Chapter 6 Desire of Ages — Chapters 70, 71 & 72

PROPHETIC PARALLELS
The Church “Then”. . . . . .and the Church Now

by Terry S. Ross

DA 637- 38: “… Christ on the Mount of Olives pictured to His disciples the scene of the great Judgment day. And He represented its decision as turning upon one point. When the nations are gathered before Him, there will be but two classes, and their eternal destiny will be determined by what they have done or have neglected to do for Him in the person of the poor and the suffering….

“Jesus had told His disciples that they were to be hated of all men, to be persecuted and afflicted. Many would be driven from their homes, and brought to poverty. Many would be in distress through disease and privation. Many would be cast into prison. To all who forsook friends or home for His sake He had promised in this life a hundred- fold. Now He assured a special blessing to all who should minister to their brethren. In all who suffer for My name, said Jesus, you are to recognize Me. As you would minister to Me, so you are to minister to them. This is the evidence that you are My disciples….

“THOSE WHOM CHRIST COMMENDS IN THE JUDGMENT MAY HAVE KNOWN LITTLE OF THEOLOGY, BUT THEY HAVE CHERISHED HIS PRINCIPLES. Through the influence of the divine Spirit they have been a blessing to those about them. Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives.”

Here Jesus sets forth the truth regarding those who will be saved in the last days, those who consist of His disciples. First of all, a ministry that is commended by Christ is one in which people are the main concern. The ministry will be paying attention to the best interests of the people. Secondly, Jesus also says that the true ministers would be hated of all men, persecuted and afflicted. Those who minister, in turn, to these faithful leaders are those whom Christ commends in the Judgment. These “may have known little of theology, but they have cherished His principles.”

I know from my own experience that it is not imperative that one knows every answer to realize when they hear something, whether it’s right or not. Many times over the last several years I have waited on something I’ve heard, choosing not to act on it because the principle of it didn’t seem to square up with the Lord’s principles. Many more times than not have I been glad to have adhered to what I thought was God’s principle in the matter. Time and time again it has proven to be a saviour to both Cathy and me. The better you understand what the principles of God are, the better you will be safeguarded in any given situation. When you decide to act on the right principle, even if you don’t happen to know everything about the subject in question, it usually ends up saving you a lot of unnecessary grief later.

DA 639: “The angels of heaven are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. We know not now who they are; it is not yet made manifest who shall overcome, and share the inheritance of the saints in light; but angels of heaven are passing throughout the length and breadth of the earth, seeking to comfort the sorrowing, to protect the imperiled, to win the hearts of men to Christ. Not one is neglected or passed by. God is no respecter of persons, and He has an equal care for all the souls He has created.”

Two important principles are brought to light. God’s love extends to every soul and is unconditional. Now please don’t get this mixed up with some who would have you believe that because God’s love is unconditional, His promises are unconditional. This would be a fatal mistake! NONE OF GOD’S PROMISES ARE UNCONDITIONAL. ALL PROMISES ARE CONDITIONAL BASED UPON OBEDIENCE. God loves you no matter what you do, but He will not save you no matter what you do. God’s love and God’s promises are two different things and if not rightly understood can result in disaster. God is no respecter of persons. Poverty or riches mean nothing to God. Neither do profession or position. All are judged by the same laws set forth by God.

Also, let us be very sensitive to the timing of the last events which we are now experiencing. While the heat of the battle intensifies, we should be aware that it is only God who closes probation, not any man. Even the angels cannot do this. “We know not now who they are; it is not yet made manifest who shall overcome, and share the inheritance of the saints in light;…” Let’s not forget that Saul, a staunch Conference man who fiercely persecuted THE church, became Paul AFTER the “church” leaders had crucified Jesus and AFTER the stoning of Stephen.

DA 641: “Those who minister to others will be ministered unto by the Chief Shepherd. They themselves will drink of the living water, and will be satisfied. They will not be longing for exciting amusements, or for some change in their lives. The great topic of interest will be, how to save the souls that are ready to perish. Social intercourse will be profitable. The love of the Redeemer will draw hearts together in unity. …

“Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of Glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you; ’ (JOHN 15: 12) when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.”

Those who secure heaven will have a genuine love for their fellow man. When one is called to minister, it involves far more than just preaching. It means service to others in love. It means having a sincere interest in the well- being of others. Even as the enemy of Christ sought to destroy Him, even through gossip and slander the “church” attempted to destroy His influence and defame His character, even in the face of apparent failure,

Jesus demonstrated that He valued every soul. No matter how vile, no matter what present or past sin, Jesus never turned away a soul who came to Him for salvation. Jesus pitied those who refused His invitations of mercy and forgiveness. He NEVER took pleasure in their destruction.

DA 643- 4: “There was ‘a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. ’ THIS CONTENTION, CARRIED ON IN THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST, GRIEVED AND WOUNDED HIM. The disciples clung to their favorite idea that Christ would assert His power, and take His position on the throne of David. And in heart each still longed for the highest place in the kingdom. They had placed their own estimate upon themselves and upon one another, and instead of regarding their brethren as more worthy, they had placed themselves first. The request of James and John to sit on the right and left of Christ’s throne, had excited the indignation of the others. That the two brothers should presume to ask for the highest position, so stirred the ten that alienation threatened. They felt that they were misjudged, that their fidelity and talents were not appreciated. Judas was the most severe upon James and John. …

“Another cause of dissension had arisen. At a feast it was customary for a servant to wash the feet of the guests, and on this occasion preparation had been made for the service. The pitcher, the basin, and the towel were there, in readiness for the feet- washing; but no servant was present, and it was the disciples’ part to perform it. But each of the disciples, yielding to wounded pride, determined not to act the part of a servant. All manifested a stoical unconcern, seeming unconscious that there was anything for them to do. By their silence they refused to humble themselves.

“How was Christ to bring these poor souls where Satan would not gain over them a decided victory? How could He show that a MERE PROFESSION OF DISCIPLESHIP DID NOT MAKE THEM DISCIPLES, OR INSURE THEM A PLACE IN HIS KINGDOM? How could He show that IT IS LOVING SERVICE, TRUE HUMILITY, WHICH CONSTITUTES REAL GREATNESS? How was He to kindle love in their hearts, and enable them to comprehend what He longed to tell them?

“The disciples made no move toward serving one another. Jesus waited for a time to see what they would do. Then He, the divine Teacher, rose from the table. Laying aside the outer garment that would have impeded His movements, He took a towel, and girded Himself. With surprised interest the disciples looked on, and in silence waited to see what was to follow. ‘After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. ’ THIS ACTION OPENED THE EYES OF THE DISCIPLES. BITTER SHAME AND HUMILIATION FILLED THEIR HEARTS. THEY UNDERSTOOD THE UNSPOKEN REBUKE, AND SAW THEMSELVES IN ALTOGETHER A NEW LIGHT.

“So Christ expressed His love for His disciples. Their selfish spirit filled Him with sorrow, but He entered into no controversy with them regarding their difficulty. Instead He gave them an example they would never forget. His love for them was not easily disturbed or quenched. He knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from God, and went to God. He had a full consciousness of His divinity; but He had laid aside His royal crown and kingly robes, and had taken the form of a servant. One of the last acts of His life on earth was to gird Himself as a servant, and perform a servant’s part.”

Many of us today (not only in Conference offices) are needing to learn what is defined as humble service. These passages were written primarily, in all fairness, about the experiences of the Independent Leaders – those chosen and tested by Christ. They were to take a message to the Ancient Adventists and the world especially attended by the power of the early rain at Pentecost. This time and these events are being repeated. We must pass these tests if we are to continue to be Christ’s disciples.

DA 646- 9: “Like Peter and his brethren, we too have been washed in the blood of Christ, yet often through contact with evil the heart’s purity is soiled. We must come to Christ for His cleansing grace. Peter shrank from bringing his soiled feet in contact with the hands of his Lord and Master; but how often we bring our sinful, polluted hearts in contact with the heart of Christ. How grievous to Him is our evil temper, our vanity and pride. Yet all our infirmity and defilement we must bring to Him. He alone can wash us clean. We are not prepared for communion with Him unless cleansed by His efficacy.”

We, like Peter should realize that we must allow the Lord to wash us totally of every defilement. The foot- washing is a symbol or type of higher cleansing that comes from Christ alone. It represents His work of purification in the life of the sinner. Judas refused this higher cleansing. Peter realized without it he would be lost! We have two Independent Leaders with two different experiences. Judas knew what needed to be done. Judas was drawn to Christ. But Judas refused to be humbled and clung to his pride. Judas became possessed by a demon. Peter at first refused the Lord’s offer as well. Peter also became aware that he needed to let go of his pride and decided that he would. Peter became possessed by the Holy Spirit. Two Independent ministers: one entered into the cleansing and was saved; one entered not and was lost.

DA 649: “Christ would have His disciples understand that although He had washed their feet, this did not in the least detract from His dignity. ‘Ye call Me Master and Lord, and ye say well; for so I am. ’ And being so infinitely superior, He imparted grace and significance to the service. No one was so exalted as Christ, and yet He stooped to the humblest duty. That His people might not be misled by the selfishness which dwells in the natural heart, and which strengthens by self- serving, Christ Himself set the example of humility. He would not leave this great subject in man’s charge. Of so much consequence did He regard it, that He Himself, One equal with God, acted as servant to His disciples. While they were contending for the highest place, He to whom every knee shall bow, He whom the angels of glory count it honor to serve, bowed down to wash the feet of those who called Him Lord. He washed the feet of His betrayer.”

The system (or individual) that tries to make itself greater than others, because of position or some accomplishment, is not of God. God is so great because of His unselfish service to those whom are all much lower than Himself. Those who choose to remain self- serving, although engaged in the “Lord’s work,” will never be in God’s kingdom. A life of humble service is what is great in God’s sight. He says: “In My kingdom the principle of preference and supremacy has no place. The only greatness is the greatness of humility. The only distinction is found in devotion to the service of others.” (DA 650)

DA 652- 3: “Christ was standing at the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. He, the spotless Lamb of God, was about to present Himself as a sin- offering, and HE WOULD THUS BRING TO AN END THE SYSTEM OF TYPES AND CEREMONIES THAT FOR FOUR THOUSAND YEARS HAD POINTED TO HIS DEATH. AS HE ATE THE PASSOVER WITH HIS DISCIPLES, HE INSTITUTED IN ITS PLACE THE SERVICE THAT WAS TO BE THE MEMORIAL OF HIS GREAT SACRIFICE. THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE JEWS WAS TO PASS AWAY FOREVER. The service which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in all lands and through ALL ages.

“The Passover was ordained as a commemoration of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. God had directed that, year by year, as the children should ask the meaning of this ordinance, the history should be repeated. Thus the wonderful deliverance was to be kept fresh in the minds of all. The ordinance of the Lord’s supper was given to commemorate the great deliverance wrought out as the result of the death of Christ. Till He shall come the second time in power and glory, THIS ORDINANCE is to be celebrated. It is the means by which His great work for us is to be kept fresh in our minds.”

The system of types and ceremonies which were instituted during the time of Moses was a reminder to the people that God had freed them from the bondage of Egypt. These were all ended “forever” at the cross. It had been Jesus Who had instructed Moses to institute these types and ceremonies and it was this same Jesus Who ended them. It was also this same Jesus Who “instituted in its place the service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice.” Did you notice that it doesn’t say that He added to these ceremonies, but rather instituted in the place of them.

There are several, I believe, well- meaning people who are confused on this issue and are actively confusing others in their attempts of trying to convince them that the old ways should be revived. What these honest, but misguided folks, apparently don’t realize is that Jesus was doing away with the entire Jewish system economy. For four thousand years this system, which included the slaying of beasts, had gone on. It had started with Adam and his sons AFTER SIN entered the world; at the time of Moses other ceremonies had been added. This is when the Sanctuary service had been instituted, as well as all the ceremonies representing the future death of Christ (and a reminder of their release from the grips of bondage in Egypt).

What does it mean “Christ was standing at the point of transition between two economies…”? Something was about to change. Something would be set aside forever and something else (new) would take the place of the old. Of course, the God (Jesus) Who had instituted one could replace it with another if He so chose and this IS what He did.

Jesus knew the future. He was about to do away with the Jews, not trusting them any more to evangelize the world, nor recognizing them any longer as a nation of “chosen” people. After all, it was He Who had chosen them. They had rejected Him and He was forced to let them go their own way.

As would be consistent with a continued rebellion against the truth the Jews refused to accept that Christ had done away with the “types and CEREMONIES THAT FOR FOUR THOUSAND YEARS HAD POINTED TO HIS DEATH.” But Jesus was moving away from the Jewish leaders. He chose laymen and told them to first re- educate the Jews who would listen, and then go to the Gentiles.

Again, as would be expected those who had rejected Christ but who were exerting their authority in the “church” rose up against the present truth and steadfastly endeavored to retain and enforce the old. This is what the argument in Acts 15 is all about. This is what Colossians 2 is all about. The Bible plainly reveals that these ceremonies were not to be laid on the Gentiles. The Bible clearly indicates that all these ceremonies and their Sabbaths are of the past. Most Seventh- day Adventists realize this and know the difference between THE Sabbath and A Sabbath. One is the perpetual Sabbath instituted during the creation week, here before sin entered into the world and be here after it is gone. The other Sabbaths were instituted as high days as part of the ceremonial laws and passed away at the cross.

These arguments concerning the feast days and their Sabbaths are nothing new. It was argued vehemently by the Apostate church leaders who had killed Christ. They wouldn’t believe Him before the cross and they still didn’t believe Him after the cross! No matter how heated folks may get, it is very obvious in God’s Word that Gentiles were not to be yolked with a burden Jesus had blotted out. The Jews were wrong (and still are) to cling to these things and the Orthodox Jew (the old style Jew who still doesn’t accept Christ as the Messiah) is still lost. He is still keeping the ceremonies. He is still keeping the feast days. He is still keeping all those old Sabbaths, but the reason he is doing so is because HE IS STILL REJECTING JESUS!

On the other hand, the Gentiles were NEVER commanded to keep these ceremonies, feast days, or Sabbaths (excepting THE Sabbath) because the Apostles rightly understood they had been replaced with the new by Jesus Himself, also the originator of the old. Please don’t miss this point. IT WAS ONLY THOSE WHO WERE REJECTING CHRIST WHO TRIED TO FORCE THESE THINGS UPON THE GENTILES. I believe many should and need to restudy this issue and stop trying to make the way of salvation through the methods of the rejected Jewish nation. I do not have to read mounds of “convincing” information from wellmeaning but misguided folks to understand and believe the plain words left to us in God’s Word and given to us through the present- day prophet.

DA 654: “The disciples had searched one another’s faces closely as they asked, ‘Lord, is it I? ’ And now the silence of Judas drew all eyes to him. Amid the confusion of questions and expressions of astonishment, Judas had not heard the words of Jesus in answer to John’s question. But now, to escape the scrutiny of the disciples, he asked as they had done, ‘Master, is it I? ’ Jesus solemnly replied, ‘Thou hast said. ’

“In surprise and confusion at the exposure of his purpose, Judas rose hastily to leave the room.”

Only two people knew the true condition, character, and motives of the self- serving Judas. Jesus had labored with Him for three and a half years, but Judas (an Independent Leader, by the way) would not surrender. He was “doing the work”; He had a head knowledge of the ways of the Master; He was on the “front lines.” But Judas refused to enter into that experience which every saved person must have. Judas did not possess the saving knowledge that is vital in a “Christian’s” life. He did not have an experiential knowledge of Christ. He had even fooled all the other disciples and the laity, but he could not fool Jesus.

Christ demonstrates that there is a limit to God’s forbearance and man’s probation in His dealings with this Independent Minister. What we need to learn as professed followers of Christ is that the heavenly principles of truth, mercy, and justice always outweigh human profession and position. It makes no difference what “group” or “camp” you are in so far as this principle is concerned. You can and will be just as lost if you support and follow Judas instead of Jesus.

DA 655- 56: “Though Jesus knew Judas from the beginning, He washed his feet. And the betrayer was privileged to unite with Christ in partaking of the sacrament. A longsuffering Saviour held out every inducement for the sinner to receive Him, to repent, and to be cleansed from the defilement of sin. This example is for us. When we suppose one to be in error and sin, we are not to divorce ourselves from him. By no careless separation are we to leave him a prey to temptation, or drive him upon Satan’s battle- ground. This is not Christ’s method. It was because the disciples were erring and faulty that He washed their feet, and all but one of the twelve were thus brought to repentance.”

Oh, the longsuffering of our Lord! We must learn to love and be longsuffering as Jesus was with Judas. Our motives must constantly be checked. There is a time, of course, when we must let one go, but I fear that in many cases we “throw people away” far too quickly. Christ let Judas go to do his work of betrayal with deep pity in His heart. He had not carelessly driven Judas onto Satan’s ground. Even in the midst of the battle, the motives of Jesus were pure and noble. He was truly interested in the salvation of souls and not in their destruction. He finds NO pleasure in the destruction of His enemies and neither will we if we have His spirit within us. We have all been the enemies of God and those who have loved God’s pity and forgiveness on their own behalf will not carelessly cast off others. Remember, the bridge of forgiveness you burn may one day be the bridge that you yourself may need to cross.

DA 659- 61: “The communion service points to Christ’s second coming. It was designed to keep this hope vivid in the minds of the disciples….

“These are the things we are never to forget. The love of Jesus, with its constraining power, is to be kept fresh in our memory. Christ has instituted this service that it may speak to our senses of the love of God that has been expressed in our behalf. There can be no union between our souls and God except through Christ. The union and love between brother and brother must be cemented and rendered eternal by the love of Jesus. And nothing less than the death of Christ could make His love efficacious for us. It is only because of His death that we can look with joy to His second coming. His sacrifice is the center of our hope. Upon this we must fix our faith. …

“As faith contemplates our Lord’s great sacrifice, the soul assimilates the spiritual life of Christ. That soul will receive spiritual strength from every communion. The service forms a living connection by which the believer is bound up with Christ, and thus bound up with the Father. In a special sense it forms a connection between dependent human beings and God. “As we receive the bread and wine symbolizing Christ’s broken body and spilled blood, we in imagination join in the scene of communion in the upper chamber. We seem to be passing through the garden consecrated by the agony of Him who bore the sins of the world. We witness the struggle by which our reconciliation with God was obtained. Christ is set forth crucified among us.

“Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven. The plan of salvation is glorified before us, and the thought of Calvary awakens living and sacred emotions in our hearts. Praise to God and the Lamb will be in our hearts and on our lips; for pride and self- worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary.

“He who beholds the Saviour’s matchless love, will be elevated in thought, purified in heart, transformed in character. He will go forth to be a light to the world, to reflect in some degree this mysterious love. The more we contemplate the cross of Christ, the more fully shall we adopt the language of the apostle when he said, ‘God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ’ (Gal. 6: 14).”

Jesus instituted the communion service in order that we would remember Him. We are to keep in our minds that it was with a tremendous struggle that the Father and the Son paid the supreme sacrifice for each of us while we were (or maybe still are) His enemies.

We are, also, to remember the self- sacrificing life of Christ and the path that He trod alone to Calvary in our stead. We, too, have the same path to travel in our own sphere if we are to share in His glory. And we are not to forget that others are just as precious in Heaven’s sight as we are — we are to maintain a sanctified respect for the worth of every soul. The memories of the Communion Service are to lift us up to higher ground. Above the natural bend toward pride and prejudice of the carnal heart is this ceremony to lift those who would follow Jesus.

Copyright © 1999 Servants of the Saviour
Terry & Cathy Ross

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements and Forward
Chapter 1 Desire of Ages — Chapter 63
Chapter 2 Desire of Ages — Chapter 64
Chapter 3 Desire of Ages — Chapter 65
Chapter 4 Desire of Ages — Chapters 66 & 67
Chapter 5 Desire of Ages — Chapters 68 & 69
Chapter 6 Desire of Ages — Chapters 70, 71 & 72
Chapter 7 Desire of Ages — Chapter 73
Chapter 8 Desire of Ages — Chapters 74 & 75
Chapter 9 Desire of Ages — Chapters 76 & 77
Chapter 10 Desire of Ages — Chapter 78

The Church – Part II

When we left off our study last month, we determined that it was easy to say that we love God with our lips, but we also discovered that if we do not keep His commandments, if we teach that it is impossible to keep His commandments, then we have nullified the Bible definition of love. The apostle John says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3.

Something is Amiss

When we hold a teaching which teaches that Jesus came with a nature different to ours, which implies that He did not, in our fallen humanity, overcome sin, it implies that we, in our “fallen humanity,” cannot overcome sin and will sin until Jesus comes. We cannot then claim to be the people who “love God and keep His commandments.” Only those who are born of God overcome the world, and what does it mean to overcome the world?

What is “the world”? What is the “love of the world”? What is the “carnal mind” that is “enmity against God”? The “carnal mind” cannot keep His commandments. A man has to be born again. (See John 3:3, 7.) “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus”, is what has to happen. (See Philippians 2:5.) The divine seed has to be planted. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.” (See Romans 12:2.) “Grieve not the Holy Spirit” Who is that progenitor that does that work for God’s people. “Grieve not the Holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (See Ephesians 4:30.) In the quotation from Upward Look, 315, quoting from Matthew 18:20, the inspired pen writes, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Now that portion of Jesus’ statement, which says two or three and the gathering together, is altogether so plain as to defy elaboration.

But what is the meaning of gathering together “in Jesus’ name”? Because this statement says that where two or three are gathered together “in My name”, there I will be in the midst of them. So what does it mean to gather together in Jesus’ name? In Matthew 1:21 we read what the angel said to Mary when he instructed her what Jesus’ name was going to be.

Gathered Together in His Name

The angel said, “And thou shalt call His name JESUS [which means Jehovah saves]: for He shall save His people in their sins.” Is that what the Bible says? It says, “He shall save His people from their sins.” [Emphasis supplied.] Brothers and sisters, can we gather together in Jesus’ name if we gather together believing we are going to be saved in our sins? So to gather together in Jesus’ name is to come believing in Him to do what His name says, namely to save men and women from their sins.

Furthermore, to gather together in Jesus’ name is also to believe that He is fully God, because the other reference that we have in Scripture to Jesus’ name is found in Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

To gather together “in His name”, as Jesus meant it, is to believe that He took our flesh and became human as we are in our fallen condition, because the Scriptures say, “For unto us a child is born.” Not unto Adam before the fall, but unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given—not loaned. The Son of God became the Son of man, and that is how He reaches you and me where we are.

To come together in Jesus’ name means to believe this beautiful foundational truth about Jesus and His mission, as expressed in His divinely appointed name. Anyone not coming together with the simple faith in Jesus to save them from sin, but wanting to be saved in sin, will not find Him in their midst.

The initial lie that was given in Eden was, “Thou shalt not surely die.” You can live in sin; you will not die. That was the initial lie. Today, it is perpetuated in a slightly deviant form. Now the quotation from Upward Look, 315, supplies the final and absolutely definitive statement on God’s church. “Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ’s Church.” Brothers and sisters, principle, Bible-based principle, is always the dividing line. We have to make sure that, when we come together, we come together “in His name”, that we, by His grace and His mercy and His love, can have Him in our midst, because the next statement says it all.

Only God’s Presence Makes a Church

“For the presence of the High and Holy One Who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.” Ibid. If the presence of Christ can alone constitute a church, how do we argue against an attack or a form of argument that is brought forth by antichrist himself in order to prove that he is not the antichrist? 1 John 4:1–3 is used by Rome to show that Protestantism is wrong in pointing out Rome as the antichrist.

Let us look at those verses. They say, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Does the Church of Rome teach that Jesus Christ came in the flesh? Yes, the Church of Rome teaches that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Just as we looked at those verses in Matthew 16 at the beginning of our study to show that a corrupt understanding of those verses is the foundation of the apostolic succession, they now use these texts to prove that they are not the antichrist.

This is one of those instances in Scripture where it helps to understand a little of the Koine Greek in which the New Testament was written. You see, it says, “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the sarx.

The Spirit of God vs the Spirit of Antichrist

Now that Greek word, sarx, is a very interesting word, because it occurs many times in the New Testament in the Greek. On almost every other occasion it is translated “sinful flesh.” The moment you have that understanding of this text, everything falls into place, because every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in our fallen humanity is the spirit of antichrist.

Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in our humanity, that He adopted our humanity, that He took on Himself the “seed of Abraham” and was made in all points like unto His brethren—that is the spirit of God. Immediately it all becomes clear. But this definition of antichrist suddenly cuts sharper than any two-edged sword, much broader, much wider and much deeper than just the Papacy, because it speaks about the “spirit” of antichrist.

We know that antichrist sits in the throne of the dragon having his seat or authority and power. But the “spirit” of antichrist is abroad in the world and it is constantly set to deceive. “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 7. Once again the word is “sarx”, which denotes fallen humanity, sinful flesh.

Brothers and sisters, does the Lord do anything in harmony with Satan? No. How then is it that men and women can believe that they can harbor the teachings of antichrist and still expect the Lord to be in their midst? Remember, the presence of Christ alone constitutes a church.

Therefore, if things show that we work in harmony with Him, we cannot use or employ any of the methods or any of the deceptions of the antichrist and expect the Lord to be in our midst. You know, a very interesting thing took place when Christ was here on earth. Recorded in Matthew 23, are the woes on the Scribes and the Pharisees. In verse 37 we read Jesus’ heart-rending lament. He said, “‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.’”

Those last words are so significant in terms of what we have just been reading. When Jesus said, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate,” what happened to that house that day? In terms of what we have just been studying? In terms of what we read in Upward Look? [Remember, the presence of Christ alone constitutes the church.] He left. It ceased to be a church.

The Separation Struggle

Sister White, commenting on this particular event, says, “Divine pity marked the countenance of the Son of God as He cast one last lingering look upon the temple and then upon His hearers. In a voice choked by deep anguish of heart and bitter tears He exclaimed, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!’ This is the separation struggle. In the lamentation of Christ the very heart of God is pouring itself forth. It is the mysterious farewell of the long-suffering love of the Deity. . . . Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God. . . . At this time Christ’s work bore the appearance of cruel defeat. He had been victor in the controversy with the priests and Pharisees, but it was evident that He would never be received by them as the Messiah.” The Desire of Ages, 620, 621.

The final separation had come. Was this the close of probation for the Jewish people? No, but something climactic, something fundamental, something far reaching, took place here. These people divorced themselves from their Messiah. Is it possible that the people of God in the last days can do the same thing? The pen of inspiration tells us that it is possible.

The Scribes and Pharisees strengthened themselves with these words from the book of Jeremiah: “Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:35–37.

And in the same chapter, verse 40, the Lord said, speaking of Jerusalem, “It shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more forever.” Those people gathered together and comforted themselves with these words and told themselves that they were secure. Now God had told the Jews that as long as the sun and moon and stars remained in the sky, Israel would remain as His chosen nation. He promised that just as surely as no one could measure the heaven or even examine the foundations of the earth, He would never cast off Israel as His chosen people.

But now look at Jeremiah 18:9, 10. Here the Lord is giving the foundational principle upon which that statement we just read has to be regarded. “And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.”

God’s Promises are Always Conditional

Any promise that God ever makes to an individual or a people concerning their relationship to Him and their future is always conditional on their response to His declared word. Moses had already spelled it out very clearly for the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 28:1, 2: “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.”

And in Deuteronomy 28:9, 13, 15 and 20, he said, “The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways.…And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:…But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:…The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken Me.”

“Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded thee.” (Verse 45.) Moses clearly warned Israel that they faced the possibility of total destruction if they became stubbornly disobedient to God’s will and way.

Mrs. White simply reiterates all these conditions that we have just read in Scripture: “It should be remembered that the promises and threatenings of God are alike conditional.” Evangelism, 695. As God’s people, as God’s children we are never to rest in a sense of security simply because of where we are. Our only security is being under the headship of Christ.

Retreating Toward Egypt

The following statement can only tug at the heart-strings of the Seventh-day Adventist. “I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people. The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God.…And yet the general opinion is that the church is flourishing and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders. The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt.” [A state of sinful living.] Testimonies, vol. 5, 217.

Now, brothers and sisters, that admonition probably was given at a particular time in the history of our denomination. However, if that was happening then, can we say that it is not happening now? Or is it perhaps true, as Scripture has told us, that as time goes by, evil will wax worse and worse? (See 2 Timothy 3:13.)

Forsaking Our God

You remember that 1888 was the year when God sent a special message to His people, and truly, we have been tentatively touching on that message. The doctrine of righteousness by faith was given at the Minneapolis Conference of 1888. But in the Review and Herald of July 24, 1888, the pen of inspiration penned these words, and they were words of sadness:

“Some power has cut the cable,…[we] are drifting away to sea, without chart or compass.” And in Testimonies, vol. 5, 75, 76, she says, “You are following the same path as did ancient Israel.…Your neglect to follow the light will place you in a more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ pronounced a woe.”

These words are not meant to tear God’s people down. They are meant to wake God’s people up to a knowledge of the true situation which confronts them. Why does the Lord do that? It sounds discouraging. We want to hear “love and unity,” and we are to “unify,” but the Lord tells us “not to unify on a platform of error.” These words were not penned for our pleasure to tear and to strike at each other. These words were intended to rend our hearts.

“Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 250. God’s messenger wrote a letter, preceding the 1888 Minneapolis meeting, to Elders Butler and Haskell. You will find a transcript of this letter in Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 320–322.

Internal Corruption Brings God’s Denunciations

In part it says, “Oh, what privileges are granted to us as a people! And if God spared not His people that He loved, because they refused to walk in the light, how can He spare the people whom He has blessed with the light of heaven in having opened to them the most exalted truth ever entrusted to mortal man to give to the world?…Internal corruption will bring the denunciations of God upon this people as it did upon Jerusalem. [As we read in Matthew 23.] . . . My brethren, we know not what is before us.…God will work with us and for us if the sins which brought His wrath upon the old world, upon Sodom and Gomorrah and upon ancient Jerusalem, do not become our crime.”

“Jerusalem is a representation of what the church will be if it refuses to walk in the light that God has given.…These are no idle tales, but truth.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 67, 68. “If we imitate their [Israel’s] example of transgression and depart from God we shall fall as surely as did they.” Ibid., vol. 1, 609.

By the way, how do we exalt God’s power? To exalt His power is to believe, to teach and to live that truth. To deny that truth is to have the form of godliness but denying the power thereof. Do you know what it says in 2 Timothy 3:5 where that verse is recorded? It says, Those who have the “form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, from such turn away.

“Let a church become proud and boastful, not depending on God, not exalting His power, and that church will surely be left by the Lord, to be brought down to the ground. Let a people glory in wealth, intellect, knowledge, or in anything but Christ, and they will soon be brought to confusion.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 127. These are sobering statements, brothers and sisters. Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and the Finisher of the faith of God’s people.

Return to the Doctrine of Truth

By His grace let us determine every day that we will have our feet planted firmly on that doctrine of truth which He established as the Rock upon which He would build His church, the church against which the gates of hell will not prevail. Namely that He came to this earth, accepting our human nature, and in the flesh condemned sin that He might be able to succor them, that is you and me, who are also tempted.

We have to return to the doctrine of truth that is the foundation for us as a people. We cannot flirt with the doctrines of antichrist, because those doctrines will surely separate God’s people from the Saviour. We must ever remember that the presence of Christ alone can constitute the church. We have to remain closely united to that body of believers which has Jesus as its head—the humble few who love God and keep His commandments, not the vast majority who say they love God and teach that you cannot keep His commandments.

Let us determine to have Jesus as our Head, today, tomorrow and forever more, to be born again of the Spirit, to be led into all truth, as Jesus promised the Spirit would do.