Christ and Him
Crucified
For I determined not to
know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified.
1Cor 2:2
But God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world is
crucified unto me, and I unto the
world.
Galatians 6:14
The sacrifice of Christ as an
atonement for sin is the great truth
around which all other truths
cluster. In order to be rightly
understood and appreciated, every
truth in the Word of God, from
Genesis to Revelation, must be
studied in the light that streams
from the cross of Calvary. I present
before you the great, grand
monument of mercy and
regeneration, salvation and
redemption--the Son of God
uplifted on he cross of Calvary.
This is to be the theme of every
discourse. Christ declares, "And I,
if I be lifted up from the earth, will
draw all men unto me"
(MS 70, 1901). {5BC 1137.8}
Moreover, brethren, I declare
unto you the gospel which I
preached unto you, which
also ye have received, and
wherein ye stand; By which
also ye are saved, if ye keep
in memory what I preached
unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. For I
delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received,
how that Christ died for our
sins according to the
scriptures; And that he was
buried, and that he rose
again the third day
according to the scriptures
1Corintians 15:1-4
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and
kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and
give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that
made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelations 14:6-7
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD
God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not
eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may
eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in
the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye
touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely
die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be
opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman
saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat,
and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them
both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig
leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the
LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife
hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the
garden. Genesis 3:1-8
The clear and perfect light that had hitherto surrounded
them had lightened everything they approached; but
deprived of that heavenly light, the posterity of Adam
could no longer trace the character of God in His
created works. {Conflict and Courage 17.5}
Psalm 104:1-2
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou
art very great; thou art clothed with honour and
majesty.
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment:
who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said
unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard
thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he
said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast
thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded
thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man
said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with
me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And
the LORD God said unto the woman, What is
this that thou hast done? And the woman said,
The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Genesis 3:9-13
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity
between thee and the
woman, and between thy
seed and her seed; it shall
bruise thy head, and thou
shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:21
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God
make coats of skins, and clothed them.
1Peter 1:19-20
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot: Who verily was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but
was manifest in these last times for you,
2 Peter 2:19
While they promise them liberty, they themselves
are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man
is overcome, of the same is he brought in
bondage.
2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of
the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of
God, should shine unto them.
1John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins:
and not for ours only, but also for the sins
of the whole world.
And Jesus answered them,
saying, The hour is come,
that the Son of man should
be glorified. Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Except a corn
of wheat fall into the ground
and die, it abideth alone: but
if it die, it bringeth forth
much fruit. John 12:23-24
Galatians 2:20
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.
Romans 7
1Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how
that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her
husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed
from the law of her husband.
3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man,
she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is
free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married
to another man.
4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the
body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is
raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the
law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we
were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the
oldness of the letter.
Romans 6:4-11
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of
the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we
be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth
no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that
he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth
unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
1Peter 2:24-25
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are
now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Eph 2:2-4
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now
worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all
had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for
his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
“ Jesus answers, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible
to him that believeth." There is no lack of power on the part
of Christ; the healing of the son depends upon the father's
faith. With a burst of tears, realizing his own weakness, the
father casts himself upon Christ's mercy, with the cry, "Lord, I
believe; help Thou mine unbelief."
Jesus turns to the suffering one, and says, "Thou dumb and
deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more
into him." There is a cry, an agonized struggle. The demon, in
passing, seems about to rend the life from his victim. Then the
boy lies motionless, and apparently lifeless. The multitude
whisper, "He is dead." But Jesus takes him by the hand, and
lifting him up, presents him, in perfect soundness of mind and
body, to his father. Father and son praise the name of their
Deliverer. The multitude are "amazed at the mighty power of
God," while the scribes, defeated and crestfallen, turn sullenly
away.
"If Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us."
How many a sin-burdened soul has echoed that prayer. And to all,
the pitying Saviour's answer is, "If thou canst believe, all things are
possible to him that believeth." It is faith that connects us with
heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of
darkness. In Christ, God has provided means for subduing
every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however
strong. But many feel that they lack faith, and therefore they
remain away from Christ. Let these souls, in their helpless
unworthiness, cast themselves upon the mercy of their
compassionate Saviour. Look not to self, but to Christ. He who
healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men
is the same mighty Redeemer today. Faith comes by the word of
God. Then grasp His promise, "Him that cometh to Me I will in
no wise cast out." John 6:37. Cast yourself at His feet with the
cry, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." You can never
perish while you do this--never.“ {DA 428 -.429}
Matthew 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that
heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth
fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty,
some thirty.
Matthew 13:18-23
18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and
understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth
away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received
seed by the way side.
20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he
that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when
tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by
he is offended.
22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth
the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of
riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that
heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit,
and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood,
believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They
will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart
and mind will be impressed with the character that all must
develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the
reward of the pure in heart. The Lord will bless all who will seek
humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the
Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with
immortality and full of glory that all who read and search it
earnestly receive the blessing to those "that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." One
thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation-that the connection between God and His people is close and
decided. {FLB 345.3}
Rev 13: 3And I saw
one of his heads as
it were wounded to
death; and his
deadly wound was
healed: and all the
world wondered
after the beast.
Rev 3:11-14
And I beheld another beast coming up
out of the earth; and he had two horns
like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
And he exerciseth all the power of the
first beast before him, and causeth the
earth and them which dwell therein to
worship the first beast, whose deadly
wound was healed. And he doeth great
wonders, so that he maketh fire come
down from heaven on the earth in the
sight of men, And deceiveth them that
dwell on the earth by the means of those
miracles which he had power to do in the
sight of the beast; saying to them that
dwell on the earth, that they should make
an image to the beast, which had the
wound by a sword, and did live.
THE BEAST WHICH IS A SYMBOL OF THE PAPACY IS INTRODUCED IN
REVELATION 13; AND FOLLOWING IT, IN THE SAME LINE OF PROPHECY,
"ANOTHER BEAST" IS SEEN "COMING UP," [REV. 13:11-14.] WHICH
EXERCISES "ALL THE POWER OF THE FIRST BEAST BEFORE HIM," THAT
IS, IN HIS SIGHT. THIS OTHER BEAST MUST THEREFORE BE A
PERSECUTING POWER ALSO; AND THIS IS SHOWN IN THAT "IT SPAKE
AS A DRAGON." THE PAPACY RECEIVED ALL ITS POWER FROM SATAN,
AND THE TWO-HORNED BEAST EXERCISES THE SAME POWER; IT ALSO
BECOMES THE DIRECT AGENT OF SATAN. AND ITS SATANIC
CHARACTER IS FURTHER SHOWN IN THAT IT ENFORCES THE WORSHIP
OF THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST, BY MEANS OF FALSE MIRACLES. "HE
DOETH GREAT WONDERS, SO THAT HE MAKETH FIRE COME DOWN
FROM HEAVEN ON THE EARTH IN THE SIGHT OF MEN, AND DECEIVETH
THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH BY THE MEANS OF THOSE
MIRACLES WHICH HE HAD POWER TO DO."
THE FIRST PERSECUTING POWER IS REPRESENTED BY THE
DRAGON ITSELF; IN HEATHENISM THERE WAS OPEN ALLIANCE WITH
SATAN, AND OPEN DEFIANCE OF GOD. IN THE SECOND
PERSECUTING POWER, THE DRAGON IS MASKED; BUT THE SPIRIT
OF SATAN ACTUATES IT,--THE DRAGON SUPPLIES THE MOTIVE
POWER. IN THE THIRD PERSECUTING POWER, ALL TRACES OF THE
DRAGON ARE ABSENT, AND A LAMB-LIKE BEAST APPEARS; BUT
WHEN IT SPEAKS, ITS DRAGON VOICE BETRAYS THE SATANIC
POWER CONCEALED UNDER A FAIR EXTERIOR, AND SHOWS IT TO
BE OF THE SAME FAMILY AS THE TWO PRECEDING POWERS. IN ALL
THE OPPOSITION TO CHRIST AND HIS PURE RELIGION, "THAT OLD
SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN,"--"THE GOD OF THIS
WORLD,"--IS THE MOVING POWER; EARTHLY PERSECUTING
POWERS ARE SIMPLY INSTRUMENTS IN HIS HANDS. GC 1888 680
It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form and, veiling some of its more
objectionable features, is assuming a Christian guise. But its utterances from the
platform and the press have been before the public for many years, and in these its real
character stands revealed. These teachings cannot be denied or hidden.
Even in its present form, so far from being more worthy of toleration than formerly, it
is really a more dangerous, because a more subtle, deception. While it formerly
denounced Christ and the Bible, it now professes to accept both. But the Bible is
interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and
vital truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God,
but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between
good and evil. God's justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements of His holy
law, are all kept out of sight. The people are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead
letter. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses and lead men to reject the Bible
as the foundation of their faith. Christ is as verily denied as before; but Satan has so
blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not discerned. {GC 558.1}
There are few who have any just conception of the deceptive power of spiritualism
and the danger of coming under its influence. Many tamper with it merely to gratify
their curiosity. They have no real faith in it and would be filled with horror at the
thought of yielding themselves to the spirits' control. But they venture upon the
forbidden ground, and the mighty destroyer exercises his power upon them against
their will. Let them once be induced to submit their minds to his direction, and he holds
them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break away from the bewitching,
alluring spell. Nothing but the power of God, granted in answer to the earnest
prayer of faith, can deliver these ensnared souls. {GC 558.2}
Revelation 16:13-14
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the
mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and
out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits
of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of
the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle
of that great day of God Almighty.
The things you have described
as taking place in Indiana, the
Lord has shown me would take
place just before the close of
probation. Every uncouth thing
will be demonstrated. There will
be shouting, with drums, music
and noise. The senses of rational
beings will become so confused
that they cannot be trusted to
make right decisions… A bedlam
of noise shocks the senses and
perverts that which if conducted
aright might be a blessings. The
powers of Satanic agencies
blend with the din and the noise
to have a carnival, and this is
termed as the Holy Spirit
working…Those things which
have been in the past will be in
the future. Satan will make a
music a snare by the way it is
conducted.
2SM 36, 38 (1900)
Fanaticism, false excitement,
false talking in tongues, and
noisy exercises have bee
considered gifts which God
has placed in the church.
Some have been deceived
here. The fruits of all this
have not been good. “Ye
shall know them by their
fruits.” Fanaticism and noise
have been considered
special evidence of faith.
Some are not satisfied with a
meeting unless they have a
powerful happy time. They
work for this and get up an
excitement of feeling. But the
influence of such meeting is
not beneficial. When the
happy flight of the feeling is
gone they sink lower that
before the meetings because
their happiness did not come
from the right source…
The most profitable
meetings for
spiritual
advancement are
those which are
characterized with
solemnity and deep
searching of heart,
each seeking to
know himself
earnestly and in
deep humility
seeking to learn of
Christ.
1T 412 (1864)
The whole world is to
be stirred with
enmity against
Seventh-day
Adventists because
they will not yield
homage to the
papacy by honoring
Sunday, the
institution of this
antichristian power.-TM 37 (1893). {LDE 136.2}
During probationary time the grace of
God is offered to every soul. But if
men waste their opportunities in selfpleasing, they cut themselves off from
everlasting life. No after-probation will
be granted them. By their own choice
they have fixed an impassable gulf
between them and their God. Many
are deceiving themselves by thinking
that the character will be transformed
at the coming of Christ, but there will
be no conversion of heart at His
appearing. Our defects of character
must here be repented of, and
through the grace of Christ we must
overcome them while probation shall
last. This is the place for fitting up for
the family above. Probation is almost
ended. . . . Get ready! get ready! Work
while the day lasts, for the night
cometh when no man can work.
{AG 243}