Off shoot movements and false prophets are big into saying that old Jerusalem will be rebuilt
Then I was pointed to some who are in the great error, that the saints are yet to go to Old Jerusalem, &c., before the Lord comes. Such a view is calculated to take the mind and interest from the present work of God, under the message of the third angel; for if we are to go to Jerusalem, then our minds will naturally be there, and our means will be withheld from other uses, to get the saints to Jerusalem. I saw that the reason why they were left to go into this great error, is because they have not confessed and forsaken their errors, that they have been in for a number of years past.. PT November 1, 1850, par. 13-PT November 1, 1850, par. 14
I have heard some say that the disciples made this decision. not so!
While they were awaiting the descent of the Holy Ghost, they supplied the office left vacant by Judas. Two men were selected, who, in the careful judgment of the believers, were best qualified for the place. But the disciples, distrusting their ability to decide the question farther, referred it to One that knew all hearts. They sought the Lord in prayer to ascertain which of the two men was more suitable for the important position of trust, as an apostle of Christ. The Spirit of God selected Matthias for the office. . 7Red 3.3
the marriage feast at Cana and Christs first miracle
The gift of Christ to the marriage feast was a symbol. The water represented baptism into His death; the wine, the shedding of His blood for the sins of the world. The water to fill the jars was brought by human hands, but the word of Christ alone could impart to it life-giving virtue. So with the rites which point to the Saviour's death. It is only by the power of Christ, working through faith, that they have efficacy to nourish the soul. . DA 148.4
The wine which Christ provided for the feast, and that which He gave to the disciples as a symbol of His own blood, was the pure juice of the grape. To this the prophet Isaiah refers when he speaks of the new wine in the cluster, and says, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it. Isaiah 65:8. . DA 149.3
Christ did not approach the jars, or touch the water; He simply looked upon the water, and it became the pure juice of the grape, clarified and refined. What effect did this miracle have?His disciples believed on him (verse 11).... By this miracle Christ also gave evidence of His mercy and compassion. He showed that He had regard for the necessities of those who followed Him to hear His words of knowledge and wisdom.Manuscript 79, December 23, 1900, diary. . TDG 366.5
Nothing of a fermented character is to be used in the communion service, for fermented wine would destroy the figure representing the blood of Christ. We may all look upon this question as forever settled. Fermented wine was not used to represent the blood of Christ.. 13LtMs, Ms 22, 1898, par. 39
And I saw, that as Christ is the vine, and his children the branches: so Satan is the root, and his children are the branches; and at the final destruction of Gog and Magog, the whole wicked host will be burnt up, root and branch, and cease to exist. Then will appear the new heaven and the new earth. Then will the saints build houses, and plant vineyards. I saw, that all the righteous dead were raised by the voice of the Son of God, at the first resurrection; and all that were raised at the second resurrection, were burnt up, and ceased to exist. . WLF 12.1
Among the righteous still in Jerusalem, to whom had been made plain the divine purpose, were some who determined to place beyond the reach of ruthless hands the sacred ark containing the tables of stone on which had been traced the precepts of the Decalogue. This they did. With mourning and sadness they secreted the ark in a cave, where it was to be hidden from the people of Israel and Judah because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hidden. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted. . PK 453.2
Before the temple was destroyed, God made known to a few of His faithful servants the fate of the temple, which was the pride of Israel, and which they regarded with idolatry, while they were sinning against God. He also revealed to them the captivity of Israel. These righteous men, just before the destruction of the temple, removed the sacred ark containing the tables of stone, and with mourning and sadness secreted it in a cave where it was to be hidden from the people of Israel because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hidden. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted. . SR 195.1
Christ has taken his people into his church. He has swept away every ceremony of the ancient type. He has given no liberty to restore these rites, or to substitute anything that will recall the old literal sacrifices. The Lord requires of his people spiritual sacrifices alone. Everything pertaining to his worship is placed under the superintendence of his Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the Father would send the Holy Spirit in his name to teach his disciples all things, and to bring all things unto their remembrance that he had said unto them. The curse rests upon Jerusalem. The Lord has obliterated those things which men would worship in and about Jerusalem, yet many hold in reverence literal objects in Palestine, while they neglect to behold Jesus as their advocate in the heaven of heavens. . RH February 25, 1896, par. 8
Some people want to discard the teachings of the Old Testament
we take the Bible as a whole
The presence of Moses and Elias was wonderfully significant. These servants of God represented the law and the prophets. The disciples were to understand that the teachings of the Old Testament were not to be done away with the preaching of the gospel of Christ. They were fully in accord with the teachings of the New. The new dispensation embraced the Old. . 22LtMs, Lt 354, 1907, par. 8
The order of events here are very important ! The latter rain is the refreshing! At that point their sins are blotted out. They have been sealed. Very soon the plagues will begin to fall.
When the third 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, or the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and they are prepared for the trying hour before them.
Angels are hurrying to and fro in Heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done, that the seal of God [See Appendix, note 9.] has been placed upon his people. Then Jesus ceases his intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts his hands, and with a loud voice says, It is done; and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as he makes the solemn announcement: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. [Revelation 22:11]
Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for his people, and blotted out their sins. The number of his subjects is made up; the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.. 4SP 431.2
Some people try to say that many buildings have been built in Old Jerusalem, but the fact is, Ellen White's comment is in reference to the "Age-to-come" doctrine, which stated that all of God's people would have to return to Old Jerusalem in order to be saved.
So "never be built up again" is more in the meaning of "having God's favor" than in "physical buildings", but it is also true that no buildings approved of God to be holy in his service are ever going to be built in Old Jerusalem again.
Having said that, I do believe that a temple will be built in Old Jerusalem, and that is where Satan will sit and show himself as God.
Speaking again of this love, Christ said, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. [John 13:34, 35.]
Why did Christ call this a new commandment? Because the disciples had not loved one another as He had loved them. And they had not yet seen the crowning act in His sacrifice of love. The command to love one another had a new meaning in the light of His sacrifice. . 17LtMs, Ms 19, 1902, par. 5-17LtMs, Ms 19, 1902, par. 6
Christ allowed the evil spirits to destroy the pigs as a rebuke to Jews who were raising unclean animals for profit. If Christ had not restrained the demons, they would have plunged not only the pigs, but also their keepers and owners into the sea. . 5TC 299.4
The one shall be taken. His name shall stand in the book of life, while those with whom he associated shall have the mark of eternal separation from God.Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 234, 235 (1895)
Christ allowed the evil spirits to destroy the pigs as a rebuke to Jews who were raising unclean animals for profit. If Christ had not restrained the demons, they would have plunged not only the pigs, but also their keepers and owners into the sea. . 5TC 299.4
In order to get supernatural power, some welcomed the satanic influence. Of course, these people had no conflict with the demons. Included in this group were those who had the spirit of divinationSimon Magus, Elymas the sorcerer, and the slave girl who followed Paul and Silas at Philippi (Acts 8:9, 18; 13:8; 16:16-18). . 5TC 300.3
The Lord Jesus loves His people, and when they put their trust in Him, depending wholly upon Him, He strengthens them. He will live through them, giving them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of Himself. He acts through their faculties and causes them to choose His will and to act out His character. With the apostle Paul they then may say, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).... . TMK 78.4
Now the warning comes that they are making a wonderful mistake in losing their first love. They love one another because they loved Christ. They love the great Teacher, and they loved every one who believed in Him. Well, they did not carry out that principle, to watch for souls as they that must give an account.19LtMs, Ms 159, 1904, par. 14
Christ declared that after His ascension, He would send to His church, as His crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take His place. This Comforter is the Holy Spiritthe soul of His life, the efficacy of His church, the light and life of the world....
In the gift of the Spirit, Jesus gave to man the highest good that heaven could bestow.... It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon the church.... It is the privilege of every son and daughter of God to have the indwelling of the Spirit. 46
Let every church member kneel before God, and pray earnestly for the impartation of the Spirit. Cry, Lord, increase my faith. Make me to understand thy word; for the entrance of thy word giveth light. Refresh me by thy presence. Fill my heart with thy Spirit. ...
When a man is filled with the Spirit, the more severely he is tested and tried, the more clearly he proves that he is a representative of Christ. The peace that dwells in the soul is seen on the countenance. The words and actions express the love of the Saviour.... Self is renounced. The name of Jesus is written on all that is said and done.
We may talk of the blessings of the Holy Spirit, but unless we prepare ourselves for its reception, of what avail are our works? Are we striving with all our power to attain to the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever pressing toward the mark set before usthe perfection of His character? When the Lord's people reach this mark, they will be sealed in their foreheads. Filled with the Spirit, they will be complete in Christ, and the recording angel will declare, It is finished. 47 . OHC 150.2-OHC 150.6
God says, be ye holy as I am holy. What does that mean?
As God is holy in His sphere, so fallen man, through faith in Christ, is to be holy in his sphere.... . CC 359.2
What saith the Divine Teacher? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. [Matthew 5:48.] Would Christ tantalize us by requiring of us an impossibility? Never, never! What an honor He confers upon us, in urging us to be holy in our sphere, as the Father is holy in His sphere! And through His power we are able to do this; for He declares, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [Matthew 28:18.] This unlimited power it is your privilege and mine to claim.. 17LtMs, Lt 20, 1902, par. 19
None need fail of attaining, in his sphere, to perfection of Christian character. By the sacrifice of Christ, provision has been made for the believer to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls upon us to reach the standard of perfection and places before us the example of Christ's character. In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through co-operation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory. . AA 531.2
