Editorial

Strive to Enter the Strait Gate

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Jesus said, “ ‘Strive to enter in at the strait gate;’ ‘for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ These roads are distinct, separate, and in opposite directions. One leads to eternal life, the other to eternal death.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 127

Concerning these two roads Ellen White wrote, “I saw the distinction between these roads, also the distinction between the companies traveling them. The roads are opposite; one is broad and smooth, the other narrow and rugged. So the parties that travel them are opposite in character, in life, in dress, and in conversation.

“Those who travel in the narrow way are talking of the joy and happiness they will have at the end of the journey. Their countenances are often sad, yet often beam with holy, sacred joy. They do not dress like the company in the broad road, nor talk like them, nor act like them. A pattern has been given them. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief opened that road for them, and traveled it Himself. His followers see His footsteps, and are comforted and cheered. He went through safely; so can they, if they follow in His footsteps.

“In the broad road all are occupied with their persons, their dress, and the pleasures in the way. They indulge freely in hilarity and glee, and think not of their journey’s end, of the certain destruction at the end of the path. Every day they approach nearer their destruction; yet they madly rush on faster and faster. Oh, how dreadful this looked to me!

“I saw many traveling in this broad road who had the words written upon them: ‘Dead to the world. The end of all things is at hand. Be ye also ready.’ They looked just like all the vain ones around them, except a shade of sadness which I noticed upon their countenances. Their conversation was just like that of the gay, thoughtless ones around them; but they would occasionally point with great satisfaction to the letters on their garments, calling for the others to have the same upon theirs. They were in the broad way, yet they professed to be of the number who were traveling the narrow way.”  Ibid., 127, 128

Paul wrote that we are to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). It is easy to deceive ourselves while thinking we are on our way to heaven; if our dress, speech, and actions do not immediately make it apparent to all men that we are completely different from those who are of this world, our eternal ruin is sure.

The Road to Persecution

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Today, most of the people in the Western world believe that persecution is a thing of the past, something that uneducated and unenlightened people did back in the Dark Ages. Many have forgotten that those so-called dark ages were actually not that long ago; that many of the same atrocities committed during the Dark Ages have occurred and still occur in modern times. Have you studied the history of Ireland for the last 200 years? Or of Croatia for the last 100 years? Or of Inter-America and South America for the last 50 years?

The Bible predicts that at the end of time, the history of the past—the persecution of the minority living according to the word of God by the majority living according to the philosophy of the world—will be repeated. (See Revelation 13:11–17.) If you live according to the commandments of God (Revelation 14:12), the time is coming when human law will determine that you will be killed and when (Revelation 13:15).

At the present time, such a law cannot be passed as long as the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States remains unchanged.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

This Amendment expresses the philosophy of the founding fathers that church and state were to be completely separate. The state regulates man’s relationship with his fellow man, but is not to attempt to regulate his relationship with his God. The government is not to prefer any single religion above another nor can it interfere in the free exercise of a man’s religion.

The first step on the road to persecution would be to abolish the separation between church and state, allowing the passage of a law regarding religion. When this happens, oppression will follow for anyone whose religious convictions do not align with the majority. There are national movements right now which are attempting to bring in such a change which are endorsed by elected officials in the highest offices in this country. Such a development will usher in the fulfillment of Revelation 13 which will swiftly bring about the end of the world (Compare Revelation 13 and Revelation 14–20).

Are you ready for the end of the world?

The Power that Is Promised to Us

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“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.’ John 14:30.

“We should have no misgivings in regard to the perfect sinlessness of the human nature of Christ.

“He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like passions. As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from evil. He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and privilege.

“He could have sinned; He could have fallen, but not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity.

“In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man is encompassed. … He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are. And yet He ‘knew no sin.’ He was the lamb ‘without blemish and without spot.’ Could Satan in the least particular have tempted Christ to sin, he would have bruised the Saviour’s head. As it was, he could only touch His heel. Had the head of Christ been touched, the hope of the human race would have perished. Divine wrath would have come upon Christ as it came upon Adam. Christ and the church would have been without hope.

“Not even by a thought could Christ be brought to yield to the power of temptation. … Christ declared of Himself, ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.’

“Jesus did not allow the enemy to pull Him into the mire of unbelief, or crowd Him into the mire of despondency and despair.” The Faith I Live By, 49

“Christ’s humanity was united with divinity, and in this strength He would bear all the temptations that Satan could bring against Him, and yet keep His soul untainted by sin. And this power to overcome He would give to every son and daughter of Adam who would accept by faith the righteous attributes of His character.” Medical Missionary, 48  [Emphasis supplied]

How to Be Safe from Delusions and False Doctrines

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“The truths given us after the passing of the time in 1844 are just as certain and unchangeable as when the Lord gave them to us in answer to our urgent prayers. The visions that the Lord has given me are so remarkable that we know that what we have accepted is the truth. This was demonstrated by the Holy Spirit. Light, precious light from God, established the main points of our faith as we hold them today. And these truths are to be kept before the mind.

“The Lord will certainly do great things for us if we will hunger and thirst after righteousness. We are the purchased property of Jesus Christ. We must not lose our devotion, our consecration. We are in conflict with the errors and delusions that have to be swept away from the minds of those who have not acted upon the light they already have. Bible truth is our only safety. I know and understand that we are to be established in the faith, in the light of the truth given us in our early experience. At that time one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures, and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error.

“As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays.

“All these truths are immortalized in my writings. The Lord never denies His word. Men may get up scheme after scheme, and the enemy will seek to seduce souls from the truth, but all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White, and has given her a message, will be safe from the many delusions that will come in in these last days.”  Manuscript Releases, Vol. 8, 319, 320 (Letter 50 to Elder W. W. Simpson, January 30, 1906.)

Knowing the Time

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“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11

“We have been asleep, as it were, regarding the work that may be accomplished by the circulation of well-prepared literature. Let us now, by the wise use of periodicals and books, preach the word with determined energy, that the world may understand the message that Christ gave to John on the Isle of Patmos. Let every human intelligence who professes the name of Christ testify: ‘The end of all things is at hand; prepare to meet thy God.’ ” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, 61, 62

“The coming of the Lord is nearer than when we first believed. The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. … Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? …

“We are to prepare the way for Him by acting our part in getting a people ready for that great day.” The Review and Herald, November 12, 1914

“Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 342

“It is a Christian duty to study the best ways of helping the people. No one is to make the way to Christ wearisome and objectionable. Remove everything that would obstruct the path.” The Signs of the Times, August 12, 1897

“All our works must be wrought in God. Each one is to do his own work in the Lord’s vineyard. We must not look for someone else to do the work that lies directly in our pathway. Personal responsibilities must be borne; personal duties must be taken up; personal efforts must be made for those who do not know Christ. And for those who do this work in faith, the Holy Spirit will work as [He] worked for the disciples on the day of Pentecost.” Ibid., August 19, 1897

The Central Theme of the Gospel

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The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and hellish power. In the cross, all influence centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring man to his original perfection. Yea, more, it was offered to give him an entire transformation of character, making him more than a conqueror.

“Those who in the strength of Christ overcome the great enemy of God and man, will occupy a position in the heavenly courts above angels who have never fallen.

“Christ declares, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.’ If the cross does not find an influence in its favor, it creates an influence. Through generation succeeding generation, the truth for this time is revealed as present truth. Christ on the cross was the medium whereby mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. This is the means that is to move the world.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, 1113

What is the cross suppose to accomplish in our lives?

To restore me to the original perfection of Eden.

To effect an entire transformation of my character.

To make me more than a conqueror.

To attract me to Jesus Christ.

I no longer live for myself but for Him who died for me. 2 Corinthians 5:15

To deliver me from my love of this world. Galatians 6:14

The means by which my sins are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 15:3

As Jesus was crucified for me, my sinful nature is to be crucified for Him. Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20; 5:24

To reconcile all mankind first to God and then to one another bringing peace and unity to all who accept it. Colossians 1:20

To bring redemption to all who will receive it. 1 Peter 1:17–21

To cleanse us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

To reveal Jesus as the One who in a supreme sense loves us. Revelation 1:5; 1 John 3:16

If we want to be saved at last, the story of the cross as recorded in each of the four gospels needs to be a special study in our daily life.

“If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.” The Desire of Ages, 83

Strange Voices

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Jesus said, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you unexpectedly.

“For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke 21:34, 35

If you are a student of prophecy, you are aware that the signs of the times are screaming that we are at the very end of earth’s history. (See also Matthew 24, Luke 17 and 21; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Peter 3; Daniel 11, Revelation chapters 7–11, 13, 14, and 17.)

As Eve did, many people are listening to strange voices, and sooner or later they will believe error, following it instead of the truth. We must choose who we listen to.

“I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness.” Early Writings, 125, 126

“The time of our educating will soon be over. We have no time to lose in walking through clouds of doubt and uncertainty because of uncertain voices. …

“Humble yourselves under the hand of God, warn all that they do not in stubbornness choose their own way … .

“The Lord would have us answer the prayer of Christ. Seek for unity and oneness. Seek for harmony, then we bear to the world a living testimony of the light of Jesus Christ.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1002–1004

He Who Is Not with Me

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“No one but Christ is given us as an example. He is our true Pattern, and each should strive to excel in imitating Him. … We are decided, wholehearted Christians, or none at all. Says Christ: ‘I would thou wert cold or hot.’ ” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 126

“The Lord will have the whole man, or none at all. His favor cannot be purchased with gifts of money. He calls for the gift of the whole heart.” The Upward Look, 73

Christ laid aside His scepter with which He had ruled the universe, He laid aside His royal robe and crown of glory and came to this sin-darkened earth and hid His divinity behind humanity, the likeness of sinful flesh and became poor that we might be made rich with the riches that only He could impart. Having lived a perfect life, He gave up even this.

“To human eyes Christ was only a man, yet He was a perfect man. In His humanity, He was the impersonation of the divine character. God embodied His own attributes in His Son—His power, His wisdom, His goodness, His purity, His truthfulness, His spirituality, and His benevolence. In Him, though human, all perfection of character, all divine excellence, dwelt.” The Youth’s Instructor, September 16, 1897

“Christ’s perfect humanity is the same that man may have through connection with Christ. … He had not taken on Him even the nature of the angels, but humanity, perfectly identical with our own nature, except without the taint of sin. A human body, a human mind, with all the peculiar properties, He was bone, brain, and muscle. A man of our flesh, He was compassed with the weakness of humanity. … He breathed the very air man must breathe. He trod our earth as man. He had reason, conscience, memory, will, and affections of the human soul which was united with His divine nature.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 16, 181, 182

Think this through. After He has made so great a sacrifice to save you and me, can we claim to be His disciples without embarrassment if we have not surrendered our will to Him, acknowledging Him as the only Lord of our lives?

“Why do call Me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

Peter – upon this rock

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“Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in Heaven.’ …

“Jesus saw, in this acknowledgment, the living principle that would animate the hearts of His believers in coming ages. …

“Jesus continued: ‘And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ The word Peter signifies rolling stone. Christ did not refer to Peter as being the rock upon which He would found His church. His expression, ‘this rock,’ applied to Himself as the foundation of the Christian church. [Author’s emphasis]

“… It is the same Stone to which reference is made in Luke 20:17, 18: ‘And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that Stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.’

“… Christ is the rock upon which the church is built, and, in His address to Peter, He referred to Himself as the rock which is the foundation of the church. He continues:

“ ‘And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’ The Roman church makes a wrong application of these words of Christ. They claim that He addressed them specially to Peter. Hence, he is represented in works of art as carrying a bunch of keys, which is a symbol of trust and authority given to ambassadors and others in high positions. The words of Christ: ‘I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven,’ were not addressed to Peter alone, but to the disciples, including those who compose the Christian church in all ages. …

“But the Roman Catholic church claims that Christ invested Peter with supreme power over the Christian church, and that his successors are divinely authorized to rule the Christian world. In still another place, Jesus acknowledges the same power to exist in all the church that is claimed to have been given to Peter alone, upon the authority of the text previously quoted.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2, 272–274

If You Are Hopeless…

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“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. …

“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man, to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’

“Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.” John 5:2, 3, 5–9

“His disease was in a great degree the result of his own sin, and was looked upon as a judgment from God. Alone and friendless, feeling that he was shut out from God’s mercy, the sufferer had passed long years of misery. At the time when it was expected that the waters would be troubled, those who pitied his helplessness would bear him to the porches. But at the favored moment he had no one to help him in.

“The sick man was lying on his mat, and occasionally lifting his head to gaze at the pool, when a tender, compassionate face bent over him, and the words, ‘Wilt thou be made whole?’ arrested his attention. Hope came to his heart. He felt that in some way he was to have help. …

“Jesus does not ask this sufferer to exercise faith in Him. He simply says, ‘Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.’ But the man’s faith takes hold upon that word. Every nerve and muscle thrills with new life, and healthful action comes to his crippled limbs. Without question he sets his will to obey the command of Christ, and all his muscles respond to his will. Springing to his feet, he finds himself an active man.

“Jesus had given him no assurance of divine help. The man might have stopped to doubt, and lost his one chance of healing. But he believed Christ’s word, and in acting upon it he received strength.

“Through the same faith we may receive spiritual healing. … The Saviour is bending over the purchase of His blood. … He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled.” The Desire of Ages, 202, 203