CLOSING EVENTS STUDY NO. 33 – Elder Gordon W. Collier Sr. 1971
GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE IN THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
[ Excerpts ]
Foreword
Message given by Elder Collier at the 1970 General Conference Precouncil Workshop
What Caused the Sufferings and Death of Jesus?
The Heart of the Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
The Central Issue of the Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
The Underlying Motives which Led Jesus to Die
An About-Face
Truth is Progressive
Personal Study Encouraged
Conversion – Gradual or Progressive?
Freewill
Satan Strictly Limited
One Hundred Percent!
The Omnipotent Human Will
“PERFECT” of Matthew 5:48 = SINLESS
Eternal Progress
Christian Perfection
Grace
“Sinless”
ENOCH – A Type
Perfect, Righteous, Holy
IN This Life!
Queen Esther (A Parody)
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“CLOSING EVENTS”
Study 33 - Excerts
Gordon Collier, God’s Eternal Purpose in the Great Controversy
[ Excerpts - cont. ]
[ THE GREAT ADVENT MOVEMENT IN BIBLE PROPHECY ]
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY?
In the great controversy between Michael [Christ] and Lucifer [Satan], with the entire universe looking on,
Satan must be given a hearing,
God be given a hearing,
All of the evidence must be presented,
The witnesses for both sides must be called to the witness stand to testify before the final verdict can be rendered –
IS GOD GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY?
Then, and not until then, will the central issue in the great controversy be fully revealed to every intelligent creature in the universe!
Then, and not until then, will God’s eternal purpose in the great controversy be accomplished!
Then, and not until then, can Satan be defeated and God vindicated.
Then, and not until then, can the final sentence be pronounced and executed!
Then, and not until then, can Satan, sinners, and sin be eradicated from the universe forever!
Then, and not until then, will the sufferings of God come to an end!
Then, and not until then, will the universe be eternally secure!
OH, THE WONDER OF IT ALL!
And to think that God has so honoured us and included us in His great eternal plan; to think that we are essential to God; to think that we can have a part in God’s great, universal, eternal vindication and triumph!
Thinking such sublime thoughts, responding to such measureless love, dedicating ourselves to such a glorious magnificent destiny, we can even now, hear the bell of eternity tolling in the depths of our souls!
Oh, Glorious moment in eternity! Oh, glorious event to which all creation hastens!
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THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE (Rev. 14:6-12)
WHAT IS THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE?
Basically the Third Angel’s Message is:
- A Call to Holiness (the Great Advent Movement is a Holiness Movement)
- A Call to Victory in Jesus
- A Call to the Perfection of a Christlike Character, and
- A Call to the Revelation of that Character to the World In and By His People.
It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world . . . . His character is to be made known. . . . Those who wait for the Bridegroom’s coming are to say to the people, ‘Behold your God.’
“The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.” – COL 415, 416.
“Men will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ.” – COL 420.
“He [Christ] became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Thus He placed us . . . where we could live pure, sinless lives.” – ST june17, 1903.
“In the day of judgement the course of the man who has retained the frailty and imperfection of humanity will not be vindicated. For him there will be no place in heaven; he could not enjoy the perfection of the saints in light. He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.” – RH March 10, 1904. (Also quoted in Review and Herald, Sept. 9, 1971).
“No one who retains the frailty of natural humanity will be vindicated.” – Letter B 21, 1897. (See Closing Events Study No. 8)
“Those who have not cleansed to sin and who have not repented and sought pardon for their transgressions are not represented in this company; . . . “ – Letter 51, 1886, pp. 8, 9.
EMPHASIS
Abbreviations for new Spirit of Prophecy ‘Morning Watch’ books are:
OHC – Our High Calling
IHP – In Heavenly Places
FILB – Faith I Live By
SD – Sons and Daughters
ML – My Life Today
KH – That I May Know Him
A study of the great prophecies of Daniel and Revelation brought the great Advent Movement into existence. The Seventh-day Adventist Church came into being in direct fulfilment of Bible prophecy. And the Lord has blessed the Remnant Church as it has gone forth to preach these great prophecies to the world. And the messenger of the Lord assures us that a Re-Study of these two books, Daniel and Revelation, will bring Revival to the church.
Let us therefore study and preach as never before on these two great books of Bible prophecy which focus on the Closing Events of Earth’s history – the image to the beast, the National Sunday Law, the shaking and the sifting, the fall of Babylon, the Latter Rain, the Loud Cry, the Sealing of God’s people, the defeat of Satan, the vindication of God, and the Second coming of Christ.
- This glorious event – the second coming of Christ – is waiting for the defeat of Satan and the vindication of God.
- The defeat of Satan and the vindication of God is dependent upon the revelation of the character of God in His people all over the world.
“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” – COL 69.
“. . . the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.” – COL 415.
“The truth for this time, the third angel’s message, is to be proclaimed with a loud voice as we approach the final test.” – Loma Linda Messages, p. 82, parag. 2.
And the message of righteousness by faith “is the third angel’s message in verity.” – Ev 190.
This is the message that vindicates God, defeats Satan, and closes the work of the third angel.
“The message of Christ’s righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel.” – 6T 19.
3) But the revelation of the character of God IN His people can NOT take place until we have a revival and reformation of the church.
4) And that which will bring revival and reformation to the church is the preaching of the great prophecies of Daniel and Revelation concerning Earth’s closing events. And the very heart and center of last-day events is the third angel’s message which is the message of Christ our righteousness in verity.
“The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.” – DA 671.
The preaching of the third angel’s message, the very heart of which is righteousness by faith, is the only message in the world which will revive the church, perfect the saints, warn the world, defeat Satan, vindicate God, bring Earth’s history to a successful close, and usher in Christ’s second coming.
And how better can we do this than by preaching on last-day events of Earth’s history and the necessary preparation?
We are a special people with a special message for a special time in Earth’s history. As F. D. Nichol declared, “We are a tailor-made people with a tailor-made message for a morally bankrupt world!”
WHAT CAUSED THE SUFFERINGS AND DEATH OF JESUS?
The pen of inspiration reveals to me is a very shocking, heart-breaking, extremely important, but little-known truth.
That appalling truth, stated briefly, is that the inception of the first sin in heaven brought untold grief and suffering to God, that He has been suffering on account of sin ever since, and that He will continue to suffer incomprehensible sorrow because of sin until it is finally put away from the universe forever!
Jesus Christ, God’s ambassador to the world, came to reveal God to this world and to worlds afar. Jesus, the prince of sufferers, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief weeping over sinners, revealed the Father to us as One who suffers on our account, as One who is “touched with the feelings of our infirmities,” as One who weeps over us, and for us.
We do well to ask ourselves the question, What was it that caused the unparalleled sufferings, the superhuman agony, and the death of Jesus when He was on Earth, and which continues to cause Him unspeakable suffering in heaven?
Certainly it was not His physical sufferings, as great as they were, which caused His death upon the cross. He did not live long enough to die of hunger, thirst, exposure, [or] blood poisoning as did others who were crucified. Since He was on the cross for less than one day, He did not live long enough to die of crucifixion. Let us prayerfully inquire into what it was that caused the sufferings and death of Jesus.
That which caused the death of the spotless Son of God as He hung upon the cross was a BROKEN HEART and that which broke his heart was THE SINS OF THE WORLD!
Likewise, in the garden of Gethsemane the night before, it was THE SINS OF THE WORLD that contorted His face with a nameless grief, that marred His visage more than any man, that flung Him to the ground writhing in agony of soul, that forced the bloody sweat through His pores, that wrung from His lips the thrice-repeated cry, and that would have crushed out His life then and there had the Father not sent an angel to strengthen Him to endure the terrible ordeal.
And today in heaven, that which continues to break His heart, that which continues to cause Him untold suffering and grief, that which continues to cause Him to weep over us, is the same thing – OUR SINS – our imperfections, our lack of love, lack of faith, lack of response!
It is vitally important that we understand that the same thing that caused Christ to weep over Jerusalem, in Gethsemane, on the cross – THE SINS OF THE WORLD – continues to cause Him unendurable suffering today in heaven.
His change from Earth to heaven did not change His relationship to us, His love for us, or His sufferings because of us! We must know that His sufferings did not end when He returned to heaven; they have continued, unabated, down through the centuries!
His unfathomable sorrow and agony of soul, His unendurable anguish of spirit, His inexpressible grief, heartache and suffering which He endured while on Earth and which He continues to endure today in heaven, can never be fully comprehended nor appreciated by mortals or angels. It will be the wonder, the utter amazement, the study of the redeemed throughout eternity, and will never be completely exhausted.
The sufferings of God began in heaven when Lucifer first sinned. His sufferings were greatly multiplied when the angels sinned. God wept when Lucifer and his angels were cast out of heaven.
His sorrow was again compounded when Adam and Eve sinned. With the addition of every sinner, the grief and sufferings of God have increased.
It was Israel’s coldness of heart, their sins, their oft-repeated backslidings which grieved God continually in Old Testament times.
In Ps. 95:10 God lamented, “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation.”
In Isa. 63:9 the gospel prophet assures us, “In all their affliction, He was afflicted.”
In chapter 53 Isaiah pictured the sufferings of the coming Messiah on our account as follows:
“. . . He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
”He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. . . . for the transgression of my people He was stricken.
“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: When thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, . . . He shall see of the travail of His soul, . . . He hath poured out His soul unto death: . . .”
THE PSALM OF SOBS
The Hebrews call the 22nd Psalm “the Psalm of sobs” because when it is read in the Hebrew language, it sounds like a series of deep sobs over and over again.
This Psalm was a prophecy of the sufferings of the coming Messiah (Jesus).
“My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.” (verses 1 and 2).
“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that He would deliver him, seeing He delighted in Him.” (verses 6-8).
“Be not far from Me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and mu tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” (verses 11-15).
“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones; they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” (verses 16-18).
While He sojourned among us on earth, He was constantly being touched with compassion for the multitudes. Often, heart-broken, He wept over sinners – incorrigible Jerusalem, at Lazarus’ tomb, in the Gethsemane garden, on the cross.
The book of Hebrews gives just a glimpse of the suffering Saviour:
“Who in the days of His flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” – Heb. 5:7, 8.
He sweat great drops of blood as He writhed in anguish and agony of soul in the garden of Gethsemane. Describing Him, the gospel prophet laments, “His visage was so marred, more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” – Isa. 52:14.
As He faced His final sacrifice, He could not through the portals of the tomb. He felt that the sins of the world were separating Him eternally from the Father.
Matthew, an eyewitness of His sufferings, describes them thus:
“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” - Matt. 26:36-39.
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried wit h a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabech thani? This is to say, My God, my God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?” – Matt. 27:46.
PERFECT SUBMISSION – PERFECT OBEDIENCE
Jesus was obedient unto death! He obeyed God perfectly, not only when He had the assurance of the Father’s presence and blessing, but when it appeared that God had abandoned him to eternal death! He obeyed even when that obedience appeared to lead Him to eternal separation from God!
When He cried, “My God, my God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?” He felt that He was going down to a death from which there would be no resurrection. Such was the surrender, the obedience of Christ to God’s will.
The last words He spoke before dying were words of surrender and resignation to the Father’s will, Father, into Thy hands I commit Myself.
To such implicit obedience God is calling us. In the future, before the end, we will be called to obey God when apparently only God’s wrath and death await us.
Since returning to the right hand of the Father in heaven, His grieving and his sufferings have not subsided. And the only thing which keeps His human nature from collapsing and dying from a broken heart today is His divine nature. (While on earth, He had surrendered the independent exercise of His divine nature).
Since His return to heaven, His divine nature enables him to suffer unfathomable agony day after day, year after year, century after century, without dying!
Did we suffer as much as Christ is suffering in heaven day after day, we would die! Our human nature could not bear it! Such suffering would cause our minds to snap, our hearts to break, our nervous system to shatter, our life to cease.
Oh, that our sins would cause us as much grief and suffering as they cause Christ. Oh, that we would hate sin as much as He hates it, and resist it unto blood as He did.
Oh, the sufferings, the grief, the sorrow, the agony of soul of the Father and the Son in eternity past, while Jesus was on earth, and now in heaven, are beyond human comprehension!
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YOU
There is yet another shocking aspect to the sufferings of Christ: YOU are just as responsible as anyone else in the world for the sufferings of Jesus! YOU are just as responsible as anyone else in the world for the crucifixion of the spotless Son of God! YOU are just as responsible as anyone else in the world for the death of God’s dear Son!
It was your sin just as much as anyone else’s that nailed Him to the cross! It was your sin just as much as anyone else’s that broke His heart! It was your sin just as much as anyone else’s that killed Him!
YOU are guilty of the death of Christ! YOU stand charged with the murder of the Son of God by the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy! (See chapter 3).
It is your sins, just as much as anyone else’s, which dishonour Him today, which crucify Him afresh, which cause Him superhuman agony, and which continue to break his heart!
And you, even you, can have a part – and just as definite a part as anyone else in the world – in bringing an end to the sufferings of Christ.
You can help Jesus to defeat Satan, vindicate God, and secure the universe! You can hasten the end of His sufferings and the day of His triumph, vindication and coronation!
Will you? Do you really care? Do you truly love God? Do you really want your heart to be touched by God and all broken up and deeply moved, down to the very bedrock of your soul?
Do you want an entirely new Christian experience? Do you want to be completely converted, revived, transformed, and baptized with the Holy Spirit, and saved to the uttermost?
Are you deeply in earnest about preparing for the Latter Rain, the finishing of the work, and heaven?
Then read on and prepare yourself for the experience of your life!
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- The Heart of the Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
The Central Issue of the Great Controversy is not merely the outward recognition and compliance to an objective norm – the law of God. It goes much deeper than that.
The central issue is that inner state of the heart which state is revealed by an outward obedience or disobedience to God’s authority as it is expressed in His law. Obedience or disobedience to God’s law are simply the outward expression of the inward condition or experience.
Thus, the external issue of the great controversy is a matter of love, faith, trust, and confidence in God which leads to a willing, glad-hearted obedience to His law over against doubt, distrust and suspicion of God which leads to disobedience to God – a taking of things into one’s own hands, and acting independently of God.
Jesus, and God’s people of every age of the world’s history, and especially in earth’s last generation, have given and will give a living demonstration of the great truth – that they are totally surrendered to God, totally dependent upon God, and totally controlled by God.
They love God so much and have such perfect confidence in Him, and are so perfectly surrendered to His will that they are wholly determined to have God rule their entire life rather than self. Respect for and obedience to God’s law are simply the outward expression of that inner experience or state of oneness with God and love for Him.
p. 18
Satan sought to camouflage the real issue by attacking the outward aspect – the law of God. He knew that his charges and insinuations would be too apparent if he told the angels and then human beings that God was not worthy of our love, confidence, faith, and service, and so he attacked God’s law and said that it was faulty and could not be perfectly obeyed.
And he was partially right. The law cannot be perfectly obeyed by anyone who does not truly love God, who does not have true faith in God, and who is not united to God and thus a partaker of the divine nature. It is absolutely impossible for a faithless, loveless, rebellious, independent angel or human being to truly keep God’s law. And so there was an element of truth in Satan’s charges. The path of error lies very close to the path of truth.
This is the way Satan works. He conceals error with truth. He sugar-coats his lies with truth. He mixes truth with falsehood so that the error will look attractive and will not be apparent. Thus he disarms and attracts followers to his side and deceives them.
Since God’s law is the transcript of his character, Satan’s attack upon God’s law was really a camouflaged attack upon God’s character and authority.
And so, the central issue of the great controversy is, Who is supreme, God or self? What will control my life – love or selfishness? By what will I be motivated – by faith or unbelief, truth or error, righteousness or sin?
The inner state of the heart is revealed by the outward life, by obedience or disobedience. As Jesus said, “By their fruits, ye shall know them.”
Only those who are totally committed in their hearts to God will be found worthy of a home in heaven. And the way God tests and reveals to the universe that the innermost state of the heart is, or is not God-centered, God-motivated, God-controlled, is by our outward conduct.
God has an outward test for the inner state of the heart. Only those will be saved who are God-centered rather than self-centered. The self-centered person will not, cannot, truly keep God’s law. Only the God-centered person will love, honor, and obey God’s law.
Jesus revealed, by His outward life of perfect compliance to God’s law, that inwardly – in His heart – He was totally and perfectly surrendered to God and to His will. Thus He disproved Satan’s lie and by so doing defeated Satan, vindicated God, nd established His authority.
And so, throughout this study, please bear in mind that the contest between Christ and Satan is one that goes deeper than the outward compliance to an objective norm – the law of God.
I do not limit the purpose of Christ’s coming to this earth to this one thing. This is only one of the many reasons Jesus came to earth.
p. 18
4. The Central Issue of the Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
Needed – A New Perspective!
Since we are by nature selfish and self-centered, it is only natural for new Christians to look upon the plan of salvation in terms of self.
But since such a concept is childish, immature, and self-centered, we will outgrow it as we grow up into Christ. What we as Seventh-day Adventists, living down here in earth’s last climactic generation, need is to view the plan of salvation from a new perspective.
GEOCENTRIC vs HELIOCENTRIC
There was a time when people in general held a geocentric concept of the universe instead of a heliocentric concept; they believed that they were the center of the universe, that the Sun and the universe revolved around the Earth.
Likewise, many Christians have a self-centered concept of the plan of salvation. As Christians, we need to gain a fuller, deeper, higher, Christ-centered understanding of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. We need to exchange our ego-centric religion for one which is Christo-centric.
p. 20
How often do we hear well-meaning Christians selfishly pray, And may the work soon be finished so Jesus can come and take us home to heaven, without a thought of their responsibility in hastening that day, or of its effect upon or benefit to God and to the universe?
The stock answers to the following very important questions will no longer suffice. Let us now consider some of these profound questions and God’s answers to them.
WHY?
What is man? Why was the human race created? What is the history of this world all about?
“In order to understand what is comprehended in the work of education, we need to consider both 1) the nature of man, and 2) the purpose of God in creating him.” – Ed 14.
What sublime purpose did God have in 1) creating this world and the human race, and 2) in quarantining sin to this planet?
WHAT is the one great central issue in the Great controversy between Christ and Satan?
WHY do Seventh-day Adventists believe themselves to be a Movement of Destiny?
WHAT special, decisive responsibility has God assigned to the members of the Remnant Church in Earth’s last generation?
HOW will the entire universe and eternity itself be affected by the outcome of the Great Controversy?
HOW may the reader have a decisive part in God’s great eternal triumph?
OUR GREAT NEED
It is extremely important that every Seventh-day Adventist understand clearly the great issues in the war between Christ and Satan.
“More clearly than we do, We need to understand the issues at stake in the great conflict in which we are engaged.” – MH 451.
“THE TREMENDOUS ISSUES OF ETERNITY”
“THE TREMENDPOUS ISSUES OF ETERNITY demand of us something besides an imaginary religion – a religion of words and forms - . . . COR 80, 81 (1926 ed. 100).
PROMPT AND DECISIVE ACTION REQUIRED NOW!
“There will be crises in this cause. Prompt and decisive action at the right time will gain glorious triumphs, while delay and neglect will result in great failures and positive dishonour to God.” – 3T 498.
UTMOST HASTE NOW IMPERATIVE – DELAY WILL COMPROMISE GOD AND HIS THRONE
“Something great and decisive is to take place, and that right early. If any delay, the character of God and His throne will be compromised.” – THE CRISIS IMMINENT, GCB 1893, p. 73.
ASK YOURSELF
1) Am I, by my unbelief and failure to overcome, compromising God’s throne? 2) Am I prolonging the reign of Satan, sin and suffering? 3) Am I increasing and prolonging the sufferings of Christ? 4) Am I delaying the revival of my church and the finishing of the work, 5) the vindication of God, 6) the second coming of Christ, and 7) the securing of the universe?
THIS WE KNOW
We know that in a sense god is on trial. “The hour of His judgement is come.” – Rev. 14:6, 7.
This text may also be understood in this sense.
“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That Thou mightiest be justified in thy sayings, and mightiest overcome when thou art judged.” – Rom. 3:4.
“. . . that Thou mightiest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest.” – Ps. 51:4 KJV.
“. . . so that Thou mayest be proved right in thy charge and just in passing sentence.” – Ps. 51:4 NEB
“. . . so that Thou art justified in Thy sentence and blameless in Thy judgement.” – Ps. 51:4 RSV.
See DA 763, 764 and TM 37-40.
We know that eternal issues are at stake, that heaven itself is imperilled, and that the peace, happiness and security of the entire universe is dependent upon the outcome of the controversy.
We know that the complete unmasking, defeat, and eternal destruction of Satan, sin, and suffering are involved.
We know that the ultimate, perfect revelation of the character of God in His people in Earth’s final generation is absolutely essential and that it issues in the defeat of Satan, the vindication and triumph of God, and the securing of the universe against another uprising of sin.
We know that the vindication of God is dependent upon, and results from, A PERFECTED PEOPLE – a people in whose minds is sealed the law (character) of God, a people who reflect the image of Jesus fully,” (EW 71), a people who are “a counterpart of Jesus” (SD 34), and “the supplement of His glory.” (TM 19)
We know that we, by the way we respond to God’s great love, can either hasten or delay His triumph.
We know that God needed man and therefore created him to be His helper in the great controversy between Himself and Satan.
“A SUBLIME EXPERIMENT”
“Day by day God works with him [the person who submits] PERFECTING THE CHARACTER that is to stand in the time of FINAL TEST. And day by day the believer is working out before men and angels A SUBLIME EXPERIMENT, SHOWING WHAT THE GOSPEL CAN DO FOR FALLEN HUMAN BEINGS.” – AA 483.
Do we grasp the profound significance of the preceding divinely inspired statement? This statement relates 1) the perfecting of God’s people to 2) the final test, 3) the sublime experiment, and 4) the revelation and demonstration of what the Gospel can do for man – Perfect His Character!
“ETERNAL INTERESTS” AT STAKE
“Here is something, poor formalist, which is of sufficient importance to excite you. ETERNAL INTERESTS are here involved. Upon this theme it is a sin to be calm and unimpassioned.” – 2T 212, 213.
SATAN’S WARFARE
“Satan wages an untiring warfare against THE LAW OF GOD.” – RH April 16, 1901.
HIS STRATEGY!
“It is Satan’s constant effort TO MISREPRESENT . . . . THE REAL ISSUES AT STAKE in the great controversy.” – 1SP 385.
It is a terrible calamity that Satan has been deceiving many Seventh-day Adventists concerning the great central issue in the great controversy. We can no longer afford to be deceived.
A STUPENDOUS RISK!
“Christ came to earth and entered the conflict with Satan in human flesh, AT THE RISK OF FAILURE AND ETERNAL LOSS.” – DA 49.
“. . . HE not only became an exile from the heavenly courts, but for us took the risk of failure and eternal loss.” – DA 131.
“Christ . . . took the infinite risk of consenting to war with the enemy that He might conquer him in our behalf. . . . God became man . . . Christ expired amid derision.” – ST May 30, 1911.
“HEAVEN IMPERILLED”!
“For our redemption, HEAVEN ITSELF WAS IMPERILLED.” – COL 196.
THE ENTIRE UNIIVERSE INVOLVED!
This great war between God and Lucifer reach to the farthest star.
“The angels and the holy inhabitants of other worlds watch with intense interest the events taking place on this earth.” - ST Feb. 22, 1910.
“The controversy that began in Heaven was to be continued on the Earth. . . . The severity of the conflict through which Christ passed was proportionate to the vastness of the interests involved in His success or failure. It was not merely the interests of one world that was at stake. This Earth was the battlefield, but all the worlds that god has created would be affected by the result of the conflict.” – ST Aug. 27, 1902.
SATAN’S LIFE IN THE BALANCE!
Ever since he first rebelled, Satan’s very existence has hung in the balance. If he were victorious in his warfare against God, he would live. If he loses, he will die. The Bible declares that he will be utterly defeated and destroyed. (Ezek. 28:18, 19). It is your and my privilege to hasten his defeat and destruction.
THE RULERSHIP OF THIS WORLD INVOLVED!
“Christ condescended to take man’s nature, and was tempted in all points like as we [are], . . . What a sight was this for heaven to look upon. . . . Never before had there been a being upon the earth who hated sin with so perfect a hatred as did Christ. . . . With what intense interest was this controversy watched by the heavenly angels and the unfallen worlds AS THE HONOR OF THE LAW WAS BEING VINDICATED. Not merely for this world but for the universe of heaven was the controversy to be forever settled.
“The CONFEDERACY OF DARKNESS was also watching for the semblance of a chance to triumph over the divine and human Substitute of the human race., that the apostate might shout, ‘Victory,’ and the world and its inhabitants forever become his kingdom. . . . Christ’s humanity would demonstrate for eternal ages the question which settled the controversy. In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ did not in the least partake of its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man is encompassed. . . .” – ST June 9, 1898.
(This theme is fully developed in Closing Events Study No. 8
STANDING ON THE THRESHOLD OF ETERNITY
You owe it to yourself to be Informed!)
THE HEART OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
Let us now come to the very heart of the central issue of the great controversy between Michael (Christ) and Lucifer (Satan).
SEVEN BATTLES IN THE ONE GREAT WAR BETWEEN GOD AND SATAN
When Lucifer first rebelled in heaven, What was the Issue?
When Satan was cast out of heaven to this Earth, before Adam and Eve sinned, WHAT WAS THE ISSUE?
Immediately following Adam’s and Eve’s sin, WHAT WAS THE ISSUE?
Throughout the Old Testament period, WHAT WAS THE ISSUE?
When Jesus came to this Earth the first time, WHAT WAS THE ISSUE?
From Christ’s day to 1844, WHAT WAS THE ISSUE?
Now, in Earth’s final generation, WHAT IS THE ISSUE?
THE HEART OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY - THE LAW OF GOD
“If Satan can persuade people to follow a course that is contrary to the principles underlying. . . GOD’S LAW, he has a chance to work upon their minds.” – ST May 27, 1897.
THE ISSUE OF THE AGES:-
ETERNITY: When Lucifer first rebelled in heaven, Can the LAW of GOD be Perfectly Obeyed?
CREATION: This Earth Before Sin Entered – Can the LAW of God be Perfectly Obeyed?
When Satan was cast out of heaven to this Earth, before Adam and Eve sinned, The Issue was still the same: Can the LAW of GOD be Perfectly Obeyed?
THE FALL: After Adam and Eve sinned, Can the LAW of GOD be Perfectly Obeyed?
O. T. TIMES: All Through Old Testament times, Can the LAW of GOD be Perfectly Obeyed?
4 B.C.: When Jesus came to Earth, Can the LAW of GOD be Perfectly Obeyed?
THE CROSS: From Christ’s day to 1844, Can the LAW of GOD be Perfectly Obeyed?
1844: Now, in Earth’s final generation, Can the LAW of GOD be Perfectly Obeyed?
THE SECOND COMING.
The Reader might ponder how is this Christo-centric? The answer is, It is Christ who came to Earth and defeated Satan in these 7 battles and who needs our help in the great conflict.
Because of the tremendous revelation of the character of God in His sinless life ofself-denial and sacrificial death, Christ wins our heart’s affection and allegiance from self and sin and Satan, defeats Satan, secures the universe, and binds us to Himself as the new center of our lives.
Thus, our heart’s devotion is transferred from self to Christ. Not self, but Christ and His cause become the spring of all that we do. Henceforth, we look at the finishing of the work and the return of Christ in supreme relationship to Christ rather than self.
Only an enlarged, expanded concept of the great controversy and its central issue; only a deeper insight into the atonement will save us from a self-centered religion and make us completely Christ-centered.
THE SPECIAL OBJECT OF SATAN’S WRATH
Throughout the history of the world and in every age, Satan has directed his hatred especially against GOD’S LAW and against that particular people God has specifically chosen to honor, uphold, and reveal His Law to the world.
In the following pages, as we trace Satan’s warfare against God and against God’s Law throughout the history of the world, we will see how it builds up to a climax and reaches its greatest fury in the era of earth’s history as he vents his wrath against God’s Remnant Church which loves, honors, and obeys God’s holy law and which teaches it to the world. (Rev. 12:17).
SATAN IS AT WAR WITH THE REMNANT who are endeavouring to KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD and the testimony of Jesus.
GOD SUFFERS
The apathy, indifference, and hostility of the world toward Himself and His cause deeply grieves God, but that which brings the greatest sorrow and suffering to Him is the failure of His own people to love, honor, and uphold Him and His Law in the great controversy between Himself and Satan.
It is the writer’s fervent hope that as the reader progresses through this study, this may be his [or her] experience – that Christ will become all in all to him.
p. 26
Let us now consider the Seven Great Battles one at a time:
WHEN LUCIFER FIRST REBELLED IN HEAVEN THE ISSUE WAS OVER THE LAW OF GOD – WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS GOOD AND NECESSARY, AND WHETHER OR NOT IT COULD BE OBEYED.
p. 26
The LAW is a transcript of the Character of God. Jesus is the Law of God incarnate (in flesh) – He is the Embodiment of the Law of God.
THE LAW OF GOD
p. 30
The Great Advent Movement in Bible Prophecy
p. 38
Was In A Garden
2. When Satan was cast out of Heaven to this Earth, Before Adam and Eve sinned, the Issue was the same: Whether or not God’s Law could be obeyed.
p.44
3. After Adam and Eve sinned, the Issue was the same: Whether or Not God’s Law could be obeyed.
THE WAR CONTINUES
4. All through Old Testament times, the Issue remained unchanged: Whether or Not God’s Law could be obeyed.
p. 48
5. WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH
WHEN CHRIST CAME TO EARTH THE ONE CENTRAL ISSUE OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN GOD AND SATAN WAS WHETHER OR NOT GOD’S LAW COULD BE OBEYED.
THE SALVATION OF SINNERS DEPENDED UPON GOD PROVING HIS POINT.
Many have a very limited understanding as to the reasons which led Jesus to come to Earth, to be born of a virgin, to live a sinless life, and to die.
While it is true that Jesus came in order to die to atone for our sins and to reconcile us to God, these are only two of many reasons.
By taking human nature and living a sinless life, and dying for sinners, He accomplishes their complete transformation of character and restoration to their original perfection that through them He might defeat Satan, vindicate God and secure the universe against another rebellion!
But the plan of salvation had a broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the Earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the Law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe.
To this result of His great sacrifice – its influence upon the intelligences of other worlds, as well as upon man – the Saviour looked forward when before His crucifixion He said: “Now is the judgement of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the Earth, will draw all men unto me.” The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the Law of God, and would reveal the nature and results of sin.
From the first, the great controversy had been upon the Law of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, that His Law was faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed. In attacking the Law he aimed to overthrow the authority of its author. In the controversy it was to be shown whether the divine statutes were defective and subject to change, or perfect and immutable. – PP 68, 69.
But it was not merely to accomplish the redemption of man that Christ came to the Earth to suffer and to die. He came to ‘magnify the Law’ and to make it honorable’. Not alone that the inhabitants of this world might regard the Law as it should be regarded, but it was to demonstrate to all the worlds of the universe that God’s Law is unchangeable.
Could its claims have been set aside, then the Son of God need not have yielded up His life to atone for its transgression. The death of Christ proves it immutable.
And the sacrifice to which infinite love impelled the Father and the Son, that sinners might be redeemed, demonstrates to all the universe – what nothing less than this plan of atonement would have sufficed to do – that justice and mercy are the foundation of the Law and government of God.
“In the final execution of the judgement it will be seen that no cause for sin exists . . . “ – GC 503.
Satan had sought to justify sin and sinners and to condemn God for condemning sin. But the sinless life of Jesus condemns sin forever. By perfectly obeying the Law and living without sin Jesus forever justified God and His Law and condemned sin and Satan.
This is the great meaning and truth of Rom. 8:3 – “ . . . God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh . . . “
The perfect, holy, righteous, sinless life of Jesus condemns sin and Satan, and shows that there is absolutely no excuse or justification for it ever.
“The Cross of Calvary, while it declares the Law immutable, proclaims to the universe that the wages of sin is death. In the Saviour’s expiring cry, ‘It is finished,’ the death knell of Satan was rung. The great controversy which had been so long in progress was then decided, and the final eradication of evil was then made certain.” - GC 503
“Christ’s relation to the Law is but faintly understood . . . The consequences of transgression reach into eternity and none of us can afford to be novices in regard to the deep mysteries of salvation. We should understand the relation of Christ to the moral Law.” – RH Feb. 4, 1890.
Christ left His position in the heavenly courts, and came to this Earth to live the life of human beings. This sacrifice He made in order to show that Satan’s charge against God is false – That it is possible for man to obey the laws of God’s kingdom. – 5BC 1129
Thus Jesus came to Earth and took upon His divine nature our human nature, and without the help of His divine nature, perfectly obeyed the Law of God. By His own perfect, spotless, sinless life, Jesus proved that the Law of God can be perfectly obeyed by human beings – when they are united with divinity by being filled with the Holy Spirit as Christ was in His humanity. (Please see Closing Events Study No. 8, chapter 17, for more than 60 tremendous Spirit of Prophecy statements confirming this point).
SATAN’S CLAIM – CHRIST’S COUNTER CLAIM
Satan represents God’s Law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. . . . Jesus was to unveil this deception. - DA 24
Christ came to the world to counteract Satan’s falsehood that God had made a law that men could not keep . . . He showed that it is possible for man perfectly to obey the Law. – FILB 114.
He [Christ] came to this world to live the law in humanity, that Satan’s charge that man cannot keep the Law might be demonstrated as false. He came to reveal to the heavenly universe, to the worlds unfallen, and to sinful men, that every provision has been made by God in behalf of humanity, and that through the imputed righteousness of Christ, all who receive Him by faith, can show their loyalty be keeping the Law. – ST April 7, 1898.
WHAT CHRIST’S SINLESS LIFE PROVED
WHAT CHRIST’S DEATH PROVED
Christ came in the form of humanity, and by His perfect obedience He proved that humanity and DIVINITY combined can obey every one of God’s precepts.
WHAT CHRIST’S DEATH PROVED
The death of Christ testifies to the heavenly universe, to the worlds unfallen, and to all the sons and daughters of Adam, that the Law is immutable, and that in the judgement it will condemn everyone who has persisted in transgression.
p. 50
SATAN EXPOSED
The death of Jesus on the cross revealed to the universe that Satan was a murderer at heart.
“The battle has been won, His right hand and His holy arm had gotten Him the victory. As a Conqueror He planted His banner on the eternal heights. . . . Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. – DA 758.
WHICH WILL YOU BELIEVE?
“Satan declared that human beings could not keep the Law. Christ has proved this statement false.” – RH Sept. 24, 1901.
GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE
Christ came to Earth as God’s representative to demonstrate to men and angels that human nature may perfectly obey God’s Law.
“Christ was a Representative before men and before angels, of the character of the God of heaven. He demonstrated the fact that when humanity depends wholly upon God, men may keep God’s commandments and live, and His law be as the apple of the eye.” – STM No, 3, page 59.
“In His life and character He not only revels the character of God, but the possibility of man. He was the Representative of God and the Exemplar of Humanity. He presented to the world what humanity might become when united by faith with Divinity.” – ST June 5, 1893.
“. . . He has given to the world a representation of of the character of God and the character of a perfect man. He shows us what God is, and what man may become – Godlike in character.” – GCB vol.. 3, p. 2.
“Christ’s life represents a perfect manhood, just that which you may be, He was in human nature.” – MS W-106, 1896.
These words are to be taken literally! This is true in the fullest sense of the term.
CHRIST PROVES HIS POINT
CHRIST’S SINLESS LIFE – A REVELATION AND A LIVING DEMONSTRATION OF THE GREAT TRUTH
THE OBEDIENCE OF A MAN
WAS IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR CHRIST TO SIN?
“Many claim that it was impossible for Christ to be overcome by temptation. Then He could not have been placed in Adam’s position; He could not have gained the victory that Adam failed to gain. If we had in any sense a more trying conflict than had Christ, then He would not be able to succor us. But our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have nothing to bear that He has not endured.” – DA 117.
AN ASTOUNDING REVELATION
“Jesus revealed no qualities and exercised no powers that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as He was.” – DA 664.
DOES YOUR FAITH GRASP IT?
The greatest manifestation of its power is seen in human nature brought to the perfection of the character of Christ. – 7T 143.
CHRIST’S SPECIAL THREE-FOLD MISSION
“In becoming man’s substitute, in bearing the curse that should fall upon man, Christ has pledged Himself in behalf of the race 1) to maintain the sacred and exalted honor of His Father’s Law. 2)He came to convince men of sin, which is the transgression of the Law, and 3) through divine mediation, bring him back to obedience to God’s commandments.” – ST April 30, 1940.
HOW ACCOMPLISHED?
ON WHICH SIDE ARE YOU?
TWO FALSEHOODS
OUR BATTLE
THOSE WHO SUSTAIN SATAN’S LIE
THOSE WHO CHARGE GOD WITH FALSEHOOD
THE CROSS IS A REVELATION OF ANOTHER GREAT TRUTH CONCERNING THE LAW
THE CENTRAL ISSUE IN THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
p. 57
P. 58
6. FROM CHRIST’S DAY TO THIS, THE ISSUE HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED:
WHETHER OR NOT THE LAW OF GOD CAN BE OBEYED.
transformation
p. 59
7. Now In Earth’s Last Climactic Generation, The Issue Is Still The Same: The Law Of God - Whether Or Not God’s Law Is Eternal, Unchangeable, Binding Upon Christians Who Are Under Grace, And Whether Or Not It Can Be Perfectly Obeyed.
“The Satanic agencies are constantly at work, sowing and watering the seeds of rebellion against the Law of God, and Satan is gathering souls under his black banner of revolt.” – 4BC 1141.
SATAN’S SPECIAL TARGET
Bible Prophecy has very clearly foretold that in the last days of Earth’s history, Satan’s hatred and special attack would be directed against God’s Law and against God’s special group of people (the Remnant Church) who would honor that Law.
Speaking of the last great conflict of Earth’s history, Rev. 12:17 declares:
“And the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman [church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed [children] which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ [the Spirit of Prophecy].” – Rev. 12:17; 19:10.
EARTH’S LAST “GREAT ISSUE”
“We are rapidly approaching the end of this Earth’s history . . . . ; Obedience to God’s Law is the great issue.” IHP 34.
EARTH’S LAST GREAT CONFLICT
“On this battle field comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error.” 5T 451 (See also GC 582 and 7 BC 983).
“ . . . The Law is changeless . . . Christ established the Law . . . Here will come the last great conflict in the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan.” - DA 763.
EARTH’S LAST GREAT BATTLE
There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will be recognised in the Judgement – those who violate God’s Law, and those who keep His Law. Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and Earth. All on His side bear His signet. They are obedient to his commands. On the other side stands the Prince of Darkness, with those who have chosen apostasy and rebellion.” – RH May 7, 1901.
EARTH’S LAST GREAT DECEPTION
“That the Law which was spoken by God’s own voice is faulty, THAT SOME SPECIFICATION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE, IS THE CLAIM THAT Satan now put forward. It is the last great deception that he will bring upon the world. . . . The warfare against god’s Law, which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end o time. Every man will be tested . . . . Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes . . . . Then the end will come. God will vindicate His Law and deliver His people.” - DA 763.
Please notice also that the deliverance of God’s people is dependent upon the vindication of God’s Law! The deliverance of God’s people follows the vindication of God’s Law. God’s people cannot be delivered, Christ cannot come, until God’s Law is vindicated. And his law cannot be vindicated until He has people all over the world who honor and keep it.
EARTH’S LAST GREAT DECIDING QUESTION
The light concerning the binding claims of the Law of God is to be presented everywhere. This is to be a deciding question. It will test and prove the world. – Ev 226.
Now, when the great work of judgeing the living is about to begin, . . . in every case the great decision is to be made whether we shall receive the mark of the beast or his image, or the seal of the living God. – 6T 130.
EARTH’S LAST GREAT TEST
7BC 796 declares that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the great test which God’s people must pass before they are sealed.
The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided . . . [Rev. 13:11-17 quoted]. This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who prove their loyalty to God by observing his law, and refusing to accept a spurious Sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday-sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast. (Letter 11, 1890). 7BC 976.
(Please see Closing Events Study No. 22for a chapter on the purpose and true meaning of the Sabbath. Only a holy people can keep a holy day holy. True Sabbath observance is oneness – fellowship – with our Creator-Redeemer.)
EARTH’S FINAL TEST
When the Third Angel’s Message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the Earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received the Latter Rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the Earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received the seal of the living God. Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the Sanctuary above. He lifts His hands, and says with a loud voice, “It Is Done!”
A PROPHETIC MOVEMENT
Rev. 12:17 and 14:12 declare that in the last days of Earth’s history, God will have a special people in the world who will love, honor, obey, and reveal His holy Law to the world. That special community of Saints is the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
We are a People of Prophecy – A Movement of Destiny.
Our church alone is giving this special message to the world; and we are giving it in 192 countries; and in 1000 languages and dialects. God raised up this church for the specific purpose of giving the last warning message – the Three Angels’ Messages (Rev. 14:6-12) – to the world! When this final threefold message is given, Christ will return. (Rev. 14:14)
The above verses picture a special people at a special time in the history of the world, with a special message for the world. God has set Seventh-day Adventists in the world to be modern Noahs, modern Elijahs, modern John the Baptists.
It is a thrilling and a solemnizing thought that, to Seventh-day Adventists, who are in the world in fulfilment of Bible Prophecy, have been assigned by heaven the particular responsibility of acting as guardians and revealers of God’s holy Law to the world and to the entire universe.
But only a person who has been thoroughly converted and in whose heart (mind) has been written the Law (character) of God, can obey and reveal that Law to the world. Only a holy people can obey a holy Law. Only a people who have the love of god in their hearts can KEEP OR OBEY HIS LAW OF LOVE.
SATAN ZEROES IN
This is the reason Satan is furious against Seventh-day Adventists and is fighting against them in every conceivable way. With every earthly support cut off, with the terrifying roar of the dragon in our ears, Seventh-day Adventists will have to stand for God and his law at the peril of their lives.
OUR SPECIAL HEAVEN-APPOINTED TASK
Thus in a very special sense, God has raised up and appointed the Seventh-day Adventist Church
- To be the depository of His holy Law
- To reveal in the lives of its members the righteous character of god to the world
- To vindicate God before the world and the universe
- To defeat Satan
- To secure the universe
- To hasten the end of the sufferings of Christ, and
- To hasten the Second coming of Christ
If there was ever a people in need of constantly increasing light from heaven, it is the people of God that, in this time of peril, God has called to be the depositaries of his holy Law, and to vindicate his character before the world. – 5T 746
It will readily be observed that 1) the Law of God, 2) the people of God, and 3) the vindication of the character of God are inseparably related! Each is dependent upon the other.
THE LAST GREAT ISSUE
The following inspired statements pinpoint the great issue in the last days of Earth’s history.
The warfare against God’s Law (character) which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end of time. - DA 763.
Therefore he [Satan] is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry – that it is impossible to overcome. – GC 489.
And it is impossible for us to perfectly overcome in our present fallen, weakened, sinful natures apart from God. In order for us to overcome, we must be changed by a miracle of God’s grace into His likeness! We need Him – the Law-Giver!
All who break God’s commandments are sustaining Satan’s claim that the Law is unjust and cannot be obeyed. – DA 309.
It is therefore necessary to demonstrate before the inhabitants of heaven and of all the worlds, that God’s government is just, His Law perfect. – PP 42.
HEAVEN IS WAITING ON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
All heaven is waiting to hear us vindicate God’s Law [character], declaring it to be holy, just, and good. Where are those who will do this work? God calls upon His people to gain a deeper insight into His plans and into His Law. – RH April 16, 1901
And only a holy people who reflect the character [law] of God can vindicate His character [Law]. But if we declare God and His Law and His character to be holy, we ourselves must be willing to be made holy.
GOD DESIRES TO GLORIFY HIMSELF BEFORE THE WORLD AND THE ENNTIRE UNIVERSE IN AND THROUGH HIS PEOPLE
THE CHURCH is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, the final and full display of the love of God. – YI July 13, 1893.
This what God is waiting for! – This is what the church is waiting for! – This is what the world is waiting for! – What are you waiting for?
p. 62
p.63
A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY!
Upon them [God’s people] rests the responsibility of declaring that the Law of God is not changed and never will be changed. – RH April 16, 1901.
HOW ACCOMPLISHED?
GOD’S REMNANT PEOPLE will accomplish this, not simply by telling the world that God’s Law of Ten Commandments is eternal and unchangeable and still in effect as a standard of righteousness and binding upon Christians under grace; but by revealing in their lives the righteousness of that Law. Thus they will demonstrate that the Law is 1) still in effect, and 2) that, by the marvellous grace of God, it can be obeyed.
Thus the world will learn that grace as the method of salvation in no wise abolishes the Law as the standard of salvation!
GOD’S SPECIAL PURPOSE FOR HIS PEOPLE
It is the purpose of God to glorify Himself in His people before the world! – 9T 21.
Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple. . . . In every one Christ’s long-suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world. – DA 827.
GOD’S LAST MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD
The world today is in crying need of a revelation of Christ Jesus in the person of His saints. – RH March 31, 1909.
In Gethsemane the great burden weighing on the heart of Christ is expressed in His prayer: “ . . . that they all may be one; as Thou Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; . . . that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; . . . “
Wonderful statement! The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus that god and Christ are One. – 8T 269.
This is a truly wonderful statement and a wonderful truth! Oh, the glory of Oneness with God!
The last rays of merciful, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.
p. 64
THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE TO MANIFEST HIS GLORY (CHARACTER) – COL 415, 416.
In the preceding inspired statements, it will be seen that God’s special task for His people in Earth’s final generation, is to reveal in their lives the righteous character of God to the world.
As in the days of the Apostles, God wants the world to take notice of His people that “they have been with Jesus” and have learned of Him. [Acts 4:13]
WHAT REVELATION PREPARES THE WORLD FOR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?
THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to Prepare the Way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the Third Angel. – 6T 19.
WHAT IS THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE?
“Several have written to me inquiring if the message of justification by faith (righteousness by faith) is the THIED ANGEL’S MESSGE, and I have answered, It is the Third Angel’s Message in verity . . . “ – Ev 190.
This is the purpose of the Three Angels’ Messages: First, to reproduce the character of God in His people, and second, to reveal that character to the world. The Third Angel’s Message is more than a message, It is an experience and a revelation!
The Third Angel’s message will produce a people all over the world of whom the prophet wrote:
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” – Rev. 14:12.
Therefore, according to the fourteenth chapter of Revelation, those who do NOT receive the Three Angels’ Messages, do not keep the commandments of God nor receive the seal of God, but instead receive the mark of the beast; and those who Do receive the Three Angels’ Messages keep the commandments of God and receive the seal of God rather than the mark of the beast.
And so, in the last days, at the final test, all of the world is divided into just two classes depending on their relationship to the eternal Ten Commandment moral Law of God. Everyone will receive either the seal of God or the mark of the beast.
“The time of test is just upon us, for the Loud Cry of the Third Angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole Earth. – RH Nov. 22, 1892; 7BC 984.
Christ and His righteousness are to be so blended with the Third Angel’s Message, that the whole world may be lighted with his glory. – Series A:N: 27.p
The whole Earth is to be filled with the glory of God. – 7BC 984.
P. 64
p.65
AS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, WHAT, THEN, IS OUR SPECIAL TASK?
In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light-bearers. To them has been entrusted the last message of mercy for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the Word of God. What manner of persons, then, ought they to be? – IHP 314.
We are workers together with God in presenting (revealing) the perfection of His character in humanity. – 6T 12, 13.
A UNIVERSAL DEMONSTRATION
“God wants His sons and daughters to reveal before 1) the synagogue of Satan, before 2) the heavenly universe, before 3) the world, the power of His grace, . . . . “ – IHP 321.
WHAT IS DELAYING THE END? – WHEN WILL CHRIST COME?
The suffering of Christ cannot be ended, Satan cannot be defeated, God cannot be vindicated, The work cannot be finished, The End cannot come, Jesus cannot return, The Universe cannot be secured, - until God’s people reveal to the world the perfection of His character in their lives!
CAN WE HASTEN OR DELAY CHRIST’S SECOND COMING?
CHRIST IS WAITING WITH LONGING DESIRE FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF HIMSELF IN HIS CHURCH. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. – COL 89.
The statement above may be correctly paraphrased as follows: “When the Law of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.”
Under the New Covenant promise (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:10; Heb. 10:16), God has promised, “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.” Only when His Law is written upon our hearts (minds, characters) will we reflect His character.
And so each of us is, by our response to God, by our development of a Christ-like character, and by our service, either hastening or delaying the second coming of Jesus!
p. 65
WE CAN HASTEN CHRIST’S SECOND COMING!
By giving the Gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord’s return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God. (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would have before this been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to our Earth in power and great glory. – DA 633, 634.
It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8T 22. (see also Ev 694-696; GC 458; 1SM 68, 82; 6T 450; 8T 115, 116; CT 324; AA 111; Ed 271; 9T 58).
! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
The thought that it is in our power individually to hasten or to delay God’s vindication and the Second Coming of Christ is a very solemnizing thought.
The thought that we, by our consecration and our personal efforts, can hasten the coming and triumph of Christ should thrill us through and through and challenge us, and inspire us to go out with all our might to finish the work!
WHAT THEN, IS AT STAKE IN OYR PERFECTION OF CHARACTER, OR LACK OF IT?
THE HONOR OF GOD, THE HONOR OF CHRIST, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people. – DA 671.
God is greatly dishonoured by those Christians, especially Seventh-day Adventists, who claim that the Ten Commandments are God’s eternal, unchangeable moral law, but who nevertheless continue to transgress His Law. This is the one great reason Christians and the Christian church has lost its influence with unbelievers and with the heathen!
WHY “CHRISTIANITY” IS SO POWERLESS
Christianity loses its power because Christians constantly transgress the law of God. – ST March 4, 1897.
THOSE WHO HONOR GOD
“. . . . Christ is honoured in excellence and perfection of character.” – OHC 152.
THOSE WHO DISHONOR GOD
“. . . . all who break God’s commandments are sustaining Satan’s claim that the Law is unjust and cannot be obeyed. Thus they second the deceptions of the great adversary, and cast dishonour upon God.” – DA 309.
“Now he [Satan] points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which dishonor their Redeemer, . . . “ – GC 484.
“Our Lord is put to shame by those who claim to serve Him, but who misrepresent His character, . . . “ – DA 439.
WE should not dishonour God by “one expression” concerning a supposed “inability to overcome fully.” (Letter 31, 1893). It is God who works in us to do His will – His Law.
“Exact obedience is required and those who say that it is not possible to live a perfect life throw upon God the imputation of injustice and untruth.” – MS 148, 1899; RH Feb. 7, 1957.
This is exactly what Satan has done – charged God with injustice and falsehood!
“He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character.” – DA 301.
Thus, it may be seen that those fail to perfect a Christ-like character dishonour God and rob Him of His glory. Do we truly realize that God and Christ are honoured by our perfection of character, or dishonoured by our lack of it?
THOSE WHO HONOR SATAN
“When they 1) excuse sin and 2) cling to perversity of character, they give Satan a place in their affections, and pay him homage.” – RH Aug. 12, 1884.
WHEN WE HELP SATAN TO TRIUMPH
“THE REPROACH OF THE DISCIPLE’S SIN IS CAST UPON CHRIST. IT CAUSES SATAN TO TRIUMPH, . . . “ – DA 811.
“Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character.” – DA 311.
Far more than they realize, such professing Seventh-day Adventists help Satan in his warfare against God.
WHEN WE ENABLE SATAN TO MOCK GOD
“And every failure and defeat on our part gives occasion for him [Satan] to reproach Christ.” – DA 125.
“If those who hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them, how he taunts Christ and the holy angels with their course, they would make haste to confess. . . . “ – GC 489.
Every time we sin, we enable Satan to ridicule God! O, the far reaching effects of a single sin, not only upon ourselves, but upon the universe!
IF WE COULD ONLY REALIZE . . .
“By our sins and our failure to perfectly obey God’s holy law, we misrepresent and dishonour God and exalt and honor Satan.” – OHC 136.
If men and women could only see and realize how their unbelief and mournful murmurings [sins] exalt Satan and give him honor, while they rob Jesus Christ of His glory in the work of saving them, wholly and entirely, from ALL sin! – OHC 136.
THE GREAT OBJECT OF LIFE
Consequently, the perfection of a Christ-like character for the defeat of Satan and the honor, glory, and vindication of God is to be the aim of life.
“The glory of God, the perfection of Christian character, is to be the aim. . . . “ – RH Feb. 7, 1957.
Will god settle for less? The perfection of a Christlike character is not an impossibility.
“To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, . . . This was to be . . . the great object of life. – Ed 15, 16; CT 49.
WARNING!
We are not to look forward to some time in the future when a special work is to be done for us. NOW is the time when this special work is to be done for us.
“You are not to look to the future, thinking that at some distant day, you are to be made holy; it is NOW that you are to be sanctified through the truth.” – ST April 4, 1892.
NOW IS THE TIME!
“You need not be worried. You need not be thinking that there is a special time coming when you are to be crucified; the time to be crucified is just now. Every day, every hour, self is to be crucified, . . .
“All your self-crucifixion will not do any good then. It must come before the destiny of souls is decided. It is now that self is to be crucified, when there is work to do; when there is some use to be made of every entrusted capability. It is now that we are to empty and thoroughly cleanse the vessel of its impurity. It is now that we are to be made holy unto God. This is our work. This very moment.
“You are not to wait for any special period for a wonderful work to be done; it is today. I give myself to God today.” – MS 35, 1891.
DON’T PROCRASTINATE! DO IT NOW!
Now is the time a special work is to be done for us and in us! We are to cooperate with God in accomplishing this special work.
THE 144,000
These are they who have been redeemed from Earth’s last generation; who have God’s name written in their foreheads. (Rev. 14:1)
God’s name represents His character, and the saints’ foreheads represent their minds or characters.
In other words, they have the character and mind of God. They are motivated supremely by God’s ten principles of love and righteousness.
These are they of whom Daniel wrote, “. . . but the people who do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” – Dan. 11:32.
These are truly “men wondered at” (Zech. 3:8). Who walk among the angels who stand by in wondering admiration! (Zech. 3:7).
These are they who will walk with Christ in white (Rev. 3:4), and will follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. (Rev. 14:4).
These are they of whom Daniel exclaimed, “they that be wise shall shine as the stars forever and ever.” – Dan. 12:3.
What a high, holy and sublime destiny awaits God’s faithful of Earth’s last generation!
WE MUST BE CONSISTENT
p. 69
Finally, before Satan is ultimately destroyed, even he “bows down and confesses [the righteousness of God and His law and] the justice of his sentence.” – GC 670.
“Through Christ’s redeeming work 1) The government of God stands justified. 2) The Omnipotent one is made known, as the God of love. 3) Satan’s charges are refuted, and 4) his character unveiled. 5) Rebellion can never again rise. Sin can never again enter the universe. 6) Through eternal ages, all are secure from apostasy. By love’s self-sacrifice, 7) the inhabitants of earth and heaven are bound to their Creator in bonds of indissoluble union.” – DA 26.
THE BELL OF ETERNITY
In the above inspired statement, I hear the bell of eternity ringing in the depths of my soul.
Ring out, Bell of Eternity; Ring out; Ring out; Ring Out! Reverberate throughout the vast corridors of illimitable space! Echo the Good News from island universe to island universe! Herald the glorious message from unfallen world to unfallen world!
Raise your anthem to the vaulted gates of heaven – to the throne room of the Majestic One who sitteth upon the throne of eternity! Proclaim the glad tidings to angels and archangels, cherubims and seraphims; - a community of saints, out of every nation, kindred, tongue and people of Earth’s last generation has perfectly obeyed God’s Law!
The revelation of the character of God in His people has been given to the world; the demonstration is complete; the battle is won; the victory is gained; the great controversy is ended; Satan is defeated; God is vindicated; the universe is secure; sin, suffering, sorrow, and death can never arise again!
HASTEN TO THE SUFFERING SAVIOUR
Hasten, O Hasten to the Temple – to the pillar – to the Lamb all mangled and bleeding! Quickly! Loose Him! Release the suffering Saviour! Let Him go! Free Him from His sufferings!
Tell Him, the Great controversy is ended! Satan is defeated! The victory gained! The battle won! His sufferings over! His coronation at hand! Prostrate yourself before Him! Bathe His wounds with your tears. Give Him your heart’s sincere devotion! Cry out to Him, “My Lord and my God!” as you surrender yourself to Him completely for time and for eternity!
WHEN THE BELL WILL TOLL FOR YOU!
Not everyone will be able to hear the bell of eternity ring! Only those who, by faith, understand, respond to, and experience this glorious truth, will be able to hear that bell!
DO YOU HEAR IT?
Reader, do you hear the bell of eternity ringing in the depths of your soul? Are you overwhelmed by the inexpressible beauty of its harmonious, soul-enthralling message?
Drop to your knees, close your eyes; listen; ponder the great truth of this message. It may be that you too will catch the echoes of the bell of eternity ringing the glorious news in the depths of your being; it may be that the Omnipotent One who sitteth between the cherubim will use you to sound the triumphant refrain to worlds afar!
YOU – A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO THE LORD!
It may be that even now, at this very moment, there is being begotten within you, by the Holy Spirit, that faith, love, and holy consecration which will enable you to be a chosen vessel of the Almighty in His glorious, eternal triumph in the great controversy!
It may be that God will choose you and use you to hasten the end of the inexpressible agonizing of your suffering Saviour! If so, you will hear the bell of eternity tolling in the depths of your soul!
Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all! And He shall reign forever and ever as King of kings and Lord of lords!
O WHAT GLORY!
“Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst fof the throne shall feed them; and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” – Rev. 7:15-17.
These are they who overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. – Rev. 14:11.
These are they who, of their own free will, refused the honor and glory and sinful pleasures of this world; “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures . . . [of this earth]: for . . . [they] had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” – Heb. 11:25, 26.
Finally, these are they who are Christ’s vanguard as He makes his circuit visiting unfallen worlds throughout the realms of illimitable space!
WE SHALL EVER PRAISE HIM!
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain too receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessings. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” – Rev. 5:12, 13.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” – Rev. 4:11.
“And after this I beheld, and Lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before he Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
“And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen
”And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation,, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of thee throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” – Rev. 7:9-17.
“Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgements are made manifest.” – Rev. 15:3, 4.
“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluja; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God; for true and righteous are His judgements: . . .
P. 81
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thundering, saying, Alleluja: for
THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNETH.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. – Rev 19:1, 6-9.
The Great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is Love. – GC 678.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER. – Rev. 11:15.
HAL-LE-LU-JAH!
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
A VERY PERSONAL MESSAGE TO THE READER
Dear Reader, if the reading of this little book has been a blessing to your soul, won’t you please share it with your friends?
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and for His dear sake who continues to suffer because of Laodicea’s failings, I earnestly plead with you to get a copy of this booklet into the hands of every member of your church! Send copies to your Seventh-day Adventist friends and relatives around the world! Every Seventh-day Adventist urgently needs this book now!
I cannot urge you too strongly to pray, study, witness, and reveal to others what you have read in this book, else all is of naught!
Very cordially your friend,
Elder Gordon Collier
p. 81
OTHER CLOSING EVENTS STUDY GUIDES:
1 THE SHAKING AND THE SIFTING
The Time of the Shaking
The Causes of the Shaking
The Purposes of the Shaking
Who will be shaken out?
What Proportion will be shaken out?
Those who cannot be shaken out
Personal application
Encouragement
4 PROTESTANTISM (New 2001 ed. Pp. 3-51 with N.S.L. included)
Introduction
The Impending Conflict
Bible References Concerning U.S. Protestantism
Spirit of Prophecy References Concerning Protestantism
Decay and Decline of Protestantism, both Doctrinally and Spiritually.
Protestant Aspirations and Efforts Toward Union With Protestants.
Protestant Aspirations and Efforts Toward Union With The Roman Catholic Church.
“Ichabod” – “The Glory of the Lord is Departed From Thee.”
[New 2001 ed. pp. 53-98 Includes]:-
NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW – Present-Day Agitation For and Progress Toward [the NSL].
Introduction
Bible References concerning Sunday Law
Spirit of Prophecy References concerning Sunday Law
The Sabbath will be the Great Test of the Ages
Rising tempo of Agitation for Sunday Laws
Thirteen Organizations Promoting Sunday Laws
Progress Toward a National Sunday Law in the U.S.
Progress In Sunday Legislation in Foreign Lands
Miscellaneous Quotes on Sunday Laws
Conclusion
The NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW – The Event and Results [of the NSL]. (Pp.99-123 2001 ed)
THE FINAL CRISIS
Results of the National Sunday Law
Persecution
Shakes and Sifts God’s People
Protestants join hands with the Papacy
Culminates the Threefold Union which completes the fall of Babylon
By it the Papacy is Worshiped
It marks the beginning of the Time of Trouble
The Latter Rain is received in greatest abundance
The Loud Cry is given most powerfully
Earth’s greatest Revival Begins
It Reveals the fact that Satan’s Counterfeit Revival has already Commenced
It is the Sign that the time has come for the Marvellous Working of Satan
By it this Nation Repudiates Every Principle of its Constitution
It Marks the time when National Apostasy is complete
National Ruin Follows
The Sunday Law soon becomes Universal – International
By Their Sunday Laws the Nations fill up their Cup of Iniquity
From the Sunday Law to the Close of Probation – Those who knowingly honor Sunday rather than the Sabbath Receive the Mark of the Beast
When the Mark of the Beast is Received
The Seal of God received by the true Followers of God
It is the Sign that Probation is about to close
When Probation closes the Seven Last Plagues begin to fall
Sunday is more strictly enforced
Sabbath Keepers are Misjudged, Misrepresented, Falsely accused, and Maliciously slandered.
Sabbath-keepers are blamed for the Calamities which come upon the Earth.
The Decree to disregard the Sabbath is soon to be Issued.
The Death Decree follows
The Death Decree is the Sign to God’s People to leave all cities and villages
The Death Decree marks the beginning of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble
Some of the Wicked Anticipate the Death Decree
The Saints are delivered
GOD’S SABBATH
6 THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW
35 Events and Outgrowths of the National Sunday Law
“. . . . Our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government.” – 5T 451.
Are you prepared for the most Stupendous Crisis of the Ages?
The Events and Results of the National Sunday Law:
Arrests the attention of the whole world.
Thrusts SDAs and their Message onto the stage and into the spotlight of the world.
Awakens the interest of every person.
Arouses Everyone to Investigation
Completely Clarifies the True Issue
Strikes deep conviction in the honest in heart concerning the true Sabbath.
Brings severe persecution
Brings everyone to a definite, irrevocable decision for or against the Sabbath.
Shakes and Sifts God’s People
Purifies the Church
Protestants join hands with the Papacy.
Culminates [the] Three-fold Union which completes the Fall of Babylon.
The Image to the Beast is Formed
The Papacy is Worshipped
Marks the Beginning of the Time of Trouble
Results in God’s true followers being sealed
The Latter Rain is then received in greatest abundance
The Loud Cry is then given most powerfully
Earth’s greatest Revival begins
Reveals that Satan’s Counterfeit Revival has already commenced.
It is the sign that the time has come for the Marvellous Working of Satan.
It is the sign to Sabbath-keepers to leave the large cities.
By it, this nation [the United States] Repudiates every principle of its Constitution.
By it, this nation disconnects herself fully from righteousness.
By it, this nation completely fills up her cup of iniquity
It marks the time when national apostasy is complete
National ruin immediately follows
The Sunday Law soon becomes universal – International
By their Sunday Laws, the nations of Earth fill up their cup of iniquity
From the Sunday Law to the Close of Probation, those who knowingly honor Sunday rather than the Sabbath [Saturday] receive the Mark of the Beast.
It is the sign that Probation is about to Close.
Sunday is more strictly enforced
Sabbath-Keepers are misjudged, misrepresented, falsely accused, maliciously slandered, and severely persecuted.
Sabbath-keepers are blamed for the calamities which have come upon the Earth.
The Decree to disregard the Sabbath is soon to be issued.
Decisively defeats Satan
Completely vindicates God
Brings the Third Angel’s Message to a climactic triumphant conclusion.
THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW
Earth’s Last Great deciding Question – Earth’s Last Great Issue – Earth’s Last Great Test – Earth’s Final Test – Earth’s Last Great Deception – Earth’s Last Great Battle – Earth’s Last Great Conflict
7 THE LOUD CRY
The Message of the Loud Cry
The Time of the Loud Cry
The Power of the Loud Cry
The Spirit of the Loud Cry
The Purpose of the Loud Cry
The Results of the Loud Cry
The Reaction to the Loud Cry
The Recipients of the Loud Cry
The Glory of the Loud Cry
The Preparation for the Loud Cry
8 CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (1)
How complete may be our transformation and when may this change take place?
Our natural inherited faculties and propensities to sin.
Natural – second nature
Imparted – not merely Imputed Righteousness
We may now be cleansed from “ALL” [sin]
We may now be cleansed from “EVERY”
“BENTS” to sin
“BIASES” to sin
“INCLINATIONS” to sin
“TENDENCIES” to sin
“PROPENSITIES” to sin
“EARTHLINESS”
“SELF”
“THE MIND”
“THE WILL”
What happened at the Fall of Man?
The Whole Nature
Divine Surgery
God is on trial – What is the Issue?
Conversion – Instantaneous or complete?
Erroneous theories concerning Perfection
Original Sin – the sinful nature
No Boastful Claims
The Divine standard of Perfection
What is sin?
Unknown sin
“MUST”
“In this Life”
Severe Conflict
Behold and Marvel!
Help Bring Revival to the Church – Now!
9 CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (2) – GOD’S TEN PROVISIONS FOR GAINING PERFECTION
The Holy Spirit
The Word of God – Truth
Faith
Prayer
Suffering
The Health Message
Stewardship
Christian Service
The Angels
Obedience
This Study gives the HOW of Perfection.
10 THE SEAL OF GOD
What? – When? – Where? – Why? – How? – Who?
The Importance of the Seal
The Bible References Concerning the Seal
The Definitions of the Seal
The Time of the Sealing
The Place of the Seal
The Purpose of the Seal
The Manner of the Seal
The Recipients of the Seal
The Preparation necessary to Receive the Seal
The Results of the Seal
The Agent of the Seal
The Instrument of the Seal
11 WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS?
The United States will become the leading World Power.
Protestantism will completely decay and decline doctrinally and spiritually.
The Roman Catholic Church will become the leading Religious and Political Power in the United States and of the entire world.
Protestantism will unite with Roman Catholicism.
There will be a National Sunday Law in the United States which will become universal – international.
The Seventh-day Sabbath will be the great test of the Last Days.
Seventh-day Adventists will be a hated and persecuted people all over the world. This will bring upon them a terrible time of trouble – of severe persecution.
The Remnant Church will be mightily shaken.
The Remnant Church will be wonderfully revived, sealed, receive the Latter Rain, give the Loud Cry, and finish the Work.
At the darkest hour, amidst the severest persecutions, the Remnant Church, as a Corporate Body, will triumph gloriously as Christ returns, delivers His people, and takes them to heaven.
12 THE TIME OF TROUBLE
The Message from heaven to Seventh-day Adventists is: “Out of the cities! Flee for your lives!”
The Imminence of the Time of Trouble
The Severity of the Time of Trouble
The Instigation of the Time of Trouble
The Causes of the Time of Trouble
The Nature of the Time of Trouble
The Purposes of the Time of Trouble
The Glory of the Time of Trouble
The Preparation for the Time of Trouble
The Accomplishments of the Time of Trouble
The Victors of the Time of Trouble
The FOUR Times of Trouble
The Little Time of Trouble
The Great Time of Trouble
The Time of Jacob’s Trouble
The Deliverance from the Time of Trouble.
13 THE 144,000
Introduction
The Identity of the 144,000
The Ten Characteristics of the 144,000
The Character of the 144,000
The Trial of the 144,000
The Triumph of the 144,000
The Reward of the 144,000
Summary
Appeal
Additional Spirit of Prophecy Statements concerning the 144,000
“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the 144,000.” – RH Mar. 9, 1905.
15 THE LONG LOOKED-FOR REVIVAL OF THE CHURCH
Our Greatest Need
God calls for a Revival and a Reformation
The Meaning of Revival and Reformation
An Understanding of our True Condition is imperative
What are some of the Causes of our Luke-warm condition which are hindering us from receiving the Holy Spirit with great power?
Realizing that many will not do these things and that we are so low spiritually, what will start the great revival that will correct the above factors so that the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon us?
Encouragement
A Great Revival foreseen among God’s People.
Beware of Procrastination
Now is the time to act!
16 THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Importance of the Holy Spirit
The Personality of the Holy Spirit
The Attributes of the Holy Spirit
The Names of the Holy Spirit
The Symbols of the Holy Spirit
The Need of the Holy Spirit
The Availability of the Holy Spirit
The Promises of the Holy Spirit
The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Conditions of Receiving the Holy Spirit
The Blessings of the Holy Spirit
22 THE EARLY AND LATTER RAIN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A Bold and Decisive Presentation of Exactly What God Requires of the Remnant Church Today, and Precisely how she can Prepare for her Hour of Destiny.
“Nearly all who profess to believe Present Truth, . . . are wholly unfitted to receive the Latter Rain.” – Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 466.
Time of the Early Rain
Time of the Latter Rain
Necessity of the Early Rain
Necessity of the Latter Rain
Purpose of the Early Rain
Purpose of the Latter Rain
Preparation for the Early Rain
Preparation for the Latter Rain
Complete Victory Possible
Now is the time
Perfection
The Purpose of the Gospel
The Great Issue
What is Perfection?
Encouragement
The importance of this subject
Wake up, Seventh-day Adventists, Wake up!
The Height of Perfection
The Wonders of Perfection
The Church Triumphant
“Perfect” of Mt. 5:48
“Sinless”
Victorious Living
26 THE ANTICHRIST POWER OF BIBLE PROPHECY I – DANIEL 7
(or ANTICHRIST EXPOSED - pp. 3-48 new ed. 2001 based on 1964 ed.)
WHO IS THE ‘LITTLE HORN’ POWER OF DANIEL 7?
THE GREATEST RELIGIOUS FRAUD
AND THE GREATEST RELIGIOUS EXPOSE IN TWENTY CENTURIES
Antichrist in Daniel 7
Antichrist in Revelation 13
The nature of its Rise
Its Strength
Its Intolerance
Persecution
The Change of God’s Law (the Ten Commandment law)
The Result of Its Efforts (Its Outcome)
Recap of Daniel 7 Prophecy [of] the Little Horn Power
27 THE ANTICHRIST II – REVELATION 13 (pp. 49-143 of 2001 ed. Based on 1964 ed.)
Who is the Leopard-like Power?
Bible Symbols of the Great Antichrist Power
The Keys of Prophecy
An Extremely Important Subject
The Most Amazing Revelation in the Religious World in Twenty Centuries
Its Time – The Time of Its Rise
Its Ancestry – In bible Prophecy – In Historical Fulfilment
Its Predecessor
Its Strength
Its Reign
Its Ruler – The Type of Ruler
Its Character
Its Form of Government
Its Arrogance
Its Intolerance
Its Outcome
Its Destruction
Its Restoration
The Extent of Its Influence – Universal
Its Followers
Its Disguise
Its Name
Its Number
Its Image
Its Mark
Its End
Statements by the Great Founders and Leaders of Protestantism
Doctrinal Changes Made By The Roman Catholic Church
[New 2001 ed. Based on the 1964 originals]
32 THE CLEANSING OF THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY
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“CLOSING EVENTS”
Study 33 - Excerts
Gordon Collier, God’s Eternal Purpose in the Great Controversy