THIS WORLD ON HOLD TILL THE 7TH TRUMPET ( PART ONE )

Transcription

1 THIS WORLD ON HOLD TILL THE 7TH TRUMPET ( PART ONE ) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets Revelation 10:7. There are two mysteries revealed in the Bible the mystery of iniquity and the mystery of God. These two mysteries are contending for the hearts and minds of men. The purpose of the mystery of God is given in Ephesians 3:9-10. It is To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. The mystery of iniquity will also have to be revealed and its real intents made manifest to the whole universe. That is why the great controversy has continued for such a long time. The two mysteries must be shown in contrast to each other. In Desire of Ages p. 759 we read, It was God's purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security, and in the councils of heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system of government. He had claimed that these were superior to God's principles. Time was given for the working of Satan's principles, that they might be seen by the heavenly universe. Satan led men into sin, and the plan of redemption was put in operation. For four thousand years, Christ was working for man's uplifting, and Satan for his ruin and degradation. And the heavenly universe beheld it all. The great focal point of the whole Bible is about the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory Colossians 1: The universe will never be secure from another defection until the mystery of God is fully revealed. Until that happens, the whole creation will continue to groan and travail in pain as indicated in Romans 8:22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The mystery of redemption which is to reverse all the tragic results of the fall is the great point of interest. The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, "They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads" (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,--man's uplifting,--the power of God, "which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Education p The revelation of that mystery began to wonderfully unfold when Christ was born into this world. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:16, And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. And 1 Selected Messages p. 246 tells us that The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in human flesh is a mystery, "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations" (Colossians 1:26). It is the great and profound mystery of godliness. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14) What makes this mystery of Christ coming human flesh especially significant is the realization that Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh Romans 8:3. Hebrews 2:14 & 17 and 4:15 tell us, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil... Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertain ing to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For we have not an high priest 1

2 which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. To have the eternal God and Creator of the universe dwell among men to show them the way of salvation was a high privilege which was dimly understood and appreciated by men. It was as it says in John 1:4-5, In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. WHY CHRIST SPENT 30 YEARS OF HIS LIFE ON EARTH But the question arises as to why Christ needed to spend over 30 years in this sin-cursed world? If He came as the Lamb of God to die for the sins of the world, why didn t He just come and yield up His life to pay the penalty for sin and then go back to heaven? Romans 5:10 gives us the answer. It tells us, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. This verse tells us that the death of Christ reconciled us to God. How that is accomplished is beautifully shown in Desire of Ages p The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour. But Romans 5:10 also tells us that we are saved by His life. Christ s death provided for forgiveness and justification as symbolized in the outer court of the sanctuary. But is that all that is needed? Is the rest of the sanctuary unnecessary for our salvation? There are many professed Christians who believe that, but it leaves many unanswered questions. We should take note what it says in the following: In 5 Testimonies p. 537 we read, The forgiveness of sins is not the sole result of the death of Jesus. He made the infinite sacrifice, not only that sin might be removed, but that human nature might be restored, rebeautified, reconstructed from its ruins, and made fit for the presence of God. This also has to happen before the work of redemption is complete. What was Christ doing during those 30 years that He walked among men? Besides healing and teaching the people, and showing the love of God, He was building a character that would be a pattern for all who believed in Him. That is a vital part to the work of redemption and to the finishing of the mystery of God, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Christ spent over 30 years in this world where Satan was constantly buffeting Him and trying to prevent Him from doing what He came to do. It took time to develop a perfect, God-like character in His humanity which could be imparted to humanity. Christ Object Lessons p. 311 tells us that Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. The great controversy began when Lucifer raised some serious allegations against the laws of God s government, which is a transcript of His character. The great controversy will not be resolved until the universe has a demonstration which will fully vindicate the character of God and His law. And we know that Christ in His humanity gave a perfect demonstration of the goodness and righteousness of God s character and law. Never once did He violate its precepts. His was a life of continual, heartfelt obedience. His perfect life was a prototype of the high destiny which He has purposed for every intelligent being, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in His steps as Peter stated it in 1 Peter 2:21. Christ dwelling in human flesh and rendering perfect obedience as a man was the opening up of the mystery which had been hid from eternal ages. But it has not yet been demonstrated by humanity that what 2

3 Christ did in His humanity can also be done by those who are His followers in this world. Revelation 10:7 indicates that the mystery of God will not be finished until the 7th trumpet begins to sound. More things have to transpire before the whole universe will be secured so that affliction will not rise up the second time? Nahum 1:9. The fullness of the grace and power purchased by the cross of Christ for humanity is yet to be fully revealed. The Three Angel s Messages points to a people who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. That is what these messages are to produce. But hasn t Christ had people throughout the ages who have kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? What about Enoch and Noah and Moses and Job and Daniel? What about the apostle Paul and John and all the martyrs and faithful men and women listed in Hebrews 11? All these people showed their faithfulness to God and His law. So Revelation 14:12 must be alluding to something which is beyond the normal experience of God s people in the past. Otherwise, there would not be any significance in describing them as Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. During probationary time, before the 7th trumpet begins to sound, the Bible tells us that There is none righteous, no, not one Romans 3:10. That may seem to contradict what it says about the righteous men like Noah and Job, of whom it was said for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation ( Genesis 7:1 ) and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil ( Job 1:1 ). How can we reconcile Romans 3:10 with the Scriptural testimony of men like Noah and Job? Why are there none righteous, no, not one? ( To be continued in part two ) 3

4 THIS WORLD ON HOLD TILL THE 7th TRUMPET ( Continued from part one ) THE PERILS OF PAST SINS The Bible tells us that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That means that all have experienced the scarring effect of sin in their lives. Jeremiah 17:1 states that The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars. There is a residual effect upon the heart and mind from past sins even after they were confessed and forsaken. Every impure thought defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense, and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit. It dims the spiritual vision, so that men cannot behold God. The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner; but though forgiven, the soul is marred Desire of Ages p That is why the apostle John stated that If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us 1 John 1:8. And the Wiseman exclaimed, Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Proverbs 20:9 Not only do past sins leave their scars upon the soul, but they also create an almost unconscious response to those sins. Sin has degraded the faculties of the soul. Temptations from without find an answering chord within the heart, and the feet turn imperceptibly toward evil Ministry of Healing p He who has once yielded to temptation will yield more readily the second time. Every repetition of the sin lessens his power of resistance, blinds his eyes, and stifles conviction Patriarchs & Prophets p The sins engraven on the tables of the heart are not blotted out or erased until the investigative judgment and times of refreshing. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3:19. The pardoned soul is covered with the robe of Christ s righteousness and stands justified before God as though he had not sinned. This is a wonderful transaction that is not appreciated as much as it should be. When God looks upon His people, He sees only the righteousness of Christ and not their past sins. But Romans 3:10 shows us what all humanity looks like if the covering of Christ s righteousness were removed. Then there is none righteous, no, not one. However, before Christ comes in power and glory, there will be a period of time when His intercession will cease in the sanctuary above. Then there will be no imputing of His righteousness to cover the sins written on the tables of the heart. There will be no longer the forgiveness for sins. None of the previous generations of God s people have ever faced that kind of experience where they no longer had a safety net if they should happen to fall. Those who stand at that time will have to reflect the image of Jesus perfectly and at all times. They will have to be wholly like Jesus was in His humanity where there was nothing in Him that responded to the temptations and sophistries of Satan. This experience will not be attained through daily sanctification alone. Sanctification is a prerequisite. But it will be accomplished by Christ s special atonement. It will be a gift of His grace. When will the last day saints attain to that kind of experience? Revelation 10:7 tells us that... in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. The timing is when the 7 trumpet begins to sound. But what happens when the 7th trumpet begins to sound? Note: And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord, and of 4

5 his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever Revelation 11:15. When do the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Christ? If we compare Revelation 11:15 with two passages in the book of Daniel, we will see when that takes place. Daniel 2:44 tells us that And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Here we see that God will sill set up a kingdom in the days of the feet and toes of iron and clay in the great image which Nebuchadnezzar saw. This is the time when churchcraft and statecraft are blended. In Daniel 7: 9-14 we have more specific detail on this point. It describes the investigative judgment when the books are opened containing all whose names have been entered in the book of life at one time. As a result of the investigation, it tells us I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Verse Here we see how Christ receives His kingdom. It happens when the judgment was set, and the books were opened. Early Writings p. 280 elaborates on this scene. Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords So it is apparent that the mystery of God is finished at the investigative judgment and final at-one-ment. And it will be experienced first by those who are alive when the judgment of the living begins. The dead will experience it when they are resurrected, either in the special resurrection or at Christ s return. We need to understand how the judgment works and what is the purpose for the investigation of the books of record. Great Controversy p. 480 says, Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies, and there appears in the presence of God, to engage in the last acts of his ministration in behalf of man, to perform the work of investigative Judgment, and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits. The judgment decides who is entitled to the benefits of the special atonement which is made in the most holy place. And those benefits are beyond anything that God s people have received in the past. Those who are found faithful will have their life record of sins blotted out, not only from the books of record, but more importantly, from the tables of the heart, from the very remembrance of them. This climactic experience is described in Malachi 3: 3-4. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. When we recall the negative effects that past sins have on the spiritual experience, we can truly appreciate the great blessing that the blotting out of sins will be. Then all the offerings of praise and service to God will be perfectly acceptable before God without needing the application of the cleansing blood. See 1SM

6 But there is more. The blotting out of sins will be accompanied by the outpouring of the refreshing latter rain as we read in Acts 3: 19. Desire of Ages p tells us that The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He ( Jesus ) could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people... This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. The latter rain does a marvelous work within the heart of the believer which will enable him to do a mighty work of enlightening the whole world with the glory of God s character. The inward work which is done in the heart is wonderfully depicted in Testimony to Ministers p The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God's grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ. The latter rain, ripening earth's harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. In Isaiah 4: 2-4 we are given a description of God s people who have been the recipient of the special atonement made in the most holy place and received all the benefits. In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. This passage, like Malachi 3:3-4, describes the purification of God s people at the day of judgment and atonement and the glorious results. Then in Zechariah 3:1-5 we have an even more detailed description of the experience of God s people in the closing up of the day of atonement. There we see God s people represented by Joshua standing before the judgment bar of God. He is clothed in filthy garments, the record of past sins which have not yet been blotted out. Satan stands by to accuse him as a transgressor like himself and undeserving of the favor of God. But then Christ gives the command to take away the filthy garments and to clothe him with a garment of righteousness. Then Christ asks that a fair mitre, the seal of God, to be placed upon his head. When that has happened, Inspiration tells us that God s people are eternally secure from the tempters devices. See 5 Testimonies p They will nevermore be defiled with the sins and corruptions of the world. The sealing which takes place at this time is very significant. Ephesians 4:30 tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. There is a seal of the former rain which the believer is given when he accepts Christ and is forgiven and justified from his sins. See Ephesians 1:13. However, this seal does not make him eternally secure from falling back into sin. There have been many people in the past who have started on the path to heaven but have subsequently turned off the path and lost the seal. But there is a seal of the latter rain which will be placed when sins are blotted out, making them eternally secure. The latter rain seal is pictured in Revelation 7: 1-4 and 14:1-5 which shows the 144,000 as perfect and without fault before the throne of God. It is the finishing of the mystery of God as He hath declared to His servants, the prophets Revelation 10:7. Ellen White was given a vision of those who had passed the ordeal of the judgment and been sealed with the latter rain. The following is from Early Writings p Said the angel, "Look ye!" My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily 6

7 shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy. The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed around them, but could have no power over them. I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, "It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel. In Isaiah 60:1-3 we see the light and glory of those who have been sealed by the latter rain. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Revelation 18:1-4 presents an even more graphic picture. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. A SIGNAL AT MIDNIGHT One final question that needs to be addressed: Will there be something which will alert God s people to the imminence of the judgment of the living and the finishing of the mystery of God? Will there be a message or call which will awaken the sleeping virgins before that climactic event comes upon them? Perhaps the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 will give us some answers. In the parable we read that all the virgins, both wise and foolish, slumbered and slept because the bridegroom delayed his coming. But then it tells us, And at midnight there was a cry madebehold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. According to Matthew 25:6, there will be a signal given that will arouse the sleepy virgins, both wise and fool- 7

8 ish. Just before the judgment began for the dead in 1844, there was a signal given which is referred to as the midnight cry. If there was a signal given that aroused God s people before the judgment began for the dead, isn t it logical that another signal would be given before the judgment begins for the living? Indeed, Ellen White tells us that My mind was carried to the future, when the signal will be given, Behold the Bridegroom cometh. In the parable of the ten virgins, the call at midnight was heard by both wise and foolish. Both were aroused from their slumber. Both were aware of the event that was about to happen. This happened in 1844 just before the judgment of the dead began, and it will be fulfilled again before the judgment of the living. I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. This parable has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter, for it has a special application to this time, and, like the third angel's message, has been fulfilled and will continue to be present truth till the close of time. Review and Herald, August 19, Paul told the Thessalonian believers that they were not in darkness regarding the day of the Lord so that it would overtake them by surprise. So God s people in these last days should not be in darkness regarding the events connected with the close of their probation. They will hear the cry, Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him. We also have this statement from Inspiration. Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44. Go to your rest at night with every sin confessed. Thus we did when in 1844 we expected to meet our Lord. And now this great event is nearer than when we first believed. Be ye always ready, in the evening, in the morning, and at noon, that when the cry is heard, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him, you may, even though awakened out of sleep, go forth to meet Him with your lamps trimmed and burning. 9 Testimonies p.48. In connection with this parable comes a warning not to wait until the cry is heard before filling our lamps with the oil of God s Spirit. Probationary time ends first with the house of God because judgment begins with the house of God. See 1 Peter 4:17. There are many who, unless they humble their hearts before the Lord, will be surprised and disappointed when the cry is heard: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh. 9 Testimonies p.155. We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking up at the last minute, when the cry is heard, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, gathering up our lamps, from which the oil has burned away, and thinking then to have them replenished. Our only hope is daily to love God, to love the truth, not for the sake of its clear arguments, but for truth's sake alone. We must bring the truth into our hearts and minds, and every day be living, shining lights, learning daily more and more of Jesus. Signs of the Times, August 6, The foolish virgins cannot get the oil from the wise. Character is not transferrable. And no one can develop a character at the last moment of time, when the crisis has fully come. The only safety is to earnestly ask the Lord to heal the disorders of our soul and to cleanse it from all sinful habits. This should be our daily work 8