Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 72, 1902
A It Was in the Days of Noah
NP
June 4, 1902 [typed]
This manuscript is published in entirety in 18MR 92-100.
“As it was in the days of Noah.” [Luke 17:26.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 1
We are living in the very last days of this earth’s history. The terrible calamities that have recently visited our country show that the judgments of the Lord are falling on the world. The destruction of these cities is a warning to us to prepare for what is coming upon the earth. In the future there will be broken thrones and great distress of nations with perplexity. Satan will work with intense activity. The earth will be filled with the shrieks of suffering, expiring nations. There will be war, war. The places of the earth will be in confusion, as from its bowels pour forth its burning contents, to destroy the inhabitants of the world, who in their wickedness resemble the inhabitants of the antediluvian world. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 2
In that time, as in this, there were two classes, the righteous and the wicked. Enoch and others walked with God in uprightness. But the great majority of the inhabitants of the earth were given over to iniquity, and their wickedness rose before God. The earth “was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ... The wickedness of man was great in the earth,” and “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” “And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.” “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:11, 5, 12, 6, 7, 13.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 3
God gave direction that an ark was to be built for those who desired to be saved from the coming destruction. He was about to speak in determined language against the wickedness that had grown to fearful proportions. He was about to clothe Himself with vengeance and execute His judgment against the transgressors of His law. He would arise out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity and bold transgression. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 4
Christ declared that as it was in the days of Noah, so it would be in the day of His coming. [Luke 17:26.] And the war, the bloodshed, the wicked deeds of the old world, fill the world today. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 5
Those who keep the law of God will, like Enoch and Noah, give to the world a message of warning. In Jude we read: “Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these things, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” [Jude 14, 15.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 6
This whole chapter is a warning of the feeling that will exist in the world and that will increase in intensity to the close of time. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 7
“These speak evil of those things which they know not; but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear, clouds are they without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” [Verses 10-13.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 8
“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s person in admiration because of advantage.” [Verse 16.] These words will be fulfilled. Selfish plans, for the uplifting of self, will be made and carried out. Men will strive, as did Nebuchadnezzar, to glorify self. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 9
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.” [Verses 20-25.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 10
The combat of wrong against right will be fierce and terrible. The forms of evil, nursed by rebellion against God, and strong with the growth of centuries, will show what lawless transgressors can do in connection with their leader. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 11
Let Seventh-day Adventist remember that they are now to stand as men and women prepared for the issue. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 12
*****
The Love of Our Redeemer
Clothing His divinity with humanity, Christ came to this world to seek and save the lost. In every deed and word He was unselfish. His only motive was the love that He bore to the race, a love unsurpassed by any other love that has ever been shown. He came to show what human beings may become if they will unite their weakness with His strength. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 13
Satan has declared to His synagogue that man could not keep God’s commandments. One soul saved would prove this statement false. One soul saved would demonstrate the righteousness of God’s law. Christ came to this earth, and by a life of obedience showed that man could obey. He canceled the guilt resting on the sinner. That the sinner might stand before God clothed with the robe of righteousness, Jesus clothed Himself with the robe of sorrow. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 14
Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. From the manger to the cross he followed Him, striving constantly to gain the mastery over Him. He filled the hearts of the priests and rulers with hatred toward Him, till at last the Saviour stood in Pilate’s judgment hall in the hands of a lawless mob, whose hearts were filled with the violence that Satan only can inspire. His agents, disguised in the robes of priests and rulers, joined hands with the lowest and most degraded in an effort to take the life of the Son of God. How could the beings He had created, the beings He loved so well that He left His heavenly home to come to this earth in their behalf, sink to such depths of wickedness that they would personate Satan in fighting against Him! 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 15
Stand before the cross, and learn from it the cost of redemption. With breaking heart, the Holy Sufferer looks up to God, and cries, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?” [Matthew 27:46.] His heart was breaking under the thought of the woe that was to come upon the actors, under a sense of their ingratitude, under the weight of the sin He Himself must carry for them. No heart save His own could approach unto such sin-bearing. Amidst His agony there came from heart and lips the wonderful prayer, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 16
The angels of heaven sympathized with their loved Commander. Gladly would they have broken their ranks and gone to His assistance. But this was not God’s plan. Our Saviour trod the winepress alone, and of the people there was none with Him. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 17
“Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we might be called the sons of God.” [1 John 3:1.] “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins;” “and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” [1 John 4:10; 2:2.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 18
*****
Trees of Righteousness
Man is a tree planted by the hand of God in His own garden, brought under His own culture. It is His purpose that His people shall be trees of righteousness, bearing much fruit for Him. Of those who co-operate with Him in carrying out this purpose, it is written, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not whither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” [Psalm 1:3.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 19
Christ declared, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ... Herewith is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:1, 2, 8-11.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 20
What fruit does Christ expect from His disciples? The exerting of an influence like the influence exerted by the Redeemer. He expects us to follow His example of perfect goodness, living in obedience to all His commandments. Thus it is that we become Christlike. Only thus can we bear much fruit. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 21
Justification is the reward of faith in the righteousness of Christ. His imputed righteousness brings every one who accepts Him as a personal Saviour into conformity to the will of God. His righteousness goes before them. He leads the way, bidding us follow Him. He who follows Christ must live in obedience to the law of God. Sin and holiness cannot unite. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 22
*****
Christ’s Legacy of Peace
“The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you; as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” [John 20:19-23.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 23
Christ has left His peace as His legacy to His church. “These things have I spoken unto you,” He said, “being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” [John 14:25-27.] The comfort that Christ gave to His disciples in that trying hour was that they should be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 24
To those who accept Christ by living faith, He gives power to become sons of God. They enter His school; they are His students. They need not be troubled or anxious; for He will ratify His promise to them. He will not restrict His Word, but will fulfil all His promises. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 25
Christ came to this earth and suffered the sorrows, disappointments, and griefs of humanity, that man might stand on vantage ground before angels and before men, revealing to the world the attributes of God. Let us put self out of sight and think more of Christ. People are longing to hear of the Saviour from those who have learned of Him His meekness and His lowliness, and who can therefore speak words of sincere experience. Such ones inspire faith and confidence. They show no coarseness of speech, no careless of attitude; for they realize that they are representatives of Christ. By loving one another as He has loved them, they bear witness of Him to the world. They eat His flesh and drink His blood, and this is to them eternal life. They are like Him in character, in manner, in dealing. They rely upon Him as their efficiency, realizing that their power for usefulness is derived from Him. Self is dead, because Christ’s life is their life. In all their daily perplexities and conflicts they show a firm, unwavering confidence in his power. They have proved the truthfulness of the words, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” [Isaiah 26:3.] 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 26
God’s Will, Not Ours, to Control
The Bible is the Word of God to man. In this Word God has revealed His will. Let us study this Word, that we may gain a fuller understanding of God’s will. God has expressed His will. This will is not to be ignored as has so often been done. God’s servants are not to present for signature by their brethren agreements that will give one man the least authority for ruling over his fellow men. No such documents must be signed. No yoke that Christ has not framed is to be bound upon the necks of God’s people. Let those who have been wearing yokes of human devising cast them aside at any cost and take the yoke of Christ. This is the instruction that God has been giving me for the past years and has been repeating the past few days. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 27
This day, June 3, 1902, I am instructed by the Lord to say that our great need now is to know that we are wearing Christ’s yoke. His service brings rest to the soul. Are we, in the fullest sense of the word, heeding the invitation, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] By accepting this invitation, you commit your soul to God as unto a faithful Creator. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 28
Our heavenly Father knows how weak we are. He understands our necessities and our capacities. He has not left us to be guided or controlled by any human will. We are to follow the word, “It is written.” We gain purity of soul through the blood of Jesus, which is efficacious to cleanse us from all sin. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 29
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” [John 13:17; 1 John 2:17.] Let us conform our wills to the will of God. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 30
Remember that however great the wisdom a man may appear to have, if Christ does not abide in his soul, if he is not sustained by the life-giving power of the leaves of the tree of life, he will lead your feet in false paths. However great the capabilities and talents entrusted to a man, unless he is breathed upon by the Lord Jesus, unless the life-giving current from Christ circulates through his soul, unless he receives nourishment from Christ as the branches of the vine receive the sap from the parent stock, he is not, with all his endowments and intelligence, to be trusted as a safe guide for the people of God. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 31
Each human being has a soul to save or a soul to lose. He must remember that under all circumstances he must be a conscientious Christian. If a man misappropriates his wisdom as did the one who was once covering cherub in the heavenly courts and places his judgment as supreme, be afraid of him, and turn from him to the living God. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 32
Let every man now study the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. What is the great work before us?—The proclamation of the gospel, with its life-saving principles, to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. Let no one remain in idleness because he cannot do the same class of work that the most experienced of God’s servants are doing. Because you cannot be in the highest place, will you do nothing? Because you cannot trade upon pounds, will you refuse to trade upon the one pound? Because you have not five talents, will you put your one talent in a napkin and hide it in the earth? Because you cannot work for the multitude, will you refuse to work for individuals? Do the smaller duties waiting for you. Thus you will help those who are bearing heavy responsibilities. Use your talents, be they ever so few. God has certainly given you a work to do for Him. And in all you do, keep the Lord Jesus ever before you. Do all to the glory of His name. You belong to God, and you must do His work. Your life is sustained by the Giver of life. Your every capability, therefore, is to be put to use in His service. By using your talents faithfully and wisely, you are gaining power to do better work, to bear heavier responsibilities. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 33
Whatever you accomplish, be in little or much, leave it with God, remembering that it is not left for man to measure the work or the reward of his fellow men. The Lord Jesus will give you the wages that are your due. Your reward will be in accordance with the spirit in which your work was done. Purity of motive, an earnest desire to glorify God, will bring to the earnest worker the same reward that comes to the one who accomplishes more. It is the principles by which the worker is governed that determine the reward. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 34
It is not alone by the man in high places of responsibility in the ministry or in any other lines of work, not alone by men holding positions on boards or committees or by the managers of our institutions and publishing houses, that the work is to be done that will cause the earth to be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. This work can be done only by the whole church acting their part under the guidance and in the power of Jesus Christ. 17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 35