We have just finished our Sabbath School lessons on Growing in Grace. It was a blessing to see so much Scripture put in a correct setting. There appears to be changes in the church. We are hopeful that the call for revival and reformation will be quickly heeded by many in our institutions. Jesus wants to return to put an end to the suffering and death all around us. But, He cannot until the church is revived and we have taken the last message of mercy to the whole world. That message includes the truth that we are living in the anti-typical Day of Atonement. Yet, so few of our teachers understand what it means to be living in the "hour of His judgment." They do not understand that the cleansing of the sanctuary necessitates the cleansing of His people. Jesus cannot cleanse the sanctuary until He has purified those who will live after probation closes.

Many do not believe God can purify an individual much less a whole church. Many are teaching that one may sin and retain justification or salvation prior to repentance for that sin. This is a great deception that has infiltrated many professing Christian churches of today. In this quarter's Sabbath School, we have been able to present the truth in such a simple manner that all may understand. When Jesus walks out of the heavenly sanctuary, His work of intercession is finished. There will be no more Mediator to forgive sins. Yet, there will remain on this Earth, precious Seventh-day Adventists who will  live to be translated. They will not see death. Then, it must be that they will not sin, for the wages of sin is death. If they were to sin after Jesus ceases His work in the heavenly sanctuary, they could not be forgiven. Therefore, they would be lost. But, none of the saints who live after probation closes will be lost. They will not sin, for the Bible clearly states, “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.”

Then, it surely is possible to live without sinning. It is through the power of an abiding Christ. If we are born of His Spirit, we become partakers of His divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4).  When we sin, it is because we are separated from Christ, He does not dwell in the heart through the Holy Spirit. If we have not His Spirit, we are none of His (Romans 8:9). In order for the church see revival and reformation, we must begin teaching the gospel of grace, a gospel that has power to change the character today. We are not to wait until probation closes to obtain salvation. No, today is the day of salvation. Soon, Jesus will have finished His work of interceding on behalf of sinners. Then it will be too late to ask for forgiveness. And, if I die today without having been forgiven all of my sins, then it is too late for me also.

The deception in the church is great. Do not look to man, but to Jesus and His Word. We should study the Scriptures more earnestly; for their treasures of wisdom and knowledge do not lie upon the surface for the superficial reader. Although we may know these things and be established in the present truth, we do not know them as we ought. The fountain from which we are to drink is an inexhaustible fountain. We may come again and again to the sacred treasure-house of truth. An infinite supply awaits our demand. Our course in regard to Bible study is not commendable. We rob ourselves of great blessings by not comparing scripture with scripture. We rob the people of increased light concerning the deep mysteries of godliness. We should dwell on the law and the gospel, showing the relation of Christ to the great standard of righteousness. The mediatorial work of Christ, the grand and holy mysteries of redemption, are not studied or comprehended by the people who claim to have light in advance of every other people on the face of the earth. Were Jesus personally upon earth, he would address a large number who claim to believe present truth with the words he addressed to the Pharisees: "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." The most learned of the Jewish scribes did not discern the relation of Christ to the law; they did not comprehend the salvation which was offered. They could not discern the moral excellency of the law at that day, and many today do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God. In the time of Christ the senses of his hearers were clouded by their own teachings and opinions. They mingled their own preconceived notions with the teachings of Christ and thus were hindered from comprehending the elevated truths he presented. They were blinded to the correct interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures, but he opened to his disciples their significance, revealing the spiritual and practical bearing of God's commands on life and character. He promised his disciples that after his ascension to his Father, he would send the Holy Spirit who should bring all things to their remembrance. Jesus had left truths in their possession the value of which they did not comprehend. After his resurrection they were astonished at the words he uttered; but he said unto them, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures." The disciples were slow of heart to believe all that the Scriptures testified of Christ. 

As long as we are content with our limited knowledge, we are disqualified to obtain rich views of truth. We cannot comprehend the facts connected with the atonement, and the high and holy character of God's law. The church to whom God has intrusted the treasures of truth needs to be converted. If we are blessed, we can bless others; but if we do not receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we cannot give forth light to others. There is a sad lack of genuine conversion among us. We remain in a Laodicean condition as described in the 37th chapter of Ezekiel.

This is indeed a  representation of us.  We do not put forth personal effort that souls may have a true knowledge of what constitutes repentance, faith and remission of sins. Our ministering brethren make a decided failure of doing their work in a manner directed by the Lord. They fail to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. They have not gained an experience through personal communion with God, or a true knowledge of what constitutes Christian character; therefore many are baptized who have no fitness for this sacred ordinance, but who are full of self and the world. They have not seen Christ or received him by faith.

 

God knows our condition and has promised us revival. He has also told us that it is the Holy Spirit that we need, that will bring us to life. All who will pray for It, who are willing to be filled with It, will receive Him. "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: and I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD."

In this new year, let us repent of our backsliding and give our hearts fully to Jesus that we may be forgiven and cleansed, and stand perfect in Christ Jesus. We are to be a witness of His love and grace to a world soon to perish. He has given us this promise "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:25-27.  Jesus is doing His part, let us do ours. He is knocking on the door of our heart. Let us unbar the door and let Him in!