin from the sinner's records.
Now this brings us to the fifth expression – "making an atonement." Immediately you notice that this is written in the present tense. It could not mean the sacrifice of the cross which took place nearly two thousand years ago. Making an atonement means that an atonement is now in the process – at the present time. This quotation is found in Great Controversy p. 623, "Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ."
Now, from these five quotations you can clearly see that the Spirit of Prophecy teaches a dual atonement. The one taking place at the cross, a payment for the sins of the world, and the other, an atonement now taking place in the heavenly sanctuary for the repentant in cleansing and blotting out of sin. This is emphasized in another quotation found in Review and Herald May 6, 1884. "Christ has been manifest in the flesh; his blood has been poured out, the perfect sacrifice that is our atonement for the sins of the world; and now as our Mediator stands before the mercy-seat making an atonement for his people."
All these quotations are in agreement with one another and summarized in the Great Controversy p. 489. "The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven." The atonement now taking place in heaven has to do with the results of the investigative judgment which began in 1844 for all those who professed to believe in the atonement made at the cross. If found worthy of the atonement of the cross they were provided with forgiveness and cleansing that is involved with the blotting out of their sins from the books of heaven. Thus justified, they are clothed with Christ's righteousness.
How important that God's remnant understand the sanctuary message. "The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith." Evangelism p. 221. We should daily keep in mind that "we are in the great day of atonement and the sacred work of Christ for the people of God that is going on at the present time in the heavenly sanctuary should be our constant study." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 520. It is now, in this investigative judgment, that our characters are involved.
In Testimonies to Ministers p. 439 it reveals, "God's claim is placed in one scale and man's character in the other and by the balance of the heavenly sanctuary every man's doom is fixed for eternity." What a solemn thought. We are involved with the scales of heaven – not man's good deeds vs. bad deeds but it is the ten commandments vs. our character.
Consider this: "Each one in the day of investigative judgment will stand in character as he really is; he will render an individual account to God. Every word uttered, every departure from integrity, every action that sullies the soul, will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. Memory will be true and vivid in condemnation of the guilty one, who in that day is found wanting. The mind will recall all the thoughts and acts of the past; the whole life will come in review like the scenes in a panorama. Thus every one will be condemned or acquitted out of his own mouth, and the righteousness of God will be vindicated." Review and Herald November 4, 1884.
In Bible Commentary, Volume 7A, p. 464 we are further enlightened. "The atonement of Christ (that's in heaven) is not a mere skillful way of having our sins pardoned; it is the divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health. It is the heaven-ordained means by which the righteousness of Christ may be not only upon us, but in our hearts and characters." Surely we are living in the time spoken of in Revelation 19:7, "The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." This is no time for celebration; this is a time for a call to prepare for the final atonement in which Christ our High Priest will impute His righteousness to us and impart sanctification, in placing His robe of righteousness upon us.
I beg you, ponder the following found in Messages to Young People, p. 35: "The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven." But today, instead of our desperate need for a call from leadership for a revival of holy living in preparation for heaven's final atonement, we are daily faced with an ever-increasing incredible apostasy - the result of General Conference leaders who dared to tamper with the sanctuary truth, removing the pillar of God's truth in order to please the Philistine's of Babylon; that we might become buddies and teach their half-truth doctrines. It is accepting the cross but negating the sanctuary doctrine.
The results are tragic. Today we hear mostly of love as revealed in Christ's atonement at the cross, that salvation was completed on Calvary, that nothing more is needed to be saved. Thus the sanctuary message is well-nigh forgotten. The liberals among us continue to teach a complete, unconditional salvation at the cross, which reveals their unbelief in the Testimonies and does away with the sanctuary doctrine. Such apostasy is clearly revealed in their writings. "When, therefore, one hears an Adventist say or read in Adventist literature – even in the writings of Ellen G. White – that Christ is making an atonement now, it should be understood that we mean simply that Christ is now making application of the benefits of the sacrificial atonement He made on the cross." Questions on Doctrine p. 354, 355.How clever these explanations of those trained in the theology of Babylon's institutions.
I continue to quote the New Theology, "Jesus appeared in the presence of God for us but it was not with the hope of obtaining something for us at that time or some future time. No, He had already obtained it for us on the cross." Question on Doctrines p. 381.
And our Ministerial Department of the General Conference teaches this false doctrine. "The sacrificial act on the cross is a complete and final atonement for man's sin." Ministry Magazine February, 1957. In the light of what the Spirit of Prophecy stated, these three quotations sound unbelievable but they are the present-day teachings of a church in apostasy, contrary to divine inspiration.
"There is to be no change in the general features of our work. It is to stand as clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. We are to enter into no confederacy with the world supposing by so doing we could accomplish more. … No line of truth that has made the Seventh-day Adventist people what they are is to be weakened. We have the old landmarks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firmly in defense of our principles, in full view of the world." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, p. 17.
Again, "Spurious scientific theories are coming in as a thief in the night stealing away the landmarks and undermining the pillars of our faith. … You know that Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect." Medical Ministry p. 87. And boldly she declares, "The professed people of God have compromised with the power of darkness." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 222.
I continue, "I am charged to tell our people that some do not realize that the devil has device after device that he carries out in ways that make sinners out of saints. I tell you now, that when I am laid to rest great changes will take place." Elmshaven February 24, 1915.
And then she wrote just before she died, "One thing it is certain is soon to be realized, -- the great apostasy, which is developing and increasing and waxing stronger, will continue to do so until the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout." Series 7B, p. 56, 57. And then listen to this, "Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will never come." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 122. What a sad picture of the results of a church in rebellion.
May I suggest that you read the first chapter of Isaiah to see how God reacts to such incredible apostasy. This chapter gives a comparison between Israel of old and God's Israel of today. Time will not permit me to read this whole chapter but I shall close by reading verses nine, ten, and twenty-one to twenty-seven. "Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Here the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
"How is the faithful city become an harlot! It was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy sin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness." Praise the Lord.
God will soon arise, when the Sunday law is made mandatory world-wide, and separate the tares from the wheat, presenting to His universe a church without blemish; a very small remnant who have held fast to the pillars of faith, obedient to His commandments and the faith of Jesus. And by His grace, I intend to be one of them. What about you?
Let us pray, Thank Thee, dear Father, for making it possible through the two atonements of Thy son, Jesus, that we may soon live with Thee in the earth made new. In His name we pray, Amen.
www.ElderNelson.com

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

PRESENT TRUTH FOR TODAYAre the Jewish Feast Days Included?by: Elder Lawrence Nelson
Let us begin by reading 2 Peter 1:12. "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." The Bible clearly teaches that during the existence of our world with its inhabitants, God at certain times has given a present truth for a particular generation. If such present truth were heeded and obeyed, it meant their salvation. On the other hand, to neglect and disobey resulted in their destruction.
There have always been some truths which are applicable in every age and are therefore to be preached and accepted by God's children at all times such as love, hope, repentance, obedience, thankfulness and praise. Such truths are always in season but when God sees a special need for a particular generation He gives a present truth that must be obeyed to obtain salvation.
For example, in the days of Noah God gave an urgent message of present truth. "And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood." Genesis 6:13, 14. No doubt many were lost in the flood who had a normal faith in God but did not heed or obey the present truth of a coming flood.
The prophet Jonah was given a present truth to deliver to the people living in the city of Nineveh. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord." "And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." Jonah 3:3, 4. But notice how different was the response from that of the antediluvians. "So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them." "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not." Jonah 3: 5, 10.
John the Baptist was called by God to preach to the Jews that the Messiah had come to Israel as promised. But they rejected this present truth for we read, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." John 1:11. The tragic results are recorded in the words of Christ, "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes." Luke 19:41, 42. "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." Matthew 23:38.
Today, in this end time, God has given a final present truth in His warning message and it is found in the book of Revelation 14: 7 - 10. "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." "Babylon is fallen, is fallen." "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God." All our energies should now be focused on this present truth. Its acceptance or rejection means the difference between life or death. This is why Satan is putting forth tremendous efforts to ensnare God's remnant to spend their precious time on needless concerns about past requirements of God that have nothing to do with God's end-time present truth.
Ellen White sums up this tragedy by stating, "Our people need to understand the oracles of God; they need to have a systematic knowledge of the principles of revealed truth, which will fit them for what is coming upon the earth and prevent them from being carried about by every wind of doctrine." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 273. It is thus that the devil is hoping to sidetrack the saints so that they will fail to give God's final warning message of present truth, and lack the proper preparation for the coming crisis.
Before we enter into a study of God's word regarding this subject, let us pray. Oh, loving Father, there is a growing number of sincere Christians of our day who believe that the Old Testament feast days are still to be observed. We need Thy Holy Spirit to guide us in our search for present truth of this end time. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
A careful study of God's word will reveal that there are four different categories of law found in the Bible, namely the moral law, the ceremonial law, the civil law, and the health laws. The scriptures teach that one of these laws was abolished when Jesus was crucified. As we read the following biblical texts we will discover which of these laws were done away with at the cross.
I'm reading Ephesians 2:15, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace." And in Colossians 2:14 he gives some clues: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." Please take note that both these scriptures refer to laws which are called "ordinances" which were abolished, nailed to the cross and blotted out.
This brings us to a question. Which of these four law categories deal with ordinances? We will let the Bible give the answer. We read of the passover in Exodus 12:14, 43. "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." "And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof." Now in these verses the Passover feast is called an ordinance. This feast was therefore to be done away with.
The feast which followed the Passover was called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In Exodus 12:17 and chapter thirteen and verse ten we are told, "And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever." "Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year." Since this Feast of Unleavened Bread is also called an ordinance it too was to be done away with.
Furthermore we read in 2 Chronicles 2:4 of other ordinances involving certain sabbaths, new moons, and solemn feasts of the Lord which are also called ordinances. King Solomon is speaking, "Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel."
Reading further on in 2 Chronicles 8:12, 13 we are given the names of some of these solemn feast days. "Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the Lord on the altar of the Lord, which he had built before the porch, Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three time in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles." Now this scripture clearly identifies that the solemn feasts were called ordinances therefore they were all to be nailed to the cross having been abolished by the death of Christ.
We must not overlook an additional fact that these feast days were not to be kept by today's Christians for animal sacrifices were an integral part of these ceremonies and such animal sacrifices pointed to the Lamb of God who was to die on Calvary. God has made it very clear that animal sacrifices and ordinances (or feast days) all ended, when in the earthly sanctuary service the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom as we read in Matthew27:51. No Christian in their right mind will keep the ceremonial laws of the feasts and sacrifices in our day.
The Spirit of Prophecy confirms that God will never again accept such worship for it states, "The rending of the vail of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and ordinances would no longer be received." Spiritual Gifts, Volume 1, p. 170.
The following quotation from the Desire of Ages p. 165 also settles this fact once and for all: "The entire plan of sacrificial worship was a foreshadowing of the Saviour's death to redeem the world. There would be no efficacy of these offerings when the great event toward which they had pointed for ages was consummated. Since the whole ritual economy was symbolical of Christ, it had no value apart from Him. When the Jews sealed their rejection of Christ by delivering Him to death, they rejected all that gave significance to the temple and its services. Its sacredness had departed. It was doomed to destruction. From that day sacrificial offerings and the service connected with them were meaningless. (Emphasis added). Like the offerings of Cain they did not express faith in the Saviour. In putting Christ to death, the Jews virtually destroyed their temple. When Christ was crucified, the inner veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, signifying that the great final sacrifice had been made, and that the system of sacrificial offerings was forever at an end."
To make this absolutely clear we read further in Bible Commentary, Volume 5, p. 1109 that this not only included animal sacrifices but the feast-day ordinances which was connected with them. It says, "Through Christ the hidden glory of the holy of holies was to stand revealed. He had suffered death for every man, and by this offering the sons of men were to become the sons of God. … The mercy seat, upon which the glory of God rested in the holiest of all, is opened to all who accept Christ as the propitiation for sin, and through its medium, they are brought into fellowship with God. The veil is rent, the partition walls broken down, the handwriting of ordinances canceled. By virtue of His blood the enmity is abolished."
We read further, "The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of the truth had become representatives of Satan. They were doing the work that he desired them to do, taking a course to misrepresent the character of God, and cause the world to look upon Him as a tyrant. The very priests who ministered in the temple had lost sight of the significance of the service they performed. They had ceased to look beyond the symbol to the thing signified. In presenting the sacrificial offerings they were as actors in a play. The ordinances which God Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart. God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole system must be swept away." Desire of Ages p. 36.
And then we read in Signs of the Times, July 29, 1886, "Hence the ceremonial law ceased to be a force at the death of Christ." There are those who would still argue that Paul kept the feast days and taught that we must do likewise. However, the servant of the Lord clearly explains the nature of Paul's preaching to the Jews for she states of Paul, "When he had given many discourses upon these subjects, he testified that the Messiah had indeed come, and then preached the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the craft which Paul mentions, saying that he caught them with guile. He thus tried to allay prejudice, and win souls to the truth. He refrained from urging upon the Jews the fact that the ceremonial laws were no longer of any force. He cautioned Timothy to remove any occasion for them to reject his labors. He complied with their rules and ordinances as far as was consistent with his mission to the Gentiles. He would not mislead the Jews nor practice deception upon them; but he waived his personal feelings, for the truth's sake." Sketches from the Life of Paul p. 161.
I continue to read, "The ceremonial law was given by Christ. Even after it was no longer to be observed Paul presented it before the Jews in its true position and value, showing its place in the plan of redemption and its relation to the work of Christ." Patriarchs and Prophets p. 367.
Then in the we read in Signs of the Times, February 28, 1884, "Circumcision and a strict observance of the ceremonial law had been the conditions upon which Gentiles could be admitted to the congregation of Israel; but these distinctions were to be abolished by the gospel." Ellen White further states of Christ, "He has swept away every ceremony of the ancient type. He has given no liberty to restore these rites." (Emphasis added). Review and Herald, February 25, 1896. Nothing could be more plain.
It is no wonder that Paul tells us in Colossians 2:14 – 17 that these ceremonial feast days were all nailed to the cross. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
Now in this scripture Paul is urging all Christians not to be concerned with these past feast days which were called "holydays" for by his actual words in the original Greek as found in Strong's Concordance #1859 the word "holydays" means a festival or a solemn feast. And this does not have reference to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment but to the yearly sabbaths that were appointed on different days of the week each year.
Paul spent much of his time in preaching, to dispel the Jewish teaching that the solemn feasts were still to be continued. It is no wonder that Paul spoke in no uncertain words as we read in Galatians 4:9 – 11, "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain." Did you notice the words "days," "months," "times," and "years"? This is referring to the ceremonial sabbaths, the new moons, the festivals and their appointed feasts. Paul is actually questioning if he had labored in vain to prove to the Christians that Christ had fulfilled all these ceremonies.
Now let us look at Ephesians 2:15: "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances." Concerning this verse, inspiration writes, "There is a law which was abolished, which Christ 'took out of the way, nailing it to His cross.' Paul calls it 'the law of commandments contained in ordinances.' This ceremonial law, given by God through Moses, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be binding upon the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. Then all the sacrificial offerings and services were to be abolished. Paul and the other apostles labored to show this, and resolutely withstood those Judaizing teachers who declared that Christians should observe the ceremonial law." Signs of the Times, September 4, 1884.
In Galatians 5:4 Paul made it very clear that we are fallen from grace and removed from Christ if we obey these ordinances. Listen carefully, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." I trust by now that you can see how serious it is to continue to observe these Jewish ceremonies that have met their fulfillment in Christ.
Let me speak plainly. Those who persist in keeping the feast days are denying that Christ came and died at the appointed time in AD 27, and are not accepting what is given in God's Word and the Spirit of Prophecy. How can any Seventh-day Adventist today, who claims to have the faith of Jesus as we read in Revelation 14:12, deny our precious Savior by keeping feast days, which by their very purpose showed that Christ had not yet come the first time?
Let us take a closer look. The Passover, with its feast of unleavened bread was fulfilled for we read in 1 Corinthians 5:7 that Jesus, our Passover, was crucified for us. The unleavened bread was the offering of Christ's sinless life, for He said, "I am the Bread of life." The slain lamb, the unleavened bread, the sheaf of the first fruits represented our Savior's death, His sinless life, and resurrection. As Christians we now celebrate the Lord's Supper which Christ instituted in the place of the Passover, for Jesus said, "As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." 1 Corinthians 11:26.
In the Review and Herald, May 31, 1898 we read, "In instituting the sacramental service to take the place of the Passover, Christ left for his church a memorial of his great sacrifice for man. 'This do,' he said, 'in remembrance of me.' This was the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. The one was to close forever; the other, which he had just established, was to take its place, and to continue through all time as the memorial of his death."
Again I read in Review and Herald, June 14, 1898. "This ordinance does not speak so largely to man's intellectual capacity as to his heart. His moral and spiritual nature needs it. If His disciples had not needed this, it would not have been left for them as Christ's last established ordinance in connection with, and including, the last supper. It was Christ's desire to leave to his disciples an ordinance that would do for them the very thing they needed,--that would serve to disentangle them from the rites and ceremonies which they had hitherto engaged in as essential, and which the reception of the gospel made no longer of any force. To continue these rites would be an insult to Jehovah." Nothing could be spoken more clearly.
Now let us consider the Feast of Weeks called The Pentecost. This was fulfilled fifty days later and was known as the celebration of the wheat harvest, made possible by the early rains which provided the harvests at Pentecost. It was at this time that the Holy Spirit descended with mighty power upon the disciples. After Pentecost came the Feast of the Trumpets. This feast took place ten days before the Day of Atonement. This feast was also fulfilled in the ten years (remember in prophecy a day for a year) when according to Daniel 8:14 and Daniel 9: 24 - 27, in the 2300 day prophecy, there was to be a time period of repentance before the antitypical Day of Atonement which began on October 22, 1844. This was the time when Jesus moved from the Holy to the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary above.
History reveals that the greatest call to repentance, this side of the cross, took place in this ten-year period that proceeded 1844, when the whole world was stirred by the Millerite movement in the early 1800's as predicted by the antitypical blowing of the trumpet feast. So this feast day has also met its fulfillment.
Next came the Day of Atonement. Now the question, "Has this been fulfilled?" The answer, "No, not yet, for it is in progress today." To keep this feast day is to deny that Christ is in the Most Holy making an atonement for our sins, which makes it impossible for us to benefit from His work in the heavenly sanctuary. This is not the time to be concerned with Jewish feast days of the past.
Ellen White clearly emphasized that preparation for the atonement is the present truth of this hour. "We are in the great day of atonement, and the sacred work of Christ for the people of God that is going on at the present time in the heavenly sanctuary should be our constant study. We should teach our children what the typical Day of Atonement signified and that it was a special season of great humiliation and confession of sins before God. The antitypical day of atonement is to be of the same character. Everyone who teaches the truth by precept and example will give the trumpet a certain sound. You need ever to cultivate spirituality because it is not natural for you to be heavenly-minded. The great work is before us of leading the people away from worldly customs and practices, up higher and higher, to spirituality, piety, and earnest work for God. It is your work to proclaim the message of the third angel, to sound the last note of warning to the world." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 520.
"Will our churches humble themselves before the Lord on this day of atonement? Will they put away the sins which defile their garments of character, and separate them from God? The present is our day of visitation. Look not to a future, more convenient season, when the cross to be lifted will be less heavy, when the inclinations of the carnal heart will be subdued with less effort. 'Today,' saith the Spirit of God, 'if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart.' To day go about the work, else you may be one day too late. The impression that you have now may not be as strong to-morrow. Satan's snare may close around you. The candlestick may be moved out of its place, and you left in darkness. 'See that you refuse not him that speaketh.' says the true Witness, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.' Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God, or through his delegated messengers, is a knock at the door of the heart; it is the voice of Jesus, asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, your determination to open becomes weaker and weaker. If the voice of Jesus is not heeded at once, it becomes confused in the mind with a multitude of other voices, the world's care and business engross the attention, and conviction dies away. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of time, and of the great eternity beyond. The heavenly guest is standing at your door, while you are piling up obstructions to bar his entrance. Jesus is knocking through the prosperity he gives you. He loads you with blessings to test your fidelity, that they may flow out from you to others. Will you permit your selfishness to triumph? Will you squander God's talents, and lose your soul through idolatrous love of the blessings he has given?" Review and Herald, November 2, 1886.
"This is our washing and ironing time--the time when we are to cleanse our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. John says, 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' (John 1:29). … Shall we not let our sin go? … I entreat you, brethren and sisters, to labor earnestly to secure the crown of everlasting life. The reward will be worth the conflict, worth the effort. … In the race in which we are running, everyone may receive the reward offered--a crown of everlasting life. I want this crown; I mean by God's help to have it. I mean to hold fast to the truth, that I may see the King in His beauty." Heavenly Places p. 356.
Let us consider the last feast of the Jewish year which was called the Feast of Tabernacles. Here we must again ask a very important question: "Have the prophetic requirements of this Feast of the Tabernacles been fulfilled for God's people today?" The answer, "Absolutely not." The purpose of this feast for Israel of old was to bring to memory how God had delivered them from the Egyptian bondage, and by His loving care had protected and brought them to the Promised Land. This is why they were commanded to go to Jerusalem, at the close of each Jewish year, and abide in temporary shelters made from the branches of trees.
During this feast they were to celebrate. The Day of Atonement had been completed; all of their past sins had been carried away out of the sanctuary, into the wilderness by the scapegoat. Now, for us that are living in the end-time we cannot celebrate this Feast of Tabernacles, for our Day of Atonement is still in progress. Out past sins have not been blotted out of the heavenly sanctuary, as of yet. Furthermore we have not reached the Promised Land, and entered into the heavenly New Jerusalem where we shall abide in temporary homes until we are finally restored to the earth made new, where we shall build houses and inhabit them. Isaiah 65:21.
In reference to these facts, the Spirit of Prophecy encouraged the people of our God today to hold camp meetings, at which time is to be given a rehearsing of how God has led in the development of the Adventist Church, by delivering us from the false teachings of the papacy and apostate Protestantism and to be separate, a holy people – God's remnant. In addition, studies should be given to expect, as the end draws near and, how to meet the final test, ready to see Jesus. By such suggestions, Ellen White is not telling us to keep the feast days, but that our camp meetings should become presentations filled with glorious truths of the Second Coming Savior that will bring to an end our wandering in this sin-cursed world.
She further states in Review and Herald, January 9, 1883, "The opinion is widely held, that the sacrifices and offerings of the Hebrews possess no significance for Christians, and can be of no interest to them. This opinion without foundation. It is true that the ceremonies of the Mosaic law are not now to be observed; but, when rightly understood, they are seen to be all aglow with sacred and important truths. These rights, appointed by Jehovah Himself, were like so many beacons to light up the path of God's ancient people, and to direct their minds to the great sacrifice to be offered for the sins of man. Viewed in the light of the cross, they contain most precious lessons for the people of God today."
This is what Ellen White had in mind when she spoke of our camp meetings found in the Review and Herald, November 17, 1885. "Well would it be for us to have a feast of tabernacles, a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to us as a people. As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God wrought for their fathers, and his miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt to the Promised Land, so should the people of God at the present time gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised to bring them … to remembrance [their] dependence upon God of those who first led out in this work. We should gratefully regard the old waymarks, and refresh our souls with memories of the loving kindness of our gracious Benefactor."
Then in Bible Echo, December 8, 1893 we read the following, "The forces of the enemies are strengthening, and as a people we are misrepresented; but shall we not gather our forces together, and come up to the feast of tabernacles? Let us not treat this matter as one of little importance, but let the army of the Lord be on the ground to represent the work and cause of God in Australia. Let no one plead an excuse at such a time. One of the reason why we have appointed the camp-meeting to be held at Melbourne is that we desire the people of that vicinity to become acquainted with our doctrines and works. We want them to know what we are, and what we believe. Let everyone pray, and make God his trust. Those who are barricaded with prejudice must hear the warning message for this time. We must find our way to the hearts of the people. Therefore, come to the camp-meeting, even though you have to make a sacrifice to do so, and the Lord will bless your efforts to honor his cause and advance his work."
There is no doubt as to the conclusion as we read Manuscript Release, Volume 18, p. 270: "Will you listen to the voice of Christ? Will you break away from self and respond, 'We come, Lord, we come. With joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation'? Then shall your life henceforth be a continual Feast of Tabernacles, a continual thank offering for unnumbered and unmerited blessings."
Finally, let us ever keep in mind as I have read once before, "The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of truth have become representatives of Satan. They were doing the work that he desired them to do, taking a course to misrepresent the character of God, and cause the world to look upon Him as a tyrant. The very priests who ministered in the temple had lost sight of the significance of the service they performed. They had ceased to look beyond the symbol to the thing signified. In presenting the sacrificial offerings they were as actors in a play. The ordinances which God Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart. God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole system must be swept away." Desire of Ages p. 36.
So beloved, let us fill our minds with present truth. May we not be ensnared by the great deceiver and become so involved with past Old Testament feast days that we shall fail to meet heaven's requirements for the final atonement and to give the last warning message of present truth – the Three Angels' Messages.
Let us pray. Precious Father, we thank Thee for the Holy Spirit that has guided us in this presentation. May our minds be constantly focused on the Three Angels' Messages – God's present truth for this end time. And may we not be entangled with bygone feast days which were abolished at the cross. This we pray in Jesus' name, Amen."
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