The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 75

December 27, 1898

“Editorial” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 52, p. 832.

FAITH is the expecting the word of God to do what it says, and the depending upon that word to do what it says. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.1

As that is faith, and as faith comes by the word of God, it is plain that the word of God, in order to inculcate faith, must teach that the word has in itself power to accomplish what itself says. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.2

And such is precisely the truth of the matter: the word of God does teach just this, and nothing else; so that it is truly “the faithful word”—the word full of faith. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.3

The greater part of the very first chapter of the Bible is instruction in faith. That chapter has in itself no fewer than six distinct statements that definitely inculcate faith: with the essential connective of the first verse, there are seven. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.4

The inculcation of faith is the teaching that the word of God itself accomplishes the thing which is spoken in that word. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.5

Read, then, the first verse of the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” How did he create them?—“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.... For he spake, and it was.” Psalm 33:6-9. Before, he spoke, it was not: after he spoke, “it was.” Only by the speaking, it was. What caused it to be?—The word only. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.6

But darkness was upon all the face of the deep. God wished light to be there; but how could there be light when all was darkness?—Again he spoke: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Whence came the light?—The word which was spoken, itself produced the light. “The entrance of thy words giveth light.” Psalm 119:130. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.7

There was no firmament, atmosphere. God wished that there should be a firmament. How could it be produced?—“God said, Let there be a firmament, ... and it was so.” Another translation for “it was so” is, “And thus it came to pass.” What caused this thus to come to pass?—The word only. He spoke, and it was so. The word spoken, itself caused the thing to exist. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.8

God next desired that there should be dry land. How could this be?—Again he spoke: “God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.9

Then there was no vegetation. Whence should this come? Again God spoke: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree yielding fruit, after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.10

Again he spoke: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven, ... and it was so.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.11

Again he spoke: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature, ... and it was so.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.12

Thus it was that “by the word of the Lord” all things were created. He spoke the word only, and it was so: the word spoken, itself produced the thing. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.13

Thus it was in creation. And thus it was in redemption; he healed the sick, he cast out devils, he stilled the tempest, he cleansed the lepers, he raised the dead, he forgave sins, all by his word. In all this, also, “he spake, and it was.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.14

And so he is the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever. Always he is the Creator. And always he does all things by his word only. and always he can do all things by his word; because it is the very characteristic of the word of God, that it is possessed of the divine power by which itself accomplishes the thing which is spoken. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.15

This is why it is that faith if the knowing that in the word of God there is this power, the expecting the word itself to do the thing spoken, and the depending upon that word itself to do that which the word speaks. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.16

The teaching of faith is the teaching that such is the nature of the word of God; the teaching of people to exercise faith is the teaching them to expect the word of God to do what it says, and to depend upon it to do the thing which is by it spoken; the cultivating of faith is by practise to cause to grow confidence in the power of the word of God itself to do what in that word is said, and dependence upon that word itself to accomplish what the word says. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.17

And “the knowledge of what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith, is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.18

Are you cultivating faith? ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.19

“Editorial Note” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 52, p. 832.

HERE are two sentences which, that all may the better see their exact bearing, we set side by side. Both are from the Spirit of prophecy; and both, apparently, were written about the same time in 1898:— ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.1

The time has now come when all who are working in Christ’s lines will have the mark of God in words. In actions, in character, in their honor of Immanuel.—Unpublished, copies in Battle Creek, Sept. 20, 1898. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.2

Many whose characters are now being weighed in the balances of the sanctuary are pronounced wanting, because they do not bring the truth into the practical life.—The Signs of the Times, October 17, 1898. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.3

Both these sentences speak of “now.” One says that “now” there are those who “will have the mark of God;” the other says that “now” there are those who, “being weighted in the balances,” “are pronounced wanting.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.4

In the nature of things these two things occur at the same time; each is the counterpart of the other. When the mark of God is set, it is set upon every one upon who it can be set in righteousness. Not a single soul will be passed by upon whom the mark can be set. And as there go after him the others with the destroying weapons to smite, it is perfectly through to set the mark of God, all “are being weighed in the balances of the sanctuary.” And in that weighing it is certainly being decided whether each one shall receive the mark of God, or whether he shall be pronounced wanting. If the balances of the sanctuary in their exactness declare one “wanting,” in infinite sorrow the righteous Lord must pronounce it so; and he with the writer’s inkhorn must pass on without setting the mark of God; and he never turns back to go over the ground again. All that remains is for those who go after him to let loose the destroying weapons, and slay utterly. And they begin at the Lord’s sanctuary, and even with “the ancient men that were before the house.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.5

It is a most solemn thing to have to write all this. But it is all true; and when it is true, it is a good deal more solemn thing not to write it. For what it, when the sword comes, the people are not warned? ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.6

O, we must be ready, now, to receive the mark! And as it is only “the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption,” we must now receive the Holy Spirit of God. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.7

“Ask, and it shall be given you; ... for every one that asketh receiveth.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.8

We can do no better than to print just here the Lord’s own message for this very time:— ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.9

“The command is, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.’ These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented, and humbled their hearts before him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, his power and presence were lacking. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.10

“In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God’s honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.11

“The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: ‘Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.’ ARSH December 27, 1898, page 832.12

Here we see that the church—the Lord’s sanctuary—was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus “Peace and safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.1

“The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed. The great Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of iniquity. These persons come to feel secure in their deceptions and, because of His long-suffering, say that the Lord seeth not, and then act as though He had forsaken the earth. But He will detect their hypocrisy and will open before others those sins which they were so careful to hide. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.2

“No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the abuse of God’s mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with them without mercy. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.3

“It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine displeasure. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.4

“The day of God’s vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. Those who link in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity. ‘The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.’ ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.5

“Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons. Already a few drops of God’s wrath have fallen upon the earth; but when the seven last plagues shall be poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation, then it will be forever too late to repent and find shelter. No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of sin. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.6

“‘And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book.’ When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. May God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict without His assistance! ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.7

“Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God’s power to save do not come in a moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. By a life of holy endeavor and firm adherence to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny. Beset with temptations without number, they knew they must resist firmly or be conquered. They felt that they had a great work to do, and at any hour they might be called to lay off their armor; and should they come to the close of life with their work undone, it would be an eternal loss. They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as did the first disciples from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to mountains and deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when martyrdom seemed the only way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was crucified for them. Their worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God who will be brought into the time of trouble such as never was. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.8

“Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.9

“By their lack of devotion and piety, and their failure to reach a high religious standard, they make other souls contented with their position. Men of finite judgment cannot see that in patterning after these men who have so often opened to them the treasures of God’s word, they will surely endanger their souls. Jesus is the only true pattern. Everyone must now search the Bible for himself upon his knees before God, with the humble, teachable heart of a child, if he would know what the Lord requires of him. However high any minister may have stood in the favor of God, if he neglects to follow out the light given him of God, if he refuses to be taught as a little child, he will go into darkness and satanic delusions and will lead others in the same path. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.10

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.11

“We are too easily satisfied with our attainments. We feel rich and increased with goods and know not that we are ‘wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Now is the time to heed the admonition of the True Witness: ‘I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.’ ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.12

“In this life we must meet fiery trials and make costly sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the reward. There has been so little self-denial, so little suffering for Christ’s sake, that the cross is almost entirely forgotten. We must be partakers with Christ of His sufferings if we would sit down in triumph with Him on His throne. So long as we choose the easy path of self-indulgence and are frightened at self-denial, our faith will never become firm, and we cannot know the peace of Jesus nor the joy that comes through conscious victory. The most exalted of the redeemed host that stand before the throne of God and the Lamb, clad in white, know the conflict of overcoming, for they have come up through great tribulation. Those who have yielded to circumstances rather than engage in this conflict will not know how to stand in that day when anguish will be upon every soul, when, though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land, they could save neither son nor daughter, for everyone must deliver his soul by his own righteousness. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.13

“No one need say that his case is hopeless, that he cannot live the life of a Christian. Ample provision is made by the death of Christ for every soul. Jesus is our ever-present help in time of need. Only call upon Him in faith, and He has promised to hear and answer your petitions. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.14

“Oh, for a living, active faith! We need it; we must have it, or we shall faint and fail in the day of trial. The darkness that will then rest upon our path must not discourage us or drive us to despair. It is the veil with which God covers His glory when He comes to impart rich blessings. We should know this by our past experience. In that day when God has a controversy with His people this experience will be a source of comfort and hope. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.15

“It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. ‘Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.’ We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord’s appearing. The world is in darkness. ‘But ye, brethren,’ says Paul, ‘are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.’ It is ever God’s purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.16

“What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.17

“Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour.” ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.18

“The Necessity of ‘Imperialism’” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 75, 52, p. 834.

OF the zeal for the spread of slavery in his day, Abraham Lincoln said:— ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.1

I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery itself. I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world; ... and especially because it forces so many really good men among ourselves into an open war with the very fundamental principles of civil liberty, criticizing the Declaration of Independence. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.2

This exactly describes the new American policy of imperialism. This also is causing many to “criticize the Declaration of Independence.” Leading men and leading papers of the country, who would naturally be thought ready to keep silent when the Declaration speaks, actually criticize it, and, in fact, repudiate it. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.3

The statement that is now so glibly and superciliously made,—that the people of the newly acquired territory “are not fit for self-government,” and must therefore be held in subjection and governed by force “until they shall become qualified for self-government,” plainly can not stand a moment in the presence of the great principles of the Declaration of Independence,—that “all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;” and that “governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.” And simply because such views can not stand in the presence of the Declaration, the Declaration is criticized and set aside. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.4

But who is it that decides, for the people of the new island possessions, that they “are not fit for self-government”?—Not themselves; for they have been fighting and struggling for years against that very claim, put forth by Spain and others. Has the statement any more truth when put forth by Americans, contrary to their own Declaration and fundamental principles? What right have Americans, any more than Spaniards or Russians, to decide for other people that they are not fit for self-government? Wherein is America different from Russia or Spain when she decides for these people that they are not fit for self-government, and then counts them rebels, and fights and oppresses them, when they do not accept the decision? ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.5

Plainly enough, this whole thing, being in open disregard of the Declaration of Independence, is an “open war with the fundamental principles of civil liberty,” and positively “deprives... republican example of its just influence in the world.” And as that which did all this in Lincoln’s day was hated by that great lover of liberty, why should not this which does the same things in our day be hated by every lover of liberty now? ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.6

In is day Lincoln said that the Declaration of Independence was “assailed and sneered at, and construed and hawked at, and torn, till if its framers could rise from their graves, they could not at all recognize it.” That thing is being done again. At that time it was done in the interests of the spread of slavery; now it is done, and has to be done, in the interests of imperialism. At that time Lincoln said, “If that Declaration is not the truth, let us get the statute-book in which we find it, and tear it out! Who is so bold as to do it? If it is not true, let us tear it out!” And when, at such a suggestion, his audience cried out, “No, no!” Lincoln answered, “Let us stick to it, then; let us stand firmly by it, then.” And so it is time to say again. ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.7

Thirteen years ago it was published that the United States would yet “repudiate every principle of a republican government.” If we are not just now in the time when this thing is being done, how much further will things have to be carried in this direction before we shall be in the time of the doing of that thing? ARSH December 27, 1898, page 834.8