General Conference Bulletin, vol. 3
“BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO.”
L. A. HOOPESG. A. IRWIN
Reading for Friday, December 28.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:21-29. GCB July 1, 1900, page 176.1
He who delivered the first sermon on the mount, contained in the ten precepts, delivered also the second, of which the foregoing are the closing words. In this second sermon on the mount, Christ interpreted the first; he drew out the principles of the law of God contained therein, and taught us how to apply them in our intercourse with those about us. GCB July 1, 1900, page 176.2
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,” he declares, “shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” In another place he says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” It is not enough, then, merely to hear the word, or to make a profession of religion. We may hear, we may have the theory of the truth, and yet be among the number to whom in the end will be spoken the words: “I never knew you: depart from me.” If we are among the wise, we shall, after having heard the word, do the things that God commands. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Notice, the blessing is pronounced upon those who do, not upon those who simply hear. Hearing amounts to nothing unless there accompanies it a doing, a performance of the things required. This is the thought that the Saviour impressed upon the minds of his disciples, and he would impress the same thought on our minds to-day. GCB July 1, 1900, page 176.3
THE TWO CLASSES
In this sermon by Christ two classes are spoken of, and both are composed of those who profess to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. One class built on the sand. Notice, they did not refuse to build; they erected a building, but it was founded upon the sliding sand of a nominal profession. The other class, the doers of the word, built upon solid rock. GCB July 1, 1900, page 176.4
In 1 Peter 4:18 we read: “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Here three classes are brought to view,—the righteous, the ungodly, and the sinner. The ungodly here spoken of are those who make a profession of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who, because of their profession, expect an entrance into the kingdom. But a day is coming that will test the faith of every person who professes to believe in the Lord. GCB July 1, 1900, page 176.5
Notice again the words of the Saviour: “Many will say to me in that day.” The time here spoken of can certainly refer to no other than the day when, accompanied by all his holy angels, the Lord shall come in the clouds of heaven, and before the assembled nations of earth shall announce the condition of every soul in our world. To the righteous he will extend the gracious invitation, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;” and to the wicked the awful doom will be pronounced, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 176.6
“Many will say to me in that day.” Let this fact be impressed upon all our minds. In that day not a few, but many who profess the name of Jesus Christ, and who think they are accepted of him,—many whose names were once registered in the Lamb’s book of life, and who, because of some past experience, expect to be saved,-will hear the terrible words, “I never knew you.” In view of this solemn fact, does it not behoove every soul, while probation’s hour still lingers, to know how he stands, not only today, but every hour of every day that intervenes between this and the coming of the Lord? We can not afford to be deceived; for deception means eternal ruin. GCB July 1, 1900, page 176.7
GOD’S MESSAGES TO US
He who knows the thoughts and intents of all hearts, is, through the Testimonies of his Spirit, revealing our true standing before him. For this should not all feel the deepest gratitude? In this time of peril and great deception, should not all be humbly thankful for the straight testimony of Jesus Christ, even though in reproving our sins it may reveal things that are unpleasant to the natural heart? GCB July 1, 1900, page 177.1
Referring to the reading of the second chapter of James, also the fourth chapter of the same book, especially verses 5-12, and chapter 5, especially verses 13-20, the Spirit of prophecy says: “These chapters are a dead letter to the larger number of those who claim to be Seventh-day Adventists.” Many, no doubt, have heard these words; but we forget so soon. The cares of this life choke the precious word until, before we realize it, we find ourselves in a backslidden condition, far away from God. Since, therefore, these scriptures are to us a dead letter, it must be because the principles contained in them-the very principles that should actuate the Christian-are not being carried out in our daily association with one another. GCB July 1, 1900, page 177.2
The Spirit of prophecy continues: “I am directed to point you to these scriptures and to the seventh chapter of Matthew. You need to study every word as for your life.” Since we need to study every word as for our lives, it certainly follows that in these scriptures there are principles which will bring life to everyone who will study them, and yield himself to their teachings. Since, too, the larger number of Seventh-day Adventists are strangers to these principles, which are the underlying principles of the law of God, does it not follow that the larger number of us are not in a condition to meet our Saviour in peace? GCB July 1, 1900, page 177.3
The solemn question the Spirit would press home to every heart today is, Am I among the few who are built upon the rock, because I am doing the things required? or am I of the larger number who simply hear, and then go on from day to day following the inclinations of the natural heart? Are my feet resting upon the eternal rock? or am I standing upon shifting, sliding sand? The great day of God will try every man’s work; but it will then be too late to rectify mistakes, or make wrongs right. The religion that will stand the test of the day of God, the religion that will admit you and me into the kingdom of heaven, is not a religion produced by emotion or sentiment, but by an adherence to the living, active principles founded upon the Word of God. GCB July 1, 1900, page 177.4
“TRY THE SPIRITS.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 177.5
In this time when Satan is working with signs and wonders, there is great danger that many will be deceived, by trusting to so-called spiritual manifestations and miraculous doings, rather than to a “Thus saith the Lord.” The time has fully come for us to receive the Holy Spirit; but let us remember that the Spirit dwells in the Word, and will never come or operate independent of it. It is possible for us to have a happy flight of feeling and think we are having a wonderful blessing, while at the same time our practices are not in harmony with the Word of God. We are not to believe every spirit, but we are to try the spirits, whether they be of God. The true Spirit is always in harmony with the Word, and will never lead to fanaticism or to spurious exercises. GCB July 1, 1900, page 177.6
The following words from a recent Testimony are very significant: “My brother, there is danger of those in our ranks making a mistake in regard to receiving the Holy Ghost. Many suppose an emotion or a rapture of feeling to be an evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. There is danger that right sentiments will not be understood, and that Christ’s words, ‘Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,’ will lose their significance. There is danger that original devisings and superstitious imaginings will take the place of the Scriptures. Tell our people, Be not anxious to bring in something not revealed in the Word. Keep close to Christ. Remember his words: ‘Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ He is with us as we teach the words he spoke in the Old Testament as well as in the New. He who gave commandment in the New GCB July 1, 1900, page 177.7
Testament is the one also who gave the instruction contained in the Old Testament. The Old and New Testaments are both sacred; for they both contain the words of Christ. All communication from heaven to earth since Adam’s fall has come through Christ. He who believes the instruction contained in the New Testament and in the Old, doing those things which Christ has commanded therein, has the Saviour always with him.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.1
Again: “The apostles and prophets and holy men of old did not perfect their characters by miracles, by some wonderful and unusual demonstration; but they used the ability given them by God, trusting alone in the righteousness of Christ. And all who will use the same means may secure the same result.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.2
And again: “Satan willing that every transgressor of God’s law shall claim to be holy. He is satisfied when men rest their faith on spurious doctrines and religious enthusiasm; for he can use such persons to good purpose in deceiving souls.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.3
To carry the thought a little further, I quote these words from “The Desire of Ages:” “Jesus met Satan with the words of Scripture. ‘It is written,’ he said. In every temptation the weapon of his warfare was the Word of God. Satan demanded of Christ a miracle as a sign of his divinity. But that which is greater than all miracles, a firm reliance upon a ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ was a sign that could not be controverted. So long as Christ held to this position, the tempter could gain no advantage.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.4
Satan is going to demand of us a sign that we are the people of God; and I am fearful that many, through presumption and desire for self-exaltation, will accept the challenge, and thus place themselves under his deceptive power; and then Satan will inspire them to do some act which they will attribute to the mighty power of God. GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.5
OUR CAUSE OF REJOICING
If we have our eyes fixed upon miracles or some wonderful demonstrations as an evidence of the presence of God with us as a people or as individuals, we have our eyes on the wrong thing. If the devil can get us to trust in something aside from a plain “Thus saith the Lord,” he has us in a position where he can deceive us; and we may be among the number who shall ask, in that day, “Have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” and to whom will be spoken the solemn words: “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.6
The Saviour said: “These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” But the seventy, who returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name,” were reproved for their wrong conception of what should be the true cause for rejoicing,-not the works that they were able to perform in the Master’s name, but the fact that their names were written in heaven. It is the blessed privilege of each one of us to know that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and in this we may rejoice. GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.7
We are not to depend upon the fact that we are connected with the remnant church, and are acquainted with the teachings of the Bible in regard to the Sabbath of the Lord, the state of the dead, and other doctrines which we denominate present truth. All this is essential; but this alone will never save a single soul. While we can never have too thorough a knowledge of the great pillars of our faith, a mere acquaintance with the theory of the truth will not save us. We must know for ourselves that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and that pardon is written opposite them. GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.8
There is a beautiful hymn which we sometimes sing, entitled “He Knows.” Do you not want to know what God knows about you? I want to know what God knows about me, because now is the time to know that; for if you and I are not right, we now have the opportunity to get right before probation’s hour closes. It will be of no avail to know of our condition after the fiat has gone forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still;” it will be of no avail after the declaration, “It is done,” has been spoken, and Jesus has left the heavenly sanctuary; it will be of no avail after probation’s hour has passed forever, and the angel of mercy has taken her flight from this world, never to return. But now, now, while probation’s hour lingers, God in mercy and love is speaking to us through the Testimonies of his Spirit, revealing to us our true condition. GCB July 1, 1900, page 178.9
A TERRIBLE CONDITION
God, who knows our condition better than we, has recently said: “The great day of God which is right upon us, awakens neither alarm nor rejoicing in the heart.” My brethren, that portrays a dreadful situation, a terrible condition of things among the remnant people of God. GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.1
If our hearts were all aglow with the truth that we profess to believe, would we not rejoice to know that the great day of God, the day of our deliverance, is right upon us? We are in a world of sickness and sorrow. Sin and iniquity confront us at every turn. Perplexities and trials are constantly increasing, and will increase still more. We are told that the Lord is coming to take us to the beautiful home that he has gone to prepare, where the things that mar this life can never come; and yet this precious truth awakens no rejoicing in our hearts! What a startling revelation of the hold that earth has upon us! How little we appreciate what the Lord has in store for those who love him, and who long for his appearing! GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.2
If we believe that the Lord’s coming is near, and if we were ready for that event, would not there be rejoicing in our hearts? Would not our very faces glow with expectancy? But, brethren, it is near at hand. We are on the very verge of the eternal world. The next event of importance to this earth will be the coming of our Lord and Master in the clouds of heaven; yet God, who looks down from his throne above into the hearts of every one of us here this day, he who knows our true condition, our true standing in the heavenly sanctuary, says that that day, although it is right upon us, awakens neither alarm nor rejoicing. If we believed that that day was near, and knew our condition,—that we are not ready to meet him in peace,—would we not be alarmed? If this company could realize at this time the nearness of that event, and what it involves, and if each one could realize that he is not ready, there would be such a seeking of the Lord during this week of prayer as we have not seen hitherto. Proud hearts would be humbled, confessions made, and wrongs righted. There would be a weeping between the porch and the altar, saying, “Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach.” There would be a rending of the heart, and not of the garments. GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.3
BUT FEW WILL BE SAVED
Right here I wish to refer to one of the most dreadfully solemn statements that has ever come to us: “It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner. They are professedly serving God, but they are more earnestly serving mammon.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.4
Think of it, brethren and sisters! not one in twenty! It is not a solemn statement? Would to God that the Spirit that invited these words, might impress them upon the hearts of everyone who hears them to-day! GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.5
That was written in the year 1892, and some may think that since that time there has been a change for the better. I can answer only in the language of a sentence from a communication of very recent date, which says: “There are many who are unprepared to meet Christ, because they are not doers of the Word.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.6
THE STANDARD OF CHARACTER
What does Christ say, in the words chosen for my text?—“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” In the seventh chapter of Matthew we find the sum and substance of all the teachings of the Bible, of both the law and the prophets, summed up in one short, terse sentence, showing the duty of the Christian to his fellow Christian, and to all around. That sentence we call the “golden rule.” How many of us are practicing the golden rule in our lives? Let us read right here what the Lord, through the Spirit of prophecy, has said about the golden rule: “The standard of the golden rule is the true standard of Christianity. Anything short of it is a deception.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.7
Then if you and I are coming short of the golden rule, found in the seventh chapter of Matthew, that chapter which God says we must read, and read for our lives, we are deceiving ourselves, and coming short of the glory of God. Here is another statement: “When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 179.8
Then if we want the outpouring of the Spirit to carry the message to earth’s remotest bounds with a power that will stir the hearts of the people and ripen the harvest of the earth, is it not time that we study as for our lives the principles of the golden rule, and incorporate them into our daily practice? Is it not time that we lay the golden rule by the side of our actions, and see if we are squaring our lives in harmony with it? see if we are doing to others in every particular as we would have them do unto us? When we come to the place where we shall do that, then envy and jealousy and evil-surmising and evil-speaking and all these hateful things, which are the works of the flesh, will disappear from our midst. Then God can trust us with the outpouring of his Holy Spirit. GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.1
“Not one in twenty.” But suppose there is one in twenty. Let us take it on that basis. Then there would be five out of every hundred. Is it not time that we were beginning to inquire whether we are the one, or whether we are numbered with the nineteen? Every soul here belongs to either one class or the other. To which class do I belong? should be the all-absorbing question with each one until it is settled, and settled forever on the Lord’s side. If this ratio is maintained, what a sifting must come to our denomination! Out of a membership of over sixty thousand, there would be left a little over three thousand. According to that, is there not something to do before the one hundred and forty-four thousand are gathered out? GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.2
“Not one in twenty.” This may seem to us to be too strong a statement, but let us stop and think. How many in the denomination are actively engaged in any kind of missionary work?—Very few. How many are observing the fast spoken of in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah?—Very few. How many are selling and giving alms, as the Lord is calling his people to do, providing themselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not?—Very few. The Lord has said there should be one hundred canvassers in the field selling our books, where now there is one. How many are responding to this call?—Very few. The sin of Sodom was pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness. The angels hurried Lot out of Sodom. The same warnings that came to Lot, are now sounding to a world that is heedless and impenitent. To each of us the message is given, “Haste! Escape for thy life!” Better opportunities will never come. No earthly interest is worth a moment’s consideration where eternal interests are involved. GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.3
If we are mixed up in Sodom; if we are full of pride and full of bread; if we are idle, loving our ease, loving to stay at home, and reluctantly agreeing, or refusing altogether, to make any sacrifice for this precious message, is it any wonder that God says that not one in twenty is prepared to meet the Lord, should he now come in the clouds of heaven? This is a solemn fact; and may the Spirit of God impress every heart to-day, in view of the investigative judgment, which is soon to close, to ask himself the question, To which class do I belong? GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.4
A SOLEMN TIME
When I contemplate this subject, I become so stirred that I find myself wishing for the voice of an angel, that I might arouse the people of God to a realizing sense of the times, and of our condition as viewed by Heaven. Then when I read, on page 42 of “Early Writings,” what was said to the servant of the Lord regarding this time, I feel relieved, after having said what I can to portray the situation: “The mighty shaking has commenced, and will go on, and all will be shaken who are not willing to take a bold, unyielding stand for the truth, and to sacrifice for God and his cause. The angel said, ‘Think ye that any will be compelled to sacrifice?—No, no. It must be a free-will offering. It will take all to buy the field.’ I cried to God to spare his people, some of whom were fainting and dying. Then I saw that the judgments of the Almighty were speedily coming, and I begged of the angel to speak in his language to the people. GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.5
“Said he, ‘All the thunders and lightnings of Mount Sinai would not move those who will not be moved by the plain truths of the Word of God, neither would an angel’s message awake them.’” GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.6
What a condition!—that people who have had so much light should become so asleep, so indifferent, that though an angel were sent down from heaven, he could not arouse them. GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.7
GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE
God is sending us reproofs, but not to discourage us. They are the strongest evidence of his love. He has not cast us off; but he is calling to us and for us, saying, Return, return; oh, why will you die? How many right here to-day will ask themselves the question, Lord, is it I? How stands my account? We are at this time not to worry about the condition of this one or that one, and try to apply these things to somebody else. The Lord wants us to take these things home to ourselves. If we will do this, the Spirit will come in, and it will search our hearts as with a lighted candle. If it reveals to us that we are to-day unprepared to meet our Lord in the clouds of heaven, just as unprepared as the common sinner, then the thing for you and for me to do is not to become discouraged, but to flee to the Lord; humble ourselves before him, confessing our sins; fall upon the Rock, and be broken; accept his forgiveness; and know for ourselves that our names are written in the book of life. God grant that upon this very day many may be constrained to turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and consecrate themselves—soul, body, and spirit—to his service, that in the end they may hear the welcome words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” GCB July 1, 1900, page 180.8
GEO. A. IRWIN. GCB July 1, 1900, page 181.1