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Volume 14, Number 11 November 1999 Has Rome Changed? Has Rome Changed? Our Firm Foundation Foundation Our Firm Christ Our Righteousness The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary The Immutable Law of God The Non-Immortality of the Soul The Seventh-day Sabbath Christ Our Righteousness The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary The Immutable Law of God The Non-Immortality of the Soul The Seventh-day Sabbath Christ Our Righteousness The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary The Immutable Law of God The Non-Immortality of the Soul The Seventh-day Sabbath

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  • Volume 14, Number 11 November 1999

    Has Rome Changed?Has Rome Changed?

    OurFirmFoundationFoundationOurFirm

    Christ Our Righteousness

    The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary

    The Immutable Law of God

    The Non-Immortality of the Soul

    The Seventh-day Sabbath Christ Our Righteousness

    The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary

    The Immutable Law of God

    The Non-Immortality of the Soul

    The Seventh-day Sabbath Christ Our Righteousness

    The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary

    The Immutable Law of God

    The Non-Immortality of the Soul

    The Seventh-day Sabbath

  • 2 Our Firm Foundation

    Contending for the Faith

    e d i t o r i a leditorial

    is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 6:12;2 Timothy 1:13.

    To the elders of the church ofEphesus, Paul spoke of “grievouswolves” that would “enter in among”them, “not sparing the flock,” whowould “arise, speaking perversethings, to draw away disciples afterthem.” Then he concluded, “There-fore watch, and remember, that bythe space of three years I ceased notto warn every one night and daywith tears.” Acts 20:29–31.

    Peter warned the church of“false teachers among you, whoprivily shall bring in damnableheresies.” 2 Peter 2:1.

    Therefore, with all theseexamples, we must conclude thatcontending for the faith is animportant part of our Christianexperience, which does not in theleast make us less loving.

    As Seventh-day AdventistChristians we have a definite mes-sage about Creation and the Sab-bath. God bids us to declare,“. . . worship him that made heaven,and earth, and the sea, and thefountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7.

    We have a definite message topreach concerning sin and salvation.With our understanding of thesanctuary, we can declare theeverlasting gospel fully.

    We have a definite messageabout the nature of man that unmasksspiritualism and sets forth the pre-cious truth about the resurrection.

    We have a definite messagebased on the prophecies that

    declares that the judgment has comeand that we must not worship thebeast and his image.

    If ever there were a movementthat had clear-cut doctrines for theirtime it is the Advent movement. Tominimize these truths is to destroythe whole purpose of Adventism.Yet, to contend for the faith we mustbe prepared to give an answer forour faith.

    I would encourage you to gothrough a good set of Bible studiesand/or Bible Readings for the Home.Consecrate yourself to God everyday and begin to commit Bible textsto memory. Be a loving Christianand keep these four principles inmind when you are sharing yourfaith:

    1. Show respect for the one withwhom you are communicating.

    2. Do not get angry nor use harshwords.

    3. Present your view with convic-tion.

    4. Appeal to the hearts—as well asto the heads—of those withwhom you study. Connect eachsubject that you share withthem back to Jesus. !

    Jeff Wehr, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

    1. The American Heritage College Dictionary, 407.“An opinion especially associated with theGnostics that Jesus had no human body andonly appeared to have died on the cross.”

    ude wrote, “Beloved, when I gaveall diligence to write unto you ofthe common salvation, it was

    needful for me to write unto you,and exhort you that ye shouldearnestly contend for the faith whichwas once delivered unto the saints.”Jude 3.

    In this age of ecumenism,peace and harmony have supersededthe importance of emphasizingdistinctive Biblical truths. We aretold to set aside our differences andsimply unite in brotherly love. WhileI firmly believe in Christ’s commandto love one another—even ourenemies—this does not prevent usfrom upholding the standard oftruth.

    The early church was a lovingchurch, which at the same time feltit necessary to confront threateningdoctrinal dangers. The belovedJohn, who wrote extensively aboutlove, also warned in his epistlesabout the deadly heresy ofDocetism.1 See 1 John 1:1–3; 4:2. Healso warned against the false teach-ing that a believer is beyond tempta-tion—as well as equally warningagainst those who taught that wecannot keep the commandments.John uses very strong languageagainst them saying that such a one“is a liar, and the truth is not inhim.” 1 John 2:4.

    The apostle Paul wrote toTimothy, saying, “Fight the goodfight of faith.” “Hold fast the formof sound words, which thou hastheard of me, in faith and love which

    !

    Hope International is a special ministry assisting in the God-given work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Webelieve this remnant church of Bible prophecy has been brought into existence by the calling of the Lord, and we lookfor its final triumph in purity at the second coming of Christ. That the church does not now perfectly reflect the willof our Lord is cause for sorrow, but not for discouragement. The Word of God stands pledged that all within herborders will be sifted and tried, and, though the greater portion will fail the test, there will yet remain a remnant tohonor the Lord by their obedience to all His commands. Therefore, Hope International urges upon all the duty ofsupporting the Seventh-day Adventist Church in every way possible, insofar as is consistent with the principles of thegovernment of God and the leading of His Holy Spirit upon the heart.

    About Hope International . . .

    2 Our Firm Foundation

  • 3Vol. 14, No. 11 3Vol. 14, No. 7

    It is the mission of Hope International andthe editors of Our Firm Foundation to clearlypresent Christ and His truth. The days thatyet remain of this world are few, and whatwe do we must do quickly. We must boldlyproclaim the historic truths of Adventismthat place us on so firm a foundation in themidst of this troubled world. –Editors

    Executive Editor: Ron SpearAssociate Editor: Jeff WehrAdministrator / Editorial Committee

    Chairman: Harry HansenManaging Editor: Harvey SteckEditorial Staff: Philip GarberDesign & Layout: Eddie Hernandez,

    Kevin Patterson

    Subscription InformationPrices for the annual subscription are listedbelow. Although we strive to keep them aslow as possible, if your finances cannotmeet the requested amount, please sendwhatever you can. We want this material tobe available to all. If you wish to give a do-nation to assist in providing subscriptionsfor those whose funds may be limited, sendyour gift marked “Subscription Assistance”to the address below. Your donation is taxdeductible.

    United States: US $24Canada and Mexico: US $34Overseas (surface mail): US $34

    Inquire for overseas air rates.Large Print Edition: US $60Audio subscription: (2 cassettes /

    month) US $60 per year. For foreignsubscriptions, please inquire regard-ing postage.

    Hope International publications may beobtained from the following source:

    Hope InternationalP.O. Box 940

    Eatonville, WA 98328 USA

    Phone: (360) 832-6602Monday–Thursday: 8:30–5:00Friday: 8:30–12:00 Pacific Time

    Fax: (360) 832-3720E-Mail: [email protected]: http://www.hopeint.org

    Shipping InformationFor all products advertised in this publica-tion (unlesss otherwise noted):• Add 10% shipping plus $2 handling.• For destinations outside the USA, please

    add 15% shipping plus $2 handling.• If actual shipping chargers are greater,

    you will be billed the difference.Washington residents: Please add anadditional 7.7% sales tax.All prices are in US dollars.

    Copyright © 1999 Hope InternationalAll images © Photodisc, Inc. unless otherwise noted.

    FoundationOurFirm

    November 1999Volume 14, Number 11

    c o n t e n t stable of contents

    Departments

    Defending the Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

    Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

    News Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

    4

    The Preparation for Y2K You May NotHave Thought OfWhat will you do when the lights go out?Jeff Bell

    8 Are You a Christian?Are we obtaining from the Great Physician the remedyfor the leprosy of sin?Jim Hohnberger

    12 Why the Prophet Got SickWhy should Daniel get sick over 2300 literal days?Ralph Larson

    Has Rome Changed?Are we dependent on 19th century evidence?Russell Standish

    20

    18 True EducationHow to fit our students to unite with saints and angels inthe higher school of heavenEllen G. White

    Growing Up in ChristAn easy-to-follow Bible study for sharing the Sabbathwith your friends, family, and othersLeon Cornforth

    24The BirthrightThree parts, three sons, and three essential charactertraits of God’s remnant churchS. N. Haskell

    26

    28 Conditions of Prevailing PrayerWhat must we do in order to have our prayers answered?E. G. White

  • 4 Our Firm Foundation

    Has Rome Has Rome

    4 Our Firm Foundation

  • 5Vol. 14, No. 11

    Changed?Changed?he answer some give to thisquestion is an emphatic Yes!This is the answer provided

    by Dr. Reinder Bruinsma, secretaryof the Trans-European Division ofSeventh-day Adventists. This Divisionincorporates the following territo-ries: United Kingdom, Ireland,Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway,Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Poland,Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary,Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Bosnia,Slovenia, Croatia, Israel, Albania,Greece, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    In words that cannot bemisunderstood, Dr. Bruinsma hasdeclared: “Although Adventists muststrongly disagree with many aspectsof Roman Catholic teaching andpractice, honesty demands anacknowledgment that in recentdecades Roman Catholicism haschanged in positive ways in mostparts of the world. Now, Catholicsare not only allowed to read theirBibles, but are encouraged to do so.There is much spirituality in theRoman Catholic Church of whichProtestants can be envious. Further-more, the Catholic Church hasformally accepted the principle ofreligious freedom. It is not fair tosuggest that these and other positivedevelopments are just windowdressing and must, in fact, bewatched with suspicion, or that theyshould be seen as clever tactics tolull other Christians into sleep whileCatholics await a fortuitous momentwhen they can wipe out otherChristians, Adventists first andforemost.” Spectrum, vol. 27, issue 3,Summer 1999.

    These are startling words froma Division secretary. PastorBruinsma’s writings are becomingwidespread. Those who received theSouth Pacific Record of July 17, 1999,

    will see his book It’s Time advertised.He has written articles this year inThe Adventist Review, and thus he isbecoming a well-read denomina-tional leader. He was also thefeatured speaker at the AvondaleCollege Homecoming on August 28,1999.

    Every sincere Seventh-dayAdventist will be alarmed that achurch leader would dare to publishan article in the Spectrum magazine.This magazine, which has beenpublished now for 27 years, has atrack record that is simple todiscern. Every effort has been madetherein over the last 27 years todestroy the salient doctrines of theBible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Itis not a magazine which leads menand women to God’s truth, butrather which tears down the sanctu-ary message, Creation, the Spirit ofProphecy, the Sabbath and othervital truths. To publish an article insuch a magazine is tantamount to

    standing on the side of those whooppose the precious truths entrustedto the Seventh-day Adventist faith.

    We are well aware that whendenominational workers publisharticles in godly magazines, such asOur Firm Foundation and The LastGeneration, they do so at the risk oftheir denominational employment.

    Some may ask, who is PastorBruinsma? The Spectrum magazineproduces a short curriculum vitae:“Reinder Bruinsma is the secretaryof the Trans-European Division. Hereceived his B.D. Hons, and Ph.D. intheology from the University ofLondon. An author in English andDutch, he has published numerousarticles and ten books. His mostrecent English book is It’s Time toStop Rehearsing What We Believe andStart Looking at What Difference ItMakes (Idaho: Pacific Press, 1998).”

    Dr. Bruinsma’s ThemeDr. Bruinsma’s theme is that

    Rome has changed in a positive way,and that Seventh-day Adventists mustchange their view of her accordingly.He charges us with holding a view ofthe Papacy based upon those heldgenerally by the American public inthe 19th century: “Most of whatEllen G. White wrote about Catholi-cism originated during this period

    [the 19th century], a time in whichAdventists perceived that externalevents on the American scenecorroborated earlier predictions.Her increasing authority within theSeventh-day Adventist Churchgreatly contributed to the generalacceptance of an eschatologicalscenario that received its more or

    "R u s s e l l R . S t a n d i s h

    Our view of the Papacy is not based upon 19thcentury Protestant bigotry against Roman

    Catholicism. Indeed, it is based upon 6th centuryBC knowledge, and upon 1st century AD

    knowledge.

  • 6 Our Firm Foundation6

    less final formulation in this uniquelate-19th-century American setting.Acceptance of her statements in TheGreat Controversy and elsewhere asinspired pronouncements preventedlater Adventism from taking anotherlook at contemporary Catholicismwhile other Protestants were increas-ingly prepared to do so.” Ibid.

    It will be noted that Pastor

    Bruinsma places emphasis uponSister White’s part in preventingSeventh-day Adventism from alteringits position on Catholicism. This isanother theme coursing through hisarticle: “Still, her [Sister White’s]major writings about Roman Catholi-cism date from the 1880s and 1890s,and thus originated in a climate ofAdventist confidence about thereality of the Catholic threat and theimminence of events predicted fordecades. Once she codified thoseviews, it became virtually impossibleto reevaluate them critically withoutquestioning her prophetic author-ity.” Ibid.

    Dr. Bruinsma also charges thatSeventh-day Adventists have beenunfair to the medieval history of theCatholic Church: “In criticizingCatholic history, Adventists shouldtry to be more balanced than in thepast and should avoid offering asimple extension of the often biasedand inaccurate picture that manypast Protestants have offered of themedieval Church. Medieval Chris-tianity also had positive and beauti-ful dimensions. Moreover, Adventistsmust be willing to acknowledge thatmodern Catholicism has changed inmany ways. It bothers me, in particu-lar, to see how modern Adventistpublications still rely mainly onnineteenth-century sources todescribe Catholic views and inten-tions.” Ibid.

    Now these are very serious anddisturbing charges from a man who

    is a member of the General Confer-ence Committee and who raises hishand in decision-making for ourWorld Church. The real question heis posing is, Have we followedcunningly devised fables? Theanswer is, Absolutely not! Dr.Bruinsma’s charge that we havebased our current understanding ofRoman Catholicism upon 19th

    century events is absolutely false.Our view of the Papacy is not basedupon 19th century Protestant bigotryagainst Roman Catholicism. Indeed,it is based upon 6th century BCknowledge, and upon 1st century ADknowledge, for we have based ourunderstanding of the Papacy inthese last days upon the followingchapters in the Bible: Daniel 7, 8and 12; Matthew 24; 2 Thessalonians2; 1 John 2 and 4; 2 John; Revela-tion 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 19. Thesepassages of Scripture receivedabsolutely no mention in Dr.Bruinsma’s article.

    The Bible and the Spirit ofProphecy Confirmed

    That Dr. Bruinsma shouldwrite in the manner he has at a timewhen the veracity of that which isstated in Scripture and The GreatControversy has never been morespecifically verified, indicates atremendous peril that has enteredour church. Seventh-day Adventistsare becoming blind to RomanCatholicism. Furthermore, theecumenical spirit, which originateswith Satan, is becoming a dominantfeature of our church. Very rightly,Dr. Bruinsma has stated: “Thechurch’s attitude toward the RomanCatholic Church illustrates thedilemma most poignantly. Whenprivate individuals, or ‘independentministries,’ mass-produced excerptsfrom The Great Controversy about thealleged anti-Christian nature of

    Roman Catholicism and thendistributed them far and wide, andwhen some bought advertising spaceon large billboards and newspapersto warn Americans about the realintentions of ‘the Beast’—as hap-pened a few years ago in Florida andOregon and, more recently, duringthe Pope’s visit to Missouri—Churchleaders hastened to distance them-selves and the Church from suchactivities. Yet, the sponsors of thesecampaigns had, in fact, quoted froma book that the Church officiallypublishes in dozens of languagesand had, albeit selectively, usedofficial Adventist teaching. AdventistChurch leaders anxiously emphasizethat, while the future end-timescenario must be kept in mind, weshould not be deterred from havingfriendly relations with other Chris-tian churches. Their critics, however,see this as a dangerous dilution ofthe Adventist task to call people outof ‘Babylon.’ Clearly, this issue ispotential dynamite. Some time soonthe Church must decide unequivo-cally whether it is a Christianchurch—with its own uniquewitness—amidst other Christianchurches, or whether it must standalone over and against all otherChristian bodies.” Ibid.

    At a time when the GeneralConference is pursuing a lawsuitagainst Pastor Raphael Perez and hischurch for using the name ‘Seventh-day Adventist,’ this passage with itsadmission that the use of The GreatControversy, while not approvedwithin many circles in our church,is, nevertheless, based upon ourchurch’s publishing of this wonder-ful book, will look very poorly whenoffered as evidence in court whenthat matter is scheduled to beexamined in the Federal Court inFlorida next March or April. Dr.Bruinmsa’s statement that the issueis one of potential dynamite ismaybe more telling than even hethought.

    Are We Dependent on 19thCentury Evidence?

    Dr. Bruinsma’s complaint thatwe are basing our understanding ofCatholicism upon a few articles fromthe 19th century again must bedeclared to be false. We are notbasing our understanding of the

    It is not Seventh-day Adventists who need toreturn to the 19th century to support truth.Rather, it is the Pope who turns to that very

    century in order to uphold his error.

  • 7Vol. 14, No. 11

    Papacy on out-of-date evidence. Weare basing it upon events in theyears 1998 and 1999. We cannot bemore contemporary than that!

    In his letter Dies Domini,completed on May 31, 1998, andreleased on July 7, 1998, the Popeintroduced the matter of civillegislation to uphold Sunday obser-vance: “Therefore, also in theparticular circumstance of our owntime, Christians will naturally striveto ensure that civil legislationrespects their duty to keep Sundayholy.” Clearly, we can see that it isnot Seventh-day Adventists who needto return to the 19th century tosupport truth. Rather, it is the Popewho turns to that very century inorder to uphold his error. He is theone that Dr. Bruinsma would do wellto charge with this use of 19thcentury material, for he referred tothe encyclical Rerum Novarum whichwas issued in the 19th century byPope Leo XIII who held the pontifi-cate from 1878 to 1903. Thatencyclical also upheld the interven-tion of the state to uphold Sundayobservance.

    By quoting this papal encycli-cal, Pope John Paul II has made itcontemporary Roman Catholicdoctrine. This is what Pope JohnPaul II wrote in his apostolic letterDies Domini: “Pope Leo XIII in hisencyclical Rerum Novarum spoke ofSunday rest as a worker’s right whichthe state must guarantee.” You willnotice that in his own words thePope spoke of civil legislation, andin the words of an earlier pontiff,Pope Leo XIII, he used the words“which the state must guarantee.”What a fulfillment of the words ofThe Great Controversy that Rome doesnot change! Praise God that theservant of the Lord did codify ourposition on Rome, or else we mightbe blinded by the Papacy’s apparentchanges of position! But the Pope inhis letter Dies Domini providesabsolutely irrefutable evidence thatRome has not changed in her desireto utilize the state to enforce its willin relation to the enforcement ofthe counterfeit sabbath.

    Surely God—and God alone—could have inspired Sister White towrite: “Let the restraints nowimposed by secular governments beremoved and Rome be reinstated in

    her former power, and there wouldspeedily be a revival of her tyrannyand persecution.” The Great Contro-versy, 564. The Pope has provided in1998 contemporary evidence of theaccuracy of Sister White’s prophecy.

    Furthermore, three daysearlier, on May 28, 1998, Pope JohnPaul II issued another apostolicletter, Ad Tuendum Fidem (“ToProtect the Faith”). This apostolicletter was designed to insert newcodes into Roman Catholic CanonLaw. Let us look at one of these newCanon Laws, Canon 1436:

    No. 1: “Whoever denies a truthwhich must be believed with divineand catholic faith, or who calls intodoubt, or who totally repudiates theChristian faith, and does not retractafter being legitimately warned, is tobe punished as a heretic or as anapostate with a major excommunica-tion; a cleric moreover can bepunished with other penalties, notexcluding deposition.”

    No. 2: “In addition to thesecases, whoever obstinately rejects ateaching of the Roman Pontiff orthe College of Bishops, exercisingthe authentic Magisterium, have setforth to be held definitively, or whoaffirm what they have condemned aserroneous, and does not retract afterhaving been legitimately warned, isto be punished with an appropriatepenalty.”

    We could be forgiven if we hadthought that these were the words ofa papal encyclical of the 15thcentury—or any century when theInquisition was in its zenith—but, Irepeat, this encyclical was issued onMay 28, 1998! There is nothing 19thcentury in that encyclical! As theservant of the Lord so correctlyforetold: “The papal church willnever relinquish her claim toinfallibility. All that she has done inher persecution of those who rejecther dogmas she holds to be right;and would she not repeat the same

    Now the Pope deigns to introduce new CanonLaws which state that “whoever” . . . will not

    follow the papal dictates will be punished as ahereric.

    acts, should the opportunity bepresented?” The Great Controversy,564. Sister White’s rhetorical ques-tion bears no contradiction.

    Not only does the Spirit ofProphecy assert this fact but Revela-tion 13:15–17 states it in terms thatcannot be refuted. And now thePope deigns to introduce newCanon Laws which state that “who-ever”—not just members of theRoman Catholic faith—but “who-ever” will not follow the papaldictates will be punished as aheretic. Or, as the second part ofthat Canon Law states, “by anappropriate punishment.” Thehistory of the Papacy is replete withthat which it deems to be appropriatepunishment for heretics—the stake,the rack, dungeons, the galleys, andother forms of vile punishment.

    Since the Pope referred to the19th century, I am sure we can beforgiven if we should seek to under-stand just a little more about thethinking of the Pope he quoted—Pope Leo XIII. In his papal encycli-cal on human liberty he stated: “Letus examine that liberty in individualswhich is so opposed to the virtue ofreligion, namely the liberty ofworship, as it is called. This is basedon the principle that every man isfree to profess as he may choose anyreligion or none. . . . a liberty suchas we have described . . . is no liberty

    but degradation.” The Great EncyclicalLetters of Pope Leo XIII, third edition,Benzinger, 1903, 149–150. We maybe charged here with having usedevidence from the 19th century, butlet it never be forgotten that it wasPope John Paul II in 1998 whoreferred to this Pope Leo XIII andhis concept of the state upholdingSunday observance. Thus thepresent Pope has made this work ofLeo XIII current by his support ofthe earlier Pope’s encyclical. !

    To be continued...

  • 8 Our Firm Foundation

    hy, of course, I am! Whydo you ask such a thing?

    Your question even irritatesme! Do you not know that I go tochurch, pay my tithes and offerings,believe in Christ, believe in thetenets of the church, have a cleanlifestyle, and basically try to be agood person? I even do somewitnessing and hand out someliterature. Besides, I belong to theright denomination. Certainly, I am aChristian! You are not going to makeme question my Christianity, are you?”

    If you had been a member ofthe Jewish Church in Christ’s day,

    you would probably have believedyou were a Jew and, thereby, in goodstanding with God. Why?—Becauseyou were a member of the rightchurch—God’s church! By paying afaithful tithe and giving offerings,going to the temple on Sabbath,refraining from unclean meats,following the ordinances of thechurch and looking for the comingof the Messiah, you would have feltquite confident of your standingwith God.

    However, friends, when theMessiah came, only a handful ofpeople recognized Him; only a

    handful followed Him; only ahandful found their salvation inHim. The vast majority of Jews werenot real Jews. In fact, scripturevalidates this: “For he is not a Jew,which is one outwardly: . . . but he isa Jew, which is one inwardly.” Ro-mans 2:28–29. (All emphasis sup-plied by the author unless otherwisenoted.) It is apparent not only fromScripture but also from history thatmost of the Jews were Jews outwardlyonly. In other words, they followed aform, a routine, a ritual—they wentto the right church and believed inthe Bible.

    These professed Jews were thevery ones who crucified ChristHimself—hung Him on the crossand denied Him! It was not just thechurch leadership but also most ofits members who in the end wereJews outwardly only.

    Romans 9:6 puts it this way,“For they are not all Israel, whichare of Israel.” In other words, theyare not all Jews (Christians) whoprofess to be Jews (Christians). Infact, scripture clearly indicates thatthough their numbers “be as thesand of the sea, a remnant shall besaved.” Romans 9:27.

    #

    J i m H o h n b e r g e r

    Are You a Christian?

  • 9Vol. 14, No. 11

    So are you going to be part ofthe remnant? Are you going to be aChristian—not only outwardly, butalso inwardly? Do not rely on yourchurch membership, because it willnot save you. Do not rely on yourmental assent to certain truths, forthey will not save you. Do not relyon your lifestyle changes, nor yourdonations, for they will not save youeither! Salvation is found in Christonly!

    In the day of final reckoning,there is going to be a lot of “weep-ing and gnashing of teeth.” Luke13:28. Millions of professed Chris-tians have been led to trust, in theirchurch, in their creeds, in theirleaders, in their lifestyle, but theyhave not been led into Christ.

    Only those found in Christ willin the end be saved and be found tobe true Christians—versus those whoonly profess to be Christians. Let usvalidate this beautiful truth first withscripture and then define what itmeans to be in Christ.

    We shall start with 1 John5:11–12: “And this is the record, thatGod hath given to us eternal life, andthis life is in his Son.” Could it be anyplainer—any clearer? Even I canunderstand and see it. Eternal life isnot in the church, in a doctrine, or ina lifestyle, but “in his Son.” Verse 12now expounds upon it: “He that haththe Son hath life; and he that hathnot the Son of God hath not life.”

    We must have Jesus. We mustbe “in Christ,” for in Him only iseternal life. But what does it meanto be in Christ?

    Well, it is the opposite of “out.”When Lucifer stepped “out” ofChrist, he decided that his way wasbetter than God’s way. He losteternal life because he chose todisconnect himself from the Sourceof life. He chose to follow his ownwill and way instead of God’s willand way. Whose will and way are youchoosing—yours or Christ’s?

    When Adam chose to step“out” of the will of Christ, hebecame fallen and selfish. He beganto die—to age, to lose his life. Hetoo wanted it his way instead ofGod’s way. Which way is it withyou—God’s way or your own way?

    So then, the word “in” is veryimportant. In fact, it is the apostle

    Paul’s favorite expression, occurringin his epistles more than 70 times.Six of his epistles are addressed tothe saints—the faithful who are “inChrist.”

    Are you in Christ—or merelyin the church, in the truth, intoreforms, into outreach, into end-time events? These without theformer can be a curse. Why?—Because they become a substitute, acounterfeit, a cover-up for the real—the genuine. They have a subtle wayof convincing us that we are the“enlightened ones”—when in realitywe may be the “foolish ones.”

    Are you a wise or a foolishvirgin? The only difference betweenthem was that the wise virginspossessed the oil, which representsthe Holy Spirit. The wise virgins livedunder the influence of the Holy Spirit.Day by day, hour by hour, momentby moment they surrendered to dothe will of God. They were in Christby faith—by a faith that worked and

    cooperated with God in all things inthe present—not in the future.There is a big difference!

    No one is safe unless they arein Christ, in the present, in the now,experientially. Theoretically, we areto assent to what is true, but,experientially, we are to be doers ofHis will and way—not hearers only.All of humanity benefited in Christ’ssubstitutionary role of making anatonement for our sins. Praise God!He is our Substitute. What He did,He did for all of us. Yet, that is onlyhalf of the “in Christ” equation.Christ also invites us, by His preemp-tive grace, to surrender ourselves—mind, body, soul and will—to HisLordship over our lives in thepresent. He invites us because whatHe has done for us, and what He isdoing in us, are to be inseparably one.You cannot have one without theother! Christ cannot be divided; you

    are complete in Him—not apartfrom Him. Therefore, to be com-plete in Him, when you accept Hissubstitutionary role for your sins,you must also accept His role as theLord of your life.

    It was the fact that Lucifer andAdam would not allow Him to betheir Lord that got us all in thismess of sin today. Thankfully, Adamrepented and allowed Christ toregain His position of Lordship overhim. However, Lucifer still resistedcoming under Christ’s control, andhe is now Satan—the leader of thehorrendous revolt. Whose exampleare you following: Adam’s orLucifer’s?

    Millions of Christians haveaccepted Christ’s substitutionaryrole, but they are resisting allowingHim to be the Lord of their entirelife—particularly in the now. Yet,until they do, they are not in Christ.You see, “in” denotes that you arepresently in—right now it is happen-

    ing! You are cooperating with Himin the present, in all your knownchoices—no resistance, no rebellion,just a conscious, “Yes, Lord.”

    For example, it may be 40degrees F (Fahrenheit) below zerooutside, and you may know that inyour house it is a pleasant 80degrees F. However, if you are out inthe cold, you receive no real benefit;you are still outside. Knowing aboutthe 80 degrees in the house doesnot warm you. Talking about it doesyou no saving good. Telling othersabout it does you little practicalgood. The fact that the house ispaid for, and you have a title to it inyour safe deposit box, still bringsyou no present benefit—unless youchoose to go indoors, in the house.

    Just so is it with being inChrist. As long as you remain inChrist, you will receive all thebenefits of His protection, warmth

    Theoretically, we are to assent to what is true,but, experientially, we are to be doers of His will

    and way—not hearers only.

  • 10 Our Firm Foundation

    and security. They are yours! Theyare free, but you have to choose toenter in and remain in. Just as inour illustration of the house, youcan at any time step outside, but, ifyou do, you will then lose all thebenefits of its warmth, security andprotection.

    That is what Paul meant whenhe said in Colossians 2:10, “Ye arecomplete in him”—not in a knowl-edge or profession of Him, butabiding “in him.” In an article inSigns of the Times, July 4, 1892, EllenWhite put it this way: “We arecomplete in Him, accepted in theBeloved, only as we abide in Him byfaith.” Also we find in Acts 17:28:“For in him, we live, and move, andhave our being.”

    Isaiah also understood it whenhe declared, “In the LORD have Irighteousness and strength,” and “In

    the LORD shall all the seed of Israelbe justified.” Isaiah 45:24–25. So asto remove any possible lingeringdoubt, we look again at what Paultaught: “Therefore if any man be inChrist, he is a new creature.”2 Corinthians 5:17. It does not say ifyou are in the church, or in thetruth, or into the doctrine ofsalvation, or into a good lifestyle; itsays we must be in Christ—not justlegally, but experientially. It is ahere-and-now experience of lettingChrist have all of you—that you mayhave all of Him.

    Hopefully, one more text willhelp cement in our hearts andminds what constitutes salvation and,consequently, a true, living Christian:“There is therefore now no condem-nation to them which are in ChristJesus, who walk not after the flesh,but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1.Who are meant by “them”? Can“them” be an Adventist?—Yes! Can“them” be a Baptist?—Yes! Can

    “them” be a Catholic?—Yes! “Youmean to say that there will beCatholics, and Baptists, as well asAdventists, in heaven?”—Yes, if theymeet the condition, which is notwalking in the flesh, but ratherwalking in the Spirit by a living, faithexperience in Christ Jesus.

    You say, “I hear you, Jim, butwill you spell it out practically—nottheologically—how I am to be foundin Christ daily, hourly”? I am gladyou asked because conversion andrighteousness are not received orretained apart from being in Christand continuing to abide in Christ.No man is in a saving relationship anylonger than he abides in Christ andexercises a living faith in Him.

    Being a Christian is not a one-time choice but rather a minute-by-minute, continuous choice to letGod have all of you. Day in and day

    out you are to live for Jesus. Yourfocus is to be in His will—His way.Many attempt to accomplish thisthrough their own humanity. Theyset out with their own strongwillpower and their teeth gritted indetermination to live the Christianlife. However, such efforts always endin defeat!

    How then is it possible to liveevery day, every hour, every momentto the glory of God? It is verysimple! We are to live as Jesus lived.Every morning Jesus took time withGod. We, too, must take time everymorning to give ourselves to God—to surrender ourselves at the begin-ning of every day. It cannot be arushed thing, but time must beallowed for us to commune withGod and really listen to what He issaying to us individually. God speaksto us through the Bible, throughnature, through Providence andthrough impressions in the mind.Then after communing with our

    Father, and making sure that thereis nothing to prevent us fromhearing His voice, we can restassured that He will guide us.

    When we leave our place ofquiet devotion, it is essential to takeGod with us in order to communewith Him throughout the day. Weneed to learn to ask, “What wiltthou have me to do?” Acts 9:6. Godwants us to know that we are not inthis chaotic world alone. We needhelp from a Source outside ofourselves at the beginning of everyday—and then all through the day. Aswe learn to be sensitive to the HolySpirit’s promptings upon our hearts,learning to submit our wills to alwaysdo His will, then it is that, “Christliveth in [us] me.” Galatians 2:20.

    But then temptation comes—perhaps the very same temptation bywhich we have often failed before.In the past we have gritted our teethand tried to resist the temptationuntil we either failed or forcedourselves to obey. However, there isno peace or joy in such an experi-ence. Friends, the true conflict oftemptation occurs in the heart. Youfirst must decide if you want toremain surrendered to God. Whensurrender is your choice, then selfdies and the victory is won! ThenGod supplies all the power to meetthe temptation! This experience ishard, because self—our will andway—must die, but it is the onlypath to peace and joy as a Christian!We must choose to remain inChrist—daily, hourly.

    Now, making the right choicedoes not gain us any merit withGod. We are not saved by ourchoices. Even the very desire tomake the choice of submission toGod is a gift of His grace. Truly,salvation is fully the gift of God! Yet,it is that choice to submit whichallows God the freedom to trans-form our lives through the ministryof His grace upon the human heart.

    It is vitally important to seethis, for most people who have takenthe name of Christ live a strangeamalgamation of Christ and selfcontending for the management ofthe life. This type of Christian life islike a yo-yo—continuously going upand down! Being born of the Spirit

    Every morning Jesus took time with God. We,too, must take time every morning to give

    ourselves to God—to surrender ourselves at thebeginning of every day.

  • 11Vol. 14, No. 11

    is going from that kind of experi-ence to allowing Christ to be thesole Ruler of the life. When thisamalgamation ends, and Christ isgiven complete control, there is restfor the soul. Then we learn the truescience of salvation and the lan-guage of Heaven—which is simplyhow to allow Christ full access to allof our decisions, and then, by Hisgrace, through a living faith, to say“Yes” to God and “No” to self.

    It all has to do with faith—aliving faith—a faith that works bylove and purifies the soul—in whichwe are enabled to live above the pullof the flesh in the present. Faith isnot only a belief in what Christ hasdone for you but also a surrender ofall your known choices to Him—where all your thoughts, feelings andactions are in accordance with Hisknown will, where you choose by Hispreeminent grace to depend only inHim. This is a faith that works!

    Are all your known choicessurrendered to Him? Do you trustonly in His merits for your standingbefore God? Do you depend uponHis power to choose right over

    UpcomingEvents

    11

    wrong? If you do, then you are aChristian. If this is a continuouschoice, a continuous acceptance, acontinuous dependence—then youare continuing to be a Christian.Welcome to the body of Christ!

    Just a final note. Someonemight think that I am anti-church oranti-doctrine or anti-lifestyle becauseI de-emphasize those things. How-ever, that is not so! I believe in thechurch—but only as a tool—not asthe solution. I love the truth, butonly as a means—not as an end. Mylifestyle changes have given me betterhealth and a greater awareness of Hispresence, but I am not made right-eous by eating carrots and bananas.All of those changes are good, butonly as they direct me to Christ.

    They are the dock that leadsus onto the Ship—which is Christ!Let us not be excited just aboutbeing on the dock. Let us continueon and get aboard the Ship—whichis Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour!

    P.S. The Ship will be sailing soon! !

    Week of Prayerwith Ralph Henderson

    Eatonvile, WADecember 13–20, 1999

    Week of Prayerwith Danny Vierra

    Eatonville, WAMarch 13–20, 2000

    Camp MeetingHope International

    Portland, TNMay 25–28, 2000

    Camp MeetingHope International

    Eatonville, WAJuly 25–30, 2000

    Camp MeetingHartland Institute

    Rapidan, VAAugust 1–6, 2000

    Camp MeetingHope International

    Angelus Oaks, CASeptember 7–10, 2000

    Camp MeetingHope International

    Angwin, CASeptember 14–17, 2000

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  • 12 Our Firm Foundation

    nd I Daniel fainted, and was sickcertain days . . . and I wasastonished at the vision, but

    none understood it.” Daniel 8:27.Visions do not ordinarily make

    prophets sick—far from it. They areusually a cause for rejoicing thatGod has remembered His peopleand sent a message to them! It wasso with Ellen White. One of hervisions inspired a fellow believer towrite the song found on page 305 ofthe older hymnal, “We have heardfrom the bright, the holy, land; Wehave heard, and our hearts areglad.” This became one of EllenWhite’s favorites, and she was oftenheard singing it. A message fromHeaven was abundant reason forrejoicing, not only by the prophetbut by all who knew about it!

    However, the situation beforeus is strangely different. Daniel, weremember, was in Babylon. He hadbeen taken there as a prisoner bythe armies of Nebuchadnezzar whilehe was very young. We are allfamiliar with the story of his remark-

    able rise to prominence in the land ofhis captivity. He had been faithful inhis service to the king, but his heart,of course, was in Jerusalem, where thebeautiful sanctuary lay in ruins,defiled and destroyed by the invadingarmies. Daniel tells us in chapter 9,verse 2, that he was familiar with theprophecy of Jeremiah that “the LORD. . . would accomplish seventy years inthe desolations of Jerusalem.” See alsoJeremiah 25:11.

    The seventy years were passingby. The aging Daniel checked themoff as best he could. Every day heprayed with his face toward theruined sanctuary in Jerusalem, nodoubt dreaming of its restoration, andwondering if he would live to see it.Then came that wonderful momentwhen in vision he heard a question:“How long shall be the vision con-cerning the daily sacrifice, and thetransgression of desolation, to giveboth the sanctuary and the host to betrodden under foot?” Daniel 8:13.What a thrilling question, and howintently and eagerly Daniel waited for

    the answer! But when he heard theanswer, it made him sick. Why? (Allemphasis supplied by the author.)

    This was the answer that heheard: “Unto two thousand andthree hundred days; then shall thesanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel8:14. Understood literally, thiswould be between six and sevenyears. Why should that make theprophet sick? Even in his old age,he might live to see it. Should thatnot have made the prophetrejoice? And should not all withwhom he discussed the vision haverejoiced with him?

    But notice the strangereaction—Daniel fainted. Then hewas sick for several days. He wasastonished at the vision. He couldnot fathom it! He talked to othersabout it, but they could notunderstand it either. Why? It seemsvery clear to us. Why was it such aproblem to Daniel and his friends?Why were they not rejoicing?

    I can think of only oneanswer—Daniel was not the only

    R a l p h L a r s o n

    $

  • 13Vol. 14, No. 11

    prophet living in Babylon at thistime. There was another, namedEzekiel, and they would surely haveknown each other. They wouldsurely have talked together abouttheir visions from God. And Godhad given to Ezekiel the understand-ing that a day in symbolic prophecywould be a year in actual time. SeeEzekiel 4:6. (There are those whotry to charge Seventh-day Adventistswith inventing the year-day principle,but this accusation is groundless andwildly off-target. The principle hasbeen recognized and applied byboth Jews and Christians for many,many centuries.)

    I submit that here is theanswer to our question. If Danielknew about the year-day principle,and applied it to the 2300 days, it iseasy to understand his bewildermentand consternation—why he faintedand got sick—heartsick—and why hewas so astonished. The astonishmentof his friends is also quite under-standable. What could have hap-pened to the word of the Lordthrough Jeremiah? This would bethe question in all of their hearts.

    Their basic problem was, ofcourse, that to them there was onlyone sanctuary, the one lying in ruinsin Jerusalem. That was where theirthoughts and hopes were centered.But notice how the angel had triedto get Daniel’s mind off of thatsanctuary. He had said:

    “Understand, O son of man:for at the time of the end shall be thevision.” Daniel 8:17. And again:

    “Behold, I will make thee knowwhat shall be in the last end of theindignation: for at the time ap-pointed the end shall be.” Daniel 8:19.

    But Daniel was so shocked thatthe angel could reveal no more tohim. The angel had to leave himalone for a while. Then when Danielhad sufficiently recovered, and waspraying for understanding, the angelreturned and gave him the explana-tion that we find in chapter 9.

    It is not our purpose in thisarticle to restudy the entire message,but rather to take another look atthe time factor. Again, we point outthat if Daniel had understood the2300 days to be literal days, orbetween six and seven years, hewould have had no problem withthe vision. Here we wish to intro-

    duce an observation made by UriahSmith:

    “As is perhaps natural, theenemy of truth seems most persis-tent in trying to trouble and unsettleminds in regard to the sanctuary; forthat is the citadel of our strength.”Review and Herald, August 5, 1875.

    Some may feel that thesanctuary is not an important part ofour message, but the devil knowsbetter. That is why he ceaselesslyassaults it. Every few years helaunches a new attack, usuallythrough a newly apostate Seventh-day Adventist minister. It is happen-ing as I write. And these apostatesfocus their attention on the timefactor, trying to prove that the 2300

    days-years did not reach up to 1844.The devil knows, and the apostatesknow, that this is a vital part of ourmessage. However, if the 2300 wereonly days, and not years, the visionwould not have made Daniel sick, aswe have just pointed out.

    And if they were only days, andnot years, the “seventy week” portionof the prophecy would be utterlynonsensical. Let us read the angel’swords in Daniel 9:24–25 carefully, asthough the meaning were strictlyliteral “days”:

    “Seventy weeks [490 days] aredetermined upon thy people . . . .”Verse 24.

    “Know therefore and under-stand, that from the going forth ofthe commandment to restore and tobuild Jerusalem [457 B.C.] unto theMessiah the Prince shall be sevenweeks [49 days], and threescore andtwo weeks [434 days].”

    Then there would be a total ofonly 483 days. If these days were notto represent years, then we would berequired to believe that an angelfrom heaven told Daniel that thetotal time from 457 B.C. until A.D. 27,when the Messiah began His minis-try, would be 483 literal days. Should

    we expect an angel to be thatignorant?

    While we understand thatangels cannot foretell the future—only God can do that—we know thatthe angel who delivered the messageto Daniel could not have been doingit on his own. He could only havebeen delivering a message fromGod. Therefore, it is not the angelwhom we would be accusing ofignorance. We would be accusing GodHimself. Are you ready to do that? Icertainly am not. I intend, by thegrace of God, to hold firmly to thetruth as it was given to our pioneersand confirmed by the Spirit ofProphecy—apostates notwithstand-ing.

    What of the seventieth week—the last seven of the 490 years? Weread that:

    1. After the 483 years the Messiahwould be cut off. See Daniel9:26.

    2. In the midst of that week (thelast seven years) He wouldcause the sacrifice and theoblation to cease, and

    3. He would confirm the covenantwith many for one week (thelast seven years). See Daniel9:27.

    Christ began His ministry inA.D. 27, the beginning of the lastseven-year period. He was crucified(cut off) in A.D. 31, in the midst ofthe week. This made further sacri-fices unnecessary. Paul tells us aboutthe last three-and-one-half years:

    “How shall we escape, if weneglect so great salvation; which atthe first began to be spoken by theLord, and was confirmed unto us bythem that heard him?” Hebrews 2:3.

    For three-and-one-half yearsafter the crucifixion and resurrec-tion, the apostles focused most of

    “The enemy of truth seems most persistent in tryingto trouble and unsettle minds in regard to the

    sanctuary; for that is the citadel of our strength.”

  • 14 Our Firm Foundation

    The sanctuary doctrine is “the very message thathas made us a separate people.” If that message iswrong, then we have no reason to be a separate

    people, and Ellen White was a false prophet.

    their attention upon the people ofIsrael. But then the highest govern-ing body of the Jewish nation stonedStephen for preaching Christ, andlegislated against that preaching.God accepted their decision. Theirtime was up! The 490 years that hadbeen allotted to them had expired.Soon thereafter Paul was especiallyappointed to take the message tothe Gentiles, and the church beganto move toward its destiny as aworldwide church.

    It all makes perfect sense. Yet,there are still some who want totinker with the time factor. Theywant to separate the final week fromthe sixty-nine, and put it down nearthe end of time. What happens tothe rest of the time (more than1800 years) is not clear. But, thankthe Lord, our beautiful sanctuarymessage has no such weaknesses. Itis clear, consistent, and reasonable.We can defend it with ease. It istruly, as Uriah Smith said, the“citadel of our strength.”

    Focused on the Putting Awayof Sin

    Some, unfortunately, haveabandoned the citadel, and as aresult have been easily swept away bythe enemy. This is simply anotherevidence of the inspiration of God’smessenger, Ellen White. She wrotein 1905 that:

    “Satan is striving continually tobring in fanciful suppositions inregard to the sanctuary, degradingthe wonderful representations ofGod and the ministry of Christ forour salvation into something thatsuits the carnal mind. He removesits presiding power from the heartsof believers, and supplies its placewith fantastic theories invented tomake void the truths of the atone-ment, and destroy our confidence in

    the doctrines which we have heldsacred since the third angel’smessage was first given. Thus hewould rob us of our faith in the verymessage that has made us a separatepeople, and has given character andpower to our work.” Counsels toWriters and Editors, 53–54.

    This heavily loaded statementcalls for careful consideration ofboth its positive and negativeaspects. It positively asserts that oursanctuary message has a “presidingpower from the hearts of believers.”Satan knows this, and so he teacheshis followers to put in its place“something that suits the carnalmind.” Can you think of anythingmore attractive to the carnal mindthan the teaching that Christians donot need to stop sinning? It was notfor nothing that God’s messengerwrote that our sanctuary messagestands in righteousness. See GospelWorkers, 303. The entire sanctuaryservice was focused on the puttingaway of sin. That was true when the

    sanctuary was on earth, and it is stilltrue now that the sanctuary is inheaven. If there were no need toput away sin, the entire sanctuarydoctrine would be meaningless, thusstarting a chain reaction.

    God’s messenger firmlydeclares that the sanctuary doctrineis “the very message that has madeus a separate people.” If thatmessage is wrong, then we have noreason to be a separate people, andEllen White was a false prophet. Areyou beginning to understand whythose ministers who have little to sayabout the sanctuary also have littleuse for the Spirit of Prophecy, andwhy they want to be called“evangelicals” like the otherchurches around them? They see noreason for us to be a separatepeople.

    We have mentioned that everyfew years the devil raises up a newapostate who abandons our churchand makes a career out of attackingour faith. This is tragic, but it isnothing to be overly concernedabout. We have weathered manysuch attacks. They are no greatdanger to us. The far greater dangerwe face is from those ministers whoshould leave our church, but whodo not leave. They continue preach-ing in our pulpits week after week,subtly undermining the faith of thebelievers with insinuations andinnuendos, and also by their inten-tional neglect of our great Bibletruths.

    But they will leave us eventu-ally. Their departure is documentedand described on page 608 of TheGreat Controversy:

    “As the storm approaches, alarge class who have professed faithin the third angel’s message, buthave not been sanctified throughobedience to the truth, abandontheir position and join the ranks ofthe opposition. By uniting with theworld and partaking of its spirit, theyhave come to view matters in nearlythe same light; and when the test isbrought, they are prepared tochoose the easy, popular side. Menof talent and pleasing address, whoonce rejoiced in the truth, employtheir powers to deceive and misleadsouls. They become the most bitterenemies of their former brethren.When Sabbathkeepers are broughtbefore the courts to answer for theirfaith, these apostates are the mostefficient agents of Satan to misrepre-sent and accuse them, and by falsereports and insinuations to stir upthe rulers against them.”

    So it is clear that many ofthose ministers will leave us. What isnot clear is how many of ourmembers they will take with themwhen they go. It need not be any ofus. We can survive the great shakingtime if we will stay close to ourcitadel—the great sanctuary truth.

    “I know that the sanctuaryquestion stands in righteousness andtruth, just as we have held it for somany years.” Gospel Workers, 303.

    For further study, read care-fully chapters 23 and 24 of The GreatControversy. !

  • 15Vol. 14, No. 11

    n e w snews watch P h i l i p G a r b e r

    Surge Toward UnityNews Item: “The unexpected storyof Orthodox Christians and RomanCatholics moving closer to unity hasso far taken place in the Easternnations of Europe, as Pope JohnPaul II has reached out to the Eastin bold ways.

    “But Roman Catholics andEastern Christians meeting inWashington, D.C., June 15–18showed that the effort to unite thetwo forms of sacramental Christian-ity are bearing fruit around theworld.

    “ ‘I detected a very positivespirit among everyone, which tellsme there is a very intense desire forour different traditions to cometogether,’ Greek Orthodox Metro-politan Isaiah of Denver said aboutthe third Orientale Lumen confer-ence.

    “The meeting came on theheels of a papal visit to Romania inMay, the Pope’s first trip to aprimarily Orthodox count[r]y.

    “Bishop John Michael Botean,the American leader of Eastern-riteRomanian Catholics, told howOrthodox and Catholics gave thePope an enthusiastic reception inBucharest, the capital.

    “Eastern-rite Catholics and theOrthodox have squabbled overchurch properties the communiststook away from the Catholics andgave to the Orthodox after WorldWar II.

    “But ‘from the moment thePope touched down until he left,the feeling was positive and remainsthat way,’ Bishop Botean said. By theend of the trip, Bishop Botean said,Eastern Catholics were not shouting‘Give our churches back,’ but‘Unity’ and ‘Love.’

    “The Washington conferenceemphasized the unifying power ofdevotion to Mary—even whileoutlining differences of interpreta-tion.” National Catholic Register, July4–10, 1999.

    Prophetic Perspective: Revelationspeaks of a time when the beastpower—the Papacy—would regainits lost supremacy. See Revelation 13.

    Certainly we can more fully see thefulfillment of these words as the daysgo by.

    It is also interesting to notethat the “Virgin Mary” is the greatunifying agent in the meetings thatare being held between the Ortho-dox and Roman Catholics. It seemsthat all over the world this is themain means being used by theprince of darkness to lure theunwary into his net.

    Also the servant of the Lordhas plainly warned us regarding thistime: “ ‘These have one mind.’There will be a universal bond ofunion, one great harmony, a confed-eracy of Satan’s forces. ‘And shallgive their power and strength untothe beast.’ Revelation 17:13. Thus ismanifested the same arbitrary,oppressive power against religiousliberty, freedom to worship Godaccording to the dictates of con-science, as was manifested by thePapacy, when in the past it perse-cuted those who dared to refuse toconform with the religious rites andceremonies of Romanism.” TheSeventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,vol. 7, 983.

    Supreme Court to DecideSchool Aid Case, Which MaySet Church-State LandmarkNews Item: “The U.S. SupremeCourt has accepted a Louisiana casedealing with tax aid to religiousschools, setting the stage for a majorshowdown on church-state law.

    “The justices announced June14 that they will hear Mitchell v.Helms, a case brought 14 years agoby Louisiana parents who challengedseveral state and federal programsbenefiting parochial schools. Thefocus of the current round oflitigation is a federal programproviding computers, library books,audiovisual equipment, televisionsand other materials to parochialschools.

    “The U.S. 5th Circuit Court ofAppeals ruled Aug. 17, 1998, that‘Title VI’ aid to religious schoolsviolates the Constitution.

    “ ‘The Mitchell case is likely tobe the most important church-statelawsuit to come before the Supreme

    Court in over two decades,’ saidAmericans United Executive Direc-tor Barry W. Lynn. ‘This case forcesthe court to face squarely thequestion of direct taxpayer aid forreligious schools.’

    “Lynn added that the Mitchelldecision could set sweeping prece-dent dealing with issues as diverse asreligious school vouchers and‘charitable choice’ aid to church-runsocial service programs. As such, ithas the potential to be a landmarkruling, either by giving churches andchurch schools new access to thepublic treasury or reaffirmingexisting First Amendment safe-guards.” Church & State, July/August1999.

    Prophetic Perspective: “In themovements now in progress in theUnited States to secure for theinstitutions and usages of the churchthe support of the state, Protestantsare following in the steps of papists.Nay, more, they are opening thedoor for the Papacy to regain inProtestant America the supremacywhich she has lost in the OldWorld.” The Great Controversy, 573.

    Certainly we can see that,especially in the last several years,this country [the U.S.A.] has onceagain been brought to the brink ofthe fatal decision to tear down thewall separating church and state.

    Just as certainly as Constantinebrought great evil down upon thepeople of this world by his unitingof church and state, so verily will ourcountry produce the same conse-quences when the church and

  • 16 Our Firm Foundation

    Have a news item of interest?contact [email protected] mail or fax us a copy, see page 2.

    government become united in thisland! And this unity will “makeprovision for the propagation ofpapal falsehoods and delusions”(Testimonies, vol. 5, 451), just as wehave been warned.

    Istook ‘Religious FreedomAmendment’ ResurrectedNews Item: “The U.S. House ofRepresentatives is gearing up onceagain to consider an amendmentthat would effectively removechurch-state separation from theConstitution.

    “According to a May 27 letterto House members from Rep.Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.), Rep. ErnestIstook (R-Okla.) is prepared toreintroduce his so-called ‘ReligiousFreedom Amendment.’

    “Pitts, who last year wasappointed to serve as a liaisonbetween House Republicans and theReligious Right, sent the letterinviting members to become an‘original cosponsor’ of the amend-ment. ‘It’s time to do somethingabout this cultural state of emer-gency,’ Pitts said. ‘It’s time to letGod back in our classrooms.’

    “In June 1998, the Houseconsidered and rejected Istook`samendment. Though the Housevoted 224–203 in favor of themeasure, the effort fell 61 votes shyof the two-thirds majority needed.

    “Americans United and otheropponents of the amendment haveinsisted that it would allow coerciveprayer and religious worship inpublic schools, require governmentto give tax aid to churches andchurch schools and permit govern-ment to display religious symbols.”Church & State, July/August 1999.

    Prophetic Perspective: Years agothe Emperor Constantine placed‘Christian’ symbols on the imperial,standard coins and other objects;the cross and the symbol of the sungod were placed side by side. Whilethe faithful fled to the rocky strong-hold of the mountains, the corruptand weak followers of a fallenchurch joined in celebrating their

    newly found ecumenical unity.However, the so-called unity led tooppression, for Constantine soonbecame the settler of churchdisputes. The black horse of Revela-tion 6:5–6 then rode forth. Black—the opposite of white—representscorruption and moral depravity. Thecorrupt confederacy between churchand state was then cemented.

    But what does this have to dowith our day? you ask. Well, as thewise man Solomon said, “The thingthat hath been, it is that which shallbe; and that which is done is thatwhich shall be done: and there is nonew thing under the sun.”Ecclesiastes 1:9. And as the servantof the Lord states, “History will berepeated. False religion will beexalted.” The Seventh-day AdventistBible Commentary, vol. 7, 976.

    We should be wide-awake todaybecause history is in the remaking.The fulfillment of Revelation 13 istaking place! Soon this prophecy willbe fulfilled in its entirety. Mean-while, we should individually do allthat we can do to defer the threat-ened danger, and to warn all thosearound us. Then when the stormdoes burst upon us we may hide inthe protecting arms of holy angels.

    Picking the ‘Real’ AntichristNews Item: “With 2000 in easyreach, a cross section of Christianswho interpret the Bible literally,along with a good number of otherswho may have never read the Bible,share a common vision of thefuture. They expect the antichrist toappear any day.

    “From the start ofChristianity, candidatesfor the role of Satan’sprotégé have neverbeen lacking.Rome’s EmperorNero, who perse-cuted Christians inthe first century;Pope John XXII, whowas denounced as a heretic in theMiddle Ages; Russia’s oppressivePeter the Great at the turn of the18th century; Napoleon; Mussolini;

    Hitler have all been named at onetime or another.

    “New names surface on theInternet by the day, in the e-mailmessages and chat room conversa-tions monitored by Steven O’Learyat the Center for Millennial Studiesat the University of SouthernCalifornia. . . .

    “The nonstop guessing looks toO’Leary like a game of Pin the Tailon the Antichrist. But many clergypeople consider it a dangeroussport.

    “ ‘People have been namingnames for years,’ says Pentecostalminister T.D. Jakes, whose Dallas-based television ministry reaches 3million viewers worldwide. ‘Weprofess to know more than we know.I have no idea who the antichrist is.Where the Bible is silent, we shouldbe silent.’ ” The News Tribune, May29, 1999.

    Prophetic Perspective: How verysad it is that the professed “Protes-tants” of our nation no longer knowwho the antichrist is! There was atime in the early period of thisnation when the majority of Chris-tians in our land understood clearlythat the pope, as the representativehead of the Papacy, is the antichristof Bible prophecy.

    The great apostle Paul, writingaround AD 51, speaking regardingthe antichrist power, states plainlythat “the mystery of iniquity dothalready work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7.Thus Paul understood early on thatthe seeds which would germinate

    into the Papacy werealive in his day.

    How sad it is thatthe vast majorityof the people“because theyreceived not the

    love of the truth”will accept a “strong

    delusion.” Verses 10–11.May we pray and study, asking

    God to help us escape from thisalmost overwhelming delusion thateven now is rapidly coming uponthe earth. !

  • 17Vol. 14, No. 11Please see page 3 for shipping and tax information.

    The Battle for the Mindby Lloyd and Leola Rosenvold

    During the past thirty years there has arisen among Seventh-day Adventists a movement ofpeople who claim to have power to cast out demons through exorcism. Along with this isthe “messenger” movement, where many claim to receive heavenly messages for theremnant church. When these people claim Biblical authority for their activities, how canwe know that these manifestations are from God? The Battle for the Mind takes thisquestion seriously, examining the Scriptures to discern truth and error.

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    Heresy, Columbus, and the Inquisitionby Salim Japas

    Learn about the Inquisition—a most powerful tool in hands of the Church of Rome foreradicating “heresy.” After reviewing the history of its use, one shudders to find riversof human blood, spilled from the bodies of supposed “heretics”—in actuality, martyrsfor the faith of Jesus. This story of unspeakable horror has been quietly erased fromour history books, leading millions to forget the deeds of Rome, and the dangers of herreclamation of prominence and power. Will history be repeated? Considering thepopular movement of ecumenicism between Protestants and Catholics today, this bookis of great importance to all.

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    The Gift of Prophecyby Carlye B. Haynes

    God has spoken to His people throughout the ages. Through the gift of prophecy, Hehas, at various times, instructed His people as to their specific duty for their day. Wasthe prophetic gift to end with the apostolic church? If there is to be another prophet atthe end of time, how will we know if that prophet is of God? The Gift of Prophecy willnot only give you answers to these perplexing questions, but will share with you theBiblical tests of indentifying a true prophet of God. As you read this timely book,prepare for an in-depth Biblical search for truth.

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    Ellen: Trial and Triumph on the American Frontierby Paul B. Ricchiuti

    In her role as God’s messenger, Ellen White faced real, everyday problems just like you andI. Meet Ellen White again, and follow her from Maine to the Wild West. Through rain andsnow, in danger from wild beasts and Indians, she continued in her efforts to minister toGod’s people. Learn about the real-life events she experienced in order to bring that mes-sage to them. A very interesting book, especially for those who want to know the realperson—Ellen G. White.

    Only $7.95 each.

    Books for Our Times

  • 18 Our Firm Foundation

    ducation, as it is conducted inthe schools of today, is one-sided, and therefore a

    mistake. As the purchase of the Sonof God, we are His property, andeveryone should have an educationin the school of Christ. Wise teach-ers should be chosen for ourschools. Teachers have to deal withhuman minds, and they are respon-sible to God to impress upon thoseminds the necessity of knowingChrist as a personal Saviour. But noone can truly educate God’s pur-chased possession unless he himselfhas learned in the school of Christhow to teach.

    I must tell you from the lightgiven me by God, I know that muchtime and money are spent bystudents in acquiring a knowledgethat is as chaff to them; for it doesnot enable them to help their fellow

    men to form characters that will fitthem to unite with saints and angelsin the higher school. In the place ofcrowding youthful minds with amass of things that are distasteful,and that in many cases will never beof any use to them, a practicaleducation should be given. Timeand money are spent in gaininguseless knowledge. The mind shouldbe carefully and wisely taught todwell upon Bible truth. The mainobject of education should be togain a knowledge of how we canglorify God, whose we are bycreation and by redemption. Theresult of education should be toenable us to understand the voice ofGod.

    The earth is corrupt and darkand idolatrous, but amid thedarkness and corruption a Pure,Divine Light—the Word of God—is

    shining. But although we haveknown the truth for many years,little advancement has been madeby those who have been given light.Whose plan was it to produce thatclass of books that have beenpatronized in our schools? It waslargely the plan of men who did nothave the experience of Moses andJoshua and Daniel, and the otherprophets and apostles, who enduredthe seeing of Him who is invisible.Seeing God by faith, gives a concep-tion of the divine character, theperfection of Heaven. But to placein our schools the books that havebeen placed there as standardbooks, is an offense to God. In thisage, as never before, when the twogreat forces of the Prince of Heavenand the prince of hell have met indecided conflict, our youth needinstruction in Bible principles. Like

    E l l e n G . W h i t e

    %

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    the branches of the True Vine, theWord of God presents unity indiversity. There is in it a perfect,superhuman, mysterious unity. Itcontains divine wisdom, and that isthe Foundation of all true educa-tion; but this Book has been treatedindifferently.

    Now, as never before, we needto understand the true science ofeducation. If we fail to understandthis, we shall never have a place inthe kingdom of God. “This is lifeeternal, that they might know theethe only true God, and Jesus Christ,whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3. Ifthis is the price of heaven, shall notour education be conducted onthese lines? Christ must be every-thing to us. “Unto us a child is born,unto us a son is given: and thegovernment shall be upon hisshoulder: and his name shall becalled Wonderful, Counsellor, Themighty God, The everlasting Father,The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.What a Foundation is here laid forthe faith of those who shall live inall ages! When Christ ascended toheaven, He ascended as our Advo-cate. We always have a Friend atcourt. And from on high Christsends His Representative to everynation, kindred, tongue, and people.The Holy Spirit gives the divineanointing to all who receive Christ.

    This is the great subject thatunderlies all true, sanctified educa-tion. When this is made the themeof our conversation, no idle, com-mon talk will fall from our lips.Jesting and joking are heard becausethe soul temple is unsanctified andunholy.

    God, the everlasting Father,gave His only begotten Son to theworld that all who come to Himmight have everlasting life. And inthis Gift He opened to us a channelof the richest and most inexhaust-ible treasures. This sacred themeshould be the food of our minds.With this Bread of Life we shouldsatisfy our soul-hunger. If we do this,we cannot hunger for worldlyexcitement or grandeur. Ourreligious experience is of exactly thesame quality as the food we give ourminds. . . .

    The truths contained in theScriptures are grand, elevating,

    uplifting, ennobling. If the lostimage of God is restored in thisworld, these truths must be cher-ished. They are graced with suchsimplicity that they could notpossibly have originated in anyhuman mind. A Sower from ahigher world went forth to sow theworld with the seeds of truth. Onlythis higher phase of education isable to prepare students for thehigher school, where Christ andGod will be the Teachers, andwhere, throughout eternity, we shalllearn how best to magnify andglorify God’s name.

    Men who are not burdened tolearn Greek and Latin may yetpossess a most earnest zeal toprepare in this life to receive lifeeternal, and enter the higher school,taking with them the result of theirstudies in this world. When theyreach the heavenly school, their

    education will have advanced just inproportion as in this world theystrove to obtain a knowledge of Godand the world’s Redeemer. And justin proportion to the advancementthey have made in seeking God andHis righteousness will they berewarded in the future immortal life.

    The scheme of redemption isnot a common study. Had it beenso, many souls would not have beendisloyal to God. Commencing withthe apostasy and the gospel pre-sented to Adam and Eve in Eden,and tracing down prophetic history,the Word of God unfolds the planof redemption, gathering fresh andincreased evidence, until the fullnessof the time came, and then Christmade His advent into the world. InChrist the Deity was represented. Hewas the Great Instructor in divinephilosophy. He came without display,having no outward glory to stimulatemere admiration, and possessing noearthly riches. . . .

    But as a golden treasure, truthwas entrusted to the Jewish nation.The Jewish economy, bearing thesignature of Heaven, was institutedby the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ.In types and shadows, importanttruths and mysteries that needed aninterpreter, were veiled. The shadowpointed to the Substance; and whenJesus came to our world, it was to letspiritual light shine forth. Hear, Oheavens! and be astonished, Oearth! The appointed Instructor wasno less a personage than the onlybegotten Son of God. God wasrevealed in Christ. He made plainthe treasures of truth. He displacedthe rubbish that had been piled onthe Sabbath of the fourth command-ment, declaring Himself the Lord ofthe Sabbath. He who made theworld and made man, also made theSabbath, and gave it to man to keepholy. . . .

    God’s standard of character isHis law. Satan said, I will tear downthis standard, and will plant my ownstandard in its place. This he hastried and is still trying to do, thatGod’s standard may be eclipsed orseen through a glass darkly. TheJews did not see it, and that is whythey crucified Christ. The Christianworld do not see it, and that is whythey refuse to acknowledge the lawof God. In so doing, they makethemselves accountable for the sinsthat destroyed the inhabitants of theold world by a flood, that broughtfire and brimstone upon Sodom,and that destroyed the Jewishnation. Shall those to whom Godhas given wonderful opportunitiesand great light follow in the tread ofthose who rejected light to theirruin? Shall those to whom God hasentrusted wonderful truth remainon the low level of the teachers ofthis generation? !Christian Educator, August 1, 1897.

    We need to understand the true science ofeducation. If we fail to understand this, we shall

    never have a place in the kingdom of God.

  • 20 Our Firm Foundation

    " here are an abundance ofpeople, ministries, books,and periodicals todayinforming us about the possiblemajor problems and disruptions wecan expect as a result of the “Millen-nium Bug.” Many are also telling usthe preparations necessary to beable to live through the Y2K di-lemma.

    There are Christians and non-Christians expounding on the physicalpreparedness needed—such as storingup food, water, emergency supplies,keeping some cash at home, andhaving a place to which to flee.

    Some Christians emphasize theimportance of making spiritual as

    well as physical preparations. OtherChristians tell us that it is wrong tomake any physical provision for theupcoming crisis. They contend thatthe preparation that should bemade is solely spiritual.

    To be prudent we shouldprobably be both physically andspiritually prepared. Yet, there issomething else that I would like torecommend about Y2K which maybe of even greater importance thanour physical preparation and whichhas been mentioned by very fewpeople. What I am about to men-tion may be startling to some of us,but it is certainly a possibility that wemust consider.

    Lights Out!Imagine, we have made all the

    physical preparation necessary. Weare out in the country or up in themountains. We have enough foodstored up for a year or so. We have awood stove and enough wood totake us through not one, but twoyears. We have so many emergencysupplies that our place looks like asmall medical clinic. We have ourcash to buy with and our things tobarter.

    We are warm, cozy, and ready!Then it happens! The electric-

    ity goes out! Was that a problemwith our house only, or our neigh-

    The Preparation for Y2K . . .The Preparation for Y2K . . .

    J e f f B e l l

    . . .You May Not Have Thought Of

  • 21Vol. 14, No. 11

    Adventist Carnivals

    borhood, our county, our state, ourcountry? As soon as morning comeswe go out to the nearest neighborabout a half mile away and find outthat their electricity does not workeither. Our neighbors and wewonder together just how wide-spread the problem is.

    We try to call on the tele-phone, but it is not working! Thenwe happen to remember that wehave a battery-operated transistorradio. We turn it on, but we hearnothing except static! Is it a problemwith our radio?—Probably not. Morethan likely the nearest transmittersare not working because there is noelectricity. But is the problemthroughout the world? How can weknow?—We cannot.

    We think about our parentswho were not able, due to age, toleave that large metropolitan area,and also about our other relativesand friends who did not want toleave. How are they doing? Is theoxygen system failing—the one ourgreat aunt has been hooked up to?Have wild hysteria and looting filledthe streets? Are military troops beingcalled into action to restore law andorder? Has the president declaredmartial law? All these things we haveheard would happen—but havethey? How can we know?—Wecannot.

    All we know is that we are safefor now. We know nothing morethan what is happening in our ownlittle area of the world. We areanxious and scared. What is happen-

    ing?—We cannot know! We cannotknow!

    Have we said everything thatwe should have said to our friendsand family who are so close to usemotionally—yet so far away physi-cally?

    What could we have said thatmight have brought our familymembers, who do not know JesusChrist, to a saving relationship withHim?

    Did they have the opportunityto hear us tell them how much wereally love God? Also have we toldthem how much we really love them?

    My friends, these things arevery important. There is joy inheaven over one sinner who re-pents! There is also joy in our ownhearts when our brother, sister,father, mother, or any close relativeor friend accepts Jesus Christ. Wemay be the only “Jesus” that thesepeople will ever see. Have we livedthe life that will point others toJesus? Have we talked of His love,His goodness and mercy?

    It is true that our relatives andfriends might hear the truth fromsomebody else, but would it nothave been better if they had heard itfrom us as well? What a witness wecould have been—if we had just notthought only of ourselves! It is rightto make our own spiritual andphysical preparations, but we mustnot neglect to help others toprepare as well.

    God is pleading with us all tocall out to those who are lost. We

    must tell and show others just howmuch we love them. Sometimes wereally love a person, but we havetrouble figuring out how to showthem that we love them. Now is thetime to plead with God to show ushow.

    We may be talking about lastchances here. If we neglect thisopportunity, we are also talkingabout lost chances—and, verypossibly, lost people.

    Would it not be much better ifon January 1, 2000, we knew that wehad told all our family members andfriends that we love them and thatwe want to see them in the king-dom?

    Then we would not be wonder-ing what happened to our dearparents, brothers, uncles, andfriends when the lights went out. Tothe thrill of our hearts, we would beable to expect to see most of themagain!

    Let us pray for, pray with, andtalk to our loved ones about Jesus.We know He wants us to do that.How can we neglect such a duty?Let us pray for the Holy Spirit tolead us to witness effectively forJesus. It is the only way any of us willever be saved in the kingdom thatwe long for so much. Friends, whata joyous reunion that will be when,in the clouds, Jesus comes to bringus all together again! !

    Jeff Bell heads the AccountingDepartment of Hope International.

    Adventist Carnivalsby Lloyd and Leola Rosenvold

    This book seeks to exmine some forms of worship that are becoming more and moreprevalent in mainstream Adventist churches. Drawing from the Bible and the wealth of

    inspired writings given to us, it helps to answer questions like: Is Christian rock music pleasing to God?How do drama and theatrics fit into our worship services? Are displays of ecstasy evidence of the work-ing of the Holy Spirit? Find answers to these questions and others in Adventist Carnivals. These thingsare not new; they have also happened in the past. We have a responsibity to examine God’s past instruc-tion before incorporating them into our sacred worship service.

    Only $4.25 each.

    Please see page 3 for shipping and tax information.

  • 22 Our Firm Foundation

    d e f e n d i n gdefending the faith P h i l i p G a r b e r

    We present this study with the desirethat it will encourage our readers topursue a deeper examination ofGod’s Word. The warning has beengiven us that “none but those whohave fortified the mind with thetruths of the Bible will stand throughthe last great conflict.” The GreatControversy, 593–594. It is oursuggestion that you use this studypersonally, in group settings, or withyour family. We also encourage youto add other Scriptural references tothis study as you proceed in your ownpersonal attentive scrutiny of God’sWord.

    Bible Marking Directions

    1. In this month’s study ourBible marking key lettersare HP, which represent“The Work of Jesus As OurHigh Priest.”

    2. On the blank flyleaf ateither the beginning or endof your Bible, write in thekey letters followed by thefirst Scriptural text. Thismonth’s beginning entryshould appear as follows:HP Daniel 8:14.

    3. Turn to the first reference,and in the margin near itwrite the second reference.Then turn to the secondreference, and in themargin near it write thethird reference, and so onto the end of the lesson.When you come to the lastreference write “End HP.”

    How to mark your Bible and know God’s Word better

    The Work of JesusAs Our High Priest

    22

    1HP Daniel 8:14.Before we can understand

    what is meant by the cleansing ofthe sanctuary, we must know whatthe sanctuary is, and which one isreferred to by Daniel in this verse.

    As we noted in an earlier studyentitled “The Most WonderfulProphecy in the Bible” [May 1999issue], the 2300 days ended in 1844.

    2HP Exodus 40:1–38.Under the direction of God,

    Moses erected a tabernacle, orsanctuary, in the wilderness andestablished the sacrificial service.This was in obedience to the expresscommand of God. See Exodus 25:8.The wilderness sanctuary was laterreplaced with the permanent templeof Solomon. The sacrificial service,as instituted by Jesus Christ, contin-ued upon earth in its significanceuntil He—the Messiah—expired onGolgotha’s tree. When Christ diedupon the cross, the inner veil of thetemple was torn (see Matthew27:50–51), showing that the serviceof God in that building was nolonger sacred. This temple wasfinally destroyed in A.D. 70 by theRoman general Titus. God wastrying to direct men’s minds toanother sanctuary.

    3HP Hebrews 8:1–2.The scriptures point out that a

    heavenly sanctuary has taken theplace of the earthly sanctuary builtby men. In this sanctuary in heavenChrist ministers for us today as ourgreat High Priest. Since in 1844there was no earthly sanctuary inexistence; the sanctuary to be

    cleansed at the termination of the2300 days must of necessity be theheavenly sanctuary. This is anespecially important subject fortoday, since Christ is even nowministering for His people there.

    4HP Exodus 25:9, 40; see alsoHebrews 8:5.

    The earthly sanctuary thatMoses built was a type—a figure,pattern, and shadow—of the heav-enly sanctuary. As the earthlysanctuary had its two apartments, sothe heavenly sanctuary has both aholy place and a Most Holy Place.See Hebrews 9:1–5.

    5HP Hebrews 8:3–5.The service of the priests in

    the earthly sanctuary, as commandedby Levitical law, was a type or figureof Christ’s ministry in the heavenlysanctuary in which He has beenministering since His ascension. Thebook of Leviticus will show that theceremonies in the earthly sanctuaryconsisted of two parts—a dailyministration in the first apartment(see Hebrews 9:6), and a yearlyministration in the Second Apart-ment (see Hebrews 9:7). The servicein the Second Apartment wasconducted at the end of the year, onthe day called the “Day of Atone-ment.” During this solemn day thesanctuary was cleansed, and a finaldisposal of the accumulated sins ofthe people was made for the wholeyear. See Leviticus 16:6–22.

    6HP Hebrews 7:27.In fulfillment of the daily

    sacrifice of the lamb, which theearthly priest offered every day at

  • 23Vol. 14, No. 11

    the altar, Christ, our Lamb, died onthe cross. This offering is sufficientwhen ministered by Christ, our HighPriest, to make atonement for thesins of all men for all time.

    7HP Hebrews 9:24.As the earthly priests first

    ministered in the holy place, or firstapartment of the sanctuary, soChrist, after offering Himself as ourtrue Lamb, ascended to the firstapartment of the heavenly sanctuary.There in His role as Mediator Hepled His shed blood before theFather for those who accepted Hisatoning sacrifice.

    8HP Hebrews 7:25.Jesus is able to save to the

    uttermost because He ever lives tointercede for those who come to Godby Him. See 1 John 2:1. Just as surelyas we accept Him, and becomeempowered by the Holy Spirit tofaithfully keep His Commandments,

    so surely will He secure forgiveness,salvation, and eternal life for us.

    Jesus Christ ministered Hisblood in the first apartment of theheavenly sanctuary from the time ofHis ascension in A.D. 31 until theend of the 2300 days in 1844. Then,according to Daniel 8:14, the timehad come for the cleansing of theheavenly sanctuary.

    In ancient times the highpriest of the Levitical servicecleansed the sanctuary once eachyear on the great Day of Atonement,also known as the day of judgment.On that special day the high priestwould enter the Most Holy Place,making a final atonement for thepeople, the sanctuary, and himself.So in the antitype, Jesus passed intothe Second Apartment of theheavenly sanctuary in 1844, andthere He is performing the closingwork for mankind, making a finalatonement for those who are trulyrepentant.

    9HP Hebrews 9:28.When our High Priest finishes

    His work of making the finalatonement, He will appear withoutsin. He will no longer serve as ourHigh Priest to hear our confessionsor bear our iniquities in His role asHigh Priest. See Leviticus 10:17. AlsoChrist, having removed the sins ofthe truly penitent from the sanctu-ary, will place them upon Satan, whoin the role of the scapegoat, willbear the sins of God’s people into aland not inhabited.

    10 HP Acts 3:19.Let us make sure that our sins

    are put away and repented of nowwhile we still have our Saviourministering as our Intercessor—thatwhen the time comes for the finalblotting out of sins we may rest inthe confidence that we will be withJesus forever! !

    Featured BooksExodus and Advent Movementsby Taylor G. Bunch

    This book was compiled from a series of thirty-six sermons on the parallels betweenancient Israel and the Church today. These sermons were orginally delivered by ElderBunch during Sabbath vesper services at the Battle Creek Tabernacle. Exodus and AdventMovements gives many profound insights into the common struggles and destiny of bothancient Israel and modern spiritual Israel.

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    Receiving the Wordby Samuel Koran