General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

THE SABBATH SERMON

ELDER M. C. WILCOX preached in the forenoon at the Tabernacle from Hebrews 12:29: “Our God is a consuming fire.” After stating that fire was the most complete purifying agent known, and that consuming fire was a symbol of purification, the speaker made the following points:— GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.2

1. It is God’s presence and glory which purifies and consumes; and this glory manifest in his own personal presence by his Spirit, in Jesus Christ, and in his word. What is said of God’s character and power is said of his word. What is spoken of as being done by God’s presence is spoken of as being done by his breath and by his word. Jeremiah 23:29; Isaiah 11:4; Hosea 6:5; Psalm 33:6, 9. In God’s word is the life of God to work out the very mission on which God sends it. John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.3

2. We may get a faint idea of the brightness and power of God’s presence by the following texts: Isaiah 30:26; Revelation 21:23; 22:5; Isaiah 60:19; 24:23; 1 Timothy 6:15, 16. Although the brightness of the moon shall be as the brightness of the sun, and although “the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days,” their glory shall be “ashamed,” or eclipsed, before the glory of God. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.4

3. God’s glory consumes only sin and the result of sin. It purifies only from that which is impure, and all impurity comes in consequence of transgression or perversion of God’s laws. In the very nature of the case, iniquity cannot endure God’s presence or gaze. Evil cannot dwell with him. Hebrews 1:13; Psalm 5:4. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.5

4. But it is God’s will that his glory shall be everywhere; that his presence may be unvailed before his creatures. Therefore in his revelation of himself to man, God in mercy vails his glory, that sinful man may endure it and receive it, and by it be glorified. Therefore Christ, the revelation of God, came “in the likeness of sinful flesh.” He was “God manifest in the flesh.” GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.6

So also the glory of God’s word is vailed in humanity. As Jesus was among men, so is the Holy Scripture of God among the writings of men. God’s glory was in Christ, though it was vailed. To some, Jesus was only a man, but to those who believed, he was the power of God and the wisdom of God. To some, God’s word is like the words of men, his Book like all books; but to those who believe, God’s word is the power of God and the wisdom of God. God’s words, God’s laws, are his ministers, bearing his life, his power, his glory, to all who will receive them, but working condemnation and death to all who reject them. John 6:63; Romans 7:10. God thus revealed himself in mercy and truth, that iniquity might be purged, or consumed, that man might be cleansed, or purified, by God’s glory received in his word. Titus 2:14; Acts 15:9; 1 Peter 1:2, John 17:17; 1 John 1:9; Jeremiah 23:29; Malachi 3:3; Zechariah 13:9. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.7

5. This is the object of God through Jesus Christ in his word. The object of Satan was to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan promises man life in himself, and his ministers have always sought to confirm man in this promise, and so confirm him in his sins. Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 13:22. To him who by faith receives God’s glory in his heart, the sin will be consumed, removed, destroyed. But he who, contrary to God’s warning, contrary to God’s pleading, retains his sin, and thus identifies himself with the sin, will be destroyed. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.8

A double illustration of this is given in Leviticus 9:24 and 10:1, 2. In the former the sins had been yielded to God, the faith had been manifest in the offerings made before him, and the fire, the glory, of God, consumed the offering, which represented the sin, a manifestation of God’s mercy in forgiving and cleansing from sin. But on the other hand, the sons of Aaron who would not yield the sin, who came before the Lord identified with the sin, were destroyed by the glory of God. Another illustration is given in Exodus 19 and 24. To the sinful children of Israel the sight of God’s glory was like devouring fire, and the words of God’s law were to them the ministers of condemnation; but to Moses, who had received God’s glory by faith into his life and character, God’s presence was the glory of justification, and his words ministers of righteousness and life. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.9

Another illustration of the power of God’s glory to save the righteous who yield to him, but destroy those who come into his presence, is found in Acts 5:1-13. So when Jesus shall come in the fullness of God’s glory, the wicked shall be consumed by the spirit of his mouth, and be destroyed by the brightness of his presence. 2 Thessalonians 2:8. But by this same presence his saints will be glorified, or, rather, God’s glory is then revealed in them. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Romans 8:17-19. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.10

6. The fullness of God’s glory will be again revealed, when God’s people will see him face to face, with no dimming vail between. Revelation 21:3; 22:3, 4. GCB March 4, 1895, page 457.11

7. God is calling men to receive this glory in their heart and life now, that they may endure and eternally enjoy the presence of his glory, throughout the ages to come. “The pure in heart shall see God.” GCB March 4, 1895, page 458.1