The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 74

October 19, 1897

“Editorial Page” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 74, 42, p. 664.

THE time to favor Zion, yea, the set time, is come. This is the truth to-day. The time has come to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is freely given, and is now waiting to be received. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.1

Correspondence from all over the field plainly reveals that God is moving upon the minds of his people to seek, and pray, and believe, for the Holy Spirit. He himself is creating a longing, a hungering and thirsting, for the Holy Spirit, which he alone can satisfy with is fulness. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.2

In the work of the General Conference Committee, God is leading in a way, and so plainly, that none can really question it. They are seeking to know and to study only the Lord’s plan, and to have everything done according to the pattern shown in the mount. He leads in a way to show that a certain thing is the one thing to do, and that it must be done at once. And when the step is taken, light and blessing and progress attend it. And we, with them, can only say, “Lead thou me on.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.3

For twenty-three years I have been studying the Bible, and must say that to me that book never said so much about the Holy Spirit as it does now. It seems now that most precious teaching with reference to the Spirit of God stands out everywhere. The word is freighted with it. And all this wealth of instruction only creates a longing for more of that blessed Spirit, and more of his gracious and gentle teaching. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.4

The Holy Spirit has come. He is given. He “awaits our demand and reception,” and “brings all other blessings in his train.” Joy, joy, to every soul! Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honor to him. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.5

“The Church of To-day” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 74, 42, p. 664.

“THROUGH Jesus Christ, God has made every provision that his people may connect with divine agencies, and that these agencies may co-operate with human instrumentalities. They may reveal to a world that is dead in trespasses and sins the power and sufficient of Christ. They will present before the world another world, of higher, holier laws than worldly wisdom can invent or earth obey,—a purer happiness and joy than earth can give to its votaries, coming through a service that is independent of all human inventions. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.1

“Christ’s church on earth is to resemble heaven,—a temple built after the pattern of things shown in the holy mount. Man must give up his ideas, his plans and devices, and let God work out his original intentions. The great Designer must not be impeded in his work by human wisdom. His work and purpose have not been understood. Through the miscalculations of man, the church to-day is so misshapen that it cannot be accepted by the great Builder. Human counsel has been so abundant that individual experience is rare. Men are placed where God should be; God’s plans are turned aside, and men’s measures brought in to fashion and mold. But the great and perfect Designer pronounces the work imperfect. The temple that he is building after the pattern of things in the heavens must have the exact proportions assigned it by the great Architect, whose pattern is without a flaw. He has brought the golden measuring rod from heaven, and every worker is employed only as he works under his superintendence and according to his plans. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.2

“There must be no human calculations. God will have only those as workers who will be laborers together with him, who will yoke up with Christ, and learn of him his meekness and lowliness of heart. His directions are, ‘Make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.’ Then a temple of heavenly design will be presented to the world, where the divine presence is manifested, and to which is affixed God’s seal.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.3

In order to make all things according to the pattern, we must see the pattern. Yes, we must be where we can constantly turn our eyes upon it for reference. For we must make all things according to the pattern—not according to our idea of the pattern, but according to the pattern itself. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.4

In order for us to see the pattern, and to have it ever present for reference, we must be where the pattern is. But the pattern is showed only in the mount. Then it is certain that the only thing for us to do is to go up into the mount. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.5

Is that true? Can we do that? Is there any word for it?—Read this: “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain.” It says so, doesn’t it? Thank the Lord! Then let us go up to him into the mount, and he will meet with us there; he will make all his goodness pass before us; he will put us in the cleft of the rock, and cover us with his hand—that blessed hand that was pierced for us; and he will proclaim the name of the Lord before us, revealing himself to us. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.6

Then knowing him thus, the rest of the verse will be fulfilled: “O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God.” Isaiah 40:9. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.7

And that will be the loud cry of the third angel’s message. “Arise,” “get thee up into the high mountain” where his glory is: then “shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.... The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” Thus “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,” “the earth shall be lightened with his glory,” “and all flesh shall see it together.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.8

He wants us to—we must—be in the mount, in order to see the pattern so that we may make all things according to it. He wants us also to be up in the high mountain, in order that when the voice is lifted up with strength in the loud cry, it may be heard far, far away, even to the ends of the earth, and by every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.9

Then, too, upon us, and because of his own completed work in us, there will be affixed the Lord’s own seal—“the seal of the living God.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.10

“Come up unto me in the mount, and be there.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.11

“The Seal of Righteousness” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 74, 42, pp. 664, 665.

“CHRIST hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, ... that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.1

The blessing of Abraham was righteousness that he obtained by believing God,—righteousness by faith. Christ redeemed men from the curse, in order that this blessing might come upon them. He has redeemed us from the curse, in order that this blessing might come on us. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.2

This blessing—this righteousness—is a free gift to all; and it freely belongs to all who believe God. And it is given to every one, in order that he may receive the promise of the Spirit. Thus it was with Abraham, and thus will it be with all the children of Abraham. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.3

For, “Cometh this blessedness upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.4

“The sign of circumcision” was “a seal of the righteousness.” Now what is real circumcision?—That is not circumcision, “which is outward in the flesh;” but “circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit,” whose praise is of God. Romans 2:28, 29. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.5

When this circumcision of the heart is accomplished, the person who receives it loves God with all his heart and with all his soul. For thus it is written: “The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” Deuteronomy 30:6. This is nothing else than having the love of God in the heart; and, “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.6

It is perfectly plain, then, that true circumcision is the work of the Holy Ghost upon the heart,—cleansing it from all sin and the love of sin, and shedding abroad there the love of God. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.7

But circumcision is the seal of righteousness. It is the seal of the righteousness of God upon the believer of God. It is the “seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.” Therefore as circumcision is the seal of the righteousness of God, which is by faith, and as circumcision is the work of the Holy Spirit in shedding abroad there the love of God, “to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,” it is certain that the gift of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, is the seal of righteousness—of the righteousness of God, which is by faith. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.8

Then no one can rightly expect the gift of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, unless he has the righteousness which the Holy Spirit can approve and seal as genuine. The Spirit of God can approve only the righteousness of God. And the righteousness of God can be attained only by the faith of Jesus Christ, because only by Jesus Christ was it manifested to the world. “Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, ... even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 664.9

The Holy Spirit being the seal of the righteousness of God upon the believer, then for any one who has not the righteousness of God to ask for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, is to ask the Holy Spirit to put his seal upon sin, and to baptize sin for righteousness. But that will never do. The Lord can never put his seal upon sin; he can never baptize sin for righteousness. Yet “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” There is no true righteousness but that which is of God; and that can never be obtained except by faith of Jesus Christ. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.1

But every soul who has the righteousness of God, every soul who has obtained righteousness from God only by believing God, can go with perfect confidence, with full measure, to God, and ask for the gift of his Holy Spirit and receive it. He can ask in faith, nothing wavering; and asking in faith, and according to the will of God, he surely receives, and he knows it. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.2

Having the righteousness of God, he asks according to the will of God; for the blessing of Abraham, the righteousness of God, comes to us through Christ for the express purpose that we may receive the promise of the Spirit. And when he gives his own righteousness expressly in order that we may receive the promise of the Spirit, then when one has accepted his righteousness, and because of this asks for the Holy Spirit, he is asking precisely according to the will of God, and he shall receive. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.3

For, “This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Having given us his righteousness expressly that we might receive the promise of the Spirit, then when we have received his righteousness and ask for the Spirit, will he withhold the Spirit?—No, no! To all such he is more willing to give the Holy Spirit than parents are to give needed good gifts to their own children. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.4

For the Lord to withhold the Holy Spirit one instant from him who comes with the righteousness of God upon him, when he gave his righteousness expressly that we might receive the promise of the Spirit, would be to set himself against himself. But this he cannot do; “he cannot deny himself.” Then please do not think for one moment that he will deny himself by withholding the Holy Spirit from you when you come to him with the righteousness of God as the basis of your petition. Do not think for one instant that God will withhold from you for one instant the full, free gift of his Holy Spirit when you come to him with the righteousness of God, which is by faith. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.5

Is it not perfectly plain, then, that in the precious message of righteousness by faith which God has been sending to his people, he has only been seeking to prepare them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Ghost? ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.6

And is it not also perfectly plain that those who refused that message of the righteousness of God, those who doubted it, those who slighted it, those who thought it was “nothing much,” have been cutting themselves off from receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit? ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.7

Again: “The promise of the Spirit” is received only “through faith.” It is the seal of the righteousness of God. and the righteousness of God is obtained only by faith. Then do you not see that in his precious message of righteousness by faith, the Lord has been mercifully reviving and cultivating faith in his people, so that when the time of the outpouring of his Spirit in the latter rain should fully come, they would be so familiarized with the exercise of faith that they could immediately receive the promise of the Spirit through faith? ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.8

But, dear soul, be of good cheer. It is not yet too late. God’s righteousness is ever freely and fully given to all who call upon him, to every believer in Jesus. And to every soul he has given faith with which to receive it. O believe him! Receive his righteousness in full assurance of faith. And then, by the practise of faith in the exercise of receiving and glorying in his righteousness freely given to such a sinner as you are, become fitted to receive, in full assurance of faith, the promise of the Spirit in its pouring out now in the latter rain. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.9

Every man is born into this world with an infinite hunger: hence infinity alone can satisfy him. Whether he shall thus be satisfied rests with each individual. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.10

“Even So Send I You” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 74, 42, pp. 665, 666.

IT is certain that the work of Christ in the last period of his life on earth is the very work that is placed before his people now. For we are now in the last period of his work in the world, as really as he, after his baptism, was in the last period of his life and work upon the earth. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.1

This work is “to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and opening of prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion; to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.2

Before he entered upon this specific work, he was baptized with the Holy Ghost. Therefore he said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor,” etc. And thus it is written of him: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 665.3

Such is the record of Christ when God sent him; and that is the work which God sent him to do. That is the work which God now sends us to do; and such must be the record of every one who is sent to do this work. Christ could not enter upon this work until he was baptized with the Holy Ghost: neither can we. He could not do this work to which God sent him, without being anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power: neither can we. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.1

Nor does he ask us to. Here is his word to us, his disciples, to-day, as truly as to them of old: “Tarry ye, ... until ye be endued with power from on high.” “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.... Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” John 20:21, 22. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.2

God sent Jesus to preach the gospel to the poor; and anointed him with the Holy Ghost unto that work. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.... Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.3

The Father sent Jesus to bind up the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and opening of prison to them that are bound; and baptized him with the holy Spirit, that he might do it. “As my Father hath sent me, even so sent I you.... Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.4

The Lord sent Jesus to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and to comfort all that mourn; and the Spirit of the Lord God was put upon him, in order that he might accomplish that whereunto he had been sent. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.... Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.5

“He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God.” “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.... Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.6

And receive ye the Holy Ghost without measure, too. For as the Father sent Jesus, even so he sends you. And, “He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him,“—he giveth not the Spirit by measure to him whom he hath sent, whether it be Jesus or you. For, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.7

Then as God gives to you the Spirit without measure, please receive him precisely as he is given. Please do not think of measuring to yourself what God has given to you without measure; for God gives to us and does for us “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask of think.” Please do not, like unbelieving Israel of old, “limit the holy One of Israel.” No! He has given the Holy Spirit without measure. “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” without measure. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.8

God has placed before us a work which he says is the work for “each family,” “every church,” “every Conference,” and “the General Conference” to be interestedly engaged in at this present hour. Not to do that work is not to keep pace with the advancing work of God; and not to keep pace with the advancing cause of God is only to fall and be left behind. But that work cannot be done at all without the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this there is no use of attempting it; it cannot be done. Jesus could not, and neither can anybody else. Yet the work must be done; it is the work of God for this time. Then it is as plain as A B C that we are shut up to the receiving or the rejecting of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.9

And how this ought to rejoice every heart! And all the more, since for this very work God giveth not the Spirit by measure. Surely it is easy to be baptized in an ocean—all that is needed is to plunge in. Surely also it is easy to be baptized in the measureless ocean of God’s Spirit. Plunge in. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.10

As God giveth not the Spirit by measure, and as the Spirit is the seal of righteousness, it surely follows that every one who would have the Spirit without measure must first have righteousness without measure. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.11

What righteousness is it that only is without measure?—The righteousness of God. And this righteousness of God, which only is without measure, to every one that believeth in Jesus. Then, having received the only righteousness that is without measure, we are prepared to receive the Holy Spirit without measure. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.12

And this is the secret of the special message of the righteousness of God, which he has sent and still sends to his people. He knew that we had come to the time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit without measure in the latter rain. He knew that we must receive this Spirit without measure, in order to meet and perform successfully what is before us. He knew that this Spirit is the seal of righteousness only. He knew that in order for any one to receive that Spirit without measure, as the seal of righteousness, the righteousness of which it is the seal must likewise be without measure. He knew that we did not have righteousness without measure. Therefore he graciously sent to us, in his own full, free gift, his own righteousness, the very righteousness of God himself,—so that we might receive this, and know of an everlasting surety that we have the righteousness which is without measure; and thus, because of this, in full assurance of faith, receive the Spirit without measure. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.13

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” “Good is the Lord—inexpressibly good.” Praise his holy name forever and ever. ARSH October 19, 1897, page 666.14