The Early and Latter Rain, by Elder Gordon W. Collier (cont.) - Part 30
THE EARLY AND LATTER RAIN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (30)
WAKE UP, SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS! WAKE UP!
SATAN IS NOT WILLING THAT THIS SUBJECT BE CLEARLY PRESENTED, BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT IT IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS TRUTH THAT BREAKS HIS POWER.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8.
The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The ENEMY of God and man is NOT WILLING that this TRUTH should be CLEARLY PRESENTED; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, HIS POWER WILL BE BROKEN. If he can control minds SO THAT DOUBT AND UNBELIEF AND DARKNESS shall compose the experience of those who claim to be the children of God, he can OVERCOME THEM WITH TEMPTATION." - {LHU 156.2} GW92 103.2
SATAN IS CONSTANTLY SEEKING TO DECEIVE GOD'S PEOPLE WITH THE FATAL LIE THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO OVERCOME SIN COMPLETELY.
"Satan works to gain control of the whole mind, and he knows that if these defects are cherished, he will succeed. Therefore he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome." - {GC 489.2}
A SOLEMN WARNING - IT WILL BE CLEVERLY COUNTERFEITED BY SATAN.
"So well will he (Satan) COUNTERFEIT RIGHTEOUSNESS that, IF it were POSSIBLE, he would DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT. Crowned heads, presidents, rulers in high places, will bow to his false theories.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 471, 472 (1897)." - {LDE 166.1}
A SAD FACT.
"MAN IS SATAN'S CAPTIVE and is NATURALLY INCLINED to follow his suggestions and DO HIS BIDDING. He has in himself no power to oppose effectual resistance to evil. It is only as Christ abides in him by living faith, influencing his desires and strengthening him with strength from above, that man may venture to face so terrible a foe. Every other means of defense is utterly vain." - {5T 294.2}
IT HAS BEEN LOST SIGHT OF BY MANY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
"There are grand truths, long hidden under the rubbish of error, that are to be revealed to the people. The doctrine of JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH has been LOST SIGHT OF BY MANY who have professed to believe the third angel’s message." - {1SM 360.3}
WITH MANY S.D.A'S IT IS A ROBE UNWORN.
"WITH MANY (SDA'S) the gold has become dim, and the rich treasure has been lost. The RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST is to them as A ROBE UNWORN, a fountain untouched. To them it is said, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4, 5." - {DA 280.3}
BUT FEW SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS COMPREHEND THE MESSAGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH.
"There are but FEW, even of those who CLAIM to believe it, that COMPREHEND THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE, and YET THIS IS THE MESSAGE FOR THIS TIME. It is PRESENT TRUTH. But how few take up this message in its true bearing, and present it to the people in its power! With many it has but little force.” - {CW 36.1}
THE UNREGENERATE HEART IS OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF ATTAINING PERFECTION.
"The human agent sees what he has to contend with—a strange power opposed to the idea of attaining the perfection that Christ holds out. But with Christ there is saving power that will gain for him victory in the conflict. The Saviour will strengthen and help him as he comes pleading for grace and efficiency.(Manuscript 89, 1903)." - {6BC 1098.2}
IT REBUKES PRIDE AND SELFISHNESS. IT WILL BE HATED BY SUPERFICIAL CHRISTIANS.
"The world is as much opposed to genuine religion today as it ever has been....
The spirit of persecution will ... be aroused against the faithful ones, who make no concessions to the world, and will not be swayed by its opinions, its favor, or its opposition. A RELIGION THAT BEARS A LIVING TESTIMONY IN FAVOUR OF HOLINESS and that REBUKES pride, selfishness, avarice, and FASHIONABLE SINS WILL BE HATED by the world and BY SUPERFICIAL CHRISTIANS." - {ML 69.4}
MANY SDA'S THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERCOME ALL SIN.
"Christ imputes to us his sinless character, and presents us to the Father in his own purity. There are many who think that it is impossible to escape from the power of sin, but the promise is that we may be filled with all the fullness of God." - {RH July 12, 1892}
A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION. THESE ARE THE MOST SOUL-STIRRING TRUTHS.
"Today a large part of those who compose our congregations are dead in trespasses and sins. They come and go like the door upon its hinges. For years they have complacently listened to the most solemn, soul-stirring truths, but they have not put them in practice. Therefore they are less and less sensible of the preciousness of truth. The stirring testimonies of reproof and warning do not arouse them to repentance. The sweetest melodies that come from God through human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ—do not call forth from them a response of love and gratitude." - {6T 426.4}
WAKE UP!
A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF THIS SUBJECT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR OUR ETERNAL SALVATION, BUT ONLY A FEW SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS UNDERSTAND IT.
"The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness.....
There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare." - {1SM 359.2} RH Sept. 3, 1889.
WAKE UP!
OUR CHURCHES ARE DYING FOR LACK OF PREACHING ON THE SUBJECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH.
"Our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in Christ, and on kindred truths." - {GW 301.1}
THE DESTINY OF THE CHURCH DEPENDS ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPTANCE OF THIS TRUTH. YET IT HAS BEEN LIGHTLY ESTEEMED, IF NOT ENTIRELY DISREGARDED BY THE CHURCH.
"The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified." - {EW 270.3}
IT HAS BEEN DENOUNCED, SLIGHTED, SPOKEN AGAINST, RIDICULED, AND REJECTED BY MANY S.D.A'S.
"The true religion, the only religion of the Bible, that teaches forgiveness only through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, that advocates righteousness by the faith of the Son of God, has been SLIGHTED, SPOKEN AGAINST, RIDICULED, AND REJECTED. It has been denounced as leading to...fanaticism. But it is the life of Jesus Christ in the soul, it is the active principle of love imparted by the Holy Spirit, that alone will make the soul fruitful unto good works." - {TM 467.2} {3SM 141.6}
PREJUDICES WHICH PREVAILED AGAINST THE MESSAGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH AT MINNEAPOLIS IN 1888 LIVE ON IN MANY SEVENTH-DAY HEARTS TODAY.
"The prejudices and opinions that prevailed at Minneapolis....are not dead by any means; the seeds sown there in some hearts are ready to spring into life and bear a like harvest.". - {TM 467.1} (Written on Nov. 3, 1890)
IT WILL NOT BE COMPREHENDED BY MANY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, WHO CONSEQUENTLY WILL CALL IT A FALSE LIGHT.
"The third angel’s message (RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH IN VERITY) WILL NOT BE COMPREHENDED, the light which will lighten the earth with its glory WILL BE CALLED A FALSE LIGHT by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory. The work that might have been done, will be left undone by the rejecters of truth, because of their unbelief." - {RH May 27, 1890}. COR 51.
ON DANGEROUS GROUND.
"It is not alone those who openly reject the Testimonies, or who CHERISH DOUBT CONCERNING THEM, that are on DANGEROUS GROUND. To disregard light IS TO REJECT IT." - {5T 680.2}
"Many are going DIRECTLY CONTRARY TO THE LIGHT which God has given to His people, because THEY DO NOT READ THE BOOKS which contain the light and knowledge in cautions, reproofs, and warnings. The cares of the world, the love of fashion, and the lack of religion have turned the attention from the light God has so graciously given, while books and periodicals containing error are traveling all over the country. Skepticism and infidelity are increasing everywhere. LIGHT so precious, coming from the throne of God, is HID UNDER A BUSHEL." - {5T 681.1}
PERFECT IN CHRIST.
"Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, WE SHOULD SEEK to BECOME PERFECT IN CHRIST. NOT EVEN BY A THOUGHT could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father’s commandments, and there was NO SIN IN HIM that Satan could use to his advantage. THIS IS THE CONDITION in which THOSE must be FOUND who shall STAND IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE." - {GC 623.1}
THE HEIGHT OF PERFECTION.
IMPORTANT POINTS CONCERNING THE HEIGHT OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION POSSIBLE TO MAN.
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT OF COMPREHENSION
"We have been called to the knowledge of Christ, and that is to the knowledge of glory and virtue. It is a knowledge of the PERFECTION OF THE DIVINE CHARACTER, manifested to us in Jesus Christ, that opens up to us communion with God.... SCARCELY CAN THE HUMAN MIND COMPREHEND what is the breadth and depth and height of the spiritual attainments that can be reached by becoming partakers of the divine nature." - {OHC 60.4}
IT IS BEYOND HUMAN COMPREHENSION.
"HOW MAN CAN BE A COUNTERPART OF JESUS CHRIST IS BEYOND HUMAN COMPREHENSION. But the Holy Spirit can strengthen our spiritual eyesight, enabling us to see what our natural eyes cannot see, or our ears hear, or our minds comprehend. By the Spirit which searches all things, even the deep things of God, have been revealed precious truths which cannot be described by pen or voice.. But the Holy Spirit can strengthen our spiritual eyesight, enabling us to see what our natural eyes cannot see, or our ears hear, or our minds comprehend. By the Spirit which searches all things, even the deep things of God, have been revealed precious truths which cannot be described by pen or voice." - {SD 34.2}
THE HEIGHT ATTAINABLE IS SCARCELY COMPREHENDED BY THE HUMAN MIND. "SCARCELY can the HUMAN MIND COMPREHEND what is THE BREADTH and DEPTH and HEIGHT of the SPIRITUAL ATTAINMENTS that CAN BE REACHED by BECOMING PARTAKERS of the DIVINE NATURE. . . Christ must be all in all to us; He must dwell in the heart; His life must circulate through us, as the blood circulates through the veins. His Spirit must be a vitalizing power that will cause us to influence others to become Christlike and holy." - {OHC 60.5}
A HEIGHT OF MORAL EXCELLENCE ... NOT DEEMED POSSIBLE OF ATTAINMENT.
"Man, who has defaced the image of God in his soul by a corrupt life, cannot, by mere human effort, effect a radical change in himself. He must accept the provisions of the gospel; he must be reconciled to God through obedience to His law and faith in Jesus Christ. His life from thenceforth must be governed by a new principle. Through REPENTANCE, FAITH, and GOOD WORKS he may PERFECT A RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER, and claim, through the merits of Christ, the privileges of the sons of God. The principles of divine truth, received and cherished in the heart, will CARRY US TO A HEIGHT OF MORAL EXCELLENCE THAT WE HAD NOT DEEMED IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO REACH." - {4T 294.2}
HIGHER THAN THE HIGHEST HUMAN THOUGHT CAN REACH.
"HIGHER THAN THE HIGHEST HUMAN THOUGHT CAN REACH is God’s ideal for His children. GODLINESS—GODLIKENESS—IS THE GOAL TO BE REACHED.
Before the student there is opened a path of continual progress. He has an object to achieve, a standard to attain, that includes everything good, and pure, and noble. He will advance as fast and as far as possible in every branch of true knowledge. But his efforts will be directed to objects as much higher than mere selfish and temporal interests as the heavens are higher than the earth." - {Ed 18.4}
A HEIGHT WE HARDLY THINK POSSIBLE.
"If you make God your strength, you may, under the most discouraging circumstances, ATTAIN A HEIGHT AND BREADTH OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION WHICH YOU HARDLY THINK IT POSSIBLE TO REACH. Your thoughts may be elevated, you may have noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, and purposes of action which shall raise you above all sordid motives." - {4T 567.3}
THE AIM OF LIFE - TO FIT OURSELVES FOR ASSOCIATION
WITH ANGELS AND WITH CHRIST.
"The glory of the eternal world has been opened before me. I want to tell you that heaven is worth winning. It should be the aim of your life TO FIT YOURSELF FOR ASSOCIATION with the redeemed, WITH HOLY ANGELS, AND WITH JESUS, the world’s Redeemer. If we could have but one view of the celestial city, we would never wish to dwell on earth again. There are beautiful landscapes on earth, and I enjoy all these prospects of loveliness in nature. I associate them with the Creator. But I know that if I love God, and keep His commandments, there is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory reserved in heaven for me." - {FLB 364.2}
THE WONDERS OF PERFECTION.
IT IS A GLORIOUS HOPE.
"Precious assurance! GLORIOUS IS THE HOPE before the believer as he advances by faith toward the heights of CHRISTIAN PERFECTION!
“I will not be negligent,” the apostle continued, “to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." - {AA 533.2}
IT IS A GLORIOUS. EXPERIENCE.
"The revelation of His own glory in the form of humanity will bring heaven so near to men that the beauty adorning the inner temple will be seen in every soul in whom the Saviour dwells. MEN WILL BE CAPTIVATED BY THE GLORY OF AN ABIDING CHRIST. And in currents of praise and thanksgiving from the many souls thus won to God, glory will flow back to the great Giver." - {COL 420.2}
"The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.
The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works—in words of truth and deeds of holiness." - {COL 415.5}
"Thus in the night of spiritual darkness God’s glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up the bowed down and comforting those that mourn." - {COL 417.2}
A UNIVERSAL PROMISE.
"In his efforts to reach God’s ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. MORAL AND SPIRITUAL PERFECTION, through the grace and power of Christ,
IS PROMISED TO ALL. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life. He brings us to His word, and from the tree of life presents to us leaves for the healing of sin-sick souls. He leads us to the throne of God, and puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power." - {AA 478.2}
"As children of God, we should be constantly gaining in fitness for the heavenly mansions which Christ told His disciples He was going away to prepare for them. HE WHO LAYS HOLD UPON the RIGHTEOUSNESS of CHRIST may become a PERFECT MAN IN CHRIST JESUS. Working from a high standpoint, seeking to follow the example of Christ, we shall grow up into His likeness, possessing more and more refinement." - {TM 150.1}
"While we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, WE MAY HAVE CHRISTIAN PERFECTION OF THE SOUL. Through the sacrifice made in our behalf, sins may be perfectly forgiven. Our dependence is not in what man can do; it is in what God can do for man through Christ." - {2SM 32.3}
"He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, SIN HAS NO MORE DOMINION OVER US. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that WE MAY ATTAIN TO PERFECTION OF CHARACTER." - {DA 123.3}
"By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be PERFECTED IN THE CHARACTER. We are to be WHOLLY TRANSFORMED into the likeness of Christ." - {TM 506.1}
IT IS GOD'S DESIRE FOR US.
"GOD DESIRES US to REACH the STANDARD OF PERFECTION made possible for us by the gift of Christ. He calls upon us to make our choice on the right side, to connect with heavenly agencies, to adopt principles that will restore in us the divine image. In His written word and in the great book of nature He has revealed the principles of life. It is our work to obtain a knowledge of these principles, and by obedience to co-operate with Him in restoring health to the body as well as to the soul." - {MH 114.4}
IT IS GOD'S IDEAL FOR US.
"HE
HOLDS UP BEFORE US the HIGHEST IDEAL, EVEN PERFECTION.
He asks us to be absolutely and completely for Him in this world as He is for us in the presence of God.
“This is the will of God” concerning you, “even your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Is it your will also? Your sins may be as mountains before you; but if you humble your heart and confess your sins, trusting in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, He will forgive and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. God demands of you entire conformity to His law. This law is the echo of His voice saying to you, Holier, yes, holier still. Desire the fullness of the grace of Christ. Let your heart be filled with an intense longing for His righteousness, the work of which God’s word declares is peace, and its effect quietness and assurance forever." - {AA 566.1}
[ END OF E.L.R. - Part 30 ]
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