Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 37, 1900

The Revelations of the Judgment

July 8, 1900 [typed]

Portions of this manuscript are published in UL 203. +^Note

To what end has man been endowed by God with superior gifts? That he may magnify the Lord God of Israel. A lawyer came to Christ with the question, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? ... And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live.” [Luke 10:25, 27, 28.] In his teaching Christ presented to man a noble and vastly important work. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 1

In the day when every one shall be rewarded according to his work has been, how will transgressors appear in their own sight as for a few moments they are permitted to see the record of their life as they have chosen to make it, regardless of the law which through the eternal ages will govern the universe? They will then see what God desired them to do. They will realize that they should have used their blood-bought privileges in behalf of truth and righteousness. They will see that instead of placing their talents and influence on the side of rebellion, thus strengthening the forces of the enemy, they should have devoted their powers to being and doing good. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 2

Christ gave His life to redeem transgressors, to save men from Satan’s power, to enable them, by obedience, to vindicate the immutability of the law of Jehovah. He designed them to declare, by lives of consecrated service, that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. He died to make it possible for them to be partakers of the divine nature. To them He gave the privilege of being sons and daughters of God, joint-heirs with Christ to an immortal inheritance. He pledged Himself to conform the nature of fallen man to the laws and authority of the kingdom of God. When in faith and love man submits to Him, He will fill his heart with His divine life. He will make him one with Himself, so that the thoughts and aims will be identical with the thoughts and aims of the Saviour. The man will be born again, not of flesh, but of the Spirit, and to obey will be to carry out his own will. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 3

This work of conversion is a work which Christ alone can do. “Other sheep I have,” He said, “which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.” [John 10:16.] 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 4

In the day of judgment men will see what they might have become through the power of Christ. They will see the robbery that they have practiced toward God. They will realize that they have apostatized from their Creator. They will see the good they might have done but did not do. They utterly refused to be made better. The efforts put forth in their behalf were in vain. They knew the claims of God, but they refused to comply with the conditions laid down in His Word. By their own choice they were united with demons. The power given them to use in God’s service they used in the service of self. They made self their god, refusing to submit to any other control. They deceived themselves, and made themselves contemptible in the sight of God. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 5

As they worked on the side of the power of darkness, they encouraged others to do the same. They arrayed themselves, soul, body, and spirit on the side of the enemy, laying as a willing offering on the altar of Satan that which they should have given to God. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 6

Although there was among themselves jealousy, envy, and discord, yet they were linked together as with iron bands in opposition to the laws which bring peace and harmony to the world. Fallen men and fallen angels are sure to join in desperate companionship. He who fell because of apostasy works constantly against goodness and obedience. He is leagued with those who refuse to keep God’s law. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 7

In the day of judgment all this opens up before the impenitent. Scene after scene passes before them. As plainly as in the light of the noon-day sun, they <all> see what they might have been had they cooperated with God instead of opposing Him. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 8

The picture cannot be changed. Their cases are forever decided. They must perish with the one whose ways and works they followed. 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 9

A flash of light will come to all lost souls. They will see clearly the mystery of godliness, which during their lifetime they despised and hated. And the fallen angels, endowed with higher intelligence than man, will realize what they have done in using their powers to lead human beings to choose deception and falsehood. All who have united with the deceiver, all who have learned his ways and practiced his deceptions, must perish with him <because they have the seeds of rebellion in them and have worked in their own way, carrying out their own devisings. Companies are formed in this world to strengthen Satan’s methods to destroy the influence of God’s appointed agencies. Where these should have been almost innumerable multitudes that expect to be saved, they have joined the rebel leader and would, if they only had a chance, carry on the work they began in this world to mold minds to their ideas. The Lord Jesus looks pityingly upon them and says, “Depart.” At that time Zechariah, chapters 3 and 4, will be understood.> 15LtMs, Ms 37, 1900, par. 10