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Chapter 9
- The Desire of Ages (Chapter 76-77)
DA 716: “The
history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that might have
been honored of God. Had Judas died before his last journey to Jerusalem,
he would have been regarded as a man worthy of a place among the
twelve, and one who would be greatly missed. The abhorrence which
has followed him through the centuries would not have existed, but
for the attributes revealed at the close of his history. But it
was for a purpose that his character was laid open to the world.
It was to be a warning to all who, like him, should betray sacred
trusts.
“... Through
becoming the slave of one vice he gave himself to Satan, to be driven
to any lengths in sin.”
The testimony
of Judas is a solemn warning left for all to understand that we
may fool all around us for a time, but we cannot fool God. I know
that I take the experience of Judas very seriously. It tells me
that all people, especially pastors whether Conference or Independent
who continue to break sacred trusts will in no wise enter God’s
kingdom. It also tells me that although it is right to support those
whom God has raised up to lead, we need to keep our eyes fixed on
Jesus Christ and not man.
How solemn to
realize that one cherished sin will keep us out of heaven. How many
of us have clung to some cherished idol knowing deep inside that
we need to let it go and telling ourselves that we will, tomorrow?
But tomorrow never comes, Brothers and Sisters. Letting go of our
sin will never get any easier than it will be today. Now is the
time to make this resolve and cling to the Rock of Jesus Christ.
The Lord loves us, but be certain that no matter what we may think
we have accomplished in this life, if we cling to one vice He will
not make exception for us. Either we will make Jesus bigger than
our sin or our sin will become bigger in our life than Jesus.
DA 717: “He
felt in his own person the evidence of Christ’s power. He recognized
the teaching of Christ as superior to all that he had ever heard.
He loved the great Teacher, and desired to be with Him. He felt
a desire to be changed in character and life, and he hoped to experience
this through connecting himself with Jesus. The Saviour did not
repulse Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted
him to do the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to
heal the sick and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to
the point of surrendering himself fully to Christ. He did not give
up his worldly ambition or his love of money. While he accepted
the position of a minister of Christ, he did not bring himself under
the divine moulding. He felt that he could retain his own judgment
and opinions, and he cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.”
Of course, the
above principle applies to each soul, but the specific lesson in
this paragraph is regarding a pastor. Pastors have been given a
broad scope of influence because of the position they hold and,
therefore, that position is a serious one. With this position comes
all the dangers that were the end of Judas. A large number of pastors
will share the fate of Judas because they have abused their sacred
trust and brought others, not to Jesus, but to their own perverted
teachings. And let us not forget that Judas was an Independent Leader.
DA 720: “At
the reproof from Jesus his very spirit seemed turned to gall. Wounded
pride and desire for revenge broke down the barriers, and the greed
so long indulged held him in control. This will be the experience
of every one who persists in tampering with sin. The elements of
depravity that are not resisted and overcome, respond to Satan’s
temptation, and the soul is led captive at his will.”
These few words
that you just read are full of instruction and warning that we all
must reflect upon. We must plead with the Lord to help us to be
honest with ourselves and to be open with our weaknesses in our
dealings with Him. Please notice that it doesn’t say that this might
be the experience of every one who persists... but this WILL be
the experience!
Pride is a dreadful
killer. It stalks its prey slowly, its danger undetected at first
until it finally consumes its possessor. I have taken stock of what
some of the attributes of pride are and one thing that is most scary
is that pride is what I’ll call super- self protecting. Even when
you recognize that you have the problem, when it raises its ugly
head and is in control, it can take total possession. Pride, it
almost seems, has a life of its own. I believe it to be a most dangerous
vice. Another problem is, when the Lord allows a man to accomplish
much, we human beings must be extremely guarded, for pride is a
natural tendency of the human heart. Pride spoils the best of blessings
and can ruin a life that otherwise would have been full of glory
as demonstrated in the life of Judas. Even if someone has preached
the straight truth for years, pride is so bad that those who cling
to it will finally lose all reason and seek to literally annihilate
those who dare to expose their sins. I have personally seen this
in action. Everything goes along smoothly and it’s fine to expose
the sins of others, but when you point out a concern for the one
who is cherishing pride, although you thought this person to be
a good friend, he can turn on you with a vengeance. This turning
is for no other reason than pride that is filling the heart. Pride
is why the church of two thousand years ago killed God. We must
recognize it for what it is and give it to Jesus. He alone can cure
this cancer.
DA 721- 22:
“As the trial drew to a close, Judas could endure the torture of
his guilty conscience no longer. Suddenly a hoarse voice rang through
the hall, sending a thrill of terror to all hearts: He is innocent;
spare Him, O Caiaphas!
“The tall form
of Judas was now seen pressing through the startled throng. His
face was pale and haggard, and great drops of sweat stood on his
forehead. Rushing to the throne of judgment, he threw down before
the high priest the pieces of silver that had been the price of
his Lord’s betrayal. Eagerly grasping the robe of Caiaphas, he implored
him to release Jesus, declaring that He had done nothing worthy
of death. Caiaphas angrily shook him off, but was confused, and
knew not what to say. The perfidy of the priests was revealed. It
was evident that they had bribed the disciple to betray his Master.
“ ‘I have sinned,
’ again cried Judas, ‘in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.
’ But the high priest, regaining his self- possession, answered
with scorn, ‘What is that to us? See thou to that. ’ (Matt. 27:
4.) The priests had been willing to make Judas their tool; but they
despised his baseness. When he turned to them with confession, they
spurned him.”
This will be
the fearful experience of many a pastor who has falsified his sacred
obligations. Even the devil, although he uses these people, hates
a coward. The experience of Judas’ terror will be replayed by every
pastor and all in positions of influence, no matter what “group”
they are in, who choose not to let go of their pride. Pride is the
ultimate lie about oneself. It says to its lover that he is something
he is not. It strokes the ego of man until man forgets that NOTHING
good can ever be accomplished by any person unless God sees to it.
No man deserves anything but death, yet pride robs God of His goodness
and perverts man into thinking God’s glory belongs to himself. The
true Christian understands and realizes that if the Lord gives him
anything good to do, it is a privilege and nothing else. This realized
privilege, in turn, melts the heart of its receiver and the glory
continues to be returned to the rightful owner — God.
DA 722: “Judas
now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be the
Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour did
not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his
confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of
condemnation and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep,
heart- breaking grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God,
and denied the Holy One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation.”
In this act of “repentance” is a future scene brought to light which
can be found in Revelation, chapter 3, verse 9. At that time it
will be seen that these people do have a church. But the church
they belong to is the synagogue of Satan.
DA 723: “In
the judgment- hall of Pilate, the Roman governor, Christ stands
bound as a prisoner. About Him are the guard of soldiers, and the
hall is fast filling with spectators. Just outside the entrance
are the judges of the Sanhedrin, priests, rulers, elders, and the
mob.
“After condemning
Jesus, the council of the Sanhedrin had come to Pilate to have the
sentence confirmed and executed. But these JEWISH OFFICIALS would
not enter the Roman judgment- hall. According to their ceremonial
law they would be defiled thereby, and thus prevented from taking
part in the feast of the Passover. IN THEIR BLINDNESS THEY DID NOT
SEE that murderous hatred had defiled their hearts.”
In parallel
terms, who were the judges of the Sanhedrin, priests, rulers, elders,
and the mob? They were none other than the Conference Committee,
pastors, Conference workers, and elders or otherwise the acknowledged
“Adventist Church” of their day. It certainly doesn’t take a degree
to figure out this simple truth. Another truth is that we are repeating
the history of our spiritual forefathers! The same spiritual pride
is blinding the majority so that they do not know who and what the
church is. In reality just as it was two thousand years ago, most
will not see the truth until it’s too late! Run to the Lord, friend,
and plead with Him not to let this happen to you. God’s people must
understand what it means to be let go to a reprobate mind. The strong
delusions and the deception to come upon the unconsecrated mind
will be total.
DA 724: “Again
Pilate asked, ‘What accusation bring ye against this man? ’ The
priests did not answer his question, but in words that showed their
irritation, they said. ‘If He were not a malefactor, we would not
have delivered Him up unto thee. ’ When those composing the Sanhedrin,
the first men of the nation, bring to you a man they deem worthy
of death, is there need to ask for an accusation against him? They
hoped to impress Pilate with a sense of their importance, and thus
lead him to accede to their request without going through many preliminaries.
They were eager to have their sentence ratified; for they knew that
the people who had witnessed Christ’s marvelous works could tell
a story very different from the fabrication they themselves were
now rehearsing.”
What is happening
to Historic Adventists across this nation and around the world (within
the structure) not only mirrors what happened between Pilate and
Christ, but what will happen in the courts again. The Apostate Adventist
Leaders could not bear up under honest scrutiny and this is why
they pressed their own authority instead of the authority of God’s
Word. Many today are being brought either under censure or disfellowshipped
on a charge that is the same — not respecting properly constituted
church authority. This charge, the same tactic used by the ancient
forefathers, is now being utilized by the modern- day Sanhedrin.
For a time it may seem that they have the upper hand, but in reality
their authority will be short- lived.
DA 725: “The
priests were in a dilemma. They saw that they must cloak their hypocrisy
under the thickest concealment. They must not allow it to appear
that Christ had been arrested on religious grounds. Were this put
forward as a reason, their proceedings would have no weight with
Pilate. They must make it appear that Jesus was working against
the common law; then He could be punished as a political offender.”
Now, why do
you suppose the Ancient Adventist Conference was trying desperately
to keep the focus away from religious grounds? They knew that this
exposure would show their true purpose and reveal them for who they
really were. Their type of argumentation has already been seen today
in the modern Adventist structure and will be seen in the courts
soon enough.
DA 726: “With
noisy cries, priests, scribes, and rulers demanded that He be sentenced
to death. The cries were taken up by the mob, and the uproar was
deafening. Pilate was confused. Seeing that Jesus made no answer
to His accusers, Pilate said to Him, ‘Answerest Thou nothing? behold
how many things they witness against Thee. But Jesus yet answered
nothing. ’
“Standing behind
Pilate, in view of all in the court, Christ heard the abuse; but
to all the false charges against Him, He answered not a word. His
whole bearing gave evidence of conscious innocence. He stood unmoved
by the fury of the waves that beat about Him. It was as if the heavy
surges of wrath, rising higher and higher, like the waves of the
boisterous ocean, broke about Him, but did not touch Him. He stood
silent, but His silence was eloquence. It was a light shining from
the inner to the outer man.”
God speaks to
each heart so we know when we are defending self, even in the midst
of a religious battle. The spirit of Jesus shines brightest when
we refuse to defend self during those times when we are being abused
for His name’s sake.
DA 727: “Christ
affirmed that His word was in itself a key which would unlock the
mystery to those who were prepared to receive it. It had a self-
commending power, and this was the secret of the spread of His kingdom
of truth.”
Spiritual things
are spiritually discerned. If the message we bear, either verbally
or physically, is not a continual self- commending message (an understanding
of soul value), it is not of Christ. Those who see Jesus will discern
whether or not a man is walking with Christ. Those who live by heavenly
principles, keeping their eyes firmly fixed on their Leader, will
be able to rightly judge what is the truth about that man. Remember,
it is not so much what is preached but what is lived that is the
factor which determines whether or not a man is converted. Those
who are convinced merely by the words that a man preaches can be
fooled as those same people would have been in their opinions of
Judas. In thus being fooled, they place themselves in a position
of disadvantage with Satan. He then has an opportunity to have some
control of the person who places confidence in the one preaching
who is not truly converted.
DA 727: “These
words from a heathen judge were a scathing rebuke to the perfidy
and falsehood of the rulers of Israel who were accusing the Saviour.
As the priests and elders heard this from Pilate, their disappointment
and rage knew no bounds. They had long plotted and waited for this
opportunity. As they saw the prospect of the release of Jesus, they
seemed ready to tear Him in pieces.”
Be not fooled!
Even today there are those of us who realize the Conference is plotting
to “do in” certain individuals and certain Independent Ministries.
The true reasons and the arguments starting to surface are strangely
similar to those of long ago. We are not blind to the forecast on
the horizon. There are many who may be unwary of these things, but
be certain that not everyone is. The Lord has left us these plain
Testimonies for serious contemplation and not everyone will forsake
the Word of the Lord. While the majority are literally “dumping”
the Spirit of Prophecy, there are others who are praising God’s
Holy Name for this extended blessing.
DA 728: “Angry
voices were now heard, declaring that the seditious influence of
Jesus was well known throughout the country.”
Sedition — conduct
or language inciting to rebellion against the authority of the state.
The ancient
leaders were, in fact, worried about Christ causing rebellion but
not against the state! They are still worried today about the same
thing. It will be seen in the future that this concern for the overthrow
of their own apostate power will be transferred to the state level
in order that testimony might be brought against God’s true people.
Our own books reveal out how it will all end as in the trial of
Jesus we can clearly define our own future, whether we are faithful
or among those who are not.
DA 729: “Herod
questioned Christ in many words, but throughout the Saviour maintained
a profound silence. At the command of the king, the decrepit and
maimed were then called in, and Christ was ordered to prove His
claims by working a miracle. Men say that Thou canst heal the sick,
said Herod. I am anxious to see that Thy wide- spread fame has not
been belied. Jesus did not respond, and Herod still continued to
urge: If Thou canst work miracles for others, work them now for
Thine own good, and it will serve Thee a good purpose. Again he
commanded, Show us a sign that Thou hast the power with which rumor
hath accredited Thee. But Christ was as one who heard and saw not.
The Son of God had taken upon Himself man’s nature. He must do as
man must do in like circumstances. Therefore He would not work a
miracle to save Himself the pain and humiliation that man must endure
when placed in a similar position.”
If we could
but understand what Christ was willing to do because of His love
for us while we were yet His enemies. I have heard not a few claim
that Christ had an advantage in His overcoming sin that we don’t
have. I shudder to think what many of us would have done if we had
the power that was Christ’s, which He chose not to use for our sakes.
The statement above shows that in many ways Christ had a decided
disadvantage which made His journey as an overcomer all the more
difficult. Jesus took no “advantage” that we cannot take if we choose
to have it. The problem is not with any advantage or disadvantage
but with people who murmur about wanting to go to heaven while clinging
to their cherished sins. We can’t have it both ways.
DA 730: “Again
the priests and rulers, in great anxiety, urged their accusations
against Him. Raising their voices, they declared, He is a traitor,
a blasphemer. He works His miracles through the power given Him
by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.”
When people
credit Lucifer with the work of God or the other way around, they
are the ones guilty of blaspheming. It would be wise to understand
that not all claimed miracles are such nor are they from the Lord.
Another point to ponder is the true works of God, done by the true
and the faithful, will be misaligned by those who wish to discredit
the influence of the servant. We should know that this will be the
lot of those who choose to stand on the side of the Lord. When these
events come about (it’s already started), we cannot afford to allow
them to discourage us. We must take a firm resolve as did Job and
stay on course no matter who brings us a discouraging report, even
if it be our “friends.”
I think I’ll
take an opportunity here to mention the subject of gossip in the
church. Please understand, gossip is a form of murder. When rightly
understood, it will be detested by God’s people. Reporting that
which is true within the framework of God’s principles is proper,
but in many cases these principles are not followed. A gossiper
is one who reports without verifying the truth of the matter. A
gossiper is one who reports publicly the shortcomings of one who
is truly not rebellious or in open sin but who is struggling to
overcome. A gossiper is one who is more interested in the destruction
of the one being spoken of than in his salvation. I can assure you
that no gossipers will be found in heaven. Before we go reporting
on someone, let’s consider our own motivation and let’s make sure
we have followed Biblical principle.
Having said
that, let’s also understand and accept the fact that the majority
have no interest in what is written above and therefore gossip will
continue and get worse. It happened to Jesus and He told His disciples
that it would happen to them. As we follow God’s principles as true
followers, it will save us much grief in at least two ways. We ourselves
will not be gossipers and when we hear gossip, if we follow God’s
principles, will find out the truth before we believe what was said
or pass it on. I believe if this one evil was overcome, it would
be a great blessing to us. A gossiper literally invites the devil
to dine at his table.
DA 731: “No
sooner were these words spoken, than a rush was made for Christ.
Like wild beasts, the crowd darted upon their prey. Jesus was dragged
this way and that, Herod joining the mob in seeking to humiliate
the Son of God. Had not the Roman soldiers interposed, and forced
back the maddened throng, the Saviour would have been torn in pieces.”
Once again I ask the question, who made up the crowd that made Jesus
a prey? Who was the crowd that the Roman soldiers had to stop? If
it had been left to the “church” two thousand years ago, it would
have torn Jesus to bits! There is indeed a future fulfillment of
this scene and the players represented at the trial of Christ will
all be in their places to act out their parts.
DA 731- 2: “He
had declared that Jesus was innocent, yet he was willing for Him
to be scourged to pacify His accusers. He would sacrifice justice
and principle, in order to compromise with the mob. This placed
him at a disadvantage. The crowd presumed upon his indecision, and
clamored the more for the life of the prisoner. If at the first
Pilate had stood firm, refusing to condemn a man whom he found guiltless,
he would have broken the fatal chain that was to bind him in remorse
and guilt as long as he lived. Had he carried out his convictions
of right, the Jews would not have presumed to dictate to him. Christ
would have been put to death, but the guilt would not have rested
upon Pilate. But Pilate had taken step after step in the violation
of his conscience. He had excused himself from judging with justice
and equity, and he now found himself almost helpless in the hands
of the priests and rulers. His wavering and indecision proved his
ruin.”
The principles
of action displayed by Pilate are a sad testimony of how many are
acting, right now. Rather than taking a stand for the truth as it
is in Jesus, many pastors and laity alike are swarming to the popular
side. This fatal mistake can be changed but only by taking a firm
stand for what is right and leaving the consequences with God. Those
who cannot bring themselves to trust totally in the Lord will have
no place with Him.
An example of
this in today’s Adventist society is that many times of late I have
heard complaints about placing such books as the Great Controversy
in the forefront. The comments generally go something like this:
“You are bringing on a time of trouble before it is time.” These
comments are coming from the laity and Conference folks alike. At
the same time these comments are being made, we have clear testimony
in numerous places that tells us that God could have come over a
hundred years ago if we would have done our part. To the unbelieving,
the comment of bringing on a time of trouble prematurely will ALWAYS
be valid. What is really being stated, however, to the discerning
mind is that we want to live out our lives in peace and wish not
to be disturbed. In this generation, the evidence is clear that
everyone’s peace will be disturbed. The Lord is convincing many
that it’s time to go into the promised land. I firmly believe that
no matter what the complaint, this work is on its way to completion
and nothing will stop it this time. It was the murmuring of Israel
which kept them out of the promised land and it will be murmuring
that will keep out the majority this time. Let’s pray that we will
stop our murmuring and place our trust and confidence in our Guide
and go home!
DA 733: “He
was confused by his own conflicting emotions. But while he had been
delaying to act, the priests and rulers were still further inflaming
the minds of the people. Pilate was forced to action.”
The “church”
played on the emotions of Pilate. These pastors and administrators
knew how to apply the pressure and they seized this opportunity
with success. Pilate was FORCED into action because his emotions
ruled his principles instead of the other way around. This is why
the big push on the mushy love that’s been pouring from the pulpits
for so long. True love is a combining balance of mercy and justice.
The laity are being force- fed the mercy without the justice which
is nothing more than what we blame other churches for, but with
a different name — cheap grace.
DA 736: “ ‘Speakest
Thou not unto me? Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify
Thee, and have power to release Thee? ’
“Jesus answered,
‘Thou couldst have no power at all against Me, except it were given
thee from above; therefore he that delivered Me unto thee hath the
greater sin. ’”
An extremely
important lesson which we need to ask the Lord to help us to learn
has to do with God’s sovereign power. As we enter into our own experience
of persecution, we must understand what Jesus always knew. What
gave Him the faith to be victorious? He knew that nothing could
happen to Him except as His Father would allow. He knew that His
Father wouldn’t betray Him in His hour of need. This solid belief
allowed Jesus to leave events and consequences fully in His Father’s
hands. This is how to have the faith OF Jesus Christ.
DA 737: “ ‘He
that delivered Me unto thee, ’ said Jesus, ‘hath the greater sin.
’ By this Christ meant Caiaphas, who, as high priest, represented
the Jewish nation. They knew the principles that controlled the
Roman authorities. They had had light in the prophecies that testified
of Christ, and in His own teachings and miracles. The Jewish judges
had received unmistakable evidence of the divinity of Him whom they
condemned to death. And according to their light would they be judged.
“THE GREATEST GUILT AND HEAVIEST RESPONSIBILITY BELONGED TO THOSE
WHO STOOD IN THE HIGHEST PLACES IN THE NATION, THE DEPOSITARIES
OF SACRED TRUSTS THAT THEY WERE BASELY BETRAYING. Pilate, Herod,
and the Roman soldiers were comparatively ignorant of Jesus. They
thought to please the priests and rulers by abusing Him. They had
not the light which the Jewish nation had so abundantly received.
HAD THE LIGHT BEEN GIVEN TO THE SOLDIERS, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TREATED
CHRIST AS CRUELLY AS THEY DID.
“Again Pilate
proposed to release the Saviour. ‘But the Jews cried out saying,
If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend. ’ Thus these
hypocrites pretended to be jealous for the authority of Caesar.
Of all the opponents of the Roman rule, the Jews were most bitter.
When it was safe for them to do so, they were most tyrannical in
enforcing their own national and religious requirements; but when
they desired to bring about some purpose of cruelty, they exalted
the power of Caesar. To accomplish the destruction of Christ, they
would profess loyalty to the foreign rule which they hated.”
Those at the
top who are betraying their sacred trust will be condemned the most
— not by men, but by God!
I want to point
out an insight here and I pray that you grasp it. You will notice
that the ancient Jews hated the Romans but when they needed them,
they would exalt them. Today we hear the Conferences making the
claim that they would never enter into league with the Roman power.
But I ask you this: do you really think that the makeup of the human
brain has changed? If you do, you are sadly mistaken. History has
been and is being repeated because the minds of men have not changed.
So, will an apostate conference go into league with the Roman power?
The answer is seen in the trial of Christ. Jesus is trying to show
us the truth in these matters. IT IS ONLY THOSE WHO ACCEPT THESE
TRUTHS WHO WILL JOIN HIM ON HIS THRONE.
DA 737- 8: “...
by choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish nation had withdrawn from
the theocracy. They had rejected God as their king. Henceforth they
had no deliverer. They had no king but Caesar. To this the priests
and teachers had led the people. For this, with the fearful results
that followed, they were responsible. A NATION’S SIN AND A NATION’S
RUIN WERE DUE TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS.” By choosing the programs
of Babylon and using the courts of the land against other Seventh-
day Adventists, the Conferences have left the theocracy and chosen
a king other than God. We are told in the book Great Controversy
that the religious leaders of this nation will bring about national
ruin. The guilt of this disaster will not rest upon the leaders
of other Protestant churches alone but upon apostate Adventist leaders
as well. As a matter of fact, the guilt of these Adventist leaders
will be the greater because of their greater claim to the truth
of Adventism.
DA 738: “Pilate
longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and
yet retain his own position and honor. Rather than lose his worldly
power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape
loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience
and duty point one way, and self- interest points another. The current
sets strongly in the wrong direction, and he who compromises with
evil is swept away into the thick darkness of guilt.”
Many professed
Christians, not excluding Seventh- day Adventists, will share in
the feelings of Pilate because they are living by the same compromise
he did. We must remember that it is the law of the universe that
for every cause there is an effect. Whatever we choose to do will
have its consequences somewhere down the line. For those of us who
have made our share of mistakes, now is the pristine time to give
our shortcomings to the Lord that the effect of our bad choices
might be minimized and not be held on our account for eternity.
DA 738- 40:
“When Pilate declared himself innocent of the blood of Christ, Caiaphas
answered defiantly, ‘His blood be on us, and on our children. ’
The awful words were taken up by the priests and rulers, and echoed
by the crowd in an inhuman roar of voices. The whole multitude answered
and said, ‘His blood be on us, and on our children. ’
“The people
of Israel had made their choice. Pointing to Jesus they had said,
‘Not this man, but Barabbas. ’ Barabbas, the robber and murderer,
was the representative of Satan. Christ was the representative of
God. Christ had been rejected; Barabbas had been chosen. Barabbas
they were to have. In making this choice they accepted him who from
the beginning was a liar and a murderer. Satan was their leader.
As a nation they would act out his dictation. His works they would
do. His rule they must endure. That people who chose Barabbas in
the place of Christ were to feel the cruelty of Barabbas as long
as time should last.
“Looking upon
the smitten Lamb of God, the Jews had cried, ‘His blood be on us,
and on our children. ’ That awful cry ascended to the throne of
God. That sentence, pronounced upon themselves, was written in heaven.
That prayer was heard. The blood of the Son of God was upon their
children and their children’s children, a perpetual curse. “Terribly
was it realized in the destruction of Jerusalem. Terribly has it
been manifested in the condition of the Jewish nation for eighteen
hundred years, — a branch severed from the vine, a dead, fruitless
branch, to be gathered up and burned. From land to land throughout
the world, from century to century, dead, dead in trespasses and
sins!
“... Those who
mocked and smote Him will be there. The priests and rulers will
behold again the scene in the judgment- hall. Every circumstance
will appear before them, as if written in letters of fire. Then
those who prayed, ‘His blood be on us, and on our children, ’ will
receive the answer to their prayer. Then the whole world will know
and understand. They will realize who and what they, poor, feeble,
finite beings, have been warring against. In awful agony and horror
they will cry to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hide
us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the
wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of His wrath is come, and who
shall be able to stand? ’” (Rev. 6: 16, 17.)
To claim to
be spiritual Israel but not to follow Christ’s instructions is to
share in the curse of “let His blood be upon us and our children!”
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
Copyright ©
1999 Servants of the Saviour
Terry & Cathy Ross
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