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Standing Alone with Elijah

“How can I be right and almost everyone else be wrong? What if I am not seeing this correctly? What if I am missing something?” These and other questions have often come into my mind as I have considered the implications of believing as our pioneers did. In the rejections of the trinity, most if not all who try to share this message have met a spirit of resistance and rejection. I know that I cannot be the only one who has had these questions come into our minds. Opening the Bible I have often gone over the issue trying desperately to use exegesis in my method of study. Each time the results are the same. “JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD”

Each time I have reaffirmed this, I hear God’s call to my heart and know that my heavenly Father loves me and that through His Son my adoption as His child remains firm. Yet my family and I often feel isolated and alone. Where are our brothers and sisters in Christ? This is where God has blessed us with the internet. We find fellowship with each other though scattered around the world. I have often wondered why so many of us find ourselves separated by hundreds if not thousands of miles. One day the gift of the internet will be gone and again we will stand alone. Why? God brought me the answer through His prophet who still speaks though she died almost 100 years ago. She saw this very moment in time and wrote it down for our admonition.

As we studied the issues we are facing in our “Voice of Elijah” study, we know that the final Mount Carmel experience is now coming upon this final generation. God has shown us in type and anti-type that this would be the last great shaking event within the church before the close of its probation. It is seen in the last book, last chapter, and indeed the last verse of the Old Testament. It was the last prophetic message given before Christ’s first coming and I believe it reveals that the same will be true again at His second coming.

Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

In accepting the doctrines of Rome as truths for our church, the Three Angel’s Messages of Revelation 14 now apply to us as well. We are in need of the power of the Angel of Revelation 18 just as much as the world. Thus for us, the message of Elijah and the Three Angel’s Messages become one in the same. What does this have to do with our being alone and spread out all over the world? Let’s look at the messages of Revelation14 and 18. Both begin with a single theme.

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Rev 14:6. Here we see that in the end this message must be scattered all over the world to every nation, kindred, and people. Notice the same theme in Revelation 18. “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Rev 18:1. Revelation 14 shows our scattering and Revelation 18 shows why.

We are to be the light of the world. This is our commission from Jesus. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. The hill is spiritual Mount Carmel.  Each of us are to be a spiritual Elijahs that are spread out all over the world.

As we see all denominations drinking the wine (doctrines) of Babylon, we find that we as SDA people have sadly joined in this apostasy. Thus, the Elijah message in predominantly a message for us, as spiritual Israel. The doctrine of the trinity has replaced the Father as the spirit that draws us to Christ and denies that Christ is the Son of God who is brought into our heart. This is none other but modern Baal worship. Note the following quote.

“Are we followers of God as dear children, or are we servants of the prince of darkness? Are we worshipers of Jehovah, or of Baal? of the living God, or of idols? No outward shrines may be visible, there may be no image for the eye to rest upon, yet we may be practicing idolatry. It is as easy to make an idol of cherished ideas or objects as to fashion gods of wood or stone. Thousands have a false conception of God and His attributes. They are as verily serving a false god as were the servants of Baal. Are we worshiping the true God as He is revealed in His word, in Christ, in nature, or are we adoring some philosophical idol enshrined in His place?” 5T 174-5

This is a most startling quote. It reveals that if we have assigned to the Father and His Son attributes that are not a correct revelation of them, then we have made false idols and are servants of Baal. We know that the correct nature of God is one of our landmarks given us as a people.

“Those who seek to remove the old landmarks are not holding fast; they are not remembering how they have received and heard. Those who try to bring in theories that would remove the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary or concerning the personality of God or of Christ are working as blind men. They are seeking to bring in uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift without an anchor. Those who claim to be identified with the message that God has given us should have keen, clear spiritual perceptions, that they may distinguish truth from error.” Manuscript Release 760  9, 10 (1905-1907)

The unfortunate conclusion is that we as SDA people have built high places and are worshiping Baal. Furthermore, with the acceptance of the inroads of New Age spiritualism as seen in spiritual formation and contemplative prayer which is now being taught in our seminaries, we are worshiping Ashtoreth as well.  Now as this idolatry is now set before us by our leaders in the official Sabbath School quarterlies, the final Mount Carmel experience is upon us. That is why God has now spread His Elijahs all over the world. It was prophesied that it would happen here at the end.

“Through the long centuries that have passed since Elijah's time, the record of his lifework has brought inspiration and courage to those who have been called to stand for the right in the midst of apostasy. And for us, "upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Corinthians 10:11), it has special significance. History is being repeated.” PK 177

“Among earth's inhabitants, scattered in every land, there are those who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Like the stars of heaven, which appear only at night, these faithful ones will shine forth when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. In heathen Africa, in the Catholic lands of Europe and of South America, in China, in India, in the islands of the sea, and in all the dark corners of the earth, God has in reserve a firmament of chosen ones that will yet shine forth amidst the darkness, revealing clearly to an apostate world the transforming power of obedience to His law”.  PK 188-9

In these moments as many of us must stand seemingly alone, we must remember that Elijah also felt alone. In his stand on Mount Carmel, there was no voice of support, no hand that helped him rebuild the altar of the LORD.  Only his voice was heard. Even Elijah had a struggle with this. Yet had he known, there were thousands who stood firm in the worship of Jehovah.

“What strange work Elijah would have done in numbering Israel at the time when God's judgments were falling upon the backsliding people! He could count only one on the Lord's side. But when he said, "I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life," the word of the Lord surprised him, "Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal." 1 Kings 19:14, 18.   Then let no man attempt to number Israel today, but let everyone have a heart of flesh, a heart of tender sympathy, a heart that, like the heart of Christ, reaches out for the salvation of a lost world.” PK 189

We must allow the light of truth with the inward abiding of God as its source to shine upon a darkened world. The contrast will be marked between the worshipers of Jehovah and Baal. Like the stars that shine in a dark sky, God’s chosen will shine the light of God into a sin darkened world. This darkness is growing deeper as spiritual night is descending upon the world.

“Men have allowed their minds to become so darkened and confused by conformity to worldly customs and influences that they seem to have lost all power to discriminate between light and darkness, truth and error. So far have they departed from the right way that they hold the opinions of a few philosophers, so-called, to be more trustworthy than the truths of the Bible. The entreaties and promises of God's word, its threatenings against disobedience and idolatry--these seem powerless to melt their hearts. A faith such as actuated Paul, Peter, and John they regard as old-fashioned, mystical, and unworthy of the intelligence of modern thinkers.” PK 178

But in love, God will raise up this last Elijah to boldly proclaim the truth. It is a voice which will not be silenced. “In the closing work of God in the earth, the standard of His law will be again exalted. False religion may prevail, iniquity may abound, the love of many may wax cold, the cross of Calvary may be lost sight of, and darkness, like the pall of death, may spread over the world; the whole force of the popular current may be turned against the truth; plot after plot may be formed to overthrow the people of God; but in the hour of greatest peril, the God of Elijah will raise up human instrumentalities to bear a message that will not be silenced. In the populous cities of the land, and in the places where men have gone to the greatest lengths in speaking against the Most High, the voice of stern rebuke will be heard. Boldly will men of God's appointment denounce the union of the church with the world.” PK 186-7

So brothers and sisters, no matter how dark the night or how alone you feel, remember your high calling and He that has called you to be a light in darkness. Stand firm and when you feel alone, remember your brethren around the world who like you are also shining bright, each of us seemingly a single bright star in a dark night. Never be afraid to be that single voice crying from the top of Mt. Carmel. There are souls who will see that light and will be drawn to the Sun of Righteousness. One day they will  shine as glorious stars in your crown.

“The Lord seeks to save, not to destroy. He delights in the rescue of sinners. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). By warnings and entreaties He calls the wayward to cease from their evil-doing and to turn to Him and live. He gives His chosen messengers a holy boldness, that those who hear may fear and be brought to repentance ... The messengers of the Lord are never to fear the face of man, but are to stand unflinchingly for the right. So long as they put their trust in God, they need not fear; for He who gives them their commission gives them also the assurance of His protecting care.” PK 105

"I feel to the depth of my being that the truth must be borne to other countries and nations, and to all classes. Let the missionaries of the cross proclaim that there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, who is Jesus Christ the Son of the Infinite God. This needs to be proclaimed throughout every church in our land. Christians need to know this, and not put man where God should be, that they may no longer be worshipers of idols, but of the living God. Idolatry exists in our churches. Means had better be employed to save souls from death, which would be placing jewels in the crown of Jesus Christ and stars in our own crowns in the kingdom of heaven." 1888 Materials, Battle Creek, January 21, 1891

 

Comment (4)

 

DECLARATION CONCERNING THE SON

By Uriah Smith, Bible Student Assistant, 1858

 

He is the beginning of the creation of God. Rev.3:14.

The first born of every creature. Col.1:15.

The only begotten of the Father. John 1:18; 3:18.

The Son of the Living God." Matt.16:16.

Existed before he came into the world. John 8:58; Micah 5:2; John 17:5,24.

Was made higher than the angels. Heb.1:14.

He made the world and all things. John 1:1-3; Eph.3:3,9

Was sent into the world by God. John 3:34.

In Him dwells all the fullness of the God-head bodily. Col.2:9.

He is the resurrection and the life. John 11:25.

All power is given to him in heaven and earth. Matt.28:18.

44

He is the appointed heir of all things. Heb.1:2.

Anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. Heb.1:9.

God has ordained him to be judge of quick and dead. Acts 17:31.

Reveals his purposes through him. Rev.1:1.

The head of Christ in God. 1Cor.11:3.

Jesus had power to lay down his life and take it again. John 10:18.

He received this commandment from the Father. John 10:19. God raised him from the dead. Acts 2:24,34; 3:15; 4:10; 10:40; 13:30,34; 17:31; Rom.4:24: 8:11; 1Cor.8:14; 15:15; 2Cor.4:14; Gal.1:1; Eph.1:20; Col.2:12; 1Thess.1:10; Heb.13:20; 1Pet.1:21;

Jesus says he could do nothing of himself. John 5:19.

That the Father which dwelt in him did the works. John 14:10.

That the Father which sent him, gave him a commandment what he should say and what he should speak. John 12:49.

That he came not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him. John 6:38.

And that his doctrine was not his, but the Father's which sent him. John 7:16; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10,24.

With such inspired declarations before us, ought we to say that Jesus Christ is the Self-existent, Independent, Omniscient and Only True God; or the Son of God, begotten, upheld, exalted and glorified BY THE FATHER? {1858 UrS, BSA 44.13} Uriah Smith, Bible Student Assistant

 

Comment (4)

…Look at the centurion who came to Christ for an example of genuine faith. He came to Christ beseeching him, and saying, "Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  {RH, March 11, 1890 par. 9} 

     What kind of power did this centurion think was vested* in Jesus? He knew it was the power of God. He said, "I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth." The centurion saw with the eye of faith that the angels of God were all around Jesus, and that his word would commission an angel to go to the sufferer. He knew that his word would enter the chamber, and that his servant would be healed. And how Christ commended this man's faith! He exclaimed, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."  {RH, March 11, 1890 par. 10} 

 

Comment: Genuine faith recognizes the position of Christ in reference to His Father. This Centurion knew that Christ was “under authority” of another.  Luke 7:8  says “For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it].  Notice that the Centurion said that I ALSO am a man set under authority. He knew that he had authorities over him and this authority enabled him or commissioned him to direct his soldiers. He saw with the eye of faith that Jesus’ word set the angels in action. Further, he knew that the authority that Jesus was under was the power of the Father, not His own innate power or authority. Through eyes of faith the centurion saw angels of God (the Father) all around Jesus. Jesus marveled that this heathen centurion saw by faith His true position with His Father. Jesus called it “great faith”.  At this time Jesus was still having trouble teaching His disciples His position and authority. He rejoiced when someone saw it. May we see His true position and authority. Amen.

 

*VESTED, pp.

1. Clothed; covered; closely encompassed.

2. a. Fixed; not in a state of contingency or suspension; as vested rights.

This definition from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Comment (4)

JONES ȘI WAGGONER DESPRE DIVINITATEA LUI ISUS HRISTOS

Recent, am avut o scurtă discuție prin e-mail cu pastorul Jack Sequeira, un cunoscut student al soliei din 1888. Subiectul discuții noastre a fost solia 1888 și divinitatea lui Isus Hristos. În privința acestui subiect pastorul Sequeira m-ia zis:

„Jones și Waggoner amândoi au fost semi-Arieni. Ei, la fel ca și pionerii noștri, au crezut că Hristos are un început dar, așa cum a explicat Waggoner, aceasta a fost așa departe în trecut că pentru noi este ca o veșnicie. Așa au înțeles ei cuvântul „veșnicie”. Oricum, Ellen White a corectat aceasta greșeala prin afirmația: „În Hristos este viaţa originară, neîmprumutată, nederivată” (Hristos lumina lumii, 530)”

Aceste cuvinte a fratelui Sequeira sunt ecoul teologiei moderne a bisericii AZȘ care susține că Jones și Waggoner, împreuna cu toți pionerii AZȘ, au avut o înțelegere falsă cu privire la divinitatea lui Isus Hristos. William Johnson, fostul redactor revistei „Adventist Review” a exprimat această acuzație în următoarele cuvinte:

„Mulţi dintre pionieri... au avut un punct de vedere arian sau semi arian – care spune că Fiul, la un anumit timp înainte de creaţia lumii a fost născut din Tatăl. Numai treptat această doctrină falsă a făcut loc adevărului biblic...” (RH 6 ianuarie 1994)

Este oare adevărat? Au avut Jones și Waggoner într-adevăr o înțelegere falsă a divinității lui Isus Hristos? A fost acest aspect al soliei lor o mare greșeală. Să ne amintim că solia lor, după cuvintele sorei White, a fost începutul mării strigării a îngerului al treilea și slava îngerului din Apocalipsa 18 care încheie lucrarea îngerului al treilea:

„Timpul încercării este chiar asupra noastră, căci marea strigare a îngerului al treilea a şi început prin descoperirea neprihănirii lui Hristos, Răscumpărătorul iertător de păcate. Acesta este începutul luminii îngerului a cărui slavă va umple tot pământul.” (RH 22 nov. 1892)

„Solia neprihănirii lui Hristos trebuie să răsune de la un capăt la altul al pământului, pregătind calea Domnului. Aceasta este slava lui Dumnezeu care încheie lucrarea îngerului al treilea.” 6T 19

„Domnul, în marea Sa îndurare, a trimis o foarte preţioasă solie prin fraţii Waggoner şi Jones.... Aceasta este solia pe care Dumnezeu a ales-o să fie dată lumii. Este solia îngerului al treilea, care trebuie proclamată cu voce tare şi însoţită de revărsarea Duhului Său în măsură bogată.” TM 91.92

Acum, având aceasta în mintea noastră să citim următorul citat:

„Hristos, caracterul și lucrarea Sa, este centrul și circumferința întregului adevăr; El este lanțul de care sunt legate giuaverele doctrinei. În El se găsește sistemul complet al adevărului” RH August 15, 1893

Deci sora White ne spune că Domnul Isus Hristos este centrul și circumferința ÎNTREGULUI ADEVĂR. În El se găsește „sistemul complet al adevărului”. Aceasta înseamnă că o înțelegere greșită despre El va afecta înțelegerea oricărei alte doctrine! Este acest lucru clar? Atunci, se pune întrebărea: cum au putut Jones și Waggoner să înțeleagă solia marii strigări, care este ultima solie către lume, la fel și altele doctrine importante (de ex. doctrina sanctuarului) dacă au avut o înțelegere eronată a divinității lui Isus Hristos?

Să vedem acum care a fost scopul soliei din 1888? Iată cuvintele sorei White:

„Domnul, în marea Sa îndurare, a trimis o foarte preţioasă solie prin fraţii Waggoner şi Jones. Această solie a avut scopul de a-L aduce mai proeminent în faţa lumii pe Mântuitorul răstignit, jertfa pentru păcatele întregii lumi. Ea a prezentat îndreptățirea prin credința în Garantul divin; a invitat oamenii să primească neprihănirea lui Hristos care se manifestă prin ascultarea de toate poruncile lui Dumnezeu. Mulți L-au pierdut din vedere pe Domnul Isus. Ei aveau nevoie să li se îndrepte privirile spre Persoana Sa divină, spre meritele Sale și spre iubirea Sa neschimbătoare față de familia omenească.” (TM 91.92)

Deci, solia lui Jones și Waggoner avea scopul „de a-L aduce mai proeminent în fața lumii pe Mântuitorul răstignit” și să „îndrepte privirile poporului spre persoana Sa divină”! Dar cum putea solia îndeplini acest scop dacă cei doi soli au avut o înțelegere eronată a persoanei divine a lui Isus Hristos? Cum puteau ei sa îndrepte privirile poporului spre persoana divină a lui Isus dacă, așa cum spun teologi AZȘ de astăzi, ei negau divinitatea Lui? Gândiți-va la aceasta. Acum, să citim următorul citat al Spiritului Profetic și să observăm ce a spus sora White cu privire la ce au prezentat Jones și Waggoner (legat de dumnezeirea lui Isus):

„Solii cu aprobare divină au fost trimise poporului lui Dumnezeu; slava, maiestatea, neprihanirea lui Hristos, plină

de bunătate și adevăr, au fost prezentate; PLINĂTATEA DUMNEZEIRII ÎN ISUS HRISTOS a fost prezentată între noi cu frumusețe și farmec, ca să îi încânte pe toți cei care nu au inima închisa de prejudecății. ” 1888 Matt. 673

AMIN! Profetul Domnului ne spune foarte clar că Jones și Waggoner au prezentat plinatatea Dumnezeirii în Isus Hristos. Ei L-au prezentat pe Isus Hristos în toată plinătatea dumnezeirii Sale. Citiți cărțile lor (în mod special „Hristos și Neprihanirea Sa” de E.J. Waggoner și „Calea consacrată către desăvârșirea creștină” de A.T. Jones) și veți vedea că peste tot au înalțat dumnezeirea lui Isus. Iată numai doua exemple din aceste cărți:

„Şi, de vreme ce este singurul Fiu născut din Dumnezeu, El este chiar esenţa şi natura lui Dumnezeu şi posedă prin naştere toate atributele divine, pentru că Tatălui I-a făcut plăcere ca Fiul Său să fie reprezentarea exactă a Fiinţei Lui, strălucirea slavei Sale şi să fie umplut cu plinătatea Dumnezeirii. Astfel, El are „viaţa în Sine Însuşi”. (E.J. Waggoner, Hristos şi Neprihănirea Sa, p. 26)

„După aceea, despre Fiul lui Dumnezeu Însuşi, citim: “El, care este oglindirea slavei Lui şi întipărirea fiinţei Lui şi care ţine toate lucrurile cu Cuvântul puterii Lui, a făcut curăţirea păcatelor şi a şezut la dreapta Măririi în locurile prea înalte”. Asta ne spune că, în cer, natura lui Hristos era natura lui Dumnezeu; că în imagine, în natură, în caracter, în persoană, El era chiar Dumnezeu. Adică, aşa cum era în cer înainte de a veni pe pământ, Isus era întru totul Dumnezeu.” (A.T. Jones, Calea consacrată către desăvârșirea creștină, p. 7)

Atunci de ce teologii de astazi îi acuză că înțelegerea lor despre divinitatea lui Isus a fost falsă? Din propria experiență pot să spun că aceasta este din cauza definiției omenești despre divinitate. După această definiție o persoană nu poate fi divină dacă are un început (cea ce Jones și Waggoner credeau despre Isus). Iată această definiție exprimată în cuvintele lui Florin Lăiu:

„Poate Dumnezeu să producă în vreun fel pe Cineva asemenea Lui? Este posibil așa ceva? Chiar faptul că ființa produsă are un început, arată că aceasta nu poate fi Dumnezeu - Ființa fără început și fără sfârșit” (Florin Laiu, Trinitatea în lumina revelației, p. 67) [vezi nota]

Deci, după definiția aceasta a divinității, o ființă poate fi Dumnezeu numai dacă este fără început și fără sfârșit! Dar, de unde au găsit ei această definiție? În Biblie și în Spiritul Profetic nu găsim așa ceva. Este o pură speculație omenească și o încumetare a omului să stabilească ce este divin și ce nu este.

Pe de altă parte, pionerii noștri au înțeles că divinitatea nu este definită prin existența (fără început și fără sfârșit) ci prin natură. Cu alte cuvinte, Ființă divină este orice Ființă care are natură divină. Isus Hristos, fiind născut din Dumnezeu, posedă toată plinătatea naturii divine și este pe drept numit Dumnezeu.

Referitor la această înțelegere a bisericii a personalității lui Isus de atunci, în 1905 sora White a scris:

„Aceia care caută să înlăture vechile puncte de reper nu cred cu tărie; ei nu-şi mai amintesc cum au primit şi auzit. Aceia care încearcă să aducă teorii care să înlăture stâlpii credinţei noastre cu privire la sanctuar sau la personalitatea Lui Dumnezeu ori a Lui Hristos, lucrează ca nişte orbi. Ei caută să aducă incertitudini şi să trimită poporul Lui Dumnezeu în derivă fără o ancoră.” (Manuscript Releases, nr.760, 1905, p.9)

Deci, înțelegerea pionierilor noștri (inclusiv Jones și Waggoner) despre personalitatea lui Dumnezeu și a lui Hristos este un „vechi punct de reper” și „stâlp” al credinței noastre. Oricine numește aceasta înțelegere „erezie” și încearcă să o înlăture lucrează ca un om orb chiar dacă crede că are dreptate și folosește Biblia și Spiritul Profetic în sprijinul lucrării sale.

În 1906 sora White din nou a sfătuit frații să continue să creadă adevărurile pe care le-au acceptat de la început cu privire la personalitatea Tatălui și a Fiului:

„Dacă veţi continua să credeţi şi să vă supuneţi adevărurilor pe care le-aţi îmbrăţişat prima dată referitoare la personalitatea Tatălui şi a Fiului, veţi fi uniţi împreună cu El în dragoste.” (Review and Herald, 8 Martie 1906)

Din păcate, după moartea profetului, aceste adevăruri au fost pas cu pas lepădate și biserica a intrat într-o nouă eră de mai multă îndepărtare de adevărul biblic, nu numai cu privire la Dumnezeire ci și în alte domenii. Să nu uităm că în Isus Hristos se găsește „sistemul complet al adevărului”. Când adevărul despre Persoana Sa este negat atunci și toate celealte adevăruri biblice vor fi negate. De aceea astăzi avem o teologie nouă care se îndepartează tot mai mult de credința pionerilor noștri și se apropie tot mai mult de credința celor care pionerii noștri le-au numit „Babilon”. De ce este așa? Simplu, pentru că a fost acceptata doctrina centrala a Babilonului pe care sunt cladite toate celealte doctrine ale lui:

„Taina Trinităţii reprezintă doctrina centrală a credinţei Catolice. Pe ea se bazează toate celelalte învăţături ale Bisericii.” („Manualul pentru catolicul de astăzi,” pag. 11, 12)

Din acest motiv ne este dată următoarea avertizare:

„Nu muta vechea piatră de hotar pe care au pus-o părinţii tăi.” Prov. 22, 28

Nota:

Sunt multe dezbateri astăzi în jurul întrebării dacă Persoana lui Isus Hristos a avut sau nu un început. Trinitarienii insistă că El nu a avut început de teamă că aceasta ar însemna o negare a divinităţii Sale și ca urmare ar fi inferior Tatălui. Această teamă este rezultatul proprii definiții a divinității (pe care am citit-o în articolul mai sus), o definiție care nu se poate dovedi din Cuvântul lui Dumnezeu. Pe de altă parte cei care susțin credința pionerilor nu văd o problemă în faptul că Biblia învață în mod clar că Isus Hristos este cu adevărat singurul Fiu născut al lui Dumnezeu, deoarece pentru ei divinitătea nu este definită prin existența (fără început și fără sfârșit) ci prin natură. Orice ființă care are o natură divină este o ființă divină fie că are început sau nu.

Dar să luăm un alt exemplu. Cele mai multe discuții despre Persoana lui Isus se duc în jurul întrebării dacă El a avut sau nu a avut început, dar să aruncăm o privire peste celealtă parte a monedei. Definiția trinitară a divinității susține că o ființă divină nu numai că nu poate avea început dar nici sfârșit. În acest caz, dacă cumva se dovedește că Persoana lui Isus Hristos putea sa aibă un sfârșit, atunci, conform acestei definiții, va însemna aceasta că El nu este divin? Conștienți de aceasta Trinitarienii neagă cu desăvârșire orice dovadă a posibilității că Persoana lui Isus Hristos putea să aibă vreun sfârșit. Dar vă rog citiți cu mare atenție următoarele citate ale Spiritului Profetic:

„Noi nu vom putea pricepe cât a costat răscumpărarea noastră, până nu vom sta în faţa lui Dumnezeu, împreună cu Răscumpărătorul nostru. Când slava locuinţelor veşnice va străluci înaintea ochilor noştri extaziaţi, ne vom aminti că Isus a părăsit toate acestea pentru noi şi nu numai că S-a exilat din curţile cereşti, dar a riscat să fie înfrânt şi să fie pierdut pentru veşnicie. Atunci vom depune la picioarele Lui coroanele noastre şi vom cânta cu tărie: "Vrednic este Mielul, care a fost junghiat, să primească puterea, bogăţia, înţelepciunea, tăria, cinstea, slava şi lauda." Apoc.5,12.” DA 131

„Cu toate acestea, lumea în care Satana se pretindea stăpân, Dumnezeu a îngăduit Fiului Său să vină ca un prunc slab, supus slăbiciunii omeneşti. El I-a îngăduit să dea piept cu primejdiile vieţii la fel ca oricare alt om, să ducă lupta vieţii aşa cum trebuie să o ducă orice vlăstar omenesc, cu riscul de a da greş şi a pierde veşnicia” DA 49

„Dacă Satana ar fi putut să-L ispitească pe Hristos să păcătuiască, câtuşi de puţin, el ar fi strivit capul Salvatorului. Dar aşa după cum era profeţit, el putea să atingă doar călcâiul Său. Dacă capul lui Hristos ar fi fost atins, speranţa neamului omenesc ar fi pierit. Mânia divină s-ar fi abătut asupra lui Hristos, tot aşa cum s-a abătut şi asupra lui Adam. Hristos şi Biserica ar fi fost fără speranţă.” 1SM 256

„Cine poate preţui valoarea unui suflet? Dacă vrei să ştii cât valorează, să mergem în Ghetsemani, şi acolo să veghem împreună cu Domnul Hristos în decursul orelor de frământare sufletească, când sudoarea Lui era asemenea unor mari picături de sânge. Să privim la Mântuitorul înălţat pe cruce. Să ascultăm strigătul Său disperat: "Dumnezeul Meu, Dumnezeul Meu, pentru ce M-ai părăsit?" Marcu 15,34. Priviţi capul însângerat, coasta împunsă şi picioarele străpunse de piroane. Să nu uităm că Domnul Hristos a riscat totul. Pentru mântuirea noastră, cerul întreg a fost în primejdie. La piciorul crucii, amintindu-ne că pentru un singur păcătos Domnul Hristos şi-ar fi dat viaţa, vom putea să preţuim mai bine valoarea unui suflet.” COL 196

Toate aceste citate sunt foarte clare ca să fie negate. Dacă Fiul lui Dumnezeu ar fi păcătuit, El ar fi pierdut veșnicia, deci ar fi încetat să existe. Așadar este clar că Fiul lui Dumnezeu nu numai că a avut un început ci mai mult, putea să aibă și un sfârșit în cazul că ar fi păcătuit. Pentru Trinitarieni acest lucru este cu totul neacceptabil (pentru că, așa cum am spus, acceptarea acestui fapt ar însemna că Hristos nu este divin conform definiției lor a divinității) și de aceea caută diferite explicații cu scopul de a nega cuvintele clare a inspirației. Totuși, pentru noi acest adevăr nu reprezintă nici o problemă, pentru că Hristos este o Ființă divină prin faptul că a moștenit natura și viața divină a Tatălui Său așa cum este scris:

„Căci Dumnezeu a vrut ca toată plinătatea (Dumnezeirii, naturii divine) să locuiască în El” Col. 1, 19

 

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Maranatha Media Note: We are pleased to have some Study materials available in Serbian. This study speaks about the Divinity of Christ and whether He is truly the Son of God.

 

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Od samog trenutka kad sam javno izjavio da ne vjerujem u doktrinu Trojstva mnogi su došli kod mene s pitanjem: "Da li je Isus Bog?"

 

Moj kratki odgovor na ovo pitanje je: DA i NE!

Svakako, za mnoge je moj odgovor besmislen, kako može biti Bog, a ipak da ne bude Bog.

Prije nekoliko mjeseca pronašao sam jedan citat sestre White, u kome ona kaže istu stvar: Isus jeste Bog, ali ipak nije Bog. Evo citata:

"Gospod Isus Hristos, jedinorođeni Sin Božji, jeste uistinu Bog u beskonačnosti, ali ne i u ličnosti "(UL 367)

Što to znači? Kako može Isus biti Bog u beskonačnosti, a ipak ne biti Bog u ličnosti?

Da vidimo najpre šta znači biti "Bog u beskonačnosti".

Reč "beskonačnost" znači "beskonačan, koji nema granice ili ograničenja, beskrajan, vrlo velik" (Praktični rečnik Rumunskog jezika, str 161)

Dakle, reč "beskonačnost" znači "bezgraničan, neograničen."

Da li je Isus Hristos beskonačan u svojoj prirodi? Božja reč jasno kaže:

"Jer u Njemu stanuje sva punina božanstva" Col. 2, 9

Izraz "sva punina božanstva" označava da je Isus potpuno božansko biće koje poseduje sve božanske osobine. Drugim riječima, On je beskonačan u ljubavi, snazi, znanju, prisutnosti itd..

Ellen White je napisala: "...Načinjena je savršena žrtva, jer je Bog tako ljubio svijet, da je dao svoga jedinorodnoga Sina" - ne sina stvorenog, kao što su anđeli, niti sina usvojenog, kao što je grešnik kome je oprošteno, nego Sina rođenog prema jasnoj Očevoj slici i u svoj svetlosti veličanstva, Jedan koji je jednak Bogu u autoritetu, ......i božanskom savršenstvu. U Njemu je stanovala sva punina božanstva tjelesno." (ST, 30 Maja 1895)

A complete offering has been made; for "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son,"-- not a son by creation, as were the angels, nor a son by adoption, as is the forgiven sinner, but a Son begotten in the express image of the Father's person, and in all the brightness of his majesty and glory, one equal with God in authority, dignity, and divine perfection. In him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  {ST, May 30, 1895 par. 3}

Ovdje nam sestra White kaže da je Isus Hristos "jednak Ocu u autoritetu, dostojanstvu i božanskom savršenstvu" i pošto je Otac beskonačan u svim ovim aspektima znači da je i Sin beskonačan u njima.

To znači da je Isus Hristos u potpunosti Bog u Svojoj prirodi, jer samo božanska priroda je beskonačna. Isus Hristos jeste beskonačno božansko biće ili Bog u beskonačnosti.

Ali, ko je Isus Hristos u Svojoj ličnosti? Vidjeli smo u citatu gore da On nije Bog u ličnosti. Ko je onda On u ličnosti i ko je Bog u ličnosti? U 8 svedočanstvu imamo citat koji nam daje jasan odgovor na ovo pitanje:

„Sveto Pismo jasno ukazuje na srodstvo između Boga i Hrista i isto tako jasno predočava ličnost i osobitost i Jednog i Drugog... Bog je Otac Hristov; Hristos je Sin Božji" 8T 268

Dakle, prema rečima sestre White, u Bibliji su nam vrlo jasno otkrivene ličnosti Boga i Hrista. Ona kaže da je Bog Otac Bog u ličnosti. Isus Hristos u Svojoj ličnosti nije Bog nego je Božji Sin. Doktrina trojstva ovde čini veliku grešku tvrdeći da su Otac, Sin i Sveti Duh, svi Bogovi u svojim ličnostima i time uskraćuju istinu Pisma o ličnosti Isusa kao jedinog doslovnog Božjeg Sina. Poricajuči istinu da je Isus Božji Sin ova doktrina poriče i istinu da je Bog Isusov Otac. Jovan kaže da je to doktrina Antihrista (1 Jov. 2, 22).

Evo još jednog citata Duha proroštva koji će potvrditi ovo što sam rekao do sada:

"Hristos je jedno s Ocem, ali su Hristos i Bog dvije različite ličnosti" (RH 1 Juna 1905)

Zaključak: Biblija govori vrlo jasno o Bogu Ocu kao o "jedinom pravom Bogu" (Jov. 17, 3; Ef. 17, 3, Ef. 4, 6; 1 Jovanova 5, 20, Juda 25). On je Bog u prirodi (beskonačnosti), ali i u ličnosti; izvor života i vrhovni Gospodar svemira (1 Kor. 8, 6).

"Starac je Bog Otac. Psalmista veli: »Pre nego što se gore rodiše i sazda zemlja i vasiljena, i od veka i do veka ti si Bog." Psalam 90, 2. Onaj koji je začetnik svega života i izvor svih zakona predsedovaće na ovome sudu." (GC 479)

“Samo Bog je predstavljen kao Veliki... On (Bog) je otkriven kao monrah svemira, spreman da uspostavi Svoje večno carstvo – Starac, živi Bog, Izvor svake mudrosti, Upravitelj prošlosti, Otkrovitelj budučnosti." 16 MR 334

God alone is represented as great... He is revealed as the monarch of the universe, about to set up His everlasting kingdom--the Ancient of days, the living God, the Source of all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, the Revealer of the future.

“Kao Jehova, vrhovni Upravitelj, Bog nije mogao lično da komunicira sa grešnim čovekom, ali On je tako mnogo voleo svet da je poslao Isusa u naš svet da bi otkrio Sebe" 9MR 122

As Jehovah, the supreme Ruler, God could not personally communicate with sinful men, but He so loved the world that He sent Jesus to our world as a revelation of Himself. "I

Biblija isto tako uči veoma jasno da je Isus Hristos jedinorođeni Sin Božji. U Svojoj prirodi On je potpuno Bog na isti način na koji je sin jednog čoveka, u svojoj prirodi ljudsko biče. Buduči Sin, Isus je primio od Svog Oca sve što ima: božansku prirodu, život, autoritet, snagu itd.

"Jer kao što Otac ima život u sebi, tako dade i Sinu da ima život u sebi" Jovan 5, 26

"Jer bi volja Očeva da se u Nj useli sva punina" Kol. 1, 19

"Hristos je sve primio od Boga, ali je uzeo da bi dao. Tako u nebeskim dvorovima, u svojoj službi za sva stvorena bića: kroz ljubljenog Sina Očev život izliva se na sve; a preko Sina život se vraća, u hvali i radosnoj službi, kao plima ljubavi, velikom Izvoru svega. I tako kroz Hrista krug dobročinstava se zatvara, predstavljajući karakter velikog Darodavca – zakon života." DA 21

"Bog je Otac Hristov; Hristos je Sin Božji. Hristu je bio dat uzvišen položaj. On je bio izjednačen sa Ocem. Svi saveti Božji bili su dostupni i Njegovom Sinu" 8T 268

"Naš veliki Primer je bio uzdignut da bude jednak sa Bogom" 2T 426

"Veliki Stvoritelj je sakupio svu nebesku vojsku da u prisutnosti svih anđela može dati posebnu čast svome Sinu. Sin je bio postavljen na prijesto sa Ocem, i mnoštvo anđela se sakupilo oko Njih. Otac je tada objavio da je to bila Njegova odluka da Hristos, Njegov Sin, bude jednak sa Njim, tako da gde je On da je prisutan Njegov Sin, to je isto kao da je On Sam prisutan. Reč Sina je trebalo slušati isto kao i reč Oca.........." SR 13

The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that He might in the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon His Son. The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. The Father then made known that it was ordained by Himself that Christ, His Son, should be equal with Himself; so that wherever was the presence of His Son, it was as His own presence. The word of the Son was to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son He had invested with authority to command the heavenly host. Especially was His Son to work in union with Himself in the anticipated creation of the earth and every living thing that should exist upon the earth. His Son would carry out His will and His purposes but would do nothing of Himself alone. The Father's will would be fulfilled in Him." SR 14

"Neki od anđela su saučestvovali sa sotonom u njegovoj pobuni, a drugi su se odlučno borili za čast i mudrost Božju priznajući autoritet Njegovog Sina. Tako je među anđelima izbio sukob. Težnja sotone i njegovih saučesnika bila je da se izmeni Božja vladavina. Želeli su da zavire u Njegovu nedokučivu mudrost i da doznaju sa kakvom namerom je uzvisio Isusa i dao Mu tako neograničenu silu i vlast. Nisu hteli da priznaju autoritet Sina." EW 146

Slava Bogu za ovu istinu!

 

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The following article is the first chapter taken from a larger more in depth study entitled "Sacrifice of Epic Proportion."  Sacrifice of Epic Proportion is a completely revised version of an earlier study entitled "Power Laid Down."  I hope to have the newer version up in pdf format soon. For now here is a sample of it.

Recently I read a short story written by Frank R Stockton entitled A Jerseyman And His Royal Crown. While reading, I began to see some striking parallels and contrasts between Stockton’s account, and a story I and most, if not all readers of this are well familiar with - the Story of Redemption. One correlation in particular intrigued me and it is this I want to highlight. From Stockton’s dissertation can be seen similarities between two kings of different eras, which left their royal estates yet remained very rich, I must add, rich in VERY different ways. Here is an adaptation of some of Stockton’s composition, which will help set the tone for the entire ‘Sacrifice of Epic Proportion’ study.

It begins with a royal robed lord who wore a crown heavy with diamonds and precious stones who lived in a rather unlikely place for a king. His estate was located in a cleared space amidst a hill thick with woods in Point Breeze, Bordentown New Jersey. The “exalted personage” was not officially a king when he lived in New Jersey, but he had been a king.  He was Joseph Bonaparte, lawyer, diplomat, soldier and the eldest brother of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

After conquering many nations of Europe, Napoleon replaced its former kings with new sovereigns from his own family and Joseph was one of them.

Joseph’s history as a king was not always a favorable one. He first took up a throne in Naples of Italy. Under his bother’s orders He lived and reigned in Naples as king for some time but to no success; he knew the people did not want him as their monarch. Then Napoleon sent him to Spain. But again he encountered equal failure; the people of Spain did not welcome this new king and rose up in rebellion against him causing him to take flight from Spain. These along with a few untimely adventures in France and Switzerland did not make for a good start for his attempted regal occupation. At that point he had no desire to ever again live and rule as king in the same manner as he did before.

In time, Napoleon’s reign came to an end. To escape being exiled to a most undesirable place such as Elba (an island of Italy) like his brother Napoleon, Joseph determined to get to America. Under disguise he voyaged thousands of miles/Km’s across the turbulent and tempestuous Atlantic in a small two hundred-tone vessel. Even the captain did not recognize him.

Before leaving, his wife fell ill. Under the orders of physicians she was advised to stay back in Italy. His two daughters however, accompanied him and stayed with him for some time in his new home in New Jersey. Before his flight, he also stashed away the crown of Spain and the regal robes of Italy and brought them with him.

“Now that he was well out of Europe, Joseph Bonaparte gave up all idea of returning, and in deciding to settle here it was not surprising that he chose to make his home in New Jersey. He bought a place near Bordentown, on a high wooded hill………and built a house…. It had grand halls and staircases and banquet halls ……  His estate, which covered more than a thousand acres, was beautifully laid out in drives and gardens and lawns………the place was arranged in a style of beauty and grandeur………..he lived in ex-regal style.” - Frank R Stockton, A Jerseyman And His Royal Crown

Jewels, gold, crowns………. these are the visible things generally associated with royalty: but what about Joseph Bonaparte’s character? It was not exactly altogether perfect, mind you; there are however marked parallels between the story of the ex- Spanish, ex-Italian king who for a time laid aside his royal robe and glorious crown and the story of the man from Nazareth who laid aside His royal robe and glorious crown.

Here are some examples. J. Bonaparte (J.B.) loved children. He would allow them to run around on his estate and often serve them drinks and give them special little treats. In winter they would skate on his frozen ponds and he would scatter chestnuts upon the ice for them to scramble towards and gather up to munch on. Jesus also was a lover of children. He gave time and devotion to them.

J.B. came close to people. Kings have a habit of distancing themselves from  “commoners” but ex-king J.B. was hospitable to his neighbors, sending flowers and fruits from his garden and in this way won their hearts and affections. It was not until he met common people where they were, stepped down to their level, and walked in their shoes that he was accepted and loved.

Heaven’s ex-majestic king was thoughtful, courteous and kind in His Galilean neighborhood. He graced the tables of social gatherings mingling freely with the everyday towns-folk.  Through friendship and loving interest in them and only by UNCOMPROMISINGLY “stepping down to their level” and “walking in their shoes” Heaven’s ex-commander and ex-Highly honored King won the love, affection and trust of many. And this is the very correlation I want to emphasize (although it seems J.B. compromised his integrity in other ways.) There is no record of Jesus plucking orchid fruits or flowers from His garden and sending them to His neighbors, as did J.B., but being a carpenter He may have given furniture to the needy. As a river or fountain of life receives from a larger source and flows out again, the Son of God took to give. Whatever He received from His Father, He gave - which was far more than something His rugged hands had carefully crafted from prize timber in His humble little workshop, and yet something far more than J.B. could ever possibly give. What did the “Son of man” give? He gave love, forgiveness, liberty, life, joy and emotional healing/security and physical health. For example, in preventing the embarrassment of the wedding host, He turned water into “the best” unfermented wine (Isa 65:8). It was in love and respect to His mother that He provided this sparkling crimson beverage for the continued refreshment for the guests. On occasions He provided simple nourishing food for the hungry, He taught, He preached, He forgave, He exposed but He blessed, He liberated, He inspired, He encouraged, He picked up the downcast, lifted up the downtrodden, released the oppressed or possessed, transformed hearts and revolutionized lives. He gave of Himself. So although He didn’t hand out delicate fruits and flowers that soon fade and wilt, His very life carried a fragrance like a flower. His beauty of character far surpassed the beauty of any flowers of the field. J.B. drew people to him through his association, thoughtfulness and kindness. The Son of God drew people to Him through the cords of love.

For whatever reason, J.B. was rejected as king in both Madrid and Naples. Despite all the good that Jesus did, He was “despised and rejected of men” - forsaken by His own people.  (A prophet is not honored in his own country Matt 13:57.) The ex-Spanish and ex-Italian king in voyaging from Europe to America did not do so in regal majesty, and splendor but at a calculated risk of losing his life by sea or by sword. He left in disguise. At the time when God sent His only begotten Son to the world the Son of God bid farewell to His Father and angel friends at the royal heavenly palace. In the event of descending to earth, to eventually commenced His voyage across the dark stormy seas of our turbulent life that we ALL face, which He did so at the risk of loosing much; far, far more than Bonaparte could ever possibly loose. In His humanity, Christ’s glory was veiled; He disguised Himself “in the likeness of men”. As the captain of the boat did not recognize the royal brother of Napoleon, the Jewish leaders did not recognize, at least outside of the mock trial before the cross, heaven’s royal dignity that once shared His Almighty Father’s scepter and throne (Phil 2:7; John 1:10-11). As J.B. was once rejected as king, the Son of God was once shamefully mocked, scourged and spat upon….  and rejected as King.

These are a few less than perfect parallels between these two kings: Now, from the words of Stockton, here is an obvious contrast that sets Jesus apart from J.B.

“It generally happens, when a sovereign is obliged to abdicate and to fly from his kingdom, that he arranges matters so that he shall not become a pauper when he arrives at the place of refuge. If he is not able to carry away anything more than a valise, he is much more likely to put his royal jewels into it than to fill it up with night clothes and hairbrushes; so when Bonaparte came to New Jersey, he came as a very rich man.”  - Frank R Stockton, A Jerseyman And His Royal Crown

This is exactly what Joseph did. Moreover, when the building of his mansion was complete, he arranged for beautiful paintings of high value and costly sculptures to be shipped from Europe. This would further add to the wealth of his American estate.

Christ came with nothing but possessed everything. Prior to entering our fallen world, the Father and Son did not assign angels to somehow prevent Jesus’ poverty. They did not prearrange and pack a treasure chest with gold, silver and most costly jewels and secretly stash it in the earth in a secluded place near Galilee for Jesus to simply uncover and draw from in difficult times of need. Otherwise it may be said Jesus had privileges the poor didn’t have and therefore would have failed to be a perfect example. Jesus willingly chose to endure hardship, poverty, trial and difficulty during “the days of His flesh”. He came with nothing, He owned next to nothing. He was the son of poor Galilean parents. When He was born, instead of bringing a lamb for sacrifice, Joseph and Mary could barely afford two turtle doves for an offering according to the law of the Lord (Lev 14:22; Luke 2:24).  As it turned out, unlike J.B. who lived in a New Jersey mansion estate, Jesus had no permanent dwelling. In coming to our world, in His youth He learned the humble trade of carpentry and so it was unlikely he owned much. On the other hand, when J.B. came to New Jersey, “he came a very rich man” - with immense wealth to spare. But get this. After Jesus’ betrayal, infamous trial and death, and resurrection, a company of angels escorted Him back to the indescribable Paradise Palace to be reunited with His Father. He also took a multitude of captives as trophies with Him. These were “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor 15:20,23), they are His “peculiar treasure”, His precious “jewels”, raised by His resurrection power and gathered from their dusty graves (Mal 3:17; Prov 7:20; Psm 135:4). In this sense when Jesus entered, not New Jersey, but New Jerusalem, the city of the great King, He entered as the “King of Kings and Lord of lords”. In other words, He moved into the glorious and eternal New Jerusalem as a “very rich man” (Rev 21:7; 21:10-25).

Furthermore, significantly different to J.B., He NOW has immense unfading wealth to share. While on earth, Jesus did not seek security by living in an immaculate guarded estate or seek value from earthly kingdoms and treasure. For Him, knowing He was His Father’s beloved Son was enough. His value was invested in His Father’s kingdom consisting of a relational economy - a kingdom founded upon the principles of other-centered love, love expressed in moral character (1 Cor 13). His joy was in imparting heaven’s incorruptible currency - the gold of faith and love tried in the fire, and in redeeming fallen sons and daughters of Adam and restoring them fit for the eternal kingdom of Glory.

A king is the lawmaker. Every kingdom basically has a king and a law. The king’s role is to make law and enforce justice. He is to judge and make decisions between right and wrong. No other king in history demonstrated the principles of his government as well as God’s Son. The Son of God, the giver of the law to Moses at Sinai, when He was made flesh mercifully lived and breathed the law. He was the walking, feeling, living, hearing, seeing, loving, law of God personified showing us how to live successfully and happily.

Jesus is willing to share His wealth.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Cor 8:9

Jesus does not promise houses or lands; but in receiving Him and the gold of faith and love He offers, we become spiritually rich.

Unlike most monarchs who avoid mingling with common folk, J.B. was remembered as a king who stepped down to their level. And although, understandably, with no religious profession, he was not always the most moral person in the world, he was certainly generous. Jesus said

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matt 7:11

Interestingly, as it turned out, the life of J.B. came to an end at age 76 in July of 1844. It so happens that Adventists recognize 1844 as the very year the Judgment ministry of Christ - the believer’s great judge priest-king began. He entered into the Holy of Holies to receive a kingdom commencing the great work of investigative judgment (Dan 7:13,14; Matt 22:1-14; 1 Pet 4:17). While one king laid aside his royal robe and crown entering the dusty prison to join the dead, the other - Christ the anointed eternal Priest-King-Judge, laid aside his plain linen dress for the first apartment ministration. He then took up His most glorious kingly crown and donned on His golden priestly garments to enter the final ministration of the Most Holy Place to judge the living and the dead! (See the shadowy types in Ex 28:4-43; 1 Chron 6:49; Acts 10:42)

We are called to repent at the preaching of the gospel before we become God’s representative kings. We may not be princes or princesses, kings or queens of earthly royal descent. We are however “a royal priesthood”, “kings of the earth” “joint heirs” with Christ, of spiritual descent (Rev 21:24; Rom 8:17; Rev 3:21; Dan 7:27). We neither put on nor lay aside glorious gem-laden crowns or costly purple hued-robes, but there is another kind of garment that we are to lay aside: Garments of pride.

In remarkable humiliation and clothed in sackcloth, the king of Nineveh “laid his [royal] robe aside”, and along with the Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah. In view of the investigative judgment, and in view of other approaching judgments, we are moved by the convicting Spirit to humble repentance. Then we can rise in newness of life, clothed in His rich robes of righteousness to proclaim the message of His eternal kingdom.

In other-centered love for you and me, prior to the incarnation, the Son of God laid aside His majestic garments in order to tabernacle among men. He later laid aside His plain “outer garments” (John 13:4,5) to wash the disciples feet thus they had a visual demonstration of humility. In coming “down to our level” His purpose is to save and serve. Likewise by being filled with the spirit of Christ’s other-centered love and humility we have the honor to daily lay aside our garments, garments of pride and exclusivity in order to seek, save and serve – according to our God-given ability IN HIS POWER and grace. This is our high calling. This is our entrusted commission. Then it can be said of us,

“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of him who hath called…[us] out of darkness into his marvellous light” 1 Pet 2:9.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt 25:23

May the apostle Paul’s words become reality for us, that we may have the mind of Christ.

 

 

 

 

Comment (1)

 

The moment we begin to speak with a Muslim, typically he or she will get offended by the fact that we are calling Jesus the Son of God. This is because when we say "Son of God", they think we are talking about a son who was conceived in the traditional, "normal" way, and they believe this assertion is blasphemy. They are right to believe this assertion is blasphemy. We must clarify to the Muslim that when we say, "Son of God', we do not believe that God ever had a physical relationship with a woman to have this son. As we look at the Qur'an and what the Holy book says about Isa Al-Masih (Jesus the Messiah), we see in chapter 19th the angel talking to Maryam (Mary):

Here are other related articles.  Click on the titles to access.

 

Jesus death from the Qur'an

The True Jihad in Islam

Allah's Punishment of Apostate Rome: The Seven Trumpets From Bible Prophecy

God's Covenant Blessings Include All (Strangers and People from the East)

The Sabbath in the Qur'an

Ministering to the Other Side of the Family

Isaiah 60 with Strong's word definitions and Spirit of Prophecy quotes

References to "The Book" from the Qur'an

What does the Qur'an say about Jesus death?

The Names of Allah in the Holy Book

Shirk: The Trinity and Islam

Christians Who Believe in the Trinity will never reach a Muslim

The Vengeful Spirit by E.J. Waggoner

 

Comment (8)

I was raised as a young Seventh-Day Adventist in the 1960's. 
I remember learning John 3:16 as one of my many memory verses.  I think it was for JMV's (anyone remember JMV's?).  I also read vast sections of the Bible including the "begats" in Genesis and Matthew. 
I was probably eight or nine at the time and it occurred to me that if Jesus was the only begotten Son of God then where was His mother?  I had never read about her.   Even at that age I knew the text was referring to Jesus before His incarnation.  So I went to my source of all wisdom, my mother, and asked her.  I remember Mum had a funny little smile on her face and she took a few moments to answer me.

Her answer was so simple and yet it totally satisfied me.  She confirmed that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God just like the Bible says.  She said that the Bible does not tell us how Jesus was begotten and so we do not have to know.  She said God did not have a wife and we should not try to make God into a human like us.  She told me I just had to believe what the Bible told me and when I got to heaven I could ask Jesus for myself.

Pretty good answer?  I happily accepted it and I still believe it.  Mum had such a wonderful but simple faith.  She just accepted what the Bible said and believed it and did it.  Thank God and praise Him for the gift of godly mothers.

I recently found a statement by Ellen White that describes my late mother.  She said:
Any person who looks to Christ in simple, childlike faith is made a partaker of the divine nature through the agency of the Holy Spirit. (Manuscript 143, 1901 quoted in Christ Triumphant 363.5).

Yes, life seemed so much simpler back then in the '60's, but, praise God, a simple faith is not dependent on a simple life.  It is dependent only on our approach to our Heavenly Father and I pray that He will give me the grace to develop that same simple, childlike faith.

May God bless you.

Comment (6)

In this article I’m going to show the common theme of how all false Godhead doctrines are antichrist.

 

1 John 2:18-19,22 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

 1 John 4:1-3  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

 

  I’m going to go over these Godhead doctrines: Jesus only, Oneness, Papal Trinity, Adventist Trinity, Jehovah’s Witness Unitarian view, and Islam’s view of Jesus. The first point from the above verses I will show is “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

Jesus only doctrine: This is the belief that the one God of the Bible is simply Jesus who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus simply has different roles in this doctrine. Obviously Jesus is not God’s Son in this doctrine. There is no Father and Son relationship. “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

Oneness doctrine: In this doctrine the one God of the Bible is an omnipresent being who manifests Himself in different forms called the “Word” while He remains omnipresent. The Word is not His Son but uses this title for Himself when manifested in another form. Example would be the fiery furnace of Daniel 3: God remained omnipresent but manifested Himself as the Son of God in another form. This other form isn’t another personality but is strictly Himself. This is also the case in the incarnation. There are different views when it comes to the incarnation in this doctrine but basically God inhabited a human body while He remained omnipresent at the same time. When Jesus prayed He prayed to Himself to teach us. As you can see God doesn’t actually have a Son in this doctrine.  “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

Papal Trinity: In this doctrine the one God of the Bible is made up of three personalities that all exist in one consubstantial substance. They are all three the same age with the Son coming out of the Father but never able to fully come out of Him and the Holy Spirit proceeding from Them. Jesus isn’t a complete separate individual and in fact is God in personality just like the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus is not really God’s Son as He is the Lord God Almighty in the exact same sense as the Father and Holy Spirit. The term Son is used because He is the one continually deriving His life from the Father.  “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

Adventist Trinity: In this doctrine the one God of the Bible is made up of three individual persons that have always existed, that is none of them having beginning of days. In eternity past they got together in council and took on roles of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus isn’t God’s Son in this doctrine because He the Lord God Almighty in the exact same sense as the Father and Holy Spirit. The terms Father and Son are simply to show us their close relationship. “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

Jehovah’s Witness Unitarian view: In this doctrine Jesus was a created son by Jehovah God but is not equal with Him. Jesus is not worthy of worship like Jehovah God is. Jesus is a created son just like the angels are created sons. The Bible shows us that this is a denial of Father and Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. (John 5:23) Jehovah is a self-centered God in this doctrine who views His son unworthy compared to Himself. “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

Islam’s Jesus: Admittedly I am not well studied on this yet so please correct me if you have better information to be added to this section. Jesus doesn’t have pre-existence in this doctrine and is simply a holy prophet. He is not Allah’s Son. “He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”

As you can see all of these doctrines deny that God has a Son thus it is easy to see who the author behind these teachings is. In this next section we will see how all of these doctrines deny that “Jesus is the Christ” and “has come in the flesh.” According to the scriptures God had a Son whom He gave. As we saw above all of these doctrines deny this Sonship. In order to have true Sonship God’s Son must be a divine equal with Himself honored just as the Father is honored. This divine Son must also have become a human being while obviously remaining divine otherwise there is nothing of Jesus that came from God. If He came as 100% man in every respect just as you and I are a man then nothing about Him came from Heaven. Let’s take a look at the above doctrines again to see how they fulfill 1^st Johns antichrist statements. The easiest way to solve these passages in each doctrine is the death on the cross.

Jesus only doctrine: In this doctrine when Jesus died on the cross we would be in big trouble for we would have no God left if He was truly dead. This doctrine is always tied to immortality of the soul as it is needed to keep the God Jesus alive when He died as a man. When the human body of Jesus died on the cross He went on living in an immortal soul thus we simply have a human body that died but not the divine Son of God. Jesus simply inhabited a human body instead of actually becoming flesh. In this scenario if He had sinned it would only be a human body that perished while God could return to Heaven. Note there are problems associated with Him even having the possibility of sinning because of this. This takes us into an area where this human Jesus didn’t even have the same human nature as we do. All of these things deny that the divine Jesus came in the flesh and seeing that only a human body died we have a denial of the Christ as a human body cannot make atonement for our sins. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Oneness doctrine: In this doctrine we have God remaining omnipresent while inhabiting a human body. If this human body had sinned (not sure that is even possible in this doctrine) we see that only a human body would have perished. When Jesus died on the cross we see God is still alive as an omnipresent being. God in Jesus must have withdrawn at His death or some point before His death. This leaves us with a human body that died for us. This doctrine can be linked with immortality of the soul also which has the same problem as above. At best in this doctrine we simply have a divine being inhabiting a human body but the divine being is not actually human and at risk of losing His existence. We do not have a divine Son given by God that died and risked everything for us. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Papal Trinity: In this doctrine God is triune which is no different than the Jesus only doctrine. The Trinity must always remain a Trinity as it can never be two. This doctrine denies the possibility that Christ could have sinned as He didn’t have our nature. When Jesus died on the cross He went on living in an immortal soul to preserve the triune God. Again we see that only a human body died for us. Jesus only inhabited a human body. Perhaps by now you are seeing a common theme amongst all these doctrines. This common theme is only a human body died for us. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Adventist Trinity: In this doctrine we have the same exact issues as the Papal Trinity except we as Adventist don’t believe in immortality of the soul. This is the Mystery of the Adventist Trinity on how Jesus was still alive in that human body. Seeing we don’t believe He lived in an immortal Spirit departed from the body and SOP says His Spirit slept with Him in the tomb. Here is the best I can do to supply an answer to this mystery:

These quotes below are conversations Terry Hill had with Adventist ministers/scholars. He has chosen to keep their names silent. This area of teaching that the Son of God did not die on the cross is very quiet in our church and most are shocked to hear this. People are not even aware of it usually and only begin to accept and teach it when confronted with the fact that it is something that must be taught when believing in the trinity.

In a very recent email, a Seventh-day Adventist minister said to me that we do not know “how much” Jesus died at Calvary. Another minister said to me (again in an email), “If Jesus was God He has always existed and did not die when the Godman died”.

Just over three years ago I said to a Seventh-day Adventist minister (whom I had been speaking with concerning Christ) that according to his reasoning, the divine Son of God did not die at Calvary. He responded by saying that this is exactly what he believed. He then went on to explain that at Calvary, only the human nature of Christ died. I replied to him by saying that as atonement for sin, this would only give us (fallen humanity) a human sacrifice. He said that this was correct and that for atonement with God, this is all that was needed. He then quoted Ellen White as saying that only human nature died at Calvary and not divinity.

I wish I could supply solid quotes from the church on this but we call it the “unaddressed issue” for a reason. It is simply better for the church to dodge this than put out statements promoting it as this will turn many from this teaching. I have mentioned this to church leadership as far back as September (2010) and as recently as the end of March (2011) and still have received no answer. More on this at the end of this study guide.

How sin would affect Christ:

In yet another email, a Seventh-day Adventist theologian wrote to me saying “I do not know where you got the idea that sin would have brought the death of the eternal Son of God” He then said “God, because he is God cannot die. Humans can die.”

Regarding the trinity doctrine, I recently had a conversation with a retired Seventh-day Adventist minister. The minister had been energetically extolling the virtues of the trinity teaching - at least as Seventh-day Adventists understand it. In his explanation he said that if Christ had sinned (which he freely admitted had been possible), His humanity would have been lost but not the divine personage. He then went on to say that this is because the Son subsists as an inseparable part of the trinity and is therefore immortal.

You may be asking why all these Seventh-day Adventists deny that a divine person died at Calvary. The answer is of course, they are all trinitarian.(Terry Hill SDA laity in England)

This is also part of the “unaddressed issue” as it is very hard to get a statement on what would have happened had Christ sinned. Some will scoff at this question but it is very important as it reveals the character of your God. Think about how unjust God would be if the wages of sin is death for us but not to His Son. Notice these quotes from Max Hatton on this issue:

So now you know where I stand on the little game the Anti-Trinitarians like to play. They try to set you up for a big fall by their use; I should say misuse, of Ellen White. I would answer them on No. 1. “Yes He could have sinned.” On No. 2. “It would have affected Him terribly if He had sinned. He would be shattered to a depth that we could never understand. God would be defeated, the human family would be forever lost, the residents of the other occupied planets would be in great distress and would probably lose a lot of confidence in God. It would have adversely affected Christ’s humanity somehow but his Deity would not be affected to the extent that He would be obliterated. He is Eternal, Omnipotent, and such-like and could never die.” .{Max Hatton, HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST FROM ANTI-TRINITARIANS}

Statements such as the above contradict the earlier statements of Ellen White offered by Robert Burness. Obviously, if Jesus failed in His mission then Heaven failed, God failed, Humanity was lost, the human Jesus was lost, and the Devil triumphed. But I fail to see how One of the Members of the Trinity could be annihilated – They all occupy the One Substance.{Max Hatton, HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST FROM ANTI-TRINITARIANS}

Also W.W. Prescott:

“In answer to your question as to my conversation with Eld. Prescott, it was after I had spoken on the vicarious sacrifice of Christ, that he called me and wanted to talk with me about it. He tried to convince me that Christ did not die as the Son of God, as I had preached. And when he could not convince me, he said, `I do not appreciate your leaving me without a Christ for three days and nights’” (Elder J. F. Anderson, as quoted by J. Washburn in his 1940 ‘Trinity’ letter to the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference)

We simply once again have a Divine being who inhabited a human body instead of becoming a human and risking everything for us. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Jehovah’s Witness Unitarian view: In this view Jesus was strictly human and although they believe in His pre-existence nothing came with Him from Heaven. We simply have a human being who died for us. How He remained sinless as 100% human growing up and learning who He was I cannot answer as I have not yet asked this question to a Jehovah Witness. They admit He could have sinned and perished but it simply would be a human that perished and not a Divine Son that came in the flesh. We again have a human body for a sacrifice. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Islam’s Jesus: In this doctrine Jesus isn’t divine nor did He come to die for us anyhow. He did die but He was a simply a Holy man who died just as all of the above were simply Holy humans. His death wasn’t a death to redeem us in Islam. As you can see all of these doctrines deny that Jesus is the Son of God, Christ, and came as a human yet still divine. He was either just a Holy man or a Holy man inhabited by a divine being.

  The truth is Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who became a man while remaining divine. He risked His very existence and truly died on the cross. He is God’s divine Son given to redeem us from the devil and the grave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comment (14)

This is Jeff's Presentation from the Amicalola Meetings.

POWERPOINT File

Jeff Wilson - The Last Adam from Maranatha Media on Vimeo.

A scriptural exploration of the "Everlasting Father" to the sanctified believer.

Comment (2)