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Pen of Inspiration – The Fight of Faith

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Every one who shall be found with the wedding garment on, will have come out of great tribulation. The mighty surges of temptation will beat upon all the followers of Christ; and unless they are riveted to the eternal Rock, they will be borne away. Do not think you can safely drift with the current; you must stem the tide, or you will surely become a helpless prey to Satan’s power. You are not safe in placing your feet on the ground of the enemy, but should direct your path in the way cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. Even in the path of holiness you will be tried; your faith, your love, your patience, your constancy, will be tested. By diligent searching of the Scriptures, by earnest prayer for divine help, prepare the soul to resist temptation. The Lord will hear the sincere prayer of the contrite soul, and will lift up a standard for you against the enemy.

Jesus left his home in heaven, and came to this dark world to reach to the very depths of human woe, that He might save those who are ready to perish. He laid aside his glory in the heavenly courts above, clothed his divinity with humanity, and for our sakes He became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich. He came to the earth that was all seared and marred with sin; “and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” [Philippians 2:8]. He submitted to insult and mockery, that He might leave us a perfect example. When we are inclined to magnify our trials, to think we are having a hard time, we should look away from self to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” [Hebrews 12:2]. All this He endured that He might bring many sons and daughters to God, to present them before the universe as trophies of his victory.

Will man take hold of this divine power which has been placed within his reach, and with determination and perseverance resist Satan, as Christ has given example in his conflict with the foe in the wilderness of temptation? God cannot save man against his will from the power of Satan’s artifices. Man must work with his human power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at any cost to himself. In short, man must overcome as Christ overcame. Christ was a perfect overcomer; and we must be perfect, wanting nothing, without spot or blemish.

In order to be overcomers, we must heed the injunction of the apostle: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” [Philippians 2:5]. He is the Pattern that we, as his disciples, must follow. We cannot cherish selfishness in our hearts, and follow the example of Christ, who died to make an atonement for us. We cannot extol our own merits, and follow his example; for He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant. We cannot harbour pride, and follow Christ, since He humbled Himself until there was no lower place to which He could descend. Be astonished, O heavens, and be amazed, O earth, that sinful man should make such returns to his Lord in formality and pride, in efforts to lift up and glorify himself, when Christ came and humbled Himself in our behalf even to the death of the cross.

Christ came to teach us how to live. He has invited us to learn of Him to be meek and lowly of heart, that we may find rest unto our souls. We have no excuse for not imitating his life and working his works. Those who profess his name, and do not practice his precepts, are weighed in the balances of heaven, and found wanting. But those who reflect his image will have a place in the mansions which He has gone to prepare.

The redemption that Christ achieved for man was at infinite cost to Himself. The victory we gain over our own evil hearts and over the temptations of Satan will cost us strong effort, constant watchfulness, and persevering prayer; but, gaining the victory through the all-powerful name of Jesus, we become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the overcoming. We must be victors on our own account. Then we shall not only reap the reward of eternal life, but shall increase our happiness on earth by the consciousness of duty performed, and by the greater respect and love that we shall win from those about us.

He who is a child of God should henceforth look upon himself as a part of the cross of Christ, a link in the chain let down to save the world, one with Christ in his plan of mercy, going forth with Him to seek and to save the lost. The Christian is ever to realize that he is bought with a price, to stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel, to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. He is to reveal Christ to the world. The self-denial, the self-sacrifice, the sympathy, the love that were manifested in the life of Christ are to reappear in the life of his followers. In order to do this, we must put on the whole armour of God; “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” [Ephesians 6:11, 12]. If we do not overcome, we lose the crown; and if we lose the crown, we lose everything. Eternal loss or eternal gain will be ours. If we gain the crown, we gain all things; we become heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

Christ is coming in a little while. He has been our brother in suffering; and if we overcome through his grace, we shall see Him as He is. We shall suffer here but a few days longer, and then enter into an eternity of happiness; for there is sweet rest in the kingdom of God. For those who fight the good fight of faith, there is reserved a crown of glory, a palm of victory, an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. Let the determination of every soul be, “I must run the race; I must overcome.”

The Bible Echo, January 1, 1893.

Plague Spots – Few are Chosen

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Spiritual health is very important. It is something that many of us often tend to forget with so much happening in our busy schedules. The reality is that if our spiritual health is not good, we have lost everything.

It is much like our attitude towards physical health. We start off with enthusiasm on a healthy regime, putting to practice the eight laws of health, and then after a little while we find that we have slipped back into our old habits and lifestyle. Without physical health, we have no quality of life, and without spiritual health, we have no hope of future eternal life.

“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” Luke 18:18–24.

In The Desire of Ages, 520, Ellen White says, “Christ’s words were verily to the ruler the invitation, ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve.’ Joshua 24:15. The choice was left with him. Jesus was yearning for his conversion. He had shown him the plague spot in his character, and with what deep interest He watched the issue as the young man weighed the question! If he decided to follow Christ, he must obey His words in everything.”

She goes on to say, “Christ gave this man a test. He called upon him to choose between the heavenly treasure and worldly greatness. The heavenly treasure was assured him if he would follow Christ. But self must yield; his will must be given into Christ’s control. The very holiness of God was offered to the young ruler. He had the privilege of becoming a son of God, and a coheir with Christ to the heavenly treasure.” Ibid., 519, 520. [Emphasis supplied.]

Jesus called upon him to choose between heavenly treasure and worldly greatness. The very holiness of God was offered to him and to you and me. The very privilege of becoming sons and daughters of God is offered to us! “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15.

What happened? That young man turned away—why? His love of self and worldly gain was out of harmony with the principles of heaven. This was a plague spot in his character. Is there something in your life that is out of harmony with the principles of heaven? “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3.

The word of God tells us that many are called but few are chosen. Anything out of harmony with the principles of heaven will not be chosen. Anytime you do something or choose something that is out of harmony with the principles of heaven, you turn away from walking with Jesus, just like that young ruler turned away.

What are some things that are “out of harmony” with the principles of heaven or plague spots? A plague spot is something that is malignant and contagious, like a tumor that threatens death. It causes harm and it has a deadly influence. A dictionary may define a plague spot as “rebellious against God or against government,” very discontent.

We are told that the young ruler had a plague spot in his character, which was revealed when he spoke with Jesus. Sadly, he made his choice and walked away sorrowfully, not wanting to part with his riches.

Paul points out a few of the plague spots that are deadly to character in Ephesians 4:22–32. They include:

  • Falsehood and lying are out of harmony with the principles of heaven—always speak truth. There is no lying in heaven.
  • Stealing is out of harmony—start working and giving to those in need.
  • Unwholesome speech—start edifying others with speech that builds up instead of what tears down; speech that teaches morality.
  • Bitterness, anger, slander, malice—be kind to others revealing a tender heart with forgiveness.

When we turn away from the invitation to put on Jesus and reveal His heavenly attributes we forfeit the opportunity to be among the few who are chosen. Living the principles of heaven here is to fit us for the kingdom of God.

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17. The rich young ruler turned his back on the call. His principles were out of harmony with heaven, and he chose to walk away. Each time we tell a lie, steal, have bitterness or anger or put down people, we also are out of harmony with God’s kingdom of righteousness, and we no longer walk with Jesus.

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. The young ruler was tested, as each of us is, to prove his worthiness of this most precious gift.

In Ephesians 1:3 we are told, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Where? In Christ! Spiritual blessings will never be found in any other place. “According as He (God) hath chosen us in Him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Verse 4). “Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the covenant was made that all who were obedient, all who should through the abundant grace provided, become holy in character, and without blame before God … should be children of God.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 403.

Jesus gave His life that we should be holy and without fault—with no neglect of duty, unstained, before Him in love. He covenanted with the Father that He would put that new heart within us. We are to become partakers of the divine nature and escape worldly corruption through receiving that new heart. (Read Ezekiel 36:26.) Jesus died so this promise would be fulfilled in each of us if we so choose. We are among the many who have been called. God has emptied all heaven that we may have that choice! The question remains whether we will receive the new heart that is offered so we can be chosen.

Another golden nugget of truth is found in Ephesians 1:5. It says, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself.” God has predestinated us to this adoption through Jesus. Like a child—the parents have big plans for their little baby to become all that they would like their child to become. The outcome of that success is determined by the choices the child makes of the opportunities that are made available. That child’s destiny depends upon his/her choices.

Each of us has been called by God and predestinated to receive the very holiness of God and become His child. He works things out to accomplish His purpose for us. In Romans 8:28, 29, it says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Will we choose to walk the path that God has chosen for us—the path of obedience—to walk with Jesus? The rich young ruler made his choice; he walked away sorrowful.

How can all things work together for good? How does theft work together for good? God allows circumstances to test us.

  • The thief – God tests that person, as he is tempted to steal. He failed the test and wanted something that belonged to somebody else more than to walk honestly with Jesus! He coveted and then stole. He was predestined to be a child of God and called to walk with Jesus, but the invitation was refused. Unless there is repentance he will not be among the chosen.
  • The victims of the theft – Those persons were tested to see how they would respond to something of theirs being stolen, whether in a Christlike manner or otherwise. If they responded as Jesus would when called to this test, they would be chosen. If they do not respond like Jesus would and turn from Him, they will not be chosen unless there is repentance.

Daily our characters are being tested to see if we have surrendered our lives to Jesus and come to understand why or how all things work together for good. Each test is a call to stand and to reflect the image of Jesus Christ regardless of the outcome.

“ ‘Many are called,’ Christ said, ‘but few are chosen’ [Matthew 22:14]. If we would remember that we are on test and trial before the heavenly universe, that God is proving us, to see what spirit we are of, there would be more serious contemplation, more earnest prayer.” The Signs of the Times, August 9, 1899.

As hard as it is to understand, God can and does bring joy and good out of accident and tragedy.

When my older brother died—my life changed as a consequence! I was not religious, and I believed that my brother was in heaven, so I tried to contact him. There was no answer, so I thought I needed to become a witch, and then I could make contact. I picked up witchcraft books and started incantations. I look back now and can see how God had His hand over me, and I was so unaware. Finally, I came back to reality and considered what my brother would have wanted me to do with my life. I loved my brother so much! The first thing I did was to quit where I was working, because it was not a nice place, and my brother never did approve of me being there. I would never have done that if he had not died in that accident. I went back to school for training and ended up working in law offices. Had it not been for my brother’s death, I would not be here, because the thought of changing my life had not occurred to me before this. God knew that my brother’s death was the only way He could get my attention.

In heaven we will thank God for all the things that have happened in our lives and the lives of our family—even though we do not understand right now. That is why we trust God, by remembering what He has done for us in the past. He has predestined us for good reason.

God loves us so much that He emptied all heaven to save us. He can be trusted through thick and thin. His promises are sure, and we can safely believe that all things do work together for good to them that love Him—to those who are called according to His purpose. His purpose is that we be conformed into the image of His Son.

God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; And before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5. He believed and accepted that call and filled the place God had for him.

John 1:12 says, “As many as received him”—as many who associated with Him or spent time with Him—“to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” Spend time with Jesus, associate with Him, get to know Him through His Word and receive the power He so freely offers.

God has a purpose for you. He has called you. Will you answer that call or will that privilege be given to another? Are you receiving Christ daily into your life? Walk with Him and talk with Him daily. I shudder to think what would have happened had my brother not died or if I had not accepted the invitation to Bible studies and rejected God’s will for my life. God’s purpose for me would not have been fulfilled! I would have lost out. But it was not easy; I had to step out of my “comfort zone” and take each step, one at a time. If I had not taken that first step, I would have continued in the world walking in that wide road and, worse yet, no light would be shining to others. All in my sphere of influence may have been lost, because I would not have been reflecting the light that comes from Jesus.

God has called me and He has called you. I want to be part of the “few [who] are chosen” (Matthew 22:14)! Don’t you? “Choose you this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15, last part.

Peter said, “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” II Peter 1:10. In Paul’s plea to the Ephesians, he said, “I … beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Ephesians 4:1. He said to walk worthy or to “regulate” your life, or “conduct one’s self” worthy of your calling.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:6. The rich young ruler was called but chose not to walk with Jesus; he turned away. Are you being called today? Are you hearing the invitation to “Come and follow Me”? Have you chosen to walk the narrow way with Jesus? Are you following the light that illuminates your way? Are you walking worthy of your calling and regulating your life? Think on these things and make your calling and election sure.

“Those who perish will perish [why?] because they refuse to be adopted as children of God through Christ Jesus.” The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1893. Like the rich young ruler they refused the call to walk with Jesus.

Matthew 22:9–14 tells the parable of the wedding garment.

“When the king came in to view the guests, the real character of all was revealed. For every guest at the feast there had been provided a wedding garment. This garment was a gift from the king. By wearing it the guests showed their respect for the giver of the feast.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 309.

Many have been called to this spiritual feast, and a garment has been made available—a robe of righteousness—a mighty character transformation through Jesus Christ. We have been called and may, right now, join the banquet.

What is included in this feast? In The Review and Herald, January 17, 1899, it says, “The spiritual banquet has been set before us in rich abundance. We have had presented to us by the messengers of God the richest feast—the righteousness of Christ, justification by faith, the exceeding great and precious promises of God in his word, free access to the Father by Jesus Christ, the comforts of the Holy Spirit, and the well-grounded assurance of eternal life in the kingdom of God. We ask, What could God do for us that he has not done in preparing the great supper, the heavenly banquet?”

We have been provided a wedding garment that “represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 307.

“But one man was clothed in his common citizen dress. He had refused to make the preparation required by the king. The garment provided for him at great cost he disdained to wear.” Ibid., 309.

The character that was provided for him at great price—the death of the Son of God—he undervalued. He despised it—despised the character of Christ—held it of no value and clung to his own evil character traits. As David pled, so should we also plead: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23, 24.

One man came dressed in citizen’s clothing. “Thus he insulted his lord. To the king’s demand, ‘How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ he could answer nothing. He was self-condemned. Then the king said, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness’ [Matthew 22:12, 13].”

“By the king’s examination of the guests at the feast is represented a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life. But not all who profess to be Christians are true disciples.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 309, 310. [Emphasis supplied.] Many are called!

“When the work of investigation shall be ended, when the cases of those who in all ages have professed to be followers of Christ have been examined and decided, then, and not till then, probation will close, and the door of mercy will be shut.” The Great Controversy, 428.

“It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. ‘He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.’ ‘Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.’ I John 3:24; 2:3. This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312, 313.

He is to be revealed in our characters! It is our choice; we either accept Christ or the plague spots, as the two cannot exist together.

“The truth is to be planted in the heart. It is to control the mind and regulate the affections. The whole character must be stamped with the divine utterances. Every jot and tittle of the word of God is to be brought into the daily practice.

“He who becomes a partaker of the divine nature will be in harmony with God’s great standard of righteousness, His holy law. This is the rule by which God measures the actions of men. This will be the test of character in the judgment.” Ibid., 314.

God has predestined each of us for a high calling. What more can He do that has not been done? Do not insult God by refusing the gift that has been offered to walk with His Son, refusing to reflect His character.

“Believers in Christ are, in this world to bring into action the principles of heaven. …

“Into the heavenly courts will enter no taint of sin. Those who enter there will have obeyed the truth in this world, and will have brought into the life-practice, while on this earth, the principles of heaven. Only such can be allowed to enter heaven, for only those who learn to live in accordance with the principles of heaven will have demonstrated that they would not, after entering heaven, introduce specious devisings that would create a second rebellion.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, 171.

“ ‘Many are called, but few are chosen.’ This is a true statement of the final outcome.” The Review and Herald, May 8, 1900.

God has called you—what more can He do?

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, … Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” Ephesians 1:5, 9, 10.

Are you in Christ Jesus? Will you be chosen? Is your election sure?

“He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth [bitterness, anger, unkindness, lies, impatience?—No!] the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” I Peter 2:9.

As tests come to you, remember that the Lord is calling you to hold a heavenly standard. Don’t let Him down or allow another to steal your crown. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:21–23.

Get rid of them!

Send up this prayer at that moment of test or trial:

“Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 159.

Don’t hang onto your plague spots. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. Many are called but few are chosen. I want you and me to be part of the chosen.

The rich young ruler thought he was good! But when the test came, his heart was revealed; he refused to yield himself to Christ—to walk with Jesus—to receive the very holiness of God. When tests come to you, will you, by your responses and actions, choose to walk with Jesus? Will you be part of the few who are chosen?

Judy Hallingstad works with the LandMarks team. She can be contacted by email at: judyhallingstad@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – Faith in Practice

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December 25, 2011 – December 31, 2011

Key Text

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18.

Study Help: Christ’s Object Lessons, 307–313.

Introduction

“When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312.

1 God’s Plan for Man

  • What evidence is there that God’s plan for man has never changed? Matthew 5:48.

Note: “The Lord requires perfection from His redeemed family. He expects from us the perfection which Christ revealed in His humanity. Fathers and mothers especially need to understand the best methods of training children that they may co-operate with God.” Child Guidance, 477.

  • How can perfection be possible in an imperfect world? The battleground for the most deadly conflict ever fought on this planet is the human mind. What is the only one effective weapon? Philippians 2:5.

Note: “We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge of Christ. It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness. The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God.” The Desire of Ages, 330.

2 A Most Precious Gift

  • God made man a free moral agent with the ability to choose. How was this demonstrated in the Garden of Eden? Genesis 2:16, 17.

Note: “The white robe of innocence was worn by our first parents when they were placed by God in holy Eden. They lived in perfect conformity to the will of God. All the strength of their affections was given to their heavenly Father. A beautiful soft light, the light of God, enshrouded the holy pair. This robe of light was a symbol of their spiritual garments of heavenly innocence. Had they remained true to God it would ever have continued to enshroud them. But when sin entered, they severed their connection with God, and the light that had encircled them departed. Naked and ashamed, they tried to supply the place of the heavenly garments by sewing together fig leaves for a covering.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310, 311.

“This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will.” Steps to Christ, 47.

“You need to drink daily at the fountain of truth, that you may understand the secret of pleasure and joy in the Lord. But you must remember that your will is the spring of all your actions.” Messages to Young People, 153.

3 Obstacles to Enjoying Freedom

  • What obstacle do we face in achieving that perfection of character? I Peter 5:8.

Note: “While Satan is constantly seeking to blind their minds to the fact, let Christians never forget that they ‘wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places.’ Ephesians 6:12.” The Great Controversy, 510.

  • What two powers are seeking complete control of the mind to the exclusion of the other? Zechariah 3:1.

Note: “The enemy is preparing for his last campaign against the church. He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing activity and power. They have to a great extent forgotten his past record; and when he makes another advance move, they will not recognize him as their enemy, that old serpent, but they will consider him a friend, one who is doing a good work. Boasting of their independence they will, under his specious, bewitching influence, obey the worst impulses of the human heart and yet believe that God is leading them. Could their eyes be opened to distinguish their captain, they would see that they are not serving God, but the enemy of all righteousness. They would see that their boasted independence is one of the heaviest fetters Satan can rivet on unbalanced minds.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 294.

4 Death Brings Life

  • How did Paul describe his battle with sin and the remedy for a sanctified life? Galatians 2:20.

Note: “When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. … The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome.” The Desire of Ages, 324.

  • Those who are finally rejected refuse to surrender their whole hearts and affections. Why will not all who claim to be Christians be saved? Matthew 7:22, 23.

Note: “Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, ‘I know you not’ [Matthew 25:12]. The fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you cannot participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its companionship.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 413.

5 The Wedding Garment

  • Will all who call on the Lord be saved? Matthew 7:21–23.

Note: “This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. ‘All our righteousness are as filthy rags.’ Isaiah 64:6. Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312.

  • When the king entered the feast, why was one man evicted? Matthew 22:11–14.

Note: “The guests at the marriage feast were inspected by the king. Only those were accepted who had obeyed his requirements and put on the wedding garment. So it is with the guests at the gospel feast. All must pass the scrutiny of the great King, and only those are received who have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

“Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What process will bring man back to the same condition as he was in the beginning?

2 Above all other gifts offered to man, what was given with the most risk, yet the most valuable?

3 What is the source of the power behind all contentions and daily obstacles?

4 What does all nature reveal must happen for us to have life?

5 Why will not all who call themselves Christian be saved?

© 2005 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Married to the Wrong Man

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Two young ministers, A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner, presented messages to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1888 on the subject of righteousness by faith. The message was presented at a Minneapolis, Minnesota, camp meeting where all the conference leaders were present, and as the meeting began, a spirit developed that was not welcoming the Jones and Waggoner message. After this camp meeting, Ellen White had opportunity to address the righteousness by faith message: “I have had the question asked, What do you think of this light that these men are presenting? Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last forty-five years—the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas in Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard … . I have said to myself, It is because God has presented it to me in vision that I see it so clearly, and they cannot see it because they have never had it presented to them as I have. And when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said, Amen.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 219.

The message given in 1888 was rejected, maybe because of selfishness, perhaps because some of those church leaders had not developed a converted heart and mind, able to be open enough to evaluate the message on its own merit instead of having a closed mind and rejecting it.

Mrs. White stated that, “The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness. Some who greatly need the precious truth that was presented before them, we fear did not receive its benefit. They did not open the door of their hearts to welcome Jesus as a heavenly guest, and they have suffered great loss. There is indeed a narrow way in which we must walk; the cross is presented at every step. We must learn to live by faith; then the darkest hours will be brightened by the blessed beams of the Sun of Righteousness.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 359.

“The reactions to the emphasis on this vital truth were mixed. At the 1893 general conference session, A. T. Jones, speaking of the reception of the truths set forth at Minneapolis, reported: ‘I know that some there accepted it; others rejected it entirely. You know the same thing. Others tried to stand half way between, and get it that way.’—General Conference Bulletin, 1893, 185.” “A Statement Presenting the Historical Backgrounds,” Ibid., Book 3, 158, 159.

The Jones/Waggoner message was really a message that will help us understand what it takes to be married with Christ. “Christ met and worked with all classes of human beings, seeking to save that which was lost. Will you who shall connect with men of different organisms and different temperaments, put on Christ, and respect one another as you desire to be respected?

“They must not put on their citizen’s dress, but the wedding garment. They have been married to Christ, and the robe of His righteousness is to clothe them. The church is the bride of Christ, and her members are to yoke up with their Leader.” The Gospel Herald, May 28, 1902.

The righteousness by faith message, Mrs. White said, needs to be repeated again before the Second Coming of Christ. “We are now living in a most perilous time, and not one of us should be tardy in seeking a preparation for the coming of Christ. … It will be too late to seek for the righteousness of Christ when the guests are called in and examined. Now is the time to put on the righteousness of Christ—the wedding garment that will fit you to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The Youth’s Instructor, January 16, 1896.

We need to understand what love is, and if that love develops and comes alive in our lives, we will together be waiting for the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour. But we need to find the code that will make us penetrate more deeply for the love of God and for Him to penetrate into our hearts and minds, able to have more control over our emotions, our feelings, our ways. Sometimes we want to do things that we should not do, but we should pray that we will be what Christ wants us to be for Him, not what we want to be.

To forfeit our own will is hard, but God will never allow us to do something that we are not capable of doing. He knows our heart, our mind, our capabilities; He knows what we can do and gives the power to do it.

Romans 7:1–7 gives the foundation of the message of this article. Once the foundation is laid, we can start building our building. Christ is the architect and will be the One to employ the workers who will do God’s will.

“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed [or free] from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married [or capable, allowed to be married] to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruits unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

Christians, especially Seventh-day Adventists, read these passages and will not quite allow the Holy Spirit to assist us, to amplify the Scriptures, to be able to understand the very large picture of this passage. That was exactly what the Holy Spirit and angels from heaven inspired the minds and the hearts of Jones and Waggoner to present, a message to the people to bring a picture so wide and so open and so big that they could allow the Scriptures to come alive.

Some of the people, perhaps the ones who were really looking for a way to surrender themselves to God and to have a converted life and a connection with the Lord, found the message refreshing, but others who were not willing to give up their own lifestyle or their habits said, “This is nonsense!” So, they rejected it. They believed that the Lord knows why they do what they do and eat and drink what they do and they don’t need to hear any type of message that tells them what to do.

All they want to know and be told is, “God loves me.” Of course He does love us, because He gave His life for us. Is that not obvious, is that not sufficient; isn’t that enough for us to understand the love of God?

An evil spirit was manifested in 1888. It was the type of spirit that crowds or clouds the minds of those who hear to fail in receiving the message. Sister White rebuked it saying that spirit is not from God but is of Satan. So we are going to look at the views and what that message was.

First of all, in these seven verses of Romans 7, we are going to look at four subjects—Number 1 is the flesh. Number 2 is the woman. Number 3 is the law. Number 4 is Christ or the second husband.

The law spoken of in these verses is the law of sin. We are bound to the law, which is sin, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). By nature we are married to the flesh, and we have no trouble at all satisfying all of the cravings and the desires of our flesh.

So as a Christian bound to the husband, the flesh, we go about satisfying the husband, pleasing our flesh. Since we are married to the flesh, and the law says we are bound together, we are one flesh. For that reason many Christians today have so much trouble and struggle to develop their relationship with the Lord, walking along the narrow path, because they are still married to their first husband.

That is the problem. Because we are selfish, pathetic individuals, we are married to the flesh, and we give the flesh whatever it wants. The Scripture says that those who are walking after the flesh, satisfy the flesh, but not the Spirit. But those who walk after the Spirit satisfy the Spirit and the flesh has no more control over the mind.

Many of us allow the body to control the mind, not the mind to control the body, because we are married to the flesh. When we allow the Holy Spirit to control the mind, this flesh has no more control. Paul “charges the Galatians to ‘walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.’ Galatians 5:16, 17. … After mentioning the fruits of the Spirit, … he adds, ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.’ Verse 24.” Counsels on Health, 69.

So we often find ourselves living a miserable life never satisfied, entertaining ourselves and consuming things of the world to fulfill the cravings of the appetite of the flesh while continuing to feel empty.

When Jesus spoke, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He was saying, “If you love Me, and we are going to be married together, you will keep the laws of My Father, because of the laws that I am bound to My Father in love. If you love Me, you will keep the commandments.” The law of God is holy (Romans 7:12), and whosoever abides in the law will be holy.

Satan leads us to think that we are no longer under any law, but we are under grace. “It is the sophistry of Satan that the death of Christ brought in grace to take the place of the law. The death of Jesus did not change, or annul, or lessen in the slightest degree, the law of ten commandments. That precious grace offered to men through a Saviour’s blood, establishes the law of God. Since the fall of man, God’s moral government and His grace are inseparable. They go hand in hand through all dispensations. ‘Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.’ Psalm 85:10.” The Faith I Live By, 89.

Satan offers grace without laws, but that is a very misleading doctrine that has been spread. Isaiah 65 and 66, very clearly state that we are going to keep the Sabbath, which is part of the commandments, and the Bible is very clear that God’s law will still be kept in heaven. Who are they who have the “patience of the saints” (Revelation 14:12) and “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17)? These are those who continue to keep the commandments of God.

In Romans 7, Paul is talking about the law of sin. If we are bound to our first husband, then we are married to the flesh. Many Christians desire the marriage Christ offers but are still married to the flesh. They become frustrated, feel unhappy, sad and depressed that they no longer find pleasure in entertainments. They try to find a way to satisfy the cravings of the flesh and retire to being slaves to that type of lifestyle.

How can we be released from that bondage? The Bible gives the answer in verses 3 and 4. When Jesus comes into our lives with compassion, understanding, love, and a willingness to give to us His life, and we say, “I want You in my life. I want to marry You.” The Lord says, “I can’t marry you because you’re married to the flesh; you have another master. I will not share; you must die to the flesh, then we can be one.”

The bottom line is that a lot of Christians today are walking into the world believing they are married to Christ when, in fact, they are not. They are married to themselves, to what they eat and drink, the movies they watch and those with whom they hang out and find their pleasure. The husband that they claim to have is not Christ but the husband of flesh. While living under this bondage it is impossible to bring fruits of righteousness unto God, but only fruits unto death.

The law condemns us, but the love of God gives us freedom in Christ Jesus. The question is: Do you really want that freedom? Do you hunger and thirst for it, or do you want both husbands in your life?

You cannot have two husbands. Either you are married to Christ or you are married to the flesh; you cannot have both. True freedom only comes through deliverance from the law of sin.

Consecrate yourself to God and the spirit of Christ will take control over your life and you will become a collaborator with Christ. To be totally surrendered to Him we will receive peace and protection and know the love of God, the pure agape love from heaven. Only then can you be complete in Him.

We each need to say unto God, “Lord, help me to make once in my life the right decision, the right move that can be this marriage for eternity, and You will be the last husband in my life. [Spiritually speaking, the last husband.] I make that decision to be faithful unto You and obedient unto You. I will not bring shame unto You; I will respect You, and I will obey Your word when You say what to do, because You know what is best in my life.”

There will be trouble; there will be tribulation, but the Bible is very clear: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1, 2.

Pastor Domingo Nuñez is director of Outreach Ministry for Steps to Life. He is involved in the coordination of world mission projects and he travels extensively, encouraging the many home churches supported by Steps to Life. He may be contacted at: 316-788-5559 or by email at: domingonunez@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – The Ribbon of Blue

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March 17, 2013 – March 23, 2013

Key Text

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10.

Study Help: Counsels on Health, 91–93; Selected Messages, Book 2, 465–472; Testimonies, vol. 4, 628–648.

Introduction

“The amount of physical suffering created by unnatural and unhealthful dress cannot be estimated. Many have become lifelong invalids through their compliance with the demands of fashion. Displacements and deformities, cancers and other terrible diseases, are among the evils resulting from fashionable dress.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 634, 635.

“It was the adversary of all good who instigated the invention of the ever-changing fashions. He desires nothing so much as to bring grief and dishonor to God by working the misery and ruin of human beings. One of the means by which he most effectually accomplishes this is the devices of fashion that weaken the body, as well as enfeeble the mind and belittle the soul.” Counsels on Health, 91.

“ ‘We are,’ said the inspired apostle, ‘made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men’ (I Corinthians 4:9). All heaven is marking the daily influence which the professed followers of Christ exert upon the world. My sisters, your dress is telling either in favor of Christ and the sacred truth or in favor of the world. Which is it? Remember we must all answer to God for the influence we exert.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 641.

“The dress and its arrangement upon the person is generally found to be the index of the man or the woman.

“We judge of a person’s character by the style of dress worn. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of a simple, appropriate attire.” Child Guidance, 413.

1 AN INDEX TO THE MIND

  • In ancient Israel, what did God prescribe so that they would be identified as His chosen people? Numbers 15:38–41.

Note: “The children of Israel, after they were brought out of Egypt, were commanded to have a simple ribbon of blue in the border of their garments, to distinguish them from the nations around them, and to signify that they were God’s peculiar people. The people of God are not now required to have a special mark placed upon their garments. But in the New Testament we are often referred to ancient Israel for examples. If God gave such definite directions to His ancient people in regard to their dress, will not the dress of His people in this age come under His notice? Should there not be in their dress a distinction from that of the world? Should not the people of God, who are His peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God? And should they not be examples in point of dress, and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity, and extravagance of worldly, pleasure–loving professors? God requires this of His people. Pride is rebuked in His Word.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1114.

  • How do the following scriptures show that appearance demonstrates our allegiance to someone? I Timothy 2:9, 10; Revelation 17:4; Zephaniah 1:8; Matthew 22:11.

Note: “The outside appearance is frequently an index to the mind, and we should be careful what signs we hang out for the world to judge of our faith.” Messages to Young People, 346, 347.

“A plain, direct testimony is now needed, as given in the Word of God, in regard to the plainness of dress. This should be our burden.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 253.

  • What kind of raiment does Christ offer us and why? Revelation 3:18. What do many professed Christians say through their attitude? Isaiah 4:1.

2 DRESSING FOR HEALTH

  • Does our dress have anything to do with our health?

Note: “Another serious evil is the wearing of skirts so that their weight must be sustained by the hips. This heavy weight, pressing upon the internal organs, drags them downward and causes weakness of the stomach and a feeling of lassitude, inclining the wearer to stoop, which further cramps the lungs, making correct breathing more difficult. …

“It is essential to health that the chest have room to expand to its fullest extent in order that the lungs may be enabled to take full inspiration. When the lungs are restricted, the quantity of oxygen received into them is lessened. The blood is not properly vitalized, and the waste, poisonous matter which should be thrown off through the lungs, is retained.” Counsels on Health, 91, 92.

  • What is rarely practiced by women and men? I Timothy 2:9, 10.

Note: “Perfect health depends upon perfect circulation. Special attention should be given to the extremities, that they may be as thoroughly clothed as the chest and region over the heart.” My Life Today, 145.

“Satan invented the fashions which leave the limbs exposed, chilling back the life current from its original course.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 532.

  • What other counsels are necessary to guard the well-being of children and adults?

Note: “Another great cause of mortality among infants and youth, is the custom of leaving their arms and shoulders naked. This fashion cannot be too severely censured. It has cost the lives of thousands. The air, bathing the arms and limbs and circulating about the armpits, chills these sensitive portions of the body so near the vitals, hinders the healthy circulation of the blood, and induces disease, especially of the lungs and brain.” Healthful Living, 148.

3 PLAIN DISTINCTIONS

  • Besides our physical well-being, what else does our clothing directly affect? Matthew 5:27, 28.

Note: “This [seventh] commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 308.

“When once the barriers of female modesty are removed, the basest licentiousness does not appear exceeding sinful. Alas, what terrible results of woman’s influence for evil may be witnessed in the world today!” The Adventist Home, 58, 59.

  • If we dress in a way contrary to what God has said, how does He look at our offense? Deuteronomy 22:5.

Note: “There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. …

“God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime.” Child Guidance, 427.

  • What prophecy warns us of the spiritual consequences of fostering glamour and bodily display? Isaiah 3:16–24.

Note: “The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was presented before me as applying to these last days, and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: ‘Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.’ I was shown that this scripture will be strictly fulfilled.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 270.

  • What is the remedy for this condition? Ezekiel 36:26, 27.

Note: “Cleanse the fountain, and the streams will be pure. If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 158.

4 WARNING AND APPEALS

  • What aspect of apparel which has a significant effect upon our physical well-being is often overlooked? Luke 15:22. What kind of weather demands special care? Psalm 147:16, 17.

Note: “The feet should be protected from cold and dampness by warm stockings, and by easy-fitting, thick-soled shoes.” Life and Health, May 1, 1905.

“Our limbs and feet are suitably protected from cold and damp, to secure the circulation of the blood to them, with all its blessings. We can take exercise in the open air, in the dews of morning or evening, or after the falling storm of snow or rain, without fears of taking cold. Morning exercise, in walking in the free, invigorating air of heaven, or cultivating flowers, small fruits, and vegetables, is necessary to a healthful circulation of the blood. It is the surest safeguard against colds, coughs, congestions of the brain and lungs, inflammation of the liver, the kidneys, and the lungs, and a hundred other diseases.” The Health Reformer, May 1, 1872.

  • What are some of the heathen ways that are very hateful to the Lord? Exodus 32:25; II Kings 9:30; I John 2:15. What lesson should we learn from the angels standing before God? Isaiah 6:2, 3.

Note: “Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. I have been shown that our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline. If there is a continuance, in face of warnings and appeals and entreaties, to still follow the perverse will, it may be regarded as proof that the heart is in no way assimilated to Christ. Self, and only self, is the object of adoration, and one such professed Christian will lead many away from God.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 647, 648.

  • Historically designed for the business of harlotry, high-heeled shoes create an exaggerated curvature of the spine, in turn bringing attention to certain parts of the body. Whose eyes do they attract, tempt, and provoke? II Peter 2:12–14.

5 LIVING PREACHERS

  • What should we do while testing an item of clothing to see whether it is according to God’s Word? Psalm 139:23, 24.

Note: “Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter to be passed off with a jest. The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer. Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make a high profession of godliness dressing as worldlings dress, enjoying frivolous society, they decide that there can be no wrong in such a course.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 641.

  • What should we do if we are not sure about specific articles? James 1:5; Philippians 3:15, 16.
  • What should we remember about the character of our God? Exodus 20:5; Malachi 3:6.
  • If we would really clothe ourselves in Christ’s righteousness, what would be noticed by others? Acts 4:13.

Note: “Our clothing should be plain and simple, so that when we visit the poor, they will not be embarrassed by the contrast between our appearance and their own.” Gospel Workers, 189.

“I saw that the words, the dress, and actions should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all, and all will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. Unbelievers will see that the truth we profess has a holy influence, and that faith in Christ’s coming affects the character of the man or woman. If any wish to have their influence tell in favor of the truth, let them live it out, and thus imitate the humble Pattern.” Messages to Young People, 128.

PERSONAL REVIEW

1 Of whom are my garments speaking? Is my appearance modest, pointing to Jesus or exalting self?

2 Am I dressing healthfully? Am I warm, covered, comfortable?

3 Am I wearing anything which could cause someone to stumble?

4 What about my footwear, hairstyles, face? Am I in line with God’s ways?

5 Am I willing to ask Christ to go into my closet and show me anything that is not reflecting His righteous character?

Be in Health

“In all respects the dress should be healthful. ‘Above all things,’ God desires us to ‘be in health’ (III John 1:2)—health of body and of soul. And we are to be workers together with Him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress.” Child Guidance, 398.

Perfect Circulation

“It is impossible to have health when the extremities are habitually cold; for if there is too little blood in them there will be too much in other portions of the body. Perfect health requires a perfect circulation; but this cannot be had while three or four times as much clothing is worn upon the body, where the vital organs are situated, as upon the feet and limbs.” Ibid.

Inspiration – Joshua and the Angel

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If the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world could be lifted, and the people of God could behold the great controversy that is going on between Christ and holy angels and Satan and his evil hosts concerning the redemption of man; if they could understand the wonderful work of God for the rescue of souls from the bondage of sin, and the constant exercise of His power for their protection from the malice of the evil one, they would be better prepared to withstand the devices of Satan. Their minds would be solemnized in view of the vast extent and importance of the plan of redemption and the greatness of the work before them as colaborers with Christ. They would be humbled, yet encouraged, knowing that all heaven is interested in their salvation.

A most forcible and impressive illustration of the work of Satan and the work of Christ, and the power of our Mediator to vanquish the accuser of His people, is given in the prophecy of Zechariah. In holy vision the prophet beholds Joshua the high priest, “clothed with filthy garments” (Zechariah 3:3), standing before the Angel of the Lord, entreating the mercy of God in behalf of his people who are in deep affliction. Satan stands at his right hand to resist him. The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel are free from fault. In his filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer and in faith claiming the promises of God.

Then the Angel, who is Christ Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to silence the accuser of His people, declaring: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire” (Zechariah 3:2)? As the intercession of Joshua is accepted, the command is given, “Take away the filthy garments from him,” and to Joshua the Angel declares, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” “So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments” (Zechariah 3:4, 5). His own sins and those of his people were pardoned. Israel was clothed with “change of raiment”—the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.

As Satan accused Joshua and his people, so in all ages he accuses those who are seeking the mercy and favor of God. In the Revelation he is declared to be the “accuser of our brethren,” “which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10). The controversy is repeated over every soul that is rescued from the power of evil and whose name is registered in the Lamb’s book of life. Never is one received from the family of Satan into the family of God without exciting the determined resistance of the wicked one. Satan’s accusations against those who seek the Lord are not prompted by displeasure at their sins. He exults in their defective characters. Only through their transgression of God’s law can he obtain power over them. His accusations arise solely from his enmity to Christ. Through the plan of salvation, Jesus is breaking Satan’s hold upon the human family and rescuing souls from his power. All the hatred and malignity of the archrebel is stirred as he beholds the evidence of Christ’s supremacy, and with fiendish power and cunning he works to wrest from Him the remnant of the children of men who have accepted His salvation.

He leads men into skepticism, causing them to lose confidence in God and to separate from His love; he tempts them to break His law, and then he claims them as his captives and contests the right of Christ to take them from him. He knows that those who seek God earnestly for pardon and grace will obtain it; therefore he presents their sins before them to discourage them. He is constantly seeking occasion against those who are trying to obey God. Even their best and most acceptable services he seeks to make appear corrupt. By countless devices, the most subtle and the most cruel, he endeavors to secure their condemnation.

Man cannot meet these charges himself. In his sin-stained garments, confessing his guilt, he stands before God. But Jesus our Advocate presents an effectual plea in behalf of all who by repentance and faith have committed the keeping of their souls to Him. He pleads their cause and vanquishes their accuser by the mighty arguments of Calvary. His perfect obedience to God’s law, even unto the death of the cross, has given Him all power in heaven and in earth, and He claims of His Father mercy and reconciliation for guilty man. To the accuser of His people He declares: “ ‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.’ These are the purchase of My blood, brands plucked from the burning” (Zechariah 3:2). Those who rely upon Him in faith receive the comforting assurance: “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment” (Zechariah 3:4).

All that have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand before Him as chosen and faithful and true. Satan has no power to pluck them out of the hand of Christ. Not one soul that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power. His word is pledged: “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me” (Isaiah 27:5). The promise given to Joshua is made to all: “If thou wilt keep My charge, … I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by” (Zechariah 3:7). Angels of God will walk on either side of them, even in this world, and they will stand at last among the angels that surround the throne of God.

The fact that the acknowledged people of God are represented as standing before the Lord in filthy garments should lead to humility and deep searching of heart on the part of all who profess His name. Those who are indeed purifying their souls by obeying the truth will have a most humble opinion of themselves. The more closely they view the spotless character of Christ, the stronger will be their desire to be conformed to His image, and the less will they see of purity or holiness in themselves. But while we should realize our sinful condition, we are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.

Counsels for the Church, 350–352.

Who Shall Enter the Pearly Gates?

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In the parable of the marriage feast in Matthew 22:14, Jesus makes the statement, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” I was thinking of that and a quote came to my mind from Ellen G. White where she said over a hundred years ago, that if Jesus was to return today, not one in twenty would be ready to meet their Lord. That means 100 are called, but not even five of 100, are chosen. It almost sounds like this is kind of unfair, but is God unfair or unjust? No! What is the reason that so many are invited and only a few are finally selected? God is the one who is sending out the invitation and He is the One who makes the decision as to who shall enter the pearly gates.

I first want to ask the question, what kind of God do we serve? Is He merciful? Is He long-suffering? Is He kind? Is He just? Is He fair? In Acts 10:34, it says, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.’” God is not looking at my position; He is not looking at my profession; He is not looking at my good looks or bad looks; He is not looking at my wealth or lack of wealth; He is not looking at my status or worldly accomplishments; at my intelligence or church office. The next verse makes it a little clearer, “But in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” These are exactly the same qualifications of the same message which is preached in the First Angel’s message in Revelation 14:7. It says there, “Fear God, and give glory to him.”

What Is God Like

Moses wanted to know what God was like. Moses said, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” Exodus 33:18. Was that a good request? He wanted to know what God was like. We read in Exodus 34:5-7, “And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.’” It is good to know that He is a God who is merciful. However, in the next verse it says, “That will by no means clear the guilty.” Even though He is merciful, long-suffering and kind, yet, He is also just.

In Micah 7:18 it says, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy.” He loves to do it. Should not we also delight in mercy? “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3, 4. God wants everyone to be saved. He wants everyone to learn truth and to accept Him and to have salvation. This shows us His desires and what He is like.

God Wants You Eternally Saved

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11. Again, God does not want anyone to be lost, rather He wants every single person to have salvation. That is why He sends the invitation to all.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Over and over again the Bible tells us that the Lord wants every single person to be saved. He has this desire because He wants us to live with Him. One of the greatest truths is that God is merciful and gracious, and one proof is that you and I are still here today so that we can receive a message of invitation. God is merciful, He is still waiting, He is still pleading. He does not want us to be lost.

The Wedding Feast

In Matthew 22:1-14 we read a parable about a wedding feast. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants [that was the first time] to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.” A king’s invitation is refused. “Again, [a second time] he sent forth other servants, saying, ‘Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.’ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But saith he to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.’” Now comes the third call. “’Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.’ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.’”

Why Will So Many People Refuse a Free Gift?

If the Lord called so many people and sent out all the invitations, what is the reason that only a few are responding? “The Word of God plainly tells us that few will be saved, and that the greater number of those, even, who are called will prove themselves unworthy of everlasting life. They will have no part in heaven, but will have their portion with Satan, and experience the second death.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 2, 293, 294

In Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, 50, it says, “Many hear the invitation of mercy, are tested and proved; but few are sealed with the seal of the living God. Few will humble themselves as a little child, that they may enter the kingdom of heaven.” Pride makes it difficult to humble ourselves. The reason it is so difficult is because of self. Self is not dead, and it must be crucified.

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

“Probationary time is granted us, opportunities and privileges are given us to make our calling and election sure.” Review and Herald, November 22, 1898. We need to feed upon Jesus. We need to look beyond like Abraham. He looked at the city whose builder was God.

In Psalm 90:12 it says, “Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” When you realize that everything you have here is only for a short time, you start thinking about things which are eternal. Review and Herald, May 8, 1900, says, “’Many are called, but few are chosen.’ This is a true statement of the final outcome. Man is very dear to the heart of God, and all are invited to this feast. But many come not having on the wedding garment. They do not accept Christ’s righteousness. They have not repented and made peace with God. They have not received his free gift.” Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:20, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

True or Artificial Righteousness?

The Pharisees had righteousness, but what kind of righteousness did they have? “The rabbis counted their righteousness a passport to heaven, but Jesus declared it to be insufficient and unworthy. External ceremonies and a theoretical knowledge of truth constituted Pharisaical righteousness. While they were punctilious in ritual observances, their lives were immoral and debased. Their so-called righteousness could never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Desire of Ages, 309

“The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.” Desire of Ages, 309. Many today believe this, but it is not true. Jesus says it is unacceptable. “Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors and through their influence it is a curse to the world.” Desire of Ages, 310

“’Many are called,’ Christ said, ‘But few are chosen.’ If we would remember that we are on test and trial before the heavenly universe, that God is proving us to see what spirit we are, there would be more serious contemplation, more earnest prayer.” Signs of the Times, August 9, 1899. We are living in the day of the investigative judgment. We are living in the time of probation. We are living in the time when God is testing us to reveal what character we have developed.

The Bible simply states in Matthew 22:3, that after the invited guests received the first invitation, they would not come. They were not interested, is what they were saying. Do you think people know what they missed? No, they did not. They had no idea what they missed, and that is why they refused.

Excuses

In Luke 14:18-20, talking about the same parable, we are told, “They all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it.’” That is kind of foolish, because he had already bought it. He should have looked at it before he bought it. But he said he had bought a piece of ground and wanted to look at it. “And another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them.’” Today we probably would say, “We bought a car and we have to try it out.” “And another said, ‘I have married a wife.’” He should have brought her with him. Why are people making excuses? They are simply not interested. There is actually nothing wrong with all these things that the people did. What is wrong is their priorities. Jesus said to seek heaven first. After they were invited the second time, they went further and became more bold. Now they start making fun of the whole thing. They even went so far as to start persecuting the ones who preached the message killing some as they become more bold and hard.

Jesus said, “Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” Matthew 19:30. “Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:11, 12. What a sad situation. The nation of Israel, chosen by God to be missionaries to the world, and He said that they would be in outer darkness.

The Wedding Garment

“When the wedding was furnished with guests, the king came in to see the guests, he saw there was a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’” Matthew 22:10, 11. What was his answer? Nothing. He had nothing to say. He was invited, and he knew what he was doing, because he was invited and accepted the invitation, but he refused the wedding garment. “By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310. That is a requirement; the pure, spotless character of Jesus Christ.

“Are you ready? Have you the wedding garment on? That garment will never cover deceit, impurity, corruption, or hypocrisy.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, 220. “It is character that decides destiny.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 74. “It is not money or land or position, but the possession of a Christlike character that will open to us the gates of paradise.” Christian Service, 247

What are True Christians Like?

What is a Christlike character? A Christlike character is “purity, refinement, peace, and love.” Counsels on Stewardship, 113. “Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, and charity are the elements of a Christlike character.” Reflecting Christ, 173. “When the Holy Spirit is abiding in the heart, it will lead the human agent to see his own defects of character, to pity the weakness of others, to forgive as he wishes to be forgiven. He will be pitiful, courteous, Christlike.” The Faith I Live By, 53. “No rebuffs, no harsh, stinging, condemnatory words will come from our lips.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, 204. “Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and are at the same time rough, unkind, and uncourteous, in words or deportment, have not learned of Jesus. A blustering, overbearing, faultfinding man is not a Christian; for to be a Christian is to be Christlike.” Reflecting Christ, 305

A holy temper, and Christlike life is not only accessible, it is attainable; and my friends, it is also mandatory. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” The decision is ours. Let us accept the wedding garment on God’s simple condition of obedience. “The white garment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 4, 88. Many are called, many are invited, but few are chosen. The outcome is based solely on a personally acquired Christlike character, and this is the only condition. If we are like Christ, we will be chosen. God has given us the power, He has given us the promise, He has given the help. May God help us as we do this with a humble heart, is my prayer.

The End

Without a Wedding Garment

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The parable of the wedding garment, given in Matthew 22:1–14, opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence. By the marriage is represented the union of humanity with divinity; the wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be selected by the king to attend the wedding banquet.

As we look at the parable more closely, we find that this invitation of the king has been extended to the people of this world for thousands of years. Verses 1–7 apply to the Jewish nation during the time of the Old Testament through the time of the ministry of Jesus in the first advent. The Jews refused to recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God Who had come to ratify the new covenant by His death on the cross. They refused to believe that Jesus ascended to heaven to open the holy place of the sanctuary in heaven. Therefore they cut off the means by which they could receive the wedding garment. The king was enraged by the refusal of the people to accept this gracious invitation. “He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city” (Matthew 22:7) in A.D. 70.

From the time of the first advent to the present time, the king has continued to send this gracious invitation to the people of this world. “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.” Matthew 22:8–11.

These verses describe the great gospel invitation that has been going forth to the world during the ministry of Christ in the sanctuary of the new covenant in heaven. Jesus opened the sanctuary in heaven on the day of His resurrection when He confirmed the ratification of the covenant with His Father.

“Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He had the assurance that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. He ascended to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, that through His blood all might gain eternal life. The Father ratified the covenant made with Christ, that He would receive repentant and obedient men, and would love them even as He loves His Son. Christ was to complete His work, and fulfill His pledge to ‘make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir’ (Isaiah 13:12). All power in heaven and on earth was given to the Prince of Life, and He returned to His followers in a world of sin, that He might impart to them of His power and glory.” The Desire of Ages, 790.

All through the history of the Christian church the invitation has been and is still being given to the people of the world to come to Jesus in the sanctuary in heaven that they may receive the wedding garment.

Satan stepped between the people and Christ while He was ministering in the daily service in the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven. He declared the Pope to be the head of the church in place of Christ. Next he directed the people to confess their sins to the priests who could never forgive their sins or provide them with a wedding garment. During the centuries that followed the knowledge of Christ’s ministry in the sanctuary in heaven was lost to the church.

But the knowledge of the ministry of Christ in the sanctuary above to provide the wedding garment was to be restored. “And he said to him, ‘For two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.’ ” Daniel 8:14 RSV. Again the invitation to the wedding banquet went out to the world. “So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:10. People responded to the invitation and the banquet hall was filled.

Finally the king entered to examine the guests to see if everyone was properly attired in the wedding garment. Matthew gives the following description: “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.” Verses 11, 12.

What is the wedding garment that this man failed to acquire? “In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb (Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14). … This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing of work in the sanctuary above.” The Great Controversy, 428.

“By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess. To the church it is given ‘that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white,’ ‘not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing’ (Revelation 19:8; Ephesians 5:27). The fine linen, says the Scripture, ‘is the righteousness of saints’ (Revelation 19:8). It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310.]

“The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment represents the condition of many in our world today. They profess to be Christians, and lay claim to the blessings and privileges of the gospel; yet they feel no need of a transformation of character. They have never felt true repentance for sin. They do not realize their need of Christ or exercise faith in Him. They have not overcome their hereditary or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. Yet they think that they are good enough in themselves, and they rest upon their own merits instead of trusting in Christ. Hearers of the word, they come to the banquet, but they have not put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness.” Ibid., 315.

The reader could wisely ask, at this point, “How can I receive the wedding garment? How can I be sure I have the wedding garment on?” Thankfully the answer to these questions is very simple. It is found in the parable of the ten virgins. “The followers of Christ are to ‘wait for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding’ (Luke 12:36). But they are to understand His work, and to follow Him by faith as He goes in before God. It is in this sense that they are said to go in to the marriage.

“In the parable it was those that had oil in their vessels with their lamps that went in to the marriage. Those who, with a knowledge of the truth from the Scriptures, had also the Spirit and grace of God, and who, in the night of their bitter trial, had patiently waited, searching the Bible for clearer light—these saw the truth concerning the sanctuary in heaven and the Saviour’s change in ministration, and by faith they followed Him in His work in the sanctuary above. And all who through the testimony of the Scriptures accept the same truths, following Christ by faith as He enters in before God to perform the last work of mediation, and at its close to receive His kingdom—all these are represented as going in to the marriage.” [Emphasis added.] The Great Controversy, 427.

In this quotation, it is clearly seen that it was the wise virgins understanding of the “truth concerning the sanctuary in heaven and the Savior’s change in ministration” that were given entrance in to the wedding banquet. “By faith,” the wise virgins, “followed Him in His work in the sanctuary above.”

That it is the wedding banquet the virgins attend is made clear in the following references:

“They [the wise virgins] were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of Christ are to ‘wait for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding’ (Luke 12:36). But they are to understand His work, and to follow Him by faith as He goes in before God. It is in this sense that they are said to go in to the marriage.” Ibid.

“Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to ‘sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,’ at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Ibid., 426.

The case of the wise and foolish virgins is also represented in the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22. “In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb (Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14). He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted of God and accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne.” Ibid., 428.

The necessity of understanding and cooperating with Christ in His closing ministry in the sanctuary above is explained in the following reference:

“Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour’s mediation should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God. … The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill. Every individual has a soul to save or to lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God.” Ibid., 488.

This ministry of Christ in the sanctuary of the new covenant is just as important to our salvation as was His death upon the cross. “The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, ‘whither the forerunner is for us entered’ (Hebrews 6:20). … The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has opened the way to the Father’s throne, and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God.” Ibid., 489.

It is our acceptance of and our participation with Christ in the confession of our sins and His atonement for them with His blood that we can receive the wedding garment. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. Listen to the invitation of Christ: “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” John 7:37 KJV.

Not only must we receive the wedding garment ourselves, but when we receive it, it becomes our privilege and responsibility to tell others where they also can get it.

“All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has committed to them. The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects and be able to give an answer to everyone that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them.

“The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven.” The Great Controversy, 488, 489.

“God’s people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where the final ministration of our great High Priest in the work of the judgment is going forward—where He is interceding for His people.” Evangelism, 223.

“In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12)? The Great Controversy, 593, 594.

“As the ministration of Jesus closed in the holy place, and He passed into the holiest, and stood before the ark containing the law of God, He sent another mighty angel with a third message to the world. … The third angel closes his message thus: ‘Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus’ (Revelation 14:12). As he repeated these words, he pointed to the heavenly sanctuary. The minds of all who embrace this message are directed to the most holy place, where Jesus stands before the ark, making His final intercession for all those for whom mercy still lingers.” Early Writings, 254.

“As a people, we should be earnest students of prophecy; we should not rest until we become intelligent in regard to the subject of the sanctuary, which is brought out in the visions of Daniel and John. This subject sheds great light on our present position and work, and gives us unmistakable proof that God has led us in our past experience. It explains … that Christ then entered into the most holy apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and is there performing the closing work of His priestly office, in fulfillment of the words of the angel to the prophet Daniel, ‘Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed’ (Daniel 8:14).” Evangelism, 222.

Not only do the wise virgins receive the wedding garment through the ministry of Christ in the most holy place, but this truth is also the anchor that keeps them from being swept away by the storm during the latter rain. “Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels’ messages, and gladly received them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the people of God. Those who understand and receive them will be kept from being swept away by the many delusions of Satan.” Early Writings, 256.

The three angel’s messages are a vital witness to the ministry of Christ in the most holy place to provide the wedding garment. “I saw a company who stood well-guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.’ ” [Emphasis added.] Ibid., 258, 259.

In conclusion, those who go to Jesus, Who is still mediating in the most holy place, with confession of sin will receive the wedding garment. “All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. The Lord declares, by the prophet Isaiah: ‘I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins’ (Isaiah 43:25). Said Jesus: ‘He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.’ ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven’ (Revelation 3:5; Matthew 10:32).” The Great Controversy, 483.

Dear friend will you be found with a wedding garment when probation closes or will the King find you “without a wedding garment”?

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New International Version.)

Maurice Hoppe is Director of the Steps to Life training programs and a member of the Steps to Life Board. The Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders is a correspondence course that prepares individuals to serve as pastors or Bible workers. Preparing for the Final Conflict is a correspondence course for the laity. Both of these courses teach present truth that will be an anchor for the soul during the storm of opposition and persecution just ahead. He and his wife also have a correspondence course offered through Revelation Ministry. He can be contacted at: mauricehoppe@stepstolife.org.

The Divine Nature

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We are told in 2 Peter 1:4 KJV that we are to become “partakers of the divine nature,” or literally, we are to become partakers of the Godhead. That would be blasphemous for me to say, but this wonderful doctrine was taught by the apostle Peter and has been the subject of a great deal of theological controversy for many years. To understand it, we need the direction of the Holy Spirit. Scripture may be read a hundred times without understanding, but then, all of a sudden, the light comes on and we see the meaning clearly.

In Revelation the third chapter, it is a thrill to read of the Philadelphia church, which is one of only two of the seven churches concerning whom Jesus gives no condemnation or reproof. During the second advent movement in the 1840s, the people had an experience in brotherly love that I myself have never witnessed in Adventists in my whole life. However, this is the experience that is needed if we are going to be ready for the second coming of Jesus.

The Philadelphia church is followed by the Laodicean church. Philadelphia is a Greek word that means brotherly love. Laodicea means the judging of the people. The church of Laodicea is the church that is alive during the time of the judgment. Revelation 3:17 and 18 says, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’— and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”

Notice that these people are spiritually naked. When you are naked you usually want to put on clothes. That was the experience of Adam and Eve after they ate from the forbidden fruit. However, the problem they faced was that the clothing they prepared for themselves was inadequate. Jesus said to the Laodicean church, “You don’t know your real condition. You are naked and you do not know it. You need clothes and only I have the clothing that you need.” A surface reader can find the book of Revelation difficult to understand because it is written in symbolic language, but the Bible itself explains all of its symbols. What does the clothing represent? Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Ellen White comments on this same subject in The Review and Herald, August 7, 1894. She says, “What is it that constitutes the wretchedness, the nakedness of those who feel rich and increased with goods?—It is the want of the righteousness of Christ. In their own righteousness they are represented as clothed with filthy rags, and yet in this condition they flatter themselves that they are clothed upon with Christ’s righteousness. Could deception be greater?”

Jesus came to offer the clothes of righteousness, His own righteousness, to all who would receive Him. This gift was not for the Jews alone. There were people who called themselves “the chosen people of God” who refused to accept Him, being satisfied with their own righteousness. Those who rejected His offer will not be in heaven. Although some of them had memorized and could quote the whole Pentateuch, it will avail them nothing in the end. Nobody can be taken to heaven from Adam down through all his descendants unless they are clothed with these pure garments which are heaven’s gift.

Yet there is more than one garment that must be put on. “He [Jesus] is waiting to strip them of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes [plural] of righteousness; He bids them live and not die.” Steps to Christ, 53.

This is mentioned many times in the writings of Ellen G. White. Sometimes it is referred to simply as a robe, but very often it is referred to in the plural form, garments. There is a reason for that. One example is found in Revelation 16:15 where Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Garments here is plural.

Let’s look at the first garment that is needed. It is found in Messages to Young People, 35: “The [robe of] righteousness by which we are justified is imputed.” Justified means you have been pardoned, forgiven and pronounced free of guilt. Imputed means that righteousness has been attributed or reckoned to you. This is our title to heaven. The word title means that you have a legal right to possess something.

Here is an illustration of this concept. As some of you know, I have been threatened with blindness in my life and it is by the grace of God that I can see and I am very thankful for that blessing. Suppose I was blind and that I would have enough money to go to the auto dealer to buy a new car. I choose my car, sign the papers and get the title to my car. Can I drive it? No. I may have the title, but because of blindness I am not fit to drive the car.

We need to think clearly about Bible truth. Today there are people telling others that all that is needed is a title to heaven to be able to go there. That is a delusion of the devil. No unfit person will be allowed to pollute the perfect peace of heaven. “The righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted.” This is said to be “… our fitness for heaven.” Ibid., 35.

Justified means we are pardoned. Sanctified means that we have been made holy. It is impossible to make ourselves holy, but God says in Exodus 31:12 and Ezekiel 20:12, “If you keep the Sabbath, I will make you holy.” The righteousness by which you are sanctified, made holy, is imparted. Imparted means that it is actually given to you. The people that are ready for Jesus to come not only have on the robe, but they also have on the wedding garment. The righteousness that is imparted is the wedding garment.

Revelation 19:7, 8 says, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” The word saint means holy one. Did you notice here that it does not say it is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, but that of the saints? How can this be when man has no righteousness of his own? Jesus says, “I am going to give you My righteousness.” When it is given to you it is imputed—that is justification. However, in sanctification righteousness is actually imparted; His righteousness becomes mine.

There are serious things to consider in regard to this subject. Jesus has a garment, the robe of His righteousness, that He will impute to me to give me a title to heaven. But before I can actually go there I must be made fit. I have to have on the wedding garment to be allowed into the feast. The saints actually have the righteousness. If you are given a garment it will be of no benefit to you unless you put it on.

“The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. … Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” The Great Controversy, 490.

The wedding garment is described as follows:

The “garment was a gift from the king.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 309. It is not something that I can generate by myself. It is a gift.

“… the wedding garment represents the character.” Ibid., 307.

“Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us.” Ibid., 311.

“By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess.” Ibid., 310.

“In order that we may have the righteousness of Christ, we need daily to be transformed by the influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of the divine nature.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 374. Unless you are a partaker of the divine nature, you are not going to have this experience. My dear friend, one of our problems in Laodicea is that we do not realize how much is actually involved in salvation. It involves much more than we as human beings think. It is common for us as human beings to think that if we could just overcome certain things, then we would be ready to go to heaven.

The Lord sees what you and I do not. We need much more than we think to be ready to go to heaven. “He [Christ] makes an end of the controlling power of sin in the heart … for it is necessary that every believer should be delivered from pollution, as well as from the curse and condemnation of the law. … for Christ works within us, and His righteousness is upon us. Without this, no soul will be entitled to heaven.” Ibid., 395.

If I am not delivered, not only from law-breaking but from all pollution, I will not be going to heaven. That is exactly what the Lord wants to do for me, through the Holy Spirit—clean me up. The following quote is worth repeating: “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.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 223.

This offer is just for you. Even if you are the weakest and most sinful person, it is still for you but, remember, you have to put it on. You have to do your part and sometimes that seems to be exceedingly hard. In the book Christ’s Object Lessons, 331, Ellen White wrote that becoming like Christ and developing the perfect character is through “… hard, stern battles with self.” First, we must put on the robe and be justified. Then we will be enabled to put on the wedding garment. “Through the merits of Christ, through His righteousness, which by faith is imputed unto us, we are to attain to the perfection of Christian character.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 744. Is this the experience you desire?

“Let no one despair of gaining the victory. Victory is sure when self is surrendered to God.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1095. Everyone may be saved if self is surrendered to God.

Every heresy that had to be opposed in the past will have to be dealt with again, including perfectionism. The Bible does not teach holy flesh but does teach that you can receive power from Christ and develop a holy character. “The Christian will feel the promptings of sin, but he will maintain a constant warfare against it.” The Great Controversy, 470. Do not be discouraged and think you are lost if you feel promptings of sin. We live in a temple of fallen human nature. Therefore we will feel the temptations and promptings of sin. Paul says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:16, 17). It is not safe to simply do whatever comes naturally but by diligence, control the carnal nature.

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:18). Notice, many of our Protestant friends are very confused about this and they say, “Oh, we are not under the law.” People that say they are not under the law are actually under it, because whoever breaks the law is under it. Romans 3:19 states: “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” The whole world is under the law. Everybody that breaks the law is under it and under the condemnation of eternal death.

Many years ago when I was in interdenominational jail ministry in Fort Worth, Texas, a friend and I would sometimes car pool while driving up there weekly. One day he asked me, “Have you ever thought what it would feel like if there were no plan of salvation?” This was a question I had never thought about, for I had grown up in a Seventh-day Adventist Christian home where my parents understood and taught me the three angels’ messages.

If there were no plan of salvation, not one of the descendants of Adam and Eve would be able to experience eternal life. Everyone would have to die. When our first parents sinned, the angels were very troubled because they understood well that Adam and Eve and all of their posterity would have to die.

“Throughout the heavenly courts there was mourning for the ruin that sin had wrought.

“The Son of God, heaven’s glorious Commander, was touched with pity for the fallen race. His heart was moved with infinite compassion as the woes of the lost world rose up before Him. But divine love had conceived a plan whereby man might be redeemed. …

“Before the Father He [Jesus] pleaded on the sinner’s behalf, while the host of heaven awaited the result with an intensity of interest that words cannot express. Long continued was that mysterious communing—‘the counsel of peace’ (Zechariah 6:13) for the fallen sons of men. The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Revelation 13:8); yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race. But ‘God so loved the world, that He gave up His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). Oh, the mystery of redemption!” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63, 64.

The plan of salvation does not just involve forgiving people for what they have done wrong. From its very inception, it involved restoring everything that had been lost by sin. In fact, it would be more than restored. We are told that as a result of the incarnation—the life and the death of Jesus Christ—that we are going to be more closely united to Christ than if we had never fallen. We are told in 2 Peter 1:4 literal translation: “… exceeding great and precious promises, that we might become partakers of the Godhead.” I cannot comprehend that, but that is what has to happen in order for me to be ready to go to heaven.

Putting on the wedding garment means that the character of Christ becomes my character; the way He thinks becomes the way I think; the way He talks becomes the way I talk; the way He acts becomes the way I act. Until that happens I am not ready and it would not be safe to take me to heaven because I have not yet put on the wedding garment.

When we talk about being a perfect reflection of the character of Christ, we are not in any sense implying that we will ever be equal with Him. Let me explain it this way. Suppose that you have a mirror and the mirror is perfect. You hold up the mirror to the sun and it gives a perfect reflection from the sunlight. Is the mirror equal to the sun? No, it just gives a reflection of the sun. Our character must reflect the character of Christ. We are never equal to Him but we may perfectly reflect His character. “As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 505.

The following is a ten-point summary that may help some people to be able to follow this line of reasoning:

  1. Laodicea is naked and cannot go to the wedding supper unless she becomes clothed.
  2. The nakedness of Laodicea is the lack of the righteousness of Christ.
  3. There are two garments. The first garment is the robe of righteousness, imputed to us, by which we are justified. It is attributed to us and we are declared righteous at conversion. But that is not enough; there is another step.
  4. We are to put on the garments of Christ’s righteousness by which we are sanctified. This is imparted, given to us, so that His righteousness becomes mine.
  5. I begin to think the way He thinks; talk the way He talks; act the way He would act in my place. To be sanctified means to be made holy.
  6. Individually we must first put on the robe of righteousness. The merits of Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us so that we may then become perfect reflections of His character and be ready to put on the wedding garment. The wedding garment representing character is imparted righteousness.
  7. As we accept by faith the righteous attributes of His character, the Holy Spirit gives us power to keep untainted by sin and thereby put on the wedding garment which represents the character of Christ that has now become ours. This also involves stern, hard battles with self. Very often we see that self is our worst enemy.
  8. The Holy Spirit is to deliver every saint from all pollution. This deliverance is not just from breaking the law, but from all pollution. “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27).
  9. Developing a Christ-like character, a perfect character, can only be done by a union of divinity and humanity. Jesus Christ came to this world, not as an angel but as a human being, uniting divinity with humanity.
  10. This is possible for all of us if self is surrendered fully to the sovereignty of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, everybody who claims title to heaven will not be seen as fit. Matthew 22:14 describes the man who tried to go to the wedding feast without the wedding garment. Jesus said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Ellen White writes this: “This is a true statement of the final outcome.” The Review and Herald, May 8, 1900.

Many are called. These are the people that have accepted the gospel. However, few are chosen. Few submit to the working of the Holy Spirit to perfect a Christ-like character. We can look around and see a multitude calling Christ their Saviour, but do they all want Him as their Lord? There are so many who know the truth. They have heard it preached; they know the gospel. Yet many will lose their soul because they have neglected to put on the wedding garment.

“ ‘Many are called but few are chosen.’ This is a true statement of the final outcome. Man is very dear to the heart of God, and all are invited to this feast. But many come not having on the wedding garment. They do not accept Christ’s righteousness. They have not repented and made peace with God. They have not received His free gift.

“Christ must be all and in all to every soul. Those who try in their own strength to solve the mystery of the creation of man, the mystery of redemption, the mystery of eternity, will be baffled. But those who put on the garment provided for them at an infinite cost, find an abundant entrance to the rich feast of spiritual blessings.” The Review and Herald, May 8, 1900.

There is much time today being spent in useless theological controversy. However, even if you have all the right theology you cannot attain heaven without the wedding garment. We are not saved in groups. I cannot put the wedding garment on you and you cannot put the wedding garment on me. Each one must go to the Lord in prayer and say, “Lord, help me to put on the wedding garment. I am making a decision to change my garments. Help me, Lord, to do it.” We cannot do this in our own strength. We need the help of the Holy Spirit.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church of Free Seventh-day Adventists in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.