Manuscript Releases, vol. 9 [Nos. 664-770]

Mr No. 727—Service of Joyful Obedience

The light that shineth in the face of Christ is reflected by all His followers. Hence the family resemblance in all His children. The image of Christ appears in the character of His followers, because they are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Even on earth we may have spiritual joy as a wellspring never failing, because [it is] fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God. This is the source of all true excellence of character. 9MR 210.1

In heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality. When Satan in heaven rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something they had not thought of. Love for God and for the Commander in high heaven, had been without one drawback. In their ministry the angels did not work as servants, they were not doing the will of God for wages, or to secure position; not to increase their importance or minister to their own pleasure; but their will was identical with the will of God. There was a perfect unity of taste and inclination between the angels and their Creator. Obedience was no drudgery to them. It was a delight.—Letter 4, 1892, p. 15. (To Sister A. G. Daniells, September 19, 1892.) 9MR 210.2

White Estate

Washington, D. C.,

May 3, 1979.