A comparison between ancient Israel and Adventism, (cont.)

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done." (Ecc. 1:9).

Adapted from The Desire of Ages, chapter three, “The Fullness of the Time”

“When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, ... to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4, 5. 

The Saviour's second coming was foretold at His parting. When His disciples first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their church of the First-born, hoping that it might be the signal of His return. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of the Revelator the promise was repeated through Imperial martyrs and Alpine missionaries, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. Century after century passed away; the voices of apostles and last day prophet ceased. The prophecy of John revealed the trumpeting signs of His second advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon the church, and many were ready to exclaim, “The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.” Ezekiel 12:22. 

But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God's purposes know no haste and no delay. Through the symbols of the imposing ten horned beast and its ferocious little horn, Jesus had revealed to Daniel and John the sojourn of their people in papal Rome, and had declared that the time of their subjugation would be twelve hundred and sixty years. “The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them,” “a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” 

He said, “until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” “The saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.” Daniel 7:21,22,18; Revation 12:6. Against that word, all the power of the popes' proud empire battled in vain. “It shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when He shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people” appointed in the divine promise, “all these things shall be fulfilled.” Daniel 12:7. So in heaven's council the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus would leave His Father's presence, and speed to receive them unto Himself. 

“When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.” Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under Christian America. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the Adventists of the dispersion gathered to the quinquennial General Conference sessions. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

At this time the systems of the New Age religion and threadbare Protestantism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart. While the light of truth seemed to have departed from among men, there were souls who were looking for light, and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow. They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living God, for some assurance of a life beyond the grave. 

As the Adventists departed from God, faith had grown dim, and hope had well-nigh ceased to illuminate the future. The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. To the masses of the people, death was a dread mystery, and even life was uncertainty and gloom. It was not alone the wailing of "the Mother of all living" (Gen. 3:20), but the cry from the great heart of humanity, that was borne to the prophet across the centuries,—the voice heard in the earth, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. In “the region and shadow of death,” men sat unsolaced. With longing eyes they looked for the coming of the Comforter, when the darkness should be dispelled, and the mystery of the future should be made plain. 

Outside of the Remnant denomination there were men who foretold the appearance of a divine instructor. These men were seeking for truth, and to them the Spirit of Inspiration was imparted. One after another, like stars in the darkened heavens, such teachers had arisen. Their words of prophecy had kindled hope in the hearts of thousands of the non-Adventist world.

For hundreds of years the Scriptures had been translated into the English language, then widely spoken throughout the Protestant American global Empire. The Adventists were scattered everywhere, and their expectation of His Spirit's coming was to some extent shared by the Evangelicals. Among those whom the Adventists styled heathen were men who had a better understanding of the Scripture prophecies concerning the Holy Spirit than had the teachers in Adventism. There were some who hoped for His coming as a deliverer from sin. Philosophers endeavored to study into the mystery of the third angel's message. But the bigotry of the Adventists hindered the spread of the light. Intent on maintaining the separation between themselves and other religions, they were unwilling to impart the knowledge they still possessed concerning the symbolic message. The true Interpreter must come. The One whom all these types prefigured must explain their significance. 

Through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs and prophets, God had spoken to the world. Lessons must be given to humanity in the language of humanity. The Messenger of the covenant must speak. His voice must be heard from His heavenly temple. Christ must come to utter words which should be clearly and definitely understood. The Comforter, the author and finisher of grace and truth, must separate truth from the chaff of man's utterance, which had made it of no effect. The principles of God's government and the plan of redemption must be clearly defined. The lessons of the Bible must be fully set before men. 

Among the Remnant there were yet steadfast souls, descendants of that holy line through whom a knowledge of God had been preserved. These still looked for the hope of the promise made to the pioneers. They strengthened their faith by dwelling upon the assurance given through Ellen White, “Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us and these things will be sure indications of the presence of Him who has directed in every aggressive movement, who has accompanied the march of His cause through all the ages, and who has graciously pledged Himself to be with His people in all their conflicts to the end of the world. He will vindicate His truth. He will cause it to triumph. He is ready to supply His faithful ones with motives and power of purpose, inspiring them with hope and courage and valor in increased activity as the time is at hand.” Selected Messages, bk. 3, p. 426. 

They read how the Spirit of life from God would enter into His sleeping wise virgins, after their desolation under “the rebuke of thy God” (Isaiah 51:20). Then His 144,000 would stand “upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” dwelling in heaven in Ephesians 2:4-6 fashion. They read how the world religion devotees would come to His light, and governments' leaders to the brightness of His rising. They saw how the Euphrates would dry up, Babylon would fall, and the faithful multitudes, nations, tongues, and peoples would fear God and give glory to Him. Isaiah 60:3-5; Revelation 11:11-13. The 144,000 would spoil the Jesuit Vatican, not of its earthly silver and gold, but of its power, throne, and great authority in the hearts of men.

The closing words of Paul's patient hope in his resurrectiom filled them with courage: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2Timothy 4:8. The waning power of the Advent movement testified that the Comforter's coming was at hand. The prophecy of Revelation pictured the glory of His reign over a new Jerusalem which should succeed all earthly kingdoms. Said the prophet, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revation 21:3,4. While few understood the nature of Christ's personal involvement in the Latter Rain, there was a widespread expectation of a mighty Lamb who would come as a deliverer to the nations and establish His kingdom among the redeemed of the ages.

The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer. Satan had been working to make the gulf deep and impassable between earth and heaven. By his falsehoods he had emboldened men in sin. It was his purpose to wear out the forbearance of God, and to extinguish His love for man, so that He would abandon the world to satanic jurisdiction. 

Satan was seeking to shut out from men a knowledge of God, to turn their attention from the temple of God, and to establish his own kingdom. His strife for supremacy had seemed to be almost wholly successful. It is true that in every generation God had His agencies. Even among the heathen there were men through whom Christ was working to uplift the people from their sin and degradation. But these men were despised and hated. Many of them suffered a violent death. The dark shadow that Satan had cast over the world grew deeper and deeper. 

Through pagan religion, Satan had for ages turned men away from God; but he won his great triumph in perverting the faith of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. By contemplating and worshiping their own conceptions, the atheists had lost a knowledge of God, and had become more and more corrupt. So it was with Adventism. The principles that man can save himself by his own works, or that he can trust in lawlessness, lay at the foundation of every heathen religion; it had now become the principle of the Adventist religion. Satan had implanted these principles. Wherever they are held, men have no barrier against sin. 

The message of salvation is communicated to men through human agencies. But the Adventists had sought to make a monopoly of the truth which is eternal life. They had hoarded the living manna, and it had turned to corruption. The religion which they tried to shut up to themselves became an offense. They robbed God of His glory, and defrauded the world by a counterfeit of the gospel. They had refused to surrender themselves to the testimony of Jesus for the salvation of the world, and they became agents of Satan for its destruction. 

The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of the truth had become representatives of Satan. They were doing the work that he desired them to do, taking a course to misrepresent the character of God, and cause the world to look upon Him as a tyrant. The very pastors who ministered in the churches had lost sight of the significance of the truths they preached. They had ceased to look beyond the earthly to the spiritual things signified. In presenting Communion and baptism they were as actors in a play. The ordinances which God Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart. God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole system must be swept away. 

The deception of sin had reached its height. All the agencies for depraving the souls of men had been put in operation. The Son of God, looking upon the world, beheld suffering and misery. With pity He saw how men had become victims of satanic cruelty. He looked with compassion upon those who were being corrupted, murdered, and lost. They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captives. Bewildered and deceived, they were moving on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin,—to death in which is no hope of life, toward night to which comes no morning. Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed. Such was the prospect upon which the world's Redeemer looked. What a spectacle for Infinite Purity to behold!

Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world. 

With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to see Jehovah arise, and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth. And if God should do this, Satan was ready to carry out his plan for securing to himself the allegiance of heavenly beings. He had declared that the principles of God's government make forgiveness impossible. Had the world been destroyed, he would have claimed that his accusations were proved true. He was ready to cast blame upon God, and to spread his rebellion to the worlds above. But instead of destroying the world, God sent His Son to save all who looked in faith to heaven. Though corruption and defiance might be seen in every part of the alien province, a way for its recovery was provided. At the very crisis, when Satan seemed about to triumph, the Son of God came with one last embassage of divine grace. Through every age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race. Notwithstanding the perversity of men, the signals of mercy had been continually exhibited. And when the fullness of the time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled. 

Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity. Then Jesus came to blot out their sins and to implant in them His righteousness. He restored in man the image of his Maker. None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will. He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with His own glory.

The King of glory stooped low to again walk among humanity. Rude and forbidding were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled in His servants soon-to-be sealed, that the majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction. He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human greatness can never save a soul from death; Jesus purposed that no attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side. Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him. The character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, and He desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God. 

The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption. They watched to see how the people of God would receive the Spirit of His Son, clothed in the garb of His agonizing Adventist remnant. Angels came to the land of the chosen people. Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to the North American Division, to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles, and the ministers of God's house. Already to faithful non-trinitarian pastors, as they ministered before the heavenly altar, the nearness of Christ's coming had been announced. Already the 144,000 were reborn, their mission attested to by the witness of the true Spirit. The testimonies of their new birth and the wonderful significance of their mission had been spread abroad. Yet the Seventh-day Adventist Church was not preparing to welcome her Redeemer in them. 

With amazement the heavenly messengers beheld the indifference of that people whom God had called to communicate to the world the light of sacred truth. The Remnant denomination had been preserved as a witness that Christ was to be born from the seed of apostolic and Reformation doctrine, yet they knew not that His Latter Rain was now at hand. In the church the Sabbath Schools and the worship services weekly pointed to the Lamb of God; yet even here was no preparation to receive Him. 

The pastors and teachers of the church knew not that the greatest event of the ages was about to take place. They rehearsed their meaningless prayers, and performed the rites of worship to be seen by men because they had lost all connection with heaven. Unbelief was the accepted status quo. The ministry was only a job. Therefore, in their ambition to be recognized in order to climb the denominational corporate ladder for furthering a career they were not prepared for the revelation of the Spirit of the Lord. And the same indifference pervaded the church constituency. Hearts selfish and world-engrossed were untouched by the joy that thrilled all heaven. Only a few were longing to behold the Unseen. To these heaven's embassage was sent. 

Angels attend all who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the church as they travel from their homes to register to pay their last pittance to the new Socialist serfdom, the Christian States of America. The decree of imperial America for the enrollment of the peoples of her vast, global dominion has extended to the dwellers among the nation's hills. As in old time Cyrus was called to the throne of the world's empire that he might set free the captives of the Lord, so the United Nations is made the agency for the fulfillment of God's purpose in bringing the children of the Spirit to their knees. They are of the lineage of David, and through great extremity the Son of David must be born in them. 

In deep repentance under conviction from the True Witness to the Laodiceans will come their deliverance. Their prophet foretold, “All who truly receive [the straight testimony] will obey it and be purified..... their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy.” Early Writings, p. 270,271. But in the humiliations of their earthly life, the 144,000 go unrecognized and unhonored. Weary and disturbed, they traverse the entire length of the narrow way, from the fourier to the back door of the churches, vainly seeking a resting place in the spiritual darkness. There is no room for them in the country club environment. In rude sheds where the church's mowers are sheltered, they at last find refuge, and there, kneeling before God, the Redeemer of the world is born in their hearts.

Men know it not, but the tidings fill heaven with rejoicing. For “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” “more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:10,7.

With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light are drawn to the earth. The whole world is brighter for His presence. Above the remnant denomination is gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Adventism been true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the entrance of the Spirit. But now they are passed by. 

God declares, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” Isaiah 44:3; Psalm 112:4. To those who are seeking for light, and who accept it with gladness, the bright rays from the throne of God will shine. 

In the religion that James and Ellen had led their flock, laymen were still keeping watch in the darkness. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the return of the King to David's throne. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day... [the Spirit of] the Saviour.” 

At these words, a ray of light from Jesus fills the minds of the lay gospel workers. The Deliverer has come! Power, exaltation, triumph, are associated with His coming. But the angel must prepare them to recognize their Saviour in poverty and humiliation. “This shall be a sign unto you,” he says; “You will find the sealing Spirit in care-worn faces.” 

The heavenly message had quieted their fears. It had told them where to find the Spirit of Jesus. With tender regard for their human weakness, it had given them time to become accustomed to the divine radiance. Then the joy and glory could no longer be hidden. The whole scriptures was lighted up with the bright shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to the song,— 

“Glory to God in the highest, 

And on earth peace, good will toward men.” 

Oh that today the human family could recognize that song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:6. 

Their faces had lighted up with the marks of God's approbation, but as the angels disappeared, the light faded away. The shadows of night once more fell on the remnant of the remnant and the same solemn, earnest, anxious look settled upon them.

But the brightest picture ever beheld by human eyes remained in the memory of the laymen. And it came to pass, as the message was gone away from them into heaven, those gospel missionaries said one to another, Let us now go even to our Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found the first recipients of the sealing victory having been birthed through deep humiliation and repentance, and hope.

Departing with great joy, the youth made known the things they had seen and heard. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the laymen. But the firstfruits kept all these things, and pondered them in their heart. And the missionaries returned, glorifying and praising God.

Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels’ song. Humanity is still as much the object of heaven's solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noonday, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields. To us in the common walks of life, heaven may be very near. Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God's command. 

The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden “the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the mowers of the shed. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus will make humanity His habitation when the race has been weakened by six thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He will accept the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results are is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He will come with the Spirit of His Father into such human heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life. 

Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life's peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss. The same will the final generation do as they follow their Elder Brother's example.

The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life's peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan's power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. “Herein is love.” Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!