The Signs of the Times, vol. 8

July 13, 1882

“The Intercession of Christ” The Signs of the Times, 8, 26.

E. J. Waggoner

A brother residing in the eastern part of the State, writes concerning a man in that place, professedly a Seventh-day Adventist, who has been making known some of his peculiar views. He thinks that this people are all right except wherein they differ with him. He has, he says, talked with several of our leading ministers, but has received no satisfaction. The brother writes in behalf of the church in that place, that they may know what credence to give to this man’s theory. The theory in question, as given to us, is this:- SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.1

“He thinks that the death of Christ was all that is necessary on Christ’s part to secure man’s redemption. No necessity for intercession in Heaven. That it belittles the character of God to suppose that he could be influenced to change his decision by the intercession of Christ. If a man has lived conscientiously in this life, God, who made him and can measure his motives, and sympathize with his weakness, will render unto him his just deserts anyway; and consequently Christ’s intercession becomes at least a very puerile and unnecessary thing..... He goes not believe that God can be angry in any degree, for that element would be contrary to the attributes of his nature. ‘Anger resteth in the bosom of fools.’” SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.2

We have here an example of the way some men will get an idea from a single text of Scripture, and then, mounting their hobby, will fly off regardless of a thousand other texts on the same subject. It has been well said that the peculiarity of the hobby horse is that when a man is once astride of it he cannot get off; and this is doubtless the reason why the man failed to receive any satisfaction from those ministers with whom he talked. If only the single individual were concerned, there would generally be but little use to try to answer him; but unfortunately the carrying capacity of a hobby is unlimited, and the rider is always anxious to share his seat with his friends. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.3

In the first place, if we can believe the Bible, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7:11. He himself says, “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:5, 6. In many places in the Old Testament we read of his anger being kindled against the Israelites, and threatenings of anger if they should disobey him. David says, “He will not always chide; neither will he keep his anger forever.” Psalm 103:9. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.4

Jeremiah, speaking in prophetic vision, says, “I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger.” Jeremiah 4:26. Again, “Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.” Jeremiah 7:20. “Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.” Chap. 23:19, 20. Read also Jeremiah 25:15-38. Nahum says: “Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?” Chap. 1:6. Again we read: “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, ... And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord.... Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” Zephaniah 1:14-18. And then the exhortation is given: “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Chap. 2:3. See also Chap. 3:8. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.5

We believe that God understands his own attributes better than any man; and it will not do to presume upon the mercy of God, when he plainly says that his anger will be poured out on those who persist in their rebellion against him. Finite man cannot judge an infinite God. The threatenings contained in the Bible should serve to make man “tremble at his word.” Paul says, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 2 Corinthians 5:11. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.6

But the objector quotes: “Anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Very true. It remains there, constantly springing into activity at every provocation, or no provocation at all. He harbors it in his heart, and cherishes it. But David says of the Lord: “For his anger endureth but a moment.” Psalm 30:5. The Lord, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, of the punishment of the wicked, says: “For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.” Isaiah 10:25. To compare the petty anger and malice which dwells in the human heart, and which so many glory in, with the just indignation of a long-offended God, is irreverent, to say the least. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.7

The idea that Christ does not intercede for man is of the same nature. It is a plain contradiction of the Bible. However confident others may be of their power to stand and plead their own case before God, we are glad for the promise that “if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1. Read also the following: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Hebrews 9:24. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. These texts plainly teach that man has an advocate; that that advocate is Christ; and that he is now making intercession for us. To call his intercession puerile and unnecessary is simply blasphemy. Let such a one read and consider Hebrews 10:28, 29. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.8

The fact that a man is represented at court by an advocate does not prove that the judge is unjust, or disinclined to listen to the man’s case; but it does prove that the man is unable to properly present his own case. There is nothing in man that would recommend him to God, for he has forfeited all claim upon his mercy. God cannot look upon sin with any allowance. It is exceedingly repugnant to him. When man was pure and innocent he could talk face to face with God; but when he fell, God hid his face from him. A just God could not endure a sinful being in his presence, even to beg for mercy. Therefore we now have to come to God through the intercession of Christ. Christ says: “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” John 14:6. Christ is the sinner’s only hope. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.9

If a man were in danger of drowning and a rope were thrown to him, he would not stop to criticize the rope, or the man who threw it. If he were wise he would seize it at once. He would not cavil, and wonder why those seeking to save him did not use some other means; nor would he hesitate, for fear that the rope would not hold him; neither would he, unless he were blind, say that no rope had been thrown; nor, unless he were insane or hopelessly conceited, would he assert that he could climb into the ship without the aid of any rope. Should he do any of these things, the tide would carry the rope beyond his reach, and he would be left to drown. So the one who carps at the plan which God has chosen by which to save men, is in danger of losing the benefit of the offer which is held out to him. Perhaps God might have devised some other means of salvation, if it had pleased him to do so, but since he did not, it ill becomes us to question his wisdom. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.10

To those whose ears are assailed with such false theories we would quote the language of Paul: “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.” In other words: Beware of the man with a hobby. E. J. W. SITI July 13, 1882, page 308.11