PROBATING OF CHRIST S WILL When we read Ezekiel chapter 8, we can see what the Omega of apostasy will look like. After seeing a number of symbolisms

Transcription

1 PROBATING OF CHRIST S WILL When we read Ezekiel chapter 8, we can see what the Omega of apostasy will look like. After seeing a number of symbolisms of devastating apostasies, in Ezekiel 8:16 the prophet was shown a scene enacted in the very precincts of the temple that constituted the ultimate of apostasy and departures from God and His truth. And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. This is the last apostasy that Ezekiel saw just before he was shown the sealing angel going through the midst of the church, placing a mark upon those who were sighing and crying because of the terrible abominations. However, by contrast, the prophet Joel was shown what the final revival of true godliness among God s people will look like. Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people Joel 2: Here we see those who are the true spiritual leaders in the end time also worshipping between the porch and the altar. But there is marked difference. Instead of falling on their knees with their backs to the sanctuary and their faces to the rising sun as in Ezek.8:16, these ministers of God are facing the most holy place on the great day of atonement, pleading with God to spare His people from the oppression of their enemies. God s people are facing the test of the mark of the beast at this time. The announcement that the hour of God s judgment, the great day of atonement, is come, combines with the warning against the worship of the beast and receiving his mark. This creates a special urgency at this time. In Revelation 14:6-7 the gospel or good news for these end times is the announcement that the hour of God s judgment is come. GC p.312 & 355 tell us that This message is declared to be a part of the everlasting gospel. The message itself sheds light as to the time when this movement is to take place. It is declared to be a part of the everlasting gospel; and it announces the opening of the Judgment. The message of salvation has been preached in all ages; but this message is a part of the gospel which could be proclaimed only in the last days, for only then would it be true that the hour of Judgment had come. So the judgment has much to do with our salvation. Although the message that the hour of God s judgment is come is not good news to those who have their backs to the sanctuary, it is very good news to those who gather there by faith on the day of atonement. That is the time when God s people will become beneficiaries of the will or testament or covenant which Christ made before His death. The greatest gifts that could be bestowed will be bequeathed to them when His will is probated at the judgment. In Daniel 7:26-27 we get a glimpse of the great rewards that are given to the saints at the time of the judgment. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. And Micah 4:8 shows that the first dominion which was lost to Satan will be restored to the saints. And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. We are talking here of eternal realities soon to be realized. This world which was given to man in the beginning will be wrested out of the hand of the prince of darkness and given back to the saints of the Most High. GC p.484 gives us a brief statement on that. The deepest interest manifested among men in the decisions of earthly tribunals but faintly represents the interest evinced in the heavenly courts when the names entered in the book of life come up in review before the Judge of all the earth. The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in his blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home, and crowned as joint-heirs with himself to the first dominion. [Micah 4:8.] Satan, in his efforts to deceive and tempt our race, had thought to frustrate the divine plan in man's creation; but Christ now asks that this plan be carried 1

2 into effect, as if man had never fallen. He asks for his people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in his glory and a seat upon his throne. What greater blessing could be bestowed? The opening of the judgment since 1844 is the most momentous event since the cross. There are some mighty issues that will be resolved in the judgment when all the facts of the great controversy are brought out before the heavenly tribunal. God s name and the laws of His government have been maligned, misrepresented and stigmatized. Lucifer made some serious allegations against the government of heaven which deceived one third of the angels and all of the human race. All have been deceived into sin in this world. The judgment is going to set the whole universe on a secure basis so that affliction will not rise up the second time. And the remnant people of God are going to play a vital role in making that happen. Isaiah 51:16 tells us, And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people. We may wonder how that will ever be accomplished. But we should remember that what God has promised, He is able to perform. By looking at what takes place at the judgment we can see how all these things will be done. See Psalm 77:13. Evangelism p223 tells us, 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. Joel 2:15-32 depicts some of the mighty blessings that Christ will give to those who are accepted in the judgment. In verse nineteen, He promises to send corn and wine and oil. These are all used here as symbols of the Holy Spirit. Compare with Zechariah 9: In verse 23 this promised blessing is reconfirmed. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Inspiration tells us that This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train DA p.672. It is the greatest blessing that God can bestow. In Joel 2:25 we see what some of those benefits are. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. This verse is not talking about insects and pests that devour crops. We are dealing here with spiritual realities. The locusts and worms and caterpillers represent the sins that have eaten out the spiritual fiber from the soul. And when Christ says that He sent these predators among His people, we need to understand that in the Bible God is sometimes represented as sending that which actually He allows. For example, 1 Samuel 16:14 tells us, But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. When God withdrew His Spirit from Saul, it allowed an evil spirit to take possession of him. Joes 2:25 tells us that God will restore all the damage that sin has done to our spiritual nature. Unfortunately, we tend to think that our sinful condition is normal, because we haven t known anything else. But if we compare ourselves with Adam and Eve before the fall, we can see a big difference physically, mentally and spiritually. In Education p we read, Sin not only shuts us away from God, but destroys in the human soul both the desire and the capacity for knowing Him. All this work of evil it is Christ's mission to undo. The faculties of the soul, paralyzed by sin, the darkened mind, the perverted will, He has power to invigorate and to restore Education p All who have sinned have been scarred by it. 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 Jeremiah 17:1. For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines Jeremiah30: 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 DA p.302. However, as we read previously, all the damage that sin has done Christ came to undo. We have these encouraging promises. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir Isaiah 13:12. 2

3 It is the purpose of redemption, not only to blot out sin, but to give back to man those spiritual gifts lost because of sin's dwarfing power C.O.L. p.266. 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 5T p IHP p.66 Christ's likeness in us is a grand truth, a practical truth. I am not merely a thing that God loves, made to be left the sport of Satan's temptations; I am a child of God, begotten unto a lively hope, big with immortality and full of glory. These are exceeding great and precious promises. Our minds cannot grasp the great significance of the reconstruction and restoration that Christ will accomplish for His people when His will is probated at the judgment. Let us grasp it by faith and contemplate upon it until we shall gain greater insight to what God has prepared for those that love Him. 3

4 INSIDE THE HEAVENLY COURTROOM Zechariah 3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. Here Inspiration depicts the scene of the heavenly tribunal. The angel of Lord mentioned here is none other than Christ. And we learned previously from the judgment scene of Daniel 7:9-4 that the Ancient of days, the Father, presides over the proceedings of the judgment. In this presentation, we see Christ standing in the position of defense attorney to defend Joshua, who represents God s professed people, those whose names were once entered in the book of life. And Satan assumes the position of prosecuting attorney. He has a real vested interest in what happens in the judgment. The sins of all who are acquitted in the judgment will be rolled upon him and he will have to bear the punishment for them. Those who do not pass the examination at the judgment will once again become responsible for all the sins they have committed, even though they may at one time have confessed them and received pardon. (Matthew 18 parable of the two debtors illustrates that point.) So Satan vehemently accuses God s people to prevent their acceptance. GC p.484 While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of his grace, Satan accuses them before God as transgressors. The great deceiver has sought to lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to separate themselves from his love, and to break his law. Now he points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his subjects. This vision of Joshua and the Angel, which describes the judgment, day of atonement experience, also tells us that the mark of the beast has been enforced at that time. Notice the following: 5T p Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God's people in the closing up of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be menaced, denounced, and proscribed. They will "be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends. When we read of this terrible ordeal we might exclaim, Who can be saved? But we have this blessed assurance from Christ which we need to cling to as we face this time. 2SM p.368 But when the world makes void the law of God, what will be the effect upon the truly obedient and righteous? Will they be carried away by the strong current of evil? Because so many rank themselves under the banner of the prince of darkness, will God's commandment-keeping people swerve from their allegiance? Never! Not one who is abiding in Christ will fail or fall. 3SM p.398 When the Christian is looking forward to duties and severe trials that he anticipates are to be brought upon him, because of his Christian profession of faith, it is human nature to contemplate the consequences, and shrink from the prospects, and this will be decidedly so as we near the close of this earth's history. We may be encouraged by the truthfulness of God's word, that Christ never failed His children as their safe Leader in the hour of their trial; for we have the truthful record of those who have been under the oppressive powers of Satan, that His grace is according to their day. God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able. As we continue the passage from 5T p.473, we get a graphic description of the intensity of the judgment scene. 5T p As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and ear- 4

5 nest faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus their Advocate. They are fully conscious of the sinfulness of their lives, they see their weakness and unworthiness, and as they look upon themselves they are ready to despair. The tempter stands by to accuse them, as he stood by to resist Joshua. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer. He endeavors to affright the soul with the thought that their case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes to so destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations, turn from their allegiance to God, and receive the mark of the beast. Satan urges before God his accusations against them, declaring that they have by their sins forfeited the divine protection, and claiming the right to destroy them as transgressors. He pronounces them just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. "Are these," he says, "the people who are to take my place in heaven and the place of the angels who united with me? While they profess to obey the law of God, have they kept its precepts? Have they not been lovers of self more than of God? Have they not placed their own interests above His service? Have they not loved the things of the world? Look at the sins which have marked their lives. Behold their selfishness, their malice, their hatred toward one another." The people of God have been in many respects very faulty. Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit, and he presents these in the most exaggerated light, declaring: "Will God banish me and my angels from His presence, and yet reward those who have been guilty of the same sins? Thou canst not do this, O Lord, in justice. Thy throne will not stand in righteousness and judgment. Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against them. The whole loyal universe is watching with intense interest to see what will happen. These are serious charges. None of us would be able to defend ourselves against the charges of Satan as he assumes the position of prosecuting attorney and uses all his skills in deception and prevarication learned through 6000 years of practice and experiment. Inspiration tells us that The assaults of Satan are strong, his delusions are terrible. But it also tells us that the Lord's eye is upon His people. And it tells us why Christ allows His people to pass through this ordeal. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but Jesus will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Their earthliness must be removed that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected; unbelief must be overcome; faith, hope, and patience are to be developed. God s people pictured in this passage are experiencing the affliction of soul that characterizes the day of atonement. Indeed, the Bible tells us that For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people Leviticus 23:29. But what are they afflicting their souls about? Do they have unconfessed sins for which they are now repenting? No! It is their past sins and transgressions that they are afflicting their souls about. They do not forget or feel careless about their past sins as soon as they received pardon. Note this passage from Inspiration: ST Nov.26, 1894 He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow careless about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the contrary, the clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he sees to regret in his past life of sin. He loathes, abhors, and condemns himself, and is more and more astonished that he should have continued in rebellion so long. He renews his repentance toward God, while he grasps more decidedly the hand of Jesus Christ, and finds that repentance is a daily, continued exercise, lasting until mortality is swallowed up of life. He who thus repents, appreciates the righteousness of Christ as above silver and gold, above every earthly tie and affection. But for those who are afflicting their souls in deep repentance, there comes a sudden relief. 5T p.475 tells us that As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, "Take away the filthy garments" from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. "A fair miter" is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God. 5

6 It may come as a surprise to read that those who are acquitted at the judgment come to the judgment still clothed in filthy garments. What are the filthy garments. Are they unconfessed and unforsaken sins? If anyone comes to the judgment with unconfessed sins, he or she will be rejected and cut off as happens on the great day of atonement. It will mark the close of their probation. But Inspiration gives us a clear picture of what those filthy garments represent. 21MR p.384 Joshua here represents the people of God; and Satan pointing to their filthy garments claims them as his property over which he has a right to exercise his cruel power. But these very ones have improved the hours of probation to confess their sins with contrition of soul and put them away, and Jesus has written pardon against their names. Those who have not ceased to sin and who have not repented and sought pardon for their transgressions are not represented in this company; for this company vex their souls over the corruptions and iniquity abounding around them, and God will recognize those who are sighing and crying because of the abominations done in the land. They were not mixed up in these abominations. They had not corrupted their ways before God, but had washed their robes of character and had made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Satan pointed to their sins which had not yet been blotted out, and which he had tempted them to commit, and then reviled them as being sinners clad with filthy garments. But Jesus changes their appearance. The filthy garments represent the record of confessed sins which were still written on the table of the heart as well as in the books of heaven. This is what makes true believers corrupt human channels which defile even the good things that they do like praying and worshipping God and serving and obeying Him. DA p.302 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. OHC p.227 Every mistake, every error, unimportant though it may be regarded, leaves a scar in this life and a blot on the heavenly records. All who have sinned have been scarred by it. 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 Jeremiah 17:1. For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines Jeremiah30: SM p.344 The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin, ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary: but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God s right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. However, as we read previously, all the damage that sin has done Christ came to undo. We have these encouraging promises. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir Isaiah 13:12. It is the purpose of redemption, not only to blot out sin, but to give back to man those spiritual gifts lost because of sin's dwarfing power C.O.L. p.266. EW p.271 describes the exuberant joy that will come to those who have passed the judgment and have had their sins blotted out, their filthy garment forever removed, never more to be defiled again. EW p.271 Said the angel: "List ye!" [Listen!] Soon I heard a voice that sounded like many musical instruments, all in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard. It seemed to be so full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel: "Look ye!" My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying with 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, firmly, 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. 6

7 This passage, along with the others that we have read, answer the question as to whether the saints will know when they have passed the judgment and had their sins blotted out and their filthy garments taken away. Christ does nothing for in us without our consent and cooperation. Let us give Him our wholehearted consent that He might finish the work in us and bring the great controversy to a speedy close. INSIDE THE HEAVENLY COURTROOM (JULY 11) STATEMENTS Zechariah 3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. GC p.484 While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of his grace, Satan accuses them before God as transgressors. The great deceiver has sought to lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to separate themselves from his love, and to break his law. Now he points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his subjects. 5T p Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God's people in the closing up of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be menaced, denounced, and proscribed. They will "be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends. 2SM p.368 But when the world makes void the law of God, what will be the effect upon the truly obedient and righteous? Will they be carried away by the strong current of evil? Because so many rank themselves under the banner of the prince of darkness, will God's commandment-keeping people swerve from their allegiance? Never! Not one who is abiding in Christ will fail or fall. 3SM p.398 When the Christian is looking forward to duties and severe trials that he anticipates are to be brought upon him, because of his Christian profession of faith, it is human nature to contemplate the consequences, and shrink from the prospects, and this will be decidedly so as we near the close of this earth's history. We may be encouraged by the truthfulness of God's word, that Christ never failed His children as their safe Leader in the hour of their trial; for we have the truthful record of those who have been under the oppressive powers of Satan, that His grace is according to their day. God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able. 5T p As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and earnest faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus their Advocate. They are fully conscious of the sinfulness of their lives, they see their weakness and unworthiness, and as they look upon themselves they are ready to despair. The tempter stands by to accuse them, as he stood by to resist Joshua. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer. He endeavors to affright the soul with the thought that their case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes to so destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations, turn from their allegiance to God, and receive the mark of the beast. Satan urges before God his accusations against them, declaring that they have by their sins forfeited the divine protection, and claiming the right to destroy them as transgressors. He pronounces them just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. "Are these," he says, "the people who are to take my place in heaven and the place of the angels who united with me? While they profess to obey the law of God, have they kept its precepts? Have they not been lovers of self more than of God? Have they not placed their own interests above His service? Have they not loved the things of the world? Look at the sins which have marked their lives. Behold their selfishness, their malice, their hatred toward one another." The people of God have been in many respects very faulty. Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit, and he presents these in the most exaggerated light, declaring: "Will God banish me and my 7

8 5T 474 Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but Jesus will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. Their earthliness must be removed that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected; unbelief must be overcome; faith, hope, and patience are to be developed. ST Nov.26, 1894 He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow careless about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the contrary, the clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he sees to regret in his past life of sin. He loathes, abhors, and condemns himself, and is more and more astonished that he should have continued in rebellion so long. He renews his repentance toward God, while he grasps more decidedly the hand of Jesus Christ, and finds that repentance is a daily, continued exercise, lasting until mortality is swallowed up of life. He who thus repents, appreciates the righteousness of Christ as above silver and gold, above every earthly tie and affection. 5T p.475 As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, "Take away the filthy garments" from them, and the encouraging words are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. And the remnant are not only pardoned and accepted, but honored. "A fair miter" is set upon their heads. They are to be as kings and priests unto God. While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to destroy this company, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the seal of the living God. 21MR p.384 Joshua here represents the people of God; and Satan pointing to their filthy garments claims them as his property over which he has a right to exercise his cruel power. But these very ones have improved the hours of probation to confess their sins with contrition of soul and put them away, and Jesus has written pardon against their names. Those who have not ceased to sin and who have not repented and sought pardon for their transgressions are not represented in this company; for this company vex their souls over the corruptions and iniquity abounding around them, and God will recognize those who are sighing and crying because of the abominations done in the land. They were not mixed up in these abominations. They had not corrupted their ways before God, but had washed their robes of character and had made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Satan pointed to their sins which had not yet been blotted out, and which he had tempted them to commit, and then reviled them as being sinners clad with filthy garments. But Jesus changes their appearance. DA p.302 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. OHC p.227 Every mistake, every error, unimportant though it may be regarded, leaves a scar in this life and a blot on the heavenly records. Jeremiah 17:1 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 Jeremiah 30:12-13 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines Jeremiah30: SM p.344 The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin, ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary: but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God s right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. Isaiah 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir COL p.266 It is the purpose of redemption, not only to blot out sin, but to give back to man those spiritual gifts lost because of sin's dwarfing power. EW p.271 Said the angel: "List ye!" Listen! Soon I heard a voice that sounded like many musical instruments, all in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard. It seemed to be so full of mercy, compas- 8

9 sion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel: "Look ye!" My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying with 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, firmly, 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. 9

10 STATEMENTS ON THE REVIEW AT THE JUDGMENT Hebrews 10:1-3 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 5 MR p.5 We are now living in the solemn period of the antitypical day of atonement. In the type, the sins of the people were, on the atonement day, to be called to mind and repented of. It was a time of humiliation and affliction of soul. Ezekiel 36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. COL 160 At every advance step in Christian experience our repentance will deepen. It is to those whom the Lord has forgiven, to those whom He acknowledges as His people, that He says, "Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight." Ezekiel 36:31. RH Nov. 4, 1884 Each one in the day of investigative Judgment will stand in character as he really is; he will render an individual account to God. Every word uttered, every departure from integrity, every action that sullies the soul, will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary. Memory will be true and vivid in condemnation of the guilty one, who in that day is found wanting. The mind will recall all the thoughts and acts of the past; the whole life will come in review like the scenes in a panorama. Thus every one will be condemned or acquitted out of his own mouth, and the righteousness of God will be vindicated. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 2T p.312 The time is coming when all shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body. You will have a part to act in the judgment. Jesus will either receive or reject you. Flee to Him for strength and grace. ST Feb.14, 1878 You are to continue to be instructed in the school of Christ, having the heart open to receive the heavenly knowledge that will be imparted unto you; and thus you will grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth. There is a final examination that is to take place in reference to your probationary time in this world which is of vital interest to every one of us. There will in that day be no indifferent spectators. Every one will have a part to act, and will have intense interest to pass that ordeal with heavenly honors. All will have an opportunity to educate themselves while in this world, that they may be fitted to stand the grand review which must shortly take place. (Address given to the students of Battle Creek College) TM p.224 Let everyone who professes the name of Christ consider the fact that he must meet every act of injustice, give an account for every harsh word, at the judgment seat of Christ. It will not be pleasant to review the words that have been spoken that have wounded and bruised souls, to review the decisions that have worked against souls for whom Christ died. Every action will come into judgment, and the spirit that prompted it will be made manifest. The fruit of every selfish, arbitrary exaction will be made plain, and men will see the results of their doings even as God sees them. 10