The message that Jones and Waggoner were presenting placed the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus in their proper framework, and wonderful were the results. Ellen White made it clear that the doctrine of justification by faith had been lost sight of in the Adventist church, as leaders
and members depended on a mere legalistic form of religion. The third angels message that Adventism was to proclaim to the world was not a message of salvation by works. Neither was it the liberal perversion of the reformation doctrine of justification by faith which the holiness preachers taught. The Adventist message was the third angels message in veritythe law and the gospel combinedwhich went beyond the message the Reformers taught. It was the message of righteousness by faith built on the foundation of the Reformation, but taught in the context of the final judgement and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary.18*
Chapter End Notes (bibliography & appendices & explanatory notes ) <often as revealing or more revealing that the chapters themselves >
* 18.
"18. George Knight refers to Ellen Whites Williamsport article several times to try to prove the message that Jones and Waggoner presented was a mix of Adventist distinctive doctrines with the teaching of the holiness preachers: The genius of [Jones and Waggoners] 1888 message was that they had combined the two halves of Revelation 14:12. They not only taught the commandments of God but they preached the doctrine of faith that the holiness preachers had proclaimed. Thus, from Ellen Whites perspective, the importance of the 1888 message was not some special Adventist doctrine of justification by faith developed by Jones and Waggoner. Rather, it was the reuniting of Adventism with basic Christian beliefs on salvation.
Justification by faith (an evangelical belief that Adventists have not been able to improve upon). Knight continues: Thus Waggoner and Mrs. White were in harmony on the fact that the doctrine of justification by faith he set forth, far from being some new understanding of justification, was the belief in justification neglected by Adventists but quite in harmony with the teaching of Paul, Luther, Wesley and the nineteenth-century holiness preachers. The two men had brought together the great truths of Adventism centering on the commandments of God and the great truth of evangelical Christianity centering on salvation by faith in Jesus. A few pages later, Knight states: In essence, Mrs. White was claiming that Seventh-day Adventists at last had a complete understanding of the third angels message. That is, they had united those aspects of Adventist theology that were distinctively Adventist to the great theme of justification by faith that, as Ellen White put it, was being taught by the holiness preachers (RH, Aug. 13, 1889). The result was that Adventists since 1888 had finally been in a position to present the third angels message in all of its fullness and balance (A User-Friendly Guide to the 1888 Message, pp.108, 110, 113, emphasis original). But did Ellen White mean what Knight has claimed? She clarifies her statement often quoted by Knight, stating: The Holiness people have gone to great extremes on this point. With great zeal they have taught, Only believe in Christ, and be saved; but away with the law of God. This is not the teaching of the word of God. There is no foundation for such a faith. This is not precious gems of truth that God has given to his people for this time. This doctrine misleads honest souls (Camp-Meeting at Williamsport, PA., Review and Herald, Aug. 13, 1889, pp. 513-514). Knight also seeks to substantiate his positionthat Jones and Waggoners message was in part the teachings of the holiness preachersby quoting from E. J. Waggoner himself, where he stated in 1887 in his book The Gospel in Galatians (p. 70), that his teachings were simply a step nearer the faith of the great Reformers from the days of Paul to the days of Luther and Wesley (A User-Friendly Guide to the 1888 Message, p. 110). But Waggoner was defending himself against G. I. Butlers charges that his much vaunted doctrine of justification by faith was contrary to scripture and doing away with Adventist doctrines of the law in favor of the liberal holiness movement doctrines. Waggoners very next sentence reads: It would be a step closer to the heart of the Third Angels Message (The Gospel in Galatians, p. 70). The third angels message, which Seventh-day Adventists have been called to preach to the world, is not and never has been, a combination of Adventist legalism (as was being taught by Butler and Smith) combined with the false view of justification by faith that the evangelical holiness preachers were teaching. The third angels message was sent directly from the heavenly sanctuary where Christs work is taking place, not from the holiness preachers who had rejected the first and second angels messages in 1844 (see Ellen G. White, Early Writings, pp. 55-6, 237, 254). This is not to say that the message that Adventists are to take to the world has no connection to the message of the Reformers: their message is in fact built on that foundation, but it is a message that God intends will shine forth in its fullest glory, free from long standing erroneous beliefs. Kenneth H. Wood clearly stated this thought: In our opinion the 1888 message was distinctive, and included far more than Luthers gospel of justification by faith. It had a strong eschatological emphasis. It was designed to prepare a people for translation at the second coming of Christ. It called attention to the heavenly sanctuary. It emphasized the humanity of Christ, and declared Jesus to be not only our Saviour but our ExampleOne who lived the life of faith and showed us how to live that same kind of life (Editors Viewpoint, Review and Herald, Nov. 18. 1976, p. 2). Herbert E. Douglass agrees: [Ellen Whites] messages clearly demonstrated that this most precious messagewas not a mere recovery of a sixteenth-century emphasis, nor a borrowing of a nineteenth-century Methodist accent, such as represented by Hannah Whitall Smiths The Christians Secret of a Happy Life (Messenger of the Lord, p. 197). Clinton Wahlen supports this view: While EJW accepted the fundamental principles of the Reformation, including justification by faith and the Bible as the final authority for Christians, he viewed the Third Angels Message (which of course, included his own teachings) as an advance beyond the days of the Reformation (What Did E. J. Waggoner Say at Minneapolis? Adventist Heritage, Winter 1988, p. 36). Strangely enough, the same author who claims Jones and Waggoners message endorsed by Ellen White was only the combination of Adventist law keeping with the doctrine of faith of the holiness preachers, also claims that their 1888 message led people directly into the holy flesh movement. It is claimed that many of the holy flesh ideas were extensions of [Jones] teaching on righteousness by faith he had preached at least as early as 1889 at the Kansas meetings (George R. Knight, From 1888 to Apostasy, p. 57). One might rightly ask why Ellen White spoke in favor of Jones preaching at the Kansas meetings, and against those who were rejecting it, instead of warning the people that it would lead to the holy flesh movement. Not all Adventists authors, however, see the most precious message that way."
The law or obedience neither one can be fulfilled by works alone. It must be a service of love, a heart service. It must be our delight and love to do so.
Ro 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Ro 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
This was known also in Old Testament times,
Ps 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
The beautiful aspects of the 1888 message which the Lord sent over 120 years ago are best described in Ellen Whites 1895 statement as found in the book Testimonies to Ministers:
The Lord in his great mercy sent a most precious message to his people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to his divine person, his merits, and his changeless love for the human family. All power is given into his hands, that he may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of his own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angels message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of his Spirit in a large measure.
The uplifted Saviour is to appear sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings. Christ is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above. Notwithstanding our unworthiness, we are ever to bear in mind that there is One that can take away sin and save the sinner. God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angels message, in clear, distinct lines. This testimony presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole. (See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9 to the close of the chapter). These precious scriptures will be impressed upon every heart that is opened to receive them. This is the very work which the Lord designs that the message He has given His servant shall perform in the heart and mind of every human agent. It is the perpetual life of the church to love God supremely and to love others as they
love themselves.
Neglect this great salvation, kept before you for years, despise this glorious offer of justification through the blood of Christ, and sanctification through the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation. I entreat you now to humble yourselves and cease your stubborn resistance of light and evidence.1
At least ten great gospel truths that make the 1888 message most precious can be found in this statement. We will look briefly at ten of them here:
(1) As mentioned previously, Jones and Waggoner presented truth as it is in Jesus. Every truth came from a correct understanding of who He was and what He came to this earth to accomplish. This included a deeper understanding of
the height from which Christ had come and the depth to which he stooped in order to save mankind. Many Adventist pioneers had Arian roots and saw Christ as a created being, or as having a beginning. Even Uriah Smith in 1865 wrote
of Christ as the first created being. 2 But Jones and Waggoner exalted Christs divinity. They saw Him as self existent, having life in Himself, possessing by nature all the attributes of Divinity. Waggoner unequivocally proclaimed at the 1888 General Conference: We believe in [the] Divinity of Christ. He is God.3
Speaking of the message sent through Jones and Waggoner, Ellen White exclaimed: Messages bearing the divine credentials have been sent to Gods people The fullness of the Godhead in Jesus Christ has been set
forth among us with beauty and loveliness, to charm all whose hearts were not closed with prejudice.4 In her well-known statement about the most precious message, she put it this way: This message was to bring more
prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour. The people needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits.5 In lifting up Christ, however, Jones and Waggoner didnt go to the other extreme and teach that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were identical who only roleplayed three assignments in the plan of salvation. With but few exceptions they believed and consistently taught the truth of the Godhead in the same terms as the Bible and Ellen White.
Closely connected with their understanding of the divine nature of Christ was their understanding of His human nature. Christ came all the way to where we are, taking upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh. He took upon his sinless nature our sinful human nature, and yet was without sin. To Jones and Waggoner Christ was in the same condition that the men are in whom He died to save. I am not implying Christ was a sinner. If Christ had not been made in all things like unto His brethren, then his sinless life would be no encouragement to us.6 To Ellen White this was presenting Christ as a Saviour who was not afar off, but nigh at hand.7 It was bringing more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour,8 both in his divine and human nature which had not been done.9 This was humanity inhabited by Deity, the revelation of God in human nature,this was Gods gift to our world. God in human flesh,God in our tried and tempted nature.10 Not all were happy with this teaching. Letters came to Ellen White affirming that Christ could not have had the same nature as man, for if he had, he would have fallen under similar temptations. She responded: If he did not have mans nature, he could not be our example he could not
have been tempted as man has been he could not be our helper.11................... ( more to follow as I edit formatting for a wider page. Ed)
(2) Thus God took the initiative in salvation, and continues to take the initiative. He is the good Shepherd who is seeking His lost sheep even though they have not sought Him. He is constantly drawing all men to repentance. Gods agape love is unlike mans love, for His love is changelessnot based on conditions
seeking good for His enemies. Waggoner wrote that God does not wait for sinners to desire pardon, before he makes an effort to save them.12 Not only does He call us, but He draws us. No one can come to Him without being drawn, and so Christ is lifted up to draw all to God.13 Jones stated that Gods mind concerning human nature is never fulfilled until He finds us at His own right hand, glorified. He comes and calls us into this, let us go where He will lead us. Here the heavenly Shepherd is leading us.14 Ellen White described this part of the message stating; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ. They needed to have their eyes directed to His changeless love for the human family.15 In the parable of the lost sheep, Christ teaches that salvation does not come through our seeking after God but through Gods seeking after us.16 None will ever come to Christ, save those who respond to the drawing of the Fathers love. But God is drawing all hearts unto Him, and only those who resist His drawing will refuse to come to Christ.17
(3) By Christ coming all the way down to be with men, He became the second Adam and accomplished something for every human being without any choice on their part. He was not offered to the world from the foundation of the world, He was given to the world. He died the second death for every man, which gave a verdict of acquittal, by satisfying the demands of justice. In Him the human race is accepted. Thus Christ literally saved the world from premature destruction and has elected all men to be eternally saved. He has given life to all men and brought immortality to light. And to each person He has given a measure of faith. Jones stated that He chose every soul in the world; He chose him in Christ before the foundation of the world, predestined him unto the adoption of children and made him accepted in the Beloved.18 As Waggoner put it: This faith is dealt to every man, even as Christ gave himself to every man. Do you ask what then can prevent every man from being saved? The answer is nothing, except the fact that all men will not keep the faith. If all would keep all that God gives them, all would be saved. There is no exception here. As the condemnation came upon all, so the justification comes upon all. Christ has tasted death for every man.19 Ellen White described this part of their message as bringing more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. (See Romans 5 and 1John 3:9 to the close of the chapter).20 Thus it is that Christs death actually did something for everyone without his or her choice, both temporal and eternal, but the fullness of this great Gift will never be fully realized or experienced without a positive steadfast response. Rather than taking away mankinds choice, the cross of Christ is that which gives them a choice. It is the cross of Christ that elicits or draws out a response from everyone: What will you do with the Gift I have given you? It is upon this response, this choice, that everyones eternal destiny hangs. There are only two classes in the whole universe,those who believe in Christ and whose faith leads them to keep Gods commandments, and those who do not believe in him, and are disobedient.21 There always have been and always will be two classes the believers in Jesus, and those who reject him and refuse to believe the truth.22 Thus every one will be condemned or acquitted out of his own mouth, and the righteousness of God will be vindicated.23
(4) So it is that God will not force anyone into heaven. He has purchased for mankind freedom of choice. The sinner must persistently resist His love in order to be lost. Waggoner made it clear: God has wrought out salvation for every man, and has given it to him, but the majority spurn it and throw it away. The judgment will reveal the fact that full salvation was given to every man and that the lost have deliberately thrown away their birthright possession.24 God had implanted in the soul of every man some knowledge of right and wrong, and some natural desires for the right; and whenever a man gives himself wholly to sin, he does so only by resisting the strivings of the Spirit.25 His death has secured pardon and life for all. Nothing can keep them from salvation except their own perverse will. Men must take themselves out of the hand of God, in
order to be lost.26 Jones agreed: All the grace of God is given freely to every one, bringing salvation to all. Having given it all, he is clear, even though men may reject it.27 The Lord will not compel any one to take it. No man will die the second death who has not chosen sin rather than righteousness, death rather than life.28 Ellen White, writing during this time period, put it this way: The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ, but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus.29 The blessings of salvation are for every soul. Nothing but his own choice can prevent any man from becoming a partaker of the promise in Christ by the gospel.30 Speaking of that most precious message she specifically stated: I entreat you now to humble yourselves and cease your stubborn resistance of light and evidence.31 Jesus died for the whole world, but in stubborn unbelief men refuse to be fashioned after the divine pattern.32 Christ has made an ample sacrifice for all! What justice required, Christ had rendered in the offering of Himself. Those who reject the gift of life will be without excuse [John 3:16 quoted].33 The wrath of God is not declared against men merely because of the sins which they have committed, but for choosing to continue in a state of resistance.34 Since Christ has already paid the penalty for every mans sin, the only reason anyone can be condemned at last is continued unbelief, and the disobedience which is an inevitable resulta refusal to appreciate the redemption achieved by Christ on His cross and the atonement ministered by Him as High Priest that would cleanse us from all sin. It is in this sense that sin is (or sin is the result of) a constant resisting of His grace, which always leads to transgression of the law.
End note bibliography
12. E. J. Waggoner, The Spirit of Anti-Christ. No. 6., Signs of the Times, Jan. 27, 1888, p. 56.
13. E. J. Waggoner, Waggoner on Romans, p. 140.
14. A. T. Jones,Third Angels Message19, General Conference Daily Bulletin, Feb. 27,
1895, p. 366.
15. Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 92.
16. Ellen G. White, Christs Object Lessons, p. 189.
17. Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 387.
18. A. T. Jones, Third Angels Message17,General Conference Daily Bulletin, Feb. 26,
1893, p. 401.
19. E. J. Waggoner, Waggoner on Romans, pp. 69, 101.
20. Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91, 94.
21. Ellen G. White, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, Review and Herald, June 23, 1896, p. 386.
22. Ellen G. White, Principle Never to be Sacrificed for Peace, Review and Herald, July 24,
1894, p. 465.
23. Ellen G. White, Notes of Travel, Review and Herald, Nov. 4, 1884, p. 690.
24. E. J. Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p. 14.
25. E. J. Waggoner, Christ the Only Source of Strength, Signs of the Times, Nov. 30, 1888, p.
726.
26. E. J. Waggoner, Waggoner on Romans, p. 144.
27. A. T. Jones, Boundless Grace Free to All, Review and Herald, April 17, 1894, p. 248.
28. A. T. Jones, The Third Angels Message14, General Conference Daily Bulletin, Feb. 21,
1895, p. 269.
29. Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 27.
30. Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 403.
31. Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 98.
32. Ellen G. White, The Beatitudes, Signs of the Times, May 30, 1892, p. 455.
33. Ellen G. White, Chosen in Christ, Signs of the Times, Jan. 2, 1893, p. 134.
34. Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 74.
(5) The only other possible response is that of faith; genuine faith which works by love. But this is more than a mere mental assent to doctrinal truth, it is a realization of the height and depth of the love (agape) of God for the human race. You may say that you believe in Jesus, when you have an appreciation of the cost of salvation.35 By looking at the cross men see the law and the gospeljustice and mercyperfectly blended. The heart is gripped with the magnitude of the sacrifice required by a broken law, the transcript of Gods character. It is more than the letter of the law that brings us to Christ, but the Spirit of the law as revealed in the life and death of Christ which brings conviction of sin and a desire for forgiveness and restoration. His love will call forth a response and [our] lives will show to those around [us] that the Spirit of God is controlling [us]. In proportion to our realization of the great sacrificethe length of the chain let down from heaven to draw us upis our realization of the extent to which Gods holy law reaches.36 God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection
of character.37 Our desire will be for that perfect righteousness which is found only in Christ. Thus it is that justification by faith is much more than the appreciating and receiving a legal declaration of acquittal; it changes the heart. The sinner has now received the atonement, which is reconciliation with God. Since it is impossible to be truly reconciled to Him and not also be reconciled to His holy law, it follows that true justification by faith makes the believer obedient to all the commandments of God. Here we have the love of the Father in giving His Son to die for fallen man, that he might keep the law of Jehovah. Now Jesus stands in our world, His divinity clothed with humanity, and man must be clothed with Christs righteousness. Then he can, through the righteousness of Christ, stand acquitted before God.38 Waggoner expressed it this way: We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ; but Christ saves us from our sins, and not in them.39 We have the most positive evidence that the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are inseparably connected. No one can keep the commandments without faith in Jesus, and no one ever has real faith in Jesus except as he is driven to it by the terms of the violated law, and by a sincere desire to have the righteousness
of the law fulfilled in him. And none can obey it except as they yield to the striving of the Holy Spirit, and come to Christ.40 It is not that God gives a man righteousness as a reward for believing certain dogmas; the gospel is something entirely different from that. It is this, that true faith has Christ alone as its object, and it brings Christs life actually into the heart; and therefore it must bring righteousness.41 Jones stated the same: Faith is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8); and that it is given to everybody is plainly stated in Scriptures [Rom. 12:3 quoted]. This measure of faith which God hath dealt to every man is the capital with which God endows and starts every man that cometh into the world; and every man is expected to trade upon this capital cultivate itto the salvation of hissoul.42 Do you want to be like Jesus? Then receive the grace that he has so fully and so freely given. Receive it in the measure in which He has given it, not in the measure in which you think you deserve it. Yield yourself to it. It will make you like Jesus.43 Ellen White described this part of that most precious message, stating: It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God.44 The heart needs the presence of the heavenly Guest,Christ abiding in the soul. We are to dwell in Christ, and Christ is to dwell in us by faith.45 Let Christ, the divine Life dwell in you and through you reveal the heaven-born love that will inspire hope in the hopeless and bring heavens peace to the sin-stricken heart.46
(6) This marvelous work is accomplished through the ministry of the new covenant wherein the Lord actually writes His law in the heart of the believer. Obedience is loved and sin hated. The old and new covenants are not primarily a matter of time but of condition. Abrahams faith enabled him to live under the new covenant, while multitudes of Christians today live under the old covenant. The new covenant is Gods one-way promise to write His law in our hearts, and to give us everlasting salvation as a free gift in Christ. The old covenant is the vain promise of the people to be faithful and obey, which gives birth to bondage (Gal. 4:24). So it is that under the new covenant salvation comes by believing Gods promises to enable us to obey, not by our making promises to Him, which we cannot obey. This new covenant truth was an essential element of the 1888 message and was also at the heart of the controversy over the law in Galatians. Waggoner expressed it this way: These two covenants exist today. The two covenants are not matters of time, but of condition. So the covenant from Sinai holds all who adhere to it in bondage under the law, while the covenant from above gives freedom, not freedom from obedience to the law, but freedom from disobedience to it. The difference between the two covenants may be put briefly thus: In the covenant from Sinai we ourselves have to do with the law alone, while in the covenant from above we have the law in Christ.47
Jones view was the same: The first [old] covenant rested upon the promises of the people, and depended solely upon the efforts of the people. The second [new] covenant consists solely of the promise of God, and depends upon the power and work of God.48 Ellen White supported Jones and Waggoner in this view of the covenants and also proclaimed the same good news: All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. The uplifted Saviour is to appear sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings.49 The terms of the old covenant were, obey and live. The new covenant was established upon better promisesthe promise of forgiveness of sins and of the grace of God to renew the heart and bring it into harmony with the principles of Gods law.50 Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you. What you need to understand is the true force of the will.51
(7) The validity of Gods promises can be seen in the fact that our Saviour condemned sin in the flesh of fallen mankind, and conquered the sin problem for the human race. This means that He has outlawed sin. In the light of the cross, the devil cannot force anyone to sin. Because of Christ, there is now no reason for any human being to go on living under the frightful dominion of sin. Righteousness is by faith; sin is by unbelief. Sinful addictions lose their grip if one has the faith of Jesus (Rev. 14:12). Waggoner stated it this way: To do this as the Bible enjoins, to consider Christ continually and intelligently, just as He is, will transform one into a perfect Christian.52 Jones made it clear as well: [Christ] has made and consecrated a way by which, in Him, every believer can in this world, and for a whole lifetime, live a life holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and as a consequence be made with Him higher than the heavens. Christ attained it in human flesh in this world, and thus made and consecrated a way by which, in Him, every believer can attain it.53 Ellen White supported Jones and Waggoner on this teaching: God was manifested in the flesh to condemn sin in the flesh. No man can say that he is hopelessly subject to the bondage of sin and Satan. Christ has assumed the responsibilities of the human race. He testifies that through this imputed
righteousness the believing soul shall obey the commandments of God.54 Speaking of that most precious message, she stated: The efficacy of the blood of Christ was to be presented to the people with freshness and power, that their faith might lay hold upon its merits. Notwithstanding our unworthiness, we are ever to bear in mind that there is One that can take away sin and save the sinner. Those who received the message were greatly blessed, for they saw the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness, and life and hope sprang up
EGW has given us some good council about this subject of the Latter Rain,
"Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake. The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge must be continually going forward. Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing, and wait for the Lord to perfect the work concerning him. It is God who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete in Jesus Christ. But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it. {TM 507.1}
That's exactly what happened in 1888. that was a small group of SDA's, this time it will be world wide. It's even more important now than then to be ready through the new heart + the imputed and imparted righteousness and worthiness of Jesus. The World & Heaven are waiting.
(8) The desire to see sin and sorrow come to an end is therefore not based on selfish motivations. A higher motivation will be realized in the closing years of time than has prevailed in the church in past ages. There is a concern for Christ that He receive His reward and find His rest in the final eradication of sin. This new motivation transcends fear of being lost or hope of reward in being saved; obedience is loved. The higher motivation is symbolized in the climax of Scripture the Bride of Christ making herself ready. This takes place when believers really appreciate the love (agape) of God manifested to all men. This constrains them to live for Him and the marriage of the Lamb can finally take place (Rev. 19:7). Waggoner expressed the final vindication of Gods character this way: God is now accused by Satan of injustice and indifference, and even of cruelty. Thousands of men have echoed the charge. But the judgment will declare the righteousness of God. His character, as well as that of man, is on trial. In the judgment every act, both of God and man, that has been done since creation, will be seen by all in all its bearings. And when every thing is seen in that perfect
light, God will be acquitted of all wrongdoing, even by His enemies.56
Jones wrote of this final selfless experience in this way: When Jesus comes, it is to take His people unto Himself. It is to present to Himself His glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it is holy and without blemish. It is to see Himself perfectly reflected in all His saints. And before He comes thus, His people must be in that condition. And this state of perfection, this developing in each believer the complete image of Jesusthis is the finishing of the mystery of God, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. This consummation is accomplished in the cleansing of the sanctuary.57
Ellen White expressed this theme often in her writings: It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviours matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvarys cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him.58 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.59 Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christs agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God.60 Of that most precious message, she wrote: This is the very work which the Lord designs that the message He has given His servant shall perform in the heart and mind of every human agent. It is the perpetual life of the church to love God supremely and to love others as they love themselves.61
(9) The 1888 message is especially precious because it joins together the true biblical truth of justification by faith with the unique biblical idea of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. This is true righteousness by faith. This work is contingent on the full cleansing of the hearts of Gods people on earth, which the High Priest will accomplish with all who let Him. This is Bible truth that the world is waiting to discover. It is the third angels message in verity,62 which is centered in the Most Holy Apartment ministry of Christ since 1844.63 It forms the essential element of truth that will yet lighten the earth with the glory of a final, fully developed presentation of the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14 and 18. Waggoner expressed this view right after the 1888 General Conference stating: But will there ever be any people on the earth who will have attained to that perfection of character? Indeed there will be [Zeph. 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.]. When the Lord comes there will be a company who will be found complete in him, having not their own righteousness, but that perfect righteousness of God, which comes by faith of Jesus Christ. To perfect this work in the hearts of individuals, and to prepare such a company, is the work of the Third Angels Message. That message, therefore, is not a mass of dry theories, but is a living practical reality.64 Years later Waggoner was still writing about this very important message: That God has a sanctuary in the heavens, and that Christ is priest there, cannot be doubted by anyone who reads the Scriptures. Therefore it follows that the cleansing of the sanctuarya work which is set forth in the Scriptures as immediately preceding the coming of the Lordis coincident with complete cleansing of the people of God on earth, and preparing them for translation when the Lord comes.65 Jones wrote with the same urgency: This special message of justification which God has been sending us is to prepare us for glorification at the coming of the Lord. In this, God is giving to us the strongest sign that it is possible for Him to give, that the next thing is the coming of the Lord.66 Years later he had the same emphasis: Though I preach the finishing of transgression in the lives of individuals; and though I preach the making an end of sins, and the making of reconciliation for iniquity, and the bringing in of everlasting righteousness, in the life of the individual; and yet do not preach with it the sanctuary and its cleansing, that is not the third angels message. That great day can not come till the sanctuary is cleansed. The sanctuary can not be cleansed until transgression is finished in your life and mine; till an end of sins is made in your life and mine; and reconciliation made for the sins that have been committed; and then, oh, then, in place of it all, everlasting righteousness brought in, to hold us steady in the path of righteousness.67
Ellen White speaking of what took place in 1844, shows the connection between the third angels message and the cleansing of the sanctuary: Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second, and were not benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they can see no light in the third angels message, which shows the way into the Most Holy place.68 In 1888 she
saw that Christ was still in the sanctuary seeking to prepare a people for His Second Coming. Jones and Waggoner had been sent with a message for this very reason: Now Christ is in the heavenly sanctuary. And what is He doing? Making atonement for us, cleansing the sanctuary from the sins of the people. Then we must enter by faith into the sanctuary with Him. The closing work of the third angels message will be attended with a power that will send the rays of the Sun of Righteousness into all the highways and byways of life.69 In 1890 she wrote several articles about the relationship between this message and the cleansing of the Sanctuary: We are in the day of atonement, and we are to work in harmony with Christs work of cleansing of the sanctuary from the sins of the people. Let no man who desires to be found with the wedding garment on, resist our Lord in his office work.70 Speaking of that most precious message she wrote: Christ is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above. As the priest sprinkled the warm blood upon the mercy seat so while we confess our sins and plead the efficacy of Christs atoning blood, our prayers are to ascend to heaven. God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third
angels message, in clear, distinct lines.71
(10) Since Christ has already paid the penalty for every mans sin, and is constantly drawing man to repentance, the only reason anyone can be condemned at last is continued unbelief, a refusal to appreciate the redemption achieved by Christ on His cross and ministered by Him as High Priest. It follows then that if one understands and believes how good the good news of salvation really is, then it is actually easier to be saved then it is to be lost. Christs yoke is easy, and His burden light, and to resist is the hard downward road to destruction. Light is stronger than darkness, grace is stronger than sin, and the Holy Spirit is stronger than the flesh when the heart is surrendered to Christ. But to resist the Holy Spirits conviction of good news is to kick against the goads. Those who refuse to believe will find it easy to follow their own natural tendencies to do evil. The true gospel exposes this unbelief and leads to an effective repentance that prepares the believer for the return of Christ if man will only choose Him. Any difficulty is the result of failing to believe the gospel, to believe that God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character.72 Christ will hold our hand more firmly than we can possibly hold His. Jones expressed it this way: When grace reigns, it is easier to do right than it is to do wrong. That is the comparison [Rom. 5:21]. So it is as literally true that under the reign of grace it is easier to do right than to do wrong, as it is true that under the reign of sin it is easier to do wrong than it is to do right.73 Salvation from sin certainly depends upon there being more power in grace than there is in sin. Because man naturally is enslaved to a powerthe power of sinthat is absolute in its reign. And so long as that power has sway, it is not only difficult, but impossible to do the good that he knows and that he would. But let a mightier power than that have sway, then is it not plain enough that it will be just as easy to serve the will of the mightier power, when it reigns, as it was to serve the will of the other power when it reigned?74 Waggoner agreed: Many people have the notion that it is impossible for them to believe. That is grave error. Faith is just as easy and natural as breathing. It is the common inheritance of all men, and the one thing wherein all are equal. It is only when men build up a barrier of pride about themselves (Ps. 73:6) that they find it difficult to believe. The question is, In what measure has God given every man faith? The faith which he gives is the faith of Jesus. The faith of Jesus is given in the gift of Jesus Himself, and Christ is given in His fullness to
every man.75 We need not try to improve on the Scriptures, and say that the goodness of God tends to lead men to repentance. The Bible says that it does lead them to repentance. But not all repent? Why? Because they despise the riches of the goodness and forbearance and long-suffering of God, and break away from the merciful leading of the Lord. But whoever does not resist the Lord, will surely be brought to repentance and salvation.76
Ellen White expressed the same things: For fifty years I have borne Christs yoke, and I can testify that his yoke is easy, and His burden is light. I have never found any difficulty except when I manufactured a yoke of my own, and laid aside the yoke of Christ.77 Tell the people in clear, hopeful language how they
may escape the heritage of shame which is our deserved portion. But for Christs sake do not present before them ideas that will discourage them, that will make the way to heaven seem very difficult.78 But the way to life is narrow and the entrance strait. If you cling to any besetting sin you will find the way too narrow for you to enter. Yet do not therefore conclude that the upward path is the hard and the downward road the easy way. All along the road that leads to death there are pains and penalties, there are sorrows and disappointments, there are warnings not to go on. Gods love has made it hard for the heedless and
headstrong to destroy themselves.79 Christ will hold our hand more firmly than we can possibly hold His.80
Speaking of those who were rejecting that most precious message she warned: If you reject Christs delegated messengers, you reject Christ. Neglect this great salvation, kept before you for years, despise this glorious offer of justification through the blood of Christ, and sanctification through the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation.81 Granted, there are other aspects of the 1888 message that influenced the work of the church for years to come, such as religious liberty, education, medical work, and reforms in health; but the heart of that message, as recognized by Ellen White, was righteousness by faith. Many other books have been printed that deal more specifically with the aspects of the message as mentioned above. We will deal more specifically with many of these aspects of the message in The Return of the Latter Rain, volume 2. 82*
One subject that has brought about much discussion in the last few years has to do with the sacrifice of Christ and what it accomplished in the past and accomplishes today. Often much of the contention centers on Romans 5, particularly verse 18. What did Christs death accomplish for all men? In 1895, Ellen White wrote her well known statement of the most precious messagesent to the Seventh-day Adventist Church through Elders Waggoner and Jones. She described it as the message that was to go to the world and be attended by the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. A few paragraphs later, and still speaking of this message, Ellen White proclaimed: It presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole. (See Romans 5, and 1 John 3:9-24.) These precious scriptures will be impressed upon every heart that is opened
to receive them.1
Romans 5 was a chapter that Waggoner, Jones, and Prescott all preached and wrote about prior to Ellen Whites May 1, 1895 statement in Testimonies to Ministers.2 This Scripture represents the very heart of the gospelwhat Adams sin did to the whole human race, and what Christs sacrifice did for the whole human race. 1 John 3 is a chapter of practical godlinesslove in action, keeping the lawdemonstrated by loving ones brethren. According to Ellen White these two Scriptures present the law and the gospel bound as a perfect whole. God has said that he will impress these Scriptures upon every heart that is open to receive them. There are two aspects of Romans 5: What Adams sin and what Christs sacrifice did for all men without our choice, and what Adams sin and what Christs sacrifice do that requires our choice. Thus, the truths found in Romans 5 do not do away with justification by faiththey explain the foundation for it. Christs death actually did something for every man, both temporal and eternal, but the fullness of this great Gift will never be fully realized or experienced without a positive response. However, the cross of Christ elicits or draws out a
response from every man: What will you do with the Gift I have given you? It is upon this response that each mans eternal destiny is decided. Unfortunately, the majority spurn their birthright of eternal life, and throw it away.3 Just as the sin of Adam brought a verdict of condemnation upon all men,4 even so on His cross, Christ the second Adam, brought on all men a verdict of acquittal (Rom. 5:12-18, NEB). This is the temporary, or corporate, justification of life that has been given to all men (Rom. 5:18, KJV). Thus men are now born free from the condemnation of Adam and given the ability to choose. But the very essence of the gospel is restoration, to be saved from sin, not in sin.5 One can only begin to realize the magnitude of the plan of salvation when it is understood in light of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. As mankind is brought face to face with the sacrifice on Calvary he begins to realize the value of salvation to understand what it cost.6 Real faith comes from a heart that has an appreciation of the cost of salvation.7 The justification by faith that results from the surrender of the will to Christ, is more than just a legal pardon for past sinsthe law is written on the heart so the sinner can and will stop sinning. This is the purpose of justification by faith, and yet it could never have taken place if Christ had not stepped in and paid the sinners debt (both Adams and ours), from the foundation of the world. Thus justification and sanctification by faith in their entirety constitute true righteousness by faith.
The Bible presents two aspects of the plan of salvation throughout, but most clearly in Romans 5; the gift of justification of life for all men, and justification by faith for all who believe. Ellen White presents these two aspects throughout her writings as well, but a failure to clearly see and keep a balanced view can lead to errors and falling into a theological ditch. One aspect of salvation does not do away with the other, but separated they can be dangerous. Christs corporate sacrifice for all men, misrepresented or presented on its own, can lead to cheap grace. But misrepresenting or presenting the sinners required response by faith without the presentation of what God has already done for all men can lead to a legalism void of true love for God and man. Both of these problems make up a lukewarm Laodicean Church. Not until we see and comprehend (judge) the love of God as One died for all, then all died, will we be constrained to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves (2 Cor. 5:14). Following are some of Ellen Whites statements where she uses different words to describe what Christ has done, or what He is to all men.8* The purpose of this compilation is to show just some of Ellen Whites statements on this aspect of salvation. It is not the purpose of this compilation, however, to do away with her other statements which speak of mans response. For instance, speaking in a corporate sense, Ellen White clearly states: The human race is accepted in the Beloved.9 But in other places Ellen White presents balancing statements in regard to mans response of faith, saying: Those who do the works of Christ are accepted in the Beloved.10 Both these statements are inspired and true; we dont have to throw one or the other away. As the Sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the defilement of sin is to be complete.11 Many times Ellen White includes both aspects of the plan of salvation in the same statement: Christ has made an ample sacrifice for all! What justice required, Christ had rendered in the offering of Himself Here we see the corporate aspect, but Ellen White continues: and how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? Those who reject the gift of life will be without excuse [John 3:16 quoted].12 Thus she beautifully presents the two aspects together. Another example: Jesus has purchased redemption for us. It is ours [the whole worlds]; but we are placed here on probation to see if we will prove worthy of eternal life.13 One more example: The Son of God suffered the penalty of sin, reconciling the world unto Himself. He who knew no sin became a sin-offering. But Ellen White continues: that fallen, sinful human beings, through repentance and confession, might receive pardon.14 Again, we see that both aspects of the plan of salvation presented here together. In other places Ellen White speaks to only one of these aspects, but none of these statements, either singularly or in compilation form, should be used to disprove or misrepresent the plan of salvation in its totality.
I would encourage the reader to look up the following statements and see how these complimentary aspects of the plan of salvation are clearly presented together. Because we often look for and see only one aspect justification by faith, mans responseI have listed below only the portion of her statements that expresses the corporate aspectthat which justification by faith is built uponfor the purpose of drawing more attention to this aspect.
