Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 211, 1903
Teachers in Emmanuel Missionary College
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
September 22, 1903
This letter is published in entirety in RH 10/22/1903. +Note
Teach the Word
To the teachers in Emmanuel Missionary College,—
I have some things to say to our teachers in reference to the new book The Living Temple. Be careful how you sustain the sentiments of this book regarding the personality of God. As the Lord presents matters to me, these sentiments do not bear the endorsement of God. They are a snare that the enemy has prepared for these last days. I thought that this would surely be discerned and that it would not be necessary for me to say anything about it. But since the claim has been made that the teachings of this book can be sustained by statements from my writings, I am compelled to speak in denial of this claim. There may be in this book expressions and sentiments that are in harmony with my writings. And there may be in my writings many statements which when taken from their connection, and interpreted according to the mind of the writer of Living Temple, would seem to be in harmony with the teachings of this book. This may give apparent support to the assertion that the sentiments in Living Temple are in harmony with my writings. But God forbid that this opinion should prevail. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 1
We need not the mysticism that is in this book. Those who entertain these sophistries will soon find themselves in a position where the enemy can talk with them and lead them away from God. It is represented to me that the writer of this book is on a false track. He has lost sight of the distinguishing truths for this time. He knows not whither his steps are tending. The track of truth lies close beside the track of error, and both tracks may seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy Spirit, and which, therefore, are not quick to discern the difference between truth and error. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 2
In regard to the faith to be cherished and preserved in these last days, very little light is given in Living Temple, and this light is so uncertain that it would not help God’s people at this stage of their work. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 3
In the visions of the night this matter was clearly presented to me before a large number. One of authority was speaking, and He said, “If the suppositions and statements found in this book were essential, if these statements were pure provender, thoroughly winnowed from the chaff, there would be some decided mention of them in the revelation given by Christ to John to give to the churches. To John the Lord Jesus opened the subjects that He saw would be needed by His people in the last days. The instruction that He gave is found in the book of Revelation. Those who would be co-workers with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will show a deep interest in the truths found in the book of Revelation. With pen and voice they will strive to make plain the wonderful things that Christ came from heaven to reveal.” 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 4
The first chapter of the book of Revelation was then read with great solemnity. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 5
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John, who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that He saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein; for the time is at hand.” [Verses 1-3.] 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 6
Our Instructor presented the solemn messages that have been given in their order in Revelation and that are to occupy the first place in the minds of God’s people. Nothing else is to be allowed to engross our attention. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 7
All through the book The Living Temple, passages of Scripture are used, but in many instances these passages are used in such a way that the right interpretation is not given to them. The message for this time is not, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we.” [Jeremiah 7:4.] Whom does the Lord receive as vessels unto honor?—Those who co-operate with Christ; those who believe the truth, who live the truth, who proclaim the truth in all its bearings. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 8
There are those whose minds will be taken up with smooth words and fair speeches—put into language that they cannot understand or interpret. Precious time is rapidly passing, and many will be robbed of the time that should be given to the proclamation of the messages that God has sent to a fallen world. Satan is pleased to see the diversion of minds that should be engaged in the study o the truths that have to do with eternal realities. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 9
The testimony of Christ, a testimony of the most solemn character, is to be borne to the world. All through the book of Revelation there are the most precious, elevating promises, and there are also warnings of most fearfully solemn import. Will not those who profess to have a knowledge of the truth read the testimony given to John by Christ. Here is no guesswork, no scientific deception. Here are the truths that concern our present and future welfare. What is the chaff to the wheat? 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 10
Our Instructor passed on to the third chapter of Revelation and read the following: 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 11
“Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” [Verses 1-3.] 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 12
These words were spoken with such strength and force that those present seemed to be afraid and hid their faces in their hands, as if they were arraigned before the Judge of all the earth. Some seemed about to faint. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 13
Then the subject changed. The Speaker read: 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 14
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed with white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 15
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth: I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God; and I will write upon him My new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” [Verses 4-13.] 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 16
In these words there is no soothsaying. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 17
The Speaker held up Living Temple, saying, “In this book there are statements that the writer himself does not comprehend. Many things are stated in a vague, undefined way. Statements are made in such a way that nothing is sure. And this is not the only production of the kind that will be urged upon the people. Fanciful views will be presented by many minds. What we need to know at this time is, What is the truth that will enable us to win the salvation of our souls?” 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 18
The sophistries regarding God and nature that are flooding the world with skepticism are the inspiration of the fallen foe, who is himself a Bible student, who knows the truth that it is essential for the people to receive, and whose study it is to divert minds from these great truths relating to what is soon coming upon the world. Let our teachers beware lest they echo the soothsaying of the enemy of God and man. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 19
Pointing to some present, our Instructor said, “You are making a mistake. The Word, the Word revealed by God—this is to be the foundation of your faith. Study the commandments of God and the testimony that Jesus has borne to the truth. He is the faithful and true Witness.” 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 20
Then was repeated the message to the Laodicean church. The whole of the third chapter of Revelation, from first to last, was read: 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 21
“Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; 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. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 22
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” [Verses 14-22.] 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 23
The Lord is soon coming. The watchmen on the walls of Zion are called upon to awake to their God-given responsibility. Many of them are in the stupor of insensibility. God calls for watchmen who in the power of the Spirit will give to the world a warning message; who will proclaim the time of night. He calls for watchmen who will arouse men and women from their lethargy, lest they sleep the sleep of death. 18LtMs, Lt 211, 1903, par. 24