General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

The Sermon - SETTING JUDGMENT IN THE EARTH

J. O. CORLISS

Monday, May 17, 7:45 P. M.

I will first read the first verse of the forth-second chapter of Isaiah: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.5

The person to whom these words apply certainly occupies an honorable position. We are to regard this Being as one in whom God delights and whom he upholds. The original conveys the idea of upholding or retaining: he is one whom God retains in his service. Without discussing, for the moment, the Being here spoken of, let us consider the reason why God has uttered such wondrous words concerning this servant. He says further: “He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.6

These verses bring to view the character of the work that is here accomplished by this servant. He was not to make a great demonstration. And he would not fail nor become discouraged. This was one great reason why God upholds, or retains, this servant. The word “fail” is better rendered by a synonym in the original, “He shall not become weak nor be broken until he have set judgment in the earth.” This is one of the things that recommends this servant to God, that he remains loyal amid all the difficulties and the trials that could come upon him. Of course all will agree that these words are spoken of Christ. He had this special mission in the earth. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.7

Now what is meant by his setting judgment in the earth? When he came, the world was in darkness. God had never been seen by any individual. In John 1:18 we read: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.8

The work of Jesus Christ was to represent God before the world, in order that they might have an opportunity to declare themselves for him. Judgment could not have taken place in the world had not the Lord Jesus Christ come and set that judgment in the earth. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.9

This is clearly sustained by the Saviour himself. In John 15:24 we read, “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” In Jesus Christ they saw the Father. They would not have sinned, had he not come and lived the life that God designed him to live on the earth. There was a responsibility upon him to bring before the people of the world the semblance of God, that they might know his character. Then they would have no excuse in the judgment for not serving him. This is further stated in verse 22: “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.10

Then the mission of Jesus Christ was to set judgment in the earth in the sense of making the world responsible in the judgment for their own action. They could not plead ignorance of God and his work. Paul brings out this thought in other words in Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead; so that they are without excuse.” God has done everything in his power to reveal himself to the world. Not only do the heavens declare his glory, but God gave his Son that the world might know that there is a Creator. But as the greatest revelation, Jesus Christ was sent into the world that God might be seen in flesh. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.11

This thought is again stated in John 9:39: “Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” Following this we read, “Some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” Every individual who sees God through Jesus Christ, and then rejects the truth, has the sin resting upon him that the truth of God brings before him. Therefore judgment is set in his case. That was the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.12

Of course Satan endeavored to obstruct the work of Jesus Christ. Having control of the minds of men, he would have them continue in his service. In Matthew 8, we read of the time when Christ was in the boat with the disciples. “There arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.” Probably this was all designed on his part. It was for a purpose. “And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.13

There was an object in Christ’s standing there and making the sea calm for his disciples. It was that they might inquire, “What manner of man is this?” It was that he might reveal to them the power of God revealed through himself. And he did this at every opportunity that presented itself. We have the record of many instances, but we shall consider only a few. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.14

There was the raising of the son of the widow of Nain. This young man was being carried out to the tomb. He was the only son of a widowed mother. No doubt a great multitude was following, as is the custom in that country even to this day, making a great noise, trying to appear to be mourners. These mourners were hired for this occasion. The Saviour took in the whole situation. He saw an opportunity for revealing God to the multitude. So he touched the bier, and commanded the carriers to set it down. They obeyed wonderingly. Then Jesus said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” When these words were uttered, the young man arose. He sat up and looked around. See the mother as she stands there almost breathless. Can it be true? Is this, may son, alive? The whole multitude saw it. They saw this manifestation of the power of God, and as a result they became responsible for their acceptance or rejection of his salvation. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.15

Consider for a moment the death of Lazarus, as recorded in John 2. The Jews were weeping, and the Saviour asked them to roll away the stone, and they did so. He quietly prayed to God, and spoke to Lazarus the words, “Come forth.” Suddenly there was a hush, and he arose. This was done in order that those about might see the mighty power of God. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.16

The Saviour did not fail nor become discouraged. His courage remained strong and firm, no matter what he went through. He is our example. He did not become disheartened, and give up the work laid upon him. When he came to the awful hour in Gethsemane, for a little time the humanity in him asserted itself, but it was soon overcome by his divinity. He said, “My soul is troubled,” or, in other words, “I see what I must pass through.” His humanity shrank from the suffering, and he cried to God, “Father, save me from this hour;” but instantly he changed that prayer, and said, “But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.” Here divinity triumphed over the human feeling. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.17

I would that we, when we see a difficulty and trial ahead of us, could use that same prayer, and say, “Father, I know that the greatest trial of my life is before me. I am going to the hardest field that the world knows, and I shall suffer; but, Father, glorify thy name. I do not ask to have my name glorified.” When we come to that experience, this message will go faster than it has ever gone before. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.18

The Father responded to the request of Jesus by saying, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” There was strength for him in that word, and he knew he could go through the trail unscathed. Some of those who stood by and heard the voice, thought it thundered. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.19

After he had gained the victory, he could say, “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” By this he meant, My work is done; now I have accomplished the very work that the Lord gave me to do; I have not failed; I have not been discouraged; I have set judgment here in the earth. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.20

My brethren, let us look at this lesson that is drawn for us. In his inaugural address the Saviour says, “Ye are the light of the world.” You are here to do the very work which I came to do. God wants men to have the opportunity of knowing what is required of them, and then they can make an intelligent choice regarding their salvation. GCB May 19, 1909, page 73.21

What is the work that we have to do in our generation?—It is to bring the light to the people, in order that judgment may be set in the world in this generation. Suppose we are perfectly satisfied that we are saved. But what about our neighbors who are in darkness? We can not be a light to them under those circumstances. It is our duty so to labor that they may have the light set before them, and become responsible to God in the judgment of the great day. That is why the Lord said, “I will put my Spirit upon you,” and, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” The Spirit of Christ now in me will cause me to do just the same as the Spirit did when Christ was on earth. When an individual is filled with God’s Spirit, he will go and do and be whatever the Spirit of God designs. We must be passive in the hands of the Lord, so he can use us. GCB May 19, 1909, page 74.1

In Colossians 1:23, 24, the apostle Paul tells us why he passed through so many trials. It was because he was made a minister to fill up the afflictions that Christ left behind for him to fill up. Paul was suffering for the sake of those who ought to be saved in the kingdom of God. He was a passive instrument to represent the Lord, and do the work that he would have done. GCB May 19, 1909, page 74.2

Are we looking for the outpouring of the latter rain and the reception of the Holy Ghost? Its reception will depend upon our attitude to the Word. When it is received, there will be a power with this people that will make the world tremble. GCB May 19, 1909, page 74.3

There never was a generation since time began that was so fraught with the things of eternity as this one, because we believe that this generation will see the closing up of the things of this world. It is the work of this generation to establish the judgment in the minds of men, and to fix in their minds such a knowledge of the truth that they will have no excuse in the day of God. GCB May 19, 1909, page 74.4

Here is a world pleading for God. My soul has been stirred as I have heard these pleas, and I have wished that I could be brought back forty years. I would go to the distant parts of the world, and I would stay there until the work was done. That angel is still flying to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, saying, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” There is upon this denomination the greatest work that was ever committed to man. O, that our eyes could be opened to see what God wants us to do! It seems to me the time has come for a consecration such as this people has never known. What shall be done in order that this may take place? You and I must receive this outpouring, and my soul longs for it. I plead with God, “Take away every selfish motive. Mark out my course before me. Do not let me choose for myself.” There is a satisfaction in such a consecration. Will you covenant to God tonight that you will consecrate yourselves more heartily than ever before to him and this work? GCB May 19, 1909, page 74.5

God grant we shall, and so be prepared for the great work that is before us. GCB May 19, 1909, page 74.6