1888 Message Study : Final Restoration of Unity

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2018-q4/final-restoration-of-unity

"FINAL RESTORATION OF UNITY"

Did it happen to you earlier this month? Did the morning of December 3 change your life? That day changed me. As the day wore on, I experienced a taste of heaven, a glimpse into eternity. Although the weeks have marched on it continues to impact me. It did not involve a vision or bright lights or even a near death experience. No graves opened. The resplendent palaces of the nations did not dissolve in a cataclysmic earthquake. I didn't even get to slide down the neck of a giraffe which has been one of my childhood dreams of doing in heaven. Wolves continued to desire leg of lamb, and snakes still had all of their venomous capabilities. Globally, time did not register the experience. Even in the church world it didn't involve any sweet communion and fellowship, the war of words between various groups continued unabated. No, it was something much more visceral and personal. In fact, for lack of a better word, it was strange.

December 3, 2018, marked 24 years after the exact day my wife and I lost our first two children in a car accident while returning home from a speaking engagement on a Sabbath. 24 years. As my wife and I awoke we held each other. Then the experience of heaven began.

You may find the words that follow to be quite crazy. That would not surprise me and it has been said before. I have tried to capture our journey in our book, Undeniable: An Epic Journey Through Pain, and help people enter into the pain of loss. Yet our story also invites people into the reconciliation of life. As my wife and I held each other remembering back through those 24 years something other worldly happened. We began to realize a part of heaven that we often don't think about. It's the messy part that can only be appreciated and experienced in the light of grace.

This is the last study for the topic of unity this quarter. Through these last 12 weeks we have looked at the subject from multiple angles and this final week brings us to the culmination of where each of us can imagine transitioning from this world to the eternal. This week we will study the incredible promises of resurrection. The death defying, even termination of its sting because of the victory of Jesus Christ over death and sin. Hallelujah! The promises of eternity in heaven with loved ones and no more tears, a new heaven and a new earth. These are the pictures that have buoyed the hopes of God's people throughout time. What a glorious study. I pray that you will be deeply blessed.

Yet, those were not the part of heaven that I experienced a few weeks ago. The piece of heaven that I experienced was the confusion of grace. The mysterious balancing of God's power that can turn the most horrendous realities into good. Let me explain from my own experience and then apply it in a few ways for you, potentially. I hope that before this year ends and this quarter passes into our limited memories of things that we have studied that you will ponder these words and reflect on them.

As my wife and I entered that day that marked 24 years from the death of our children we were in a strange place. On the one hand, of course, grief and loss have their deep scars and reality in our lives yet at the exact same time we realized that God had done tremendous things through it all. We now have four living children who would not have been ours had it not been for the loss of Caleb and Abigail. Each of their lives have brought us so much joy and we have seen God working in miraculous ways to such an extent that our hearts literally overflow with praise for each of them as a gift from God. Our marriage has been transformed through the chasm of pain to a place that we could hardly even imagine it getting any better (yet, it continues to)! As we reflected on the nightmarish darkness that we experienced we realized the glorious light of God's grace shining through all of it. We experienced sadness and yet it was quickly overcome by gratitude and praise. And beyond that, the realization that our first two children had lost nothing but sin and pain. We went through that day in a sort of fog. It was a day of reverent worship and praise. Yes, we honored the lives of our two children, we celebrated the memories, and yet we rejoiced in the life that God has brought from their deaths. That is a slice of heaven.

Heaven will be the ongoing reconciliation of the collision of God's grace into our world of pain and sin. A place where people experience unity in the midst of their varied and dark pasts and their transformed futures.

Imagine just a few of these mind bending collisions. Seth meeting Abel and realizing that if it weren't for Abel's death Seth may not have been born. Or, to jump to an obvious and very warped reality, consider David and Bathsheba introducing Solomon to Uriah! The word awkward does not even come close to that situation. Or what about Stephen recognizing Saul and being told that he has a new name now. Imagine Stephen trying to purge his memory of Saul's intense satisfaction watching the rocks hitting their mark, breaking the bones of Stephen's face before he blacked out.  Can you see Stephen squinting with his glorified eyes trying to trace the marks of grace on Paul's face? Do you see the strangeness of heaven?

It's easy when we study the lesson to keep it in the realm of theology and to think that everything will be new and different one day. Like God will simply flip the heavenly switch and the light will shine forever more. Sure that is part of it in the physical realm, yet we are quite mistaken if we fail to realize that the need for grace will continue when we leave this place. Heaven will be a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ and that means a continuous process of being drawn closer and closer to each other as well! These are just a few biblical examples that should help us realize that the need for grace, forgiveness, and the never-ending seeking of unity will continue into eternity.

The problem is, sometimes we allow the Bible stories to be stripped of their emotional impact. So, let's bring it a little bit closer to home. Imagine the woman being re-introduced to her father who violated her for years and then later in his life came to know Christ. Do you think there will be a need for ongoing grace and a process of seeking unity only through the power of God and His forgiveness? Or will it be like a light switch and love will just naturally happen? Only by the grace of God, but that grace is not magic! I think that when the Bible says the tree of life has fruit and leaves that are new every month for the healing of the nations that it is describing the honest reality of an ongoing process of healing and growth.

Heaven will be a real place, a place where grace continues to collide with the redeemed brokenness of humanity and human relationships. Although our bodies and physical scars will be transformed, our characters and experiences that have made us who we are will continue on into eternity. That means that the seeking of unity will continue as we are constantly being confronted by and immersed in the grace of God. It will be a never-ending cycle of surrender, forgiveness, praise and reconciliation.

Before we leave this quarter let's bring it just a little bit closer. What about unity in our hearts now? If heaven will not be just a light switch of a change but an ongoing process of grace transforming us, then what about now? What do we need to be allowing God to do in our hearts right now? Are you struggling in your own life with anyone who you can see and interact with? Is there someone who you avoid because you don't want to deal with them? Are you holding pain that is so deep in your life that you cannot even imagine reconciliation? Are you holding certain theological views that are straining your relationships with other living people? Is your desire to be right destroying some of your actual relationships with others who have been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ? If so, please don't allow this year to end before you surrender that to God and let heaven begin here for you too.

~ Bryan Gallant

“CHURCH ORGANIZATiON AND UNITY”

"CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND UNITY"

 

Memory Text: "'Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave'" (Matthew 20:26, 27, NKJV).

 

This week's lesson is important to understand, in that as we all believe in the Gospel Message of Salvation by the grace of Christ, through faith in what He alone has and can accomplish for us, a free gift, a miracle of spiritual rebirth, an incredible and unspeakable act of humility, love, surrender, and servanthood for the entire human race.

 

The Gospel bears fruit in the life, in character, and in our working relationship with others in the church, church authorities, church boards, and many other areas of service.

 

To start the study, I would like to share an experience I had recently.  A person in my area has "impressions from God" that they were to take over a ministry from someone else nominated by their church's nominating committee to do that particular ministry, and that therefore it was all right to move the person out of the ministry, because that person should be a "servant" and allow others to take over.  Is that right thinking?

 

In the story of the rebellion in Heaven, and in the story of Korah's rebellion, we see a "spirit" of exalting self and replacing God or God's called leaders, and we also see God's longsuffering and love, but ultimate strong response, as such behavior reflects the mind of Satan. God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. A right understanding of leadership as it relates to the whole issue of the character of Christ and the principles of Christianity leads to humility, cooperation, surrender, a spirit of restoration, respect for the responsibilities leaders bear, an avoidance of a critical spirit, and the sensitivity to know what gifts and ministries God has called you to, instead of coveting a higher position. Many "feel" called to a position. Or they make the claim that they are able to do it as well or better than someone else. Korah implied that he could replace Moses, and he ended swallowed up, literally, and spiritually by his own pride and rebellion. A "call" must be substantiated by the Bible, and not based on impressions, feelings, personal preference, cultural trends, or the desire to exalt oneself. If a person has a desire to do a ministry, that does not prove that they were called to that ministry. In fact, if a person demands to do a ministry, they disqualified themselves from that ministry.

 

The lesson states "the church is God's creation, and God placed it here for us, not as a means of salvation but as a vehicle to help us express and make manifest that salvation to the world. The church is an organization that Jesus created for the spreading of the gospel into the world. Organization is important insofar as it solidifies and enables the mission of the church. Without a church organization, Jesus' saving message could not as effectively be communicated to others. Church leaders are important, too, in that they foster unity and illustrate the example of Jesus."

 

God works through order, and the Godhead itself is a model of the way we should seek to provide servant leadership, as the three members of the Godhead, who are equal, nevertheless are submitted in the plan of Salvation and in the government of the universe, showing the humility and heart of service that is the result of the foundational principle of God's Kingdom, namely, agape love united with justice, righteousness, mercy, and holiness.

 

The Laodicean condition of self-righteousness can lead to anxiety and coveting to "do more" in order to "justify oneself" by works, which God condemns in Matthew 7:20. The Gospel of Grace leads to peace and the knowledge of acceptance by God in the reconciliation and forgiveness that it brings to us, as well as the ongoing experience in growth in character, love, faith. "When a man thinks He is something, when He is nothing, He deceives himself." "I must decrease, that He will increase." "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves." The glory of God becomes our focus when we finally respond to the redeeming love of the Cross and experience the power of recreation brought to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We continually need to remember the lesson of the Centurion. "Speak the word only, and my servant will be healed." Such an understanding of the role and power of faith and the miracle it brings to us, as we cooperate with God's will, brings to us a surrendered peace and freedom from the bondage of a works salvation.

 

Waggoner, in Glad Tidings, p. 128 writes "Mark those words, 'when he is nothing.' It does not say that we should not think ourselves to be something until we are something. No; it is a statement of the fact that we are nothing. Not merely a single individual but all nations are nothing before the Lord. If we ever at any time think ourselves to be something, we deceive ourselves. And we often do deceive ourselves and thus mar the work."

 

A simple principle of leadership, that contributes greatly to unity is "You cannot be a good leader until you are a good follower." I have responsibilities as leader in my work. I have a leader to whom I am accountable, and owe him my respect and loyalty. We have government leaders who we are told to pray for and respect. When the 1888 Message Study Committee makes decisions, we who have identified with them cooperate with them, because they deserve our loyalty and respect. To God be the Glory. And this message of Grace is the message to be proclaimed. We are to "deny ourselves, pick up our crosses daily, and follow Christ." Luke 9:23 We are merely empty vessels given the incredible privilege of seeing "Christ in us."

 

We follow Christ as the Head of the Church. Although we may be hesitant with the concept of submission because of how leaders in the centuries past have abused it, the church is nonetheless to be subject to the Head, Christ, and is subject to His authority. Our acknowledgment of Christ as the Head of the church helps us remember to Whom our ultimate allegiance must belong, and that is the Lord Himself and to no one else. The church is to be organized, but that organization always must be subordinate to the authority of Jesus, the true Leader of our church. Salvation is not obtained by membership in an organization, yet if we understand the character of God, we will see the essential importance of church organization and unity to the mission of the Church. None of us is God, and should never lead in a way as to draw away attention and worship from God to fallen human beings. However, anarchy, rebellion, criticism, insolence, an air of independence is not of God, but is part of the sin problem we inherited through the Fall.

 

I liked one passage from the lesson. "In this concise passage Jesus presents us with two models of authority. The first is the Roman idea of authority. In this model, the elite stand hierarchically over others. They have the power to make decisions and expect submission from those below them. Jesus clearly rejected this model of authority when He stated, 'Not so with you!' Instead He presented the disciples with a breathtakingly new model of authority, a thorough rejection, or reversal, of the hierarchical model with which they were familiar."—Darius Jankiewicz, "Serving Like Jesus: Authority in God's Church," Adventist Review, March 13, 2014, p. 18.

 

There is a large difference between having a hierarchical structure, which even Heaven has in a sense, and having a hierarchical attitude, of "lording it over" others. The greatest leader serves, places the others first. Heaven is based on order, and the Godhead are the "three greatest powers" in Heaven. But their greatest is seen in their submission, service, sacrificial love, and lack of "self-interest."

 

"Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles. He called men, not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak. Power, position, talent, education, placed their possessor under the greater obligation to serve his fellows."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 550.

 

As part of his teaching ministry, Timothy is to convince, rebuke, and exhort. These verbs are reminiscent of the guidance given by the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16). Clearly, Timothy's work is to follow, teach, and implement what he finds in the Scriptures and to do so with longsuffering and patience. Harsh and severe rebukes rarely bring a sinner to Christ. By following what Paul wrote, and following it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and with a servant-leader attitude, Timothy would be a powerfully unifying force in the church. Unity in the church is enhanced, in part, by being faithful and loyal to the true teachings of Scripture. We do believe in unity in diversity, and thus recognize that in some areas there will never be total agreement, but there are fundamental beliefs that identify the truths of Scripture and provide our identity as a people, and they are inviolate. There are some whose beliefs, while professing membership in the church, which are in so many areas out of harmony with that church's stated beliefs that they should in integrity leave the organization, and join one that believes as they do. It is dishonest to claim membership with disagreement with major areas of doctrinal truth.

 

We were warned in Scripture of "every wind of doctrine" and we are seeing that fulfilled today. The Church needs to come together and resolve doctrinal differences, and members are to trust the leaders, in world session, that as they have studied, prayed, and discussed, that God is in their midst and is leading His Church. If rebellion follows such a worldwide decision, and people still demand 'their way', it only brings in a spirit of disunity, selfishness, stubbornness, and a destruction of mission, for as the Bible says can happen, "There was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes." Such was the spirit of the rebellion in heaven.

 

"One of the main issues of church organization is to deal with discipline. How discipline helps to preserve church unity is sometimes a touchy subject and easily may be misunderstood. But from a biblical perspective, church discipline centers on two important areas: preserving purity of doctrine and preserving purity of church life and practice.

 

As we already have seen, the New Testament maintains the importance of preserving the purity of biblical teaching in the wake of apostasy and false teaching, particularly at the end of time. The same goes for preserving the respectability of the community by guarding against immorality, dishonesty, and depravity. For this reason, the Scripture is spoken of as "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV). Church discipline is a Biblical concept, and of course needs to be done with patience, mercy, a spirit of restoration, humility, and accurate adherence to Biblical principles and stages of work. However, it is also wrong to ignore the issue, to feel that it should 'never' be done. One person told me that if two people are not in dispute, such as in a divorce, there should be no discipline. Two people agreeing to sin does not make the act righteous. Any open sin of a significant nature, without repentance, should be brought under church discipline. Repentance is the fruit God looks for, and that is first a penitent heart. Open sin is not made open by gossip, by the actual sin being evidence and known through the actions of the individual. Jesus made every effort to maintain respect, privacy, and the spirit of restoration. Yet if someone refuses to listen after long suffering and forbearance, the church on occasion needs to act to preserve the integrity of the church.

 

We have done a good work in presenting God as loving, merciful, gracious, sacrificial. We need to deepen our realization that He is also holy, and we have been called to a Holy Calling. Satan from the Garden of Eden spread the lie that "you will not surely die", or, sin won't hurt you, it actually will benefit your mind and spiritual life. We need to communicate in our actions and decisions that we take God and the Word of God seriously.

 

In the Great Commission, we are told to teach people "ALL things whatsoever God commanded." He commands faith, obedience born of love, holiness, witnessing, and many other things, flowing from a heart that has responded to the Gospel. Jesus' great commission to His disciples includes four key verbs: go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. According to the Greek grammar of these verses, the main verb is to make disciples, and the other three verbs indicate how this can be done. Disciples are made when believers go to all nations to preach the gospel, baptize people, and teach them to observe what Jesus said.

 

As the church responds to this commission, God's kingdom is enlarged, and more and more people of all nations join the ranks of those who accept Jesus as Savior. Their obedience to Jesus' commands to be baptized and to observe His teachings creates a new universal family. The new disciples also are assured of the presence of Jesus every day as they themselves make more disciples. The presence of Jesus is a promise of the presence of God. The Gospel of Matthew begins with the announcement that the birth of Jesus is about "God with us" (Matthew 1:23) and ends with the promise of Jesus' continued presence with us until His second coming.

 

"Christ did not tell His disciples that their work would be easy. . . . He assured them that He would be with them; and that if they would go forth in faith, they should move under the shield of Omnipotence. He bade them be brave and strong; for One mightier than angels would be in their ranks—the General of the armies of heaven. He made full provision for the prosecution of their work and took upon Himself the responsibility of its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail."—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 29.

 

We won't teach people true obedience, from the heart, and from being totally dependent upon Christ to work the miracle of the new birth in us by not taking sin seriously, or the Word of God seriously. We are "too nice" sometimes because we don't want to be 'judgmental.' We are told to judge righteous judgment, and while dealing with people redemptively, humbly, and lovingly, nevertheless to deal with people when necessary. The answer is to lead them to Christ, to behold His matchless charms, to urge them to both fall in love with Him and to trust His Word and promises. We can do all things through Christ who strengeneth us. We are to allow Christ to make us, as the bride, without spot and blemish before Him in love. We hear the call to live by 'every word' of God, (Matthew 4:4) and to then bring the realization that without Christ, we can do nothing, and say to such high standards for unity, faith, obedience, or whatever, 'so let it be', and experience the freedom of total dependence on Christ, as we cooperate with Him day by day.

 

"There is an apparent contradiction between being a leader and being a servant. How can one lead and serve at the same time? Does not the leader occupy a position of honor? Does he not command and expect others to obey him? How, then, does he occupy the lower position of being a servant, of receiving orders and fulfilling them?

 

"In order to resolve the paradox we must look at Jesus. He supremely represented the principle of leadership that serves. His whole life was one of service. And at the same time, He was the greatest leader the world has ever seen."—G. Arthur Keough, Our Church Today: What It Is and Can Be (Washington, D.C., and Nashville: Review and Herald, 1980), p. 106.

 

~ Tom Cusack

RR

Raul Diaz

https://about.me/raul.diaz

“UNITY AND BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS”

"UNITY AND BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS"

 

Our lesson this week insightfully makes this comment, "Christ took the initiative in reconciling us to Himself. It is the "goodness of God [that] leads you to repentance" (Romans 2:4, NKJV). In Christ we were reconciled to God while we were yet sinners. Our repentance and confession do not create reconciliation. Christ's death on the cross did; our part is to accept what was done for us." (Sabbath School Quarterly, p. 84 standard edition)

 

Notice two key elements in this statement, and ultimately in the gospel. One, our condition at the time of God's act as sinners, and, two, how God related to us as sinners – "took the initiative", "reconciling", "goodness", "reconciled". Christ's death on the cross revealed the reconciliation in God's heart. His heart that He had ALWAYS had towards us.

 

Let's look at these two elements from Scripture. First, our attitude and heart and thoughts towards God:

 

• The carnal mind is enmityagainst God – Romans 8:7
• When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly – Romans 5:6
• While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:8
• When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son – Romans 5:10
• Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ – Acts 4:25-26
• And you, . . alienated and enemies in your mind by wickedworks, yet now hath He reconciled – Colossians1:21
• By nature the children of wrath(our wrath towards God) – Ephesians 2:3
• And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins – Ephesians 2:1

 

Now, let's look at the 2nd element, God's attitude and heart and thoughts towards us:

 

Note several of the above verses:

• We were without strength and ungodly and sinners – and Christ died for us – Romans 5:6
• When we were His enemies – Christ's death reconciled us to God
  – Romans 5:10
• We were alienated, enemies, wicked – and Christ reconciledus
  – Colossians 1:21
• When we had wrath towards God, He demonstrated "rich mercy", and "great love" – Ephesians 2:4
• When we were dead in trespasses and sins, He made us alive – Ephesians 2:1

 

And how about these other verses:

• Christ suffered once for sins . . . that He might bring us to God – 1 Peter 3:18
• God, has reconciled us to Himself – 2 Corinthians 5:18
• God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them – 2 Corinthians 5:19
• I have blotted out your transgressions, and your sins.  Return to Me, for I have redeemed you – Isaiah44:22

 

NOTICE – the blotting out of transgressions, sins, and redemption, precede the returning!!!

 

Don't miss this vital principle of the gospel. The plan of salvation IS NOT about anyone (INCLUDING JESUS), getting God to love us, care for us, accept us, forgive us, redeem us, be reconciled to us, be merciful to us, etc. God already loves, cares, forgives, redeems, accepts, reconciles, and is merciful to us.

 

The plan of salvation is first and foremost a revelation of God's love and goodness to us, and then a response from us of acceptance, reconciliation, repentance, appreciation – FAITH.

 

The function of Jesus in the salvation "equation" is not to get God on our side, but TO GET US ON GOD'S SIDE.

 

The gospel is not about reconciling God to us, but us to God.

 

The gospel is not about changing God's heart towards us, but about changing our heart towards God.

 

The gospel is not about getting God to forgive us, but about us accepting God's already existing forgiveness.

 

The gospel is not about appeasing God's wrath towards us, but about appeasing our wrath towards Him!

 

The gospel is not about Jesus functioning as a barrier between us and God's holy justice or anger, but about Jesus being the window whereby we see God as He truly is.

 

The gospel is not about changing God's attitude towards us, it's about changing our attitude towards God.

 

The gospel is not about getting God to love us, but getting us to love Him and His kingdom.

 

Whatever your spiritual paradigm, the fundamental difference between paganism or legalism, and the true gospel, is that at its root, paganism or legalism function to change God's heart towards us. While the true gospel of Jesus Christ is about changing our heart towards God.

 

This is part of the core of the 1888 message. Notice this article from E.J. Waggoner in the era of Ellen White's strongest endorsements:

 

From all that has preceded it is very evident that the only object that Christ could have in coming to earth and dying for men, was the reconciliation of man to God, so that he might have life. "I am come that they might have life." John 10:10. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." 2 Corinthians 5:19. "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight." Colossians 1: 21, 22. Christ suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, "that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18. "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." Romans 5:10.

 

"But," someone will say, "You have made the reconciliation all on the part of men; I have always been taught that the death of Christ reconciled God to man; that Christ died to satisfy God's justice, and to appease Him." Well, we have left the matter of reconciliation just where the Scriptures have put it; and while they have much to say about the necessity for man to be reconciled to God, they never once hint of such a thing as the necessity for God to be reconciled to man. To intimate the necessity for such a thing is to bring a grave charge against the character of God. The idea has come into the Christian Church from the Papacy, which in turn brought it from Paganism, in which the only idea of God was of a being whose wrath must be appeased by a sacrifice.

 

Stop a moment, and think what reconciliation means. The existence of enmity is the only necessity for reconciliation. Where there is no enmity, there is no necessity for reconciliation. Man is by nature alienated from God; he is a rebel, full of enmity. Therefore, man needs to be reconciled-to have his enmity taken away. But God has no enmity in His being. "God is love." Consequently, there is no necessity for Him to be reconciled; there is no possibility of such a thing, for there can be no reconciliation where there has been no enmity.
{September 21, 1893 EJW, PTUK 386.8}

 

Again: "For 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. Surely, they who say that the death of Christ reconciled God to men, have forgotten this blessed text. They would separate the Father and the Son, making the former the enemy, and the latter the friend, of man. But God's heart was so overflowing with love to fallen man, that He "spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all;" and in so doing He gave Himself, for "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." The Apostle Paul speaks of "the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28. This effectually disposes of the idea that there was any enmity toward man on the part of God, so that He needed to be reconciled. The death of Christ was the expression of God's wonderful love for sinners.
{September 21, 1893 EJW, PTUK 386}

 

May we take from this lesson of how God has worked to restore unity with us, the lesson, that in restoring unity to our broken relationships, may we take the initiative to bring healing and reconciliation and forgiveness to those who are, like us to God, without strength, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. May we relate to others with the spirit of Christ – to initiate unity and peace and atonement – even with those who may never return the same spirit.

 

~Bob Hunsaker

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1888 Message Study : The Most Convincing Proof

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2018-q4/the-most-convincing-proof

"THE MOST CONVINCING PROOF"

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.  Ephesians 1:4,5.

"Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin." (SDA BC 1148)

Have you ever tried to prove something true that you are not sure of yourself? Legal, scientific, and philosophical arguments often provide the platform for just such attempts. For science, 95% probably of being true is respected, while philosophy has a much lower bar. Even in the legal realm, for some disputes, a preponderance of the evidence is enough.

But for true unity, two parties must agree, or be united 100%. We might wonder where on earth we can find such unity. The answer is that we can't. Unity, like every other spiritual blessing, only comes from its heavenly source. Unity with Christ is the only thing that provides proof to the world, manifested in bonds of unity with each other.

The Godhead is united:

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 1 John 5:7.

"The prayer of Christ that His people 'all may be one,' is for unity such as exists between the Father and the Son, a unity that is forever and in all things. Then God will be manifest always and in all things with that people, in ways that are beyond all human comprehension; and the world will know that God did send Jesus, and has loved these, His people, as He loved Jesus." John 17:21-23.  A. T. JONES. (June 1, 1901 ATJ, UCR 14.7)

Only as we unite with the Godhead in their assessment of humanity and their successful plan for salvation can we experience unity here on earth.

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11.

Are we 100% sure of this truth?

Under the Cross of Jesus

1 Corinthians 5:14 tells us that Jesus died not merely a substitutionary, but also a representative, death for all mankind. His humanity was ours, and His death was ours. We were representatively in Him as part of all humanity; we personally enter into that death by faith. The foundation of His death as us was His sacrificial unity with us when we were hopelessly separated from Him. In Him the inheritance of eternal life is already legally established as being bequeathed to everyone.

"Before ascending to heaven, Christ gave His disciples their commission. He told them that they were to be the executors of the will in which He bequeathed to the world the treasures of eternal life."(AA 27)

This is the true foundation of our unity, effective in us to the extent that we accept it. We, like the disciples, are to execute the bequest found in the will of Christ. All other truths we share as Seventh-day Adventists center around the person of Jesus. We tend to focus on what we are doing, how we are responding, what we are believing, as the foundation of our unity. But unity comes when we behold Jesus. He is the great unifier.

Ministry of Reconciliation

It is because God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, and because He accomplished that reconciliation in Christ that we have any ministry at all inviting others to be reconciled.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18,19.

This invitation is based on the objective reconciliation of the world through the death of Christ, proving that God was forgiving, or not counting against humanity, their sins against Him. We are unified because God has treated all of us the same. Like Israel of old, God has extended to us the fact of His accomplished work in this reconciliation as an incentive to "be reconciled."

Contemplate this passage and note the sequence:

I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22

First God blots out sin. Then He calls for repentance. When we are sure of this truth, we can effectively minister the reconciliation the gospel brings because we see everyone differently (2 Corinthians 5:16).

Practical Unity

While it is true that we are to emulate Christ as our example, the only way we can possibly do this is to emulate His faith, the Faith of Jesus, that relied on the indwelling of the Spirit to direct every step and every word as from His Father. We cannot be like Him without Him dwelling in us moment by moment, letting His mind, His personal presence, dwell in us. "Let this mind dwell in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

Unity Amid Diversity

The lesson asks this question: Is there anything that we believe and practice as Seventh-day Adventists that all who claim to be Adventists need not believe and adhere to? Wow, that is a loaded question. The Bible talks of diverse gifts given to the church, but not of diverse gospels. Paul was quite clear:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8

If every doctrine was properly centered in Christ, there would be no diverse opinions of what we believe, and a much greater unity in what we practice. The 1888 message was to bring this unity. There would be "command and control" from the true head, Jesus Christ.

"The unity of belief in the church is not forced by the church coming together and the majority defining the creed to be beloved. The church cannot define doctrine, nor make laws for itself or anybody else. The church of Christ is made up of all who obey the Lord's commands not a body to issue commands. The Head directs, the body obeys. God speaks; each one must listen to His voice, for faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and no one can give faith to another. 'It is the gift of God.'" E. J. WAGGONER. (May 8, 1901 EJW, SITI 292.7)

"Many people seem to be ignorant of what constitutes faith. Many complain of darkness and discouragements. I asked, 'Are your faces turned toward Jesus? Are you beholding Him, the Sun of Righteousness? You need plainly to define to the churches the matter of faith and entire dependence upon the righteousness of Christ. In your talks and prayers there has been so little dwelling upon Christ, His matchless love, His great sacrifice made in our behalf, that Satan has nearly eclipsed the views we should have and must have of Jesus Christ. We must trust less in human beings for spiritual help and more, far more, in approaching Jesus Christ as our Redeemer. We may dwell with a determined purpose on the heavenly attributes of Jesus Christ; we may talk of His love, we may tell and sing of His mercies, we may make Him our own personal Saviour. Then we are one with Christ. We love that which Christ loved, we hate sin, that which Christ hated. These things must be talked of, dwelt upon.'"  (3SM 183)

Unity in Mission

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure."  (TM 91)

When we become united in the mission of proclaiming and living the message God commanded to be sent to the world, unity will be perfected. The main reason our church is not unified is that this message has not been accepted as it should be. Our focus remains our subjective response to the gospel rather than the objective truths of the gospel itself. We need our eyes directed to the person of Jesus.

Current Issues with Unity

Consider this in light of today's challenges:

"Oh, how Satan would rejoice to get in among this people, and disorganize the work at a time when thorough organization is essential, and will be the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings, and to refute claims not endorsed by the word of God. We want to hold the lines evenly, that there may be no breaking down of the system of regulation and order. In this way license will not be given to disorderly elements to control the work.

"We are living in a time when order, system, and unity of action are most essential. And the truth must bind us together like strong cords in order that no distracted efforts may be witnessed among the workers. If disorderly manifestations appear, we must have clear discernment to distinguish the spurious from the genuine. Let no messages be proclaimed until they have borne a careful scrutiny in every jot and tittle.

"My soul is much burdened, for I know what is before us. Every conceivable deception will be brought to bear upon those who have not a daily, living connection with God. Satan's angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, and will proclaim it as new and wonderful; yet while in some respects the message may be truth, it will be mingled with human inventions, and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer; for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging, though almost imperceptibly, from the right path. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the way which leads to holiness and heaven. My brethren, I warn you to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way."  (3MR 26-7)

~Todd Guthrie

1888 Message Study : Unity in Faith

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2018-q4/unity-in-faith

"UNITY IN FAITH"

 Looking at the title of this week's lesson, it was exciting to contemplate that faith and unity in the SDA church were being recognized as being inextricably tied together.

Continuing on at the beginning of the lesson, the 1888 conference in Minnesota was mentioned in the context of hostile attitudes by all those attending. This, however, is not in accord with Ellen White's statements nor does it dig into the 1888 message itself which she clearly states was sent for His people both then and now. In Testimonies to Ministers (pgs. 91/92), she shows us the importance of this message to God's remnant church:

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.

All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.

The uplifted Saviour is to appear…sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings…Christ is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above….

God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message in clear, distinct lines…. This testimony presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole.

(See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9 to the close of the chapter).

This is the very work which the Lord designs that the message He has given His servant shall perform in the heart and mind of every human agent. It is the perpetual life of the church to love God supremely and to love others as they love themselves."

So what are some of the things we can learn from this inspired passage?

First, the Lord sent us this message and He sent it "in His great mercy" because we desperately needed it both then and now.

"most precious message" suggests it was the most precious gift He could send us, having already sent His Son to redeem us, "this message points us back to God's agape love and Christ's infinite sacrifice on the cross: "to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour".

This message was sent to "His people", His last day church both then and now. Why? Because in our Laodicean condition, we need it! We think we are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing spiritually. (Revelation 3:17) The truth is that we need Christ, our Saviour. We need His faith and His righteousness to take us through the times ahead!

We are told this message presents "justification through faith in the Surety". This genuine faith is the faith of Jesus and it's His gift to us—we are all given the "measure of faith." (Romans 12:3). It is what we need and when exercised, we receive the "priceless gift of His own righteousness". Righteousness by faith, Christ our righteousness—the core of this most precious message!

Sanctification—Christ as our High Priest, is "pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above". This is also a key aspect of this message as our Saviour cleanses His people and "dispenses the priceless (new) covenant blessings" as hearts are changed and the law is written on the heart. Having been justified by faith and received the gift of Christ's righteousness, both of which are an ongoing experience, we are no longer motivated by fear of punishment or hope of reward. In response to His love and His gifts, our desire is "to love God supremely and to love others as we love ourselves."

We are told "This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice." First, note that God did not suggest but commanded, that we His people give this message to the world suggesting that this is indeed the everlasting gospel and the third angel's message that we and the world need to hear!

Knowing that this was indeed a message sent by God to us, His people, it is important to understand how both the message and the messengers were received at the 1888 conference in Minneapolis. Ellen White's comments and remarks provide an inspired guide as we look back at our history.

Her comments on the messengers, Jones and Waggoner, were supportive and positive with no criticism of any kind. They were challenged to debate on the two covenants but declined. God had sent them to share this most precious message. She described them as "Christians" and "Gentlemen". An example would be the following quote:

"Doctor Waggoner has spoken to us in a straight-forward manner…. Of one thing I am certain, as Christians you have no right to entertain feelings of enmity, unkindness, and prejudice toward Dr. Waggoner, who has presented his view in a plain, straight-forward manner, as a Christian should." (Ms. 15, 1888; Olson, p. 294).

Here is another quote relating to A.T. Jones:

"It is evident that he walks with God, that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him.  He has brought truth into the inner sanctuary of the soul; it is to him a living reality, and he presents the truth in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The people hear the joyful sound. God speaks to their hearts through the man consecrated to His service…. He becomes really eloquent. He is earnest and sincere and is beloved by those for whom he labors… His defects will be forgiven and forgotten. His hearers will not become weary or disgusted, but will thank God for the message of grace sent them through His servant."("Christian Education", 1893;RHApril 18, 1893).

What did Ellen White think of the message itself that Jones and Waggoner were presenting in 1888? Here is but one example:

"I have had the question asked, what do you think of this light which 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 at Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband. 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 not had it presented to them as I have, and when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said amen. (Ms. 5, 1889).

However, the response of the brethren to this wonderful message at the 1888 conference was in total contrast to the message and the messengers. While at the 1888 conference in response to her prayers she had a night vision and was visited by a messenger from God who conducted her to the homes where the brethren were lodging and she heard the criticism of her but "they thought and said worse things of Brethren Jones and Waggoner". The messenger plainly told Ellen White: "Satan has blinded their eyes and perverted their judgment; and unless every soul shall repent of this their sin, this unsanctified independence that is doing insult to the Spirit of God, they will walk in darkness… They would not that God would manifest His Spirit and His power; for they have a spirit of mockery and disgust at My word." As a result, "not one of the company who cherished the spirit manifested at that meeting would again have clear light to discern the preciousness of the truth sent them from heaven until they humbled their pride and confessed." (1888 materials, p.309-311,316,317.1067,1068).

Looking back at the 1888 conference, Ellen White wrote the following: "I can never forget the experience which we had in Minneapolis, or the things which were then revealed to me in regard to the spirit that controlled men, the words spoken, the actions done in obedience to the powers of evil…. They were moved at the meeting by another spirit, and they knew not that God had sent these young men…. To bear a special message to them which they treated with ridicule and contempt, not realizing that the heavenly intelligences were looking upon them… I know that at that time the Spirit of God was insulted." (lt. 24, 1892).

When this message was resisted by the Church leaders, Ellen White went with Jones and Waggoner to take this message directly to the people:

1888 Materials p. 545

"I have travelled from place to place attending meetings where the message of the righteousness of Christ was preached. I considered it a privilege to stand by the side of my brethren and give my testimony with the message for the time and I saw that the power of God attended the message wherever it was spoken.

Suppose that you blot out the testimony that has been going during these last two years proclaiming the righteousness of Christ, who can you point to as bringing out special light for the people? This message as it has been presented should go to every church that claims to believe the truth and bring our people up to a higher stand point.

Based on this testimony, we can see that every church today that claims to believe the truth should be presenting this message. After all, as we have already seen, it is the Third Angel's message and the everlasting gospel that we are to share with the world.

Having looked back at 1888 and the reaction to God's message and His messengers, then the obvious question is — Is this message still relevant to us today? Ellen White counsels us here as well:

"The Lord has raised up Brother Jones and Brother Waggoner to proclaim a message to the world to prepare a people to stand in the day of God." (1888 Materials, pg. 1814). We believe Jesus is coming soon, and she tells us here that we need this message to prepare us, God's people, for the trials and tribulations ahead, so we may stand for Christ as part of the 144,000 that will follow the Lamb wherever He goes, keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.

Our Sabbath school lesson this week looks at several of our fundamental doctrines as a basis for our faith and unity. Our doctrines are, of course, important but only in light of the cross. This most precious message leads us to focus only on Christ—His infinite agape love, His immeasurable sacrifice on the cross, what He has already done for the entire human race.  Then the faith of Jesus, which is His gift to us, becomes real in our lives, hearts are changed, and Christ's righteousness, also through the power of the Holy Spirit governs our thoughts and our lives. Obedience to the commandments and following our doctrines is then a fruit of His faith and His righteousness in our lives.

This most precious message was always intended to bring unity to God's last day church as it is indeed the everlasting gospel intended for the world.

Blessings, John and Monica Campbell

1888 Message Study : Unity in Faith

https://www.1888msc.org/resources/ssi/2018-q4/unity-in-faith

"UNITY IN FAITH"

 

Looking at the title of this week's lesson, it was exciting to contemplate that faith and unity in the SDA church were being recognized as being inextricably tied together.

Continuing on at the beginning of the lesson, the 1888 conference in Minnesota was mentioned in the context of hostile attitudes by all those attending. This, however, is not in accord with Ellen White's statements nor does it dig into the 1888 message itself which she clearly states was sent for His people both then and now. In Testimonies to Ministers (pgs. 91/92), she shows us the importance of this message to God's remnant church:

"The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.

All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.

The uplifted Saviour is to appear…sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings…Christ is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above….

God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message in clear, distinct lines…. This testimony presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole.

(See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9 to the close of the chapter).

This is the very work which the Lord designs that the message He has given His servant shall perform in the heart and mind of every human agent. It is the perpetual life of the church to love God supremely and to love others as they love themselves."

So what are some of the things we can learn from this inspired passage?

First, the Lord sent us this message and He sent it "in His great mercy" because we desperately needed it both then and now.

"most precious message" suggests it was the most precious gift He could send us, having already sent His Son to redeem us, "this message points us back to God's agape love and Christ's infinite sacrifice on the cross: "to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour".

This message was sent to "His people", His last day church both then and now. Why? Because in our Laodicean condition, we need it! We think we are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing spiritually. (Revelation 3:17) The truth is that we need Christ, our Saviour. We need His faith and His righteousness to take us through the times ahead!

We are told this message presents "justification through faith in the Surety". This genuine faith is the faith of Jesus and it's His gift to us—we are all given the "measure of faith." (Romans 12:3). It is what we need and when exercised, we receive the "priceless gift of His own righteousness". Righteousness by faith, Christ our righteousness—the core of this most precious message!

Sanctification—Christ as our High Priest, is "pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above". This is also a key aspect of this message as our Saviour cleanses His people and "dispenses the priceless (new) covenant blessings" as hearts are changed and the law is written on the heart. Having been justified by faith and received the gift of Christ's righteousness, both of which are an ongoing experience, we are no longer motivated by fear of punishment or hope of reward. In response to His love and His gifts, our desire is "to love God supremely and to love others as we love ourselves."

We are told "This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice." First, note that God did not suggest but commanded, that we His people give this message to the world suggesting that this is indeed the everlasting gospel and the third angel's message that we and the world need to hear!

Knowing that this was indeed a message sent by God to us, His people, it is important to understand how both the message and the messengers were received at the 1888 conference in Minneapolis. Ellen White's comments and remarks provide an inspired guide as we look back at our history.

Her comments on the messengers, Jones and Waggoner, were supportive and positive with no criticism of any kind. They were challenged to debate on the two covenants but declined. God had sent them to share this most precious message. She described them as "Christians" and "Gentlemen". An example would be the following quote:

"Doctor Waggoner has spoken to us in a straight-forward manner…. Of one thing I am certain, as Christians you have no right to entertain feelings of enmity, unkindness, and prejudice toward Dr. Waggoner, who has presented his view in a plain, straight-forward manner, as a Christian should." (Ms. 15, 1888; Olson, p. 294).

Here is another quote relating to A.T. Jones:

"It is evident that he walks with God, that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him.  He has brought truth into the inner sanctuary of the soul; it is to him a living reality, and he presents the truth in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The people hear the joyful sound. God speaks to their hearts through the man consecrated to His service…. He becomes really eloquent. He is earnest and sincere and is beloved by those for whom he labors… His defects will be forgiven and forgotten. His hearers will not become weary or disgusted, but will thank God for the message of grace sent them through His servant."("Christian Education", 1893;RHApril 18, 1893).

What did Ellen White think of the message itself that Jones and Waggoner were presenting in 1888? Here is but one example:

"I have had the question asked, what do you think of this light which 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 at Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband. 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 not had it presented to them as I have, and when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said amen. (Ms. 5, 1889).

However, the response of the brethren to this wonderful message at the 1888 conference was in total contrast to the message and the messengers. While at the 1888 conference in response to her prayers she had a night vision and was visited by a messenger from God who conducted her to the homes where the brethren were lodging and she heard the criticism of her but "they thought and said worse things of Brethren Jones and Waggoner". The messenger plainly told Ellen White: "Satan has blinded their eyes and perverted their judgment; and unless every soul shall repent of this their sin, this unsanctified independence that is doing insult to the Spirit of God, they will walk in darkness… They would not that God would manifest His Spirit and His power; for they have a spirit of mockery and disgust at My word." As a result, "not one of the company who cherished the spirit manifested at that meeting would again have clear light to discern the preciousness of the truth sent them from heaven until they humbled their pride and confessed." (1888 materials, p.309-311,316,317.1067,1068).

Looking back at the 1888 conference, Ellen White wrote the following: "I can never forget the experience which we had in Minneapolis, or the things which were then revealed to me in regard to the spirit that controlled men, the words spoken, the actions done in obedience to the powers of evil…. They were moved at the meeting by another spirit, and they knew not that God had sent these young men…. To bear a special message to them which they treated with ridicule and contempt, not realizing that the heavenly intelligences were looking upon them… I know that at that time the Spirit of God was insulted." (lt. 24, 1892).

When this message was resisted by the Church leaders, Ellen White went with Jones and Waggoner to take this message directly to the people:

1888 Materials p. 545

"I have travelled from place to place attending meetings where the message of the righteousness of Christ was preached. I considered it a privilege to stand by the side of my brethren and give my testimony with the message for the time and I saw that the power of God attended the message wherever it was spoken.

Suppose that you blot out the testimony that has been going during these last two years proclaiming the righteousness of Christ, who can you point to as bringing out special light for the people? This message as it has been presented should go to every church that claims to believe the truth and bring our people up to a higher stand point.

Based on this testimony, we can see that every church today that claims to believe the truth should be presenting this message. After all, as we have already seen, it is the Third Angel's message and the everlasting gospel that we are to share with the world.

Having looked back at 1888 and the reaction to God's message and His messengers, then the obvious question is — Is this message still relevant to us today? Ellen White counsels us here as well:

"The Lord has raised up Brother Jones and Brother Waggoner to proclaim a message to the world to prepare a people to stand in the day of God." (1888 Materials, pg. 1814). We believe Jesus is coming soon, and she tells us here that we need this message to prepare us, God's people, for the trials and tribulations ahead, so we may stand for Christ as part of the 144,000 that will follow the Lamb wherever He goes, keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.

Our Sabbath school lesson this week looks at several of our fundamental doctrines as a basis for our faith and unity. Our doctrines are, of course, important but only in light of the cross. This most precious message leads us to focus only on Christ—His infinite agape love, His immeasurable sacrifice on the cross, what He has already done for the entire human race.  Then the faith of Jesus, which is His gift to us, becomes real in our lives, hearts are changed, and Christ's righteousness, also through the power of the Holy Spirit governs our thoughts and our lives. Obedience to the commandments and following our doctrines is then a fruit of His faith and His righteousness in our lives.

This most precious message was always intended to bring unity to God's last day church as it is indeed the everlasting gospel intended for the world.

Blessings, John and Monica Campbell