The Spirit (A study on a paper written in 1877)

THE SPIRIT OF GOD:– ITS – OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS, TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE.

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER. 

HAVING RECEIVED OF THE FATHER THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT, HE HATH SHED FORTH THAT WHICH YE NOW SEE AND HEA.” ACTS 2:33

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STEAM PRESS OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION BATTLE CREEK, MICH.  1877

PREFACE

Many good thoughts have been presented of late years on the subject of the Gifts of the Spirit, and yet the whole amount that has been written on the perpetuity of the Gifts in the church is very small indeed, considering the great importance of the doctrine.

In adding to what has already been published we have made no attempt to exhaust the evidences, for on some points our remarks are exceedingly brief; but we have endeavored to point out what we consider the clearest and weightiest arguments, and to show the relation of this doctrine to other parts of the gospel.

We call especial attention to the connection existing between obedience to the Law of God and the presence of the Gifts of his Spirit. For a long time the churches seem to have lost sight of this important relation; and consequently antinomianism, and its constant attendant, vainglorious formality, have been greatly strengthened. Fortunately the Scriptures give a clear and decided testimony on this subject. We have also tried to bring out the whole truth presented in Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, and to show that the perpetuity of the Law of God, and of the Gifts in the church, is as firmly established by this sermon as is the continuance of the ordinance of baptism.

As we are living in the time of the fulfillment of some important prophecies, both on this and on other subjects,—in a time when a special work of preparation is needed to meet the Lord Jesus at his coming, the question of the restoration of the Spirit’s power in the church becomes of unusual interest. Were it not for this power, for the promised refreshing from the presence of the Lord, no flesh could stand in that time when Jesus ceases to plead for fallen man, when the sinner can no more find a mediator whereby to come unto the Father.

Our earnest prayer is that this feeble effort may be the means of increasing the respect of some at least for the Gifts of the Spirit, and of awakening an interest in those scriptures which teach us our dependence on the means appointed for our sanctification. We strongly desire that the waiting ones may, by the Spirit’s presence and power, be strengthened to cultivate all the graces of the divine life, and soon be brought into the unity of the faith of the Present Truth, that the testimony of Jesus may be confirmed in them so that they shall come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our blessed Redeemer. 1 Cor. 1:6, 7.

J. H. W.

Battle Creek Mich.,  August 1877

Spiritually Poor, Blind and Naked.

Times of the Gentiles Prophecy fulfilled in 1980… where does that leave us in the time stream of prophetic history?

JERUSALEM IN BIBLE PROPHECY

Roy F. Cottrell  1947

Continued…and Concluded.

The parallel between the fulfillment of the times of the 12 nations (Gentiles) and our own church history is remarkable and dare not be overlooked. We need to recognize that we cannot divorce ourselves from the fact that the Three Angels' Messages which was committed to the Church in sacred trust involves the nations. The very prelude to these messages reads:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred, and tongue, and people, . . . (Rev. 14:6)

When the times allotted to the nations is fulfilled, the giving of 'the everlasting gospel" to the nations is also affected. The two cannot be divorced.

Furthermore, we are told:

In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her on her will be pronounced the sentence, "Found wanting. " By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged. (Testimonies for the Church Vol. 8, p. 247)

As Ellen G. White was writing this intent of God following the 1903 General Conference Session, she noted the only condition where-by the judgment of "found wanting" could be averted. It reads:

Unless the church, which is now [1903] being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself. (Ibid., p. 250)

This is not a call to individual repentance but to corporate repentance. In the light radiating from the agenda of the sanctuary as revealed in the type with the fulfilling of the time of the Gentiles - nations as corporate bodies - we should now understand the weighing of the Church in the same balance, and the decision that was rendered. Follow closely now the parallel as diagramed. (pp. 14-15)

In the left hand column, we have the significant dates in the history of the State of Israel. Let us review them.

In 1948, the State of Israel was re-established. The event itself did not fulfill any prophecy. However, coming events were casting their shadows before. Jerusalem still remained in Jordanian control, trodden down of the Gentiles.

In 1967. in the Six-Day War (June 5-10), Jerusalem was captured, and a government under the control of Israel was set up. It was the beginning of the end. It constituted a warning to the Church of the corporate judgment she faced.

In 1980, the entire government of Israel was transferred from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The prophecy of Jesus had reached complete fulfillment. This was done on July 30 of 1980.

In the righthand column is a review of our own Church history in parallel with the events which fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus.

In 1949, Bible Readings for the Home Circle was revised. In the study on "The Sinless Life," the paragraphs defining the human nature Christ took upon Himself were altered.

In 1950, Elders Wieland and Short presented a restudy of 1888 to the leadership of the Church and called for a "denominational repentance" corporate repentance. While these young men did not perceive the connection of the message of 1888 with the General Conference session in 1903 - and still do not understand it -they did answer the call of God in giving to the Church, the only remedy which could avert it being "spewed out" by Christ. (See Rev. 3:16)

In 1952, a Bible Conference in the Sligo Park Church called the ministry's attention to the prophecy of Jesus in Luke 21 :24, noting "that we should all be watching [it] with special care."

Then came the SDA-Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56, in which we compromised our basic teachings on the incarnation and the atonement. Instead of repentance, we were continuing to betray the sacred trust making it virtually impossible to give the "ever-lasting gospel" message in its purity.

Then came the fateful year- 1967. In the very month that Jerusalem was retaken, a committee appointed by the General Conference rejected Wieland and Short's call for denominational repentance for the third and final time.

In July, Dr. Earle Hilgert then of Andrews University took his place as a voted member on the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. In October, the Annual Council gave its approval to the Association of Adventist Forums from whose podium at PUC in 1979, Dr. Desmond Ford was to attack the sanctuary doctrine of the Church.

Between 1967 and 1980, in 1977, Dr. B. B. Beach would place in the hands of the reigning pope, Paul VI, "a gold-covered symbol of the Seventh-day Adventist Church." (Review & Herald, August 11, 1977, p. 23)

Then came 1980. At the General Conference session in Dallas, Texas, the Church voted a new Statement of Beliefs, and included in them language from the Constitution of the World Council of Churches, and confirmed the compromises on the atonement and incarnation made at the SDA-Evangelical Conferences of 1955-56.

Within three months God permitted Jesus' prophecy to reach its complete fulfillment. Corporate judgment was then completed in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

A FINAL PROPHECY

There is one final prophecy concerning Jerusalem in Daniel. Turn in your Bibles to Daniel 11:45. This prophecy in Daniel is a literal prophecy and can no more be spiritualized away than can the prophecy Jesus gave concerning Jerusalem. Daniel I I reads:

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end and none shall help him.

Daniel understood well what 'the glorious holy mountain" was, for he had prayed - "0 Lord... let... Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain." (9:16) This "he" of the prophecy will "plant" the "tents" of his abode in Jerusalem. This "he" is the "the king" of Daniel 1 1 :36, or the Papacy. He will welcome the personified Christ to "the throne of his father, David. " But what then? The next verse reads: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. " (Dan. 12:1) lt will be the end -the close of all human probation. Every individual will have made his decision.

We have been given foreknowledge:

Fallen angels upon earth form confederations with evil men. In this age antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of God will be fully made void in the nations of our world against God's holy law will be fully ripe. But the true leader of all this rebellion is Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt him to the place of God, and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose, and to the apostate churches that unite in the exaltation of Satan, the sentence will go forth, "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." CM, p. 62)

All that Jesus prophesied about Jerusalem as signs to God's people has taken place. The shadow of coming events was cast in 1948; the first warning came in 1967; the final warning in 1980. We are living between a fulfilled Luke 21 :24, and yet to be fulfilled Daniel 11:45. We are at the end! "Heir of the kingdom, why dost thou slumber? ...Wake thee, arouse thee. " "Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." "When ye see these things come to pass, then KNOW that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand...This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled."

CONCLUDED.

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We have been blessed with prophecies as for thousands of years God's people have been blessed. We were told that comprehension would come as the days of earth's current sin ridden history were winding down. For thousands of years we've existed in a state of fulfilling prophecy. 1260 years was one prophecy and during that time many generations of people lived and died as it was unfolding. Just as then it is now. Generation after generation lives as the prophecies come to pass. We've been blessed with the knowledge that in 1980 - a mere 39 years ago a prophecy came to pass pointing to the very last Jerusalem related prophecy- noting that the particular prophecy would take place within the generation of 1980.

Remember how those Christ followers in Jerusalem were warned that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies and when it was they were to flee Jerusalem? They were to uproot their entire lives as soon as they saw this prophetic sign come to pass. They were to flee when it happened.  Can you imagine if people today were as close to God living in the light of His truth, paying attention to His prophetic signs, watching for the fulfillment of foretold events. Scoffing is the accepted reaction to prophecy today. Scoffing, dismissing, ridiculing, these are how many professed Christ followers treat prophecies. They don't realize that if our passed is filled with FULFILLED prophetic predictions, then our future holds the fulfilling of prophecies for our times.

1980 39 years until 2019… how many more years until the last Jerusalem related sign meets its fulfillment?  Corporate probation is over, the judging of all individual dead is over, the judging of the individual living is ALMOST over and when it is… the only thing left is for sentencing to be carried out. The guilty as well as those secure in the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ will meet their just reward.

We are living in the most spiritually FEARFUL years mankind can live in, and the world around us goes on as if believing this truth is some twisted fantasy of unreality that only the very intellectually and spiritually deceived dare believe.

People are so caught up in the deception of Satan, that they go to heaven upon their deaths to be with their loved ones who have gone on before them, that they don't need to concern themselves with whether or not they live under a probationary time which is running out. Why bother with that, when all people go to heaven? Truly this generation has fulfilled and is fulfilling the Laodicean prophecy of lukewarmness and will be spewed out of the Savior's salvation. They think they are RICH, they think they can SEE, they think they are CLOTHED, but the reality, the truth is they are POOR, BLIND, and NAKED spiritually! 

Please Father! Please help us to be YOURS, we would know the signs of our own times, we would buy of YOU the gold tried in fire, we would seek only You and Your truth not lull ourselves into false complacency under Satan's deceptions that WILL deceive ALL but the very elect! Please Father, we would be among Your very elect all by the GRACE, the MERCY, the FORGIVENESS, through the LOVE of YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, now and forever!!!!!!! 

Prophetic History- Prophetic Future

Times of the Gentiles Prophecy fulfilled in 1980… where does that leave us in the time stream of prophetic history?

JERUSALEM IN BIBLE PROPHECY

Roy F. Cottrell  1947

Continued…

Let us make a quick analysis of Luke 21 and see what is emphasized. You can do further study on your own; but let us observe certain highlights. Carefully compare Luke 21 with Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Luke does not even mention as does Matthew and Mark, the Dark Ages, "those days" of "tribulation." He concentrates on events in the history of Jerusalem. All three reports of this prophetic discourse of Jesus summarize general signs which were to occur. Then Luke Iiteralizes the prophecy of Daniel to which Jesus alluded, writing:

And when shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh...For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled ...And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations (ta ethné): and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles (ethné), until the times Of the Gentiles (ethné) be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations (ethné), with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when see these things begin to come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:20-33)

Several points should be noted. Luke passes by with only a mention of the "signs" in the sun, moon and stars. (Compare with Matt. 24:29 and Mark 13:24-25) He focuses Jesus' prophecy "upon the earth" emphasizing 'the nations" (ethné) whether translated in the KJV - "nations" or "Gentiles." He speaks of their "times" and "distress" with "perplexity." In two instances, Luke has Jesus stressing - "When ye see' then "know ye." The first, when the armies surrounded Jerusalem, then they were to know that its destruction was nearing. We can ask - did that generation which saw this sign fulfilled live to see the destruction of the city? Likewise, Jesus said, those who see the end of the times of the nations and the events connected with it, that generation will not pass away till all be fulfilled.

When the times of the nations are fulfilled, they come into distress with perplexity. The word in the Greek translated "perplexity ' carries the overtones of economic distress. Of interest is the fact that the Department of Labor of the United States government uses 1967 as the base year to chart the course of the dollar in its inflationary devaluation. The economic instability of the nations has only increased since that day with no way out. In other words we are seeing today a "sign" fulfilled on earth as verily as our spiritual fore-fathers saw the fulfillment of a "sign" in the heavens.

This date - 1967 - was the beginning of the period when the times of the nations would be completed. The 'times of the nations fulfilled", what does it mean? Nations are corporate bodies, corporate entities. There is a difference between the close of probations for corporate entities and for all mankind as individuals. No longer are the nations under the merciful intervention of God, but have been given over to Satan to work his deceptions so as to bring them to the battle of the great day of God Almighty.

This understanding of the meaning and significance of "the times of the nations" being fulfilled opens before us two other doors of insight. One involves a deeper understanding of the sanctuary types of ancient Israel; the other, lessons we can learn from the parallel between the end of the times of the Jewish nation/church and the times to which we have come.

A LESSON FROM THE SANCTUARY

The 16th chapter of Leviticus outlines the services on the Day of Atonement. All the details we will not discuss. We will only carefully consider the threefold cleansing outlined in ritual for the day. First, lest there should be any misunderstanding as to what I will write, let me make it very clear that in the great antitype which convened in Heaven in 1844, all judgment is made in the presence of the Ancient of days. In the type on earth, we are given a glimpse of the agenda of what is taking place in Heaven. The first item was the cleansing of - making an atonement for - the most holy place. (Lev. 16:15-16a; the KJV uses "holy" with the word, "place", supplied to refer to the Most Holy apartment of the sanctuary.) The second item was the cleansing of the holy place, or what is noted as the "tabernacle." (Lev. 16: 16b) The third item was the cleansing of the Altar in the court. (Lev. 16:18) lt was not until these three steps were completed that Azazel, the scapegoat, was brought into the picture. The text reads: And when he [the High Priestl hath made an end Of reconciling the holy place [most holy apartment], and the tabernacle of the congregation [first apartment], and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. (verse 20)

Now what was the significance of these three steps and what is God telling us in this type? Let us turn our attention to the daily service and how it relates to this three-fold agenda.

When an individual sinned, a common priest ministered his offering. Of blood, the priest fingerprinted it on the horns of the Altar of the court, and poured the remainder at the base of the Altar. (Lev. 4:30) When the congregation sinned (a corporate act). the high priest ministered the offering, and the blood was marked on the horns of the Altar of Incense in the first apartment, with the remainder of the poured at the base of the Altar in the court. (Lev. 4:16-18) During the year not one drop of blood of any sin offering ever was brought into the Most Holy Place. The closest any blood came to the Most Holy Place was that of the sin offering for corporate sin, when blood was sprinkled "seven times before the Lord, even before the vail." (4:17) Now what is the threefold agenda followed on the Day of Atonement telling us in the light of where the blood of confession was placed?

Whatever was signified by the type, whatever was accomplished when our Great High Priest first came to the Ancient of days in judgment, the next cleansing or "Step Two" had to do with corporate guilt and confession. When the adjudication of corporate guilt was completed, the atonement passed to the individual record of confession, which in the type was placed on the horns of the Altar of the Court. Jesus in His prophecy gave the signal for the hour when the "times of the corporate bodies (nations)" would be fulfilled. Then judgment would pass to the individual cases. If there was ever a prophecy which pinpointed the hour to which we have come in relationship to the judgment, this prophecy of Jesus does! Could it be that in the achri hou - that brief period of time from 1967 to 1980 - the judgment of the individual dead was completed and now we have passed to the judgment of the living? How

desperate is such an hour, and how ought we to be living in the light of this possibility?

PARALLELS

There are some parallels between the close of the 'times of the Jewish nation/church" and the close of "the times of the Gentiles (corporate nations/churches). " The time that was allotted to the Jewish nation - "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people" (Dan. 9:24) - ended in 34 AD. However, the book of Acts reveals the varying times for the close of probation for the various segments of Jewry. Let us observe the message of that book, and see what it is telling us.

First, consider Acts 2. On that Day of Pentecost, to whom was the message given? Was it given to Gentiles? Was it a great evangelistic endeavor, as we think of evangelism today? No, that Day of Pentecost did not have such an objective. To whom was the message directed? Verse 5 states - "and there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." What kind of people were they? "Devout" Jews!

What does the word, "devout" mean? How does Luke use the word? In his Gospel, he refers to Simeon, the man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel, as "devout." (Luke 2:25) In describing the men who buried Stephen, Luke declared them to be "devout men." (Acts 8:2) The message of that Day of Pentecost was directed to "devout men" - good men. However, as the Spirit spoke through Peter, with what did He charge these men? Note carefully - "Therefore letall the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. They "devout" Jews - crucified their own Messiah? Yes, that is what Peter accused them of - "You crucified the Lord of glory."

Some of these men - even the majority - were not even in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion. They had come for the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost. How then could they be charged with the crucifixion? Because of corporate involvement! They were a part of corporate Israel , and because of this, they were accountable for the acts done by the leadership of that corporate entity, They responded - "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" What was Peter's answer? "Repent."

What is this telling us? In 31 A.D., probation was still open to devout Jews. They could repent. But let us continue on.

Come now to Acts 3. We find a short time following the events of the Day of Pentecost, that Peter and John go to the temple to witness. Accosted by a man lame from birth, they heal him in the name of Jesus. This restored man holds Peter and John as a large group of people gather to assess what has happened. Peter seizes the opportunity and witnesses concerning Jesus, charging his hearers with betrayal, denial, and murder. (Acts3:1215) But he holds out hope; he counsels- "Repent ye therefore." (verse 19) The door of repentance was still open for these worshipers in the temple.

While preaching, the captain of the temple with the leading priests took them into custody for trial the next day. Observe now before whom they were arraigned the next day. Read carefully Acts 4:6: And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Who were these men? Who were Annas and Caiaphas? They were the spiritual leaders of the Jewish Church; they were also the very ones who had delivered Jesus over to the Romans to be crucified. Peter filled with the Holy Spirit charged them with the very act - "ye crucified" Jesus Christ. (v. 10) But he never held out to them the opportunity to repent. Why? The spiritual leadership of the Jewish Church had passed the unseen line! They could not repent. This was prior to 34 A.D.

We come now to the year  34 A.D. itself. In Acts 7, Stephen is arraigned before the highest "council" of Israel. (See 6:15) Adjured by the high priest, he makes his defense. Hear carefully his final words -

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers. (7:51-52) He didn't call upon them to repent. He charged them

with the act which brought corporate guilt upon the Jewish nation/church. They took Stephen out and stoned him, and Israel's probation as a church/nation closed. But what about the individual member's probation?

Now let us ask ourselves a question? From this point on, the book of Acts is primarily the story of whom? Paul. And what did Paul do? Turn to Acts 13. He was on his first missionary tour, and here is the record of his sermon in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia. Observe what he told them:

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (13:38-39)

What did he tell them? Keep in mind that he was now out among the Jews of the Diaspora. To these individual Jews, he assured them that "forgiveness" was still extended to them if they would believe and accept Him whom their spiritual leaders had crucified. The Jewish church/nation had closed their probation as a corporate body, but now to the individual Jew of the synagogue was given an opportunity to make a judgment concerning the decisions of their hierarchical leadership in regard to Truth.

We find that as we study Paul's ministry in the book of Acts, this is the consistent pattern. When he arrives in a new city, where does he go on the Sabbath? To the synagogue. Whom does he proclaim? Jesus and calls upon them to believe and follow Him whom their church leadership had rejected and crucified. When they did not respond, what did Paul do? He left them. (Acts 13:46; 19:8-9) The book of Acts ends on this very theme. (Acts 28:23-25)

The book of Acts also closes within the shadow of the destruction of Jerusalem. Through all that time from 34 A.D. till 66 A.D., there was opportunity for the laity of the Jewish Church as individuals to repent of the sin that closed the day of probation for their hierarchy. This fact needs to be kept in mind as we consider the parallel between the close of the Jewish church/nation and the ending of the times of the nations of earth and the corporate body which we call the Church today.

TO BE CONTINUED….

1980 Prophecy Fulfilled.

Times of the Gentiles Prophecy fulfilled in 1980… where does that leave us in the time stream of prophetic history?

JERUSALEM IN BIBLE PROPHECY

Roy F. Cottrell   1947

In 1944, the Pacific Press published a book entitled Palestine in Prophecy. It was used as a "book of the month" by The Voice of Prophecy. The final paragraph of the book reads:

The apostle Paul speaks of old Jerusalem as being "in bondage with her children." (Gal. 4:25) Had the Jews been faithful, Jerusalem would have been enlarged and beautified to become the center Of the whole earth, beautiful for situation. But throughout the generations [from] the fall of that city in AD. 70, Jerusalem has been "a burdensome stone" and "a cup Of trembling unto all people" (Zechariah 12:2, 3); and it will be so till the end of time. Palestine and Jerusalem do not have a bright future in this present world, and those who are holding the hope Of a national restoration for the Jews are following a theological will-o'-the-wisp.

Then in 1947, the Pacific Press published another book The Jews and Palestine In it were noted the objectives of Zionism:

The father Of modern Zionism was Theodor Herzl , an Austro-Hungarian journalist. In 1896 he published a book entitled, The Jewish State. The following year the first Zionist Congress convened in Basel, Switzerland, and presented to the world its program for "'a publicly assured and legally secured home for the Jewish people in Palestine." (p. 57)

Near the close of this particular chapter, the conclusion is drawn:

The God Of heaven who overthrew the city and nation and who because of their apostasy dispersed the inhabitants to the ends of the earth, forever settles the question of a complete return and restitution in old Canaan by asserting that it "cannot be." (p. 61)

In 1947, the Church took the position that it was absolutely impossible for a Jewish state to ever be re-established in Palestine. One year later. in 1948, the Jewish state became a reality.

In 1948, I became pastor of the First church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabbath following the establishment of the Jewish state, I prepared a sermon to shore up confidence in the church's position. I told the congregation - "Don't get too disturbed. Do not become overly alarmed. There are still more Jews in New York City than can possibly get settled in the small area of Palestine." I had no other answer. What was I to say? In other words, as a result of then current events, it became obvious that we as a Church were fallible in our prophetic interpretations, and that there needed to be some re-thinking.

By 1952, the Church returned to a position as had been set forth by James Edson White, and faced up to the  reality of the prophecy Jesus had given in Luke 21 :24 "...and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled"

First, in considering this prophecy of Jesus, one must recognize what Jesus did not say. He did not tie this prophecy to the time of the restoration of the Jewish State. Therefore, in 1948, when Israel again became a nation, this event in and of itself was not a fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus did not talk about a Jewish state, nor Palestine, but a city - "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Further, Jesus did not associate this prophecy with the restoration of the temple or its services. A few hours prior to His giving this prophecy to the disciples, He told the Jewish leadership as He left the temple for the last time - "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt. 23:38) This prophecy was tied solely to the control and government of just one city, and that city was Jerusalem!

In 1952, the Church conducted a world-wide Bible Conference. It was held in the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church. Elder Arthur Maxwell, then editor of the Signs Of the Times presented a paper on "The Imminence of Christ's Second Coming, " in which he directed the attention of the ministry of the Church to Jesus' prophecy in Luke 21:24. He said:

The recent dramatic restoration of the nation Of Israel has focused the attention of mankind once more on Palestine. Many Christians have mistakenly permitted themselves to believe that the return of thousands of unconverted Jews to their native land is in fulfillment of the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not realizing that, since the death of the Son of God on Calvary, there is no salvation, nor any eternal homeland, except for those who believe in Him and accept His sacrifice.

However, there is one prophecy concerning Palestine that we should all be watching with special care. Said Jesus, "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (Luke 21:24). (Our firm Foundation, 11, p. 230)  

The ministers of the Church from around the world were directed to this neglected prophecy of Jesus by Maxwell. Then he observed that a principle God applied to the Amorites might well apply in this instance, only on a wider scale. He stated:

Centuries ago Israel was not permitted to enter Palestine for a certain time because 'the iniquity of the Amorites" was "not yet full" (Gen. 15: 16); that is, not until the probationary time allotted to the Amorites had run Out. it may well be that the same principle applies today, on a wider scale. If so, then Jerusalem is to remain trodden down by Gentiles till the probationary time Of all Gentiles has run Out. If this be correct, how much hinges upon the fate of this ancient city and the power that occupies it! (Ibid., pp. 230-231)

As noted above, in taking this position, Maxwell reverted back to the position taken by James Edson White in his book - The Coming King. White wrote:

We also read that "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (Luke 21:24). Jerusalem has never again come into the possession of the Jews and will not until •the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." This will be when the work of the gospel is finished. (1898 ed., p. 98)

Up until 1947, in our evangelistic publications, we taught that there would never be again a Jewish State. Then in 1948, we were shocked into reality because a Jewish State - Israel -did come into existence short of Jerusalem. Maxwell at the 1952 Bible Conference said that "as by an unseen hand" the Jewish forces were "mysteriously... held back "from achieving this most cherished goal" of retaking Jerusalem. Then he asked, "What could be the reason?" and answered his own question - "Only that the times of the Gentiles are not yet fulfilled." That was in 1952.

Now we are faced with certain other realities with which we must be concerned. In 1967, in the Six-Day War, Israeli military forces took Jerusalem, thus restoring to Jewish control the city. However, the Capital of the State of Israel remained in Tel Aviv. Then in 1980, the entire Jewish government - The Supreme Court, the Knesset, the office of both the President and Prime Minister - was moved to Jerusalem. The prophecy of Jesus had met its complete fulfillment. And yet, here we are still in time. Again, it is obvious that this prophetic interpretation has failed us. How are we to relate to this fulfilled prophecy? Ignore it? We dare not - it was a prophecy Jesus gave!

You ask, why two dates? In 1967, Jerusalem was captured but not until 13 years later in 1980 was the government moved to Jerusalem, thus occupying the city and bringing it once more under full control of the State of Israel. Let us consider this question.

Luke, in both his Gospel and the book of Acts, uses twenty times the word translated, "until" 1). But three different times, he combined with the preposition a relative, making it an idiomatic expression - achri hQ!Q ( axpt 'co). One of these times was in Luke 21:24. The other two times are in the book of Acts. It is the last use in Acts which helps us to understand best the meaning of this idiomatic expression.

Take your Bible and turn to Acts 27. Paul, as a prisoner, was on his way to Rome. The ship in the midst of storm was in trouble. All aboard had fasted for fourteen days. Then the record reads - "and while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take food" (ver. 33 KJV) The word, "While" is a translation of the words, achri hou. What does it mean - "while the day was coming on"? This morning as I left the library to go home for breakfast, in the east were the first glimmers of light. In a brief period of time, the sun arose above the horizon and all the shades of night disappeared. The day was coming on. To describe that brief but definite span of time, Luke used the idiomatic Greek expression - achri hou. The 'times of the Gentiles" ended in a brief period of time marked by an event in the history of Jerusalem both at its beginning in 1967, and its ending in 1980.

You may now ask another question: "Are we not introducing something new in prophetic interpretation which is without precedent?" No! Let me give you an illustration. In 533 A.D, Justinian issued a decree establishing the Bishop of Rome the supreme ruler in the West. However, it was not until 538 A.D., that Belisarius, Justinian's general , with force of arms put into effect the decree. We begin the prophecy of the 1260 years not with 533, but with 538. "The times of the Gentiles" closes not with 1967, but with 1980, although the event in 1967 alerted us to what was about to take place had we had eyes to see and ears to hear.

Into this picture for Adventists, there are some factors that must be introduced and understood. In 1901 , Ellen G. White wrote to Dr. P.T. Magan, that now very familiar warning. It read:

We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel, but for Christ's sake, His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action. (M-184-1901)

Now what was said in 1901? "We may have to remain here in this world...many more years". Have we? WE'RE HERE! The very fact that we are here, many years after 1901 attests to the accuracy of the possibility and should tell us something. The statement also infers that we shouldn't be here! "We may have to remain." It was not God's purpose that we should so remain. Why? Various events that were indicated had already occurred. Let us review some history.

In the Review & Herald (Nov. 22, 1892) Ellen G. White had written:

The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.

Why was "The time of test...just upon us"? In August of 1892, a National Sunday Law had been attached as a rider to an appropriation bill and signed into law by President Harrison. It was a period of pronounced Sunday law agitation. In the closing years of the previous decade, Ellen White had noted a National Sunday Law as a sign for God's people. (Keep in mind "time and place. )

Now I ask you a further question. Can you show me a single reference in the Writings - and I have asked many; I cannot find it - that after 1901, Ellen White ever referred to a National Sunday Law as a "sign" for God's people? Three weeks later, she did write about the "false Sabbath" being "enforced by an oppressive law' but does not note it as a "National Sunday Law," but as an event to occur "after the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations." (R&H, Dec. 13, 1892) Something went wrong, which caused the warning that 'We may have to remain here...many more years."

However, in the very year that this warning was given 1901 - Ellen White directed attention to another "sign" by which we would know the end was indeed "upon us." She wrote:

In the twenty-first chapter of Luke, Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem, and with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Letter 20, 1901; Counsels to Writers, pp. 23-24)

I ask you - in 1901 , when Ellen White indicated that "we may have to remain here...many more years" with what events had she that very year connected the end? A National Sunday Law? No! She connected it with events in Jerusalem and said study Luke 21. Now what is in Luke 21 , that one does not find in Mark 13 or Matthew 24? Only one thing - "And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." This event would signal 'the scenes which were to take place just prior to the coming of the Son of man" the second time. What then does the fulfillment of Luke 21 :24 in 1980 tell us, if anything? It shouts loud and clear that we have reached the end of time. We are at the very end of human history as we know it today. We stand at the very border of the eternal kingdom and we need to recognize that fact.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Ready When Christ Returns

THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB
Verse 10: "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut."


There are two thing which the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments illustrate by marriage: First, the union of God's people in all past ages, as well as at the present time, with their Lord; second, Christ's reception of the throne of David, which is the New Jerusalem. But union of believers with their Lord has existed since the days of Adam, and cannot be regarded as the marriage of the Lamb. It is supposed that Isaiah (54:5) speaks of the church when he says, "Thy Maker is thine husband;" but Paul, in Gal.4, applies this prophecy to the New Jerusalem. Says John, speaking of Christ, "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom." John 3:29. That Christ is here represented in his relation to his followers by a bridegroom, and his followers by a bride, is true; but that he and they are here called the bridegroom and bride, is not true. No one believes that the event called the marriage of the Lamb took place eighteen hundred years since. 


Paul, in writing to the church, 2Cor.11:2, says, "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ." But does this prove that the marriage of the Lamb took place in Corinth? or, did Paul only wish to represent by marriage, the union which he had effected, through the gospel, between Christ and the church at Corinth? He also says, Eph.5:23, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church." But please turn and read from verse 22, and it will be seen that Paul's subject is the relation and duty of man and wife to each other. This is illustrated and enforced by the relation of Christ and the church. Those who suppose that Paul is here defining who the Lamb's wife is, are greatly mistaken. That is not his subject. He commences. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands." Verse 22. "Husbands, love your wives." Verse 25. 


The marriage of the Lamb does not cover the entire period of probation, in which believers are united to their Lord, from Adam to the close of probation. It is one event, to take place at one point of time, and that is just prior to the resurrection of the just. Then what is the bride in the marriage of the Lamb? Said the angel to John, "Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." Rev.21:9. Did the angel show John the church? "And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God." Verse 10.


The New Jerusalem is also represented as the mother. "But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." Gal.4:26. Christ is represented (Isa.9:6) as the "everlasting Father" of his people; the New Jerusalem, the mother, and the subjects of the first resurrection, the children. And, beyond all doubt, the resurrection of the just is represented by birth. How appropriate, then, is the view that the marriage of the Lamb takes place in Heaven before the Lord comes, and before the children of the great family of Heaven are brought forth at the resurrection of the just. 


Let those who are disposed to cling to the old view that the church is the bride, and that the marriage is after Christ comes, and the saints are caught up to Heaven, answer the following questions: 
1. Who are illustrated by the man found at the marriage, Matt.
22, not having on the wedding garment? Will any be caught up by mistake, to be bound hand and foot, and cast down to the earth again? 
2. If the church is the bride, who are they that are called to the marriage as guests? 
3. Jerusalem above is the mother of the children of promise; but if the church is the Lamb's wife, who are the children? 


The marriage of the Lamb is Christ's reception of the throne of David, or his own throne, which is the New Jerusalem above. That city is finally to come down upon the new earth, to be the capital of the everlasting kingdom. The event illustrated by the coming of the bridegroom in the parable, is thus described by the prophet: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and the brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him." Dan.7:13,14. This language describes a grand transaction in Heaven between the Father and the Son. The Son, at his second advent to this world, does not approach the Father. So far from this, the apostle represents the Father as remaining in Heaven, and sending his Son. "And he [the Father] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you." Acts 3:20. 


The words of the Psalmist are to the point: "Ask of me [says the Father to the Son], and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Ps.2:8,9. Before the Son makes his second advent to this world, he receives from the Father "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom." 


After the coronation of the King of kings, or the marriage of the Lamb, the opening heavens will reveal him coming in grandeur and in glory, leading on the armies of Heaven to the last great conflict with the beast, the false prophet, and the kings of the earth. See Rev.19. "His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns." "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords." His mission then will be to "judge and make war." He will then destroy his enemies, and redeem his people. The marriage is over, and his people are still waiting his return. The true position of the waiting ones is thus described: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding." Luke 12:35,36. 


In the parable, while the foolish virgins were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came; those that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Our position is, that before the second advent, events take place on earth and in Heaven, connected with the experience and history of those who are called out to wait for the Lord, which may be, and will be, likened, or compared, to the several events of an eastern marriage named by our Lord. The bridegroom, in  the parable, represents Christ. The coming of the bridegroom, and the marriage, in the parable, represent events that take place in Heaven in connection with the reception of the throne of the immortal kingdom by the rightful heir, Jesus Christ. The marriage of the Lamb takes place before the second advent, so that at Christ's second appearing he returns from the wedding. These facts will appear evident from a close examination of Ps.2:8,9; Dan.7:13,14; Matt.12:36.


The shutting of the door, in this parable, does not represent the closing of human probation, sometimes called the shutting of the door of mercy. That last decisive event is at the close of Christ's ministration in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, and is spoken of by our Lord thus: "When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are." Luke 13:25. That is when Jesus rises from his mediatorial work, lays off his priestly garments, and puts on his royal robes. Then will the King of kings proclaim in Heaven, to be repeated by the church on earth: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him the righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me." Rev.22:11,12. "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of Thy people, and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was." Dan.12:1. 


But the shut door of the parable illustrates the closing of Christ's work in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, at the end of the 2300 prophetic days of Dan.8:14, when the heavenly Bridegroom entered upon that last work of atonement which is to terminate with his union with the throne of the immortal kingdom." 


At that time Christ closed one distinct ministration, or shut the door of the holy place, and opened another distinct ministration, or opened the door of the most holy place, as he, the great high priest, entered it to cleanse the sanctuary. 


This open, and this shut, door, are thus spoken of in the address to the Philadelphia church: "These things saith He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Rev.3:7,8.


The term, "key of David," in this text, has direct reference to Christ's reception of the throne of David, which is his rightful throne, the throne of the immortal kingdom. And the entire address to the Philadelphia (brotherly love) church applies to that glorious period in the history of Adventists, when, by the power of the midnight cry in the autumn of 1844, every heart beat in union, and every voice was raised in the joyful proclamation, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." Was the door of mercy then shut? No! The truth is so far from this that the Coming One declares to his dear, waiting people, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door."


This door our great High Priest opened when he entered upon the work of cleansing the heavenly sanctuary from the sins of all his people. Before the ark of the ten commandments and the mercy-seat, he stands, ready to offer his blood in behalf of all who will, by faith, enter with him. 
Verses 11-13: "Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch, therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." The wise virgins represent those who occupied a correct position in 1844, and those who still receive it and adhere to it. These were in a state of acceptance with Christ, and could be represented as going in with him to the marriage. And do not the foolish virgins, who came afterward represent those who in 1854 occupied an erroneous position in regard to the prophetic periods? 


The light upon the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary had been given. The open door of the most holy place, revealing the ark of the ten commandments, had been set before all Adventists. But many closed their eyes, and rebelled against the law of God in that ark. The rejection of so clear light left them exposed to the terrible delusion of a false time movement in 1854. And the folly of these timeists is manifested in that they have departed from the true position on time, have rejected the open door, and are in rebellion against the law of God. 
******* CONCLUDED
In light of history (147 years after this written work) we have to comprehend just how far people have come from the truth. The Seventh-day Adventist corporate church has apostatized greatly, never to be restored to its former position. What is left of God's truth seekers and followers? Small groups of people here and there whose hearts belong to God!  May we be God's now and always! All through faith in the Son of God, in the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!!!!!!!




 *******
Continued from yesterday's study….


This study is on an article written 147 years ago.  So much has happened in our world since then. Some of the things in here will sound strange to us, and some may not seem relevant now. Time and place truly are necessary in all things. May God forever and always guide us ONLY to HIS truth in all we read, in all we study, all through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!


*******
The Second Coming of Christ  BY ELD. JAMES WHITE.


"What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" - DISCIPLES.  
"When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." - JESUS.

The Foolish, and the Wise- Which Are You?

PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS

Chap.25:1-4: "Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." 

The twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth chapters of Matthew are one connected discourse. The parable of the ten virgins of chapter 25, is a further illustration of the great subject of the second advent, treated in the previous chapter, especially of the action of the wise and the evil servants, given in the closing part of it. "Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened [compared, Campbell's translation] unto ten virgins." At the very time when both these classes of servants are manifested, may the kingdom of Heaven be compared to an eastern marriage. The parable, then, does not have a general application; but illustrates the kingdom of Heaven at a particular time. There can be no mistake on this point. 

Some have desired to obtain a correct account of an eastern marriage, that they might better understand this parable. But let it be understood that our Saviour has here given the desired history, and testifies that the kingdom of Heaven shall be likened, or compared, unto it.

 

The kingdom of Heaven is not the future kingdom of glory. The parable can in no wise illustrate that kingdom. The term here, as in many other places in the New Testament, applies to the work of grace; or, more definitely expressed, it refers to the great second advent movement, caused by the power of the word and Spirit of God upon the minds and hearts of men. 

The ten virgins illustrate those who professed faith in the evidences of the soon coming of Christ, based upon fulfilled and fulfilling prophecy, and the signs of the times. Their lamps represent the word of God. Ps.119:105; 2Pet.1:19. The oil may illustrate abiding faith, produced by a thorough work of the word and Spirit of God upon the hearts and lives of men. The difference, then, between those illustrated by the foolish, and the wise virgins, is that one class rest in that faith which alone is the result of theory, while the other class have that abiding faith which results not only from theory, but also from the work of grace wrought by the word and Spirit of God. And in the great advent movement, these two classes have been clearly manifested. 

Verses 5-7: "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps." The bridegroom in this parable represents Jesus Christ, and the tarrying of the bridegroom clearly shows a disappointment on the part of those looking for his second coming, and a consequent delay. The first point of expectation, as expressed in the title page of Wm.Miller's nineteen lectures, was "about the year 1843." This time passed, and believers, for as time, sank into a position which is well represented by the words, "They all slumbered and slept." 

In the summer of 1844, it was seen that those evidences which had been relied upon as proof that the 2300 prophetic days of Dan.8, would end in the year 1843, proved that they would terminate in 1844. The entire body of believers had been united, agreeing with Wm.Miller that the 2300 days dated from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, B.C. 457. This point settled, the figures 1843 were readily found: 

 From     2300  Take     457       _______

     And there remains     1843

But it was seen that it would require 457 full years before Christ, and 1843 full years after Christ, to make 2300 full years; so that if the 2300 years commenced with the first day of B.C. 457, they would reach to the first day of A.D. 1844. It was also seen that this prophetic period did not commence with the year 457, in the spring, but in the autumn of that year; consequently, 2300 full years would terminate in the autumn of 1844. In connection with this view of the subject, a most forcible application of the parable of the ten virgins, and other scriptures, was made, and a most solemn, searching cry went forth to Adventists everywhere, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." This appeal to professed believers went with astonishing rapidity and power, and all were aroused to search the Scriptures with greater care and deeper interest, fitly represented by the words, "Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 

CHARACTER OF THE WORK

As to the character of the work which resulted from giving what was called the midnight cry, it evidently was the special work of God. It was not, as many supposed the result of fanaticism. 

Because it bore the marks of the especial providence of God. It was not characterized by those extremes ever manifested where human excitement, and not the word and Spirit of God, has the controlling influence. It was in harmony with those seasons of humiliation, rending of heart, confession and complete consecration of all, which are matters of history in the Old Testament, and are made matters of duty in the New. 

Because it was subversive of all those forms of fanaticism which had made their appearance somewhat in connection with the second-advent cause. These were at once swallowed up by the solemn power of the midnight cry, as the rods of the magicians were by the rod of Aaron.

Because the work was marked with sobriety, humility, solemnity, reverence, self-examination, repentance, confessions, and tears, instead of lightness, exaltation, trifling, irreverent expressions, self-justification, pride in spiritual things, voluntary humility and will-worship, which generally characterize the conduct of fanatics.

 

Because the work bore the fruit of the Spirit of God, as set forth in the New Testament. It was evidently guided by wisdom from above. The apostle James declares this wisdom to be "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." Chap.3:17. Paul says that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Gal.5:22,23. These are the good fruits of the work and Spirit of God, and these did all appear in an eminent sense as the results of the midnight cry. 

Of all the great religious movements since the days of the first apostles of our Lord, none stand out more pure and free from the imperfections of human nature and the wiles of Satan, than that of the autumn of 1844. In fact, after looking back upon it for more than twenty-six years as the greenest spot on all the way in which God has led his people, we do not see how it could have been better, at least so far as the direct providence and work of God is concerned. It was beyond the control of human hands, or human minds. Men and demons sought to hinder and to mar this work; but the power that attended it brushed away their influence as you would remove a spider's web, and there stood the work of God, free from the print of a man's hand. 

The Advent Shield published in January, 1845, bears testimony to the character of that work, in words of truth and soberness. And let it be borne in mind of truth and soberness. And let it be borne in mind that the Shield was a standard work, of 440 pages, for all Adventists at that time, and that the following testimony from it was not published till about three months after the seventh-month movement, when Adventists had taken time to review the past, and settle, as was supposed, upon a firm, united position:  "It produced everywhere the most deep searching of heart and humiliation of soul before the God of high Heaven. It caused a weaning of affections from the things of this world, a healing of the controversies and animosities, a confession of wrongs, a breaking down before God, and penitent, broken-hearted supplications to him for pardon and acceptance. It caused self-abasement and prostration of soul, such as we never before witnessed." 

Verses 8,9: "And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." Those who had no part in the great advent movement can scarcely form any idea of that work. But those who took part in that work know that the burden of testimony to believers everywhere was that the preparation was an individual work. All were faithfully warned to look to God, and obtain an individual experience. The urgent requests for help from those in whom the work had been superficial, and the faithful responses of those who had the work at heart, are well illustrated by the above conversation between the foolish and wise virgins. 

*******

Continued from yesterday's study….

This study is on an article written 147 years ago.  So much has happened in our world since then. Some of the things in here will sound strange to us, and some may not seem relevant now. Time and place truly are necessary in all things. May God forever and always guide us ONLY to HIS truth in all we read, in all we study, all through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

*******

The Second Coming of Christ  BY ELD. JAMES WHITE.

"What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" - DISCIPLES.  

"When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." - JESUS.

*******

TO BE CONTINUED….