Questions On Doctrine PDF

SeveHtlt-doll AdvcHtists Answer
Seventh-day Adveutists
QUESTIONS on DOCTRINE
AN EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN MAJOR ASPECTS
ASPECTS
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST BELIEF
Prepared
Prepared by
by a
a Representative
Representative 'Group
'Group ot
of
Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventist
Adventist Leaders, Bible Teachers,
Leaders, Bible Teachers,
and Editors
Editors
HERALD
REVIEW -AND HERALD
REVIEW·AND
ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHING
WASHINGTON,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
D.C.
COPYRIGHT © 1957
1957 BY THE
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
OFFSET IN U.S
U.S A.
A.
Contents
Introduction
Introduction ________________________________________________________________________________________________ _ 77
Fun.damental Beliefs
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists
of Seventh-day Adventists --_____________ _ II
1 1
1.
I. PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
1.
1. Doctrines We Share
Doctrines Share With
With Other
Other Christians
Christians _____ ._. ___________________ _ 21
2.
2. The Bible,
Bible, Only Rule of
Only Rule Faith and
of Faith Pmctice ___ . _____________ ._______ _ 26
and Practice
3.
3. Seventh.day Adventist
Seventh-day Adventist Relationship
Relationship to Positions -. _____ _ 29
Past Positions
to Past 29
II. QUESTIONS
II. QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRIST
4.
4. Deity and
Deity and Eternal Pre-existence of
Eternal Pre-existence of Christ
Christ __ ._. _______________________ .___ 35
35
5.
5. Deity of
Deity of Christ
Christ and
and Church Membership ___._... _._.. __ . ___ .____________
Church Membership 42
42
6.
6. The Incarnation
Incarnation and
and the
the "Son of Man" ________ . ___ .______________ ._.. _.__
"Son of 50
50
7.
7. The Bodily Resurrection
The Bodily Resurrection of Christ ___ . __________ ._______ ... ____ . __ .. _____ .
of Christ
66
66
8.
8. Christ,
Christ, and Michael the Archangel _._. _______ .. __________. __ . ___ ... _.. ____
and Michael the Archangel 71
71
III. QUESTIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF ELLEN C.

III. QUESTIONS G. WHITE'S
WRITINGS TO THE BIBLE
9.
9. Ellen C. White's Writings
Writings and Their Relation to
to the Bible 89
IV. QUESTIONS
IV. LAW AND LEGALISM
QUESTIONS ON THE LAW
10.
JO. Christ
Christ the Heart of
the Heart of the Advent Message
the Advent Message __ . _____ . ________ .________ ._. __ 101
101
11.
11. The Basis
Basis and Fruitage
Fruitage of Christian Experience
of Christian Experience ... _. _____. _____ 105
105
12.
12. The Ten Commandments,
Commandments, God's Standard of
God's Standard of Conduct ._ ________ 121
121
13.
13. Distinction Between the Decalogue
Distinction Decalogue and thethe Ceremonial Law 129
129
14.
14. The Relationship
Relationship of
of Grace
Grace to
to Law and Works ___________________ 135
135
V. QUESTIONS SUNDAY, AND THE MARK

QUESTIONS ON THE SABBATH, SUNDAY,
OF THE BEAST
15.
15. The Foundation of of Sabbath Observance -------.-.. --------.------------ tilt.
16.
16. The Sabbath
Sabbath and the Moral Law __ ._._ .. _.... ____ .. ___ ._._.___ .________ . ____._.
the Moral - 154
15
17.
17. Saturday
Saturday Observance
Observance a Valid
a Valid Criterion
Criterion __ ._ ..... _________ ... __ ._ .. ___ ._._._ 177
177
18.
18. Historic Concept
Historic of the
Concept of the Mark ofof the Beast __ ... _. ___ ..... __ .___ . ___...
the Beast ... 179
179
19.
19. When the
the Mark Will
Will BeBe Received
Received __ . _____... _....... _...._____ .. _______ . _____ . 183
183
20.
20. Who Constitute the
Constitute the "Remnant Church"?
Church'"/ ___ .. __ . ___ .. _______________ 186
186
21.
21. What Constitutes
Constitutes "Babylon"?
"Babylon"?
_____ .______________________________. ________ .. __ ... 197
197
VI. QUESTIONS
VI. QUESTIONS ON PROPHECY, DANIEL 8
8 AND 9,
9, AND THE
2300 DAYS
22. Basic Principles
22. Basic Principles of Prophetic Interpretation
of Prophetic Interpretation .___ .. ____ .. ____ ._____ . __ . 205
205
23. Christ
23. Pre-eminent in
Christ Pre-eminent Daniel 8
in Daniel 8 and 9 9 ... ___ .. __ ._. _____ ~_ .. _____ . __ . ___ .. 244
244
5
66 QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS ON DOCTRINE
24. Problems Pertaining
24. Problems Pertaining to Daniel 88 ................................... __ .... __ ....-
to Daniel 252
252
25. Relation of
25. Relation of Seventy
Seventy Weeks of of Daniel 99 to 2300 Days
to 2300 Days of at
Dalliel 88 .....................................................................................
Daniel - - 26t\
268
26. Tlte
26. Seventieth Week of
The Seventieth of Daniel
Daniel 99 and the Gap Theory ...
Gap Theory .... 296
296
27. Scholarly
27. Scholarly Precedents
Precedents for for 1814 Ending of
1S44 Ending of 2300
2300 Year·Year-DaysDays So!)
309
28. Antiochus Epiphanes
28. Antiochas Epiphanes and the the Prophetic
Prophetic Specifications
Specifications of of
Daniel...............................
Daniel - 317
3 7
1
VII. QUESTIONS ON CHRIST AND His

VII. QUESTIONS HIS MINISTRY IN THE
SANCTUARY
29.
29. A Wider
Wider Concept
Concept of the Atonement ............................................
of the 341
341
30. Sacrificial
30. Sacrificial Atonement Provided; Provided; Sacrificial SlIc"i{icial AtonementAto])rment
Applied
Applied ................................ ...........................................
- 349
349
31.
31. Salvation Prefigured
Salvation Prefigured in in the
the Sanctuary
Sanctuary Service
Service ........................ 356
356
32.
32. The Heavenly
Heavenly Sanctuary
Sanctuary-Figurative Figurative or or Literal
Literal Concepts
Concepts. .... 365
365
33.
33. The High-Priestly
High·Priestly Ministry
Ministry of of Christ
Christ ........................................ 369
369
34.
34. The Meaning
Meaning of Azazel ................................................................
of Azazel 391
391
35.
35. The Transaction
Transaction With the the Scapegoat
Scapegoat .................................... 396
396
36.
36. The Investigative
Investigative Judgment
Judgment in in the Setting of
the Setting the Arminian
of the Anninian
Concept
Concept .......................................................................... 402
402
VIII. QUESTIONS
VIII. QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND ADVENT AND THE
MILLENNIUM
37.
37. The Second
Second Coming
Coming of
of Christ
Christ ....... _........................................... 449
449 ~
*
38.
38. Varied
Varied Concepts of the
Concepts of the Millennium ........................................ 465 465
39. Adventist Understanding
39. Adventist Understanding of the Millennium ........................ 489
of the 489
IX. QUESTIONS
IX. QUESTIONS ON IMMORTALITY
40.
40. Innate or
Innate or Conditional Immortality ............................................ 511
Conditional Immortality 511
41.
41. of Man in
The Condition of in Death ................................ 520
520
42. The Punishment of
42. oj the
the Wicked .................................................. 533
533
43.
43. The Rich Man and Lazarus
Lazarus ... _................................................
- 544
544
44. Champions
44. Champions of
of Conditional Immortality Span
Conditional Immortality Span the the Centlll'ies
Centuries 567 567
X. MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
45. Intent
45. Intent of
of the
the Term "Everlasting
"Everlasting Gospel"
Gospel" ................... _..... ___ .... 613
613
16. Satan, Demons,
46. Satan, Demons, and Angels
Angels ..................... _._ ............................... GI8
618
47.
47. The Question
Question of
of Unclean Foods ................................................ 622 622
48. Adventist
48. Adventist Relationship
Relationship to
to World M.issions
Missions Program
Program '.'.'.".". 625
625
Representative Adventist
Representative Adventist Doctrinal
Doctrinal Literature
Literature _.................. 629 629
XL APPENDIXES
XI. ApPENDIXES AND INDEXES
A. Christ's Place in
Christ's Place in the
the Godhead .........__...................... _.........._ ... 641 641
B. Christ's
B. Christ's Nature During
During the Incarnation .................................... 647
the Incarnation 647
C. The Atonement
C. A tonement ......... _.................... _......................... _..................... 661
661
Scripture Index ..... _..........._......................._................................... 693
Scripture 693
General Index .................................._.............................................. 710
71
Introduction
Introduction
This book came into

Into being to meet aa definite
being to definite need.
need.
Interest concerning
Interest concerning Seventh-day Adventist belief
Seventh-day Adventist belief and
work hashas increased
increased as the movement has
as the has grown.
grown. But in in
recent years
recent years especially,
especially, there
there seems to
to be
be a
a desire
desire on the
the
part of
part of many
many non-Adventists for for aa clearer understanding
clearer understanding
of our teachings
of teachings and objectives.
objectives. Uncertainty
Uncertainty regarding
regarding
basic beliefs
our basic beliefs isis abundantly
abundantly evident
evident in in much of the
of the
literature published
literature published concerning
concerning us.
us. There are
are already
already
many purporting to
many books purporting to give the story
give the story of this people.
of this people.
Recently, however,
Recently, however, one of of the
the large
large Protestant
Protestant pub- pub-
lishing
lishing houses
houses here in
in the
the United States
States planned the
planned the
production
production of
of still
still another book.
book. An author of
of several
several
works dealing
dealing with the the history
history and beliefsbeliefs of of certain
certain
religious groups
religious groups was requested
requested to
to produce
produce this
this new
book, the
book, the purpose
purpose of of which was to to present
present aa general
general
review of of our history
history and belief.
belief. It It was to to be an objec-
objec-
tive analysis,
tive with particular
analysis, with particular emphasis
emphasis in
in those
those areas
areas
wherein Adventist
Adventist teachings
teachings differ
differ from some other other
Christian
Christian groups.
groups.
In order
In order toto be
be factual
factual inin his
his treatment of the subject
of the subject
this author
this author did what authors in in general
general have failed
failed toto
do: he
do: he visited
visited our denominational headquarters headquarters in in
Washington, D.C.,
Washington, B.C., and obtained firsthand information.
firsthand information.
Moreover,
Moreover, he he came not for just a single visit, but in
not for just a single visit, in
company
company with with other
other scholars
scholars made a a number of trips
of trips
to the
to the General
General Conference covering covering a
a period
period of
of almost
7
88 QUESTIONS
two years.
years. Hundreds of hours went Into
of hours into this
this research,
research,
and hundreds of books
of books and pamphlets, both Adventist
pamphlets, both Adventlst
and non-Adventlst,
non-Adventist, were examined.examined. In In addition
addition therethere
were aa large
large number of interviews. During
of interviews. During these these many
many
months of of study,
study, thethe major
major aspects
aspects ofof Adventist
Adventist teach-teach-
ing
ing were carefully analyzed.
were carefully analyzed. The inquiries
inquiries growing
growing out
of this
of investigation were
this investigation were ultimately
ultimately couched in in aa series
series
of searching
of questions
searching questions to
to which comprehensive
comprehensive answers
answers
were requested.
requested.
The replies
replies were prepared
prepared by by aa group
group of of recognized
recognized
leaders, in
leaders, in close
close counsel
counsel with Bible Bible teachers,
teachers, editors,
editors,
and administrators.
and administrators. The goal goal was
was toto set forth our basic
set forth basic
beliefs in terminology
beliefs in terminology currentlycurrently used
used in
in theological cir-
theological cir-
cles.
cles. This was not not to
to be aa new statement
statement of of faith, but
faith, but
rather an
rather an answer to to specific questions concerning
specific questions concerning our
faith.
faith. It was natural
It was natural that these answers
that these answers would come
within
within thethe framework of of the official statement
the official statement of Fun-
of Fun-
damental Beliefs
Beliefs ofof Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists
Adventists which ap-
ap-
pears
pears in
in our Church Manual and is included
is included in
in this
this
volume, pages
volume, pages 11-18. In view
11-18. In view ofof this fact, these
this fact, these answers
answers
represent the
represent the position
position of of our denomination
denomination in the area
in the area
of
of church doctrine
doctrine and prophetic
prophetic interpretation.
interpretation.
As the
the work on the progressed, it
the answers progressed, it was felt
felt
that
that our church
church members would be be equally
equally benefited
benefited
by the
by the material
material being
being prepared,
prepared, and therefore
therefore it it was
was
decided to
decided to publish
publish the
the completed
completed work in
in book form.
form.
So this
this volume came into into being.
being. While the the form of the
of the
work is is rather
rather unusual,
unusual, it it will,
will, we trust,
trust, meet a definite
a definite
need.
need.
The writers,
writers, counselors,
counselors, and editors
editors who producedproduced
the answers
the answers to to these
these questions
questions have
have labored conscien-
labored conscien-
tiously
tiously to to state
state accurately
accurately the beliefs of
the beliefs of Seventh-day
Seventh-day
INTRODUCTION 99
Adventists.
Adventists. But because
because of of the very nature
the very nature of the Sev-
of the Sev-
enth-day Adventist Church organization

enth-day Adventist organization no statementstatement
of Seventh-day
of Seventh-day Adventist
Adventist belief
belief can
can be
be considered
considered of-
of-
ficial unless it
ficial unless it is
is adopted by
adopted by the
the General
General Conference
Conference
in quadrennial
in quadrennial session,
session, when accredited
accredited delegates
delegates from
the
the whole world world field
field are present. The answers
are present. answers in this
in this
volume are are an expansion
expansion of
of our doctrinal
doctrinal positions
positions con-
con-
tained
tained in in the
the official
official statement
statement of of Fundamental Beliefs Beliefs
already
already referred
referred to.
to. Hence this
this volume can
can be
be viewed
viewed
as truly
as truly representative
representative of of the
the faith beliefs of
faith and beliefs of the
the
Seventh-day
Adventist Church.
Those who have prepared prepared these these answers make no
claim that
claim they have provided
that they provided the the final
final word on Chris-
Chris-
tian doctrine. Seventh-day
tian doctrine. Seventh-day Adventists
Adventists believe
believe that
that man's
understanding
understanding of
of God's truth
truth is
is progressive.
progressive. "The path
path
of the just
of the just is
is as
as the shining light,
the shining light, that
that shineth
shineth more and
more unto the perfect day"
the perfect day" (Prov. 4: 18). We surely
(Prov. 4:18). surely
should know more of of God's willwill and purpose
purpose than
than did
righteous men of
righteous of earlier
earlier ages.
ages. And in in days
days to
to come we
should rightly
rightly expect
expect further unfolding of
further unfolding of Bible
Bible truth.
truth.
While we acceptaccept the
the Bible
Bible and the
the Bible
Bible only
only as
as our
rule of
rule faith and practice,
of faith practice, we clearly recognize
clearly recognize that
that
we do not not understand
understand perfectly
perfectly all truth which God
all truth
would havehave His children

children know today. today. Nor have have we ever
ever
claimed such
claimed such knowledge.
knowledge. We honor the
the noble
noble line
line of
of
witnesses such
witnesses such as Wycliffe, Luther,
as Wycliffe, Luther, Tyndale, Calvin,
Tyndale, Calvin,
Knox, Wesley, and other great
Knox, Wesley, great leaders
leaders of the past,
of the past, whose
advance into into new light light led
led the church forward
forward in
in its
its
fuller understanding of
fuller understanding of God's will.
will. And we believebelieve that
that
God hashas given
given special
special light
light inin these last days
these last days that
that is
is inin
advance of
advance the gospel
of the gospel light perceived by
light perceived by earlier
earlier Chris-
Chris-
tian
tian leaders.
leaders.
10
10 QUESTIONS
In harmony
In harmony with the the apostolic injunction, "Be ready
apostolic injunction, ready
always
always to to give
give an answer to every man that
to every that asketh
asketh you
you
aa reason
reason of of the hope that
the hope is in
that is in you
you with meekness and
fear" (1
fear" (l Peter
Peter 3:15),
3: 15), we have here
here sought
sought toto give
give reasons
reasons
for our faith.
for faith. We invite
invite our Christian friends to
Christian friends to examine
these answers
these answers in in the
the light of the
light of the Word of of God.
The officers
officers of the General Conference of
of the of Seventh-
day Adventists
day Adventists felt
felt that the material
that the material appearing
appearing in this
in this
volume would not only only be
be helpful
helpful toto the
the members of of
their own church but that
their that itit would alsoalso furnish re- re-
liable information on Adventist beliefs
liable information beliefs and teachings
teachings
to
to the many inquiries,
the many inquiries, that,
that, in
in recent
recent years,
years, have arisen
arisen
regarding
regarding Adventist
Adventist doctrines.
doctrines. They
They have therefore
therefore re-
re-
quested
quested that
that this
this book be published
published for
for general
general use
use
with the fervent
with the prayer and hope
fervent prayer hope that it may
that it may be useful
useful
in making clearer
in making clearer the
the way
way of
of salvation
salvation through
through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Fundamental
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adwntists
Beliefs of Scvcntli-day
Adventists
Seventh-day
Adventists hold certain fundamental
certain fundamental
beliefs, the
beliefs, principal features
the principal features of
of which, together
which, together withwith a a
portion
portion of
of the
the scriptural
scriptural references
references upon
upon which
which they
they
are based,
are based, may
may bebe summarized as follows:
as follows:
L That the
1. the Holy
Holy Scriptures
Scriptures of the Old and New
of the
Testaments were given given by inspiration of
by inspiration of God,
God, contain
contain
an all-sufficient
all-sufficient revelation
revelation of of His will will to
to men,
men, and are are
the only
the only unerring
unerring rulerule ofof faith
faith and practice
practice (2 (2 Tim.
3:15-17).
3:15-17).
2. That the
2. the Godhead,
Godhead, or or Trinity,
Trinity, consists
consists of the
of the
Eternal Father,
Eternal Father, aa personal,
personal, spiritual Being, omnipotent,
spiritual Being, omnipotent,
omnipresent,
omnipresent, omniscient, infinite In
omniscient, infinite in wisdom and love; love;
the Lord
the Lord]Jesusesus Christ, the Son of
Christ, the the Eternal
of the Eternal Father,
Father,
through whom all
through all things
things were createdcreated and throughthrough
whom the the salvation
salvation of of the
the redeemed hosts hosts will
will be ac-ac-
complished; the
complished; the Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, the third person
the third person of the
of the
Godhead,
Godhead, the the great
great regenerating
regenerating power power in the work
in the
of redemption
of redemption (Matt. 28: 19).
(Matt. 28:19).
3.
3. That Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ is is very
very God,
God, being
being of of the
the
same nature
nature and essence
essence asas thethe Eternal Father.
Father. While
retaining His
retaining divine nature He took
His divine took upon
upon Himself the the
nature
nature of of the
the human family,
family, lived
lived on the
the earth
earth as
as aa
man, exemplified
man, exemplified in
In His life
life as
as our example
example the
the prin-
prin-
ciples of righteousness, attested His relationship
ciples of righteousness, attested
relationship to to God
by many
by many mighty
mighty miracles,
miracles, died
died forfor our sins
sins on the
the cross,
cross,
was raised from the
was raised the dead,
dead, and ascended to to the
the Father,
Father,
where
where He ever ever lives
lives toto make intercession
intercession for for us us
11
11
12
12 QUESTIONS ON DOCTRINE
QUESTIONS
(John
(John 1:1, 1:1, 14; 14; Heb. 2:9-18;
2:9-18; 8:1, 8:1, 2; 2; 4:14-16;
4:14-16; 7:25).7:25).
4. That every
4. every person
person in order to
in order to obtain
obtain salvation
salvation
must experience
must experience the the new birth; birth; that this comprises
that this comprises an
entire transformation
entire transformation of of life
life and character
character by by the
the re-
re-
creative
creative power power of of God through through faith
faith in
in the
the Lord
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ (John (John 3: 16; Matt.
3:16; Matt. 18:3; Acts 2:37-39).
18:3; Acts 2:37-39).
5.
5. That baptismbaptism is is an ordinance
ordinance of of the
the Christian
Christian
church
church and and should
should follow
follow repentance
repentance and forgiveness forgiveness
of
of sins.
sins. By By itsits observance
observance faith is
faith is shown in in thethe death,
death,
burial, and resurrection
burial, resurrection of of Christ.
Christ. That the the proper
proper
form of baptism is
of baptism by immersion (Rom.
is by (Rom. 6: 1-6; Acts
6:1-6; Acts
16:30-33.)
16:30-33.)
6.
6. That the will of
the will of God as as it relates to
it relates to moral
moral con- con-
duct is
duct is comprehended
comprehended in
in His law
law of
of ten
ten command-
ments;
ments; that these are
that these are great
great moral, unchangeable pre-
moral, unchangeable pre-
cepts, binding
cepts, binding upon upon all
all men,
men, in
in every age
every age (Ex, (Ex. 20:
20:1-1-
17).
17).
7. That the
7. the fourth
fourth commandment of of thisthis un-un-
changeable
changeable law
law requires
requires the
the observance
observance of
of the
the seventh-
seventh-
day
day Sabbath.
Sabbath. This This holy
holy institution
institution is at the
is at the same
same timetime a a
memorial of creation and a sign
of creation sign of sanctification, aa sign
of sanctification, sign
of
of the believer's rest
the believer's rest from his his own works works of sin, and
of sin,
his entrance
his entrance into the rest
into the rest of of soul
soul which Jesus promises
Jesus promises
to those
to those who come to to Him. (Gen. 2: 1-3; Ex.
(Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11;
20:8-11;
31:12-17;
31:12-17; Heb. 4:1-10.) 4:1-10.)
8.
8. That the the law of of ten
ten commandments points points out out
sin,
sin, the
the penalty
penalty of
of which is
is death.
death. The law
law cannot
cannot save
save
the transgressor
the transgressor from his his sin, impart power
sin, nor impart power to keep
to keep
him from sinning. sinning. In In infinite
infinite love love and mercy, mercy, God
provides
provides a
a way whereby
way whereby this
this may
may be
be done.
done. He furnishes
furnishes
a substitute,
a substitute, even Christ
Christ the
the Righteous
Righteous One, to die
One, to die inin
man's stead,
stead, making
making "him to to be
be sinsin for us, who knew
for us,
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS 13
13
no sm; that we might

sin; that might be the righteousness
be made the righteousness ofof
in him" (2
God in (2 Cor.
Cor. 5:21).
5:21). That one
one is
is justified, not
justified,
by obedience
by obedience to to the
the law,
law, but but by by the
the grace
grace that that is is in
in
Christ
Christ Jesus. By accepting
Jesus. By accepting Christ,
Christ, man is
is reconciled
reconciled to
to
God, justified
God, justified by by His
His blood
blood for
for the
the sins
sins of
of the
the past,
past, and
saved from the the power
power of of sin
sin by by His
Ris indwelling
indwelling life. life.
Thus the the gospel

gospel becomes
becomes "the
"the power
power of
of God unto
unto sal-
sal-
vation to to everyone
every one that
that believeth"
believeth" (Rom.
(Rom. 1:16).1: 16). This
experience is
experience is wrought by the
wrought by the divine agency of
divine agency of the
the Holy
Holy
Spirit,
Spirit, who convinces
convinces of of sin
sin and leads
leads toto the
the Sin Bearer,
Sin Bearer,
inducting the
inducting the believer into the
believer into covenant relation-
the new covenant relation-
ship,
ship, where the
the law of
of God is
is written
written on his
his heart, and
heart,
through
through the enabling
the power of
enabling power of the indwelling Christ,
the indwelling Christ,
his
his life
life isis brought into
brought into conformity
conformity to the divine
to the divine pre- pre-
cepts.
cepts. The honor and merit
merit of
of this
this wonderful
wonderful transfor-
transfor-
mation belongbelong wholly
wholly to to Christ.
Christ. (1 (1 John
John 2:1, 2: 1, 2;2; 3:4;
3:4;
Rom. 3:20; 3:20; 5:8-10;
5:8-10; 7:7;
7:7; Eph. 2:8-10; 3:17;
Eph. 2:8-10; 3:17; Gal. 2:20;
Gal. 2:20;
Reb.
Heb. 8:8-12.)
8:8-12.)
9. That "God only
9. only hathhath immortality"
immortality" (1 (1 Tim.
6: 16).
6:16). Mortal man possesses
possesses a
a nature
nature inherently sin-
inherently sin-
ful and dying.
ful Eternal life
dying. Eternal life is
is the gift of
the gift of God through through
faith
faith in in Christ
Christ (Rom.(Rom. 6:23).
6:23). "He that
that hath
hath the
the Son
hath life"life" (1 John 5: 12). Immortality
(1 John 5:12). Immortality is
is bestowed
upon
upon the the righteous
righteous at at thethe second coming coming of of Christ,
Christ,
when the righteous dead are
the righteous are raised
raised from the the grave
grave and
the living
the righteous translated
living righteous translated to to meet the the Lord.
Lord. Then
it is
it that those
is that those accounted
accounted faithful
faithful "put on immortality."
immortality."
"put
(1 Cor.
(1 Cor. 15:51-55.)
15:51-55.)
10.
10. That the the condition
condition of of man in in death
death is is one of of
unconsciousness. That all
unconsciousness. men, good
all men, good and evil
evil alike,
alike, re-
re-
main in the grave

in the grave from death death to the resurrection.
to the resurrection.
(Eccl.
(Eccl. 9:5,9:5, 6;6; Ps.
Ps. 146:3,
146:3, 4; 4; John
John 5:28,
5:28, 29.)
29.)
14
QUESTIONS
II.
11. That therethere shall be aa resurrection
shall be resurrection both
both of
of the
the
just and of
just of the
the unjust.
unjust. The resurrection
resurrection of
of the
the just
just will
will
take place
take place at at the
the second
second coming
coming of
of Christ;
Christ; the
the resur-
resur-
rection
rection of of the
the unjust
unjust will
will take place aa thousand
take place thousand years
years
later,
later, at
at the
the dose
close of
of the
the millennium.
millennium. (John 5:28,
(John 29;
5:28, 29;
I1 Thess. 4: 13-18; Rev.
Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:5-10.)
20:5-10.)
12.
12. That the the finally impenitent, including
finally impenitent, induding Satan,
Satan,
the author of
the author of sin, will, by
sin, will, by the
the fires
fires of
of the
the last
last day,
day, be
reduced to
reduced to aa state
state of nonexistence, becoming
of nonexistence, becoming asas though
though
they
they had not
not been,
been, thus
thus purging
purging God's
God's universe
universe of
of sin
sin
and sinners
sinners (Rom. 6:23;
(Rom. 6:23; Mal.
Mai 4: 1-3;
4:1-3; Rev.
Rev. 20:9, 10;
20:9, 10;
Obadiah 16).
16).
13.
13. That no prophetic period is
prophetic period is given
given in
in the Bible
the Bible
to reach
to the
reach the second
second advent, but that
advent, but that the
the longest
longest one,
one,
the 2300
the 2300 days
days of Daniel 8:
of Daniel 14,
8:14, terminated
terminated in
in 1844,
1844, and
brought us
brought us to
to an event
event called
called the cleansing of
the cleansing the sanc-
of the sanc-
tuary.
tuary.
14.
14. That the the true
true sanctuary,
sanctuary, of of which the the taber-
taber-
nacle
nacle on earthearth was a a type,
type, is
is the
the temple
temple of
of God in
in
heaven, of
heaven, of which Paul speaksspeaks in in Hebrews 8 8 and onon-
ward, and of
ward, of which the the Lord Jesus,
Jesus, as
as our great high
great high
priest, is
priest, is minister;
minister; that
that the
the priestly
priestly work of of our Lord
is the antitype
is the
antitype of of the
the work of the Jewish
of the Jewish priests
priests
of the
of former dispensation;
the former dispensation; thatthat this
this heavenly
heavenly sanc-
sanc-
tuary
tuary is
is the
the one to
to be cleansed
cleansed at
at the
the end of
of the
the
2300
2300 days
days of
of Daniel 8: 14,
8:14, its
its cleansing being.
cleansing being, as
as in
in
the type,
the type, aa work of judgment. beginning
of judgment, beginning with
with the
the en-
en-
trance
trance of Christ as
of Christ as the high priest
the high priest upon
upon thethe judgment
judgment
phase of
phase of His
His ministry
ministry in in the heavenly sanctuary,
the heavenly sanctuary, fore-
fore-
shadowed in the earthly
in the earthly service
service of
of cleansing
cleansing the
the sanc-
sanc-
tuary
tuary on the the day
day ofof atonement. This work of judg-
of judg-
15
ment In in the
the heavenly
heavenly sanctuary
sanctuary began began in in 1844.
1844. Its Its
completion will
completion will close probation.
close human probation.
15.
15. That God, God, in the time
in the time of the judgment
of the judgment and in in
accordance
accordance with with His His uniform dealing with
uniform dealing with thethe human
family
family in in warning
warning them of of corning
coming eventsevents vitally
vitally affect-
affect-
ing
ing their
their destiny
destiny (Amos
(Amos 3:6, 3:6, 7), sends forth aa procla-
7), sends forth procla-
mation of the approach
of the approach of
of the
the second
second advent
advent of
of Christ;
Christ;
that this work is
that this is symbolized by the
symbolized by the three three angels
angels of of
Revelation
Revelation 14; 14; and thatthat their threefold message
their threefold message bringsbrings
to view
to view aa work of of reform
reform to to prepare
prepare aa peoplepeople to to meet
Him at at His
His coming.
coming.
16.
16. That the the time
time of the cleansing
of the cleansing of of the
the sanctuary,
sanctuary,
synchronizing
synchronizing with with thethe period
period of the proclamation
of the proclamation of of
the message
the message of of Revelation
Revelation 14, is aa time
14, is time of of investigative
investigative
judgment; first,
judgment; first, with reference
reference to to the
the dead,
dead, and sec- sec-
ond, with reference

ond, with reference to the living.
to the This investigative
living. This investigative
judgment
judgment determines
determines who of
of the
the myriads sleeping
myriads sleeping In in
the dust
the dust of of the
the earth
earth areare worthy
worthy of
of a
a part
part in
in the
the first
first
resurrection,
resurrection, and who of of Its
its living multitudes are
living multitudes are
worthy of
worthy of translation.
translation. (1 Peter 4:17,
(1 Peter 4: 17, 18;18; Dan. 7:9, 7:9, 10;
10;
Rev.
Rev. 14:6,7;
14:6,7; Luke 20:35.)20:35.)
17.
17. That the the followers
followers of of Christ
Christ should be be aa godly
godly
people, not
people, not adopting
adopting the unholy maxims or
the unholy or conform-
conform-
ing
ing to
to the
the unrighteous
unrighteous ways
ways of
of the
the world,
world, not
not loving
loving its its
sinful pleasures or
sinful pleasures countenancing its
or countenancing follies. That be-
its follies. be-
lievers should
lievers should recognize
recognize theirtheir bodies
bodies as the temple
as the temple of of
the Holy
the Holy Spirit,
Spirit, and that that therefore
therefore they they should
should clothe
clothe
that body in
that body neat, modest,
in neat, modest, dignified apparel.
dignified apparel. Further,
Further,
that in
that in eating
eating and drinking
drinking and In in their
their entire
entire course
course
of conduct they should shape
of conduct they should shape their lives as becometh.
their lives as
becometh^
followers of
followers of the
the meek and lowly lowly Master.
Master. Thus the the fol-
fol-
lowers of
lowers of Christ
Christ will
will bebe led
led to to abstain
abstain from all all intoxi-
intoxi-
16
QUESTIONS
eating drinks,
eating drinks, tobacco,
tobacco, and other
other narcotics,
narcotics, and to to
avoid every body- and soul-defiling
every body- soul-defiling habit habit and practice.
practice.
(1 Cor.
(1 Cor. 3:16,17;
3:16, 17; 9:25; 9:25; 10:31;
10:31; 1 1 Tim. 2:9, 2:9,10;10; 11 John
John
2:6.)
2:6.)
18.
18. That the the divine principle of
divine principle tithes and offerings
of tithes offerings
for
for thethe support
support of the gospel
of the gospel is is an acknowledgment
acknowledgment of of
God's ownership
God's ownership in
in our lives,
lives, and that
that we are
are stewards
stewards
who must render render account to to Him of of all
all that
that He has has
committed to to our possession (Lev.
possession (Lev. 27:30; 27:30; Mal.
Mai. 3:8-12;
3:8-12;
Matt. 23:23;
Matt. 23:23; I1 Cor. Cor. 9:9-14;
9:9-14; 2 2 Cor.
Cor. 9:6-15).
9:6-15).
19.
19. That God has placed in
has placed in His church
church the the gifts of
gifts of
the Holy
the Holy Spirit,
Spirit, as
as enumerated in
in 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 12
12 and
Ephesians
Ephesians 4. 4. That these these gifts
gifts operate
operate in in harmony
harmony with with
the divine
the divine principles
principles of of the Bible, and are
the Bible, given for
are given the
for the
perfecting
perfecting of
of the
the saints,
saints, the
the work of
of the
the ministry, the
ministry, the
edifying
edifying of
of the
the body
body of
of Christ
Christ (Rev. 12:17; 19:10;
(Rev. 12:17; 19:10;
11 Cor. 1:5-7). That the
Cor. 1:5-7). the gift
gift ofof the
the Spirit
Spirit of of prophecy
prophecy
is one of
is one the identifying
of the identifying marks of of the
the remnant church. church.
(1
(1
Cor.
Cor. 1:5,7;
1:5, 7; 12:1,28;
12:1, 28; Rev.
Rev. 12:17;
12:17; 19:10;
19:10; Amos 3:7;
3:7;
Hosea 12:10,
Hosea 13.) They
12:10, 13.) They recognize recognize that
that this
this gift was
gift was
manifested in
manifested in thethe life
life and ministry
ministry of of Ellen
Ellen G. White.
White.
20.
20. That the the second
second comingcoming of of Christ
Christ is is the
the great
great
hope
hope of
of the
the church,
church, the
the grand
grand climax
climax of
of the
the gospel and
gospel
plan
plan of of salvation.
salvation. His coming
coming will
will be
be literal, personal,
literal, personal,
and visible.
visible. ManyMany important
important events events willwill bebe associated
associated
with
with His return,return, such as the resurrection
as the resurrection of of the
the dead,
dead,
the destruction
the destruction of the wicked,
of the wicked, the
the purification
purification of
of the
the
earth,
earth, thethe reward of
of the righteous, the establishment of
the righteous, the establishment of
His everlasting
His kingdom. The almost
everlasting kingdom. almost complete
complete fulfill-
fulfill-
ment of various lines

of various lines of prophecy, particularly
of prophecy, particularly ^those
,those
found
found in in the
the books
books of of Daniel
Daniel and the the Revelation,
Revelation, with with
existing conditions in
existing conditions the physical,
in the physical, social,
social, industrial,
industrial,
17
political,
political, religious worlds,
and religious worlds, indicates
indicates that
that Christ's
Christ's
coming "is
coming "is near,
near, even at the
even at the doors"
doors" (Matt.
(Matt. 24:33).
24:33). The
exact time
exact time of
of that
that event
event has
has not
not been
been foretold.
foretold. Believers
Believers
are exhorted
are exhorted toto be
be ready,
ready, for
for "in
"in such
such an hour as as ye
ye
think not
think not the
the Son ofof man" (Matt.
(Matt. 24:44)
24:44) will
will be re-
re-
vealed.
vealed. (Luke 17:26-30;
(Luke 21 :25-27; John
17:26-30; 21:25-27; John 14:1-3;
14: 1-3; Acts
Acts
1:9-11; Rev. 1:7;
1:9-11; Rev. 9:28; James
1:7; Heb. 9:28; James 5:1-8;
5:1-8; Joel
Joel 3:9-16;
3:9-16;
2 3: 1-5; Dan.
2 Tim. 3:1-5; Dan. 7:27;
7:27; Matt.
Matt. 24:36,
24:36, 44.)
44.)
21. That the
21. the millennial
millennial reign
reign of of Christ
Christ covers
covers the the
period between the
period the first
first and the the second
second resurrections,
resurrections,
during which time
during time the
the saints
saints ofof all
aU ages
ages will
will live
live with
their blessed
their blessed Redeemer in in heaven.
heaven. At the the end of the
of the
millennium, the
millennium, the Holy
Holy City
City with
with all aU the
the saints
saints will de-
will de-
scend to
scend to the
the earth.
earth. The wicked,
wicked, raised
raised inin the
the second
second res-
res-
urrection, will
urrection, will go up on the
go up the breadth
breadth of of the
the earth
earth with
with
Satan
Satan atat their
their head to to compass
compass the
the camp
camp of
of the
the saints,
saints,
when fire will come down from God out
fire will ou t of
of heaven and
devour them.
devour them. In the conflagration
In the conflagration which destroysdestroys Satan
and his host, the
his host, the earth itself will
earth itself will bebe regenerated
regenerated and
cleansed
cleansed from the the effects
effects of
of the
the curse.
curse. Thus the the universe
universe
of
of God will
will be be purified
purified from the the foul blot of
foul blot of sin.
sin. (Rev-
(Rev-
elation
elation 20;20; Zech.
Zech. 14: 1-4; 22 Peter
14:1-4; Peter 3:7-10.)
3:7-10.)
22.
22. That God will will make all all things
things new. The earth, earth,
restored to its pristine
restored to its pristine beauty, beauty, will
will become forever
forever the
the
abode
abode of of thethe saints
saints ofof the
the Lord. The promise promise to to
Abraham,
Abraham, that that through
through Christ
Christ he and his
his seed should
possess the
possess the earth
earth throughout
throughout the the endless
endless agesages of of eter-
eter-
nity,
nity, will
will be be fulfilled.
fulfilled. "The kingdom
kingdom and 'dominion,
'dominion,
and the
the greatness
greatness of
of the
the kingdom
kingdom under the
the whole
heaven
heaven willwill be be given
given to
to the
the people
people of
of the saints
saints of the
most High, whose
most High, whose kingdom kingdom is
is an everlasting kingdom,
everlasting kingdom,
and
and all
all dominions
dominions shall shall serve
serve and obey obey him" (Dan. (Dan.
18
QUESTIONS
7:27). Christ
7:27). Christ the
the will reign
Lord will reign supreme,
supreme, and every
every
creature which
creature is in
is in heaven and on the the earth
earth and under
the earth,
the earth, and such
such asas are
are in
in the
the sea,
sea, will
will .ascribe
ascribe "bless-
"bless-
ing,
ing, and honour,
honour, and glory,
glory, and power" unto
power" unto "him that
that
sitteth upon
sitteth upon the
the throne,
throne, and unto the the Lamb forfor ever
ever and
ever" (Gen.
ever" (Gen. 13:14-17;
13:14-17; Rom. 4:13;
4:13; Heb. 11:8-16;
11:8-16; Matt.
Matt.
5:5;
5:5; Isaiah
Isaiah 35;
35; Rev.
Rev. 21:1-7;
21:1-7; 5:13;
5:13; Dan. 7:27).
7:27).
Preliminary Questions
I.I Preliminary Questions
Doctrines We Share
Doctrines Sliare With Other
Other Christians
Christians
QUESTION
QUESTION I1
What doctrines Seventh-day Adventists

doctrines do Seventh-day AdventiSts
in common with
hold in with Christians
Christians in general, and
in general^
in
in what aspects
aspects of
of Christian
Christian thought
thought do they
they
differ?
differ?
Christians in
Christians in general
general are divided into
are divided into various
various
schools
schools of thought on practically
of thought practically every
every doctrine
doctrine of
of the
the
Bible. On some doctrines
Bible. doctrines Seventh-day
Adventists find
find
themselves in
themselves in one group,
group, and on other other doctrines
doctrines we
may
may be classified quite differently.
classified quite differently. With some religious
religious
groups
groups we hold many doctrines in
many doctrines in common. With
others we may
others may find
find little
little common doctrinal
doctrinal ground.
ground.
We do notnot accept
accept certain
certain doctrines
doctrines held
held by some Chris-
by Chris-
tians because we feel
tians because feel they
they are
are not
not based
based on
oh the
the Word
of
of God.
Practically all
Practically all Seventh-day Adventist beliefs
Seventh-day Adventist beliefs are
are
held by one or
held by or more Christian groups. A few
Christian groups. few are dis-
are dis-
tinctive with
tinctive with us.
us. Our beliefs
beliefs could be classified in re-
classified in re-
lation to
lation the beliefs
to the beliefs of
of other Christians
Christians under the the fol-
fol-
lowing headings:
lowing headings:
I. In Common With Conservative

I. Conservative Christians
Christians and the
the
Historic Protestant
Historic Creeds, We Believe-
Protestant Creeds, Believe
L That God is
is the
the Sovereign
Sovereign Creator,
Creator, upholder,
upholder,
21
21
22
QUESTIONS
ruler of
and ruler of the
the universe,
universe, and that that He Is is eternal,
eternal,
omnipotent, omniscient,
omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
omnipresent.
2. That the
2. the Godhead,
Godhead, the the Trinity,
Trinity, comprises
comprises God
the Father,
the Father, Christ
Christ the
the Son,
Son, and the
the Holy
Holy Spirit.
Spirit.
3. That the
3. the Scriptures
Scriptures areare the
the inspired
inspin:d revelation
revelation
of
of God to men;
to men; and that the Bible is the sole
that the Bible is the sole rule rule ofof
faith and practice.
faith practice.
4. That Jesus
4. Jesus Christ
Christ isis very
very God,
God, and thatthat He has has
existed with
existed with the Father from all
the Father all eternity.
eternity.
5. That the
5. the Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit is
is aa personal
personal being,
being, shar-
shar-
ing
ing the
the attributes
attributes of
of deity
deity with
with the
the Father
Father and the
the Son.
Son.
6. That Christ,
6. Christ, the
the Word of of God,
God, became incar- incar-
nate through
nate through thethe miraculous
miraculous conception
conception and the the virgin
virgin
birth; and that
birth; that He lived an absolutely
lived an absolutely sinless
sinless life
life here
here
earth.
on earth.
7.
7. That the vicarious,
the atoning death of
vicarious, atoning Jesus
of Jesus
Christ,
Christ, once
once for all, is
for all, is all-sufficient for the
all-sufficient for the redemption
redemption of of
aa lost
lost race.
race.
S.
8. That JesusJesus Christ
Christ arose literally and bodily
arose literally bodily
from thethe grave.
grave.
9.
9. That He ascendedascended literally
literally and bodilybodily into
into
heaven.
heaven.
10.
10. That He now serves serves as
as our advocate
advocate in priestly
priestly
ministry
ministry and mediation before
before the
the Father.
Father.
II.
11. That He will will return
return inin a a premillennial,
premillennial, per-per-
sonal,
sonal, imminent second advent. advent.
12.
12. That man was created created sinless,
sinless, but by by his
his sub-
sub-
sequent
sequent faU
fall entered
entered a
a state
state of
of alienation
alienation and depravity.
depravity.
13.
13. That sa)vation
salvation through
through Christ
Christ is is by
by grace
grace alone,
alone,
through
through faith
faith in
in His blood.
blood.
14.
14. That entrance
entrance upon upon thethe new life life in
in Christ
Christ isis
by regeneration,
by regeneration, or theor the new birth.
birth.
DOCTRINES -WE
>WE SHARE 23
23
15.
15. That man is is justified by faith.
justified by faith.
16.
16. That man is is sanctified
sanctified byby the indwelling Christ
the indwelling Christ
through
through thethe Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit.
17.
17. That man willwill bebe glorified
glorified at the resurrection
at the resurrection or
or
translation
translation of the saints,
of the saints, when the
the Lord returns.
returns.
18. That there
18. will be aa judgment
there will judgment of of all
all men.
19.
19. That thethe gospel
gospel is
is to
to be
be preached as
preached as a witness
a witness
to all
to all the
the world.
world.
II.
II. On Certain
Certain Controverted
Controverted Doctrines Among Conserva-
Doctrines Among Conserva-
tive Christians,
tive Christians, We Hold One ofof Two or Alternate
or More Alternate
Views. We Believe
Views. Believe-
1.
1. That man maR is is free
free to choose or
to choose or reject
reject the
the offer
offer
of salvation
of through Christ;
salvation through Christ; we do not not believe
believe that
that
God has predetermined that
has predetermined that some men shall shall be
be saved
saved
and others
others lost.
lost.
2.
2. That the moral law of
the of ten
ten commandments,
commandments, or or
the Decalogue,
the Decalogue, is the standard
is the standard of of life conduct for
life and conduct for
all men of
all of all
all ages;
ages; we do not not believe
believe that
that the Deca-
the Deca-
logue
logue has
has been
been either
either changed
changed or
or abolished.
abolished.
3. That baptism
3. baptism is is to be administered
to be administered by by single
single
immersion;
immersion; we do not believe that
not believe that it may be
it may be admin-
istered by
istered by sprinkling, pouring, or
sprinkling, pouring, or trine
trine immersion.
immersion,
4.
4. That man was endowed at at creation with con-
creation with con-
ditional immortality;
ditional immortality; we do not believe
believe that
that man has
innate immortality or
innate immortality or an immortal soul. soul.
5.
5. That the the wicked will will be
be punished
punished by by suffering
suffering
complete destruction
and complete destruction in in the
the lake
lake ofof fire;
fire; we do notnot
believe in
believe in an
an eternally burning
eternally burning hell
hell in
in which souls
souls are
are
tormented without
tormented without end. end ..
6. That the
6. the seventh
seventh day
day ofof the
the week is is the
the Sabbath;
Sabbath;
we do notnot believe
believe thatthat the
the Sabbath has has been abolished,
abolished,
24
QUESTIONS
changed to
changed to the
the first
first day, or Is
day, or is merely a seventh
merely a seventh part of
part of
time.
time.
7. That the
7. the principle of tithing
principle of is God's plan
tithing is plan for
for
the support
the support of
of His
His church;
church; we do not
not believe
believe that
that tith-
tith-
ing was only

ing was only for the Jews.
for the Jews.
8.
8. That God createdcreated thethe world in in six
six literal
literal days;
days;
we do not not believe
believe that creation was accomplished
that creation accomplished by by
long aeons of evolutionary
long aeons of evolutionary processes. processes.
9. That the
9. the correct
correct view of prophetic interpretation
of prophetic interpretation
is best set
is best forth by
set forth by what is
is known as
as the
the historical
historical school;
school;
we do not not accept
accept the
the systems
systems followed
followed by
by either
either the
the
preterists or
preterists or the
the futurists.
futurists.
10.
10. That churchchurch and state state should operate
operate in in en-
en-
tirely separate spheres;
tirely separate spheres; we do not
not believe
believe that
that in
in an
attempt
attempt to to control religion or religious
control men's religion religious activities
activities
the church
the church should
should dominate the the state, or that
state, or that the
the state
state
should govern
govern the
the church.
church.
II. That the
11. the ordinance instituted by
ordinance instituted by Christ
Christ-thatthat
of
of washing
washing one one another's
another's feet at the
feet at time of
the time the Lord's
of the Lord's
Supper-is
Supper to
is to be practiced;
practiced; we do not
not believe
believe that
that this
this
merely an accommodation to
was merely to the
the customs and neces-neces-
sities of
sities those times.
of those times.
12. That we should abstain
12. abstain from such practices as
such practices as
the use of
the use of alcohol
alcohol and tobacco;
tobacco; we do not not believe
believe that
that
indulgence
Indulgence in these things
in these things is fully representative
Is fully representative of of the
the
character
character of of our Lord.
III. In a
III. of Christian
Areas of
a Few Areas Christian Thought,
Thought, Our Doctrines
Doctrines
Are Distinctive Us. We Believe-
Distinctive With Us. Believe
1.
1. That there
there isIs aa sanctuary in heaven
sanctuary In heaven where
Christ, our High
Christ, our High Priest,
Priest, ministers
ministers in
In two distinct phases
distinct phases
of His mediatorial
of mediatorial work.
work.
DOCTRIN ES WE SHARE
DOCTRINES 25
25
2.
2. That there there is
is to be an investigative
to be investigative judgment
judgment in in
which the the destinies
destinies ofof all
all men areare decided before Christ
decided before Christ
comes in the clouds
in the clouds of of glory.
glory.
3. That the
3. the Spirit
Spirit of prophecy, or
of prophecy, the prophetic
or the prophetic
gift,
gift, is
is one of
of the
the gifts
gifts of
of the
the Spirit
Spirit promised to
promised to the
the
church in
church in the
the last
last days,
days, and that
that that
that gift
gift was
was manifested
manifested
to the
to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in
Seventh-day Adventist the work and
in the
writings
writings of of Ellen
Ellen G. White.
White.
4.
4. That the the seal
seal of
of God and the the mark of of the
the
beast,
beast, mentioned in
in Revelation,
Revelation, are
are the
the symbols
symbols of
of the
the
opposing
opposing forcesforces ofof good
good and evilevil in the
in the last great
last great con-
con-
flict before Christ
flict before Christ comes the the second time.
time.
S.
5. That the the three
three angels
angels ofof Revelation 14 repre-
14 repre-
sent the
sent proclamation of
the proclamation of God's last
last message
message to to the
the world
in preparation
in preparation for the coming
for the coming of of our
our Lord.
Lord.
'[he Bible, Only
Tfte Bible, Rule of
Only Rule of
Faith and
Forth and Practice
Practice
QUESTION
QUESTION 2
2
Regarding the
Regarding the inspiration
inspiration of the Bible,
of the Bible, do
Seventh-day
Adventists teach
teach that
that the
the Bible is
Bible is
the very
the very word of God,
of God, the
the only infallible
only infallible rule
rule for
for
faith and practice?
faith practice?
Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists believe that
Adventists believe that "all scripture,"
"all scripture,"
both Old and New Testament,
both Testament, from Genesis
Genesis to
to Revela-
Revela-
tion,
tion, was "given by inspiration
"given by inspiration of
of God" (2
(2 Tim. 3: 16),
3:16),
and constitutes
constitutes thethe very
very word of of God
God-the truth that
the truth that
"liveth
"liveth and abideth for for ever" (1 Peter
ever" (1 I :23). We rec-
Peter 1:23). rec-
ognize the
ognize the Bible
Bible as the ultimate
as the ultimate and final
final authority
authority on
what isis truth.
truth. The HolyHoly Scriptures
Scriptures came to to us
us through
through
the ministry
the ministry of of the prophets who spake
the prophets spake and wrote "as
"as
they
they were moved by
by the
the Holy
Holy Ghost" (2
(2 Peter
Peter 1:21).
1:21).
The apostles
apostles declared
declared thatthat the
the God who made the the
heavens and the
heavens the earth spake through
earth spake through the the mouth of of
David and the the prophets
prophets of of old (Acts 4:24-26;
old (Acts 4:24-26; Matt.
Matt.
1:22; 2:15; Acts 3:18-20;
1:22; 2:15; 28:25,26;
3:18-20; 28:25, 26; Heb. 1:1;
1:1; 4:7).
4:7).
these chosen messengers
And these messengers ofof God declared
declared that
that
what was given through
given through them was the
the very
very word of
of
God (Isa.
(Isa. 43:1; 45:1; Jer. 17:19,20; 18:1,2;
43:1; 45:1; Jer. 17:19, 20; 18:1, 2; 22:1, 2; 22:1,2;
26: 1, 2).
26:1, Paul reminded his
2). Paul his converts
converts that
that when 'they they
listened to
listened to the
the Scriptures
Scriptures being
being read,
read, they
they were hearing,
hearing,
26
BIBLE, RULE OF FAITH
BIBLE, 27
27
not the
not the words
words ofof men,
men, but
but in
in truth,
truth, the
the of God
word of
(l Thess.
(1 2: 1:3).
Thess. 2:13).
Through the
Through the ministry
ministry of of these
these messengers
messengers of of old,
old,
Jehovah
Jehovah declared
declared I-Iis
His truth
truth to
to the
the world.
world. Quoting
Quoting the the
message
message of
of Moses: "I
Moses: "I will will raise
raise them up a
a Prophet
up Prophet from
among their
among their brethren,
brethren, like like unto
unto thee,
thee, and will will put
put mymy
words in in his
his mouth;
mouth; and he he shall
shall speak
speak unto them all all
that II shall
that shall command him" (Deut. (Deut. 18: 18).
18:18). And Jere-
Jere-
records the
miah records the Lord as as saying,
saying. "Behold,
"Behold, II have put put
my words
my words in in thy
thy mouth" (Jer. (Jer. 1:9).
1:9). The word which
these men spake
these spake and wrote wrote was not not their
their own;
own; it it was
the word of
the of the
the living
living God.God. And to Ezekiel God said,
to Ezekiel said,
"Son of of man,
man, go, get thee
go, get thee unto
unto thethe house
house of of Israel,
Israel, and
speak with
speak with mymy words
words unto unto them" (Eze. (Eze. 3:4).
3:4).
Expressions such
Expressions such as as "Hear the th"e word of of the
the Lord";
Lord";
"I
"I heard thethe voice
voice of of the
the Lord, saying";
Lord, saying"; "The word of
of
the
the Lord came unto unto me," me," et et cetera, occur more than
cetera, occur
1,300
1,300 times
times inin the prophetic writings
the prophetic writings of of the
the Old Testa-
Testa-
ment. And the the New Testament writers writers make much
the
the same claim.
claim. The apostle apostle Paul says, says, "1"I have received
received
of
of the
the Lord thatthat which also also II delivered
delivered unto you" you" (l (1
Cor.
Cor. 11:23).
11:23). "If
"If any
any man think
think himself
himself to
to be a prophet,
prophet,
or
or spiritual,
spiritual, let
let him acknowledge
acknowledge that that thethe things
things that
that II
write unto
write unto you
you areare thethe commandments of of the
the Lord"
(1
(1 Cor.
Cor. 14:37).
14:37).
We take
take the
the Bible
Bible in in its
its entirety,
entirety, believing
believing that that it it
not
not merely
merely contains
contains the
the word of
of God,
God, but is
is the word
of
of God.
We believe
believe in in the
the authority,
authority, veracity,
veracity, reliability,
reliability,
and truth
truth ofof thethe Holy Scriptures.
Holy Scriptures. The same union
unioh
of
of the
the divine
divine and the the human that that isis manifest in in Christ,
Christ,
exists
exists inin the
the Bible.
Bible. Its Its truths,
truths, revealed,
revealed, are are "given
"given by by
28
QUESTIONS
inspiration
inspiration of of God"
God." (2 (2 Tim. 3:16),
3: 16), yet
yet are
are couched in in
the words of
the of men.
Seventh-day
Adventists holdhold the
the Protestant
Protestant position
position
that the
that the Bible
Bible and the the Bible only is
Bible only is the
the sole
sole rule of
rule of
faith
faith and practice
practice for
for Christians.
Christians. We believe
believe that
that
all theological beliefs
all theological beliefs must be be measured by by the
the living
living
Word, judged by its
Word, judged by its truth, truth, and whatsoever is
is unable to
pass this
pass test, or
this test, or is
is found to be out of
to be harmony with its
of harmony its
message,
message, is
is to
to be
be rejected.
rejected.
True Christianity
Christianity receives the word of
receives the of God as the great
as the great
treasure house
treasure house of
of inspired truth and the
inspired truth test of
the test of all
all inspiration.
inspiration.
-The Controversy p.
The Great Controversy, , p. 193.
193.
We are
are to
to receive
receive God's word as as supreme authority.-Testi-
supreme authority. Testi-
monies, vol.
monies, vol. 6, p. 402.
6, p, 402.
In our time
In time there is aa wide departure
there is their [the
departure from their [the Scrip-
Scrip-
tures'] doctrines
tures'] doctrines and precepts,
precepts, and there is need of
there is of a return
return to
to
the great
the great Protestant principle-the
Protestant principle Bible, and the
the Bible, the Bible
Bible only,
only,
as the rule
as the rule of
of faith duty.-The
faith and duty. The Great Controversy, pp.
Great Controversy, pp. 204,
204,
205.
205.
Seventh-day
Relationship to Past Positions
to Past Positions
QUESTION
QUESTION 33
Have Seventh-day Adventists changed
Seventh-day Adventists changed
from some of
from of the by certain
positions advocated by
the positions certain
adherents of earlier
adherents of years, from
earlier years, from whom citations
citations
are still currently
are still currently circulated?
circulated? Do such citations
citations
misrepresent
misrepresent the present teachings of Adventist
present teachings of Adventist
leadership?
leadership?
Seventh-day
Adventists believe that the
the unfolding
unfolding
light
light of
of Bible truth
truth is
is progressive,
progressive, and is
is to
to shine
shine "more
and more unto the the perfect day" (Prov. 4:
perfect day" (Prov. 4:18). 18). And we
have sought
sought to
to walk in
in the
the advancing light of truth.
advancing light of truth. We
have never
never driven in in formal creedal
creedal stakes,
stakes, and said,
said,
"This isis the
the truth;
truth; thus
thus far, farther." Ellen
far, and no farther." Ellen G.
G.
White,
White, one of of our leading
leading writers,
writers, wrote
wrote in
in 1892:
1892:
New light
light will
will ever be revealed on the
ever be the word of of God to to him
is in
who is living connection with the
in living the Sun of Righteousness. Let
of Righteousness. Let
no one come to the conclusion that
to the that there is truth to
is no more truth be
to be
revealed.
revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker
diligent, prayerful for truth
seeker for truth will
will find precious
find precious
rays
rays of light yet
of light yet to
to shine
shine forth
forth from the
the word ofof God.-Counsels
God. Counsels
on Sabbath School
School Work, p. 34.
Work, p. 34.
The founding
founding fathers of the
fathers of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church over a century
century ago
ago came out of various denom-
of various
inational backgrounds. While all
inational backgrounds. all were premillennialists,
premillennialists,
some were Trinitarian; others were Arian.
Trinitarian; others Arian. The major-
major-
ity
ity were Arminians;
Arminians; a
a few were Calvinists.
Calvinists. Some insisted
insisted
on immersion;
on immersion; aa few were content with with sprinkling.
sprinkling.
There was diversity
diversity on these points. And as
these points. as with
with various
various
29
30 QUESTIONS
other religious
other religious groups,
groups, our early
early days characterized
days were characterized
by transition
by adjustment. A church was
transition and adjustment. was being
being
brought forth.
brought forth. As these
these men were already
already born-again
born-again
believers, the
believers, the initial
initial study emphasis was
study and emphasis was placed
placed
upon
upon the
the distinctive
distinctive teachings
teachings of
of the
the m·ovement.
movement. And
they were
they were similarly
similarly occupied in developing
occupied in developing an effective
effective
organization.
organization.
In those
In those early
early years relatively little
years relatively little attention
attention waswas
paid
paid to
to the
the respective
respective merits
merits of
of Arminianism in
in contrast
contrast
with thethe Calvinist
Calvinist position.
position. The historic
historic differences
differences ofof
thought
thought involved
involved had reached
reached back
back to
to Augustine
Augustine and
Chrysostom. They
Chrysostom. They did not not concern
concern themselves
themselves with
"absolute
"absolute decrees,"
decrees," "divine
"divine sovereignty,"
sovereignty," "particular
"particular
election,"
election," or or "limited
"limited atonement." Nor did they, at
did they, at
first,
first, seek
seek toto define
define thethe nature of the Godhead,
of the Godhead, or the
or the
problems of
problems of Christology, involving the
Christology, involving the deity
deity ofof Christ
Christ
and His nature
nature during the incarnation; the
during the incarnation; the personality personality
and deity
deity of the Holy
of the Holy Spirit;
Spirit; the nature, scope,
the nature, scope, and
completeness
completeness of
of the
the atonement;
atonement; the
the relationship of
relationship of law
to
to grace
grace or
or the
the fullness
fullness of
of the
the doctrine
doctrine of
of righteousness
righteousness
by faith; and the
by faith; the like.
like.
But with
with the
the passage
passage of years the
of years the earlier
earlier diversity
diversity ofof
view on certain
certain doctrines
doctrines gradually gave
gradually gave way way to
to unity
unity
of view.
of view. Clear
Clear and sound positionspositions were then then taken
taken by by
the
the great majority on such
great majority doctrines as
such doctrines the Godhead,
as the Godhead,
the deity and eternal
the deity eternal pre-existence
pre-existence of
of Christ,
Christ, and the
the
personality
personality of
of the
the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit. Clear-cut
Clear-cut views
views were
established on righteousness
established righteousness by by faith,
faith, thethe true
true relation-
relation-
ship
ship ofof law and grace,
grace, and on the the death
death of of Christ
Christ as the
as the
complete
complete sacrificial
sacrificial atonement for
for sin.
sin.
A few,
few, however,
however, held held to to some of their former
of their views,
former views,
and at at times
times these
these ideas
ideas gotgot into
into print.
print. However,
However, for for
RELATIONSHIP TO PAST POSITIONS 31
31
decades
decades now the the church
church hashas been practically
practically at at one on
the basic
the basic truths
truths of of the
the Christian
Christian faith.
faith.
very fact
The very fact that
that our
our positions
positions were were now clarifiedclarified
seemed to
seemed to us
us to
to bebe sufficient.
sufficient. Our teachings,
teachings, we felt, felt, were
were
clear. particular statement
clear. And no particular statement of of change
change from from those
those
earlier ideas
earlier ideas appeared
appeared necessary.
necessary. TodayToday the the primary
primary
emphasis
emphasis of
of aU
all our
our leading
leading denominational
denominational literature,
literature,
as well
as well as as the
the continuous
continuous presentation
presentation over over radioradio and
television, emphasizes
television, emphasizes the
the historic
historic fundamentals
fundamentals of the
of the
Christian faith.
Christian faith.
the charges
But the charges and attacks have persisted.
attacks have persisted. Some con- con-
tinue to
tinue to gather
gather up up quotations
quotations from some of of our
our earlier
earlier
literature long
literature long sincesince out
out of of date,
date, and print. print. Certain
Certain
statements are
statements are cited, often wrested
cited, often wrested outout of of context,
context, which
give
give a
a totally
totally distorted
distorted picture
picture of
of the
the beliefs
beliefs teach-
and teach-
ings
ings of
of the
the Seventh-day
Adventist Church of
of today.
today.
Another consideration
consideration should be taken taken into account.
into account.
It
It isis that
that Seventh-day Adventists, having
Seventh-day Adventists, having no formal formal
creed, do not
creed, not rigidly
rigidly bind
bind the thinking of
the thinking their ministry.
of their ministry.
It
It would be be strange
strange indeed
indeed if if from some Adventist Adventist
writer
writer there
there did
did notnot appear
appear an occasional
occasional statement that that
was
was out out of of line
line with the the consensus
consensus of of Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventist
Adventist belief.
belief. Most religious bodies face
religious bodies face thisthis prob-
prob-
lem and embarrassment from time time to to time.
time.
An
All this has made it
this has it desirable
desirable and necessary
necessary for for usus
to declare our position
to declare position anew upon
upon the
the great
great fundamen-
tal
tal teachings
teachings of of the
the Christian
Christian faith,
faith, and to to deny
deny everyevery
statement or implication
statement or implication that
that Christ,
Christ, the second person
person
of
of the
the Godhead,
Godhead, was not not one with the the Father from all all
eternity,
eternity, and that
that His death on the
the cross
cross was not a
a full
full
and complete
complete sacrificial
sacrificial atonement. The belief belief of of Sev-
Sev-
enth-day
enth-day Adventists
Adventists on these these great
great truths is clear and
truths is clear
32
32 QUESTIONS
emphatic.
emphatic. And we feel feel that
that we should notnot be
be identified
identified
with,
with, or stigmatized
stigmatized for,
for, certain
certain limited
limited and faulty
faulty con-
con-
cepts
cepts held by some, particularly
by some, particularly in
in our formative years.
years.
This statement should therefore
therefore nullify
nullify the
the stock
stock
"quotations"
"quotations" that
that have been circulated
circulated against
against us.
us. We
are
are one with our fellow
fellow Christians
Christians of
of denominational
groups
groups in
in the
the great
great fundamentals of
of the
the faith
faith once
delivered
delivered to
to the saints.
saints. Our hope
hope is
is in
in a
a crucified,
crucified, risen,
risen,
ministering,
ministering, and soon-returning
soon-returning Saviour.
Saviour.
n. Questions
II*Questions About Christ
Christ
2
Deity and
Deity Eternal Pre~existence
and Eternal Pn-existence of Christ
of
Christ
QUESTION
QUESTION 4
It is
It frequently charged
is frequently charged that Seventh-day
that Seventh-day
Adventists deny
Adventists deny the actual deity
the actual deity and eternal pre-
eternal pre-
existence of
existence of Christ,
Christy the Eternal Word. Is
the Eternal Is this
this con-
con-
tention true?
tention you believe
true? Do you believe in the Trinity?
in the Trinity?
Please give
Please give the Biblical basis
the Biblical jor your
basis for your beliefs.
beliefs.
I.
I. Believers
Believers in
in Deity of Christ
Deity of Trinity
Christ and Trinity
belief in
Our belief in the
the deity
deity and eternal pre-existence of
eternal pre-existence of
Christ,
Christ, the
the second person
person of
of the
the Godhead,
Godhead, is
is on rec-
rec-
ord in our "Fundamental Beliefs
ord in Beliefs ofof Seventh-day
Seventh-day Ad-
ventists,"
ventists," appearing
appearing annually
annually in official Yearbook
in our official
and inin our authoritative Church Manual (1951
our authoritative (1951 ed.,
ed.,
pp. 29-36).
pp. 29-36). Moreover,
Moreover, those
those who are
are baptized
baptized into
Into the
the
Adventist Church subscribe
Adventist subscribe to to the
the "Summary
"Summary of
of Doc-
Doc-
trinal Beliefs"
trinal Beliefs" appearing
appearing on our standard Baptismal Baptismal
Certificate, article
Certificate, article 22 of
of which reads:
reads:
Jesus Christ, the

Jesus Christ, the second person of the
person of the Godhead,
Godhead, and the
the eter-
eter-
nal
nal Son of
of God,
God, is the only
is the only Saviour from sin;
sin; and man's
man's salvation
salvation
is by grace
is by grace through
through faith
faith in
in Him.
candidate signs
The candidate signs this
this statement,
statement, in affirmation
in affirmation
of belief, before baptism.
of belief, before baptism. And in
in Appendix A,
Appendix' A, on
pp. 641-645,
pp. 641-645, appears
appears a compilation
compilation ofof statements on the
the
deity and eternal
deity pre-existence of
eternal pre-existence of Christ
Christ and His posi-
posi-
35
35
36 QUESTIONS
don
tion in the Godhead from one of
In the of our
our mostmost represent-
represent-
ative writers, Ellen
ative writers, Ellen G. White.
G. White.
As toto Christ's
Christ's place
place in the Godhead,
in the Godhead, we believe believe
Him to to be
be the
the second personperson in the heavenly
in the heavenly Trinity
Trinity
-comprised
comprised of
of Father,
Father, Son,
Son, and Holy
Holy Spirit-who
Spirit who are
are
united not
united not only
only in
in the
the Godhead but
but in
in the
the provisions
provisions
of redemption. A series
of redemption. series ofof succinct statements on
succinct statements on thethe
Trinity also appears
Trinity also appears in in Appendix
Appendix A, A, "Christ's Place in
"Christ's Place in
the Godhead,"
the Godhead," clearly
clearly presenting
presenting (1) (l) that
that Christ
Christ is
is one
with
with the Eternal Father-one
the Eternal Father one in in nature,
nature, equal
equal in power
in power
authority, God in
and authority, in the
the highest sense,
highest sense, eternal
eternal and
self-existent, with
self-existent, with life
life original, unborrowed, underived;
original, unborrowed, underived;
and (2)
(2) that
that Christ
Christ existed
existed from all all eternity,
eternity, distinct
distinct
from, but united
from, but with, the
united with, Father, possessing
the Father, possessing the the same
glory, and all
glory, the divine
all the divine attributes.
attributes.
Seventh-day Adventists base

Seventh-day Adventists their belief
base their belief inin the
the Trin-
Trin-
ity
ity on
on the
the statements
statements of
of Holy Scripture
Holy Scripture rather
rather than
than on aa
historic creed.
historic creed. Article
Article 2
2 of
of the
the statement on Funda-
mental Beliefs,
mental Beliefs, isis explicit:
explicit:
the Godhead,
That the Godhead, or Trinity, consists
or Trinity, consists of
of the
the Eternal
Eternal Father,
Father,
a
a personal,
personal, spiritual Being, omnipotent,
spiritual Being, omnipotent, omnipresent, omnis-
omnipresent, omnis-
cient, infinite in
cient, infinite In wisdom and love; the Lord Jesus
love; the Jesus Christ,
Christ, the
the Son
of the
of Eternal Father,
the Eternal Father, through
through whom all all things
things were
were created
created and
through whom the
through the salvation
salvation of the redeemed hosts
of the hosts will
will be accom-
be accom-
plished;
plished; the
the Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, the
the third
third person
person of
of the
the Godhead,
Godhead, the
the
great regenerating
great regenerating power
power in in the
the work of of redemption.
redemption. Matt.
Matt. 28: 19.
28:19.
representative statement
Another representative statement appears
appears in the
in the
"Summary
"Summary of
of Doctrinal
Doctrinal Beliefs"
Beliefs" on the
the Certificate of
Certificate of
BajJtism,'
Baptism:
true and living
1, The true
1. God, the
living God, first person
the first person of the Godhead.
of the Godhead,
is our heavenly
is our heavenly Father,
Father, and He,
He, by
by His Son,
Son, Christ
Christ Jesus,
Jesus, created
created
all things.
all (Matt. 28:18,19;
things. (Matt. Cor. 8:5,
28:18, 19; I Cor.
1 Eph. 3:9;
6; Eph.
8:5, 6; Jer. 10:10-12;
3:9; Jer. 10:10-22;
Reb. 1:1-3;
Heb. Acts 17:22-29;
1:1-3; Acts Col. 1:16-18.)
17:22-29; Col. 1:16-18.)
ETERNAL PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST 37
37
2.
2. Jesus
Jesus Christ, the second
Christ, the person of
second person of the
the Godhead,
Godhead, and the the
eternal
eternal Son of of God,
God, is the only
Is the only Saviour
Saviour from sin:
sin; and man's
man's sal-
sal-
vation is is by
by grace through faith
grace through faith in
in Him. (Matt.
(Matt. 28:18,
28: J 8, 19;
19; John
John
3:16;
3:16; Micah 5:2; 5:2; Matt.
Matt. 1:21;
1:21; 2:5, 6; Acts
2:5, 6; Acts ·1:12;
4:12; I John
I John 5:11,
5:11, 12;
12;
Eph. 1:9-15;
Eph. 1:9-15; 2:4-8;
2:4-8; Rom. 3:23-26.)
3:23-26.)
3. The Holy
3. Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, is
Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, is
Christ's representative on earth,
Christ's representative earth, and leads
leads sinners
sinners toto repentance
repentance
and to to obedience
obedience ofof all
all God's requirements. (Matt.
God's requirements. (Matt. 28:18,
28:18, 19;
19;
John 14:26;
John 14:26; 15:26;
15:26; 16:7-15;
16:7-15; Rom. 8:1-10; Eph. 4:30.)
8:1-10; Eph. 4:30.)
II. Biblical Basis for in Deity

U. Biblical Basis for Belief in Deity of
of Christ
Christ
The deity
deity of
of our Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ is established
Christ is by
established by
at least
at least eleven
eleven separate
separate lines of evidence,
lines of evidence, which,
which, taken
taken
collectively, completely
collectively, completely establish
establish His deity.
deity. These are:
are:
1.
1. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE TITLE "SON OF GOD"
BY CHRIST HIMSELF.-While
HIMSELF. While here among men Christ
here among Christ
acknowledged
acknowledged Himself to
to be the
the Son of
of God (Matt.
(Matt.
27:41-43;
27:41-43; John
John 5:23;
5:23; 9:35-37;
9:35-37; 10:36;
10:36; 17:1).
17:1). He con- con-
firmed the
firmed the testimony
testimony of others that
of others that He was the the Son of of
God (Matt.
(Matt. 16:15-17; John 1:32-34,
16:15-17; John 1:32-34, 48, 49; 11:27).
48, 49; 11:27).
And numerous other other statements attest the
statements attest the fact that He
fact that
was what He declared
declared Himself to to be
be-thethe Son of of God
(Matt. 3:16, 17;
(Matt. 3:16, 17; John
John 19:7;
19:7; 20:30, 31; Acts
20:30, 31; Acts 9:20;
9:20; Rom.
1:1-4; 2
1:1-4; 2 Cor.
Cor. 1:19;
1:19; Heb. 4:14;
4:14; 2 2 Peter
Peter 1:16,
1:16, 17).
17).
Christ
Christ employed
employed the title "Son of
the title of God" without the the
slightest
slightest reservation,
reservation, and with the
the utmost freedom and
frankness. It
frankness. It is the one title
is the title that embodies, in
that embodies, in a most
explicit way, His
explicit way, His unique
unique relationship
relationship to to the Father.
the Father.
2. APPLICATION
2.ApPLICATION TO JESUS
JESUS CHRIST OF A SCORE OF
NAMES AND TITLES RESTRICTED TO DEITY. DEITY.-InIn the Old
Testament some 70 70 names and titles
titles are
are ascribed
ascribed to
to
Jesus Christ,
Jesus Christ, and in
in the
the New Testament some 170
more. Those restricted
more. restricted exclusively
exclusively toto Deity
Deity include
QUESTIONS
"God" (John
(John 1:1);
1:1); "God with with us"
us" (Matt.
(Matt. 1:23);
1:23); "the
"the
great
great God" (Titus 2:
(Titus 2:13); 13); "God blessed
blessed for
for ever"
(Rom. 9:5); "Son of
(Rom. 9:5); of God" (some (some 40 40 times);
times); "only
"only
begotten
begotten Son" (five times);
(five times); "the
"the first
first and the
the last"
last"
(Rev. 1: 17); "Alpha
(Rev. 1:17); "Alpha and Omega" (Rev. 22:13); "the
Omega" (Rev. 22: 13);
beginning and the
beginning the end" (Rev. (Rev. 22: 13); "Holy
22:13); "Holy One"
(Acts 3: 14);
(Acts 3:14); "Lord" (used constantly);
(used constantly); "Lord of
of all"
all"
(Acts 10:36);
(Acts 10:36); "Lord of
of glory"
glory" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 2:8); "King
2:8); "King of of
glory" (Ps. 24:8-10);
glory" (Ps. 24:8-10); "Wonderful" (Isa. 9:6);
(Isa. 9:6); "Ever-
lasting Father"
lasting Father" (Isa. 9:6); "Word of
(Isa. 9:6);
of God" (Rev. (Rev. 19:19:
13);
13); "Word" (John I:
(John 1:1); 1); "Emmanuel" (Matt. 1 :23);
(Matt. 1:23);
"mediator" (1 (1 Tim. 2:5); 2:5); and "King
"King of of kings,
kings, and
Lord ofof lords"
lords" (Rev. 19:
(Rev. 19:16).16).
3. ASCRIPTION
3. ASCRIPTION TO CHRIST OF ATTRIBUTES BELONG-
ING
ING SOLELY TO DEITY.-These include omnipotence
DEITY. These include omnipotence
(Matt. 28: 18), omniscience (Matt.
(Matt. 28:18), (Matt. 9:4),
9:4), omnipresence
omnipresence
(Matt.
(Matt. 18:20),
18:20), immutability
immutability (Heb.
(Heb. 13:8)-appearing
13:8) appearing
in scores
in scores of texts.
of texts.
4. ASCRIPTION TO CHRIST OF OFFICES

4. ASCRIPTION OFFICES AND PREROGA-
TIVES POSSESSED
TIVES POSSESSED AND EXERCISED
EXERCISED ONLY BY DEITY. DEITY.-
These embrace creation of the
creation of universe (John
the universe (John 1: 1-3);
1:1-3);
preservation
preservation of
of the
the universe
universe (Heb. 1:3); right and
(Heb. 1: 3); right
power to
power to forgive
forgive sins
sins (Mark 2:5-12); right
(Mark 2:5-12); right and power
power
to judge
to judge all all men (Acts 17: 31
(Acts 17:31); ) ; authority
authority and power to
power to
raise the
raise the "dead
dead (John
(John 5:28,
5:28, 29);
29); to
to transform
transform our
bodies (Phil.
bodies (Phil. 3:21); to bestow immortality
3:21); to immortality (1 (1 Cor.
Cor.
15:52,
15:52, 53).
53).
5. ApPLICATION OF THE "I
5. APPLICATION "I AM" OF THE OLD
TESTAMENT TO JESUSJESUS CHRIST IN IN THE NEW. When
NEw.-When
Christ told
Christ the Jews,
told the Jews, "Before
"Before Abraham was,
was, I
I am,"
am,"
(John
(John 8:58),
8:58), He was claiming
claiming deity, His hearers
deity, and His hearers
ETERNAL PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST 39
39
recognized the
recognized the Implications of His
implications of His words,
words, for
for they
they took
up "stones
up "stones to
to cast
cast at
at him"
him"-the Jewish punishment
the Jewish punishment for
for
high-handed blasphemy.
high-handed obviously used
blasphemy. He obviously used the
the words
of
of in the
God In the Old Testament, "I AM THAT II AM"
Testament, "I AM THAT
(Ex. 3:14),
(Ex. 3: 14), long
long recognized
recognized asas the
the symbol
symbol ofof deity,
deity,
applying to Himself the attribute of self-existence.
applying to Himself the attribute of self-existence.
6. IDENTIFICATION
6. IDENTIFICATION OF OF JEHOVAH
JEHOVAH OF THE OLD TESTA-
MENT WITH JESUS JESUS IN
IN THE NEW. NEW.-ThereThere are are aa number
of Old Testament texts
of texts containing
containing the the name Jehovah
Jehovah
that have
that have been
been applied
applied by by New Testament writers writers toto
Jesus
Jesus Christ.
Christ.
The word "Lord" (Yahweh) (Yahweh) In in Psalm 102:22,
102:22, and
the related
the related verses
verses 25-28,
25-28, Is is applied
applied toto Jesus
Jesus In in Hebrews
1: 10-12. The same divine
1:10-12. divine name (Yahweh} appears also
(Yahweh) appears also
in
in Habakkuk 2:2, 3,
2:2, 3, and is
Is applied
applied to
to Christ
Christ in
in He-
brews 10:37.
brews 10:37.
Three other other instances
instances where either either Yahweh or
Elohim are are applied
applied to
to our Lord can
can be seen in the
seen In
following: In Jeremiah
following: In Jeremiah 31:31 31:31 Yahweh is
is used, and Is
used, is
referred
referred to to the
the work of of Christ
Christ inin Hebrews,
Hebrews, chapters
chapters 8
and 10.10. The reference
reference to to Yahweh in in Haggai
Haggai 2:6 2:6 is
is also
also
Messianic,
Messianic, and is
is applied
applied to
to the
the work of
of Jesus
Jesus in He-
brews 12:26.
brews 12:26. The divine
divine name Elohim in
in Psalm 45:
45:
G, 7,
6, 7, is
is applied to
applied to thethe Son of of God in in Hebrews 1:8, 1:8, 9.
9.
7.
7. NAME OF THE SON COUPLED,
COUPLED, IN
IN THE NEW TES-
TAl\IENT,
TAMENT, IN
IN FULL EQUALITY'*'
EQUALITY* WITH THE FATHER.-This
FATHER. This
"Christ's
*Christ's equality
equality with
with God the the Father is is demonstrated in in many different ways
in the New Tc~mmcnt.
in the Testament.
1.
1. To honor
honor the
the Son is is to
to honor the the Father
Father (John
(John 5 :23).
5:23).
2.
2. To see
see Christ
Christ is
is to
to see
see God (John
(John 14:7-9).
14:7-9).
3.
3. To know Christ
Christ isis to
to know the the Father
Father (John
(John 14:7).
14:7).
4.
4. To believe
believe inin Jesus
Jesus is
is to
to believe
believe in
in God (John
(John 12:44).
12:44).
5.
5. Christ
Christ does
does the
the same thing'
things asas does
does the
the Father (John
(John 5:19).
5:19).
6.
6. Christ
Christ raises
raises the
the dead asas does
does the
the Father (John
(John 5 :21).
5:21)
.
7.
7. Christ
Christ has
has life
life in
in Himself as as does
does the
the Father (John
(John 5:26).
5:26).
40 QUESTIONS
appears in
appears in the
the apostolic benediction (2
apostolic benediction (2 Cor.
Cor. 13: 14);
13:14);
the baptismal
the (Matt. 2S:
baptismal formula (Matt. 19); and in
28:19); in other texts
other texts
where their
their names are united.
are united.
S.
8. DECLARED SINLESSNESS
SINLESSNESS OF JESUS
OF JESUS CHRIST
THROUGHOUT His HIS LIFE
LIFE AMONG MEN.MEN.-This was clearly
This was clearly
foretold
foretold in the Old Testament (Ps.
in the (Ps. 45:7;
45:7; Isa.
Isa. 53:9;
53:9;
Jer.
Jer. 23:5;
23:5; Zech.
Zech. 9:9).
9:9). And it
it was expressly
expressly declared
declared in
in
the New Testament-as
the Testament as the the "Holy
"Holy One of
of God"
(Mark
(Mark 1 :24), "holy
1:24), thing" (Luke
"holy thing' (Luke 1 :35), "holy
1:35), "holy child
child
Jesus" (Acts
Jesus" (Acts 4:27),
4:27), "hath
"hath done nothing
nothing amiss"
amiss" (Luke
(Luke
23 :41), "no unrighteousness
23:41), unrighteousness ... in in him" (John(John 7: IS),
7:18),
"Holy
"Holy One and the
the Just" (Acts 3:
Just" (Acts 3:14),14), "knew no sin"
sin"
(2 Cor. 5:21),
(2 Cor. 5:21), "without spot" (1
"without spot" Peter 1: 19), "with-
(1 Peter 1:19), "with-
out blemish"
out blemish" (1 (1 Peter
Peter 1:19),
1:19), "did no sin"
sin" (1 (1 Peter
Peter
2:22), "separate
2:22), "separate from sinners"
sinners" (Heb. 7:26).
(Heb. 7:26).
9. DIVINE
9. DIVINE WORSHIP AND PRAYER TO JESUS, JESUS, WHICH
Is
Is DUE ONLY TO GOD.-There
GOD. There were were many
many instances
instances
where Jesus
where Jesus Christ,
Christ, as
as God and Creator, without hesita-
Creator, without hesita-
tion
tion accepted worship
accepted worship which even
even angels
angels as
as well
well as
as
good men, as
good men, as creatures, declined with
creatures, declined with fear
fear and horror
horror
(Rev.
(Rev. 19:10;
19:10; Acts
Acts 10:25,26).
10:25, 26). The prerogative
prerogative of
of deity
deity
was assumed and asserted
was throughout Jesus'
asserted throughout Jesus' New Testa-
Testa-
ment life
life in
in a
a score
score of
of instances
instances (Matt.
(Matt. 14: 2S: 9, 17).
33; 28:9,
14:33; 17).
10.
10. THE AWARENESS OF CHRIST CONCERNING His HIS
DIVINE PERSON AND MISSION.-At twelve He recog-
MISSION. At twelve recog-
nized God as
nized as His Father (Luke 2:41-52);
Father (Luke 2:41-52); at thirty this
at thirty this
awareness of
awareness of His divine mission
divine mission was revealed at
revealed at HisHis
baptism (Matt.
baptism (Matt. 3: 13-17); it
3:13-17); it appears
appears in
in the
the record
record ofof
the temptation (Matt.
the temptation 4: 1-11);
(Matt. 4:1-11); in
in the
the calling
calling of
of the
the
twelve and the
twelve the seventy;
seventy; in claims of
in claims the Sermon on the
of the the
Mount (Matthew to 7).
(Matthew 55 to 7).
ETERNAL PRE-EXISTENCE
ETERNAL PRE-EXISTENCE CHRIST 41
OF CHRIST 41
11.
11. CONVERGENCE OF MULTIPLE OLD TESTAMENT
PROPHETIC SPECIFICATIONS AS FULFILLED IN JESUS

JESUS CHRIST,
CONSTITUTES THE CULMINATING EVIDENCE.-Quite
EVIDENCE. Quite aa
number ofof separate, specific,
separate, specific, and predictions
minute predictions
pinpoint
pinpoint Him as
as the
the One who was to
to come from God
(such as Isa.
(such as Isa. 7: 14; 9:6).
7:14; 9:6).
Deity of Christ and Church Membership
Deity of Christ and Church Membership
QUESTION
QUESTION 5
5
If a Unitarian
If Unitarian or or an Arian (rejecting
(rejecting the
the
trinity
trinity of
of the
the Godhead,
Godhead, and denying
denying the the deity
deity
of Christ)
of should seek
Christ) should seek admission
admission intointo your
your
church, would a
churchy a Seventh-day
Adventist minister
minister
baptize and receive
baptize receive such
such into membership?
into membership?
Is it
Is possible for
it possible for an individual
individual to to remain
in good
in good and regular standing
regular standing if if he consistently
consistently
refuses to
refuses to submit to to church authority
authority regarding
regarding
the historic
the historic doctrine
doctrine of
of the
the deity
deity ofof Jesus
Jesus Christ?
Christ?
While thethe first

first question seemingly touches upon
question seemingly touches upon aa
highly important
highly problem, it
important problem, it is nevertheless hypotheti-
is nevertheless hypotheti-
cal-for
cal the simple
for the reason that
simple reason Unitarian
that an avowed Unitarian
or Arian
or Arian does not seek
does not membership in
seek membership in an avowedly
avowedly
Trinitarian church while still
Trinitarian still holding
holding hishis old views
old views
on the
the Godhead. A poll poll of
of numerous ministers
ministers of
of long
long
experience
experience connected with Ollr
our denominational
denominational head-
head-
quarters shows
quarters shows that
that no minister
minister inin this
this large
large group
group hashas
ever
ever been faced
faced with such a a request.
request.
Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventist ministers
ministers are required thor-
are required thor-
oughly
oughly to
to instruct
instruct all
all candidates for
for membership
membership pre- pre-
paratory
paratory to
to baptism.
baptism. This period
period of
of instruction
instruction usually
usually
continues
continues forfor some months. If If aa candidate persists in
candidate persists in
holding erroneous
holding erroneous views
views concerning
concerning our Lord and
42
42
DEITY AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 43
43
Saviour,
Saviour, whowho' alone
alone can
can save
save the
the sinner, then only
sinner, then only one
course c~uld be followed:
course could followed: the applicant would have
the applicant have to to
be told
be told frankly that he is
frankly that is totally unprepared
totally unprepared for
for bap-
bap-
tism,
tism, and could not not be
be received
received into our fellowship.
into our fellowship.
He would be counseled
counseled to to study further until
study further until he
he under-
under-
stood and had fully accepted the
fully accepted the deity
deity of Jesus Christ
of Jesus Christ
redemptive power.
and His redemptive power. We could
could not
not permit one
permit
denies what we believe,
who denies believes what
believe, and believes what we deny,
deny,
to
to become a member, for
a member, for we couldcould never
never dwell
dwell to-to-
gether in
gether harmony. Strife
in harmony. disintegration would
Strife and disintegration
result.
result.
Furthermore, the
Furthermore, the Seventh-day Adventist Church
uses
uses a four-page Certificate
a uniform four-page Certificate of Baptism, which
of Baptism,
is
is given
given the
the candidate
candidate at
at the
the time
time of
of his
his baptism. On
baptism.
pages
pages 2
2 and 3
3 appears
appears a
a "Summary
"Summary of
of Doctrinal
Doctrinal Be-
Be-
liefs of Seventh-day
liefs of Adventists."
Seventh-day Adventists." Following Following article
article 1,
1,
which deals with the

deals with Trinity, the
the Trinity, the second
second article reads:
article reads:
2. Jesus Christ,
2. Jesus the second
Christ, the person of
second person of the
the Godhead,
Godhead, and thethe
eternal
God, isis the
the only
only Saviour
Saviour from sin;sin; and man's
man's
salvation
salvation isis by
by grace
grace through
through faith
faith inin Him. (Matt. 28:18, 19;
(Matt. 28:18, 19;
John 3:16;
John 3:16; Micah 5:2; Matt. 1:21;
5:2; Matt. 1:21; 2:5,
2:5, 6; 4:12; I1 John
Acts 4:12;
6; Acts John 5:5:
11,
11, 12; Eph. 1:9-15;
12; Eph. 2:4-8; Rom. 3:23-26.)
1:9-15; 2:4-8; 3:23-26.)
Then on page page 4 4 is
is found the candidate's "Bap-
the candidate's "Bap-
tismal Vow,"
tismal Vow," with thirteen terse
with thirteen terse declarations
declarations to be
to be
made in in the
the affirmative
affirmative before baptism is
before baptism administere~,
is administered,
following
following which
which the
the certificate
certificate is
is signed
signed and dated.
dated. The
first of
first of these
these affirmations pertains to
affirmations pertains to our belief
belief in
in God
the Father,
the Father, God the
the Son,
Son, and the
the Holy
Holy Spirit. The
Spirit.
next
next in the list
in the list of
of questions
questions to be answered,
to be reads:
answered, reads:
2. you accept
2. Do you accept the death of
the death of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ on Calvary
Calvary asas an
atoning sacrifice for
atoning sacrifice for the
the sins of men,
sins of believe that
men, and believe that through
through
faith in
faith His shed
in His blood men are
shed blood are saved
saved from sin
sin and its
its penalty?
penalty?
This
This is the procedure
is the procedure preparatory
preparatory to
to baptism
baptism into
into
44
QUESTIONS
the Adventist faith.
the Adventist faith. That this this Baptismal
Baptismal Certificate
Certificate is is
authoritative,
authoritative, and in
in constant
constant use
use in
in the
the church,
church, is
is seen
seen
from its
its inclusion
inclusion in official Church Manual. It
in our official It
would, therefore,
would, therefore, seem that that there
there is is less
less likelihood
likelihood of of
one who holdsholds Arian or Unitarian positions
or Unitarian positions entering
entering
the Seventh-day Adventist
the Seventh-day Adventist Church than
than of his
of his entering
entering
some other
other Protestant
Protestant communion.
second question,
The second question, likelike the first, is
the first, largely hypo-
is largely hypo-
thetical. Our position
thetical. position can can bebe seen
seen in in the
the official
official in-
in-
struction for
struction for the
the Seventh-day
Adventist Church,Church, thethe
Church Manual,
Manual, covering
covering the
the duties,
duties, responsibilities,
responsibilities,
procedures in
and procedures in church relationships.
relationships. This book was
approved and issued
approved issued by by thethe General Conference
Conference in in
regular session.
regular session. C .mcerning the
Cjncerning authority and respon-
the authority respon-
sibility
sibility of
of the
the church
church in
in such
such matters,
matters, we read
read on pages
pages
218 and 219
218 219 (1951 ed.):
(1951 ed.):
"The world's
world's Redeemer has has invested great power
invested great power with His
church.
church. He states the rules
states the rules to
to be
be applied in cases
applied in of trial
cases of trial with
with its
its
members..... God holds
members . . . holds His people, as
His people, as aa body,
body, responsible
responsible forfor
the sins
the sins existing
existing in
in individuals
individuals among
among them.
them. If the leaders
If the leaders of the
of the
church neglect
church neglect toto diligently
diligently search out the
search out the sins
sins which
which bring
bring the
the
displeasure of
displeasure of God uponupon the
the body,
body, they responsible for
they become responsible for
these sins....
these sins. If wrongs
... If wrongs are apparent among
are apparent among HisHis people,
people, and if if
the servants of
the servants of God passpass on indifferent
indifferent to
to them,
them, they
they virtually
virtually
sustain justify the
sustain and justify the sinner,
sinner, and areare alike
alike guilty,
guilty, and will
will just
just
as surely
as receive the
surely receive the displeasure
displeasure of God; for
of God; they will
for they will be made
responsible for
responsible for the
the sins
sins of the guilty."
of the guilty."
On page
page 224,
224, under the heading "Reasons
the heading "Reasons for for
Which Members Shall
Shall Be Disciplined,"
Disciplined," there
there are
are listed
listed
seven definite departures, anyone
definite departures, any one of
of which could
could be be
grounds for
grounds for disfellowshiping
disfellowshiping a a member. The first
first reads:
reads:
1. Denial ofof faith

faith in
in the fundamentals of
of the
the gospel
1. the fundamentals gospel and in
in
the cardinal doctrines
the cardinal doctrines of the church
of the church or
or teaching
teaching doctrines
doctrines con-
con-
trary to the
trary to the same.
same.
45
These "fundamentals
"fundamentals of the gospel,"
of the gospel," or
or "fundamen-
tal beliefs," twenty-two
tal beliefs," twenty-two in in number,
number, are
are found on pages
pages
29-36 of
29-36 the Church Manual. The second
of the second and third
third of
of
these fundamentals deal
these with the
deal with doctrine of
the doctrine of God,
God, em-
phasizing our belief
phasizing belief in
in the Trinity, the
the Trinity, the omnipotence,
omnipotence,
omniscience,
omniscience, and eternal
eternal existence
existence of the Father,
of the Father, Son,
Son,
and Holy Spirit. We quote:
HoI), Spirit. quote:
2.
2. That the the Godhead,
Godhead, or Trinity, consists
or Trinity, consists of the Eternal
of the Eternal
Father,
Father, aa personal,
personal, spiritual
spiritual Being, omnipotent, omnipresent,
Being, omnipotent, omnipresent,
omniscient, infinite in
omniscient, infinite wisdom and love;
in wisdom love; the
the Lord
Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ,
Christ,
the Son of
the the Eternal
of the Eternal Father, through whom all
Father, through things were
all things were
created and through
created through whom the the salvation
salvation ofof the
the redeemed hosts hosts
will be
will be accomplished;
accomplished; the the Holy
Holy Spirit, the third
Spirit, the third person
person of of the
the
Godhead,
Godhead, the the great regenerating
great regenerating powerpower in
in the
the work of
of redemp-
redemp-
tion. (Matt. 28:
tion. (Matt. 19.)
28:19.)
3. That Jesus
3.
Jesus Christ is very
Christ is God, being
very God, being of of the
the same nature
nature
and essence
essence as as the
the Eternal Father. While retaining
Eternal Father. retaining HisHis divine
divine
nature,
nature, He took took upon Himself the
upon Himself nature of
the nature the human family,
of the family,
lived on earth
lived earth asas a man, exemplified
a man, exemplified in in His
His life
life as
as our
our example
example
the principles of
the principles of righteousness, attested His
righteousness, attested His relationship
relationship to to God
loJy
by many mighty miracles,
many mighty died for
miracles, died for our sins on the
our sins the cross,
cross, was
raised from
raised from the dead, and ascended
the dead, ascended toto the Father, where
the Father, where He ever ever
lives to
lives to make intercession
intercession for us. (John
for us. (John 1: 1, 14;
1:1, Heb. 2:9-18;
14; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:
8:
1,2; 4:14-16; 7:25.)
1,2; 4:14-16; 7:25.)
The fourth
fourth of
of these
these "fundamental beliefs"
beliefs" stresses
stresses
the nature of
the nature of our salvation:
salvation:
4.
4. That every person, in
every person, in order
order toto obtain
obtain salvation,
salvation, must ex-ex-
perience the
perience the new birth. This comprises
birth. This comprises an entire transformation
entire transformation
of
of life and character
life and by the
character by the re-creative power of
re-creative power of God through
through
faith in
faith the Lord Jesus
in the Jesus Christ.
Christ. (John 3:16; Matt.
(John 3:16; Matt. 18:3; Acts 2:
18:3; Acts 2:
37-39.)
37-39.)
Salvation, then, comes about solely
Salvation, then, through "faith
solely through "faith
in the
in the Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ."
Christ/' One who refusesrefuses toto recognize
recognize
the deity
the deity of
of our
our Lord and Saviour
Saviour Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ can,
can,
therefore,
therefore, neither
neither understand
understand nor experience
experience that di-
di-
vine re-creative power

vine re-creative power in
in its
its fullness.
fullness. Not only
only is
is he dis-
dis-
46
46 QUESTIONS
qualified for
qualified for membership by
membership by his
his very
very unbelief,
unbelief, but he
he
is
is already outside the mystic
already outside the mystic body
body of
of Christ, the church.
Christ, the church.
And there
there would be nothing else
be nothing for the
else for the church
church toto do
but to
but recognize this
to recognize this separation through
separation through unbelief,
unbelief, and
to act in
to act harmony with
in harmony with the
the instruction
instruction already
already referred
referred
to
to in the Church Manual. Section
in the 5 of
Section 5 the reasons
of the reasons
given
given for
for disfellowshiping
disfellowshiping a
a member reads:
reads:
Persistent refusal to
Persistent refusal to recognize properly constituted
recognize properly constituted church
authority or to
authority or to submit to the order
to the order and discipline
discipline of
of the
the church.
church.
Although the
Although the authority
authority of
of the
the church to
to act
act in
in such
a case
a case is recognized,
is recognized, disfellowshiping
disfellowshiping a a member is is
never entered into

never entered into hurriedly,
hurriedly, but
but only
only after
after much
counsel, prayer, and effort
counsel, prayer, effort to reclaim the
to reclaim the erring
erring one.
one.
Usually,
Usually, inin actual practice, either
actual practice, either the person who loses
the person loses
faith
faith in the fundamentals of
in the the gospel
of the gospel finds himself
finds himself
so out of
so out of harmony
harmony withwith his brethren that
his brethren that hehe withdraws
withdraws
voluntarily, or
voluntarily, or his his conduct is such that
is such that thethe church must
take action in
take action in his
his case.
case.
The historic
historic doctrine
doctrine of the deity
of the deity of
of our Lord and
Saviour
Saviour Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ is
is a
a cardinal
cardinal belief
belief of the Seventh-
of the Seventh-
day
day Adventist
Adventist Church.
The Historic Basis for

Historic Basis a Misunderstanding
for a Misunderstanding
Seventh-day
Adventists have often been
have often been misunder-
misunder-
stood relative to
stood relative to their belief concerning
their belief concerning thethe deity
deity of
of
Christ
Christ and the the nature
nature ofof the
the Godhead. The basisbasis for
for
this
this misunderstanding
misunderstanding lies lies somewhat in in matters
matters of
of defi-
defi-
nition and historical
nition historical background.
background.
In the
In the interdenominational
interdenominational Millerite
Millerite movement to to
which thethe early Seventh-day
early Seventh-day Adventists
Adventists had belonged,
belonged,
a few
a few ofof the
the leaders
leaders were members of of aa denomination
denomination
known as as "Christians."
"Christians." ThisThis group
group had
had sounded their
their
47
no-creed, Bible-and-Bible-only
no-creed, Bible-and-Bible-only rallying
rallying cry
cry in
in the
the early
early
nineteenth century
nineteenth century Arminian revolt
revolt against
against the
the domi-
domi-
nant ecclesiastico-political
nant ecclesiastico-political New England
England Calvinism,
Calvinism, in
in
assent to
which assent to the
the Westminster
Westminster Confession
Confession of
of Faith
Faith
was sine qua
was aa sine qua non.
non. In
In their
their zeal
zeal to
to reject
reject everything
everything
not found
not found inin the
the Bible,
Bible, the
the "Christians"
*
were betrayed
'Christians" were betrayed
by overliteralism
by overliteralism into interpreting the
into interpreting the Godhead in in
terms of
terms of the
the human
heman relationships
relationships suggested
suggested by
by the
the
words "Son," "Father,"
words "Son," "begotten," that
"Father," and "begotten," that is,
is, into
into
a tendency
a tendency to
to disparage
disparage the
the non-Biblical
non-Biblical word "Trin-
"Trin-
ity" and to
ity" to contend that the
contend that the Son must have
have had aa
beginning in
beginning the remote
in the remote past.
past. (However,
(However, these
these people,
people,
in spite
in spite of
of being
being called
called Arian,
Arian, were at
at the
the opposite pole
opposite pole
from the
from the liberal,
liberal, humanistic
humanistic Arians
Arians who became Uni-
Uni-
tarians, and whose view
tarians, view of
of Christ represented Him to
Christ represented to
be
be a a mere man.)
man.)
Some of of these "Christians," committed to
these "Christians," to the
the Bible
Bible
as
as their guide and making
their guide making Christian character rather
Christian character rather
than belief
than belief the
the only
only test
test of
of church membership,
membership, were
inclined
inclined to to give
give a sympathetic hearing
sympathetic hearing to to the
the revivalist
revivalist
preaching of William
preaching of William Miller Miller in
in the
the 1840's
1840's and to wel-
to wel-
come the the Millerites
Millerites when otherother churches closed
closed their
their
doors
doors to to them.
them. However,
However, in the Millerite
in the Millerite movement
speculation
speculation on the the nature of the
nature of the Godhead played
played no
important
important part.part.
":Tue'
TEe ea:Tliest
earliest Seventh-day
Adventists had been Mil- Mil-
lerites,
lerites, coming
coming from various
various denominations,
denominations, and among
among
them were were twotwo "Christian"
"Christian" preachers,
preachers, and possibly
possibly
several
several laylay members as as well.
well. Their proportion
proportion in in our
early
early membership
membership is is unknown,
unknown, and theirtheir dwindling
dwindling
descendants
descendants have have not
not molded thethe thinking
thinking of
of our mem-
bership, nor did their. understanding
bership, nor did their, understanding of
of the Godhead
48
QUESTIONS
become aa part
part of of our essential message to
essential message to thethe world.
world.
Today probably
Today probably only only a
a minute portion
portion of
of our mem-
bership has
bership has ever
ever even heard heard of any dispute
of any dispute as as to
to
Christ once
whether Christ once had a beginning in
a beginning the unmeas-
in the
ured aeons
ured aeons of the past.
of the past. And even even thethe few so-called
so-called
"Arians" among us-though
"Arians" among us though erring erring in
in their
their theoretical
theoretical
theology of
theology the nature
of the nature of of the relationships of
the relationships of the
the God-
head-have
head have been been as free as
as free as their orthodox breth-
their more orthodox breth-
ren of any thought
of any thought of of detracting
detracting from the
the glory
glory and
divine lordship
divine lordship of Jesus as
of Jesus as Creator,
Creator, Redeemer,
Redeemer, Saviour,
Saviour,
and Advocate.
Advocate.
Our people
people have
have always believed in
always believed the deity
in the deity and
pre-existence
pre-existence of
of Christ,
Christ, most
most of
of them quite likely
quite likely un- un-
aware
aware ofof any
any dispute
dispute as as to
to the exact relationships
the exact relationships of of
the Godhead. Nor has
the has our public
public preaching
preaching discussed
discussed
Christology, but has
Christology, has placed
placed the emphasis on the
the emphasis the distinc-
distinc-
tive message of the Lord's coming.
tive message of the Lord's coming. However, However, we have
statements
statements from Ellen Ellen G. G. White,
White, at least from the
at least the 1870's
1870's
and 1880's,
1880's, on thethe deity
deity of
of Christ,
Christ, and on His
His oneness
oneness
and equality
equality with
with God;
God; and from from about
about 18901890 on she she
expressed
expressed herself
herself with increasing
increasing frequency
frequency and posi- posi-
tiveness in
tiveness in an endeavor to correct certain
to correct certain erroneous
erroneous
opinions held
opinions held byby some-such
some such as the literalistic
as the literalistic notion
notion
that Christ
that Christ as the "only
as the begotten"
"only begotten" Son had, in
had, the
in the
remote ages
ages past,
past, had aa beginning.
beginning.
Why
Why did she
she not make her stronger emphasis from
stronger emphasis
the beginning? Doubtless
the beginning? Doubtless for for the
the same reason
reason that that she
she
advised against
advised pursuing theological
against pursuing theological controversy controversy with
with
respected but
respected mistaken brethren
but mistaken brethren-for the sake
for the sake of unity
of unity
on the
the main features
features of of the message of
the message the imminent
of the
return
return ofof Christ,
Christ, which they all felt
they all felt called
called of of God to to
proclaim to the world.
proclaim to the world. Her advice advice was,
was, inin substance:
substance:
49
No matter how right you are,

right you are, do not
not stir up the
stir up the sub-
sub-
ject
ject at
at the
the present
present time
time because
because it
it will
will cause
cause disunity.
disunity.
Quite possibly
Quite possibly our toleration
toleration of of a a few variant
variant
theories
theories has
has not
not been too high
too high a
a price
price to
to pay
pay for
for free-
free-
dom from creedal
creedal dogmatism
dogmatism and controversy,
controversy, and forfor
unity
unity of
of spirit
spirit and effort
effort in
in our world task.
task.
'The Incarnation and
The Incarnation and the
the "Son of Man
"Son of Man"
QUESTION
QUESTION 6
What do Adventists
Adventists understand by
by Christ's
Christ's
use of
use of the
the title
title "Son of
of man"? And what do you you
consider to
consider to have been thethe basic purpose of
basic purpose of the
the
incarnation?
incarnation?
Inspired Word and the

The Inspired Incarnate Word,
the Incarnate Word, or the
or the
Word made flesh,flesh, are twin pillars
are twin pillars in
in the
the faith
faith of
of Seventh-
Seventh-
day Adventists,
day Adventists, in in common with all true Christians.
all true Christians. Our
entire hope
entire hope of of salvation
salvation rests
rests on these
these two immutable
provisions of
provisions of God. Indeed, consider the
Indeed, we consider the incarnation
incarnation
of Christ
of Christ toto be thethe most stupendous fact, in
stupendous fact, in itself
itself and
its consequences,
its consequences, in
in the
the history
history of
of man,
man, and the
the key to
key to
all the
all the redemptive
redemptive provisions
provisions of of God. Everything
Everything before
before
the incarnation
the incarnation led up to
led up to it; all tfyat
it; and all tlJat follows
follows after
after
grows
grows out
out of
of it.
it. It
It undergirds
undergirds the
the whole of
of the
the gospel,
gospel,
and is absolutely essential
is absolutely essential to the Christian
to the Christian faith.
faith. This
union of of the
the Godhead with humanity humanity-of the Infinite
of the Infinite
with the
with the finite, the Creator
finite, the with the
Creator with the creature,
creature, in in order
order
that Divinity might
that Divinity might be revealed
revealed in humanity-passes
in humanity passes
our human comprehension.
comprehension. Christ united heaven and
Christ united
earth, God and man,
earth, man, inin His own Person through through this this
provision.
provision.
Furthermore,
Furthermore, at at His incarnation
incarnation Christ became what
Christ became
He was not before.before. He took upon upon Himself aa human
50
THE INCARNATION 51
51
bodily form,
bodily form, and accepted the limitations
accepted the limitations of
of human
bodily life,
bodily life, as
as the
the mode ofof existence
existence while
while on earth
earth
among men. Thus Deity
among Deity waswas wedded to to humanity
humanity in in
one Person,
Person, as as He became the the one
one and
and only
only God-man.
This isis basic
basic inin our
our faith.
faith. The vicarious
vicarious atoning·
atoning death
death
of Christ
of Christ on the the cross
cross was the inevitable
was the inevitable outgrowth
outgrowth of of
this primary
this primary provision.
provision.
Again,
Again, when Christ identified Himself
Christ identified Himself with
with the
the hu-
hu-
man race,
race, through
through the
the incarnation,
incarnation, the
the eternal
eternal Word
of God entered
of entered into the earthly
into the relationships of
earthly relationships of time.
time.
But from
from thenceforth,
thenceforth, ever
ever since
since the
the Son of
of God became
man, He has
man, has not
not ceased
ceased to be man. He adopted
to be adopted human
nature,
nature, and when He returned returned to His Father,
to His Father, He not not
only carried with Him the
only carried humanity which He had
the humanity
assumed at
assumed at the
the incarnation, but He retained
incarnation, but retained His
His perfect
perfect
nature forever-thenceforth
human nature eternally identify-
forever thenceforth eternally identify-
ing Himself with
ing Himself with the
the race
race He had redeemed.
redeemed. This has has
been well
been well expressed
expressed by
by one of of our most
most prominent
prominent writ-writ-
ers, Ellen G.
ers, Ellen G. White: "In
"In taking our nature,
taking our nature, the
the Saviour
Saviour
has
has bound Himself to to humanity
humanity by by a
a tie
tie that
that is
is never
never
to be broken.
to be broken. Through
Through the the eternal
eternal ages
ages He is linked
is linked
with us."-The
with us." Desire of
The Desire Ages (1940),
of Ages p.
(1940), p. 25.
25.
I. The Son of
I. of God Becomes the of Man
the Son of
Through the
Through the incarnation, the majesty
incarnation, the majesty and glory
glory of
of
the Eternal
the Eternal Word, the
Word, the Creator
Creator and Lord of the uni-
of the uni-
verse
verse (John
(John 1: 1-3), was
1:1-3), was veiled.
veiled. And it then that
it was then that
the
the Son ofof God became the the Son of man-aa
of man term used
used
more than
than eighty
eighty times
times in
in the
the New Testament.
Testament. Taking
Taking
humanity upon
humanity upon Himself,
Himself, He became one with the the hu-
race that
man race that He might
might reveal
reveal the
the fatherhood ofof God
to
to sinful man, and that
sinful man, that He might
might redeem lost
lost mankind.
52
52 QUESTIONS
At HisHis incarnation
incarnation He became flesh. flesh. He hungeredhungered
and thirsted
thirsted and was was weary.
weary. He neededneeded food food and rest rest
and was was refreshed
refreshed by by sleep.
sleep. He shared
shared the
the lot
lot of
of
man, craving human sympathy
man, craving sympathy and needing
needing divine
divine as-
as-
sistance. Nevertheless,
sistance. Nevertheless, He ever ever remained the the blameless
blameless
Son of of God.
He sojourned
sojourned on earth, was tempted
earth, was tempted and tried, tried,
and was touchedtouched with with the feelings
the feelings of
of our
our human infir-
infir-
mities,
mities, yet yet He lived lived a a life
life wholly
wholly free free from
from sin. sin. HisHis
was aa realreal and genuine humanity,
genuine humanity, one that
that must pass
pass
through the
through the various
various stages
stages of growth, like
of growth, like anyany other
other
member of of thethe race.
race. He was subject subject to to Joseph
Joseph and
Mary,
Mary, and was a
a worshiper
worshiper in
in the
the synagogue
synagogue and Tem-
ple.
ple. He wept
wept over the
the guilty
guilty city of
city Jerusalem, and at
of Jerusalem, at
the grave of
the grave of a
a loved
loved one.one. He expressed
expressed His depend-
depend-
ence upon God by
ence upon by prayer.
prayer. YetYet all
all the
the while
while He retained
retained
His deity-the
His deity the one and only only God-man. He was the the
second
second Adam, Adam, comingcoming in
in the
the "likeness"
"likeness" of
of sinful
sinful hu-
hu-
man fleshflesh (Rom.(Rom. 8: 3), but without
8:3), without a taint of
a taint of its
its sin-
sin-
ful propensities and passions.
ful propensities passions. (See(See also Appendix B.)
also Appendix B.)
The first time the
first time the title
title "Son of of man*'
man" appears
appears in in the
the
New Testament it it isis applied to
applied to Jesus Jesus as as a homeless
a homeless
wanderer,
wanderer, without a a place
place toto lay His head (Matt.
lay His (Matt. 8:20);
8:20);
the last
the last time
time as as aa glorified,
glorified, returning King (Rev. 14:
returning King (Rev. 14:
14).
14). It
It was
was as
as the
the Son of
of man that
that He came to
to save
save the
the
lost
lost (Luke
(Luke 19: 10). As Son of
19:10). of man He claimed claimed authority
authority
to
to forgive
forgive sins sins (Matt.
(Matt. 9: 1-8). As Son of
9:1-8). of man He sowed
the seed
the seed of truth (Matt.
of truth (Matt. 13:37),
13:37), waswas betrayed
betrayed (Matt. (Matt.
17:22;
17:22; Luke 22:48),
22:48), was crucified
crucified (Matt. 26:2), rose
(Matt. 26:2), rose
from the the dead (Mark (Mark 9:9), ascended to
9:9), and ascended to heaven
heaven
(John 6:62).
(John 6:62).
It is
It is likewise
likewise as as Son
Son ofof man that that He is is now in in
THE INCARNATION 53
53
heaven (Acts
(Acts 7:56)
7:56) and watches
watches over
over His church on
His church
earth (Rev. 1:
earth (Rev. 20). Moreover, it
1:12, 13, 20). Moreover, it is as the
12, 13, is as the Son
Son
of
of man that
that He willwill return
return inin the clouds of
the clouds of heaven
heaven
(Matt.
(Matt. 24:30;
24:30; 25:31).
25:31). And as as Son of
of man He willwill exe-
exe-
cute judgment (John
cute judgment 5:27) and.
(John 5:27) and. receive
receive His
His kingdom
kingdom
(Dan. 7: 13, 14).
(Dan. 7:13, 14). That is the inspired
is the record of
inspired record of His
His role
role
as
as Son of
of 'man.
man.
II. Miraculous
II. Miraculous Union of the Divine
of the Divine and the
the Human
Christ
Christ Jesus
Jesus our was aa miraculous
our Lord was union of
miraculous union the
of the
divine nature
divine nature with
with our nature. He was
our human nature. was the
the Son
Son
of
of while here
man while here in the flesh,
in the but He was
flesh, but was also the
also the
Son of God. The mystery
of God, mystery of of the
the Incarnation
Incarnation is
is expressed
expressed
clearly
clearly and definitely
definitely in
in the
the Holy Scriptures.
Holy Scriptures.
"
"Great
Great is the mystery
is the
mystery of godliness: God was
of godliness: was manifest
manifest
in
in the flesh" (1
the flesh" (1
Tim. 3: 16).
3:16). "God was in
in Christ" (2
Christ" Cor.
(2 Cor.
5: 19). "The Word was
5:19). was made flesh,
flesh, and dwelt
dwelt among
among us"us"
(J ohn 1:
(John 1:14).14).
What aa wonderful
wonderful truth!truth! This hashas been referred
referred toto
by Ellen
by Ellen G.G. White as as follows:
follows:
clothed His
He clothed His divinity
divinity with humanity.
humanity. He was all all the
the while
while
as God, but
as God, but He did
did not
not appear
appear as veiled the
as God. He veiled the demonstra-
demonstra-
tions
tions of Deity which had commanded the
of Deity the homage,
homage, and called
called
forth the
forth admiration, of
the admiration, the universe
of the universe ofof God. He was God while while
upon earth,
upon earth, but
but He divested Himself of
divested Himself of the
the form
form ofof God,
God, and in in
its stead
its stead took the form and fashion
took the fashion of
of a man. He walked the the
earth as
earth a man. For our sakes
as a sakes He became poor, poor, that
that we through
through
His poverty
His poverty might
might be made rich. laid aside
rich. He laid aside His
His glory
glory and His
majesty. He was
majesty. was God,
God, but the glories
but the glories of
of the
the form
form of
of God He for for
aa while relinquished.-The
while relinquished. The Review and Herald, Herald, July
July 5,5, 1887.
1887.
The more we thinkthink about Christ's becoming aa babe here
Christ's becoming here on
earth, the
earth, the more wonderful
wonderful it appears. How can it
it appears. it be that the
that the
helpless babe in
helpless babe Bethlehem's manger
in Bethlehem's manger is still the
is still the divine
divine Son of of
God? Though
God? Though we cannot
cannot understand it, it, we can believe that
can believe that He
who made the the worlds,
worlds, for our sakes
for our sakes became a a helpless
helpless babe.
babe.
54
QUESTIONS
Though higher than
Though higher than any
any ofof the
the angels, though as
angels, though as great
great as the
as the
Father
Father on the the throne
throne of heaven, He became one with
of heaven, with us. In Him
us. In
and man became one,
God and one, and it it is in this
is in this fact
fact that
that we find
find the
the
hope of
hope our fallen
of our race. Looking
fallen race. Looking upon upon Christ
Christ inin the
the flesh,
flesh, we
look upon God in
look upon in humanity,
humanity, and see see in
in Him the the brightness
brightness of of
divine glory, the
divine glory, the express image of
express image of God the Father.-The
the Father. The Youth's
Youth's
Instructor, Nov.
Instructor, Nov. 21,
21, 1895
1895...
'
The Creator
Creator of of worlds,
worlds, He in in whom was was the
the fulness
fulness ofof the
the
Godhead bodily, was manifest
bodily, was manifest in in the helpless babe
the helpless babe inin the
the manger.
manger.
Far higher than
Far higher than any
any of the angels,
of the equal with
angels, equal with the
the Father
Father in in dignity
dignity
and glory,
glory, and yet wearing
and yet wearing the the garb
garb ofof humanity!
humanity! Divinity
Divinity and
humanity
humanity werewere mysteriously
mysteriously combined,
combined, and man and God became
one. It
one. It is
is in
in this
this union that
that we find the hope
find the hope of our fallen
of our fallen race.
race.
Looking
Looking uponupon Christ
Christ in humanity, we look
in humanity, look upon
upon God,God, and see see
in Him the
in the brightness
brightness of His glory,
of His glory, the
the express image of
express image of His
His
person. Signs of
person.-Signs of the Times, July
the Times, July 30,30, 1896.
1896.
In both His natures,

In both natures, the
the divine,
divine, and the
the human,
human, He
was perfect;
was perfect; He was sinless. this was
sinless. That this was true
true of
of His
His
divine nature there
divine nature there can
can be no question.
question. That itit 'Yas
was
so
so of
of His humanity is
His humanity is also true. In
also true. His challenge
In His challenge to the
to the
Pharisees of
Pharisees His day,
of His day, He said,
said, "Which ofof you
you convinceth
convinceth
me ofof sin?"
sin?" (John
(John 8:46).
8:46). The apostle
apostle to to the
the Gentiles
Gentiles
declared that He "knew no sin"
declared that sin" (2(2 Cor. 5:21); that
Cor. 5:21); that He
was "holy,
was harmless, undefiled,
"holy, harmless, undefiled, separateseparate from
from sinners"
sinners"
(Heb. 7:26). Peter
(Heb. 7:26). Peter could
could testify
testify that
that He "did"did no sin"
sin"
(1
(1 Peter
Peter 2:22);
2:22); and John
John the
the beloved
beloved assures
assures us
us that
that
"in
"in Him is is no sin"
sin" (1 John 3:5).
(1 John 3:5). But not
not only
only did
did His
His
friends emphasize the
friends emphasize the sinlessness
sinlessness of of His
His nature;
nature; His
enemies also
also declared
declared it. Pilate was
it. Pilate was forced to confess
forced to confess that
that
he found "no fault"
he fault" in
in Him (Luke 23:
(Luke 23:14).14). Pilate's
Pilate's wife
wife
warned herh«:!r husband 'to have "nothing
to have "nothing to to do with
with that
that
just man" (Matt.
just 27: 19).
(Matt. 27: 19). Even the devils were
the devils were compelled
compelled
to acknowledge
to acknowledge His Sonship
Sonship and hence
hence His
His deity. When
deity.
commanded to to come out of of the
the mall." they had possessed,
marf they possessed,
they retorted,
they retorted, "What have we to
to do with thee, Jesus,
with thee, Jesus,
THE INCARNATION 55
55
thou Son of
them (Matt. 8:29).
of God" (Matt. Mark's gospel
8:29). Mark's gospel gives
gives "the
"the
Holy One of
Holy of God" (Mark
(Mark 1:24).
1:24).
Ellen G.
Ellen G. White has
has written:
written:
He took
took "the nature, but not
"the nature, the sinfulness
not the sinfulness of man."
of man/'
-Signs of the
Signs of the Times, 29, 1901.
May 29,
Times, May 1901.
"We should
should have no misgivings
misgivings inin regard
regard to
to the
the
perfect sinlessness
perfect sinlessness of
of the
the human nature
nature ofof Christ."-
Christ."
The SDA Bible
Bible Commentary,
Commentary, vol. 5, p.
vol. 5, p. 113l.
1131.
Why
Why did
did Christ
Christ take
take human nature?
nature? This has
has been
been
well expressed as
well expressed as follows:
follows:
Laying aside
Laying His royal
aside His royal robe
robe and kingly crown, Christ
kingly crown, Christ clothed
clothed
His divinity
His divinity with humanity,
humanity, that
that human beings
beings might
might be
be raised
raised
their degradation,
from their degradation, and placedplaced on vantage-ground.
vantage-ground. Christ
Christ
could not have
could not have come to to this earth with
this earth with the
the glory that He had
glory that
in the heavenly
in the heavenly courts.
courts. Sinful
Sinful human beings
beings could not have
could not borne
have borne
the sight.
the veiled His divinity
sight. He veiled divinity with
with the
the garb
garb of humanity,
of humanity,
but He did
but did not part with
not part with His divinity. A divine-human
His divinity. divine-human Saviour,
Saviour,
came to
He came to stand
stand atat the
the head
head ofof the
the fallen
fallen race, to share
race, to share in their
in their
experience from childhood
experience childhood to to manhood. That human beings beings
might
might bebe partakers
partakers ofof the
the divine
divine nature,
nature, He came to to this
this earth,
earth,
and lived
lived aa life
life of perfect obedience.
of perfect obedience.-ELLEN
ELLEN G. WHITE in in The
Herald, June
Review and Herald, June 15,
15, 1905. (Italics supplied.)
1905. (Italics supplied.)
Christ took upon
Christ took Himself humanity,
upon Himself humanity, that
that He might
might reach
reach
humanity.. . . . It
humanity . It required
.
required both the
, the divine
divine and thethe human to
to
bring salvation
bring salvation to the world.-The
to the world. Desire of
The Desire of Ages,
Ages, p. 296.
p. 296.
Taking
Taking humanity upon Him,
humanity upon Christ came to
Him, Christ to bebe one with
with
humanity and at
humanity the same time
at the time toto reveal
reveal our heavenly
heavenly Father
Father to
to
sinful beings. He was
sinful human beings. was inin all
all things
things made like
like unto His
brethren. He became flesh,
brethren. even as
flesh, even are. He was hungry
as we are. hungry and
thirsty weary. He was
thirsty and weary. was sustained
sustained by by food and refreshed
refreshed by
by
sleep. He shared
sleep. the lot
shared the lot of man,. and yet
of man, yet He was thethe blameless
blameless
Son of God.
Son of was aa stranger
God. He was stranger and sojourner
sojourner on thethe earth-in
earth in
the world, but
the world, but not
not of the world;
of the tempted and tried
world; tempted tried as
as men and
women today
today are
are tempted
tempted and tried, yet living
tried, yet living a life free
a life free from
sin.-Testimonies,
sin. vol. 8,
Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 286.
p. 286.
We emphasize
emphasize again that in
again that in His
His human nature
nature Christ
Christ
was perfect
was perfect and sinless.
sinless.
56
QUESTIONS
In this respect,
In this respect, something
something of of vital
vital import
import must be be
considered. The Sinless
considered. Sinless One, our blessed
One, our blessed Lord,
Lord, voluntar-
voluntar-
ily
ily took upon Himself
took upon Himself the the burden and penaltypenalty ofof our
sins. This was
sins. This was an act in full
act in full counsel
counsel and cooperation
cooperation
with God the
with the Father.
Father.
God "laid
"laid on him the the iniquity
iniquity ofof us
us all"
all" (Isa.
(Isa. 53:6).
53:6).
"When thouthou shalt
shah make his his soul
soul an offering
offering for
for
sin
sin ...."
. " (verse
. (verse 10).
10).
And yet,
yet, this
this was a voluntary act
a voluntary act of blessed
of our blessed
Saviour, for we read:
Saviour, for read:
"He shall
shall bear
bear their iniquities" (verse
their iniquities" (verse 11).
11).
"He hath
hath poured
poured out
out his
his soul
soul unto
unto death" (verse
death" (verse
12).
12).
"Who his
his own self
self bare
bare our sinssins in his own body
in his body on
the tree"
the tree" (1
(I Peter
Peter 2:24)
2:24). .
.*""- As
As aa member of of the
the human familyfamily He was was mortal,
mortal, but as' aa
but as
God He was was the
the fountain
fountain of of life
life toto the
the world. could, in
world. He could, in His
divine person,
divine person, ever have withstood
ever have withstood the advances of
the advances of death,
death, and
refused
refused to to come under its its dominion;
dominion; but but He voluntarily
voluntarily laid
laid
down His His life,
life, that
that in
in so doing He might
so doing might give
give life
life and bring
bring
immortality
immortality to to light
light..... What humility
. . .
humility was was this!
thisl It angels.
It amazed angels.
The tongue
tongue can
can never describe
describe it;
it; the
the imagination
imagination cannot
cannot take
take
it in.
it in. The eternal
eternal Word consented
consented to flesh God became
to be made flesh! 1
man! It It was
was aa wonderful
wonderful humility.-ELLEN
humility. ELLEN G. G. WHITE in in The
Review and Herald,
Herald, JulyJuly 5,5, 1887. (Italics supplied.)
Only the
Only the sinless
sinless Son of of God could could be be our substitute.
substitute.
This our our sinless
sinless Redeemer did; did; He took took upon
upon Himself
Himself
the sins
the of the
sins of the whole world,world, but, but, in in doing
doing so, so, there
there was
not the
not slightest taint
the slightest taint of corruption upon
of corruption upon Him. The
Holy
Holy Bible,
Bible, however,
however, does
does say
say that
that God "made him to
to
be sin
sin for us" (2
for us" (2 Cor.
Cor. 5:21).
5:21). This Pauline
Pauline expression
expression
has puzzled
has puzzled theologians
theologians for centuries, but
for centuries, whatever it
but whatever it
means, it
means, it certainly does not
certainly does not mean that
that our Immaculate
Lord became a sinner. The text
a sinner. text states that He was
states that was made
THE INCARNATION 57
57
"to
"to be sin."
sin." Hence it it must mean that took our place,
that He took place,
that
that died in
He died in our stead, that
stead, that "he"he was numbered with
with
the transgressors"
the transgressors" (Isa.
(Isa. 53: 12), and that
53:12), that He took the
took the
burden and penalty
penalty that
that was
was ours.
ours.
All true Christians
All true recognize this
Christians recognize redemptive act
this redemptive of
act of
Jesus
Jesus on Calvary's cross.
Calvary's cross. There is
is an abundance of scrip-
of scrip-
tural testimony
tural testimony to this fact.
to this fact.
The writings
writings ofof Ellen
Ellen G.G. White are are entirely
entirely in har-
in har-
mony
mony with
with the
the Scriptures
Scriptures on this
this point.
point.
The Son of of God endured the the wrath of of God against
against sin. All
sin. All
the accumulated sin
the accumulated sin of the world
of the world was laid upon
was laid upon the the Sin-bearer,
Sin-bearer,
the One who was
the was innocent,
innocent, the the One who alone alone could
could bebe the
the
propitiation for
propitiation for sin,
sin, because
because He Himself Himself was was obedient.
obedient. He was
with God. Not aa taint
One with taint of corruption was
of corruption was upon
upon Him. Him.-Signs
Signs
of the
of the Times,
Times, Dec.
Dec. 9, 1897. (Italics
9, 1897. (Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
As one withwith us,
us, He mustmust bear bear thethe burden
burden of of ourour guilt
guilt and
woe. The Sinless
woe. Sinless One mustmust feelfeel the
the shame of of sin.
sin. The peace
peace lover
lover
dwell with
must dwell with strife, the truth
strife, the must abide
truth must abide with
with falsehood,
falsehood, purity
purity
with vileness. Every sin,
vileness. Every every discord,
sin, every discord, every
every defiling
defiling lustlust that
that
transgression had brought,
transgression brought, was was torture
torture to to His
His spirit.
spirit . ... Upon
. , .Upon
Him who had laid laid off
off His glory and accepted
His glory accepted the the weakness
weakness of of
humanity
humanity the redemption of
the redemption of the
the world must rest. rest.-The Desire of
The Desire of
Ages, p.
Ages, p. III.
Ill. (Italics
(Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
The weight
weight of of the sins of
the sins of the
the world was pressing
pressing His soul, soul, and
His countenance
His countenance expressed unutterable sorrow,
expressed unutterable sorrow, a a depth
depth of of anguish
anguish
that fallen man had
that fallen had never
never realized.
realized. He felt felt the
the overwhelming
overwhelming
tide of
tide that deluged
of woe that deluged the the world.
world. He realized
realized the the strength
strength of of
indulged appetite
indulged appetite and of
of unholy
unholy passionpassion that
that controlled
controlled the
the
world.-The
world. The Review and Herald, Herald, Aug. Aug. 4, 4, 1874.
1874.
Entire justice was
Entire justice was done in in the atonement. In the
the atonement. the place
place of
of the
the
sinner, the
sinner, the spotless
spotless SonSon of of God received
received the the penalty,
penalty, and the the
sinner goes free
sinner goes free asas long
long as as he receives
receives and holds holds Christ
Christ asas his
his
personal Saviour. Though

personal Saviour. guilty, he is
Though guilty, is looked uponupon as as innocent.
Christ
Christ fulfilled
fulfilled every
every requirement
requirement demanded by justice.-The
by justice. The
Youth's Instructor, April
Youth's Instructor, April 25,25, 1901.
1901. (Italics
(Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
Guiltless, He bore
Guiltless, bore the punishment of
the punishment the guilty.
of the guilty. Innocent,
Innocent,
yet offering
yet offering Himself
Himself as
as a
a substitute
substitute for
for the
the transgressor. The
transgressor.
guilt of
guilt of every
every sinsin pressed
pressed its its weight
weight uponupon the divine soul
the divine soul ofof the
the
58
QUESTIONS
world's
world's Redeemer.-Signs of the
Redeemer. Signs of the Times, Dec. 5,
Times, Dec 1892. (Italics
5, 1892. (Italics
supplied.)
supplied.)
All
All thisthis He bore bore vicariously.
vicariously. He took took it
it upon
upon HisHis
sinless
sinless soul
soul and bore bore itit on thethe cruel cross.
cruel cross.
There is is another
another aspect
aspect of this question
of this question which needs
needs
to be
to emphasized, and that
be emphasized, that is,is, that
that Jesus
Jesus not
not only took
only took
and bore
bore the the "iniquities
"iniquities of
of us
us all,"
all," He took
took and bore
bore
something
something else, else, something,
something, however,
however, which was inti- inti-
mately associated
mately associated with with our sins.
sins.
"Surely
"Surely he he hath
hath borne our our griefs,
griefs, and carried
carried our
sorrows"
sorrows" (Isa. (Isa. 53:4).
53:4). "A man of
of sorrows,
sorrows, and acquainted
acquainted
with grief"
grief" (verse 3).
(verse 3).
Matthew refers refers toto this
this passage:
passage:
"Himself took took our infirmities
infirmities and bare bare our sick-
sick-
nesses" (Matt.
nesses" (Matt. 8: 17).
8:17).
The Weymouth
Weymouth translation reads:
translation reads:
"" 'He tooktook on Him our weaknesses, weaknesses, and bore the
bore the
"
burden of
burden of our diseases.'
diseases/ "
And the the Twentieth Century Century gives:gives:
"" 'He
'He tooktook our infirmities
infirmities on himself,himself, and borebore the
the
"
burden of of our diseases.'
diseases.' "
As He bore bore (Gr. ph era-LXX)
(Gr. pherd LXX) our iniquities
iniquities (Isa.
(Isa.
53:
53: 11)
1
1)
so
so He bore
bore (Gr. anaphera)
(Gr. anaphero) our
our weaknesses
weaknesses (Matt.
(Matt.
8: 17, Weymouth).
8:17, Weymouth).
But let let usus observe
observe further
further what is is implied
implied in this.
in this.
Notice the
Notice words used
the words used to to express
express the
the thought,
thought, both in
in
Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 and Matthew 8. 8. He bore bore our griefs,
griefs, our sor-
sor-
rows,
rows, ourour infirmities,
infirmities, our sicknesses.
sicknesses. The original
original words
words
are also translated
are also translated pains,
pains, diseases,
diseases) and weaknesses.
weaknesses.
On thisthis note the the following
following in
in the
the writings of Ellen
writings of Ellen G.
G.
White:
He was subject to the
subject to the infirmities
infinnities and weaknesses
weaknesses by
by which
which
THE INCARNATION 59
man is is encompassed,
encompassed, "that "that itit might
might be be fulfilled
fulfilled which was was spoken
spoken
by Esaias
by Esaias thethe prophet,
prophet. saying, Himself took
saying, Himself took our
our infirmities,
infirmities, and
bare our sicknesses."
bare sicknesses." He was was touched
touched withwith thethe feeling
feeling of our
of our
infirmities, and was
infirmities, was in in all
all points
points tempted
tempted likelike asas we are. are. And
yet He "knew no sin"

yet sin." He was was the
the Lamb "without blemish and
"without blemish
without spot."
without spot." ... We should
. , . have no misgivings
should have misgivings in in regard
regard to to the
the
perfect sinlessness
perfect sinlessness of of the
the human naturenature of of Christ.-Signs
Christ. of
Signs of the the
Times,
Times, JuneJune 9, 9, 1898.
1898. (Italics
(Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
was unsullied
He was unsullied with with corruption,
corruption, a a stranger
stranger to sin; yet
to sin; yet He
prayed. and that
prayed, that often
often with
with strong crying and tears.
strong crying tears. He prayedprayed
for His
for His disciples
disciples and for for Himself,
Himself, thus identifying Himself
thus identifying Himself with with
needs, our
our needs, our weaknesses,
weaknesses, and our our failings,
failings, which
which are are soso common
with humanity.
humanity. He was was aa mighty petitioner, not
mighty petitioner, not possessing
possessing the the
passions of
passions of our
our human,
human, fallenfallen natures,
natures, butbut compassed
compassed with like
with like
infirmities, tempted
infirmities, tempted in in all points even
all points even asas we are,are, Jesus
Jesus endured
agony
agony which required
required help help and support
support from
from His
His Father.-Testi-
Father. Testi-
monies,
monies, vol.vol. 2, p. 508.
2, p. 508. (Italics
(Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
He isis aa brother
brother in in our
our infirmities,
infirmities, but
but not
not inin possessing
possessing likelike
passions.
passions. As the
the sinless
sinless One,
One, His
His nature
nature recoiled
recoiled from evil.
from evil. He
endured struggles
struggles and torture torture ofof soul
soul in
in a a world
world of sin. His
of sin. His hu-hu-
manity
manity made prayer prayer a necessity and privilege.
a necessity privilege. He requiredrequired all all
t.he stronger
the stronger divine
divine support
support and comfort which which HisHis Father
Father waswas
ready
ready to to impart
impart to to Him,
Him, to to Him who had, had, for the benefit
for the benefit of man,
of man,
left
left the joys of
the joys of heaven and chosen chosen His
His home in in aa cold
cold and thank-
thank-
less world.-Ibid.,
less world. Ibid., p.p. 202.
202. (Italics
(Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
It
It could
could hardly be construed,
hardly be however, from the
construed, however, rec-
the rec-
ord of
ord of either
either Isaiah
Isaiah or
or Matthew,
Matthew, that
that Jesus
Jesus was diseased
diseased
or that
or that He experienced
experienced the the frailties to which our fallen
frailties to fallen
nature is
human nature is heir.
heir. But He did bear bear all
all this.
this. Could
it not be
it not be that
that He bore this vicariously
bore this vicariously also,
also, just as
just as He
bore the
bore the sins
sins of the whole world?
of the world?
These weaknesses,
These weaknesses, frailties,
frailties, infirmities,
infirmities, failings
failings are
are
things
things which we,
we, with
with our sinful,
sinful, fallen
fallen natures,
natures, have
have to
to
bear. To us
bear. us they
they are natural, inherent,
are natural, inherent, but when He
bore them,
bore them, He took
took them notnot as
as something innately His,
something innately His,
but He bore
but bore them as as our substitute.
substitute. He bore
bore them in in
His perfect, sinless
His perfect, sinless nature.
nature. Again
Again we remark,
remark, Christ
Christ
60
QUESTIONS
bore all
bore this vicariously,
all this vicariously, just just asas vicariously
vicariously He bore bore thethe
iniquities of
iniquities of us all. us all.
It is
It is inin this
this sense
sense thatthat allall should understand the
should understand the
writings
writings of
of Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White when she
she refers
refers occasionally
occasionally
to
to sinful, fallen, and deteriorated
sinful, fallen, deteriorated human nature. nature. We
read that Jesus took "our nature" (The Desire of
read that Jesus took "our nature" (The Desire Age.'>,
of Age*,
p. 25);
p. 25); He "took "took uponupon Himself
Himself human nature" nature" (The (The
Bible Commentary,
SDA Bible Commentary,, vol.
vol. 5,
5, p. 1128);
p. 1128); He "took
"took the
the
nature of
nature of man" (The (The Desire
Desire of Ages, p.
of Ages, p. 117);117); He took
took
"our sinful nature" (Medical
sinful nature" Ministry, p.
(Medical Ministry, p. 181);
181); He took took
"our
"our fallen nature" (Special
fallen nature" (Special Instruction
Instruction Relating
Relating to
to the
the
Review and Herald Office, Office, p. p. 13,
13, May
May 26,
26, 1896);
1896); He
took
took "man's nature
nature in
in its
its fallen
fallen condition"
condition" (Signs
(Signs of of the
the
Times,
Times, June June 9, 9, 1898).
1898).
All these
All these areare forceful, cogent statements,
forceful, cogent statements, but but surely
surely
no one would designedly designedly attach
attach a
a meaning
meaning to to them
which runs runs counter
counter to to what the the same writer
writer has has given
given
in other places
in other places in in her
her works. Notice the
works. Notice the setting
setting in in which
these expressions are
these expressions used.
are used.
He tooktook "the nature but not the
"the nature sinfulness of
the sinfulness of man."
-Signs
Signs of of the
the Times,
Times, May May 29, 29, 1901.
1901.
He tooktook "man's nature nature in in its fallen condition,"
its fallen condition," but
"Christ
"Christ did did notnot in in the least participate
the least participate in in its
its sin."-
sin."
The SDA Bible Bible Commentary,
Commentary, vol.
vol. 5, p.
5, p. 1131.
1131.
"He is is aa brother
brother in in our infirmities,
infirmities, but but notnot in pos-
in pos-
sessing
sessing like
like passions."-Testimonies,
passions." Testimonies, vol.
vol. 2,
2, p.
p. 202.
202.
In.
In "identifying
"identifying Himself with with ourour needs,
needs, our weak-
our weak-
nesses,
nesses, and our feelings,
feelings, ..... He
. was a
a mighty petitioner,
mighty petitioner,
not j)ossessing the
not possessing the passions
passions of our human,
of our human, fallen fallen na-na-
tures."-Testimonies,
tures." Testimonies, vol. vol. 2, pp. 508,
2, pp. 508, 509.
509. (Italics
(Italics sup-
sup-
plied.)
plied.)
"We should
should have no misgivingsmisgivings in in regard
regard to to the jJer-
the per-
THE INCARNATION 61
61
feet sinlessness
feet sinlessness of of the
the human nature nature of of Christ."-The
Christ!' The
SDA Bible
Bible Commentary,
Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1131. (Italics sup-
vol. 5, p. IISI. (Italics sup-
plied.)
plied.)
The Son of of God "became
''became like like one of us, except
of us, except in in
sin."-The
sin/' The Youth's Instructor, Oct.
Youth's Instructor, Oct. 20,20, 1886.
1886. (Italics
(Italics
supplied.)
supplied.)
"Not aa taint
taint of corruption was upon
of corruption upon Him."
Him."-SignsSigns
of
of the
the Times,
Times, Dec.
Dec. 9,
9, 1897.
(Italics supplied.)
It will be noted in
It will in thethe statements
statements quotedquoted above
above that
that
while the
while the writer
writer mentions
mentions that that Jesus took our nature,
Jesus took nature,
He Himself
Himself was was notnot sinful, but sinless.
sinful, but sinless.
Whatever Jesus took was
Jesus took was not
not HisHis intrinsically
intrinsically or in-
or in-
nately.
nately. His taking
taking the
the burden of
of our
our inherited
inherited weakness
weakness
and failings,
failings, even afterafter four thousand years
four thousand years of
of accumu-
lated infirmities
lated infirmities and degeneracy
degeneracy (The (The Desire
Desire of Ages,
of Ages,
pp.
pp. 49,
49, 117),
117), did
did not
not in
in the
the slightest degree
slightest degree taint
taint His
His
nature. "He took
human nature. took upon
upon His sinless sinless nature
nature our
sinful nature."-Medical
sinful nature." Medical Ministry, Ministry, p. p. 181.
181. "We should
should
misgivings in
have no misgivings regard to
in regard to the
the perfect
perfect sinlessness
sinlessness ofof
the
the human nature nature of of Christ."-The
Christ/' The SDA Bible Bible Com-
mentary, vol.
mentary , vol. 5, p. 1131.
5, p. 1131.
"He voluntarily
voluntarily assumed human nature. nature. It was His
It was
act, and by
own act, by His own consent."-The
consent/' The Review and
Herald, July
Herald, July 5, 5, 1887.
1887.
voluntarily subjected
He voluntarily subjected "Himself to to all
all the
the hum-
bling
bling conditions
conditions of
of man's nature" (Testimonies,
(Testimonies, vol. 4,
vol. 4,
p. 458),
p. 458),
and "took
"took upon
upon him the
the form of
of a
a servant"
servant"
(Phil. 2:7); He "took
(Phil. 2:7); "took on him the the seed
seed ofof Abraham"
(Heb. 2: 16), that
(Heb. 2:16), that He was made "to "to be sin for us"
sin for us" (2
(2 Cor.
Cor.
5:21),
5:21), and
and that
that He was
was made in
in all
all things
things "like
"like unto his
his
brethren" (Heb.
brethren" 2:
(Heb. 2:17). 17).
All
All that
that Jesus took, all
Jesus took, that He bore,
all that bore, whether the the
62
QUESTIONS
penalty of
burden and penalty of our iniquities, or the
iniquities, or the diseases
diseases and
frailties of our
frailties of our human nature-all
nature all was taken and borne
taken
vicariously.
vicariously. Just
Just as bearing vicariously
as bearing vicariously thethe sins
sins of
of the
the
whole world
world did
did not taint His
not taint His perfect,
perfect, siI).less
sinless soul,
soul,
neither did bearing
neither did the diseases
bearing the diseases and frailties
frailties of
of our
fallen nature taint
fallen nature taint Him inin the
the slightest degree with
slightest degree with the
the
corrupting
corrupting influences
influences of
of sin.
sin.
Let us
Let us ever
ever remember that that our blessed
blessed Lord was was
sinless.
sinless. "We should have no misgivings
should have misgivings in regard to
in regard to the
the
perfect sinlessness
perfect sinlessness of
of the
the human naturenature of of Christ."
Christ."
-The Bible Commentary,
The SDA Bible Commentary, vol.
vol. 5,
5, p.
p. 1131.
1131.
In treating
In treating upon
upon the humanity of
the humanity Christ, you
of Christ, you need to to guard
guard
strenuously
strenuously everyevery assertion,
assertion, lestlest your
your words
words be be taken
taken toto mean more
than they imply,
than they imply, and thus thus you
you lose or dim the
lose or the clear
clear perceptions
perceptions
of His
of humanity as
His humanity combined with
as combined with divinity.
divinity. His
His birth
birth was
was aa
miracle of
miracle God. . . . "That holy
of God. . . . thing which shall
holy thing shall bebe born of of
thee
thee [Mary]
[Mary] shall be called
shall be called thethe Son of of God." ... Never,
. . Never, in
. any
in any
way, leave
way, the slightest
leave the slightest impression
impression upon upon human minds that that aa
taint
taint of,
of, or
or inclination
inclination to, to, corruption rested upon
corruption rested upon Christ,
Christ, oror that
that
He in in any way yielded
any way yielded to to corruption.
corruption. He was was tempted
tempted in in all
all
points like as
points like as man is is tempted,
tempted, yet yet He is called "that
is called "that holy
holy thing."
thing."
It is
It is a mystery that
a mystery that is is left
left unexplained
unexplained to to mortals
mortals that
that Christ
Christ
could
could be tempted in
be tempted in all points like
all points like as
as we are,are, and yet
yet be
be without
without
sin. incarnation of
sin. The incarnation of Christ has ever
Christ has ever been,
been, and willwill ever
ever remain,
remain,
aa mystery.
mystery. That which which is is revealed,
revealed, is for us
is for us and for
for our
our children,
children,
but let
but let every
every human being being be warned from from thethe ground
ground of making
of making
Christ altogether human,
Christ altogether human, such such an oneone as as ourselves;
ourselves; for
for it
it cannot
cannot
be.-The
be. The SDA Bible Bible Commentary,
Commentary, vol. vol. 5, pp. 1128,
5, pp. 1128, 1129.
1129.
What aa wonderful Saviour is Jesus

Saviour is Jesus our Lord!
Lord!
III.
III. Could Christ
Christ Have Sinned?
Sinned?
On this aspect of
this aspect of this vital question
this vital question there
there is
is diversity
diversity
of opinion in
of opinion the Christian
in the church at
Christian church at large.
large. Some feelfeel
that it
that it was impossible
impossible for
for Jesus
Jesus to
to sin;
sin; others
others that
that it
it was
was
possible. We join
possible. join with the
the latter in our understanding
latter in understanding
THE INCARNATION 63
63
of this
of this matter
matter and,
and, as
as in many other
in many phases of
other phases of Christian
Christian
doctrine,
doctrine, eminent scholars
scholars in the church through the
in the church through the
centuries have expressed
centuries have themselves much as
expressed themselves as we do.
do. Our
position on this
position this is well expressed
is well by Ellen
expressed by Ellen G.
G. White:
White:
Many
Many claim thatthat it was impossible
it was impossible forfor Christ
Christ to
to be
be overcome
by temptation. Then
by temptation. He could not have
could not have been
been placed
placed in in Adam's
position; He could
position; could not have gained
not have gained thethe victory that Adam failed
victory that failed
to
to gain. If we have in
gain. If in any
any sense
sense a
a more trying
trying conflict
conflict than
than had
Christ, then He would not
Christ, then not be able to
be able to succor us. But our
succor us. our Saviour
Saviour
took humanity,
took humanity, with
with all
all its
its liabilities.
liabilities. He took the nature
took the nature ofof man,
man,
with the
the possibility
possibility of yielding to
of yielding to temptation.
temptation. We have nothing nothing
to bear
to bear which He has has not
not endured
endured.. ..... . In
In man's
man's behalf,
behalf, Christ
Christ
conquered by
conquered by enduring
enduring the the severest test.-The
severest test. Desire of
The Desire Ages,
of Ages,
p.
p. 117.
(Italics supplied.)
That revered
revered and honored
honored theologians
theologians in
in the past
the past
have held the
the same view
view is
is evident. the following:
evident. Note the following:
Had He been endowed from the the start absolute impec·
with absolute
start with impec-
cability,
cability, or
or with
with the
the impossibility
impossibility of
of sinning,
sinning, He could
could not
not be be aa
true man, nor
true man, nor our model for for imitation:
imitation: His His holiness,
holiness, instead
instead of of
being His
being His own self·acquired
self-acquired act act and inherent merit, would be
inherent merit, be an
accidental or
accidental or outward gift,gift, and His temptation an unreal
His temptation unreal show.
show. As
aa true
true man,
man, Christ
Christ must have been a a free responsible moral
free and responsible
agent: freedom implies
agent: freedom implies the the power
power of choice between
of choice between good good and
evil,
evil, and thethe power
power of of disobedience
disobedience as well as
as well obedience to
as obedience to the
the
law
law ofof COd.-PHILIP
God. PHILIP SCHAFF, SCHAFF, The Person Person of of Christ,
Christ, pp.
pp. 35,
35, 36.
36.
If the truth
If the truth . . . -viz.,
. . . viz., that
that thethe force
force ofof temptation
temptation was was
strong enough to
strong enough to create the consciousness
create the consciousness of of a struggle
struggle-be over·
be over-
looked, then
looked, then the whole curriculum of
the whole moral trial
of moral trial through
through which
Jesus passed on earth
Jesus passed earth degenerates
degenerates at once into
at once into aa mere stage per·
stage per-
formance. ....
formance. . . In
In modern times times this
this doketic
doketic view
view finds
finds no ac- ac·
ceptance; theologians of
ceptance; theologians of all
all schools being agreed
schools being that the
agreed that the forces
forces
of evil,
of evil, with
with which
which thethe Son of of Man fought
fought soso noble
noble aa fight,
fight, were
not shadows,
not shadows, butbut substantial
substantial and formidable
formidable foes.foes.-ALEXANDER
ALEXANDER B. B.
BRUCE, D.D., The Humiliation
BRUCE, D.D., Humiliation of of Christ,
Christ, p.p. 268.
268.
attribute, in
Whenever we attribute, in aa proper
proper manner and in the sense
in the sense
of Scripture,
of Scripture, all the moral
all the moral elements
elements of of man to to Jesus,
Jesus, we areare not
disjoin from
to disjoin
to from them the the freedom which is is the
the power
power of of choosing
choosing
between good
between good and evil;evil; and for this very
for this reason we are
very reason are toto admit
it as
it as conceivable,
conceivable, thatthat hehe might
might at at some time time have been influ- intlu·
QUESTIONS
enced to aa departure
enced to departure from the
the will
will of
of God.
God. Unless
Unless this
this be sup'
sup-
posed, the
posed, the history
history of the temptation,
of the temptation, however it it may
may bebe ex-
ex-
plained,
plained, would have
have no significancy; the expression
significancy; and the in the
expression in the
Epistle to
Epistle to the
the Hebrews
Hebrews "he was tempted
"he was tempted in in all points as
all points as we"
would be be without
without meaning.
meaning.
As Jesus
Jesus was
was aa complete
complete man,man, this susceptibility and this
this susceptibility this pos-
pos-
sibility must be
sibility must be supposed
supposed to coexist in
to coexist in Him. Did they they not
not thus
thus
coexist, he
coexist, he would ceasecease toto be
be an
an example
example of of perfect
perfect human
mortality.-KARL
mortality. ULLMANN, An Apologetic
KARL ULLMANN, Apologetic View of of the Sinless
the Sinless
Character
Character of of Jesus
Jesus (1841),
(1841), p. II.
p. 11.
We mustmust not
not understand
understand by by the term [sinlessness
the term [sinlessness of Jesus]
of Jesus]
an absolute
absolute impossibility
impossibility of
of sinning
sinning but
but only
only the
the actual
actual fact
fact of
of
not
not sinning,
sinning, and,
and, what is in aa rational
is in rational and free nature inseparable
free nature inseparable
from this
this fact,
fact, the highest moral
the highest moral perfection holiness.-Ibid.,
perfection and holiness. Ibid.,
p. 13.
p. 13.
IV.
IV. The Purpose
Purpose of
of the
the Incarnation
Incarnation
As to thethe purpose
purpose of the incarnation,
of the incarnation, the the answer
appears
appears in
in the
the texts
texts supporting
supporting the
the following
following sixsix points,
points,
which summarize the the reasons
reasons for
for His coming
coming to to earth
earth
in
in human form. form.
1.
1. HE CAME TO REVEAL GOD TO THE WORLD.- WORLD.
John 1:14,18;
See John 3:1-36; 17:6,26;
1:14, 18; 3:1-36; 17:6, 26; 1
1
John 1:2; 4:9.
John 1:2; 4:9.
2. HE CAME TO BRING GOD AND MAN TOGETHER.-
2. TOGETHER.
See
See John
John 1:51
1:51 (compare
(compare Gen. 28:12); Matt. 1:23;
28:12); Matt. 1:23;
11 Peter 3: 18.
Peter 3:18.
3. HE CAME TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF WITH MAN BY
3.
NAME.-He
NAME. He is is called
called "Son of of man" some seventy-seven
seventy-seven
times in
times the Gospels,
in the Gospels, such
such as
as in
in Luke 19: 10.
19:10,
4. HE CAME TO BEAR THE SINS
4. SINS OF MANKIND.
MANKIND.-See See
Isa. 53:6,
Isa. 53:6, II; John 1:29,
11; John 1:29, margin;
margin; 1I Peter 2:24; 2:24; 11 John
John
3:5.
3:5.
5. HE CAME TO DIE IN
5. IN OUR STEAD.-See
STEAD. See Isa. Isa. 53:
53:
5-10;
540; Matt.
Matt. 26:28;
26:28; Acts
Acts 20:28;
20:28; Rom. 4:25; 5:6-10;
4:25; 5:6-10; 1
1 Cor.
Cor.
15:3; Gal. 1:4;
15:3; Gal. 1:4; 1 1 Tim. 2:6;
2:6; Heb. 2:9; 2:9; 11 Peter
Peter 1:18,
1:18,
19; 2:24;
19; 2:24; 3: 18.
3:18.
THE INCARNATION 65
6. HE CAME TO DESTROY THE DEVIL AND His
6. HIS WORKS.
-See
See John
John 12:31;
12:31; 16:33;
16:33; Heb. 2:14;
2:14; I
1 John 3:8.
John 3:8.
V.
V. An Unfathomable Mystery
Mystery
In considering
considering a a subject of such
subject of transcendent and
such transcendent
vital importance as
vital importance the incarnation
as the incarnation of Christ, we must
of Christ,
ever
ever remember that that there
there are
are many
many aspects of
aspects of it
it that
that
we can
can never
never fathom.
fathom. Even when we catch catch aa glimpse
glimpse
of the
of the truth,
truth, human language
language seems altogether
altogether inade-
inade-
quate express the
quate to express the wonders and the the beauties
beauties of
of the
the
matchless and inimitable
matchless mystery of
inimitable mystery the incarnation
of the of
incarnation of
Jesus
Jesus Christ.
Christ. Ellen
Ellen G. White has
has written:
written:
In contemplating
In contemplating thethe incarnation
incarnation of
of Christ
Christ in humanity, we
in humanity,
stand baffled before
stand baffled before an unfathomable mystery,
mystery, that
that the
the human
mind can not not comprehend.
comprehend. The more we reflectreflect upon
upon it,
it, the
the
amazing does
more amazing does it
it appear.-Signs
appear. Signs of
of the
the Times,
Times, July
July 30,
30, 1896.
1896.
Even though
though this is true,
this is true, there
there are, thank God,
are, thank God, some
phases
phases of
of the
the truth
truth that
that have
have been revealed.
revealed. And what
has been made known in
has in the
the Word of of God is
is for
for us
us to
to
study.
study. The same author has
has written
written the
the following
following on
this point:
this point:
When we want aa deep problem to
deep problem to study,
study, let
let us
us fix
fix our minds
the most
on the most marvelous
marvelous thing
thing that
that ever took place
ever took place in
in earth or
heaven-the
heaven the incarnation
incarnation ofof the
the Son of Cod.-Manuscript
of God. 76,
Manuscript 76,
1903.
1903.
'The Bodily Resurrection
The Bodily Resurrection of
of
Christ
Christ
~
QUESTION
QUESTION 77
What is
is the
the Seventh.day Adventist posi-
Seventh-day Adventist posi.
tion regarding
tion regarding the physical, or bodily,
the physical, bodily, resurrec-
resurrec-
tion of Christ'!
tion of Christ?
Seventh-day Adventists believe

Seventh-day Adventists believe in the physical,
in the physical, or
or
bodily, resurrection
bodily, resurrection of Jesus Christ
of Jesus Christ from the the dead as as
verily as
verily they believe
as they believe in atoning death
in His atoning death on Calvary.
Calvary.
This isis aa cardinal
cardinal doctrine
doctrine of of the
the Christian
Christian faith,
faith, for
for
Christianity
Christianity rests
rests upon
upon the
the indisputable
indisputable fact
fact that
that Christ
Christ
rose from the
rose the dead (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 15: 17).
15:17).
The resurrection
resurrection of of Christ
Christ is is not to to bebe understood
understood
merely
merely in
in a spiritual
spiritual sense.
sense. He actually
actually rose
rose from the
the
dead. He who came from the
dead. the tomb was the the same
1Jesus
esus who livedlived here in in the flesh. He came forth
the flesh. forth in
in aa
glorified body, but it
glorified body, it was real-so
real real that
so real that the
the women
who went to to the
the sepulcher,
sepulcher, as as well
well asas the
the disciples,
disciples, saw
Him (Matt.
(Matt. 28:17;
28:17; Mark 16:9,
16:9, 12,
12, 14).
14). The two dis-
dis-
ciples
ciples on the
the way
way to
to Emmaus talked
talked with
with Him (Luke
(Luke
24).
24). He Himself said said to to the disciples,
disciples, "Behold my my
hands and my
hands my feet"
feet" (Luke
(Luke 24:39).
24:39). He had "flesh "flesh and
bones" (verse
bones" 39). He ate
(verse 39). ate with them (verse 43).
(verse 43).
Thomas had reason to to know it it was the the same Jesus,
Jesus,
for he was invited
for he invited toto "reach hither thy
"reach hither thy finger,
finger, and be-
be-
hold my
hold my hands;
hands; and reachreach hither
hither thy hand, and thrust
thy hand, thrust
66
RESURRECTION OF
O:F CHRIST 67
67
it into my
It Into my side"
side" (John(John 20:27).
20:27). Yes,Yes, it was the
It was the Saviour
Saviour
Himself. It was not
It not aa spirit,
spirit, notnot aa ghost.
ghost. It was the
It was the real
real
divine Son of
divine of God who came forth forth from the the grave.
grave.
The resurrection
resurrection of of Jesus
Jesus our our Lord was was aa vitalvital
part
part of
of the
the message
message of
of the
the early
early church.
church. When the
the apos-
apos-
tles preached,
tles preached, they preached of
they preached Christ the
of Christ the Messiah,
Messiah,
who was raisedraiscd from the the dead.
dead. "They
"They . . . preached
. . preached
.
through
through JesusJcsus the
the resurrection
resurrection from the
the dead" (Acts
(Acts
4:2); they "gave
4:2); they "gave ..... witness
witness
. of
of the
the resurrection
resurrection of
of the
the
Lord Jesus"
Jesus" (verse(verse 33);
33); Paul "preached
"preached unto them
Jesus,
Jesus, and the
the resurrection"
resurrection" (Acts
(Acts 17:18).
17:18).
The resurrection
resurrection of of Jesus Christ is
Jesus Christ of vital
is of vital impor-
impor-
tance
tance in
in God's great plan of
God's great plan of salvation.salvation. Even the death
the death of of
Jesus, sublime as
Jesus, as it was, would have
it was, have been
been of of no avail,
avail,
were it
were not for
it not for His His resurrection
resurrection from the the dead.
dead. The
great apostle
great apostle to the Gentiles
to the Gentiles makes this this clear
clear in his
in his
ringing testimony to the living
ringing testimony to the living Christ. In that Christ. In that wonder-
ful chapter
ful chapter on the the resurrection,
resurrection, in in his
his message
message to to thethe
Corinthian church,
Corinthian church, we see the vital
see the vital place
place that
that thisthis
great
great transaction
transaction has has inin the purpose of
the purpose of God. Note what
the situation
the situation would be if if Christ
Christ had not not been raisedraised
from thethe dead.
dead.
1.
1. There would be no benefit benefit from preaching
preaching the the
gospel:
gospel: "And if
if Christ
Christ be not
not risen,
risen, then
then is
is our preach-
preach-
ing
ing vain"
vain" (1
(I Cor.
Cor. 15: 14).
15:14).
2. There would be
2. be no forgiveness
forgiveness of of sins:
sins: "And if if
Christ
Christ be not raised,
be not raised, ...... yeye are
are yet
yet in your
your sins"
sins" (verse
(verse
17).
17).
3. There
3. There would be purpose in
be no purpose in believing
believing in in
Jesus:
Jesus:
"And if
if Christ
Christ be
be not
not raised,
raised, your
your faith
faith is vain"
is vain"
(verse
(verse 17).
17).
4. There would be
4. There be no general resurrection from
general resurrection
68 QUESTIONS
the
the dead:
dead: "Now if If Christ
Christ bebe preached
preached that that he he rose
rose from
the dead,
the dead, how say say some among
among you you that
that there
there is no
Is
resurrection of
resurrection the dead?"
of the dead?" (verse
(verse 12).
12).
5.
5. There would be no hope hope beyond
beyond the the grave:
grave: "If "If
Christ
Christ be be not not raised,
raised, .
. . .. .then
then they
they also
also which
which are
are
fallen asleep
fallen asleep in In Christ
Christ are perished" (verses
are perished" (verses 17, 17, 18).
18).
This is
This is a message of
a message power, for
of power, for Itit is by the
Is by the power
power
of His resurrection
of His resurrection that that we livelive the
the Christian
Christian life, life, and
His life is lived

life is lived out out inIn the life of
the life of the
the believer.
believer.
Those who are buried with Christ
are buried Christ in baptism are
in baptism are
represented
represented as
as rising
rising with
with Him in
In His
His resurrection
resurrection
(Rom.
(Rom. 6:5, 6:5, 8, 8, 11;11; Eph.
Eph. 2:4,
2:4, 5; Col. 2:12,
5; Col. 2: 12, 13).13). As a a
result of
result this union with Christ,
of this Christ, a
a new life
life is
Is imparted
Imparted
to the
to the believer
believer (Rom. (Rom. 6:4;6:4; 2 Cor. 4:10,
2 Cor. 4: 10, 11; Col. 3:
11; Col. 10).
3:10).
The power
power of of Christ's
Christ's resurrection
resurrection Is is thus
thus made avail- avail-
able to
able to him (Eph. (Eph. 1: 19, 20;
1:19, 20; Phil.
Phil. 3:10;
3: 10; Heb.
Heb. 7: 16).
7:16).
Once we were dead in In sins;
sins; now we are alive in
are alive in
Christ. We were crucified
Christ. crucified with Christ;
Christ; now Christ lives
Christ lives
in
in usus (Gal.
(Gal. 2:20).
2:20). Our personal experience
personal experience of
o this
this
quickening
quickening of
of the
the soul,
soul, this
this liberating
liberating action
action of
of the
the
Spirit
Spirit ofof life,
life, is the inward
is the inward witness
witness and the the supreme
supreme
evidence
evidence of the reality
of the reality of the resurrection.
of the resurrection.
Above aU, all, the
the resurrection
resurrection of of our Lord Is is the
the assur-
assur-
ance that
ance that we,we, too,too, shall
shall be
be resurrected
resurrected at
at His
His second
second
coming
coming (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 15:20, 23).
15:20, 23).
The Historicity of the

Historicity of Resurrection
the Resurrection
Many evidences
Many evidences of
of this
this astonishing
astonishing event
event were given
given
to the early
to the early Christians.
Christians. There were at at least
least ten
ten appear-
appear-
ances
ances of Jesus after
of Jesus resurrection. (1)
after His resurrection. (1) To Mary
Mary
Magdalene: Mark 16:9;
Magdalene: John 20:
16:9; John 14-17. (2)
20:14-17. (2) To thethe
women on thethe way to tell
way to tell the disciples that
the disciples that Christ
Christ had
had
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST 69
69
risen:
risen: Matthew 28:9.
28:9. (3) Peter: Luke 24:34.
(3) To Peter: 24:34. (4)
(4)
To the
the two disciples
disciples on thethe road
road to
to Emmaus: Mark
16: 12; Luke 24:
16:12; 15, 31.
24:15, 31. (5)
(5) To the
the assembled
assembled disciples
disciples
the evening
on the evening of the resurrection
of the resurrection day:
day: Mark 16: 14;
16:14;
Luke 24:36; John
24:36; John 20: 19.
20:19. (6)
(6) To the
the assembled
assembled dis-
dis-
ciples aa week later:
ciples John 20:26-29.
later: John 20:26-29. (7) the disciples
(7) To the disciples
at
at the Sea ofof Galilee: John 21:1-22.
Galilee: John 21:1-22. (8)
(8) To the
the eleven
eleven
on a mountain in in Galilee,
Galilee, five
five hundred brethren
brethren being
being
present:
present: Matthew 28: 16; Mark 16:7;
28:16; 16:7; 11 Corinthians
Corinthians 15:15:
6.
6. (9) To James:
(9) James: 1I Corinthians
Corinthians 15:7.
15:7. (10) the
(10) To the
eleven disciples
eleven disciples at
at the
the time of the
time of the ascension:
ascension: Mark 16:
16:
19;
19; Luke 24:50-52;
24:50-52; Acts
Acts 1:4-12.
1:442.
A. T. Robertson comments on the the meeting
meeting with
the five
the five hundred disciples:
disciples:
The strength
strength of
of this
this witness lies in
witness lies in the
the fact that the
fact that the majority
majority
(hoi pleious) of
(hoi pleious) of them were
were still
still living
living when Paul Paul wrote
wrote this
this
Epistle,
Epistle, ... not
. .not over
. 25 years
over 25 after Christ's
years after resurrection.-Word
Christ's resurrection. Word
Pictures in
Pictures in the
the New Testament, 1931, vol.
Testament, 1931, vol. 4, p. 188.
4, p. 188.
Besides the testimony

Besides the testimony of of the
the apostles
apostles and thethe wit-
wit-
ness
ness of the women,
of the women, there
there is
is the testimony of
the testimony the Jewish
of the Jewish
council (Matt.
council 28: 11-15),
(Matt. 28:11-15), and also
also of
of the
the Roman au-
au-
thorities, according
thorities, according to
to early
early church writers.
writers. Pilate
Pilate be-
be-
came acquainted
acquainted with
with the
the facts,
facts, and recorded
recorded them in
in
his regular
his regular report to the
report to the emperor. Eusebius, fourth-
emperor. Eusebius, fourth-
century bishop
century bishop and church historian,
historian, wrote:
wrote:
And when the wonderful resurrection
the wonderful resurrection and ascension
ascension of our
of our
Saviour were already
Saviour were already noised
noised abroad,
abroad, inin accordance with an
ancient custom which prevailed
ancient custom among the
prevailed among the rulers
rulers of the
the prov-
prov-
inces, of
inces, reporting to
of reporting to the Emperor the
the Emperor novel occurrences
the novel occurrences which
took place
took place in
in them,
them, inin order that nothing
order that nothing might
might escape
escape him,
him,
Pontius
Pontius Pilate
Pilate informed Tiberius of
informed Tiberius of the
the reports
reports which were
noised abroad through
noised through all Palestine concerning
all Palestine concerning the
the resurrection
resurrection
of our Saviour
of our Jesus Christ
Saviour Jesus Christ from the dead. He gave
the dead. gave an account
account
also of
also other wonders
of other wonders which he had learnedlearned of him, and how,
of him, how,
70
70 QUESTIONS
after his death,
after his having risen
death, having risen from
from the dead, he
the dead, he was
was now
now believed
believed
by many
by many to
to be
be aa god.
god.
That Pilate made

That Pilate made an
an official
official report to Tiberius
report to Tiberius is
is stated also
stated also by
by Tertullian
Tertullian
(Apol. 21), and
(Apol 21), and isis in
in itself
itself quite probable. Justin
quite probable. Justin Martyr (Apol. 1.
Martyr (Apol. 35 and
I. 35 and 48)
48) men-
men-
tions
tions certain Acts of
certain Acts Pilate as
of Pilate as well
well known
known in his day,
in his day, but
but the
the so-called Acts of
so-called Acts Pilate
of Pilate
which are
which are still extant
extant in
still in various forms are
various forms are spurious,
spurious, and
and belong
belong to
to aa much later
much later
period. They
period. They are
are very
very fanciful and curious,
fanciful and curious.
-Nicene and
'Nicene and Post-Nicene
Post-Nicene Fathers,Fathers, second
second series, vo!' I,I, p.
series, vol. p. 105.
105.
The populace must

The populace must have
have known
known about
about it, for
for at the
at the it,
time
time of the resurrection
of the resurrection there
there was an earthquake
was an earthquake and and
many of
many of the
the saints
saints arose. These were
arose. These were the
the antitype,
anti type, in
in
part at
part at least,
least, of the wave
of the wave sheaf that was
sheaf that was offered
offered in
in olden
olden
days. The
days. record says:
The record "And the graves were opened;
says: "And the graves were opened;
and many bodies

and many bodies of of the
the saints which slept
saints which arose, and
slept arose, and
came out
came out of
of the
the graves
graves after his resurrection,
after his resurrection, and
and went
went
into the holy
into the holy city,
city, and
and appeared unto many"
appeared unto many" (Matt.
(Matt.
27:52,53).
27:52,53).
Commenting
Commenting on on this
this experience, Ellen
experience, Ellen G. G. White
White
has
has written:
written:
As Christ
As Christ arose, He brought
arose, He brought fromfrom the
the grave
grave a multitude of
a multitude of
captives.
captives. The earthquake
earthquake at
at His
His death
death had
had rent
rent open
open their
their
graves, and
graves, when He arose,
and when they came
arose, they came forth
forth with
with Him.
Him .... Now Now . . .
they
they were
were to
to be
be witnesses
witnesses for
for Him
Him who
who had
had raised
raised them
them from
from the
the
dead
dead..... These
. ,These went
. went into
into the
the city,
city,
and
and appeared
appeared unto
unto many,
many,
declaring,
declaring, Christ has risen
Christ has risen from the dead,
from the dead, and
and wewe be
be risen
risen with
with
Him. Thus was
Him. Thus was immortalized
immortalized the the sacred truth of
sacred truth of the
the resurrec-
resurrec-
tion.-The Desire of
tion.The Desire Ages, p.
of Ages, 786.
p, 786,
Christ,
Christ, and Michael the
and Michael the Archangel
Archangel
-
QUESTION
QUESTION 8
It has been charged

It charged that Seventh-day
that Seventh-day
Adventists hold the same belief
belief as the Jeho-
as do the Jeho-
vah's Witnesses concerning
concerning Michael
Michael-that
that Mi-
chael the archangel Jesus Christ
archangel was Jesus prior to
Christ prior to His
incarnation, that He was a created being,
incarnation, and that being.
Is this
Is this accusation valid?
valid? If
If Michael isis Christ,
Christy
how do you
you explain Jude 9?
explain Jude 9?
We emphatically
emphatically reject
reject the idea set set forth
forth in this
in this
question,
question, and the
the position
position held by
by the
the Jehovah's
Jehovah's Wit-
nesses. We do not believe
nesses. believe that
that Christ is is aa created
created being.
being.
We, asas a people,
people, have not considered the the identification
identification
of Michael of sufficient
sufficient prominence
prominence to to dwell upon upon itit at
at
length
length either
either in our literature
literature or in
in our preaching.
preaching.
But we do have clearclear views on the subject,
subject, and are pre- pre·
pared
pared to
to set
set them forth.
forth. And our views concerning
concerning
Michael,
Michael, itit might
might be added,
added, have been held by by various
various
eminent scholars through the centuries. We are there-
scholars through there-
fore not alone in our understanding.
fore understanding.
We believe
believe that
that the
the term "Michael" is is but one of
the many
the many titles
titles applied
applied to
to the
the Son of God, the second
the
person
person of
of the Godhead. But such a view does not in
any way
any way conflict
conflict with our belief
belief in His full full deity
deity and
eternal pre-existence, nor does it
eternal pre-existence, it in the leastleast disparage
disparage
person and work.
His person
72
QUESTIONS
Michael
Michael is referred
is referred toto in
in the
the book of of Jude
Jude asas the
the
archangel. And were
archangel. were it
it not
not for
for other
other Scripture
Scripture refer-
refer-
ences, which
ences, which present
present Him in in another
another relationship,
relationship, one
might at
might at first
first conclude
conclude that
that He was aa created
created being,
being, asas
are the angels in general.
are the angels in general. We believe, however,
believe, however, that
that
those other
those other relationships
relationships indicate
indicate His
His real
real status,
status, and
that,
that, in
in addition,
addition, He serves
serves as
as supreme
supreme leader
leader of the
of the
angelic hosts.
angelic hosts. But His
His serving
serving in
in that
that capacity
capacity does
does not
not
make Him aa created angel. A number of
created angel. of important
important
factors must
factors must be be considered
considered inin aa study
study of
of this
this question.
question.
I.
I. Christ
Christ in Relation to
in Relation to Angelic
Angelic Hosts
Hosts
Angels are
Angels are created beings (Col.
created beings (Col. 1: 16), and as
1:16), as such
such
are not
are not to
to be
be worshiped
worshiped (Col. 2: 18; Rev.
(Col. 2:18; Rev. 19: 10). They
19:10). They
are God's
are God's messengers
messengers to
to those
those who shall
shall be heirs
heirs of
of
salvation (Heb. 1:
salvation (Heb. 13, 14).
1:13, 14).
But Christ
Christ has
has "a"a more excellent
excellent name" than than the
the
angels (Heb. 11:4).
angels (Heb. :4). He has
has "a
"a name which is is above
above every
every
name" (Phil.
(Phil. 2:9),
2:9), above that
that of
of every angel
every angel in
in heaven
heaven
(Eph.
(Eph. 1:21).
1:21). The
The angels
angels are
are subject
subject to
to Him (1 (1 Peter
Peter
3:22).
3:22). They
They bow beforebefore Him (Phil.
(Phil. 2: 10), and worship
2:10), worship
Him (Heb.
(Heb. 1: 6).
1:6). Angels
Angels of
of God refuse
refuse the
the worship of
worship of
men (Rev.
(Rev. 22:8,
22:8, 9).
9).
II.
II. The Son of
of God in
in the
the Old Testament
In the
the Old Testament there there isis record
record ofof a
a divine
divine
Being
Being who is is called
called the
the "angel
"angel of
of the
the Lord" (Ex.
(Ex. 3:2),
3:2),
the
the "angel
"angel of
of God" (Ex. 14: 19),
(Ex. 14:19), and the
the "angel
"angel of
of his
his
presence" (lsa. 63:9), "messenger
presence" (Isa. 63:9), "messenger of
of the
the covenant"
covenant" (Mal.
(Mai.
3: 1); also
3:1); also "an Angel"
Angel" (Ex.(Ex. 23:20),
23:20), "mine Angel"
Angel" (verse
(verse
23),
23), and "his
"his angel"
angel" (Dan.
(Dan. 3:28).
3:28). Let
Let us
us note
note certain
certain
of
of these
these references:
references:
MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL 73
73
1.
1. THE "ANGEL OF THE LORD/' LORD."- (a) As manifested
(a) As manifested
to
to Gideon (Judges(Judges 6: 11-22). The "angel
6:11-22). "angel of of the
the Lord"
Lord''
(verse II) is
(verse 11) is equated with "the
equated "the Lord" (verse
(verse 14); and
14);
"Gideon builtbuilt an altar there unto
altar there unto the the Lord" (verse (verse 24).
24).
(b)
(b) As manifested
manifested to
to Manoah (Judges 13:3-21).
(Judges 13:3-21). Ma-
noah's wife
wife refers
refers to the "angel
to the "angel of of the
the Lord" (verse (verse 3)3)
that she
that she had seen seen as as "a"a man of of God" (verse (verse 6),6),
and
Manoah said said theythey had "seen"seen God" (verse (verse 22). 22). (c)
(c) As
manifested to to Joshua
Joshua (Zech.
(Zech. 3: 1-6). "The angel
3:1-6). angel of the
of the
causes iniquity
Lord" causes iniquity to
to pass
pass away,
away, and gives
gives change
change of
of
raiment,
raiment, or or righteousness (verse
righteousness (verse 4). 4). This
This is
is the
the preroga-
preroga-
tive
tive ofof Deity.
Deity.
2.
2. "THE ANGEL" WHO ApPEARED APPEARED TO JACOB. JACOB.-This This
Angel (Hosea 12:4)
Angel (Hosea 12:4) appeared appeared to
to Jacob
Jacob in
in the
the form of
of aa
man (Gen.(Gen. 32:24).
32:24). The Angel
Angel (man) (man) blessed
blessed Jacob
Jacob
(verse 29), and Jacob
(verse 29), Jacob said,
said, "I have seen
"I have seen God face face toto face"
face"
(verse
(verse 30). Worship of
30). Worship of angels
angels is is not
not permitted
permitted (Col. (Col.
2: 18; Rev.
2:18; Rev. 19:19:10;10; 22:8,
22:8, 9).9).
This
This is
is an important
important differ-
differ-
ence
ence between Christ Christ and angels.
angels.
3.
3. THE "ANGEL OF His HIS PRESENCE."-This
PRESENCE." This Angel Angel
"saved,"
"saved," "redeemed" (Isa. 63:9), hence is
(Isa. 63:9), hence
is equated with
equated
Deity (d.
Deity (cf. Isa.
Isa. 43: 11;
43:11; 44:6).
44:6).
4. "MINE ANGEL."
4. ANGEL."-This This "Angel"
"Angel" (Ex. (Ex. 23:23)
23:23) could
pardon transgression,
pardon transgression, and God's "name is in him" (verseis in (verse
21).
21).
As forgiveness
forgiveness of
of sin
sin is
is the
the prerogative
prerogative of
of God
(Mark 2:7),
(Mark 2:7), the
the conclusion
conclusion seems inevitable
inevitable that
that "mine
Angel"
Angel" is is aa member of the Godhead. With this
of the this back-
ground, it
ground, it is not difficult
is not difficult to recognize that
to recognize that there
there was
with God,
with God, in in ancient
ancient days,
days, One who was known in the the
foregoing
foregoing instances
instances as
as "the
"the angel
angel of
of the
the Lord,"
Lord," or "mine
Angel," and then
Angel," then later
later as as "my
"my Son" (Ps. 2:7). At the
(Ps. 2:7). the
same
same time
time He was was "mine anointed"
anointed" (Heb., (Heb., Meshiach).
Meshiach).
74
He Isis also
He also called
called "a
"a child,"
child," "a
"a son"
son" (Isa. 9: 6). And
(Isa. 9:6). And
this "son"
this "son" isis none
none other
other than
than "The
"The mighty God, The
mighty God, The
everlasting
everlasting Father,
Father, The Prince
Prince of
of Peace"
Peace" (verse
(verse 6).
6).
The
The Targum
Tar gum on
on Isaiah
Isaiah 9:5
9:5 (Hebrew
(Hebrew versification
versification varies
varies
from KJV)
from KJV) reads:
reads: "Wonderful
"Wonderful counsellor,
counsellor, Mighty
Mighty God,
who lives
He %vho lives for
for ever,
ever, the
"the Anointed
Anointed one [or,
[or, Messiah]."
Messiah]."
III. Identity
III. Identity of
of "Prince
"Prince of
of Princes"
Princes"
The expression
expression "Prince
"Prince of of princes"
princes" occurs
occurs but once
in the
In the Divine
Divine Record
Record-Daniel 8:25. In
Daniel 8:25. In the
the vision
vision seen
seen
by
by Daniel
Daniel an
an opposing power "magnified
opposing power "magnified himself
himself even
to the
to the prince
prince ofof the
the host";
host"; Inin the
the angel's
angel's explanation
explanation
to Daniel
to Daniel this
this power
power Is is said
said toto "stand up
"stand up against
against the the
Prince of
Prince of princes."
princes." The "prince"prince of of the
the host"
host" is is equated
equated
with "the
with "the Prince
Prince of princes." Reference
of princes." Reference is is obviously
obviously
here
here made to
to Deity.
Deity. The expression
expression is
is similar
similar to
to other
expressions
expressions in the Word. Psalm 136:3
in the 136:3 speaks
speaks of the
of the
"Lord
"Lord of of lords,"
lords," Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 10:
10:17 17 of
of the
the "God of
of
gods,"
gods," and Revelation
Revelation 19: 16
19:16 of
of the
the "King
"King of
of kings."
kings."
Doctor Slotki, in
Doctor Slotki, in his Commentary on Daniel,
his Commentary Daniel, shows
the
the term
term "Prince
"Prince of of princes"
princes" (Dan.(Dan. 8:25)
8:25) toto be the the same
as
as the
the "prince
"prince of
of the
the host"
host'* of
of verse
verse 11.
11. And in
In comment-
ing
ing on these
these two expressions,
expressions, the Cambridge Bible says,
the Cambridge says,
"i.e. God." But
"I.e. God." But this
this "Prince
"Prince of of princes,"
princes," or or "prince
"prince of of
the
the host,"
host," is
is also
also referred
referred to to as
as Michael.
Michael. Daniel 10:21 10:21
tells
tells of
of "Michael
"Michael your prince,"
your prince," and Daniel 12:
12:11 of
of
Michael,
Michael, "the
"the great prince."
great prince." But this
this Prince is
is also
also the
the
Messiah,
Messiah, forfor we read
read of of "Messiah the the Prince"
Prince" in in Daniel
9:25.
9:25. Others
Others agree.
agree. Joseph
Joseph Parker
Parker states:
states:
Michael
Michael was
was known
known amongst
amongst thethe ancient
ancient Jews
Jews asas the
the angel
angel or
or
prince
prince who
who had
had special
special charge
charge ofof the
the nation
nation ofof Israel.
Israel. The
The very
very
best
best Jewish
Jewish writers concur in
writers concur in teaching
teaching that
that the
the name
name "Michael"
"Michael"
isis the
the same
same as
as the
the title
title "Messiah."
"Messiah/' ItIt is held by
is held
by them
them that
that the
the
75
few passages
few passages in
in which he isis referred to can
referred to can be
be most
most satisfactorily
satisfactorily
explained on this
explained this supposition.
supposition. The man speaking
speaking in
in the
the text
text was
was
"a certain man clothed
"a certain in linen,
clothed in linen, whose
whose loins
loins were
were girded with
girded with
fine gold
fine of Uphaz.
gold of Uphaz. His
His body
body also
also was like
like the
the beryl,
beryl, and his
his face
face
as the appearance
as the appearance of of lightning,
lightning, and his eyes as
his eyes as lamps
lamps of of fire, and
fire, and
his arms and his
his his feet like in
feet like in colour to polished
colour to polished brass,
brass, and the the
voice
voice of his words
of his words like
like the
the voice of aa multitude"
voice of multitude" (vers. 5, 6).
(vers. 5, 6).
This is
This is the
the dazzling
dazzling and nameless personage that
nameless personage that has
has appealed
appealed
the religious
to the
to religious imagination through all
imagination through all the
the known centuries
centuries of of
time.
time. One day day-not
not one of of earth's cold, grey
earth's cold, days, but
grey days, but aa day
day ofof
brighter cast
brighter cast-wewe shall
shall see that Personage,
see that Personage, and name him, him, and
thank him for the tender
for the tender veiling
veiling ofof aa light that might
light that might havehave
struck
struck creation
creation blind.-The
blind. People's Bible,
The People's vol. 16,
Bible, vol. p. 438.
16, p. 438.
The One unnamed in Daniel 10:5,

in Daniel 10:5, 6-but
6 but described
described
as having the
as having the appearance
appearance of
of lightning-is
lightning well
is well known
in apocalyptic vision.
in apocalyptic vision. A similar
similar description
description of of Him :s
is
found in in Revelation
Revelation I: 13-15. Is
1:13-15. Is not
not He who is is unnamed
in Daniel
in Daniel 10:5,
10:5, 66 now named in in DaniellO:
Daniel 10:13, 13, when He
is designated as
is designated as Michael?
Testament writers
New Testament writers also take up
also take up this
this thought
thought
and apply
and apply the
the terminology
terminology of
of Daniel to
to Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ our
Lord. He is
Lord. is declared
declared to be "the
to be Prince of
"the Prince of life"
life" (Acts
(Acts
3:15); "a
3:15); Prince" and "a
"a Prince" "a Saviour"
Saviour" (Acts(Acts 5:31);
5:31); and "the"the
prince of
prince of the
the kings
kings of the earth"
of the (Rev. 1:5).
earth" (Rev. 1:5).
This
This Prince,
Prince, or Messiah, of
or Messiah, of the
the apocalyptic visions of
apocalyptic visions of
ancient days, is
ancient days, thus equated
is thus
equated with Michael.
Michael. Hence the
the
name Michael
Michael is, believe, one of
is, we believe, of the
the titles
titles of the
of the
Son
Son of of the
the living
living God. But Michael is is called
called thethe Arch-
angel (Jude
angel (Jude 9) 9) and this
this term,
term, we believe,
believe, also
also applies
applies
to
to Jesus
Jesus our
our Lord.
IV.
IV. The Term "Archangel"
"Archangel"
Having given consideration
Having given consideration to Christ as
to Christ the "Angel
as the "Angel
of the Lord"
of the Lord" and having
having made mention of the
the fact
fact that
"Michael"
"Michael" and "archangel" are titles
"archangel" are of our Lord,
titles of Lord, let
let
76
QUESTIONS
us observe
us observe the
the significance
significance of
of the
the first part of
first part the term
of the
"archangel."
"archangel."
"Arch" is
"Arch" is from
from the
the Greek prefix archi, but
prefix archi, but related
related
words such as
words such as arche
arche and archon
arch on shouldshould also
also be con- con-
sidered.
sidered.
A reM means beginning,
Arche beginning, and can can also
also involve
involve the the
ideas
ideas ofof rule
rule and authority.
authority. It is rendered
It is rendered in in the
the KJV
KJV
as
as "rule"
"rule" (1 Cor. 15:24); "principality" (Eph.
(1 Cor. 15:24); "principality"
(Eph. 1:21);
1:21);
and "first principles"
"first principles" (Heb. 5:
(Heb. 5:12). 12). A rehOn
Archon means
"prince," "ruler."
"prince," Arche and archon
"ruler." Arche archon are are used
used at at times
times in in
relation
relation to to our Lord as in the
as in the term "Angel"Angel of
of the
the Lord."
Lord."
Arche is
Arche used Messianically
is used Messianically in in Isaiah
Isaiah 9:6 9:6 where
where in the
in the
LXX (Bagster's
(Bagster's translation)
translation) it it is rendered "govern-
is rendered
"govern-
ment" in in thethe expression,
expression, "whose government [arche]
government [arche] is is
upon
upon his
his [Messiah's]
[Messiah's] shoulder."
shoulder."
In the New Testament,
In the Jesus our
Testament, Jesus Lord is
our Lord called "the
is called "the
beginning" [arche]
beginning" [arche] (Col.
(Col. 1:18), also the
1:18), also the "Alpha
"Alpha and
Omega,
Omega, the
the beginning [archer
beginning [arche]
11
(Rev.
(Rev. 21:
21:6;6; see
see also
also
22: 13).
Rev. 22:13).
Rev.
Archon is is often
often rendered
rendered "ruler,"
"ruler," "prince,"
"prince," et et cetera.
cetera.
But once
But once in in the
the New Testament it it is used in
is used relation to
in relation to
Jesus
Jesus "the
"the prince [archOn]
prince [archon] of
of the
the kings
kings of
of the
the earth"
earth"
(Rev.
(Rev. 1:5).
1:5).
Archon is
Archon used on occasions
is used Messianically, and so
occasions Messianically, so
refers to
refers to Christ
Christ our Saviour.
Saviour. He is is "a prince [archOn]
"a prince [archon]
and commander to the Gentiles"
to the Gentiles" (Isa. (Isa. 55:4,
55:4, LXX,LXX,
Bagster's translation);
Bagster's translation); He is the One that
is the that isis "to
"to be be a a
ruler [archon] of
ruler [archon] of Israel"
Israel" (Micah
(Micah 5:2, Bagster's
5:2, LXX, Bagster's
translation).
translation).
Another Greek word with with thethe same prefix archi is
prefix archi is
arch egos, derived

archegos, derived from archi archi and hegeomai
hegeomai or or ago-"to
ago "to
lead," et
lead," cetera.
etcetera.
77
A rchegos as
Archegos as found In
in the
the LXX Is
is generally
generally rendered
rendered
by Bagster's
by translation as
Bagster's translation as "head,"
"head," "captain,"
"captain," "chief,"
"chief/'
"ruler,"
"ruler," "prince,"
"prince," et et cetera.
cetera. But in the New Testament
in the Testament
it is
it used only
Is used with reference
only with reference to our Lord.
to our Lord. He is referred
is referred
to as captain
to as captain-"The"The captain [arch egos
captain [archegos] ] of
of their
their salva-
salva-
tion" (Heb.
tion" 2: 10);
(Heb. 2:10); as
as author-''The
author author [archegos]
"The author [archegos]
... of of our faith"
faith" (Heb.
(Heb. 12:2, margin, "beginner");
12:2, margin, "beginner"); as as
Prince-"A
Prince Prince [arch
"A Prince egos]
[archegos] and a
a Saviour"
Saviour" (Acts
(Acts 5:
5:
31); and "the

31); "the Prince [archegos] of
Prince [archegosJ life" (Acts
of life" (Acts 3: 15,
3:15,
margin, "author").
margin, "author").
The study
study of the above Greek words shows that
of the at
that at
times they
times they have been applied
applied to
to Christ
Christ our
our Lord;
Lord; further,
further,
that archegos
that arch egos in
in its
its use
use In the New Testament is
in the in
is in
every instance
every Instance applied
applied to Jesus.
to Jesus.
V. Christ
V. Christ in Relation to
in Relation to the
the''Angel Hosts
Angel Hosts
In
In the
the light
light of the foregoing
of the believe that
foregoing we believe that the
the
divine Son of
divine of God,
God, one ofof whose titles
titles is
Is "Michael the
the
archangel," is
archangel," is the
the leader of the
leader of the angelic
angelic hosts.
hosts. But to
to us,
us,
this does not
this does not in
in any way
any way whatsoever
whatsoever detract
detract from His
deity,
deity, any
any more than than when He became man and took took
our flesh.
flesh. He certainly "the Son of
certainly became "the of man,"
man," but
but all
all
the while
the while He was was on earth as man,
earth as man, He was at the same
at the
time God manifest
time manifest inin the
the flesh (1 Tim. 4:10).
flesh (1 4: 10). Further-
Further-
more,
more, He is
is also
also revealed
revealed in
in Scripture
Scripture as
as leader
leader of the
of the
hosts of Israel,
hosts of Israel, under the
the title
title of
of the
the "angel
"angel of
of Jehovah,"
Jehovah,"
the "angel
the "angel of his presence,"
of his presence," etet cetera.
cetera. B.ut being such,
But being such,
did not
did not restrict,
restrict, or
or detract
detract from,
from, His deity.
deity. Why could
He not,
not, then,
then, be
be considered
considered "Captain
"Captain General" (LXX)*(LXX)*
of the
of the hosts
hosts of
of angels
angels without
without equating Him with angels
equating angels
*
*Joshua 5: 14, Eng,
Eng. tr.
tr. by Charles Thomson.
by Charles
Joshua 5:14,
78 QUESTIONS
as created
as created beings?
beings? The being
being who appeared
appeared to Joshua
to Joshua
as
as "captain
"captain of
of the host
the host of
of the
the Lord" was
was a
a divine
divine being,
being,
whom Joshua
Joshua worshiped (Joshua 5:
worshiped (Joshua 14). Thus the
5:14). the hosts
hosts
of the Lord are
of the are under command of of aa divine
divine being
being
worthy
worthy of worship, and whose presence
of worship, presence makes aa place
place
holy (verse 15).
holy (verse 15). This Divine Being
Divine Being we believe
believe was none
other than
other than our Lord JesusJesus Christ.
Christ.
We
vVe believe,
believe, therefore,
therefore, that
that there
there isIs good
good reason
reason for
for
recognizing
recognizing our blessed
blessed Lord as
as the
the leader
leader of
of the
the heav-
heav-
enly hosts.
enly hosts.
VI. Michael
VI. Michael in Jewish Literature
in Jewish Literature
In Jewish
In Jewish writings
writings Michael is is recognized
recognized as the
as the
Advocate in in Israel,
Israel, who mediated in many ways.
in many ways. Thus:
prevented Isaac's
He prevented Isaac's being sacrificed
being sacrificed (Yalkut
(Yalkut
Reubeni, section
Reubeni, section Wayera); wrestled with
Wayera); wrestled with Jacob
Jacob (Tar-(Tar-
gum, Gen. 32:25);
gum, 32:25); was Advocate when Israel
Israel deserved
deserved
death atat the
the Red Sea Sea (Exodus Rabbah, 18:5);
(Exodus Kabbah, 18:5); led
led Israel
Israel
. during
t during the
the forty years
forty years in
in the
the wilderness
wilderness (Abravanel
(Abravanel to to
23:20); gave
Ex. 23:20); gave Moses the the tables of stone
tables of stone (Apoc. Moses,
(Apoc. Moses,
1); instructed Moses at
1); instructed at Sinai
Sinai (Bk.
(Bk. Jubilees,
Jubilees, i. 27,
27, ii. 1);
ii.
i.
I);
destroyed
destroyed the
the army
army of
of Sennacherib* (Midr.
(Midr. Exod.
Exod. 18:
18:
5); was one of

5); the angels
of the visited Abraham* (Yoma,
angels who visited (Yoma,
37 ; Shebu'oth,
a
a
Shebuoth, 35
; 35 , footnote);
b
b , was Israel's
footnote); was Israel's guardian
guardian
angel (Yoma,
angel (Yoma, 77 ); ministers
77 aa ); ministers in in the heavenly sanctuary
the heavenly sanctuary
(l1,1enahoth,llOa).
(Mmahoth, HO).
in the
VII. Michael in
VII. the Setting
Setting of
of Jude's Epistle
Jude's Epistle
Jllde's epistle was written
Jude's epistle to
written to combat aa heresy
heresy that
that
invaded the
had invaded the church
church of that
of that day,
day, for
for false
false teachers
teachers
were corrupting
corrupting and making
making of
of none effect
effect "the
"the faith
faith
statement refers
*This statement refers to
to "the angel of
"the angel his presence,"
of his presence," which
which the Jewish Encyclo-
the Jewish Encyclo·
i"dia says
pedia is Michael.
says is Michael.
79
which was once delivered unto the

delivered unto the saints"
saints" (verse
(verse 3).
3).
Jude's letter was an appeal
J tide's letter to the
appeal to the loyal
loyal members to to
break from the
break the association
association of these subverters
of these subverters of
of truth.
truth.
The author does not not go into detail
go into detail concerning
concerning this this
heresy,
heresy, for
for his
his letter
letter is
is not
not a
a systematic theology,
systematic theology, but
but is
is
rather
rather a a battle
battle cry.
cry.
This book is is small,
small, but but rich
rich in in allusions
allusions and quota-
quota-
tions. It
tions. It isis apparent
apparent that
that the
the corrupt teachings against
corrupt teachings against
which JudeJude was warning warning the the church were libertinism
libertinism
and antinomianism. Not only only was was this
this false
false philosophy
philosophy
basically
basically wrongwrong in
in concept,
concept, but
but when followed
followed out
out inin
the life,
the life, itit led to depravity
led to depravity and revolting immorality.
revolting immorality,
Those who had introduced this this subversive heresy had
subversive heresy
evidently
evidently entered the the church surreptitiously,
surreptitiously, and were
threatening
threatening to
to undermine the
the very structure
very structure ofof thethe
temple
temple of
of truth.
truth.
I. ULTIMATE END OF REBELLION.-The
1. REBELLION. The depravity depravity
of this
of this teaching
teaching is is evidenced
evidenced by by the
the writer's
writer's reference
reference to to
the
the gross immorality
gross immorality of
of Sodom and Gomorrah,
Gomorrah, while
the attitude of
the attitude the teachers
of the teachers themselves
themselves he he illustrated
illustrated
by the
by rebellion of
the rebellion Korah. "Woe unto
of Korah. unto them,"
them," hehe warns,
warns,
that "have gone
that gone in
in the
the way
way of
of Cain" (verse
(verse II).
11). Em-
phasizing
phasizing the
the ultimate
ultimate end of
of these
these defamers
defamers of right-
of right-
eousness,
eousness, he
he refers
refers particularly
particularly to
to the
the destiny
destiny of
of the
the
rebellious angels.
rebellious angels. These celestial
celestial beings,
beings, "which kept kept
not their
not their first
first estate,
estate, but but left their own habitation"
left their habitation"
(verse
(verse 6), are reserved unto judgment.
6), are reserved
judgment. They They areare await-
await-
ing the coming
ing the coming day of day of final
final punishment.
punishment.
reason Jude
The reason refers to
Jude refers to the
the rebellion
rebellion of of the
the angels,
angels,
and thethe rebellion
rebellion of of ancient
ancient Israel
Israel against
against authority,
authority,
is clear.
is clear. He warns warns the the church that that all
all who "speak
"speak evil
evil
of those things
of those things which they
they know not"
not" will
will perish (verse
perish (verse
80 QUESTIONS
10).
10). He speaks
speaks of these heretics
of these heretics as as defilers
defilers of of the
the flesh,
flesh,
and declares that not
declares that not only only did
did they set
they set at
at naught
naught the the
counsel of
counsel of church authority, but
church authority, but they
they actually
actually denied
the authority
the authority of of God and of our Lord Jesus
of our Jesus Christ.
Christ.
Their "hard speeches" (verse
speeches" (verse 15), 15), or
or railing accusations,
railing accusations,
were notnot only
only denunciations
denunciations against apostolic authority,
against apostolic authority,
but utterances
but utterances against
against God Himself.
Himself.
2. JUDE'S
2. JUDE'S REFERENCE TO MICHAEL.-It MICHAEL. It was obviously obviously
not jude's purpose
not Jude's purpose to to identify
identify Michael,
Michael, exceptexcept to to call
call
attention
attention to to the
the fact
fact that
that He is is the
the archangel.
archangel. His His ref-
ref-
erence
erence to Michael is
to Michael is really
really byby wayway of
of contrast.
contrast. This
contrast
contrast is is drawn between
between thosethose who brought
brought aa railing
railing
accusation, and Michael
accusation, Michael who would not not do so. so. On the the
one hand he he contrasts
contrasts those those "filthy
"filthy dreamers"
dreamers" who
"despise dominion, and speak
"despise dominion, speak evil of dignities"
evil of dignities" (verse(verse
8),
8), with Michael,
Michael, the
the archangel,
archangel, on the
the other hand.
other hand. He, He,
a heavenly
a heavenly being,being, even when in in dispute
dispute withwith thethe prince
prince
of evil, though
of evil, though there
there was
was just
just reason
reason for
for doing
doing so,
so, "durst
"durst
not" bring
not" bring aa railing
railing accusation.
accusation. This This is is the
the contrast:
contrast:
They,
They, mere men, men, so so despised
despised authority
authority as as to rail against
to rail against
those in
those in high
high authority;
authority; whereas Michael, Michael, the the archangel,
archangel,
would not not act thus even when disputing
act thus disputing with with Satan.
Satan.
The devil,
devil, the prince
the prince of of evil, could rightly
evil, could rightly be said said
to deserve
to railing accusation,
deserve aa railing accusation, but but to to such
such a thing
a thing
Michael would not not stoop.
stoop. To say that Michael
say that Michael couldcould
nato
not, in
in the
the sense
sense that
that He did not
not have
have the
the power
power or
or the
the
authority
authority to to do so, so, would not not be be true.
true. It is not
It is not that
that
Michael could not not,o in the sense
in the sense ofof being
being restricted,
restricted, but but
rather that He would not
rather that not take
take such attitude. Scott's
such an attitude. Scott's
remarks:
Bib le remarks:
Bible
He yet
yet dared not to
to utter
utter any reviling expression:
any reviling expression: not
not from
fear of the
fear of the devil; but because
devil; but because even
even in
in those
those circumstances,
circumstances, it
it
81
hav~ been consistent

consistent with the perfection of
of his
his charac-
1
would not have the perfection charac-

ter.
ter.
What thesethese carping critics dared

carping critics dared to to do, Michael
do, Michael
would not not do_
do. They
They were were abusive,
abusive, defamatory,
defamatory, slander-
slander-
ous, even blasphemous.
ous, blasphemous. But Michael, Michael, even even in in dealing
dealing
with thethe devil, revealed dignity
devil, revealed dignity and heavenlyheavenly bearing.
bearing.
He could
could not not descend to to such
such a a level
level of defamatory
of defamatory
speech.
speech. Instead
Instead of multiplying words,
of multiplying words, He authoritatively
authoritatively
declared, "The Lord rebuke
declared, rebuke thee" thee" (verse
(verse 9).
9).
The useuse ofof the
the expression
expression "The Lord rebuke
rebuke thee"
thee"
is significant.
is
significant. It It isis found in but one other
in but place in
other place in the
the
Holy Scriptures-Zechariah
Holy Scriptures Zechariah 3:2.
3:2. There the
the speaker
speaker is is
"the angel
angel of
of the
the Lord" (verse
(verse 1); 1); but
but in
in verse
verse 2,
2, it
it is
is
expressly the
expressly the "Lord" who speaks. speaks. Here we find find thethe
'.'angel
"angel of the Lord" equated
of the equated with with Jehovah
Jehovah Himself,
Himself, and
it is He who says
it is says to
to Satan,
Satan, "The Lord
Lord rebuke
rebuke thee."
thee."
This is is aa unique expression.
unique expression. The first
first Biblical
Biblical use
use
of it
of it is
is by
by the
the Lord in dealing with Satan.
in dealing Satan. The same
expression is
expression is used in Jude. Might
in Jude. Might it it not
not be,be, then,
then, that
that
the
the same Divine Divine BeingBeing is is revealed
revealed here? here? In In Zechariah
Zechariah
He was manifested
manifested under one of of His
His titles,
titles, "the
"the angel
angel
of the
of the Lord,"
Lord," in in Jude
Jude under another of of His
His titles,
titles,
"Michael."
"Michael."
Furthermore, the
Furthermore, the archangel
archangel is referred to
is referred to but
but twice
twice
in the
in the Sacred
Sacred Scripture-l
Scripture I Thessalonians
Thessalonians 4: 16
4:16 and
Jude
Jude 9. 9. Paul,
Paul, writing
writing to to the
the Thessalonians,
Thessalonians, speaks speaks of of
the "voice
the "voice of the archangel"
of the archangel" and associates
associates that
that with the
the
general resurrection of the saints;
of the saints; whereas in in Jude,
Jude,
the
the reference
reference specifically
specifically concerns the
the body
body of
of Moses.
Another reference
Another reference to Michael as
to Michael leader of
as leader of the
the angelic
angelic
host
host is is seen
seen in in Revelation
Revelation 12:7-10. 12:7-10. Many Many scholars
scholars
through
through the the centuries
centuries have have applied
applied this this to
to the
the days
days when
82
QUESTIONS
Satan rebelled, before
Satan rebelled, before ever our world
ever our world was was made.
made. Then
there was
there was war in heaven. Michael
in heaven, Michael and His angels fought
His angels fought
against
against thethe dragon
dragon and his
his angels.
angels. Here is
is evidently
evidently the
the
beginning
beginning of
of the
the great controversy
great controversy between
between the
the forces
forces
of
of righteousness
righteousness and of of evil. In this
evil. In passage Michael
this passage Michael and
Satan
Satan are
are placed
placed in in contrast.
contrast. Who is is the
the Michael
Michael of of this
this
apocalyptic passage?
apocalyptic passage? If
If Christ
Christ is the
is the leader
leader of
of the
the angel
angel
hosts, then
hosts, then we see see here
here thethe first battle in
first battle the great
in the great con-
con-
flict between Christ
flict between Christ and Satan.
Satan.
There is is good reason for
good reason this concept,
for this concept, for for we readread
that was through
it was
that it through "the power of
"the power his Christ"
of his Christ" that that "the
"the
accuser
accuser of of our brethren" was cast
our brethren" cast down (Rev. (Rev. 12: 10).
12:10).
Victory
Victory for
for the
the saints
saints is
is possible only
possible only through
through our risen
risen
Lord.
Lord. It It was
was Christ
Christ who triumphed
triumphed over over Satan
Satan in in the
the
original
original encounter.
encounter. And it
it is
is through
through Christ
Christ that
that we
overcome in
overcome in thethe continuing
continuing encounters
encounters against
against the
the devil
devil
and his
his evil
evil hosts.
hosts.
Matthew Henry remarked on this
Henry remarked this passage:
passage:
... "Michael and his
. , . his angels*'
angels" on one side,
side, and "the dragon
"the dragon
and his
his angels"
angels" on the
the other.
other. Christ,
Christ, the great angel
the great angel of the cove-
of the cove-
nant, and his
nant, his faithful
faithful followers;
followers; and Satan
Satan and all
all his instru-
his instru-
ments.
ments.
VIII. Summary
Summary ofof the
the Evidence
Evidence
1. used concerning
1. Terms used
concerning Christ
Christ are similar to
are similar to those
those
used of Michael: (a)
of Michael: of Christ,
(a) of Christ, as
as "Prince
"Prince of
of princes,"
princes/'
as "prince
as "prince of the host,"
of the host," as
as "Messiah the
the Prince,"
Prince," and
as the
as the "Prince of
of life"; (b) of
life"; (b) Michael, as
of Michael, as "your prince,"
"your prince,"
as the
and as the "great
"great prince."
prince."
2. archangel is
2. As archangel is used of
of Michael,
Michael, so is
so is arch egos
archegos
and archon used of
of Christ. Christ is
Christ. Thus: Christ the
is the arch egos
archegos
-the
the "captain"
"captain" (Heb.
(Heb. 2: 10); the
2:10); the "author"
"author" (Heb.
(Heb. 12:2);
12:2);
the "Prince" (Acts
the "Prince" (Acts 3: 15).
3:15).
83
3. The beginning of
3. beginning of the
the great controversy between
great controversy
Christ (Michael)
Christ (Michael) and Satan is seen
Satan is in Revelation
seen in Revelation 12:
12:
7-10.
7-10.
4. Michael exercises
4. the same prerogative
exercises the prerogative as does
as does
.rJehovah
ehovahwhen He says
says to
to Satan,
Satan, "The
''The Lord
Lord rebuke
thee."
thee."
5.
5. Michael is is equated with
equated with Christ
Christ byby many
many Bible
Bible
scholars.
scholars.
From thethe foregoing
foregoing itit will
will be
be seen that our
seen that our concept
concept
of Michael, as
of Michael, just another
as just title for
another title the Lord
for the Lord Jesus
Jesus
Christ, is
Christ, is vastly
vastly different
different from thethe views
views ofof others
others who
teach
teach that
that Michael is is merely
merely a a created, angelic being,
created, angelic being,
and notnot the
the Eternal
Eternal Word of of God. In In direct
direct contrast
contrast
to such aa depreciating
to depreciating Christo logy, Seventh-day
Christology, Seventh-day Advent-
ists hold that
ists hold that ]Jesus
esus is
is "very
"very God of
of very God,
very God, of
of the
the
same substance
substance as the Father"
as the Father"-coequal,
coequal, coexistent,
coexistent, and
coeternal with
coeternal with God the Father. We believe
the Father. believe that
that there
there
never
never waswas aa time when Christ
Christ was not.not. He isis God for-
for-
evermore,
evermore, His life being "original,
life being "original, unborrowed,
unborrowed, unde-
unde-
rived."
rived."
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
I.
1. CHRIST AS THE "ANGEL OF THE LORD"
On Ex.
Ex. 23:20:
23:20:
"Behold,
"Behold, II send
send a messenger before
a messenger before thee.
thee. Jewish
Jewish commentators
regard the messenger
regard the messenger as as Moses, who, no doubt,
Moses, who, doubt, was a a specially
specially
commissioned ambassador for for God,
God, and who might, might, therefore,
therefore,
well be
well be termed
termed God's messenger. But the
God's messenger. the expression-'He
expression 'He will will not
pardon your
pardon your transgressions,'
transgressions,' and 'My 'My name is is in him,' are
in him,' are too
too
high
high for
for Moses.
Moses. An angel
angel must be intended-probably
intended probably 'the
'the Angel
Angel
of
of the
the Covenant,'-whom
Covenant,' whom the best expositors
the best expositors identify
identify with
with the
Second Person
Person ofof the Trinity, the
the Trinity, the Ever-Blessed
Ever-Blessed Son of God.- God.
George
George Rawlinson, Pulpit Commentary,
Rawlinson, Pulpit Commentary, "Exodus," vol. 2,
"Exodus," vol. p. 212.
2, p. 212.
"Others
"Others suppose
suppose it
it ["an angel,"
["an angel," Ex. 23: 20;
23:20; "mine angel,"
angel," Ex.
23:23]
23:23] to be the
to be Son of
the Son of God, the Angel
God, the Angel of the covenant;
of the covenant; for the
for the
84
QUESTIONS
Israelites in
Israelites in thethe wilderness
wilderness are said to
are said to 'tempt
'tempt Christ,'
Christ/ and we
may as
may as well
well suppose
suppose him God's God's messenger,
messenger, and the the church's
church's re- re-
deemer, before his
deemer, before incarnation, as
his incarnation, as the
the lamb slain slain from the the founda-
tion of
tion of the world."-Matthew
the world." Matthew Henry'sHenry's Commentary,
Commentary, Exodus 23, 23,
general
general note.note.
"There seems seems to be no
to be no reason
reason to to doubt that, that, in this Messenger
in this Messenger
of Yahweh, we catch
of Yahweh, catch a glimpse of
a glimpse of some mysterymystery in the Godhead.
in the
For contrast
For contrast with with thethe inferior
inferior messenger,
messenger, see see chap.
chap. 33:2,33:2, 3."-
3."
J. Rotherham, The Emphasized
B. Rotherham,
J. B. Emphasized Old Testament (1916), (1916), note
on Ex. 23:20.
Ex. 23:20.
On Judges
Judges 6: 6:
"The person
person that that gave
gave him the the commission
commission was 'an 'an angel
angel of of
the Lord;'
the Lord; it
1
it should
should seem,
seem, not not a a created
created angel,angel, but the the Son of of
God Himself,
Himself, the Eternal Word,
the Eternal Word, the the Lord of the angels.
of the angels. . . .
. . .
This angel
This angel is is here
here called Jehovah, the
called Jehovah, the incommunicable name of of
"
God, ver.
God, vcr. 14, 16; and he
14, 16; he saith,
saith, 'I will be
1 will be with thee.' "-Matthew
with thee.' Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
Henry's Commentary.
Judges 13:
On Judges 13:
"And this this angel
angel ... was
. . was the
. the Lord himself,
himself, thatthat is,is, the
the Word
of the
of the Lord,
Lord, who was was to to be the the Messiah,
Messiah, for his name is
for his is called
called
Wonderful, ver.
Wonderful, ver. 18, Jehovah, ver.
18, and Jehovah, ver. 19."-Ibid.
19." Ibid.
On Daniel
Daniel 3: 3:
"There was was aa fourth
fourth seen
seen with them in the fire,
in the fire, whose form, form, in in
Nebuchadnezzar's judgment,
Nebuchadnezzar's judgment, was 'like 'like the the Son of God;' he ap-
of God;' ap-
peared as
peared as a a Divine person,
person, a a messenger
messenger from heaven, heaven, not not asas aa
servant,
servant, but but as as a a Son.
Son. 'Like
'Like an an angel,'
angel,' so so some;
some; and angels angels areare
called 'sons
called 'sons of of God,'
God,' JobJob xxxviii.
xxxviii. 7. 7. In
In the
the apocryphal narrative of
apocryphal narrative of
this story it
this story it is
is said,
said, The angel of
'The angel of the
the Lord came down into into the
the
furnace;' and Nebuchadnezzar here
furnace;' saith, (ver.
here saith, 28,) that
(ver. 28,) that God
sent his angel
sent his angel and delivered
delivered them;them; and it it was an angel that
angel that shut shut
the lions'
the lions' mouths when Daniel was in in the den, ch.
the den, ch. vi.
vi. 22.
22. But some
think it it was
was the the eternal
God, the the angel
angel of the covenant,
of the covenant,
and notnot aa created
created angel.
angel. He appeared
appeared often often in in our
our nature
nature before
before
he assumed it it for good and all
for good all [in his
[in
his incarnation];
incarnation]; and never never
more seasonably,
seasonably, nor to to give
give aa more proper proper indication
indication and pres- pres-
age of
age his great
of his great errand into into the world, in
the world, in the
the {ulness
fulness of of time,
time,
now, when to
than now, to deliver
deliver hishis chosen
chosen out out of the fire
of the fire he
he came and
walked with with them in in the fire."-Ibid.
the fire." Ibid.
"In reality
reality it it was Christ,
Christ, thethe Son of Gorl, who appeared
of God, appeared at at this
this
time in in human shape."-T. shape." T. Robinson, Robimon, Preacher'sPreacher's HomileticHomiletic
Commentary
Commentary (1892), (1892), "Daniel,"
"Daniel," p. p. 72.
72.
85
"In ver.
ver. 28, the king
28, the king calls God's 'angel,'
calls him God's 'angel,' which
which He no
was-the
doubt was the 'angel of the
'angel of the Lord,' otherwise called
Lord,' otherwise called the
the 'Mes·
'Mes-
senger
senger of the Covenant,'
of the Covenant/ thethe Son of
of God,
God, who in the fulness
in the of
fulness of
"
lime flesh and dwelt
time was 'made flesh dwelt among us.' "-Ibid.,
among us/ Ibid., p. 73.
p. 73,
On Hebrews 12: 12:
"This is is by many modern Expositors referred
by many Expositors referred to to God;
God; but but
by the
by the; ancient
ancient and some modern ones, ones, to to Christ; which is
Christ; which is far
far more
agreeable to
agreeable to the
the context.-S.
context. Bloomfield, Greek
T. Bloomfield,
S. T. Greek New Testa- Testa·
ment (1847) (1847) (vol.
(vol. II, p. 475),
II, p. 475), on Heb. 12:25. 12:25.
"" The
'The voice
voice sounding
sounding from Sinai.' Sinai/ See supra v.
See supra v. 19.
19. The best best
Expositors
Expositors are are in general agreed
in general agreed that that thethe [word]
[word] oil ou refers
refers (as (as
grammatical propriety
grammatical propriety would require) require) to to Christ, notwithstand·
Christ, notwithstand-
ing
ing that
that thethe thing
thing is is in
in Exodus ascribed
ascribed to to God. Nor is is there
there anyany
inconsistency,
inconsistency, since since the the N.N. T. and the the Rabbinical
Rabbinical writings
writings agree agree
in representing it
in representing it as the SON OF GOD,
as the GOD, who appeared appeared to the
to the
patriarchs, who delivered
patriarchs, delivered the the Law by by angels,
angels, and who was the the
ANGEL·JEHOVAH worshipped
ANGEL-JEHOVAH worshipped in in thethe Hebrew Church. Church. See See ActsActs
7:53, and 11 Cor.
7:53, Cor. 10:4,10:4, 9."-Ibid.,
9." Ibid., (vol.
(vol. 11, p. 475),
II, p. 475), on Heb.
12:26.
12:26.
2. CONCERNING MICHAEL AS A
2. A TITLE OF CHRIST CHRIST
On Daniel
DaniellO: 10:
"Some ... think
. . Michael the
think Michael
, the archangel
archangel is is no other
other thanthan Christ
Christ
himself, the
himself, the angel
angel of the covenant,
of the covenant, and the the Lord of the angels;
of the angels; he
whom Daniel Daniel saw saw in in vision,
vision, ver.
ver. 5. 'came to
5. He 'came to help
help me/me,' ver.ver. 13;
13;
'and
'and therethere is none but
is none but he he that
that holdeth
holdeth with with me in in these
these things/
things,'
ver.
ver. 21. 21. Christ
Christ is the church's
is the church's prince,
prince, angels
angels are not."-Matthew
are not." Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
Henry's Commentary.
On Daniel
Daniel 12: 12:
"Jesus Christ shall
"Jesus Christ shall appear
appear his his church's
church's patronpatron and protector.
protector.
'At that
'At that time/
time,' when the the persecution
persecution is is at the hottest,
at the hottest, 'Michael
shall stand up/
shall stand up,' ver.
ver. 1.1. The angelangel had told told Daniel what aa fast fast
friend Michael
friend Michael was was to to the
the church,
church, ch. ch. x. 21. He all
x. 21. all along
along shewed
it in
it in thethe upper
upper world,
world, the the angels
angels knew it; it; but now 'Michael shall
stand
stand up' up' inin his
his providence,
providence, and work deliverance deliverance for for the Jews, Jews,
'when he
'when he sees
sees that their power
that their power is is gone,'
gone/ Deu. Deu. xxxii.
xxxii. 36.36. Christ is is
that 'great
that prince,' for
'great prince/ he is
for he is the 'Prince of
the 'Prince the kings
of the kings of of the
the earth:
earth/
Rev. i:5."-Ibid.
Rev. i:5." Ibid.
On Jude
Jude 9: 9:
"Of this personage
"Of this personage many things are
many things are spoken
spoken in the Jewish
in the Jewish writ-writ·
ings.
ings.
'Rabbi
'Rabbi Judah
Judah Hakkodesh says:
says: Wherever Michael is
is said to
to
appear, the glory of the Divine Majesty is
appear, the glory of the Divine Majesty
always to
is always to be be under·
under-
QUESTIONS
stood.' Shemoth Rabba,
stood/ Shemoth Rabba, Sec. Sec. ii., fol.
foJ. 104,
ii., 104, 3. it seems
So It
3. So seems as if they
as if they
considered Michael
considered Michael in in some
some sortsort asas we do do the
the Messiah
Messiah manifested
manifested
in the
in flesh."-Clarke's
the flesh." Clarke's Commentary
Commentary (6 (6 vol.
vol. cd.).
ed.).
"The word Michael . .. he
word Michael . . . he who is like God;
is like hence by
God; hence this
by this
personage,
personage, in
in the
the Apocalypse,
Apocalypse, many many understood
understood the
the Lord
Lord Jesus."
Jesus."
-Ibid.
Ibid.
On Rev.
Rev. 12:7:
12:7:
"Michael
"Michael was was thethe man child child which
which the the woman brought brought forth."
forth."
-Clarke's
Clarke's Commentary.
Commentary.
"This being 'a
"This being- 'a war
war in the heaven,'
in the heaven/ and and waged
waged by by Michael,
Michael,
who is
who Christ (whose
is Christ warfare is
(whose warfare is not
not like
like that
that of earthly kings),
of earthly kings), andand
by His
by His messengers,
messengers, is is an intellectual and polemical
an intellectual polemical warfare."
warfare."-
J. D.
J. Glasgow, Commentary
D. Glasgow, Commentary on on the Apocalypse (1872).
the Apocalypse (1872).
"We have have shown elsewhere
elsewhere that that thethe Archangel
Archangel Michael
Michael is is an
an
image
image of
of Christ
Christ victoriously
victoriously combatant.
combatant. Christ
Christ is
is an
an Archangel
Archangel
in His
in quality of
His quality of Judge;
Judge; and and He appears
appears as as Judge, not
Judge, not only only at at
the
the endend of the world,
of the world, but but also
also inin the preservation of
the preservation of the
the purity
purity of of
His Church."-Lange's
His Church." Lange's Commentary Commentary (1874), (1874), on on Rev.
Rev. 12:1-12,
12:1-12,
Exegetical
Exegetical and
and Critical
Critical Synoptic
Synoptic View,
View, p.
p.
238.
238.
"" 'Michael
'Michael and his his angels'
angels' on on one
one side,
side, and
and 'the
'the dragon
dragon and and
his angels'
his angels' on on the
the other.
other. Christ,
Christ, thethe great
great angel
angel of of the
the covenant,
covenant,
and
and his his faithful
faithful followers;
followers; and and Satan
Satan andand all all his
his instruments.
instruments. This This
latter party
latter party would
would be be much superior superior in in number
number and outward outward
strength
strength to to the
the other;
other; but but the
the strength
strength of of the
the church
church lies
lies inin having
having
the Lord
the Lord Jesus
Jesus for
for the
the Captain
Captain of
of their
their salvation."-Matthew
salvation." Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
Henry's Commentary.
"The idea idea ofof the heavenly being
the heavenly being who thus thus comes
comes to to view
view as as
aa feature
feature in in old
old apocalyptic tradition is
apocalyptic tradition the source
is the source of of the
the concep-
concep-
tion
tion of of the
the heavenly
heavenly Messiah-the
Messiah the Son of of Man
Man.. ..... . We have have
already
already seen
seen that
that the
the heavenly
heavenly being being 'like
like unto
unto a
a son
son of
of man'
man' of
of
Dan. 77 was
Dan. was probably
probably identified
identified by by thethe author
author ... with
. . .with Israel's
Israel's
angel-prince
angel-prince Michael; Michael; this this angelic
angelic beingbeing was was later,
later, it it would
would
seem, invested with
seem, invested with Messianic
Messianic attributes,
attributes, and and so so became
became the the
pre-existent heavenly
pre-existent Messiah."-Abingdon
heavenly Messiah." Abingdon Bible Bible Commentary,
Commentary,
p.846.
p.
846,
(See also
(See also Calvin's
Calvin's Commentaries on "Daniel,"
Commentaries on vol. 2,
"Daniel," vol. 2, pp.
pp.
253, 368,
253, 368, also
also p.
p. 13).
13).
III. Questions on
Ill Questions on the
the Relation
Relation of
of Ellen
Ellen
G.
0. White's Writings to
White's Writings to the
the Bible
Bible
Ellen G. White's Writings
Ellen G. White's and
Writings and
'[heir Relation to
Their Relation to the
the Bible
Bible
QUESTION
QUESTION 9
9
Do Seventh-day Adventists regard

Seventh-day Adventists regard the
the
writings
writings of
of Ellen
Ellen G. White as
us on an equal plane
equal plane
with the
the writings of the
writings of Bible? Do you
the Bible? you place
place
her in the prophetic class
the prophetic class with
with such
such men as as
Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Ezekiel, and Daniel?
Daniel? Are her
her
interpretations
interpretations ofof Bible
Bible prophecy
prophecy regarded
regarded asas
final authority,
final authority, and is is belief in these
belief in writings
these writings
made a test
test of fellowship in
of fellowship the Seventh-day
in the Seventh-day
Adventist Church?
Adventist
\Vhatever the
Whatever the intent
intent ofof these
these questions
questions maymay be,be,
we would note,
note, asas is
is more fully
fully developed
developed later
later on in
in
this chapter:
this chapter:
I. That we do not regard
1. regard the
the writings
writings ofof Ellen
Ellen G.G.
'White
White as as an addition
addition to to the
the sacred
sacred canon of of Scripture.
Scripture.
2. That we do not think
2. think ofof them as as of
of universal
universal
application,
application, as
as is the
is the Bible,
Bible, but
but particularly
particularly forfor the
the
Seventh-day
Adventist Church.
3. That we do not regard
3. regard themin the same sense
them in the sense as
as
the Holy
the Scriptures,
Holy Scriptures, which stand
stand alone
alone and unique
unique as as
the
the standard
standard by by which all all other
other writings
writings must be
judged.
judged.
Seventh-day
Adventists uniformly believe that
uniformly believe the
that the
canon of
canon of Scripture
Scripture closed
closed with the
the book of
of Revelation.
Revelation.
89
89
90
QUESTIONS ON DOCTRiNE
We hold
We hold that
that all
all other
other writings
writings and
and teachings,
teachings, from
from
whatever source,
whatever source, are
are to
to bebe judged
judged by,
by, and
and are
are subject
subject
the Bible,
to, the
to, Bible, which
which isis the
the spring
spring and
and norm
norm ofof the
the
Christian
Christian faith.
faith. We
We test
test the
the writings
writings of
of Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White
White
by the
by the Bible,
Bible, but
but in
in no
no sense
sense do
do we
we test
test the
the Bible
Bible by
by
her writings.
her writings. Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White
White and
and others
others of
of our
our writers
writers
have gone
have on record
gone on record again
again and
and again
again on
on this
this point.
point.
In her first book,
In her first book, in
in 1851,
1851, she
she said
said concerning the
concerning the
Bible:
Bible:
II recommend
recommend to to you,
you, dear
dear reader,
reader, the
the Word of God as
Word of as the
the rule
rule
of your
of ),our faith
faith and
and practice.
practice. By
By that
that Word we are
are to
to be
be judged.
judged.-
Early Writings, p. 78.
Early Writings, p. 78.
Later she
Later she wrote:
wrote:
The Spirit
Spirit was
was not
not given
given-nor can it
nor can it ever
ever be bestowed
bestowed-toto
supersede
supersede
the
the Bible;
Bible; for
for the
the Scriptures
Scriptures explicitly
explicitly state
state that
that the
the
Word of of God isis the
the standard
standard byby which all
all teaching
teaching and experi-
experi-
ence must
ence must be tested.-The
be tested. Great Controversy,
The Great Controversy, Introduction,
Introduction,
p. vii.
p. vii.
And in in her
her last
last appearance before the
appearance before the assembled
delegates
delegates at at the
the session
session of
of the
the General Conference of
Seventh-day
Adventists in in Washington,
Washington, D.C.,B.C., in 1909,
in 1909,
after her
after her message
message to
to the
the vast
vast congregation,
congregation, she held
the
the Bible
Bible aloft
aloft inin hands
hands trembling
trembling with age,
age, and said,
said,
"Brethren
"Brethren and and sisters,
sisters, II commend to you the Book." It
to you It
was
was typical of her lifelong attitude-ever
typical of her lifelong attitude
ever exalting,
exalting,
high
high above
above all,
all, the
the Holy Scriptures
Holy Scriptures as
as the foundation
foundation
of
of our
our faith.
faith.
We have
have never
never considered
considered EllenEllen G.
G. White
White to to be
be in
in
the
the same
same category
category as as the
the writers
writers of
of the
the canon
canon of of Scrip-
Scrip-
ture.
ture. However,
However, apartapart from
from the
the chosen
chosen writers
writers of
of the
the
canonical books of Scripture,
canonical books of Scripture, God
God used
used a
a line
line of
of proph-
proph-
ets
ets or
or messengers
messengers who who lived
lived contemporaneously
contemporaneously with with
the
the writers
writers ofof the
the twotwo Testaments,
Testaments, but but whose
whose utterances
utterances
ELLEN G. WHITE AND THE BIBLE 91
91
were never a part part of

of Scripture
Scripture canon.
canon. These prophetsprophets
or messengers
messengers were called called of
of God to to give
give encourage-
encourage-
ment, counsel, and admonition
ment, counsel, admonition to to the
the Lord's
Lord's ancient
ancient
people. Among
people. Among these
these were such
such figures
figures as
as Nathan,
Nathan,
Gad,
Gad, Heman, Asaph, Asaph, Shemaiah,
Shemaiah, Azariah,
Azariah, Eliezer,
Eliezef, Ahi-
Ahi-
jah, Iddo, and Obed in
jah, Iddo, in the
the Old Testament,
Testament, and and Sim·
Sim-
eon,
eon, John
John the the Baptist,
Baptist, Agabus,
Agabus, and Silas
Silas in
in the
the New.
The lineline also
also included·
included women,
women, such
such as
as Miriam,
Miriam,
Deborah,
Deborah, and Huldah,
Huldah, who were were called
called prophetesses,
prophetesses,
in ancient times,
times, as
as well
well as
as Anna in
in the time of
the time of Christ,
Christ,
and Philip's
Philip's four daughters,
daughters, "which
"which did
did prophesy"
prophesy"
(Acts 21
(Acts :9). The messages
21:9). messages that
that came through
through thesethese
prophets, it should be
prophets, it be recognized,
recognized, came from the the same
God who spokespoke through
through those prophets whose writings
those prophets writings
were included in in the
the Sacred
Sacred Canon.
That some of of these prophets not
these prophets not only
only spake
spake but
also wrote their
also wrote their inspired messages Is
inspired messages is evident
evident from
from Scrip-
Scrip-
ture itself:
ture itself:
Now the
the acts
acts of David the
of David the king,
king, first
first and last. behold, they
last, behold, they are
are
written in
written in the
the book ofof Samuel the
the seer,
seer, and inin the
the book
book of
of Nathan
the prophet,
the prophet, and in
in the
the book
book ofof Gad thethe seer
seer (1 (1 Chron.
Chron. 29:29).
29:29).
Now the
the rest
rest of
of the
the acts
acts of
of Solomon, first and last,
Solomon, first last, are theJ
are they
not written
not written in
in the
the book ofof Nathan the
the piophet,
plOphet, and in in the
the
prophecy of
prophecy Ahijah the
of Ahijah the Shilonite, in the
Shilonite, and in the visions
visions of
of Iddo
Iddo the
the
seer against Jeroboam
seer against the son
Jeroboam the son of
of Nebat?
Nebat? (2
(2 Chron.
Chron. 9:29).
9:29).
It is in
It is in this
this latter
latter category
category of
of messengers
messengers that
that we
consider Ellen
consider Ellen G.
G. White toto be.
be. Among
Among Seventh-day
Seventh-day Ad-
ventists she
ventists she was recognized
recognized asas one
one who possessed
possessed the
the
gift of the spirit of prophecy,
gift of the spirit of prophecy, though
though she
she herself
herself never
the title
assumed the title of
of prophetess. In 1906
prophetess. In she explained
1906 she explained
why.
why. Church members who believed
believed that
that she
she was
was called
called
to the
to the prophetic
prophetic office
office were puzzled
puzzled by
by one of
of her
her public
public
statements. Here is
statements. is her
her explanation:
explanation:
92
92 QUESTIONS
Some have
have stumbled over the fact
over the fact that
that II said
said II did
did not
not claim
claim
to
to be aa prophet.
be prophet. ... Early
.Early in
. .in my youth II was asked
my youth asked several
several times,
times,
Are you prophet? II have
you aa prophet? have ever responded, II am the
ever responded, the Lord's mes-
Lord's mes-
senger. II know that
senger. that many
many have
have called
called me a but II have
prophet, but
a prophet,
claim to
made no claim to this
this title
title..... Why
. . . have II not
Why have not claimed to be aa
claimed to
prophet?-Because
prophet? Because in these last
in these last days many who boldly
days many boldly claim that
that
they are prophets
they are prophets are
are a reproach to
a reproach the cause
to the of Christ;
cause of Christ; and be-
be-
cause
cause my includes much more than
my work includes than the
the word "prophet"
"prophet"
signifies
signifies.. . . . To claim
. . , claim to be aa prophetess
to be prophetess isis something that II
something that
have never
have done. If
never done. If othel'S call me by
others call by that name, II have
that name, have no
controversy
controversy with them. But my my work hashas covered
covered so
so many lines
many lines
that II can
that can not
not call myself other
call myself messenger.-The
than aa messenger.
other than The Review
and Herald,
Herald, July 26, 1906.
July 26, 1906.
Seventh-day Adventists regard

Seventh-day Adventists regard herher writings
writings asas con-
con-
taining inspired
taining inspired counsel
counsel and instruction
instruction concerning
concerning
personal religion
personal religion and the the conduct of of our
our denomina-
tional work.
tional work. Under the the same inspiration
inspiration sheshe also
also wrote
much in the great
in the great field
field of
of sacred
sacred history, covering
history, covering the the
experiences
experiences of
of God's
God's people
people from the
the creation
creation of
of the
the
world to the ultimate
to the ultimate establishment
establishment of the kingdom
of the kingdom of of
God, with
God, with special
special emphasis
emphasis on eschatology.
eschatology. That portion
portion
of her
of writings, however,
her writings, however, that might be
that might be classified
classified as
as
predictions, actually
predictions, actually forms
forms but
but a
a small
small segment.
segment. And
even when she deals with what is
she deals coming on the
is coming the earth,
earth,
her statements
her statements are
are only
only amplifications
amplifications of of clear
clear Bible
Bible
prophecy.
prophecy.
It is significant
It is that in
significant that her counsels,
in her counsels, or
or "testimonies,"
"testimonies,"
the attention
the attention of
of the
the reader
reader is constantly
constantly directed to the
directed to
is the
authority of
authority of the Word of
of God asas the
the sole foundation of
sole foundation of
faith and doctrine.
faith doctrine. In the
the Introduction
Introduction to to one
one of
of her
her
larger books she
larger books she sets
sets forth
forth important principles:
important principles:
In His
His word,
word, God has
has committed
committed to
to men the
the knowledge
knowledge nec-
nec-
essary for
essary for salvation.
salvation. The Holy
Holy Scriptures
Scriptures are to be
are to be accepted
accepted as
as
an authoritative,
authoritative, infallible revelation of
infallible revelation of His will. They
His will. are the
They are the
standard of
of character,
character, the
the revealer
revealer of
of doctrines.
doctrines, and the test of
the test of
93
experience. "Every
experience. "Every scripture inspired of
scripture inspired of God isis also profitable for
also profitable for
teaching, for reproof,
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for
for correction, for instruction which is
instruction which is in
in
righteousness; that the
righteousness; that the man of of God may
may be
be complete,
complete, furnished
furnished
completely unto every
completely good work."
every good work." 2 2 Tim. 3:16,
3:16, 17, Revised Ver-
17, Revised Ver-
sion.
sion.
the fact
Yet the that God has
fact that has revealed
revealed His will to
His will to men through
through
His Word, hashas not
not rendered
rendered needless the continued
needless the presence and
continued presence
guiding
guiding of the Holy
of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit. On the the contrary,
contrary, the
the Spirit
Spirit was
was prom-
prom-
ised by our Saviour,
ised by Saviour, toto open
open thethe Word to to His
His servants,
servants, to illumi-
to illumi-
nate apply its
nate and apply its teachings. And since
teachings. since it
it was
was the
the Spirit of God
Spirit of
that inspired
that the Bible,
inspired the Bible, itit is
is impossible
impossible that
that the
the teaching
teaching of the
of the
Spirit snould ever
Spirit should be contrary
ever be contrary to to that
that of the Word.-The
of the Word. The Great Great
Controversy,
Controversy, Introduction,
Introduction, p. p. vii.
vii.
Adventists hold the

While Adventists the writings
writings of Ellen G.
of Ellen G.
White inin highest
highest esteem, yet
esteem, yet these
these are
are not
not the
the source
source of
of
our expositions.
our expositions. We base base our teachings
teachings on the the Scrip-
Scrip-
tures, the only
tures, the only foundation of
of all
all true
true Christian
Christian doctrine.
doctrine.
However, it
However, it is
is our belief
belief that
that the
the Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit opened
opened
to her
to her mind important
important events
events and called
called her to
her to give
give
certain
certain instructions
instructions for these last
for these last days.
days. And inasmuch
as these
as these instructions,
instructions, in in our understanding,
understanding, are are in
in har-
har-
mony
mony with
with the
the Word of
of God,
God, which Word alone
alone is
is
able to
able to make us us wise
wise unto salvation,
salvation, we as
as a
a denomina-
denomina-
tion accept
tion accept them as as inspired
inspired counsels
counsels from the the Lord.
Lord.
But we havehave never
never equated
equated them with
with Scripture
Scripture as
as
some falsely charge.
falsely charge. Mrs.
Mrs. White herself
herself stated
stated explicitly
explicitly
the
the relation
relation of her writings
of her writings toto the Bible:
the Bible:
Little
Little heed is
is given to
given to the
the Bible,
Bible, and the
the Lord has given
given aa
lesser light
lesser light to
to lead
leadmen and women to greater light.-The
the greater
to the light. The
Review and Herald,
Review Herald, Jan.
Jan. 20,
20, 1903.
1903.
"The Lord designs
designs to
to warn you,
you, toto reprove,
reprove, to
to counsel,
counsel,
through the testimonies
through the testimonies given,
given, and toto impress
impress your
your minds with
with
the importance of
the importance the truth
of the truth of word."-Testimonies
of His word." for the
Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 5,
Church, vol. 5, p.
p. 665.
665.
While Seventh-day
While Seventh-day Adventists recognize that
Adventists recognize that the
the
Scripture
Scripture canon
canon closed
closed nearly
nearly two thousand years ago
years ago
94
94 QUESTIONS
and that there have been
that there additions to
been no additions to this
this compila-
compila-
tion of sacred books, yet
tion of sacred books, yet we believe
believe that
that the Spirit
the of
Spirit of
God,
God, who inspiredinspired the Divine Word known to
the Divine to usus asas
the
the Bible,
Bible, has has pledged
pledged to
to reveal
reveal Himself to
to the
the church
through
through the the different
different gifts
gifts of the Spirit.
of the Spirit. The apostle apostle
Peter in
Peter in giving
giving his his explanation
explanation of of the
the happenings
happenings of of
Pentecost quoted
Pentecost quoted from the
the prophecy
prophecy of
of Joel
Joel and ap-
ap-
plied that
plied that prophecy
prophecy to to thethe evident
evident outworking
outworking of the
of the
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit on that
that memorable day.
day. And the
the .apostle
.apostle
Paul,speaking
Paukspeaking of the different
of the different gifts that God had placed
gifts that placed
in the
in the church,
church, said:
said: "And he he gave
gave some,
some, apostles;
apostles; and
some, prophets; and some,
some, prophets; some, evangelists;
evangelists; and some,
some, pas-pas-
tors,
tors, and teachers;
teachers; for
for the
the perfecting
perfecting of
of the
the saints, for
saints, for
the work of
the the ministry,
of the ministry, for the edifying
for the edifying of of the
the body
body of of
Christ"
Christ" (Eph.(Eph. 4: II, 12).
4:11, 12).
And how long were these
long were these gifts
gifts to to continue
continue in in the
the
church? "Till
church? "Till we all all come in in the unity of
the unity of the
the faith,
faith, and
of the
of knowledge of
the knowledge the Son of
of the of God,
God, untounto aa perfect
perfect
man,
man, untounto the the measure of of thethe stature
stature of the fulness
of the fulness of of
Christ:
Christ: thatthat we henceforth
henceforth be be no more children,children, tossed
tossed
to and fro,
to and fro, and carried
carried about about with with every
every wind of of
doctrine,
doctrine, by by thethe sleight
sleight of of men,
men, and cunning cunning crafti- crafti-
ness, whereby they
ness, whereby they lielie in in wait
wait to deceive" (verses
to deceive" (verses
13, 14).
13, 14). d-
So long
long as as God's children
children would be be beset
beset by by the
the
cunning
cunning craftiness
craftiness of
of the
the spirit
spirit of
of evil,
evil, just
just so
so long
long
would the the church need need thesethese special
special gifts. Moreover,
gifts. Moreover,
the same apostle
the apostle declared
declared that the church that
that the that would be be
waiting
waiting for for the
the coming
coming of of the
the Lord Jesus Jesus would "come
behind in in no gift,"
gift," that
that they
they "may"may be
be blameless in
blameless the
in the
day
day of
of our Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ"
Christ" (1
(1 Cor.
Cor. 1:7, 8).
1:7, 8).
It is
It is not
not our understanding
understanding that that these
these gifts
gifts ofof the
the
95
Spirit
Spirit take the the place
place of the Word of
of the God, nor
of God, nor does
does their
theii
acceptance
acceptance make unnecessary the
unnecessary the Scripture of truth. On
Scripture of truth.
the contrary,
the contrary, the the acceptance
acceptance of of God's
God's Word will will lead
lead
people to
God's people to a recognition
recognition and acceptance acceptance of of thethe
manifestations of
manifestations the Spirit.
of the Spirit. Such manifestations
manifestations will,
will,
of course,
of course, be in in harmony
harmony with with the the Word of of God.
God. We
know that that some earnest
earnest Christians
Christians have have thethe impression
impression
that these
that these gifts
gifts ceased
ceased with
with the
the apostolic
apostolic church.
church. But
Adventists believe
Adventists believe that the closing
that the closing of
of the
the Scripture
Scripture
canon did not terminateterminate Heaven's communication with with
men through
through the the gifts
gifts of the Spirit,
of the Spirit,* * but
but rather
rather that that
Christ
Christ by by the
the ministry
ministry of of His Spirit guides
Spirit guides His
His people,
people,
edifying and strengthening
edifying strengthening them, them, and especially
especially so so in in
these last challenging
these last challenging days days of
of human history.
history. And it
it is
is
the Holy
the Holy Spirit
Spirit who divides
divides "to every man severally
"to every severally as as
he will"
will" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 12: 11).
12:11). It
It is
is God who bestows
bestows the
the
gifts, and it
gifts, it is
is God Himself who takes the responsibility
takes the responsibility
for
for these manifestations of
these manifestations the Spirit
of the among
Spirit among the the bebe-
lievers. He calls
lievers. calls one herehere and one there there and makes them
the depositories
the depositories of of specific
specific spiritual gifts.
spiritual gifts. He callscalls one
to be
to be an apostle,
apostle, one an evangelist,
evangelist, another
another a
a pastor
pastor or or
a teacher,
a teacher, and to to another He gives gives the
the gift
gift of
of prophecy.
prophecy.
It is
It is our understanding
understanding that that all these gifts
all these will be
gifts will
in evidenc~,~in the
in evidenc%in the church which will will be "waitin.6"
"waiting for for
the coming of
the coming of our Lord'*
Lord" (I (1 Cor.
Cor. 1:7).
1:7). Our interpreta-
interpreta-
tion of
tion of Bible
Bible prophecy
prophecy leadsleads us us to
to believe
believe that that those
those
who make up up thethe remnant people people of of God in in the last last
days
days of
of the
the history
history of
of the
the church will
will meet the
the full
full fury
fury
of the
of the dragon's
dragon's powerpower as goes forth
as he goes forth to to make war on
those
those who "keep
"keep the
the commandments of
of God,
God, and have
the testimony of
the testimony of Jesus
Jesus Christ"
Christ" (Rev. (Rev. 12: 17). That
12:17).
it See
* A. G.
See A. G. Daniell" Abiding Gift
Daniells, Abiding of Prophecy.
Gift of Prophecy.
96
QUESTIONS
expression
expression "testimony
"testimony ofof Jesus" is clearly
Jesus" Is clearly defined,
defined, we
believe, by
believe, by the
the angel in Revelation
angel In Revelation 19: 1O. He says
19:10. says to
to
John: "The testimony
John: testimony of Jesus Is
of Jesus is the
the spirit
spirit of
of prophecy."
prophecy."
Commenting
Commenting on this,
this, James
James Moffat says:
Moffat says:
"F<?r the
"For the testimony
testimony or witness of
or witness of (i.e., is (i.e.,
borne by) Jesus is
(i.e., borne by) Jesus (i.e.,
constitutes) the
constitutes) the spirit
spirit of prophecy." This
of prophecy." This ...
. specifically
. . defines
specifically defines
the brethren
the brethren who hold
hold the testimony of
Jesus as
as possessors of
possessors of
prophetic inspiration.
prophetic inspiration. The testimony
testimony of
of Jesus
Jesus is
is practically
practically equiv·
equiv-
alent to
alent to Jesus
Jesus testifying
testifying (xxii. 20). It
(xxii. 20). is the
It is the self-revelation of
self-revelation of
Jesus
Jesus (according to i.
(according to i. 1,
1, due ultimately to God)
ultimately to which moves the
God) which the
Christian prophets.-The
Christian prophets. Expositor'S Greek Testament,
The Expositor's Testament, vol.
vol. 5,
5,
p.465.
p. 465.
The Spirit
Spirit of prophecy is
of prophecy is Intimately
intimately related
related to to the
the
gift
gift of
of prophecy,
prophecy, the
the one being
being the
the Spirit
Spirit that
that indites
indites
the prophecy,
the prophecy, the the other
other thethe evidence
evidence of the gift
of the gift be-
be-
stowed.
stowed. They go together,
They go together, each
each inseparably
inseparably connected
connected
with the other.
with the other. The gift gift is
is the manifestation of
the manifestation of that
that
which thethe Spirit
Spirit ofof God bestows
bestows uponupon him whom, ac-
whom, ac-
cording to
cording to His own good purpose and plan,
good purpose plan, He selects
selects
as the
as one through
the one through whom such such spiritual
spiritual guidance
guidance is Is to
to
come. Seventh-day
Adventists believe
believe that
that this
this gift
gift was
was
manifested
manifested in the life
in the life and ministry
ministry ofof Ellen
Ellen G. G. White.
White.
Briefly then,
Briefly then, this
this is
is the
the Adventist
Adventist understanding
understanding of of
Ellen
Ellen G. G. White's writi~gs. They
White's writings. They have
have been
been forfor aa hun-
hun·
dred years,
dred years, toto use
use her
her own expression.
expression, "a
"a lesser
lesser light"
light"
leading sincere
leading sincere men and women to to "the,greater
"the greater light."
light."
To answer
answer the last p~:-t
the last part of
of the question. concerning
the question, concerning
the matter
the matter of church fellowship.
of church fellowship, we would say that
say that
while we revere
while revere thethe writings
writings of
of Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White, and
White, and
expect
expect allall who join
join the
the church to to accept the doctrine
accept the doctrine of of
spiritual
spiritual gifts
gifts as manifested in
as manifested in her experience,
experience. we do do
not make acceptance
not acceptance of her writings
of her writings aa matter
matter forfor church
church
discipline.
discipline. She herself
herself was
was explicit
explicit on this
this point. Speak.
point. Speak-
97
ing of those
ing of those who did not funy understand the
fully understand the gift, she
gift, she
said:
said:
Such should not be deprived
deprived of the benefits
of the benefits and privileges
privileges of
of
the church,
the church, if
if their
their Christian
Christian course otherwise correct,
is otherwise
course is correct, and
they have formed a good
they good Christian character.-Testimonies
Christian character. Testimonies tOT
for
the Church, vol.
the Church, vol. 1, p. 328.
1, p. 328.
J. N. Andrews,
J. Andrews, one of
of the founding fathers
the founding fathers of
of the
the
Advent Movement,
Movement, wrote in
in 1870:
1870:
We therefore
therefore do not test the world in
test the any manner by
in any by these
these
gifts.
gifts. Nor do we in in our intercourse
intercourse with
with other
other religious
religious bodies
bodies
who areare striving
striving to
to walk in the fear
in the fear of
of God,
God, in
in any
any way
way make
these aa test
these test of
of Christian
Christian character.-The
character. Review and
The Review and Herald,
Herald,
Feb.
Feb. 15,
15, 1870.
1870.
James
James White,
White, thrice
thrice General Conference president,president,
speaking
speaking of
of the
the work of
of Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White,
White, expressly
expressly
declares that Adventists
declares that Adventists believe
believe that
that God called
called her
her "to
"to
do aa special
special work at
at this
this time, among
time, among this
this people.
people.
They do not,
They however, make aa belief
not, however, belief in this work
in this
aa test of Christian
test of Christian fellowship."-The
fellowship." The Review and
Herald, June
Herald, June 13,13, 1871,
1871, p.p. 205.
205.
And this
this has
has been our consistent
consistent attitude throughout
attitude throughout
our history.
our history. However,
However, if if one who holdsholds membership
membership in in
our church
our church loses
loses confidence
confidence in these counsels
in these counsels and later
later
stirs up enmity
stirs up enmity among
among the believers, we reserve
the believers, reserve the
the right
right
to disfeUowship
to disfellowship such from the
the body.
body. But such
such action
action
will not
will not bebe taken
taken because
because of of one's
one's lack
lack ofof confidence inin
these writings,
these writings, but rather
rather because
because the
the one disaffected
disaffected
is stirring
is stirring upup strife
strife among
among the the believers.
believers.
After men and women have had evidence
After evidence that
that the
the work is of
is of
God, and then

God, then join
join hands with those
those who fight against it,
fight against it, our
people claim
people claim the
the right
right to
to separate
separate from such.
such.-Ibid.
Ibid.
F.
F. M. Wilcox,
Wilcox, for thirty-five years
for thirty-five years editor
editor of the
of the
Review and
Review and Herald,
Herald) our church paper,
paper, says:
says:
4
98
QUESTIONS
In the
In the practice
practice ofof the
the church it has
church it has not
not been
been customary
customary toto
dis£eUowship one
disfellowship one because
because he
he did
did not
not recognize
recognize the
the doctrine
doctrine of
of
spiritual gifts.
spiritual gifts. . . . A member of
... of the
the church
church should
should notnot be
be ex-
ex-
cluded from
cluded from membership
membership because
because of
of his
his inability
inability toto recognize
recognize
clearly the
clearly the doctrine
doctrine ofof spiritual
spiritual gifts
gifts and its
its application
application toto the
the
second advent
second movement.-The
advent movement. Testimony of
The Testimony of Jesus,
Jesus, pp.
pp. 141-143.
141-143.
statements reflect
These statements reflect our consistent
consistent attitude
attitude
through
through the
the years,
years, and this
this is
Is our position today.
position today.
IV. Questions on
IV. Questions the Law
on the Law and
and Legalism
legalism
Christ the
Christ the Heart
Heart of the
of
the Advent
Advent Message
Message
QUESTION 10
not the
Are not the spiritual
spiritual content
content and evan-
evan-
gelical
gelical emphasis of
emphasis of your
your "Voice ofof Prophecy"
Prophecy"
radio program and "Faith
radio program for Today'
"Faith for Today" telecast
telecast
9
a rather
a rather far
far cry
cry from
from the
the doctrinal
doctrinal and legal
legal core
core
of Adventismf
of Adventism? Are they
they not rather
rather a bid for
for good
good
will, and a subtle
will, subtle attempt
attempt to
to draw those
those who
enroll in
enroll in your
your proffered
proffered Bible
Bible courses
courses to
to gradu-
gradu-
ally accept
ally accept the
the doctrinal
doctrinal and legal
legal heart
heart of
of Ad-
ventism? Is
ventism? Is this
this doctrinal
doctrinal and legalistic
legalistic emphasis
emphasis
reflection Of
a reflection the counsels
of the counsels of
of Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White?
In the
In the evangelistic
evangelistic activities
activities of
of Seventh-day
Seventh-day Advent-
ists,
ists, whether by by means ofof radio
radio programs, public serv-
programs, public serv-
ices,
ices, oror literature,
literature, there
there is
is no attempt
attempt at
at subtlety
subtlety or
effort
effort to
to deceive.
deceive. The heart
heart ofof the message is
the Advent message is
Christ
Christ and Him crucified.
crucified.
May
May we say say inin simple
simple sincerity
sincerity thatthat Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventists
Adventists hold
hold that
that Christianity
Christianity is
is not merely
merely an in-
in-
tellectual
tellectual assent
assent to
to a
a body
body of
of doctrines,
doctrines, no matter how
true
true or
or orthodox.
orthodox. We believe that Christianity
believe that Christianity isis a real
real
experience
experience withwith Christ.
Christ. Christianity
Christianity is
is a
a relationship
relationship
to
to a
a Person-our
Person our blessed
blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Jesus Christ.
Christ.
It
It is
is possible
possible to
to know a a thousand things
things about Christ,
Christ,
and yet
yet never
never know Him. Such a
a situation,
situation, of
of course,
course,
101
101
102
QUESTIONS
leaves the
leaves the professing
professing Christian
Christian as
as far
far from God as is the
as is the
lost sinner.
lost sinner.
We, as
We, as Adventists,
Adventists, definitely believe in
definitely believe in doctrine.
r/,octrine.
We holdhold a a unified
unified body body of of Biblical
Biblical truth.
truth. But that that
which saves is grace alone,
which saves is grace alone, through faith through faith in
in the
the living
living
Christ. And similarly,
Christ. similarly, that justifies is
that which justifies is His freefree
blessed grace.
and blessed grace. We likewise
likewise believe
believe in
in works,
works, and in
in
full
full obedience
obedience to to the
the will
will and commandments of of God.
But the works in
the works which we believe,
in which believe, and that that we seek seek
to perform,
to perform, are are thethe result,
result, or or fruitage,
fruitage, of of salvation,
salvation, not not
aa means to to salvation,
salvation, in in whole or or in part. And the
in part. the
obedience
obedience that
that we render is
is the
the loving response
loving response of
of a
a
life that
life that isis saved
saved by by grace.
grace. Salvation
Salvation is is never
never earned;
earned; it it
is
is aa gift
gift from
from God through
through Jesus Jesus Christ.
Christ. Otherwise,
Otherwise,
however sincere
however sincere the the effort may be,
effort may be, works
works frustrate
frustrate the the
grace of
grace of God (Gal. 2:21).
(Gal. 2:21).
We also
also believe
believe thatthat a a specific message is
specific message is due the the
world
world today,
today, and that
that we were
were called
called into
into being
being to
to have
a part
a part in proclaiming it.
in proclaiming it. But again, that
again, that message
message is is
simply
simply the the everlasting gospel in
everlasting gospel the setting
in the setting of of God's
great judgment
great judgment hour,
hour, the
the imminent second
second coming
coming of of
LOYd, and the
our Lord, preparation of
the preparation of men to
to meet God.
But thatthat which prepares people to
prepares people to meet God is is not
merely
merely a
a warning message,
warning message, but
but the
the saving gospel. This
saving gospel.
great
great fundamental truth
truth is
is ever
ever before
before us, and in
us, in our
hearts and our endeavors.
hearts endeavors.
We repeat,
vVe repeat, this this emphasis
emphasis is not something
is not
something subtle,subtle, asas
suggested
suggested in
in the
the question.
question. It
It is
is not
not a
a lure,
lure, or
or trick,
trick, or
or
bait. It
bait. is, instead,
It is, instead, a a serious
serious endeavor to put first
to put first things
things
definitely first
definitely first inin our public presentations, and to
public presentations, let
to let
the
the world see see and hear and know that that the
the heart
heart burden
burden
of Adventism is
of is Christ.
Christ and His His salvation.
salvation.
HEART OF THE ADVENT MESSAGE 103
103
As to
to EllenG. White's counsels
Ellen. G. White's counsels on these
these matters,
matters,
her messages
her for
messages for more than
than half a century have
half a century con-
have con-
sistently
sistently called for an uplifting
called for uplifting of Christ and for
of Christ pri-
for pri-
mary
mary emphasis upon full
emphasis upon full salvation in Him. Here are
salvation in are a
a
few excerpts
excerpts from her
her writings:
writings:
aU professing
Of all professing Christians,
Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should
Seventh-day Adventists should
be foremost in uplifting Christ
in uplifting before the
Christ before the world.
world .... The great
great. . .
center of attraction,
center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not
Christ Jesus, not be
be left
left out.
out. It
It is at
is at
the cross
the of Christ
cross of that mercy
Christ that mercy and truth
truth meet
meet together,
together, and right-
right-
eousness and peace
eousness peace kiss each other.-Gospel
kiss each other. Gospel Workers,
Workers, p.p. 156.
156.
Lift up
Lift up Jesus,
Jesus, you
you that
that teach
teach the
the people,
people, lift
lift Him up
up in
in ser-
ser-
mon, in
mon, in song,
song, in prayer. Let
in prayer. Let all your powers
all your powers be directed
directed to
to
pointing souls,
pointing souls, confused, bewildered, lost,
confused, bewildered, to "the
lost, to "the Lamb of God."
of God."
... Let
. . Let the
. the science
science of of salvation
salvation be be the
the burden of of every
every sermon,
sermon,
the theme of
the of every
every song.
song. LetLet itit be
be poured
poured forthforth in every suppli-
in every suppli-
cation.
cation. Bring nothing into
Bring nothing into your
your preaching
preaching to to supplement
supplement Christ, Christ,
the wisdom and power
the power of of Cod.-Ibid.,
God. Ibid., p. p. 160.
160.
Present
Present the the truth
truth asas itit is in Jesus,
is in making plain
Jesus, making plain the the require-
require-
ments of the law and the
of the the gospel. Present Christ,
gospel. Present Christ, the the way,
way, the the
truth, and the
truth, the life,
life, and tell
tell ofof His power to
His power to save
save allall who come to to
Him.-Ibid.,
Him. p_ 154.
Ibid., p. 154.
Christ crucified
Christ crucified for for ourour sins,
sins, Christ risen from
Christ risen from the dead,
the dead,
Christ ascended on high,
Christ ascended high, is is the
the science
science ofof salvation
salvation that that we are to
are to
learn and to
learn to teach
teach.. . . . It
... It is
is through the
through the gift gift ofof Christ that we
Christ that
receive every blessing.-Testimonies
receive every blessing. Testimonies for for the
the Church,
Church, vol. vol. 8,8, pp.
pp.
287,288.
287, 288.
No discourse
discourse should
should ever ever bebe preached
preached withoutwithout presenting
presenting
Christ and Him crucified
Christ crucified as as the foundation of
the foundation the gospel.
of the gospel. Min-
isters would reach
isters reach more hearts hearts ifif they
they would dwell more upon upon
practical godliness.-Gospel
practical godliness. Gospel Workers,
Workers, pp. pp. 158,
158, 159.
159.
Christ
Christ and and His
His righteousness,-let
righteousness, this be our platform,
let this platform, the the
very
very life of our
life of faith.-The
our faith. The Review and Herald, Herald, Aug. Aug. 31,31, 1905.
1905.
The sacrifice
sacrifice ofof Christ
Christ as as an atonement for for sinsin is
is the great
the great
truth around which
truth which allall other
other truths
truths cluster.
cluster. In orderorder to to be rightly
rightly
understood and appreciated,
understood appreciated, every truth in
every truth in the
the Word of of God,
God,
from Genesis
from Genesis to to Revelation,
Revelation, must be studied studied in the light
in the light that
that
streams
streams from the the cross
cross ofof Calvary.-Gospel
Calvary. Gospel Workers,
Workers, p. p. 315.
315.
The message
message of of the
the gospel
gospel of His grace
of His grace was to to be given
given to to the
the
church
church in in clear
clear and distinct
distinct lines, that the
lines, that the world should no
QUESTIONS
longer say
longer that Seventh-day
say that Adventists talk
Seventh-day Advendsts talk the
the law, the law,
law, the but
law, but
do not teach believe Christ.-Testimonies
teach or believe Christ. Testimonies to Ministers, p.
to Ministers, p. 92.
92.
these typical
From these typical quotations it is
quotations it is evident
evident that
that Ad-
ventists
ventists do not and could not logically
logically derive
derive any
any
legalistic emphasis
legalistic emphasis from Ellen
EBen G. White.
'The
The Basis and Fruitage
and Fruitage
of
of
Christian
Christian Experience
Experience
QUESTION
QUESTION 11
Can one who holds

holds Seventh-day
Adventist
views have the
views the assurance in his
assurance in his soul
soul of
of present
present
salvation, of
salvation, of sins
sins forgiven,
forgiven, and of full acceptance
of full acceptance
with the
the Lord? Or does
does he have to live in
to live in un-
un-
certainty, pending whatever
certainty, pending whatever decision might be
decision might
rendered in the
the investigative
investigative judgment? And is
judgment? is
not this
this uncertainty
uncertainty reflected
reflected in
in the
the writings
writings of
of
Ellen G. White?
Ellen
truly understands
One who truly understands and accepts
accepts the
the teach-
teach-
ings
ings of
of the
the Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventist Church can
can assuredly
assuredly
that he is
know that is born again,
again, and that
that he
he isis fully ac-
fully ac-
cepted by
cepted by the Lord. He has
the Lord. has in his soul
in his soul the
the assurance
assurance
of present
of present salvation,
salvation, and need be in uncertainty
in no uncertainty
whatsoever. In fact,
whatsoever. may know this
fact, he may this so
so fully
fully that
that he
can truly "rejoice
truly "rejoice in
in the
the Lord" (Phil. 4:4)
(Phil. 4:4) and in "the
God of of his
his salvation" (Ps. 24:5).
salvation" (Ps. 24:5). As the
the foregoing
foregoing
questions touch the
questions plan of
the whole plan of God's salvation
salvation for
for
man, we would call
man, call attention
attention to the following
to the following provi-
provi-
sions.
sions.
I. God's
I. God's Plan and Provision of Redemption
Provision of Redemption
1.
1. THE
THE INITIATIVE IN THE PLAN OF SALVATION Is
FROM GOD,
GOD, NOT FROM MAN.
MAN.-"All things," we read,
"All things," read,
"are
"are ofof [Gr.
[Gr. ek,
ek, "out of"]
of"] God" (2
(2 Cor.
Cor. 5: 18).
5:18). We
105
105
106 QUESTIONS
know that
that He "hath reconciled
reconciled us"us" (verse
(verse 18);
18); that
that
"God was in in Christ,
Christ, reconciling
reconciling the the world
world unto
unto him-
self"
self" (verse 19);
(verse 19); that
that it
it was
was not
not we who first
first loved
loved
God,
God, but He loved loved usus (l John 4:9,
(1 John 4:9, 10);10); that
that Christ
Christ
is
is the
the "propitiation
"propitiation for for our sins"
sins" (1(1 John
John 2:2);
2:2); and
that. "we were reconciled
that ."we reconciled to to God by by the
the death of of his
his
Son" (Rom. 5:
(Rom. 5:10). 10). All
All this
this comes to
to us
us "according
"according to to
the
the gift
gift of
of the
the grace
grace of
of God" (Eph. 3:7).
(Eph. 3:7). And inasmuch
as
as the
the writings
writings of of Ellen
Ellen G.G. White have been mentioned,
mentioned,
we shall
shall quote
quote a a number of of her
her statements
statements thatthat are
are
clear
clear and consistent
consistent on the the fundamental principles
principles of of
personal
personal salvation
salvation and Christian
Christian experience.
experience. For ex-
ex-
ample,
ample, on this
this point:
point:
Grace is
is an attribute
attribute of
of God exercised toward undeserving
exercised toward undeserving
human beings.
beings. We diddid not
not seek
seek for
for it, but it
it, but was sent
it was sent in
in search
search of
of
us. God rejoices
us. rejoices to
to bestow His grace
bestow His upon us,
grace upon us, not
not because
because we are
are
worthy, but because
worthy, but because we are
are so
so utterly unworthy. Our only
utterly unworthy. only claim
claim
to His mercy
to mercy is great need.-The
is our great need. Ministry of
The Ministry of Healing,
Healing, p,
p. 161.
161.
4.
!?. CHRIST Is
Is THE ONLY SAVIOUR OF LOST MANKIND.
-There is, and can be,

There is, be, no other
other Saviour. This' thought
Saviour. This thought
was long
was long ago
ago brought
brought home to to God's
God's ancient
ancient people.
people.
Said Jehovah,
Jehovah, "I,
"I, even I,
I, am the
the Lord;
Lord; and beside
beside me
there
there is no saviour"
is (Isa. 43:11);
saviour" (Isa. 43: II); "There isis no God
else beside
else beside me;
me; a just
just God and aa Saviour
Saviour..... Look unto
. . . unto
me, and be ye
me, ye saved"
saved" (Isa.
(Isa. 45:21,
45:21, 22).
22). (See
(See also
also Isa.
Isa. 60:
60:
16;
16; Hosea 13:4.)
13:4.)
Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ our Lord is is the
the only
only foundation
foundation (1 (1 Cor.
Cor.
3: II);
3:11); His name is
is the
the only
only name "whereby
"whereby we must
saved" (Acts
be saved" (Acts 4:12).
4: 12). This thought
thought-that there is
that there is
salvation in
salvation in no other
other-was highlighted in
was highlighted in the
the statement
statemept
made to to Joseph
Joseph concerning
concerning the the work of of Jesus,
Jesus, "He
shall save
shall save his
his people
people from their their sins"
sins" (Matt. 1: 21).
(Matt. 1:21).
BASIS AND FRUITAGE 107
107
The literal rendering of

literal rendering the Greek text
of the text is,is, "He himself
himself
shall
shall save
save hishis people/'
people." "Christ
"Christ JesusJesus came into into thethe
world to
world to save
save sinners"
sinners" (1 (I Tim. 1:15);
1:15); He alone
alone "is
"is
able
able also
also to to save
save them to to the uttermost" (Heb.
the uttermost" (Heb. 7:25).
7:25).
That understanding
understanding is is basic.
basic. Only
Only in in and through
through Christ
Christ
can we be be saved.
saved.
3. MAN CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF;
3. HIMSELF; IN IN AND OF OF HIMSELF
HE IsIs HOPELESSLY LOST. LOST.- (a) (a) There is
is no salvation In
salvation in
man for for man. No man can "redeem his his brother"
brother" (Ps. (Ps.
49:7).
49:7). (b)
(6) Without the
the salvation
salvation provided
provided in
in Christ
Christ
Jesus
Jesus our Lord,Lord, man would be be hopelessly
hopelessly lost. lost. "There is is
righteous, no,
none righteous, no, not
not one"
one" (Rom. 3:
(Rom. 3:10); 10); "There is
is
none thatthat doeth good, good, no,no, notnot one"

one" (verse(verse 12);12); "All
"All
have sinned,
sinned, and come short short of of the
the glory
glory of
of God"
(verse
(verse 23).23). There is is therefore
therefore no hope hope outside
outside of of
Jesus
Jesus the
the Saviour.
Saviour. Isaiah
Isaiah graphically
graphically describes
describes the
the nat-
nat-
ural condition
ural condition of of man: "The whole head is is sick,
sick, and
the
the whole heart heart faint.
faint. From the the sole
sole of of thethe foot
foot even
unto the
unto head there
the head there isis no soundness in in it;it; but
but wounds,
wounds,
and bruises,
bruises, and putrifying sores" (Isa.
putrifying sores" (Isa. 1:5, 6). I: 5, 6).
Jeremiah
Jeremiah adds,
adds, "The heart heart is deceitful above all
is deceitful all
things,
things, and desperately
desperately wicked" (Jer.
(Jer. 17:9).
17:9). The
apostle
apostle Paul Paul declares that the
declares that the man who is is "without
God" has has "no

"no hope"
hope" (Eph. 2: 12). He is
(Eph. 2:12). is even "dead in in
trespasses and sins"
trespasses sins" (verse
(verse 1). Consequently, if
1). Consequently,
if man
is to
is to be
be saved, help-divine
saved, help help-must
divine help must come to to his
his aid.
aid.
4.
4. SINCE
SINCE MAN Is
Is DEAD IN
IN SIN,
SIN, EVEN THE INITIAL
INITIAL
PROMPTINGS TO A
PROMPTINGS A BETTER LIFE MUST COME FROM GOD.
-Christ
Christ is is the
the true
true light,
light, who "lighteth
"lighteth every every man that that
cometh
cometh into into the world" (John
the world" (John 1:9).1:9). This light,
light, in some
way known only
way only toto Divine
Divine Providence, penetrates the
Providence, penetrates the
darkness
darkness of of human hearts hearts and kindleskindles the the first
first spark
spark
108
QUESTIONS
of desire
of desire after
after God. If
God. the soul
If the soul begins
begins to to seek
seek for for God,
God,
then "the
then "the Father Father which hath sent
sent me [Christ]"
[Christ]" will will
"draw him [the
"draw [the seeker]"
seeker]" (John(John 6:44).
6:44). Again,
Again, "And I, I,
if II be
if be lifted
lifted up
up from
from the the earth,
earth, will
will draw all all men unto
me" (John(John 12:32).
12:32). So So even
even thethe desire
desire to repent
repent comes
from above,
from above, forfor Jesus
Jesus ourour Saviour
Saviour gives "repentance"
gives "repentance"
"forgiveness of
grants "forgiveness
and grants of sins"
sins" (Acts 5:31).
(Acts 5:31).
complete change
The complete change thusthus wrought
wrought in in the
the human
heart is
heart is not
not byby an
an act
act ofof our
our own wills,
wills, certainly
certainly not not byby
ethical uplift
ethical uplift or
or social
social reform
reform endeavor,
endeavor, but wholly wholly by by
the new birth.
the birth. We are are to to be "born again again ["from["from
above," margin]"
above," margin]" (John (John 3:3);
3:3); "born of of God" (l John
(1 John
3:9); born
3:9); born of of the
the Holy Spirit (John
Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6); born3:5, 6);
through the
through the Word of of God (1 (1 Peter
Peter 11:23, :23, R.S.V.).
R.S.V.).
Truly
Truly then,
then, this
this is
is a
a work of
of divine
divine grace.
grace. In
In a
a very real
very real
sense
sense we are are "his
"his workmanship" (Eph.
workmanship" (Eph. 2:10). 2: 10). In the
the
act
act ofof "regeneration"
"regeneration" God saves us)' it
saves us; is He who sheds
it is sheds
on us
on us the Holy Spirit
the Holy (Titus
Spirit (Titus 3:5,
3:5, 6).
6).
5.
5. NOTHING "\VE WE CAN EVER Do WILL MERIT THE
FAVOR OF GOD.-Saivation
GOD. Salvation is is of
of grace.
grace. It It isis grace
grace thatthat
"bringeth
"bringeth salvation"
salvation" (Titus(Titus 2: II). It
2:11). It is
is "through
"through the the
grace
grace of
of the
the Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ we shall
shall be saved"
saved" (Acts
(Acts
15: 11). We are
15:11). are not savedsaved byby "works" (Rom. (Rom. 4:6; 4:6; Eph.
Eph.
2:9;
2:9; 2 2 Tim. 1:9), 1:9), even thoughthough they they be be good
good works
(Titus 3:5),
(Titus 3:5), or
or even "wonderful works" (Matt. (Matt. 7:22).
7:22).
Neither can we be saved saved by by "law" (Rom.
(Rom. 8:3), 8: 3), nor by
by
the
the "deeds"
"deeds" or or the
the "works" of of the
the lawlaw (Rom.(Rom. 3:20,3:20,
28; Gal. 3:2,
28; Gal. 3:2, 5,
5, 10).
10). And neither
neither the the "law of of Moses,"
Moses,"
nor thethe Decalogue
Decalogue can can save
save us us (Acts
(Acts 13:39;
13:39; Rom. 7: 7:
7-10).
7-10). The law of
of God was never designed
designed to
to save
save men.
It
It is
is a
a looking
looking glass,
glass, inin which,
which, when we gaze, gaze, we see see our
our
sinfulness.
sinfulness. That is is as
as far
far as
as the
the law of of God can can go go with
109
sinful man. It
a sinful It can reveal
reveal his his sin,
sin, butbut is is powerless
powerless
to remove it,
to it, or
or toto save
save him from from itsits guilt
guilt and penalty
penalty
and power.
power.
But, thank God,
But, thank God, "what the the law
law could
could not not do,
do, in that
in that
it
it was weak through the
through the flesh"
flesh" (Rom.
(Rom. 8:3),8: 3), God did-
did
in
in the person of
the person of His Son.Son, In In Him a a fountain
fountain is is open
open
"for sin
sin and for uncleanness" (Zech.
for uncleanness" 13:1).
(Zech. 13:1). And into
into
this fount all
this all may plunge
may plunge and be
be "washed" from
from their
their
sins by Christ's
sins by Christ's own blood (Rev. I :5). Wonderful as
(Rev. 1:5). as it
it
may seem,
may seem, the the redeemed can can rejoice
rejoice now that
that they
they
"have washed their their robes,
robes, and made them white white in the
in the
blood of
blood of thethe Lamb" (Rev. 7:
(Rev. 7:14). 14). True it
it is
is that
that by
by
His grace
grace (Eph. (Eph. 2:5.2:5, 8), His mercy
8), His mercy (Titus(Titus 3:5), His
3:5), His
gift (Eph. 2:8),
gift (Eph. 2:8), His gospel (Rom.
gospel (Rom. 1:16), I: 16), and according
according
to purpose CRom.
to His purpose (Rom. 8:28),
8:28), we are are saved.
saved.
6. WHILE SALVATION Is
6. Is OF GOD,GOD, A A SURRENDER OF
THE WILL Is Is CALLED FOR. FOR.-AfterAfter thethe primary
primary prompt-
prompt-
ings
ings of
of the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of God,
God, and the
the magnetic draw-
magnetic
ings
ings of
of the
the love
love of
of God,
God, the
the soul
soul must accept, and
accept,
must yield
yield to,to, its
its great
great Deliverer.
Deliverer. This act
act of
of surrender,
surrender,
prompted by
prompted by divine
divine grace,
grace, makes it possible for
it possible for God to to
extend
extend to to the
the soul
soul allaU the
the wonderful
wonderful provisions
provisions of of His
bounty. This act,
bounty. act, oror attitude,
attitude, of of the
the soul
soul is is expressed
expressed
in various
in various ways ways in
in Holy Scripture:
Holy Scripture:
We are are to to believe-"whosoever
believe believeth in
"whosoever believeth in him"
(John 3:
(John 3:16); 16); to
to yield-"yield
yield yourselves
"yield yourselves unto God"
(Rom. 6:
(Rom. 6:13); 13); to
to submit-"submit
submit "submit yourselves
yourselves therefore
therefore
to
to God" (James (James 4:7);4:7); toto "mortify
"mortify the the deeds of of the
the
body" (Rom.
body" (Rom. 8:13) 8: 13)-literally
literally this
this means "put
"put to
to
death";
death"; to
to present
present our bodies
bodies to
to God-"present
God "present your your
bodies aa living
bodies living sacrifice"
sacrifice" (Rom.
(Rom. 12: 1); to
12:1); to reckon ourour-
selves
selves dead to to sin-"reckon
sin "reckon ye also yourselves
ye also yourselves to be to
110
QUESTIONS
dead indeed unto sin" sin" (Rom. 6: II); and to
(Rom. 6:11); to die unto
sin-"if
sin "if Christ
Christ be be in you, the
in you, the body
body is is dead
dead because
because of of
sin" (Rom. 8:
sin" (Rom. 10).
8:10).
Whatever is is represented by
represented by these these acts of the
acts of the will
will is
is
certainly
certainly not
not in
in the
the nature
nature of
of "works,"
"works," and does
does not
not
in the
in least degree
the least degree add to the efficacy
to the efficacy of of salvation.
salvation. No!
It rather
It denotes the
rather denotes the attitude
attitude of of the
the soul, responding to
soul, responding to
the overtures of
the overtures of God's
God's free
free grace
grace in in making
making possible
possible
the application, to
the application, to our hearts, of
our hearts, of the
the boundless
boundless bestowal
of
of the
the grace
grace of of God.
7. CHRISTIAN
7. CHRISTIAN LIFE LIFE AND EXPERIENCE Is Is AA GROWTH
IN GRACE.-The
IN GRACE. The Christian life is
Christian life is more than than the
the initial
initial
act
act ofof faith,
faith, oror that act of
that act of surrender in in accepting
accepting Jesus
Jesus
Christ
Christ as as Lord.
Lord. By By that
that act
act we pass
pass "from death unto
life" (John 5:24)
life" (John 5:24) and are
are "born again" (John
again" (John 3:3); 3:3);
but from
but from there
there on we must grow. grow. It It is the same in
is the physi-
in physi-
cal human life.
cal life. Birth is one thing.
Birth is thing. It is the
It is the beginning
beginning of of
life. But none
life. none would find find satisfaction
satisfaction in in aa child that did
child that
not grow.
not grow. It It is
is similarly
similarly God's purpose
purpose that that we should
"grow
"grow in
in grace,
grace, and in
in the
the knowledge
knowledge of
of our Lord and
Saviour
Saviour JesusJesus Christ"
Christ" (2 Peter 3:
(2 Peter 18). As spiritual
3:18). spiritual
babes we are
babes are to to partake
partake of
of "the
"the sincere
sincere milk of the
of the
word" (1 (1 Peter 2:2), but there
Peter 2:2), there must be be growth
growth so so
that we may
that may partake of needful
partake of needful "strong "strong meat" (Heb.
(Heb.
5:12,14).
5:12, 14).
n.
II. Believing in
Believing in Jesus
Jesus
Our Christian
Christian life is to
life is to be
be aa constant
constant attitude
attitude of
of
believing in Jesus.
believing in We
Jesus. We begin
begin by
by believing,
believing, and by grace
by grace
are to
we are to keep
keep on believing.
believing. We are
are notWe
not only
only to
to "yield,"
"yield,"
but to keep on yielding.
to keep yielding.
We are to "submit,"
are to "submit," and keep
keep
on submitting.
submitting. We are
are not only to "die"
only to to sin,
"die" to sin, but
but
BASIS AND FRUITAGE III
1 1 1
we are
are to "reckon"
''reckon" ourselves
ourselves dead unto
unto sin,
sin, and keep
keep
on reckoning. We are
reckoning. \Ve are to
to "present" our bodies
"present" our bodies to to God,
God,
keep on presenting
and keep presenting them to to God. All
All this
this is
is aa work
of
of grace.
grace.
Christian life
The Christian life calls
calls for constant surrender,
for constant surrender, con-con-
stant
stant consecration,
consecration, constant
constant yielding
yielding of
of the
the heart
heart and
life to
life to God. We,We, who were were dead in sin (Eph.
in sin (Eph. 2: 1), are
2:1), are
now dead to to sin
sin (Rom.
(Rom. 6:11).6: 11). We have
have identified
identified our-
our-
selves with Jesus
selves with Jesus in His death,
in His death, and so so have
have died with
died with
Him (Col.
(Col. 2:20);
2:20); in
in fact, our
fact, our "life
"life is
is hid
hid with
with Christ
Christ
in
in God" (Col. 3:3).
(Col. 3:3).
This thought
thought is beautifully expressed
is beautifully expressed through
through the the
Greek tenses
tenses inin the Testament. In
the New Testament. In John
John 3: 18, 36,
3:18, 36,
where we read read "he that that believeth,"
believeth," the the Greek form is is
the participle
the participle in in the present tense,
the present tense, the
the idea
idea being
being that
that
"the
"the one believing
believing on Him who continues continues to to believe"
believe"
and who "makes it it a life habit"
a life will be
habit" will be saved.
saved. The
present
present tense
tense with
with the
the idea
idea of
of continuance
continuance is
is also
also seen
seen
in the phrase
in the phrase "mortify
"mortify the
the deeds
deeds of
of the
the body" (Rom.
body" (Rom.
8: 13). The idea
8:13). idea isis that
that of of aa continuous
continuous attitude
attitude of of
putting to
putting to death the the lusts
lusts ofof thethe flesh.
flesh.
Ellen G.
Ellen G. White stated
stated it it this
this way:
way:
It is
It not safe
is not safe to
to be occasional Christians. We must be Christ-
occasional Christians. Christ·
like in
like our actions
in our actions all
all the time. Then,
the time. through grace,
Then, through grace, we are
are safe
safe
for time and for
for time Counsels to
for eternity.-Counsels
eternity. Parents, Teachers,
to Parents, Teachers, and
Students,
Students, p.p. 487.
487.
Again:
Again:
Divine grace
Divine grace is
is needed at
at the beginning, divine
the beginning, divine grace
grace at every
at every
step
step of
of advance,
advance, and divine
divine grace
grace alone
alone can complete
complete the
the work
work. .
. . . We may
. . . may have
have had aa measure of of the
the Spirit of God,
Spirit of God, but by by
prayer and faith
prayer faith we are
are continually
continually to seek more of
to seek of the
the Spirit.-
Spirit.
Testimonies
Testimonies to Ministers, p
to Ministers, p...508.
508.
112
112 QUESTIONS
HI.
III. Have No Confidence in the
Confidence In the Flesh
Flesh
In the
In the Christian
Christian lifelife there
there is is aa constant warfare.
constant warfare.
"For the flesh
'Tor the flesh lusteth
lusteth against
against the
the Spirit,
Spirit, a~d
and the
the Spirit
Spirit
against
against the
the flesh:
flesh: and these
these are
are contrary
contrary the
the one to
to the
the
other: so
other: that ye
so that ye cannot
cannot do do the
the things
things that that yeye would"
(GaL 5: 17).
(Gal 5:17). One who lives
lives after
after the
the flesh
flesh cannot please
please
God (Rom. 8:8),
(Rom. 8:8), for
for he
he who sows
sows to
to the
the flesh
flesh will
will reap
reap
corruption (Gal. 6:8). Living
corruption (Gal. 6:8). Living according according to
to the
the flesh
flesh
means death (Rom.
means death (Rom. 8: 13). The fact
8:13). fact is, that in
is, that in our flesh
flesh
is no good
is no good thing
thing (Rom.
(Rom. 7: 18).
7:18).
So
So we are
are toto "have
"have no confidence
confidence in in the
the flesh"
flesh" (Phil.
(Phil.
3:3).
3:3). While
While here
here in
in this
this vale
vale of
of tears
tears our hope
hope lieslies
solely
solely in
in Christ
Christ our Lord.
Lord. If
If we "walk in
in the
the Spirit"
Spirit"
we shall not "fulfill
shall not the lust
"fulfill the lust of the flesh"
of the (Gal. 5:
flesh" (Gal. 16).
5:16).
And even here and now,
even here victory may
now, victory may be be ours
ours ifif we enter
enter
into the
into the experience
experience of the apostle
of the apostle Paul:
Paul: "I
"I live;
live; yet not
yet not
I, but
I, but Christ
Christ liveth
liveth inin me: and the life which II now
the life
live in
live in the
the flesh
flesh II live
live by
by thethe faith
faith of the Son of
of the of God,
God,
who loved me, and gave
loved me, gave himself
himself for for me" (Gal. 2:20).
(Gal. 2:20).
m the
IV. Growth in
IV. the Christian
Christian Life
Life
Growth in the Christian
in the Christian life
life means intimate
intimate fellow-
fellow-
ship with Jesus
ship with Jesus Christ Lord. It
Christ our Lord. It means joy joy and as-as-
surance; and it
surance; it means constant
constant gratitude
gratitude to
to God for
for the
the
wonderful deliverance
deliverance He has wrought for
has wrought us. But there
for us. there
is a serious
is a serious side to this
side to this experience.
experience. Observe:
Observe:
It calls
It calls for
for daily
daily self-denial
self-denial-"H "If any
any man willwill come
after me, let
after me, let him deny himself,
deny himself, and take
take up his cross
up his cross
daily, and follow
daily, follow me" (Luke
(Luke 9:23).
9:23).
It calls
It calls for
for daily sacrifice-tIl
daily sacrifice beseech you
"I beseech you therefore,
therefore,
brethren,
brethren, by by the
the mercies
mercies of
of God,
God, that
that ye present your
ye present your
113
bodies aa living
bodies living sacrifice,
sacrifice, holy,
holy, acceptable unto God,
acceptable unto God,
which is
is your
your reasonable
reasonable service" (Rom. 12:
service" (Rom. 1).
12:1).
"
It calls
It for daily
calls -for daily surrender-"Yield
surrender your members
Yield your
servants to righteousness
servants to unto holiness"
righteousness unto holiness" (Rom.
(Rom. 6: 19).
6:19).
"
"Yield yourselves unto
Yield yourselves unto God" (verse 13).
(verse 13).
And again
again Mrs.
Mrs. White attests:
attests:
It
It is not only
is not
only at
at the
the beginning
beginning of
of the Christian life
the Christian life that
that this
this
renunciation of of self is to
self is be made. At every
to be every advance
advance step
step heav-
heav-
enward it is to
it is be renewed.
to be renewed. All our good
All our good works
works are
are dependent
dependent
on aa power
power outside
outside ofof ourselves.
ourselves. Therefore there needs
Therefore there needs to be aa
to be
continual reaching out
continual reaching out ofof the
the heart
heart after God, aa continual,
after God, continual, ear-
ear-
nest, heartbreaking
nest, confession of
heartbreaking confession of sin
sin and humbling
humbling of the soul
of the soul
before Him. Only
before by constant
Only by constant renunciation
renunciation of self and depend-
of self depend-
ence on Christ
Christ can we walk sa£ely.-Christ's
walk safely. Object Lessons,
Christ's Object Lessons, pp.
pp.
159,
159, 160.
160.
V. Complete
V. Distrust of
Complete Distrust of Self
Self Imperative
Imperative
There is is no place for
place for pride pride in the Christian
in the Christian life.life.
We havehave nothing
nothing of which to
of which to boast
boast (Eph.
(Eph_ 2:9).
2:9). Well
might we all
might all learn
learn thethe lesson
lesson of humility seen
of humility seen in in the
the
life
life of Paul: "1
of Paul: "I am the the least
least ofof the
the apostles"
apostles" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor.
15:9); "Unto me,
15:9); me, who am less less than the least
than the least ofof all
all
saints,
saints, is
is this
this grace given" (Eph.
grace given'* (Eph. 3:8). 3:8)_
After
After all,
all, we can can do nothingnothing of of ourselves. Jesus
ourselves. Jesus
said,
said, "Without me ye ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). We
nothing" (John 15:5).
nothing of
know nothing of ourselves
ourselves (1 (1 Cor. 4:4; 22 Cor.
Cor. 4:4; Cor. 3:5).
3:5).
Well might
might we cry out,
cry out, "Who is
is sufficient
sufficient for these
for these
things?" (2
things?" Cor. 2:16).
(2 Cor. 2: 16). But in in the
the Scripture
Scripture we are asas-
sured that "our

sured that "our sufficiency
sufficiency is
is of
of God" (2
(2 Cor. 3:5).
3:5).
And this sufficiency is
this sufficiency all-sufficient. Our faith
is all-sufficient. faith is
is to "rest
"rest
... in in the
the power
power of of God" (1 Cor. 2:5,
(1 Cor. 2:5, R.S.V.).
R.S.V.). The
power in
power in our
our life
life and ministry
ministry is to be "of
is to "of God,
God, and
not of
not us" (2
of us" (2 Cor.
Cor. 4:7).
4:7). We live
live "by
"by the
the power of
power of God"
(2 Cor. 13:4),
(2 Cor. 13:4), for
for it
it is
is His
His "power
"power that
that worketh in us"
us"
114
114 QUESTIONS
(Eph. 3:20). "It
(Eph. 3:20). "It is
is God which worketh in in you
you both
to will and to
to will to do ofof his good pleasure"
his good pleasure" (Phil.
(Phil. 2: 13),
2:13),
"working
"working in
in you
you that
that which is
is well
well pleasing
pleasing in
in his
his sight,
sight,
through Jesus Christ"
through Jesus Christ" (Heb.
(Heb. 13:21).
13:21).
Once more Mrs.
Mrs. 'White attests:
White attests:
None of of the
the apostles or prophets
apostles or prophets ever claimed to
ever claimed to be without
sin.
sin. Men who have lived lived nearest
nearest to to God,
God, men who would sacri- sacri-
fice life
fice life itself
itself rather
rather than
than knowingly
knowingly commit aa wrong wrong act,
act, men
whom God had had honored with divine light
with divine light and power,
power, have con-con-
fessed the
fessed sinfulness of
the sinfulness their own nature.
of their nature. They
They have put put no con-
con-
fidence
fidence inin the
the flesh,
flesh, have claimed no righteousness
have claimed righteousness of of their
their own,
own,
but have
but have trusted
trusted wholly
wholly in
in the
the righteousness
righteousness of Christ. So
of Christ. will it
So will it
be with
be with all behold Christ.-Ibid.,
all who behold Christ. p. 160.
Ibid., p. 160.
VI.
VI. Hungering
Hungering and Thirsting
Thirsting After
After God
"Blessed
"Blessed are they which
are they which do hunger
hunger and thirst thirst after
after
righteousness" (Matt.
righteousness" (Matt. 5:6). 5:6). This will
will be
be the
the mark of
of the
the
true child
true child ofof God. Having
Having none of his own,
of his own, hehe longs
longs forfor
the righteousness
the righteousness of of God. Thank God for for the
the assurance,
assurance,
"Ye shall
shall be
be filled"
filled'' (Luke
(Luke 6:21). Christ was
6:21). Christ was here
here em-
phasizing
phasizing the
the experience
experience of
of David of
of old:
old: "My
"My soul
soul
thirsteth for
thirsteth for thee,
thee, mymy flesh longeth for
flesh longeth for thee"
thee" (Ps. 63:
(Ps. 63:1); 1);
"My
"My soul
soul thirsteth
thirsteth for
for God" (Ps. 42:2);
(Ps. 42:2); "My"My heart
heart and
my
my flesh
flesh crieth
crieth out for the living
for the living God" (Ps. (Ps. 84:2).
84:2). This is is
the true
the hunger of
true hunger of spirit,
spirit, the
the longing
longing of
of the
the human heart
heart
to be
to be made likelike unto Christ.
Christ. It It is
is under such
such conditions
conditions
that
that God "satisfieth
"satisfieth the longing soul,
the longing filleth the
soul, and filleth the
hungry soul
hungry with goodness"
soul with (Ps.
goodness" (Ps. 107:9). 107:9).
1.
1. THERE WILL \'\TILL BE GENUINE FRUITAGE IN IN THE LIVES
LIVES
GOD'S FAITHFUL CHILDREN.-There
OF GOD'S CHILDREN. There will will be
be genuine
genuine
progress
progress in
in the
the bearing
bearing of
of fruit
fruit in
in the
the Christian
Christian life.
life.
this will
And this will develop
develop as
as we go
go on from
from faith
faith to
to faith.
faith.
In John's
In John's Gospel
Gospel we read read of of "fruit"
"fruit" (John 15:2),
(John 15:2),
115
"more fruit"
fruit" (verse 2), then
(verse 2), then "much fruit"
fruit" (verse
(verse 5),
5),
and
finally that "your
finally that "your fruit
fruit should
should remain" (verse
(verse 16).
16). So
we are to go
are to go on "from strength
strength to
to strength" (Ps. 84:7)
strength" (Ps. 84:7)
and from victory
victory to
to victory,
victory, because
because it
it isis God who
"giveth
"giveth usus the
the victory
victory through
through our
our Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ"
Christ"
(1 Cor.
(1 Cor. 15:57).
15:57). "Thanks be be unto
unto God, which always
God, which always
causeth
causeth usus to triumph in
to triumph in Christ"
Christ" (2(2 Cor.
Cor. 2:14).
2: 14).
there are
Then there are the
the "fruits of righteousness"
"fruits of righteousness" (Phil.(Phil.
1:11;
1:11; compare
compare James
James 3:18).
3:18). "The fruit
fruit ofof the
the Spirit
Spirit
is in
is in all
all goodness
goodness and righteousness
righteousness and truth"truth" (Eph.
(Eph.
5:9).
5:9). The fuller
fuller outline
outline appears
appears in
in the
the epistle
epistle to
to the
the
Galatians-"The
Galatians "The fruit fruit of the Spirit
of the Spirit is
is love, joy, peace,
love, joy, peace,
longsuffering,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
meekness,
temperance: against
temperance: such there
against such there is
is no law"
law" (Gal.
(Gal. 5:22,
5:22,
23).
23).
What aa wonderful
wonderful portrayal!
portrayal! The paramount
paramount fruitfruit
of the
of the Spirit
Spirit is love. All
is love. All that follow are
that follow but aspects
are but of
aspects of
this divine quality.
this divine Just
quality. Just as
as various
various colors
colors make up
up sun-
sun-
light, so
light, these graces
so these together constitute
graces together constitute love. Thus,
love. Thus,
joy
joy is
is love
love exulting; peace
exulting; peace is
is love
love in
in repose; long-suffer-
repose; long-suffer-
ing is
ing love untiring;
is love gentleness is
untiring; gentleness is love
love enduring; good-
enduring; good-
ness is
ness love in
is love in action; is love
faith is
action; faith love in confidence; meek-
in confidence;
ness is
ness is love
love under discipline; while temperance
discipline; while temperance is is love
love
in
in self-control.
self-control.
This
This fruitage
fruitage isis to be seen
to be seen in in the life of
the life the Christian.
of the Christian.
graces do not
These graces not grow by
grow by any any effort
effort of
of our own,
but they
but they are
are manifested
manifested in
in our lives
lives because
because Christ
dwells
dwells in in our hearts by faith (Eph.
hearts by faith (Eph. 3:17). 3: 17). These graces
graces
are
are inin Christ;
Christ; and when Christ dwells in
Christ dwells us, He lives
in us, lives
out in
out in usus the
the wonderful qualities
qualities of of His own perfect
perfect
character.
character.
Works as as aa means of of salvation
salvation have no place place in
in the
the
116
QUESTIONS
plan of
plan God. We cannot
of God. cannot bebe justified
justified at all by
at all by any kind
any kind
of works. Justification
of works. Justification Is
is wholly
wholly anan act
act of God, and we
of God,
are but
are but the
the recipients
recipients of
of His
His unbounded grace.
grace.
works as
But works as the fruitage of
the fruitage of salvation have aa
salvation do have
definite place
definite place in the plan
In the plan of
of God.
God. This
This is
is seen
seen in the
In the
spiritual graces to
spiritual graces to be manifested in
be manifested in the children of
the children of God,
God,
as already
as already noted.
noted. We are
are to
to "work the
the works
works of
of God"
(John 6:28). There is
(John 6:28). the "work of
is the faith" (I
of faith" (1 Thess.
Thess. 1:I:
3); everyone
3); and every that is
one that is "born of of him"
him" "doeth right-
right-
eousness"
eousness" (1 John 2:29).
(1 John 2:29). "Good works" works" areare referred
referred to
to
many
many times
times in
in the
the New Testament (see Eph. 2:10),
(see Eph. 2:10),
but it
but is to
it is to be borne
borne in in mind that that in
in all
all our work of of
faith
faith (2(2 Thess.
Thess. 1: 11),
1:11), our faith
faith must be
be activated
activated by
by
the love
the love ofof God (GaL 5:6). So,
(Gal. 5:6). in all
So, In all things
things "the
"the love
love of
of
Christ"
Christ" is Is to
to constrain
constrain us us (2(2 Cor.
Cor. 5: 14).
5:14).
Ellen G.
Ellen G. White writes:
writes:
No outward observances
observances can take the
can take the place
place of
of simple
simple faith
faith
and entire renunciation of
entire renunciation self. But
of self. But no man can can empty
empty himself
himself
of self.
of self. We can only only consent
consent for for Christ
Christ to
to accomplish
accomplish the work.
the work.
Then the the language
language ofof the soul will
the soul be, Save
will be, Save me in in spite
spite of my·
of my-
self, my weak,
self, my weak, unchristlike
unchristlike self. Lord, take
self. Lord, take my
my heart; for II cannot
heart; for cannot
give it.
give it. It is Thy property. Keep it
It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for II cannot
pure, for keep it
cannot keep it for
for
Thee. Mold me, me, fashion
fashion me,
me, raise into aa pure
raise me into pure and holyholy at·
at-
mosphere, where
mosphere, where the
the rich
rich current
current of of Thy Jove can
Thy love flow through
can flow through
my soul.-Ibid.,
my soul. Ibid., p.
p. 159.
159.
It will be noted
It will noted that the "fruit
that the "fruit of the Spirit"
of the Spirit" (Gal.
(Gal.
5:22,
5:22, 23)
23) is
Is in
in full harmony with
full harmony with the
the law
law of
of God,
God, for for
against
against the
the manifestation
manifestation of
of these
these graces
graces in
in the
the life
life
"there
"there is is no law" (verse
(verse 23).
23). In other words,
In other words, the per-
the per-
son inin whose life these graces
life these are seen,
graces are will fulfill
seen, will the
fulfill the
commandments of of God. He cannot

cannot do this
this of himseff;
of himself;
he isis not
not expected
expected to. to. But with
with Christ
Christ dwelling
dwelling in the
in the
life,
life, Christ's
Christ's own righteous
righteous life (John 15:
life (John 10) is both
15:10) Is
117
imputed
Imputed and imparted imparted to to the
the child
child of of God. Thus David
exclaimed,
exclaimed, "Great peace
"Great peace have they they which love love thy thy
law:
law: and nothing nothing shall shall offend
offend them" (Ps. 119:
(Ps. 119:165).
165).
Hence the the beloved apostleapostle could
could write:
write: "And hereby hereby we
do know that that we know him, him, if
if we keep
keep his
his command-
ments."
ments." "But whoso keepeth keepeth his his word,
word, in in him verilyverily is is
the
the love
love of of God perfected:
perfected: hereby
hereby know we that
that we are
are
in him" (1 (1 John
John 2:3,2:3, 5).
5). And,
And, "by "by this
this we know that that we
love
love thethe children
children of of God,
God, when we love
love God,
God, and keep
keep
his
his commandments" (1 (1 John
John 5:2).
5:2).
We are are toto keep
keep a a balanced
balanced view view of the plan
of the plan of of God.
God.
His purpose
purpose is is that
that His people
people be righteous.
righteous. They are
They are
not naturally righteous.
naturally righteous. But in
in the
the gospel of the
gospel of the grace grace
of
of God therethere is is provision "that
provision "that the righteousness of
the righteousness of the
the
law might
might be fuUfilled
fullfilled in
in us,
us, who walk not
not after
after the
the
flesh,
flesh, but after
after the
the Spirit" (Rom.
Spirit" (Rom. 8:4). So, 8:4). So, "circumci-
"circumci-
sion
sion is is nothing; and want of
nothing; of it is nothing;
it is nothing; but but to to keep
keep
the commandments of
the of God is is everything"
everything" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 7:19,
7:19,
Twentieth Century).
Century).
2. THE CHILD
2. CHILB OF OF Goi>
GOD MAY HAVE CONFIDENCE AND
ASSURANCE.-It
ASSURANCE. It isis our privilege, and really
privilege, really our our herit-
herit-
age
age as
as the
the blood-bought
blood-bought children
children of
of God,
God, to
to have
have "full
"full
assurance" (Col.
assurance" (Col. 2:2),
2:2), to to enjoy
enjoy "full assurance of
"full assurance of
faith" (Heb.
faith" (Heb. 10:22),
10:22), and to
to know the
the "full
"full assurance
assurance
of hope
of hope untounto thethe end" (Heb. 6: 11). We have
(Heb. 6:11). have confidence
confidence
in Him (1
in (1 John
John 5:14),
5: 14), "confidence
"confidence toward toward God" (1 (1
John 3:21).
John 3:21).
T a the
To the true
true children
children of of God,
God, thisthis experience
experience is is not
not
hearsay; it
hearsay; it is
is not
not veneer
veneer or or make-believe;
make-believe; it it isis aa real,
real,
genuine experience.
genuine experience. They They can
can say
say with all
all confidence,
confidence,
yet with
yet with humility,
humility, "We know that that we have passed passed from
death unto life" (1
death unto life" (1 John 3:14);John 3: 14); We know "that
"that we are
are
118
QUESTIONS
in (1 John
in him" (1 John 2:5);
2:5); "We know that he abideth
that he abideth in
in us"
us"
(1 John 3:24).
(1 John 3:24).
VII. Three
VII. Three Tenses in Salvation
Tenses in Salvation
Salvation
Salvation from sin is set
sin is set forth
forth in in three
three "tenses"-past,
"tenses" past,
present, and future.
present, future. It It is is a progressive work.
a progressive work. The
child of
child of God may may properly
properly say, say, "I have been saved
"1 have saved
from thethe penalty
penalty of of sin"; also,
sin"; also, "I
"I am being
being saved
saved from
the power of
the power of sin."
sin." And he he can also also say, with truth,
say, with truth, "I"I
shall be
shall be saved
saved fromfrom thethe very presence and possibility
very presence possibility
of
of sin."
sin."
Concerning
Concerning the the first expression, "1 am saved/'
first expression, "I saved," Paul
Paul
wrote to
wrote to Titus,
Titus, "According
"According to to his mercy he
his mercy he saved
saved us"us"
(Titus 3:5);
(Titus 3:5); likewise,
likewise, "We are
are saved
saved by hope"
by hope" (Rom. (Rom.
8:24). In
8:24). both instances
In both instances the the Greek verb verb isis in the aorist
in the aorist
form. For
form. For example,
example, this this last
last text could more accurately
text could accurately
read, "We were
read, were saved" (R.S.V.), or
saved" (R.S.V.), or "We have have been
been
saved" (Weymouth). This
saved" (Weymouth). This stresses
stresses an aspect
aspect of
of salva-
salva-
tion that
tion that isis an accomplished
accomplished fact. fact,
But itit is
is also true that
also true that as as sincere believers in
sincere believers in Christ
Christ
we are
are being
being saved.
saved. This
This is
is something
something in
in process
process of of
being accomplished
being accomplished day by day.day by day. We read,
read, "Unto us
us
which are saved" (1
are saved" Cor. 1:
(1 Cor. 18). But again
1:18). again thethe better
better
rendering
rendering of the Greek is
of the is "to
"to us us who areare being
being saved"
saved"
(R.S.V.).
(R.S.V.). This same thought thought is is seen
seen in Acts 2:47
in Acts where
2:47 where
the
the correct translation is
correct translation is "those
"those who were were being
being saved"
saved"
(R.S.V.).
(R.S.V.).
Then therethere is is the
the expression,
expression, "I shall be
'7 shall saved."
be saved."
We also
also read,
read, "\Ve
"We shall
shall be be saved"
saved" (Acts 15: 11;
(Acts 15:11; Rom.
5:9).
5:9).
This is is the threefold way
the threefold way in in which the the work
work of of sal-
sal-
vation touches human hearts.

vation touches hearts. Thus we have have been
been
119
saved-justification;
saved justification; we are being saved
are being saved-sanctifica-
sanctifica-
tion;
tion; and we shall be saved-glorification.
shall saved glorification.
VIII. God's
VIII. God's People Delight to
People Delight to Rejoice in the
Rejoice in the Lord
When God forgives
forgives our sins
sins and gives
gives us
us the
the as-
as-
surance in
in His Word that
that they
they are
are forgiven
forgiven (Eph.4:32),
(Eph. 4:32),
we have no need to to worry
worry and concernconcern ourselves
ourselves about
the future.
the future. It It is
is true that there
true that there will
will bebe aa judgment
judgment
where the the sins
sins of of men will will be dealtdealt with.
with. But that that
cause no concern to
need cause the child
to the child of of God,
God, forfor as
as a a
Christian
Christian he he now abides abides in in God,
God, and God abides abides in in
(John 14:20).
him (John 14:20). "Your sins are forgiven
sins are forgiven you you for
for his
his
name's sake"
name's (1 John 2: 12).
sake" (1 John 2:12). Faith laysFaith lays hold of His
of His word
and rejoices
rejoices in the knowledge
in the knowledge of of sins
sins forgiven.
forgiven.
The one who has truly passed
has truly passed from death death unto
unto life,
life,
and maintains
maintains an attitudeattitude of of constant
constant surrender,
surrender, does
does
not live
not live his
his life
life inin uncertainty.
uncertainty. HavingHaving placed
placed hishis case
case
in
in the hands of
the hands his mighty
of his mighty Advocate,
Advocate, he he has
has no fear
fear for
for
the future.
the future. Christ
Christ is his surety,
is his surety, and he lives
lives his
his life
life in
in
an atmosphere
atmosphere of
of complete
complete trust
trust in
in God, rejoicing
God, rejoicing that
that
"perfect
"perfect love
love casteth
casteth out out fear."
fear."
In the
In the light
light of of such
such great
great salvation,
salvation, ought
ought not the the
lives of
lives God's people
of God's people to
to be lives
lives of
of rejoicing?
rejoicing? Even the
Israelites long ago
Israelites long ago in in Old Testament times times knew what
this
this meant.
meant. Note their their expressions
expressions of joy and gladness:
of joy gladness:
"Rejoice
"Rejoice in
in the
the Lord,
Lord, O
0 ye righteous" (Ps.
ye righteous" (Ps. 33:1); 33: 1); "Be
glad then,
glad then, ye ye children
children of
of Zion,
Zion, and rejoice
rejoice in
in the
the Lord
your
your God" (Joel 2:23).
(Joel 2:23). And the
the psalmist said, "Let
psalmist said,
thy saints
thy saints shout
shout for joy" (Ps.
for joy" (Ps. 132:9);
132:9); "Let them ever
shout
shout for joy" (Ps.
for joy" 5: 11).
(Ps. 5:11).
Over
Over and and over
over again
again came the refrain, "Praise ye
the refrain, ye
the Lord,"
the Lord," and the people
the people took
took this
this to
to heart,
heart, for
for we
QUESTIONS
read, "I
read, will be glad
"I will glad and rejoice
rejoice in thee" (Ps.
in thee" (Ps. 9:2);
9:2);
"My
"My soul
soul shall
shall be joyful
joyful in
in the
the Lord" (Ps.
(Ps. 35:9);
35:9); "1
"I
will greatly
will greatly rejoice
rejoice in
in the Lord, my
the Lord, my soul shall be joyful
soul shall joyful
in my God" (lsa.
in my (Isa. 61: 10); "I
61:10); "I will declare what he hath
will declare
for my
done for my soul"
soul" (Ps.
(Ps. 66:
66: 16).
16).
the New Testament there
In the is the
there is the same note
note of
of re-
re-
joicing. "Joy"
joicing. "Joy" is
is one of
of the
the great
great words of
of the
the New
Testament. Indeed,
Testament. the gospel
Indeed, the gospel itself
itself is declared to
is declared to be
"tidings
"tidings of
of great joy" (Luke 2:
great joy" (Luke 2:10). 10). And Jesus, the
Jesus, the
author of
author of eternal
eternal salvation
salvation (Heb. 5:9),
(Heb. 5:9), wished His
disciples to
disciples to partake
partake of joy, that
of His joy, that in through Him
in and through
their joy might
their joy might be full
full (John
(John 15:11; 16:24). The great
15: 11; 16:24). great
apostle
apostle toto thethe Gentiles
Gentiles expressed
expressed thethe same thought,
thought,
when he exhorted the the saints to "rejoice
saints to "rejoice in the Lord"
in the
(Phil. 3: 1); to
(Phil. 3:1); to "rejoice
"rejoice in
in the Lord alway:
alway: and again
again II
say, Rejoice" (Phil.
say, Rejoice" 4:4). Thus we may
(Phil. 4:4). may unite
unite our voices
voices
with the
with the celestial
celestial choirs,
choirs, "saying with aa loud
"saying with loud voice,
voice,
Worthy
Worthy is
is the
the Lamb that
that was slain
slain to
to receive
receive power,
power,
and riches,
riches, and wisdom,
wisdom, and strength, honour, and
strength, and honour,
glory, and blessing"
glory, blessing" (Rev.
(Rev. 5: 12).
5:12).
'[he
Tfte 'fen
Ten CommalJdments,
Commandments,
God's Standard of
God's Standard of Conduct
Conduct
QUESTION
QUESTION 12
Many Christians
Many gained the
Christians have gained impres-
the impres-
sion that
sion that Seventh-day
Adventists are
are legalists-
legalists
that
that they
they teach
teach that
that it
it is necessary to
is necessary to keep
keep the
the
in order to
law in be saved.
to be Just what is
saved. Just is the
the Advent-
Advent-
ist attitude
ist attitude toward the law? And how does
the law? does your
your
belief compare
belief compare with
with the
the historic
historic Protestant
Protestant posi-
posi-
tion?
tion?
The Seventh-day Adventist position

Seventh-day Adventlst posHlOn on thethe Ten
Commandments is is set
set forth briefly in
forth briefly in our statement
statement
of
of "Fundamental Beliefs."
Beliefs." Section
Section 66 reads:
reads:
6.
6. That the will of
the will of God as it relates
as it relates to
to moral conduct is is
comprehended in
comprehended in His law
law of
of ten commandments; that
ten commandments; that these are
these are
great moral, unchangeable
great moral, unchangeable precepts, binding upon
precepts, binding upon all
all men,
men, in
in
every age. Ex.
every age. Ex. 20: 1-17.
20:1-17.
The tenten commandments spoken spoken by by God from

Mount Sinai
Sinai are
are set
set apart
apart from all
all the
the other
other commands
of recorded in
of God recorded in the
the Bible by their
Bible by their very
very nature
nature and
the manner of
the their delivery.
of their delivery. They themselves are
They themselves are the
the
best evidence
best evidence of
of the"ir
their enduring
enduring character.
character. Man's moral
nature responds
responds toto them with assent,
assent, and itit is
is impos-
impos-
sible for an enlightened
sible for enlightened Christian
Christian to
to imagine a condi-
imagine
tion or
tion or circumstance
circumstance-God God still God, and man
being God,
still being
still being aa moral creature-where

still being creature where they they would not
be operative.
be operative.
121
121
122
QUESTIONS
Correctly
Correctly viewed,
viewed, thethe moral
moral law
law is than
is much more than
aa legal
legal code;
code; it
it is
is a
a transcript
transcript of
of the character of
the character of God.
Says
Says A.
A. H.
H. Strong, Baptist theologian:
Strong, Baptist theologian:
The lawlaw ofof God, then, is
God, then, is simply
simply an expression'
expression' of of the nature
the nature
of
of God in in the
the form
form ofof moral requirement, and aa necessary
moral requirement, necessary ex-
ex-
pression of
pression that nature
of that nature in
in view
view of the existence
of the existence of of moral beings
beings
(Ps. 19:7;
(Ps. cf. 1).
19:7; cf. 1).
To the
the existence
existence ofof this law all
this law all men bear wit- wit-
ness. consciences even
ness. The consciences even ofof the
the heathen testify
testify to
to it
it (Rom.
(Rom. 2:2:
14, 15).
].1, 15).
Those who have have the written law
the written law recognize
recognize this
this elemental
elemental
law as
law as of
of greater
greater compass
compass and penetration
penetration (Rom. (Rom. 7:14;
7:14; 8:4).
8:4).
The perfect
perfect embodiment and and fulfillment
fulfillment of of this
this law is is seen
seen only
only
in
in Christ
Christ (Rom.
(Rom. 10:4; Phil. 3:8,
10:4; Phil. 9).-Systematic
3:8, 9). Systematic Theology,
Theology, p. p. 538.
538.
Ellen G.
Ellen G. 'White has expressed
White has expressed these truths in
these truths in some-
some-
different words:
what different words:
The law
law ofof God is is as
as sacred
sacred as as Himself.
Himself. It It is
is a revelation of
a revelation of
His
His will, aa transcript
will, transcript of His character,
of His character, thethe expression
expression of
of divine
divine
love and wisdom.
love wisdom. The harmony harmony of of creation
creation depends
depends upon upon thethe
perfect conformity
perfect conformity of
of all
ail beings
beings ... to
to the
the law of
of the
the Creator.-
Creator.
Patriarchs and
Patriarchs and Prophets,
Prophets, p. p. 52.
52.
The divine
divine beauty
beauty of of the character of
the character of Christ,
Christ, of of whom the the
noblest
noblest and mostmost gentle
gentle among
among men are are but
but aa faint
faint reflection;
reflection;
of
of whom Solomon by by thethe Spirit
Spirit of of inspiration wrote, He is
inspiration wrote, is "the
"the
chiefest among
chiefest among ten thousand, ... yea,
ten thousand, . . yea, He is
. is altogether
altogether lovely"
lovely"
(Song
(Song ofof Solomon 5: 10-16); of
5:10-16); of whom David, seeing Him in
David, seeing in
prophetic vision,
prophetic vision, said,
said, "Thou art art fairer than the
fairer than the children
children of of
men" (Psalm 45:2); Jesus,
(Psalm 45:2); Jesus, the the express image of
express image of the Fa-
the Fa-
ther's person,
ther's person, thethe effulgence
effulgence of of His glory, the self-denying
glory, the self-denying Re-
deemer, throughout
deemer, throughout His pilgrimage
pilgrimage of of love
love on earth
earth waswas aa living
living
representation of
representation of the
the character
character of of the law of
the law God. In
of God. In His
His life
life it
it
is manifest that
is made manifest heaven-born love,
that heaven-born love, Christlike principles,
Christlike principles,
underlie the laws
underlie the laws of
of eternal
eternal rectitude.-Thoughts
rectitude. Thoughts From the the Mount
ot Blessing
of Blessing (1956),
(1956), p.
p. 49.
49.
For aa true
true and full
full understanding
understanding ofof what God
means byby His moral law,
law, the
the Christian
Christian must turn
turn to
to
Christ. He it
Christ. it is
is who enables
enables the
the newborn soul to live
soul to live
the
the new life.
life. This is really the
is really the indwelling
indwelling of
of Christ
Christ in
in
his heart,
his heart,and hence
hence the believer, because
the believer, because of his sub-
of his sub-
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 123
123
mISSIOn to his
mission to his Lord, lives out
Lord, lives out the principles of
the principles God's
of God's
character in his
character in his heart
heart and life.
life.
The Adventist
Adventist position
position on thethe relation
relation of
of the
the Ten
Commandments to to salvation
salvation isis set
set forth in "Funda-
forth In
Beliefs of
mental Beliefs of Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists," section 8:
Adventists," section 8:
8.
8. That the the law of of tenten commandments points points outout sin, the
sin, the
penalty
penalty of of which is is death.
death. The law law cannot
cannot save save the
the transgressor
transgressor
from hishis sin, nor impart
sin, nor impart powerpower to to keep
keep him from sinning. sinning. In In
infinite love and mercy,
infinite love mercy, God providesprovides aa way way whereby
whereby this this ma)'
may
done. He furnishes
be done. furnishes a a substitute,
substitute, eveneven Christ the Righteous
Christ the Righteous
One, to
One, die in
to die man's stead,
in man's stead, making
making "him to to be
be sin
sin for
for us,
us, who
knew no sin; sin; that
that we might
might be be made the the righteousness
righteousness of of God in in
him." 22 Cor.
him." Cor. 5:21.
5:21. That one is is justified,
justified, notnot byby obedience
obedience to to the
the
law, but by
law, by the
the grace that is
grace that is in Christ Jesus.
in Christ Jesus. By By accepting
accepting Christ,
Christ,
man is reconciled to
is reconciled to God, justified by
God, justified by His blood for
His blood for the
the sins
sins ofof
the past,
past, and saved from the the power
power of sin by
of sin by His
His indwelling
indwelling life.life.
Thus the gospel gospel becomes "the power of
"the power of God unto unto salvation
salvation to to
everyone
every one thatthat believeth."
believeth." Rom. I: 16. This experience
1:16. experience is
is wrought
wrought
by the
by the divine agency
agency of the Holy
of the Holy Spirit, convinces of
Spirit, who convinces of sin
sin and
leads to
leads to thethe Sin-Bearer, inducting the
Sin-Bearer, inducting the believer
believer intointo thethe new
covenant relationship,
relationship, where the the law of of God is written on his
is written his
heart, through the
heart, and through the enabling power
enabling power of
of the
the indwelling
indwelling Christ,
Christ,
his life is
his life is brought into
brought into conformity
conformity to the divine
to the precepts. The
divine precepts.
honor and merit merit of this wonderful transformation
of this transformation belong belong wholly
wholly
Christ. I1 John
to Christ. John 2:1,
2:1, 2;2; 3:4;
3:4; Rom. 3:20; 3:20; 5:8-10;
5:8-10; 7:7;
7:7; Eph.
Eph. 2: 2:
8-10; 3: 17; GaL
8-10; 3:17; 2:20; Heb. 8:8-12.
Gal. 2:20; 8:8-12.
This is
is in
in full
full harmony with what is
harmony with taught in
is taught in the
the
historic confessions
historic confessions of
of faith:
faith:
The Waldensian Catechism (c. 1500) and The Con-

(c. 1500)
fession
fession of the Waldenses (1655)
of the (1655) both cite cite the
the Ten
Commandments and the the Lord's
Lord's Prayer
Prayer asas "fundamen-
tals of
tals of our faith
faith and our devotion." Again, "Living
devotion/' Again, "Living
faith
faith is to believe
is to believe in
in God, that is,
God, that to love
is, to love him and to to
keep
keep his
his commandments." (SCHAFF,
(SCHAFF, The Creeds of
of
Christendom)
Christendom, vol.
vol. 1, pp. 572,
1, pp. 572, 573,
573, 575;
575; vol.
vol. 3,
3, pp.
pp. 757,
757,
768.)
768.)
124
QUESTIONS
Luther's Small
Luther's Small Catechism
Catechism (1529),
(1529), following the
following the
quoting of
quoting of the
the Commandments,
Ten Commandments, says: "We
says: "\Ve should,
should,
therefore, love
therefore, love trust in
and trust in him,
him, and and gladly
gladly obey
obey his
his
Commandments." (SGHAFF, (SCHAFF, vol.vol. 3,3, p.
p. 77.)
77.)
Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg (1563), most popular
Catechism (1563), popular of of
all the
all the Reformed symbols,symbols, and the the first
first to
to be planted
planted
on American soil, soil, among
among the the Dutch and German Re-
formed churches
formed churches (ibid., vol. I,
(ibid., vol. 1, p.
p. 549),
549), after
after an ex- ex-
tended series of questions
tended series of questions on the Decalogue,
the Decalogue, states
states that
that
the Ten Commandments are
the are strictly
strictly enjoined
enjoined that that we
may
may the
the "more earnestly
earnestly seek
seek forgiveness
forgiveness of
of sins
sins and
righteousness
righteousness in
in Christ";
Christ"; and "become more and more
changed into
changed into the
the image
image of of God." (Ibid., vol. 3,
(Ibid., vol. 3, pp.
pp.
340-349.)
340-349.)
The (Lutheran)
(Lutheran) Formula of of Concord (1576) (1576) says
says
that Christians
that Christians are are set
set free
free from the the "curse
"curse and con- con-
straint"
straint" ofof the law, but
the law, not from the
but not the law itself.
itself. On
these Ten Commandments they

these they areare toto meditate
meditate day day
and night,
night, and "continually
"continually exercise
exercise themselves
themselves in
in the
the
keeping
keeping thereof."
thereof." It
It condemns as
as "false
"false and pernicious"
pernicious"
the
the concept
concept that
that the
the Decalogue
Decalogue is not the
is not the standard
standard of of
righteousness
righteousness for
for the
the Christian.
Christian. (Ibid., pp. 130-135.)
(Ibid., pp. 130-135.)
The Scotch
Scotch Confession
Confession of Faith (1560),
of Faith (1560), article
article XV,
stresses
stresses the
the perfection
perfection of
of the
the law and the
the imperfection
imperfection
of man (ibid.,
of (ibid., pp.
pp. 456,
456, 457).
457).
The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647),
(1647),
adopted
adopted by by the
the Church of
of Scotland
Scotland in
in 1648,
1648, by
by the
Presbyterian
Presbyterian Synod
Synod of of New York and Philadelphia
Philadelphia in
1788,
1788, and by by nearly
nearly all all Calvinist,
Calvinist, Presbyterian,
Presbyterian, and
Congregational
Congregational churches.
churches. It
It is
is more extensively
extensively used
than
than any other, except
any other, except the
the Small Catechism of
of Luther
and the
the Heidelberg
Heidelberg Catechism (ibid., (ibid., p.p. 676).
676). It It de-
de-
125
that the
dared that the Ten Commandments,
Commandments, or or moral
moral law,
law,
reveals the
reveals the duty
duty that
that God requires
requires of man. And it
of man. it adds,
adds,
"We are to keep
are bound to keep all
all his commandments." (Ibid.,
his commandments." (Ibid.,
pp. 678,
pp. 678, 684,
684, 685.)
685.)
New Hampshire
HamjJshire Baptist
Baptist Confession (1833), accepted
Confession (1833), accepted
in
in the Northern and Western States. Article XII,
States. Article XII, "Of
the Harmony
the Harmony of of the
the Law and the Gospel," de
the Gospel," dares
declares
that the law of
that the of God is is "the eternal
"the eternal and unchangeable
unchangeable
rule of his
rule of his moral government,"
government," and that that we are,
are, through
through
our Mediator,
Mediator, to to give "unfeigned
give "unfeigned obedience
obedience to the
to the
holy Law,"
holy Law," as
as one great
great end of
of the
the gospel. (Ibid.,
gospel. (Ibid.,
p.746.)
p. 746.)
Not only
only so,
so, but Adventists
Adventists share with hundreds
share with hundreds of of
eminent men of various faiths-Calvin,
of various faiths Wesley, Clarke,
Calvin, Wesley, Clarke,
Barnes, Spurgeon,
Barnes, Moody, G. Campbell
Spurgeon, Moody, Campbell Morgan,
Morgan,
Henry
Henry Clay Clay Trumbull,
Trumbull, BillyBilly Graham
Graham-belief
belief inin the
the
perpetuity
perpetuity of
of God's
God's moral
moral law
law of
of ten
ten commandments,
commandments,
and in its being
in its being in in force in all
force in all dispensations,
dispensations, asas attested
attested
by these
by these typical
typical excerpts:
excerpts:
CALVIN-ETERNAL
CALVIN ETERNAL RULE OF LIFE. LIFE.-WeWe must notnot imagine
imagine
that the
that the coming of
coming of Christ
Christ has freed us
has freed us from thethe authority
authority of the
of the
law; for
law; for it is the
it is the eternal rule of
eternal rule of aa devout
devout and holy holy life,
life, and must,
must,
therefore,
therefore, be be as unchangeable, as
as unchangeable, as the
the justice
justice of
of God,
God, which it it
embraced, is
embraced, is constant uniform.-Commentary
constant and uniform. Commentary on a Har-
a Har-
mony ot
mony of the Evangelists (1845),
the Evangelists vol. I,
(1845), vol. I, p.
p. 277.
277.
WESLEy-REMAINS
WESLEY REMAINS IN IN FORCE.-But
FORCE. But the the moral
moral law
law contained
contained in in
the ten
the ten commandments,
commandments, and enforced enforced by by the
the prophets,
prophets, he did did
not take
not away. It
take away. It was not
not the
the design
design ofof his
his coming
coming toto revoke
revoke any
any
part· of
part of this.
this. This is is a
a law which never can can be broken,
broken, which
"stands
"stands fastfast as the faithful
as the faithful witness
witness in in heaven."
heaven." The moral moral
stands on an entirely
stands entirely different
different foundation
foundation from the the ceremonial
ceremonial
or ritual
or ritual law
law.. . . . Every
. . Every part
. part ofof this
this law must remain in in force
force
upon
upon all
all mankind,
mankind, and in
in all
all ages;
ages; as
as not
not depending
depending either
either on
time
time oror place,
place, or
or any
any other circumstances liable
other circumstances liable to
to change,
change, but
on the
on nature of
the nature of God,
God, and the the nature of of man,
man, and their un-
their un-
126
126 QUESTIONS
changeable relation
changeable relation to
to each other.-Sermons
each other. Several Occa-
Sermons on Several Occa·
sions, vol.
sions, vol. 1, pp. 221,
1, pp. 222.
221, 222.
MORGAN-OBEDIENCE
MORGAN OBEDIENCE BY BY FAITH.
F AITH.-It It isis only
only when grace grace en-en-
ables men to
ables to keep
keep the the law, that they
law, that they are are free
free from it; just as
it; just as aa
moral man who lives
moral lives according
according to to thethe laws
laws of the country
of the country is is
free
free from
from arrest.
arrest. God has has notnot setset aside
aside law,law, butbut he he has
has found aa
way by
way by which
which man can can fulfil law, and so
fulfil law, so bebe free
free from it.- it.
The 'Ten
'Ten Commandments (1901), (1901), p. p. 23.
23.
SPURGEON-THE
SPURGEON THE LAW OF OF GOD PERPETUAL.
PERPETUAL.-Very Very greatgreat mis-
mis-
takes have
takes have beenbeen made about about the the law.
law. Not long long ago there were
ago there
those
those about
about us us who affirmed
affirmed that that the
the lawlaw is is utterly
utterly abrogated
abrogated and
abolished, and
abolished, and they
they openly
openly taught
taught thatthat believers
believers were not not bound
to make the
to the moral
moral law the the rule
rule of of their
their lives.
lives. What would have
been sin
been sin inin other
other men they they counted
counted to to bebe no sin sin inin themselves.
themselves.
From suchsuch Antinomianism
Antinomianism as as that
that maymay God deliver deliver us.us .......
THE LAW OF GOD MUST BE PERPETUAL. There isis no
abrogation
abrogation of of it,
it, nor amendment of it. It
of it. It is not to
is not to be toned
toned down
or adjusted to
or adjusted to our
our fallen condition; but
fallen condition; but everyone
every one of of the
the Lord's
Lord's
righteous judgments abideth
righteous judgments abideth for ever. ...
for ever. . . .
Does
Does anyany man say say toto me,
me, "You see, see, then,
then, instead
instead of of the
the ten
ten
commandments we have have received
received the the twotwo commandments,
commandments, and
these are
these are much easier."
easier." II answer that that this
this reading
reading of of thethe law is is
not in
not the least
in the least easier.
easier. Such a a remark implies implies a a want of thought
of thought
and experience.
experience. Those two two precepts
precepts comprehend
comprehend the the te.n
te.n at their
at their
fullest extent, and cannot
fullest extent, cannot be be regarded
regarded as as the
the erasure
erasure of of a jot or
a jot or
tittle of them.
tittle of them .... . . .
Christ
Christ hashas not,
not, therefore,
therefore, abrogated
abrogated or or at all moderated the
at all the
law to
law to meet our helplessness;
helplessness; he has has leftleft it it in all its
in all its sublime
sublime
perfection, as
perfection, as it
it always must be left,
always left, and he he has
has pointed
pointed out how
deep are
deep its foundations,
are its foundations, how elevated elevated are are its heights, how meas-
its heights, meas-
ureless are
ureless are itsits length
length and breadth.
breadth .... . . .
To show that never meant to

that he never to abrogate
abrogate the the law,
law, our Lord
Jesus
Jesus hashas embodied all all its
its commands in in his
his own life. life. In
In hishis own
person there
person there was aa nature which was perfectly perfectly conformed to to the
the
law of God; and as
of God; was his
as was nature such
his nature such was was hishis life.
life. He couldcould
say,
say, "Which of of you
you convinceth me of of sin?"
sin?" and again again "I "I have
have
kept my
kept my Father's
Father's commandments and abide abide in his love."
in his love." ...
. . .
By
By hishis death he has has vindicated
vindicated the the honour of God's moral
of God's moral
government,
government, and made it it just
just for
for him to to be merciful.
merciful. When the the
lawgiver himself
lawgiver himself submits to the law,
to the law, when the the sovereign
sovereign himselfhimself
bears the
bears the extreme penaltypenalty of of that
that law,
law, thenthen is is the
the justice
justice of of God
127
set upon such aa glorious

set upon glorious high high throne
throne that that all
all admiring
admiring worlds worlds
must wonder at at it.
it. If therefore it
If therefore it is
is clearly proven that
clearly proven that Jesus Jesus was
obedient to the the law,
law, even to to the
the extent
extent of of death,
death, he he certainly
certainly did did
not come to to abolish
abolish or abrogateabrogate it; it; and if if he did not
he did not remove
it,
it, who can do so? so? If declares that
If he declares that he he came to to establish
establish it, it, who
shall overthrow it?
shall it? ...
...
The law is is absolutely complete, and you can
absolutely complete, you can neither
neither add add to to
it nor take
it take from it. it. "For whosoever shall
'Tor whosoever shall keep
keep thethe whole law, law,
and yetyet offend
offend in in one point,point, he he is
is guilty
guilty of all. For
of all. For he he that
that said,
said,
Do not commit adultery, adultery, said said also,
also, Do not not kill.
kill. Now if thou com-
if thou com-
adultery, yet
mit no adultery, yet if thou kill,
if thou kill, thou art art become a a transgressor
transgressor
of the
of the law." If, then, no part
If, then, part ofof itit can
can bebe taken
taken down,
down, it it must
stand,
stand, and stand stand for for ever.-The
ever. Perpetuity of
The Perpetuity of the
the Law of of God,
God,
published in
published Spw-geon's Expository
in Spurgeon's Expository Encyclopedia,
Encyclopedia, by by Baker.
Baker.
BILLY GRAHAM
GRAHAM-PERMANENT PERMANENT AND UNCHANGING. UNCHANGING.-The The word
"Law" is is used
used by by the the New Testament writers writers in in twotwo senses.
senses.
Sometimes it refers to
it refers the ceremonial
to the ceremonial law of of the
the Old Testament,
Testament,
which is is concerned about ritual ritual matters
matters and regulations
regulations regard-
regard-
ing food
ing food and drink and things things ofof that
that kind.
kind. From this this law
law Chris-
Chris-
tians are indeed
tians are indeed free. free. But the the New Testament also also speaks
speaks of
of the
the
moral law,law, which is is of
of a perl)).anent, unchanging
a permanent, unchang'ing ,character
character and
is summarized in
is in thethe· Ten Commandments.-Associated
Commandments. Associated Press Press
Dispatch, Chicago
Dispatch, Chicago Tribune Syndicate: Syndicate.-
MOODy-LAW
MOODY ETERNAL: OBEYED WITH LOVE IN
LAW ETERNAL: IN THE HEART.-
HEART.
question for
The question for each
each one of of us
us is-are
is keeping them [the
are we keeping [the
commandments]? If
commandments]? If God should
should weigh
weigh us us by
by them,
them, would we be
wanting or
found wanting or notnot wanting?
wanting? Do we keep keep thethe law,
law, thethe whole
law?
law? Are we obeying obeying God with with all
all our heart?
heart? Do we render render Him
a full
a full and willing
willing obedience?
obedience?
These ten ten commandments are are not not ten
ten different
different laws;laws; theythey
are one law.
are law. If If II am beingbeing held
held upup in in the air
air by
by aa chain with ten
links, and II break
links, break one of them, down II come,
of them, come, justjust asas surely
surely as as
if II break
if break the the whole ten. ten. IfIf II am forbidden to to go
go out of of an en- en-
closure,
closure, it it makes no difference difference at at what point point II break
break through
through
the fence.
the fence. "Whosoever shall shall keep
keep the the whole law and yet yet offend
in one point,
in one point, he he isis guilty of
guilty of all."
all." "The goldengolden chain of of obedience
is broken if
is broken if one linklink is is missing."
missing." ...
. . .
For fifteen hundred years

For fifteen years man was under the the law,
law, and no one
was equal to
was equal to it.
it. Christ
Christ came and showed that that the
the commandments
went beyond
went beyond the the mere letter;letter; and can any anyone since say
one since that he
say that
has been able
has been able to keep them in
to keep in his
his own strength?
strength? ...
. . .
128
QUESTIONS
I can imagine
I imagine that
that you are saying
you are saying to yourself, "If
to yourself, "If we are to be
are to
judged by
judged by these
these laws,
laws, how areare we going
going toto be
be saved?
saved? Nearly
Nearly every
every
one ofof them has been broken
has been broken by by us
us-in spirit, if
In spirit, not in
if not letter."
in letter."
II almost
almost hear
hear you say: "I
you say: "I wonder if Mr. Moody
if Mr. Moody is is ready to be
ready to
weighed?
weighed? Would he
he like
like to
to put
put those
those tests
tests to
to himself?"
himself?"
With all humility II reply
all humility reply that if God commanded me to
that if to step
step
into the
into scales now,
the scales now, II am ready.
ready.
"What!" you you say,
say, "haven't
"haven't youyou broken
broken the the law?"
law?"
Yes, have. II was
Yes, II have. was aa sinner before God the
sinner before the same as you; but
as you;
forty years ago
forty years plead guilty
ago II plead guilty at
at His
His bar.
bar. II cried
cried for mercy, and
for mercy,
He forgave
forgave me. me. If If II step
step into the scales,
into the scales, the
the Son of of God has
promised to
promised to be be with
with me.me. II would not not dare
dare toto step
step inin without
Him. If If II did,
did, how quickly
quickly thethe scales
scales would fly upl
fly up!
Christ
Christ keptkept the law. If
the law. If He had ever broken it,
ever broken it, He would have have
had to to die
die forfor Himself;
Himself; but but because
because He was was aa Lamb without
without
spot
spot oror blemish,
blemish, His His atoning death is
atoning death is efficacious
efficacious forfor you
you and me me..
. . Christ is
. . . Christ
. the end of
is the the law for
of the for righteousness
righteousness to to everyone
every one
that believeth. We are
that believeth. are righteous
righteous in God's sight
in God's because the
sight because the
righteousness of
righteousness of God,
God, which is is by
by faith
faith in Jesus Christ,
in Jesus Christ, isis unto
unto all
all
upon all
and upon all them thatthat believe.
believe....
. . .
If the love
If the love of of God is is shed
shed abroad in in your
your heart,
heart, you
you will be
will be
able to
able to fulfil
fulfil thethe law.-Weighed
law. Weighed and Wanting,
Wanting, pp. pp. 119-124.
119-124.
MONTHLY" CHRIST AMPLIFIED THEIR

"MOODY MONTHLy"-CHRIST
SCOPE. A few years
ScoPE.-A years ago
ago aa series of articles
series of articles was
was printed
printed
in the
in Moody Bible
the Moody Bible Institute
Institute Monthly
Monthly under the the
head "Are Christians Freed From the
Christians Freed the Law?" The
writer of
writer of the
the series
series says in his
says in his first
first article,
article, "Let
"Let us us
now see the moral law is
see how the is emphasized,
emphasized, enlarged,
enlarged,
and enforced
enforced in
in all
all its
its details
details in the New Testament."
in the Testament/'
He shows how Christ
Christ and the apostles dealt
the apostles dealt with
with it:
it:
So far
far from annulling
annulling any any of
of the
the Ten Commandments,
Commandments, He
[Christ]
[Christ] amplified their scope,
amplified their teaching that
scope, teaching that an angry thought or
angry thought or
bitter word violated
bitter violated the
the sixth,
sixth, and a a lustful
lustful look the seventh
look the seventh
(Matt. 5:21,
(Matt. 5:21, 22,
22, 27, 28).
27, 28).
teaching of
The teaching of the apostles under the
the apostles the inspiration
inspiration of
of the
the
Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, is
is even more emphatic and explicit concerning the
emphatic explicit concerning the
scope
scope and obligations
obligations of the moral law.
of the law.-M oody Bible
Moody Bible Institute
Institute
Monthly, October,
Monthly, October, 1933.
1933.
Distinction
Distinction Between
Between the
the Decalogue
Decalogue
and
and the
the Ceremonial
Ceremonial Law
QUESTION
QUESTION 13
On what grounds
grounds do Seventh-day
Seventh-day A.dvent-
Advent-
ists
ists consider
consider as
as separate
separate the
the "moral law"
law" and
the
the "ceremonial law,"
law" in
in view of
of what our
our Lord
accomplished
accomplished on Calvary's
Calvary's cross?
cross?
We feel
feel that
that there
there are
are ample
ample Biblical
Biblical grounds
grounds for
for
making
making this
this distinction.
distinction. The Ten Commandments,
Commandments, or or
the
the Decalogue,
Decalogue, constitute
constitute in
in principle God's
principle God's eternaleternal
law. Not only
law. only is this law eternal,
is this eternal, but it is immutable.
it is
It is the
It is the foundation of His throne;
of His throne; itit is the expression
is the expression
of His character.
of His character. Since
Since it
it represents
represents His character-
character
or what God Himself is
or is-we believe it
we believe it is
is as
as eternal
eternal as
as
the everlasting
the everlasting God.
thought can
This thought can be seen
seen in in the
the following
following qualities
qualities
inherent in
inherent in God and in in His law:
law:
God Is
Is Is
His Law Is
Righteous
Righteous Ezra 9:15
Ezra 9:15 Righteousness
Righteousness Ps.
Ps. 119:172
119:172
Perfect
Perfect Matt. 5:48
Matt. 5:48 Perfect
Perfect Ps. 19:7
Ps. 19:7
Holy
Holy Lev. 19:2
Lev. 19:2 Holy
Holy 7:12
Rom. 7:12
Good Ps.
Ps. 34:8
34:8 Good 7:12
Rom. 7:12
Truth Deut. 32:4
Deut. 32:4 Truth Ps. 119:142
Ps. 119: 142
But while
But while this
this is
is true
trile of
of the
the eternal
eternal law of
of God as
as
expressed
expressed in
in the
the Decalogue,
Decalogue, it
it would not be true
true of
of the
the
5
5 129
129
130
QUESTIONS
ceremonial law
ceremonial law that
that God gavegave to to Israel.
Israel. This cere-cere-
monial law law embraced the the types
types and shadows that that en-
en-
tered into
tered into the
the sacrificial
sacrificial system
system of of Israel.
Israel. All
All the
the sacri-
sacri-
ficial offerings,
ficial offerings, thethe feast
feast days,
days, and eveneven thethe priesthood
priesthood
-aU that was
all that was typical
typical ofof the
the sacrifice
sacrifice and ministry
ministry of of
Christ our
Christ our Lord Lord-metmet its
its end on Calvary's
Calvary's cross.
cross. This
believe is
we believe is what isis meant by by the
the apostle
apostle Paul
Paul when
he wrote
he wrote that
that Christ
Christ "abolished
"abolished in in his
his flesh
flesh the
the enmity,
enmity,
even the
even the lawlaw ofof commandments contained contained in in ordi-
ordi-
nances" (Eph.
nances" (Eph. 2:15).2: 15).
"Blotting out
"Blotting out the
the handwriting
handwriting of of ordinances
ordinances thatthat
was against
was against us,us, which waswas contrary
contrary to to us,
us, and took
took itit
out of
out of the
the way, nailing it
way, nailing to his
it to his cross"
cross" (Col.
(Col. 2:14).
2: 14).
"Which are are aa shadow of of things
things to to come;
come; but the the
body
body is
is of
of Christ"
Christ" (verse 17).
(verse 17).
The distinction
distinction between the the moral law of of God-
God
the Decalogue-and
the Decalogue and thethe ceremonial law law can
can be seen
in the
in the following:
following:
The Decalogue
Decalogue The Ceremonial Law
1. Spoken
1. Spoken by by God Himself.
Himself. 1. Spoken by Moses. Ex.
1. Spoken by Ex. 24:3.
24:3.
Ex.
Ex. 20: 1, 22.
20:1, 22.
2.
2. Written
Written byby God. Ex.
Ex. 31:18;
31:18; 2.
2. Written by by Moses.
Moses. Ex. 24:24:
32:16.
32:16. 4;
4; Deut. 31:9.
31:9.
3. On stones.
3. stones. Ex.
Ex. 31: 18.
31:18. 3.
3. In aa book.
book. Ex. 24:4,
24:4, 7; 7;
Deut.31:24.
Deut. 31:24.
4. Handed by
4. by God,
God, its
its writer,
writer, 4. Handed by
4. by Moses,
Moses, its
its writer,
writer,
to
to Moses.
Moses. Ex.
Ex. 31:18.
31:18. to
to Levites. 31:25, 26.
Levites. Deut. 31:25, 26.
5. Deposited
5. Deposited by
by Moses "in
"in the 5.
5. Deposited
the Deposited by by the
the Levites
Levites
ark."
ark." Deut.
Deut. 10:5.
10:5. "by
"by thethe side of the
side of the ark."
ark."
Deut. 31:26,
31:26, A.R.V.
6.
6. Deals
Deals with
with moral precepts.
precepts. 6.
6. Deals with ceremonial,
ceremonial, rit-
rit-
Ex.
Ex. 20:3-17.
20:3-17. matters. (See
ual matters. (See parts
parts ofof
Exodus,
Exodus, Leviticus,
Leviticus, Num-
bers,
bers, Deuteronomy.)
Deuteronomy.)
THE CEREMONIAL LAW 131
131
7.
7. Reveals
Reveals sin.
sin. Rom. 7:7.
7:7. Prescribes offerings
7. Prescribes
7. offerings for
for sins.
sins.
(See
(See book of of Leviticus.)
Leviticus.)
8. Breaking of
8. Breaking of "the
"the law"
law" IS
is 8.
8. No sin
sin in in breaking,
breaking, for for
"sin."
"sin." I1 John
John 3:4.
3:4. now "abolished.".
"abolished.". Eph.Eph. 2: 2:
15.
15. ("Where no law
("Where law is, is,
there
there is is no transgression."
transgression."
Rom. 4:15.)
4: 15.)
9. Should "keep
9. the whole
"keep the whole 9. Apostles gave
9. Apostles gave "no such such
law." James 2:10.
law." James 2:10. commandment" to to "keep
"keep
the law."
the Acts 15:24.
law." Acts 15:24.
10. Because
10. we "shall
''shall 10.
10. Not toto be
be judged
judged byby it. Col.
it. Col.
judged" by
be judged" by this
this law.
law. 2:16.
2:16.
James 2:12.
James 2:12.
11. Christian who keeps
11. The Christian
keeps 11. Christian who keeps
11. The Christian
keeps
this law is
this law is "blessed
"blessed in in his
his this law is
this law not blessed.
is not blessed. (Sec,
(See,
deed." James 1:25.
deed." James 1:25. for example,
for example, Gal. Gal. 5: 1-6.)
5:1-6.)
12.
12. "The perfect
perfect law of lib-
of lib- 12.
12. The Christian
Christian who keeps keeps
erty."
erty." James 1:25.
James 1:25. (Cf.
(Cf. this
this law loses his liberty.
loses his liberty.
James 2: 12.)
James 2:12.) Gal.
Gal. 5: 1, 3.
5:1, 3.
13. Established by
13. Established by faith
faith in
In 13. Abolished by
13. Abolished by Christ. Eph.
Christ. Eph.
Christ. Rom. 3:31.
Christ. 3:31. 2:15.
2:15.
14.
14. Christ
Christ was to to "magnify
"magnify the the 14. Blotted "out
14. Blotted "out thethe handwrit-
handwrit-
law and make it it honoura-
honoura- ing
ing ofof ordinances
ordinances that was
that was
ble." !sa.
ble." Isa. 42:21.
42:21. against us." Col.
against us." 2: 14.
Col. 2:14.
15.
15. "We know that that the
the law
law is is 15.
15. "The law law of of aa carnal com-
carnal com-
spiritual."
spiritual." Rom. 7: 14. (Cf.
7:14. (Cf. mandment."
mandment/' Heb. Reb. 7:16.
7:16.
verse 7.)
verse 7.)
It should also
It be noted
also be that the
noted that leading confessions
the leading confessions
of faith,
of faith, and the
the historic creeds of
historic creeds of Christendom,
Christendom, rec-rec-
ognize
ognize the
the difference
difference between
between God's
God's moral
moral law,
law, the
the
Ten Commandments,
Commandments, or
or the
the Decalogue,
Decalogue, as
as separate
separate and
distinct
distinct from thethe ceremonial precepts.
precepts. The following
following
are a few
are a few of them:
of them:
The Second
Second Helvetic
Helvetic Confession (1566), of
Confession (1566), of the
the
Reformed Church of Zurich, and one of
of Zurich, the most
of the most au-
au-
thoritative
thoritative of
of all
all Continental
Continental symbols
symbols (PHILIP
(PHILIP
SCHAFF, The Creeds of Christendom,
Creeds of vol. 1,
Christendom, vol. pp. 391,
1, pp. 391,
132
QUESTIONS
394, 395), in
394, 395), In chapter
chapter 12, 12, "Of the the Law of God," after
of God/' after
contrasting the
contrasting the "moral" and the the "ceremonial"
"ceremonial" laws,laws,
says of
says the moral law,
of the law, "We believe
the whole
whole will
will
of God, and all
of God, all necessary precepts,
necessary precepts, for
for every part
every part of of
this life,
this life, are
are fully
fully delivered
delivered in
in this
this law"
law" (not
(not that
that we
are to be
are to be justified
justified byby it, but that
it, but shaH turn
that we shall to Christ
turn to Christ
by faith).
by faith). The types
types and figures
figures of
of the
the ceremonial
ceremonial
law
law have
have ceased.
ceased. "The shadow ceased ceased when the the body
body
came,"
came," but
but the
the moral law
law is not to
is not to be be disdained
disdained or re-
or re-
jected, and all
jected, all teachings
teachings against
against the law are
the law are condemned.
(See
(See SCHAFF,
SCHAFF, vol.
vol. 3,
3, pp. 854-856.)
pp. 854-856.)
Thirty-nine Articles of
Thirty-nine Articles of Religion
Religion of of the
the Church of of
England (1571).
England (1571). ArticleArticle VII states
states that
that while
while "the
"the lawe
lawe
geven from
geven from God by by Moses" concerning
concerning "ceremonies
"ceremonies and
rites" is
rites" is not
not binding,
binding, "no Christian whatsoeuer, is
Christian man whatsoeuer, is
free
free from the the obedience
obedience of of thethe commaundementes,
commaundementes,
which are are called
called morall."
morall." (See (See SCHAFF,
SCHAFF, vol.vol. 3, pp.
3, pp.
491, 492.)
491, 492.)
The American Revision
Revision of of Thirty-nine Articles by
Thirty-nine Articles by
the Protestant Episcopal
the Protestant Episcopal Church (1801) (1801) is is identical
identical
with
with thethe foregoing,^ (See SCHAFF,
foregoing._ (See SCHAFF, vol.vol. 3, p. 816.)
3, p. 816.)
The Irish
Irish Articles
Articles ofof Religion (1615), believed
Religion (1615) ,
believed to to
have been composed by Archbishop
composed by Archbishop Ussher,
Ussher, after
after stating
stating
that the
that the ceremonial law is abolished, says:
is abolished,
says: "No Chris-
Chris-
tian man whatsoever
tian whatsoever is is freed
freed from the obedience of
the obedience of the
the
Commandments which are called Moral."
are called Moral." (See(See SCHAFF,
SCHAFF,
vol. 3,
vol. pp. 526,
3, pp. 526, 541.)
541.)
The Westminster Confession
Confession of (1647), after
Faith (1647),
of Faith after
showing
showing the the difference between the
difference between the ceremonial
ceremonial and and
the moral law,
the moral law, and the
the abrogation
abrogation of
of the
the former
former and
and
the perpetuity
the perpetuity ofof the
the latter, in chapter
latter, in chapter 19 19 declares
declares "the"the
moral lawlaw doth forever bind all,"
forever bind all," not
not for
for justification,
justification,
THE CEREMONIAL LAW 133
133
but as aa rule
as rule of
of life,
life, in
In order
order to to recognize
recognize thethe enabling
enabling
power of
power of Christ.
Christ. This law law continues
continues to to be
be "a perfect
"a perfect
rule
rule of righteousness." And it
of righteousness." adds, "Neither
it adds, "Neither dothdoth
Christ
Christ in in the
the gospel any way
gospel any way dissolve, dissolve, but
but much
strengthen,
strengthen, this this obligation."
obligation." (See
(See SCHAFF,
SCHAFF, vol. vol. 3,
3,
pp. 640-644.)
pp. 640-644.)
The Savoy
Savoy Declaration
Declaration of of thethe Congregational
Congregational
Churches (1658).
(1658). There is
is no change
change in chapter 19,
in chapter 19,
"Of thethe Law of of God,"
God," from the Westminster Confes-
the Westminster Confes-
sion. (See SCHAFF,
sion. (See SCHAFF, vol. vol. 3, p. 718).
3, p. 718),
Baptist Confession of 1688 (Philadelphia),
Baptist Confession of (Philadelphia), basedbased
the London,
on the London, 1677, confession,
1677, confession, has has no change
change fromfrom
the Westminster Confession
the Confession in in chapter
chapter 19,19, "Of the
the Law
of
of God." It It deals
deals with
with the the distinction between the
distinction between the
moral and the the ceremonial
ceremonial law, law, and asserts
asserts that
that no
Christian is
Christian is free
free from obedience
obedience to to the
the moral
moral law.law.
(See
(See SCHAFF,
SCHAFF, vol.vol. 3, p. 738.)
3, p. 738.)
Articles of
Methodist Articles Religion (1784).
of Religion These
(1784). These
twenty-five articles,
twenty-five articles, drawn up by John Wesley for
up by John Wesley for
Methodists, are
American Methodists, are an abridgement
abridgement of of thethe
Thirty-nine Articles of
Thirty-nine Articles of the
the Church of of England,
England, and
declare: "Although
declare: "Although the
the law given
given from
from God by
by Moses,
Moses,
as
as touching
touching ceremonies
ceremonies and rites, rites, doth
doth not
not bind
bind Chris-
Chris-
tians, nor ought
tians, ought the
the civil
civil precepts
precepts thereof
thereof of
of necessity
necessity
be received
be received in in any
any commonwealth,
commonwealth, yet, yet, notwithstand-
notwithstand-
ing,
ing, no Christian
Christian whatsoever
whatsoever is
is free
free from the
the obedience
to the ,commandments
to the commandments which are are called
called moral."
moral." (See(See
SCHAFF,
SCHAFF, vol.vol. 3,3, pp.
pp. 807,
807, 808.)
808.)
The conclusion
conclusion from the the foregoing
foregoing is is therefore
therefore
clear: position maintained
clear: The position maintained by by Seventh-day
Seventh-day Advent-
ists regarding their
ists regarding their relationship
relationship to
to the Decalogue,
the Decalogue, and
their distinction
their distinction between the the moral and the the ceremo-
QUESTIONS
nial law, Is
nial law, is fully
fully sustained by the
sustained by the leading
leading creeds,
creeds, articles
articles
of faith,
of faith, and catechisms
catechisms of historic Protestantism.
of historic Protestantism. The
concept that
concept that the Decalogue was abolished
the Decalogue abolished byby the
the death
of Christ
of Christ isis a
a relatively
relatively recent
recent one.
one. Certainly
Certainly it
it was not
taught
taught byby the
the founding
founding fathers
fathers of
of Protestantism,
Protestantism, for
for
such is
is in
in total
total conflict with their
conflict with their belief.
belief.
'The Relationship of
The Relationship of
Grace
Grace
to Law and
to Law and Worb
Works
QUESTION
QUESTION 14
It is
It is generally understood
generally understood that Adventists
that Adventists
teach that
teach salvation is
that salvation is by
by the
the grace of God-but
grace of God but
plus
plus the
the works of
of the
the law.
law. What is
is the
the actual
actual
Adventist concept
Adventist concept of
of the relation of
the relation of grace
grace to
to law
law
and toto human works?
works'! Is
Is not
not the emphasis of
the emphasis of
Mrs. White on the necessity of
the necessity obedi-
of works and obedi-
ence,
ence, rather than on the
the abounding
abounding saving
saving grace
grace
of
of God'!
Godf
There has
has been regrettable misunderstanding as
regrettable misunderstanding as to
to
our teaching
teaching on grace, law,
grace, law, and works,
works, and their
their inter-
inter-
relationships.
relationships. According
According to to Seventh-day Adventist. be-
Seventh-day Adventist be-
lief, there
lief, there is,
is, and can be,be, no salvation through the
salvation through the law,
law,
or by human works of
or by the law,
of the only through
law, but only through the the
saving grace
saving grace of
of God. This principle,
principle, to
to us,
us, is
is basic.
basic. This
transcendent provision
transcendent provision of
of the
the grace of God is
grace of is empha-
empha-
sized both in
sized both in the the New Testament,
the Old and the Testament, although
although
the truth
the truth of
of God's wondrous grace reaches its
grace reaches fullest
its fullest
unfolding,
unfolding, and most complete manifestation, in
complete manifestation, in the
the
New Testament times times and record.
record.
I. Grace Pre-eminent
I. Pre-eminent in the New Testament
in the
The word "grace"
"grace" (Greek, charis), occurs
(Greek, charts), occurs some 150
times in
times in the
the New Testament. Paul made more use use of
of
this
this significant
significant term than did
did any
any other
other New Testa-
135
135
136
QUESTIONS
writer, there
ment writer, being some 100
there being 100 occurrences in his
occurrences in his
epistles.
epistles. His close
close associate,
associate, Luke, used the
Luke, used the word about
25
25 times
times in
in Luke and Acts,
Acts, these
these two
two men thereby
thereby ac-
ac-
counting for
counting for about
about five
five sixths
sixths of the New Testa-
all the
of all Testa-
ment occurrences.
occurrences. "Grace" "Grace" was was by by no means aa new
word invented
invented by by the
the apostles;
apostles; the the term
term was was widely
widely
used
used inin aa variety
variety of
of associated
associated meanings
meanings in
In the
the LXX
and in classical and later
in classical later Greek literature.
literature. However,
However,
the New Testament often
the often seems to to attach
attach a a spedal
special
significance
significance to to "grace"
"grace'* thatthat isis not
not found
found fully
fully expressed
expressed
elsewhere.
elsewhere.
In
In the
the New Testament,
Testament, grace grace is is set
set forth
forth as as aa dis-
dis-
tinctively divine quality.
tinctively divine quality. New Testament writers speak
writers speak
of
of "the
"the grace
grace of of our God" (Jude (Jude 4); 4); "the
"the grace
grace of of
Christ" (Gal.
Christ" I
(Gal. 1:6); :6); and "the
"the grace
grace of
of our
our Lord
Lord Jesus
Jesus
Christ" (Gal. 6:
Christ" (Gal. 18). Expressions
6:18). Expressions like these constitute
like these constitute
the opening
the opening and closingclosing salutations
salutations in the letters
in the letters of the
of the
apostles. They
apostles. They are
are found at
at the
the beginning
beginning of
of Peter's
Peter's
letters, as
two letters, as well
well as as inin the fourteen epistles
the fourteen epistles of of the
the
apostle
apostle Paul.
Paul. They
They also
also appear
appear at
at the
the close
close of these
of these
letters
letters ofof spiritual
spiritual counsel encouragement.
counsel and encouragement.
This divine
divine gracegrace is further described
is further described by by aa remark-
remark-
ably
ably wide range
range of
of adjectives
adjectives and adverbs.
adverbs. It
It is
is called
called
the "true
the "true grace
grace of
of God" (1 abounding,
(1 Peter 5:12); abounding, or
Peter 5: 12); or
"abundant,"
"abundant," grace grace (2 (2 Cor.
Cor. 4: the "manifold
15); the
4:15); "manifold grace grace
of God" (1
of (I Peter 4: 19); the
Peter 4:19); the "sufficient"
"sufficient" grace grace of of God
(2
(2 Cor.
Cor. 12:9);
12:9); the
the "exceeding
"exceeding grace grace of
of God~'
God" (2
(2 Cor.
Cor.
9: 14). There is
9:14). is also
also thethe expression
expression "grace "grace for for grace"
grace"
(John
(John 1: 16); and reference
1:16); reference to to Christ
Christ Jesus
Jesus our Lord
our Lord
as being
as being "full
"full ofof grace
grace and truth"
truth" (John
(John 1: 14;
1:14; compare
compare
verse
verse 17).
17). It
It is
is also
also thethe "free
"free gift"
gift" of of God (Rom. (Rom. 5:15,
5:15,
18).
18).
GRACE, LAW, AND WORKS
'WORKS 137
137
n.
II. Bible Definition
Definition or Description of
or Description Grace
of Grace
The distinctive
distinctive meaningmeaning attached attached to to thethe termterm
"grace"
"grace" in
in the
the New Testament,
Testament, and especially
especially in
In the
the
writings
writings of
of Paul,
Paul, is
Is that
that of
of the
the abundant,
abundant, saving saving love
love of
of
God toward
toward sinners
sinners as revealed in Jesus
as revealed in Jesus Christ. Christ. Ob-
viously, since
viously, since allall men have have sinned
sinned and are are destitute
destitute of of
the
the glory
glory of
of God (Rom. 3:23),
(Rom. 3:23), such
such favor
favor and loving-
loving-
kindness on God's
kindness God's partpart are wholly undeserved
are wholly undeserved and un- un-
merited by
merited by sinful
sinful man. Men have have lived
lived in in hatred
hatred and
rebellion against
rebellion against God (Rom. (Rom. 1 :21,
1:21, 31,
31, 32), have per-
32), per-
verted His truth
verted truth (verses
(verses 18,
18, 25),
25), have
have preferred
preferred to to
worship
worship beasts
beasts and reptiles (verse
reptiles (verse 23), 23), have
have defiled
defiled His
His
image in
image their own bodies
in their bodies (verses(verses 24-27),
24-27), havehave blas-blas-
phemed
phemed His name (Rom. 2:24),
(Rom. 2:24), and have
have even
even despised
despised
God for for HisHis patience
patience and forbearance forbearance (verse (verse 4). 4).
Finally,
Finally, theythey murdered His
His Son,
Son, sent
sent to
to save
save them
(Acts 7:52).
(Acts 7:52). Yet
Yet God has
has continued to regard
to regard man with
love
love and kindness,
kindness, that that thethe revelation
revelation of of His
His goodness
goodness
may
may lead
lead men to
to repentance (Rom.
repentance (Rom. 2:4). 2:4).
This is
This is the
the grace
grace of of God in its peculiar
in Its peculiar New Testa- Testa-
ment sense.
sense. It It is
is God's unlimited, all-inclusive,
God's unlimited, all-inclusive, trans- trans-
forming
forming love
love toward
toward sinful
sinful men and women;
women; and the
the
good
good news of
of this
this grace,
grace, as
as revealed
revealed in
in Jesus Christ, is
Jesus Christ, is
"the power
"the power of of God unto salvation"
salvation" (Rom.
(Rom. 1:16).1: 16). It
It
is not
is not merely
merely God'sGod's mercy
mercy and willingnesswillingness to to forgive,
forgive,
but it
but is an
It is an active,
active, energizing, transforming
energizing, transforming power to power to
save.
save. Thus it
it may
may fill
fill a
a person (John
person (John 1:14), 1: 14), it
it may
may
be given
be given (Rom.
(Rom. 12:3,6),
12:3, 6), it is all-sufficient
it is all-sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9;
(2 Cor. 12:9;
compare Rom. 5:20),
compare 5:20), it it reigns
reigns (Rom. 5:21), it
(Rom. 5:21), teaches
It teaches
(Titus 2: 11,
(Titus 2:11, 12), 12), it
it establishes
establishes the
the heart
heart (Heb.
(Heb. 13:9).13:9).
In
In some instances
instances "grace"
"grace" seems almost to to be equivalent
equivalent
138
QUESTIONS
to
to "gospel"
"gospel" (Col.
(Col. 1 :6) and to
1:6) to the
the working
working of
of God
generally
generally (Acts
(Acts 11 :23; 1I Peter
11:23; Peter 5: 12). Ellen
5:12). Ellen G.
G. White
wrote:
wrote:
Divine grace
grace is the great
Is the great element
element ofof saving power.-Gospel
saving power. Gospel
Workers, p. 70.
Workers, p. 70.
Christ gave
Christ His life
gave His life to
to make itit possible
possible for
for man to
to be restored
restored
to the Image
to the image of of God. It It is
is the power of
the power of His
His grace that draws
grace that draws
men together
together in in obedience
obedience to the truth.-Counsels
to the truth. Counsels to Parents,
to Parents,
Teachers,
Teachers, and Students,
Students, p.p. 249.
249.
The "grace
"grace ofof God" has been fittingly
has been fittingly called the
called the
"love
"love ofof God";
God"; that
that is,
is, love,
love, not
not so
so much in
in a
a general
general
sense
sense asas in
in a a specific
specific sense;
sense; notnot so
so much love love merely
merely as
as
love, but
love, but love
love directionally.
directionally. GraceGrace isis the
the love
love ofof God
flowing-flowing
flowing flowing not
not upward
upward or
or outward,
outward, but
but down-
ward. It
ward. It is
is that wonderful divine
that wonderful divine mercy
mercy and undeserved
undeserved
favor that
favor that flows
flows from the the great
great loving heart of
loving heart of God.
And specifically,
specifically, it is
it is His
His love
love that
that flows
flows downward from
heaven to
heaven to undeserving
undeserving sinners here on earth.
sinners here earth. While
deserving nothing
deserving nothing but the wrath
but the wrath of God, we become,
of God, become,
through
through thisthis marvelous
marvelous grace,grace, the
the recipients
recipients of this
of this
love, this grace,
love, this grace, which we do not
not in
in the
the least
least merit.
merit.
III.
III. Ellen G. White on the
Ellen the Sovereignty
Sovereignty of
of Grace
to the
As to the apparently
apparently misunderstood teachings
teachings of
of
Ellen G.
Ellen G. White on the relationship
the relationship of
of grace,
grace, law,
law,
and works,
works, please
please note
note the
the following
following expression,
expression, written
written
in 1905.
in 1905, Her writings
writings are in pronounced
are in pronounced harmony
harmony with
with
Scripture,
Scripture, as
as well
well as
as sOllnd
sound historical
historical theology.
theology.
is an attribute
Grace is attribute of exercised toward
of God exercised toward undeserving
undeserving
human beings.
beings. We did notnot seek for it,
seek for it, but
but it was sent
it was sent in
in search
search
of us. God rejoices
of us. rejoices to
to bestow
bestow His grace
grace upon
upon us,
us, not
not because
because we
are worthy, but because
are worthy, because we are
are so utterly unworthy.
so utterly unworthy. Our only only
claim to
claim to His
His mercy
mercy is
is our great need.-The
great need. Ministry of
The Ministry of Healing,
Healing,
p 161.
p 161.
GRACE, LAW, AND WORKS 139
139
More than
than that,
that, the writer adds
the same writer that every-
adds that every-
thing enjoy, in
thing we enjoy, the matchless
in the blessings of
matchless blessings salvation
of salvation
comes to us through
to us through thethe grace
grace ofof God.
God. Thus:
Thus:
We owe everything
everything to grace, free
to grace, free grace,
grace, sovereign
sovereign grace.
grace. Grace
Grace
in the
in covenant ordained
the covenant ordained our
our adoption.
adoption. Grace in the
Grace in the Saviour
Saviour
effected our redemption,
effected our redemption, our regeneration,
regeneration, and our adoption to
our adoption to
heirship with Christ.-Testimonies
heirship with Christ. for the
Testimonies for the Church (1882),
(1882), vol.
vol. 6,
6,
p. 268.
p. 268.
Recognized theological
Recognized theological
classics have stated
classics have stated these
these
truths in
same truths this way.
in this way. Charles
Charles Hodge, formerly pro-
Hodge, formerly pro-
fessor of systematic
fessor of systematic theology
theology at
at Princeton
Princeton Theological
Theological
Seminary,
Seminary, declares:
declares:
The word [charis,
[charts, "grace"]
"grace"] ... means a
. . a favourable
. favourable disposition,
disposition,
or kind
or kind feeling;
feeling; and especially love as
especially love exercised toward
as exercised toward thethe in-
in·
ferior, dependent,
ferior, dependent, or or unworthy. This is
unworthy. This represented as
is represented as the
the crown·
crown-
ing attribute of
ing attribute of the
the divine
divine nature. Its manifestation
nature. Its manifestation isis declared
declared
to
to be the grand
be the grand end of of the
the whole scheme of redemption ....
of redemption. ... He
[God] raises men from spiritual
[God] raises death, "and
spiritual death, "and makes
makes them
them sit
sit to·
to-
gether
gether inin heavenly places in
heavenly places Christ Jesus,
in Christ Jesus, that
that in
in the
the ages to come
ages to
he might
he might show the the exceeding
exceeding riches
riches ofof his
his grace."
grace." (Eph.
(Eph. 2:6,
2:6, 7.)
7.)
Therefore
Therefore it it is
is often
often asserted
asserted that
that salvation
salvation is is of
of grace.
grace. The gospel
gospel
is aa system
is
system of of grace.
grace. All its blessings
All its blessings are gratuitously bestowed;
are gratuitously bestowed;
all is
all is so
so ordered
ordered thatthat in
in every
every step
step of
of the progress of
the progress redemption
of redemption
and in in its consummation, the
its consummation, the grace,
grace, or undeserved love
or undeserved love of God,
of God,
is conspicuously
is conspicuously displayed. Nothing
displayed. Nothing is
is given
given or
or promised
promised on the
the
ground of
ground merit. Everything
of merit. Everything is is an undeserved
undeserved favour.
favour. That sal· sal-
vation
vation was provided at
was provided at all,
all, is
is aa matter of of grace
grace and notnot of
of debt.
debt.
-Systematic
Systematic Theology
Theology (1871),
(1871), vol. 2, p.
vol. 2, p. 654.
654.
With this,
this, Adventists
Adventists are in complete
are in agreement.
complete agreement.
IV.
IV. The Fruitage
Fruitage of
of This Divine Grace
Many and varied
Many varied are
are the
the manifestations
manifestations of
of the grace
the grace
of God.
of God. Our heavenly Father is
heavenly Father is called
called "the
"the God of all
of all
grace" (1
grace" (1 Peter
Peter 5: 10).
5:10). We may
may do "despite
"despite unto
unto the
the
Spirit of grace" (Heb. 10:29). "We have redemption
Spirit of grace" (Heb. 10:29).
redemption
... according
. according to
. . to the
the riches of his grace"
riches of his grace" (Eph.
(Eph. 1 :7).
1:7).
QUESTIONS
We are
are to
to preach
preach "the
"the gospel of the
gospel of the grace
grace of
of God"
(Acts 20:24) and "the
(Acts 20:24) "the word of his grace"
of his grace" (Acts
(Acts 14:3).
14:3).
We are
are also
also "chosen
"chosen by
by grace" (Rom. 11
grace" (Rom. :5, R.S.V.).
11:5, R.S.V.).
Everything we enjoy
Everything in Christian
enjoy In experience comes
Christian experience
to
to us because of
us because of this matchless grace
this matchless of God. We were
grace of
"called
"called . . . by
... by his
his grace" (Gal. 1:15). We have "be-
grace" (Gal. 1:15). "be-
lieved" through
lieved" through His His grace (Acts 18:27).
grace (Acts 18:27). We were
"justified by his grace" (Titus
"justified by his grace" (Titus 3:7). 3:7). Paul could say,
could say, "I
"I
what II am" because
am what because of of "the grace of
"the grace of God" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor.
IS: 10).
15:10). We too
too are
are saved
saved by
by His grace (Eph. 2:5,
grace (Eph. 2:5,
8).
8).
grace of
The grace of God givesgives usus aa unique
unique and secure secure
standing
standing befo~e
before God. We are
are to
to "continue
"continue in
In the
the grace
grace
of
of God" (Acts 13:43)
(Acts 13:43) and to "grow
to "grow in
in the
the grace
grace ... of
of
our Lord"
our Lord" (2 (2 Peter
Peter 3: 18, R.S.V.).
3:18, R.S.V.). As we do this, this, we
shall "stand" in
shall "stand" the grace
in the grace ofof God (Rom,
(Rom. 5:2).
5:2).
So
So Itit is
is the
the grace
grace ofof Christ
Christ alone that can
alone that can save
save the
the
soul; this alone
soul; this alone can
can lift the fallen
lift the fallen from the the depths
depths of of
degradation
degradation and sin.
sin. Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White's
White's witness
witness on this
this
point is
point is both
both clear
clear and unvarying:
unvarying:
Divine grace is
Divine grace the great
is the great element of
of saving power; without
saving power; it
without it
all human effort
all effort isis unavailing.-Counsels
unavailing. Counsels to Parents, Teachers,
to Parents, Teachers,
and Students
Students (1882),
(1882), p.p. 538.
538.
Christ delights
Christ delights to to take apparently hopeless
take apparently hopeless material,
material, those
those
whom Satan
Satan has through whom he
has debased and through he has
has worked,
worked, and
make them thethe subjects
subjects ofof His grace.-Testirnonies
His grace. for the
Testimonies for the Church
(1882), vol. 6,
(1882), vol. 6, p.
p. 308.
308.
Further,
Further, she writes that
she writes it is
that it is also the grace
also the grace of
of God
that
that keeps
keeps us
us from falling,
falling, and enables
enables us
us to
to remain
steadfast
steadfast and true
true to the divine
to the divine calling.
calling.
There is is only
only one power that can
power that can either
either make usus steadfast or
steadfast or
keep
keep usus so,-the
so, the grace
grace of
of God,
God, in
in truth. confides in
truth. He who confides in aught
aught
else is
else is already
already tottering,
tottering, ready fall.-Ibid.
to fall.
ready to Ibid. (1902), vol. 7, p. 189.
(1902), vol. 7, p. 189.
141
Again,
Again,it
It is the grace
is the
grace of
of God, manifested in
God, manifested the
in the
Jives of the
lives of the children
children ofof God, that is
God, that the greatest
is the greatest argu-
argu-
ment as to the
as to the truth
truth and power
power of the Christian
of the Christian faith.
faith.
By power of
By power of His grace manifested in
grace manifested in the
the transformation
transformation of
of
character the
character the world is to be
is to be convinced that God has
convinced that has sent
sent His
His Son
as its
as its Redeemer.-The
Redeemer. Ministry oj
The Ministry Healing (1905),
of Healing p. 470.
(1905), p. 470.
And when at at last the redeemed surround the
last the the throne
throne
of God, it
of God, it will be by
will be by the
the wonderful grace
grace of
of God.
If during
If this life
during this they are
are loyal to God,
God, they
they will
will at last "see
at last "see
life they loyal to
His
His face; and His
face; His name shall be in
shall be in their
their foreheads."
foreheads." Revelation
Revelation
22:4. And what is
22:4. is the
the happiness
happiness ofof heaven but toto see
see God? What
\Vhat
greater joy could
greater joy could come to to the
the sinner saved by
sinner saved by the
the grace
grace of
of Christ
Christ
than toto look upon
upon thethe face God, and know Him as
of God,
face of as Father?
Father?-
Ibid., p. 421.
Ibid.,p. 421.
V.
V. The Relationship
Relationship of
of Grace and Works
Salvation
Salvation is not now,
is not now, and never has has been,
been, byby law or or
works;
works; salvation
salvation is only by
is only by the
the grace
grace of
of Christ.
Christ. More-
over, there
over, there never
never was a time time in in the plan of
the plan of God when
salvation
salvation waswas byby human works or or effort. Nothing men
effort. Nothing
can do,
do, or have done,
or have done, can in any way
in any merit salvation.
way merit salvation.
'While works
While works are not aa means of
are not of salvation,
salvation, goodgood
works areare the
the inevitable result of
inevitable result of salvation.
salvation. However,
However,
these good works are
these good possible only
are possible only for the child
for the child ofof God
life is
whose life is inwrought
inwrought by by the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of God. It
It is to
is to
such believers that

such believers that John
John writes
writes when he bids
bids them
keep the
keep the commandments of of God (1 (1 John 3:22-24; 5:
John 3:22-24; 5:
2, 3). This relationship

2, 3). relationship and sequencesequence is is imperative,
imperative,
but is
but often misunderstood
is often misunderstood or reversed.
reversed.
Even in the days
in the days of old, men were not
of old, not justified
justified byby
works; they
works; were justified
they were justified by
by faith.
faith. Thus the the prophet
prophet
Habakkuk wrote:wrote: "The just just shall
shall live
live byby his
his faith"
faith"
(Hab. 2:4; compare
(Hab. 2:4; compare Rom. 1: 17;
1:17; Gal.
Gal. 3:8,
3:8, 11;
11; Phil.
Phil. 3:9;
3:9;
Heb. 10:38).
10:38). God calls upon
calls upon man to
to be righteous; but
righteous;
QUESTIONS
man is is naturally unrighteous. If
naturally unrighteous. he is
If he to be
is to be prepared
prepared for for
the kingdom of
die kingdom of God,
God, he he must be be made righteous.
righteous. This
is something
is
something man cannot cannot do iu in and of of himself.
himself. He is is
unclean and unrighteous.
unclean unrighteous. The more lllore hehe works,
works, and the the
greater his
greater his effort, the more he
effort, the he reveals
reveals the the unrighteous-
unrighteous-
ness of
ness his own heart.
of his Therefore if
heart. Therefore if man is ever to
is ever be-
to be-
come righteous,
righteolls, it mllst be
it must be byby aa power
power entirely
entirely ontsid('
outside
himself-it
himself it must be by by the power of
the power of God.
There is really no actual
is really actual valid valid conflict
conflict between
grace
grace and the the law-the
law the Ten Commandments; Commandments; each each
serves
serves itsits special purpose
special purpose in
in the
the plan
plan of
of God. Grace,
Grace, as
as
such,
such, isis not
not opposed
opposed to
to the
the law,
law, which is
is God's standard
standard
of righteousness;
of righteousness; neither neither is is the
the law law opposed
opposed to grace.
to grace.
Each has has its its specific
specific functions,
functions, and neither neither trespasses
trespasses
on the
the functions
functions of the other.
of the other.
One thingthing is is certain,
certain, man cannot cannot be be saved
saved by by any
any
effort
effort ofof hishis own. We \Ve profoundly
profoundly believe believe that that no works
works
of the
of the law,
law, no deeds deeds of the law,
of the law, no efforteffort however com-
mendable, and no good
mendable, good works-whether
works whether they be many
they many
or few,
or few, sacrificial
sacrificial or not-can
or not can in in any way
any way justify justify the
the
sinner (Titus
(Titus 3:5; 3:5; Rom. 3:20). 3:20). Salvation
Salvation is is wholly
wholly of of
grace;
grace; it
it is
is the
the gift
gift of
of God (Rom.
(Rom. 4:4,
4:4, 5;
5; Eph. 2:8).
Eph. 2:8).
Man in in the
the beginning
beginning was made upright upright (Eccl. (Eccl. 7:
7:
29).
29). There was no taint
taint of
of sin
sin in
in him when he came
forth
forth from the the hand of his Creator.
of his Creator. He was made in in
the image
image of
of God,
God, and his
his character
character was in
in harmony
harmony
with the
with the principles
principles of of God's
God's holyholy law.law. But man sinned. sinned.
Now, in in and through
through the the gospel, it is the purpose of
gospel, it is the purpose of
God to to restore
restore in in man that that lost
lost image
image of of God. He was
originally sinless;
originally sinless; now he he is is sinful.
sinful. But when the gos-
the gos-
pel
pel of
of the
the grace
grace of
of God does
does its
its work in
in his
his heart,
heart, he
will be clothed
will clothed withwith thethe robe of of the
the righteousness
righteousness of of
143
Christ.
Christ. That righteousness is imputed
righteousness is to him in
imputed to justifi-
in justifi-
cation.
cation. It is imparted
It is imparted toto him in sanctification. And
in sanctification.
through Christ, and Christ
through Christ, Christ alone, will be
it will
alone, it be his,
his, and his
his
forever,
forever, in
in glorification.
glorification.
there are
But there are dangers
dangers against
against which thethe children of
children of
God need to to guard.
guard. This too
too has
has been forcefully
forcefully stated
stated
by Ellen
by Ellen G.
G. White:
There are are twotwo errors against which the
errors against the children
children of of God-
God
particularly those
particularly those who have just just come to to trust
trust in in His grace-
grace
especially need
especially need to to guard.
guard. The first first ...
... isis that
that of of looking
looking to to their
their
works, trusting
own works, trusting to to anything
anything they they cancan do,do, to to bring
bring themselves
themselves
into harmony
into harmony with God. He who is is trying
trying to to become holy holy by by his
his
own works in keeping the
in keeping the law,
law, isis attempting
attempting an impossibility.
impossibility. All
that
that man can do without without ChristChrist is is polluted
polluted with with selfishness
selfishness and
sin. It
sin. is the
It is the grace
grace of of Christ
Christ alone,
alone, through
through faith, that can
faith, that can make
us
us holy.
holy.
opposite and no
The opposite no less
less dangerous
dangerous error error is,is, that belief
that belief in in
Christ releases men from keeping
Christ releases keeping the law of
the law God; that
of God; that since
since by by
faith alone
faith alone we become partakers partakers of the g-race
of the grace of of Christ,
Christ, our works
have nothing
nothing to to dodo with
with ourour redemptiori.
redemption.
notice here
But notice here thatthat obedience
obedience is not aa mere outward com-
is not com-
pliance, but
pliance, but the
the service
service of of love.
love. The law of of God is is an expression
expression
of His
of His very
very nature;
nature; it it is
is an embodiment of of thethe great
great principle
principle of of
love, and hence
love, hence is is the
the foundation
foundation of of His
His government
government in in heaven
earth. If
and earth. If our hearts
hearts are are renewed in in thethe likeness
likeness of of God,
God, if if
the divine
the divine love
love is is implanted
implanted in in the
the soul, will not
soul, will not thethe law
law ofof God
be carried
be carried out
out in the life?
in the life? When the the principle
principle of of love
love isis implanted
implanted
in the
in the heart,
heart, when man is is renewed after after thethe image
image of of Him that that
created him, the
created him, the new covenant promise promise is fulfilled: "I
is fulfilled: will put
"I will put My
laws into
laws their hearts,
into their hearts, and in their minds will
in their will II write
write them."
And if if the
the law
law is is written
written in in the
the heart, will it
heart, will shape the
it not shape the life?
life?
Obedience-the
Obedience the service
service and allegiance
allegiance of of love-is
love is the the true
true sign
sign
of
of discipleship.-Steps
discipleship. Steps to to Christ
Christ (1892),
(1892), pp.pp. 64, 65.
64, 65.
The Lord expects
expects no less less of the soul
of the soul now than than He expected
expected of of
man in in Paradise, perfect obedience,
Paradise, perfect obedience, unblemished righteousness. righteousness.
The requirement
requirement under the the covenant
covenant of of grace
grace is is just as
just as broad
as the
as requirement made in
the requirement in Eden,-harmony
Eden, harmony with God's law, law,
which is
which is holy, just, and good.-Christ's Christ's Object
Object Lessons
Lessons (1900),
holy, just, good. (1900),
p. 391.
p. 391.
144
QUESTIONS
Ray C.
Ray C. Stedman
Stedman has
has Impressively
impressively set
set forth
forth the
the rela-
rela-
tion of
tion of grace
grace and law,
law, and some common misconcep-
misconcep-
tions, in
tions, in the
the September,
September, 1953, Hope, as
1953, Our Hope, as follows:
follows:
If the
If the question,
question, "Is "Is law law opposed
opposed to to grace?"
grace?" were were put put to to aa
representative
representative group group of
of evangelical
evangelical believers
believers today,
today, the
the answer
would be,
would be, in in many
many instances,
instances, an an emphatic
emphatic "Yes." "Yes." Even such aa
selected group
selected group as as students
students of of conservative
conservative Bible Bible institutes
institutes and
seminaries would
seminaries would probably
probably give give aa strong
strong affirmative
affirmative to to such
such aa
question.
question. And they
they would
would be
be wrong!
wrong! Despite
Despite their
their wide-eyed
wide-eyed
amazement at
amazement at such
such aa statement
statement as as this
this thethe fact
fact remains that, that, bibli-
bibli-
cally
cally
and
and theologically,
theologically, they they are
are dead wrong.
wrong.
It is
It is easy
easy to to understand
understand why why otherwise
otherwise well-taught
well-taught Christians
Christians
are confused
are confused on on this
this matter.
matter. No theological
theological drum is is more soundlysoundly
thumped today
thumped today thanthan thatthat of of law
law vs.
vs. grace.
grace. No issue issue is is more clearlyclearly
drawn than
drawn than that that which
which separates
separates the the camp
camp of of the
the legalists
legalists from
the adherents
the adherents of grace. And this,
of grace. this, ofof course,
course, is is pre-eminently
pre-eminently right. right.
What is is commonly
commonly overlookedoverlooked and little little understood
understood in in thisthis pres-
pres-
ent day
ent day conflict
conflict between
between law law and gracegrace is is that
that thethe issue
issue is is not
not be-be-
tween
tween these
these two principles, as
two principles., as such,
such, but but between
between the the abuse
abuse of at the
the
law, on the
law, on the oneone hand and grace grace on on the other.
the other.
To put put the the matter
matter another
another way, way, it is only
it is only when the the law is is
made aa means of of salvation
salvation or or of
of restraint
restraint of of sin
sin that
that it it comes into
conflict
conflict with with the the principles
principles of of grace.
grace. In every every other
other respect
respect the the
two
two are complementary and not
are complementary not conflicting.
conflicting. But the
the law was never
designed
designed to to save.
save. In In its
its essential
essential principle
principle it it is not, and cannot
is not,
ever
ever be,be, opposed
opposed to to grace,
grace, for for the
the two operate
operate in in distinctly
distinctly sepa- sepa-
rate
rate fields
fields and for for widely
widely divergent purposes. The law is
divergent purposes. is designed
designed
to
to reveal
reveal sin; sin; grace
grace is is designed
designed to to save
save trom
from sin.sin. No conflict
conflict can
possibly
possibly existexist between
between these these two.
two.
The difference
difference does does not not lielie inin thethe commandments of of law
versus
versus the the commandment-free life life of of grace,
grace, for
for the
the fact
fact is
is that
that
grace
grace hashas its its commandments too! too! Those who always always associate
associate the the
word "command" with with the the word "law" "law'* have failed failed to to read the the
Bible
Bible accurately.
accurately. After After all,all, aa command is is but the the expression
expression of of aa
desire
desire on the the part
part of
of one who has authority.
authority. If
If Christ
Christ is
is Lord of
of
our
our lives,
lives, thenthen He has has authority
authority in in our liveslives and His requests requests bebe-
come commands to to all
all who love love Him. These are are thethe command-
ments
ments at of grace.
grace. The difference
difference between them and the the command-
ments
ments of of law
law lieslies in in the motive. Why
the motive. Why does does one obey obey the the law?law?
For
For fear!
fear! Why Why does does one obey obey a a command of of grace?
grace? For love! love!
145
lies the
There lies the difference.
difference. The command may
may be
be the
the same in
in
either case; the
either case; the motive
motive alone
alone differs.
differs. What made the the law
law so irritat-
so irritat-
ing was the the sense
sense of of constraint it engendered. We
ing constraint it engendered. \Ve were were being
being
asked to to do what we really really diddid not
not wantwant to to do.
do. The same com- com-
mand, in
mand, the relationship
in the relationship of of grace, elicits aa prompt
grace, elicits prompt and willingwilling
obedience from us
obedience us because
because we love love the the One who asks asks itit of
of us.
us.
sense of
The sense of constraint
constraint is is utterly gone.
utterly gone.
What happened,
happened, then, then, when grace grace superseded
superseded law? law? Did the the
desire
desire of of God for men, as
for men, as expressed
expressed in
in the
the law,
law, change?
change? No:
No; it
it
was even intensified

was intensified and made to to bebe inward
inward rather
rather than
than merely
merely
outward. What,
outward. What, then,
then, changed?
changed? The motive motive of men's hearts!
of men's hearts! Once
we strove
strove in in vain to to obey
obey a just law,
a just lashed on by
law, lashed by our
our fears
fears ofof
wrath to to corne. Now, as
come. Now, as believers
believers in in Christ,
Christ, we stand before God in
stand before in
the perfect righteousness
the perfect righteousness of of Christ
Christ and,and, because
because we love love Him who
first loved
first loved us,us, we seekseek to to please
please Him Him-something
something we find find great
great
pleasure
pleasure ourselves
ourselves in
in doing-and
doing and thus,
thus, unconsciously, fulfill the
unconsciously, fulfill the
law. "For what the
law. the law could
could notnot do,
do, in in that
that itit was
was weak through
through
the flesh, God sending
the flesh, sending His His own Son in in the
the likeness
likeness ofof sinful
sinful
flesh, and for
flesh, for sin, judged sin
sin, judged sin inin the
the flesh,
flesh, that
that thethe righteousness
righteousness
of the
of the law might be
law might be fulfilled
fulfilled inin us,
us, who walk walk not not after
after the
the flesh,
flesh,
but after
but the Spirit"
after the (Rom.
Spirit" (Rom. 8:3,
8:3, 4).
4). The last
last clause
clause is
is descriptive
descriptive
of
of what gracegrace makes us us do.
do. (Italics supplied.)
(Italics supplied.)
This statement
This statement of Adventist position
of Adventist position may
may well
well close
close
with this admonition from Ellen
with this Ellen G.
G. White to
to our
our own
church:
church:
Christ is pleading
Christ is pleading for
for the church in
the church the heavenly
in the heavenly courts above,
courts above,
pleading for
pleading those for
for those for whom He paid paid the
the redemption
redemption price
price of
of His
His
own lifeblood.
lifeblood. Centuries, ages, can
Centuries, ages, never diminish the
can never the efficacy
efficacy
of this
of this atoning
atoning sacrifice.
sacrifice. The message
message of the gospel
of the gospel of His grace
of His grace
was to
was be given
to be to the
given to the church
church in clear and distinct
in clear distinct lines,
lines, that
that
the world should
the world should. no longer
longer say
say that
that Seventh-day Adventists talk
Seventh-day Adventists talk
the law,
the law, the
the law, but do not
law, but teach or
not teach believe Christ.-Testimonies
or believe Christ. Testimonies
A Christian poet has
Christian poet has well
well said:
said:
II would not
not work my
my soul
soul to
to save,
save,
For that my
For that my Lord hath
hath done;
done;
But II would work like
like any slave
any slave
For the
For love of
the love of God's dear Son.
Son.
V. Questions
V. Questions on
on the Sabbath, Sunday,
the Sabbath, Sunday,
and
and the
the Mark
Mark of the Itast
of the Beast
The Foundation of
Tke Foundation Sabbath Observance
of Sabbath
Observance
QUESTION
QUESTION 15
Just what is
Just is the
the basis of Seventh-day
basis of Seventh-day Ad-
ventist
ventist observance of of Saturday
Saturday as the Sabbath,
as the Sabbath,
instead of
instead Sunday, commonly
of Sunday, commonly called
called the
the Lord's
Lord's
day
day or
or the
the Christian
Christian Sabbath?
Sabbath?
We believe
believe that
that the
the Sabbath was instituted
Instituted in
in Eden
before sin
before sin entered, that it
entered, that it was honored ofof God,
God, set
set
apart by
apart by divine
divine appointment,
appointment, and given
given to
to mankind as
as
the perpetual memorial of
the perpetual of a a finished
finished creation.
creation. It It was
based upon
based upon the
the fact
fact that
that God Himself had rested
rested from
His work of
His of creation, blessed His Sabbath,
creation, had blessed Sabbath, or rest rest
day,
day, and had sanctified
sanctified it,
it, or
or set
set it
it apart
apart for
for man (Gen.
(Gen.
2: 1-3; Mark 2:27).
2:1-3; 2:27). We believe,
believe, further, that it
further, that it was
none other than the

other than the Son of Himself, the
of God Himself, the second
person of
person of the
the eternal
eternal Godhead,
Godhead, who was the the Creator of of
Genesis 1:
Genesis 1:1-3,1-3, and who therefore
therefore appointed
appointed the
the original
original
Sabbath
Sabbath (John(John 1:3;1:3; 11 Cor.
Cor. 8:6;8:6; Col.
Col. 1:16,
1:16, 17;
17; Heb.
1: 1, 2).
1:1,2).
While the
While the Sabbath is is enshrined in in the
the very
very heart
heart of of
the commandments of
the God, it
of God, it must be remembered
that Jesus said,
that Jesus said, "The Son of of man is is Lord also
also of the
sabbath"
sabbath" (Mark 2:28).
(Mark 2:28). In other words, He is
other words, is its
its
author and
author and its maker. He is
its maker. is its
its protector.
protector. The Sabbath
is the "sabbath
is the "sabbath of of the
the Lord [Jehovah]
[Jehovah] thy thy God" (Ex. (Ex.
149
150 QUESTIONS
20: 10). Hence Christ
20:10). Christ is is its
its Lord;
Lord; the the Sabbath belongsbelongs
to Him. It
to It is
is His day;
day; it is the
it is the Lord's day. Inasmuch as
Lord's day. as
we, His blood-bought
we, His blood-bought children,
children, belongbelong to to Him and live live
in Him,
in Him, and He lives lives inin us us (Gal.
(Gal. 2:20), natural
2:20), how natural
that Sabbath
that Sabbath observance,
observance, among among other
other expressions
expressions of of
love and loyalty
love loyalty to to Him,
Him, should
should be be revealed
revealed in in our
lives.
lives.
We understand
"We understand that that the the Sabbath
Sabbath was was notnot initially
initially
given simply
given simply to
to provide
provide rest
rest from physical exhaustion,
physical exhaustion,
but was
but was for man's highest
for man's highest good-spiritually,
good spiritually, intellec- intellec-
tually,
tually, and physically.
physically. It
It was
was primarily
primarily for
for fellowship
fellowship
with
with God,
God, inasmuch as as itit is the presence
is the presence of of God thatthat
gives rest
gives rest and makes holy.
holy. But after
after man's
man's fall,
fall, it
it also
also
provided needful
provided needful physical
physical rest rest as well.
as well
Many
Many centuries
centuries later,
later, the
the weekly seventh-day Sab·
weekly seventh-day Sab-
bath was
bath was reaffirmed
reaffirmed at at Sinai
Sinai (Ex.(Ex. 20:8-11;
20:8-11; 31:16,
31:16, 17).
17).
God gave His chosen
gave His chosen people people an organized system
organized system of of
worship. This
worship. This Sabbath precept precept was placed placed in in the
the midst
of
of the moral law,
the moral law, oror Ten Commandments,
Commandments, which were
given
given by by God to to man. The law law enunciated
enunciated principles
principles
that are
that are eternal
eternal and that, that, in in their application to
their application to this
this
earth, are
earth, are based upon the
based upon the abiding
abiding relationships
relationships of of man
to God and man to
to to man. The Sabbath thus thus reminds
man of of Christ's
Christ's work as as Creator, Preserver, Benefactor,
Creator, Preserver, Benefactor,
and now,
now, because
because of of sin,
sin, asas Redeemer.
In addition,
In addition, certain yearly festivals,
certain yearly festivals, or or ceremonial
ceremonial
sabbaths,
sabbaths, falling
falling on specified days
specified days of of the
the month and
connected
connected with with the
the Mosaic
Mosaic sacrificial services,
sacrificial services, were
introduced. These prefigured
introduced. prefigured the the gospel provision of
gospel provision of
salvation through the
salvation through the coming
coming "Lamb of
of God,
God, which
taketh
taketh awayaway thethe sin
sin ofof the world" (John
the world" (John 1:29).
1:29). But
the Decalogue, sealed
the Decalogue, sealed with the the liplip and finger
finger of of God,
God,
SABBATH OBSERVANCE 151
151
was lifted
lifted above all
all Jewish
Jewish rites
rites and ceremonies.
ceremonies. This
is
is evident from the
evident the fact that the
fact that the Sabbath was estab-
Sabbath was estab-
lished before man sinned,
lished before therefore before
sinned, and therefore before he he had
any
any need of
of a
a Redeemer.
Redeemer. It
It was
was not
not a
a part
part of
of the
the cere-
cere-
regulations occasioned
monial regulations occasioned by by the
the entrance
entrance of of sin,
sin,
and which were annulled by by the
the death
death of of Christ
Christ (Col.
(Col.
2: 17). Thus
2:17). Thlls the the Ten Commandments and the the gospel
gospel
in
in figure,
figure, in
in inseparable union,
inseparable union, were
were affirmed
affirmed to
to Israel
Israel
of old.
of old.
So the
the Sabbath,
Sabbath, established
established in Eden, was
in Eden, was kept
kept by by
patriarch, prophet,
patriarch, prophet, and people
people of
of God throughout
throughout the
the
centuries
centuries of of pagan darkness. And when Christ
pagan darkness. Christ came,
came, at at
His incarnation,
His incarnation, He likewise observed the
likewise observed the seventh dayseventh day
as
as the
the Sabbath (Mark (Mark 6: 1, 2;
6:1, 4: 16, 31),
2; Luke 4:16, 31), and was
"Lord also
also of of the
the sabbath"
sabbath" (Mark (Mark 2:28) the Creator
2:28)-the Creator
who had established
established the the original seventh-day
original seventh-day Sabbath
of
of creation week.
creation week.
He also
also fulfilled,
fulfilled, in antitypical reality,
in antitypical reality, the the Old
Testament types types of
of redemption-dying
redemption dying as
as the
the "Lamb of
of
God,"
God," a
a vicarious, completely efficacious,
vicarious, completely efficacious, and atoning
atoning
death
death for man, on the
for man, the specified
specified fourteenth
fourteenth (or (or Pass-
Pass-
over) day
over) day of
of the
the first
first month. The Saviour died,
died, we be-
be-
lieve,
lieve, on the
the sixth
sixth day
day of
of the
the week.
week. Then,
Then, after
after remain-
ing in
ing the tomb over
in the the seventh-day
over the seventh-day Sabbath,
Sabbath, Christ
Christ
rose triumphant
rose triumphant over over death on the the first
first day
day of of the
the
week. The typical
week. typical ceremonial system
system ceased when Christ
Christ
completed
completed His His great redemptive act.
great redemptive act. But the Deca- Deca-
logue and the
logue the gospel-in-actuality
gospel-in-actuality remained as the Chris-as the Chris-
tian's continuing
tian's continuing guide,guide, one setting
setting forth
forth thethe standard,
standard,
and
and the other providing
the other providing the the enabling
enabling power for
power its
for its
observance.
observance.
texts in
The texts in the
the New Testament specifically specifically men-
152
QUESTIONS
tioning the
tioning the first
first day
day ofof the
the week (Matt. 28: 1; Mark
(Matt. 28:1;
16: 1,2,9; Luke 24:
16:1,2,9; 1; John
24:1; John 20: 1, 19;
20:1, Acts 20:7,
19; Acts 20:7,8; 1 Cor.
8; 1 Cor.
16: 1, 2)
16:1, 2) cannot
cannot rightly
rightly be
be construed
construed as
as enjoining
enjoining thethe
observance
observance of of Sunday,
Sunday, or or asas transferring
transferring the the Sabbath
from the the seventh
seventh day day to
to the
the first
first day.
day.
The seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath continued
continued be kept
to be
to kept byby
Christ's followers for
Christ's followers for several
several centuries.
centuries. But along
along with
with
the Sabbath
the Sabbath there there was was aa growing observance of
growing observance of what
was
was known as the festival
as the festival of of the
the resurrection,
resurrection, celebrated
celebrated
on
on thethe first
first day. This was
day. This was observed
observed at at least
least from the the
middle of
middle of thethe second
second century (see Socrates,
century (see Socrates, Ecclesiasti-
Ecclesiasti-
History, V. 22).
cal History,
cal 22). And the the first
first recorded
recorded observance
observance
was at
was at Rome (Justin(Justin Martyr,
Martyr, First
First Apology, ch.
AjJology, ch. 67).
67).
these two observances-the
Thus these observances the Sabbath and the the
"festival
"festival of of the
the resurrection"
resurrection"-came, came, in time, to
in time, to paral-
paral-
lel
lel each other. In the
each other. the fourth
fourth century
century the the apostatizing
apostatizing
church-first,
church first, at the Council
at the Council of of Laodicea
Laodicea (in (in canon
canon 29)*
29)*
-anathematized
anathematized those those who continued to to "Judaize,"
"]udaize," or or
rest
rest on the the seventh
seventh day day of
of the
the week,
week, and decreed
decreed the
the
observance
observance of of the
the first day in
first day in its
its stead
stead (Hefele, History
(Hefele, History
of
of the
the Councils of
of the
the Church,
Church, vol.
vol. 2, p.
2, p. 316). Thus
316).
ecclesiastical custom was
ecclesiastical was first enforced by
first enforced by church
church coun-
coun-
cil action.
cil action.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that this very
that this very change
change
was predicted
was predicted in Bible prophecy,
in Bible prophecy, in Daniel 7:25.
in Daniel 7: 25. The
church in in Rome led led out in bringing about the
in bringing the change
change
to
to Sunday.
Sunday. Thenceforth Sunday
Sunday was observedobserved by by most
Christians, before,
Christians, before, during,
during, and fonowing following the the Protes-
Protes-
tant
tant Reformation of the sixteenth
of the sixteenth century.
century. The Sab-
Sab-
*The canons
canons of the provincial
of the provincial Council
Council of Laodicea
Laodicea were
were incorporated
incorporated into the
into the
law of
of the
the church
church by
by action of the
action of the general
general Council of
of Chalcedon, 451, and
In 451,
Chalcedon, in and thus
thus
obligatory for
became obligatory for all
all churches.
churches.
SABBATH OBSERVANCE 153
bath, however,
bath, however, still
still continued
continued to be observed
to be observed by by some
in
in various parts
parts of
of Europe
Europe and elsewhere.
elsewhere.
The revival
revival ofof seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath observance
observance was
largely brought
largely brought about in
in the
the seventeenth
seventeenth century
century by by
the Seventh Day
the Day Baptist
Baptist movement in in Britain
Britain and on
the Continent.
the Continent. Seventh-day Adventists began
Seventh-day Adventists began the pro-
the pro-
mulgation
mulgation of the Sabbath truth
of the truth about 1845-461845-46 in in
America.
America.
We believe
believe that
that the restoration of
the restoration the Sabbath
of the Sabbath is is
indicated in
indicated the Bible prophecy
in the prophecy of
of Revelation
Revelation 14:9-12.
14:9-12.
Sincerely believing this,
Sincerely believing this, we regard
regard thethe observance
observance of of
the Sabbath as
the as a test
test of loyalty to
of our loyalty to Christ
Christ asas Creator
Creator
and Redeemer.
Seventh-day Adventists do not
Seventh-day Adventists not rely
rely upon
upon their
their Sab-
Sab-
bathkeeping
bathkeeping as
as a
a means of
of salvation
salvation or
or of
of winning
winning merit
before God. We are
before are saved
saved byby grace
grace alone.
alone. Hence our
Sabbath observance,
observance, as as also
also our loyalty
loyalty to to every
every other
command of of God,
God, is is an expression
expression of of our love
love for
for our
Creator and Redeemer.
Creator
The Sablatk
Sabbath and
and the Moral Law
the Moral Law
QUESTION
QUESTION 16 -
The Christian generally holds

Christian world generally holds (1)
(1)
that the moral law is
that the is eternal
eternal and has has not
not been
been
abolished; (2)
abolished; (2) that
that the principle,
the Sabbath principle,
anchored to to the creation week,
the creation week, especially in
especially in the
the
distinction between the
distinction six-and-one days-mark-
the six-and-one days mark-
ing
ing them off off byby divine authority for
divine authority for different
different
purposes-is
purposes is likewise
likewise permanent
permanent and eternal;
eternal; (:;)
(3)
that the
that specific seventh-day
the specific seventh-day time element
element isis but
ceremonial and typical,

ceremonial typical, and therefore
therefore temporary
temporary
-being
being fulfilled
fulfilled and abrogated
abrogated by by Christ
Christ at the
at the
cross;
cross; and (4) (4) that
that there
there isis a clear
clear continuity
continuity
between the
between the Sabbath of of Old Testament times, times,
based on creation,
based creation, and the the Lord's
Lord's day
day of the New
of the
Testament,
Testament, based on redemption,
redemption, with with the
the re-
re-
demption rest
demption rest greater
greater than the the creation
creation rest.
rest.
What is is the position of
the position of Seventh-day Adventists
on these
these jour
four points?
points?
Seventh-day
Adventists areare inin full accord with
full accord
point
point I-that
1 that the
the moral law
law is
is eternal
eternal in
in its
its very nature
very
and has
has not
not been abrogated.
abrogated. We believe
believe that these
that these
eternal moral principles
eternal principles are unchanged and unchange-
are unchanged unchange-
able. We further
able. 'We further believe that these
believe that these basic
basic principles
principles are
are
found in the Decalogue-Ten
in the Decalogue Ten Commandments, or the
or the
moral law.
law.
154
THE SABBATH AND THE MORAL LAW 155 155
We believe
believe that
that the moral law
the moral in its
law in its original
original form,
form,
though
though the wording has
the wording has notnot been
been recorded,
recorded, finds finds com-
prehensive expression
prehensive expression in
in the
the principles
principles set
set forth
forth by by
Jesus-loving
Jesus loving God supremely
supremely and loving
loving our
our fellow
fellow
equally with
men equally with ourselves.
ourselves. These primary primary principles
principles
are the foundation
are the foundation of of God's
God's throne,
throne, and the the eternal
eternal law law
of His beneficent
of His beneficent moralmoral government.
government.
We also also believe
believe thatthat it it isis this moral law-the
this moral law the
Decalogue-that
Decalogue that reveals reveals sin:sin: "By"By thethe lawJaw isis the
the knowl-
knowl-
edge
edge of of sin"
sin" (Rom. 3:20);
(Rom. 3:20); "Where no law
law is,
is, there
there is
is
no transgression" (Rom.
transgression" (Rom. 4:15); 4: 15); "1
"I had not
not known sin,
sin,
but by
but by thethe law" (Rom.(Rom. 7:7);7:7); and "Whosoever commit-
teth sin
teth sin transgresseth
transgresseth also also thethe law:
law: forfor sin
sin isis the
the trans-
trans-
gression
gression of
of the
the law"
law" (1 John
(1 John 3:4). 3:4).
It was the
It the outbreak of of sin
sin in in Eden,
Eden, the the transgres-
transgres-
sion
sion of the divine
of the divine law,
law, that
that made the
the plan
plan of
of redemption
redemption
necessary.
necessary. Because
Because of of man's sin sin thethe Saviour
Saviour died died a a
vicarious, atoning
vicarious, atoning death
death on Calvary
Calvary to
to save
save lost
lost man.
Hence, the
Hence, the moral law law and the the gospel
gospel are are inseparably
inseparably
related.
related. One reveals the sin; the
reveals the sin; the other, the other:, the Redeemer
who saves
saves from sin. sin.
We are are also

also in agreement with most of
in agreement of point
point 2- 2
that the
that the Sabbath
Sabbath springs
springs from creation
creation week,
week, and is
is like-
like-
wise permanent and eternal.
wise permanent eternal. The "six-and-one
"six-and-one day" day"
expression,
expression, from which we dissent,
dissent, will
will be discussed
later. But on the
later. But the basis
basis of of the
the fundamental Protestant
principle
principle that
that the
the Bible
Bible is the Christian's
is the Christian's sole sole rule of of
faith and practice,
faith practice, we believe
believe that that the the contention
contention of of
point 3-that
point 3 that while
while the the moral nature nature of of the
the Sabbath
as an institution
as an institution is is permanent, its
permanent, its specific
specific time
time element
was only ceremonial
was only ceremonial and temporary,
temporary, and thus
thus lapsed
lapsed at at
the cross
the cross-is is inconsistent
inconsistent as as a a corollary
corollary argument.
argument. We
156
QUESTIONS
likewise reject
likewise reject the
the implication that while
implication that while the
the moral
moral
aspect
aspect of
of the is firmly
the Sabbath is firmly anchored in creation, its
in creation, its
time element is is not.

not.* *
Nowhere in the teachings of
in the teachings of 1 esus do we find
Jesus find any
any
declaration
declaration to the effect
to the effect that
that this time element,
this time element, oror
seventh-day-ness
seventh-day-ness (if (if we may
may so
so term it),
it),
of
of the
the Sab-
Sab-
bath command has
bath changed. We have not
has been changed. not found
any questioning
any questioning of the validity
of the validity of of this seventh-day-ness
this seventh-day-ness
on the part of
the part of Jesus,
Jesus, or
or any
any relaxation
relaxation of
of the obligation
the obligation
of its
of seventh-day-ness) but
its seventh-day-ness, but rather
rather an implicit
implicit recogni-
recogni-
tion
tion of of its
its continuance.
continuance.
1.
1. POINTS OF AGREEMENT AND DIFFERENCE.-Ad-
DIFFERENCE. Ad-
ventists believe that
ventists believe that thethe seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath-which
Sabbath which
was
was "made for for man" (Mark (Mark 2: 27)-was
2:27) given to
was given to "man"
(i.e.,
(i.e.,
mankind)
mankind) in
in Eden,
Eden, long
long before
before the
the Hebrew
people
people came into
into being.
being. And it
it was observed
observed through-
through-
out the
out patriarchal age,
the patriarchal long before
age, long before it it was placed in
placed in
the special
the special custody
custody of of ancient Israel, following
ancient Israel, their exo-
following their exo-
dus from Egypt.t
Egypt.f
principles of
The principles the moral
of the moral law law were,
were, we believe,
believe,
*Some think
think of the Sabbath
of the Sabbath as as an institution
institution related
related onlyonly toto the
the Hebrews.
Hebrews. Those
wbo press
who this point
press this point claim
claim thatthat the
tbe Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy version version ofof thethe Decalogue
Decalogue em-
phasizes
phasizes that
that the
the Sabbath
Sabbath was given exclusively
given exclusively to
to the
the Hebrews,
Hebrews, because
because they
they had
heen delivered
been delivered from slavery.
slavery.
tThe
fThe silence
silence of the latter
of the part of
latter part of Genesis regarding the
Genesis regarding the Sabbath is is understandable
when one remembers that that acquaintance
acquaintance of of the
the patriarchs
patriarchs with God's commandments
taken for
was taken granted. The author of
for granted. of the historical record
the historical record inin Genesis did not deem
it necessary
it necessary to to mention it it inin his
his sweeping
sweeping survey
survey of of the
the centuries.
centuries. But Abraham
kept
kept the
the commandments of of God (Gen. (Gen. 26:5}-the
26:5) the Hebrew word here here used forfor
"commandments" being being the the same as as that
that used for
for the
the Decalogue
Decalogue in in Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
5: 10, 29.
5:10, Kalisch mentions this
29. Kalisch as the
this as the law written
written in the heart
in the beart of man, man, and the the
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit Commentary states states that
that thethe word means "that which is graven on tables."
is graven tables/'
Abraham acknowledged
acknowledged and obeyed obeyed the the moral law of of God. If so, would that
If so, not
that not
include
include thethe Sabbath?
Sabbath? Tbe The Companion
Companion Bible Bible (Gen.
(Gen. 26:5)26:5) sayssays Abraham had aa
charge,
charge, toto be be observed; commandments, to
observed; commandments, to be
be obeyed;
obeyed; statutes
statutes (decrees),
(decrees), to to be
be
acknowledged;
acknowledged; and laws laws ("instruction,"
(' 'instruction," the the Torah),
Torah) to
y
to bebe followed.
followed.
And during their wilderness
during their experience, God tested
wilderness experience, tested HisHis ancient
ancient people
people asas to
to
whether they
whether they would walk walk in in the
the way
way of of His
His commandments (Ex. 16:4). The te~t
(Ex. 16:4). tes,t
came on the the subject
subject of the Sabbath.
of the Sabbath. And comparison
comparison of
of Exodus 16:1
16:1 with
with Exodus
19:
19:11 shows
shows thatthat this
this occurred
occurred several
several weeks before the
weeks before the promulgation
promulgation of of the
the Deca-
logue. They
logue. must, therefore,
They must, therefore, have have known not not only
only of of God's
God's lawlaw butbut also
also of specific
of specific
commandments embraced therein, therein, as as evidenced
evidenced by by this
this reference
reference to to the
the Sabbath.
Sabbath.
THE SABBATH AND THE MORAL LAW 157 157
known to before the

to man before Fall, * and were
the Fall,* were later
later com-
mitted to to written
written form in in the Decalogue, amid the
the Decalogue, the awe-
some scenes
scenes of of Sinai-spoken
Sinai spoken and written written by by God
(Exodus
(Exodus 19 19 and 20; 20; 32:32:15,15, 16).
16). And we believe believe that that
when Israel
Israel became God's God's special
special covenant
covenant people,
people,
pledging to
pledging to honor Him in keeping His
in keeping His commandments,
commandments,
the Decalogue
the Decalogue was was given
given as as the basis of
the basis of that
that covenant.
covenant.
We dissent,
dissent, however,
however, from the the contention
contention in point
in point
44 of
of "continuity"
"continuity"-transfer transfer of of thethe observance
observance of the
of the
seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath to to thethe festival
festival of the resurrection,
of the resurrection,
on the
the first day of
first day of the week. We believe
the week. believe thethe basis
basis of of the
the
two observances
two observances to to bebe totally
totally different-in
different in the
the first,
first, it
it
was to
was to commemorate the the rest
rest ofof the
the Creator;
Creator; in
in the
the
second,
second, to to commemorate the the resurrection
resurrection of of our Lord. Lord.
We dissent
dissent from the the suggestion
suggestion that
that the
the seventh-
seventh-
day Sabbath of
day of the
the Old Testament had only only a a cere-
cere-
monial significance,
significance, or or was in
in any way
any way "fulfilled
"fulfilled and
abrogated by
abrogated by Christ,"
Christ," or or that the seventh-day
that the seventh-day-ness -ness is is an
"abrogated"
"abrogated" aspectaspect or
or "temporary"
"temporary" feature
feature of
of the
the abid-
abid-
ing Sabbath
ing Sabbath of the fourth
of the commandment-
fourth commandment.
We dissent
dissent from the the change
change of the original
of the original word- word-
ing-the
ing the "six
"six days"
days" and "the "the seventh day," day," ofof the
the fourth
fourth
commandment of of Exodus 20 20-to the unbiblical
to the unbiblical expres-
expres-
sion
sion "six-and-one
"six-and-one days,"
days," or or aa mere proportion
proportion of of time,
time,
for to us such a change
for to us such a change of phrasing of phrasing involves
involves a definite
definite
change
change of of intent
intent to to which we cannot agree. agree.
We dissent
dissent from the proposition that
the proposition that the
the Lord Jesus Jesus
Christ
Christ transferred
transferred the the observance from the the last
last day
day ofof
the
the week to the
to the first
first in
in order to
to point beyond
point beyond the
the
original
original "creation
"creation rest"
rest" to
to aa greater
greater "redemption
"redemption rest."
rest."
"At his creation

*At his creation Adam waswas untainted
untainted by sin. God "made man upright"
by sin. upright" (Eccl.
(Ecc!.
7:29).
7:29). Man was
was created
created "in the image of God" (Gen.
the image (Gen. 1:27). being so,
1:27). That being the
50, the
moral law would
moral law would be
be written in his
written in his heart.
heart.
158
QUESTIONS
We find
find no scriptural
scriptural evidence
evidence to
to sustain
sustain such
such a
a claim.
claim.
The Biblical
Biblical and historical reasons for
historical reasons for our viewsviews
follow.
follow.
2. MEMORIAL IN CHARACTER, NOT CEREMONIAL.-
2. CEREMONIAL.
All Seventh-day
All Adventists,
Seventh-day Adventists, as
as creationists, believe in
creationists, believe in
the
the Genesis
Genesis recordrecord of of aa fiat
fiat creation
creation (Gen. (Gen. 1: 1:11 toto 2:
2:
2),
2),
with
with the
the seventh
seventh day
day as
as God's
God's recorded
recorded and attested
attested
rest day,
rest day, and the the Sabbath given given as the perpetual
as the perpetual me-
morial of
morial that creation,
of that creation, blessed
blessed and sanctified
sanctified (or
(or set
set
apart) for
apart) for man. The Sabbath had its its inception before
inception before
sin enteTed
sin entered the the world (Genesis
(Genesis 2
2 and 3), it was
3), and it was
given
given to
to commemorate a
a completed
completed creation.
creation. If
If sin
sin had
not entered,
not entered, all all would have have keptkept the
the original Sabbath
original Sabbath
day.
day.
God did did not
not make man in order that
in order that he
he might
might keep keep
the Sabbath (Mark
the 2:27).
(Mark 2:27). But having
having made man,
man, He
gave him the
gave the Sabbath as as aa continual reminder and me-
continual reminder
morial of of the
the mighty power
mighty power of
of the
the Creator.
Creator. while
And while
the principle of
the principle the Sabbath includes
of the includes both both physical
physical and
spiritual rest, aa memorial cannot be
spiritual rest, be spiritualized
spiritualized away,away,
and does
does notnot expire with the
expire with lapse of
the lapse time.
of time.
Inasmuch, then,
Inasmuch, then, as the Sabbath was
as the was instituted
instituted at at
creation,
creation, before
before the
the entrance
entrance of
of sin,
sin, it
it was
was an in-
in-
separable
separable part part of of God's original
original plan plan and provision
provision for for
man. It It did not, not, therefore,
therefore, have any any ceremonial
ceremonial
significance
significance by by foreshadowing
foreshadowing something
something to to come. On
the
the contrary,
contrary, it
it has
has ever
ever had a
a commemorative signifi-
signifi-
cance,
cance, for
for it
it points
points back to
to something
something already done
already
-the
the creation
creation of the world and the
of the the human race. race.
observance of
Our observance the seventh-day
of the seventh-day Sabbath
Sabbath is an
is an
expression
expression of
of our belief
belief that
that Christ
Christ created
created the
the world.
world.
And it it is also aa sign
is also
sign ofof our love,
love, loyalty,
loyalty, and devotion
devotion to to
THE SABBATH AND THE MORAL LAW 159
159
Him as as our Maker and King. King. The furtherfurther factfact that
that the
the
Lord of of the Sabbath so so loved
loved us us that
that He became man
and sacrificed
sacrificed His life life to
to save
save usus from sin'ssin's ruin,
ruin, makes
makes
His Sabbath all all the
the more precious
precious and glorious
glorious as as the
the
Lord's
Lord's day.
day.
We believe that that at at His incarnation
incarnation Jesus Jesus Christ
Christ
came to reveal the
to reveal the perfect
perfect character
character and will
will and love
love
of God, and to
of God, to vindicate
vindicate and fulfillfulfill the righteousness of
the righteousness of
His moral law and government. government. In
In this way Christ's
this way Christ's
perfect obedience and righteousness
perfect righteousness is is first
first imputed
imputed
(through justification)
(through justification) and then imparted (through
imparted (through
sanctification)
sanctification) to to all
all who accept
accept His atoning
atoning deathdeath in in
their
their stead.
stead. Provision
Provision was thus thus made for for His perfect
perfect
Sabbathkeeping
Sabbathkeeping to cover all
to cover our Sabbath
all our breaking-as
Sabbathbreaking as
well
well as the infraction
as the infraction of of the
the nine other precepts of
other precepts of the
the
Ten Commandments.
3. MORAL AND CEREMONIAL SABBATHS BASICALLY
3. BASICALLY
DIFFERENT.-We
DIFFERENT. We believe
believe thatthat a a sharp
sharp and fundamental
fundamental
distinction has
distinction has been made between the the weekly
weekly seventh-
seventh-
day
day Sabbath
Sabbath of
of the
the Lord,
Lord, and the
the seven
seven annual
annual cere-
cere-
monial or or typical
typical sabbaths
sabbaths of of the
the tabernacle
tabernacle ritual ritual
(Passover, Pentecost,
(Passover, Pentecost, Day Day of of Atonement,
Atonement, et et cetera).
cetera).
These annual
These annual sabbaths
sabbaths each fell fell on aa specified
specified day day ofof
the month,
the month, not not on aa specific day
specific day of
of the
the week,
week, and only
only
occasionally coincided
occasionally coincided with with thethe seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath.
Sabbath.
We believe
believe that
that these
these annual typicaltyjJical sabbaths,
sabbaths, with with
their special
their special sacrificial
sacrificial offerings,
offerings, all all pointed
pointed forward
forward
to the
to the one all-encompassing
all-encompassing and all-sufficient
all-sufficient offering
offering
of Jesus
of Jesus Christ
Christ asas "the
"the Lamb of of God,
God, which taketh taketh away
away
the sin
the sin ofof the
the world"
world" (John (John 1:29).
1:29). The Scripture
Scripture states
states
that He is
that is our
our Passover
Passover (I (I Cor.
Cor. 5:7).
5: 7). His death
death oc- oc-
CUlTed
curred on the designated
the designated day day of
of ·the
the Passover
Passover (Nisan
(Nisan
160 QUESTIONS
14),
14), which in in that
that year
year fell
fell on a a Friday.
Friday. His resurrec-
resurrec-
tion
tion took place place on the the day
day of of the
the wave sheaf,
sheaf, or or first
first
fruits
fruits (Nisan
(Nisan 16),16), when,
when, as
as the
the "firstfruits"
"firstfruits" of
of them
that
that slept
slept (1 (I Cor.
Cor. 15:20,
15:20, 23),
23), He arosearose triumphant
triumphant over over
death.
death. These tremendous events events assure
assure us us of
of our ac-
our ac-
ceptance
ceptance in in Him,
Him, and of of our resurrection
resurrection at at the
the last
last
day. These typical

day. typical annual sabbaths sabbaths ended forever forever at at
the cross,
cross, when all
all types
types met their
their complete antitype.
complete antitype.
But this
this in in no wayway affected
affected the the seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath)
Sabbath,
which was never aa type) type, and consequently
consequently was not
abrogated.
abrogated.
4.
4. SABBATH NOT ABROGATED BY CHRIST.-The CHRIST. The Sab-
bath of the fourth
of the fourth commandment had no ceremonial
or typical
typical significance that
significance that could be either either "fulfilled"
"fulfilled"
or "abrogated"
"abrogated" in
in Christ.
Christ. It
It was not instituted
instituted as part
as part
of the
of the tabernacle
tabernacle ritual
ritual at at Sinai,
Sinai, and did not
not point
point for-for-
ward to to the
the atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice of of Christ
Christ on Calvary.
Calvary. In- In-
stead, the Sabbath remained the
stead, the the established
established memorial of of
the original
the original creation,
creation, hencehence pointed
pointed back to the
back to the work of of
the Creator.
the Creator. And this, this, byby itsits very
very nature,
nature, could
could be
neither fulfilled
neither fulfilled nornor abrogated
abrogated as as long
long asas His
His work of of
creation stands.
creation stands.
Jewish traditions
The Jewish traditions which encrusted encrusted Sabbath
Sabbath ob- ob-
servance were indeed
servance indeed swept swept awayaway by by Christ
Christ-not not be-be-
cause fulfilled them by
cause He fulfilled by HisHis antitypical,
antitypical, sacrificial
sacrificial
death, because they
death, but because they were simplysimply the the unauthorized
unauthorized
"traditions of
"traditions of men" that that had never
never had any any validity.
validity. So So
it was the
it the many
many added rules rules and rabbinical
rabbinical regulations
regulations
pertaining
pertaining to
to the
the observance
observance of
of the
the Sabbath-the
Sabbath the en-en-
cumbrances-that
cumbrances that were swept swept awayaway by by the
the teachings
teachings of of
Christ. But this
Christ. this involved
involved only only thethe appendages,
appendages, not not thethe
itself.
Sabbath itself.
161
Isaiah prophesied
prophesied that that Christ
Christ would magnifymagnify the the law
and make it it honorable (Isa. 42:21).
(Isa. 42:21). This He did.
did.
And He magnified
magnified the
the Sabbath of
of that
that law, by showing
law, by showing
it tq be not a day
it tQ day ofof burden and restriction
restriction but but aa day
day of of
rest and release
rest release from the the burdens of sin
of sin and its conse-
its conse-
quences. He observed the

quences. the Sabbath throughout
throughout His life life
and ministry,
ministry, but exemplified
exemplified what true
true Sabbathkeep-
Sabbathkeep-
ing
ing means-showing
means showing that that it it was lawful
lawful to to do good
good on
the Sabbath,
Sabbath, and on occasion occasion healing
healing the
the sick
sick on the
the
Sabbath.
There were,were, moreover,
moreover, the the civil
civil laws
laws ofof Israel,
Israel, given
given
when the nation was under aa theocracy. theocracy. Some of these
of these
were related
related to to the
the Sabbath,
Sabbath, and entailed entailed severe civil
severe civil
penalties
penalties for
for desecration
desecration of
of the
the seventh
seventh day,
day, such
such as
as
capital punishment
capital punishment for
for presumptuously
presumptuously picking up picking up
sticks
sticks on the the Sabbath (Ex. (Ex. 31: 14; 35:2,
31:14; 35:2, 3; 3; Num. IS: 15:
32-36).
32-36). But these
these ended forever
forever with the
the cessation
cessation of
of the
the
theocracy
theocracy of of Israel,
Israel, and were in in no way way transferred
transferred
from,
from, or or continued
continued beyond,
beyond, that period.
that period.
Seventh-day
Adventists hold the Sabbath to
the to be for for
all the
all the world and for for all time. We firmly
all time. firmly believe
believe that
that
there is
there is nothing
nothing of of aa ceremonial or or typical
typical nature
nature in in
the Sabbath of
the of the
the fourth commandment.
5. "SEVENTH-DAY-NESS"
5.
'
'SEVENTH-DAY-NESS'' AND "SABBATH-NESS"

'
'SABBATH-NESS'* OF THE
SABBATH. Two characteristics
SABBATH.-Two characteristics stand out conspicuously
conspicuously
in connection
in connection with the the original
original Sabbath institution,
institution,
which, for
which, for convenience,
convenience, may may be termed its seventh-day-
its seventh-day-
ness and its
ness sabbath-ness-that
its sabbath-ness the specific
is, the
that is, specific time
time set set
apart,
apart, and the
the nature
nature of
of the
the observance,
observance, rest
rest from labor.
labor.
As before
As before noted,
noted, thethe entire
entire ceremonial
ceremonial systemsystem was insti-insti-
tuted after sin
tuted after sin entered
entered thethe world,
world, with the the specific
specific pur-
pur-
pose
pose of
of pointing
pointing sinners
sinners forward to
to the
the coming
coming Saviour.
Saviour.
6
162
QUESTIONS
It was designed
It designed to inculcate faith
to inculcate faith in His power
in His power to
to save
save
them from their
their sins.
sins. But nowhere dodo the
the Scriptures
Scriptures
state, or even
state, or even imply, that the
imply, that the time
time element
element of of the
the original
original
Sabbath command was was ceremonial.
ceremonial. On the the contrary,
contrary,
they provide explicit
they provide evidence that
explicit evidence its seventh-day-ness
that its seventh-day-ness
could not
could not have been ceremonial,
have been ceremonial, for for toto bebe ceremonial
ceremonial
and typical
typical the
the time element would have
have to
to be insti-
be insti-
tuted after
tuted the entrance
after the entrance of of sin,
sin, and the
the consequent
consequent
need of of aa Saviour.
Saviour.
The Sabbath command gives gives as the very
as the very reason
reason for for
its existence
its existence thatthat "in"in six
six days
days the
the Lord made heaven
earth, the
and earth, the sea,
sea, and allall that
that in
in them is, is, and rested
rested the
the
seventh
seventh day: day: wherefore the the LORD blessed
blessed the the sabbath
sabbath
day,
day, and hallowed
hallowed it"
it" (Ex. 20:
(Ex. 20:11).11). The seventh-day-
seventh-day-
ness of
ness of the
the Sabbath is therefore no less
is therefore surely anchored
less surely
to
to creation
creation thanthan the
the moral quality that may
quality that may be called its
called its
sabbath-ness. And our recognition
sabbath-ness. recognition of of the
the one shouldshould be be
just
just as
as great
great as
as that
that of
of the
the other.
other. To this
this undeniable
undeniable
fact testifies the
fact testifies the seven-day
seven-day week, week, which comes down
to us
to us from the time of
the of creation
creation (see (see Gen.
Gen. 2:1-3).
2: 1-3).
God instituted
instituted the the Sabbath on the seventh day
the seventh day ofof
the first
the first week of time. Thus both
of time. both aspects
aspects of
of the
the day-
day
its seventh-day-ness no less
its seventh-day-ness less than
than its sabbath-ness-are
its sabbath-ness are
inseparably linked
inseparably linked with creation. creation. Except
Except for for some
explicit
explicit statement of
of Scripture
Scripture in
in evidence
evidence to
to the con-
the con-
trary,
trary, to
to affirm
affirm the
the one and deny
deny the
the other
other is
is clearly
clearly
inconsistent with the
inconsistent the major premises we have
major premises have surveyed,
surveyed,
especially
especially in in view of of the
the Protestant
Protestant position
position on the the
supreme authority
supreme authority of
of Scripture.
Scripture.
There was nothing
nothing ceremonial,
ceremonial, or or typical,
typical, aboutabout thethe
several acts of
several acts of creation,
creation, or or about God's resting from His
God's resting His
work of creation, or about the
of creation, the fact that He chose
fact that chose to to do
163
so
so on the the seventh
seventh day day of creation week.
of creation week. Thus the the Scrip-
Scrip-
tures nowhere so
tures so much as as imply
imply thatthat thethe seventh-day-
seventh-day-
ness of
ness of the
the Sabbath ever pointed forward
ever pointed forward to to the
the cross.
cross.
And only only those
those things
things that
that pointed
pointed forward
forward to
to the
the cross
cross
were abolished
were abolished at at or or by
by the
the cross.
cross. The seventh-day-ness
seventh-day-ness
of the
of the Sabbath was was not not oneone of of those.
those.
6. THE LOGIC OF THE CASE.
6. seventh-day-ness
CASE.-The seventh-day-ness
of
of thethe Sabbath is is frequently referred
frequently referred to
to by some as
by as a a
"temporary"
"temporary" feature, feature, for
for Old Testament times
times and the
the
Hebrews only. only. But in view of
in view the foregoing
of the foregoing evidence,
evidence,
it is
it is proper
proper to ask, If
to ask, If it is claimed
it is claimed that God's resting
that God's resting on
the
the seventh
seventh day day implied
implied a a "temporary"
"temporary" feature, feature, then
would not not the
the same argument
argument apply apply to
to the
the fact that He
fact that
rested
rested at at all?
all? What is there more "temporary"
is there "temporary" about
the fact
the fact that
that God chose chose to to rest
rest on the the seventh
seventh day day of of
creation week than
creation than about
about the the fact
fact that
that He restedrested atat all?
all?
Another common contention pertaining to

contention pertaining this
to this
seventh-day-ness of
seventh-day-ness the Sabbath is
of the is that
that to to observe
observe the the
Sabbath
Sabbath on the the seventh
seventh day day of of the
the week involves involves the the
observer
observer in in legalism.
legalism. But we ask,
ask, In precisely
precisely what way,
way,
and on what scriptural scriptural authority,
authority, can regard regard for for thethe
seventh-day-ness of
seventh-day-ness of the
the Sabbath be declared declared to to involve
us automatically in
us automatically legalism? Was God legalistic
in legalism? legalistic bebe-
cause
cause He chose
chose to
to rest
rest on the
the seventh
seventh day
day of
of creation
creation
week, rather than
week, rather than upon upon the the first
first day
day of the week,
of the week, at its
at its
outset;
outset; or or-interrupting
interrupting His
His work of
of creation-to
creation to rest
rest
upon some other
upon other day day part
part way through the
way through the week? And
if it was not legalistic
if it was not legalistic for
for God so
so to
to rest, why then is
rest, why is it
it
legalistic for us to do so
legalistic for us to
so under His bidding? bidding? And if it if it
is legalistic
is legalistic for us to
for us rest on the
to rest the seventh
seventh day day of of the
the week,
week,
why is
why it not
is it not asas legalistic
legalistic to to rest
rest on thethe first day, or any
first day, any
other day,
other day, ofof the
the week?
164 QUESTIONS
And where does does thethe Bible
Bible either explicitly affirm,
either explicitly affirm,
or even imply,
or imply, that that thethe sabbath-ness
sabbath-ness (or (or sheer rest) of
sheer rest) of
the Sabbath is
the not legalistic,
is not
legalistic, but
but that
that the
the seventh-day-
seventh-day-
ness, or rest
ness, rest on the the particular
particular seventh
seventh day,day, isis legalistic?
legalistic?
Again,
Again, did
did God institute
institute a ceremonial, or typical, side
a ceremonial, or typical, side
of the
of the Sabbath by by choosing
choosing to to rest
rest on thethe specific
specific seventh
seventh
day?
day? Then by by what process process of of logic
logic cancan itit be
be main-
main-
tained that it
tained that it is
is ceremonial
ceremonial for for usus toto observe
observe the the Sab-
Sab-
bath on the
bath the seventh
seventh day of
day of the
the week,
week, but
but not
not forfor God
to do so?
to so?
Moreover, it
Moreover, it is
is sometimes affirmed that the
affirmed that the essential
essential
purpose (the sabbath-ness)
purpose (the sabbath-ness) of
of the
the Sabbath was in in
harmony with
harmony with thethe preservation
preservation and maintenance of
maintenance of life.
life.
that imply
Does that imply that there is
that there is aa necessary
necessary conflict
conflict bebe-
tween the seventh-day-ness of
the seventh-day-ness of thethe Sabbath and the the
preservation and maintenance
preservation maintenance of of life?
life? But in in what way way
was thethe seventh-day-ness
seventh-day-ness of of thethe Sabbath any any more in in
conflict with the
conflict with the preservation
preservation and maintenance
maintenance of
of life
life
than its
than its sabbath-ness?
sabbath-ness? The sabbath-ness
sabbath-ness of of the
the Sabbath
restricts
restricts activity
activity on a
a specified
specified day,day, while
while the
the seventh-
seventh-
day-ness of
day-ness of the
the Sabbath simply specifies on which
simply specifies
day
day this
this is
is to
to take
take place.
place.
It is also
It is also said
said that the sabbath-ness
that the sabbath-ness of of the
the Sabbath
existed for
existed the good
for the good of man, implying
of man, implying that that Its
its seventh-
seventh-
operates against
day-ness operates
day-ness against hishis well-being.
well-being. But in in what
way
way does
does the
the seventh-day-ness
seventh-day-ness of
of the
the Sabbath militate
militate
against
against the
the good
good of
of man,
man, any
any more than
than does
does Sunday,
Sunday,
the
the first
first day
day of of thethe week?
week? Did God's emphasis emphasis on the the
seventh-day-ness of
seventh-day-ness of the
the world's
world's firstfirst Sabbath militate
militate
against
against the
the good
good of
of the
the Creator?
Creator?
To sum up: up: We protest protest against
against the the fallacious
fallacious rea-
rea-
soning
soning thatthat would make it
it legalistic to observe
legalistic to observe the the
165
seventh day day ofof the

the week but but not
not legalistic
legalistic to to observe
observe thethe
first day of
first day of the
the week. Such lines lines of reasoning as
of reasoning as these
these
that have
that have been referred
referred to to in the foregoing
in the foregoing discussion
discussion
are inconsistent
are inconsistent with with sound logic. logic. To be be consistent,
consistent, it it
would seem that that one should either follow
should either through, to
follow through, to
their logical
their logical conclusions,
conclusions, the the accepted
accepted major major premises
premises
of points 11 and 2,
of points 2, by
by acknowledging
acknowledging the the divinely
divinely insti-
insti-
tuted seventh-day-ness) as
tuted seventh-day-ness, as well
well as sabbath-ness) of
the sabbath-ness
as the } of
the Sabbath,
the Sabbath, or
or else
else retreat
retreat from the
the declared
declared major
major
premises and find
premises find another
another basisbasis for retention of
for retention of the
the
moral quality
quality of the Sabbath.
of the Sabbath. Otherwise,
Otherwise, such a a course
course
would seem to to lead
lead either
either to to the position that
the position that the
the Ten
Commandments have been been abolished,
abolished, or or to
to the
the Roman
Catholic position
Catholic position that that thethe church has has the
the authority
authority
and power
power toto alter
alter the
the Decalogue.
Decalogue.
7. "SIX-AND-ONE-DAY" POSTULATE UNTENABLE.-
7. UNTENABLE.
We dissent
dissent from the the position
position implied
implied in in point
point 22 of
of the
the
question
question at at thethe beginning
beginning of of this discussion, that
this discussion, that
moral significance
moral significance attaches
attaches to
to the
the distinction
distinction of
of the
the "six-
"six-
and-one-day" proportion
and-one-day" proportion principle
principle-or merely one
or merely ope un-
specified
specified day day in
in seven
seven as the
as the Sabbath-but
Sabbath but not to the
to the
keeping
keeping of the day
of the day designated
designated in Scripture. We believe
in Scripture. believe
such
such a a contention
contention to to bebe subjective reasoning,
subjective reasoning, unsup- unsup-
ported
ported by by the
the wording
wording of
of the
the fourth
fourth commandment, or
by any
by any otherother command or
or sanction
sanction of
of Scripture.
Scripture. We
adhere to
adhere to the
the Protestant principle of
Protestant principle the Bible
of the Bible and the
Bible only,
Bible only, and ask ask for
for scriptural
scriptural evidence
evidence for such aa
for
change
change from the
the express wording
express wording and obvious intent
of Holy
of Writ.
Holy Writ.
And the the implication
implication that that the the "six-and-one-day"
"six-and-one-day"
principle-or
principle or simply
simply one day
day in
in seven-is
seven is admittedly
admittedly
inseparable
inseparable from the
the moral essence
essence of the Sabbath,
Sabbath,
QUESTIONS
while specification
specification of of the seventh day
the seventh day asas such
such reduces
reduces
it
it to
to aa ceremonial
ceremonial relationship,
relationship, is, believe, neither
is, we believe, neither
Biblically sound nor
Biblically nor logically
logically true.
true. There is
is nothing
nothing
whatsoever in
whatsoever in the
the specific
specific seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath Sabbath that has
that has
ceremonial
ceremonial significance
significance in
in the
the life
life and work of
of Christ,
Christ,
and c.onsequently
c,onsequently affordsaffords any any basisbasis for being so
for being so con-
con-
sidered.
sidered. We take the fourth
take the fourth commandment without
emendations.
emendations.
8.
8. INTRODUCTION OF OF SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.-Turn-
OBSERVANCE. Turn-
ing now to
ing to the historical side,
the historical dissent, first
side, we dissent, first of
of all,
all,
from the thesis that

the thesis the Sabbath has
that the has actually
actually been trans-
trans-
ferred
ferred fromfrom the the seventh
seventh to to the
the first day of
first day the week,
of the week,
called the
called the "Lord's
"Lord's day"
day" by by many.
many. The earliest earliest authen-
tic instance,
tic instance, in in early
early church writings,writings, of of the
the first
first day
day of of
the week being
the being called
called "Lord's
"Lord's day" day" was
was by
by Clement of
of
Alexandria,
Alexandria, near
near the
the close
close of
of the
the second
second century
century (see (see
Miscellanies v.
Miscellanies v. 14).
14). And the first ecclesiastical
the first writer
ecclesiastical writer
known definitely
definitely to
to teach
teach that
that the
the observance
observance of
of the
the
Sabbath
Sabbath was was transferred
transferred by by Christ
Christ to to Sunday
Sunday was Euse-
Euse-
bius of
bius of Caesarea
Caesarea (died(died c. c. 349),
349), who made the the allega-
allega-
tion in
tion his Commentary
in his Commentary on the Psalms, on Psalm 92
the Psalms, 92
(Psalm
(Psalm 91
91 in
in K.J.V),
K.J.V), written
written in
in the
the second
second quarter
quarter of of
the fourth
the fourth century.
century. (See (See Frank
Frank H.
H. Yost,
Yost, The Early
Early
Christian Sabbath, 1947,
Christian Sabbath, 1947, ch. ch. 5.)5.)
Sunday
Sunday observance
observance as as aa church festival festival commemo-
rating
rating Christ's
Christ's resurrection-but
resurrection but as
as supplementary to,
supplementary to,
and notnot in in lieu
lieu of,
of, the
the Sabbath-was
Sabbath was introduced
introduced at
at
Rome about the the middle of
of thethe second century.
century. The
custom spread
custom spread gradually
gradually from that that time
time onward.
onward. Al- Al-
though
though the
the Christians
Christians in
in Rome generally
generally fasted
fasted instead
instead
of celebrating
of celebrating communion on Sabbath days, days, Ambrose,
Am brose,
bishop of
bishop of Milan (375-397),
(375-397), refused refused to to follow
follow thisthis
167
practice in
practice in his
his diocese
diocese (Ambrose
(Ambrose De Elia Elia etet Jejunio
Jejunio 10;
10;
Paulinus Life
Paulinus Life of St. Ambrose 38;
of St. Augustine Epistle
38; Augustine Epistle 36.
36.
14
14 to
to Casulanus; Epistle 54.
Casulanus; Epistle 54. 22 to
to Januarius).
Januarius).
Augustine, bishop
Augustine, bishop of Hippo (died
of Hippo (died 430),
430), stated
stated
that while
that while the
the church of of Rome fastedfasted on the the seventh
seventh
day of
day of each week in his time,
in his time, the
the practice
practice was
was not
not gen-
gen-
erally
erally followed
followed elsewhere
elsewhere in Italy, making special men-
in Italy, making special
tion
tion ofof Ambrose's
Ambrose's refusal
refusal at
at Milan.
Milan. He added added that
that the
the
vast majority
vast majority of
of the
the Christian
Christian churches
churches throughout
throughout the the
world, particularly
world, particularly in
in the
the East,
East, had too
too much respect
respect
for the Sabbath to
for the to do that.
that. He likewise
likewise stated that while
stated that while
some churches in in North Africa followed Rome's ex-
Africa followed ex-
ample
ample in
in fasting
fasting on Sabbath days,
days, others
others under his
his
care did not.
care did not. (Augustine Epistle
(Augustine Epistle 36.
36. 14
14 to
to Casulanus;
Casulanus;
Epistle 54.
Epistle 54. 2 to Januarius;
2 to Januarius; and Epistle
Epistle 82 to Jerome.)
82 to Jerome.)
Church historian
historian Socrates (Ecclesiastical History
Socrates (Ecclesiastical History
v. 22),
v. writing about A.D.
22), writing 430, left
A.D. 430, left the record:
the record:
Almost all
Almost all Churches throughout the
Churches throughout the world
world celebrate
celebrate the
the
sacred mysteries on the
sacred mysteries the sabbath
sabbath [seventh
[seventh day] of every
day] of every week,
week, yet
yet
the Christians of
the Christians Alexandria and at
of Alexandria at Rome,
Rome, on account
account of
of some
ancient tradition,
ancient tradition, refuse
refuse to
to do this.
this.
Socrates
Socrates also wrote that
also wrote that the
the Arians
Arians similarly held
similarly held
their meetings on both
their meetings both Sabbath and Sunday (ibid.
Sunday (ibid.
vi.
vi. 8). fifth-century church
8). And fifth-century
church historian
historian Sozomen
(Ecclesiastical History vii.
(Ecclesiastical History vii. 19),
19), confirmed Socrates'
Socrates'
statement,
statement, declaring:
declaring:
The people
people ofof Constantinople,
Constantinople, and of several other cities,
of several cities,
assemble together
assemble together on the
the sabbath,
sabbath, as well as
as well as on the
the next day;
day;
which custom is
which custom is never
never observed at Rome, or
observed at or Alexandria.
Alexandria.
After the
After the enactment
enactment ofof Constantine's first civil
Constantine's first civil Sun-
day law,
day law, in
in 321, enforcing
321, enforcing "the
"the venerable
venerable day
day ofof the
sun" by rest
sun" by rest from labor-designed
labor designed to
to sustain
sustain and en-
168
QUESTIONS
force already existing
force already existing ecclesiastical legislation regard-
ecclesiastical legislation regard-
ing
ing Sunday
Sunday observance-the
observance the Sunday festival became in-
Sunday festival in-
creasingly popular
creasingly popular and widespread
widespread with
with the
the passing
passing of of
the centuries. It
the centuries. was buttressed
It was buttressed thereafter
thereafter by by increasing
increasing
ecclesiastical and civil
ecclesiastical legislation. However,
civil legislation. However, at at the
the time
of the
of the great
great schism
schism between the
the churches
churches of
of the
the East
East and
\Vest,
West, in
In 1054,
1054, one of
of the
the principal
principal issues
issues of
of controversy
controversy
was Rome's practice
\vas Rome's practice of of still observing the
still observing the Sabbath day day
by fasting.
by fasting. The Eastern
Eastern churches,
churches, even at
at this
this late
late date,
date,
still regarded the
still regarded the Sabbath
Sabbath too too highly
highly to to do that,that, al-al-
though Sundaykeeping
though Sundaykeeping was then was then almost
almost universal.
universal.
(Cardinal
(Cardinal Humbert,
Humbert, legate
legate of
of Pope
Pope Leo IX to
to the
the
Greeks, Adversus
Greeks, Adversus Graecorum Calumnias [Against [Against the the
Calumnies of of thethe Greeks],
Greeks], in
in Migne's Patrologiae
Migne's Patrologiae
vol. 143,
Latina, vol.
Latina, 143, cols.
cols. 936,
936, 937;
937; seesee also
also Gibbon,
Gibbon, De- De-
cline and Fall
cline Fall ofof the
the Roman Empire,
Empire, ch.
ch. 60.)
60.)
Thus thethe eclipse
eclipse of
of the
the Sabbath by Sunday in
by Sunday in gen-
gen-
eral practice took
eral practice took place
place slowly,
slowly, but
but with
with much contro-
contro-
versy
versy and even bloodshed, as
even bloodshed, as the
the history
history of of the
the Celtic
Celtic
church attests,
church attests, according
according to Lange.** It
to Lange. It required
required cen- cen-
turies for
turies for Sunday
Sunday to
to come to
to be
be regarded
regarded as
as the
the Sab-
Sab-
bath.t And to
bath.f to this
this day
day in
in Spanish,
Spanish, Portuguese,
Portuguese, Italian,
Italian,
Polish, and aa number of
Polish, other languages,
of other languages, the the seventh
seventh
*The Sabbath was observed

observed by by the
the Celtic
Celtic church as late as
as late the eleventh
as the eleventh century.
century.
(Andrew Lange, A History
(Andrew Lange, History of of Scotland,
Scotland, 1909, vol. 1,
1909, vol. 1, p.p. 96;
96; see also William
see also William F.F.
Skene, Celtic
Skene, Scotland, 1877,
Celtic Scotland, 1877, vol.
vol. 2,
2, p. 349.)
p. 349.)
tSeventeenth-century Edward Brerewood,
fSeventeenth-century Brerewood, of of Gresham College, College, London (A (A
Learned Treatise
Learned Treatise ofof the
the Sabbath,
Sabbath, 1630, p. 77),
1630, p. 77), left
left the
the record:
record:
"The ancient
ancient Sabbath did did remain and was observedobserved by by the
the Christians
Christians of the
of the
East
East Church,
Church, above three three hundred years years after our Saviour's
after our Saviour's death."
death."
This is
This is supported
supported by by Sir Domville (The
William Domville
Sir William Sabbath: or
(The Sabbath: Examination of
or an Examination of
Six
Six Texts,
Texts, 1849,
1849, vol.
vol. 11, p.
p. 291), writing two centuries
291), writing centuries later:later:
"Centuries
"Centuries of of the
the Christian
Christian era era passed
passed away before the
away before the Sunday
Sunday waswas observed
observed
by the
by the Christian
Christian Church as as aa Sabbath."
Sabbath."
And historian
historian Lyman
Lyman Coleman,
Goleman, of of Lafayette
Lafayette College (Ancient Christianity
College (Ancient Christianity Ex-
Ex-
emplified, 1852,
emplified, 1852, ch.
ch. 26, sec. 2),
26, sec. 2), COncurs
concurs with these
these and and. many
many other
other witnesses:
witnesses:
"Down even to the fifth
to the century the
fifth century the observance
observance of the Jewish
of the Jewish Sabbath
Sabbath was con-
was con-
tinued in
tinued the Christian
in the Christian church,
church, butbut with
with aa rigour
rigour and solemnity gradually diminish-
solemnity gradually diminish-
ing."
ing."
169
day of the week

day of is
is still
still called
called byby some transliteration
transliteration of of
the old
the old name "Sabbath."
"Sabbath."
9. PROPHESIED CHANGE OF SABBATH.-We,
9. SABBATH. We, as as Ad-
Ad-
ventists, believe
ventists, believe there
there has been aa wholly
has been wholly unauthorized,
unauthorized,
unwarranted,
unwarranted, and presumptuous
presumptuous change change in the Sab-
in the Sab-
bath by
bath by thethe Catholic,
Catholic, or
or great
great Roman, apostasy, as
Roman, apostasy, as
prophesied by
prophesied by Daniel
Daniel (recorded
(recorded in in Daniel
Daniel 7, 7, especially
especially
verses
verses 2424 and 25).* 25). * The unblushing
unblushing frankness
frankness of of
Rome's claim of of authority
authority and power
power to
to change
change even
even
precepts of
precepts of the
the "Ten Commandments of of God" is is seen
seen
in Joseph
in Joseph Faa di Bruno's Catholic
di Bruno's Belief (1884),
Catholic Belief (1884), which
has passed through
has passed through many printings
many printings and various
various transla-
transla-
tions. On one page
tions. (page
page (page 311) 311) are
are listed
listed "The Ten
Commandments of God,"
of God/' of
of Exodus 20, given
20, given in
in their
their
shorter form, with the
shorter form, the third
third (fourth) reading, "Re-
(fourth) reading, ''Re-
member that that thou keep keep holy
holy the
the Sabbath day."
day." On the
the
next page (page
next page 312)
(page 312) appear appear "The Commandments
of the
of the Church,"
Church/' the the first
first of
of which is is this:
this: "We are are
chiefly commanded by
chiefly by thethe Church-I.
Church 1. To keep
keep the the
Sundays Holydays of
Sundays and Holydays of obligation."
obligation."
That thisthis specifically involves the
specifically involves the substitution
substitution of of
Sunday
Sunday for the Sabbath is
for the is seen
seen from the the explanation
explanation
of the expression
of the expression "Apostolical
"Apostolical and Ecclesiastical
Ecclesiastical Tradi-
tions" appearing in
tions" appearing in the
the authoritative
authoritative "Creed of of Pius
IV," which
IV," which was was issued
issued at at the
the close of the
close of the Council
Council of of
Trent:
That
That is,
is, I
I admit
admit as points of
as points revealed truth
of revealed truth what the
the Church
declares the
declares the Apostles
Apostles taught
taught as
as such,
such, whether
-whether clearly
clearly or not
*Even
*Even Philip
Philip Melanchthon,
Melanchthon, on on the prophecy on Daniel 7:25,
the prophecy dec!ared: "He [the
7:25. declared: [the
papal Little
papal Horn] changeth
Little Horn] changeth the
the tymes lawe. that
tymes and lawes that any
any of the slxe
of the sixe worke dayes
dayes
commanded of
commanded of God will
will make them unholy
unholy and idle
idle dayes
dayes when he Iyste, Or
lyste, of their
or of their
owne holy
owne holy dayes
dayes abolished
abolished make worke dayes age~. or
dayes agen, or when theythey changed
changed. yeye
Saterday into Sondaye
Saterday into Sondaye.. . .. . They
. . have changed
They have God s lawes and turned them into
changed God's mto
their owne tradicions
their owne tradicions to
to be kept above
be kept precept•. "-Exposition
above God's precepts." Exposition of Daniel the
of Daniel the
Prophete (1545),
Prophete (1545), tr. by George
tr. by George Joye,
Joye, p.
p. 119.
119,
170
QUESTIONS
clearly expressed
clearly expressed or not even mentioned in
or not in the
the Written
Written Word ofof
as, for
God: as, for instance,
instance, ...
. that
that Sunday instead of
Sunday instead
. . of Saturday
Saturday (called
(called
the Sabbath)
the is to be
is to
Sabbath) be kept holy.-Ibid.,
kept holy. p. 251.
Ibid., p. 251.
Nothing
Nothing could
could be
be plainer,
plainer, or
or more bold.
bold.
While,
While, as noted, the
as noted, the seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath continued
continued
to be
to be observed
observed in certain areas
in certain areas for
for centuries
centuries after the
after the
cross, the
cross, the festival
festival of the resurrection
of the resurrection came gradually
gradually
to parallel and then
to parallel then later
later to
to overshadow
overshadow it.it. And atat the
the
Synod
Synod of of Laodicea,
Laodicea, the the predominating
predominating influence
influence atat
the council
the council anathematized
anathematized those those who continued to ob-
to ob-
serve the
serve the seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath and enjoined enjoined the ob-
the ob-
servance of Sunday.
servance of Sunday.* * The Sabbath-Sunday
Sabbath-Sunday canons of
of
this Eastern
this Eastern council
council were incorporated into the
incorporated into the canons
of the
of the General
General Council
Council of of Chalcedon in in 451,
451, and thus
thus
received legislative force
received legislative force for
for the
the entire
entire church.
church.
Then, in
Then, in the
the next
next century, Justinian incorporated
century, Justinian incorporated
the canons
the canons of the first
of the first four
four general
general councils (including
councils (including
Chalcedon
Chalcedon and Laodicea's
Laodicea's Canon 29) 29) into
into his
his famous
Code (Corpus Juris Civilis),
(Corpus Juris with their
Civilis), with their infraction
infraction
now punishable
punishable by by civil penalties. And this
civil penalties. this remained
"Canon
*Canon 29, 29, of
of thethe Council
Council of of Laodicea,
Laodicea, is is quoted
quoted by by Hefele
Herele (A (A History
History of of the
the
Councils
Councils o{ of the
the Church,
Church, 1896, 1896, vol.vol. 2,2, p. 316) as
p. 316) as follows:
follows:
"ChristIans
"Christians shallshall not not Judaize
Judaize and be idle Saturday ["Sabbath,"
idle on Saturday originall,
["Sabbath," original],
but shall
but shall work on that that day;
day; but but thethe Lord's
Lord's day day they
they shall especially honour,
shall especially honour, and,and,
as being Christians,
as being Christians, shall,
shall, ifif possible,
possible, do no work on that that day. If, however,
day. If, however, they
they are
are
found Judaizing,
found Judaizing, theythey shall
shall bebe shut
shut outout from Christ.**
Christ."
BaCK
Back in in the
the seventeenth
seventeenth century William Prynne
century William Prynne of Britrun (A
of Britain (A Brief
Brief Polemicall
Polemical)
Dissertation concerning
Dissertation concerning the the true time 0/
true time the Inchoation
of the Inchoation and and Determination
Determination of of the
the
Lord's Day-Sabbath,
Lord's Day-Sabbath, 1655, 1655, pp. pp. 33, 33, 44), affirmed this
44), affirmed this fact:
fact:
"The seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath was was • . . solemnized
. . . solemnized by by Christ, the ApostleSj
Christ, the Apostles and
Primitive Christians
Primitive Christians . . . till
... till this Laodieean Council
this Laodicean Council diddid inin a quite abolish
a manner quite abolish
the observation
the observation of of it."
it." "The Council Council of of Laodicea . . . first
. . first settled
. settled the
the observation
observation
of the
of Lord's-day."
the Lord's-day."
Three centuries
centuries later
later Roman Catholic Catholic catechisms
catechisms stillstill maintain
maintain thatthat this
this Council
Council
had been
been thethe turning
turning point.point. Thus Peter Peter Geiermann
Geiermarm (The (The Convert's
Convert's Catechism
Catechism of of
Catholic Doctrille~ 1910,
Catholic Doctrine, 1910, p. 50),
. treatise received
50), whose treatise received the the apostolic
apostolic blessing of
blessing of
Pius X, January
Pius X, January 25, 2:>, 1910, gives this
1910, gives this answer:
answer:
"Q,
*'Q, Which
Which is
is tlte
the Sabbath
Sabbath day?
day?
"A. Saturday
"A. Saturday is the Sabbath day.
is the day.
"Q. Why
"Q. Why do do we observe
observe Sunday instead 0/
Sunday instead of Saturday?
Saturday?
"A.
*'A. We observe
observe Sunday instead of
Sunday instead of Saturday because the
Saturday because the Catholic Church, in
Catholic Church, in
the Council
the Council of of Laodicea
Laodicea (A.D. (A.D. 336), 336), transferred
transferred the solemnity
the solemnity fromfrom Saturday
Saturday to to
Sunday."
Sunday."
even place
Some even place the the date just just before
before Nicea
Nicea (325)
(325); others
; others after Constantinople
after Constantinople
(381). Most older
(381). writers fixed
older writers fixed on 364. 364.
171
the
the dominant law of of Europe
Europe all all through
through the the Middle
Ages, until
Ages, until modification
modification by the countries
by the countries adopting
adopting
Protestantism,
Protestantism, where decrees decrees o of tolerance were enacted
tolerance were enacted
by
by their
their respective parliaments.
respective parliaments. Later
Later this
this was
was super-
super-
seded by the Code of
by the Napoleon, after
of Napoleon, after the
the French
French Revo-
Revo-
lution at
lution at the
the end of the eighteenth
of the eighteenth century.
century.
We, as as Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists-and
Adventists and doubtless doubtless
many
many in in other Protestant communions
other Protestant communions-deny deny thethe
validity
validity of
of such a
a change
change of
of the
the Sabbath
Sabbath as
as claimed
claimed by
by
Roman Catholics
Catholics and repeatedly
repeatedly admitted
admitted by by promi-
promi-
nent Protestants.
Protestants. We believe that the
believe that seventh day
the seventh con-
day con-
tinues as
tinues as thethe changeless
changeless memorial of of God's
God's original
original
creation; and further,
creation; further, that
that the
the regenerated
regenerated believer
believer in
in
Christ who, ceasing
Christ who, ceasing from sin,
sin, enters
enters into
into spiritual rest,
spiritual rest,
can keep
can keep thethe Sabbath as as the
the sign of his
sign of his re-creation.
re-creation. "WeWe
therefore refuse
therefore refuse to to recognize,
recognize, honor,
honor, and obey obey what we
believe to
believe to be the the papal
papal substitute
substitute of God's unchange-
of God's unchange-
able Sabbath. Taking
able Sabbath. Taking the
the Bible
Bible as
as our sole
sole rule of
rule of
faith practice, and unable
faith and practice, unable to to find
find Scripture warrant
Scripture warrant
for
for such
such a a change,
change, we decline
decline to
to follow
follow what we believe
believe
to be
to be the traditions and "commandments of
the traditions of men."
While Catholics
Catholics claim responsibility for
claim responsibility for the
the change
change
of the
of the Sabbath, prominent Protestants
Sabbath, prominent Protestants-from from Reforma-
tion times
tion times onward-admit
onward admit that the change
that the change was not not by
by
scriptural authority
scriptural authority or or apostolic act, but by
apostolic act, by human
churchly
churchly action.
action. Thus:
Augsburg Confession
The Augsburg Confession of of 1530, Art. XXVIII,
1530, Art.
declares:
declares:
They
They [the
[the Catholics]
Catholics] allege
allege the change of
the change the Sabbath into
of the
the Lord's
the Lord's day,
day, contrary, as it
contrary, as it seemeth,
seemeth, toto the
the Decalogue;
Decalogue; and
they
they have
have no
no example
example more
more in
in their
their mouths than the change
the of
change of
the
the Sabbath.
Sabbath. They
They will needs have
will needs have the
the Church's power
power to
to be
be
172
QUESTIONS
very
very great, because it
great, because hath dispensed
it hath dispensed with
with aa precept
precept of
of the
the Deca-
Deca-
logue. PHILIP SCHAFF,
logue.-PHILIP SCHAFF, The Creeds ofof Christendom, vol. 3,
Christendom, vol. p. 64.
3, p. 64.
German church
church historian,
historian, Johann August Neander,
Johann August Neander,
in
in The History
History of
of the
the Christian Religion and Church)
Christian Religion Church,
Roses'
Roses' translation
translation (1831),
(1831), volume 1,
1, page
page 186,
186, asserts:
asserts:
The festival
festival of
of Sunday,
Sunday, like
like all other festivals,
all other festivals, was
was always
always only
only
a
a ordinance, and it
human ordinance, was far
it was far from the
the intentions
intentions of
of the
the
apostles to establish
apostles to establish aa divine
divine command in in this
this respect,
respect, far
far from
them, and from
them, from the
the early
early apostolic church, to
apostolic church, to transfer
transfer the
the laws
laws
of the Sabbath
of the Sabbath to Sunday.
to Sunday.
English
English Congregationalist
Congregationalist Robert W. Dale, in The
Dale, in
Ten Commandments (1891), page
(1891), page 100,
100, says:
says:
The Sabbath
Sabbath was founded on aa specific Divine command. We
specific Divine
can plead no
can plead no such
such command for the obligation
for the to observe
obligation to observe Sunday.
Sunday.
Anglican Dr.
Anglican Dr. Isaac
Isaac Williams, Plain Sermons on
in Plain
Williams, in
the
the Catechism (1882),
(1882), volume 1, page 336,
1, page 336, admits:
admits:
reasons why
The reasons why we keep
keep the
the first day of
first day the week holy
of the holy instead
instead
of
of the seventh is
the seventh is for the same reason
for the reason that
that we observe
observe many
many other
other
things, not
things, not because
because the
the Bible, but because
Bible, but because the
the church,
church, has
has en-
en-
joined it.
joined it.
American Congregationalist
Congregationalist Lyman Abbott,
Lyman Abbott, In
in
Christian
Christian Union) June 26,
Union, June 26, 1890,
1890, states:
states:
The current
current notion that Christ
notion that Christ and his
his Apostles
Apostles authorita-
authorita-
tively
tively substituted
substituted the
the first
first day
day of
of the
the week for
for the
the seventh
seventh is
is ab-
ab-
solutely without any
solutely without any authority
authority in the New Testament.
in the
British
British Anglican
Anglican Dean F.F. W. Farrar, in The Voice
Farrar, in Voice
Sinai (1892),
From Sinai page
(1892), page 167,
167, says:
says:
The Christian
Christian Church made no formal,
formal, but
but aa gradual
gradual and
almost unconscious, transference
almost unconscious, of the
transference of the one day
day to
to the
the other.
other.
Anglican Canon Eyton,

Anglican Eyton, of
of Westminster, in The
Westminster, in
Ten Commandments (1894), page 62,
(1894), page 62, adds:
adds:
There is word, no hint,
is no word, hint, in
in the
the New Testament about
about
abstaining from work on Sunday.
abstaining Sunday.
1 73
N. Summerbell, in History
Summerbell, In History of
of the Christians, page
the Christians) page
418, avers:
418, avers:
It
It [the
[the Roman Catholic
Catholic Church] has reversed
Church] has reversed the
the fourth
fourth
commandment, doing
commandment, doing away with the
away with the Sabbath
Sabbath of God's Word,
of God's Word,
instituting Sunday
and instituting Sunday as a holy
as a day.
holy day.
And Statesman William E. E. Gladstone, four times
Gladstone, four times
prime minister
prime minister of Britain, in
o Britain, in Later Gleanings, page
Later Gleanings, page
342,
342, observes:
observes:
seventh day
The seventh day of the week has
of the has been
been deposed
deposed from
from its
its title
title
to obligatory religious
to obligatory religious observance,
observance, and its
its prerogative
prerogative has
has been
been
carried over
carried over to
to the
the first; direct precept
first; under no direct precept of
of Scripture.
Scripture.
10.
10. SABBATH CHANGED BY BY "AUTHORITY" OF ROMAN
CHURCH.-The
CHURCH. Papacy's formal
The Papacy's formal answer to to Protestant-
Protestant-
ism was given
given at
at the
the Council
Council of
of Trent (1545-1563).
(1545-1563). It
It
was here
here that
that her deliberate and final
her deliberate final rejection,
rejection, and
anathema, of
anathema, the Reformation
of the Reformation teachings
teachings on the suprem-
the suprem-
acy
acy of
of the
the Bible,
Bible, and other
other clear
clear doctrines
doctrines of
of the
the
Word of of God,
God, took took place.
place. The real real issue
issue was the the
equality,
equality, or or actual
actual superiority,
superiority, of tradition to
of tradition to the
the
Scriptures
Scriptures as
as a
a rule
rule of
of faith.
faith.
During the
During the seventeenth
seventeenth session, Cardinal Casper
session, Cardinal Casper
del Fosso,
del Fosso, archbishop
archbishop of
of Reggio,
Reggio, on January
January 18,
18, 1562,
1562,
asserted that
asserted that tradition
tradition is the outgrowth
is the outgrowth of of continual
continual
churchly inspiration
churchly inspiration residing
residing in the Catholic
in the Catholic Church.
appealed to
He appealed to the
the long-established
long-established change
change of of the
Sabbath into Sunday
Sabbath into Sunday as
as standing proof
standing proof of
of the
the inspired
inspired
authority of
authority the Roman Church.
of the Church. He declared that
the change
the change had not
not been made by command of
by of Christ,
Christ,
but by
but by the
the authority
authority of the Catholic
of the Church, which
Catholic Church,
change Protestants
change Protestants accept.
accept. His speech
speech was thethe determin-
ing
ing factor
factor in
in the
the decision
decision of
of the
the Council.
Council. And ever
since Trent, the change
since Trent, the change of of the
the Sabbath to
to Sunday
Sunday has has
174
QUESTIONS
pointed to
been pointed to by
by Roman Catholics
Catholics as the evidence
as the evidence
of the
of the church's power to
church's power change even the
to change the Decalogue.
Decalogue.
(See epitomizing
(See epitomizing Creed
Creed of
of Pius
Pius IV in
in Joseph Faa di
Joseph di
Bruno,
Bruno, Catholic Belief) 1884,
Catholic Belief, 1884, pp. pp. 250-254;
250-254; Henry Henry
Schroeder
Schroeder [dr.] [tr.] Canons and Decrees of
of the
the Council of
of
Trent)
Trent, 1937.
1937.
11.
11. WHY WE WE OBSERVE THE SABBATH.-We SABBATH. We believe believe
that Protestants
that Protestants are are on perilous ground
perilous ground when they
they
unwittingly follow
unwittingly follow thethe same subtlesubtle Sabbath argument
argument
advanced
advanced in in the
the Council
Council of Trent, as
of Trent, as recorded
recorded in in the
the
Cathechism
Cathechism of of the
the Council of
of Trent (Catechismus
(Catechismus
Romanus). In
Romanus}. In this
this itit is
is held that while
held that while thethe Sabbath
Sabbath
principle is
principle is moral and eternal,
eternal, the specific time element
the specific
is only
is only ceremonial
ceremonial and temporary. And further,
temporary. that as
further, that as
the seventh
the seventh day day constituted
constituted the
the temporary
temporary time
time em-
phasis for
phasis the Jews
for the Jews of of Old Testament times, times, so so the
the
Catholic mother-church, in
Catholic mother-church, in the
the plenitude
plenitude of of her
her dele-
dele-
gated power,
gated power, authority,
authority, and insight,
insight, and as as the
the desig-
desig-
nated custodian
nated custodian and only only infallible
infallible interpreter
interpreter of of tradi-
tradi-
tion
tion and truth,truth, hashas transferred
transferred the the solemnity
solemnity from the the
seventh
seventh to the first
to the day of
first day of the week. (Donovan,
the week, (Donovan, Cate- Cate-
chism of
chism the Council
of the Council of Trent, 1867,
of Trent) pp. 340,
1867, pp. 340, 342;
342; seesee
also
also Labbe and Cossart, Cossart, Sacrosancta Concilia; Fra Paolo
Sacrosancta Concilia; Fra Paolo
Sarpi,
Sarpi, Histoire
Histoire du concille
concille de
de Trente)
Trente, vol.
vol. 2;
2; H. J.J.
Holtzmann, Canon and Tradition}'
Holtzmann, Tradition; T. A.
A. Buckley,
Buckley, A
History of
History of the
the Council of Trent; et
of Trent; cetera.)
et cetera.)
In making this
In making this effective,
effective, most Roman Catholic Catholic cate-
cate-
chisms reduce
reduce the the Sabbath commandment simply simply to to
read,
read, "Remember that
that thou
thou keep holy
keep holy the
the Sabbath day"
day'*
(e.g., Geiermann's The Convert's
(e.g., Geiermann's Convert's Catechism of of Catho-
Catho-
lic Doctrine) p.
lic Doctrine, p. 50; Butler's Catechism}
50; Butler's Catechism, p. p. 28;
28; et
et cetera).
cetera).
And in in various
various vernacular
vernacular catechisms
catechisms the the Sabbath com-
175
mand actually reads, "Remember to

actually reads, keep the
to keep the festivals,"
festivals/'
or "feasts,"
''feasts," instead
instead of of "Remember to to keep
keep holy
holy the
the
Sabbath."
Sabbath."
The Roman Church upbraids upbraids and challenges
challenges the the
sincerity
sincerity of
of Protestants
Protestants who, professing to follow
who, professing to follow the the
Bible as
Bible their sole
as their sole rule
rule of
of faith and practice,
faith and practice, in in reality
reality
accept
accept and follow
follow the
the authority
authority and example
example of
of Catho-
Catho-
tradition. *
lic tradition.*
lic
On the contrary,
contrary, we as Adventists believe
as Adventists believe that Jesus
that Jesus
Christ Himself-who
Christ Himself who was the Creator of
the Creator of all things
all things
(John
(John 1:3,
1:3, 10;
10; 1
1 Cor.
Cor. 8:6)
8:6) and the
the original
original maker of
of
the
the Sabbath,
Sabbath, and who is is "the
"the same yesterday,
yesterday, and to to
day,
day, and for
for ever"
ever" (Heb. 13:8)-made
(Heb. 13:8) made no change
change in
in the
the
Sabbath. And He authorized
Sabbath. authorized no changechange to to be
be made by by
followers. We therefore
His followers. believe that
therefore believe that until
until the
the Sab-
Sab-
bath law
bath law is
is repealed
repealed by by divine authority, and its
divine authority, its change
change
made known by definite Scripture mandate,
by definite Scripture mandate, we should
should
solemnly
solemnly "remember" and "keep" "keep" the the unrepealed
unrepealed
original
original seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath of of the
the Decalogue,
Decalogue, which
is explicitly
is explicitly on record.
record.
We believe,
"Ve believe, without any reservations, that
any reservations, that the
the Sab-
Sab-
*Thus French prelate

prelate Mgr.
Mgr. Louis
Louis de Segur jPlain
de Segur Talk About the
(Plain Talk Protestantism
the Protestantism
of
of Today,
Today, 1868, p. 213,
1868, p. 213, with imprimatur by Johannes
imprimatur by ohannes Josephus),
Josephus), declares:
declares:
"It
"It was the the Catholic
Catholic Church which, which, by by the
the authority
authority ofof Jesus
Jesus Christ, has trans-
Christ, has trans-
ferred this
ferred this rest
rest toto the
the Sunday
Sunday in in remembrance of of the
the resurrection
resurrection of of our
our Lord.
Lord.
Thus the the observance
observance of
of Sunday
Sunday by by the
the Protestants
Protestants is
is an homage they
homage they pay, pay, in
in spite
spite
of themselves,
of themselves, to to the
the authority
authority of of the
the [Catholic]
[Catholic] Church."
The Catholic Mirror, official
Catholic Mirror, official organ
organ of James Cardinal
of James Cardinal Gibbons (Sept. 23, 1893),
(Sept. 23, 1893),
in aa series
in editorials, similarly
of four editorials,
series of similarly asserted:
asserted:
"The Catholic
Catholic Church for over one thousand
for over thousand years
years before
before the
the existence
existence of of a
Protestant, by
Protestant, by virtue
virtue of of her divine mission, changed
divine mission, changed the the day
day from Saturday
Saturday to to
Sunday."
Sunday."
"The Protestant
Protestant world at its birth
at its birth [the
[the sixteenth
sixteenth century Reformation] found
century Reformation]
the Christian
the Christian Sabbath too too strongly
strongly intrenched to to run counter to its existence;
to its existence; itit was
therefore placed
therefore placed under the the necessity
necessity of of acquiescing
acquiescing in the arrangement,
in the arrangement, thusthus imply-
imply-
ing the Church's
ing the Church's rightright toto change
change the day, for
the day, for over three
three hundred years.years. The Chris-
Chris-
tian Sabbath
tian Sabbath is therefore to
is therefore to this
this day the acknowledged
day the acknowledged offspring
offspring ofof the
the Catholic
Church as
Church as spouse
spouse of the Holy
of the Holy Ghost, without aa word of remonstrance from the
Ghost, without the
Protestant world."
Protestant world."
(See also
(See also James
James Cardinal Gibbons, The Faith
Cardinal Gibbons, Faith of
of Our Fathers,
Fathers, 1893,
1893, p. p. 111;
Ill;
J.
J. 1. Dollinger, The First
von Bellinger,
I. von First Age
Age of of Christianity
Christianity and the Church, vol.
the Church, vol. 2,
2, pp.
pp. 206,
206,
207.)
207.)
QUESTIONS
bath Isis the
the memorial of of an immutable historical
historical fact-
fact
a finished
finished creation,
creation, and the
the Creator's
Creator's rest
rest on the
the
specific
specific seventh day
day at
at the
the close
close of
of creation
creation week.
week. We
say humbly, but we believe
it humbly,
say it believe that nothing-no
that nothing person,
no person,
or group,
group, or power
or power on earth-can change
earth can change the the commem-
orative, historical fact
orative, historical fact that rested on the
that God rested the seventh
seventh
day
day of
of creation
creation week and gave rest day
gave His rest day to
to mankind
as the
as the perpetual
perpetual memorial-reminder of a finished
of a finished work
-never repealed, and never
never repealed, neVer to
to be repealed.
repealed.
And we believe,
believe, furthermore,
furthermore, that the Sabbath will
that the will
ever be
ever be the
the eternal
eternal memorial of of God's creative power
creative power
righteousness (Isa.
and righteousness (Isa. 66:22, 23), and will
66:22, 23), will remain the
the
everlasting
everlasting reminder of justice and sovereign
of His justice sovereign gov-
gov-
ernment,
ernment, asas well
well as
as of
of His wondrous plan
plan of redemp-
redemp-
tion the re-creation
tion and the of man through
re-creation of through the
the wonders of
of
grace.
His grace.
Saturday 0
Saturday Valid C
bserval1ce aa Valid
Observance riteriol1
Criterion
QUESTION
QUESTION 17
Do Seventh-day
Adventists believe
believe that
that Sat-
Sat-
urday
urday is
is the
the only
only valid
valid criterion
criterion for determining
for determining
full obedience
full obedience to
to the
the law of of God,
God, oror can one
worship sincerely
worship sincerely on Sunday,
Sunday, but
but fail to
fail keep
to keep
the Sabbath,
the Sabbath, and still
still be counted
counted a faithful
faithful and
obedient Christian?
Christian?
Seventh-day
Adventists can can not,
not, and do not, not, read
read
hearts;
hearts; that
that is
is God's prerogative.
prerogative. We believe
believe in
in ad-
ad-
vancing light. Time, circumstance,
vancing light. Time, circumstance, knowledge, knowledge, under-
under-
standing,
standing, and conviction
conviction are determining factors.
are determining factors. And
we believe,
believe, further,
further, thatthat atat stated times there
stated times there is is a
a
special "present
special "present truth"
truth" due for
for emphasis
emphasis (2 (2 Peter
Peter I:
1:
12).
12).
We likewise
likewise believe that light
believe that light is to increase
is to increase "more
and more unto unto thethe perfect
perfect day" (Prov. 4:18),
day" (Prov. 4: 18), and that that
increasing knowledge
increasing knowledge and understanding
understanding unavoidably
unavoidably
carry with
carry with them increasing
increasing responsibility
responsibility (John
(John 9:41).
9:41).
"To him that that knoweth to to do good,
good, and doeth it it not,
not, to
to
him itit is sin" (James
is sin" 4: 17). Repudiation
(James 4:17). Repudiation of recognized
recognized
light then
light then becomes aa matter matter for
for which one is is respon-
respon-
sible.
sible. "While ye
ye have light, believe
light, believe in
in the
the light, that
light, that
ye may
ye may bebe thethe children
children of of light"
light" (John
(John 12:36).
12:36). "Walk
while
while yeye have
have thethe light,
light, lest
lest darkness
darkness come upon you"
upon you"
177
177
QUESTIONS
(verse
(verse 35).
35). "Take heed therefore
therefore that the light
that the light which
is in thee
is in thee be not darkness.
darkness. If
If thy
thy whole body therefore
body therefore
be full of light,
full of light, having
having no partpart dark,
dark, the
the whole shall
shall
be full of light,
full of light, as
as when the
the bright
bright shining
shining of
of a a candle
doth give
give thee
thee light"
light" (Luke
(Luke 11: 35, 36).
11:35, 36).
As to
to the
the question
question itself, it should be noted:
itself, it noted:
,,yhen
When Sunday
Sunday observance
observance shall
shall be
be enforced
enforced by law,
by law, and the
the
shall be enlightened
world shall concerning the
enlightened concerning the obligation
obligation of the true
of the true
Sabbath, then whoever shall
Sabbath, then transgress the
shall transgress the command of God, to
of God, to
obey aa precept
obey precept which has
has no higher
higher authority
authority than that
that of Rome,
of Rome,
will thereby
will popery above God.-The
thereby honor popery God. The Great Controversy,
Controversy,,
p.449.
p. 449.
We recognize
recognize that
that the
the Sabbath was not a test in
a test in
medieval times.
times. And we do not believe believe that
that it
it was a
a
test in
test in the
the days
days of the great
of the great sixteenth-century
sixteenth-century Reforma-
tion, or
tion, or even inin Wesley's day. But in
Wesley's day. in these
these "last days,"
"last days,"
when, believe, all
when, we believe, all truth
truth is to be restored
is to restored before
before
Christ's second coming,
Christ's second coming, and the message with divine
the message divine
import
import is
is to
to come to
to mankind on the
the Sabbath of the
of the
fourth
fourth commandment, there is aa moral accountability
there is accountability
for obedience on the
for the part
part of
of those to whom light
those to light and
conviction have come. God surely surely does
does not hold men
accountable for
accountable truth that
for truth that has not yet
has not yet come to their
to their
knowledge
knowledge and understanding.
understanding.
Historic Concept
Historic Concept of
of the
the Mark of
of the
the Beast
QUESTION
QUESTION 18
Adventists differ
Why do Adventists differ -from
from other
other
Christians in
Christians in connecting
connecting the
the mark ofof the beast
the beast
with the
with the Sabbath
Sabbath issue?
issue? And why
why do you
you put put
so
so emphasis on this
much emphasis this question?
question?

that Bible
Bible proph-
proph-
ecies predict
ecies predict aa resurgence
resurgence of
of papal power,
papal power, with legal
legal
enforcement of of its
its mark of of authority,
authority, in
in the
the last
last days.
days.
That, we understand,
That, understand, is is when thethe "mark of the beast"
of the beast"
will
will bebe imposed
imposed-in in connection
connection with with the
the last great
last great
religious crisis affecting
religious crisis affecting all all mankind (Rev. 13:16, 17).
(Rev. 13: 16, 17).
That is is why
why Seventh-day Adventists have
Seventh-day Adventists have such deep con-
deep con-
victions
victions concerning
concerning the the Sabbath as as aa coming
coming test.test.
First,
First, we are
are not
not alone
alone in
in our deep
deep convictions
convictions con-
con-
cerning
cerning the
the Sabbath.
Sabbath. Numerous Baptist scholars,
Baptist scholars, back
in
in the
the seventeenth
seventeenth century,
century, were so so concerned over
this
this question
question of
of the
the Sabbath that,
that, after
after painstaking in-
painstaking in-
vestigation,
vestigation, they they founded the
the Seventh Day
Day Baptist
Baptist
Church,
Church, not not aa few suffering
suffering imprisonment
imprisonment for for their
their
faith.
faith.
N or are
Nor are we either
either isolated
isolated or unique
unique in connecting
connecting
the
the mark with with some form of of subserviency
subserviency to to the
the Papacy,
Papacy,
of
of submission
submission to to its
its powers,
powers, laws,
laws, pressures,
pressures, and man-
dates.
dates. We find find Christian
Christian scholars
scholars ofof various lands and
179
QUESTIONS
races
races who studied
studied and wrote wrote on the the question.
question. For cen- cen-
turies Christians
turies Christians pondered
pondered this this coining
coming mark, mark, and had
inklings
inklings of
of its
its intent.
intent. Note
Note them:
them:
From the the time
time of of Wycliffe's
Wydiffe's associate,
associate, John
John Purvey,
Purvey,
onward,
onward, men have
have felt
felt that
that the
the mark of
of the
the beast had
beast
to do with
to do with the the Papacy,
Papacy, and pertained
pertained to to papal
papal power
power
decrees. Andreas
and decrees. Andreas Osiander
Osiander (died(died 1552),
1552), Reforma-
Reforma-
tion pastor
tion pastor at at Niirnberg,
Niirnberg, said that it
said that was subserviency
it was
subserviency
to the
to the Papacy.
Papacy. Luther's
Luther's associate, Nikolaus von
associate, Nikolaus von Ams-
dorf (died
dorf (died 1565),
1565), of Magdeburg, thought
of Magdeburg, thought It it had to to do
with enforced
with enforced papal ceremonies and decrees.
papal ceremonies decrees.
Heinrich Bullinger (died
Heinrich Bullinger (died 1575), Zwingli's successor
1575), Zwingli's successor
at Zurich, took it to be the Papacy's
at Zurich, took it to be the Papacy's excommunicating excommunicating
power. Bishop
power. Nicholas Ridley,
Bishop Nicholas Ridley, oof England
England (martyred
(martyred
in
in 1555),
1555), declared
declared it
it involved
involved allegiance
allegiance to
to the
the beast.
beast.
Scottish mathematician Sir
Scottish mathematician John Napier
Sir John Napier (died(died 1617)
1617)
defined it
defined it as
as aa profession
profession of of obedience
obedience to to Rome. Pietist
Pietist
Johann Lucius
Johann Lucius (died (died 1686) believed" it
1686) believed to be
it to be the
the con-
con-
fession
fession of the Roman religion.
of the religion. And Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac
(died
(died 1727) placed the
1727) placed the mark of of the beast and the
the beast the seal
seal
of
of God in in contrast.
contrast.
In Colonial
In America, Puritan
Colonial America, Puritan theocrat
theocrat John
John Cotton
(died 1652)
(died 1652) believed
believed that
that those
those who receive
receive the mark
the
of
of the beast are
the beast are thethe ones
ones who receivereceive their
their orders
orders
from thethe Church of of Rome. Congregationalist
Congregationalist Edward
Holyoke (died
Holyoke (died 1660) 1660) defined
defined it as yielding
it as yielding to to the
the
pope's
pope's Jaw.
law. Back again
again in
in England, Baptist theologian
England, Baptist theologian
Andrew Fuller Fuller (died(died 1815) placed the
1815) placed the mark of of the
the
beast and the
beast the seal
seal ofof God in in opposition.
opposition. And to to Ameri-
can Presbyterian
Presbyterian minister minister Robert Reid (died (died 1844)
1844) itit
was submission
submission to to Roman error. error. Such are are samplings
samplings of
of
the
the historic
historic applications
applications of of scholars
scholars covering
covering fivefive hun-
him-
MARK OF THE BEAST
THE .MARK 181
181
dred years.
years. (All
(Ail are
are discussed
discussed in in LeRoy
LeRoy Edwin Froom, Froom,
Prophetic
Prophetic Faith of Fathers, vols.
of Our Fathers) vols. 2 2 and 3.) 3.)
None
of
of these
these expositors,
expositors, of of the
the centuries
centuries past, past, applied the
applied the
mark of the beast beast specifically
specifically to
to the
the Sabbath
Sabbath issue,
issue, but
but
they
they did connect it it with the the Papacy.
Papacy.
Sabbatarian Adventists
Adventists all recognize that
all recognize that the the Sab-
Sab-
bath was not aa test test in
in centuries
centuries past, past, but
but believe
believe the
the
restoration of the Sabbath to to be partpart of
o the
the last
last great
great
revival
revival of neglected
neglected and forsaken forsaken apostolic
apostolic truths-a
truths a
part
part th.at
that will
will be givengiven emphasis
emphasis in in connection
connection with with
God's lastlast message
message in in preparation
preparation of of aa people
people to to meet
their
their returning
returning Lord.
Seventh-day
Adventists believe the prophecies
that the prophecies of of
Daniel 77 and Revelation 13, 13, relating
relating to to the
the beast,
beast,
refer particularly to
refer particularly to the
the Papacy,
Papacy, and that that the
the activities
activities
future persecuting
and future persecuting power power will
will come into
into sharp
sharp
focus just before
focus just before the returnreturn of of our Lord in glory. It
in glory. It isis
our understanding
our understanding that that thethe Sabbath will will then
then become
aa worldwide test. test.
Thus it it was thatthat the
the Adventist
Adventist heraldsheralds of of Sabbath
Sabbath
reform came to
reform further logical
to make aa further logical application
application of of
the mark of
the of the
the beast
beast-holding
holding it it to
to be,
be, in
in essence,
essence, the the
attempted
attempted changechange of
of the
the Sabbath of
of the
the fourth
fourth com-
com-
mandment of of the
the Decalogue
Decalogue by by the
the Papacy,
Papacy, itsits endeavor
endeavor
to impose
to impose this
this change
change on Christendom,
Christendom, and the
the accept-
accept-
ance of
ance of the
the Papacy's
Papacy's substitute
substitute by individuals. We be-
by individuals. be-
lieve that in
lieve that in the
the end of of time,
time, in in the
the light
light of
of clear
clear divine
divine
prohibition, all
prohibition, all men willwill be brought
brought face face toto face
face with
with
a decision
a decision to to accept
accept or or reject
reject Sunday
Sunday observance.
observance. (See (See
Question
Question 19,
19, "When the
the Mark Will Be
Be Received.")
Received/')
That the
That the Roman Catholic Catholic Church Church claims claims the the
change
change as as a
a mark of
of her
her authority
authority can
can be
be seen
seen from
182
182 QUESTIONS
the following
the following excerpts
excerpts from
from her
her catechisms.
catechisms. Thus Henry
Henry
Tuberville,
Tuberville, of Douay College,
of Douay France, in
College, France, in AnA
An bridg-
Abridg-
ment of
of the'
the Christian
Christian Doctrine
Doctrine (1649), page
(1649), page 58,
58, three
three
centuries ago,
centuries ago, stated
stated the
the Catholic
Catholic case:
case:
Q.-How
Q. How prove you that
prove you that the
the Church hathhath power
power to
to command
feasts
feasts and holydays?
a"nd holydays?
A.-By
A. the very
By the very act
act of changing the
of changing the sabbath into Sunday,
sabbath into Sunday,
which
which Protestants
Protestants allow
allow of;
of; and therefore they fondly
therefore they fondly contradict
contradict
themselves, by
themselves, by keeping Sunday strictly,
keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking
breaking most
most other
other
feasts commanded by
feasts by the
the same Church.
Church.
Stephen Keenan, in
Stephen Keenan, in A Doctrinal
Doctrinal Catechism (1865),
(1865),
page 174, approved by Archbishop John Hughes
page 174, approved by Archbishop John Hughes of
of New
York, made aa similar
York, similar assertion:
assertion:
Q.-Have
Q. Have you you any
any other
other way
way of proving that
of proving the Church
that the has
Church has
poweT
power to institute
to festivals of
institute festivals precept?
of preceptf
A.-Had
A. Had she she not
not such power, she
such power, she could not have
could not have done that
that
in which
in which all
all modern religionists
religionists agree
agree with
with her;
her;-sheshe could not
could not
have
have substituted
substituted thethe observance
observance ofof Sunday
Sunday the
the first
first day
day of
of the
the
week, for the
week, for the observance
observance of of Saturday the seventh
Saturday the seventh day,
day, a change
a change
for which
for which there
there is
is no
no Scriptural
Scriptural authority.
authority.
Peter
Peter Geiermann,
Geiermann, in
in The Convert's
Convert's Catechism
Catechism of
of
Catholic Doctrine (1910
Catholic Doctrine ed.), page
(1910 ed.), page 50,
50, repeats
repeats the
the
claim:
claim:
Q. Why
Q. Why did
did the
the Catholic
Catholic Church substitute
substitute Sunday
Sunday for
for Sat-
Sat-
urday?
urday?
A.
A. The Church substituted
substituted Sunday for Saturday,
Sunday for because
Saturday, because
Christ rose from the
Christ rose the dead
dead on a a Sunday,
Sunday, and thethe Holy
Holy Ghost
Ghost
descended upon
descended upon the
the Apostles
Apostles on a a Sunday.
Sunday.
By what
Q. By
Q. what authority
authority did
did the
the Church substitute
substitute S.unday for
Sunday for
Saturday?
Saturday?
A.
A. The Church substituted
substituted Sunday
Sunday forfor Saturday
Saturday byby the
the
plenitude of
plenitude of that
that divine
divine power Jesus Christ
power which Jesus bestowed
Christ bestowed
upon
upon her.
her.
the Mark
When the Mark Will Be Received
Win Be Received
QUESTION
QUESTION 19
Do Seventh-day
Adventists teach
teach in
in their
their
authorized literature
authorized literature that
that those
those who worship
worship on
Sunday and repudiate
Sunday repudiate in
in its
its entirety
entirety the Seventh-
the Seventh-
day
day Adventist
Adventist teaching
teaching as
as a consequence
consequence have the
the
of apostasy,
mark of apostasy, or
or "the
"the mark ofof the
the beast"?
beast"?
not Mrs.
Does not Mrs. White teach
teach that
that those
those who now
keep Sunday
keep Sunday already
already have the of the
the mark of the beast?
beast?
Our doctrinal
doctrinal posltlons are based
positions are based upon
upon the
the Bible,
Bible,
not upon
not upon Mrs. White's writings.
writings. But since
since her
her name
has been introduced
has introduced into the question,
into the question, an explicit
explicit state-
state-
ment from her pen
pen should set
set the
the record
record straight.
straight. The
following
following was penned
penned by
by her in
in 1899:
1899:
No one has yet
one has yet received
received the
the mark of the beast.
of the beast. The testing
testing
time has not
time has not yet
yet come.
come. There are
are true
true Christians
Christians in every
every church,
church,
not
not excepting
excepting the Catholic communion. None are con-
the Roman Catholic
demned until
until they
they have
have had thethe light
light and have seen
seen the
the obliga-
obliga-
tion
tion ofof the fourth commandment. But when the
the fourth the decree shall
shall go
go
forth
forth enforcing
enforcing the
the counterfeit
counterfeit sabbath,
sabbath, and the loud cry cry of the
third
third angel
angel shall
shall warn men against
against the
the worship
worship of
of the beast
beast and
his
his image,
image, the
the line
line will
will be clearly
clearly drawn between the false false and
the
the true.
true. Then thosethose who still
still continue in transgression
transgression will
will
receive
receive the
the mark of the beast.-Evangelism,
of the beast. Evangelism, pp.
pp. 234,
234, 235.
235. (Ital.
(Ital-
ics
ics supplied.)
supplied.)
This
This has
has been her uniform teaching
teaching throughout
throughout the
years-excerpts
y ears excerpts twisted
twisted out of
of their
their setting
setting by
by detrac-
183
183
QUESTIONS
tors notwithstanding. This position
tors notwithstanding. position is
is sustained by
sustained by
the
the same writer
writer in
in The Great
Great Controversy:
Controversy:
But Christians
Christians ofof past generations observed
past generations the Sunday,
observed the Sunday, sup·
sup-
posing that in
posing that in so
so doing
doing they were keeping
they were keeping the
the Bible
Bible Sabbath;
Sabbath;
and there are now true
there are true Christians in every
Christians in church, not
every church, not excepting
excepting
the Roman Catholic
the Catholic communion, honestly believe
communion, who honestly believe that
that
Sunday
Sunday is the Sabbath
is the Sabbath ofof divine
divine appointment.
appointment. God accepts
accepts their
their
sincerity
sincerity of purpose and their
of purpose their integrity before Him. But wh{m
integrity before when
Sunday observance
Sunday shall be
observance shall enforced by
be enforced by law,
law, and the world shall
the world shall
be
be enlightened
enlightened concerning
concerning the obligation of
the obligation of the
the true
true Sabbath,
Sabbath,
then whoever shall
then whoever shall transgress the command of
transgress the of God,
God, toto obey
obey a a
precept
precept which
which has
has no higher
higher authority
authority than that
that of
of Rome,
Rome, will
will
thereby honor
thereby honor popery
popery above
above GodGod.. . . . As men then
... then reject
reject thethe
institution which
institution which God has has declared
declared to be the
to be the sign
sign of His author-
of His author-
ity, honor in its stead that
ity, and honor in its stead that which
Rome has has chosen
chosen as as the
the
token of
token of her
her supremacy,
supremacy, they they will
will thereby accept
thereby accept the
the sign
sign ofof
allegiance
allegiance to to Rome-"the
Rome "the mark of of the beast." And it
the beast." it is
is not
not
until the issue
until the issue is thus plainly
is thus
plainly set before the
set before the people,
people, and theythey are
are
brought to
brought choose between the
to choose the commandments of of God and the the
commandments of men, that
of men, those who continue
that those continue in transgression
in transgression
will receive "the
will receive "the mark of the beast."-Page
of the beast." 449. (Italics
Page 449. (Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
Sunday-keeping is
Sunday-keeping is not yet the
not yet the mark of of the
the beast,
beast, and will will
not be
not be until
until the
the decree goes forth
decree goes causing men to
forth causing to worship
worship this
this
idol sabbath. The time
idol sabbath. time will
will come when this this day
day will
will be
be thethe
test, but that
test, but that time
time has
has not
not come yet.-Ellen
yet. Ellen G. G. White Manuscript
Manuscript
118,
118, 1899.
1899.
To your
your inquiry, then, as
inquiry, then, as to whether Mrs.
to whether Mrs. White
maintained thatthat all those who do not
all those not see
see and observe
observe
the seventh
the seventh day
day asas the
the Sabbath now have have thethe "mark of of
apostasy,"
apostasy," the
the answer is
is definitely
definitely No.
No.
We hold
hold the
the firm
firm conviction
conviction that millions of
that millions of devout
devout
Christians
Christians ofof all
all faiths
faiths throughout
throughout all
all past centuries,
past centuries, asas
well as
well as those
those today
today who are are sincerely trusting in
sincerely trusting in Christ
Christ
their Saviour for
their for salvation
salvation and are are following
following Him ac- ac-
cording
cording to
to their
their best
best light,
light, are
are unquestionably
unquestionably saved.
saved.
Thousands of of such went to to the
the stake
stake asas martyrs
martyrs for
for
Christ
Christ and forfor their
their faith.
faith. Moreover, untold numbers
Moreover, untold
THE MARK RECEIVED 185
185
of godly
godly Roman Catholics will will surely
surely be included.
included. God
reads the heart and dealsdeals with the the intent
intent and thethe un-
derstanding.
derstanding. These are are among
among His "other
"other sheep"
sheep' (John
1
(John
10: 16).
10:16). He makes no mistake.
mistake. The Biblical
Biblical principle
principle is
is
clear:
clear: "Therefore to to him that
that knoweth to to do gO,od,
good, and
doeth itit not,
not, to
to him itit is
is sin"
sin'* (James
(James 4: 17).
4:17).
Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists interpret interpret thethe prophecies
prophecies
relating
relating to
to the beast,
beast, and the reception
reception of of his
his work,
work,
as
as something
something thatthat will
will come intointo sharp
sharp focus just before
focus just
the
the return of of our Lord in glory. It
in glory. It is
is our understanding
understanding
that
that this
this issue
issue will
will then become a worldwide test. test.
Who Constitute
Constitute the
the "Remnant
"Remnant Church"?
Church"?
QUESTION
QUESTION 20
It is
It alleged that
is alleged that Seventh-day Adventists
teach that
teach that they
they alone
alone constitute
constitute the
the finally com-
finally
pleted
pleted "remnant church"
church" mentioned in the
in the book
of Revelation. Is
of Revelation. Is this
this true,
true, or Seventh-day Ad-
or do Seventh-day
ventists recognize
ventists recognize by
by the
the "remnant" those in
"remnant* those
every
every denomination who remain faithful faithful to
to the
the
Scriptures
Scriptures and thethe faith
faith once delivered
delivered unto thethe
saints? Do Adventists
saints? Adventists maintain that they alone
that they alone
are
are the
the only
only true witnesses of
true witnesses of the
the living
living God inin
our age
age and that
that their
their observance of
of the seventh-
seventh-
day Sabbath is
day Sabbath is one of
of the that iden-
major marks that
the major iden-
tify
tify them as
as God's remnant church?
The answer to this threefold

to this threefold question will depend
question will depend
quite largely
quite largely on the
the definition
definition given
given to
to the
the word "rem-
nant." If,
nant." If, as
as is
is implied
implied in the second part,
in the part, "remnant"
is taken
is taken to to mean the the church invisible,
invisible, our answer to to
the first
the part is
first part is an unqualified
unqualified No. Seventh-day
Seventh-day Ad-
ventists have
ventists have never soughtsought toto equate
equate their
their church with
the church
the church invisible-"those
invisible in every
"those in every denomination who
remain faithful
faithful to to the Scriptures."
Scriptures." If
If the
the word "rem-
nant" is
nant" is used
used in in terms
terms ofof its
its definition
definition in Revelation
in Revelation
12: 17, aa proper
12:17, proper answer will will call
call for the presentation
for the presentation of
of
certain background material.
certain background material.
186
186
THE "REMNANT CHURCH" 187
187
We believe
believe that
that the
the prophecy
prophecy of
of Revelation
Revelation 12: 17
12:17
points to
points the experience
to the experience and work of the Seventh-day
of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church, but
Adventist Church, not believe
but we do not that we alone
believe that alone
constitute the
constitute the true
true children
children of God-that
of God that we are the
are the
only true Christians-on
only Christians on earth today. We
earth today. vVe believe
believe that
that
God has
has aa multitude of earnest, faithful, sincere follow-
of earnest, faithful, sincere follow-
ers
ers in
in all
all Christian
Christian communions,
communions, who are, are, inin the
the words
words
of the question,
of the question, "true witnesses of
"true witnesses the living
of the living God in
in
our age."
age." Ellen
Ellen G. White has
has expressed
expressed our
our view
view plainly:
plainly:
"In what religious
religious bodies
bodies are the greater
are the greater part part of the
of the
followers
followers of Christ now to
of Christ to be
be found?
found? Without doubt, doubt, in in
the various
various churches professing
professing the
the Protestant
Protestant faith."-
faith."
The Great Controversy,
Controversy, p. p. 383.
383.
There isis a historical
a historical background
background for for our understand-
understand-
ing
ing ofof Revelation 12:17.
12:17.
All through the
All through the centuries there have
centuries there have beenbeen neg-neg-
lected or
lected forgotten truths
or forgotten truths that re-emphasizing,
that needed re-emphasizing,
departures
departures and apostasies
apostasies thatthat needed protesting,
protesting, re- re-
forms that
that needed to to be effected.
effected. And God has has laid the
laid the
burden on the the hearts
hearts of of some to to proclaim
proclaim these these truths.
truths.
The Protestant
Protestant Reformation
Reformation brokebroke away away from the
the
papal church
papal church proclaiming
proclaiming the the abandoned or or forgotten
forgotten
fundamentals
fundamentals of the gospel,
of the gospel, a.nd
a.nd repudiating
repudiating the gross
the gross
apostasies
apostasies of
of that
that time.
time. Separation
Separation became inevitable
inevitable
because of
because the attitude
of the attitude of of the
the established
established church.
church. But
before long,
before long, serious
serious differences
differences arose
arose among
among the the Re-
formed bodies
bodies as as conscientious
conscientious men in in thethe various
various
communions emphasized
emphasized different
different aspects
aspects of
of truth.
truth.
And various national and state
various national state churches soon soon came into into
being. These held
being. held varying
varying degrees
degrees ofof truth.
truth.
Thus,
Thus, out
out of
of the
the Reformed group
group in in England,
England, the the
Anglican
Anglican Church developed.
developed. But because
because so
so much of
QUESTIONS
Catholic ritual,
Catholic ritual, form,
form, and ceremony retained,
ceremony were retained,
various Separatist
various Separatist and Independent
Independent groups
groups came into
into
being. Because
being. Because of of opposition
opposition and rejectionrejection of of their
their
spiritual
spiritual contributions,
contributions, the
the Baptists
Baptists and other
other Inde-
Inde-
pendents arose
pendents arose in England and the
in England the Continent,
Continent, not not only
only
stressing
stressing the the purer
purer gospel,
gospel, but but emphasizing
emphasizing baptism baptism
by
by immersion,
immersion, soul
soul liberty,
liberty, and separation
separation of
of church
and state.
and state. Theirs
Theirs was another
another step away
step away from certain
certain
aspects of
aspects theology retained
of medieval theology retained In in the
the Reformed
faiths.
faiths.
John Wesley
John Wesley and his his associates also, seeking
associates also, holiness
seeking holiness
of life and stressing
of life stressing free
free grace,
grace, were ridiculed
ridiculed and
ostracized,
ostracized, and in
in time
time were
were forced
forced to
to form a
a separate
separate
body. In
body. In the next century,
the next century, in America, Alexander
in America,
Campbell
Campbell and his his followers, believing that
followers, believing that reform
reform was
needed, organized
needed, organized their
their own group.
group. Many denomina-
Many
tions were thus
tions thus founded.
founded.
the beginning
At the beginning of of the twentieth century,
the twentieth century, when
rationalism
rationalism and higher higher criticism
criticism had honeycombed
honeycombed
many
many of
of the
the churches-with
churches with denial
denial of
of the
the full inspira-
full inspira-
tion
tion ofof the
the Word; the
Word; the deitydeity of
of Christ;
Christ; His
His virgin birth,
virgin birth,
sinless
sinless life,
life, and vicarious
vicarious atoning death; His
atoning death; His literal
literal
resurrection and ascension;
resurrection ascension; the the heavenly
heavenly ministry
ministry of of
Christ;
Christ; and His
His second, personal, premillennial
second, personal, premillennial ad-
ad-
vent-God
vent raised up
God raised up many
many courageous
courageous leaders
leaders to pro-
to pro-
claim the
claim the faith
faith once delivered
delivered to to the
the saints.
saints. In time
this upsurge
this upsurge called
called forfor a break, and aa separation
a break, separation took took
place
place in
in the
the ranks
ranks of
of Protestantism.
Protestantism. This is
is reflected
reflected in
in
such Antithetical
Antithetical groups
groups as theas the National
National Council of
of
Churches and the
Churches the National
National Association
Association of of Evangelicals.
Evangelicals.
Seventh-day
Adventists believe
believe there
there are special
are special
truths ior
truths today that
ior today that we have have been calledcalled of of God to to
189
give. We definitely
give. definitely feelfeel that
that we must emphasize
emphasize certain certain
neglected
neglected truths,truths, must restore others that
restore others that most
most Protes-
Protes-
tant bodies no longer
tant bodies longer stress,
stress, and must must continue
continue the the
work of of the
the Reformation.
Reformation. We hold hold thethe basic
basic evangeli-
evangeli-
cal truths
cal truths in in common with conservative Christians gen-
conservative Christians gen-
erally. Baptism by
erally. Baptism by immersion and soul soul freedom,
freedom, or or
separation
separation of of church and state, state, we share with the
share with the Bap-
Bap-
tists, and some others;
tists, others; emphasis
emphasis on godliness godliness of of life
life
and free
free grace
grace we share
share with
with the
the Methodists;
Methodists; the
the sev-
sev-
enth-day Sabbath we share
enth-day share with the the Seventh
Seventh Day Day Bap-Bap-
tists; and so
tists; so on.
on. The particular
particular emphasis
emphasis on the
the near-
near-
ness of
ness the return
of the return of of Christ
Christ was stressedstressed duringduring the the
worldwide Advent awakening awakening within
within the
the Christian
Christian
churches in
churches in the
the early decades of
early decades of the nineteenth century.
the nineteenth century.
This we have
This have continued to proclaim.
to proclaim.
We recognize
recognize that that God has has been
been leading
leading in in all
all
these revivals and reformations,

these revivals reformations, but
but Seventh-day
Seventh-day Ad-
Ad-
ventists
ventists have have the the profound
profound conviction
conviction that that not only
not only
must the world now be warned concerning
the world concerning the the immi-
nence of of earth's transcendent event
earth's transcendent event-the the second com-
ing of
ing of Christ-but
Christ but a peoplea people must be prepared to
prepared to meet
their Lord. Therefore
their Lord. Therefore we feel feel that
that an emphasis
emphasis on
certain
certain special
special truths
truths is
is due the
the world at
at this
this time. We
time.
believe we are
believe are living
living in
in the
the hour of
of God's judgment
judgment
(Rev.
(Rev. 14:6,
14:6, 7),7),
and that time is
that time running out. We be-
is running out. be-
lieve (in
lieve (in common with
with most historic
historic creeds)
creeds) that
that the
the
Ten Commandments are are thethe standard of of all Christian
all Christian
living,
living, and by
by that
that same law God will
will judge
judge the
the world
(James
(James 2: 12). Moreover,
2:12). Moreover, it it is
is our belief
belief that
that thethe seventh-
seventh-
day
day Sabbath
Sabbath is
is enjoined
enjoined by by the
the fourth precept of
precept the
of the
Decalogue.
Decalogue.
But
But on this this point
point we would-
would .re-emphasize
re-emphasize what we
190 QUESTIONS
have already
already stated stated on Question
Question 11, that one's
11, that one's effort
effort
to obey
to obey thethe lawlaw of of God,
God, however strict, strict, can nevernever be aa
ground
ground of
of salvation.
salvation. We are
are saved
saved through
through the the right-
right-
eousness of
eousness of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ received
received as
as a
a gift
gift of
of grace, and
grace,
grace alone.
grace alone. Our Lord's sacrifice
Lord's sacrifice on Calvary
Calvary is is man-
kind's only hope.

kind's only hope. But having having been saved, saved, we rejoice rejoice
that the righteous
that the righteous requirements
requirements of of the
the law are are fulfilled
fulfilled
in the
in experience of
the experience of the
the Christian
Christian "who walks walks not not after
after
the
the flesh but after
flesh but the spirit,"
after the spirit," and who by by the
the grace
grace of of
God lives
lives in in harmony
harmony with with the revealed will
the revealed will of of God.
Following as
Following as we do the principles of
the principles of the
the historical
historical
school
school of
of prophetic interpretation,
prophetic interpretation, it
it is
is our
our conviction
conviction
that the
that the events
events portrayed
portrayed in in Revelation
Revelation 14 14 toto 1717 are
are inin
process
process of
of fulfillment,
fulfillment, or
or are
are about
about to
to meet their
their fulfill-
fulfill-
ment.
ment. And to prepare men everywhere
to prepare everywhere for for what is is
coming on the
coming the earth,
earth, God is is sending a
sending a special
special message
message
couched in in the
the terms
terms of the "everlasting
of the ''everlasting gospel ... to
gospel to
every
every nation,
nation, and kindred,
kindred, and tongue,
tongue, and people"
people'*
(Rev. 14:6). That message
(Rev. 14:6). message urges urges men to to turn
turn from
every false
every way of
false way of life
life and to to worship
worship the the true
true God who
created
created the the heavens
heavens and the the earth.
earth. Furthermore,
Furthermore, we
believe that
believe that God has has brought
brought the the Seventh-day
Seventh-day Advent-
ist
ist movement into being to carry His
into being to carry His special special message
message to to
the world at
the world this time.
at this time.
Consistent with our understanding
Consistent understanding of prophetic in-
of prophetic in-
terpretation,
terpretation, we believe
believe the
the book of
of Revelation
Revelation pictures
pictures
the final
the scenes in
final scenes in the
the great
great drama of of redemption.
redemption. John, John,
looking
looking down through
through the
the centuries,
centuries, beheld
beheld the
the war-
war-
fare of the
fare of the dragon against
dragon against the
the church.
church. This contest
contest be-
be-
tween the
tween the forces
forces of of good
good and of
of evil
evil is
is graphically
graphically
portrayed
portrayed in
in the
the twelfth
twelfth chapter.
chapter. A "woe" is pro-
is pro-
nounced on "the inhabiters inhabiters of of the earth and of
the earth the
of the
191
sea! for the

sea! for the devil
devil is Is come down unto unto you,
you, having
having great
great
wrath, because he knoweth that
wrath, because that he he hath
hath but but aa short
short
time" (verse 12).
time" (verse 12).
Through
Through the the centuries
centuries the the Lord protected
protected His His
church,
church, often opening areas
opening areas of refugeof refuge where the per-
the per-
secuted peoples
peoples could be be "nourished
''nourished ... from
. . from the
. the face
face
of the
the serpent" (verse
serpent" (verse 14). Coming 14). Coming to
to the
the end
end of
of the
the
chapter
chapter the
the prophet
prophet describes
describes the
the final
final struggle,
struggle, say-say-
ing:
ing: "And the the dragon
dragon was was wroth
wroth with with the the woman
[the Christian church],
[the Christian church], and went to to make war war with
with thethe
remnant [the [the last
last segment]
segment] of
of her
her seed,
seed, which
which keep
keep the the
commandments of of God,
God, and have
have the
the testimony
testimony of
of Jesus
Jesus
Christ" (verse 17).
Christ" (verse 17). God will will have
have HisHis loyal
loyal and faithful
faithful
children down to
children the end of
to the of earth's history. In
earth's history. In harmony
harmony
understanding of
with our understanding prophecy, we see
of prophecy, see in in verse
verse 17 17
a graphic description
graphic description of
of the
the final
final warfare
warfare between
between Satan
Satan
and those
those who keep keep thethe commandments of of God,
God, and
have the
have testimony of
Jesus Christ."
Christ." Those who willwill
feel the full
feel the full fury
fury of
of the
the dragon's
dragon's wrath
wrath are
are spoken
spoken of
of as
as
"the remnant of her seed,"
of her seed," or or in
in Adventist language,
Adventist language,
"the
"the remnant church." church."
It is
It in aa spirit
is in
spirit of of deep humility that
deep humility that we applyapply thisthis
scripture
scripture to
to the
the Advent Movement and its
its work,
work, for
for we
recognize
recognize the the tremendous implications
implications of of such
such an inin-
terpretation.
terpretation. While we believe
believe that
that Revelation
Revelation 12:
12:1717
points
points to
to us
us as
as a
a people
people of
of prophecy,
prophecy, it
it is
is in
in no spirit
spirit ofof
pride
pride that
that we thus
thus apply
apply the
the scripture.
scripture. To us
us it
it is
Is
the logical
the logical conclusion
conclusion of of our system
system of prophetic inter-
of prophetic inter-
pretation.
pretation.
But the
But the fact that we thus
fact that apply this
thus apply this scripture
scripture does does
not imply
not imply in
in any
any wayway that
that we believe
believe we are
are the
the only
only
true Christians
true Christians in in the
the world,
world, or or that
that we are are thethe only
only
192
192 QUESTIONS
ones
ones who will
will bebe saved.
saved. While we believe believe that
that the
the
Seventh-day Adventist Church is
Seventh-day Adventist the visible
is the visible organiza-
organiza-
tion through which God is
tion through is proclaiming
proclaiming this
this last
last special
special
message
message to
to the
the world,
world, we remember the
the principle
principle thatthat
Christ
Christ enunciated
enunciated when He said, said, "Other sheep
sheep II
have,
have, which are not
are not of of this
this fold"
fold" (John 10:16). Sev-
(John 10: 16). Sev-
enth-day Adventists
enth-day Adventists firmly believe that
firmly believe that God has has aa
precious remnant, aa multitude of
precious remnant, of earnest,
earnest, sincere
sincere bebe-
lievers,
lievers, in
in every
every church,
church, not
not excepting
excepting the
the Roman
Catholic
Catholic communion,
communion, who are are living
living upup toto all the
all the
light God has

light has given
given them. The great great Shepherd
Shepherd of of the
the
sheep recognizes
sheep recognizes them as
as His
His own,
own, and He is
is calling
calling
into one great
them into great fold
fold and one great fellowship in
great fellowship in
preparation
preparation for for His return.
return. Our position
position on this
this point
point
is clearly stated
is clearly by Ellen
stated by Ellen G.G. White:
White:
Among
Among earth's
earth's inhabitants,
inhabitants, scattered
scattered in in every
every land,
land, there
there are
are
those
those who havehave notnot bowed the the knee to to Baal.
Baal. Like
Like thethe stars
stars of
of
heaven, which appear
heaven, which appear only
only at night, these
at night, these faithful
faithful onesones will
will
shine forth when darkness
shine forth covers the
darkness covers the earth
earth and grossgross darkness
darkness
the people. In heathen
the people. heathen Africa,
Africa, in the Catholic
in the Catholic lands
lands of Europe
of Europe
and ofof South America,
America, in in China,
China, in in India,
India, in the islands
in the islands ofof the
the
sea,
sea, and inin all
all the
the dark
dark corners
corners of the earth,
of the earth, God has has in reserve aa
in reserve
firmament of of chosen
chosen ones that will
ones that yet shine
will yet shine forth
forth amidst
amidst thethe
darkness, revealing
darkness, revealing clearly to an apostate
clearly to apostate world
world the
the transforming
transforming
power of
power of obedience
obedience to to His law.-Prophets
law. Prophets and Kings,Kings, pp. pp. 188,
188,
189.
189.
Every jewel
Every jewel will
will be brought
brought outout and gathered,
gathered, forfor the
the hand of of
the
the Lord is is set
set to recover the
to recover the remnant of of His people.-Early
His people. Early
Writings,
Writings, p.p. 70.
70.
We believe
believe the
the majority
majority of
of God's
God's children
children are
are still
still
scattered
scattered inin this
this way
way throughout the world.
throughout the world. And of of
course, the
course, the majority
majority of those in
of those in Christian
Christian churches
churches
still conscientiously observe
still conscientiously Sunday. We ourselves
observe Sunday. ourselves can-
can-
not do so,
not so, for
for we believe
believe that
that God is
is calling
calling for
for a
a
reformation in
reformation this matter.
in this matter. But we respect
respect and love
love
193
those of
those of our fellow
fellow Christians
Christians who do not
not interpret
interpret
God's
God's just as
Word just do.
as we do.
study of
Our study of prophecy, according to
prophecy, according to the
the historical
historical
school
school o of interpretation,
interpretation, convinces
convinces us
us that
that just before
just before
the appearing
the appearing of of our Lord and Saviour, great
Saviour, great issues issues
will challenge
will challenge both the the church and the the world.
world. Circum-
Circum-
stances will so
stances will so shape themselves that
shape themselves that every
every soul
soul on earth
earth
will tested as
will be tested to his
as to his loyalty
loyalty to
to God. In
In accordance
accordance with
with
the teaching
the teaching of
of Christ
Christ we believe
believe that
that many
many who today
today
profess His name and claim
profess claim toto be
be followers
followers of of His
His truth
truth
will
will at that time
at that time compromise
compromise their
their faith
faith and actually
actually
deny their
deny their Lord.
Lord.
That which leads leads up up toto this
this crisis
crisis isis outlined,
outlined, we
believe, in
believe, in Revelation
Revelation 13. In this
13. In this prophecy
prophecy two great great
powers appear
powers appear under the the symbols
symbols of of a a ten-horned
ten-horned
beast from the
beast the sea,
sea, and a two-horned
two-horned beast beast from the the
earth. These dominating
earth. dominating powerspowers are
are seen
seen to
to unite
unite in
in a
a
single purpose,
single purpose, that
that of
of opposing
opposing God and persecuting
persecuting
His people.
people. Their combined opposition opposition will will bebe uni-
uni-
versal,
versal, and so so influential
influential thatthat they will succeed in
they will in
getting
getting a
a decree
decree passed, possibly
passed, possibly throughthrough some world
court legislature,
court legislature, that those who withstand
that those withstand their their edict
edict
will
will bebe prohibited
prohibited from doing doing any any business
business whatso-
ever;
ever; even food will will be denied them.
The effect
effect of this decree
of this will be upon
decree will upon all,all, "both
small
small and great,
great, rich
rich and poor,
poor, free
free and bond."
bond/' No
one will
will escape.
escape. It will result
It will result inin worldwide boycott boycott of of
those who serve
those serve God. In In that
that crisis many will
crisis many will compro-
compro-
mise their
mise their principles
principles and deny their faith.
deny their faith.
And it it is
is our belief that
belief that God wants the the whole
world, especially
world, especially those
those who love love and serve
serve Him,
Him, to to be
prepared
prepared for
for that
that tremendous issue.
issue. Therefore,
Therefore, He is
is
7
QUESTIONS
sending
sending a a special
special message
message to all the
to all peoples of
the peoples of earth.
earth.
This message
message first calls
first calls men to accept salvation
to accept salvation through through
His grace,
His grace, and then then it it sets
sets thethe issues
issues clearly
clearly before
before
them by by unmasking
unmasking the
the man of
of sin
sin and revealing the
revealing the
subtlety
subtlety of
o his
his attacks,
attacks, so
so that
that when the
the test
test comes,
comes,
each individual
each individual will will bebe abJe
able toto make intelligent
intelligent choice.
choice.
In harmony with
In harmony with that interpretation of
that interpretation of prophecy
prophecy we
feel that God is
feel that is giving
giving tests
tests of
of loyalty today, so
loyalty today, so that
that
when the the final
final issue
issue comes and the the whole world world will
will
divide itself on the
divide itself the matter
matter of of loyalty
loyalty to
to God or
or com-
pliance with
pliance with thethe satanic
satanic edict
edict ofof the world, men will
the world, will be
be
ready
ready for
for the
the test.
test.
In every
In every great
great crisis
crisis God has has had loyal,loyal, faithful
faithful
ones whose allegiance
ones whose allegiance to
to Him has been
been more precious
precious
than life
than itself. And in
life itself. this coming
in this coming hour of of test
test we be-be-
lieve that He will
lieve that have aa loyal
will have loyal "remnant." We believe
believe
that finally
that finally thethe "remnant" 7
"remnant' people people will will include

include every
every
true
true and faithful
faithful follower
follower of
of Christ.
Christ. We believe God
believe
has given us
has given us aa solemn responsibility
responsibility to to carry
carry His final
final
message
message of
of entreaty
entreaty to
to the
the world-"the
world ''the everlasting gos-
everlasting gos-
pel" (Rev.
pel" (Rev. 14:6).14:6).
understanding of
Our understanding of our place
place in in preparation
preparation for for
these events is
these events is outlined
outlined in in the
the following
following statement
statement from
Ellen G.
Ellen G. White:
White:
In the
the time
time ofof the
the end, every divine
end, every divine institution
institution is is to
to be
be re-
re-
stored.
stored. The breach
breach made in in the law at
the law the time
at the time the
the Sabbath was
changed by
changed by man,
man, is to be
is to be repaired.
repaired. God's remnant people,people, stand-
stand-
ing before
ing before thethe world
world as reformers, are
as reformers, are to
to show that
that the
the law of of
God is the foundation
is the foundation of all enduring
of all reform, and that
enduring reform, the
that the
Sabbath
Sabbath of of the
the fourth
fourth commandment is to stand
is to stand asas aa memorial
memorial
of creation,
of creation, a a constant reminder of
constant reminder of the power of
the power of God. In In clear,
clear,
distinct
distinct lines they are
lines they are to
to present the necessity
present the necessity of obedience to
of obedience all
to all
the precepts of
the precepts of the Decalogue. Constrained
the Decalogue. Constrained by by the
the love
love of Christ,
of Christ,
they are
they are to cooperate with Him in
to cooperate building up
in building up the
the waste
waste places.
places.
195
They
They are toto be repairers
repairers of
of the
the breach,
breach, restorers
restorers of
of paths
paths to
to
dwell in.-Prophets
In.
Kings, p.
Prophets and Kings, p. 678.
678.
To sum up up the
the matter:
matter: We believebelieve thatthat through
through all all
the ages
ages God has has had His elect,elect, distinguished
distinguished by by their
their
sincere
sincere obedience to to Him in in terms
terms of of aU
all the
the light
light re-
re-
vealed to to them. These constitute
constitute what may be described
may be described
as
as the church invisible.
invisible. We also also believe
believe thatthat at
at various
various
perioqs
periods of earth's
earth's history
history God has
has called
called out
out a
a company
company
of people,
people, making
making them uniquelyuniquely the the depositories
depositories and
exponents
exponents of of His truth.
truth. This is is strikingly
strikingly illustrated
illustrated by by
the history
history of of Israel,
Israel, and as as already
already mentioned,
mentioned, by
by cer-
cer-
tain
tain reformatory
reformatory movements in in the history of
the history of the
the Chris-
Chris-
tian
tian church.
church.
We believe
\Ve believe that
that in
in earth's
earth's last
last hour God has has aa special
special
message
message for
for the
the world,
world, to
to prepare
prepare all
all who will
will heed it
it
to withstand the
to withstand the deceptions
deceptions of
of the
the last
last days
days and to
to make
ready for
ready for the
the second advent of of Christ. We believe
Christ. \Ve believe that
that
has raised
He has raised up up aa movement-known
movement known as as the
the Seventh-
Seventh-
day
day Adventist church-for
church for the
the express purpose of
express purpose of mak-
ing it,
ing it, in
in a
a special way,
special way, the
the depository
depository and exponent
exponent of of
this message.
this message. While this this company
company of of God's
God's children
children
may be
may be described
described as as aa church,
church, we believe believe the the term
"movement" more accurately accurately conveys
conveys the the essential
essential na-na-
ture and purpose
ture purpose of this distinctive
of this distinctive groupgroup with
with itsits dis-
dis-
tinctive message.
tinctive message.
We conceive
conceive our our task
task toto be that
that ofof persuading
persuading men
to make ready
to ready for for the
the day
day of of God,
God, by by calling
calling on them
to accept
to accept Heaven's special special message
message and thus thus toto join
join with
us in
us in proclaiming
proclaiming God's God's great
great truth
truth for
for these
these days.
days. Hold-
ing,
ing, as
as we do,
do, that
that God raised
raised up
up this
this movement and
gave
gave to
to it
it its
its message,
message, we believe
believe that
that before
before the
the final
final
hour of
hour of crisis
crisis and testing
testing allall God's
God's truetrue children
children-now now
QUESTIONS
so widely
widely scattered-will join with us
scattered will join us in
in giving
giving obedi-
obedi-
ence toto this
this message,
message, of
of which the the seventh-day
seventh-day Sabbath
is a basic
is a basic part.
part.
Finally, we would say
Finally, say with all the earnestness
all the earnestness and
directness we can command, that
directness that we repudiate
repudiate any
any im-
plication
plication that
that we alone are
are beloved
beloved of
of God and have aa
claim upon
claim upon heaven.
heaven. We believe that all
believe that all who serve
serve God
in full
in full sincerity,
sincerity, in
in terms ofof all
all the
the revealed
revealed will
will of
of God
that they
that they now understand,
understand, are presently potential
are presently potential mem-
bers of
bers of that
that final
final "remnant" company
company as as defined
defined in in
Revelation
Revelation 12: 17. We believe
12:17. believe it to be the
it to the solemn tasktask
joyous privilege
and joyous privilege of the advent movement to
of the to make
God's last
God's last testing
testing truths
truths so
so clear
clear and so
so persuasive as
persuasive as to
to
draw all of God's children into
all of into that
that prophetically
prophetically fore-
fore-
told company
told making ready
company making for the
ready for the day
day ofof (Sod.
God.
What Constitutes
Constitutes "Bahylon"?
"Babylon" ?
QUESTION
QUESTION 21
Do Seventh-day
Adventists teach
teach or
or be-
be-
lieve,
lieve, as a body,
body, that
that the
the members of
of the
the various
various
Protestant
Protestant denominations,
denominations, as
as well
well as
as the
the Catho-
Catho-
lic,
lic, Greek,
Greek, and Russian Orthodox churches,
churches, are
are
to be identified
identified with Babylon,
Babylon, the
the symbol
symbol of
of
apostasy?
apostasy?
We
We fully
fully recognize
recognize the
the heartening
heartening fact
fact that
that a
a host
host
of true
of true followers of
of Christ are
are scattered all through
scattered all through the
the
various churches
various churches of
of Christendom,
Christendom, including the Roman
including the
Catholic communion. These God clearly
Catholic clearly recognizes
recognizes as
as
His own. Such do not form aa part part of
of the
the "Babylon"
"Babylon"
portrayed in
portrayed in the
the Apocalypse.
Apocalypse. The matter of of loyalty
loyalty or
disloyalty to
disloyalty to truth
truth is,
is, in
in the
the ultimate,
ultimate, aa question
question ofof
personal relationship
personal relationship to
to God and the
the fundamental
principles of
principles of truth.
truth. What is is denominated "Babylon,"
"Babylon,"
in Scripture,
in Scripture, obviously
obviously embrac;es
embraces those who have broken
those
the spirit
with the spirit and essence
essence ofof true
true Christianity,
Christianity, and
have followed the the way
way of of apostasy.
apostasy. Such areare under the
the
censure of
censure of Heaven.
1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND IMPERATIVE.
1. IMPERATIvE.-In order
In order
to set
to set forth
forth what Seventh-day
Adventists believe
believe on this
this
point,
point, it
it is
is essential
essential first
first to
to get
get the
the background
background of
of his-
his-
torical applications
torical applications thatthat reach
reach back some eight
eight hundred
years. The earliest
years. earliest application
application of of the
the symbolic
symbolic term
197
197
QUESTIONS
"Babylon"
"Babylon" to the Papacy,
to the Papacy, or or the
the Roman Catholic Catholic
Church, appears in
Church, appears in the
the writings
writings of of the
the twelfth-century
twelfth-century
\Valdenses and Albigenses.
Waldenses Albigenses. But along with their
along with their identi-
identi-
fication
fication of the dominant ecclesiastical
of the ecclesiastical apostasy
apostasy of
of their
their
day
day as
as the
the organization portrayed
organization portrayed in
in the Bible proph-
the Bible proph-
ecies,
ecies, they
they alsoalso stated
stated that many of
that many of God's
God's children
children
were still
still in papal Babylon.
in papal Babylon. And these
these they
they were con-
con-
strained
strained to to "call
"call out,"
out," or
or urge
urge to
to separate,
separate, from her
her
apostasies. A long
apostasies. long list of
list of spiritual-minded
spiritual-minded medievalmedieval
Catholics follow in
Catholics follow the fourteenth
in the fourteenth and fifteenth
fifteenth cen-
cen-
turies-including
turies pseudo-Joachim,
including pseudo-Joachim, Olivi,
Olivi, Eberhard,
Eberhard,
Wycliffe, Huss,
Wycliffe, Huss, and Savonarola
Savonarola-all boldly asserting
all boldly asserting
that
that "Babylon" represents the
"Babylon" represents the corrupted
corrupted churchchurch of of
Rome,
Rome, and warning warning of of her
her coming
coming retribution.
retribution. And
for this some even went to
for this the stake.
to the stake.
2. USED BY PROTESTANT
2. PROTEST.ANT FOUNDERS.
FOUNDERs.-During During the the
Protestant
Protestant Reformation all leaders taught
all leaders taught essentially
essentially
the same,
the same, from Luther,
Luther, in in 1520,
1520, onward. These men
were scattered
scattered overover Germany,
Germany, Switzerland, France, and
Switzerland, France,
England.
England. In
In Britain
Britain were
were men like
like William
William Tyndale,
Tyndale,
Bishops Ridley
Bishops Ridley and Hooper, Hooper, Archbishop
Archbishop Cranmer,
Cranmer,
Bishops Bale,
Bishops Bale, Jewell,
Jewell, and Coverdale,
Coverdale, and John John Knox
and Lord NapierNapier in in Scotland.
Scotland. Ridley's
Ridley's farewell
farewell letter
letter
before his
before his martyrdom,
martyrdom, in in 1555, repeatedly
1555, repeatedly referred
referred to
to
"Babylon," and called

"Babylon," called forfor separation
separation from Rome.
3. CONTINUED IN
3. IN POST-REFORMATION.
PosT-REFORMATION.-In post-Ref-
In post-Ref-
ormation times times some thirty prominent
thirty prominent expositors expositors
maintained the the same position, including such
position, including such famous
men as as King
King James
James I, I, Joseph
Joseph Mede,Mede, SirSir Isaac Newton,
Isaac Newton,
Bishop
Bishop Thomas Newton,
Newton, Methodism's founder John
John
Wesley,
Wesley, and Johann Bengel
Johann Bengel and various
various other
other Con-
Con-
tinentals.
tinentals, Even in Colonial
in America, John
Colonial America, John Cotton,
Cotton,
WHAT CONSTITUTES "BABYLON"? 199
199
Roger Williams,
Roger Increase Mather,
Williams, Increase Mather, Samuel Hopkins,
Hopkins,
and more than
than aa score of others,
score of others, down to
to President
President
Timothy Dwight
Timothy Dwight of Yale in
of Yale in 1812,
1812, made similar
similar appli-
appli-
cations.
cations. One was was the
the noted Baptist historian
noted Baptist historian Isaac
Isaac
"
Backus,
Backus, who in
in 1767 wrote:
1767 wrote: "'She
'She ['the church of
['the church of
Rome'] is
Rome'] the mother of
is the harlots, and all
of harlots, all churches
churches who
go after
go after any
any lovers but Christ,
lovers but Christ, forfor a temporal living,
a temporal living,
"
are guilty
guilty or
of playing
playing the
the harlot.'''
harlot.' (See Prophetic Faith
(See Prophetic Faith
of
of Our Fathers, vol. 3,
Fathers) vol. p. 213.)
3, p. Earlier, Roger
213.) Earlier, Roger Williams
Williams
had complained
complained to to the
the British
British Parliament
Parliament about about Prot-
Prot-
estants' clinging to
estants' clinging to the
the spirit
spirit and doing
doing the
the deeds
deeds or
of
papal Babylon.
papal Babylon.
Meanwhile,
Meanwhile, several
several Old World Protestant Protestant writers
writers
had noted thatthat Babylon,
Babylon, the the "mother" of Revelation 17,
of Revelation 17,
had "daughters"
"daughters" that
that bore
bore the
the same family
family name.
name. And
believing that
believing that certain other Protestant
certain other bodies had re-
Protestant bodies re-
tained some of
tained of the
the characteristics
characteristics and errors errors of the
of the
Papacy, they
Papacy, they beganbegan to
to include
include them under the
the family
family
name "Babylon." Among these
"Babylon." Among these writers
writers were
were such non-
such non-
conformists
conformists as as Browne, Barrow, and John
Browne, Barrow, Milton.
John Milton.
4. BABYLON,
4. BABYLON, MOTHER AND DAUGHTERS. DAUGHTERs.-In In thethe
early nineteenth-century
early nineteenth-century Old World Advent awakening,
awakening,
Lacunza, from within
Lacunza, within Catholicism,
Catholicism, calledcalled Babylon
Babylon
"Rome on the Tiber." And various
the Tiber." various Anglican
Anglican and non- non-
conformist leaders-such
conformist leaders such as as Cuninghame,
Cuninghame, Brown,
Brown,
M'N eile, and Ash-pressed
M'Neile, Ash pressed the the application.
application. The Prot- Prot-
estant Association,
estant Association, organized
organized in in Exeter Hall in
in 1835-
1835
with such
with such men as as Croly
Croly and Melville-in
Melville in 1839 1839 sounded
the
the "out
"out ofof Babylon"
Babylon" call,call, including
including bothboth Protestantism
Protestantism
and Popery.
Popery.
And thethe Dublin Christian edited by
Herald, edited
Christian Herald., by Angli-
Angli-
can Rector Edward N. Hoare,
can Rector Hoare, asserted
asserted inin 1830 thatthat
200
QUESTIONS
the
the abominations of papal Babylon,
of papal Babylon, the the mother,
mother,
"covered all
"covered all Christendom." Alexander Fraser,
Christendom." Alexander Fraser, of
of Scot-
Scot-
land, and Anglican
land, Angli,can David Simpson,Simpson, of
of England,
England, held
similar views. Fraser
similar views. Fraser said that an
said that churches were tinged
all churches tinged
with the
with spirit of
the spirit of Babylon.
Babylon. And Simpson Simpson declared that that
Protestant
Protestant churches,
churches, of of "whatever denomination,"
"whatever denomination,"
which partake
partake of of the
the same spirit
spirit and doctrines
doctrines and cir-
cir-
cumstances,
cumstances, must be
be considered
considered daughters.
daughters.
In
In North America,
America, passing
passing Elias
Elias Smith and Lorenzo
Dow,
Dow, who wrote strongly on the
wrote strongly the Protestant daughters
Protestant daughters
as related
as related to to Rome,
Rome, Disciples
Disciples churchman Samuel M.
McCorkle declared
declared thatthat Protestantism
Protestantism had been bebe-
fuddled
fuddled by by the
the wine of of Babylon,
Babylon, and insisted that the
insisted that the
"mother" church had Protestant Protestant daughters.
daughters. And prom- prom-
inent Baptist
inent clergyman
Baptist clergyman Isaac
Isaac T. Hinton (1799-1847)
(1799-1847)
plainly hinted that
plainly hinted that nationally established Protestant
nationally established Protestant
churches are, because of church-state
churches are, because of church-state union and com-
promise, daughters
promise, daughters of Babylon.
of Babylon.
5.
5. EMPLOYED IN IN ADVENT AWAKENING.-Then,
AWAKENING. Then, dur- dur-
ing
ing the
the Second Advent Movement in
in America in
in the
the
1830's
1830's and 1840's, there was
1840's, there was growing
growing proscription
proscription
among
among the
the larger
larger Protestant
Protestant bodies
bodies against those who
against those
held premillennialist
held premillennialist views,views, and increasing
increasing ecclesiasti-
ecclesiasti-
cal opposition
cal opposition to to emphasis
emphasis on the
the Second Advent-par-
Advent par-
ticularly among
ticularly among the the Methodists
Methodists and an.d Congregationalists
Congregationalists
of New England
of England-forbidding
forbidding the the dissemination
dissemination of of Ad-
ventism.
ventism. This opposition
opposition led
led to
to the
the sounding of
sounding the
of the
call
call to
to "come out" from the the churches
churches that that rejected
rejected the
the
Second Advent message message and that that clung
dung to to the
the tainted
tainted
doctrines of
doctrines of Babylon.
Babylon. That was was how the the "call"
"call" came to to
be sounded at
be that time.
at that It was not
time. It not a a condemnation of of
the host
the host of
of godly
godly individuals
individuals in in the various Protestant
the various Protestant
WHAT CONSTITUTES "BABYLON"? 201
201
churches,
churches, but of of the
the official attitudes and actions
official attitudes actions in in
rejecting the
rejecting the vital
vital Second Advent truth. truth. (A (A historical
historical
record appears in
record appears Prophetic Faith
in Prophetic Faith of Fathers, vols.
of Our Fathers, vols.
1-4.)
1-4.)
6. A THOUSAND YEARS OF
6. OF PRECEDENT.
PRECEDENT.-In the light
In the light
of the historical
of the historical recordrecord of of aa thousand
thousand years,years, there
there is is
nothing new or
nothing or strange
strange about
about Adventist
Adventist employment
employment
of the
of the term that that had constantly
constantly beenbeen usedused byby other
other
bodies,
bodies, as
as they
they felt
felt that
that light
light and truth
truth had been
been re-
re-
jected and opposed.
jected opposed. And the application of
the application the term
of the
"daughters"
"daughters" of
of Babylon
Babylon has
has similarly
similarly been
been used
used for
for some
three hundred years.
three years.
Groups and organizations
Groups organizations such such as as the
the Fundamen-
talists, the
talists, the International
International Council Council of Christian Churches,
of Christian Churches,
and the National Association
the National Association of of Evangelicals
Evangelicals havehave with-
with-
drawn from the the older organizations because
older organizations because of of what
they believed
they believed to to be modernist
modernist apostasy
apostasy entrenched
entrenched in in
the controlling leadership
the controlling leadership of
of various
various denominations.
denominations.
7. EVIDENCES OF DEPARTURE.
7. DEPARTURE.-Such Such are are the his-
the his-
toric precedents. Adventists
toric precedents. Adventists believebelieve thatthat thethe term
"Babylon,"
"Babylon," referredreferred to to inin Revelation
Revelation 17, has been
17, has
rightly applied
rightly applied to
to the
the Papacy.
Papacy. Great Babylon, however,
Babylon, however,
according
according to
to verse
verse 5,
5, is
is mentioned as
as a
a "mother."
"mother/' So
" "
the term "Babylon"
the rightly
Babylon rightly belongs belongs to
to others
others also.
also. We
therefore
therefore believe
believe that wherever there
that wherever there areare individuals,
individuals,
or
or groups
groups of
of individuals,
individuals, that
that hold to
to and advocate the
the
unchristian
unchristian doctrines, practices,
doctrines, practices, and procedures
procedures of
of the
the
papal church, such
papal church, such may justifiablymay justifiably be denominated
"Babylon"-hence,
"Babylon" hence, part piut ofof the
the great
great apostasy.
apostasy. Wher-
ever
ever such
such conditions
conditions obtain,obtain, Adventists,
Adventists, with others, others,
believe that
believe that the the guilty organizations may
guilty organizations may rightly be rightly
denominated "Babylon.""Babylon."
QUESTIONS
8.
8. MATTER OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP. We be-
RELATIONSHIP.-We be-
lieve that
lieve that conditions in the
the religious
religious world will
will worsen,
worsen,
not improve,
improve, as
as we approach
approach the world's
world's climax (1(1
Tim. 4:1,4: I, 2;
2; 2 2 Tim. 3: 1, 5).
3:1, 5). And the the gulf
gulf between
apostasy
apostasy and fidelity truth will
fidelity to truth will become wider and
wider as as prophecy
prophecy fulfills before our eyes.
fulfills before eyes. But our
statements regarding Babylon
statements regarding Babylon do not have the the defama-
tory
tory character
character that
that some would impute
impute to
to us.
us. They are
They are
uttered in
uttered in sorrow,
sorrow, not for invidious comparisons.
for invidious comparisons.
We areare conscious of the the fact
fact that membership
membership in in
any
any church is
is not,
not, in
in itself,
itself, evidence either
either of
of fellow-
fellow-
ship
ship with Christ
Christ or of of fidelity
fidelity to to the fundamentals of of
the gospel.
the gospel. As was the case of Israel Israel of
of old, the Chris-
old, the Chris-
tian
tian church throughout
throughout the centuries
centuries has
has been plagued
plagued
by
by the
the presence
presence of
of a
a "mixed multitude" (Ex.
(Ex. 12:38;
12:38;
Num. 11:4; 13:3). And this
11:4; Neh. 13:3). is particularly
this is particularly true
true
of these
of these latter
latter times,
times, when many departed from
many have departed
the faith,
the faith, as
as clearly
clearly foretold
foretold in in Bible prophecy
prophecy (1 (1 Tim.
4: 1; 22 Tim. 4:3,
4:1; 4). We firmly
4:3, 4). believe that
firmly believe that God is is
calling today
calling today for
for His children to to break with everything
everything
that is alien
that is to the
alien to the fundamental, apostolic principles
fundamental, apostolic principles ofof
truth.
truth.
VI* Questions
VI. Questions on ProphecyI Daniel
on Prophecy, Daniel 8$
and
and 9,
9, and the 2300
and the 2300 Days
Days
Basic Principles
Basic Principles of Prophetic Interpretation
of Prophetic Interpretation
QUESTION
QUESTION 22
What are thethe basic teachings of

basic teachings of Seventh-
Seventh-
day
day Adventists
Adventists in
in regard
regard to
to the
the inspired proph-
inspired proph-
ecies of
ecies of the
the Bible?
Bible? And wherein and why do
why
you differ from
you differ from the
the postmillennialists
postmillennialists and futur-
futur-
ists?
ists? What about the the "kingdom!'
"kingdom" prophecies, and
prophecies,
the restoration
restoration of
of the Jews? Why
Jews? Why do yon you differ
differ
from the
from postmillennialists and the
the postmillennialists futurists on
the futurists
their
their interpretation? Please be specific.
interpretation? Please specific.
Three things profoundly impress

things profoundly impress thethe student
student of o
prophecy
prophecy as
as he
he surveys
surveys the
the witness
witness of
of the
the centuries:
centuries: (1)
(1)
The immutable purpose purpose of of God (Isa.
(Isa. 14:27);
14:27); (2)(2) His
divine foreknowledge (Isa.
divine foreknowledge 46: 10; Acts
(Isa. 46:10; Acts 2:23),
2:23), and the the
inspired revelation
inspired revelation of of the outline of
the outline of the
the ages
ages through
through
the Bible
the Bible prophets
prophets of old (Amos
of old (Amos 3:7);
3:7); and (3) (3) His
infinite patience with willful
infinite patience willful human beingsbeings who fall fall
short of His
short of His plan
plan for
for them.
for the
As for the great
great outline prophecies of
outline prophecies Holy Writ,
of Holy Writ,
Seventh-day
Adventists believe
believe that
that they
they are
are a divinely
divinely
inspired portrayal of
inspired portrayal the ages.
of the ages. Most of of our interpreta-
interpreta-
tion
tion of prophecies of
of prophecies this type
of this type are not original
original with us. us.
They
They are
are based
based on the
the findings
findings of
of many
many of
of the
the most
godly
godly and eminent scholars scholars of of various faiths through
various faiths through
the centuries.
the centuries. With the early church we hold that
the early that
prophetic
prophetic fulfillments
fulfillments are
are to
to be looked for
for in
in historical
historical
205
QUESTIONS
events,
events, and we find find a progressive, contemporary
a progressive, contemporary recog- recog-
nition
nition of the advancing
of the advancing epochs epochs and major major fulfillments
fulfillments
of the
of the prophetic
prophetic outlineoutline in in history.
history.
We believe,
believe, with the majority
with the majority of expositors from the
of expositors the
early
early Church Fathers
Fathers to
to modern times,
times, that
that the
the four
four
world powers
world powers of of Daniel's
Daniel's outline prophecies were
outline prophecies
the Neo-Babylonian,
the Neo-Babylonian, Meda-Persian,
Medo-Persian, Grecian Grecian (Mace- (Mace-
danian),
donian), and Roman empires;
empires; that
that Rome was notnot to be
to be
followed immediately
followed immediately by a by a fifth
fifth world power,
power, but
but was
to be
to be divided
divided into Into a a number of of strong
strong and weak kingking-
doms; that this
doms; that breakup was attested
this breakup attested as in process
as in process of of
fulfillment in
fulfillment the fourth
in the fourth and fifth fifth centuries;
centuries; that
that this
this
was toto be
be followed by by thethe appearance
appearance of of a a powerful
powerful
antichrist; and that
antichrist; that antichrist would, In
antichrist would, in turn,
turn, be be de-
de-
stroyed
stroyed at
at the
the Second Advent,
Advent, which will
will be
be accom-
panied by
panied by thethe literal
literal resurrection
resurrection of the righteous
of the righteous dead,dead,
the binding
and the binding of of Satan
Satan during
during the the millennium;
millennium; and
that the millennium
that the millennium will then be
will then be followed
followed by by the
the eter-
eter-
nal kingdom
nal kingdom of of God.
We believe
believe with many many Reformation
Reformation leaders leaders thatthat
division into
Rome's division into thethe ten
ten kingdoms representing
kingdoms representing
the various
the various nations
nations of Europe was followed by
of Europe by the
the papal
papal
Antichrist
Antichrist as as the predicted dominant power
the predicted power of of thethe
Ages (see
Middle Ages p. 336).
(see p. 336). Thus we hold
hold the
the historical
historical
view ofof prophecy.
prophecy. We reject futurism and preterism
reject futurism preterism
not merely
merely because
because both systemssystems were
were projected by
projected by the
the
Catholics in
Roman Catholics the counter-Reformation
in the counter-Reformation against against
Protestant
Protestant positions,
positions, but because because we find find these
these inter-
inter-
pretations out
pretations out of of harmony
harmony with Scripture
Scripture specifications.
specifications.
Nor do we accept postmillennialism's now largely
accept postmillennialism's dis-
largely dis-
credited thesis
credited thesis of of gradual
gradual world betterment
betterment and ap-
ap-
proaching universal
proaching universal peace
peace in in aa man-made kingdom kingdom of of
PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION 207
207
God. Seventh-day Adventists believe

Seventh-day Adventists that the
believe that the sole hope
sole hope
of the
of the world isis the personal, premillennial
the personal, premillennial second
second ad-
ad-
vent of
vent of Christ,
Christ, which,
which, we believe
believe from
from the
the study
study ofof
Bible prophecy,
Bible prophecy, isis imminent, but for
imminent, but for which
which we set
set no
date.
date.
We believe
believe that the prophecies
that the prophecies simply
simply form the the
background
background for
for the
the great redemptive activity
great redemptive activity of
of God as
as
centered in
centered in the
the two advents
advents ofof Christ.
Christ. Christ
Christ came thethe
first time to
first time to live
live among
among men as the Sinless
as the Sinless One,
One, and to to
die as
die as the
the all-sufficient,
all-sufficient, vicarious, atoning sacrifice
vicarious, atoning sacrifice for
for
the redemption
the redemption of of a lost race.
a lost race. And His priestly
priestly ministry
ministry
in
in heaven spans
spans the
the period
period between His
His ascension
ascension and
His second advent as King of
as King of kings, to gather
kings, to the re-
gather the re-
deemed and to to end the
the tragic reign
tragic reign of
of sin.
sin.
I. Adventist
I. Adventist Views of
of Prophecy
Prophecy in Relation to
In Relation to Others
The subject
subject of prophecy and prophetic
of prophecy prophetic fulfillment
fulfillment
is entirely
is entirely too
too broad to to be treated adequately
be treated adequately here.
here. This
answer will
answer will therefore
therefore be be limited
limited toto points
points that
that seem
most relevant
most relevant to to the
the topics
topics considered
considered in
in these
these ques-
ques-
tions
tions and answers.
answers.
1. CLASSIFICATION
1. CLASSIFICATION OF OF BIBLE
BIBLE PROPHECIES.
PROPHECIES.-The The word
"prophecy"
*
'prophecy'
'
means both
both forth telling
forthtelling and foretelling;
foretelling; a
prophet speaks
prophet speaks forth
forth the
the message
message of
of God, relaying re-
God, relaying re-
proof, correction, and instruction

proof, correction, instruction to to man;
man; he also at
also at
times
times foretells
foretells events
events ofof either the immediate or
either the or the
the
distant future, announcing
distant future, announcing in in advance thethe development
development
of God's purpose,
of God's purpose, or or what will
will come to
to pass in
pass in the
the
working out
working out of
of certain
certain circumstances.
circumstances.
Sometimes
Sometimes a prophet was
a prophet was termed a "seer,"
"seer," mean-
ing
ing one
one who sees
sees with supernatural sight.
supernatural sight. Sometimes
God's message
God's message comes to the
to prophet orally;
the prophet orally; sometimes
208
208 QUESTIONS
pictorially in
pictorlally In vision.
vision. But whether
whether the prophet hears
the prophet hears or
or
sees
sees the message of
the message of God,
God, he speaks it forth
speaks it forth as the
as the word
of God,
of rather than
God, rather than ofof man. "For the prophecy
'Tor the prophecy came
not
not inin old
old time
time by by the will of
the will of man: but but holy
holy men of of
God spake
spake as
as they
they were
were moved by
by the
the Holy
Holy Ghost"
(2 Peter 1:21).
(2 Peter 1:21).
Prophecy
Prophecy may may be be classified in several
classified in ways:
several ways:
By content,
By content, into-
into
a. ethical messages
a. ethical messages of reform for
of reform for contemporaries
contemporaries
as through
as through Elijah,
Elijah, Jeremiah;
Jeremiah;
b. predictions, in
b. predictions, in which thethe ethical
ethical element may may
often occur as
often occur through Isaiah,
as through Jeremiah, Daniel.
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel.
By form, into-
By form, into
a. literal prophecies;
a. literal prophecies;
b. figurative
b. figurative or or symbolic prophecies;
symbolic prophecies;
c.
c. enacted prophecies;
enacted prophecies;
prophetic parables.
d. prophetic
d. parables.
to range,
As to range, into-
into
immediate or
a. Immediate
a. or short-range prophecies;
short-range prophecies;
b. predictions of
b. predictions of single
single distant
distant events;
events;
c.
c. long-range outline
long-range outline propheciesprophecies covering long
covering long
periods;
periods;
prophecies of
d. prophecies
d. of double application
application (immediate
(immediate
and future;
future; or
or literal
literal and figurative).
figurative).
As toto fulfillment, predictive prophecy
fulfillment, predictive prophecy maymay be be di-
di-
into at
vided into at least
least three categories:
three categories:
a. predictions
a. predictions of of divine purpose (independent
divine purpose (independent
of man's will
of will or purpose);
or purpose);
b. predictions of
&. predictions of divine
divine foreknowledge
foreknowledge (foretell-
(foretell-
ing
ing man's
man's actions);
actions);
c.
c. predictions of
predictions of divine divine reward or or punishment
punishment
(conditional
(conditional on man's good good oror evil actions).
evil actions).
209
Sometimes it
it may be difficult
may difficult to
to determine
determine whether
a given
a prophecy belongs
given prophecy belongs in
in one category or another,
category or another,
but all three classes
all three classes of prophecy are
of prophecy are sure, though in
sure, though in
different ways.
different ways.
2. FULFILLMENTS OF THESE THREE CLASSES
2. CLASSES OF PRE-PRE-
DICTIoNs.-Examples
DICTIONS. Examples of predictions of
of predictions of these
these last
last three
three
classes will make this
classes will this clear:
clear:
Prophecies
Prophecies of of the class (God's
first class
the first (God's immutable pur- pur-
pose) include,
pose) include, for
for example,
example, God's
God's prediction
prediction that that
Christ
Christ would die die for
for man's
man's salvation,
salvation, and that that the
the uni-
uni-
verse will ultimately
verse will ultimately be be cleansed
cleansed from sin. Prophecies
sin. Prophecies
of this
of type must come to
this type to pass,
pass, for
for they
they are
are aa statement
statement of of
God's eternal
God's purpose or
eternal purpose will to
or will to do something,
something, inde-
inde-
pendent of
pendent of man's will
will or or action.
action.
Prophecies
Prophecies of of the second class
the second (foreknowledge) in-
class (foreknowledge) in-
clude predictions of
clude predictions Jesus' betrayal
of Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion.
crucifixion.
type of
This type of prophecy
prophecy will will come to pass, because
to pass, because God
cannot be
cannot be mistaken
mistaken in His foreknowledge.
in His foreknowledge. In His om-
In His
niscience, knowing
niscience, knowing "the "the end from the the beginning/'
beginning,"
He was awareaware that
that evil
evil men would betray betray and crucify
crucify
Jesus, but the
Jesus, but the predictions
predictions did did not force
force any any ofof them to to
sin. Although aa prophecy
sin. Although may
prophecy may predict predict "what God's
God's fore-
fore-
knowledge had seen
knowledge seen would be," be," yetyet as
as one of of our most
representative
representative writers
writers has
has said,
said, "the
"the prophecies do not
prophecies
shape
shape thethe characters
characters of the men who fulfill
of the them. Men
fulfill them.
act out
act out their
their own free will."-ELLEN
free will." ELLEN G. G. WHITE in in The
Herald) Nov. 13,
Review and Herald, 1900,
13, 1900, p. p. 721.
721.
Prophecies
Prophecies of the third
of the class (those
third class (those thatthat promise
promise
reward or
reward or threaten
threaten punishment)
punishment) are are exemplified
exemplified by by
Jeremiah's
Jeremiah's twofold
twofold prediction (ch.
prediction (ch. 17) 17) of
of the
the perma-
perma-
nence
nence or the destruction
or the destruction of Jerusalem. We might
of Jerusalem. might say,
say,
further, that predictions
further, that predictions of of this
this class
class are equally sure,
are equally sure,
210
QUESTIONS
but inin aa different
different way: way: It is certain,
It is certain, forfor example,
example, that that aa
man will
will surely
surely experience
experience the the fulfillment
fulfillment of
of either
either the
the
reward or the punishment
or the predicted. If
punishment predicted. If he fulfills the
fulfills the
conditions for
conditions receiving the
for receiving the blessings,
blessings, the the penalties
penalties are are
not inflicted;
not inflicted; if, if, on the
the other
other hand,
hand, he incurs
incurs the
the
threatened punishment
threatened punishment the the alternate
alternate predictions
predictions of of
blessings are
blessings are notnot fulfilled.
fulfilled. The outcome is is conditioned
conditioned
man's choice
on man's choice of of good
good or
or of
of evil.
evil. Thus when God
utters either
utters either kind
kind of of prediction-promises
prediction promises or threats-
threats
to the
to the same man or
or nation,
nation, it
it is
is obvious,
obvious, in
in the very
the very
nature
nature of of the
the case,
case, that
that anyany single prediction of
single prediction re-
of re-
ward or or punishment
punishment may mayor may not
or may not be fulfilled,
fulfilled, de-de-
pendent on the
pendent the freedom of of the
the human will will to to comply
comply or or
not to
not to comply
comply with with thethe conditions;
conditions; yet yet the
the certainty
certainty of of
prophecy
prophecy is
is not in in any
any way
way impaired,
impaired, since
since either
either one
or the other
or the other alternative-reward
alternative reward or or punishment
punishment-will will
surely
surely come.
It is true
It is true that
that fulfillment
fulfillment is is one of of the
the tests
tests ofof true
true
prophecy.
prophecy. ThoughThough mere fulfillment
fulfillment of
of prediction
prediction does
does
not necessarily
not necessarily prove prove a prophet to
a prophet to be
be genuine
genuine (Deut. (Deut.
13: 1, 2),
13:1, a failure of fulfillment proves a prophet false
2), a failure of fulfillment proves a prophet
false
(Deut. 18:20-22),
(Deut. 18:20-22), unless
unless there
there was a a stated
stated or or implied
implied
condition. Fulfillment
condition. Fulfillment as as aa workable test test obviously
obviously ap- ap-
plies only
plies only to
to immediate predictions,
predictions, for
for long-range
long-range pre- pre-
dictions
dictions to to be fulfilled long after
fulfilled long after thethe prophet's
prophet's death
can be
can be of of no use use to his contemporaries
to his contemporaries in in deciding
deciding
whether they they should believebelieve the the prophet's
prophet's messages
messages and
regard him as
regard as aa genuine messenger of
genuine messenger of God.
3.
3. CONDITIONAL PROPHECIEs.-Prophecies
PROPHECIES. Prophecies that that state
state
or imply
or imply either
either promiseS
promises or
or threats
threats are
are conditional,
conditional, de-
de-
pendent
pendent on man's actions.
actions. Conditionality
Conditionality is
is sometimes
sometimes
stated
stated (Ex.(Ex. 19:5,
19:5, 6);6); sometimes not not (Jonah
(Jonah 3:4). 3:4). In
PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION 21 I
211
slich prophecies we may

such prophecies may findfind one set set of
of fulfillments
fulfillments re- re-
placed by another, according
placed by another, according to the response to the to the response to the
conditions, without
conditions, without in in any
any wayway weakening
weakening the the certainty
certainty
of prophecy
of prophecy (Jer. 18:7-10).
(Jer. 18:7-10).
Some predictions
predictions are are delayed
delayed in in fulfillment
fulfillment becausebecause
of
of man's own actions actions or inaction; sometimes the
or inaction; the fulfill-
fulfill-
ment is different from the

is different original possibility.
th.e original possibility. There
arc obviolls examples
are obvious examples of both of
of both of these.
these.
-a.
a. God had promised to
promised to take
take the Israelites
the Israelites from
Egypt
Egypt to to thethe land of of Canaan and to to drive
drive out the
out the
inhabitants and give
heathen inhabitants give His His people
people possession
possession (Ex. (Ex.
3:8;
3:8; 15: 15:17;17; 23:23;
23:23; etc.).
etc.). YetYet when they they neared
neared the the
borders
borders 'of
'of the
the land,
land, at Kadesh-barnea, the adverse re-
at Kadesh-barnea, the adverse re-
port of
port of the
the spies
spies made them rebel rebel and refuse refuse to to go
go on.
on.
Consequently,
Consequently, God said,
said, "Ye shall
shall not
not come into
into the
the
land, concerning
land, concerning which I
I sware
sware to
to make you
you dwell
dwell
therein"
therein" (Num. (Num. 14:30).
14:30). TheyThey were to to wander in in the
the
wilderness until
wilderness until that
that generation
generation perished.perished. God even
called that
called that "my breach of
"my breach promise" (verse
of promise" (verse 34),
34), forfor so it
so it
apparently
apparently was; was; but the
the next generation, nearly
generation, nearly forty forty
years later,
years later, did
did enter
enter Canaan.
Today
Today the the long
long wait
wait for
for thethe second coming coming of of Christ
Christ
leads
leads some to to ask,
ask, "Where is
is the
the promise
promise of
of his
his com-
ing?"
ing?" The apostle answers,
apostle answers, "The Lord is
is not
not slack
slack
concerning
concerning his his promise,
promise, as as some men count slackness; slackness;
but is
but is longsuffering
longsuffering to to us-ward,
us-ward, not not willing
willing that that anyany
should perish,
should perish, but that that all
all should come to to repentance"
repentance"
(2 Peter
(2 Peter 3:9). 3:9).
b.
b. An exampleexample of of a a transformed
transformed fulfillmentfulfillment was
the prophecy of
the prophecy of the
the tribe
tribe of of Levi,
Levi, "I will divide
"I will divide them
in Jacob,
in Jacob, and scatter
scatter them in
in Israel"
Israel" (Gen. 49:7). Yet,
(Gen. 49:7). Yet,
because of
because of that
that tribe's
tribe's loyalty
loyalty in in aa crisis, the scattering
crisis, the scattering
212
212 QUESTIONS
was turned
turned Intointo aa blessing.
blessing. Levl Levi became the the tribe
tribe of of
the priesthood, and so
the priesthood, so did not inherit a section of land
did not inherit a section of
like
like the other tribes,
the other tribes, and was not not numbered as as one of of
the twelve,
the twelve, yet yet Levi
Levi lived
lived scattered
scattered among
among all
all the
the
tribes, so
tribes, so asas to
to bebe aa blessing
blessing to all (Ex.
to all (Ex. 32:26;
32:26; Num.
18:20-24). Sometimes Old Testament prophecies
18:20-24). prophecies that that
are primarily literal
are primarily literal are
are fulfilled in aa figurative
fulfilled in figurative manner
in the New Testament.
in the Testament. But such fulfillments must be
such fulfillments be
identified for
identified for usus by inspiration;
by inspiration; otherwise
otherwise there
there would
be no
be no limit
limit to to speculative
speculative and fancifulfanciful interpretations.
interpretations.
As can
can be be seen
seen from these these examples,
examples, the
the fact that we
fact that
cannot always
cannot always find
find a
a literal
literal fulfillment
fulfillment of
of every
every detaildetail
of prophecy
of prophecy does
does not
not mean that
that the
the prediction
prediction has has
failed
failed or or that
that we must look look for
for some fanciful
fanciful fulfillment
fulfillment
yet
yet to
to come. Due allowance
allowance must be
be made,
made, as
as even
"literalists"
"literalists" know,know, for
for figurative language
figurative language in
In ancient,
ancient, as
as
in modern, writing;
in modern, writing; also also for
for Oriental
Oriental modes of speech.
of speech.
Further, parables
Further, parables or or symbols
symbols must be be understood
understood in in
terms of
terms of what the the author intends intends to to convey,
convey, not
not in
in
terms
terms of of the
the irrelevant details of
irrelevant details of the picture (such
the picture (such as as
the spots
the spots on thethe leopard beast, or
leopard beast, or the
the five
five toto five
five ratio
ratio ofof
the
the wisewise and foolish virgins). When
foolish virgins). 'When we considerconsider the the
setting
setting in in which a a prophetic message is
prophetic message is given, seeking
given, seeking
first
first forfor the direct and primary
the direct primary meaning, and then
meaning, then for for
any
any valid secondary or
valid secondary or figurative meaning, we find
figurative meaning, that
find that
the prophecies
the prophecies are neither aa phantasmagoria
are neither phantasmagoria that that
anything the
means anything the imagination
imagination might might wish wish to to see in
see in
it,
it, nor messages
messages in
In cipher
cipher with a
a rigid meaning
rigid meaning for for
every word
every word-messages
messages that that must be be fulfilled
fulfilled in in detail
detail
or else the prophecy
else the prophecy has has failed.
failed.
4. VARYING VIEWS OF THE "KINGDOM PROPHECIES."
4.
-There
There has has been much misunderstanding
misunderstanding of of the
the series
series
of promises
of promises and prophecies,
prophecies, chiefly
chiefly in the Old Testa-
In the Testa-
ment, conce~ning the
ment, concerning place of
the place of Israel
Israel in
in God's
God's plan-
plan
the so-called
the so-called "kingdom
'kingdom prophecies."
'
prophecies."
postmillennialist interprets
The ôjJmillennialist interprets the the "kingdom
''kingdom
prophecies"
prophecies" as
as wholly symbolic descriptions
wholly symbolic descriptions of of aa future
future
golden age
golden age of the church,
of the church, a a millennium of worldwide
of worldwide
righteousness,
righteousness, to
to be brought
brought about by a
a larger
by larger measure
of the
of the present
present means of of grace,
grace, not
not by the
by the direct
direct inter-
inter-
vention of of God. This, This, it
it is
is claimed,
claimed, will
will prepare
prepare the the
whole world for the second
for the second coming
coming of of Christ
Christ at the end
at the
of the
of the millennium to to usher
usher in in the
the final
final judgment
judgment and
eternity.
eternity.
The ^ranillennialist
premillennialist expects expects the the present
present reignreign of of
evil
evil to continue, and even
to continue, grow worse,
even grow worse, until
until thethe personal
personal
coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ ends this
this age by catastrophic
age by catastrophic and
supernatural
supernatural means.
means. He begins
begins the the millennium with aa
literal first
literal resurrection (of
first resurrection (of "the
"the saints")
saints") and ends it it
with the
with the second
second resurrection
resurrection (of (of "the rest of
"the rest the dead"),
of the dead"),
and thethe final judgment, followed
final judgment, followed by by the
the eternal
eternal state
state
in the new heavens
in the heavens and new earth. earth.
The amillennialist
amillennialist deniesdenies any any millennial
millennial kingdom;
kingdom;
rather,
rather, hehe equates
equates it,
it, like
like Augustine,
Augustine, with
with the
the triumph
triumph
of Christianity in
of Christianity in the present era.
the present era. He agrees
agrees with the
premillennialist that
premillennialist that the world is
the world is not
not toto see
see a golden
golden
age before the
age before the advent,
advent, thatthat thethe wheat and tares tares will
will
grow
grow side
side by
by side
side until
until the
the direct
direct and cataclysmic
cataclysmic intro-
intro-
duction
duction of of the
the next age by the
age by advent of
the advent Christ, but he
of Christ,
agrees with the postmillennialist
agrees with the postmillennialist that
that the
the advent is is fol-
fol-
lowed
lowed not not by by aa millennial kingdom but by
millennial kingdom by the
the final
final
judgment
judgment and the
the eternal
eternal state.
state.
resurgent premillennialism
The resurgent premillennialism of of the
the early
early nine-
nine-
teenth century
teenth reacted vigorously
century reacted vigorously against
against the "spirit-
the "spirit-
214
QUESTIONS
ualizing"
uallzlng" of of thethe first
first resurrection
resurrection and of of the
the kingdom
kingdom
prophecies by
prophecies by thethe then-dominant
then-dominant postrnillennialism.
postmillennialism.
premillennialists, who came to
The premillennialists, to be
be known in in Brit-
Brit-
ain
ain asas "literalists,"
'literalists," stressedstressed not not only
only a
a literal
literal resur-
resur-
rection
rection but but also
also a a literal kingdom on earth
literal kingdom earth during
during the the
millennium. This would be be under the the direct
direct or or indirect
indirect
rule of
rule of Christ,
Christ, and would involve involve aa literal
literal application,
application,
to
to the Jews, of
the Jews, of the
the Old Testament prophecies prophecies made to to
ancient Israel.
ancient Israel. Though
Though historicists
historicists at at first,
first, most of these
of these
literalists soon
literalists soon tooktook the the next
next logical step;
logical step; they they became
futurists.
futurists. The fulfillments
fulfillments of of the majority of
the majority the proph-
of the proph-
ecies
ecies were looked
looked for
for either at, or after,
either at, or after, the
the end of
of the
the
present age.
present age. AllAll the kingdom prophecies
the kingdom prophecies that that had not
been completely
completely fulfilled fulfilled down to to thethe last
last detail-
detail
Israel's triumph over
Israel's triumph over earthly kings,
earthly kings, her
her re-establish-
re-establish-
ment in
rnent in Palestine
Palestine with with the the rebuilding
rebuilding of the Temple
of the Temple
and the renewal of
the renewal of thethe animal sacrifices,
sacrifices, and even even thethe
divine withholding
divine withholding of of rain
rain from any any nation
nation that that should
should
fail
fail to
to come up up to to Jerusalem
Jerusalem to to the
the Feast
Feast of Tabernacles
of Tabernacles
-allall this,
this, and much more, more, they held must be
they held be fulfilled
fulfilled
in a literal
in literal future Jewish kingdom
future Jewish kingdom on
on earth
earth after
after the
the
second advent,
advent, duringduring the
the millennium.
millennium.
In North America the the strong premilIennialist
strong premillennialist
movement of of the mid-nineteenth century
the mid-nineteenth century at at first
first in-
in-
cluded literalists
literalists and Millerites.
Millerites. And since since both
both were
historicis
historkistt premillenniaJists,
premillennialists, they were allies
they were allies against
against
entrenched postmillennialism.
postmillennialism. But the the Millerites
Millerites bebe-
lieved, with the
lieved, the majority
majority of
of the
the church
church through
through the
the cen-
cen-
turies, that
turies, that thethe prophesied
prophesied kingdomkingdom was was to to be
be realized
realized
by the glorified
by the glorified church,
church, not not the
the Jews.
Jews. TheyThey believed,
believed,
further,
further, thatthat thethe millennium was was to be the
to be the beginning
beginning
of the eternal
of the eternal state.state.
215
Unlike most premillennlalists

premillennialists today,
today, Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventists hold that
Adventists the kingdom
that the kingdom promises
promises are are fulfilled
fulfilled
in the experience
In the experience ofof the
the church-today
church today the the "kingdom
'kingdom
'
of
of grace"
grace" in
In the hearts of
the hearts of Christians,
Christians, and eventually
eventually the
the
"kingdom
4
'kingdom of
of glory"
glory" in
in the
the eternal
eternal state. So
state. So we differ
differ
from other Christian groups In
Christian groups in our
our views
views on thethe king-
king-
dom prophecies.
prophecies.
n.
II. Adventist Views on the
Adventist the Kingdom Prophecies
Kingdom Prophecies
1.
1. PROMISES ABRAHAM.-The
TO ABRAHAM. The Old Testament
makes it it clear
clear that
that thethe Hebrew people,
people, the the descend-
descend-
ants
ants ofof the
the twelve
twelve sons
sons of Jacob, were
of Jacob, were chosen
chosen especially
especially
by God as
by as the
the instruments
instruments for making known His pur-
for making pur-
pose
pose of
of salvation.
salvation. Through
Through them the
the Scriptures
Scriptures were
given; through them the
given; through the Messiah,
Messiah, the the Christ,
Christ, waswas toto
come; and through
come; through them all
all the
the nations
nations of
of the
the world
world
were to to receive
receive the
the blessings
blessings of of salvation.
salvation. Yet Yet the
the Old
Testament makes equally equally clear
clear a
a fact
fact that
that is
is often
often
overlooked-that
overlooked this status
that this status of being the
of being the chosen people
people
was conditional.
conditional.
God made promises promises on severalseveral occasions
occasions to to their
their
ancestor Abraham-that
ancestor Abraham that he would be be blessed,
blessed, that his
that his
seed
seed would be numerous and become a a great
great nation,
nation,
that they
that they would be be given
given thethe land of Canaan, that
of Canaan, that
this land
this land was to to extend from the the "river
"river ofof Egypt"
Egypt"
(the
(the Wadi el-Arish)
el-Arish) to to the
the river
river Euphrates.
Euphrates. (See (See Gen.
12:1-3;
12:1-3; 13:14-17;
13:14-17; 15:5,7,18-21;
15:5, 7, 18-21; 17:1-21;
17:1-21; 18:18,19;
18:18, 19;
22: 15-18.)
22:15-18.)
2.
2. PROMISES TO ISRAEL ISRAEL AT SINAI.-When
SINAI. When God bebe-
gan to fulfill these promises
gan to fulfill these promises to to Abraham's descendants
descendants
by bringing
by bringing them out of Egypt
Egypt to
to give
give them the the
Promised Land and to
Promised to make them aa nation,nation, He made
QUESTIONS
aa covenant
covenant with
with them at
at Sinai. conditional nature
Sinai. The conditional nature
of the
of the promises
promises to
to the
the new nation
nation of
of Israel,
Israel, as His
as His
chosen people, was very
chosen people, clearly stated
very clearly stated right
right at
at the
the
beginning:
beginning:
Now therefore,
therefore, if ye will
if ye obey my
will obey my voice
voice indeed,
indeed, and keep
keep my
my
covenant, then ye
covenant, then ye shall
shall be
be a
a peculiar
peculiar treasure
treasure unto me above
all people:
all people: for
for all the earth
all the is mine:
earth is mine: and yeye shall
shall be unto
unto me aa
kingdom
kingdom of
of priests,
priests,
and an holy
holy nation
nation (Ex.
(Ex. 19:5,
19:5, 6).
6).
Their status
status as
as God's special people hinged
special people hinged on an
if·
if.
Nearly forty
Nearly forty years
years later, as the
later, as second generation
the second generation
was on the
was the borders
borders of the Promised Land,
of the Land, Moses in
in
his farewell
his farewell address
address instructed
instructed them at length (Deut.
at length (Deut.
7:8), that if
7:8), that they hoped
if they hoped to to see the fulfillment
see the fulfillment of the
of the
promises
promises made to
to their
their fathers
fathers they
they must keep
keep faith
faith
with the
with the ever
ever "faithful God, which keepeth
"faithful God, keepeth covenant
covenant
and mercy
mercy with them that love
that love him and keep
keep his his
commandments to to aa thousand
thousand generations"
generations" (Deut.(Deut. 7: 7:
9);
9); that
that if they
if they would "keep
"keep the
the commandments,"
commandments," the
the
Lord would "keep "keep unto thee thee the
the covenant
covenant ... which
. . which
.
he sware
he unto thy
sware unto thy fathers"
fathers" (Deut.
(Deut. 7:11,
7:11, 12).
12). On the the
other hand, if
other hand, they disobeyed
if they disobeyed God they they would perish perish
like
like the nations that
the nations that they
they were
were to to dispossess (Deut.
dispossess (Deut.
8: 1, 19,
8:1, 20). Compare
19, 20). Compare the warnings that
the warnings that thethe landland
would spuespue them out out also,
also, as
as it
it had spued out
spued out their their
predecessors
predecessors (Lev. (Lev. 18:26-28;
18:26-28; 20:22).
20:22). In
In a
a long
long series
series
of blessings and cursings
of blessings cursings (Deuteronomy
(Deuteronomy 27-30) 27-30) thethe £01-
fol-
lo"o/ing blessings
lowing blessings are
are conditioned
conditioned on obedience to God's
to God's
commandments: holiness,holiness, leadership,
leadership, prosperity.
prosperity. The al- al-
ternate
ternate curses
curses include pestilence, famine,
include pestilence, famine, poverty,
poverty, defeat,
defeat,
scattering among the
scattering among nations-with,
the nations however, aa promise
with, however, promise
of return from exile
of return exile if they repented.
if they repented.
217
The alternatives presented make it

alternatives presented it clear that God's
clear that God's
saying,
saying, "1 will give"
"I will give" the the various blessings was
various blessings was equiv-
equiv-
alent to
alent to "I"I am willingwilling to to give/'
give," "I purpose to
"I purpose give."
to give/'
But the the Israelites
Israelites were not left in
not left doubt as
in doubt as to to the
the
conditions
conditions under which they they would either
either gain
gain or
or lose
lose
the promised blessings.
the promised blessings.
Note the the specific
specific statements
statements of the conditional
of the conditional na- na-
ture of
ture of the
the promises
promises and prophecies
prophecies to
to the
the literal
literal na-
na-
tion
tion of of Israel
Israel in in connection
connection with with allall thethe points
points cov-cov-
ered in in thethe promises
promises to to Abraham. In In each
each casecase thethe
fulfillment
fulfillment of of the promise was
the promise was conditioned
conditioned on obedi- obedi-
ence: (a)
ence: their status
(a) their status as the chosen
as the chosen people,
people, Ex. Ex. 19:5,
19:5, 6; 6;
Deut.28:9;
Deut. 28:9; (b) (b) a
a great nation,
great nation, Deut.
Deut. 28: 1, 7, 9,
28:1, 7, 9, 10, 10, 13
13
(compare
(compare verses 15, 25, 48); (c)
verses 15,25,48); a holy nation, Ex. 19:6;
(c) a holy nation, Ex. 19:6;
Deut. 28:9;
Deut. 28:9; (d) (d) blessings,
blessings, Deut. 7:9-14;7:9-14; 28:28: 1-14
1-14 (compare
(compare
verses
verses 15-68); 30: 16,
15-68); 30:16, 19; (e) 19; (e) the
the land,
land, Deut.
Deut. 8: 1,7-9;
8:1, 7-9; 30:
30:
19,
19, 20 20 (compare Lev. 18:26-28;
(compare Lev. 18:26-28; Deut. 28:15, 64); Deut. 28: 15, 64);
11 Kings
Kings 9:3, 9:3, 6, 6, 7;7; 1I Chron.
Chron. 28:8; 28:8; 22 Chron.
Chron. 7:16, 7:16, 19, 19,
20; Eze.
20; Eze. 33:24-26;
33:24-26; 36:26-28;
36:26-28; (/) (I) the
the Davidic line line of of
kings,
kings, 1
I Kings 2:3,
Kings 2:3, 4; 8:25; 9:4,
4; 8:25; 9:4, 5; 5; 1
1 Chron. 28:4-9;
28:4-9;
2 Chron. 6:16;
2 6: 16; 22 Chron. 7: 17-22; and (g)
7:17-22; blessing to
(g) blessing to
the nations,
the nations, Eze. Eze. 36:23, 33-36; 37:23,28.
36:23, 33-36; 37:23, 28.
But since
But since the the conditions
conditions were only partly met,
only partly met,
the promises
the promises were only partially
only partially fulfilled
fulfilled in
in Hebrew
history.
history.
3.
3. PROMISES TO DAVID AND SOLOMON.-To SOLOMON. To David, David,
whom God chose chose "to "to bebe king
king over
over Israel
Israel for
for ever"
ever"
(1 Chron.
(1 Chron. 28:4),
28:4), and to
to his
his son Solomon,
Solomon, were ful-
ful-
filled
filled many many of of thethe early promises made to
early promises to Israel-a
Israel a
great
great name,
name, a
a great
great nation,
nation, prosperity,
prosperity, victory
victory and
peace, rule
peace, rule over over other nations, dominion "from the
other nations, the
river of
river of Egypt Egypt unto the great river,
the great river, the
the river
river Euphra-
Euphra-
218 QUESTIONS
tes" (Gen. 15:18;
tes" (Gen. 15:18; compare
compare 1 1 Kings 4:21). Further,
Kings 4:21). Further, in in
David's time,
David's time, God intended intended that that Israel should "dwell
Israel should "dwell
in
in aa place
place of their own,
of their own, and move no more" (2 (2 Sam.
7:10;
7:10; 1 Chron. 17:9).
1 Chron.
17:9).
This does not
This does not contradict
contradict the the earlier
earlier statements
statements that that
Israel was
Israel was to to hold the land on condition
the land condition of of obedience
(Deut.
(Deut. 8:
8:1,1, 19-20;
19-20; etc.),
etc.),
nor is it
is it invalidated
invalidated by
by thethe
fact
fact that they were later
that they later removed from it. it. It was not
It was not
God's desire that
God's desire that Israel
Israel should be be cast
cast out
out of of the
the land
land
on account
on account of their sins,
of their sins, any
any more than than it is His
it is His desire
desire
that anyone
that anyone shouldshould be be lost
lost byby rejecting
rejecting salvation
salvation (Eze.
(Eze.
33: 11;
33:11; 2
2 Peter
Peter 3: 9).
3:9). David understood
understood this
this promise
promise to to
be conditional,
be conditional, as as is clear from his
is clear his later
later address
address at at the
the
coronation of
coronation of Solomon,
Solomon, when he admonished the the as-as-
sembled people:
sembled people: "Keep "Keep and seek
seek for
for all
all the
the command-
ments of
ments the Lord your
of the your God: that that yeye may
may possess
possess thisthis
good land, and leave
good land, leave itit for
for an inheritance
inheritance for for your
your
children after you
children after you for for ever"
ever" (1 (I Chron.
Chron. 28: 28:8).8).
Further,
Further, he recognized recognized the the promise
promise concerning
concerning
Solomon as as conditional
conditional also: also: "I "I will establish his
will establish his king-
king-
dom forfor ever,
ever, if if he be be constant
constant to to do my my command-
ments and my judgments, as
my judgments, as at this day"
at this day" (verses
(verses 6, 6, 7).
7).
After the
After the Temple
Temple was finished,
finished, God repeated
repeated the the
promise to
same promise to Solomon himself, himself, placingplacing the the con-
con-
tinuance of the kingship,
of the kingship, of of thethe Temple,
Temple, and of
of Is-
Is-
rael's possession
rael's possession of of the land on condition
the land condition of of faithful-
faithful-
ness
ness to God (I Kings 9:
(1 Kings 3-9; 22 Chron.
9:3-9; Chron. 7: 16-22).
7:16-22).
God's statement of
God's of His purpose
purpose that that Israel
Israel should
should
"move no more" (2 (2 Sam. 7: 10),
7:10), and that
that David's
David's
house would be established
house established on the the throne
throne forever
forever
(verse 13)
(verse 13) shows that
that He was
was willing
willing to
to fulfill
fulfill the
the
promised blessings
promised blessings to Israel from the
to Israel the time
time of David
of David
and Solomon. If the conditions
If the conditions had been been met therethere
would never have been aa series of captivities.
series of captivities.
But Solomon apostatized, although he
apostatized, and although he saw the the
folly
folly of
of his
his ways
ways before
before his
his death,
death, his
his kingdom
kingdom was
divided,
divided, and ten ten ofof thethe tribes were permanently
tribes were permanently lost lost
to
to his dynasty. It
his dynasty. is true that his descendants
It is true that his descendants ruled ruled
Judah as
Judah as long
long asas it
it lasted
lasted asas aa nation, but the
nation, but the kingdom
kingdom
eventually
eventually came to
to an end and the
the crown of
of David's
David's
dynasty
dynasty was removed "until
''until he come whose right
right it it
is" (Eze.
is" (Eze. 21:27).
21: 27). This refers
refers to the divine
to the divine Son of of David
(Matt.
(Matt. 21:5,
21:5, 9). Though
9). Though Solomon and the
the royal
royal line
line
of David failed
of failed toto realize
realize thethe promises,
promises, the the prophecy
prophecy
of David's
of David's seed meets its
seed meets its fulfillment
fulfillment in in Christ,
Christ, who
will yet
will yet rule
rule over an eternaleternal kingdom
kingdom (Ps. (Ps. 89:3,
89:3, 4;
4; Isa.
Isa.
9:6,
9:6, 7; JeT. 23:5;
7; Jer. 23:5; Luke 1:32, 1:32, 33).
33).
4.
4. THREAT OF CAPTIVITY CONDITIONAL.
CONDITIONAL.-It
It was
the nation's
the nation's sins
sins that
that brought the end of
brought the of the
the Jewish
Jewish
kingdom in
kingdom in the Babylonian captivity
the Babylonian captivity (2
(2 Chron.
Chron. 36:
36:
14-17).
14-17). The Jews
Jews need not have been carried into
carried into
exile. Jerusalem,
exile. Jerusalem, with
with its
its magnificent Temple, might
magnificent Temple, might
have stood
have stood forever
forever and have been the
the metropolis
metropolis into
into
kings and princes
which kings enter, if
princes would enter, the Jews
if the Jews had
faithful to
been faithful to their
their covenant-even
covenant even if if they
they had
heeded Jeremiah's last-minute warning
Jeremiah's last-minute warning (Jer.
(Jer. 17:21-
17:21-
27).
27).
In the
In the chapter
chapter following
following this warning message,
this warning message,
the acceptance
the acceptance of
of which would have averted
averted the
the doom
of Judah,
of Judah, Jeremiah records God's clear
Jeremiah records dear and explicit
explicit
statement
statement of
of the
the conditional nature of
conditional nature of prophecies
prophecies of
of
rewards and punishments:
rewards punishments:
At what
At what instant I shall
instant I shall speak
speak concerning
concerning a nation, and con-
a nation, con·
cerning
cerning a kingdom, to
a kingdom, to pluck
pluck up,
up, and to pull down,
to pull down, and toto destroy
destroy
220 QUESTIONS
it; if that
it; if that nation,
nation, against
against whom II havehave pronounced,
pronounced, turn turn from
their evil,
their evil, II will
will repent*
repent* ofof the
the evil
evil that
that II thought
thought to to do unto
them. And at at what instant
instant II shall speak concerning
shall speak concerning aa nation,
nation, and
concerning aa kingdom,
concerning kingdom, to build and to
to build to plant
plant it;
it; if it do evil
if it in
evil in
my
my sight, that it
sight, that it obey not
obey not my
my voice,
voice, then
then I
I will
will repent*
repent* of
of the
the good
good
wherewith II said
wherewith said 1 benefit them (Jer.
I would benefit (Jer. 18:7·10).
18:7-10).
That this
this principle
principle referred to Israel
referred to Israel is
is made dear
clear
by
by verses
verses 11
11 and 13.
13. National
National repentance
repentance even then
might
might have
have reversed
reversed the
the fate
fate of
of the
the kingdom,
kingdom, but
but Jere-
Jere-
miah's pleas
miah's pleas went unheeded,
unheeded, and the result was exile.
the result exile.
5. RESTORATION PROPHECIES AND THE NEW Cov-

S. COV-
ENANT.-The
ENANT. The Babylonian captivity,
Babylonian captivity, however,
however, was
was not
the end of
the of God's patience.
patience. Even in
in exile
exile there
there was
yet hope
yet hope for repentance that
for repentance that might avert the
might avert the fulfill-
fulfill-
ment of the prophecy

of the prophecy of national downfall.
of national downfall. God re- re-
assured them through
assured Jeremiah
through Jeremiah that
that this
this captivity,
captivity,
though aa punishment,
though punishment, was was not "a full end" (Jer.
"a full (Jer. 5:5:
10·18; 46:28). Beginning even

10-18; 46:28). Beginning even before
before thethe exile,
exile, God
had sent prophetic messages
sent prophetic promising aa return,
messages promising return, and
offering
offering a a full
full and glorious
glorious restoration
restoration under a a new
covenant (Jer. 31:27, 28,
(Jer. 31:27, 28, 31).31).
Under the the national
national covenant made with God at at
Sinai and repeatedly
Sinai repeatedly reaffirmed, all Israel
reaffirmed, all Israel had failed
failed
miserably,
miserably, as
as was amply
amply demonstrated throughout
throughout their their
whole national
national history.
history. The apostate
apostate ten
ten tribes, long
tribes, long
separated
separated from the
the sanctuary
sanctuary and the
the theocracy, had
theocracy,
already been swept
already swept away;
away; now the the remnant of Israel-
of Israel
the-
the- kingdom
kingdom of
of Judah-which
Judah which had fallen
fallen into
into apostasy
apostasy
more slowly,
slowly, but no less less surely, being carried
surely, was being carried into
into
"** This
This repenting
repenting of
of the good or
the good or evil
evil God hashas promised
promised isis aa statement
statement in
in human
terms that does not
that does not adequately represent the
adequately represent the true nature of
true nature God, but
of God, but is used in
is used in
order to to express
express the
the change
change in
in outcome. It
It is
is not
not actually
actually God who changes.
changes. God
h'l.S impartially
hts impartially announced the alternate consequences
the alternate consequences of ~ood or
of man's good or evil
evil choice;
choice;
His attitude and His alternatives unchanged; but
alternatives remain unchanged; but man ss change
change ofof action
action
brings an altered
brings altered relationship
relationship toward
toward God and aa reversal
reversal of
of the
the consequences.
consequences.
221
captivity,
captivity, and the the royal
royal line
line ofof David was to to lose
lose the
the
throne until the Messiah should come,
until the come, "whose right right
it isis to reign."
it reign." At this this dark hour God sent-throughsent through
Jeremiah
Jeremiah in in beleaguered
beleaguered Judah Judah and through through Ezekiel
Ezekiel
among
among the earlier
earlier groups
groups of
of exiles
exiles already
already in
in Baby-
Baby-
lonia-similar
lonia similar messages messages of of aa "new covenant,"
covenant," an an "ever-
"ever-
lasting
lasting covenant,"
covenant," under which He would bless bless thethe
exiles when they
exiles they returned.
returned. He would restore
restore them as
as
God's holy nation,
holy nation, as
as a
a living
living demonstration
demonstration of
of His
His
love
love and care,care, and thus thus asas an instrument of of blessing
blessing to to
the
the nations of of the world (see Jer.
(see Jer. 31:31-34;
31:31-34; 32:36-
32:36-
41; Eze. 37:
41; Eze. 19-28).
37:19-28).
The people
people were evidently evidently complaining
complaining that that theythey
were suffering
suffering for for the
the sins
sins ofof their
their fathers, for J
fathers, for ere-
Jere-
miah mentions their proverb, "The fathers
their proverb, have eaten
fathers have eaten
aa sour grape, and the
sour grape, the children's
children's teethteeth are
are set
set on edge"
edge"
(Jer. 31:29).
(Jer. 31:29). Then he continues
continues with the announce-
the announce-
ment of the new covenant,
of the covenant, in in which God will deal,
will deal,
not with
with the the fathers,
fathers, but directly
directly with
with human hearts.
hearts.
He would put put His "law in in their
their inward parts, parts, and
write it
write it inin their
their hearts,"
hearts," and every every man individually,
individually,
from thethe least
least to to the
the greatest,
greatest, was to to know the the Lord.
Lord.
He would forgive forgive their
their sins
sins and remember them no
more (Jer.(Jer. 31:31-34).
31:31-34). In the
the next chapter Jeremiah
chapter Jeremiah
speaks of
speaks of it as the
it as the "everlasting
"everlasting covenant"
covenant" (Jer. (Jer. 32:39,
32:39,
40),
40), which is
is the
the covenant made with
with Abraham (Gen.
(Gen.
17:7).
17:7).
Under the the "everlasting covenant" God promised
"everlasting covenant" promised
to put His
to put His "fear
"fear in in their
their hearts,
hearts, thatthat they
they shall
shall not not
depart
depart from me" (Jer. 32:40).
(Jer. 32:40). In
In this
this connection
connection God
would "give"give them one heart, heart, and one way, way, that
that they
they
may fear
may fear me for for ever"
ever" (verse
(verse 39).
39).
222
QUESTIONS
Ezekiel, the
Ezekiel, the prophet
prophet to
to the
the exiles
exiles already
already in
in Babylon,
Babylon,
spoke of
spoke of God's
God's giving "one heart,"
giving them "one heart," and "a
"a new
spirit,"
spirit/' exchanging "the
exchanging "the stony
stony heart"
heart" for
for "an
"an heart
heart of
of
flesh" that they
flesh" that they might
might "walk
"walk in
in my
my statutes,"
statutes," and prom-
prom-
ising that "they
ising that "they shall
shall be
be my
my people,
people, and II will
will be
be their
their
(Eze. 11:
God" (Eze. 19, 20).
11:19, Ezekiel elsewhere
20). Ezekiel elsewhere mentions
the "everlasting
the "everlasting covenant"
covenant" made with with the
the restored
restored
exiles of
exiles of both
both Israel
Israel and Judah,
Judah, and the
the rule
rule of
of David
over aa people
over people cleansed their sins
cleansed from their sins (Eze.
(Eze. 37: 19-
37:19-
28). Isaiah also speaks of the everlasting covenant
28). Isaiah also speaks of the everlasting
covenant
(Isa. 55:3;
(Isa.
55:3; 61:8).
61:8).
6. GOSPEL IN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT.
6. COVENANT.-
Again Ezekiel
Again Ezekiel uses
uses almost
almost the the same words:words: "A new
heart also
heart will II give
also will you .... And II will
give you. . . . will put
put mymy spirit
spirit
within you,
within you, and cause you to
cause you to walk in in my
my statutes"
statutes"
(Eze. 27). The purpose
36: 26, 27).
(Eze. 36:26, purpose of the new covenant
of the
was to
was to enable
enable them to to obey,
obey, "that they may
"that they may fearfear me
for ever," and "that
for ever," "that they
they shall
shall not
not depart
depart from me";
me";
"that they may
"that they may walk in
in my
my statutes"
statutes" (Jer. 32:39,
(Jer. 32:39, 40; 40;
Eze. 11:
Eze. 19, 20);
11:19, 20); and the the means of of enabling
enabling was, was, "1"I
will put my
will put my spirit
spirit within you" (Eze.
you" (Eze. 36:27).36:27). But in
in
Old Testament times, times, as
as in
in the
the New,
New, the
the natural
natural heart
heart
"is
"is not
not subject
subject to to the
the law of of God, neither indeed can
God, neither
be" (Rom.
be" 8:7).
(Rom. 8:7). That is
is why
why the
the writing
writing of of the
the law
of
of God in in the
the heart
heart involves
involves giving
giving man a
a new heart
heart
in
in place
place of
of his
his stony heart,
stony heart, a free
free and unmerited gift
gift
that
that cancan bebe received
received only
only by by faith.
faith.
The new covenant,
covenant, then,then, is is nothing less
nothing less than sal- sal-
vation
vation by grace through
by grace through faith,
faith, the
the reception
reception of
of God's
God's
Spirit,
Spirit, enabling
enabling one to to walk in in newness of of life.
life. This
This
is
is the
the New Testament gospel gospel in in the
the heart
heart of of the
the Old
Testament.
Testament.
223
There is is no incompatibility here

incompatibility here between between law law and
grace.
grace. Even in
in the
the time of Israel
of Israel therethere was no incom-
incom-
patibility between grace
patibility grace and the the "ceremonial"
"ceremonial" law, law,
for until
for until Jesus
Jesus died the the rites
rites and sacrifices were God's
sacrifices were God's
appointed
appointed way way of of directing
directing the the eye eye of of faith
faith to to thethe
coming
coming Saviour.
Saviour. Not until the offering
until the offering of the Lamb of
of the of
God, once for
God, for all,
all, was
was the ceremonial system
the ceremonial system abolished
abolished
(Eph.
(Eph. 2: 15). Thereafter
2:15). insistence upon
Thereafter insistence upon the the ceremo-
ceremo-
nial observances
nial observances became a denial of
a denial of faith
faith inin the
tlie all-
all-
sufficient
sufficient sacrifice
Christ (Acts(Acts 15: 1, 10;
15:1, 10; Gal.
Gal. 5: 5:
1, 2). The new covenant,

1, 2). covenant, later ratified by
later ratified by the
the blood
of Jesus
of Jesus (Heb.
(Heb. 8:6-13; Matt. 26:28),
8:6-13; Matt. 26:28), and mediated by by
heavenly ministry
His heavenly ministry (Heb. 8:6;
(Heb. 8:6; 9: 15; 12:24)-the
9:15; 12:24) the
covenant promising
promising the the divine writing of
divine writing of the
the law in in the
the
heart,
heart, with the the indwelling
indwelling of
of the
the Spirit,
Spirit, which pro-
pro-
duces the
duces the righteousness
righteousness of of the
the law
law in in the
the life
life (Rom.
(Rom.
8:4)-is
8:4) is never at variance with
at variance with the the moral law of of God,
God,
then or
then or now.
7. CONDITIONED ON INDIVIDUAL
7. INDIVIDUAL ACCEPTANCE.
ACCEPTANCE.-These These
prophecies
prophecies of
of the
the restoration
restoration of
of Israel
Israel offered
offered the
the
new covenant to to aU,
all, for all should know the
for all the Lord
"from the the least
least ofof them unto the greatest" (J
the greatest" er. 31:
(Jer, 31:
34).
34). God never offers
offers forgiveness, cleansing
forgiveness, cleansing from sin,
sin,
and aa new heart heart except
except on condition
condition of individual re-
of individual re-
pentance. The restoration
pentance. restoration connected with with the
the new cov- cov-
enant
enant could
could go go into
into effect
effect only
only in
in so
so far
far as
as the
the individual
Israelite would accept
Israelite accept the the covenant.
covenant. Those to to whom
God would give give a heart "shall
a new heart "shall be be mymy people,
people, and
I will
I will be be their
their God." The next next verse
verse excludes those
excludes those
who refuse
refuse to to bebe cleansed:
cleansed: "But as as for
for them whose
heart walketh
heart walketh after the heart
after the heart ofof their
their detestable
detestable things
things
and
and their
their abominations,
abominations, II will will recompense
recompense their their wayway
224
QUESTIONS
upon their
upon their own heads,
heads, salth
saith the
the Lord" (Eze.
(Eze. 11:20,
11: 20, 21).
21).
The everlasting
everlasting covenant was made with Abraham,
Abraham,
who was was called
called thetl}e father
father of of the
the faithful
faithful (Gen.
(Gen. 17:17:
1, 2,
1, 2, 7;7; compare
compare Gen. Gen. 26:5),
26:5), Isaiah
Isaiah introduces
introduces the the ever-
ever-
lasting covenant
lasting covenant with with the the invitation,
invitation, "Incline
"Incline youryour
ear,"
ear,'* "come," "hear"
''come," "hear" (Isa.
(Isa. 55:3);
55:3); and continues,
continues,
"Seek ye
"Seek ye the
the Lord while while he he may
may be be found,"
found," "return
"return
unto the
unto the Lord"
Lord" (verses
(verses 6, 6, 7).
7). God pledges
pledge!> His word as as
to His
to His faithfulness
faithfulness (Jer. (Jer. 31:35-37;
31:35-37; 33:20-26);
33:20-26); but
His covenant
His covenant is is offered,
offered, notnot imposed.
imposed. Therefore,
Therefore, the the
restoration promises
restoration promises under the the new covenant
covenant are con-
are con-
ditioned upon
ditioned upon thethe Israelites*
Israelites' voluntary
voluntary acceptance
acceptance and
their acting
their acting by by faith
faith upon
upon thatthat acceptance.
acceptance.
If all Israel,
If all Israel, oror even a a large
large majority,
majority, had whole-whole-
heartedly
heartedly entered
entered into
into the
the new covenant and experi-
experi-
enced
enced the the new heartheart through
through the indwelling of
the indwelling the
of the
Spirit of God, resulting
Spirit of God, resulting in in wholehearted obedience,
obedience,
what might
might have been the the results!
results! God still still desired
desired to to
use
use Israel
Israel as His special
as His special instrument to
to share
share the
the bless-
bless-
ings
ings ofof the
the new covenant
covenant with other other nations.
nations.
8.
8. RESTORATION PROPHECIES PARTLY FULFILLED.
-The
The "restoration"
"restoration" or or "kingdom" prophecies-some
"kingdom" prophecies some
full
full of
of poetic imagery,
poetic imagery, others
others in
in literal
literal language-speak
language speak
of
of long
long lifelife and Edenic conditionsconditions of of the earth,
earth, ofof
Israel's
Israel's righteousness
righteousness and world leadership, leadership, drawing
drawing
the
the nations
nations to to her,
her, and spreading
spreading the
the knowledge
knowledge of of the
Lord over the the world.
world. The house of of David was to to be
restored,
restored, and finally
finally thethe Messiah was to come-the
to come the
Messiah,
Messiah, who was to to be "cut"cut off,"
off," who was to to be thethe
Lamb of of God thatthat would ratify ratify the
the new covenant,
covenant, and
who was to to rule
rule the kingdom
kingdom in in righteousness
righteousness and
finally bring in
finally bring in eternal
eternal peace.
peace. However,
However, the the golden
golden age age
PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
225
was
was notnot toto bebe altogether
altogether one one of of peace;
peace; apparently
apparently the the
jealousy
jealousy of
of enemies was to
to bring
bring war,
war, which
which would
would end
end
in
in final
final victory
victory for for God's
God's people
people (Ezekiel
(Ezekiel 38;38; 39)
39) before
before
the second comingcoming of
of Christ,
Christ, and
and the
the transition
transition to the
to the
eternal state.
state.
The restoration promises promises were connectedconnected with with thethe

return fromfrom exile.
exile. To what extent extent 'were
were these
these predic-
predic-
tions fulfilled
fulfilled afterafter the Babylonian
Babylonian captivity?
captivity? Cyrus Cyrus
granted
granted the privilegeprivilege of of return to to "all
"all his
his people"
people"
(Ezra
(Ezra I: 3), which would include
1:3), include any any worshiper
worshiper of of
Jehovah
Jehovah from the northern tribes
the tribes also.
also. And underunder thatthat
and subsequent
subsequent edicts edicts several
several groupsgroups of of exiles
exiles diddid re-re-
turn. They
They rebuilt the the Temple
Temple and reconstituted
reconstituted the
the
Jewish
Jewish state
state under their their own law (Ezra (Ezra 6: 14, 15;
6:14, 15; 7: 11-
7:11-
26)-subject
26) subject to
to Persia,
Persia, of
of course.
course. But the
the books
books of
of
Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai,
Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah,
Zechariah, and Malachi
Malachi show
how they fell short of
they fell the restoration
of the envisioned under
restoration envisioned
the new covenant.
the covenant.
Their zealzeal forfor the
the law
law found expression
expression in in legalism
legalism
exclusiveness rather
and exclusiveness rather than
than in in seeking
seeking the the Spirit
Spirit of of
God. The promisepromise of of the
the return
return was fulfilled;
fulfilled; but but the
the
limited. Even the
return was limited. the Temple
Temple that that they
they built
built
was but aa modest edifice edifice inin comparison
comparison with with the
the former.
former.
The glorious
glorious kingdom
kingdom was not not realized
realized in in the
the semi-
semi-
autonomOlis state
autonomous state under the the Persian
Persian Empire
Empire and under under
the Macedonian rule,
the rule, oror inin the
the brief
brief interval
interval of of inde-
inde-
pendence
pendence under the
the Maccabean rulers.
rulers. Finally
Finally came came
the subjection
the subjection to to Rome.
9. MESSIAH'S
9. MESSIAH'S KINGDOMKINGDOM -OFFEREDOFFERED AND AND REJECTED.
REJECTED.-
Then came
Then came the the Messiah.
Messiah. The The Carpenter
Carpenter of of Nazareth
Nazareth
began
began to
to preach,
preach, "The
"The time
time is
is fulfilled,
fulfilled, and
and the
the king-
king-
dom of
dom of God
God is is at
at hand"
hand" (Mark
(Mark 1:15).I: 15). What
What Jesus
Jesus offered
offered
8
226
QUESTIONS
was the
was the blessing
blessing of
of the
the new covenant,
covenant, of
of the
the renewed
heart, of
heart, of the
the Spirit
Spirit within.
within. But this
this seemed aa disap-
disap-
pointment to
pointment to most
most of
of the
the Jews.
Jews. They
They had soso long
long set
set
their hearts
their hearts on the
on the material
material aspects
aspects of of the
the kingdom
kingdom
prophecies
prophecies that
that they
they had forgotten
forgotten the
the spiritual.
spiritual. TheyThey
wanted independence
independence from Rome Rome-even vengeance-
even vengeance
but they
but they did
did not
not want
want the the law
law ofof love
love written
written in in their
their
'hearts. They
'hearts. They wanted
wanted the the conquest
conquest of of the
the Gentiles,
Gentiles, but
they were
they were not
not interested
interested in in being
being aa source
source of of blessing
blessing to to
aU nations.
all nations. TheyThey remembered the the king
king who was to to sit on
sit
the throne
the throne of of David,
David, butbut they
they had forgotten
forgotten the the Suffer-
Suffer-
ing
ing Servant.
Servant. Consequently
Consequently they they could
could not
not recognize their
recognize their
Messiah when He came,
Messiah came, and had no desire
desire for
for His
His king-
king-
dom when He offered offered it them.
to them.
it to
If the Jews
If the Jews had accepted
accepted the the new covenant
covenant and the the
Messiah's
Messiah's proposed kingdom;
proposed kingdom; if, if, instead
instead of
of the
the little
little
handful of
handful of followers that Jesus
followers that Jesus sent
sent out intoin~o the world
to give His
to give His message,
message, He might might havehave had the the whole
nation, regenerated and dedicated,
nation, regenerated dedicated, to to use
use in in evange-
evange-
lizing
lizing thethe world, victories, what blessings,
world, what victories, blessings, what
rewards,
rewards, mightmight have been theirs theirs under the the leadership
leadership
of
of the
the Son of of God. The Lord was even yet ready to
yet ready to use
His chosen peoplepeople as
as instruments
instruments of
of blessing,
blessing, as
as He had
been in the days
in the days of
of the
the prophets
prophets of
of old.
old. But they
they would
not.
not.
10.
10. LITERAL ISRAEL REPLACED BY CHRISTIAN
CHURCH.-Jerusalem
CHURCH. Jerusalem knew not the the time of of her
her visita-
visita-
tion,
tion, and consequently
consequently her
her house was left
left to
to her
her "des-
"des-
olate"
olate" (Matt. 23:28), and the
(Matt. 23:28), the rejected
rejected Lord wept wept over
over
her fate.
fate. Though
Though the
the destruction
destruction was delayed
delayed fortyforty
years, there was no repentance
years, there repentance to to avert
avert the the nation's
nation's
doom. There was no assurance, assurance, as before (Jer. 5:
as before (Jer. 10,
5:10,
227
18), that the

18), that the destruction
destruction was to to bebe only temporary.
only temporary.
The servants
servants who had repeatedly
repeatedly abused the proph-
the proph-
ets
ets had finally
finally crucified
crucified thethe Son of of the
the Owner of the
of the
vineyard,
vineyard, and consequently
consequently were
were dispossessed.
dispossessed. The Son
Himself had pronounced
pronounced sentence
sentence upon upon them:
them: "The
kingdom of
kingdom of God shallshall be taken
taken from you, you, and givengiven to to aa
nation bringing forth
nation bringing forth thethe fruits
fruits thereof" (Matt. 21:
thereof" (Matt. 21:
43). Many
43). Many were to
to come from the
the east
east and west
west to
to sit
sit
down withwith Abraham,

Abraham, Isaac, Isaac, and Jacob Jacob in in the
the place
place of of
the rejected
the rejected children
children of the kingdom
of the kingdom (Matt. (Matt. 8: 11, 12).
8:11, 12).
These were to to come from among among the the Gentiles
Gentiles and
prove themselves
would prove themselves "Abraham's children" children*' more
truly
truly than the
the Jews
Jews because they
they "would do thethe works
of Abraham" (John
of (John 9:39).
9:39).
When the great body
the great body of of thethe professed
professed seed seed of of
Abraham-the
Abraham the official body-rejected
official body rejected their
their King,
King, the
the
Mediator of of the
the new covenant,
covenant, they they inevitably
inevitably cut them-
cut them-
selves
selves off
off from the Messianic kingdom
the Messianic kingdom and the the cove-
cove-
nant relationship.
nant relationship. The only Jews
only Jews who retained
retained these
these
relationships
relationships were
were the
the remnant (Rom. 11:
(Rom. 11:5), 5), those
those
who accepted
accepted their Messiah and became the
their Messiah the nucleus
of the
of Christian church;
the Christian these were the
church; these the true
true children
children of of
Israel. To them were added the
Israel. the Gentile
Gentile converts,
converts, the the
"wild
"wild olive"
olive" branches
branches who were grafted grafted intointo the
the parent
parent
stock
stock inin place
place of of the
the natural branches that
natural branches that had broken
themselves off
themselves off (Rom. 11: 16-24).
(Rom. 11:16-24).
Thus the the rejection
rejection of the nation
of the nation of of Israel
Israel did not
invalidate the
invalidate the prophecies
prophecies or or cut
cut off off the
the line
line of of God's
chosen people. "Not as
chosen people. as though
though the the word of of God hath
taken
taken none effect" but "the
effect" but children of
"the children the flesh"
of the flesh" were
replaced
replaced by by "the
"the children
children of
of the
the promise"
promise" (Rom. (Rom. 9:6, 9:6,
8)-the
8)
spiritual
the spiritual seed
seed of
of Abraham.
228
QUESTIONS
11. NEW TESTAMENT ApPLICATIONS
11. OF THE KING-
APPLICATIONS 0.1"
PROMISES.- The children
DOM PROMISES. children ofaf Abraham "which are
are
of
of faith"-all
faith" all who are
are Christ's, both Jew
Christ's, both Jew and Gentile
Gentile
-have
have thenceforth been heirs
thenceforth been heirs of the ancient
of the promises
ancient promises
(Gal. 3:7, 8, 16,
(Gal. 3:7, 8, 16, 29).29). Both classes
classes of
of Abraham's seed,
seed,
Jew and Gentile,
Jew Gentile, are
are to receive the
to receive the Abrahamic prom-
prom-
ises. Paul
ises. Paul does not say
does not that the
say that earthly-kingdom prom-
the earthly-kingdom prom-
ises to
ises Israel belong
to Israel belong to.
to the
the Jew heavenly-kingdom
Jew and heavenly-kingdom
promises to
promises to the
the Christian,
Christian, butbut rather he speaks
rather he speaks af
of the
the
inheritance af
inheritance of the world by
the world by all
all the seed:
the seed:
"For the promise,
"For the promise, that
that he
he should be the
should be the heir
heir of the world,
of the world,
was not
was not to
to Abraham,
Abraham, or to his
or to his seed,
seed, through the law,
through the but through
law, but through
the righteousness
the righteousness of
of faith
faith.. . . . Therefore
. . Therefore it
. it is
is of
of faith
faith . . . to
... to
the end the
the the promise
promise might
might be be sure to all
sure to the seed;
all the seed; not
not to that only
to that only
which is
which is of the law,
of the but to
law, but to that
that also
also which is is of
of the
the faith
faith of
of
Abraham;
Abraham; who is the father
Is the of us
father of us all
all (Rom. 4: 13, 16).
(Rom. 4:13, 16).
Further,
Further, thethe Christian belangs to
Christian belongs kingdam of
the kingdom
to. the of
Christ
Christ (Cal. 1:13; James
(Col. 1:13; James 2:5; 2:5; Rev.
Rev. 1:6). Jesus
1:6). Jesus Christ
Christ
was promised
was promised as as the Davidic King
the Davidic King inin connection
connection withwith
the new,
the new, oror everlasting,
everlasting, covenant
covenant (Eze.
(Eze. 37:21-28;
37:21-28; Luke
1:32,33; campare Zech.
1:32, 33; compare Zech. 9:9-11; Matt. 21:4-9).
9:9-11; Matt. 21:4-9). By By His sac-
sac-
rifice He became the
rifice the mediator of of that covenant (Heb.
that covenant (Heb,
8:6-13;
8:6-13; 12:24; 13:20; compare
12:24; 13:20; compare Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24;
Matt. 26:28; 14:24;
22: 20). Obviously,
Luke 22:20). then, Christians
Obviously, then, Christians are heirs of
are heirs of the
the
new-covenant prophecies
prophecies and the new-covenant king-
the new-covenant king-
dom.
That thethe church is is now the the covenant people,
people, the
the
chosen people,
chosen people, is is clearly
clearly indicated
indicated by
by the
the application
application
that two New Testament writers
that two writers make af the original
of the original
promise to
promise the children
to the children of of Israel
Israel at
at Sinai. Peter, ad-
Sinai. Peter, ad-
dressing
dressing the
the "Christians,"
''Christians," as
as they began
they began to
to be
be called,
called,
says:
says:
"But ye ye are
are a a chosen
chosen generation,
generation, a royal priesthood,
a royal priesthood,
229
holy nation,
an holy nation, aa peculiar
peculiar people"
people" (1 (1 Peter
Peter 2:9).
2:9). In
In
writing
writing to
to Gentile Christians (sec
Gentile Christians (see verse 10), he is verse 10), he is
quoting, almost verbatim,
quoting, almost verbatim, Exodus 19:5, 19:5, 6 6 (Peter
(Peter uses
uses
the identical Greek words
the identical words for for "royal priesthood"
"royal priesthood*' that
that
occur
occur in in thethe LXX for for thethe Hebrew "kingdom "kingdom of of
priests"). John
priests"). writes to
John writes to Christians
Christians of Asia Minor about
of Asia about
Jesus,
Jesus, who "hath made us
us kings
kings and priests [preferred
priests [preferred
Greek reading:
reading: "a kingdom, priests"]
"a kingdom, priests"] unto
unto God and his his
Father" (Rev.(Rev. I1:6).:6). Again,
Again, he describes
describes the
the redeemed
in heaven as
in as singing
singing to to the
the Lamb,
Lamb, "Thou art art worthy"
worthy"
for thou "hast
for tliou "hast made us us unto our our God kings kings and priests
priests
[preferred
[preferred Greek reading:
reading: "a
"a kingdom
kingdom and priests"]"
priests"]"
(Rev.
(Rev. 5:9,
5:9, 10).10). Both writers writers therefore
therefore apply apply to the the
Christian church-and
Christian church and not not specifically
specifically to
to Jewish
Jewish Chris-
Chris-
tians-the
tians the covenant promise promise made to to Israel,
Israel, aa condi-
condi-
tional promise
tional promise that that the nation of
the nation Israel, by
of Israel, by the
the rejec-
rejec-
tion of
tion of the
the Messiah,
Messiah, had forfeited.forfeited.
Why
Why do these these inspired writers apply
inspired writers apply the the Israel king-
Israel king-
dom prophecies
prophecies to the non-Israelite
to the non-Israelite Christians?
Christians? Is it
Is it
not because
not because the the true
true Israel
Israel is is no longer
longer the the Jewish
Jewish na-na-
tion, but is
tion, but is rather
rather the the Christian church? The fact
Christian church? that
fact that
Paul refers
Paul refers to to "Israel
"Israel afterafter thethe flesh"
flesh" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 10: 18)
10:18)
implies
implies that
that there
there is
is an Israel
Israel not
not after
after the
the flesh.
flesh. He
makes clear
clear in in several passages what he means when he
several passages
refers
refers to
to the true Israel.
the true Israel. First,
First, he mentions that that not allall
Jews belong
Jews belong to
to Israel-"They
Israel "They are
are not
not all
all Israel,
Israel, which
are of
are of Israel"
Israel" (Rom.(Rom. 9:6). Elsewhere he defines
9:6). Elsewhere defines a truetrue
1 '
Jew:
Jew: "He is is not
not aa Jew, Jew, which is is one outwardly;
outwardly;"
rather,
rather, hehe "which is is one inwardly;
inwardly; and circumcision
circumcision is is
that of the
that of heart" (Rom.
the heart" (Rom. 2:28,
2:28, 29).
29).
The mark of of the
the true Israelite then,
true Israelite then, is is aa circumcised
circumcised
heart. That this
heart. this does
does not refer refer only
only to Jews with cir-
to Jews cir-
QUESTIONS
hearts is
cumcised hearts is clear
clear from verse 26: "If
verse 26: "If the
the uncir-
unclr-
keep the
cumcision keep the righteousness
righteousness ofof the
the law,
Jaw, shall
shall not
his uncircumcision be
his uncircumcision be counted for for circumcision?"
circumcision?"
Therefore aa Gentile
Therefore Gentile Christian can be
Christian can be counted asas a
a true,
true,
though
though not
not a
a literal,
literal, Israelite.
Israelite. Legalism?
Legalism? How can it
it be
when God sent His Son "that

sent His the righteousness
"that the righteousness of the
of the
law might
law might be
be fulfilled
fulfilled in
in us,
us, who walk not
not after
after the
the
flesh, but after
flesh, but the Spirit"
after the Spirit" (Rom.
(Rom. 8:4)?
8:4)? What he means
by the
by the true
true circumcision explains to
circumcision he explains to the
the Philippians:
Philippians:
"For we are are the
the circumcision,
circumcision, which worship
worship God in the
in the
spirit,
spirit, and rejoice
rejoice in
in Christ
Christ Jesus,
Jesus, and have no confi-
confi-
dence in
dence the flesh"
in the flesh" (Phil.
(Phil. 3:3).
3:3). This sentence
sentence may
may seem
grammatically ambiguous,
grammatically ambiguous, but in
in the
the context it
it is
is crystal
crystal
dear
clear that Paul is
that Paul defining true
is defining circumcision.
true circumcision.
The foregoing
foregoing statements
statements show dearly that Paul
clearly that
taught
taught that
that the
the true
true Israel-not
Israel not Israel
Israel after
after the
the flesh but
flesh but
Israel after the Spirit-is
Israel after the Spirit is composed
composed of of both Jews
Jews and
Gentiles, the
Gentiles, the children
children notnot merely
merely of the flesh
of the flesh but of of
the promise, circumcised
the promise, circumcised not in in the
the flesh
flesh but in in the
the
heart
heart (Rom.
(Rom. 9:8).
9:8).
Again,
Again, Paul addresses
addresses Christians
Christians who were formerly
formerly
Gentiles, and who are
Gentiles, are still
still called
called "uncircumcision"
by the
by the Jews
Jews who are such according
are such according to to the
the flesh
flesh (Eph.
(Eph.
2: II).
2:11). These Christians
Christians were once "aliens
"aliens from the the
commonwealth of of Israel,
Israel, and strangers
strangers from the the cove-
cove-
nants
nants ofof promise"
promise" (verse 12).
(verse 12). Now, however,
however, in
in Christ,
Christ,
through whom they

through they have access
access toto God byby the
the Spirit,
Spirit,
they
they are
are "no more strangers
strangers and foreigners,
foreigners, but fellow-
fellow-
citizens with the
citizens with saints, and of
the saints, of the household of
the household of God"
(verse 19).
(verse 19). In
In other
other words,
words, the
the Gentiles,
Gentiles, in
in becoming
becoming
Christians, cease
Christians, cease to be aliens
to be aliens and become fellow
fellow citizens,
citizens,
heirs of
and heirs the covenants of
of the of promise.
promise. Hence Chris- Chris-
231
tians, gathered
tians, gathered from among both Jews
among both Jews and Gentiles,
Gentiles,
belong to
belong to the true commonwealth of
the true Israel. That is
of Israel. is
how "all Israel shall

"all Israel shall be saved"
saved" (Rom.
(Rom. 1l:26).
11:26).
12.
12. FULFILLMENT OF THE KINGDOM PROPHECIES. PROPHECIES.-
The question
question naturally arises,
naturally arises, If
If the
the Christian
Christian church
is heir of
is heir of the
the promises
promises and the the covenants,
covenants, where are are we
to
to look for the
look for the fulfillment
fulfillment of of all the prophecies
all the prophecies thatthat
were not
not realized
realized by by literal
literal Israel?
Israel? In
In the
the early
early church,
church,
the present,
the present, or the future?
or the future?
Wherever the the kingdom prophecies are
kingdom prophecies are definitely
definitely ap-
ap-
plied
plied by by New Testament writers
writers to
to events
events in
in the
the
church,
church, itit is obvious that
is obvious that we are are safe
safe in
in following their
following their
inspired interpretative applications. Peter
inspired interpretative applications. Peter sees Joel's sees Joers
prediction of
prediction of visions,
visions, dreams, wonders among
dreams, and wonders among the the
remnant of of Israel
Israel fulfilled,
fulfilled, at least partially,
at least partially, in the
in the
miracles of
miracles of the
the early
early church under the
the outpouring
outpouring of of
the Spirit
the Spirit (Acts
(Acts 2: 16-21; compare
2:16-21; compare Joel 2:28-32).
Joel 2:28-32).
James,
James, in
in delivering
delivering the
the decision
decision of
of the
the church coun-
coun-
cil of Jerusalem,
cil of quotes
Jerusalem, quotes a
a prophecy
prophecy of
of Amos concerning
concerning
the restoration
the restoration of Israel and applies
of Israel applies it to the
it to the first
first Gen-
tile converts
tile converts to to the
the church:
church:
Simeon [Simon Peter] hath
[Simon Peter] hath declared
declared how God at the first
at the first
did visit the
did visit the Gentiles,
Gentiles, to take out
to take out of
of them a people for
a people for his
his name.
And to this agree
to this agree the words of
the words of the
the prophets;
prophets; as
as it
it is written, After
is written, After
this
this II will
will return,
return, and will build again
will build again the
the tabernacle
tabernacle of of David,
David,
which
which is is fallen
fallen down;
down; and II will
will build
build again the ruins
again the ruins thereof,
thereof,
and II will
and will set
set it
it up: that
up: that the residue of
the residue might seek
of men might after
seek after
the Lord,
the Lord, and and all
all the
the Gentiles, upon whom my
Gentiles, upon my name is is called,
called,
saith the Lord (Acts
saith the (Acts 15: 14-17; Cf.
15:14-17; Cf. Amos 9: 11, 12).
9:11, 12).
In
In other
other words, James is
words, James is saying: prediction of
saying: Amos' prediction of
what was
was to happen "after
to happen this" ** (i.e.,
"after this" (i.e., after
after Amos' day)
day)
*CuriollsIy, the
*CuriousIy, words ('after
the words "after this"
this" and "return
((return and" are
are not In
in the Hebrew of
of
Amos 9:11, which begins:
9:11, which begins: "In that day
"In that day II will raise up
will raise up the
the tabernacle
tabernacle of David."
232
QUESTIONS
has
has now begunbegun to meet its
to meet its fulfillment
fulfillment In in the
the conversion
conversion
of the
of the Gentiles
Gentiles in the apostle
in the Peter's day.
apostle Peter's day. That is,
is, the
the
prophecy of
prophecy the restoration
of the restoration of of the house of
the house of David,
David, and
of the
of the Gentiles' seeking after
Gentiles' seeking the Lord,
after the Lord, is is now beingbeing
fulfilled
fulfilled by by the
the expansion
expansion of of the
the church to to include
include the the
Gentiles.
Gentiles. The passage passage quoted
quoted from Amos is Is aa prophecy
prophecy
of the restoration
of the restoration of Israel's Davidlc
of Israel's Davidic kingdom
kingdom and the
incorporation
incorporation of of the
the "Gentiles"
"Gentiles" into into that
that kingdom
kingdom
(Amos 9: 11, 12);
(Amos 9:11, but James
12); but obviously applies
James obviously applies it it figura-
figura-
tively
tively to
to the
the building
building up
up of
of the
the church
church of
of Christ
Christ the
the
Son of David.
of David.
Peter finds in
Peter finds Isaiah's "comer
In Isaiah's "corner stone"
stone" (Isa. 28: 16) aa
(Isa. 28:16)
prediction
prediction of
of Jesus
Jesus as
as the
the chief
chief cornerstone (1 Peter
(1 Peter
2:6)
2:6) of
of the
the "spiritual
"spiritual house"
house" in
in which the
the Christians
Christians
are built
are built asas "lively
"lively stones
stones [E.R.V.,
[E.R.V., "living
"living stones"]"
stones"]" and
as aa "holy
as "holy priesthood,
priesthood, to offer up
to offer up spiritual
spiritual sacrifices"
sacrifices"
(verse 5).
(verse 5).
Paul,
Paul, in In one short passage (2
short passage (2 Cor.
Cor. 6: 16-18), quotes
6:16-18), quotes
from several
from several prophecies
prophecies connected with
with the
the new cove-
cove-
nant and the
nant the restoration promised to
restoration promised to ancient
ancient Israel-
Israel
phrases borrowed from Jeremiah
phrases Jeremiah 31:33 (compare (compare
Jer. 32:38; Eze.
Jer. 32:38; Eze. 11:19,
11:19, 20; 37:27); Isaiah
20; 37:27); Isaiah 52:11;
52:11; and
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 31 : 9.
31:9.
fulfillments to
The fulfillments to the
the church
church of the present
of the present age age are
are
of course figurative. Many of the prophecies
of course figurative. Many of the prophecies unrealized unrealized
in Old Testament times
in times areare to be fulfilled,
to be fulfilled, some of of
Either James's
Either James's phrase
phrase "return and build"build" is is quoted
quoted from aa different text of
different text of Amos
or it is
or it paraphrase, exactly
is a paraphrase, parallel to
exactly parallel to the
the common Hebrew idiom in in which thethe
verb "return" (shub, (shub, "to turn
turn back")
back") is
is often
often used
used to
to express
express either
either a reversal
reversal of
of
attitude or
attitude or aa mere,
mere, repetition.
repetition. That is, is, toto "return
"return and do" something,
something, can can mean
merely
merely to
to do it
it again.
again. The K.J.V.
K.J.V. sometimes translates
translates the
the phrase literally,
phrase literally, as:
as: "1
"I
returned,
returned, and considered
considered all the oppressions"
all the opyressions" (Eccl.(Eccl. 4: 1; compare
4:1; compare 4:7;4:7; y:ll);
9: 11); "I
will return. and have compassion"
will return, compassion" (Jer.
(jer. 12:15);
12:15) "Who knoweth if
;
if he will return
he will return and
r~pent?" (Joel
repent?" (Joel 2:14).
2:14). Very often "return and" is
Very often is simply translated
translated "again,"
"again," as:
as:
simply
"He built
built again
again [margin:
[margin: Heb. "he returned
returned and built"]
built") the
the high
high places
places which
Hezekiah his his father
father had broken
broken down" (2 (2 Chron. 33:3).
Chron. 33:3).
233
literally, in
them literally, In connection
connection with,with, or or after,
after, the the second
second
coming
coming of Christ.
of Christ. But the
the fact
fact that
that inspired
inspired writers
writers havehave
made figurative
figurative applications
applications shows that that we cannot cannot re- re-
quire
quire a literalness
literalness in
in detail.
detail.
The Christian
Christian church,
church, then,then, is is a a "holy
"holy nation,"
nation,"
composed
composed not of aa single
not of single race
race or or nationality,
nationality, but of of
every individual who is
every is voluntarily
voluntarily under the
the new-cove-
new-cove-
nant relationship
relationship with his his Lord.
Lord. Therefore
Therefore its its blessings
blessings
cannot be thosethose ofof national
national prosperity,
prosperity, territorial
territorial hold-
hold-
ings, or victories
ings, victories over invaders.
invaders. Ezekiel's
Ezekiel's promise
promise of of the
the
deliverance of of postexilic
postexilic Israel
Israel from the
the hosts
hosts of
of Gog
Gog
was not fulfilled
fulfilled literally,
literally, but in in the Apocalypse is
the Apocalypse is ap-
ap-
plied to
plied to the final
final destruction
destruction of of the
the enemies of of God and
of
of His people
people after
after the
the millennium.
The glorious
glorious Temple pictured by
Temple pictured by Ezekiel
Ezekiel is is not
not ful-
ful-
filled literally in
filled literally in the church, and cannot
the church, cannot be, be, forfor the
the sac-
sac-
rificial types and shadows ceased
rificial types ceased inin the
the antitypical
anti typical sacri-
sacri-
fice of Christ
fice of Christ on Calvary's
Calvary's cross.
cross. Instead
Instead we have have thethe
priestly ministry
priestly ministry of
of the
the Son of
of God in
in the
the sanctuary
sanctuary
"not made with with hands,"
hands," in in heaven
heaven itself.
itself.
Furthermore, the
Furthermore, the promise
promise to to Abraham that that hishis seed
seed
should be heirs
should heirs of the world,
of the world, as as well
well as as the
the prophecies
prophecies of of
the abundance and peace
the peace ofof Eden restored,
restored, will will both
both
find their
find their actual
actual fulfillment
fulfillment when the the saints
saints inherit
inherit the the
earth made new.
earth
Christian church,
The Christian church, drawn from all all nations,
nations,
rather than
rather than from the the Jewish
Jewish nation,
nation, is is now the the vehicle
vehicle
for bringing God's
for bringing God's blessing
blessing to to the
the world.
world. Its Its head is is
Christ, the
Christ, the Son of of David,
David, who now rules rules in in the
the hearts
hearts of of
His people,
His people, and will, will, one day,day, rule
rule in in person
person in in His
eternal kingdom.
eternal kingdom. It It is
is "the
"the kingdom
kingdom of of God ... within
. . within
.
you" (Luke
you" (Luke 17:21), 17:21), which "cometh not with observa-
observa-
234 QUESTIONS
tion [margin,
[margin, "outward show"]" show"]" (verse(verse 20),
20), but growsgrows
like
like aa mustard seed seed (Matt. 13:31,
(Matt. 13:31, 32). 32). Such is
is the
the spirit-
spirit-
ual
ual kingdom
kingdom to to which we must now belong belong if if we are
are toto
enjoy
enjoy thethe blessings
blessings of of the
the future
future kingdom
kingdom of of glory.
glory.
Thus the the kingdom
kingdom prophecies
prophecies will will finally
finally be fulfilled,
fulfilled,
not in in the
the presence
presence of
of sin
sin and repentance,
repentance, birth
birth and
death,
death, war and plague,
plague, but in
in the
the new earth.
earth. And the
the
final
final fulfillment
fulfillment in in the eternal
eternal kingdom
kingdom of of Christ
Christ will
will
surpass
surpass everything
everything promised
promised to to the Israel
Israel of of old.
old.
13.
13. JEW
JEW AND GENTILE IN IN THE KINGDoM.-In
KINGDOM. In holding holding
that
that the kingdom belongs
the kingdom belongs to
to the
the Christian
Christian church,
church, we
do not thereby
thereby deny deny the kingdom
kingdom to to the
the Jew.
Jew. The heirs heirs
of
of the
the Abrahamic promise promise of of the kingdom embrace all
the kingdom all
the
the spiritual
spiritual seed-all
seed all who are
are Christ's,
Christ's, all
all who are
are
saved by by the
the blood of the everlasting
of the everlasting covenant-both
covenant both
Jew
Jew and Gentile.
Gentile. Thus any Jew
any Jew may, may, as
as aa believer
believer in in
the Messiah, participate
the Messiah, participate in the millennial
in the reign
millennial reign of the of the
saints
saints as as well
wen as as in
in the
the eternal
eternal kingdom
kingdom of of Christ.
Christ. No
Jew,
Jew, as
as a
a Jew,
Jeiv, may
may lay
lay claim to
to an earthly,
earthly, national
national mil-
mil-
lennial kingdom
lennial kingdom on the the basis
basis of of the
the Old Testament
kingdom prophecies.
kingdom prophecies_
14.
14. THE QUESTION
QUESTION OF THE JEWISH JEWISH STATE.-Let
STATE. Let it it
emphatically stated
be emphatically here that
stated here that Seventh-day Adventist
rejection of
rejection of the
the widely
widely held
held belief
belief in in aa divinely
divinely prom-prom-
ised future
ised future Jewish
Jewish world-kingdom
world-kingdom does does not
not justify
justify thethe
charge
charge of
of "anti-Jewish
"anti-Jewish bias,"bias," or
or of
of blindness
blindness to
to the
the
political fact
political fact of of the
the new Jewish
Jewish state state ofof Israel.
Israel. Our
prophetic interpretation
prophetic interpretation does does not
not involve either. We be-
involve either. be-
lieve from Scripture,
lieve Scripture, as as has
has already
already been set set forth,
forth, that
that
the ancient
the ancient Jews Jews forfeited
forfeited theirtheir kingdom
kingdom and their their
special
special status
status as
as God's chosen
chosen people
people (see (see Matt.
Matt. 21:43;
21:43;
compare Jer.
compare Jer. 18:6-10).
18:6-10). Yet we also also believe,
believe, from Scrip- Scrip-
235
ture, that
ture, the
that theJew has
Jew has equal
equal status with every
status with every other
other
human being,
being, and equal
equal eligibility to the
eligibility to the benefits
benefits of
of the
the
gospel of
gospel of salvation
salvation (Rom.
(Rom. 10:12,
10:12, 13).
13). We consequentlyWe
consequently
invite all, Jew
invite all, Jew and Gentile,
Gentile, to
to prepare with us
prepare with us to
to meet
the
the coming
coming King.
King. That relatively
relatively fewfew Jews have thus
Jews have thus far
far
accepted the
accepted the offer
offer of
of salvation
salvation through
through ChristChrist is Is a matter
a matter
of deep
of regret.
deep regret. It
It is
Is our earnest
earnest hope,
hope, and to
to this
this end
pray, that
we pray, that many
many more will will do so so Inin these
these lastlast days.
days.
We would rejoice rejoice if if every
every living
living Jew Jew werewere to to accept
accept
Christ and thus
Christ have aa part
thus have part along
along with with those
those from all all
nations,
nations, in the promised
In the promised kingdom.
kingdom.
The existence
existence of the modern state
of the state of of Israel
Israel Is is no more
valid evidence that
valid evidence that the
the Jews,
Jews, as as a nation, are
a nation, yet to
are yet to ful-
ful-
fin the
fill the kingdom
kingdom prophecies
prophecies In in Palestine,
Palestine, than than was was thethe
British rule
British rule over
over that
that land a proof of
a proof of the
the Anglo-Israel
Anglo-Israel
interpretation, which claims
interpretation, that the
claims that the Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon and
related peoples are the "true
related peoples are the "true Israel," Israel," and thus heirs
thus heirs' ofof
the divinely
the promised
divinely promised kingdom.
kingdom. And our denial
denial of
of
both claims
both claims makes us us neither anti-Jewish nor anti-
neither anti-Jewish anti-
British. We are
British. are not
not anti-
anti- any
any race
race or or people
people on earth. earth.
But we believe
But believe that
that thethe state
state of of Israel cannot claim
Israel cannot claim
ownership
ownership of
of the
the land of
of Palestine
Palestine on the
the ground
ground of of
promises. The question
Biblical promises.
Biblical question of of mere territorial
territorial
claims
claims must be be determined by by international
international law. law. There
is justifiable reason
is no justifiable reason for mingling our prophetic
for mingling prophetic inin-
terpretation
terpretation with
with such an international
international political
political prob- prob-
lem. We are
lem. are to present the
to present the Christian message, and
Christian message,
extend Christian
extend Christian sympathysympathy and Christian justice, to
Christian justice, to all
all
impartially. We are
impartially. not to
are not to let
let our theology
theology tip tip thethe scales
scales
of justice toward Jew
of justice Jew or or Christian,
Christian, Moslem or or pagan.
pagan.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that that it is the
it is the mission
mission
of
of the Christian church to
the Christian to send the the "everlasting
"everlasting gospel gospel
QUESTIONS
... to to every
every nation,
nation, and kindred,kindred, and tongue, tongue, and
people," and to
people/* to set before them the
set before high privilege
the high privilege of of
membership
membership in
in the
the kingdom
kingdom of
of God.
God,
15.
15. PROPHECIES AFFECTING THE CHURCH AGE. AGE.-
Since
Since we hold, hold, on New Testament grounds,
grounds* that
that the
the
church is
church is the heir of
the heir the new covenant
of the covenant and the the king-
king-
dom (as, (as, let
let it
it be
be noted,
noted, has
has been the
the belief
belief of
of the
the
church throughout
church throughout the the centuries,
centuries, unchallenged
unchallenged until until
modern times),times), we find find a continuity of
a continuity of the
the covenant,
covenant,
the promises, and the
the promises, the prophecies
prophecies in in the the church age. age,
(After
(After all,
all, "New Testament" simply
simply means "new cov-
cov-
enant.")
enant.") Jesus addressed Himself "to
Jesus addressed "to the the Jew
Jew first,"
first/'
and had they they accepted
accepted Him, Him, He would undoubtedly
undoubtedly
have made the the whole JewishJewish nation,
nation, not not merely
merely aa hand-
ful
ful of
of disciples,
disciples, the the nucleus
nucleus of of His kingdom.
kingdom. But this this
fact
fact does
does not not necessarily
necessarily lead lead toto the conclusjon that
the conclusion that thethe
Sermon on the the Mount,
Mount, the prophecy
the prophecy of of Matthew 24,
24,
indeed the
and indeed major portion
the major portion of of the
the teachings
teachings of of Jesus,
Jesus,
were addressed
were addressed to to the
the Jewish
Jewish nation
nation rather
rather than
than to
to the
the
Christian church of
Christian of which He. He. isis the
the chief
chief cornerstone.
cornerstone.
We taketake thethe New Testament as as a harmonious whole,
a harmonious whole,
with Gospels,
with Epistles, and Apocalypse,
Gospels, Epistles, Apocalypse, addressedaddressed to to
the Christian
the Christian church,
church, in in which both both Jew Jew and Gentile
Gentile
are one.
are one.
The new covenant,
covenant, first offered by
first offered by thethe prophets
prophets of of
old in
old connection with the
in connection kingdom promises,
the kingdom promises, was me-
diated by by Christ
Christ (Heb.(Heb. 9: 15), ratified
9:15), ratified by by His
His blood
blood
(Heb. 13:20),
(Heb. 13:20), typifiedtypified in
in the
the Lord's Supper
Lord's Supper (Luke 22: (Luke 22:
16),
16), and reiterated
reiterated in in the
the Epistles.
Epistles. Thus it it became aa
reality
reality in
in the
the church,
church, and the
the new-covenant
new-covenant kingdom
kingdom
exists now in
exists in its
its first
first phase, which
phase, which is commonly
is commonly called
called
the "kingdom
the "kingdom of of grace,"
grace," until
until at at the
the second
second advent
advent it it
237
will
will become the the visible
visible "kingdom
''kingdom of of glory," which
glory," which
will continue on after
will continue after the millennium as
the millennium as the
the eternal
eternal
kingdom
kingdom established
established on the
the new earth.
earth.
Since
Since we see see aa continuity
continuity in in covenant, promise, and
covenant, promise,
prophecy,
prophecy, we do not regard the Christian
not regard the Christian Era Era as as an
interim dispensation
interim between past
dispensation between past and future future Jewish
Jewish
dispensations,
dispensations, or as
as a
a gap
gap in
in prophecy. We therefore
prophecy. therefore
look for
look prophetic fulfillments
for prophetic fulfillments in the present
in the present age; age; and
because we find
because find them there,there, we are rightly classified
are rightly classified as as
historicists
historicists in prophetic interpretation.
in prophetic interpretation.
16. THE CONSUMMATION OF PROPHECY.-We
16. THE PROPHECY. We find find
further
further strong implications for the
strong implications for the continuous continuous view of
of
prophecy in
prophecy the teachings
in the teachings of of Jesus.
Jesus. He told told HisHis fol-
fol-
lowers
lowers of events before
of events they came to
before they to pass
pass in in order
order that,
that,
when theythey did come to
to pass,
pass, His
His people
people might might believe
believe
(J ohn 13:
(John 19). When asked
13:19). asked about the the destruction
destruction of the
of the
Temple,
Temple, and the
the end of
of the
the world,
world, or
or age (Matt.
age (Matt 24:3), 24:3),
Jesus spoke
Jesus spoke to to His disciples
disciples of of the beginning of
the beginning of sor-
sor-
rows-the
rows the false
false christs,
christs, the
the wars,
wars, and calamities-and
calamities and
He equated
equated Daniel's
Daniel's "abomination of of desolation"
desolation" with with
the surrounding
the surrounding of
of Jerusalem
Jerusalem by by armies,
armies, as
as a
a sign
sign that
that
they
they should
should flee
flee for
for safety (Matt. 24: 15,
safety (Matt. 24:15, 16; compare 16; compare
Luke 21:20,
21:20, 21). Heeding this
21). Heeding this warning
warning (Matt. (Matt. 24: 24:
16-18),
16-18), the
the early
early Christians
Christians escaped,
escaped, and saved
saved their
their
lives
lives byby flight
flight preceding
preceding the the destruction
destruction of Jerusalem in
of Jerusalem in
A.D. 70.
70. He told
told His disciples
disciples to
to watch for
for the
the signs
signs ofof
the nearness of
the nearness of His coming.
coming. All All this
this indicates
indicates that that Jesus
Jesus
expected
expected them to
to be
be constantly
constantly on the
the lookout
lookout for
for the
the
fulfillment
fulfillment of prophecy throughout
of prophecy throughout the the Christian
Christian Era. Era.
This is
This in direct
is in direct conflict with the
conflict with the concept
concept that that there
there
were
were to to bebe no fulfillments
fulfillments untiluntil after
after the the removal of of
the church from the
the the earth.
earth.
238
QUESTIONS
Furthermore, we see
Furthermore, see the
the outline
outline prophecies
prophecies of of the
the
successive kingdoms,
successive kingdoms, of of Daniel
Daniel 2
2 and 7,
7, in
in process of
process of
continuous fulfillment
continuous fulfillment in in history,
history, from the the time
time ofof the
the
Neo-Babylonian
Neo-Baby Ionian Empire
Empire onward.
onward. And similarly,
similarly, with
the seventy
the seventy weeks
weeks of of years
years (Daniel
(Daniel 9) 9) reaching
reaching their
their
culmination in
culmination in the the time of Christ
of Christ thethe Messiah.
Messiah. Not only
only
that, but
that, but we find
find the
the apostles
apostles applying
applying Old Testament
prophecies
prophecies to
to the
the Christian
Christian church of their
of their own day. day.
Since, then,
Since, then, we do not
not find
find in
in the
the kingdom prophecies,
kingdom prophecies,
the outline
the outline prophecies,
prophecies, and the the teachings
teachings of of Christ
Christ
the apostles
and the apostles anyany justification
justification for for divorcing
divorcing proph-
proph-
ecy from
ecy from the
the church
church age, look for
age, we look for and find
find historical
historical
fulfillments throughout the
fulfillments throughout the centuries.
centuries. In In other
other words,
words,
are historicist
we are historicist premillennialists.
premillennialists.
III.
III. Implications
Implications of the Kingdom
of the Prophecies
Kingdom Prophecies
It will be seen,
It will seen, in in this
this section, that the
section, that the interpreta-
interpreta-
tion of the kingdom prophecies
tion of the kingdom prophecies provides the provides the key
key not
only to
only to the
the differences
differences between varying varying views
views on the the
millennium,
millennium, but but also
also toto other
other factors
factors apparently
apparently unre-
unre-
lated.
lated.
1.
I. CHURCH VIEW OF THE KINGDOM.-Note KINGDOM. Note first first the
the
implications
implications of
of the
the premise
premise that
that has
has been generally
generally held
in
in thethe Christian
Christian church throughout
throughout the the centuries,
centuries,
namely,
namely, that that when the Jews Jews rejected
rejected Christ
Christ they
they were
rejected
rejected as as aa nation,
nation, and that that thenceforth
thenceforth the the true
true
chosen people
people of
of covenant and promise-the
promise the saints,
saints, the
"holy
"holy nation"-is
nation" is the
the church, composed
church, composed of
of all
all true
true
Christian
Christian believers,
believers, whether Jew Jew oror Gentile.
Gentile. (See(See Acts
Acts
15: 13-18; II.Peter
15:13-18; ,Peter 2:9.)
2:9.)
Those who hold this this premise
premise as as true must, if
true must, if con-
con-
sistent,
sistent, hold the the following
following ten ten corollaries
corollaries as as also
also true:
true:
239
(I)
(1) The "saints"
"saints" who are persecuted by
are persecuted by antichrist
antichrist
are
are not the Jewish
the Jewish nation but Christians,
nation but both Jew
Christians, both Jew and
Gentile.
Gentile. Thus antichrist
antichrist must come during during the the Chris-
Chris-
tian Era, or
tian Era, or "church
"church age,"
age," and not
not after.
after.
(2) The Christian
(2) Christian church is is present
present on earthearth during
during
the tribulation inflicted
the tribulation inflicted by by antichrist;
antichrist; thus thus there
there cancan
be no pretribulation
be pretribulation "rapture"
"rapture" of
of the
the saints.
saints.
(3) There is
(3) is no future period allotted
future period allotted to to the
the Jewish
Jewish
nation as as God's
God's chosen people; thus
chosen people; thus thethe fulfillment
fulfillment of of
the seventieth
the seventieth week cannot be be aa yet-future
yet-future JewishJewish
period
period marked by
by the
the ending
ending of
of the
the restored
restored Temple
Temple
sacrifices;
sacrifices; it
it must consequently have
consequently have been been fulfilled
fulfilled in in
the past,
the past, most fittingly
fittingly at the death
at the death of of Christ.
Christ. See See
Question
Question 26.
26.
(4)
(4) The future
future kingdom
kingdom on earth earth cannot belong belong to to
the
the Jews
Jews as
as a
a people,
people, but to
to the
the Christian
Christian saints,
saints, both
both
Jew
Jew and Gentile,
Gentile, the the true
true chosen
chosen people;
people; thus thus thethe
present
present return
return of
of the
the Jews
Jews to
to Palestine
Palestine is
is not
not aa fore-
fore-
runner of of the
the prophesied
prophesied kingdom.
kingdom.
(5)
(5) The fulfillment
fulfillment of
of the
the Old Testament kingdom kingdom
prophecies is
prophecies not to
is not to bebe expected
expected in exact literal
in exact literal detail
detail
in
in the Christian church or
the Christian or spiritual Israel, as
spiritual Israel, it would
as it
have been experienced
have been experienced by the Jews
by the Jews of ancient times
of ancient
if they
if they had not forfeited their
not forfeited their special special status.
status.
(6)
(6) The church age age cannot be be considered merely merely aa
"gap"
"gap" between
between two Jewish
Jewish ages ages-a a period
period in
in which
"the prophetic clock
"the prophetic clock stopped ticking"'*';
stopped ticking"*; thus
thus prophetic
prophetic
fulfillments
fulfillments are to be
are to be expected
expected continuously throughout
continuously throughout
Christian history.
Christian history.
(7)
(7)
The fulfillments
fulfillments symbolized
symbolized by by the
the "little
"little horn,"
horn,"
*H.
*H. A. Ironsides, The Great
A. Ironsides, Parenthesis, 1943.
Great Parenthesis, 1943. p. 23.
p. 23.
240
QUESTIONS
of Daniel's
of Daniel's fourth
fourth beast,
beast, are
are to
to be sought
sought within the
the
Christian age, not after a long
Christian age, not after a long gapgap in
in prophecy;
prophecy; thus
thus
there
there is no
is no reason
reason for
for aa long
long gap
gap between thethe Roman
fourth empire
fourth empire and the
the rise
rise of
of the
the little
little horn.
horn.
(8) fulfillment of the
(8) The fulfillment of
the "falling
"falling away/'
away," and the
the
"man of of sin"
sin" sitting
sitting in in the
the "temple
"temple of of God" (2 (2 Thess.
Thess.
2:3, 4),
2:3, 4), cannot
cannot rightly
rightly be be connected
connected with the the Jewish
Jewish
Temple; therefore,
Temple; therefore, it it must refer refer to to thethe Christian
Christian
church. Thus it
church. it refers
refers to to an
an apostasy
apostasy in in the
the Christian
Christian
church and an
church an antichrist
antichrist which arises arises inin the
the church.
church.
(9)
(9) The "kingdom"
"kingdom" teachings teachings of
of Jesus,
Jesus, as
as well as
well as of
of
the rest
the rest ofof the
the New Testament,
Testament, belong belong to to the
the church,
church,
not to
not to the
the Jews
Jews (Matthew
(Matthew 5-7; 5-7; 24;
24; etc.).
etc.).
(10) The church
(10) church is is heir
heir to to the
the new covenant,
covenant, under
which God's
which God's law law is is to
to be
be written
written in in the
the heart
heart by by the
the
Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit. This law is
is not
not the
the Jewish
Jewish national
national and
ceremonial
ceremonial law, law, which expiredexpired at at the
the cross,
cross, butbut rather
rather
the moral law,
the moral which, as
law, which, the Westminster Confession
as the Confession
says,
says, isis "summarily
"summarily comprehended
comprehended in the Ten Com-
in the
mandments.'
mandments." ,
2.
2. THE KEY TO THE ADVENTIST VIEW.-This VIEW. This pres- pres-
entation
entation sets sets forth
forth thethe basic
basic difference
difference between the the
Seventh-day
Adventist historicist-premillennialist
historicist-premillennialist view
and those
those of of the
the amillennialists, postmillennialists, and
amillennialists, postmillennialists,
futurist premillennialists. It
futurist premillennialists. It will
will be seen seen that
that thethe key
key
lies in
lies in the
the very concept
very concept of
of prophetic interpretation,
prophetic interpretation, and
specifically
specifically in in thethe approach
approach to to the
the so-called
so-called kingdom
kingdom
prophecies.
prophecies.
We disagree
disagree with the the postmillennialist
postmillennialist and amillen- amillen-
nialist
nialist concept
concept that
that prophecy-as
prophecy as applied
applied to
to the
the king-
king-
dom prophecies
prophecies and the
the millennium-is
millennium is wholly figura-
wholly figura-
tive. Such an interpretation
tive. interpretation robs robs the the predictions
predictions of of
PRIN CIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
PRINCIPLES 241
241
specific meaning. We likewise

specific meaning. likewise disagree
disagree with with thethe futur-
futur-
ist view,
ist view, which seems to to imply
imply irrevocable
irrevocable decreedecree in in
prophecy, to
prophecy, to exclude or or atat least minimize any
least minimize any condi-
condi-
tional prophecy, and to
tional prophecy, to demand literal literal fulfillment
fulfillment for for
literal
literal Israel
Israel in in the
the future
future if if not
not in the past.
in the past. Such aa
concept is
concept is the
the root
root ofof futurism, pretribulationism, and
futurism, pretribulationism,
dispensationalism. Seventh-day
dispensationalism. Seventh-day Adventists
Adventists have little
have little in
in
common with with postmillennialists,
postmillennialists, but but theythey stand
stand be-be-
tween the amillennialists and the
the amiHennialists futurists, agreeing
the futurists, agreeing
partly with
partly with both.
both.
Adventists, though sometimes charged
Adventists, though charged with with failing
failing
to "rightly
to "rightly divide"
divide" between the
the Jew
Jew and the church,
the church,
avoid the
avoid the two extremes of of over-figurative
over-figurative and overover-
literal interpretation by
literal interpretation by a view that
a view that we believe
believe is based
is based
on "rightly
"rightly dividing"
dividing" between the the different
different typestypes ofof
prophecy. Holding
prophecy. Holding to
to the
the "sure
"sure word of
of prophecy,"
prophecy,"
we deny
deny thethe "decree"
"decree" definition
definition and the the literalist
literalist con-
con-
cept
cept of
of prediction
prediction in
in general.
general. We find
find in
in Scripture
Scripture thatthat
some prophetic
prophetic messages
messages-such such as the kingdom
as the kingdom proph-proph-
ecies-given
ecies given originally
originally in in aa local,
local, more immediate setset-
ting might
ting might be be only partially or
only partially not at
or not at all fulfi~led in
all fulfilled
their primary
their primary context,
context, and yet yet be
be fulfilled
fulfilled in
in aa remote
time under
time under different
different circumstances
circumstances and in in a a different
different
manner. In In particular,
particular, the the kingdom
kingdom prophecies
prophecies regard-
regard-
ing
ing Israel
Israel belong
belong in
in a
a category separate
category separate from other pre-
pre-
dictions
dictions of of decree
decree or or foreknowledge
foreknowledge because
because they
they were
conditional
conditional on man's actions. actions. These were "either/or" "either/or"
alternatives of
alternatives of promised blessing and threatened
promised blessing threatened pen- pen-
alty
alty to
to Israel.
Israel. As the
the Jews
Jews forfeited
forfeited the
the blessing, they
blessing, they
received
received the the alternate
alternate penalty,
penalty, and are
are today
today scattered
scattered
among the
among the nations.
nations.
Adventists do not,
Adventists not, as as the
the amillennialists
amillennialists have been
QUESTIONS
accused of of doing,
doing, make the the rewards
rewards to to Israel
Israel figur-
figur-
ative
ative and the punishments literal. Like
the punishments literal. Like the futurists the futurists we
hold that
hold that thethe promises
promises made to to Israel
Israel were as as literal
literal as
as
were the
were warnings. The promises
the warnings. promises would all all have
have been
literally fulfilled
literally fulfilled if the Jews
if the Jews had not, not, through
through disobedi-
disobedi-
ence, forfeited them.
ence, forfeited They will,
them. They will, however,
however, be be ultimately
ultimately
fulfilled
fulfilled in principle to
in principle to true
true Israel,
Israel, forfor ancient
ancient Israel's
Israel's
failure
failure as as aa nation
nation could
could not frustrate the
not frustrate the purposes
purposes of of
God. In place of
In place of the Jewish "branches,"
the Jewish "branches," that
that were
were cut
cut
off, the
off, Gentile converts
the Gentile converts were "grafted"grafted in," in," along with
along with
the natural branches
the natural branches that that had accepted
accepted the
the Messiah
Messiah
(Rom.
(Rom. 11:24).
11:24). Thus the the spiritual children of
spiritual children of Abraham,
Abraham,
both Jew
both Jew and Gentile,
Gentile, become "heirs according to
"heirs according to the
the
promise" (Gal.
promise" 3:29).
(Gal. 3:29). We do not feel
feel justified
justified in
in mak-
ing unlimited figurative
ing unlimited applications; we must limit
figurative applications; limit
such applications to
such applications to those
those given
given us us by
by inspiration.
inspiration. Where
we find
find thethe Old Testament prophecies prophecies unfolded
unfolded in in the
the
New, we surely
New, surely have
have aa right
right to
to make the
the application,
application,
there we find
and there find the
the ultimate fulfillment of
ultimate fulfillment the king-
of the king-
prophecies.
dom prophecies.
Seventh-day Adventists admittedly
Seventh-day Adventists admittedly write write and preachpreach
less
less on the the kingdom
kingdom prophecies
prophecies than than on the the outline
outline
prophecies of
prophecies of Daniel
Daniel and the the Revelation,
Revelation, and for for very
very
good reason. The latter present
good reason. latter present many many specific
specific and de- de-
tailed predictions
tailed predictions that that we believe
believe can be be seen
seen fulfilled
fulfilled
in history,
in history, or or are
are in
in process
process of of fulfillment
fulfillment in in our own
day.
day. The past
past fulfillments
fulfillments strengthen
strengthen faith
faith in the
in the
divine inspiration
divine inspiration of the of the Word. And the fulfillments
the fulfillments
unfolding
unfolding before before our eyes are needed to
eyes are to fortify
fortify usus
against
against the
the deceptions
deceptions and trials
trials of
of the
the last
last days.
days.
The teaching
teaching that the Jews
that the Jews as as aa nation
nation are
are no longer
longer
God's chosen
God's chosen people,
people, and that that thethe Christian
Christian church is is
PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
243
now
now heir
heir toto the
the promises
promises is, is, we
we feel,
feel, sound
sound scriptural
scriptural
doctrine,
doctrine, good
good historic
historic Protestant
Protestant theology
theology and
and interpre-
interpre-
tation,
tation, as
as well
well as
as standard
standard Adventist
Adventist teaching.
teaching.
To us
To us it
it seems
seems less
less helpful
helpful to to the
the average
average man to to pre-
pre-
sent the kingdom prophecies
kingdom prophecies than to
to present Christ
present Christ
and Him crucified,
and crucified, and to to warn the the sinner
sinner against
against the
the
fatal
fatal delusions of of these
these last
last days.
days.
The preaching
preaching of of prophecy
prophecy is is for
for the
the one purpose
purpose
of uplifting
uplifting Christ who is
is the
the center
center of
of all
all prophecy,
prophecy,
and under the influence of of the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of God to to prepare
prepare
men for His glorious coming
glorious coming as
as King
King of kings and
of kings and
Sovereign
Sovereign Lord.
Christ
Christ Pre~eminent in
Pre-eminent m Daniel Daniel 88 and
and 9
QUESTION
QUESTION 23
Why
Why do Seventh-day Adventists place
Seventh-day Adventtsts place so
so
much stress
stress upon
upon the prophecies, especially
the prophecies, especially of
of
Daniel 8
Daniel S and 9'1
9? Should we not not rather
rather center
center
emphasis and affection
our emphasis affection on Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ and
on salvation
salvation through faith in
through faith in Him? Are not the the
disappointed hopes
disappointed hopes of of 1844 a rather
rather shaky
shaky foun-
foun-
dation
dation upon
upon which to to base your expectation
base your expectation of
of
the imminent coming
the coming ofof our Lord?
The prophecies
prophecies ofof Daniel 8 8 and 9, 9, which Seventh-
Seventh-
day
day Adventists
Adventists believe
believe to
to be inseparably
inseparably tied
tied together,
together,
are precious to
are precious to us
us for the simple
for the reason that
simple reason that we under-
stand their
their primary purpose to
primary purpose to be thethe setting
setting forth
forth of
of
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ as
as our atoning
atoning sacrifice,
sacrifice, made on CalvaryCalvary
nineteen centuries
nineteen centuries ago,
ago, and our mediating
mediating priest in
priest in
heaven through
through the
the subsequent
subsequent centuries,
centuries, preparatory
preparatory
to His
to His coming
coming again
again as the eternal
as the eternal King
King of kings in
of kings in
supernal glory.
supernal glory.
We believe
believe that
that chapters
chapters 8 8 and 99 are are inseparably
inseparably
related to
related each other,
to each in that
other, in that they
they lead
lead upup to,
to, and in-
in-
volve, respectively, the
volve, respectively, preparatory events
the wondrous preparatory events
and glorious
glorious provisions
provisions ofof the
the first
first and second
second advents
advents
of Jesus
of Jesus Christ
Christ our Lord.
Lord. And to
to us
us these
these two advents
form the
the two interrelated centers, or
interrelated centers, foci, of
or foci, of God's
244
244
CHRIST IN DANIEL 88 AND 99 245
245
redemptive
provisions for for man."
man.* They
They thusthus constitute
constitute
the
the focal
focal points
points of of time and eternity.
eternity. To us us there
there is is no
greater
greater unfolding
unfolding of of the
the gospel provisions
gospel provisions in
in all
all the
the
prophetic
prophetic Word than is
is revealed
revealed here.
here.
At the
the first
first advent the the incarnate
incarnate Son of of God livedlived a a
matchless,
matchless, sinless
sinless lifelife among
among men, men, asas God's
God's great
great serv-
serv-
ant
ant and revealer,
revealer, and as as our example.
example. Then,Then, as as the
the
Lamb of of God,
God, He died a vicarious, atoning, reconciling
vicarious, atoning, reconciling
death forfor a lost
lost world (2 (2 Cor.
Cor. 5: 19). And this
5:19). tre-
this tre-
mendous redemptive
redemptive act act took placeplace in in the
the "midst"
"midst"
of
of Daniel's
Daniel's prophesied
prophesied seventieth
seventieth "week" of
of years.
years.
This transcendent
transcendent event event certified
certified before
before thethe entire
entire
universe the integrity
universe the integrity of theof multiple promises
the multiple promises of of
redemption
redemption in in Christ.
Christ. And it it was attested
attested by by His
His
triumphant
triumphant resurrection
resurrection from the the dead and His His ascen-
ascen-
sion
sion into heaven, where,
into heaven, where, as
as our great High Priest, He
great High Priest,
ministers in the
ministers in the presence
presence of of God the the benefits
benefits o'f of the
the
atonement made on Calvary. Calvary. And we believe believe that,
that, ac-ac-
cording
cording to
to promise
promise and prophecy,
prophecy, He entered
entered upon
upon
the second,
the second, final,
final, and judgment
judgment phase phase of of that
that heavenly
heavenly
ministry when the
ministry the great
great spanspan ofof the
the 2300
2300 year-days
year-days
ended in
ended in 1844,
1844, as as foretold
foretold in in Daniel
Daniel 8:14.
8: 14.
the conclusion
At the conclusion of of His
His work as as mediator,
mediator, we under-under-
stand that human probation
stand that probation will will end forever,
forever, withwith
every case
every case settled
settled for eternity and with
for eternity with the
the justice
justice and
righteousness
righteousness of
of God vindicated
vindicated before
before all
all the
the created
created
intelligences
intelligences of
of the
the universe.
universe. This,
This, we understand,
understand, will will
be followed
be followed by by Christ's
Christ's second
second personal
personal appearing,
appearing, in in
*At the
*At the first advent Christ
first advent Christ offered
offered Himself
Himself without
without spot
spot unto
unto God (Heb.
(Heb. 9:14),
9: 14),
to purge
to our sins
purge our sins and reconcile
reconcile us
us to
to God by
by His own atoning
atoning death.
death. This
This laid
laid the
the
foundation for
foundation for all
all the
the redemptive
provisions to
to follow.
follow. And at at the second advent
the second advent
comes for
He comes for the
the redemption
redemption ofof our bodies
bodies (Rom. 8 :23), and for
(Rom. 8:23), for the
the eternal
eternal re-
reo
moval of
moval of every
every vestige
vestif. of the
the consequences
consequences ofof sin.
sin, Around these
these two centers
centers cluster
cluster
His complete
His complete work of redemption.
0 redemption.
QUESTIONS
power and glory,
power glory, to to raise
raise thethe righteous
righteous dead to to im-
im-
mortality,
mortality, and at
at the
the same time to
to translate
translate the right-
the right-
eous
eous living
living (1 (1
Cor.
Cor. 15:51-54).
15:51-54). Both groups groups of of thethe
redeemed-those
redeemed those resurrected
resurrected and those those translated
translated-
will then be
will then be caught
caught up up together
together to to meet the the Lord in in
the air,
the air, evermore to
to be
be with Him (1 Thess. 4:
(1 Thess. 4:17). 17).
That, to
That, to us,
us, isis the glorious tie-in
the glorious tie-in and wondrous rev- rev-
elation of
elation of these
these two chapters. They
chapters. They portray, portray, and in-
in-
volve,
volve, the
the Lord's
Lord's miraculous
miraculous incarnation,
incarnation, sinless
sinless life,
life,
divinely
divinely attested anointing, atoning
attested anointing, death, triumphant
atoning death, triumphant
resurrection,
resurrection, literalliteral ascension,
ascension, mediatorial ministry-
mediatorial ministry
and then
then HisHis glorious
glorious return
return to
to gather
gather His
His saints
saints to be
to be
with
with Him forevermore.
forevermore. This we conceive conceive to to be
be the
the very
very
heart and fullness
heart fullness of of the gospel. That is
the gospel. why we love
is why love to to
dwell upon
dwell upon these
these prophetic
prophetic chapters,
chapters, which
which set
set forth
forth
the two wondrous advents
the two advents of of our
our Lord,
Lord, and theirtheir inter-
inter-
related aspects
related aspects of
of redemption.
redemption.
The intervening
intervening centuries
centuries of of the
the Christian
Christian Era Era since
since
the cross,
the cross, now nearingnearing their
their fateful
fateful close,
close, are
are here
here
uniquely
uniquely unfolded in
in prophetic
prophetic outline
outline that
that we may
may
understand the the sequence
sequence of
of events,
events, which are
are anchored
anchored
to an immovable beginning
to beginning date. date. Thus we are are enabled
enabled
to
to know the times, or
the times, or latter days, in
latter days, in which we live live in in
the
the outworking
outworking of
of God's
God's great plan
great plan of
of redemption
redemption for
for
all
all men in in all
all ages.
ages.
Prophecy
Prophecy is is basically
basically the revelation of
the revelation of the
the redemp-
redemp-
tive activity
tive activity of
of God in
in and through]
through Jesus esus Christ.
Christ. These
These
chapters
chapters are
are therefore
therefore most precious
precious to
to us, as
us, as theythey
form the the prophetic
prophetic keystone
keystone in in the
the imposing
imposing arch arch of of
complete
complete and glorious
glorious salvation
salvation through
through JesusJesus Christ.
Christ.
This, to
This, us, is
to us, not honoring
is not
honoring and loving Christ less,
loving Christ less, but
but
is simply
is simply another revelation,
revelation, not not too commonly stressed
too commonly stressed
247
today, of our incomparable

today, incomparable Lord and Saviour. Saviour. That is is
why
why we, we, as Seventh-day
as Seventh-day Adventists,
Adventists, have have suchsuch aa deepdeep
interest
interest and profound
profound belief
belief in in the
the majestic
majestic outline
outline of of
the
the prophecies
prophecies of
of Daniel 88 and 9.
9.
As toto the second question--concerning

question concerning the the "disap-
"disap-
pointment"
pointment" of of ISH-we
1844 we feel feel that
that these
these twotwo chapters
chapters
not only
only portray
portray the eventsevents leading
leading up up to to the
the two
two ad-ad-
vents,
vents, but that that each was accompanied
accompanied by by a
a grave
grave ini-
ini-
tial misunderstanding
tial misunderstanding and disappointment.
disappointment. The first first
was experienced
experienced by by the
the disciple
disciple band in in connection
connection
with Jesus'
Jesus' death on the the cross
cross as as the
the Lamb of of God.
God.
The other was experienced
experienced by by those
those who expected
expected the the
return of of their
their Lord in in glory
glory in
in 1844,
1844, and who then,
then,
like the disciples,
like disciples, discovered
discovered theirtheir error
error of of interpre-
interpre-
tation
tation as as toto the
the event predicted.
predicted. When the the disciples
disciples
saw Jesus
Jesus diedie on the the cross, they were bitterly
cross, they bitterly disap-
disap-
pointed. Their hopes
pointed. crushed, for
hopes were crushed, for they
they were
were per-
per-
suaded thatthat Jesus
Jesus was the the promised
promised Messiah,
Messiah, as as attested
attested
by His anointing
by anointing by by the
the Holy
Holy Spirit.
Spirit. They
They had heard heard
Him declare
declare that that the
the prophetic
prophetic "time" "time" for for His
His ap-ap-
pearance
pearance was "fulfilled" (Mark
"fulfilled" (Mark 1:15).
I: 15). Doubtless
Doubtless He
was referring
was referring to to the
the close
close of of the
the sixty-nine
sixty-nine weeks weeks of of
years
years and the
the beginning
beginning of
of the
the seventieth
seventieth week of
of
Daniel's prophecy.
Daniel's prophecy. They They had witnessed
witnessed His His death
death at at the
the
specified time,
specified time, but did did not
not understand the the significance
significance
of His
of His atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice until
until after
after thethe resurrection.
resurrection.
Somehow, they
Somehow, they had been unable to to grasp
grasp the the idea
idea
that
that He would be "cut
"cut off"
off" by
by violent
violent death in
death in the the
"midst" of
"midst" of that
that final
final week of of years
years of of the
the great
great Mes-
Mes-
sianic prophecy.
sianic prophecy. They thought He would,
They had thought would, at at that
that
time,
time, restore
restore the
the earthly kingdom
earthly kingdom to
to Israel,
Israel, and that
that
they would share
they share prominently
prominently in in His glorious
His glorious reign.
reign.
248 QUESTIONS
When, instead,
Instead, He went to to trial rejection, and to
trial and rejection, to
death
death on Golgotha, their
Golgotha, their hopes hopes died
died with
with Him. And
when theythey tenderly
tenderly laid
laid HisHis bruised
bruised bodybody in in the
the tomb,
tomb,
their hopes, they
their hopes, they believed,
believed, were buried
buried beyond
beyond recall.
recall.
But everything
But everything was was changed
changed when He rose rose trium-
trium-
phantly
phantly from His sacrificial
sacrificial death.death. He Himself then
then
unfolded to
unfolded to them all all the prophecies concerning
the prophecies concerning His His
life and death
life and death and resurrection.
resurrection. After After HisHis ascension,
ascension,
they sensed
they sensed that their great
that their great disappointment
disappointment in in His
death at
death the appointed
at the appointed time time-as wen as
as well His resurrec-
as His resurrec-
tion,
tion, and ascension
ascension to to minister
minister as heavenly priest
as heavenly priest forfor
man-was
man was all all of
of God's
God's appointment.
appointment. And this
this sequence
sequence
of
of redemptive
redemptive events events was Indeed indeed the the foundation upon upon
which the
which the Christian
Christian church itself was built.
Itself was built. The time time
was correct,
was correct, but but the
the anticipated
anticipated event-the
event the setting
setting up up
of the
of kingdom of
the kingdom of glory-was
glory was wrong.
wrong. Christ
Christ was
was not
not at
at
that
that time to take the throne,
to take the throne, but was instead to suffer
Instead to suffer
death as
death as our atoning
atoning sacrifice,
sacrifice, and then then asas our
our mediat-
mediat-
ing priest,
ing priest, to
to minister
minister that
that sacrifice
sacrifice in
In heaven
heaven for
for man.
until the
Not until the appointed
appointed end of
of the
the age
age was He to
to
return as
return as conquering
conquering king. king. All then became clear,
All then clear,
simple,
simple, and reasonable.
reasonable. It
It was simply
simply the
the outworking
outworking
of the
of the immutable purpose purpose of of God,
God, fully foretold by
fully foretold by
the prophets
the prophets of of old.
old.
Similarly,
Similarly, we believebelieve thatthat thethe Advent band of of 1844,
1844,
with eyes
with eyes fixed
fixed on another "time" feature-the feature the end of of
the related
the related 2300 year-days-mistakenly
year-days mistakenly looked
looked for
for
Christ
Christ to to appear
appear at at that
that timetime as King of
as King kings and
of kings
Lord of lords, to
of lords, to take
take the throne and reign
the throne reign forever-
forever-
more. But such
more. such an expectation
expectation was
was similarly
similarly without
without
warrant, either in
warrant, either In promise
promise or or in prophecy. Christ,
In prophecy. Christ, our our
mediating
mediating heavenly priest, was
heavenly priest, was simply
simply to to enter
enter at at the
the
249
appointed
appointed time upon upon the the final,
final, oror judgment,
judgment, phase phase of of
tJis
His twofold priestly
priestly ministry,
ministry, indicated
indicated by by the
the cleans-
cleans-
ing, vindicating, or
ing, vindicating, or justifying judgment
justifying judgment feature
feature that
that
marks the closeclose ofof the
the 2300
2300 years-before
years before His
His coming
coming
as
as King
King of kings
kings in in power
power and great great glory.
glory. And this this
coming
coming we understand,
understand, will will not
not take
take place
place until
until after
after
the
the close
close of human probationprobation and the
the end of
of Christ's
Christ's
priestly
priestly ministry.
ministry.
The disappointment
disappointment of of the
the Advent believers
believers of of
1844 was,
was, we believe,
believe, in in aa sense
sense analogous
analogous to to the
the disap-
disap-
pointment of
pointment of the disciples
disciples in in their
their expectation
expectation that that
Christ
Christ would set set up
up His kingdom
kingdom at
at His first
first advent.
advent.
They
They were both correct correct on theirtheir respective
respective timetime empha-
empha-
sis,
sis, as
as based on the the fulfillment
fulfillment of prophetic time
of prophetic
periods, but were both
periods, both totally
totally wrong
wrong as as to the event
to the event to to
take place. Nevertheless,
take place. Nevertheless, God's
God's great plan
great plan of
of complete
complete
redemption through
redemption through Jesus Christ moved on toward
Jesus Christ toward its its
majestic close, meticulously
majestic close, fulfilling each
meticulously fulfilling each of the multi-
of the multi-
ple predictions, which have been carried
ple predictions, carried outout without
without
deviation,
deviation, in
in accordance with
with God's
God's eternal
eternal purpose
purpose in in
Christ.
Christ.
We do not not consent, therefore, that
consent, therefore, that the
the Adventist
Adventist
simply sprang
Church simply sprang out of
of a
a mistaken
mistaken concept
concept on
the part
the part of
of multiplied
multiplied thousands,
thousands, scattered
scattered allall through
through
the leading
the leading churches
churches of of the
the Old World and the the New,
New,
regarding
regarding the
the imminence of
of the
the second
second advent,
advent, any
any
more thanthan we admit that that thethe apostolic
apostolic church
church grew grew
out of
out of the
the mistaken conceptconcept of of events
events that
that marked the the
first advent
first advent of of Christ.
Christ.
In both
In both cases
cases thethe transient
transient human misconception
misconception
was but
was but aa passing
passing incident,
incident, which quickly quickly gavegave way
way
to those
to those enduring
enduring foundation
foundation truths truths that
that constituted
constituted the the
QUESTIONS
occasion
occasion of,
of, and afford
afford the the full justification for,
full justification for, the
the
developments that
developments that followed.
followed. In each instance it
each instance re-
it re-
sulted
sulted inin aa clearer understanding- of
clearer understanding of our
our Lord and His His
redemptive work for
redemptive for man.
emphasis on time
An emphasis time waswas justifiable
justifiable in in each
each case,
case, for
for
the prophetic
the prophetic Word had indicated indicated that that something
something of of
great importance
great importance was
was about to
to take
take place.
place. In
In each
each
instance the
instance the truth
truth was beclouded
beclouded by by human miscon- miscon-
ception.
ception. But the
the initial
initial disappointment
disappointment was speedily
speedily
followed
followed by by clarifying light. In
clarifying light. In each
each episode,
episode, despite
despite
mistaken initial
mistaken initial expectations,
expectations, a
a tremendous fulfillment
fulfillment
had actually taken place
actually taken place In in the
the wondrous outworkingoutworking
of Christ's redemptive
of Christ's activity
redemptive activity for
for man.
Thus it was that
it was that early eTTor over
early error over the the order
order of of
events
events was soonsoon superseded by abiding
superseded by abiding knowledge knowledge and
truth. The brief
truth. brief initial
initial mistake
mistake of of each
each groupgroup was
quickly
quickly supplanted by a clear understanding of
supplanted by a clear understanding of God's
God's
purpose. Confusion
purpose. Confusion over over thethe sequence
sequence of
of events
events in
in God's
God's
unfolding plan
unfolding plan ofof redemption
redemption was was soon
soon clarified
clarified by by a a
clear
clear grasp
grasp of
of the
the divine
divine outline
outline of
of God's
God's perfect
perfect planplan
of redemption. The faith
of redemption. faith of of Adventism is is therefore
therefore
anchored in the perfection
in the perfection of of God's revealed
revealed plan plan and
purpose,
purpose, not
not in
In the
the imperfection
imperfection of
of man's
man's knowledge
knowledge
and understanding.
understanding.
hope and expectation
Our hope expectation is is built
built on divinedivine cer-cer-
tainties, not on human frailties.
tainties, not frailties. It is founded
It Is founded on the the
established
established facts
facts of
of divine revelation, not
divine revelation, not on aa transient
transient
misapplication. It
human misapplication. It isis based
based upon
upon the the undeviat-
undeviat-
ing, sovereign
ing, sovereign purpose
purpose of of God,
God, not not on the the faulty,
faulty,
limited concepts
limited concepts of of man. Such is the solid
is the solid foundation
foundation of of
our advent hope hope and expectation.
expectation. That is
Is where
where we
place the
place the emphasis
emphasis-on on God's
God's omnipotent, unchanging
omnipotent, unchanging
251
faithfulness,
faithfulness, not on man's faltering
faltering limitations.
limitations. We do
not censure the the apostles
apostles for
for their
their mistake,
mistake, for
for we seesee
the
the hand of
of God behind it it all,
all, leading
leading them out of of the
the
dark.
dark. N or do we censure our own forefathers,
Nor forefathers, for
for again
again
we see
see the hand of of God leading
leading through
through their
their early
early
disappointment.
disappointment. What at
at first
first was a
a terrible
terrible embarrass-
embarrass-
ment,
ment, quickly
quickly became a a movement marked by by the
the
blessing
blessing of
of Heaven.
This,
This, then,
then, is
is our faith:
faith: Christ
Christ has
has been moving
moving for-
for-
ward from phase
phase to
to phase
phase in
in His all-encompassing
all-encompassing work
for
for the redemption
redemption of of sin-alienated,
sin-alienated, lostlost mankind. Not
one feature,
feature, or provision,
provision, hashas failed,
failed, or will fail.
or will fail. Our
hope
hope and our triumph
triumph are are wholly
wholly in
in Him.
Problems
Problems Pertaining to
Pertaining
Daniel 88
to Daniel
QUESTION
QUESTION 24
What scriptural
scriptural and historical basis do
historical basis
Seventh-day
Adventists have for teaching
for teaching (1)(1) that
that
the 230{) days
the 2300 days ("evenings-mornings")
("evenings-mornings") of of Daniel
Daniel
8:14 symbolize years;
8:14 symbolize years; (2) that the
(2) that the little
little horn
coming
coming out
out of
of one of
of the
the four
four horns of the he-
of the he-
goat
goat (verse
(verse 9)
9) stands
stands for
for Rome; and 0)
(3) that
that the
the
sanctuary of
sanctuary verses 11·14,
of verses 11-14, which was to to be trod-
trod-
"
den underfoot
underfoot and then be "cleansed,"
"cleansed," or "justi-
justi-
fied," is
fied," is the
the heavenly sanctuary? Are you
heavenly sanctuary? you notnot
practically
practically alone in
in holding
holding such a concept'!
concept?
these questions
As these questions all pertain to
all pertain to the
the vision
vision ofof
Daniel 8,8, it will be desirable
it will desirable toto survey
survey the
the chapter
chapter asas
a whole,
a whole, in
in order to
to have
have the
the background
background for
for our posi-
posi-
tion these related
tion on these related points.
points.
1. A SURVEY OF CHAPTER 8.-Daniel
1. 8. here gives
Daniel here gives aa
consecutive
consecutive account of of the prophetic
prophetic symbolism
symbolism dra- dra-
matically portrayed
matically portrayed before
before him in in vision.
vision. But along
along
with this
with this fact
fact it
it should be borne in in mind that that this
this
chapter parallels
chapter parallels the
the vision
vision of
of the
the four-part
four-part metallic
metallic
image of
image of !=hapter
chapter 2, 2, symbolizing
symbolizing four world empires, empires,
the four
and the four beast-kingdoms
beast-kingdoms of of Daniel
Daniel 7, 7, which also
also
portray Babylonia,
portray Babylonia, Medo-Persia,
Medo-Persia,* "" Grecia,
Grecia, and Rome.
*This compound
compound name' is employed
name -is employed in
in conformity with the
conformity with an~t"lic interpreta-
the angelic interpreta-
tion ("Media and Persia,"
tion ("Media Persia," verse
verse 20),
20), and to emphasize the
to emphasize the fact
fact that
that neither
neither here
here
252
252
PROBLEMS IN DANIEL 88 253
253
The major
major difference
difference is is that
that the
the vision
vision of of chapter
chapter 8 8
begins
begins with Medo-Persia.
Medo-Persia.
Daniel firstfirst sees
sees aa ram with with two horns.
horns. This
This is is ex-
ex-
plicitly
plicitly identified
identified by
by the
the interpreting angel
interpreting angel as
as Medo-
Persia,
Persia, with Persia Persia predominant
predominant (compare (compare verses
verses 3, 3,
4,
4, and 20). 20). ItIt pushed,
pushed, or or butted,
butted, westward,
westward, north-north-
ward,
ward, and southward,
southward, increasing
increasing in in power
power and working
working
out
out its
its own will.
will.
Next,
Next, a shaggyshaggy "he goat" goat" came with with astonishing
astonishing
speed
speed from the west. This represented
the west. represented Greco-Mace-
Greco-Mace-
donia (compare
(compare versesverses 5 5 and 21), the goat
21), the goat being
being the the
national
national emblem of of Greece,
Greece, justjust as
as the
the ram was
was the
the
identifying emblem of
identifying of Medo-Persia.
Medo-Persia. The Grecian Grecian
goat's
goat's "notable" horn signified signified thisthis kingdom
kingdom under under
Alexander the the Great (verses
(verses 5,
5, 21),
21), whose
whose dominion
extended from Greco-Macedonia to northwestern India,
to northwestern India,
and from EgyptEgypt to to beyond
beyond the Caspian Sea-the
the Caspian Sea the largest
largest
empire the
empire the world had yet yet known. There can be no valid
can be valid
question
question as
as to
to the
the identification,
identification, inasmuch
Inasmuch as
as it
it is
is given
given
by inspiration.
by inspiration.
Then in in 323 B.C., at
323 B.C., the height
at the height of of his
his power,
power,
Alexander died. died. At first the leading
first the leading generals
generals tried
tried to to
organize
organize the
the vast
vast territory
territory under regencies
regencies in
in the
the
name of of Alexander's
Alexander's half-witted
half-witted half half brother
brother and
Alexander's posthumous
Alexander's posthumous son. son. But after
after two
two decades
decades of of
intermittent warfare
intermittent warfare between rivals, rivals, the
the two strongest
strongest
bidders for
bidders for centralized
centralized powerpower were decisively
decisively defeated
defeated
nor elsewhere
nor elsewhere does
does Daniel
Daniel conceive
conceive of
of an independently
independently existing
existing Median Empire
Empire-
a prerequisite
a prerequisite toto the
the "Grecian
"Grecian View" of of the
the fourth
fourth kingdom
kingdom of of Daniel
Daniel 22 and 7, 7,
which will be
which will be discussed
discussed under Question
Question 28.28. The term "Medo-Persia"
"Medo .. Persia" isis currently
currently
employed by
employed by such
such conservative
conservative scholars
scholars as
as Robert
Robert D. Culver
Culver (1944),
(1944-), Edward J. J.
Young (1949),
Young
as well
as
(1949), Herbert
well as
Herbert C.
as aa large
C. Leupold
large number of
Leupold ^1949),
(1949), and the
of earlier
earlier men,
men, such
the Catholic
such as
Catholic Commentary
as Charles
Commentary (1955J,
Charles Boutflower
(1955
Boutflower (1922),
(19221,
Charles Wright (1906),
Charles H. Wright (1906), and aa host
host of
of great s~holars, such
great scholars, such as
as Keil
Keil (1869)
(1869) ana
and
Zockler (1870),
Zockler (1870), and reaching
reachmg back
back to
to Reformation times.
umes.
254 QUESTIONS
by
by aa coalition
coalition of of four
four who divided
divided thethe empire
empire into into four
four
kingdoms.
kingdoms. These divisions divisions (three
(three of of which survived survived
as
as the
the monarchies of of Macedonia,
Macedonia, Egypt,Egypt, and Syria,
Syria, until
until
the
the Romans took took over) remarkably
over) remarkably fulfilled
fulfilled the
the pro-
pro-
phetic specifications
phetic specifications of
of four
four horns
horns toward the
the four
four points
points
of the compass-Ptolemy
of the compass Ptolemy holding holding Egypt,
Egypt, Palestine,
Palestine, and
part
part of
of Syria,
Syria, toward the
the south;
south; Cassander
Cassander ruling
ruling Mac- Mac-
edonia
edonia and Greece in in thethe west;
west; Lysimachus
Lysimachus supreme supreme
in
in Thrace and portions portions of of Asia
Asia Minor,
Minor, to to the
the north;
north;
and Seleucus
Seleucus rulingruling from Babylonia
Babylonia and Assyria Assyria east-east-
ward.
ward. See
See Cambridge
Cambridge Ancient History (1928-38),
History (1928-38), vol. vol.
6, pp. 462,
6, pp. 462, 482,482, 483,
483, 492,
492, 498, 499, 502.
498, 499, 502.
Then appeared
appeared a a horn,
horn, out of of one of them, distinct
of them, distinct
from thethe goat's
goat's previous
previous four four horns,
horns, one that that from
from
"
littleness
littleness became "exceeding great."
exceeding great." It
It was seen
seen sweep-
sweep-
ing
ing southward (encompassing
(encompassing Egypt), Egypt), eastward
eastward (ab- (ab-
sorbing Syria),
sorbing Syria), and embracing Palestine, the
embracing Palestine, the "pleasant "pleasant
land" (verse 9).
land" (verse 9). It took on amazing
It took proportions. And
amazing proportions.
this, we believe
this, believe-in harmony with
in harmony with numerous recog- recog-
nized contemporary,
nized contemporary, and most most past,
past, authorities
authorities-sym- sym-
bolized Rome. Rome's pagan
bolized pagan and later later papal
papal phases
phases
are evidently
are evidently embraced under the the one symbol.
symbol.
This is is further
further evidenced
evidenced by by the
the fact
fact that
that chapter
chapter 8 8
parallels
parallels the
the visions
visions of
of chapters
chapters 2
2 and 7-Daniel
7 Daniel 2
2 set-
set-
ting forth
ting forth the the civil
civil side, Daniel 77 introducing
side, and Daniel introducing the the
religious aspect.
religious aspect. And in
in each
each of
of these
these repeating
repeating por- por-
trayals the
trayals the first
first three
three world
world powers
powers-Babylonia,
Babylonia, Medo-
Persia, and Grecia
Persia, Grecia-were literally and historically
were literally historically
followed by
followed the Roman Empire
by the Empire in in its
its pagan
pagan and and papal
papal
phases.
phases.* '*' The West now became the
the seat
seat of
of the
the empire,
empire,
are in
*We are in agreement
agreement with
with Charles
Charles Boutflower
BoutHower (In
(In and Around the
the Book
Book of
of
[1923J, p.
Daniel [1923],
Daniel p. 293),
293), who says:
says: "Daniel's
"Daniel's Fourth
Fourth Kingdom
Kingdom is
is the
the Roman power:
power:
255
with Italy
Italy occupying
occupying the the central place. We consequently
central place. consequently
that
hold that this horn refers
this refers to
to the
the greatness
greatness and power power of of
Rome.
2. EARTHLY ANB
2. AND HEAVENLY SANCTUARIES INVOLVED.
-Because
Because of the striking
of the parallels between
striking parallels between the the proph-
proph-
ecies
ecies ofof Daniel
Daniel 2, 2, 7,
7, and 8,8, and because
because of of inescapable
inescapable
historical
historical similarity
similarity and continuity between the
continuity between the Roman
Empire
Empire and the
the Roman Church,
Church, Adventists
Adventists believe
believe that
that
the "little
the hom" of
"little horn" Daniel 8:9
of Daniel represents both
8:9 represents both pagan
pagan
and papal
papal Rome.
Accordingly,
Accordingly, the the activities
activities attributed
attributed to to this
this "little
"little
hom"
horn" in in Daniel
Daniel 8: 10-13,23-25;
8:10-13, 23-25; 11:31;
11:31; and 12: 12:11II are to
are to
be understood
be understood as as embracing
embracing both
both pagan
pagan and papal
papal Rome
in
in their
their scope.
scope.
Inasmuch as the 2300
as the 2300 "days,"
"days," interpreted
interpreted as years
as years
(see
(see section
section 6), reach far beyond the time of the earthly
6), reach far beyond the time of the earthly
sanctuary,
sanctuary, we believe
believe they refer
they refer to
to the
the "greater
"greater and more
perfect" heavenly
perfect" heavenly sanctuary,
sanctuary, of of which thethe earthly
earthly was was the
the
"figure,"
"figure," described
described in
in Hebrews 8
8 and 9.
9. We also
also believe
believe
that the Hebrew word tamid,
that the tamid, thethe "daily"
"daily" in in the boOk
the book
of
of Daniel (chs.(chs. 8:11-13
8:11-13 and 11:31), denotes the
11:31), denotes the daily,
daily, oror
continual,
continual, services
services of the "sanctuary,"
of the "sanctuary," inasmuch as
as the
the
word tamid appears appears in in connection with with thethe sanctuary.
sanctuary.
We therefore
therefore believe
the "sanctuary"
"sanctuary" of
of Daniel 8:
Daniel 8:
11-14
11-14 must involve
involve both both the earthly and the
the earthly the heavenly
heavenly
sanctuaries.
sanctuaries. And similarly,
similarly, the
the "daily"
"daily" must represent
represent
first
first in
: in its
its earlier
earlier stage
stage as as a consular
consular and imperial power, and then in
imperial power, its later
in its later
stage,
stage,e, when asas the
the 'little horn' it
'little horn' it depicted the Papacy."
depicted the Papacy."
Adolph
Aclo... Harnack (What
\dolph Harnack (What
,..
Is ChrIStianity?
Is Christianity? [1903),
- p.
[1903], p.
, . 270), _presses
270),
,
presses the
the- point
point that,
that,,
after
after thethe Roman Empire's
Empire's disappearance,
disappearance, the the Roman Church,
Church, under the the Roman
bishop, "pushed
bishop, "pushed itself
itself into
into the place of
the place the Roman World-Empire,
of the World-Empire, of which it
of which it is
is
the actual
the continuation," simply
actual continuation," simply remodeling
remodeling its
its form but
but govermng
governing the
the nations
nations with
with
the pope as
the pope as overlord,
overlord, and as the successor
as the successor of
of Caesar's Pontifex Maximus.
Caesar's Pontifex
Gibbon also
Gibbon also phrases
phrases it it well
well when he suggests
suggests that pagan Rome disappeared,
that pagan disappeared, only
only
to
to reappear
reappear as as papal
papal Rome. Hundreds
Hundred. of able scholars
of able have held
scholars have held the
the same position.
position.
256 QUESTIONS
the dally
daily regular,
regular, or or "continual,"
"continual," services
services of both sanc-
of both sanc-
tuaries where involved.
tuaries involved. In
In like manner, the
like manner, the "trans- "trans-
gression of
gression of desolation"
desolation" surely represents the
surely represents the activities
activities
of both
of both pagan
pagan and papal papal Rome that
that render
render such
such daily
daily
services
services inoperative
inoperative or
or ineffective.
ineffective. Therefore
Therefore the
the ques-
ques-
tion
tion "How long?" long?" (of verse 13)
(of verse 13) and the the answer "Unto
two thousand
thousand and three three hundred days" days" (in (in verse
verse 14) 14)
obviously
obviously include
include both.
both. And by parity
by parity of
of reasoning,
reasoning,
the "host"
the "host" must includeinclude both both Jews
Jews and Christians,
Christians, dur-dur-
ing
ing the respective parts
the respective parts of the 2300
of the 2300 prophetic
prophetic days days
when eacheach sanctuary
sanctuary is operative.
is operative.
3. TWOFOLD TAKING AWAY OF DAILY.-It
3. DAILY. It is is ob-
ob-
vious
vious that
that the
the activities
activities of pagan Rome were concerned
of pagan
primarily with
primarily with thethe earthly
earthly sanctuary,
sanctuary, or Jewish Tem-
or Jewish
ple,
ple, while
while those
those of
of papal
papal Rome must concern the
concern the
heavenly sanctuary.
heavenly sanctuary. Christ
Christ Himself
Himself applies
applies "the
"the abomi-
abomi-
nation
nation thatthat maketh desolate,"
desolate/' of of Daniel
Daniel 11: 31, to
11:31, the
to the
desolation of
desolation of the
the earthly Temple by
earthly Temple by the
the Roman armies armies
in
in A.D. 70 70 (Matt.
(Matt. 24:1-3,
24:1-3, 15-20;
15-20; Luke 21:20). But
21:20).
Daniel 11:31
Daniel 11:31 is is obviously paranel
obviously parallel to
to Daniel
Daniel 8:11,13,
8:11, 13,
as both
as both refer
refer to the sanctuary
to the sanctuary and its its desolation,
desolation, and to to
the "daily,"
the "daily," or or continual,
continual, and its its being
being taken
taken away.
away.
Christ thus
Christ thus applies Daniel 8:
applies Daniel 13, 14,
8:13, 14, in part, to
in part, to the
the
Temple
Temple in
in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem.
We therefore
therefore believe,
believe, first, that the
first, that the taking
taking away
away of of
the
the "daily" by
"daily" by pagan pagan Rome represents
represents the
the desolation
desolation
of
of the Temple in
the Temple in A.D. 70, with the
70, with permanent cessation
the permanent cessation
of its
of its services
services (see (see Dan. 8:11, 13; 11:31;
8:11, 13; 11:31; compare compare
Matt. 24:1-3, 15-30;
Matt. 24:1-3, 15-30; Luke 21:20); second, that
21:20); and second, the
that the
taking away
taking away of
of the
the "daily" by
"daily" by papal papal Rome represents
represents
the
the introduction
introduction of of such papal innovations
such papal innovations as as aa mediat-
mediat-
ing priesthood,
ing priesthood, the the sacrifice
sacrifice of the mass,
of the mass, the the confes-
confes-
257
sional, and the

sional, the worship
worship of Mary,** by
of Mary, by which it has
it has
successfully taken away

successfully taken knowledge
away knowledge of,
of, and reliance
reliance
upon, the continual
upon, continual ministry
ministry of of Christ
Christ in the heavenly
in the heavenly
sanctuary,
sanctuary, and rendered
rendered that
that ministry inoperative
ministry inoperative in in the
the
lives of
lives of millions
millions of professed Christians.
of professed Christians. (See (See Heb. 7:
7:
25; 8: 1-5; 9:24;
25; 8:1-5; 9:24; etc.) etc.)
4. ROME FULFILLS FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS.-This
4. ROME SPECIFICATIONS. This
application
application of
of the
the "exceeding great"
"exceeding great" horn to to Rome is is
further confirmed by by the
the fact that Rome fulfilled
fact that fulfilled pre-pre-
cisely the other specifications
cisely specifications of Daniel 8.
of Daniel For example,
8. For example,
Rome "stamped"
"stamped" upon upon the
the people
people of of God (Dan.
(Dan. 8: 10),
8:10),
relentlessly persecuting them throughout
relentlessly persecuting throughout the the centuries
centuries
-in pagan times
in pagan times through
through tyrants,
tyrants, such as as Nero,
Nero, Domi-
tian,
tian, and Diocletian,
Diocletian, and just just as tragically under the
as tragically the
succeeding papal
succeeding papal phase. phase. Moreover,
Moreover, pagan
pagan Rome stood
stood
up
up against
against the Prince of
the Prince princes (verse
of princes (verse 25),25), who we
believe
believe to to be Christ
Christ (compare
(compare Acts Acts 3:15;
3: 15; Rev.Rev. 11:5),
:5),
for
for itit was a Roman governor governor who condemned Jesus, Jesus,
and Roman soldiers soldiers who nailed nailed Him to to the the cross,
cross,
pierced
pierced His side,
side, and placed
placed a
a Roman seal
seal on His
His tomb.
tomb.
Again,
Again, Rome in in its
its later papal form trampled
later papal trampled and
desecrated the
desecrated the provisions
provisions of
of God's
God's sanctuary
sanctuary in heaven,
in heaven,
by taking
by taking away
away knowledge
knowledge of, of, and dependence
dependence upon, upon,
Christ's "daily,"
Christ's "daily," or or continual,
continual, ministry
ministry as as High
High Priest
Priest
in
in the heavenly sanctuary
the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. (Heb. 7:25;
7:25; 1
1 john 2: 1).
John 2:1).
It has
It nullified reliance
has nullified reliance on the true true atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice of
of
Christ on Calvary,
Christ Calvary, once-far-all
once-for-all and all-sufficient,
all-sufficient, by by
substituting
substituting and repeatingrepeating the the daily sacrifice of
daily sacrifice the
of the
mass
mass on thousands
thousands of of earthly
earthly altars.
altars. It has thus
It has thus obscured
"On page 44
*On page 44 of
of Bishop Fulton
Bishop Fulton .T.
J. Sheen's The Eternal
Eternal Galilean
Galilean (954),
(1954), appear
appear
the words:
the words: "Dedicated
"Dedicated toto Mary
Mary Mother of God, Queen
of God, Queen ofof the Seven Swords,
Swords,
Advocate 0/ Sinners
Advocate of Sinners at
at the
the Triune Throne, Daughter of the
Throne, Daughter the Father,
Father, Mother of
of the
the
Son,
Son, Spouse of the
Spouse of the Holy Ghost."
Holy Ghost." (Emphasis supplied.)
(Emphasis supplied.)
9
258
QUESTIONS
and mutilated
mutilated the the true worship of
true worship of God,
God, substituting
substituting
the compulsory
the compulsory authority
authority and enforced enforced unity unity of of aa
visible church for
visible church the voluntary
for the voluntary and true true unity
unity of of all
all
believers in
believers in Christ-His
Christ His mystical
mystical bodybody or
or church.
church. And
it has
it has imposed
imposed the the authority
authority of the visible
of the visible popepope in in
place of
place of Christ,
Christ, who guides
guides and directs
directs His His church
church by by
His
His own designated vicegerent
designated vicegerent or
or representative,
representative, the
the
Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit (John
(John 14:16,
14:16, 17;17; 16:7,
16:7, 13).13).
Further,
Further, as as already indicated, the
already indicated, the Papacy
Papacy has has inter-
inter-
posed the
posed the barrier
barrier ofof a priesthood between
a human priesthood between the the
worshiper
worshiper and Christ,
Christ, in
in place
place of
of direct
direct access
access by
by all
all to
to
Christ
Christ ourour great High
great High Priest.
Priest. And it
it has
has instituted
instituted and
established
established a a system
system of of salvation
salvation by by human works in in
place of
place of salvation
salvation by by faith
faith inin Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ alone,
alone, sub-sub-
stituting
stituting an earthly
earthly confessional
confessional in
in place
place of
of confession
confession
of
of our
our sins
sins directly
directly to
to Christ
Christ in in His sanctuary
sanctuary in in heaven.
heaven.
In this way the truth concerning
In this way the truth concerning the the wondrous pro-
pro-
visions of
visions of redemption,
redemption, centering
centering in in the
the cross,
cross, and made
effective
effective by by our Lord's ministry in
Lord's ministry in thethe heavenly
heavenly sanc- sanc-
tuary,
tuary, were
were "cast
"cast down,"
down," as
as the
the Papacy
Papacy loaded
loaded truth
truth
with tradition
with tradition and obscured
obscured it it by
by perversion,
perversion, substitut-
substitut-
ing
ing a a system
system thatthat deprived
deprived humanity
humanity of of the
the direct
direct
benefits of
benefits of Christ's
Christ's atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice and priestly
priestly minis-
minis-
try.
try. InIn this
this it
it "practiced
"practiced and prospered"
prospered"-practicingpracticing
its
its departures
departures and deceptions,
deceptions, and prosperingprospering in in itsits
venal schemes and aggrandizement
venal schemes aggrandizement of
of power.
power.
5. "EVENING-MORNING" A
5. "EVENING-MoRNING" A FULL DAY. DAY.-In In thethe pri-
pri-
mary,
mary, literal
literal sense, "evening-morning"
sense, "evening-morning" obviously obviously des-
des-
ignated aa '24-hour
ignated "24-hour day,
day, for according to
for according to Bible
Bible reckon-
reckon-
ing,
ing, each
each 24-hour
24-hour day begins
day begins at
at sunset
sunset and ends
ends at the
at the
following
following sunset
sunset (Genesis
(Genesis 1).1). Thus the
the dark part
part of
of the
the
day, designated "evening," always
day, designated "evening," always precedes the light precedes the light
259
part of
part the day,
of the day, called
called "morning." the very
"morning." And the very fact
fact
that in
that in Daniel
Daniel 8: 14 the
8:14 the word for "evening" precedes
for "evening" precedes
"morning"
"morning" inherently
inherently implies the same sequence
implies the sequence ofof
night and day,
night day, and therefore
therefore aa full
full 24-hour
24-hour day,
day, not
not a
a
half day,
half day, as
as some reckon
reckon (and
(and thus
thus make the
the 2300
2300
days equal
days equal 1150
1150 days).
days).
If, then,
If, then, 2300
2300 evenings-mornings
evenings-mornings meant 2300 2300 days,
days,
the period would, if
period would, if reckoned as as symbolic
symbolic time
time in
in this
this
symbolic prophecy,
symbolic prophecy, stand
stand for
for 2300
2300 literal
literal years.
years.
6. YEAR-DAY PRINCIPLE
6. PRINCIPLE ApPLICABLE.-On
APPLICABLE. On the the con-
con-
sistency
sistency and propriety
propriety of
of applying
applying the
the year-day prin-
year-day prin-
ciple
ciple to the 2300 days
to the days of verse 14,
of verse 14, we would say: say: InIn all
all
symbolic
symbolic outline
outline prophecies
prophecies it
it would appear entirely
appear entirely
proper to
proper to consider
consider the the accompanying
accompanying time time periods
periods as as
also symbolic.
also symbolic. And aa symbol invariably
symbol invariably stands
stands for
for some-
some-
thing other
thing other than
than itself.
itself. In In the
the chapter
chapter under scrutiny,
scrutiny,
the prophetic symbols
the prophetic symbols of nations portrayed in
of nations-portrayed in Daniel
Daniel
88 by
by aa "ram" and aa "goat"-do"goat" do not not stand for aa literal
stand for literal
ram and goat, goat, but for
for the
the Medo-Persian
Medo-Persian Empire and
Empire
the Grecian kingdom
the respectively,
kingdom respectively, as
as declared
declared to Dan-
to
iel by the
iel by angel in
the angel in his
his interpretation.
interpretation. To apply these
apply these
two obvious
two obvious symbols
symbols to literal animals
to literal animals would be be aa
palpable
palpable denial
denial and repudiation
repudiation of
of their
their symbolic
symbolic
character,
character, and of the interpretation
of the interpretation given given by by the
the angel.
angel.
Similarly,
Similarly, we believe believe that that in in the
the symbolic
symbolic time
period given
period given inin connection therewith, the
connection therewith, the 2300
2300 "days"
"days"
cannot mean 2300 literal days.
2300 literal They
days. They must represent
represent
some other
other time unit in
time unit in fulfillment.
fulfillment. To apply apply them to to
that
that same
same number of of days-or
days or half days, as
half days, as some seek seek
do-would
to do
to would likewise
likewise be be to violate and negate
to violate negate their
their
fundamentally
fundamentally symbolicsymbolic character.
character. Nor are are we left in
left in
uncertainty as
uncertainty as to the intent
to the intent of of this
this time feature.
feature. The
QUESTIONS
principle to
principle to be followed in interpreting
followed in interpreting symbolic
symbolic time
time
is: "1
is: "I [the
[the Lord] have given
Lord] have given thee a day
thee a day for
for a
a year"
year"
(compare
(compare Num. 14:34 14:34 and Eze. 4:6). We therefore
Eze. 4:6). therefore
believe,
believe, in harmony
in harmony with
with many
many eminent scholars
scholars
through
through the
the years,
years,
*
'*' that
that the
the 2300
2300 prophetic "days"
prophetic "days" inin-
dicate 2300
dicate 2300 literal
literal years
years in fulfillment, and that
in fulfillment, that any-
any-
thing
thing else,
else, and anything
anything less,
less, would be
be contrary
contrary to
to the
the
basic principle
basic principle of of time
time symbolism.
symbolism.
As far
far back
back asas 1205,
1205, an anonymous
anonymous Joachimite
Joachimite work
interpreted
interpreted the
the number 2300
2300 as
as 23
23 centuries
centuries from
Daniel's time.
Daniel's time. Later Villanova recognized
Later Villanova recognized thethe 2300
2300 days
days
as years
as years byby the
the year-day principle.
year-day principle. Then in
in 1440,
1440,
Catholic theologian
Roman Catholic thlwlogian NicholasNicholas Krebs
Krebs ofof Cusa
(Conjectures
(Conjectures of of Cardinal Nicholas
Nicholas von Cusa Concerning
Concerning
the Days), recognized
Last Days),
the Last recognized the the 2300
2300 prophetic
prophetic "days"
"days"
as years,
as years, which he even even then dateddated from Persia.
Persia. This
is one of
is his remarkable declarations:
of his declarations:
In
In the same way
the same way it
it was opened
opened upup to
to Daniel
Daniel in what way
in what way the
the
last curse would
last curse would bebe after the sanctuary
after the sanctuary shall be cleansed
shall be cleansed and thethe
vision fulfilled; and this
vision fulfilled; this after
after 2300 days from
2300 days from the
the hour
hour of
of the
the going
going
forth
forth ofof the
the word . . . according
according to
. . . the predicted
to the predicted number by by
resolving
resolving a a day
day into
into a year, according
a year, according toto the
the unfolding
unfolding made to to
Ezekiel [4:5,
Ezekiel 6J.-Translated
[4:5, 6].
from Coniectura
Translated from Coniectura in in Opera,
Opera, p.p. 934.
934.
It should
It should be
be added that
that the chronological or
the chronological or time
time
placement of
placement the 2300
of the 2300 year-days
year-days is not given
is not given in
in chapter
chapter
8.
8. We are
are simply told that
simply told that it was yet
it was yet "for many days"
"for many days"
"E.
*E. B.B. Elliott,
Elliott, for
for example
example (Hora: plica, 3d ed.,
Apocalyptica:,
(Hor Apocaly vol. 3,
ed., vol. 3, pp.
pp. 226 227),
226, 227),
refers to "two most
refers to most remarkable
remarkable symbolic actions of
symbolic actions of that
that prophet
prophet [Ezekiel], which have
[E{ekiel], which
been so
been frequently referred
so frequently referred toto in
in the
the year-day controversy by
year-day controversy by former commentators.
former commentators.
He was on one occasion
occasion commanded by by God to to lie
lie 390 days on his
390 days his left
left side
side before
before
the people;
the people; thereby
thereby to typify, in
to typify, in the symbolic character
the symbolic character of their representative,
of their representative, the the
390 years of
390 years of the
the iniquity
iniquity and
and concomitant
concomitant debasement
debasement on
on the
the nation
nation of
of Israel;
Israel; onon
another, to
another, to lie
lie 40 days on his
40 days his right
right side,
side, thereby
thereby to to typify
typify the
the 4040 last J'ears of
last years of
Judah's iniquity.
Judah's iniquity. And the
the meaning
meaning of
of these mystical
these mystical days days was declared
declared by by God
Himself. 'I
Himself. have laid
'I have laid upon thee the
upon thee the years
J'ears of their iniquity,
of their iniquity, according
according to to the
the num-
ber of
ber the days
of the days 390
390 days.
days. II have
have appointed
appointed theethee each
each day for aa year.'
day for year.'-A precedent
A precedent
clear and complete
more clear complete than
than this could scarce
this could be desired;
scarce be desired; asas a probable key
a probable key and
and
guide to
guide the meaning
to the meaning of of the days in
the days in the symbolic visions
the symbolic visions that
that we havehave under
under con-
con-
sideration.
sideration."))
261
(verse 26),
(verse 26), and that
that the
the events
events at
at Its
its close
dose would occur
occur
far beyond
far beyond Daniel's
Daniel's time
time-actually, in the
actually, in the "time
"time of
of the
the
(verse 17).
end" (verse (The dating
17). (The dating of
of the
the period
period will
will be
discussed in
discussed in Questions
Questions 25
25 and 27.
27.
7. "DAILY"
7. CONTINUAL SERVICE OF SANCTUARY.
"DAILy"-CONTINUAL SANCTUARY.-
Daniel 8:11-14
Daniel 8: 11-14 is is concerned
concerned with with the the sanctuary
sanctuary-its its
daily
daily services,
services, desolation,
desolation, and restoration.
restoration. The collec-
collec-
tive word customarily
tive customarily used used forfor the
the various
various parts
parts ofof the
the
daily
daily services-the
services the offerings, incense,
offerings, incense, lights, lights, et
et cetera-
cetera
is tamid, meaning
is tamidy meaning "continual"
"continual" or or "regular"
"regular" (see (see Ex.
Ex.
29:42; 30:7,
29:42; 30:7, 8; Lev. 24:2).
8; Lev. 24:2). And tamid tamid is is the
the term
rendered "daily"
rendered "daily" in in Daniel
Daniel 8:11, 8:11,12,13;
12, 13; 11:31;
11:31; and
12: II. In
12:11. In each
each instance
instance the the word "sacrifice"
"sacrifice" is is supplied
supplied
by the
by the translators.
translators. At first thought, this
first thought, this might
might not ap- ap-
pear
pear to
to be justified.
justified. But when it
it is
is remembered that
that
the evening and morning
the evening morning sacrifices
sacrifices marked the the evening
evening
and morning
morning hours of prayer, incense,
of prayer, sacrifice, it
incense, and sacrifice, it
becomes apparent
becomes apparent that
that the
the word "sacrifice,"
"sacrifice," while
while sup-
sup-
plied by
plied by the
the translators,
translators, was not not altogether
altogether inappro-
inappro-
priate.
priate. Scholars
Scholars maintain that that in rabbinical literature'*'
in rabbinical literature*
both evening
both evening and morningmorning sacrifices
sacrifices areare similarly
similarly des-
des-
ignated
ignated by by the
the term tamid,
tamid,, standing
standing alone as
as in
in the
Hebrew text text of
of Daniel.
Daniel.
In
In view of of these
these facts,
facts, the
the word "evening"
"evening" may may ap-
ap-
propriately
propriately be understood to
to mean "evening
"evening [sacri-
[sacri-
*The Hebrew word tamid. tamid, for

for "continual,"
"continual," in in the
the books of Numbers and
Exodus,
Exodus, is is applied to
applied to the
the shewbread,
shewbread, incense,
incense, and burnt offering,
offering, asas well asas spe·
spe-
cifically
cifically to
to the
the evening
evening and morning
morning sacrifices.
sacrifices. However,
However, in
in later
later rabbinical
rabbinical usage
usage
tamid
tamid was used used almost
almost exclusively
exclusively for
for the
the evening
evening and morning
morning sacrifices.
sacrifices. This j" is
seen
seen inin such
such works as as the
the Talmud-Pesahim
TalmudPesahim 56a, 58a, 61a,
61a, 63a,
63a, 63b,
63b, 66b.
66b, 73b,
73b, 96a;
96a; and
Sanhedrin
Sanhedrin 35b 35b and footnote
footnote ("By
("By the
the offering
offering ofof the
the T amid or daily
Tamid daily burnt offer-
offer-
ing");
ing"); Sanhedrin
Sanhedrin 36a,
36a, 44b,
44b, 49b,
49b, 8Sb,
88b, and footnote;
footnote; Zebahiin
gebahiin 91a ("sprinkles
("sprinkles the
blood
blood ofof the
the tamid").
tamid" ).
Rabbi J.
Rabbi J. H. Hertz,
Hertz, in
in The Pentateuch
Pentateuch and Haftorahs says:
Haftorahs says:
"The daily
daily continual
continual (Heb.
(Heb. tamid)
tamid) offering
offering was in in later
later times
times called
called 'The
Tamid.'
Tamid.' Offered
Offered throughout
throughout the the year,
year, it
it was 'tlie
'the centre
centre and core
core of public
public wor-
ship.' "-On Num. 28:2-8
ship.' "On 28:2-8 (Soncino
(Soncino ed.,
ed., London,
London, 1938),
1938), p.
p. 694.
694.
262
QUESTIONS
fice],"
fice]," and "morning"
"morning" to to mean "morning
"morning [sacrifice],"
[sacrifice],"
which together
together constituted
constituted oneone complete
complete cycle
cycle of the
of the
daily,
daily, "regular,"
"regular," or
or "continual"
"continual" sanctuary
sanctuary ritual.
ritual. They
They
are obviously
are obviously used used to indicate that
to indicate that this
this is the vision
is the vision
concerning
concerning the
the sanctuary.
sanctuary. Thus when the
the angel
angel spoke
spoke
of 2300 "evenings-mornings,"
of 2300 "evenings-mornings/' Daniel Daniel would naturally
naturally
understand
understand 2300 units, each
2300 tamid units, each made up up ofof an
"evening [sacrifice]"
"evening [sacrifice]" and a
a "morning
"morning [sacrifice]." He
[sacrifice]."
would notnot think
think of half of
of half of them as as "evening"
"evening" and half half as
as
"morning,"
"morning," making
making but 1150 complete
complete units,
units, or
or days.
days.
Accordingly, the
Accordingly, the translation
translation "two thousand
thousand and three three
hundred days" very properly
days" very properly reflects
reflects the
the sense
sense of the
of the
Hebrew construction,
construction, and of of the context. ""
the context.*
In addition
In addition to to the foregoing reasons,
the foregoing reasons, which
which are are
primary,
primary, we recognize
recognize as
as supporting
supporting evidence
evidence the
the fact
fact
that the Septuagint-the
that the Septuagint the oldest oldest translation
translation of of Daniel
Daniel
-and
and the Theodotion translation,
the Theodotion translation, four
four centuries
centuries later,
later,
both place
both place the
the word "days" immediately following
"days" immediately following the the
*We are are here

here in
in agreement
agreement with with Dr.
Dr. Edward J. Young, Professor
J. Young, Professor of of Old Testa-
Testa-
ment,
ment, Westminster
Westminster Theological Seminary (The
Theological Seminary Prophscy of
(The Prophecy of Daniel,
Daniel, 1949,
1949, p. p. 174),
174),
supports the
who supports the full-d'lYs
full-days position:
position:
"It
"It means 2300 da),s. This
2300 daps. This interpretation
interpretation appears
appears inin the
the Greek
Greek versions,
version., Jerome,
Jerome,
most
most Protestant expositors and AV [K.J.V.],
Protestant expoSItors appears to
[K.J.V.], and appears to be
be correct.
COrrect . . . .
. . .
"There
"There is is no
no exegetical
exegetical support
support for for the position that
the position that the phrase evening-morn-
the phrase evening-morn-
ing
ing means that
that the
the evenings
evenings and mornings
mornings are
are to
to be
be counted separately, thus
separately, thus 1150
1150
evenings
evenings and 1150 1150 days."
days."
Commenting
Commenting on the
the paralleling expression "forty
paralleling expression "forty days days and forty
forty nights," of
nights," of
Gem-sis
Genesis 7:4, 7:4, 12;12; Exorlus
Exodus 24: 24:18;
IB; and 1 Kings 19:8,
1 Kings Young contends
19:8, Young contends thatthat itit do",
does not
not
mean twenty twenty daysdays and twenty nights.
twenty nights. And the three days
the three days and three nights of
three nights of Jonah Jonah
11 ::17
17 are not taken
are not taken as
as one and one-half
one-half days.
days.
Keil states: "We must therefore
Keil states: therefore take take the
the words as are, ii.e.,
they are,
as they .•. , understand
understand
them of of 2300 whole days."-C.
2300 whole days." C. F. F. Keil
Keil and F. F. Delitzsch, Bible Commentary
Delitzsch, Bible Commentary on tlte the
Old T .stament, The Book of
Testament, Daniel the
of Daniel the Prophet,
Prophet, p. p. 304.
304.
Dr_Herbert
Dr. Herbert C. Leupold, Professor
G. Leupold, Professor of of Old Testament
Testament Exegesis,
Exegesis, Capital
Capital University
University
Seminary (Exposition
Seminary (Exposition of of Daniel,,
Daniel, 1949,1949, p.p. 354),
354), also holds the
also holds the 24-hour
24-hour day day inter-
inter-
pretation:
pretation :
"We have have herehere one of of the maior cruxes

the major cruxes of of the
the whole
whole book:book: What do the the
'two thousand three
'two thousand three hundred evenings-mornings'
evenings..mornings' mean? The compound expression
compound expression
is
is so unusual that
so unusual that it
it perplexes
perplexes the the reader. Besides, in
reader. Besides, in v.
v. 26
26 thethe equivalent
equivalent expression
expression
inserts an 'and'
inserts 'and' between 'evening' 'morning~ and prefixes
'evening' and 'morning' prefixes the the article
article to to each
each
of these words.
of these words. Consequently
Consequently v. v. 2626 reads, ha' erebh wehabboqer;
reads, ha'erebh wehabboqer; v. 14 'erebh
v. 14 'erebh boqer.
boqer,
Yet both both refer
refer to the same period
to the period of of time.
time. Though
Though we can
can cite
cite no
no Hebrew paral-
paral-
lel. the
lel, suggests ~omethine:
the Greek suggests something analogous,
analogous, namely,
namely, thethe word nurhthSmeron,
ntu/zthemeron, which which
means 'a night and aa day'
'a night day' (II
(II Cor.
Cor. 11:25)
11:25) in in the sense of
the sense of aa period
period of twenty-four
of twenty-four
hours. This
hours. Thi" is is the ~jmplest and most
the simplest most feasible
feasible interpretation."
interpretation."
263
2300
2300 "evenings-mornings"
"evenings-mornings" to to indicate
indicate the the intent.
intent. "Days"
"Days"
likewise used in the
is likewise
is in the Vulgate
Vulgate and the the Syriac.
Syriac. So alsoalso
in Luther's German version.
in Luther's version. It is likewise
It is likewise thethe consistent
consistent
rendering of
rendering of Jewish
Jewish expositors
expositors in the Christian
in the Christian Era,Era, as as
well
well asas ofof hundreds
hundreds of of early
early and later
later Christian
Christian ex-
ex-
egetes.
egetes. The Authorized,Authorized, or or K.J.V.,
K.J .V., similarly
similarly givesgives
"days"
"days" in in the
the text,
text, putting
putting "evenings-mornings"
"evenings-mornings" in
in the
the
margin,
margin, but retaining
retaining the
the "vision
"vision of
of the
the evening
evening and
the morning"
the morning" in in verse
verse 26. Albert Barnes
26. Albert represents
Barnes represents
many
many of the popular
of the popular commentators when he he remarks,
remarks,
"There can can be be no doubt,
doubt, however,
however, that that aa day
day is is in-
in-
tended by by this this [an evening-morning]."-Notes
[an evening-morning]." Notes on
Daniel,
Daniel, on Dan. 8: 14.
8:14.
8. VINDICATION AT THE HEAVENLY ASSIZE.
8. VINDICATION ASSlzE.-In the
In the
light
light of
of ~he
the foregoing,
foregoing, we believe
believe that
that the
the "sanctuary"
"sanctuary"
presented in
presented Daniel 8:
in Daniel 11-14 could
8:11-14 could not not refer
refer alone
alone to to
the Temple at
the Temple at Jerusalem.
Jerusalem. The sanctuary sanctuary to to be
be cleansed
cleansed
at the
at the end of of thethe 2300
2300 days is, we understand,
days is, understand, the the sanc-
sanc-
tuary
tuary in
in heaven,
heaven, "which the
the Lord pitched,
pitched, and not
not man"
(Heb.
(Heb. 8:2),
8:2), and of of which our triumphant,
triumphant, risen, risen, and
ascended
ascended Lord Jesus Jesus Christ
Christ is is the
the great High Priest
great High Priest
(Heb. 8:
(Heb. 8:1). 1). It
It is that
is that "temple
"temple of
of God" which the
the
prophet
prophet saw in
in heaven (Rev.
(Rev. 11:19;
11:19; 15:5).
15:5). This,
This, we
believe,
believe, is
is the
the temple
temple that
that not
not only
only is
is to
to be
be "cleansed"
"cleansed"
(Dan.
(Dan. 8: 14), but
8:14), but is is also
also to to be "justified"
"justified" (margin),
(margin),
"put right,"
"put right," "vindicated,"
"vindicated," as
as will
will be
be noted
noted shortly.
shortly.
The typical
typical services
services of the earthly
of the earthly sanctuary
sanctuary served
served
as the "example
as the "example and shadow of heavenly things" (Heb.
of heavenly things" (Heb,
8:5).
8:5). Now in
in the
the wilderness
wilderness tabernacle
tabernacle and in
in the
Temple
Temple later
later there
there were daily
daily and yearly
yearly services.
services. And
understand that
we understand that thethe work of of Christ, upon His as-
Christ, upon as-
cension
cension and inauguration
inauguration as heavenly. high
as our heavenly high priest,
priest,
264
QUESTIONS
was foreshadowed byby the daily service
the daily in the
service in the earthly
earthly
type.
type. This was the first phase
the first phase of
of His heavenly ministry,
heavenly ministry,
mediating and applying
mediating applying the
the atoning sacrifice He had
atoning sacrifice
completed
completed on the the cross.
cross.
This dailydaily service
service of the earthly
of the earthly sanctuary, involv-
sanctuary, involv-
ing the
ing the morning
morning and the evening sacrifice-the
the evening sacrifice the tamid
(Hebrew),
(Hebrew), or
or "continual"-fitly
"continual" fitly foreshadowed
foreshadowed the
the con-
con-
tinual
tinual efficacy
efficacy of
of the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of
of Christ
Christ our Lord,
Lord, ac-
ac-
complished
complished on Calvary's
Calvary's cross.
cross. The risen
risen Christ,
Christ, our
ministering
ministering high high priest,
priest, "ever
"ever liveth
liveth toto make interces-
interces-
sion" (Beb. 7:25)
sion" (Heb. 7:25) for
for us.
us. Hence we understand
understand His
His
heavenly ministry
heavenly ministry to
to be the
the mediation of
of His complete
complete
ever-efficacious atonement,
and ever-efficacious atonement, which He made and
completed on the
completed the cross
cross for
for man, applying that
man, applying that atone-
atone-
ment to the individual
to the individual sinner
sinner as as he accepts
accepts Christ
Christ as his
as his
personal
personal Saviour.
Saviour.
But the the annual Day Day of of Atonement service service (de- (de-
scribed
scribed in in Leviticus
Leviticus 16) typified the
16) typified the second and final final
phase of
phase of Christ's high priestly
Christ's high priestly ministry,
ministry, aa work inin-
volving judgment.
volving judgment. And we believe
believe that
that we are
are now
living in
living that time
in that time of judgment. It
of judgment. It should be added
that, in
that, in harmony
harmony with the the Arminian concept concept of per-
of per-
sonal responsibility to God,
sonal responsibility God, our understanding
understanding of of thethe
Scriptures
Scriptures leads
leads us
us to
to believe
believe that
that the
the life record
life record of
of every
every
individual will
individual will be examined,
examined, and sentence sentence of judg-
of judg-
pronounced on every
ment pronounced every case
case under review.
review. (This
(This is is
more fully
fully discussed
discussed in
in Question
Question 36.) 36.)
N at only
Not only does this this final judgment involve the
final judgment the ver-
ver-
dict of all
dict of all cases before the
cases before the barbar of God, but it
of God, it results
results in in
the justification
the justification of of God's
God's character before all
character before all intelli-
intelli-
gences of
gences of the universe. It
the universe. demonstrates for
It demonstrates for all
all eternity
eternity
the groundlessness
the groundlessness and falsity falsity of of Satan's
Satan's charges
charges against
against
265
the character and government

the character government and law law ofof God,
God, and the the
justice
justice and equity
equity of of God in deciding that
in deciding that those those who
accepted the
have accepted the provisions
provisions of of redemption
redemption shall con-
shall con-
stitute
stitute the
the citizens
citizens of His eternal
of His kingdom and that
eternal kingdom that all
all
impenitent
impenitent sinners
sinners shall
shall be
be barred.
barred. The purpose
purpose of
of the
the
judgment, of
judgment, of course,
course, is is not
not to to enlighten
enlighten God, God, but but toto
satisfy
satisfy forever
forever the the minds of of all
all created
created intelligences,
intelligences,
angels
angels and mankind.
The universal
universal verdict
verdict will
will be:be: "Just
"Just and true true are
are
thy ways,
thy ways, thou
thou KingKing of of saints"
saints'* (Rev.
(Rev. 15:3);
15:3); "Thou
art righteous,
art righteous, 0 O Lord,
Lord, which art, art, and wast,
wast, and shalt shalt
be, because
be, because thouthou hast
hast judged
judged thus"thus" (Rev.
(Rev. 16:5);
16:5); and
"Even so,so, Lord God Almighty,
Almighty, true
true and righteous are
righteous are
thy judgments"
thy judgments" (Rev. 16:7). Thus by
(Rev. 16:7). by the
the verdicts
verdicts of of
the judgment
the judgment of the heavenly
of the heavenly sanctuary
sanctuary will
will the
the charac-
charac-
ter
ter of
of God be forever vindicated, as
forever vindicated, as the
the climax
clim!lx of the
of the
"hour of of his
his judgment"
judgment" (Rev. 14:7).
(Rev. 14:7).
9. INTENT OF TERM "CLEANSED."
9. "CLEANSED."-The The significance
significance
of the various
of the various terms
terms used by by translators
translators to to indicate
indicate the the
full intent of
full intent the "cleansing"
of the (Hebrew,
"cleansing" (Hebrew, tsadaq) tsadaq) of
of the
the
heavenly sanctuary (Dan.
heavenly sanctuary (Dan. 8:14) should 8: 14) should not
not be lost.
lost.
Eleven different renderings

Eleven different renderings appear
appear in in standard
standard transla-
transla-
tions. These are:
tions. are: (a)(a)
"Cleansed" (Septuagint,
(Septuagint, Rheims-
Douay, Moulton, Boothroyd,
Douay, Moulton, Boothroyd, Spurrell, Martin, Vul-
Spurrell, Martin,
gate, Harkavy, Ray, Knox,
gate, Harkavy, Ray, Knox, Noyes, Noyes, French-Osterwald,
French Osterwald,
Segond,
Segond, and Lausanne-the
Lausanne the K.J.V.
K.J.V. and A.R.V.);
A.R.V.); (b)
(6)
"be justified" (Leeser;
"be justified" Sawyer;
(Leeser; Sawyer; A.R.V.,
A.R.V., margin;
margin; K.J.V.,K.J.V.,
margin); (c)
margin); (c)
"be victorious"
victorious" (Margolis);
(Margolis); (d)
(d) "be
righted" (Smith-Goodspeed); (e)
righted" (Smith-Goodspeed); (e) "[be] declared right"
"[be] declared right"
(Young);
(Young); (/) (I) "be
"be restored
restored to
to its rightful
its rightful state"
state" (R.S.V.);
(R.S.V.);
(g) "be righteous" (Van Ess); (h) "be restored"
(g) "be made righteous" (Van Ess); (h)
restored"
(Moffatt);
(Moffatt); (f)
(i) "be sanctified"
sanctified" (Fenton);
(Fenton); (/) (j) "be vindi-
vindi-
QUESTIONS
cated" (Rotheram);
cated" (k) "be
(Rotheram); and (k) "be consecrated"
consecrated" (Luther).
(Luther).
See
See Problems in Bible Translation (Review
in Bible Translation (Review and Her-
ald), pp.
ald), pp. 174,
174, 175.
175.
Standard lexicographers
Standard lexicographers agree
agree In
in rendering tsadaq
rendering tsadaq
as "to
as "to be just,"
be just," "to be righteous."
"to be righteous." Gesenius' Lexicon
Gesenius' Lexicon
(Brown, Driver,
(Brown, Driver, and Briggs
Briggs edition)
edition) adds,
adds, "be put
put
right,"
right," or "be
or put In
"be put in rightful
rightful condition."
condition." And the
the'
R.S.V. renders
R.S.V. renders the
the clause,
clause, the sanctuary
"Then the sanctuary shall
shall
be restored
be restored to
to its rightful
rightful state."
its state." The translation
translation "to"to
cleanse" is
cleanse" is evidently
evidently borrowed from the the Septuagint
Septuagint
(katharisthesetai),
(katharisthesetai), followed
followed by
by the
the Vulgate (munda-
Vulgate (munda-
bitur).
bitur). We recognize
recognize that
that the
the justifying, vindicating,
justifying, vindicating,
and making
making righteous
righteous of the Levitical
of the Levitical sanctuary
sanctuary was
accomplished by
accomplished by the
the services the Day
services on the Day of
of Atonement,
Atonement,
when the the sanctuary
sanctuary waswas cleansed
cleansed from all all defilement
defilement
(Lev. 16:16).
(Lev. 16:16).
This
This cleansing, however, was
cleansing, however, was definitely
definitely included,
included,
for
for in Leviticus 16:
in Leviticus 16 an "atonement" was
16:16 was made,
made, in in
this sense, for
this sense, for the
the children
children ofof Israel because of
Israel because their
of their
"uncleanness."
"uncleanness." On that that day
day the
the "iniquities
"iniquities ofof the
the chil-
chil-
dren of of Israel"
Israel" were removed (verse (verse 21).
21). The anti type
antitype
of that
of that service,
service, we believe,
believe, will
will be found in in connection
with
with Christ's
Christ's ministry
ministry in in the
the heavenly
heavenly sanctuary,
sanctuary, and
this
this is
is apparent from Hebrews 9:23:*
apparent 9:23:*
It
It was therefore
therefore necessary
necessary that
that the
the patterns
patterns of things in
of things in the
the
heavens
heavens should purified [katharizo]
should be purified [katharizo] with these;
these; but the
the heav-
heav-
enly
enly things
things themselves
themselves [shall
[shall be purified] with better
purified] with better sacrifices
sacrifices
than
than these
these [that
[that of
of the
the Lamb of of God].
God].
*Brooke
*Brooke Foss
Foss Westcott
Westcott (Epistle
(Efiistle to
to the
the Hebrews,
Hebrews, 1892,
1892, p. 270) makes this
p. 270) this sig-
sig-
nificant
nificant comment on Hebrews 9:23: 9: 23:
"The fact
fact that
that such
such aa mode of of purifying
purifying by by blood
blood was enjoined
enjoined for
for the
the material
material
instruments
instruments ofof worship
worship carried with it
carried with it the
the inevitable
inevitable consequence
consequence that
that some analo-
analo-
gous and therefore
gous therefore some nobler
nobler purification
purification should
should be provided
provided forfor the
the divine
divine
archetypes."
archetypes." "The whole structure
structure of
of the
the sentence
sentence requires
requires that
that 'cleansed'
'cleansed' should
should
be supplied in
be supplied in the
the second
second clause
clause from thethe first."
first."
Such is
is our understanding of
understanding of the larger and wider
the larger
concept
concept of
of God's great plan of
great plan of saving men, as
saving men, as revealed
revealed
in
in Daniel 8,8, for
for since
since our Lord's death, resurrection,
Lord's death, resurrection,
ascension, the
and ascension, the heavenly
heavenly sanctuary
sanctuary is is now the cen-
the cen-
ter of
ter Christ's wondrous priestly
of Christ's priestly work of of intercession.
intercession.
The sanctuary
sanctuary on earth
earth with its types and shadows has
its types has
passed.
passed. But in
in heaven Christ
Christ carries
carries out
out His work of
of
mediation that
that culminates inin the
the work of judgment. We
of judgment.
therefore conclude that
therefore that His mediation embraces both both
the ministering
the ministering of
of Calvary's atoning sacrifice
Calvary's atoning sacrifice to
to every
every
soul
soul who accepts
accepts the provisions of
the provisions grace, and the
of His grace, the
ultimate elimination of
ultimate elimination of sin the universe
sin from the universe of
of God.
Thus this
this ministry will, we believe,
ministry will, believe, eventuate in the
in the
purgation
purgation or
or destruction
destruction of
of everything
everything connected with
evil-Satan,
evil Satan, its
its author,
author, and his cohorts (Matt.
his cohorts (Matt. 25:41;
25:41;
Heb. 2: 14),
2:14), death (1
(I Cor.
Cor. 15:26),
15:26), and the
the works of the
of the
devil (1
devil John
(1 John 3:8;
3:8; compare
compare Rev. 20:10,
20:10, 14).
14).
Relation of Seventy Weeks
Relation of Seventy of Daniel
Weeks of Daniel 99
to
to 2300 Days of Daniel
Days of Daniel 8
8
QUESTION
QUESTION 25
Seventh-day Adventists seek

Seventh-day Adventists seek to
to tie Daniel
tie Daniel
99 to DanielS.
to Daniel 8. On what basis
basis do you
you hold (1)(1) that
that
the 2J()()
the days (evenings-mornings)
2$0@ days (evenings-mornings) oj
of Daniel
Daniel be-
be-
gin
gin at
at the
the same time
time as
as the
the seventy
seventy weeks
weeks of
of years
years
of Daniel 9;
of Daniel (2) that
9; and (2) the seventieth
that the seventieth week is is
already entirely
already entirely fulfilled?
fulfilled? (J)
(3) Since
Since you
you so
so hold,
hold,
what then is your interpretation
is your interpretation of of Daniel
Daniel 9:27?
9:27?
Inasmuch as as these
these questions
questions center chiefly in
center chiefly in Dan-
iel 9. let us
iel 9, let us survey
survey the
the chapter briefly
chapter briefly in
in order
order to get
to get
the over-all
the over-all picture,
picture, and thus
thus have the
the necessary
necessary back-
back-
ground
ground forfor the
the answers. prophecy of
answers. This prophecy the seventy
of the seventy
weeks of years is
of years is one of the most fascinating
of the fascinating and vital vital
to be found in
to be in the
the entire prophetic Word. It
entire prophetic It deals
deals
with God's
with God's plan
plan for the redemption
for the redemption of of man,
man. and fore-fore-
tells the time
tells the time of the first
of the first advent of of Christ.
Christ, as
as the
the Mes-
Mes-
siah,
siah, also the time
also the time ofof His death.
death, when He made a a com-
plete, vicarious atoning

plete, vicarious atoning sacrifice for the
sacrifice for the sins
sins of the
of the
world.
world.
The seventy-weeks prophecy has
seventy-weeks prophecy has toto do with the the
Jews.
Jews, the
the Holy
Holy Land,
Land, the
the Holy City,
Holy City, and the
the sanc-
sanc-
tuary-the
tuary the nervenerve center, truth center,
center, truth center, Temple
Temple center,
center,
and then
then the
the rejection
rejection center
center ofof the
the Lamb of of God by by
ancient people.
His ancient people. Note the the setting: Darius the
setting: Darius the Mede
268
268
THE 70
70 WEEKS AND THE 2300
2300 DAYS 269
269
was on the the throne.

throne. Daniel was was praying
praying and interceding
interceding
with God concerning
concerning the tragic condition
the tragic condition of of His
His back-
back-
slidden and disobedient
slidden disobedient people,people, and the the desolation
desolation of of
Jerusalem
Jerusalem and the
the sanctuary (verses
sanctuary (verses 3-19). 3-19).
1. DANIEL 9
1. 9 THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS CHAPTER 8.- 8.
prophetic symbols
The prophetic symbols of of Daniel
Daniel 8:2-14-namely,
8:2-14 namely, the the
"ram" as as Medo-Persia,
Medo-Persia, the the "goat"
"goat" as
as Grecia,
Grecia, and the
the
"exceeding
"exceeding great" great" hornhom as as the
the terrifying power that
terrifying power that
would succeed,
succeed, which was
was Rome-had
Rome had all
all been ex-
ex-
plained by
plained by Gabriel,
Gabriel, the the celestial messenger, in
celestial messenger, in verses
verses
15
15 to
to 26.
26. That is, all except
is, all except the
the symbolic
symbolic time
time element
involved
involved in in the 2300 days,
the 2300 days, with
with the events marking
the events marking
their close and the
their close time of their beginning.
the time of their beginning.
Because of Daniel's sudden illness
of Daniel's illness as the vision
as the vision of of
chapter
chapter 8
8 was
was being explained
being explained to
to him,
him, Gabriel
Gabriel had
been unable
been unable to to explain
explain thisthis remaining
remaining time time feature-
feature
the 2300
the 2300 days days of verses 13,
of verses 13, 14,14, and 26. 26. The dread
prospect
prospect of
of the
the terrible
terrible persecution
persecution to
to come upon the
upon the
people
people of
of God evidently
evidently caused
caused the
the aged prophet
aged prophet sud-
sud-
denly
denly to faint and become ill
to faint ill (verse 27). So the
(verse 27). the explana-
explana-
tion broke off
tion broke off precipitately
precipitately at that point.
at that point.
This unexplained
This unexplained portion, portion, it will be
it will be observed,
observed, per-
per-
tained to
tained to thethe "sanctuary
"sanctuary and the
the host,"
host," which were to
to
be "trodden under foot"
be foot" for 2300 "days"
for 2300 (evenings-
"days" (evenings-
mornings),
mornings), with special events to
special events to occur
occur at at their
their close
close
(verses
(verses 13,
13, 14,
14, 26).
26). It
It involved
involved a persecuting
persecuting power power
that was
that was to to stand
stand up up against
against the Prince of
the Prince of princes
princes
and that
that was to to practice
practice and prosper against
prosper against the
the people
people
of
of God,
God, butbut thatthat would finallyfinally bebe broken without
without hands.
hands.
This revelation
This revelation profoundly
profoundly impressed
impressed the
the prophet
prophet
and,
and, as noted, might
as noted, might well well have been the the cause
cause ofof his
his
illness. Chapter 88 closes
illness. Chapter closes with certain
certain questions
questions still un-
still un-
270 QUESTIONS
answered. Later,
answered. Later, as Daniel meditated
as Daniel meditated on thethe vision
VISIOn
and its
its relationship
relationship to
to the
the condition
condition of his people,
of his people, he
he
pleaded earnestly
pleaded earnestly with
with God for the termination
for the termination ofof
Israel's captivity
Israel's captivity and their their return
return to to Palestine.
Palestine. His His
prayer brought
prayer brought aa speedy answer,
speedy answer, for
for Gabriel
Gabriel was sent
sent
to bring him comfort
to bring comfort and to to unfold
unfold the the plan
plan ofof God
more fully.
fully.
Gabriel
Gabriel had previously explained to
previously explained to Daniel
Daniel all
all but
the time portion

the time portion of of the
the symbolic
symbolic vision
vision of
of chapter
chapter 8. 8.
Now he he reappears
reappears to to complete
complete the explanation in
the explanation in
literal
literal terms
terms (Dan.
(Dan. 9:21,
9:21, 22)
22) and to
to clarify
clarify this
this re-
re-
maining
maining part.part. The angel angel uses uses the the arresting
arresting words,
words,
"Consider the
"Consider the vision."
vision." This expression provides the
expression provides the
key
key to
to the
the explanation,
explanation, for for thethe term "vision"
"vision" appears
appears
ten
ten times
times in in chapter
chapter 8.
8. But it
it is
is to
to be noted
noted that in
that in
Daniel 88 and 99 two Hebrew words,
Daniel words, chazon
chazon and mar' mar'eh,eh,
differing somewhat in
differing in meaning,
meaning, are are used
used in in the
the original
original
Hebrew text. text. In the the English
English translations
translations only only one
word,
word, "vision,"
"vision," has
has been used used to to express
express these
these slightly
slightly
variant thoughts, and as
variant thoughts, as a a result,
result, thethe exact
exact intent
intent of of
the original
the original hashas not
not always
always been been perceived.
perceived.
2.
2. TERMS MAY CONNOTE DIFFERENT CONCEPTS.- CONCEPTS.
The Hebrew words words forfor "vision"
"vision" may may be be significant.
significant. It It
is
is possible that
possible that when the
the word chazon
chazon is
is used,
used, the
the ref-
ref-
erence
erence is to the
is to vision as
the vision as a a whole.
whole. On the the other
other hand,
hand,
where the the word mar' mar'eh eh is is employed,
employed, the the reference
reference
could be be toto the
the particular
particular thingsthings seenseen and heard in in
the chazon. * One feature
the chazon* feature seen seen in over-all chazon
the over-all
in the
was the
the "two thousand
thousand and three three hundred days" days" of of
*The slight
slight difference in the
difference in words was
the Hebrew words was indicated
indicated in
in aa translation
translation of
of
the Bible in
the Bible in 1764 by Anthony
1764 by Purver. Cha;;on
Anthony Purver. he rendered
Chazon he rendered "vision,"
"vision," but
but mar'eh
mar' eh
he translated
translated as
as "appearance."
"appearance."
THE 70 2300 DAYS 271
271
Daniel 8: 14. This special

8:14. special scenescene is is referred to
referred to asas
"the vision [mar'
''the vision eh] of
[mar'eh] the evening
of the evening and the the morning"
morning"
(verse 26).
(verse 26).
When the the angel
angel Gabriel,
Gabriel, "whom II [Daniel] [Daniel] had
seen
seen in the vision
in the [chazon] at
vision [chazon] at the
the beginning"
beginning" (Dan. (Dan.
9:21), re.turned to
9:21), returned to complete
complete his his explanation
explanation of the vi-
of the vi-
sion, directed Daniel's
sion, he directed attention specifically
Daniel's attention specifically to to the
the
vision (mar'
vision (mar'eh)eh) when he said, said, "consider
"consider the the vision
vision
[mar' eh]" (verse
[mar'eh]" 23).
(verse 23).
It will be
It will be remembered that according to
that according to Daniel
Daniel
8:26, 27, it
8:26, 27, it was the the mar'eh
mar'eh "of "of thethe evening
evening and the the
morning"
morning" that
that Daniel did
did not
not understand.
understand. It
It was
was not
not
the vision
the vision as as a whole, for
a whole, all but the
for all the scene
scene of of the
the eve-
eve-
ning
ning and the
the morning
morning had been
been explained.
explained.
There can be be no mistake
mistake as to this
as to this identification
identification of of
"the
"the vision."
vision." S. S. R. Driver, the
R. Driver, the noted critic (The
noted critic (The Book
of Daniel) 1936,
of Daniel, 1936, pp.pp. 133),
133), recognized
recognized this, this, and wrote wrote
concerning
concerning "the
"the vision
vision at
at the
the beginning" (Dan. 9:21)
beginning" (Dan. 9:21)
that it refers
that it refers toto "viii.
"viii. 16."
16." The chapter
chapter 8 usage and the
8 usage the
chapter
chapter 9
9 tie-in
tie-in appears inescapable,
appears inescapable, and the
the identical
identical
theme of of the
the twotwo chapters self-evident. What
chapters becomes self-evident.
follows
follows in
in chapter
chapter 9 is
is therefore
therefore not aa new and inde- inde-
pendent vision,
pendent vision} butbut is is the continuing literal
the continuing literal explana-
explana-
tion
tion of
of the
the symbolic
symbolic "vision"
"vision" of chapter
of chapter 8.
8.**'
We would stress stress this point, that
this point, that inin chapter
chapter 9 Ga-
briel
briel was not not introducing
introducing a a new line line of prophecy. He
of prophecy.
was simply
was continuing
simply continuing and completing
completing his
his interrupted
interrupted
explanation, picking
explanation, picking up up the
the thread
thread just
just where he had
*Numerous Bible
Bible students recognize Daniel
students recognize Daniel 99 to
to be
be aa continuation
continuation ofof Daniel
Daniel
8, and
8, and when commenting
commenting on on "whom II had seen in the
seen in the vision
vision at the beginning"
at the beginning"
(Dan. 9:21), refer
(Dan. 9:21), refer back
back to Daniel 8:17,
to Daniel 27. Among these
8:17, 27. these may
may bebe listed
listed Chr. Words·
Words-
worth, T. Robinson,
worth, T. Robinson, Matthew Henry,
Henry, William Scott, F.
Hales, Thomas Scott,
William Hales., C. Cook,
F. C. Cook,
The Cambridge
Cambridge Bible, the Critical
Bible, the Critical and Exegetical
Exegetical Bible,
BIble, etc.
etc.
272
QUESTIONS
laid it
laid it down in his previous
in his appearance to
previous appearance to the
the prophet,
prophet,
recorded in chapter
recorded in chapter 8. 8. His last words,
last words, on the former
the
occasion,
occasion, had been to the effect
to the that "the
effect that vision"
"the vision"
(mar'eh)
(mar'eh] of
of the
the 2300
2300 evenings-mornings
evenings-mornings was
was "true,"
"true,"
that the
and that the period
period involved
involved was to to extend
extend over over
"many days," far
"many days/' far into
into thethe future.
future.
In the light
In the light of
of these
these facts,
facts, which seem to to usus toto be
be
conclusive, Seventh-day
conclusive, Seventh-day Adventists-along
Adventists along with
with many
many
scores
scores ofof scholars
scholars of of former days days-definitely believe
definitely believe
that
that Daniel
Daniel 9 9 furnishes
furnishes the the key that unlocks
key that unlocks the the time
feature
feature of
of Daniel
Daniel 8-the
8 the 2300
2300 year-days.
year-days. To us
us the two
the
chapters appear to be inseparable,
chapters appear to be inseparable, and must be
be so
so under-
under-
stood
stood ifif there
there is to be any
is to explanation of
any explanation of thethe time
feature
feature ofof Daniel
Daniel 8: 14, 26.
8:14, 26.
Daniel 99 was
Daniel was obviously
obviously given given to to provide
provide advance
knowledge
knowledge of
of the
the timing
timing of
of Jesus'
Jesus' anointing as
anointing the
as the
Messiah-"Christ"
Messiah "Christ" denoting
denoting "anointed"
"anointed" in
in the
the Greek,
Greek,
and thus matching the
thus matching the Hebrew MashiachMashiach-preparatory
preparatory
to His public
to His public ministry.
ministry. And Keil, with many
Keil, with many others,
others,
identifies mashiach nagid
identifies nagid as
as Christ.
Christ.* * The allusion
allusion
here is
here not to
is not His incarnation
to His incarnation or or birth,
birth, butbut to His
to His
anointing
anointing at
at the
the time of
of His baptism,
baptism, for
for it
it was then
then
that He was
that was anointed by by the
the Holy
Holy Spirit (Acts 10:37,
Spirit (Acts 10:37,
38)
38) and was
was manifest
manifest as
as the
the Christ,
Christ, at
01 Messiah.
Messiah. Thus
Andrew saidsaid toto his
his brother Peter, "we have
brother Peter, have found the the
Messias,
Messias, which is, is, being interpreted,
being interpreted, the
the Christ
Christ
["anointed," margin]" (John
["anointed," margin]" (John 1:41).
1:41).
*Numerous theologians
theologians through
through thethe centuries
centuries have recognized
recognized "Messiah the the
Prince," of
Prince," of Daniel
Daniel 9:25, to be
9:25, to be Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ our Lord. For example:
Lord. For example: InIn the
the Church
Fathers, Clement of
Fathers^ of Alexandria (Stromata i.
Alexandria (Stromata i. 21);
21); Tertullian (Answer to
Tertullian (Answer to the Jews
the Jews
8); Origen (De
8); Ongen (De Principiis)
Principiis ) j Julius
;
Africanus~ etc.;
Julius Africanus, in the
etc.; in the commentaries: Calvin,
Calvin,
Henry, Clarke,
Matthew Henry, Clarke, Scott,
Scott, and T. Robinson; Westminster
T. Robinson; Westminster Commentary,
Commentary, and and
Gray's
Gray's Christian
Christian WorkeTs'
Workers' Commentary;
Commentary; and among expositors
among expositors oror translations: New~
translations: New-
ton, Wieseler,
ton, Delitzsch, Von Orelli,
Wieseler, Delitzsch, Orelli, Fenton,
Fenton, Young, Knox, K.J.V.,
Young, Knox, K.J.V., and
and Douay.
Douay,
THE 70 2300 DAYS
70 WEEKS AND THE 2300 273
273
3.
3. "DETERMINED" MEANS "ALLOTTED,"
"ALLOTTED," "DE-
CREED," "CUT OFF."-Gabriel
CREED," OFF." Gabriel turns immediately to
turns Immediately to
the time feature
the feature of the vision,
of the vision, and declares,
declares, "Seventy
"Seventy
weeks areare determined upon upon thythy people
people [the Jews] and
[the Jews]
upon thy holy city [Jerusalem]" (verse 24). The He-
upon thy holy city [Jerusalem]" (verse 24).
brew word chathak, translated "determined,"
chathak, translated "determined," appears appears
nowhere else else in the Bible;
in the Bible; consequently
consequently it
it is
is not pos-
pos-
sible
sible to bring other
to bring Biblical usages
other Biblical usages of this word to
of this to
bear on the
bear present passage
the present passage in clarifying its
in clarifying meaning.
its meaning.
The 1832 edition

edition of of Gesenius givesgives the
the meaning
meaning of of
chathak
chathak as as "determine,"
"determine," "to destine," and in
"to destine," in Chaldee
"to
"to cut,"
cut," "decide."
"decide." But the the 1846
1846 edition renders it
edition renders it "to
"to
cut" "to
cut" "to divide," also "to decree," "to determine."
divide," also "to decree," "to determine." The
Student's
Student's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary Dictionary of of 1914
gives
gives "to
"to cut,
cut, to
to decide,
decide, to
to determine,
determine, to
to decree,"
decree," and
Rotherham in in his Emphasized Bible
his Emphasized Bible stresses
stresses the the mean-
ing "divide."
ing "divide." He then then proceeds
proceeds to to show that that thethe
seventy-week period
seventy-week period was
was divided
divided into
into seven
seven weeks,
weeks,
sixty-two weeks, and one week.
sixty-two weeks, week. Still further usage
Still further usage is is
seen
seen in Brown, Driver,
in Brown, Driver, and Briggs,
Briggs, A Hebrew and
English Lexicon
English Lexicon of of the
the Old Testament.,
Testament, page page 367; 367; com-
pare
pare Koehler
Koehler and Baumgartner,
Baumgartner, Lexicon in
in Veteris
Veteris
Testarnenti Libras, volume I,
Testamenti Libros, page 343,
1, page 343, giving
giving schneiden
schneiden
("to cut"), entscheiden
("to cut"), entscheiden ("to ("to decide").
decide").
These three
three meanings
meanings-"to "to cut,"
cut," "to decide,"
decide," and
"to determine"-appear
"to determine" appear in
in the
the ancient
ancient translations
translations of
of
the Old Testament into
the into Greek.
Greek. The LXX, translated translated
at Alexandria,
at Alexandria, probably
probably in in the
the second centurycentury B.C., B.C.,
gives chathak in
gives chathak Daniel 9:24
in Daniel 9:24 as ekrithesan, i.e.,
as ekrithesan, i.e., "ad-
"ad-
judged,"
judged," "determined."
"determined." On the
the other
other hand,
hand, the
the Greek
translation
translation made by by Theodotion in the second
in the second century
century
A.D. (usually
A.D. (usually published
published in In modern editions
editions of of the
the
274
QUESTIONS
LXX) renders
LXX) chathak by
renders chathak sunetmethesan, to
by sunetmethesan, to "cut
"cut off,"
off,"
"cut short."
"cut short." (See
(See also
also Liddell
Liddell and Scott, Greek-
Scott, Greek-
English
English Lexicon,
Lexicon, vol.
vol. 2,
2, p. 1726.)
p. 1726.) The Vulgate
Vulgate uses
uses
the verb abbreviare,
the verb abbreviare, "to
"to cut
cut short."
short." Hitzig
Hitzig renders
renders Itit
"appointed"; others,
"appointed*'; others, "destined,"
"destined," or
or "apportioned."
"apportioned."
R.V. and the
The R.V. the A.R.V.
A.R.V. give
give "decreed/'
"decreed," and the
the
Preacher's Homiletical
Preacher's Homiletical Commentary, as
Commentary, as well
well as
as Strong
Strong
in his
in Exhaustive Concordance,
his Exhaustive Concordance, stresses
stresses the
the Chaldee
meaning, "to
meaning, cut
"to cut off," or
off," or "to"to cut
cut in in pieces."
pieces."
various meanings
The various meanings of of this
this Hebrew word have
real significance.
real significance. The seventy-week
seventy-week period period was def- def-
initely
initely "allotted,"
"allotted," or
or "apportioned,"
"apportioned," to
to the
the Jewish
Jewish
people, during which time
people, during time certain
certain specific
specific things
things were
to be
to be accomplished.
accomplished. And in in God's
God's planplan this
this period
period was
"decreed," or
"decreed," or "determined,"
"determined," for for this
this purpose.
purpose. But the the
word chathak also
word chathak also has
has the
the meaning
meaning "cut
"cut off,"
off," as
as indi-
indi-
cated in
cated in so many of
so many of the lexical authorities.
the lexical authorities. The expres- expres-
sion "cut
sion "cut off"off" is
is significant,
significant, for that which is
for that is cut
cut off
off isis
"seventy
"seventy weeks."
weeks." This,
This, of
of course,
course, is time;
is time; so
so it
it is time
is time
that
that isis "cut
"cut off."
off." Just
Just asas a piece of
a piece material is
of material is cut
cut offoff
from aa rollroll ofof material, might it
material, might not properly
it not
properly be said said
that
that the
the seventy-week
seventy-week periodperiod is
is cut
cut off
off from a
a longer
longer
period of
period time?
of time?
This concept,
concept, in in this
this particular
particular case,case, isis recognized
recognized
by certain
by certain Biblical
Biblical authorities.
authorities. Barnes,
Barnes, when comment-
ing
ing on verseverse 24,
24, states:
states: "The meaning
meaning would seem to to
be,
be, that
that this
this portion
portion of
of time-the
time the seventy
seventy weeks-was
weeks was
cut
cut off
off [italics his] from the
[italics his] the whole of of duration,
duration, or or cut
cut
out ofof it,it, as it were,
as it were, and set set by
by itself
itself for
for a a definite
definite
purpose."
purpose." Still Still further,
further, thethe Pulpit
Pulpit Commentary
Commentary on this this
verse
verse agrees
agrees with this
this thought,
thought, for
for it
it remarks: "It
"It
means 'to 'to cut
cut off.'
off/ ItIt may
may thusthus refer
refer to to these
these weeks
THE 70
2300 DAYS 275
275
being 'cut
being 'cut off'off' from time time generally;
generally; hencehence 'deter-
'deter-
"
mined.'
mined.' "
·With
With this this recognition
recognition of the significance
of the significance of of the
the use
use of
of
"cut off," we might
"cut off," might well well inquire,
inquire, Is
Is the
the seventy-week
seventy-week
period "cut
period "cut off"off" from time time in a general
in a general or specific
in aa specific
or in
sense?
sense? We need need to to remember that that in the symbolic
in the symbolic
vision of
vision of Daniel 8, reference was
8, reference was made to to the
the 2300-day
2300-day
period. This was
period. was left unexplained. If
left unexplained. Daniel 99 is
If Daniel is the
the
explanation of
explanation of this
this unexplained
unexplained portion portion of of the
the vision,
vision,
the explanation
the explanation would inevitably inevitably have
have to
to deal
deal with
time. But the
time. the only prophetic
only prophetic time mentioned in
in the
the
vision of
vision of Daniel
Daniel 99 is the seventy
is the seventy weeks.
weeks. Could we not
logically conclude, then,
logically conclude, then, thatthat when Gabriel
Gabriel deals with
deals with
the
the seventy
seventy weeks,
weeks, or
or 490 years,
years, he
he is
is explaining the
explaining the
first part of
first part the 2300-days
of the 2300-days prophecy?
prophecy? This period period (490(490
years) was
years) was allotted
allotted to to the Jews with their
the Jews their sanctuary
sanctuary on
earth; the
earth; remainder of
the remainder the period
of the period (2300 years) would
(2300 years)
then reach
then reach into the Christian
into the Christian church period, period, with
with the
the
sanctuary
sanctuary in
in heaven.
This concept
This concept-that the 490 years
that the are cut
years are cut off
off from the
the
2300-year
2300-year period period-seems seems to
to be
be the
the only
only consistent
consistent
conclusion. That the
conclusion. the seventy-week
seventy-week periodperiod is cut off
is cut off from
time
time is indicated by
is indicated by the two quotations
the two quotations just just given.
given. And
the time from which
the time which it it is "cut off"
is "Cllt off" seems to to he the
be the
period
period mentioned in
in the
the vision
vision of
of Daniel
Daniel 8, namely,
8, namely, the
the
2g00-year period.
2300-year period. \ViIliam
William Hales Hales (A (A New Analysis
Analysis ofof
Chronology,
Chronology, 1833,
1833, vol.
vol. 2,
2, p. 517)
p. 517) came to
to this
this con-
con-
clusion over aa century
clusion over century ago: ago:
This chTOnological
This prophecy . . . was evidently
chronological prophecy .
evidently designed
. .
designed to
to
explain the
explain the foregoing
foregoing [chapter
[chapter 8] vision, especially
8] vision, in its
especially in chrono·
its chrono-
logical part of
logical part the 2300
of the 2300 days.
days.
With this
this concept,
concept, scores
scores of
of scholars in various
scholars in various com-
276
276 QUESTIONS
munions in many lands,
in many lands, from the time of
the time Johann Petri,
of Johann Petri,
or Germany, in
o Germany, in 1768
1768 onward, were in
onward, were fun but inde-
in full inde-
pendent agreement.
pendent agreement.
4.
4. SEVENTY "WEEKS OF YEARS" INDICATED
INDIGATEB BY CON-
USAGE. The word translated
TEXT AND USAGE.- translated "weeks," in
"weeks," in
Daniel 9:24,
Daniel 9:24, is shabu'im (singular,
is shabu'im shabua'). Shabua'
(singular, shabua'}.
simply denotes aa unit
simply denotes unit of
of seven,
seven, and maymay designate
designate aa
period
period of
of either
either seven
seven days
days or
or seven
seven years. The intent
years. intent
must be be determined
determined by by context
context and usage.
usage. In
In post-
post-
Biblical literature, also,
Biblical literature, the meaning
also, the meaning "seven years" can
"seven years" can
be clearly
be clearly demonstrated.
demonstrated.* * H ebdomas}
Hebdomas, the
the LXX trans-
trans-
lation
lation of shabua', is
of shabua', is used
used for
for a period of
a period seven days
of seven days and
also for
also for aa period
period ofof seven
seven years.
years. The intent
intent in the LXX
in the
must also
must also be determined by by context
context and usage.
usage. It
It is to
is to
be observed
be observed that that this
this latter
latter usage
usage can
can b~
be demonstrated
demonstrated
in classical literature
in classical literature asas early
early as as the sixth century
the sixth century B.C.
(see Liddell and Scott,
(see Liddell Scott, A A, Greek-English Lexicon)
Greek-English Lexicon,
,
under
under hebdomas).
hebdomas).
We areare accordingly
accordingly ledled to to conclude,
conclude, inin harmony
harmony
with a host of scholars,
with a host of scholars, that that inin Daniel 9:24-27
9:24-27 thethe
*As
*As to to "weeks
"weeks of of years"
years" note the following
note the following from Jewish writings:
Jewish writings:
1.
1. On "he shall confirm the
shall confirm the covenant
covenant with
" 'Week' represents a
many for
with many for one
one week" (Dan.
(Dan. 9:27),
9:27),
Midrash Kabbah
Midrash Rabbah reads,
reads, '~'Week' represents a period
period of
of seven
seven years."-Lamenta-
years." Lamenta-
lions Soncino ed.,
tions,.. Soncino ed., p.
p. 65, note 3.
65, note 3.
2. On "sevenry
2. weeks are
"seventy weeks are determined"
determined" (verse
(verse 24)
24), the
a
the Talmud reads, "This
reads, "This
prophecy was uttered
prophecy uttered at the heginning
at the beginning of the seventy
of the seventy years
years captivity
captivity in Babylon.
in Babylon.
From the restoration to
the restoration the second
to the destruction is
second destruction is said to have
said to have been
been 420
420 years,
years,
making in
making in all 490, Le.,
all 490, i.e., seventy
seventy weeks of of years."-Nadr
years." Nazir 32b, Soncino ed.,
32b, Soncino ed., p.
p. 118,
118,
note
note 6.
6.
3.
3. On "he shall
shall confirm
"
confirm the the covenant
covenant with
with many
many for one week" (verse
for one (verse 27), the
27), the
Talmud says,says, " 'One week' in in Dan. ix ix means aa week of years." Yoma 54a,
years."-Yoma Son-
54a, Son-
cino ed.,
cino p. 254,
cd., p. note 6.
254, note 6.
4. On "seventy
4. "seventy weeks"-Le.,
weeks" i.e., seven seven times
times 70 years-J.
70 years J. Slotki
J. J. Slotki states,
states, "The
cryptic phraseology mal
cryptic phraseology may have been suggested
suggested byby the
the seven-year cycle of
seven-year cycle of Lev. xxv.
Lev. xxv.
The expression
expression 'week 01 0 years' occurs
years' occurs in the Mishnah (Sanh.
in the (Sanh. v.v. 1) ."-Daniel,
1)." E:(ra,
Daniel, Ezra,
and Nehemiah,
Nehemiah, p. p. 77.
77.
5. Isaac
5. Isaac Leeser writes,
writes, "Ancient JewishJewish writers
writers thought
thought that
that the
the second
second temple
temple
stood 420 years,
stood years, which,
which, with
with the 70 years
the 70 years of the Babylonian
of the captivity, make 490."
Babylonian captivity, 490."
-The
The Twenty-Jour Books of
Twenty- four Books of the Holy Scriptures
the Holy (1853), on Dan.
Scriptures (1853), Dan. 9:24, 25, p.
9:24, 25, p. 1243,
1243,
note 47.
note 47. Leeser also
also refers
refers to Rashi and other
to Rashi other commentators
commentators as recognizing "year-
as recognizing "year-
weeks" (note 48). On the
(note 48). the "threescore
"threescore and two weeks" weeks" (verse
(verse 25)
25) Slotki
Slotki says,
says,
"Jerusalem
"Jerusalem will will be
be a fully restored city
fully restored city during
during aa period
period ofof 434 years."-Op.
434 years." cit.,
Op. cit.,
78.
p. 78.
p.
THE 70
2300 DAYS 277
277
prophet used shabua'

prophet used to designate
shabua* to designate a period of
a period of seven
seven
literal years. The following
literal years. are, to
following are, to us,
us, compelling
compelling
reasons:
reasons:
a. Shabua'
a. Shabua' occursoccurs six times in
six times Daniel 9:24-27.
in Daniel 9:24-27. In In
each case
each case the
the noun is is without
without qualification. Elsewhere
Elsewhere
qualification.
in the
in the book of of Daniel shabua' occurs
Daniel shabua' occurs only
only in in chapter
chapter
10:2,
10:2, 3.3. In these
these latter
latter references
references the the meaning
meaning is is clearly
clearly
"a period
period of of seven
seven days,"
days," for the verses
for the verses are
are describing
describing
Daniel's fast-obviously
Daniel's fast obviously of of three literal weeks.
three literal weeks. But it it
is to be
is to be particularly
particularly observedobserved that shabua') as
that shabua' , as here
here
used, is
used, is qualified
qualified by by the
the word yamin,yamin) "of days," which
"of days,"
is indicated
is indicated in the K.J.V.
in the margin as
K.J.V. margin as "weeks
''weeks of of days."
days/'
Now the very fact
the very fact that Daniel, the
that Daniel, the inspired writer,
inspired writer,
felt that
felt that qualification
qualification was necessary necessary when merely merely a a
week of of seven days days was
was indicated,
indicated, surely suggests
surely suggests that
that
when he he used
used the the word without qualification,
qualification, as as in
in
Daniel 9:24-27,
Daniel 9:24-27, he meant a period of seven
a period of seven years. years. And
the LXX follows
the follows the the same pattern,
pattern, in in this
this respect,
respect, as as
does
does the the Hebrew. It has hebdomas standing
It has standing alone alone in in
Daniel
Daniel 9:24-27,
9:24-27, but but qualified
qualified by by "of days" in
"of days" in Daniel
10:2,
10:2, 3.3. The distinction
distinction and the the intent are obvious.
intent are obvious.
b.
b. It has been noted (see
It has (see Question
Question 24) 24) that that aa
characteristic feature
characteristic feature of symbolic prophecy
of symbolic prophecy is is to give
to give
the component
the component time time periods,
periods, not literally,
literally, but in
in sym-
sym-
bolic form.
bolic form. And it it has been further
has been further demonstrated
demonstrated that that
Daniel 9:24-27 is
Daniel 9:24-27 is aa continuation
continuation of of the
the literal
literal explana-
explana-
tion of
tion of the
the symbolic
symbolic vision that was begun
vision that begun in Daniel
in Daniel
8: 19-26.
8:19-26. Now, Now, inasmuch as
as Daniel
Daniel 9:24-27
9:24-27 is
is a
a portion
portion
of the
of literal explanation
the literal explanation of of the
the symbolic vision, we
symbolic vision,
logically expect
would logically expect the the time elements
elements likewise
likewise to to
be given
be given in in literal
literal terms.
terms. Such is the case
is the case if shabua' is
if shabua' is
here given the obvious

here given the obvious meaning meaning of
of "seven
"seven years."
years." It
It is
is
278
278 QUESTIONS
generally
generally agreed among Jewish,
agreed among Catholic, and Protes-
Jewish, Catholic, Protes^
tant scholars
tant scholars alike that if
alike that shabua' in
if shabua' Daniel 9:24
in Daniel 9:24 hashas
the meaning
the meaning "seven years," then
"seven years," then seventy
seventy shabu'im
clearly indicates
clearly indicates aa period
period of of 490 years.
years.
5.
5. SUBDIVISIONS OF A SINGLE OVER-ALL UNIT. UNIT.-
There is is first
first aa general
general statement
statement of
of the
the length
length of of the
the
period,
period, and then
then the
the particulars
particulars of
of the
the manner of
of ac-
ac-
complishment. The seventy
complishment. weeks, collectively,
seventy weeks, collectively, was
divided for
divided for emphasis
emphasis into
into three
three unequal segments-7
unequal segments 7
weeks,
weeks, 62
62 weeks,
weeks, and I
1 week, giving
week, giving a
a total of
total of 70.
70.
An important
important development
development or
or event
event was
was connected
with each
with each part.
part. These, believe, were but
These, we believe, but subdivi-
subdivi-
sions
sions of of aa single chronological
single chronological unit,
unit, the
the three
three parts
parts
following
following one another without a
a break.
break. (Our
(Our reasons
reasons
will be developed
will be developed in in Question
Question 26.) 26.)
Note thethe situation:
situation: Jerusalem
Jerusalem was was in in captivity
captivity and
the
the sanctuary,
sanctuary, or or Temple,
Temple, in ruins. Then came the
in ruins. the
"commandment,"
"commandment," or or issuance
issuance of of aa series
series of of decrees,
decrees, to to
restore and rebuild
restore rebuild Jerusalem.
Jerusalem. According
According to
to Ezra 6:
6:1414
this commandment involved
this three progressive
involved three progressive and inin-
terrelated decrees,
terrelated decrees, given
given in in sequence
sequence by by Cyrus,
Cyrus, Darius,
Darius,
and Artaxerxes.
Artaxerxes.* * That of of Cyrus (who
Cyrus (who gave gave the
the order
order
simply
simply to
to 'restore
"restore the
the Temple)
Temple) was
was issued
issued in
in 537
537 B.C.;
B.C.;
that
that of of Darius Hystaspes
Darius Hystaspes (who (who confirmed the
the order
order
continued the
and continued the work of of Temple restoration) was
Temple restoration)
probably
probably givengiven in
in 519 B.C.;
B.C.; and finally,
finally, thethe climactic
climactic
decree
decree went forth forth in in 457 B.C.,
B.C., in
in thethe seventh
seventh year year of of
Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes Longimanus,
Longimanus, who sent
sent Ezra to
to Judea
Judea with
with
*It took the

*It took the three
three decrees-of
decrees of Cyrus, of Darius,
Cyrus, of of Artaxerxes
Darius, and of Artaxerxes-to implement
to implement
the "commandment" of
the of God (Ezra
(Ezra 6:14).
6:14). But 457 B.C.
But when 457 B.C. came, the "command-
came, the
ment" of of God was complete. We consequently
was complete. believe that
consequently believe that 457
457 B.C.,
B.C., the
the seventh
seventh
year of Artaxerxes,
year of Artaxerxes, is is the beginning date
the beginning date of the prophetic
of the prophetic period
period referred
referred to
to in
in
Daniel 9:24,
Daniel 9 :24.
THE 70
2300 DAYS 279
279
privileges and prerogatives.

new privileges (See the
prerogatives. (See the accompany-
accompany-
ing diagram on page
ing diagram page 280.)
280.)
The Tem/)/e was finished
Ternple was in 515
finished in B.C., in
515 B.C., in the
the sixth
sixth
year
year of
of Darius (Ezra 6: 15).
(Ezra 6:15). But it
it was
was not
not until
until 457
457
B.C. that the authorization
that the authorization was given for the
given for the complete
complete
restoration of
restoration of the city. This
the city. This looked
looked forward
forward to the
to the
Jewish
Jewish state's receiving full
state's receiving autonomy, with
full autonomy, with provision
provision
for enforcing its
for enforcing its own lawslaws-subject,
subject, of
of course, to
course, to the
the
overlordship
overlordship of
of the
the Persian
Persian Empire (Ezra 7:
Empire (Ezra 7:11-26). It11-26). It
therefore took
therefore took all three decrees,
all three decrees, and particularly
particularly that that
of Artaxerxes, to
of Artaxerxes, to complete
complete and to
to constitute
constitute the
the "com-
mandment" or or purpose
purpose of God.**
of God.
The initial
initial seven weeks (or
seven weeks (or 49 years) saw
49 years) saw the
the streets
streets
and the
the walls
walls ofof Jerusalem
Jerusalem rebuilt.
rebuilt. The additional
additional 62
62
weeks (or
weeks (or 434 years)
years) reached
reached to
to the
the time
time when Messiah
Messiah
should appear. This 62-week
should appear. period was,
62-week period was, in in contrast,
contrast, a a
rather quiet
rather quiet oror silent
silent stretch
stretch of years, including
of years, including the the
time between Malachi,
time between Malachi, lastlast of the prophets,
of the prophets, and John John
the Baptist,
the herald and baptizer
Baptist, herald baptizer of of the
the Messiah.
Messiah. It It was,
was,
significantly, a period when there
significantly, a period there were no special special
prophetic
prophetic communications from God to
to the
the people.
people.
But the
the initial
initial seven weeks of
seven weeks years, together
of years, together with
the 62
the weeks, were
62 weeks, were toto be
be considered
considered as as an uninterrupted
uninterrupted
chronological
chronological unit
unit of
of 69
69 weeks (Dan.
(Dan. 9:25), and were
9:25),
to be
to be without
without aa break
break or or gap.
gap. That is is aa total
total ofof 69
"weeks"
"weeks" of
of years (making
years (making 483
483 years) leading
years) leading up up to
to the
final
final week ofof seven years, in
seven years, in the
the midst of of which Messiah
would bebe "cut
"cut off."
off."
The 483483 years
years (60(69 "weeks"),
"weeks"), it it will
will be seen,
seen, reach
* As to
*As to 457
457 B.C. being the
B.C. being the
.eventh year of
seventh year of Artaxerx.,. thor~rore the
Artaxerxes, and therefore the determina-
determina-
tive date, see
tive date, Siegfried H.
see Siegfried Horn and Lynn
Lynn H. Wood,
Wood, The CltronolollY
Chronology ot Ezra 77
of Ezra
(1953). (The detailed
(1953). (The detailed support for this
support for this date
date will
will appear QuestIon 27.)
appear under Question 27.)
UJ
o
se
70WE'EKS OFVEARS
|;
A.D.
31
69 Weeks (483 YlLars) I
t
A.D
B.C. B.C. 27 A.D.
457 408 34
COO*>
B.C. B.C.
537 Jerusalem Rebuilt Tim~s of S.ltnce
c.519
r T •
7W~~k$ (49yt.rs)
62 Weeks (434 years) IW«k(7ytars)
70th week
i
3
CYRUS DARIUS ARTAXERXES

L
Thr£IdolJ DUrl'e "i!le,' (,9 lI'uks
JJIl?
S-l
"They 6m5hed ,heir buddmg Messiah "cut 0&"

by CODUDand' o( me God of Is- SaCrl6.ce and ob·
rael and by detree 01 C~ ..US and (.won to cease
S.g
DariU$ 3Jld Atta).cr"es I..rnJ! of

Perna," Ezra 6 l-f. R.s.V.
r. Pl'Nil'IIOIIl Flt/fi'h'"
I FlDlsh"transgression
End SIR otruings
~ M3J..e reconciliation
THE 70 WEEKS OF DANIEL 9 ·t Btlng in righteousllHS

5. Seal propbeq and ,islOn
6 AnOmt most holy
CM
00
o
280
THE 70
2300 DAYS 281
281
to the anointing
to the anointing of Jesus as
of Jesus as the Messiah by
the Messiah by the Holy
the Holy
Spirit at
Spirit at His baptism
baptism (Luke 22). We believe
3:21, 22).
(Luke 3:21, believe that
that
began His public
He began public ministry
ministry in in A.D. 27,27, following
following His His
anointing
anointing (Mark (Mark 1: 14;
1:14; Luke 4: 18;
4:18; Acts
Acts 10:38;
10:38; Heb.
Heb.
9: 12). But the
9:12). the seventy
seventy weeks of years were not
of years not to to
dose until
close un~il thethe atoning
atoning deathdeath of of Christ
Christ had occurred
occurred
(see
(see Section
Section 9), resulting
9), resulting in
in six
six specific developments-
specific developments
indicated
indicated by by the
the six
six consecutive
consecutive clauses
clauses of of verse
verse 24.
24. These
were:
were: (1) (I) the Jews were
the Jews were to to finish
finish their
their transgression
transgression
through
through the the rejection
rejection of
of Jesus
Jesus as
as the
the Messiah,
Messiah, (2) the
(2) the
Messiah was to to make an end of of sin offerings, (3)
sin offerings, (3) He
was to to make reconciliation
reconciliation for iniquity, (4)
for iniquity, (4) He was
to bring
to bring in in everlasting righteousness, (5)
everlasting righteousness, (5) the
the vision
vision
was to
was to bebe sealed
sealed or or authenticated,
authenticated, and (6) (6) the
the most
most
holy
holy was to
to be anointed.
anointed.
But it it was "after"
"after" thethe 6969 weeks of of years
years-yet yet within
the
the lastlast or or seventieth
seventieth week of of years
years-thatthat Messiah
Messiah
would be be "cut
"cut off,"
off," which is is the
the focal point of
focal point this
of this
prophecy.
prophecy. And we believe
believe that
that when our Lord as-
as-
cended into
cended into heaven,
heaven, and the Holy Spirit
the Holy Spirit descended as as
the signal
the signal of
of Christ's
Christ's inauguration
inauguration as
as heavenly
heavenly Priest,
Priest,
there remained not
there remained not one of of these
these specifications
specifications of of Dan-
iel 9:24 that
iel 9:24 that had not not been fully accomplished.
fully accomplished.
recognized by
As recognized by many
many Christian
Christian scholars, Jesus
scholars, Jesus
began
began His
His public ministry
public ministry at
at the
the very beginning
very beginning of
of the
the
final or
final or seventieth
seventieth week of of years, declaring
years, declaring "The time
is
is fulfilled"
fulfilled" (Mark (Mark 1: 15). And in
1:15). this final
in this final "week" of of
years,
years, thus
thus begun,
begun, He confirmed by
by His life
life and teach-
teach-
ings, and
ings, and ratified
ratified byby His death,
death, the everlasting covenant
the everlasting
of grace
of grace God had
had made with the
the family. Be-
human family. Be-
cause
cause of of His
His death, resurrection, and ascension
death, resurrection, ascension in in the
the
"midst"
"midst" of of the
the seventieth
seventieth week,week, He did not not remain
282
282 QUESTIONS
on earth
earth during
during the the second
second half
half of the seventieth
of the seventieth week.
week.
But His
His message
message and mission continued to
mission continued to be preached
preached
for
for a little time
a little time (possibly three and aa half
(possibly three half years)
years) toto the
the
Jews
Jews in
in Jerusalem
Jerusalem by by the
the first
first evangelists.
evangelists. Thus Israel's
Israel's
day of
day of grace
grace continued
continued for for aa short
short space,
space, and thethe seventy
seventy
weeks ran
weeks ran their
their allotted
allotted course.
course.
6. MESSIAH "CUT
6. MESSIAH "Cur OFF" BY VIOLENT DEATH. DEATH.-The The
precision
precision of
of the
the closing
closing events
events of
of the
the seventy
seventy weeks
weeks is
is
most impressive.
most impressive. The confirming
confirming of
of the
the covenant
covenant char-
char-
acterizes
acterizes thethe seventieth
seventieth week,
week, withwith thethe cutting
cutting off of
off of
the Messiah
the Messiah "in the midst
"in the midst of the week."
of the week." And even the the
place, or
place, or city,
city, where the the atonement was was toto be made is is
here revealed. Messiah the

here revealed. the Prince,
Prince, or or the
the Anointed
Prince'*' (Dan.
Prince* 9:25; compare
(Dan. 9:25; compare Acts Acts 10:38)
10:38) would come,come,
not as aa glorious
not as glorious conqueror
conqueror and emancipator,
emancipator, but
but would
be "cut
be off" (karath)
"cut off" (karath) f t by
by aa violent,
violent, vicarious
vicarious death
death
(compare Isa.
(compare Isa. 53:8).53:8). This is the
is the word commonly used
commonly
for the death
for the death penalty.
penalty. This was was "not for himself"
"not for himself"
(Dan. 9:26)-it
(Dan. 9:26) it was a
a substitutionary
substitutionary death.
death. However,
However,
the margin reads,
the margin reads, "and shall nothing." $t It
have nothing."
shall have It would
be by
be by judicial decree, or
judicial decree, or mob violence.
violence. And this this would
be
be inin the "midst" (chasi)
the "midst" (chasf) of
of the
the week (verse
(verse 27).27).
*We agree
agree withwith Keil
Keil (C.
(G. F. Ken and F.
F. Keil Bible Commentary
Delitzsch. Bible
F. Delitzsch, CommentaTY on the the
Old Testament,
Testament, The Book of Daniel the
of Daniel Prophet, pp.
the Prophet^ pp. 354,
354, 355, 360), that
355, 360), that there
there is
is
only one who is
only is at
at the
the same time
time both priest and king,
both priest king, after
after the
the order
order ofof Melchizedek
Melchizedek
(Heb.
(Heb. 5:5:6-10;
6-10; 6: 6:19, 20).
19, 20).
tThe Hebrew word karath
fThe kaTath appears
appears fully 180 times
fully 180 times in the Old Testament.
in the Testament. In most
In most
instances it
instances it is
is rendered "cut 011/'
rendered "cut ojf>" such as "evildoers
such as shall be
"evildoers shall be cut
cut 011" (Ps. 37:9),
off" (Ps. 37:9),
the
the "seed
"seed ofof the
the wicked
wicked shall be cut
shall be off" (Ps.
cut off" 37:28; see
(Ps. 37:28; see also verses 9,
also verses 9, 34,
34, 38);
38); also
also
"destToy"
"destroy" (Ex.(Ex. 8:9;
8:9; 1 Kings 15:/3)
1 Kings and "perish"
15:13) and (Gen. 41:36).
"perish" (Gen. 41:36).
:tOn
$On the clause "and shatt^
the clause shall have nothing" (Dan.
have nothing" (Dan. 9:26,
9:26, margin),
margin), manymany Hebrew
scholars agree
scholars agree thatthat the
the meaning
meaning is: is: He shall then possess
shall then possess nothing
nothing-no people, no
no people,
place, no recognition,
place, recognition, no no kingdom.
kingdom. He shall shall be
be deprIved
deprived of of everything.
everything. (Thus, Cal-
(Thus, Cal-
vin, Ebrard, Kranichfeld, Kliefoth, Junius, Gaebelein, Morgan, Scofield.) Other
renderings are: (1) "not for Himself' -but for others (Vitringa, Rosenmiiller, Wil-
lett,
lett, Havernick, , Bullinger); (2) "shall have no adherents" (Auberlen, Grotius,
Havernick, :Bullinger); , ,
margin);
margin); (3) (3) "there
"there shall
shall be none to to help
help Him" (Vatablus)
(Vatablus); (4)
;
(4) "there
"there shall
shall not
not
be to
be him"-no
to him," no city,
city, sanctuary, kingdom, or
sanctuary, kingdom, people (Pusey);
or people (Pusey) ;
(5) "it
(5) is not
**it is not to
to
Him"-His
Him" place as
His place Messiah, which was
as Messiah, was not
not accorded
accorded Him (Keill.(Keil). How well this
well this
accords with
accords with the
the declaration that
declaration that He "came unto his
unto his own,own, and his Own received
his own received
him not"
not" (John
(John 1: 11).
1:11).
THE 70
2300 DAYS 283
283
Messiah was cut

The Messiah cut off tor man. Such was
by man for
off by the
was the
whereby this
means whereby this prophecy
prophecy was
was to
to be
be fulfilled.
fulfilled.
And "midst,"
"midst," we believe,
believe, is is punctiliar, designating
punctiliar, designating
a point
point at at which something
something is
is to happen
to happen-that that some-
some-
thing being
thing being the
the death of
of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ the
the Messiah,
Messiah,
understand occurred
which we understand occurred in in the
the spring
spring of A.D. 31,
of A.D. 31,
just 3Y2
just 3i/2 years
years after
after His
His anointing
anointing and the
the beginning of
beginning of
His public
public ministry.
ministry. Even if
if A.D.
A.D. 30
30 be
be taken
taken as
as the
the
crucifixion date, it
crucifixion date, it is
is still
still in
in the the middle of of this
this last
last
week of years. Jerome's
of years. Jerome's Vulgate Vulgate reads reads dimidio
dimidio
hebdomadis ("in the midst
("in the midst of of the week"). That is
the week"). is like-
like-
wise the
wise the rendering
rendering of the K.J.V.,
of the K.J.V., Ray, Boothroyd,
Ray, Boothroyd,
Sawyer,
Sawyer, Spurrell, Young, Rotherham,
Spurrell, Young, Rotherham, Knox, Knox, Rheims-
Rheims-
Douay,
Douay, and A.R.V.,
A.R.V., as well as
as well as Luther's
Luther's German and
the French of
the Osterwald. * Even the
of Martin and Osterwald.* the R.S.V.,
R.S.V.,
which here here translates
translates the the Hebrew word chasi chasi, as as J
"for
"for half of," in
half of," in other places translates
other places translates the the same word
as
as "in
"in the midst of"
the midst of" (Joshua
(Joshua 10: 13;
10:13; Ps.
Ps. 102:24;
102:24; Jer.Jer.
17: II).
17:11).
than that,
More than that, at the moment of
at the of Christ's
Christ's death
death as as
the Lamb of
the of God,
God, allall the typical sacrifices
the typical sacrifices met their their
antitypical
antitypical fulfillment.
fulfillment. Their death
death knell
knell was rung.
rung.
The supernatural rending of
supernatural rending of thethe Temple
Temple veil veil (Matt.
(Matt.
27:50, 51)
27:50, was Heaven's
51) was Heaven's declaration
declaration that that the
the typical
typical
.Jewish animal sacrifices
Jewish animal sacrifices and oblations
oblations had ceased ceased to to
have efficacy,
have efficacy, and had forever
forever ended in
in the
the plan
plan of
of God.
The way
way of of access into the
access into presence of
the presence of God was opened
opened
through Christ
through Christ (Heb.
(Heb. 10: 19, 20).
10:19, 20). Man could now ap- ap-
proach
proach God directly,
directly, without the
the intervention
intervention of
of a
*Those
*Those who hold hold that
that Christ
Christ was
was crucified
crucified in the "midst" of
in the of the
the seventieth
seventieth
week include
include Keil,
Keil, Pusey, Kliefoth, Jamieson,
Pusey, Kliefoth, Faucett and Brown,
Jamieson, Faucett Brown, Auberlen,
Auberlen,
Strong, Hlivernick, Hengstenberg, Hofmann, Delitzsch, Wright, Boutflower,
Strong, Havernick, Hengstenberg, Hofmann, Delitzsch, Wright, Boutflower, Young, Young.
and many
many others.
others.
284 QUESTIONS
priest, because
human priest, because Christ,
Christ, and ChristChrist alone,
alone, consti-
consti-
tuted the
tuted the new and living living "way" (John 14:6).
"way" (John 14:6). The ful- ful-
fillment
fillment completely
completely met the
the specifications
specifications of
of the
the proph-
proph-
ecy that
ecy said, "He shall
that said, cause the
shall cause the sacrifice
sacrifice and the the
oblation to
oblation to cease"
cease" (Dan 9:
(Dan 9:27). 27).
The terminus
terminus of of thethe seventieth
seventieth week w~ek was not not
singled
singled out
out as
as important.
important. It
It would come after
after all
all six
six
specifications
specifications were
were fulfilled.
fulfilled. Numerous scholars
scholars have
have
held
held thatthat the
the rejection
rejection of of the
the Jews,
Jews, asas God's
God's covenant
people, did
people, did not not taketake placeplace until
until the
the Jews
Jews stoned
Stephen,
Stephen, the
the first
first Christian
Christian martyr (Acts 7:57-60).
martyr (Acts 7:57-60).
General persecution
General persecution broke broke out out upon
upon the
the church (Acts (Acts
8: 1) as
8:1) as the
the seventy
seventy weeks of of years
years came to to an end.end. The
prophecy declared
prophecy declared that that the covenant was to
the covenant to bebe con-
con-
firmed during the
firmed during the "one week" (Dan. 9:27).
(Dan. 9:27). During During
the
the latter half of
latter half this prophesied
of this prophesied seventieth
seventieth week,week, the the
apostles preached
apostles preached the the sacrificial
sacrificial death, resurrection,
death, resurrection,
and ascension
ascension of of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ at
at Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, until until thethe
climactic
climactic sermon of of Stephen,
Stephen, under the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of God,
God,
ended in in his
his martyrdom,
martyrdom, when the message of
the message the
of the
Messiah was finally
Messiah finally rejected
rejected by by the Jews (Acts
the Jews (Acts 7).7).
7. SCOPE OF SIXFOLD ACCOMPLISHMENT.
7. ACCOMPLISHMENT.-Mention Mention
has been made concerning
has concerning the the prophesied
prophesied six six events
events that
that
were to occur in
to occur in the
the "midst"
"midst" of of that
that fateful
fateful seventieth
seventieth
week of of years.
years. These results results all all impinge
impinge upon upon the the
supreme
supreme event
event of
of our Lord's
Lord's death
death (Dan. 9:25),
(Dan. 9:25), and
have to to do with His first, first, and not not His second,
second, advent.
advent.
The sacrificial
sacrificial death of
of the
the Messiah is
is foundational,
foundational,
and is the climactic
is the climactic eventevent of of this prophecy. And these
this prophecy. these
six accomplishments grow
six accomplishments grow out of of that
that accomplished
accomplished
fact.
fact. Note them:them:
(1)
(1) To finishfinish the the transgression
transgression (verse (verse 24).24). The
THE 70 WEEKS AND THE 2300
2300 DAYS 285
285
thought in
thought In this
this phrase
phrase is is that of bringing
that of bringing transgression
transgression
to the
to the fulL The filling
full. filling upup ofof the
the cup
cup of iniquity by
of iniquity by the
the
Jews referred to
Jews was referred to by
by our Lord,
Lord, who said, said, "Fill
"Fill yeye upup
then the
then the measure of your fathers"
of your fathers" (Matt.
(Matt 23:32;
23:32; com-
pare Gen,
pare Gen. 15: 16). Their crowning
15:16). crowning sin was, of
sin was, of course,
course,
the rejection and the
the rejection the crucifixion
crucifixion of of the
the Messiah.
Messiah. Thus
the nation
the nation passedpassed thethe line
line ofof no return.
return. "Behold,
"Behold, your your
house is left unto you
is feft you desolate,"
desolate," declared Jesus (Matt.
declared Jesus (Matt.
23:38).
23:38). This fulfilledfulfilled the the Master's
Master's prophecy,
prophecy, "The
kingdom of
kingdom of God shall
shall be be taken
taken from you, you, and given
given to to
a nation
nation bringing
bringing forthforth thethe fruits thereof" (Matt.
fruits thereof" (Matt. 21:
21:
43).
43).
(2)
(2) To make an end of sins, or
of sins, sin offerings
or sin offerings
(chatta'th;
(chatta'th; compare
compare Lev. 4:3, 21,
Lev. 4:3, 21, 24,
24, 32).
32). When the the
great offering
great offering was made on Calvary,
Calvary, and the
the Lamb of
of
God,
God, the
the true
true Sacrifice,
Sacrifice, was
was slain
slain to
to take
take away
away the
the s.in
sin of
of
the
the world (John (John 1: that brought
29), that
1:29), brought to to an end the the
ceremonial sin sin offerings.
offerings. Daniel 9:27 says, "He shall
9:27 says, shall
cause the
cause the sacrifice
sacrifice and oblation
oblation to to cease."
cease/' The Temple
Temple
veil
veil was rentrent when Jesus Jesus died.
died. At Calvary
Calvary the the ceremo-
ceremo-
nial sin
nial sin offerings ceased to
offerings ceased to have any any efficacy,
efficacy, and soon
they
they ceased
ceased entirely.
entirely.
(3) To make reconciliation
(3) reconciliation for for iniquity.
iniquity. By By thethe
death
death of the Son of
of the of God,
God, full
full sacrificial
sacrificial atonement was
made for for the redemption of
the redemption of a a lost world. "God was
lost world.
in Christ,
in Christ, reconciling
reconciling the
the world unto himself" (2
himself" (2 Cor.
Cor.
5: 19).
5:19). Peace
Peace was made through
through the
the blood of
of the
the cross
cross
(Col.
(Col. I1:20).
:20). We were reconciled
reconciled to to God by by the death
of His Son (Rom.
of His 5: 10), and with
(Rom. 5:10), with thethe apostles
apostles we "re- "re-
joice
joice in
in God through
through our Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ,
Christ, through
through
whom we have have now received reconciliation" (verse
received our reconciliation" (verse
11, R.S.V.).
11, R.S.V.).
288
288 QUESTIONS
complete unity
complete unity and harmony
harmony of
of aU component
allcomponent sub-
sub-
divisions.
divisions.
8.
8. SEVENTIETH "WEEK" CONFIRMS COVENANT.- COVENANT. Two
different renderings of
different renderings Daniel 9:27
of Daniel 9:27 are current. One
are current.
states that "he
states that "he shall
shall confirm
confirm the the covenant" (K.J.V.); (K.J.V.);
the other,
the taking "week" as
other, taking as the
the subject, reads, "One
subject, reads,
week shaH
shall establish
establish the the covenant"
covenant" (LXX,(LXX, Theodotion's
Theodotion's
Greek version).
Greek version). There appears appears to
to be
be about equal
equal
linguistic support
linguistic support for
for each
each rendering-one
rendering one Hebraist
Hebraist
referring
referring to to it
it as
as a a fifty-fifty division of
fifty-fifty division determinative
of determinative
evidence. The historic
evidence. historic Protestant position applies
Protestant position applies thethe
"he"
"he" to Christ.
to Christ.
other translation,
The other translation, "One week shall shall establish
establish
the
the covenant,"
covenant," is is based on Theodotion's rendering.
based rendering.
And such
such a a rendering
rendering has
has definite
definite scholarly
scholarly support.
support.
Zockler (Lange's
Zockler Commentary,
(Lange's Commentary, on Dan. 9:27)9:27) lists
lists
Havernick, Hengstenberg, Auberlen,

Havernick, Hengstenberg, Auberlen, Dereser, Dereser, Von Len-
gerke, Hitzig,
gerke, Rosenmiiller, and Hofmann as
Hitzig, Rosenmiiller, as regarding
regarding
"one week" as the subject.
as the subject. Keil
Keil (oP
(op cit.,
cit., p. 365) states
p. 365) states
that
that "many"
"many" hold
hold this
this view,
view, and lists
lists some of
of the
the same
names. Young
Young names two who hold this this view (The (The
Prophecy
Prophecy of
of Daniel,
Daniel, p. 208).
p. 208). And Biederwolf
Biederwolf (The
(The
Millennium Bible, Bible, p. 223), while
p. 223), while not
not accepting
accepting the the view
himself, admits,
himself, admits, "Many "Many authorities
authorities take take the the word
'week'
'week* to be the
to be subject of
the subject the sentence-"one
of the sentence 'one week shall shall
confirm thethe covenant to many.' ""
to many/
This last week, we believe,
last week, believe, was to to be
be marked by by the
the
supreme
supreme eventevent of
of the
the agesages-thethe redemptive
redemptive death of
of
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ. That which was was accomplished
accomplished during during that
that
final
final "week,"
"week," or or hebdomad, confirmed the
hebdomad, confirmed the new cove- cove-
nant,
nant, and caused
caused the the cessation
cessation ofof the
the entire
entire system
system ofof
sacrifices appointed for
sacrifices appointed for Old Testament times, times, by by the
the
THE 70
THE 70 WEEKS AND THE
WEEKS AND THE 2300
2300 DAYS
DAYS 289
289
offering
offering of of Christ
Christ as as the
the once-for-aU
once-for-all and and all-sufficient
all-sufficient
sacrifice
sacrifice for
for sins.
sins.
Christ
Christ is is the
the oneone who
who confirms
confirms the the new
new covenant
covenant by by
His death. So,
His death. So, irrespective
irrespective of of thethe subject-"he"
subject "he'
7
or
or
"week"-Christ
"week" Christ is is the
the central
central figure
figure in
In that
that seventieth
seventieth
week.
week. And And whether
whether the the emphasis
emphasis is is on
on Christ
Christ Himself,
Himself,
who confirms
who confirms the the covenant,
covenant, or whether it
or whether it is
is onon the
the
week in
week in which tremendous
tremendous eventsevents occur,
occur, centering in
centering in
Christ
Christ and the transaction of of Calvary
Calvary whichwhich confirms
confirms
the
the covenant,
covenant, ChristChrist remains the the central
central figure
figure ofof verse
verse
27. This position
27. This position givesgives to
to the last
last week of of the
the seventy
seventy
the importance
importance it it should have,
have, and which the the prophecy
prophecy
as
as aa whole demands, inasmuch as as all
all the
the predictions
predictions of of
verse
verse 24 depend
depend on the concomitant events
events of
of that
that
last
last fateful week.
Another fundamental point point in in the

the text
text·'isis that
that the
the
duration of of this covenant would not
this not bebe merely
merely "for""/or"
week, but that
one week, that the
the covenant
covenant would be, be, and
and was,was,
forever at
confirmed forever at aa historic
historic point
point in in this
this last heb-
last heb-
domad. And this this covenant
covenant-Gad's everlasting covenant
God's everlasting covenant
-was
was confirmed by by the
the blood of of the
the divine
divine Son Son of of
God (Heb. 13:20), when He gave
(Heb. 13:20), gave Himself for for the
the sins
sins
of the
of the world
world "in "in the
the midst
midst ofof the
the week."
week."
9. TERMINUS
9. TERMINUS OF OF SEVENTIETH
SEVENTIETH HEBDOMAD.
HEBDOMAD.-Exposi-
Exposi-
tors have
tors have long
long sought
sought forfor some
some incontrovertible
incontrovertible event event
to mark
to mark the the close
close of of the
the seventy
seventy weeks
weeks of of years
years of of verse
verse
27. Not
27. Not aa fewfew havehave suggested
suggested the the stoning
stoning of of Stephen
Stephen
(Acts 7).
(Acts 7). But
But thisthis isis variously
variously dated
dated as as occurring
occurring in in
32, 33,
A.D. 32,
A.D. 33, or or 34.
34. Others
Others have
have considered
considered the the conver-
conver-
sion of
sion of Saul
Saul (Acts(Acts 9),
9), or
or the
the declaration,
declaration, "Lo, "La, we we turn
turn
to the
to the Gentiles"
Gentiles" (Acts (Acts 13:46).
13:46). The The timing
timing of of these
these
episodes, however, isis not
episodes, however, not atat all
all certain.
certain. In In this
this con-
con-
10
10
QUESTIONS
nection
nection the the question
question arises,arises, Is Is itit really
really necessary
necessary to to
pinpoint some event
pinpoint event as as marking
marking the the close
close of the 70
of the 70
weeks? No specific
weeks? specific event
event is
is predicted
predicted in
in the
the prophecy,
prophecy,
and it it would therefore
therefore seem that that no historic
historic event
event is is
actually
actually called
called for
for to
to indicate
indicate its
its close.
close.
Consider the
Consider the form and emphasis emphasis of of this
this unique
unique
prophecy.
prophecy. In
In the
the 70
70 "weeks of
of years"-totaling
years" totaling 490490
years,
years, as
as generally
generally conceded-the
conceded the stress
stress is not
is not placed
placed
on the individual component
the individual component years, years, asas such,
such, but upon upon
70 units of
70 units seven years.
of seven years. These units units are are commonly
commonly
called
called hebdomads (from (from the the Greek hebdomas,
hebdomas, a a group
group
of
of 7),
7),
or
or heptads
heptads (with (with the
the same meaning). There
meaning).
are, as
are, noted, 70
as noted, 70 ofof these
these hebdomads in in the
the prophecy,
prophecy,
clustered into
clustered into three
three groups-7,
groups 7, 62, 62, and 1I-together together
constituting
constituting the
the 70.
70. The prophecy
prophecy deals
deals with
with events
events to
to
occur in
occur in each
each of these major
of these clusters,
major clusters, or
or divisions:
divisions: The
77 hebdomads (totaling(totaling 49 years) years) and the the 62 62 (equaling
(equaling
434 years)
434 years) together
together make 69 69 hebdomads (483 (483 years),
years),
before coming
before coming to
to the
the seventieth
seventieth hebdomad,
hebdomad, or
or last
last
unit
unit of of 77 years.
years. Young
Young has interestingly emphasized
has interestingly emphasized
that
that thethe prophecy
prophecy is is "besevened" into these
into these 7-year
7-year
units, with
units, with certain things to
certain things take place
to take place in in each majormajor
segment.
segment.
When so regarded, it
so regarded, it will
will be be seen
seen thatthat allall 70
70
hebdomads are are fully
fully accounted for for when the the events
events ofof
the "midst"
the "midst" of of the
the seventieth
seventieth or last hebdomad took
or last took
place historically.
place historically. The fraction fraction of of the
the seventieth
seventieth heb- heb-
domad remaining
remaining after after the death, resurrection,
the death, resurrection, and
ascension of
ascension of our Lord was was then no longer longer aa matter
matter ofof
material consequence. The terms
material consequence. terms of of thethe prophecy
prophecy
called
called forfor a a cluster
cluster of of seven
seven events
events (six (six in
in verse
verse 2424 and
one in
one in verse
verse 27),
27), all
all toto take place in
take place in the
the "midst"
"midst" of of
THE 70
2300 DAYS 291
291
the
the last, or
last, or seventieth,
seventieth, hebdomad. And these these all all oc-
oc-
curred
curred at at thethe scheduled
scheduled time. time. But,But} we repeat, repeat, no
predicted
predicted event
event is
is called
called for
for to
to mark the
the close
close of the
of the
last unit. The first
last unit. first 69 69 hebdomads reach reach to to thethe manifes-
manifes-
tation of
tation the Messiah,
of the Messiah, and the the seventieth-the
seventieth the one re- re-
maining hebdomad-is
maining hebdomad is accounted
accounted for for as as aa unit
unit by by thethe
events
events clustering
clustering about Calvary, occurring
Calvary, occurring in
in its
its "midst."
"midst."
If some event
If event were to to take place at
take place midday on aa speci-
at midday speci-
fied
fied day,
day, and it it occurred at at noon on that that precise
precise day,day,
would not not thethe expectation
expectation be
be perfectly
perfectly fulfilled,
fulfilled, irre-
irre-
spective
spective of of what happened
happened during, during, or or at at the
the close
close of,of,
lhe remaining
the remaining half
half of
of the
the day?
day?
Thus it was, we believe,
it was, believe, with
with the the seventieth
seventieth heb- heb-
domad}
domad, or or unit
unit ofof 7,7, in the series
in the series ofof 70.
70. The exact exact dating,
dating,
or
or starting point, of
starting point, the first
of the first hebdomad of of thethe entire
entire
series
series of of 70 has
has been -established
-established as 457as 457 B.C. That is
is
vital. And the

vital. beginning year
the beginning year of the last
of the last hebdomad
(A.D. 27)
(A.D. 27) is
is likewise
likewise known. Having
Having these
these known fac- fac-
tors,
tors, there
there can
can be no mistake
mistake in
in calculating
calculating the
the time
time of
of
the events to
the events to occur
occur in in the
the "midst" of of thethe seventieth
seventieth
hebdomad} which is
hebdomad, is the
the focal point of
focal point of the
the entire proph-
entire proph-
ecy.
ecy.
So, although various
So, although various expositors
expositors (such (such as as Hales,
Hales,
Tanner, Taylor, et
Tanner, Taylor, et cetera)
cetera) suggest
suggest the the martyrdom
martyrdom of of
Stephen
Stephen as
as the
the closing
closing event of
of the
the seventieth
seventieth week-
week
and suchsuch might
might be quite quite reasonable-no
reasonable no historical historical
mark is actually necessary,
is actually necessary, and possibly possibly none can be be
pointed
pointed out
out with
with certainty.
certainty. We therefore
therefore recognize
recognize the
the
seventieth
seventieth hebdomad as as having
having its its fundamental em-
phasis on the tr.anscendent event of Christ's death,

phasis on the transcendent event of Christ's death,
along with
along with the the six
six great
great corollaries,
corollaries, all all clustered
clustered in in the
the
"midst"
"midst" of of the
the last
last hebdomad.
292
292 QUESTIONS
10.
10. FURTHER 'WOES WOES TO FALL UPON THE JEWS. JEws.-Next Next
is foretold
Is foretold the the appalling
appalling adversities
adversities to to follow,
follow, after
after the
the
close of
close of the
the 70 weeks. These came as
70 weeks. as aa consequence
consequence of of
the
the Jewish rejection
Jewish rejection of
of the
the Messiah,
Messiah, and involved
involved the
the
destruction of
destruction of the
the Temple,
Temple, the the razing
razing of the city
of the city of of
Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, the the scattering
scattering of of the
the Jewish people, and aa
Jewish people,
succession
succession of of calamities
calamities sweeping
sweeping over
over Jerusalem
Jerusalem like like a a
flood
flood ofof desolation
desolation (Dan. 9:26).
(Dan. 9:26). The exact
exact time
time was
was
not predicted, but
not predicted, but thethe events
events would take take place
place after
after
the
the 70 weeks of
70 weeks years had dosed,
of years closed, by by A.D. 34.34. And it it
should
should be be particularly
particularly notednoted that this tragic
that this tragic visitation
visitation
was one of
was not one the specified
of the acts that
specified acts that were to to mark the the
seventieth
seventieth week week-finishing
finishing the
the transgression, making
transgression, making
an end of of sins,
sins, making reconciliation, bringing
making reconciliation, bringing in in ever-
ever-
lasting righteousness,
lasting righteousness, sealing sealing the
the vision,
vision, and anointing
anointing
the most holy.
the most holy. It It was thethe fearful
fearful aftermath and inevi- inevi-
table consequence of Israel's rejection of
table consequence of Israel's rejection of their Messiah. their Messiah.
dread "abomination of
The dread of desolation,"
desolation," spoken
spoken of of
by
by Daniel
Daniel the
the prophet,
prophet, was referred
referred to
to by
by Christ
Christ Him-
self
self inin His
His own great great prophecy:
prophecy: "When ye ye therefore
therefore
shall
shall see the abomination of
see the of desolation,
desolation, spoken
spoken of of byby
Daniel the
Daniel prophet, stand in
the prophet, in the
the holy
holy place,
place, (whoso
(whoso
readeth, let
readeth, let him understand)"
understand)" (Matt. 24: 15-20; com-
(Matt. 24:15-20;
pare Mark 13:
pare 14). This is
13:14). is more fully
fully explained
explained by by the
the
words,
words, "When ye ye shall
shall see Jerusalem compassed
see Jerusalem compassed with with
armies, then
armies, then know that that the
the desolation
desolation thereof
thereof is is nigh"
nigh"
(Luke 21:
(Luke 20). Hundreds of
21:20). of thousands
thousands were slain, slain,
tens of
tens of thQusands
thousands sold sold into
into slavery,
slavery, and war followedfollowed
upon war.
upon war.
l1. FEARFUL PUNISHMENT COMES TO JERUSALEM.-
11. JERUSALEM.
Christ
Christ Himself,
Himself, in in foretelling
foretelling the the utter
utter destruction
destruction
desolation to
and desolation to come upon Jerusalem because
upon Jerusalem because of of her
THE 70
2300 DAYS 293
293
mounting iniquities,
mounting iniquities, declared,
declared, "Verily
"Verily II say
say unto you,
YOll,
All these
All these things
things shall
shall come upon
upon tills
this generation"
generation"
(Matt. 2:1::)6).
(Matt. 23:36). These prophesied judgments
prophesied judgments uponupon Jeru-
Jeru-
salem and the
salem the Temple
Temple fell
fell beyond the close
beyond the close of
of the
the 70
70
weeks, but within
weeks, within the
the generation
generation specified.
specified. They
They were
the inevitable
the inevitable consequence
consequence of
of the
the supreme
supreme sinsin of
of Israel
Israel
in their
in their rejection
rejection of
of the
the Messiah.
Messiah. their cup
Thus their cup of
of
iniquity
iniquity was filled
filled (verse 32).
(verse 32). As our Lord looked
looked into
into
the immediate future,
the future, He wept
wept over
over the
the city,
city, saying:
saying:
If thou hadst
If thou hadst known,
known, even
even thou,
thou, at
at least
least in
in this
this thy
thy day,
day, the
the
things
things which belong
belong unto
unto thy peace!
thy peace! but
but now they
they are
are hid
hid from
thine eyes.
thine eyes. For
For the
the days
days shall upon thee,
shall come upon thee, that
that thine
thine enemies
shall cast
shall trench about thee,
cast aa trench thee, and compass
compass thee
thee round,
round, and
keep thee
keep thee in
in on every
every side, shall lay
side, and shall lay thee
thee even with with the
the
ground, and thy
ground, thy children within thee;
children within thee; and they
they shall
shall not
not leave
leave
in thee
in thee one stone upon another;
stone upon because thou knewest not
another; because not the
the
time
time ofof thy
thy visitation
visitation (Luke
(Luke 19:42-44).
19:42-44).
Beginning in
Beginning in A.D. 66,
66, wars broke out
wars broke out between the the
Jews
Jews and the
the Romans, reaching
Romans, reaching their
their climax
climax in
in A.D. 70.
70.
The Temple
Temple was was no longer
longer the
the dwelling place of
dwelling place of God,
God,
and its earthly sacrifices
its earthly sacrifices had lost lost their
their significance.
significance.
The Zealots
Zealots were denounced by by Josephus
Josephus as as the
the direct
direct
cause
cause of the destruction
of the destruction (Wars
(Wars iv.
iv. 3.
3. 3).
3). These sicarii
sicarii
("assassins")
("assassins") desecrated
desecrated everything
everything thatthat was holy,
holy, and
their
their activities
activities were characterized
characterized by by atrocities,
atrocities, profana-
profana-
tion,
tion, and violence.
violence. The consummation ended in in utter
utter
destruction.
destruction.
A few days
days before
before the
the A.D. 7070 Passover,
Passover, thethe Roman
destroyers,
destroyers, under Titus,
Titus, came to
to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem. TheyThey atat-
tacked
tacked the
the city
city and soon breached the the wall.
wall. The city city
was
was overwhelmed.
overwhelmed. As the the Temple precincts
Temple precincts were en-
en-
tered,
tered, the
the daily
daily sacrifices
sacrifices were stopped.
stopped. The Temple
Temple was
fired
fired and destroyed,
destroyed, and the the Jews
Jews ruthlessly
ruthlessly slaugh-
slaugh-
"UNTO 2300 DAYS; THEN SHAll THE SANCTUARY BE CLEANSED"
2300 YEARS
"70 WEEKS ME DETERMINED UPON THY PEOPLE"

490 YEARS
-s-
A.l>. A.O AD
<<M
A.D.
<3--
B.C. B.C.
457 408 Z7 31 34 1844
~l~
7weeks, or 3 score and2(62)meks,or Iwetk,or
49years 434 years 7years ISloyears
D
)
'-- o
o
THE ZSOO DAYS
CM
294
THE 70
2300 DAYS 295
295
tered-their
tered their blood,
blood, according
according to to Josephus, flowing in
Josephus, flowing in
streams
streams down the the steps.
steps. The desolater
desolater had come.
come. The
city and Temple
city Temple were were in in ruins;
ruins; the the desolation
desolation accom-
accom-
plished.
plished.
12. TIE-IN OF 70
12. TIE-IN 70 WEEKS AND 2300 DAys.-Because
2300 DAYS. Because
of the fact
of the fact that
that thethe crucifixion
crucifixion of of Christ
Christ in the midst
in the midst of of
the
the week definitely proves the
definitely proves correct beginning
the correct beginning of the
of the
70 weeks, and because
70 weeks, because the the 70 weeks were
70 weeks were cut
cut off
off from
the
the 2300 days,
days, we therefore
therefore hold
hold that
that the
the two
two periods
periods
began synchronously
began synchronously at at thethe full restoration of
full restoration of Jeru-
Jeru-
salem and the the sanctuary-temple,
sanctuary-temple, and of
of the
the Jewish laws
Jewish laws
and government,
government, in
in 457
457 B.C. Numerous other
other expositors
expositors
have taken 457
have taken 457 B.C. as the determinative
as the determinative date. date. The late late
Dr.
Dr. James
James Strong,
Strong, of Theological Seminary,
of Drew Theological Seminary, Eng- Eng-
lish translator and reviser
lish translator reviser of Z<'kkler (Lange's
of Zockler (Lange's Com-
rncntary, on Dan 9:24-27),
mentary, 9:24-27), says:says: "The only only 'command'
'command
5
answering
answering to
to that
that of
of verse
verse 25 25 is
is that
that ofof Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes
Longimanus, issued
Longimanus, issued in in the
the seventh
seventh yearyear of
of his
his reign,
reign,
and recorded
recorded in in the
the seventh
seventh chapter
chapter of
of Ezra,
Ezra, as
as Pri-
Pri-
deaux has has abundantly
abundantly shown, shown, and as
as many
many critics
critics
agree."*
agree."*
To this
this scores
scores upon upon scores
scores of scholars in
of scholars in various
various
lands and of
lands many faiths,
of many faiths, from the time of
the time Johann
of Johann
Petri,
Petri, of Germany, in
of Germany, in 1768 onward, were in
1768 onward, in full
full but
independent
independent agreement.
agreement. (See (See historical
historical evidence pre- pre-
sented
sented inin Question
Question 27.) 27.)
*Funck, Nigrinus, Bullinger,

*Funck, Nigrinus, Cocceius, Sir
Bullinger, Cocceius, Sir Isaac
Isaac Newton,
Newton, Cappel,
Cappel, Horch Ben·
Horch. Ben-
gel. Petri
gel, Petri were among 5ixte('nth~ and sc\entcenth-century
the sixteenth-
among the and
seventeenth-century Reformation and post- post-
Reformation leaders
Reformation took the
leaders who took the seventh
seventh year
year ofof Artaxerxes
Artaxer"es date
date (457
{457 B.C.).
B.C.).
Early nineteenth-century
Early nineteenth-century Old World writers
Old World wrilers include Prideaux. Faber,
include Prideaux, Faber, T.
T. Scott,
Scott,
A. Clarke, Cuninghame,
A. Clarke, Cuninghame, Mason. Brown, Fry,
Mason, Brown, Fry, White,
White, Cooper,
Cooper, Homan,
Homan, Keyworth,
Keyworth l
Addis, Hoare,
Addis, Digby, Keith,
Hoare, Digby, Keith, Habershon,
Habershon, Bicker.teth Gaussen. And New World
Bickersteth, Gaussen. Worla
early-nineteenth-century expositors
carly-nineteenth-century expositors include
include Boudinot, it
Boudinot, R, Scott, Livermore, Wheeler,
Scott, Livermore, Wheeler,
Shannon,
Shannon, Tyng, Hinton.
Tyng, Hinton.
Among
Among more recent
recent scholars
scholars may
may be
be listed
listed Jamieson,
Jamieson, Faucett
Faucett and Brown, Rule,
Brown, Rule,
Pusey, Auberlen, Blackstone,
Pusey, Auberlen, Leathes, Tanner,
Blackstone, Leathes, Boutflower_
Tanner, and Boutflower.
Cfhe Seventieth Wee.k
The Seventieth Week of
of
Daniel 9 and
Daniel and the
the Gap 'Theory
Gap Theory
QUESTION
QUESTION 26
Why
Why do Adventists
Adventists hold that
that the
the seventi-
seventi-
eth
eth week of years of
of years of Daniel 9 follows
follows immedi-
ately
ately upon
upon the close of
the close of the sixty-ninth week of
the sixty-ninth of
years?
years? Did not
not Hippolytus
Hippolytus and Apollinaris,
Apollinaris, back
in the
in the third fourth centuries,
third and fourth centuries, introduce
introduce a
break,
break, oror gap?
gap? On what basis
basis do you
you differ
differ with
with
those present-day
those present-day fundamentalists
fundamentalists who hold that that
the seventieth
the seventieth week is separated by
is separated by a vast
vast gap
gap
of over
of over nineteen centuries and will
nineteen centuries will not"
not" be ful-
ful-
filled until
filled until the
the end ofof the
the age, it per-
that it
age, and that per-
tains
tains to
to the
the acts
acts of
of antichrist rather than to
antichrist rather to those
those
of Christ? Are you
of Christ? you not practically
practically alone in your
in your
view?
Answering the
Answering the last
last question first, we are
question first, are by
by no
means alone.
alone. While Seventh-day Adventists differ
Seventh-day Adventists differ on
this point with many
this point many (but by no means all)
(but by all) fundamen-
talists of
talists of today,
today, we are
are in
in accord with the
accord with the outstanding
outstanding
scholars
scholars ofof the
the centuries-early
centuries early church,
church, medieval Cath-
olic
olic and Jewish, Protestant Reformation,
Jewish, Protestant Reformation, and post-Ref-
post-Ref-
ormation.
ormation. And until the upsurge
until the upsurge of dispensational ism
of dispensationalism
in the past
in the past few decades, conservative modern
decades, most conservative
296
296
THE GAP THEORY 297
297
scholars* held, as
scholars* held, as we still
still hold,
hold, to to the
the seventy weeks of
seventy weeks of
years
years as
as an uninterrupted,
uninterrupted, continuous unit.
unit.
But to return to
to return to the
the first three questions.
first three questions. A satis- satis-
factory
factory answer to these queries
to these queries would require require us us to
to go
go
into many aspects
into many aspects ofof Bible prophecy, and into
Bible prophecy, into thethe
philosophy with
whole philosophy with which we approach approach the the predic-
predic-
tive portions
tive portions of the Scriptures.
of the Scriptures. It
It would require us
require us toto
show what we believebelieve toto be the the weaknesses
weaknesses and fallacies
fallacies
of the gap
of gap theory,
theory, as
as well
well as
as its
its concomitant
concomitant basic
basic
philosophy-the
philosophy the futurist
futurist interpretation
interpretation of
of prophecy,
prophecy, of of
which it is aa part.
it is
part. There is
is not space
space within
within the
the assigned
assigned
'limits of this
limits of this question
question to to deal
deal with all these ramifica-
all these ramifica-
tions.
tions.
We should explain
explain thatthat we have acceptedaccepted the the his-
his-
torical school
torical school interpretation
interpretation of prophecy, believing
of prophecy, believing it to
it to
the philosophy
be the philosophy of prophecy set
of prophecy set forth
forth inin the
the Scriptures.
Scriptures.
Therefore we cannot accept accept the the theories
theories of of aa separated
separated
week, aa long
week, long gapgap during
during which prophecyprophecy doesdoes notnot apply,
apply,
and aa future
future antichrist
antichrist at the end of
at the the age.
of the age. These
theories
theories are based on principles
are based principles of of interpretation
interpretation that that
*Those who accept

accept this interpretation that
this interpretation that connects
connects the
the seventieth with
seventieth week with
the Messiah
the Messiah include:
include:
Early
Early Church Fathers.-Tertullian,
Fathers. Tertullian, Eusebius, Athanasius, Cyril
Eusebius, Athanasius, of Jerusalem,
Cyril of Jerusalem,
Po1ychronius, and Augustine.
Polychronius, Augustine.
Medieval
Medieval Christian writers.-The
Christian writers. Venerable Bede,
The Venerable Bede, Thomas Aquinas,
Aquinas, and Arnold
Arnold
of Villanova.
of Villanova.
Pre-Reformation leaders.-Wycliffe
Pre-Reformation leaders. Brute, together
Wycliffe and Brute, together with
with such
such Reformers
as Luther,
as Melanchthon, .Funck,
Luther, Melanchthon, Funck, Sci Nigrinus, and Heinrich
necker, Nigrinus,
Selnecker, Heinrich Bullinger.
Bullinger.
Post-Reformation
Post-Reformation scholars.-Joseph
scholars. Mede, Sir
Joseph Mede, Sir Isaac Newton, William
Isaac Newton, William Whiston,
Whiston,
Johann Bengel,
Johann Bengel, Humphrey Prideaux, John
Humphrey Prideaux, John Blair, James Ferguson.
Blair, and James Ferguson.
Nineteenth-century Old World exegetes.-Jean
Nineteenth-century exegetes. Jean dede la
la Flechere,
Flt!chere, William
William Hales,
Hales,
George
George Faber,
Faber, Thomas Scott,
Scott, Adam Clarke,
Clarke, Thomas Home, Horne, Archibald
Archibald Mason,
Mason, John
John
Brown, John Fry,
Brown > John Fry, Thomas White,
White, Edward Cooper,
Cooper, Thomas Kcyworth.
Keyworth. Alfred
Alfred Addis.
Addis,
William Pym, Daniel
William Pym, Wilson, Alexander Keith,
Daniel Wilson, Habershon, Edward Bicker-
Keith, Matthew Habershon, Bicker-
steth. and Louis
steth, Louis Gaussen,
Gaussen, asas well as the
well as the later Havernick, Hengstenberg,
later Havernick, Hengstt'nberg, and Pusey.
Pusey.
Nineteenth-century American expositors.-Elias
Nineteenth-century expositors. Boudinot, William
ElSas Boudinot, William Davis,
Davis, Mod-
erator Joshua Wilson, Samuel McCorkle, Robert Reid, Alexander Campbell, Jose
de Rozas (Mexico), Adam Burwell (Canada), Robert Scott, Stephen Tyng, Isaac
Hinton, cr Shimeall,
non, Richard a, James Shannon, and John Robinson.
, s.
And inin more recent times we might
recent times might add G.C. H. H. Wright,
Wright, R.
R. D. Wilson,
Wilson, Bout-
Bout-
flower,
flower, and others
others too
too numerous to
to mention.
mention. Adventists
Adventists therefore have
therefore have aa host
host of
of
illustrious predecessors
illustrious predecessors for their position.
for their position.
298
QUESTIONS
we reject
reject asas unscriptural.
unscriptural. In In the interests of
the Interests of brevity
brevity
we shall
shall confine
confine our our answer to to the
the first two points
first two points men-
tioned
tioned inin the
the questions.
questions.
1.
I. THE SEVENTIETH
SEVENTIETH WEEK OF YEARS YEARS FOLLOWS THE
SIXTY-NINTH WEEK. We believe,
SIXTY-NINTH WEEK.-We believe, In in common with with the
the
great group
great group of of godly
godly scholars
scholars mentioned in in the
the foot-
foot-
note, that
note, that thethe 70-weeks prophecy climaxes
70-weeks prophecy climaxes with with thethe
manifestation
manifestation of Jesus Christ
of Jesus Christ as the true
as the true Messiah,
Messiah, and
then
then seals
seals the
the inerrancy
inerrancy of of the outline with
the outline with aa portrayal
portrayal
of the atoning
of the atoning death
death of of Christ.
Christ. All All thisthis was
was outlined
outlined by by
inspiration
inspiration five
five hundred years prior
years prior to
to those
those tremen-
tremen-
dous transactions that
dous transactions that changed
changed the the entire
entire course
course of hu-
of hu-
man history.
history. And this this isis most conclusive
conclusive in in proving
proving
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ to to bebe the
the true
true and only only Messiah,
Messiah) and in in
setting forth
setting forth the
the wondrous provisions of
provisions of completecomplete re-
re-
demption
demption in in and through
through Him.
The 70 70 "sevens"
"sevens" of years "determined,"
of years "determined," or meas-
or meas-
ured out
ured out and set set apart
apart in in the
the councils
councils of of heaven,
heaven, forfor this
this
prophecy,
prophecy, had a
a specified starting point.
specified starting point. (See Ques- (See Ques-
tion 25,
tion 25, p.p. 278).
278). These 70 70 hebdomads were were divided
divided
into three groups-of
into three groups of 7, 7, 62,
62, and I-totaling
1
totaling 490490 years.
years.
"Know therefore
therefore and understand"
understand" (Dan. (Dan. 9:25), was
9:25),
the admonition of
the admonition the prophecy,
of the prophecy, that that 69 hebdomads)
69 hebdomads,
or units of
or units of 7 years, were to
7 years, to pass
pass between the the "com-
mandment" and the the manifestation
manifestation of of Messiah
Messiah the the
Prince-that
Prince that is,
is, 7 plus 62
7 plus 62 weeks of years, or
of years, 483 years.
or 483 years.
The 69 69 weeks
weeks therefore
therefore simply
simply constitute
constitute the the time
time that
that
must elapse
elapse from aa designated
designated point.point. While the
the passing
passing
years
years of the 69
of the 69 hebdomads are important, it
are important, it isis the
the
seventieth hebdomad that
seventieth that is is all-important.
all-important. The 69 69
weeks of
weeks of years
years constitute
constitute the precise length
the precise length of of time
time to to
the manifestation
the manifestation of
of Jesus
Jesus as
as Messiah,
Messiah, as
as seen in
seen in Ques-Ques-
THE GAP THEORY 299
299
don
tion 25. It is
25. It is therefore
therefore logical
logical that the seventieth
that the seventieth week
refers to
refers to the
the 77 years following
years following the
the 69th, that is,
69th, that is, to
to the
the
period in
period in which the
the Messiah's
Messiah's ministry took place.
ministry took place. The
wording
wording of
of the
the text
text in
in no way
way indicates
indicates a
a break
break or
or gap.
gap.
Most of the older
of the expositors, who make the
older expositors, the baptism
baptism
of Jesus the
of Jesus terminus of
the terminus the 69
of the 69 weeks of of years,
years, recog-
recog-
nize the "one week" of
nize the years as
of years following immediately,
as following immediately,
without aa break-the
break the crucifixion
crucifixion taking place 3Y2
taking place years
3i/ years
later,
later, in
in the
the "midst"
"midst" of
of the
the seventieth
seventieth week of
of years.
years.
Such scholars
scholars recognized
recognized the the remaining
remaining 3i/ 3 Y22 years
years ofof
the last
the last week as pertaining to
as pertaining to the
the founding
founding of of Chris-
Chris-
tianity through
tianity through the the preaching
preaching of of the
the disciples. Since
disciples. Since
neither wording nor logic
neither wording logic indicates
indicates a a gap,
gap, the
the burden
burden
of proof
of proof rests
rests on those who would break
dn those break thethe continuity
continuity
of the
of period.
the period.
God's designated measuring line
designated measuring line for this 70-weeks
for this 70-weeks
prophecy
prophecy is
is of
of "determined" or
or allotted length, to
allotted length, be
to be
measured from aa dearly clearly established historical land-
established historical land-
mark. And the
mark. the obvious purpose purpose of the prophecy
of the prophecy is is to
to
foretell the time of
foretell the of the
the occurrence
occurrence of of certain matters of
certain matters of
supreme moment-things
supreme moment things to to occur
occur in the last,
in the last, or
or seven-
seven-
tieth, hebdomad of
tieth, the series.
of the Hence, to
series. Hence, to postpone
postpone that that
final week of
final years and project
of years project it far into
it far into thethe future
future is is
in reality
in reality toto obscure
obscure the time element,
the time element. one of the main
of the
points of
points of the
the entire
entire prophecy,
prophecy, and thus thus do violence
violence to to
its obvious
its obvious intent.
intent.
insert into
To insert into a 4g0-year period
a 490-year period aa "gap""gap" of of two
thousand years,
thousand years, four four times
times longer
longer th:an
than the
the entire
entire 70
70
weeks
weeks itself,
itself, constitutes
constitutes unwarranted manipulation. manipulation. It It
changes
changes the
the prophetic measuring
prophetic measuring line
line into
into an elastic
elastic
band. Those who follow
band. follow such aa procedure
procedure have have aban-
doned aa measuring
measuring line line ofof "determined" length
length forfor one
QUESTIONS
of wholly indeterminate
of wholly indeterminate length) have made it
length, and have it aa
vast nondescript period
vast nondescript period totally foreign to
totally foreign to this
this specific
specific
prophecy.
prophecy.
Those holding
holding the the gap theory, who make the
gap theory, the sepa-
sepa-
rated
rated last
last week the the period
period of of final
final crisis at the
crisis at the end of of
the age,
the age, must perforce
perforce add a a hiatus
hiatus ofof two thousand
years.
years. This is
is a
a form of
of exegesis
exegesis without a precedent*
a precedent*
in
in aU prophetic exposition.
all prophetic exposition.
Since
Since 7 plus 62
7 plus weeks lead
62 weeks lead to the Messiah,
to the Messiah, we
should
should logically
logically conclude that
that Christ's
Christ's public ministry,
public ministry,
as Messiah, lay
as Messiah, beyond
lay beyond the
the sixty-ninth
sixty-ninth week-yet
week yet
within
within thethe seventieth week, as
seventieth week, consecutively.
as numbered consecutively.
This
This hashas been
been the predominant view of
the predominant of Christian
Christian
scholarship through
scholarship through the
the centuries.
centuries.
With relatively
relatively few exceptions,
exceptions, expositors
expositors have have
taken the two separately
taken the separately mentioned periods
periods of
of the
the 77
weeks and the
weeks the 62
62 (together making
(together making 69
69 weeks
weeks of
of years,
years,
or 483
or 483 years)
years) without
without inserting
inserting any any gap
gap between them. them.
But the
But the gap
gap advocates
advocates say that the
say that the seventieth
seventieth week of of
years,
years, numbered from the
the starting point,
starting point, was not
not the
the
seventieth
seventieth week of prophecy in
of prophecy in sequence.
sequence. That is is
clearly the
clearly the crux of
of the
the issue.
issue.
It is not
It is not Seventh-day
Adventists who,who, in in these
these latter
latter
times,
times, have
have departed
departed from the
the historic
historic view of
of the
the
centuries
centuries on thethe seventy
seventy weeks of years. We continue
of years. continue to to
*The argument
argument is is sometimes
sometimes advanced that, that, according
according to to Luke 4:16-21,
4: 16-21, when
Christ, at
Christ, at the
the outset
outset of His ministry,
of His ministry, was
was reading
reading in the synagogue
in the synagogue from the the proph-
proph.
ecy of
ecy of Isaiah conceming His
Isaiah concerning His own designated
designated work,
work, He stopped reading in
stopped reading in the
the
midst of
midst of the passag(', :lnd
the passage, and did not include
did not include the
the "day
"day of
of vengeance"
vengeance" to
to come in
in tht"
the
future
future at the end
at the end of the age.
of the age. That is true; but
is true; but the
the case
case is totally different.
is totally different. Isaiah
Isaiah
was not
not setting
setting forth
forth a measure of
of time,
time, which is
is the
the issue
issue in
in the
the prophecy
prophecy of
of the
the
70 weeks. Jesus
70 weeks. Jesus simply declared that
simply declared that that part of
that part of the prophecy He had just
the prophecy Just read
read was
was
even then being
even fulfilled. He was dealing
being fulfilled. dealing only
only with
with the
the present,
present, which
which was
was being
being
accomplished before their
accomplished before their eyes_ was all.
eyes. That was all. The rest
rest was
was indeed future, for
indeed future, for Isaiah
Isaiah
had recorded
recorded aa sweeping
sweeping outline
outline of
of events
events that
that covers
covers the
the entire
entire age, extending to
age, extending to
the great consummatIon.
great consummation.
THE GAP THEORY 301
301
hold the centuries-old,

centuries-old, orthodox position position of of Protestant-
Protestant-
ism,
ism, but we do not base
base our belief
belief on historical
historical prec-
prec-
edent. \VeWe recognize
recognize that that the
the gapgap theory,
theory, which applies
applies
this
this prophecy
prophecy to to a a future
future antichrist,
antichrist, is is an unwitting
unwitting
outgrowth
outgrowth of of the
the counter-Reformation of of the
the sixteenth
sixteenth
century. It is
century. It is our profound conviction
profound conviction that that the
the system
system
based on the separated
separated week.
week, is
is an unwarranted innova-
innova-
tion.
tion.
We believe
\Ve believe thatthat itit is
is incumbent upon us
upon us to to adhere
adhere
undeviatingly
undeviatingly to to sound,
sound, unimpeachable
unimpeachable principles principles of of
prophetic interpretation. To us
us there
there appears
appears to
to be
be no
valid
valid reason,
reason, or defensible
defensible ground,
ground, for for separating
separating the the
seventieth
seventieth week from the the 69.
69. The 7
7 weeks and the
the 62
62
weeks run on continuously
continuously without a a break.
break. And we
find justifiable basis,
find no justifiable basis, exegetical
exegetical or or otherwise,
otherwise, for for
separating
separating the
the seventieth
seventieth week from the
the sixty-ninth
sixty-ninth
arbitrarily placing
and arbitrarily placing it it down at at the
the end of the age.
of the age.
There is is assuredly precedent for
assuredly no precedent for it it inin paralleling
paralleling
prophetic interpretation. NeitherNeither is is there
there anything
anything in in
the Hebrew text
the text of Daniel to
of Daniel to warrant
warrant It, or in
it, or in the
the
Greek LXX.
It seems abundantly
It abundantly clear clear to
to usus that
that the
the specifications
specifications
of the
of the prophecy
prophecy find find exact complete fulfillment
exact and complete fulfillment in in
the life,
the life, ministry,
ministry, and death of of Christ,
Christ, and in in the
the sub-
sub-
sequent desolation
sequent desolation of of the
the Jewish
Jewish nationnation as as aa result
result ofof
their rejection
their rejection of of the
the promised
promised Messiah.
Messiah.
When we reckon reckon from the the decree
decree of of Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes
I, given
I, given to to Ezra
Ezra (457 B.C.),
(457 B.C.), to to the
the end of
of 69
69 weeks of of
years (A.D.
years 27), with the
(A.D. 27), the ministry
ministry of of Christ
Christ beginning
beginning
with His
with His "anointing"
"anointing" at at His
His baptism,
baptism, and His His death
death
taking place
taking place in
in the
the midst
midst of
of the
the seventieth
seventieth week (which
(which
ends thethe 490 years,
years, inin A.D. 34),
34), there
there is is perfect
perfect harmony
harmony
QUESTIONS
the prophetic
between the prophetic specifications
specifications and the
the historical
historical
fulfillments.
fulfillments.
The sixfold
sixfold specifications
specifications of
of the prophecy that
the prophecy that were
were
to
to be accomplished
be accomplished within the 70
within the 70 weeks
weeks were
were completely
completely
fult;illed
fulfilled inin the
the work of of Christ
Christ and HisHis sacrificial
sacrificial
death on the
death the cross.
cross. These all
all actually
actually took
took place
place in
in the
the
week of years immediately
of years immediately following A.D. 27.
following A.D. 27. They have
They have
been discussed
discussed atat length
length in
in the
the answer
answer to
to Question
Question 25,
25,
will not
and will not be
be repeated here.
repeated here.
desolation of
The desolation the Jewish
of the Jewish nation,
nation, though
though delayed
delayed
by
by divine
divine mercy
mercy for
for some years
years after
after the
the dose
close of
of the
the
490-year period
490-year period allotted
allotted to to the Jews, exactly
the Jews, exactly fulfilled
fulfilled
the specifications
the specifications of the prophecy
of the prophecy when the the Roman
armies destroyed
armies destroyed the the Temple
Temple and the the city of Jerusalem
city of Jerusalem
and dispersed
dispersed the
the Jews
Jews in
in A.D.
A.D. 70.
70.
The entire
entire 70-weeks prophecy finds
70-weeks prophecy finds fulfillment
fulfillment in in
the ministry,
the ministry, rejection,
rejection, and death death of of the
the Messiah,
Messiah, in in
the ending of
the ending the period
of the period allotted
allotted to to the
the Jews,
Jews, in in the
the
confirmation
confirmation of the covenant
of the covenant by by the
the blood
blood of of Christ,
Christ,
and in the inauguration
in the inauguration of the heavenly
of the heavenly ministry
ministry for for
all believers,
all believers, both
both JewJew and Gentile,
Gentile, under the the new
covenant. In
covenant. view of
In view of the perfect fulfillment
the perfect fulfillment of of all the
all the
prophetic specifications
prophetic specifications in the period
in the period of of the
the 7070 con-
con-
secutive weeks of
secutive weeks years, we find
of years, find no reason
reason whatever
whatever for for
cutting
cutting off
off the
the last
last week and relating
relating it
it to
to the
the end of
of
the age.
the age.
2. BASIC FALLACY OF ApPEAL
2. APPEAL TO EARLY CHURCH
PROGENITORS.-The
PROGENITORS. The appeal appeal by by modern adherents
adherents of the
of the
gap theory
gap theory to
to such writers
writers as
as Hippolytus
Hippolytus of
of Portus
Portus
Romanus (third (third century)
century) or or Apollinaris
Apollinaris of of Laodicea
Laodicea
(fourth century)
(fourth century) necessitates
necessitates an inquiry
inquiry into
into the basis
the basis
of this
of this contention.
contention.
THE GAP THEORY 303
In the
In the first
first place, these
place, these two expositors
expositors (whose
(whose
views
views were not those
not those of the majority
of the in the
majority in the early
early church)
church)
in their
had in their 70-weeks interpretation obviously
70-weeks interpretation obviously diver-
diver-
gent
gent elements that
that are
are admittedly
admittedly not
not followed
followed by
by
those
those who looklook toto them as as progenitors
progenitors of of the
the present
present
futurist views. Take Hippolytus,
futurist views. Hippolytus, for for example:
example: In pro-
In pro-
jecting
jecting a
a gap
gap into
into the
the 70
70 hebdomads)
hebdomads, he
he construed
construed the
the
first 69 units,
first units, oror weeks of of years,
years, as
as reaching
reaching from the
the
first year
first year of of Cyrus
Cyrus (or (or of
of Darius the
the Mede)
Mede) to
to the
the
incarnation
incarnation of of Christ-a
Christ a chronological impossibility
chronological impossibility
without elongating
elongating the period. Of course
the period. course thosethose who
cite Hippolytus
cite Hippolytus for for the
the gap interpretation
gap interpretation do not fol-
fol-
low the
low the details
details of his theory,
of his theory, such as
as his
his erroneous
erroneous
elongation
elongation of of the
the 69 weeks, any
69 weeks, any more than than theythey accept
accept
his expectation
his expectation of
of the
the Second Advent about
about A.D. 500.
500.
But they appeal
they appeal to
to Hippolytus
Hippolytus and others
others in
in support of
support of
an early-church
early-church origin of their futurist theory
origin of their futurist theory of the of the
70 weeks.
70 weeks. However,
However, to to base futurism, as
base futurism, as the
the word is is
understood today,
understood today, on the
the views
views of
of the
the early
early church
church is
is to
to
make an unsound use use of historical precedent;
of historical precedent; to to employ
employ
such
such "historical
"historical foundations"
foundations" is is to build it
to build it on shifting,
shifting,
sinking
sinking sands.
sands. The early early Christian
Christian view view ofof eschatology
eschatology
was not truly
was not truly futurism.
futurism. The historicists hav,e the
historicists have better
the better
claim
claim to
to kinship
kinship with the
the primitive
primitive church.
church.
The belief
belief of the early
of the Christians that
early Christians that most of the
of the
prophecies
prophecies were yet
yet unfulfilled
unfulfilled in
in their
their day
day does
does not
make them futurists
futurists in in the ordinarily understood
the ordinarily understood mean-
ing of
ing of the word. Futurism is
the word. is the
the view,
view, not that that most of of
the prophecies
the prophecies were in the future
in the future at the beginning
at the beginning of of
the Christian
the Christian Era, Era, but that they will
that they will still
still be in in the
the
future
future at at the
the end of of the
the Christian
Christian Era. Historicists be-
Era. Historicists be-
lieve
lieve that there was necessarily
that there necessarily aa time time when the bulk
the bulk
QUESTIONS
of the prophecies
of the prophecies were yet yet unfulfilled,
unfulfilled, and that that eventu-
eventu-
ally there will
ally there will bebe aa time
time when they they willwill allall be
be fulfilled.
fulfilled.
The difference
difference is that the
is that the historicist
historicist looks looks forfor the ful-
the ful-
fillment
fillment as as progressively unfolding
progressively unfolding in
in history
history until
until the
the
end, while the
end, while the futurist futurist makes the
the Christian
Christian age
age a a
"parenthesis,"
"parenthesis," or or a a gap,
gap, in in prophetic
prophetic fulfillment
fulfillment and
postpones
postpones further
further fulfillment
fulfillment to
to a
a comparatively
comparatively brief brief
time in
time in the
the end, beginning
end, beginning with the
the coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ
for
for His saints. There are
His saints. many variations
are many variations among among futur-
futur-
ists, but
ists, but we may may summarize their
their characteristic
characteristic views.
views.
a. That the
a. the greater
greater part part of of the prophecies (includ-
the prophecies (includ-
ing
ing Daniel's
Daniel's fourth
fourth kingdom
kingdom and seventieth
seventieth week, and
week,
aU of
all Revelation except
of Revelation except the the letters
letters to the
to the seven
seven
churches)
churches) await fulfillment
fulfillment in
in the
the time
time after
after Christ's
Christ's
coming to
coming to resurrect
resurrect and translate
translate the the saints.
saints.
b.
b. That the entire
the entire "church age"
age" is is aa gap
gap during
during
which the prophetic clock
the prophetic has stopped
clock has stopped ticking.ticking.
c. That all
c. all time prophecies are
time prophecies are in in literal time (the
literal time (the
year-day principle
year-day principle is
is denied).
denied).
d. That "Israel"
d. "Israel" throughout
throughout the the Bible always re-
Bible always re-
fers
fers to literal Jews.
to literal Jews.
e.
e. That the the Old Testament prophecies prophecies and prom- prom-
ises
ises of of the
the glorious
glorious rule
rule of
of God's people
people must be ful-
ful-
fined unconditionally and literally

filled unconditionally literally to to the
the restored
restored Jews,
Jews,
who are are expected
expected to to reign
reign over
over the
the unconverted
unconverted and
un transformed nations
untransformed nations during
during the
the millennium.
millennium.
f./. That the the antichrist
antichrist is is aa future
future person,person, aa God-
opposing
opposing tyrant,
tyrant, who will
will oppress
oppress the
the Jews
Jews and bring bring
upon
upon the
the world
world (the
(the returned
returned Jews,
Jews, the
the Gentile
Gentile na-
na-
tions,
tions, and apostate Christendom)
apostate Christendom) a
a 3 Y2-year
3i/-year tribula-
tribula-
tion
tion duringduring the the latter
latter half
half of of aa delayed
delayed seventieth
seventieth
hebdomad, after
hebdomad, the second advent.
after the advent.
THE GAP THEORY 305
g.
g. That before this tribulation
before this tribulation the
the "rapture,"
"rapture/' or res-
or res-
urrection and translation
urrection of the saints, will
translation o the saints, will remove the
the
the earth
church from the earth (secretly,
(secretly, as believe).
as most believe).
h. That the
h. the Jews
Jews will
will be,be, even during during the the millen-
millen-
nium, completely
nium, completely separate separate from the
the Christian
Christian church.
church.
i.2. ,That
That not not onlyonly thethe bulk of of prophecy
prophecy but other other
considerable
considerable portions portions of of thethe Bible, including the
Bible, including the larg-
larg-
est part of
est part of the
the Gospels, belong
Gospels, belong to
to other
other ages
ages and not
not
to the church. (This
to the (This is
is part
part of
of an elaborate
elaborate system
system of of
"dispensations"
"dispensations" prominent prominent in in futurist
futurist writings.)
writings.)
Without examiningexamining the the correctness
correctness or incorrectness
or incorrectness
of
of these points, let
these points, us examine the
let us the early
early church views on
views
these subjects.
these subjects. The early
early church was premillennialist,
premillennialist,
but premillennialism
but premillennialism is is not necessarily equivalent to
necessarily equivalent to
futurism,
futurism, as as so many-both
so many both futurists
futurists and their their op-
op-
ponents-assume
ponents assume today.today.
a.
a. The early early Christians
Christians did indeed indeed place place aa con-
con-
siderable
siderable proportion
proportion of of thethe prophecies
prophecies in in the
the future
future
(for
(for the
the obvious
obvious reason that
that the
the infant
infant church,
church, standing
standing
at the
at the threshold
threshold of the book of
of the of Revelation,
Revelation, lived lived inin the
the
very beginning
very beginning of of fulfillment).
fulfillment). And they they placed
placed most
of the future
of the future fulfillments
fulfillments in in the
the last days, because
last days, because they
they
expected
expected the
the last
last days very
days very soon.
soon. But they
they did not put
put
the fourth
the fourth kingdom,
kingdom, the
the beasts
beasts of
of Revelation,
Revelation, the
the anti-
anti-
christ, and the
christ, the great tribulation after
great tribulation after the the return
return of of
Christ and the
Christ the first resurrection.
first resurrection.
b.
b. TheyThey did did not see the "church age"
see the age" as as aa parenthe-
parenthe-
sis in prophecy
sis in prophecy or
or as
as an interruption
interruption of
of a
a Jewish age
Jewish age
that was
that was to to bebe resumed and completed completed without the the
church
church in in the
the future.
future. They They found themselves
themselves in the
the
midst of
midst of prophetic
prophetic fulfillments-under
fulfillments under the
the fourth
kingdom,
kingdom, which they they expected
expected to to be followed by the
by the
QUESTIONS
breakup of
breakup of the Empire and the
the Roman Empire the rise
rise of
of anti-
anti-
christ,
christ, all
all of
of which would lead the second
to the
lead to second advent
advent
and the kingdom. They
the kingdom. They saw continuity
continuity in prophecy and
in prophecy
history
history from the
the Old Testament times
times down to the
to the
end.
end.
. c.c. It It is
is true
true that
that they took such
they took prophetic periods
such prophetic periods
as
as the
the 1260 1260 days,
days, et
et cetera,
cetera, as
as literal
literal time.
time. This
This was
was
natural,
natural, since
since they
they did not expect
expect the
the world
world to
to last
last
1260 years.
1260 years.
d.
d. They They considered literal Israel
considered literal Israel as as no longer
longer en- en-
titled to
titled the kingdom
to the kingdom that
that she
she had rejected along
rejected along
with her
with her Messiah,
Messiah, and believed
believed that that thethe true
true Israel
Israel
was henceforth
was henceforth spiritual
spiritual Israel,
Israel, the
the church.
church.
e.
e. TheyThey pictured
pictured an earthly rule over
earthly rule over ,the unregen-
the unregen-
erate nations during
erate nations during the
the millennium-this,
millennium this, embellished
embellished
with details of
with details plenty and prosperity,
of plenty prosperity, theythey had inherited
inherited
from the the Jewish
Jewish apocalypticists-but
apocalypticists they differed
but they differed from
both the
both the Jewish
Jewish apocalypticists
apocalypticists and the
the modern futur-
futur-
ists in
ists in that
that the kingdom was to
the kingdom to be
be that
that of of the
the Christian
Christian
saints,
saints, not not of the Jews.
of the Jews.
f./. They
They agreed with the
agreed with the Jewish
Jewish apocalyptic
apocalyptic (and (and
also
also the futurist) view
the futurist) view of of antichrist
antichrist as as an individual
individual
tyrant in
tyrant power for
in power for 3Y2 years. Some of
3l/ years.
applied the
of them applied the
time of
time of antichrist
antichrist to to the
the second half half of of aa delayed
delayed
seventieth
seventieth week, week, but this this was not not thethe majority
majority view;
view;
many expositors
many expositors ended the
the 70
70 weeks at
at or
or near
near the
the close
close
of Christ's
of Christ's life life on earth.
earth. It It should
should be be remembered that that
those
those who had a a "gap"
"gap" in in the
the 70 weeks had quite
70 weeks quite a a
different concept
different concept from the
the present
present futurists,
futurists, for
for they
they
expected only
expected only aa short
short interval until the
interval until the end; they never
end; they never
dreamed of of such
such an anomaly
anomaly as as aa 490-year
490-year period
period with
with aa
2,OOO-year break
2,000-year break in in it.
it.
THE GAP THEORY 307
307
g. They placed
g. They placed the the great
great tribulation
tribulation (under (under the the
antichrist-beast-little-horn) before the first
antichrist-beast-little-horn) before the first resurrection, resurrection,
and consequently
consequently they they expected
expected the the church
church to to be be
on earth
earth during
during that
that period.
period. They They saw
saw it
it as
as the
the next
next
development
development in in history
history following
following the the expected
expected breakupbreakup
of
of the then-present Roman Empire,
the then-present Empire, and thus thus preceding
preceding
the coming
the coming of of Christ.
Christ.
h. They
h. They believed
believed that Christ was
that Christ was to to rule
rule the the earth
earth
during
during the
the millennium through
through the
the church-the
church the re-
re-
deemed saintssaints from amongamong both both JewsJews and GentilesGentiles-
not through
not through the the Jews
Jews as
as a
a separate
separate chosen
chosen people
people out-out-
side the church.
side the church.
i. They
i. They did not not separate
separate the the Scriptures
Scriptures into into dispen-
dispen-
sational
sational compartments
compartments that that assigned
assigned the the epistles
epistles to to the
the
church, the
church, the bulk of of the
the Gospels
Gospels to
to the
the Jewish age, et
Jewish age, et
cetera. They claimed the
cetera. They the Gospels
Gospels as as foundational
foundational and
saw their
their own tribulations
tribulations in in the
the book of Revelation.
of Revelation.
To what extent, then, were those
extent, then, those early-church
early-church views views
inherited
inherited by by the futurists? Out of
the futurists? of nine
nine points
points therethere is is
complete agreement
complete agreement only only on c)
c, and incomplete
incomplete on f./.
We maymay include
include partial
partial agreement
agreement on two two more: on
a in
a in so far as
so far as the
the early
early church placed placed more propheciesprophecies
near the
near the end of of time,
time, since
since they they expected
expected the the end
shortly,
shortly, and on e
e in
in so
so far
far as
as they expected
they expected a
a literal,
literal,
earthly
earthly millennial kingdom. But a
millennia1 kingdom. a and e e must be be listed
listed
also as
also points of
as points major difference)
of major difference, since since therethere is is a a
great cleavage
great cleavage between
between mere future
future fulfillments
fulfillments and a
a
cessation of
cessation of fulfillment
fulfillment untiluntil after
after thethe coming
coming of of Jesus
Jesus
and the
and the resurrection;
resurrection; also between aa reign
also between reign of the re-
of the re-
generate
generate saints
saints and that
that of
of the
the Jewish
Jewish nation.
nation. In addi-
addi-
tion
tion we find find clear
clear disagreement
disagreement on b, d) g)
b) d, g, h)h, and i. i.
These findings are decidedly against calling the

These findings are decidedly against calling the early
early
QUESTIONS
church futurist
futurist or regarding the
or regarding the futurist
futurist views
views as de-
as de-
rived from early

rived from premillenniahsm.
early premillenniahsm.
How, then, shall we classify
How, then, shall classify the view of
the view of the
the early
early
Christians?
Christians? It was the
It was the so-called
so-called "continuous-historical,"
''continuous-historical/'
or historicist.
or historlcist. Having
Having already
already applied
applied some of of Daniel's
Daniel's
prophecies historically,
prophecies historically, the
the believers
believers naturally contin-
naturally contin-
to apply
ued to apply further
further prophetic
prophetic events
events in
in the
the same way.
way.
Living under the
Living under the fourth
fourth empire,
empire, they awaited Rome's
they awaited Rome's
division; already
division; already they they saw the
the working
working of
of the
the approach-
approach-
ing falling away
ing falling away that
that was to
to lead
lead to
to antichrist.
antichrist. Thus
they saw
they prophecy developing
saw prophecy developing step step byby step
step in in history
history
-though
though not
not in
in long-term
long-term historical
historical development,
development,
since they did
since they not expect
did not expect a
a long history
long history of
of the world.
the world.
But aside
aside from
from the
the length
length of of the
the process, their
process, their method
was exactly
was exactly that
that of of the
the historicist interpretation-the
historicist interpretation the
interpretation that
interpretation that finds
finds in prophecy an
in prophecy an outline
outline of of
history,
history, in
in the
the New Testament the
the continuation
continuation and
fulfillment
fulfillment of the Old Testament,
of the Testament, and and in the Christian
in the Christian
church the heir
church the heir of
of the promises and prophecies
the promises prophecies of both
of both
Testaments.
Testaments.
We believe
believe thatthat the,the early
early church
church had had the the right
right
method; their errors
method; their errors layJay in the chiliastic
in the misconception
chiliastic misconception
of the kingdom
of the kingdom and their their tyrant-antichrist
tyrant-antichrist notions,
notions, bothboth
inherited from Jewish
inherited Jewish apocalypticism,
apocalypticism, and in in their
their
short-range view
short-range view of
of the
the time
time element.
element. These were errors
errors
of the
of the age,
age, and their correction, as
their correction, time went on,
as time on, re-
re-
quired
quired no basicbasic shift
shift in approach. The early
in approach. early church
church
laid
laid down the the principles
principles of historicist premillennialism.
of historicist premillennialism.
Scholarly Precedents for 1844
Scholarly Precedents for 1844
Ending of
Ending of 2300
23 00 Year~Days
Year-Days
QUESTION 27
What scholarly
scholarly support
support can Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventists cite
Adventists cite for
for holding,
holding, not
not only
only that
that the
the
days of
2300 days of Daniel
Daniel 8:14 are symbolic
8:14 are symbolic and there-
there-
fore stand
fore stand for
for 2300 actual
actual years
years in
in fulfillment,
fulfillment,
especially that
but especially that they
they end in
in 1844? not
1844"1 Does not
your position
your position differ
differ from
from both fundamentalists
fundamentalists
modernists, as
and modernists, as well
well as
as from
from Jews
Jews and Roman
Catholics? Was not
Catholics? not your
your variant
variant concept
concept an in-
in-
novation
novation first devised
first devised by
by a layman,
layman, William
Miller?
Miller? What reputable
reputable scholars,
scholars, if
if any,
any, have
ever supported such a conclusion?
ever supported conclusion?
We believe
believe our view to to be the
the logical
logical conclusion
conclusion
and climax
climax of of nearly
nearly a
a thousand years
years of
of progressive
progressive ap-
ap-
plication of the year-day principle
plication of the year-day principle to
to the symbolic
symbolic time
periods
periods ofof Bible
Bible prophecy.
prophecy. Its progenitors and cham-
Its progenitors
pions
pions have
have embraced literally
literally hundreds of
of illustrious
illustrious
Jewish,
Jewish, Catholic,
Catholic, and Protestant
Protestant scholars.
scholars. The intent
intent ofof
the
the 2300
2300 days
days of
of Daniel 8: 14
8:14 has intrigued
intrigued men for
for
more than
than aa thousand years.
years.
There areare seven
seven progressive
progressive steps,
steps, or principal
principal ad-
vances, that
vances, that form thethe historical
historical antecedents of of our pres-
pres-
ent
ent position.
position. These compass
compass two millenniums and in-
in-
clude
clude some of of the
the greatest
greatest scholars
scholars of
of the centuries,
centuries, as
as
309
QUESTIONS
well as
well as involving
involving all major faiths.
all major faiths. (The
(The digest
digest that fol-
that fol-
lows is
lows based upon
is based upon complete
complete documentary
documentary evidence
evidence ap-
ap-
pearing
pearing in
in the
the four-volume
four-volume set
set The Prophetic
Prophetic Faith
Faith of
of
Our Fathers,
Fathers, byby L. E. Froom.)
L. E. Froom.)
1.
1. EARLY CHURCH STRESSED
STRESSED SEVENTY 'VEEKS WEEKS OF
YEARs.-Early
YEARS. Early churchmen expounded expounded the the 7070 weeks of of
Daniel
Daniel 9 9 as weeks of
as weeks of years,
years, or
or 490
490 years.
years. These included
included
Tertullian,
Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Julius
of Alexandria, Julius Africanus,
Africanus,
Eusebius Pamphili, Athanasius,
Eusebius Pamphili, Athanasius, Cyril Cyril of
of Jerusalem,
Jerusalem,
Theodoret, Polychronius,
Theodoret, Polychronius, Isidore
Isidore ofof Pelusium,
Peiusium, Theodo-
sius,
sius, Miletenus, Andronicus, and Prosper
Miletenus, Andronicus, Prosper of Aquitaine.
of Aquitaine.
And this
this position
position hashas long
long been
been the
the general
general view
view among
among
both Catholics
both Catholics and Protestants.
Protestants.
2. YEAR-DAY PRINCIPLE ApPLIED
2. APPLIED BY MEDIEVAL
JEWS
JEWS TO ALL SYMBOLIC TIME PERIODs.-Medieval
PERIODS. Medieval
Jewish
Jewish scholars
scholars were the
the first to
first to apply
apply the
the year-day
year-day
principle to
principle to the
the day
day periods
periods of of Daniel
Daniel-the the 1290,
1290, 1335,
1335,
and 2300-as
and 2300 as year-days, leading
year-days, leading to
to the
the "far-off
"far-off days,"
days/'
at the "time
at the "time ofof the
the end." Beginning with
end." Beginning with ninth-century
ninth-century
Nahawendi, and then tenth-century
Nahawendi, tenth-century Saadia, Jeroham,
Saadia, Jeroham,
and Hakohen,
Hakohen, we come to to eleventh-century
eleventh-century Rashi, Rashi, who
regarded
regarded the
the 2300
2300 as
as full
full years.
years. Then we find
find four
four
twelfth-century
twelfth-century and two thirteenth-century scholars,
thirteenth-century scholars,
including Nahmanides,
including N ahmanides, teaching
teaching the same. And three
the same. three
fourteenth-century
fourteenth-century rabbis,rabbis, Abravanel in the fifteenth
in the fifteenth
century,
century, and others
others in
in the
the sixteenth
sixteenth century,
century, parallel-
parallel-
ing
ing the
the Protestant
Protestant Reformation, provide
Reformation, provide a a total
total of
of
twenty-one Jewish expositors, spread
twenty-one Jewish expositors, spread over Palestine, over Palestine,
Persia,
Persia, Syria,
Syria, Babylon, France, Spain,
Babylon, France, Algeria, Portugal,
Spain, Algeria, Portugal,
Italy, Turkey,
Italy, Turkey, Poland,
Poland, and Germany.
Germany.
3. MEDIEVAL CATHOLIC SCHOLARS PARALLEL JEWISH
3. JEWISH
YEAR-DAY RECKONING.-Beginning
RECKONING. Beginning in in 1190,
1190, with the the
SCHOLARLY PRECEDENTS FOR 1844
1844 311
311
renowned Joachim
Joachim of Floris, of
of Floris, of Calabria,
Calabria, Italy,
Italy, the
the
year-day principle
year-day principle was first
first applied
applied to
to the
the 1260 days
days as
as
the years
years of
of the
the symbolic
symbolic woman,
woman, or
or church
church in
in the
the
wilderness. And in
wilderness. in the thirteenth century
the thirteenth Joachimite
century Joachimite
scholars in
scholars in Italy, Spain, France,
Italy, Spain, France, and Germany
Germany similarly
similarly
applied the
applied the year-day
year-day principle
principle to to the
the 1260,
1260, 1290,
1290, 1335,
1335,
and 2300 days. days. For example,
example, about 1292
1292 Arnold
Arnold of
of
Villanova said
Villanova that the
said that 2300 days
the 2300 days stand
stand for
for 2300
2300 years,
years,
counting the
counting the period
period from the the time
time of Daniel to
of Daniel to thethe
Second Advent.
Advent. Here is is his
his express statement: "When
express statement:
he says,
says, 'two
'two thousand three
three hundred days'
days' itit must be be
said that by
said that by days
days he understands
understands years
years. ....
... In
In that
that vision
vision
by days
by days are
are understood years." years."
Better
Better known to to most church historians
historians is is the
the illus-
illus-
trious Nicholas
trious Nicholas Krebs of of Cusa,
Cusa, Roman Catholic Catholic cardi-
cardi-
nal, scholar,
nal, philosopher, and theologian,
scholar, philosopher, theologian, who in in 1452
1452
declared
declared thatthat thethe 2300
2300 year-days
year-days beganbegan in in the
the time of of
Persia. His Conjecture
Persia. Concerning
Conjecture Concerning the
the Last
Last Days
Days
(1452)
(1452) declares
declares that that thethe 23002300 year-days
year-days extend from
Persia
Persia toto the
the consuming
consuming of of sin
sin atat the
the Second Advent,
Advent,
possibly between
possibly between 1700 1700 and 1750. 1750.
4. CORRECT TERMINI OF SEVENTY WEEKS ESTAB-
4. EsTAB-
LlsHED.-In
LISHED. In thethe German Reformation Johann Johann Funck
(1564) first correctly
(1564) first placed the
correctly placed the seventy
seventy weeks (490 (490
years)
years) as
as reckoned
reckoned from
from the
the seventh
seventh year
year of
of Artaxerxes,
Artaxerxes,
from 457
from B.C. to
457 B.C. to A.D. 34. 34. In thisthis he was soon followedfollowed
by
by other
other Protestant
Protestant scholars
scholars in
in various
various lands,
lands, such
as Cappel
as Cappel in in France,
France, and Bullinger Bullinger in in Switzerland.
Switzerland.
Scores
Scores ofof interpreters
interpreters have
have since
since held
held the
the Artaxerxes-
Artaxerxes-
decree date (457
decree date B.C.)
(457 B.C.) as
as the
the beginning
beginning of
of the
the seventy
seventy
weeks of
weeks of years. years. The list
list soon included Colonial
American
American scholars
scholars as as well.
well. (A large group
(A large group heldheld the the
312
QUESTIONS
view in
same view in the
the early
early nineteenth
nineteenth century-in
century Britain,
in Britain,
on the
the Continent,
Continent, and in
in North America. And since
since
then, such
then, such expositors
expositors as
as Doderlein,
Doderlein, Franc,
Franc, Geier,
Geier, Pusey,
Pusey,
Auberlen, Blackstone,
Auberlen, Blackstone, Taylor,
Taylor, and Boutflower
Boutflower have
have
concurred,
concurred, as
as wen
well as
as Roman Catholics
Catholics such
such as
as Lemp-
Lerap-
kin.)
kin.) .
5. TlLLINGHAST
5. TILLINGHAST INCLUDES SEVENTY WEEKS 'VEEKS WlTHIN
WITHIN
2300.-1n
2300. the century
In the century after
after the
the Protestant
Protestant Reforma-
tion, many Protestant
tion, many Protestant expounders
expounders from English English theolo-
theolo-
gian George
gian George Downham (died (died 1634)
1634) toto British
British barrister
barrister
Edward King King in in 1798, declared the
1798, declared the number 2300 2300 in-in-
volved the
volved the same number of of years.
years. John
John Tillinghast
Tillinghast
(died 1655)
(died 1655) ended them at at the
the second advent and the the
IOOO-year reign
1000-year reign of the saints.
of the Tillinghast was the
saints. Tillinghast first
the first
to assert
to assert thethe 7070 weeks of of years
years to to bebe aa lesser
lesser epoch
epoch
within
within thethe larger period of
larger period of the years. He did
the 2300 years. not
did not
begin
begin them together.
together. But he declared
declared the
the 70
70 weeks to
to
belong within
belong within the the 2300
2300 years.
years.
6. 2300 YEARS EMBRACES ALL LESSER PERIODS.
6. 2300 PERIODS.-
Heinrich
Heinrich Horch of of Germany
Germany declared
declared that
that the 2300
the
years is the master) over-all
years is the master, over-all period, period) and includes
includes all all
lesser
lesser time periods. Thomas Beverley,
time periods. Beverley, of of Britain,
Britain, be-
be-
lieved
lieved itit led
led toto the
the second advent,
advent, thethe end of the world,
of the world,
the
the resurrection,
resurrection, the
the breaking
breaking of
of antichrist,
antichrist, and the
the
millennium. Brilliant
Brilliant scholars
scholars in in Britain
Britain and Germany
Germany
-such
such as as Lowth,
Lowth, Whiston,
Whiston, Bishop
Bishop Newton,
Newton, Fletcher,
Fletcher,
Horch,
Horch, and Giblehr-looked
Giblehr looked for
for the church's
church's deliver-
deliver-
ance, the
ance, the destruction
destruction of
of antichrist,
antichrist, the establishment
of Christ's kingdom
of Christ's kingdom to to follow
follow upon upon thethe close
close ofof this
this
period.
period.
Colonial and early
Some Colonial early national
national American writers writers
-such as Congregational
such as Congregational theologian theologian Cotton Mather,
Mather,
SCHOLARLY PRECEDENTS FOR 1844
1844 313
313
Governor William Burnet,

Burnet, Episcopalian
Episcopalian rector
rector Rich-
Rich-
ard Clarke,
Clarke, Postmaster General Samuel Osgood,
Osgood, and
Harvard librarian James Winthrop
librarian James Winthrop-believed
believed that the
that the
period
period would end with the
the fall
fall of
of spiritual Babylon,
spiritual Babylon,
the
the "rest that remains,"
"rest that remains," the kingdom of
the kingdom of God,
God, the the
world's "midnight,"
world's "midnight," the the smiting
smiting of of the
the nations,
nations, thethe
millennium, or
millennium, the end of
or the the world.
of the world.
7. PETRI
7. PETRI-23002300 YEARS BEGIN JOINTLY JOINTLY WITH SEV- SEV-
ENTY WEEKs.-Johann
WEEKS. Johann P. P. Petri (died 1792),
Petri (died 1792), Reformed
pastor of
pastor of Seckbach,
Seckbach, Germany,
Germany, in in 1768 introduced the
1768 introduced the
final
final step
step in
in the
the progressive
progressive and logical
logical series
series of
of seven
seven
principles leading
principles leading to to the
the inevitable conclusion and
inevitable conclusion
climax-that
climax that the 490
the 490 years
years (70 weeks of
(70 weeks years) are
of years) are the
the
first part
first part of
of the
the 2300 years.
years. He began
began them synchro-
synchro-
nously,
nously, 453453 years before the
years before birth of
the birth Christ-terminat-
of Christ terminat-
ing the 490
ing the 490 years
years in
in A.D.
A.I>. 37, the 2300
37, and the 2300 years
years in
in 1847.
1847.
Hans Wood,Wood, of Ireland, likewise
of Ireland, likewise made the the 7070 weeks
the first
the part of
first part of the 2300 years.
the 2300 years. Soon men on both
both sides
sides
of the
of Atlantic, in
the Atlantic, in Africa,
Africa, even
even inin India
India and other other
countries,
countries, began
began toto set
set forth their convictions
forth their convictions in in similar
similar
vem.
vein.
Scores
Scores in Early Nineteenth
in Early Nineteenth Century Fix on 1843,
Century Fix 1843, '44,
'44, or
or '47
'47
In the first
In the first third
third of
of the
the nineteenth century
century aa tre-
tre-
mendous revival
revival ofof study
study took place
place concerning
concerning the the
prophecies pertaining
prophecies pertaining to
to the
the approaching
approaching end of
of the
the
age.
age. A number of
of European
European scholars
scholars in
in Britain,
Britain, on the
the
Continent, and even in
Continent, in India
India-from
from John
John A. Brown
in 1810,
in to Birks
1810, to Birks in
in 1843-published
1843 published theirtheir convictions
convictions
that the
that the 2300
2300 years
years would end about 1843,
1843, '44, or
'44, or '47.
'47.
These
These three
three dates
dates represent essentially
represent essentially the
the same reckon-
ing, with
ing, with the
the death
death ofof Christ in the
Christ in the midst,
midst, or
or at the end,
at the end,
QUESTIONS
of the
the seventieth
seventieth week of of years,
years, with
with the
the 2300
2300 counted
counted
from the the same starting point as
starting point as the
the 7070 weeks.
weeks. The
differences are
differences are mere matters
matters of of computation
computation or or of of plac-
plac-
ing
ing Christ's
Christ's birth
birth in
in 1
1 or
or 4
4 B.C.
B.C.
In
In North America a paralleling group
a paralleling group of of scholars
scholars
holding high
holding high posts
posts in
in various denominations-all
various denominations prior
all prior
to
to William Miller-from
Miller from William C. C. Davis
Davis (1810)
(1810) on, on,
likewise looked to
likewise looked to 1843, '44, or
1843, '44, or '47 as destined
'47 as destined to to intro-
intro-
duce some great great event
event or period-the
or period the advent, the judg-
advent, the judg-
ment scene,
scene, or the millennial
or the millennial reignreign of of the
the saints,
saints, or or
the effusion
the effusion Qf the Spirit
of the preceding
Spirit preceding Christ's
Christ's coming.
coming.
These included
included Dr. Dr. Joshua
Joshua L. L. Wilson, moderator of
Wilson, moderator of
the Presbyterian General
the Presbyterian Assembly; Protestant
General Assembly; Episco-
Protestant Episco-
pal Bishop
pal Bishop John John P. P. K.
K. Henshaw;
Henshaw; Alexander Campbell, Campbell,
founder of of the
the Disciples
Disciples Church;
Church; several college presi-
several college presi-
dents and professors,
dents professors, judges,
judges, congressmen,
congressmen, physicians,
physicians,
pastors of
pastors of outstanding
outstanding churches,
churches, and anq editors
editors ofof several
several
religious journals.
religious journals.
It
It is both interesting
is both interesting and significant that more than
significant that than
sixty
sixty men in
in the
the early
early nineteenth century,
century, scattered
scattered
over four
over continents, and located
four continents, located in in twelve
twelve different
different
countries-including
countries including even a a Roman Catholic
Catholic supreme
supreme
court justice, Jose
court justice, Jose de Rozas
Rozas of of Mexico CityCity-looked
looked to to
1843, '44,
1843, '44, or
or '47
'47 as
as the
the terminus
terminus of
of this
this epochal period.
epochal period.
And nearly
nearly all all of published their
of them published their expectations
expectations
before William
before Miller's first
William Miller's first book appeared
appeared in in Troy,
Troy,
New York,
York, in
in 1836.
1836.
Such is is the
the impressive historical background,
impressive historical background, and
scholarly non-Seventh-day Adventist
scholarly non-Seventh-day Adventist precedent,
precedent, re- re-
vealed
vealed in in the record. We consequently
the record. consequently feel feel that
that our
position-that
position that the 2300 year-days
the 2300 year-days of Daniel 8:
of Daniel 8:1414 ex-
ex-
tend from 457 457 B.C. to to A.D. I844-has
1844 has ample precedent.
ample precedent.
SCHOLARLY PRECEDENTS FOR 1844 315
So, in common with many
So, In many before
before us,
us, we,
we, as
as Adventists,
Adventists,
hold that
hold the dosing
that the closing date
date was toto announce important
important
events
events clustering
clustering around the
the great
great judgment day
judgment day and
the closing
the closing events
events of the age.
of the (The
age. (The basis
basis of
of our
our fixing
fixing
upon
upon the
the 2300 years
years as
as extending
extending from 457
457 B.C. to
to A.D.
lR44 appears
1844 appears under Questions
Questions 24 24 and 25.)
25.)
Discovery, but
Ours Not a Discovery, but aa Continuation
Continuation
reason for
Our reason for accepting
accepting as as rational,
rational, logical,
logical, and
exegetically
exegetically sound the
the interpretation
interpretation that
that places the
places the
terminus of of the
the 2300
2300 years
years inin 1844
1844 is not based
is not based on the the
imposing
imposing arrayarray of scholarly expositors
of scholarly expositors cited,
cited, but
but thethe
fact remains that
fact remains that we have have this
this supporting
supporting host
host of
of ex-
ex-
positors,
positors, without
without a
a parallel
parallel in
in the
the annals
annals of
of prophetic
prophetic
exposition.
exposition.
That is why we feel
is why that if
feel that if we areare toto be
be 'censured,
'censured,
then,
then, in
in simple fairness
simple fairness and justice,
justice, similar
similar charges
charges of of
unreasonableness
unreasonableness should should be placedplaced against that illus-
against that illus-
trious company
trious company of of accomplished
accomplished Biblical
Biblical scholars
scholars who
have held
held essentially
essentially the
the same view,
view, and who held
held
honored posts
posts inin the
the leading Protestant communions.
leading Protestant
They are
They are recognized,
recognized, outstanding
outstanding Christian
Christian scholars.
scholars.
And we,we, as Adventists, continue
as Adventists, continue to take our
to take our place
place in in
that great
that great line
line of
of serious-minded prophetic expositors
serious-minded prophetic expositors
of
of the
the centuries, clasping hands with the
centuries, clasping the brilliant,
brilliant, godly
godly
company
company of
of exegetes
exegetes before
before us.
us. They
They are
are our spiritual
spiritual
ancestors
ancestors in in this
this exposition,
exposition, and we their their logical
logical suc-
suc-
cessors
cessors and continuators.
continuators. If
If we find
find ourselves
ourselves differ-
differ-
ing with most
ing with most fundamentalists
fundamentalists and all all modernists,
modernists, thatthat
is because
is because they
they have
have abandoned the the historicist
historicist position
position
-the
the one group
group forfor futurism,
futurism, and the the other
other for pret-
for pret-
erism. Our view
erism. represents the
view represents the position
position once held by
held by
QUESTIONS
their spiritual
their spiritual ancestors. We
ancestors. We do not basebase our doctrine
doctrine
the authority
on the authority of
of our predecessors;
predecessors; we find
find our own
basis in
basis in aa study
study of of Scripture
Scripture and aa comparison
comparison of of fulfill-
fulfill-
ment in in history.
history. But we are are here
here answering
answering the the ques-
ques-
tion about our precedents
tion precedents in in exposition,
exposition, and we feel feel
honored to to stand
stand inin this
this distinguished
distinguished line. line.
conclude: From facts
To conclude: facts here adduced,
adduced, it it becomes
evident that
evident that our position
position on thethe reckoning
reckoning of of the
the 2300
year-days
year-days is
is not
not an innovation.
innovation. It
It is
is in
in harmony
harmony with
positions long
positions long since
since held,
held, but which others
others let
have let
slip.
slip.
It
It cannot rightly
rightly be called
called an invention,
invention, a
a dis-
dis-
covery; it
covery; it is,
is, in restoration
reality, aa continuation and restoration
in reality,
of prophetic
of prophetic truths
truths and principles progressively
principles progressively adopted adopted
over the
over centuries. We are
the centuries. are therefore
therefore not introducers
introducers
of new positions,
of positions, but are are sincere
sincere champions
champions of old
of old
historic positions
historic developed by
positions developed Christian church
by the Christian
of the
of the ages.
ages.
Antiochus Epiphal1e5 and the
Antiochus E-piphanes and the
Prophetic Specifications of Daniel

Prophetic Specifications of Daniel
QUESTION
QUESTION 28
Why Adventists reject

Why do Adventists reject the position, so
the position, so
widely
widely held,
held, that
that Antiochus
Antiochus Epiphanes fulfills
Epiphanes fulfills
the prophecy
the prophecy ofof the
the "little
"little horn" of Daniel 7
of Daniel 7 or
or
8,
8) or both,
both with his
y his suppression
suppression ofof the
the Jewish
Jewish
sacrifices between 167
sacrifices 167 and 164 B.C.,
B.C., as
as the fulfill-
the fulfill-
ment ofof the predicted
predicted exploits
exploits and time
time period
period
of the
of the "little horn"?
"little horn"?
The issue
issue here raised
raised isis more complex, and far
complex, far
more fundamental,
fundamental, than
than might
might at
at first appear.
first appear. Some
apply to
apply to Antiochus Epiphanes
Epiphanes the the "little horn" symbol
"little horn" symbol
of Daniel 7,
of Daniel 7, which became "more stout" than any
stout" than any other
other
of the
of the ten
ten horns
horns (verse 20),
(verse 20), while
while others
others apply
apply to
to him
the
the "little horn" of
"little horn" of Daniel 8, 8, which became "exceeding
"exceeding
great" (Dan. 8:9,
great" (Dan. 8:9, 10).
10). Still others seek
Still others seek toto apply
apply to to
Antiochus the the little
little horns in in both chapters.
chapters. But these these
horns, as
horns, as will
will be shown,
shown, are are two separate
separate symbols.
symbols.
They are
They are not
not identical,
identical, and parallel
parallel each other
other only
only inin
part.
part.
Numerous Bible Bible scholars
scholars (such as Faussett,
(such as Faussett, Auber-
len,
len, Zundel, Eberhardt,
Ziindel, Eberhardt, Hiivernick, Hengstenberg,
Havernick, Hengstenberg,
Scofield, Gaebelein,
Scofield, Gaebelein, and Ironside)
Ironside) warn against con-
against con-
fusing the
fusing the "little horn" of
"little horn" of Daniel 77 with the the "little
"little
horn" of
horn" Daniel 8.
of Daniel Nevertheless, many
8. Nevertheless, many continue
continue to to con-
con-
317
QUESTIONS
fuse them,
fuse them, and thus
thus become involved
involved in irreconcilable
in irreconcilable
difficulties.
difficulties.
Those who place place Antiochus in in Daniel
Daniel 8 8 do not not
necessarily
necessarily also
also hold
hold the
the so-called
so-called "Porphyry
"Porphyry theory" of
theory" of
Daniel 7,
Daniel 7, which makes Antiochus
Antiochus the
the little
little horn
horn of
of a
a
"Greek" fourth kingdom.
"Greek" fourth kingdom. There are also those
are also those who,
who, on
the basis of
the basis of a
a partial
partial or
or preliminary
preliminary fulfillment
fulfillment of
of some
aspects
aspects of
of the
the prophecy,
prophecy, have regarded
regarded Antiochus
Antiochus as
as aa
type, or forerunner,
type, or forerunner, of
of the
the great persecuting
great persecuting Antichrist
Antichrist
who was was toto realize
realize thethe actual
actual fulfillment
fulfillment centuries
centuries later.
later.
There has
There has been,
been, besides,
besides, an almostalmost universal
universal opinion
opinion
that Antiochus has
that Antiochus has a a legitimate
legitimate placeplace among
among the the series
series
of kings-Ptolemies
of kings Ptolemies and Seleucids-referred
Seleucids referred to
to in
in chap-
chap-
ter II,
ter II, a a literal prophecy that
literal prophecy that covers
covers the the period
period in in
which he he attempted
attempted to to suppress
suppress the
the true
true worship
worship of
of God.
find him in
To find that chapter,
in that chapter, along
along with with relatively
relatively un- un-
important rulers,
important rulers, is is not at
at all
all the
the same as
as giving·
giving him
the disproportionate importance
the disproportionate importance that that attaches
attaches to to· the
the
Antiochus interpretation
Antiochus interpretation of
of the
the little
little horn
horn of
of Daniel
Daniel 7.
7.
These variations in
These variations in interpretation
interpretation must be
be kept
kept distinct
distinct
so as to
so as to avoid
avoid confusion.
confusion.
1.
1. GREEK AND ROMAN ROMAl'1 VIEWS OF THE FOURTH KING-
DOM. It should
DOM.-It should be be noted
noted thatthat any identification of
any identification of
Antiochus
Antiochus as
as the
the little
little horn of
of chapter
chapter 7
7 is
is dependent
dependent
on the
on the identification
identification of of the
the fourth
fourth of Daniel's four
of Daniel's world
four world
powers
powers with
with the
the Macedonian (Grecian)
(Grecian) period,period, rather
rather
than
than thethe Roman. The Greek and Roman views views must be be
explained.
explained. The majority interpretation
majority interpretation through the through the
centuries has
centuries has been that that the the fourth
fourth worldworld power power of of
Daniel 22 and 77 is
Daniel Rome, and that
is Rome, that thethe prophetic
prophetic outout-
line"S portrayed
lines portrayed in these chapters
in these chapters (as well as
(as well as inin chapters
chapters
88 and 9) 9) reach
reach to to the
the end of time.
of time.
ANTIOCHUS
ANTIOCH US EPIPHANES 319
319
This was early taught by

early taught by Josephus
Josephus and other other Jewish
Jewish
writers,
writers, and later by
later such early
by such church expositors
early church expositors as as
pseudo-Barnabas, Irenaeus,
pseudo-Barnabas, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus,
Tertullian, Hippolytus,
Eusebius, Aphrahat, Cyril,
Eusebius, Aphrahat, Cyril, Chrysostom,
Chrysostom, Isidore, Isidore, Sul-Sul-
picius Severus,
picius Severus, Jerome, Jerome, and Theodoret.
Theodoret. It
It was
was the
the
virtually universal
virtually universal ,view
,view ofof pre-Reformation,
pre-Reformation, Reforma- Reforma-
tion, and post-Reformation
tion, post-Reformation times. times. Beginning
Beginning in in the
the
thirteenth century
thirteenth century and from
from Reformation
Reformation times
times on-
on-
ward,
ward, it
it had as
as a
a major corollary
major corollary that
that the
the little
little horn
horn
of
of Daniel 7, 7, springing
springing out of of the
the ten divisions of
ten divisions of Rome,
Rome,
the Papacy.
was the Papacy. Rome, in in its pagan and/or
its pagan and/or papal papal
phases,
phases, has
has likewise
likewise been
been said
said to
to be
be the
the "little"
"little" and
later
later "exceeding
"exceeding great" great" horn of
of Daniel
Daniel 8, though
8, though this this
is not
is not necessarily
necessarily aa concomitant
concomitant of the Roman view
of the view ofof
the fourth kingdom.kingdom. (Antiochus
(Antiochus and,
and, later,
later, Moham-
medanism have have been seenseen in chapter 88 by
in chapter by holders
holders of of the
the
Roman view.)view.)
The Greek view was originally originally held held only
only by by Por-
Por-
phyry
phyry and aa few others,
others, but
but is
is championed today by aa
championed today by
large
large number of
of exegetes,
exegetes, principally of
principally the modernist
of the modernist
school.
school. This scheme assigns assigns the fourth kingdom
the fourth kingdom of of
Daniel 22 and 77 to
Daniel to the
the Greek,
Greek, or Hellenistic, period
or Hellenistic, period-
that is,
that is, either
either to Alexander and his
to Alexander his successors
successors or to the
or to the
successors
successors alonealone down to to the
the time
time of of the
the Roman Em-
pire, with Antiochus
pire, Antiochus Epiphanes,
Epiphanes, the the persecuting
persecuting Seleu-Seleu-
cid
cid king,
king,* * as
as the
the "little
"little horn" that
that came up
up among
among
the ten
the horns of
ten horns of the
the fourth beast of
fourth beast of chapter
chapter 7. 7. And
many,
many, even
even including
including some who make Rome the
the fourth
fourth
empire, hold
empire, hold thatthat Antiochus
Antiochus constitutes
constitutes the the "exceeding
"exceeding
Seleucid Empire
*The Seleucid Empire was the easternmost of
the easternmost of the
the four
four divisions
divisions of Alexander'.
of Alexander's
empire. From the
empire. the fact that its
fact that its capital was Antipch
capital was Antioch in
in Syria, that in
Syria, and that in later
later times
times
it lost its
it lost its eastern
eastern territory
territory and shrank
shrank into Syria proper,
into Syria proper, it
it was also
also referred
referred to
to as
as
the Syrian Empire,
the Syrian Empire, or
or merely
merely Syria.
Syria.
.~20
QUESTIONS
great" horn
great*'horn springing
springing out
out of
of one of
of the
the four
four horns
horns of
of
the Grecian
the Grecian goat
goat of
of chapter
chapter 8,
8, or
or is
is at
at least
least the
the type
type or
or
forerunner of
forerunner of that
that horn.
horn.
This Grecian
This Grecian view, view, according
according to S. R.
to S. R. Driver,
Driver, re-re-
stricts the
stricts the latter
latter days
days "within
"within the the range
range of of the
the writer"
writer"
(of the prophecy of Daniel), and puts
(of the prophecy of Daniel),
puts forth
forth Antiochus
Antiochus
Epiphanes as
Epiphanes as the
the "limiting
"limiting horizon horizon of of the
the book."
book." That
is, everything
is, everything in in the
the book of of Daniel
Daniel (including
(including chapters
chapters
2, 7, 8, 9,
2, 7, 8, 9, 11) II) is
is understood
understood to
to have occurred
occurred prior to
prior to
the Christian
the Christian Era. Era. On the the contrary,
contrary, under the the Roman
view, with
view, with Rome,
Rome, pagan pagan and papal, papal, as as the
the fourth
fourth world
world
power,
power, the
the deeds
deeds of
of the
the "little
"little horn,"
horn," whatever
whatever it
it may
may
be, come entirely
be, entirely after after thethe beginning
beginning of of the
the Christian
Christian
dispensation.
dispensation. One view
view clearly
clearly excludes
excludes the
the other.
other.
2.
2, NON-CHRISTIAN ORIGIN OF THE GRECIAN
THEORY.-The
THEORY. The origin
origin of the Greek fourth
of the fourth kingdom
kingdom is is
generally credited,
generally credited, not
not to
to aa Christian
Christian exegete,
exegete, but to
to a
a
pagan, Porphyry,
pagan, Porphyry, who died about A.D. A.D. 304.
304. ItIt was de-de-
vised,
vised, notnot toto expound,
expound, but
but to
to discredit
discredit and deny
deny the
the
prophetic element of
prophetic of the
the book of of Daniel-not
Daniel not to to con-
con-
firm
firm the Bible, but to
the Bible, to deny
deny its veracity. In short,
its veracity. short, as as
many
many scholars
scholars (such
(such as
as Jerome
Jerome of
of Antioch and Bishop
Bishop
Thomas Newton)
Newton) have pointed pointed out, out, itit was a a pagan's
pagan's
counterattack
counterattack upon upon the the inroads
inroads of of Christian
Christian teachings
teachings
in
in the pagan world-an
the pagan world an avowedly avowedly defensive
defensive and fabri-
fabri-
cated
cated claim
claim thatthat the
the book of of Daniel was not written written by by
the
the prophet
prophet Daniel
Daniel in
in the
the sixth
sixth century
century B.C.,
B.C., but by
by aa
pseudo-Daniel
pseudo-Daniel in
in the
the second
second century
century B.C.,
B.C., in
in the
the time
of
of the
the Maccabees.
Maccabees.* '*' So he maintained that that thethe book of of
*Dr. Edward J.
*Dr. J. Young,
Young, of
of Westminster
Westminster Theological Seminary (The
Theological Seminary (The Prophecy
Prophecy of
of
Daniel,
Daniel, p.
p. 5)
5) observes:
observes: "One who claims
claims that
that the
the book of
of Daniel
Daniel is
is a product
product of
of the
ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES 321
321
Daniel was not a prophecy at all,

prophecy at all, as
as it
it claimed
claimed to
to be,
be, but
but
only a history
only history written
written after the events.
after the Th~s he
events. Thus he chal·
chal-
lenged
lenged its right to Christian
right to
its Christian, acceptance
acceptance and propaga-
propaga-
tion. It
tion. It was the accuracy
accuracy of
o the
the historical fulfillment
historical fulfillment
that made him say
that say it written after
it must have been written the
after the
events.
events.
3. THE Two FORMS OF THE GREEK VIEW.
3. VIEw.-There
There
are two forms of of the
the Greek view of of Daniel's
Daniel's fourth
fourth
kingdom, agreeing
kingdom, agreeing only
only on the
the first kingdom as
first kingdom as Babylon
Babylon
and on thethe horns of
of the
the fourth as Hellenistic
fourth as Hellenistic kings,
kings, with
with
the little
little horn as
as Antiochus Epiphanes.
Epiphanes. The two series
series
run:
run:
L
1. Babylon
Babylon 1. Babylon
1. Babylon
2. Persia (Medes
2. Persia (Medes and 2. Media
2.
Persians)
Persians)
3. Alexander's
3. Alexander's empire
empire 3. Persia
3. Persia
(during
(during his
his lifetime)
lifetime)
4. Alexander's successors
4. Alexander's successors 4.
4. Alexander and his
his
successors
successors
The first
first form,
form, generally traced to
generally traced to Porphyry,
Porphyry, was
revived about 1600 and has
revived has had adherents
adherents down into
into
the present
the present century.
century. The second, taught by
second, taught by Ephraim
Ephraim
the
the Syrian
Syrian and a
a few others,
others, was not resurrected
resurrected until
until
the eighteenth
the eighteenth century,
century, but today it is
today it is quite widely
quite widely
held. (See
held. Rowley, Darius the
(See H. H. Rowley, the Mede and the the
Maccabean age age thereby

thereby denies that it
denies that is a work of true
it is prophecy ~s
predictive prophecy
true predictive it pur-
as it pur-
ports to
ports be. Furthermore,
to be. Furthermore, if if the book of
the book Daniel comes from the
of Daniel the age
age ofof the
the Maccabees,
Maccabees,
II do not see
see how itit is
is possible
possible to
to escape
escape the conclusion that thethe book isis also forgery)
also a forgery,
for it
for it claims
claims to
to be
be a revelation
revelation from God to to the
the Daniel
Daniel who lived
lived in
in Babylon
Babylon during
during
the exile.))
the exile."
Porphyry challenged
Porphyry challenged and disparaged
disparaged the
the veracity
veracity and competency
competency of
of the
the witness
witness
of Jesus
of Jesus Christ Himself, who cited
Christ Himself, cited Daniel
Daniel asas the
the author
author of
of the
the prophetic
prophetic book
bearing
bearing his name, and recognized
his name, recognized thethe treatise
treatise to inspired prophecy
to be an inspired prophecy (Matt.
(Matt.
24:15).
24:15).
11
11
322
QUESTIONS
Four World Empires
Empires inin the
the Book of Daniel, for
of Daniel, the
or the
differing views and their
differing views their numerous variations.)
variations.)
The first
first form of
of this
this view
view ignores the unity
ignores the unity ofof the
the
Hellenistic period.
Hellenistic period. From'
From Alexander to to the
the dominance
of Rome the
of the Hellenistic
Hellenistic world was was aa single
single Greco-
Greco-
Macedonian-Oriental civilization
Macedonian-Oriental civilization molded by by Greek
Greek
language, thought,
language, thought, and political
political institutions,
institutions, ruled
ruled by by
Macedonians, and thought
Macedonians, thought of
of as
as a
a single empire
single empire long long
after Alexander's
after Alexander's death,
death, inin spite of its
spite of its political divi-
political divi-
sions.
sions. One historian says:
historian says:
We may
may pause to note
pause to note that
that the
the name of
of king
king [as
[as applied
applied toto
Seleucus]
Seleucus] had had nono territorial
territorial reference.
reference. These kings kings [Alexander's
[Alexander's
successors]
successors] are never officially
are never styled kings of Egypt or kings of
officially styled kings of Egypt or kings of
Asia. If
Asia. they are
If they are called
called so
so by
by historians,
historians, it it is merely for
is merely for the
the pur-
pur-
pose of
pose convenient distinction.
of convenient distinction. It connoted rather
It connoted rather aa personal
personal re- re-
lation
lation to the Macedonian people.
to the Ideally there
people. Ideally there waswas one
one Macedo-
nian Empire as
nian Empire as in the Middle Ages
in the there was
Ages there was one Roman Empire. Empire.
But thethe dignity
dignity of of Macedonian King King waswas borne
borne conjointly
conjointly or or
concurrently
concurrently by by several chieftains, just
several chieftains, just as the dignity
as the dignity ofof Roman
Emperor was
Emperor was borne
borne concurrently
concurrently by by the
the Western
Western and the the Byzan-
Byzan-
tine prince.
tine prince. In In practice
practice, of
, of course, each of
course, each the rivals
of the rivals had to to ac-
ac-
quiesce
quiesce in in the
the others
others being
being kings within aa certain
kings within territorial
certain territorial
sphere.
sphere. ButBut their
their connexion withwith that
that sphere
sphere was was never
never as as close
close
and essential
essential asas that
that of
of the king of
the king of England
England or or the
the king
king of
of France
France
with his
with his territory.
territory. Ptolemy
Ptolemy and Seleucid were to
Seleucid were the end Mace-
to the Mace-
donian kings
donian kings who happened
happened to to reign
reign inin Egypt
Egypt and in in Asia.
Asia.-
EDWYN ROBERT BEVAN, The House of
EnWYN of Seleucus
Seleucus (1902),
(1902), vol.
vol. I, pp.
1, pp.
57,
57, 58.
58. (Italics
(Italics in
in the
the original.)
original.)
Daniel indicates
Daniel indicates this unity
thisby representing
unity by representing "Grecia"
"Grecia"
as animal-aa goat
as one animal with horns,
goat with representing its
horns, representing its first
first
king
king and his
his four
four successors.
successors. Just
Just so,
so, Alexander's
Alexander's suc-
suc-
cessors
cessors did not constitute
did not constitute a distinct kingdom
a distinct kingdom that
that re-
re-
placed its
placed its predecessors
predecessors byby conquest,
conquest, asas did
did the
the others;
others;
it was
it was merely
merely aa continuation
continuation and development
development outout of
of
A1exander's rule.
Alexander's rule. But inin Daniel
Daniel 22 and 77 thethe fourth
fourth
ANTIOCHUS
323
kingdom is
kingdom not aa later
is not phase of
later phase of the third; it
the third; it is
is as
as
distinct as
distinct the other
as the three. Not only
other three. is the
only is the fourth beast
fourth beast
separate, but it
separate, but it is
is even
even "diverse"
"diverse" from
from itsits predecessors.
predecessors.
A Hellenistic
Hellenistic fourth kingdom does
fourth kingdom does not not fitfit the
the specifica-
specifica-
tions.
tions. If the four-headed
If the four-headed leopard leopard is is Alexander's
Alexander's em- em-
pire, who are
pire, the four
are the heads if
four heads if not
not his his four successors,
four successors,
paralleling
paralleling the
the goat's
goat's four
four horns
horns in
in chapter 8?
chapter 8? This
This
first
first form of the Greek view
of the does violence
view does violence both both to his-
to his-
tory
tory and to
to Daniel's
Daniel's symbols.
symbols.
second series
The second series offers
offers no better
better solution.
solution. True,True,
there
there was a Median empire preceding
empire preceding the
the Persian,
Persian, but
it had been conquered
it
conquered by Cyrusby Cyrus some years
years before
before his
his
conquest
conquest of
of Babylon.
Babylon. Hence it
it is
is historically impossible
historically impossible
for
for itit to
to be the
the second of the four
of the four kingdoms,
kingdoms, following
following
Babylon.
Babylon. Neither
Neither does
does the
the book of
of Daniel
Daniel separate
separate
Median from from Persian
Persian rule.rule. The Babylonian
Babylonian kingdom kingdom is is
replaced
replaced by by that
that of
of "the
"the Medes and Persians"
Persians" (Dan. (Dan.
5:28);
5:28); Darius
Darius thethe Mede enforces
enforces the the laws
laws of of "the
"the Medes
and Persians"
Persians" (Dan.
(Dan. 6:
6: 12);
12); the
the combined rule
rule of "Media
of
Persia"-symbolized
and Persia" symbolized by by the
the single
single ram (Dan. 8:20)
(Dan. 8:20)
-is destroyed and replaced
is destroyed
replaced by by the the Grecian
Grecian goat. goat.
The older proponents of
older proponents of this
this second
second form of of inter-
inter-
pretation
pretation could
could place
place the
the rule
rule of
of Cyrus
Cyrus in
in Babylon after
Babylon after
the Median kingdom
the kingdom of Darius the
of Darius the Mede because because they they
did not
did not know,
know, as as we do now, now, that
that the the conqueror
conqueror Cyrus Cyrus
was recognized
was recognized in
in Babylonian
Babylonian records
records as
as ruling
ruling imme-
diately after
diately after the
the fall
fall of the city.
of the city. Modern proponents proponents
hold
hold that
that Daniel's
Daniel's prophecy
prophecy was written
written by a late
by late
pseudo-Daniel who ignorantly
pseudo-Daniel regarded Darius
ignorantly regarded Darius the the
Mede's reign
Mede's reign as as a a separate
separate kingdom preceding the
kingdom preceding the
Persian.
Persian. We, We, who accept accept Daniel as
as a
a contemporary
contemporary
with Cyrus, can
with Cyrus, neither distort
can neither distort history
history nor assume that that
324
QUESTIONS
Daniel was was ignorant.
Ignorant. But Darius Darius the the Mede is is no more
unhistorical than
unhistorical than was Belshazzar
Belshazzar beforebefore hishis status,
status, longlong
doubted, was
doubted, was corroborated
corroborated from archeological
archeological finds finds inin
1923.
1923. There is nothing to
is nothing rule out
to rule out thethe reign
reign of of Darius
Darius
concurrent for
concurrent for a year or
a year or two (only (only hishis "first year" is
"first year" is
mentioned)
mentioned) with with the the regnal
regnal years
years ofof Cyrus.
Cyrus. This would
be possible
be possible regardless
regardless of of whether Darius Darius is Is to to bebe re-
re-
garded
garded as
as a
a subordinate
subordinate king
king over
over Babylonia
Babylonia or
or as
as a
a
"shadow king" king" over over the
the empire, holding
empire, holding a
a courtesy
courtesy
title
title byby sufferance
sufferance of of Cyrus,
Cyrus, the the actual head of
actual head the
of the
empire.
empire. Not only
only is
is an intermediate
intermediate Median empire
empire
both unhistorical
both unhistorical and unnecessary,unnecessary, but but itit does
does not not fit
fit
the prophetic
the prophetic specifications.
specifications. What about about three
three ribs ribs inIn
a Median bear's
a bear's mouth? Or the the four heads of
four heads of a Persian
a Persian
leopard?
leopard?
Even more difficultdifficult is is the
the Greek fourth kingdom-
fourth kingdom
and the
and the fifth.
fifth. The interpretation
interpretation of Antiochus as
of Antiochus as the
the
little horn,
little horn, plausible
plausible up up to
to a
a point,
point, breaks
breaks down in
in the
the
end.
end. Its Its inadequacy
inadequacy as as toto his
his deeds,
deeds, his his time
time period,
period,
and his his relation
relation to to thethe tenten horns and the the three,
three, is is
another topic.
another topic. Where are
are the
the judgment
judgment and the
the fiery
fiery de-
de-
struction resulting from his
struction resulting blasphemy? How was the
his blasphemy? the
Grecian kingdom
kingdom succeeded by by the kingdom of
the kingdom of God
sweeping
sweeping away away the the kingdoms
kingdoms of of the
the world?
world? Indeed,Indeed,
present
present advocates
advocates of
of the
the Greek view
view point
point to
to these
these
things
things as
as proof
proof of
of the
the supposed
supposed Daniel's
Daniel's late
late date
date and
his miscalculation of
his miscalculation the future.
of the future. On the the other
other hand,
hand, the the
Roman view view can be be harmonized with with both
both the pro-
the pro-
phetic specifications
phetic specifications and the history of
the history of the
the Roman
Empire
Empire and its
its continuation
continuation in
in the
the religio-political
religio-political
empire
empire of the Papacy
of the Papacy (see (see p.p. 335 note).
335 and note).
4. SPECIFICATIONS OF DANIEL 77 NOT MET.
4. MET.-Sev- Sev-
325
enth-day Adventists reject

enth-day Adventists reject the
the application
application of
of the little
the little
horn of
of Daniel 77 to
to Antiochus
Antiochus for
for aa number of
of reasons:
reasons:
a. Antiochus belonged
a. Antiochus belonged to to the
the third
third empire
empire in in actual
actual
historical
historical sequence
sequence from Daniel's
Daniel's time
time (see p. 333).
(see p. 333).
b. The fourth
6. beast had ten
fourth beast horns (verses
ten horns (verses 7,7, 19,
19,
20),
20), but the the G'reco-Macedonian
Greco-Macedonian beast, beast, to to which
which Antio-
Antio-
belonged, had four
chus belonged, -four divisions,
divisions, which are are pictured
pictured
in chapter
in chapter 88 as as four
four horns.
horns. True,
True, the
the two symbols need
symbols
not necessarily
necessarily agree,
agree, but the discrepancy is
the discrepancy is between
the actual
the actual number of divisions that
of divisions that succeeded
succeeded the the
original empire.
original empire.
c. Antiochus did not
c. rise after
not rise after tenten kings
kings (verse 24).
(verse 24).
He was only eighth
only eighth in
in the
the Seleucid
Seleucid (Syrian)
(Syrian) line.
line. Be-
Be-
sides,
sides, the the prophecy
prophecy calls
calls for
for contemporaneous,
contemporaneous, not not sue·
suc-
cessive, horns.
cessive, horns.
d.
d. He was was not
not "diverse"
''diverse" from his his predecessors
predecessors
(verse
(verse 24).24).
e.
e. It It is
is impossible to
impossible to findfind three
three out out of ten kings
of ten kings who
were "plucked
"plucked up" up" or
or subdued before
before him (verses
(verses 8,8,
24);
24); those
those who claim to
to do so,
so, name mere aspirants
aspirants
who were never actual actual kings.
kings.* *
f./. He was not stouterstouter thanthan thethe rest
rest (verse
(verse 20);
20); he
*Note the the inadequacy

inadequacy of the ten
of the ten horns.
horns. InIn order
order toto make Antiochus
Antiochus Epiphanes
Epiphane,
the
the eleventh
eleventh horn in in Daniel 7, 7, champions
champions of of the Grecian view attempt
the Grecian attempt to to show
ten successive
ten indizlidual kings
successille individual kings of Syria,
of three of
Syria, three of whom were to to be plucked
plucked up up from
actual kingship.
actual kingship. But ten ten bona fidefide Syrian
Syrian kings cannot be
kings cannot be found. Advocates of
found. Advocates of the
the
varying lists
varying lists often
often admit uncertainty
uncertainty and speak speak of of historical obscurity, round
historical obscurity,
numbers, symbolical interpretations
numbers, and symbolical interpretations (Delitzsch,
(Delitzsch, Hitzig,
Hitzig, Hertzfeld,
Hertzfeld, Zockler).
Zockler).
Keil well
Keil remarks (The
well remarks (The Book of the Prophet
of the Prophet Daniel,
Daniel, p.p. 255)
255) that
that the suggested
the suggested
interpretation is
interpretation is "shattered"
"shattered" by by the
the simple
simple fact that these
fact that these horns
horns must be found foun<\
simultaneously on the
simultaneously the head of of the beast, not
the beast, not one afterafter another.
another. And Biederwolf
Biederwolf
(The Millennium Bible,
(The Millennium Bible, "Daniel,"
"Daniel," pp. pp. 207,
207, 208) bluntly declares:
208) bluntly declares: "Those who make
Antiochus Epiphanes
Antiochus Epiphanes the the 'little
'little horn'
horn' and the the eleventh
eleventh king,
king, cannot
cannot find
find the first
the first
tcn/'
ten."
Zockler (Lange's
Zockler (Lange's Commentary,
Commentary, on Daniel, Daniel, p. p. 165) frankly admits
165) frankly admits of of the
the three
three
horns: "Every
horns: "Every attempt
attempt toto designate
designate thethe three
three missing
missing monarchs,
monarchs, who should fill fill the
the
brief interregnum
brief interregnum and state state ofof restless
restless anarchy
anarchy which preceded
preceded the the accession
accession of of
Antiochus Epiphanes,
Epiphanes, results in failure."
results in failure/' Noting
Noting thethe three customarily listed
three customarily listed-Deme-
Deme-
trius,
trius, Heliodorus,
Helioaorus, and Ptolemy
Ptolemy IV-he
IV he adds:adds: "In pointpoint ofof fact,
fact, however,
however, none of of
these rivals of
these rivals of Epiphanes
Epiphanes could
could be regarded
regarded as as the king
liing of
of Syria, for Heliodorus
Syria, for Heliodorus was
a mere usurper,
usurper, who was dethroned after after a brief
brief reign, there is
reign, and there is no record
record to to
326
326 QUESTIONS
was not
was not the
the greatest
greatest of
of his line; his
his line; his father,
father, notnot he,
he, was
was
called Antiochus the
called Antiochus the Great.Great.
g. It is
g. It is true that he blasphemed
true that blasphemed God, changed laws
God, changed laws
of worship,
of worship, and persecuted
persecuted God's
God's chosen people,people, but
but
his persecution did not, as claimed, last
his persecution did not, as claimed, last three three and one-
one-
half times (verse
half times (verse 25;
25; see
see p.
p. 330,
330, Sec.
Sec. 6).
6).
h. He did
h. did not
not prevail
prevail until
until the judgment before
the judgment before the
the
Ancient
Ancient of of Days, which
Days, which was to be
to be followed
followed by by the
the giv-
giv-
ing
ing of
of the
the everlasting
everlasting kingdom
kingdom to
to the
the saints
saints (verses
(verses 9-
9-
14,26,27).
14, 26, 27).
i. His
i.His great words were not
great words not the
the cause
cause of the destruc-
of the destruc-
tion of
tion of the
the Greco-Macedonian beast, beast, or empire (verse
or empire (verse
11 ).
ii).
j. The kingdom
/. kingdom following
following the Macedonian'was
the Macedonian the
'was the
Roman, not
Roman, not the
the everlasting
everlasting kingdom of the
kingdom of the saints
saints
(verse
(verse 27).
27).
k. Some assign
k. assign this
this kingdom
kingdom of of the
the saints
saints toto the
the
first advent of
first advent of Christ
Christ inin the
the next
next (i.e.,
(i.e.,
the
the Roman)
Roman)
period. But the
period. the kingdom
kingdom and dominion "under the the
whole heaven"
whole heaven" waswas not
not set
set up then,
up then, and the
the kingdom
kingdom
of grace in
of grace in the hearts of
the hearts of men doesdoes not
not fit
fit the
the picture.
picture.
l. In
/. In aa prophecy that sweeps
prophecy that sweeps in in panorama
panorama from the the
Babylon
Babylon of
of Daniel's day
Daniel's day to the
the judgment
judgment and the
the king-
king-
dom of of the
the saints,
saints, the brief and unsuccessful
the brief unsuccessful attempt
attempt of of
Antiochus to to dominate the the Jews
Jews would be be magnified
magnified
ont
out of all proportion
of all proportion by the application
by the application of of this little
this little
symbol. We look
horn symbol. look in vain
in vain for
for the tremendous
the
events of
events the judgment
of the judgment and the the setting up of
setting up of the
the ever-
ever-
that either
show that Demetrius or
either Demetrius or Ptolemy
Ptolemy Philometer pretended
pretended to
to the
the throne
throne with
any degree
any degree of
of earnestness."
earnestness."
Furthermore, the
Furthermore, the kings, or kingdom,
kings, or of Syria
kingdom, of Syria (embracing
(embracing only one of
only one of four
four parts
part,
ol the original
of the original Greek empire)
empire) could
could not
not qualify as horns
qualify as horns of
of a beast
beast representing
representing
the
the full Grecian power,
full Grecian power, as
as the
the alleged
alleged fourth
fourth empire.
empire.
ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES
EP1PHANES 327
327
lasting kingdom of
lasting kingdom of God following the kingdom
following the kingdom of
of An-
tiochus.
tiochus.
The conclusion
conclusion is obvious that
is obvious that Antiochus
Antiochus does does notnot
fill the little-horn
fill the little-horn specifications,
specifications, even
even the
the earlier
earlier ones,
ones,
to
to say nothing of
say nothing of the
the closing
closing depiction.
depiction. ThisThis makes all all
the
the more evident evident the the bankruptcy
bankruptcy of of the
the prevalent
prevalent
modernist interpretation
interpretation based
based on the
the supposed
supposed igno- igno-
rance
rance of of aa second-century pseudo-Daniel
second-century pseudo-Daniel writing pseudo-writing pseudo-
prophecy in
prophecy in oror after
after thethe time of Antiochus. And since
of Antiochus. since
there
there is is no possible candidate
possible candidate of of the
the Macedonian period period
other
other than Antiochus,
Antiochus, we must therefore therefore conclude
conclude that that
the little
the little horn of of Daniel
Daniel 7 7 cannot be be Grecian,
Grecian, and the the
only
only alternative is a Roman horn (see
alternative is a (see p.p. 337).
337).
5.
5. SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS OF OF DANIEL 88 NOT MET. MET.-The The
view thatthat makes Antiochus
Antiochus the the little
little horn
horn of Daniel 8,
of Daniel 8,
which becomes
becomes "exceeding
"exceeding great,"great," must also
also be
be ex-
ex-
amined. There is is aa tempting plausibility in
tempting plausibility in the
the fact
fact
that Antiochus did
that Antiochus did actually
actually come "out of of one of" of" thethe
four horn-kingdoms on the
four horn-kingdoms the head of of the
the Greco-Mace-
Greco-Mace-
danian
donian goat. goat. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, even even aside
aside from the the fact
fact
that there is
that there is a
a difference
difference of opinion as
of opinion to whether
as to whether "out "out
of one of
of of them" means out of one of
out of the horn-kingdoms
of the horn-kingdoms
or
or out
out of of one of of "the four winds"
"the four winds" (verses
(verses 8,8, 9)
g)-i.e.,
i.e.,
one of the four

of the four directions
directions of of the
the compass-there
compass there are
are
obstacles
obstacles to to considering
considering Antiochus an adequate adequate fulfill-
fulfill-
ment of the prophetic

of the prophetic specifications.
specifications.
a. In
a. In the
the first place, Antiochus
first place, Antiochus was not not a "horn."
The fourfour horns
horns of
of the
the goat
goat were "four kingdoms" (verse
kingdoms" (verse
22), the
22), the largest
largest of of which was the the Seleucid
Seleucid (or (or Syrian)
Syrian)
kingdom. Antiochus was
kingdom. Antiochus was not
not aa separate horn, or
separate horn, or king-
king-
dom,
dom, but
but one of
of the
the kings
kings of
of the
the Seleucid
Seleucid horn,
horn, and
hence aa part
hence part of of one of of the
the horns.
horns.
328
328 QUESTIONS
b. Antiochus did
b. Antiochus did notnot wax "exceeding
"exceeding great"great" (verse
(verse
9) in
9) in comparison
comparison with with the the Greco-Macedonian empire empire
of Alexander (verse
of (verse 8). 8).
Antiochus was was not
not eveneven thethe
most powerful
most powerful king king of
of the
the Seleucid
Seleucid division
division of
of Alex-
Alex-
ander's empire.
ander's empire.
Antiochus hardly
c. Antiochus
c. hardly grew grew exceeding
exceeding great great through
through
conquest (verse
conquest (verse 9). 9). His push
push to
to "the
"the south"
south" into
into
Egypt
Egypt was
was stopped
stopped by by the
the mere word of
of a
a Roman
officer;
officer; his his expedition
expedition to to "the east" resulted
"the east" resulted in in his
his
death; and his
death; his dominion of of "the pleasant land"
"the pleasant land" of of
Palestine
Palestine did did notnot last,
last, forfor his persecution of
his persecution of the
the Jews
Jews
drove
drove them to resistance that
to resistance later resulted
that later resulted in in their
their
independence.
independence.
d. The horn's
d. horn's furyfury against
against "the"the hosthost ofof heaven"
heaven"
(verse
(verse 10),10), who are
are evidently equated
evidently equated with
with "the mighty
mighty
and the
and holy people"
the holy (verse
people" (verse 24), 24), is
is plausibly
plausibly a
a refer-
refer-
ence to Antiochus' persecution of the
ence to Antiochus' persecution of the Jews. However, if Jews. However, if
the
the specifications
specifications point rather to
point rather to another power power that that
also persecuted
also persecuted the the people
people of
of God,
God, this
this verse
verse cannot be
decisive.
decisive.
e. Against
e. Against what "prince "prince of of the host" (verse
the host" (verse II) 11) or
or
"Prince
"Prince of of princes" (verse
princes" (verse 25) 25) did
did Antiochus
Antiochus stand?
stand?
A mere Jewish priest is
Jewish priest hardly such aa figure;
is hardly figure; "Prince
"Prince of of
princes"
princes" could
could be only
only an unusual
unusual designation
designation for
for
God or or Christ,
Christ, whose worship worship he he attacked.
attacked.
t./. Antiochus
Antiochus did take take away
away the the "daily
"daily sacrifice"
sacrifice" to to
the
the true
true God, though
God, though he did
did not
not abolish
abolish the
the Temple
Temple
sacrifices;
sacrifices; he substituted
substituted othersothers in in honor of of heathen
gods. However,
gods. However, he he only desecrated "the
only desecrated place of
"the place his
of his
sanctuary";
sanctuary"; it
it was
was not
not "cast
"cast down" until
until the
the Romans
destroyed it
destroyed it in
in A.D. 70.70.
g.
g. HisHis attempts
attempts to to "cast
"cast down the the truth"
truth" (verse
(verse 12)12)
329
were unsuccessful.
unsuccessful. The net net result
result of his persecution
of his persecution
was to strengthen
to strengthen the the truth
truth by by uniting
uniting thethe Jews
Jews against
against
the Hellenization of
the Hellenization of Judaism.
Judaism.
h. Though
A. Though Antiochus
Antiochus was not not aa weak king, king, his his
ambitious policy
ambitious policy can scarcely
scarcely be
be said
said to
to have
have "practised,
"practised,
prospered" (verses
and prospered" (verses 12; 12; compare
compare verseverse 24),
24), nor did did
his
his "craft
"craft ... prosper
. . . prosper in in his
his hand" (verse 25)
(verse 25) in
in attain-
attain-
ing
ing his ends.
his ends.
i.i. The attempts
attempts to to reckon
reckon the 2300 days
the 2300 days (verse
(verse 14)14)
as the
as the literal
literal period
period of of Antiochus'
Antiochus' desecration
desecration of the
of the
Temple fail
Temple fail inin making
making the the chronology
chronology fit fit any
any of the
of the
sources
sources (see (see p.p. 330,
330, Sec.
Sec. 6).
6).
j. Antiochus
y.
Antiochus did did not not reign
reign "in the latter
"in the time of"
latter time of"
the
the Hellenistic
Hellenistic kingdoms
kingdoms of of Alexander's empire
empire (verse(verse
23),
23), but
but nearly
nearly in
in the
the middle of
of the
the period.
period.
k. Antiochus was "fierce"
k. Antiochus toward the
"fierce" toward the Jews, but was
Jews, but
not noted for
not noted for "understanding"understanding dark
dark sentences"
sentences" (verse
(verse
23).
23).
t. His
/. His "power"
"power" was not not outstandingly
outstandingly "mighty,"
"mighty,"
nor can
nor can it be said
it be that it
said that it was "not by by his
his own power"
power"
(verse 24).
(verse 24). At least least such phrasesphrases givegive no particular
particular
confirmation
confirmation to to the
the identification
identification of Antiochus.
of Antiochus.
m. Antiochus was
ra. Antiochus was not "broken without hand"
(verse
(verse 25); 25); there
there is
is no suggestion
suggestion of anything miracu-
of anything
lous or
lous or mysterious
mysterious about either his failure
either his failure with the the
.JJews
ews or or his
his death.
death.
n. To find,
n. find, asas some do, do, thethe Papacy
Papacy as as the little
little
horn in chapter
horn in chapter 7, 7, and Antiochus as
as the
the little
little horn in
in
chapter 8,
chapter 8, is to throw
is to throw the the two prophecies
prophecies out of of balance
balance
-to interfere with
to interfere with the obvious parallel
the obvious parallel between the the
two
two series series of world powers
of world powers presented
presented (see p. 335).
(see p. 335).
If chapter 77 follows
If chapter follows the the sequence
sequence from Babylon Babylon-
330 QUESTIONS
through
through Persia,
Persia, Alexander's
Alexander's empire, empire, and his his divided
divided
successors,
successors, on through through the the Roman Empire Empire and the the
Papacy--down
Papacy down to to the
the judgment,
judgment, then chapter
chapter 8,
8, which
which
begins with Persia,
begins Persia, one step step later,
later, should cover cover the the
same sequence-Persia,
sequence Persia, Alexander, Alexander, the four
four horn-king-
horn-king-
doms that that grew
grew out out of of his
his empire,
empire, and then then another
another
horn,
horn, obviously
obviously another kingdom. kingdom. To preserve preserve the the ob-
ob-
vious
vious parallel,
parallel, this
this horn should logically
logically be the
the next
next
world powerpower after
after the
the Hellenistic
Hellenistic monarchies,
monarchies, namely namely
Rome; and we should expect
Rome; expect the the scope
scope of of the
the prophecy
prophecy
to
to be similar
similar to to that
that ofof chapter
chapter 7, 7, that
that is,
is, extending
extending to to
the
the end,
end, when the the horn would be broken without without
hand. (This
(This does
does not mean that the two little
that the little horns
horns are are
in
in all respects identical;
all respects identical; see p. 337).
see p. 337).
Although
Although certaincertain details
details of of this
this prophecy
prophecy of of Daniel
Daniel
88 might
might be be considered
considered applicable
applicable to
to the
the activities
activities of
of
Antiochus,
Antiochus, yet yet the
the figure
figure of
of that
that ruler,
ruler, with
with his
his mod-
erate successes and outstanding
erate successes failures, is
outstanding failures, is entirely
entirely too too
small
small to to fill
fill the
the picture.
picture.
6.
6. TIME SPECIFICATIONS FAIL FOR BOTH DANIEL 7 7
AND 8.-The
8. sources cited
The sources cited forfor the
the time
time specifications
specifications
of both little
of little horns
horns are are themselves
themselves in in hopeless
hopeless conflict.
conflict.
Thus, as
Thus, as to
to Daniel
Daniel 7, the activities
7, the activities of of Antiochus
Antiochus do do not
not
meet the the time
time demands of of the
the prophecy.
prophecy. Despite
Despite the the
claims of
claims of proponents
proponents to to the
the contrary,
contrary, according
according to to 1I
Maccabees 1 :54, 59
1:54, 59 and 4:52, 4:52, Antiochus
Antiochus suppressed
suppressed
the Jewish
the Jewish sacrifices
sacrifices exactly
exactly three
three literal
literal years.
years. But this this
does not
does not comport
comport with the the demand of of Daniel
Daniel 7:25 7:25 forfor
three and one-half
three one-half "times,"
"times," which are are generally
generally recog- recog-
nized as
nized as involving
involving 1260 prophetic days.*
1260 prophetic days.* Furthermore,
Furthermore,
*The Protestant
*The Protestant Reformation emphasis,
emphasis, and particularly
I?articularly that
that of
of post-Reforma-
post-Reforma.
tion times
tion times later, was that
and later, that these
these 1260
1260 prophetic
prophetic or
or symbolic
symbolic days
days called
called for
for the
the
331
Josephus, two centuries

Josephus, centuries later-in
later conflict with
in conflict with the
the Mac-
Mac-
cabean record
record-says (Wars i. 1. 1) that the episode lasted
says (Wars L 1. 1) that the episode lasted
three and one-half
three one-half years,
years, though
though elsewhere
elsewhere (Antiqui-
(Antiqui-
ties
ties xii.
xii. 7. 7. 6)
6) he contradicts himself by
contradicts himself saying it
by saying it was
three years to
three years to the
the day!
day! But
But more than
than that,
that, he
he neutral-
neutral-
izes both
izes both of these statements
of these statements in in his
his Preface
Preface to to Wars
when he imperturbably
imperturbably statesstates that
that itit was
was actually
actually three
three
years
years and three
three months. So
So one cancels
cancels out
out the
the others.
others.
There is is thus
thus hopeless
hopeless conflict
conflict and contradiction
contradiction in in
the sources themselves.
the sources themselves.
Furthermore,
Furthermore, all all attempts
attempts to equate the
to equate the 1260
1260 days
days
of the little
of the little horn (of (of Dan. 7:24,
7:24, 25)
25) with
with the
the 2300
2300 days,
days,
or "evenings-mornings,"
or "evenings-mornings," of Daniel 8:
of Daniel 14-or
8:14 with 1150
or with 1150
days, if
days, 2300 be
if 2300 be divided
divided by by two,
two, as as some insist-are
insist are
plainly
plainly forced.
forced. They
They constitute
constitute only
only an approximation,
approximation,
for 2300 days
for 2300 days (or
(or 1150) assuredly do not
1150) assuredly not equal
equal 1260.
1260.
conversely, the
And conversely, the 1260
1260 days
days of
of Daniel
Daniel 7
7 certainly
certainly do
not equate with the
not equate the 2300
2300 "half
"half days,"
days," or or 1150
1150 "full
"full
days,"
days/' of
of Daniel
Daniel 8.
8. One number cannot be
be accommo-
dated to
dated to meet the the demands of of the
the others.
others. That is is too
too
great
great a
a stretch-for
stretch for the
the figures
figures are
are not
not elastic.
elastic. Quite
Quite
apart
apart from
from the
the year-day
year-day principle,
principle, fixing
fixing upon
upon one
number clearlyclearly rules
rules out the
the others.
others. So all
all are
are out,
out, under
such
such a a scheme.
We concur
concur withwith Bishop
Bishop Thomas Newton (Disser- (Disser-
tations
tations on on the Prophecies, 1796,
the Prophecies, 1796, p.p. 217),
217), who in in the
the
eighteenth century
eighteenth century wisely wisely wrote:
wrote:
These two
These two thousand
thousand and three
three hundred days,
days, can by
by no com-
putation
putation
be
be accommodated to the
to the times of
of Antiochus Epiphanes,
Epiphanes,
even though
even though the
the days be taken for
days be natural days.
for natural days.
same number
same number ofof literal
literal years in fulfillment.
years in fulfillment. And the
the Reformers sought
sought earnestly
earnestly for
for
the time
the of fulfillment
time of fulfillment-which,
which,, at
at the close of
the close of the eighteenth
eighteenth century,
century, was widely
widely
recognized as being
recognized as being from the the time of
of Justinian to the
Justinian to the French Revolution.
Revolution.
332
QUESTIONS
And Dean F. F. W. Farrar,
Farrar, though personally holding
though personally holding
the Antiochus theory,
the Antiochus theory, admits that "no minute certainty
admits that certainty
about
about thethe exact
exact dates
dates isis attainable"
attainable" (The(The Book of of
Daniel,
Daniel, 1895,
1895, p. 266).
p. 266). And he freely
freely confesses,
confesses, "By
"By no
reasonable supposition
reasonable supposition can we arrive
arrive at
at close
close accuracy."
accuracy."
-Ibid., p. 264.*
Ibid., p. 264.*
And aa half
half century
century ago
ago Dr.
Dr. Charles
Charles H. H. Wright,
Wright,
of
o Trinity College, Dublin and Oxford (Daniel
Trinity College, and
(Daniel and
His Prophecies, 1906,
His Prophecies, p. 186),
1906, p. 186), declared,
declared, on the
the 2300-
2300-
day
day calculations
calculations of Daniel 8:
of Daniel 8:
All efforts,
All efforts, however,
however, to harmonise
to harmonise the period,
the period, whether
whether ex-
ex-
pounded as
pounded as 2300
2300 days
days or
or as
as 1150
1150 days, with any
days, with any precise
precise historical
historical
epoch mentioned in
epoch mentioned the Books of
in the of the
the Maccabees or in
in Josephus
Josephus
have proved
have proved futile.
futile.
Indeed, Dr.
Indeed, Dr. Wright
Wright goesgoes so far as
so far as to to say;
say:
No satisfactory
satisfactory interpretation
interpretation has
has been given of
given of thethe 2300 days
2300 days
regarded
regarded as
as referring
referring to
to Maccabean times.
times. It
It is
is quite possible that
quite possible that
those 2300
those 2300 days may be aa period
days may period of prophetic days
of prophetic days oror [literal]
[literal]
years which
years which have
have still
still to their course.-Ibid.,
to run their course. p. 190.t
Ibid., p. 190.J-
But quite
But quite apart
apart from these inconsistent and con-
these inconsistent con-
trasting
trasting features
features as
as to
to the
the exact
exact timing,
timing, the
the interpreta-
interpreta-
tion of the
tion of the three
three and one-half
one-half times
times (1260
(1260 days),
days), or
or
the 2300 days,
the 2300 days, as
as simply
simply that
that number of of literal days
literal days
*Zockler (Lange's Commentary,

*Z6ckler (Lange's Commentary, on Daniel,
Daniel, pp.pp. 164-166) declares that
164-166) declares these pe-
that these pe-
riods, based
riods, based on the the Maccabean records, "vacillate between
records, Uvacillate periods covering
between periods covering from
from
three to six
three to six years,
years, without being able,
without being able, in
in any case, to
any case, to demonstrate
demonstrate an an aera
aera of
of exactly
exactly
three and aa half
three half years."
years." So he comes to to the conclusion that
the conclusion the 33Y.
that the :
years are
/a years are to
to be
be
taken "as a somewhat round number."
taken number." And he, he, too,
too, adds (p. 184)
adds (p. 184) that
that there
there isis
"no exact correspondence" with
exact correspondence" with the
the 2300
2300 or 1150 1150 days-hence
days hence they they must
must bebe re-
re-
garded
garded as
as symbolic.
symbolic.
And Dr. H. C. Leupold (Exfosition
G. Leupold (Exposition of Daniel, p.
of Daniel, p. 355)
355) pointedly
pointedly remarks:
remarks:
"Reckon as as you will, there
you will, there will
wi! be no clear-cut
clear-cut period
perIod of either the
of eitner the one
one oror the
the
other length. Then the
other length. juggling of
the juggling of facts
facts and figures
figures begins."
begins."
He adds: "There is
adds: "There is something basically
something basically wrongwrong with
with such computations."-Page
such computations." Page
356.
tZockler, with
fZockler, with the
the thesis
thesis he holds, is forced
holds, is forced to
to admit: "It must
admit: "It must remain
remain anan open
open
question whether ordinary
question ordinary calendar years are
calendar years are intended,
intended, or,
or, what is
is scarcely less prob-
scarcely less prob-
able in itself,
able in itself, whether mystical periods are
mystical periods referred to,
are referred to, which
which are
are measured
measured by a
by a
standard not known to
standard not men, but only
to men, to God."-Lange's
only to God," Lange's Commentar,JI,
Commentary, on Daniel,
on Daniel,
p. 161.
p. 161.
333
violates the
violates the fundamental law law of of symbolism-which
symbolism which is is
that
that all symbols stand
all symbols for something
stand for something other other than the
the
object
object oror item used
used as as the
the symbol.
symbol. Thus the the "beasts"
"beasts" of of
Daniel 77 and 88 symbolize
symbolize not
not literal
literal beasts
beasts but
but speci-
speci-
fied
fied nations.
nations. Similarly,
Similarly, the the attendant
attendant time time features
features must
stand
stand for
for some time
time measurement other other than
than the
the actual
actual
unit used in
unit used in the
the prophetic portrayal.
prophetic portrayal. Thus in
in symbolic
symbolic
time prophecy
time prophecy aa prophetic
prophetic day day stands
stands for
for an actual year
actual year
in literal fulfillment.
in literal fulfillment. (See (See Num. 14:34
14:34 and Eze.
Eze. 4:6.)
4:6.)
Therefore the the 2300
2300 daysdays could
could not not stand
stand for for the
the same
number of of literal
literal days,
days, butbut for that number of
for that years.
of years.
Consequently,
Consequently, anyone anyone who insists
insists that
that Antiochus
Antiochus is
is
symbolized
symbolized by by the
the little
little horn violates
violates the
the basic principle
basic principle
of symbolism,
of symbolism, by by literalizing
literalizing the the inseparable
inseparable time time factor.
factor.
(See Questions
(See Questions 25
25 and 26.)
26.)
7. ADVENTIST POSITION
7. POSITION ON THE TBE FOUR EMPIRES OF
DANIEL 22 AND 7.-Seventh-day
7. Adventists hold the
Seventh-day Adventists the
Roman view of Daniel's fourth
of Daniel's empire and reject
fourth empire the
reject the
Greek view.
view. The Babylonian
Babylonian Empire Empire of of Daniel's
Daniel's dayday
was overthrown by by the
the Medo-Persian
Medo-Persian Empire,
Empire, not sim- sim-
ply by
ply the Medes or
by the the Persians
or the Persians alone (Dan. 7:
alone (Dan. 5, 17;
7:5, 17;
8:20).
8:20). And the
the Medo-Persian
Medo-Persian kingdom
kingdom was,
was, in
in turn,
turn,
superseded
superseded by by "Grecia"
"Grecia" (Dan. (Dan. 8:21).
8:21). Therefore,
Therefore, the the
empire
empire of
of Alexander,
Alexander, who conquered
conquered Persia, Persia, was the
the
third, not the
third, not the fourth
fourth of the series.
of the series. And the the empire
empire of of
Alexander and its its fourfold divisions constituted
fourfold divisions constituted one
Grecian empire,
Grecian empire, as as has
has been explained.
explained. Therefore the
next
next world power,
power, the the one that
that took
took over
over thethe domain
of Alexander's Macedonian empire,
of Alexander's empire, namelynamely Rome,
must be be the
the fourth
fourth in in actual
actual sequence.
sequence. This is is ad-
ad-
mitted by
mitted by most present-day
present-day advocates
advocates of of the
the Greek view,view,
but they
but adduce that
they adduce fact as
that fact as evidence that that the
the prophecy
prophecy
QUESTIONS
was not
was not written
written by
by Daniel, but by
Daniel, but by aa later
later writer,
writer, of of
Maccabean times, times, who did did notnot know his his history!
history! Sev- Sev-
enth-day
enth-day Adventists
Adventists believe
believe that
that Daniel's
Daniel's series
series of
of king-
king-
doms was was not incorrect. We therefore
not incorrect. therefore holdhold that that since
since
Rome was was actually
actually the
the fourth
fourth in
in historic
historic sequence,
sequence, it it
was the
was fourth in
the fourth Daniel's series.
in Daniel's series,
The little
little horn of of Daniel
Daniel 7 is, we believe,
7 is, believe, the the Pa-
Pa-
pacy-as
pacy as the
the majority
majority of
of pre-Reformation,
pre-Reformation, Reforma-
tion, post-Reformation,
tion, post-Reformation, and later later historicist
historicist Bible Bible
scholars,
scholars, including
including the the early nineteenth-century pre-
early nineteenth-century pre-
millennialists, have
millennialists, have taught
taught before
before us.
us. This power
power rose
rose
at the time
at the time specified,
specified, thatthat is, is, following
following the the breakup
breakup
of the
of the Roman fourth empire;
fourth empire; it it rose
rose in
in the
the situation
situation
specified,
specified, that
that is,
is, among
among the the divided kingdomskingdoms that that
took over the
took over the Roman territory;territory; it it was "diverse"
''diverse" from
the rest,
the rest, forfor it was aa religio-political
it was religio-political power,power, the the like
like ofof
which has has never
never been seen before or since;
seen before or since; its rise its rise was
connected
connected with with the the subduing
subduing of of certain
certain ArianArian king-king-
doms;
doms; it it became "more stout" than any
stout" than any ofof thethe others,
others,
for
for itit fell
fell heirheir to to Roman centralized
centralized authority
authority that that
eventually
eventually dominated the the weak and strong strong kingdoms
kingdoms
around it; it; itit was characterized
characterized by by the
the authority
authority of of aa
man-the
man the pope-who
pope who spoke great things,
spoke great things, claiming toclaiming to
stand for, and to
stand for, to speak
speak for,for, the
the Most High
High on earth;
earth; it it
warred on the
warred the saints
saints and prevailed
prevailed against
against them in in
greater
greater and more prolonged persecutions
prolonged persecutions than
than pagan
pagan
Rome had ever done; it
ever done; it thinks
thinks itself
itself qualified
qualified to to
change
change timestimes and laws of
laws of the the Most High, putting
High, putting its its
traditions and absolute
traditions absolute authority
authority aheadahead of of thethe Bible;
Bible;
its history
its history can be be harmonized perfectly perfectly with
with aa symbolic
symbolic
period of
period three and one-half
of three prophetic or
one-half prophetic or symbolic
symbolic
years-1260
years year-days; it
1260 year-days; continues until
it continues until the the latter
latter
days,
days, when it is called
it is called to
to account
account forfor its
its great words
great words
deeds against
and deeds the truth
against the truth and thethe people
people ofof God. Its
Its
character and history
character history also tally with
also tally with other
other prophetic
prophetic
symbols
symbols of a great
great apostate power, and the
apostate power, the cumulative
cumulative
evidence is
is overwhelming that
overwhelming that the
the successor
successor and con-
con-
tinuation of
tinuation the fourth
of the empire,
fourth empire, Rome,
Rome, is is the
the religio-
religio-
political
political power of
power of the Papacy.'*'
the Papacy.* To set set forth
forth thethe evi-
evi-
dence, Biblical and historical,
dence, Biblical historical, to to show how it it fills
fills the
the
specification
specification of
of the
the prophecies
prophecies in
in detail,
detail, would require
require
another fullfull section,
section, and this this is not the
is not the place
place toto do so. so.
8.
8. ADVENTIST VIEW ON THE PARALLEL PROPHECY
OF DANIEL 8.-Seventh-day
8. Adventists hold
Seventh-day Adventists hold thatthat thethe
four prophecies of
four prophecies of Daniel
Daniel 2, 2, 7,
7, 8,
8, 9,
9, and 11 1 1 largely paral-
largely paral-
lel one another.
lel another. That is, is, the
the later ones go
later ones go back
back and re- re-
peat, covering
peat, covering the
the same ground, but emphasizing
ground, but emphasizing. vary- _vary-
ing aspects
ing aspects inin the the coverage
coverage of of the
the centuries
centuries and the the
course
course of of empires-just
empires just as
as the
the four
four Gospels bring
Gospels bring out
out
the different
the different facets
facets of the matchless
of the matchless life life of
of Christ
Christ ourour
Lord.
Lord. But to to get
get the full picture,
the full picture, each should be
each should be read
read
understood in
and understood in the
the light
light ofof the
the others.
others.
The sequence
sequence of the world
of the world empires
empires of Daniel 2,
of Daniel 2, 7,
7,
8,
8, and 11 II must,
must, in in the very nature
the very nature of the case,
of the case, be the
be the
same-except
same except that that in in chapters
chapters 8 8 and 11 Babylonia, the
11 Babylonia, the
first
first empire,
empire, is
is omitted.
omitted. Daniel 7
7 and 8
8 are
are conse-
conse-
quently paralleling counterparts,
quently paralleling counterparts, covering covering the the same
ground, except
ground, except for
for the
the later
later starting point
starting point of
of Daniel 8, 8,
which begins
begins with
with "Media and Persia" Persia" (verse
(verse 20)20) and
*This prophetic interpretation

*This prophetic does not
interpretation does not justify
justify the
the charge that its
charge that its holders
holders are
are
anti-Catholic. We do not
anti-Catholic. not deny credit for
deny credit for any
any good
good that
that has
has been
been done by by Catholics,
Catholics,
or
or discount the sincerity
discount the sincerity of
of earnest
earnest individual Catholics because
individual Catholics because we find the system
find the system
condemned in
condemned the Scripture.
in the Scripture. We respect
respect the
the freedom of of every
every Catholic
Catholic to to worship
worship
God asas he
he thinks
thinks right;
right; and we holdhold the
the freedom to to point
point out what we see see as
as
error and
error and to
to seek
seek to
to persuade
persuade men to
to accept
accept what we believe
believe is
is truth, without
truth, without
prejudice or
prejudice bigotry.
or bigotry.
336 QUESTIONS
is
is followed
followed by by "Greda"
"Grecia" (verse (verse 21),
21), with its its fourfold
fourfold
divisions
divisions (verse
(verse 22).
22). These,
These, in in turn,
turn, were followed
followed by by
the
the little
little horn that that became exceeding great (verse
exceeding great (verse 9), 9),
evidently
evidently the the next
next great
great world power.
power. That next next empire
empire
was Rome,
Rome, which stood
stood up against
up against the
the Prince of
of the
the
host,
host, thethe Prince
Prince of of princes,
princes, took away the
took away the sacrifices,
sacrifices,
and cast
cast down the the sanctuary (verses
sanctuary (verses II,
11, 12,
12, 25).
25). In
In its
its
dual form-first
dual form first imperialimperial and then papal-Rome
papal Rome
waxed exceeding
exceeding great,
great, persecuted
persecuted the the "holy
"holy people"
people"
(verse
(verse 24)-the
24) the saints-set
saints set upup false
false sacrifice
sacrifice for
for thethe
true,
true, cast
cast down the the truth,
truth, practiced,
practiced, and prospered.
prospered.
It
It will
will continue
continue until
until thethe end,
end, when it will be "broken
it will
without
without hand" (verse (verse 25).
25). The fulfillment
fulfillment of of the
the speci-
speci-
fications
fications by by both thethe pagan
pagan and the papal phase
the papal phase ofof Rome
makes the the horn of of Daniel 8 parallel the
8 parallel the fourth
fourth beast
beast
of Daniel 77 and its
of its little horn-the
little horn the Roman Empire Empire
with itsits ten
ten horn-divisions,
horn-divisions, and its its continuation
continuation in in the
the
Roman Papacy, Papacy, the the "diverse" kingdom that
"diverse" kingdom that rose
rose
among
among Rome's divisions, blasphemed God and His
divisions, blasphemed His
laws, persecuted the
laws, persecuted the saints,
saints, and will will bebe recompensed
recompensed
therefor in
therefor in the
the judgment.
judgment.
History bears
History bears testimony
testimony to to the
the continuity
continuity of of Rome
with the
with the Papacy:
Papacy:
Out ofof the
the ruins
ruins of political Rome,
of political Rome, arose
arose the
the great
great moral
moral
Empire in
Empire in the
the "giant
"giant form"
form" ofof the
the Roman Church.
Church.-A. C. FLICK,
A. C. FLICK,
Rise of
The Rise of the
the Mediaeval Church (1909), p. 150.
(1909), p. 150.
Whatever Roman elements elements the
the barbarians
barbarians and Arians
Arians left
left
standing in
standing in the
the provinces
provinces ... were
. were ... put
. put under
. under the
. .the protection
.protection
of the
of the Bishop
Bishop ofof Rome,
Rome, who was was the
the chief
chief person
person there
there after
after the
the
Emperor's disappearance.
Emperor's disappearance . . . . The Roman Church in
. . . in this
this way
way
privily pushed
primly pushed itself
itself into
into the
the place
place of
of the
the Roman World-Empire,
World-Empire,
of which
of it is
it is the
the actual
actual continuation; the empire
continuation; the empire has
has not
not per-
per-
ished, but has
ished, but has only
only undergone
undergone aa transformation.
transformation. If assert ...
If we assert . . .
that the
that the Roman Church isis the
the old
old Roman Empire consecrated
consecrated byEmpire by
ANTIOCHUS
337
the Gospel, that is

the Gospel, is no mere "clever remark," but
"clever remark," but the
the recognition
recognition
of the
of the true
true state
state of the matter
o the matter historically,
historically, and the
the most
most appropri-
appropri-
ate and fruitful
ate way of
fruitful way describing the
of describing character of
the character this Church.
of this
It still
It governs the
still governs the nations
nations..... It is
... It a political
is a political creation,
creation, and as
as
imposing as
imposing as a World-Empire,
World-Empire, because
because the
the continuation
continuation of
of the
the
Roman Empire.
Empire. The Pope,
Pope, who calls himself "King"
calls himself "King" and "Ponti-
"Ponti-
fex Maximus," is
fex Maximus," is Caesar's
Caesar's successor.-AnOLF
successor. ADOLF HARNACK, What Is
Is
Christianity?
Christianity? (1903), pp. 269,
(1903), pp. 270.
269, 270.
Thus the
the "little horn" of
"little horn" of Daniel
Daniel 77 is,is, we believe,
believe,
the Papacy; but the
the Papacy; the "exceeding
"exceeding great" horn of
great" horn Daniel
of Daniel
8,
8, we understand,
understand, embraces both pagan
embraces both pagan and and papal
papal
Rome) existing
Rome, existing in
in both B.C. and A.D. periods.
periods. The only
only
power
power that
that follows
follows "Grecia"
"Grecia" and lasts until it is
lasts until it is
"broken without hand" is is Rome inin its

its pagan
pagan and papal
papal
phases.
phases.
The Basis of Our Rejection

Basis of Rejection
To summarize,
summarize, we reject
reject the
the Antiochus
Antiochus Epiphanes
Epiphanes
interpretation because:
interpretation because:
1. It does
1. It does not
not fit the specifications
fit the
specifications of the prophecy.
of the prophecy.
2.
2. It propagated as
It was propagated as aa pagan's
pagan's attempt
attempt to to dis-
dis-
prove prophecy,
prove prophecy, and thereby
thereby discredit
discredit the
the Christian
Christian re-
re-
ligion, by showing
ligion, by showing that
that the
the book of
of Daniel was written
written
after the events
after the events it
it was supposed
supposed to predict.
to predict.
3.
3. The finger
finger of
of prophecy points
prophecy points ratherrather toto the great
the great
Roman apostasy,
apostasy, the
the Papacy,
Papacy, as as the
the great vice-Christ-
great vice-Christ
the Antichrist-who
the Antichrist who casts
casts down the the truth
truth and wears
wears
out
out the
the saints
saints of the Most High,
of the High, and continues
continues to the
to the
time
time of of the
the end.
end.
We therefore
therefore reject Antiochus as
reject Antiochus as an inadequate
inadequate ful-
ful-
fillment
fillment of of Daniel
Daniel 7 7 and 8, 8, and accept
accept the
the classic
classic Protes-
Protes-
tant interpretation
tant interpretation that that offers adequate fulfillment
offers an adequate fulfillment
in history.
in history.
VII.
VII, Questions
Questions on
on Christ His
and His
Christ and
Ministry
Ministry in the Sanctuary
in the Sanctuary
A Wider Concept of the Atonement
Concept of the Atonement
QUESTION
QUESTION 29
Seventh-day Adventists have frequently

Seventh-day Adventists frequently
been charged
charged with
with teaching
teaching that
that the
the atonement
was not completed
completed on the cross. Is
the cross. Is this
this charge
charge
true'!
true?
The answer to this question

to this depends upon
question depends upon thethe def-
def-
inition given to
inition given the term "atonement."
to the
*
'atonement." The word

occurs
occurs in the New Testament only
in the only once
once (Rom.
(Rom. 5:11),
5:11),
where it it is the translation
is the translation of of katallage)
katallage, a
a word meaning
meaning
"reconciliation,"
"reconciliation/' or or aa "reconciling,"
"reconciling/' and is is elsewhere
elsewhere so so
translated
translated (Rom.
(Rom. 11:15;
11:15; 22 Cor.
Cor. 5:18,
5:18, 19). related
19). The related
verb katallassd occurs
verb katallasso occurs six times, and in
six times, in each
each case
case isis
translated "to
translated reconcile" (Rom.
"to reconcile" (Rom. 5:10;
5:10; 1
1 Cor.
Cor. 7:11;
7:11;
22 Cor. 5: 18-20). Katallage
Cor. 5:18-20). Katallage should be rendered "recon- "recon-
ciliation" in
ciliation" in Romans 5: II also.
5:11 also.
The word "atonement" is is much more frequent frequent in in
the Old Testament.
the Testament. It It occurs most frequently
frequently in in the
the
verbal expression
verbal expression "to "to make atonement" (Lev. (Lev. 1 :4; see
1:4; see
Ex.
Ex. 29: 36),
29:36), but
but occasionally
occasionally also
also in
in the
the noun form
"atonement" (Lev. (Lev. 23:27;
23:27; et
et cetera).
cetera). The verb verb isis the
the
translation of
translation of an intensive
intensive form of the the Hebrew kaphar,kaphar,
a word that
a that basically
basically means "to cover." cover." The simple simple
form is
is found
found in in Genesis
Genesis 6: 14, and although
6:14, translated
although translated
"to pitch," really
"to pitch," really means "to "to cover."
cover/' It It is thus thought
is thus thought
341
341
342
QUESTIONS
that the basic
that the basic meaning
meaning of of "atonement" as as the
the term is is
used
used inin the
the Old Testament is to cover
is to cover sin.sin. From this this
come the the derived
derived meanings
meanings "to
"to make amends,"
amends," "to
"to
make matters
matters right,"
right," "to
"to expiate,"
expiate," "to
"to make atone-
atone-
ment,"
ment."
In theological
In theological circles
circles thethe term
term "atonement" has has
assumed aa technical
assumed meaning and is
technical meaning generally used
is generally used to to
describe
describe the the redeeming
redeeming effect effect of of Christ's
Christ's incarnation,
incarnation,
sufferings,
sufferings, and death.death. Christians
Christians are are notnot all
all agreed
agreed as as
to what was
to what accomplished by
was accomplished by these events in
these events in the
the life
life of
of
Christ, and consequently
Christ, and consequently hold hold various
various theories
theories of the
of the
atonement.
atonement.
It is
It therefore necessary
is therefore necessary to to make clear clear what aspectaspect
of the atonement
of the atonement is is under consideration
consideration in in any
any state-
state-
ment concerning
concerning the the transaction.
transaction.
Quite generally
Quite generally those
those who teach teach thatthat aa completed
completed
-atonement
atonement was was made on the the cross
cross view
view the the term
term in in
its popular
its popular theological
theological sense, but really
sense, but really what is is meant
by them is
by is that
that on Calvary,
Calvary, the all-sufficient atoning
the all-sufficient atoning
sacrifice of Christ
sacrifice of Christ was
was offered
offered for
for our salvation.
our salvation. With
this concept
this concept all all true
true Christians readily and heartily
Christians readily heartily
agree.
agree. "We are
are sanctified
sanctified through
through the
the offering
offering of the
of the
body
body of
of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ once for
for all"
all" (Heb. 10:
(Heb. 10:10). 10). Those
view thi"s
who view this aspect
aspect of the work of
of the of Christ
Christ as as a a com-
pleted
pleted atonement,
atonement, apply
apply this
this term only
only to
to what Christ
Christ
accomplished
accomplished on the
the cross.
cross. They
They do not
not include
include in
in
their definition
their definition thethe application of the benefits of the -
application of the benefits of the
atonement made on the the cross,
cross, toto the individual sinner.
the individual sinner.
There are are those
those however,
however, who believe believe the the atone-
atone-
ment has has aa much wider connotation.
connotation. They They fully
fully agree
agree
with those
with those who stressstress a a completed
completed atonement on the the
cross
cross inin the
the sense
sense of of an all-sufficient, once-for-all, aton-
all-sufficient, once-for-all, aton-
CONCEPT OF THE ATONEMENT 343
343
ing sacrifice
ing sacrifice for
for sin.
sin. They
They believe that nothing
believe that nothing less than
less than
this
this took place
took place on thethe cross of Calvary.
cross of Calvary.
They believe, however,
They believe, however, that that in in the
the ancient
ancient typical
typical
sanctuary
sanctuary service
service other
other aspects
aspects of
of the
the atonement
atonement are are
brought
brought to
to light.
light. In the
the morning
morning and evening
evening sacrifice
sacrifice
they see
they sacrificial atonement provided
see sacrificial provided for for allall men
(Ex. 29:38-42). In
(Ex. 29:38-42). In the
the sinner's
sinner's own personalpersonal offering
offering
they
they see appropriated by
sacrificial atonement appropriated
see sacrificial by the
the in-
in-
dividual
dividual (Lev. (Lev. 4:31).
4:31). Then came the
the grand
grand climax
climax on
the
the Day
Day of Atonement--d.ay
Atonement day of of judgment
judgment-when when sin sin
was definitely
definitely and finally dealt with.
finally dealt with. These ancient ancient
services, they believe,
services, they believe, were all typical of
all typical the work of
of the of
Christ. The morning
Christ. morning and evening
evening sacrifices
sacrifices and the
the
individual
individual offerings
offerings for for sin pointed forward
sin pointed forward to to the
the
Saviour's
Saviour's sacrifice
sacrifice on Calvary's
Calvary's cross.
cross. The ministry of
ministry of
the priest
the priest in these services
in these pointed forward
services pointed forward to to the
the high
high
priestly ministry
priestly ministry of of Christ
Christ in in the heavenly sanctuary,
the heavenly sanctuary,
where He applies applies the benefits of
the benefits of the
the atoning
atoning sacri-sacri-
fice
fice to the individual
to the individual sinner.
sinner. Then the the Day
Day of Atone-
of Atone-
ment services, they believe,
services, they believe, pointed
pointed forward
forward to to the
the
work to to be accomplished
accomplished in
in what they
they call
call the
the Investi-
Investi-
gative
gative Judgment
Judgment which eventually culminates in
eventually culminates in the
the
final obliteration of
final obliteration of iniquity
iniquity at
at the
the close
close of
of the
the millen-
millen-
nial period.
nial period.
A study
study of of certain
certain Old Testament experiences,experiences, not
connected with
connected with the
the sanctuary,
sanctuary, will will help
help to to illustrate
illustrate
some of of the
the meanings
meanings properly
properly derived from the He-
the
brew word kaphar,kaphar, which is is rendered "atonement":
"atonement'':
1. Notice the
1. Notice the incident
incident concerning
concerning Moses and Aaron
and the
and the making
making of of the
the golden
golden calf.
calf. This is recorded in
is recorded in
Exodus 32. 32. There we learn learn of of the unfaithfulness
unfaithfulness of of
the people
the people while
while Moses was in
in the
the mount with God.
God,
QUESTIONS
Under direction
direction of of Aaron they they made aa golden golden calf,
calf,
reminiscent of
reminiscent their stay
of their stay for
for soso many years in
many years in the
the land
of
of Egypt.
Egypt. When Moses descended descended from the the mount,
mount, he
greatly disturbed
was greatly disturbed over over the apostasy of
the apostasy the people,
of the people,
and it it was
was inin this
this crisis
crisis that the tribe
that the tribe of
of Levi stood by
Levi stood by his
his
side.
side. Then he he declared
declared to to Israel,
Israel, "Ye have have sinned aa
great
great sin:sin: and now I I will
will gogo upup unto the the Lord;
Lord; per-
per-
adventure
ad venture II shall shall make an an atonement for for your
your sin"
sin"
(Ex. 32:30).
(Ex. 32:30).
Here is is atonement,
atonement, an atonement made evidently evidently
without aa blood blood sacrifice, without any
sacrifice, without any blood being being
sprinkled
sprinkled upon upon an altar.
altar. How was this accomplished?
this accomplished?
Moses did not bring bring aa sacrificial
sacrificial offering
offering to to the
the Lord;
Lord;
no,
no, he made an atonement in in the
the fact that he offered
fact that offered
to take the
to take place oj
the place of the people. In
the people. In this
this he was aa fitting
fitting
figure
figure of of the
the Lord Jesus,
Jesus, the the Saviour
Saviour of of mankind. In
his
his earnest
earnest desire that the
desire that people might
the people might be saved, saved, he
was willing
willing to to be blotted
blotted out out from God'sGod's book of of life.
life.
"Yet now,
now, if thou wilt
if thou wilt forgive
forgive their
their sin-;
sin ; and if
if not,
not,
blot me,
blot me, II pray
pray thee,
thee, out of of thy
thy book which thou thou hast
hast
written"
written" (verse(verse 32).
32).
2. Another instance
2. instance is is the case of
the case of David in in his
his
contact
contact with with thethe Gibeonites.
Gibeonites. The story story is
is recorded
recorded in
in
22 Samuel 21. 21. Saul
Saul had slain many of
slain many of the
the Gibeonites,
Gibeonites,
whom Israel Israel had solemnly
solemnly sworn to to preserve.
preserve. David,
David, in in
seeking
seeking to
to make amends for
for the
the wrong
wrong done,
done, called
called
representatives
representatives of the Gibeonites together
of the together and said said toto
them,
them, "What shall
shall I I do for you?
for you? and wherewith
wherewit*h shall shall
1I make the atonementf" (verse
the atonement?" (verse 3).3). Then followsfollows thethe
story
story of
of what was done.
done. When seven
seven of
of the
the sons
sons of
of Saul
Saul
were hanged,
hanged, the the atonement was made. Here atone- atone-
ment means making adequate compensation
making adequate comjJensation for for the
the
wrong that
wrong that had been done.
done. This aspect
aspect is
is also
also em-
bodied in
bodied in the
the great
great sweep of Christ's
sweep of atoning work.
Christ's atoning work.
This is
is emphasized
emphasized in
in the
the following
following words:
words:
He [Christ]
[Christ] ascended
ascended to to the
the heavenly
heavenly courts,
courts, and from God
Himself heard
heard the assurance that
the assurance that HisHis atonement
atonement for for the sins of
the sins of
men had been been ample, that through
ample, that through His blood blood all
all might
might gain
gain
eternal life.
eternal life. The Father
Father ratified
ratified the covenant made with
the covenant with Christ,
Christ,
that He would receive
that receive repentant obedient men,
repentant and obedient men, and would
love them even
love even as as He loves His Son.
loves His Son. Christ was to
Christ was to complete
complete His
work, and fulfill
work, fulfill His
His pledge
pledge to to "make a a man more preciousprecious
than fine
fine gold;
gold; even a a man than
than the the golden wedge of
golden wedge of Ophir."-
Ophir."
ELLEN G.G. WHITE, The Desire Desire of of Ages
Ages (1940),
(1940), p.p. 790.
790. (Italics
(Italics
supplied.)
supplied.)
When uponupon the the cross
cross He cried out, "It
cried out, "It is finished," He
is finished,"
addressed thethe Father.

Father. The compact
compact had been fully carried out.
fully carried out.
Now He declares: Father, it
declares: Father, it is
is finished.
finished. II have done Thy will, O
Thy will, 0
My
My God. I
I have
have completed
completed the
the work of
of redemption.
redemption. If
If Thy
Thy
justice is
justice is satisfied,
satisfied, "I"I will that they
will that also, whom Thou hast
they also, given
hast given
Me, be with
Me, be with Me wherewhere II am."
am." ... The voice
. . . voice ofof God is is heard
heard pro-
pro-
claiming that justice
claiming that justice isis satisfied.-Ibid.,
satisfied. p. 834.
Ibid., p. 834.
3.
3. Still
Still another
another incident recorded in
incident recorded in Numbers 16
16
well illustrates
well illustrates a
a further
further aspect
aspect of
of the
the atonement. Israel
Israel
had grievously provoked
grievously provoked the
the Lord.
Lord. The people had·
people had
murmured against
against God;
God; 250 of the
250 of princes, men of
the princes, of re-
re-
nown, rebelled against

nown, had rebelled against the
the Most High.
High. Resulting
Resulting
from this
this apostasy
apostasy a
a plague
plague broke
broke out
out in
in the
the camp
camp of
of
Israel. In connection
Israel. In with this
connection with this we have the the divine
declaration:
declaration:
And Moses said
said unto Aaron,
Aaron, . . . Go quickly
quickly unto the
. . . the con-
con-
gregation,
gregation, and make an atonement for
for them (verse
(verse 46).
46).
And Aaron took
took as Moses commanded.
as Moses ran into
commanded, and ran into the
the midst
of the
of congregation; and.
the congregation; and, behold,
behold, the plague was begun
the plague begun among
among
the people:
the people: and he
he put incense, and made an atonement for
put on incense, for
the people.
the people. And he
he stood
stood between thethe dead and the
the living;
living; and
the plague
the plague was
was stayed
stayed (verses
(verses 47, 48).
47, 48).
Here we see as aa mediator,
see Aaron as mediator, aa fitting
fitting type of
type of
QUESTIONS
Christ Jesus,
Christ Jesus, our blessed Lord. In
blessed Lord. thus stepping
In thus stepping in
in
between man and God,God, and byby his
his sacrificial
sacrificial abnega-
abnega-
tion and devotion,
tion standing between
devotion, standing between thethe living
living and the
the
dead, covering
dead, covering the
the people
people from the
the wrath
wrath of
of God,
God, he
he
thereby
thereby made an atonement for
an atonement for them.them.
4.,
4. There is is another
another aspect
aspect ofof the
the question, however,
question, however,
that
that should
should be considered.
considered. This growsgrows out of
out of the nar-
the nar-
rative recorded
rative recorded in in Numbers 25. 25. Israel
Israel had fallen
fallen cap-
cap-
tive to the
tive to seducing wiles
the seducing wiles ofof the
the heathen
heathen around them. them.
They
They had sinned
sinned grievously
grievously in
in the
the sight
sight of
of God in
in
committing
committing the the abominations
abominations of of the
the Canaanites.
Canaanites. One
brought aa heathen
man brought heathen woman into into the
the camp.
camp. God
showed His displeasure by sending
displeasure by sending a
a plague among
plague among
the people.
the people. Then Phinehas,
Phinehas, the
the grandson
grandson of of Aaron,
Aaron,
realizing the gravity
realizing the gravity of
of the offense, went out
the offense, out in
in the
the
name of of God and slew the offenders.
slew the offenders. When this was
this was
done,
done, thethe plague
plague was was stayed. Because of
stayed. Because this man's
of this
jealousy for
jealousy for the
the work of
of God,
God, the
the Lord said:
said:
Behold,
Behold^ II give
give unto him mymy covenant of peace: and he
of peace: he shall
shall
have it,
it, and his
his seed
seed after
after him, even the
him, even the covenant of
of an everlast-
everlast-
ing priesthood;
ing priesthood; because
because he
he was zealous
zealous for God, and made
his God,
for his
an atonement
an atonement for the children
for the children of Israel (verses
of Israel (verses 12, 13).
12, 13).
In this
In this instance
instance we see
see that
that this priest made an
loyal priest
this loyal
atonement by removing
by removing the
the incorrigible
incorrigible offenders.
offenders. The
people of
people of Israel taught this
Israel were taught this aspect
aspect of of God's
God's plan
plan
in the sanctuary
in the sanctuary service
service as
as the
the Day
Day of
of Atonement came
around each year.
year. The final act on that
final act that great
great day
day was
the removal of
the the goat for Azazel, representing
of the goat for Azazel, representing the the
instigator
instigator ofof evil.
evil. This goat
goat was taken
taken from
from the
the camp
camp
of Israel and banished
of Israel banished forever.
forever. So it it will
will be
be in
in the
the
closing
closing work of
of God. Then the
the last
last act
act in
in God's
God's great
great
plan of
plan of cleansing the universe
cleansing the universe from sin will be
sin will be to
to re-
re-
347
move the
the greatest offender of
greatest offender all, he
of all, he who was
was aa liar
liar
from the beginning, that
the beginning, that old
old enemy, the devil
enemy, the devil and Satan.
Satan.
These fourfour experiences
experiences teach
teach us
us vital
vital and impor-
impor-
tant lessons concerning
tant lessons concerning the
the work of of the
the atonement.
atonement. In In
God's eternal
God's eternal purpose,
purpose, He who makes the the atonement is is
the
the Mediator. Everything
Everything in the typical
in the typical service
service-thethe
sacrifices
sacrifices and thethe work of of the priesthood-pointed
the priesthood pointed for-
for-
ward to to Christ Jesus, our
Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Lord. He tooktook our
our place
place and
died inin our stead.
stead. In
In doing this, He became our sub-
doing this, sub-
stitute.
stitute. InIn dying
dying on thethe cross,
cross, in yielding His
in yielding His life
life an
atonement for for sin,

sin, He made adequate
adequate compensation
compensation
for the
for the wrong
wrong done;
done; He met in in full the penalty
full the penalty of
of the
the
broken law
broken law of
of God.
Christ's sacrifice in
Christ's sacrifice behalf of
in behalf of man was
was full
full and complete.
complete. The
condition of
condition of the
the atonement had been
been fulfilled.
fulfilled. The work for which
for which
He had come to this world
to this world had been
been accomplished.
accomplished.-ELLEN
ELLEN G.
G.
WHITE, The ActsActs of
of the p. 29.
Apostles, p.
the Apostles, 29.
But the
the work accomplished
accomplished on Calvary involves also
Calvary involves also
the application
the application of the atoning
of the atoning sacrifice of Christ
sacrifice of to the
Christ to the
seeking
seeking soul.
soul. This is
is provided for
provided for in
in the
the priestly
priestly minis-
minis-
try of
try of our
our blessed
blessed Lord,
Lord, our great High Priest
great High Priest in the
in the
sanctuary
sanctuary above.
above.
only are
Not only are His people
people cleansed
cleansed from sin sin by the
by the
sacrifice
sacrifice of
of the
the Son of of God and saved for time
saved for time and
eternity, but the
eternity, but the entire
entire universe
universe isis to be purified
to be purified from
the very
the very taint
taint of
of iniquity
iniquity with the author of
the author of sin utterly
sin utterly
destroyed.
destroyed. Then will
will follow
follow a
a new heaven
heaven and aa new
earth
earth (2(2 Peter
Peter 3: 13)
3:13) which will
will be
be the
the eternal
eternal home
of the
of the ransomed
ransomed of of all
all ages,
ages, those
those who have
have been re-
re-
deemed by by the precious blood

the precious blood of
of the
the Lamb.
Some of of our
our earlier
earlier Seventh-day Adventist writers,
Seventh-day Adventist writers,
believing that
believing that the the word "atonement" had a wid€r
wider
348
meaning
meaning than than manymany of of their
their fellow
fellow Christians
Christians attached
attached
to it, expressed
to it, expressed themselves
themselves as
as indicating
indicating that
that the
the atone-
atone-
ment
ment was was notnot made
made on on the cross of Calvary, but was
the cross of Calvary, but was
made
made rather
rather by by Christ
Christ afterafter He He entered
entered uponupon His His
priestly ministry
priestly ministry in
in heaven.
heaven. They
They believed
believed fully
fully in in the
the
efficacy
efficacy of the
of the sacrifice
Christ for for the
the sahation
salvation of of
men,
men, and they they believed
believed most
most assuredly
assuredly that
that this
this sacri-
sacri-
fice
fice was made once once for for all
all and forever,
forever, butbut they
they pre-pre-
ferred not to to use
use thethe word "atonement"
"atonement" as as relating
relating
only to
only to the sacrificial
sacrificial work of of Christ
Christ at at Calvary.
Calvary. We
repeat,
repeat, theythey believed
believed as as fully
fully as as we do that that thethe sacri-
sacri-
ficial
ficial work of of our blessed
blessed Lord on Golgotha's Golgotha's hill
hill was
was
full
full and complete,
complete, never again
again to
to be
be offered,
offered, and
and that
that
it was done once and for for all.
all. Their concept was
it concept was that that
the sacrifice
the sacrifice of of Jesus provided
Jesus provided the
the means
means of
of the
the atone-
atone-
ment, and that
ment, that the the atonement
atonement itself itself was
was made
made only only
when the the priests
priests ministered
ministered the the sacrificial
offering on on
behalf of
behalf of the
the sinner.
sinner. Viewed in in this
this light,
light, itit will
will be be
seen that
seen that the
the question
question afterafter all all isis aa matter
matter ofof definition
definition
of terms.
of terms. Today,
Today, not not meeting
meeting the the same
same issues
issues that that
our earlier
our earlier writers
writers had to to meet,
meet, we believe believe thatthat thethe
sacrificial atonement was made
sacrificial atonement was made on on the
the cross
cross andand was was
provided for
provided for all
all men,
men, but but that
that in in the
the heavenly
heavenly priestly
priestly
ministry of
ministry of Christ
Christ our our Lord,
Lord, this this sacrificial
sacrificial atonement
atonement
is applied
is applied to the seeking
to the seeking soul.soul.
Stressing this
Stressing this wider
wider concept,
concept, however,however, in in no no wayway
detracts from
detracts from the the full efficacy of
full efficacy of the
the death
death of of thethe Son
Son
of God,
of God, once
once for for all
all for
for thethe sins
sins of of men.
men. It It isis unfor-
unfor-
tunate that
tunate that aa lack
lack ofof definition
definition of of terms
terms soso often
often leads
leads
to misunderstanding
to misunderstanding on on the
the greatest
greatest themetheme of of the
the Chris-
Chris-
tian message.
tian message.
Sacrificial
Sacrificial
Atonement Provided;
Atonement Provided;
Sacrificial Atonement
Sacrificial
Atonement Applied
Applied
QUESTION
QUESTION 30
30-
Seventh-day Adventists are

Seventh-day Adventists are frequently
frequently
charged
charged with minimizing
minimizing the
the atoning sacrifice
atoning sacrifice
completed
completed on the
the cross,
cross, reducing
reducing it
it to
to an incom-
plete or partial
plete partial atonement that that must be be supple-
supple-
mented byby Christ's priestly ministry;
Chrises priestly perhaps it
ministry; perhaps it
might be called
might called a dual atonement.
atonement. Is Is this
this charge
charge
true? not Mrs.
true? Does not Mrs. White statestate that
that Christ
Christ isis
making atonement for

now making for us
us in
in the heavenly
the heavenly
sanctuary? Please
sanctuary? Please explain your position,
explain your position, and
state wherein you
state you differ
differ from
from others
others on the atone-
the atone-
ment.
May
May we at at the outset
outset state earnestly and ex-
state most earnestly ex-
plicitly
plicitly that
that Seventh-day
Adventists do not
not believe
believe that
that
Christ
Christ made but a a partial
partial oror incomplete sacrificial
incomplete sacrificial
atonement on the the cross.
cross. The word "atonement,"
''atonement/' in in the
the
Scripture,
Scripture, has
has a
a wide connotation.
connotation. While it
it involves
involves
basically the
basically the atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice of
of our Lord JesusJesus Christ
Christ
the cross,
on the cross, it
it also
also embraces other
other important
important aspects
aspects
of the
of the work of of saving
saving grace.
grace.
The·
The word "atonement" itself itself is
is like
like some otherother
words used
words used in the Bible,
in the Bible, such as as "salvation"
"salvation" and "re- "re-
demption." Salvation
Salvation involves
involves something that
that is past,
is
demption." something past,
so
so that
that one cancan say,
say, "I have been
"I have been saved."
saved." It It also refers
also refers
to an experience
to experience in- progress, so
in* progress, that he can say,
so that "I am
say, "I
349
350 QUESTIONS
being saved"
being saved" (see
(see Acts
Acts 2:47, R*S.V). It
2:47, R.S.V). also refers
It also refers to the
to the
for there
futurej for
future; there is
is a
a sense in which he
sense In he can
can also
also say,
say,
"I be saved."
shall be
"I shall saved."
Much the the same
same is is true
true concerning
concerning the the word "re- "re-
demption."
demption." While the
the purchase
purchase price price-the the ransom-
ransom
was paid
paid at at Calvary,
Calvary, and because because of this we can
of this can say,
say,
"I have
"I redeemed," yet
have been redeemed/* there are
yet there are also
also certain
certain as-as-
pects
pects of
of redemption
redemption that
that are
are yet
yet future.
future. In
In Scripture
Scripture we
read
read of of "the redemption of
''the redemption of our body"body" (Rom. (Rom. 8:23),8:23),
and our Saviour, referring to
Saviour, referring His second
to His advent, bade
second advent, bade
His followers
His followers "look
"look up up ... for your redemption
for your redemption draw- draw-
eth nigh" (Luke
eth nigh" (Luke 21:28).
21:28).
The same principle
principle obtains
obtains with with reference
reference to to the
the
word "atonement."
"atonement," Most decidedly decidedly the the all-sufficient
all-sufficient
atoning sacrifice
atoning sacrifice of of Jesus
Jesus our our Lord was was offered
offered and
completed
completed on the
the ~ross
cross of
of Calvary.
Calvary. This
This was done for for
all mankind, for "he is the
all mankind, for "he is the propitiation propitiation . . .
. . . for the
for the
sins
sins of of the
the whole world" (1 (1 John 2:2).
John 2:2).
But this
this sacrificial
sacrificial work will will actually
actually benefitbenefit hu- hu-
man hearts
hearts onlyonly as
as we surrender
surrender our lives
lives to
to God
and experience
experience the the miracle
miracle of of the
the new birth. birth. In In this
this
experience
experience Jesus, Jesus, our High
High Priest,
Priest, applies
applies to
to us
us the
the
benefits
benefits of
of His
His atoning
atoning sacrifice.
sacrifice. Our sins
sins are
are forgiven,
forgiven,
we become the the children
children of of God by by faith
faith in Christ Jesus,
in Christ Jesus,
and thethe peace
peace of of God dwells
dwells in in our hearts.
hearts.
In the tabernacle
In the tabernacle days days of
of old,
old, when the mysteries
the mysteries of of
redemption
redemption were foreshadowed by many
by many typical typical sacri-
sacri-
fices
fices and ordinances,
ordinances, the the priest,
priest, after
after thethe death of of the
the
sacrificial victim, would place
sacrificial victim, place the blood on the
the blood the horns
horns of of
the
the altar.
altar. And the the record
record statesstates that
that in this act
in this act "the
"the
priest shall
priest shall make an atonement atonement for for him [the [the sinner]
sinner]
as concerning
as concerning his sin, and it
his sin, it shall
shall bebe forgiven
forgiven him"
ATONEMENT PROVIDED 351
351
(Lev. 4:26).
(Lev. 4:26). Here the
the atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice provided is fol-
provided is fol-
by the
lowed by the benefits
benefits of the same atoning
of the sacrifice ap-
atoning sacrifice ap-
plied. In Old Testament days
plied. both were
days both were recognized
recognizeq. as
as
aspects
aspects of
of the
the one great
great over-all
over-all work of
of atonement.
atonement. The
one aspect provided the
aspect provided the atoning
atoning sacrifice; the other,
sacrifice; the the
other, the
application of
application of its benefits.
its benefits.
Hence,
Hence, the
the divine
divine plan
plan of redemption involves
of redemption involves more
than the
than the vicarious
vicarious atoning
atoning death
death of
of Christ
Christ though this
though this
is its
is its very core; it
very core; also includes
it also includes the the ministry
ministry of of our
Lord as our heavenly
as our heavenly High High Priest.
Priest. Having completed
Having completed
sacrifice, He rose
His sacrifice, rose from the the dead
dead "for
"for our justifica-
justifica-
tion" (Rom. 4:25)
tion" (Rom. 4:25) and then then entered
entered intointo the
the sanc-
sanc-
tuary above,
tuary above, there
there to perform His priestly
to perform priestly service
service for
for
needy
needy man. "Having
"Having obtained
obtained eternal
eternal redemption
redemption for for
us" (Heb.
us" 9:
(Heb. 9:12) 12) on the
the cross,
cross, He now ministers the
ministers the
benefits of
benefits of that
that atonement for those who accept
for those accept of
of His
mighty provision
mighty provision of
of grace.
grace. Thus the
the atoning
atoning sacrifice,
sacrifice,
having
having beenbeen completed
completed on Calvary,Calvary, must now be be ap-
ap-
plied
plied and appropriated
appropriated to
to those
those who are
are heirs
heirs of
of salva-
salva-
tion. Our Lord's
tion. ministry is
Lord's ministry is thus involved in
thus involved in the
the great
great
work of of atonement. So as as we think
think of of the
the mighty
mighty sweep
sweep
of the atonement,
of the atonement, in in its
its provisions and its
provisions its efficacy,
efficacy, it is
it is
seen
seen toto be vastly
vastly more comprehensive
comprehensive than
than many
many have
thought.
thought.
We should
should remember that that men are not automati-
are not automati-
cally, involuntarily, impersonally.
cally, involuntarily, impersonally, or
or universally saved
universally
en
en masse. They must individually
masse. They individually accept accept ofof grace,
grace, and
it is
it is our understanding that
our understanding that while Christ died provi-
Christ died provi-
sionally
sionally and potentially
potentially for
for all men,
all men, and nothing
nothing more
can be added, yet
can be added, yet His His death
death is
is actually
actually and ultimately
ultimately
efficacious for
efficacious those only
for those only who individually accept and
individually accept
avail themselves
avail themselves of of its
its benefits.
benefits.
352
QUESTIONS
In order
In order to
to be
be saved,
saved, there
there must be
be Individual
individual
repentance and turning
repentance turning to
to God. The sinner
sinner must lay
lay
hold of
hold of the
the provisions
provisions of
of the
the fully
fully completed
completed atoning
atoning
sacrifice
sacrifice by Christ
made by Christ on Calvary. application
Calvary. And application
of the
of the atoning
atoning provision
provision of
of the
the cross,
cross, to
to repentant
repentant
sinners and supplicating
sinners supplicating saints,
saints, becomes effective
effective only
only
through Christ's
through Christ's priestly
priestly ministry
ministry-and this whether aa
and this
fully understands
man fully understands it it theologically
theologically oror not.
not.
It is this
It is this latter
latter provision
provision of of priestly
priestly ministry
ministry that
that
accomplishes
accomplishes the
the actual,
actual, experiential,
experiential, and continuous
continuous
heart cleansing
heart cleansing in in the
the individual,
individual, notnot only
only from the the
guilt but
guilt but also
also from the the pollution
pollution and power
power of sin. It
of sin. It
is this
is this that
that makes it it efficacious
efficacious toto men. Christ's
Christ's heavenly
heavenly
ministry in
ministry in our
our behalf
behalf brings
brings about
about the
the realization
realization of of
peace
peace and the
the joy
joy of
of redemption through
redemption through the
the gift
gift of
of
the Holy
the Holy Spirit, which our ministering
Spirit, which High Priest
ministering High Priest
sends forth into
sends forth into our hearts.
hearts. The atonement therefore
therefore
involves not only
involves not only the transcendent act
the transcendent act of
of the
the cross, but
cross, but
also
also the
the benefits
benefits of of Christ's
Christ's sacrifice
sacrifice which are
are con-
con-
tinually being applied
tinually being applied to to needy
needy man. And this this will
will
continue
continue on to to the
the close
close ofof human probation.
probation.
For
For extracts
extracts concerning
concerning the the atonement,
atonement, seesee Appen-
Appen-
dix
dix 661.
661.
I. The Vast
I. Vast Sweep
Sweep ofof the
the Atonement
In
In common with conservative
conservative Christians,
Christians, Adventists
Adventists
teach an atonement that
teach that necessitated
necessitated the
the incarnation
incarnation of
of
the eternal Word-the
the eternal Word the Son of
of God-in
God in order that
that He
might
might become the the Son of of man;
man; and livingliving His
His life
life
among
among men as
as our kinsman in
in the flesh,
flesh, might
might die
die in
in
our stead
stead toto redeem us.us. We believe
believe that
that the
the atone-
atone-
ment provides
provides an all-sufficient,
all-sufficient, perfect,
perfect, substitutionary
substitutionary
sacrifice
sacrifice forfor sin, completely satisfies
sin, which completely satisfies the
the justice
justice
of
of God and fulfills fulfills every requirement,
every requirement, so
so that
that mercy,
mercy,
grace, and forgiveness
grace, forgiveness can be be freely
freely extended to to the
the re-
re-
pentant sinner,
pentant sinner, without compromising
compromising the
the holiness
holiness of
of
God oror jeopardizing
jeopardizing the the equity
equity of
of His
His rule.
rule. "To declare,
declare,
II say,
say, at this time his
at this righteousness: that
his righteousness: that he might
might be
just, and the
just, the justifier
justifier ofof him which believeth
believeth in Jesus"
in Jesus"
(Rom. 3:26).
(Rom. 3:26).
In this
In this way
way God completely justifies the
completely justifies the repentant
repentant
sinner,
sinner, however vile, vile, and imputes
imputes the the perfect
perfect right-
right-
eousness
eousness of of Christ
Christ to to cover
cover hishis unrighteousness;
unrighteousness; and
then imparts,
imparts, through
through sanctification,
sanctification, His own righteous-
righteous-
ness
ness to the sinner,
to the sinner, so that he is
so that is transformed
transformed into into the
the
very
very likeness
likeness of
of Christ.
Christ.
And the the wondrous ultimate ultimate of of itit all will come
all will
through the
through the glorification
glorification of of our bodies
bodies at the second
at the
advent of of our Lord, Lord, which will will bring
bring full
full and final final
deliverance from the
deliverance very presence
the very presence of of sin
sin forevermore.
forevermore.
Christ,
Christ, then,
then, is is in
in Himself the the sacrificial
sacrificial offering,
offering, the the
ministering
ministering priest,priest, and the
the coming
coming king.king. That covers
covers
past, present, and future.

past, present, future. And this, this, we believe,
believe, willwill
eventuate
eventuate in in thethe final
final eradication
eradication from the the universe
universe
forever
forever of of allall sin
sin and its its effects
effects asas well
well as its malign
as its malign
originator.
originator. This,
This, we understand,
understand, is the
Is the ultimate
ultimate effect
effect
of
of the
the atonement made on Calvary. Calvary.
II.
II. Atoning Sacrifice
Atoning Sacrifice and Ministering Priest
Ministering Priest
We feel
feel it to be most important
it to important thatthat Christians
Christians
sense the
sense the difference
difference between the
the atoning
atoning act
act of
of Christ
Christ
on the
the cross as a forever completed sacrifice,
cross as a forever completed sacrifice, and His
work in
work the sanctuary
in the sanctuary asas officiating high priest,
officiating high priest, m.inis-
minis-
tering the
the benefits
benefits of
of that
that sacrifice. What He did on
sacrifice.
tering
12
12
QUESTIONS
the cross
the for all
cross was for all men (1 (l John
John 2:2).
2:2). What He does does
in
in the
the sanctuary
sanctuary is is for those only
for those only who accept
accept His great
great
salvation.
salvation.
Both aspects
aspects are
are integral inseparable phases
integral and inseparable phases ofof
God's infinite
God's infinite work of redemption.
of redemption. The one provides
provides
the sacrificial
the sacrificial offering; the other
offering; the other provides
provides the
the applica-
applica-
tion of
tion of the
the sacrifice to the
sacrifice to the repentant
repentant soul.
soul. The one
was made by
was by Christ
Christ as victim; the
as victim; the other,
other, by
by Christ
Christ asas
priest. Both
priest. Both are
are aspects
aspects ofof God's
God's great redemptive plan
great redemptive plan
for
for man.
That Seventh-day
Adventists areare not
not alone
alone inin this
this
concept
concept is
is evident
evident from the
the following
following extracts
extracts from a
recent book:
recent book:
The Atonement is is the
the work of of God in in Christ
Christ for man's
for man's
salvation and renewal.-VINcENT
salvation renewal. VINCENT TAYLOR, TAYLOR, The Cross Cross ofof Christ
Christ
(Macmillan, 1956), p.
(Macmillan, 1956), p. 87.
87.
In
In its nature and scope,
its nature scope, the
the Atonement is is both
both deliverance
deliverance
attainment. It
and attainment. It concerns
concerns man's sin and his
man's sin his blessedness;
blessedness; and
it cannot be
it cannot be the
the one without being at
without being at the
the same time time the
the other.-
other.
Ibid., pp.
Ibid., pp. 87,
87, 88.
88.
It is
It is important
important at at the
the outset
outset to to distinguish
distinguish two aspects of
aspects of
the doctrine which can be separated
the doctrine separated in in thought,
thought, butbut not
not with-
with-
out grave
out grave loss
loss in practice. These are
in practice. are ..... . (a) the sa.ving
(a) the saving deed
of Christ, and (b)
of Christ, (b) the
the appropriation
appropriation of of His
His work by by faith,
faith, both
individual
individual and communal. These two together together constitute
constitute the
the
Atonement.-Ibid.,
Atonement. Ibid., p.p. 88.
88.
In consequence.
consequence, atonement is is both
both accomplished
accomplished for us and
for us
wrought in
wrought in us.-Ibid.,
its. p. 89.
Ibid., p. 89.
Perhaps our
Perhaps <lur greatest
greatest need to-day,
to-day. ifif we would rise rise above
the poverty
the poverty of of much of of our worship.
worship, is is to
to experience
experience once more
the wonder and reliance
the reliance upon
upon Christ's
Christ's ceaseless
ceaseless saving ministry.
saving ministry,
which is
which the true
is the true centre
centre ofof Christian devotion and the
Christian devotion the abiding
abiding
source of
source Christian living.-Ibid.,
of Christian living. Ibid., p.p. 104.
104.
When, therefore,
When, therefore, one hears
hears an Adventist
Adventist say,
say, or
or
reads in
reads in Adventist
Adventist literature-even
literature in the
even in the writings
writings of
of
Ellen
Ellen G. White
White-that
that Christ
Christ is making
is making atonement now,
now,
it should
it should be understood that we mean simply
understood that simply thatthat
Christ is now making
Christ is application
making application ofof the
the benefits
benefits of the
of the
sacrificial
sacrificial atonement He made on the cross; that
the cross; that He is
is
making it
making it efficacious
efficacious for
for us individually, according
us individually, according to to
our needs
our needs and requests.
requests. Mrs.
Mrs. White herself,
herself, as
as far back
far back
as
as 1857, clearly explained
1857, clearly explained what sheshe means when she she
writes of Christ's making
writes of Christ's making atonement for us
for us in in His
ministry:
ministry:
The great
great Sacrifice
Sacrifice had been offered
offered and had been accepted,
accepted,
the Holy
and the Holy Spirit
Spirit which descended on the the day
day of
of Pentecost
Pentecost
carried the minds of
carried the of the
the disciples
disciples from the
the earthly sanctuary to
earthly sanctuary to
the heavenly,
the heavenly, where Jesus
Jesus had entered by His own blood,
entered by blood, to
to
shed upon His disciples
shed upon disciples the benefits of
the benefits atonement.-Early
His atonement.
of His Early
Writings, p. 260.
Writings, p. 260. (Italics
(Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
Salvation
Salvation Prefigured m
Prejiûred
in the
the Sanctuary Service
Sanctuary Service
QUESTION
QUESTION 31
Does your
Does your teaching
teaching ofof the sanctuary serv-
the sanctuary serv-
ice
icemean that
that the
the work ofoj Christ
Christ on Calvary
Calvary was
not
not an all-sufficient, complete, once-jor-all sacri-
all-sufficient, complete, once-for-all sacri-
fice-a sacrifice
ficea sacrifice that
that obtained
obtained forfor us eternal
eternal re-
re-
demption? Or was something
demption! something subsequently
subsequently nec-
nec-
essary to
essary to make the sacrificial work of
the sacrificial of Christ
Christ ef-
ef-
fective for
fective for the
the salvation
salvation of
of man?
To the
the first
first part
part ofof the question our answer
the question answer is Is an un-
un-
equivocal
equivocal No. The death
death of
of Christ
Christ on Calvary's
Calvary's cross
cross
provides the
provides the only
only sacrifice
sacrifice byby which man can be saved. saved.
We
\Ve believe,
believe, however,
however, thatthat the
the sanctuary
sanctuary and the the Tem-
ple services
ple services ofof long
long agoago emphasized certain vital
emphasized certain vital truths
truths
in
in connection
connection with with the
the atoning
atoning work of
of Jesus
Jesus our Lord.
Lord.
In
In the
the sanctuary
sanctuary ritual
ritual during
during the
the days
days of
of Israel's
Israel's
wanderings in
wanderings in the
the wilderness,
wilderness, and laterlater inin the
the time
time ofof
the Temple,
the Temple, manymany sacrifices
sacrifices were offered.
offered. But what-
ever their
ever their number,
number, and whatever their their variety,
variety, every
every
sacrifice without exception
sacrifice without pointed
exception pointed forward to
to the
the one
great sacrifice-to
great sacrifice to the
the death of
of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ our Lord
and Saviour;
Saviour; He was the the antitype
antitype ofof all these sacrificial
all these sacrificial
offerings.
offerings.
This
This "one sacrifice"
sacrifice" (Heb.
(Heb. 10: 12), or
10:12), or "one offering"
offering"
(verse
(verse 14),
14), of
of Christ
Christ was "for
"for ever"
ever" (verse
(verse 12),
12),
356
SALVATION PREFIGURED 357
357
wrought "eternal
and wrought redemption" (Heb.
"eternal redemption" (Heb. 9: 12) for
9:12) for
man. This sacrifice
sacrifice was completely
completely efficacious.
efficacious. It pro-
It pro-
vided complete
vided complete atonement for for all mankind, and will
all mankind, will
never be
never be repeated,
repeated, for it was
for it was all-sufficient
all-sufficient and covered
covered
the needs of
the needs of every
every soul.
soul.
These sacrificial
sacrificial offerings teach certain
offerings teach certain important
important
lessons;
lessons; they
they constitute
constitute a wonderful revelation
a wonderful revelation of of God's
God's
redeeming grace, repeatedly
redeeming grace, repeatedly emphasized emphasized to
to ancient
ancient
Israel.
Israel. The book of of Hebrews mentions that that the many
the many
sacrifices
sacrifices offered
offered in in thethe days
days of Israel were divided
of Israel divided into into
"daily" offerings
"daily" offerings (Heb. (Heb. 7:27;
7:27; 10: 11)
10:11) and yearly
yearly sacri-
sacri-
fices (Heb. 9:7;
fices (Heb. 9:7; 10:3).
10:3). The sacrifices offered every
sacrifices were offered every
day
day asas well
well as as on the the yearly
yearly DayDay of of Atonement. An
analysis of
analysis of these
these sacrifices will reveal
sacrifices will reveal God'sGod's plan plan of of
salvation
salvation as as made known to to His people
people of of old.
old.
As in in thethe New Testament it took four
it took four gospel
gospel
writers
writers to to portray
portray the the life of Christ
life of Christ on earth,
earth, so in the
so in the
Old Testament it took various
it took various sacrifices,
sacrifices, or or phases
phases
of the sacrificial
of the sacrificial work, work, to to represent
represent the the all-inclusive
all-inclusive
work of of Jesus
Jesus as as the
the great antitypical
great anti sacrifice for
typical sacrifice for the
the
redemption of
redemption of aa lost
lost race.
race.
1.
I. THE MORNING AND EVENING SACRIFICES.-The SACRIFICES. The
morning
morning and evening
evening sacrifices
sacrifices were offered
offered everyevery
morning
morning and every evening, every
every evening, every day of day of the year,
the year,
irrespective of
irrespective the day
of the day-eveneven on the the Feast
Feast of of the
the Pass-
Pass-
over, Pentecost, the
over, Pentecost, the Day Day ofof Atonement,
Atonement, or or any
any other
special festival. These offerings
special festival. offerings were consequently
consequently called called
the "continual" sacrifices
the "continual" sacrifices (Ex. 29:38, 42) (Ex. 29:38, 42) and pre-
pre-
figured
figured in in aa unique
unique sense sense thethe sacrifice
Christ our
Lord as as always
always available
available and ever
ever efficacious
efficacious (Heb.
(Heb.
7:3, 24; 10:
7:3, 24; 10:12). 12). It
It is
is to
to be particularly
particularly observed
observed that
that
this offering
this offering was not provided
not provided by any by any individual.
individual. It
It
358
QUESTIONS
was offered
was offered for
for the people as
the people as aa whole.
whole. ItIt was not
not the
the
sinner's
sinner's offering
offering toto God;
God; it was, on the
it was, the contrary,
contrary, the
the
Lord's offering
Lord's offering for
for His
His people.
people. It offered irrespec-
It was offered irrespec-
tive of
tive whether the
of whether the individual
individual Israelite took advantage
Israelite took advantage
of
of its provision
provision or
its or not.
not.
to the
As to the vital
vital significance of the
significance of the morning
morning and eve-
eve-
ning sacrifices,
ning sacrifices, let
let us
us observe
observe the
the remarks
remarks of
of three
three
authors, one Jewish
authors, Jewish and twotwo Christian.
Christian.
The daily
daily continual (Heb. tamid)
continual (Heb. offering was in
tamid) offering in later times
later times
called "the
called "the Tamid."
Tamid/' Offered throughout the
Offered throughout the year,
year, it
it was "the
"the
centre
centre and core
core of public worship
of public worship in
in Judaism" (Kennedy).-
Judaism" (Kennedy).
J.
J. Hertz, The Pentateuch
H. Hertz,
H. Pentateuch and Hajtorahs,
Haltorahs, on Num. 28:2-8, 28:2-8,
p.694.
p. 694.
The dailydaily offering
offering prescribed
prescribed at xxix:38-42, and
at Exodus xxix:38-42,
which had
which had presumably
presumably never never been
been intermitted
intermitted since, is specified
since, is specified
again
again here because it
here because it formed the the foundation of of the
the whole sacri-
sacri-
ficial
ficial system. Whatever else
system. Whatever else was offered
offered was in in addition
addition toto it,
it,
not in
not in lieu
lieu of
of it.-R_
it. R. WINTERBOTTOM, in in The Pulpit
Pulpit Commentary,
Commentary,
vo!' p_ 380.
5, p.
vol. 5, 380.
whole system
The whole system rested upon the
rested upon the daily sacrifice, which
daily sacrifice, which was
never omitted,
never omitted, to to which all other sacrifices
all other were superadded.
sacrifices were superadded. Not
even the
even the triumph
triumph of the passover
of the passover or the affliction
or the of the
affliction of day of
the day of
atonement affected
atonement affected thethe daily
daily sacrifice.-Ibid.,
sacrifice. p. 383.
Ibid., p. 383.
The institution
institution [of [of the morning and evening
the morning sacrifice] was so
evening sacrifice] so
imperative,
imperative, that that in in no circumstances
circumstances was this this daily
daily oblation
oblation to to
be dispensed
be dispensed with;
with; and the the due observance
observance of of it
it would secure the
secure the
oft-promised
oft-promised gracegrace and blessing
blessing ofof their
their heavenly
heavenly King.
King.-JJAMIE-
AMIE-
SON, FAUSSET and BROWN, Commentary,
SON, Commentary, Critical Exposi-
Critical and Exposi-
tory, on Ex.
tory, Ex. 29:38.
29:38.
taught Israel
This taught Israel vital
vital lessons
lessons of truth--of
of truth of "their
"their
constant dependence
constant dependence upon
upon the
the atoning blood of
atoning blood of Christ";
Christ";
that "faith
that "faith laid hold upon
laid hold the merits
upon the merits of
of the
the promised
promised
Saviour prefigured by
Saviour prefigured the atoning
by the sacrifice."-Patriarchs
atoning sacrifice." Patriarchs
and Prophets,
Prophets, pp.
pp. 352, 353.
352, 353.
In aa special
special sense
sense the
the morning evening sacrifices
morning and evening sacrifices
prefigured
prefigured the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of
of Christ
Christ for
for all
all men.
men. These pro-
pro-
359
vided in in type,
type, for
for Israel
Israel ofof old, just what the
old, just the an
antitypical
ti typical
sacrifice
sacrifice of of Christ provided later
Christ provided for the
later for the actual
actual forgive-
forgive-
ness
ness of sin and the
of sin the salvation
salvation of of all yielded them-
all who yielded them-
selves
selves to to God. They represented
They represented the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of
of Jesus
Jesus
Christ when He tasted
Christ tasted death
death "for every man" (Heb.
"for every (Heb.
2:9)
2:9) and became "the "the propitiation
propitiation for for our sins:
sins: and
not for
not for ours
ours only,
only, but also also forfor the
the sins of the
sins of the whole
world" (1 John 2:2).
(1 John 2:2). The morning
morning and evening
evening sacri-
sacri-
ficial offerings brought home to
ficial offerings brought to the
the hearts
hearts and minds
of the people
of people God's provision
provision for their salvation
for their salvation-the the
way of
way of deliverance
deliverance from sin. sin. It revealed the
It revealed the wayway to to
liberty
liberty from the
the bondage
bondage of
of iniquity.
iniquity. Wherever the
the
Israelites lived
Israelites lived they
they could
could turn
turn toward Jerusalem
Jerusalem at the
at the
time of
time of the
the morning
morning and eveningevening sacrifices, confess their
sacrifices, confess their
sins,
sins, and know that their God would graciously
that their forgive
graciously forgive
(1
(I Kings
Kings 8:29,
8:29, 30,
30, 46-50).
46-50).
2.
2. THE SINNER'S
SINNER'S DAILY SACRIFICES.-There
SACRIFICES. There were were
certain
certain offerings that the
offerings that the individual
individual sinnersinner and the the con-
con-
gregation
gregation were instructed
instructed to
to bring-burnt
bring burnt offerings,
offerings,
peace offerings,
peace offerings, meal offerings,
offerings, sin sin offerings,
offerings, and tres- tres-
pass offerings. These might
pass offerings. might be be called
called thethe sinner's
sinner's
responsive offerings.
responsive offerings. This did
did not,
not, of
of course,
course, mean that
that
every
every individual
individual in
in Israel
Israel brought
brought his
his offering
offering everyevery
day to
day the sanctuary.
to the sanctuary. In In the
the time of of the
the Temple,
Temple, these these
offerings
offerings could be be presented
presented only only at Jerusalem (Deut.
at Jerusalem (Deut.
12:5, 6,
12:5, 6, 13,
13, 14, 26). And as
14, 26). as most of the people
of the people lived
lived farfar
away,
away, it
it was impossible
impossible for
for them to
to make their
their offer-
offer-
ings
ings at at Jerusalem
Jerusalem everyevery day.day. TheyThey could,
could, however,
however,
comply with
comply with the the directions
directions of of thethe Lord \^hen When they they
came to to the
the Holy City
Holy City three
three times
times a
a year.
year. But by
by means
of the daily
of the daily morning
morning and eveningevening sacrifices, they could
sacrifices, they
know theirtheir sins
sins were
were forgiven
forgiven each each day. They could in
day. They in
QUESTIONS
this way avail
this way avail themselves
themselves of of God's
God's gracious
gracious provlSlon,
provision,
though
though they they lived
lived on the frontier~ of
the frontier^ the Holy
of the Holy Land,
Land, or or
even in
even in a a foreign
foreign clime.
clime.
These personal
These personal sacrifices
sacrifices are referred to
are referred to inin the
the early
early
chapters
chapters of of Leviticus.
Leviticus. Some were were to to be
be offered
offered for the
for the
entire congregation, others
entire congregation, others for the priests
for the priests and leaders
leaders
of
of the people, still
the people, still others
others for
for the
the individual,
individual, or, or, as
as stated
stated
in the
in the text,
text, for
for the
the "common people" (Lev.
people" (Lev. 4:27). 4:27).
It is to
It is to be borne in
be borne in mind thatthat these
these individually
individually and
congregationally provided
congregationally provided offerings offerings differed
differed markedly
markedly
from thethe morning
morning and evening evening sacrifices.
sacrifices. With the pro-
the pro-
vision of the morning
vision of the morning and evening sacrifices
evening sacrifices the
the individ-
individ-
ual
ual sinner
sinner had absolutely
absolutely nothing
nothing to to do.
do. They
They were
offered
offered on his
his behalf,
behalf,, whether he sought
sought their
their benefits
benefits
not. But the
or not.
or the individually provided offerings
individually provided offerings were
different. The sinner
different. himself provided
sinner himself provided them; them; he he
brought
brought his
his own offering
offering to
to the
the tabernacle.
tabernacle. Recognizing
Recognizing
it as
it as his
his substitute,
substitute, he placed placed hishis hands
hands uponupon its head,
its head,
and confessed
confessed his his sins
sins over
over it.it. Then the the sacrifice
sacrifice was was
slain.
slain.
To us us today,
today, this procedure may
this procedure may havehave thethe appear-
appear-
ance of
ance of human works, works, for for every
every act
act thus
thus far
far mentioned
was performed
was performed by by the person presenting
the person presenting the the sacrifice.
sacrifice.
But this
this provision
provision also also was in in the plan of
the plan of God. These
works on the
works the part
part of of the offerer were not
the offerer not as
as aa means of of
salvation,
salvation, but were an evidence of faith. These indi-
evidence of faith. indi-
vidual offerings,
vidual offerings, therefore,
therefore, were were not not primary;
primary; they they
secondary. In
were secondary. In other words, the
other words, morning and eve-
the morning eve-
ning
ning sacrifice
sacrifice was fundamental;
fundamental; it
it was
was first
first and fore-
fore-
most. In
most. In aa special
special sense
sense this
this was the the type
type ofof what was was
accomplished
accomplished on Calvary's
Calvary's cross
cross in
in antitype
antitype for
for all
all
mankind.
361
The individual who accepted accepted the benefits provided

the benefits provided
by the
by the morning and evening
morning evening sacrifice
sacrifice was was given
given oppor-
oppor-
tunity to
tunity to express
express his his faith
faith and to to reveal
reveal his his acceptance
acceptance
of the
of the divine provision
provision for his salvation.
for his salvation. This he' did at
he 'did at
the
the cQmmand
command of of God. When visiting visiting Jerusalem
Jerusalem he
brought his
brought his own offering
offering for himself and for
for himself his family.
for his family.
In the
In the morning
morning and evening evening sacrifice
sacrifice we see
see provided
provided
atonement; in
atonement; the individual
in the individual sacrifice
sacrifice we see see appro-
appro-
priated atonement.
priated atonement.
These two groups groups of of sacrificial offerings-the
sacrificial offerings the one
representing
representing God's provision
provision for
for man,
man, the
the other
other rep-
rep-
resenting
resenting man's acceptance
acceptance of of these
these provisions-were
provisions were
offered every
offered every day
day of of the year. These,
the year. These, in in aa specific
specific way,
way,
were the offerings for
the offerings sin. These were
for sin. were thethe vital
vital sacrifices
sacrifices
that
that meant deliverance
deliverance for for the longing soul.
the longing soul. They
They were
God's provision for
God's provision for the
the one seeking
seeking pardon, victory, and
pardon, victory,
peace with
peace with God.
This experience
This experience on the part of
the part of the individual is
the individual is what
we commonly
commonly call
call conversion,
conversion, or
or in
in New Testament
language, being
language, being "born again," again," or or passing
passing from death death
unto life. In this surrender
unto life. In this surrender of heart of heart and life,
life, not only
only
does the
does individual know pardon
the individual pardon for for sin,
sin, but he he has
has
peace
peace with
with God and experiences
experiences the
the joy
joy of
of the
the Lord in
in
his
his soul.
soul.
3. THE DAY OF ATONEMENT RITUAL.
3. RITUAL.-Several Several sac-
sac-
rifices were offered

rifices were offered on the the DayDay of of Atonement. This day day
was the
was the climactic
climactic day day of the ceremonial
of the ceremonial year, year, bringing
bringing
to
to a a consummation all
all the
the sacrifices
sacrifices that
that had been
offered daily
offered daily throughout
throughout the the year.
year. On that that dayday there
there
were
were sacrifices that the
sacrifices that the earthly high
earthly high priest priest offered
offered for
for
himself and his
himself his family
family (Lev.(Lev. 16:3,
16:3, 6,
6, et
et cetera).
cetera). These
were
were forfor his
his own personal preparation for
personal preparation for the
the solemn
QUESTIONS
services
services of the Day
of the Day of of Atonement. BeforeBefore he couldcould
take part in
take part in God's work, he
God's work, he himself
himself must be be purified,
purified,
sanctified
sanctified for
for his
his high,
high, holy, responsible office
holy, and responsible office and
work.
work.
Another partpart of the service
of the service was the
the bringing
bringing of of two
goats, concerning
goats, concerning which we read:
read: "Then he
he [the
[the high
high
priest] shall
priest] take the
shall take the two goats,
goats, and setset them before
before
the
the Lord at the door
at the door of the tent
of the tent of meeting; and Aaron
of meeting;
shaH
shall cast
cast lots upon the
lots upon the two goats,
goats, one lot for the
lot for the Lord
and the
the other
other lot
lot for
for Azazel"
Azazel" (Lev. 16:7, 8, R.S.V.).
(Lev. 16:7, 8, R.S.V.).
N
Nowow let
let us
us look
look at
at the
the entire
entire round of of sacrificial
sacrificial
ritual
ritual on this
this great
great day.
day. The sacrifices
sacrifices for
for sin
sin can be
can be
listed as follows:
listed as follows:
a. The regular
a. regular morning
morning sacrifice (Ex. 29:38,
sacrifice (Ex. 29:38, 39;
39;
Num.28:4).
Num. 28:4).
6. The special
b. special sacrifices for the
sacrifices for the high
high priest
priest and his
his
house-aa bullock
house bullock for
for aa sin
sin offering
offering and a
a ram for
for a
a
burnt offering
burnt (Lev. 16:3,6).
offering (Lev. 16:3, 6).
c.
c. The specified goat
specified goat for the people
for the people (verse
(verse 15).
15).
d. regular evening
d. The regular evening sacrifice
sacrifice (Ex. 29:38, 39;
(Ex. 29:38, 39;
Num.28:4).
Num. 28:4).
4. THE LAST ACT IN GOD'S GREAT WORK FOR MAN.
4.
-The
The work of of this
this special day was aa type,
special day type, or
or illustra-
illustra-
tion, of
tion, of the
the last
last aspect
aspect of the great
of the great work of
of God for
for man.
In ancient
In Israel, it
ancient Israel, was aa day··
it was
day of
of judgment.
judgment. This isis
seen in the
seen in the instruction
instruction given:
given:
Whatsoever soulsoul it
it be that shall not
that shall not be afflicted
afflicted in
in that
that same
day,
day, shall be
he shall be cut
cut off
off from among
among hishis people.
people. And whatsoever
whatsoever
soul
soul it be that
it that doeth
doeth any
any work inin that
that same day, the same soul
day, the soul
will destroy from among
will II destroy his people
among his people (Lev. 23:29, 30).
(Lev. 23:29, 30).
Still
Still further,
further, the Jewish people
the Jewish people through
through the
the centuries
centuries
363
have so
have regarded the
so regarded Day of
the Day of Atonement. Note
Note the
the fol-
fol-
lowing:
lowing:
Even thethe angels,
angels, we are told in
are told in the
the Ritual,
Ritual, are
are seized with
seized with
fear trembling; they
fear and trembling; they hurry
hurry to
to and fro fro and say,
say, "Behold
"Behold thethe
Day
Day ofof Judgment
Judgment has has come."
come/' The Day Day ofof Atonement
Atonement is is the
the Day
Day
of Judgment.-PAuL
of Judgment. PAUL ISAAC HERSHON, Treasures Treasures ofof the
the Talmud
(1882), p.
(1882), p. 97.
97.
God, seated
God, seated on His throne
throne toto judge
judge thethe world,
world, at the same
at the
time Judge,
time Judge, Pleader, Expert, and Witness,
Pleader, Expert, openeth the
Witness, openeth the Book of of
Records, . . . The great
Records. . . . trumpet is
great trumpet is sounded;
sounded; a a still,
still, small
small
voice is
voice is heard,
heard, ... saying,
. , This is
saying, This
. the day
is the day ofof judgment.
judgment.... On . , .
Year's Day
New Year's Day the
the decree
decree isis written;
written; on the the Day
Day ofof Atonement
Atonement
it is
it is sealed
sealed who shall live and
shall live and who are are to die.-The
to die. Jewish En-
The Jewish
vol. 2,
cyclopedia, vol.
cyclopedia, 2, p. 286.
p. 286.
5.
5. THE GOAT FOR THE SIN SIN OFFERING.-The
OFFERING. The goat goat
for the sin
for the sin offering
offering on the Day of
the Day of Atonement was aa
unique
unique sacrificial
sacrificial offering.
offering. There was was nothing
nothing likelike it
it
in the
in the whole
whole round of of sacrifices.
sacrifices. It It differed
differed from all all
the other
the other offerings
offerings in that it
in that it had a dual significance.
a dual significance. InIn
the first
the place, it
first place, it provided
provided atonement for for the
the people
people-
"to
"to make an atonement for the children
for the children of of Israel
Israel for
for aU
all
their
their sins"
sins" (Lev. 16:34).
(Lev. 16:34). In
In the
the second
second place,
place, it
it was
used
used byby the
the Lord in in cleansing
cleansing thethe very
very sanctuary that
sanctuary that
was the
the center
center ofof their worship throughout
their worship throughout the the year
year
(verses
(verses 16,
16, 20).
20).
complete the
Observe how complete cleansing work of
the cleansing of the
the
atoning
atoning blood
blood was
was represented
represented to
to be.
be. The precious
precious
blood provided
blood cleansing- (a)
provided cleansing for the
(a) for the high
high priest
priest and
his house; (b)
his house; (&) for
for all
all the people; (c)
the people; (c) for the sanctuary,
for the sanctuary,
its altar,
its altar, et
et cetera.
cetera.
6. CLIMAX. Now comes the
6. THE GRAND CLIMAx.-Now the climactic
climactic
act of this
act of this great
great day. After full
day. After full and complete
complete atonement*
*Several
^Several authorities
authorities recognize
recognize that
that before Azazel came into
before Azazel the picture
into the picture on the
the
Day of
Day of Atonement,
Atonement, full
full "nd
and complete
complete "tonement h"d been
atonement had be.n made for people. We
fOT the people.
give quotations
give quotations from but two
from but two writers-one Christian, one Jewish:
writers one Christian, Jewish:
QUESTIONS
has been
has been provided
provided for
for the people, and they
the people, they are
are safe
safe and
secure from
secure from the
the wiles of the
wiles of great deceiver,
the great deceiver, God gives
gives
people aa preview
His people preview of
of the
the way
way in which He is
is going
going
to banish iniquity
to banish iniquity from His great great universe.
universe. Here,
Here, in in
type, the
the author
author of of sin is taken and is judged. He who
sin is is
type, judged.
introduced iniquity
iniquity into the government
into the government of of God receives
receives
his just
his just deserts.
deserts. The responsibility
responsibility for for conceiving,
conceiving, forfor
introducing,
introducing, and for inducing men and women to
for inducing to re-
re-
bellion against
bellion against God is
is rolled
rolled back upon
upon his
his head.
head. As
the goat is
the goat is consigned
consigned to
to the
the wilderness
wilderness of
of death,
death, so,
so, near
the
the end of of aU things, God will
all things, will consign
consign Satan to the
to the
"bottomless pit" pit" (Rev. 20:
(Rev. 20:1),1), and later
later to
to the
the lake
lake of
of
fire,
fire, where he goes goes down in
in utter
utter and irrevocable
irrevocable de-
de-
struction.
struction. (See(See also
also Question
Question 35.) 35.)
These,
These, we believe,
believe, are
are some of the lessons
of the lessons of the great
of the great
Day
Day of
of Atonement in
in the
the long ago.
long ago.
HThe slain goat

"The slain goat had symbolized
symbolized and ceremonially wrought full
ceremonially wrought full atonement oror
covering
covering of sins."-Pulpit
of sins." Pulpit Commentarl,
Commentary, on Leviticus.
Leviticus, p.p. 242.
242.
"One [the
[the Lord's goat] was a
Lord's goat1 a victim intended to
victIm intended to atone
atone for
for sins."-M.
sins." M. M.
KALISCH, The Old Testament,
KAL.ISGH, Leviticus, vol.
Testament, Leviticus, 2, !?
vol. 2, p. 327.
327.
"The atonement of the the_people
people . . . was effected
. . . solely by
effected solely by the
the blood
blood of the
of the
o. goat
goat killed
•. .•killed as sin-offering."-lbid.,
as a sin-offering." Ibid., pp. 293, 294.
pp. 293, 294.
Cfhe Heavenly Sanctuary
Tfie Heavenly Sanctuary-
Figurative or
Figurative
Literal Concepts
or Literal Concepts
QUESTION
QUESTION 32
Relevant to
Relevant to the doctrine of
the doctrine of the
the atonement,
atonement,
do Seventh-day
Adventists believe that the
believe that the sanc-
sanc-
tuary in
tuary in heaven is
is literal, or figurative?
literal, or figurative?
Before attempting
attempting to to answer this this question,
question, it it seems
that
that there
there should be be some understanding
understanding as as to the
to the
meaning
meaning of
of the
the words "literal"
"literal" and "figurative."
"figurative." If
If by
by
the 'literal" it
the word "literal" is thought
it is thought thatthat we conceive
conceiye of of a a
heavenly sanctuary
heavenly sanctuary made of brick
of brick and mortar,
mortar, with all
all
that
that we associate
associate with such literalnessliteralness inin our everyday
everyday
life, the
life, the answer is, is, We do not. not. If,
If, on the
the other
other hand,
hand,
in the
in the useuse of
of thethe word "figurative"
"figurative" the
the thought
thought con- con-
veyed
veyed is
is that
that of
of something
something unreal,
unreal, mythical, imaginary,
mythical, imaginary,
or visionary,
or visionary, the the answer would again be, We do not con-
again be,
ceive
ceive ofof the
the sanctuary
sanctuary in
in this
this sense.
sense.
We believe
believe the the following
following statements from Holy Holy
Writ:
Writ: "We have have such an high high priest,
priest, who is is set
set on thethe
right
right hand of
of the
the throne
throne of
of the
the Majesty
Majesty in
in the
the heavens;
heavens;
minister of
aa minister of the sanctuary, and of
the sanctuary, the true
of the true tabernacle,
tabernacle,
which the the Lord pitched,
pitched, and not man" (Heb. 8:
(Reb. 2).
1, 2).
8:1,
We understand
understand from these these scriptures
scriptures that
that as
as the
the
throne of
throne of God is real, and Jesus
is real, Jesus who sits there is
sits there real,
is real,
the
the sanctuary
sanctuary or or tabernacle
tabernacle in in heaven would be just just asas
real. As to
real. to its
its form,
form, we know only only what is revealed in
is revealed in
365
366
366 QUESTIONS
the Scriptures. We know nothing
the Scriptures. nothing of of what entered
entered into
into
its construction.
its construction. This does not seem to
does not to bebe revealed,
revealed, and
we justjust let
let it it rest
rest there, without seeking
there, without seeking to to probe
probe fur-fur-
ther into the
ther into the question.
question.
There are are two considerations
considerations that that should be of help
of help
in understanding
in understanding this this question.
question. One is is the
the fact
fact that
that the
the
tabernacle in
tabernacle the wilderness
in the wilderness was was built
built "according
"according to to the
the
pattern." This is
pattern." is stressed
stressed in in several places in
several places in the Bible.
the Bible.
Moses was
Moses was counseled
counseled by by the
the Lord to to make all things
all things
"after
"after the the pattern"
pattern" (Ex. 25:9). He was reminded also
(Ex. 25:9). also
that
that this
this "pattern"
"pattern" had been shown to
to him while
while he was
in the
in the mount with God: "And thou shalt rear up
shalt rear up the
the
tabernacle according
tabernacle according to
to the
the fashion
fashion thereof
thereof which was
shewed thee thee in the mount" (Ex.
in the (Ex. 26:30).
26:30).
himself did not plan
Moses himself plan this
this building.
building. The inin-
struction
struction came directly directly from God.
God. Moses was counseled
counseled
to make the
to the tabernacle
tabernacle "according
"according to the fashion
to the fashion thatthat he
had seen"
had seen" (Acts(Acts 7:44).
7:44). The Greek word for for "fashion"
"fashion"
is tupos}
is tupos, and this
this is rendered
is rendered variously
variously by by such
such words
words
as
as "pattern," "form,"
"pattern," "form," "figure," "figure," et
et cetera.
cetera. Some transla-
transla-
tors, such as
tors, such Weymouth, render
as Weymouth, render thethe thought
thought "in "in imita-
imita-
tion
tion of the model which he
of the he had seen."
seen." In In rendering
rendering
Hebrews 9:24, 9:24, Weymouth
Weymouth mentions mentions that that the the earthly
earthly
was "a "a mere copy copy of the reality."
of the reality." This "reality"
"reality" waswas
"the
"the truetrue tabernacle,
tabernacle, which the the Lord pitched,
pitched, and not not
man" (Heb. (Heb. 8:2).8:2). The reality
reality of
of the
the sanctuary
sanctuary in
in the
the
heavens is
heavens is certainly much more than
certainly than implied.
implied.
One can hardly hardly read read such expressions as
such expressions as the
the above
coming to
without coming to the
the conclusion
conclusion thatthat thethe sanctuary
sanctuary in in
the heavens,
the heavens, where Christ Christ our great great HighHigh Priest
Priest is,is,
is just
is just as real as
as real as He Himself is is real. language used,
real. The language used,
it seems to
it to us,us, very
very definitely conveys that
definitely conveys that meaning.
meaning.
THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY 367
367
Furthermore, the description

Furthermore, the by the
description by the prophet
prophet John
John
in the Apocalypse
in Apocalypse is
is clear
clear on this
this point.
point. He is writing
is writing
in language
in language his
his hearers
hearers could quite well
could quite well understand,
understand,
for they
for they were acquainted
acquainted with with thethe tabernacle
tabernacle ritual
ritual and
all that was
all that was involved
involved in in its ministration on earth.
its ministration earth. He
mentions the the seven-branched
seven-branched candlestick,
candlestick, the the "seven
*
'seven
lamps
lamps of fire" (Rev.
of fire" 4:5);
(Rev. 4:5); the
the "golden
"golden altar"
altar" and the
the
"golden
"golden censer"
censer" (Rev. 8:3);
(Rev. 8:3); the
the "tabernacle
"tabernacle of
of the
the
testimony
testimony in in heaven" (Rev. (Rev. 15:5);
15:5); and eveneven "the
"the ark
ark
of his testament"
of his testament" (Rev. (Rev. 11: 19).
11:19).
Hence, not only
Hence, only isis the
the temple
temple or or sanctuary
sanctuary or taber-
or taber-
nacle mentioned, but
nacle mentioned, but also
also that which was
that which was evidently nec-
evidently nec-
essary
essary in
in its
its service
service of
of ministration-the
ministration the candlestick,
candlestick,
the golden
the golden altar,
altar, the
the censer,
censer, and the the ark
ark ofof His
His testa-
testa-
ment. Therefore,
ment. Therefore, we believe there is a real sanctuary in
believe there is a real sanctuary in
heaven,
heaven, where our blessed blessed Lord ministers
ministers on our our behalf.
behalf.
And of of still
still further
further consideration
consideration is is the
the use
use of the
of the
word "shadow" in in connection
connection with with thethe tabernacle,
tabernacle,
later with
and later with thethe Temple,
Temple, which figured figured soso largely in
largely in
the ceremonial
the ceremonial services
services of of Israel
Israel of old. The word
of old.
"shadow" as used in
as used the New Testament
in the Testament is is found in in
Hebrews 8:5; 8:5; 10: It is
1. It
10:1. is from the the Greek skia,
skia, and in in
referring
referring to
to this
this word,
word, W. E.
E. Vine,
Vine, in
in Expository
Expository Dic-
Die-
tionary
tionary ofof New Testament Words, remarks:
Words, remarks:
image or
The image or outline
outline cast by an object,
cast by object, Col.
Col. 2:17,
2:17, of cere-
of cere-
monies under the
monies the Law; of the
Law; of the Tabernacle and its
its appurtenances
appurtenances
and offerings,
offerings, Reb.
Heb. 8:5;
8:5; of these as
of these as appointed
appointed under the Law,
the Law,
Reb. 10:1.
Heb. 10:1.
Geerhardus Vos,
Geerhardus Vos, late Professor of
late Professor of Biblical
Biblical Theology
Theology
in Princeton
in Princeton Theological
Theological Seminary,
Seminary, in his book,
in his book, The
Teaching of
Teaching of the
the Epistle
Epistle to
to the
the Hebrews (Eerdmans,
(Eerdmans,
1956),
1956), comments on the
the word "shadow":
368
QUESTIONS
In [Heb.]
In [Heb.] 8:5
8:5 we areare told that the
told that the Jewish priests serve
Jewish priests serve that
that
which is
which is aa copy
copy and a a shadow (hupodeigma
(hupodeigma and skia).
skia). The
author
author adds that it
adds that it is
is a copy and shadow of
a copy the heavenly
of the heavenly things.
things.
Thus it it is
is not
not a a shadow projected
projected or thrown forward
or thrown forward (into
(into
the future), but
the future), but aa shadow
shadow cast
cast down from
from heaven
heaven to
to earth.
earth. More-
More-
over,
over, the particular
the particular use
use made by by the
the author
author of the adjective
of the adjective
true
true (alethinos)
(alethinos) ought to be
ought to noted. Alethinos
be noted. Alethinos is a much stronger
is a
stronger
word than
than alethes which is
alethes which is the
the more common word for for true.
true.
Alethinos means
Alethinos means not
not simply
simply the
the true, but the
true, but real, the
the real, the genuine,
genuine,
the
the veritable.-Page
veritable. Page 58.
58.
Hence we may may regard

regard the earthly tabernacle
the earthly tabernacle as but
as but
the
the shadow of the reality;
of the reality; the
the real
real sanctuary
sanctuary was in
in
heaven, but
heaven, but it
It cast
cast its
Its shadow on the the earth.
earth. The earthly
earthly
could be
could be seen
seen byby men, but not
men, but heavenly. We do,
the heavenly.
not the do,
however,
however, in
in this
this word "shadow"
"shadow" catch
catch glimpses
glimpses of
of what
what
the heavenly
the heavenly sanctuary
sanctuary is is like
like by
by looking
looking atat its
its shadow
on the
on the earth.
earth. It
It is
is in
in this
this sense
sense that believe there
that we believe there is
is a
a
real sanctuary in heaven.
real sanctuary in heaven.
Certain
Certain aspects
aspects ofof this question are
this question are made plain plain forfor
us in
us the
In the Word of of God: (1) Jesus
(1) Jesus is
is our
our great
great HighHigh
Priest
Priest (Heb. 4: 14); (2)
(Heb. 4:14); (2) Christ
Christ isis "a priest for
"a priest for ever
ever after
after
the order
the order of of Melchisedec"
Melchisedec" (Heb. 5:6); (3) Jesus
(Heb. 5:6); (3) Jesus is is aa
"minister of the sanctuary'* (Heb. 8:2); (4) Jesus Is our
"minister of the sanctuary" (Heb. 8:2); (4) Jesus is our
High
High Priest,
Priest, who bids
bids us
us "come boldly
boldly unto
unto the
the throne
throne
of grace,
of grace, that
that we maymay obtain
obtain mercy,
mercy, and find find grace
grace to to
help in
help in time
time ofof need" (Heb. 4: 16); (5)
(Heb. 4:16); (5) because
because He is is
an all-sufficient
all-sufficient Saviour,
Saviour, He has has anan unchangeable
unchangeable
priesthood, and "he is
priesthood, is able
able also
also toto save
save them to to the
the
uttermost that
uttermost that come untounto God by by him,
him, seeing
seeing he he ever
ever
liveth
liveth toto make intercession
Intercession forfor them" (Heb. (Heb. 7:25);
7:25);
and (6)
(6) asas our High
High Priest,
Priest, it
it was necessary that
necessary that He
should
should "have
"have somewhat also to offer"
also to offer" (Heb.
(Heb. 8:3).8:3).
'The
The High~-Priestly
High Priestly Ministry
Ministry of Christ
Christ of
QUESTION
QUESTION 33
Since Adventists
Since Adventists hold that
that complete
complete sac-sac-
rificial
rificial atonement was made on the
the cross,
cross, what
you teach
do you teach concerning
concerning thethe ministry
ministry ofof our
our
Lord asas High
High Priest
Priest in
in heaven?
heavenJ When did did Christ
Christ
responsibilities as
assume His responsibilities as priest?
priest? What do
you
you understand
understand by
by the
the expression "he ever
expression ever liveth
liveth
to intercession"? How can
to make intercession"? can Christ
Christ officiate
officiate
as priest
as priest inin a sanctuary,
sanctuary, and atat the
the same time
occupy
occupy His Father's
Father's throne?
throne?
priesthood of
The priesthood of Christ
Christ is a cardinal
is a cardinal doctrine
doctrine in
in
teaching. The atoning
New Testament teaching. atoning death
death of
of Christ,
Christ,
and His all-sufficient
all-sufficient sacrifice
sacrifice for
for man's redemption,
redemption, is is
for
for us,
us, as
as for
for all
all evangelical
evangelical Christians,
Christians, the central
central truth
truth
of
of Christianity.
Christianity. Yet without our Lord's Lord's resurrection
resurrection and
ascension, the provisions
ascension, the provisions of of His atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice would
not be available
not be available to to man (1 (I Cor. 15: 17).
15:17).
The victory
victory of
of our Lord at
at Calvary
Calvary was decisive
decisive
and eternal.
eternal. Not only only did He conquer
conquer sin,
sin, but He
conquered
conquered death.
death. And these
these tremendous truths
truths be-
came the focal point
the focal point of
of the
the apostolic ministry.
apostolic ministry. "With
great
great power
power gavegave thethe apostles
apostles witness
witness ofof the
the resur-
resur-
rection
rection of of the
the Lord Jesus:
Jesus: and great
great grace
grace was upon
upon
them all"
all" (Acts 4:33).
(Acts 4:33).
369
370
QUESTIONS
Having
Having burstburst the bands of
the bands of death,
death, Jesus
Jesus ascended as as
the
the "King
"King of of glory"
glory" (Psalm 24), to
(Psalm 24), to appear
appear in the presence
in the presence
of God for
of us. And there,
for us. there, amid the the adoration
adoration of of angels,
angels,
He was
was enthroned.
enthroned. Addressing
Addressing Him as the Creator,
as the Creator, as as
the One who had "laid
the the foundation
"laid the foundation of of thethe earth"
earth"
(Heb.
(Heb. 1: 10), the
1:10), the omnipotent
omnipotent Father reaffirms reaffirms His
position
position as
as God,
God, saying: "Thy
saying: "Thy throne,
throne, O
0 God, is
God, is for
for
ever
ever and ever:
ever: aa sceptre
sceptre of
of righteousness
righteousness is
is the
the sceptre
sceptre
of thy
of thy kingdom.
kingdom. Thou hast hast loved righteousness, and
loved righteousness,
hated
hated iniquity;
iniquity; therefore
therefore God, God, even
even thythy God,God, hathhath
anointed
anointed thee thee with
with the the oil
oil ofof gladness
gladness above
above thy
thy
fellows" (Heb. I:
fellows" (Heb. 8, 9).
1:8, 9).
His consecration as
His consecration as High Priest coincided
High Priest coincided with with His
His
enthronement.
enthronement. And there, there, at the throne
at the throne of the Majesty
of the Majesty
on high,
high, immediately
immediately after after His
His ascension
ascension He entered
upon His
upon His priestly
priestly ministry
ministry in in the
the "greater
"greater and more
perfect tabernacle"
perfect tabernacle" (Heb. 9: 11) then
(Heb. 9:11) then "to appear in
"to appear in
the presence of
the presence of God for for us"
us" (verse 24).
(verse 24). To Him was
was
given all
given all power
power and authority
authority bothboth in heaven and on
in heaven
earth.
earth.
I. Christ's Priesthood
I. Christ's Vital Theme for
Priesthood Vital for Study
Study
The high-priestly
high-priestly ministry
ministry of of our Lord occupies
occupies a a
prominent place
prominent place in
in Adventist
Adventist theology.
theology. In
In fact,
fact, we be-
be-
lieve that much study
lieve that study should be be given
given to to Christ's
Christ's
ministry in
ministry the sanctuary
in the sanctuary above, especiaJIy to
above, and especially to the
the
concluding phase
concluding phase of
of that
that ministry,
ministry, which we under-
under-
stand
stand toto be
be a work of judgment. And to
of judgment. to understand
understand
the judgment,
the judgment, we must of of necessity understand what is
necessity understand is
involved
involved inin His priestly ministry.
priestly ministry.
On the
the day
day of
of Pentecost
Pentecost the the apostle
apostle Peter
Peter declared
declared
that
that Jesus, having
Jesus, having been raised up
raised up from the dead, is
the dead, is now
PRIESTLY MINISTRY OF CHRIST 371
371
"by the right

"by the right hand of of God exalted/'
exalted," and has has thus
thus
been made "both Lord and Christ" Christ" (Acts 2:33, 36).
(Acts 2:33, 36).
This concept
concept became the
the keystone
keystone in
in the
the arch
arch ef
of the
the
apostolic message.
apostolic message.
While the the apostles referred many
apostles referred many times
times in their
in their
sermons and epistles
epistles to
to our
our Lord's exaltation, yet
Lord's exaltation, yet the
the
real nature of
real nature of His work as High Priest
as High Priest isis set
set forth
forth in in
the Epistle
the Epistle toto the
the Hebrews.
Hebrews. The book is virtually
is virtually an
exposition of
exposition this great
of this theme. By
great theme. By aa series of proposi-
series of proposi-
tions,
tions, covering chapters
covering chapters I
1 to
to 10,
10, the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of
of Christ,
Christ,
and His priestly
priestly ministry
ministry in heaven, are
in heaven, are set
set forth
forth in
in con-
con-
trast
trast with the
the earthly
earthly sacrifices
sacrifices and priesthood of Aaron.
priesthood of Aaron.
The purpose
purpose of these comparisons
of these comparisons is is to
to emphasize
emphasize the the
reality
reality and advantages
advantages of
of the
the new order.
order. We here
here pre-
pre-
sent
sent aa brief
brief summary
summary of of these.
these.
II.
II. Summary
Summary of
of Christ's Position as
Christ's Position as Our High
High Priest
Priest
CHAPTER 11 presents
presents the the Son of of God as the Creator
as the Creator
Upholder of
and Upholder ::\,11 things
of ^11 (verses
things (verses 2,
2, 10);
10); as
as "the
"the ex-
ex-
press image"
press image" of
of God and the
the appointed
appointed Heir of
of all
all
things (verses 2, 3);

things (verses 2, 3); as the as the One who by
by Himself
purged our sins
purged sins and then then was seated
seated atat God's right
right
hand (verse
(verse 3);
3); as
as greater
greafer than
than all
all the
the angels (verse
angels (verse
4); as
4); as the begotten Son of
the begotten of God (verse
(verse 5);
5); as
as God
enthroned and anointed
anointed (verses(verses 8,
8, 9).
9).
CHAPTER 2
2 touches upon the
touches upon the incarnation,
incarnation, showing
showing
Him as man, made lower
as man, lower than angels, tasting
angels, and tasting
death for every
death for every man (verses 6-9);
(verses 6-9); as
as our Deliverer
Deliverer and
the Captain
the Captain of
of our salvation
salvation (verses
(verses 14-16);
14-16); as
as being
being
like unto
made like unto His
His brethren
brethren that
that He might
might become aa
merciful
merciful and faithful High Priest
faithful High Priest (verse
(verse 17),
17), able to
able to
"succour
"succour them that are
that tempted" (verse
are tempted" (verse 18).
18).
QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 3 reveals Him as
3 reveals both Apostle
as both Apostle and High
High
Priest, greater
Priest, greater than Moses, and faithful
than Moses, faithful to to His appoint-
appoint-
ment (verses
(verses 1-3);
1-3);
and as
as the
the Builder
Builder of
of a
a spiritual
spiritual
house, whose
house, whose househouse areare we (verses
(verses 6, 6, 14).
14).
CHAPTER 44 designates
designates Him our our "great high priest"
"great high priest"
who is IS passed
passed into the heavens
into the heavens (verse(verse 14); as the
14); as the Word
of God;
of God; as as our Judge,
Judge, before
before whose eyes eyes allall things
things are are
naked and open (verses
open (verses 12,
12, 13); yet
13); yet able
able to
to sympathize
sympathize
with. the
with, the tempted
tempted and infirm infirm because
because He had been in in
all points "tempted
all points "tempted like like asas we are"are" (verse
(verse 15).
15).
CHAPTER 5 5 introduces
introduces Him as as aa "priest
"priest for
for ever
ever after
after
the order of
the order of Melchisedec"
Melchisedec" (verses (verses 6,
6, 10),
10), not
not after
after the
the
Levitical order;
Levitical order; as
as One compassed
compassed with
with infirmity
infirmity and
learning obedience
learning obedience through
through His suffering suffering (verses(verses 7, 7,
8);
8); then
then as
as the
the Author of
of eternal
eternal salvation
salvation (verse
(verse 9).9).
CHAPTER 6 6 declares
declares thatthat God,
God, by by an an oath,
oath, confirmed
confirmed
His purpose in
His purpose in Christ
Christ (verses
(verses 16, 16, 17); that Christ
17); that Christ has has
entered within
entered within the the veil;
veil; that
that He is our hope
is our hope and the the
anchor of
anchor the soul
of the soul (verse
(verse 19).19).
CHAPTER 7 7 contrasts
contrasts the the features
features of of the
the Melchizedek
Melchizedek
and the
the Levitical
Levitical priesthoods:
priesthoods: Melchizedek called called "King
"King
of righteousness"
of righteousness'* and "King "King of of peace*'
peace" (verse (verse 2); 2); Mel-
chizedek
chizedek beingbeing greater
greater than Abraham, Abraham, Christ'sChrist's priest-
priest-
hood is is therefore
therefore greater
greater than
than the
the Levitical
Levitical (verses 4-7);
(verses 4-7);
emphasizes that
emphasizes Christ's priesthood
that Christ's priesthood was was notnot of the
of the
order
order of of Aaron (that (that is,
is, inherited
inherited from one's
one's parents),
parents),
since Christ sprang
since Christ sprang from Judah Judah and not not Levi,
Levi, but after after
the order of
the order Melchizedek, who was
of Melchizedek, was appointed
appointed priest priest
by God and did
by not receive
did not receive it it from his his parents
parents (verse (verse
14);
14); made not by
by a
a carnal
carnal commandment,
commandment, but
but after
after
the power of
the power of an endless
endless lifelife (verse 16);
(verse 16); as
as our "surety"
"surety"
of redemption (verse
of redemption 22), "holy,
(verse 22), harmless, undefiled,
"holy, harmless, undefiled,
373
separate
separate from sinners"
sinners" (verse 26), He "ever
(verse 26), "ever liveth
liveth to to
intercession" for
make intercession" us (verse
for us 25).
(verse 25).
CHAPTER 88 leadsleads into the chief point of
into the chief point the epistle,
of the epistle,
i.e., Jesus
i.e., Jesus as minister of
as minister of the true tabernacle
the true tabernacle (verses
(verses
I,
1, 2);
2); as
as having
having "a
"a more excellent
excellent ministry"
ministry" than than
Aaron (verse(verse 6);6);
as
as establishing
establishing the
the new covenant
covenant
upon
upon "better promises" (verses
"better promises" 6-8); as
(verses 6-8); writing His
as writing His
law on our our hearts
hearts and minds
minds (verse 10).
(verse 10).
CHAPTER 99 contrasts
contrasts the the Mosaic
Mosaic with with thethe heav-
heav-
enly sanctuary (verses
enly sanctuary (verses 2-11). 2-11). Christ
Christ our High
High Priest
Priest
officiates in
officiates in aa greater
greater and more perfectperfect tabernacle
tabernacle (verse
(verse
11),
11), asas the
the One who has has already
already obtained eternal eternal re-re-
demption for
demption for us (verse 12),
us (verse 12), and as as the
the spotless
spotless Sacri-
Sacri-
fice
fice offered
offered forfor lost
lost man (verse 14). Heavenly
(verse 14). Heavenly things things
are
are notnot purified
purified with the blood of
the blood beasts, but with
of beasts,
"better sacrifices" . (verse
"better sacrifices" (verse 23).
23). InIn heaven
heaven Christ
Christ ap- ap-
peared
peared in
in the
the presence
presence of
of God for
for us
us (verse 24),
(verse 24), con-
con-
cludes
cludes His His work as as High Priest (verse
High Priest (verse 26),26), and then
then
returns to
returns to earthearth for
for His
His people (verses 27,
people (verses 27, 28). 28).
CHAPTER 10 presents Christ
10 presents Christ as as thethe complete
complete ful- ful-
fillment
fillment of of the Levitical law
the Levitical law ofof types
types and shadows
(verses 1-9); earthly sacrifices could not
(verses 1-9); earthly sacrifices
not take
take away
away sins
sins
(verses 4, ll); Christ was offered
(verses 4, 11); Christ was
once for all (verses
offered once for all (verses
10,
10, 12);
12); He becomes "a
"a new and living
living way"
way" (verse
(verse
20) through
20) through which we can enter
enter into
into God's presence
presence
with holy
with holy boldness
boldness (verses
(verses 19,
19, 21).
21).
III. Priesthood
III. Priesthood of
of Aaron and Christ
Aaron Christ Contrasted
In this
In this epistle
epistle significant contrasts are
significant contrasts are made be-
be-
tween the
tween the priesthood
priesthood of
of Aaron and the priesthood
the priesthood of
of
Christ.
Christ.
374
Aaron
Aaron was
was but
but aa man.
man. Christ
Christ was
was "the
"the Son
Son of
of God."
God."
Aaron and
Aaron and his
his successors
successors were
were Christ
Christ Was
was "holy,
"holy, harmless,
harmless, un-
un-
by
by nature
nature sinners.
sinners. defiled,
defiled, separate
separate from
from sinners."
sinners."
Aaron
Aaron belonged
belonged to
to the
the tribe
tribe of
of Christ
Christ was
was of
of Judah,
Judah, the
the royal
royal
Levi.
Levi. tribe.
tribe.
Aaron
Aaron was
was made
made priest
priest "after
"after Christ
Christ was
was made
made aa priest by the
priest by the
the
the law
law of
of aa carnal
carnal command-
command- word
word ofof an
an oath.
oath.
ment."
merit."
Aaron's service
service "made
"made nothing
nothing Christ
Christ "perfected
"perfected for
for ever
ever them
them
perfect."
perfect." that
that are
are sanctified."
sanctified/
5
officiated in
Aaron officiated in .the
.the "copy"
"copy" Christ
Christ officiates
officiates in
in the
the true
true tab-
tab-
of
of heavenly
heavenly things.
things. ernacle
ernacle inin heaven
heaven itself.
itself,
Aaron's tabernacle was made Christ's tabernacle is

Christ's tabernacle is not
not made
made
with
with hands. with
with hands.
hands.
goats and calyes.

Aaron offered goats calves. Christ
Christ "offered up himself."
"offered up himself."
Aaron's priesthood
priesthood was com- Christ is
Christ is priest
priest "after the power
"after the power
passed with
passed with "infirmity."
"infirmity." of an endless
of endless life."
life."
Aaron's priesthood
Aaron's priesthood was changed.
changed. Christ "hath
Christ "hath an
an unchangeable
unchangeable
priesthood."
priesthood."
was the
Aaron was the priest
priest in
in aa tab-
tab- Christ serves
Christ in "heaven
serves in "heaven itself"
itself"
ernacle
ernacleon earth.
on earth. appearing "in the
appearing "in the presence
presence ofof
for us."
God for us."
Aaron could
Aaron not "continue
could not "continue by
by Christ "ever
Christ "ever liveth
liveth to
to make in-
make in-
reason of
reason of death."
death." tercession."
tercession."
Aaron offered
Aaron offered earthly
earthly sacrifices
sacrifices Christ offered
Christ offered Himself
Himself "once
"once
"daily."
"daily." for all."
for all."
Aaron's sacrifice
Aaron's sacrifice could
could not
not Christ says, "Their
Christ says, "Their sins
sins and
and
"take away
"take away sins."
sins." their iniquities
their iniquities will
will II remem-
remem-
ber no
ber no more."
more."
The
The book
book of
of Hebrews
Hebrews climaxes
climaxes with
with the
the claim
claim that
that
Jesus, having
Jesus, having suffered
suffered on
on the
the cross
cross that
that He
He might sanc-
might sanc-
us, and
tify us,
tify and then
then having
having been
been raised
raised from
from the
the dead,
dead, isis
375
now able,
able, as the great
as the Shepherd of
great Shepherd the sheep,
of the sheep, to
to make
us perfect
perfect in every
every good
good work,
work, accomplishing
accomplishing in us that
in us that
which is is well-pleasing in
well-pleasing in His sight (Heb.
sight (Heb. 13: 10,
13:10, 12,
12,
20,21).
20, 21).
IV.
IV. Christ-Man's Only Mediator
Christ Man's Only Mediator
As the perfect
perfect High
High Priest,
Priest, who has
has made aa per-
per-
fect propitiation for
fect propitiation for the
the sins of His people,
sins of people, Christ
Christ isis
now atat God's right

right hand,
hand, applying
applying toto our lives
lives the
the
benefits of
benefits of His perfect
perfect atoning
atoning sacrifice.
sacrifice. As was well
well
stated page 355:
stated on page 355:
The great
great Sacrifice offered and had been
Sacrifice had been offered been accepted,
accepted,
and the
the Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit descended on the
which descended the day of Pentecost
day of Pentecost
carried the minds of
carried the of the disciples
the disciples from the
the earthly sanctuary to
earthly sanctuary to
the heavenly,
the heavenly, where Jesus had entered
Jesus entered byby His
His own blood,
blood, to
to
shed upon
upon His disciples the benefits
disciples the of His
benefits of atonement.-Early
His atonement. Early
Writings, p. 260.
Writings, p. 260.
He does this as
does this as our Mediator,
Mediator, forfor there
there isis only
only "one
mediator
mediator between God and men. men, the
the man Christ
Christ
Jesus" (1
Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5).
2:5). Through
Through Him alone can we have
alone can have
access
access to
to God. He, He, asas God,
God, isis Mediator from Deity Deity
downward to to lost
lost man;
man; and as as man,
man, He is is also
also Media-
tor
tor from man upward
upward to
to God. His priesthood consti-
priesthood consti-
tutes the
tutes the only
only channel of of living relationship between
living relationship
God and man.
Only as
Only as a
a priest
priest could He deal deal with sin; that is
sin; that is why
why
He became aa priest. God, He could not officiate
priest. As God, officiate as
as
priest, for
priest, for
a
a priest
priest must be taken
taken from
from among
among his
his
brethren. Therefore "it
brethren. "it behoved him to to be made like like
unto his brethren)
unto his brethren, that that he might
might be a merciful
merciful and
faithful high priest"
faithful high priest" (Heb.
(Heb. 2: 17). Thus we read that
2:17). that
"every high priest"
"every high priest" is taken
is taken "from among
among men" (Heb.
(Heb.
5:1). His priesthood is
5:1). His priesthood
is therefore bound up up with His
376
QUESTIONS
incarnation.
Incarnation. We read
read also
also that
that He "through
"through the
the eternal
eternal
Spirit offered
Spirit offered himself
himself without
without spot
spot to
to God" (Heb.
(Heb. 9:
9:
14).
14). Not only
only did
did Christ
Christ offer
offer Himself
Himself on the
the cross,
cross, but
but
was God's
He was God's gift
gift before
before that,
that, even
even from the
the "founda-
"founda-
tion of
tion of the
the world" (Eph. 1:4).
(Eph. 1:4).
In the
In the upper
upper room,
room, just
just before
before entering
entering the
the Garden,
Garden,
He,
He, as
as the
the Eternal
Eternal Word,
Word, offered
offered His high-priestly
high-priestly
prayer to
prayer the Father.
to the Father. He who had shared
shared with
with His
Father the
Father the effulgent
effulgent glory
glory of
of the
the Eternal
Eternal Godhead,
Godhead,
presented His
presented His disciples
disciples to
to Him; and not
Him; not them only,
only,
but
but all who,
who, through
all through their
their ministry,
ministry, would be led to aa
led to
knowledge of
knowledge salvation. Commenting
of salvation. Commenting on this,
this, Ellen
Ellen
G. White impressively
G. impressively portrays
portrays the
the scene:
scene:
"And now II am no no more inin the
the world,
world, but
but these
these are in the
are in the
world, and
world, II come toto Thee.
Thee. Holy
Holy Father,
Father, keep
keep through
through Thine
own name thosethose whom Thou hast hast given
given Me,
Me, that
that 'they may be
'they may be
one, as We are."
one, as are." "Neither
"Neither pray
pray I for
I for these
these alone,
alone, but
but for
for them also
also
which shall believe
which shall believe on Me through
through their
their word;
word; that
that they
they all
all may
may
be one;
be one; ... that
. .that the
. the world
world may
may know that
that Thou hast hast sent
sent Me,
Me,
and hast
and hast loved
loved them,
them, as hast loved
as Thou hast loved Me."
Thus in in the
the language
language of one who has
of one has divine
divine authority,
authority, Christ
Christ
gives elect church into
gives His elect into the
the Father's
Father's arms.
arms. As a a consecrated
consecrated
high priest He intercedes
high priest intercedes for
for His people.
people. As aa faithful
faithful shepherd
shepherd
He gathers
gathers His
His flock
flock under the
the shadow of the Almighty,
of the Almighty, in the
in the
strong
strong and sure
sure refuge.
refuge. For Him there
there waits
waits the
the last
last battle
battle with
Satan,
Satan, and He goes goes forth to meet it.-The
forth to Desire of
it.^The Desire Ages (1940),
of Ages (1940),
p.680.
p. 680.
V.
V. The Conflict
Conflict in
In the
the Garden
From that
that place
place of
of communion He went forth forth to
to
meet the
the devil
devil in In a
a life-and-death
life-and-death struggle.
struggle. It
It is
is our
belief
belief that
that inin the
the Garden of of Gethsemane He really really
accepted
accepted our place,
place, and became deeplydeeply conscious
conscious in in a
a
special
special sense
sense of
of the
the burden of
of the
the world's
world's sin.
sin.
In
In that
that dark hour He cried,cried, "My
"My soul
soul is
is exceeding
exceeding
377
sorrowful,
sorrowful, even untounto death"
death" (Matt. 26:38). In
(Matt. 26:38). In the
the
Garden He prayed
prayed not
not for
for His disciples
disciples but
but for
for Him-
self.
self. The Scripture says
Scripture says that
that He "offered
"offered up prayers
up prayers
and supplications
supplications with
with strong crying
strong crying and tears unto
tears unto
him that
that was able
able to
to save
save him from death" (Heb. 5:7).
death" (Heb. 5:7).
These descriptive
descriptive lines
lines emphasize the reality
emphasize the reality of
of that
that
CriSiS:
crisis:
He felt
felt that
that by
by sin
sin He was being separated
was being separated fromfrom HisHis Father.
Father.
The gulf
gulf was
was so broad, so
so broad, black, so
so black, deep, that
so deep, that His
His spirit shuddered
spirit shuddered
before it. This agony He must not
before it. agony not exert His divine
exert His divine power
power to to
escape. As man He must
escape. must suffer
suffer the
the consequences
consequences of man's sin.
of man's sin. As
man He must endureendure the
the wrath
wrath of against transgression.
of God against transgression.
Christ standing in
Christ was now standing in aa different attitude from
different attitude from that
that in
in
which He had ever ever stood
stood before.
before. His
His suffering
suffering can can best
best be
be de-
de-
scribed in
scribed the words
in the words of the prophet,
of the prophet, "A wake, 0O sword,
"Awake, against
sword, against
My shepherd, and against
My shepherd, against the
the man that
that is
is My
My fellow,
fellow, saith
saith the
the
Lord ofof Hosts."
Hosts." Zech. 13:7. As the
Zech. 13:7. the substitute
substitute and surety
surety for
for sinful
sinful
man, Christ
man, was suffering
Christ was divine justice.
suffering under divine justice. He saw what
justice
justice meant.-Ibid.,
meant. Ibid.f p.
p. 686.
686.
VI. Christ
VI. Priest and Sacrifice
Christ Both Priest Sacrifice
Here in in the
the Garden,
Garden, and later later on the
the cross,
cross, He was
both offerer
both offerer and offering;
offering; both
both priest
priest and victim.
victim.
As in the typical
in the typical service the high
service the high priest
priest laid
laid aside his pontifi-
aside his pontifi-
cal robes, and officiated
cal robes, officiated in the white
in the linen dress
white linen dress of
of an ordinary
ordinary
priest; so Christ laid aside His royal robes, and garbed
priest; so Christ laid aside His royal robes,
garbed Himself
Himself
with humanity,
with humanity, and offered
offered sacrifice, Himself the
sacrifice, Himself the priest,
priest, Himself
Himself
the victim.-ELLEN
the victim. ELLEN G.G. WHITE, The Acts Acts of
of the Apostles, p.
the Apostles, p. 33.
33.
Levitical priests,
The Levitical priests, in
in the typical service,
the typical were
service, wefe
consecrated
consecrated by
by the
the blood of
of bullocks
bullocks (Leviticus 8),
(Leviticus 8), butbut
Christ, in
Christ, in the
the perfection
perfection of
of His priesthood,
priesthood, was con-
con-
secrated by His
secrated by His own blood
blood (Heb.
(Heb. 9: 12). He "offered
9:12). "offered
up
up himself"
himself" is the
is the scriptural
scriptural statement,
statement, and as
as our
priest
priest He was
was "consecrated
"consecrated for
for evermore,"
evermore/' and this
this
"not
"not without
without an oath"
oath" (Heb. 7:27, 28,
(Heb. 7:27, 28, 20).
20).
QUESTIONS
His priesthood
His priesthood therefore
therefore includes His offering
includes His offering ofof
Himself to
Himself to God,
God, for
for only
only a priest could
a priest could offer
offer sacrifices.
sacrifices.
And it was the

it was the shedding
shedding of
of His
His own blood
blood that rati-
that rati-
fied the everlasting
fied the everlasting covenant,
covenant, which God made for
for
man in in thethe beginning.
beginning. The effects effects of of that
that sacrifice,
sacrifice,
however,
however, would never never have have become available available to to man
had Christ
had Christ not not risen
risen from the the dead and taken taken HisHis
place
place at
at the
the Father's
Father's right
right hand.
hand. This
This the
the apostle
apostle Paul
Paul
clearly states: "If
clearly states: "If Christ
Christ be be not risen,
risen, then
then isis our
our preach-
preach-
ing
ing vain,
vain, and your
your faith
faith is
is also
also vain."
vain." "If
"If Christ
Christ be not
not
raised, ...
raised, ... ye ye are yet in
are yet in your
your sins"
sins" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 15:14,17).
15:14, 17).
When our our Lord ascended
ascended into into thethe heavens
heavens He ap- ap-
peared
peared before
before the
the Father,
Father, in
in the
the presence
presence of
of the
the angels,
angels,
at which time
at which time He was was installed
installed as as our HighHigh Priest.
Priest.
Like Melchizedek,
Like Melchizedek, He, too, He, too, is
is "King
"King of
of righteousness"
righteousness"
and "King
"King of of peace"
peace" (Heb.(Heb. 7:2).
7:2). Although
Although the the King
King ofof
glory,
glory, He is
is also
also the
the King-Priest
King-Priest of
of the
the Melchizedek
Melchizedek
order, upon His
order, upon His Father's
Father's throne,
throne, the the one
one Mediator
Mediator
between
between God and His people.
His people. "For there
there is
is one God,
God,
and one
one mediator between between God and men, men, the the man
Christ Jesus" (1
Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 2:5).2:5). As the the divine
divine Son of of God,
God,
He became
became aa priestpriest after
after the
the order
order of
of Melchisedec
Melchisedec
(Heb. 6:20).
(Heb. 6:20), thethe- unique
unique featurefeature of ministry is
of whose ministry is
that it
that it abideth
abideth "continually"
"continually" (Heb. (Heb. 7: 3). So Christ
7:3). Christ
"continueth
"continueth ever" ever" (verse 24). "He ever
(verse 24). ever liveth"
liveth" (verse
(verse
25).
25).
VII. Ancient
VII. Ancient Sanctuary
Sanctuary Service
Service an Object Lesson
Object Lesson
Adventists believe
While Adventists believe that the Mosaic
that the Mosaic taber-
taber-
nacle,
nacle, or
or sanctuary,
sanctuary, with
with its
its sacrificial
sacrificial services,
services, as
as a
a
type,
type, was
was to
to meet its
its fulfillment
fulfillment in
in the
the perfect offering
perfect offering
and priestly
priestly ministry
ministry of
of our Lord, yet we also
Lord, yet also recog-
recog-
379
nize that important

nize that important lessons
lessons can bebe learned
learned from the
the
study of the
study of the tabernacle
tabernacle and its
its services. while the
services. But while the
types
types and shadows of of the the Levitical
Levitical ritualritual do have have a a
spiritual significance,
spiritual significance, it
it should
should not
not be
be expected
expected that
that
every detail
every detail in the sanctuary
in the sanctuary of of old
old had a a typical
typical mean-
ing.
ing.
instance, the
For instance, pins, the
the pins, bolts, and the
the bolts, the sockets
sockets
that held
that held the the tabernacle
tabernacle together together were were matters
matters of of
utili~y, having
utility, having no special significance.
special significance. It
It is
is better
better to
to
see
see and studystudy the great realities
the great realities of of the the sacrifice
sacrifice and
priestly ministry
priestly ministry of
of Christ
Christ than
than to
to dwell
dwell too much
too
upon
upon the
the details
details of
of the
the typical service,
typical service, which gave
gave
but an inadequate
but portrayal
inadequate portrayal of
of the
the sacrifice
sacrifice and minis-
minis-
try of
try Christ. Far better
of Christ. better to to interpret
interpret the the earthly
earthly taber-
taber-
nacle
nacle in in the
the light
light of of thethe heavenly,
heavenly, rather rather thanthan to to cir-
cir-
cumscribe the the antitypical

antitypical realities
realities by
by the
the limitations
limitations of
of
too close
too close an application of
application of the type. the type.
The building,
building, the the ritual,
ritual, and the the sacrifices,
sacrifices, taken
taken
together,
together, were
were intended
intended to
to show us
us the
the way
way to
to God.
priests of
Those priests of old
old served
served "unto the the example
example and
shadow of of heavenly
heavenly things"things" (Heb. (Heb. 8:5).
8:5). And while while only
only
"a
"a shadow of of good
good things
things to to come,
come, and not not the very
the very
image
image of
of the
the things" (Heb. 10:
things" (Heb. 10:1), yet they 1), yet they were a
a vivid
vivid
object lesson
object lesson of of the reality, aa prophetic
the reality, prophetic institution
institution of of
deep
deep significance.
significance. For that re;tson aa very
that reason very detailed
detailed ac- ac-
count of
count of the
the building
building and its its service
service was given. given. Much
of Exodus, and all
of Exodus, all of Leviticus, contains
of Leviticus, contains that that instruc-
instruc-
tion;
tion; and the
the essence
essence of
of this
this detail
detail is
is seen in its
its anti-
anti-
typical significance
typical significance in in thethe Hebrew epistle. epistle.
Regrettably,
Regrettably, there
there are
are Christians
Christians who seem to to seesee
little of
little value in
of value the study
in the study of
of the
the ancient
ancient sanctuary
sanctuary and
its services.
its services. Yet Yet a a deep
deep significance
significance attachesattaches to to these
these
380
QUESTIONS
symbols.
symbols. While "the "the lawlaw made nothing nothing perfect"
perfect" (Heb. (Heb.
7: 19), and could
7:19), could "never
"never with with those
those sacrifices
sacrifices whichwhich
they offered
they year by
offered year by year continually make the
year continually the comers
thereunto perfect"
thereunto (Heb. 10:
perfect" (Heb. 10:1), yet I), yet the
the fact
fact that in
that the
in the
Scriptures
Scriptures such
such emphasis
emphasis is
is given
given to
to the
the ancient
ancient sanc-
sanc-
tuary and its
tuary its services reveals its
services reveals its importance,
importance, not only only
to the Israelites
to the Israelites of of old,
old, but also also to the Christians
to the Christians of of
today.
today.
It was
It was "not
"not possible
possible thatthat thethe blood
blood of bulls and
o bulls a'nd of of
goats should
goats should take take away
away sins"sins" (Heb.(Heb. 10:4).
10:4). But the
the
sacrifice
sacrifice of of our Lord on the the cross
cross does provide for
does provide for thethe
taking away
taking away of
of sin.
sin. "Now once
once in
in the
the end of
of the
the world
hath he
hath he appeared
appeared to put away
to put away sin sin byby the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of of
himself"
himself" (Heb. 9:26).
(Heb. 9:26). "Christ
"Christ was once
once offered
offered to
to bear
bear
the sins
the sins of
of many"
many" (verse (verse 28).
28). The expression
expression "once,"
"once,"
or
or "once
"once forfor all,"
all," in
In connection
connection with
with the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of
of
Christ,
Christ, is is deeply
deeply significant.
significant. The Greek word is is hapax:
hapax:
"Christ
"Christ ... hath
. .hath once
. once suffered
suffered for for sins"
sins" (1 (1 Peter
Peter 3: 18);
3:18);
"Christ
"Christ was was once
once offered
offered to to bear
bear the the sins
sins of of many"
many"
(Heb. 9:28); and "now once
(Heb. 9:28); once in in the
the end of of the
the world"
world"
(verse
(verse 26).
26).
In I1 Peter
Peter 3: 18 and Hebrews 9:26,
3:18 9:26, the the R.S.V.
R.S.V.
translates
translates hapaxhapax "once
"once for
for all."
all." This
This comes from
ephapax, aa strengthened
ephapax, strengthened form of of hapax.
hapax. And ephapax,ephapax,
in the following
in the following four texts, the
four texts, E.R.V. and the
the E.R.V. the R.S.V.
R.S.V.
is translated "once
is translated "once for all." He did
for all." once tor
this once
did this for allall
when "he offeredoffered up up himself"
himself" (Heb. 7:27);
(Heb. 7:27); "He en-
en-
tered once for
tered for allall into the holy
into the place" (Heb.
holy place" (Heb. 9:12);
9: 12);
"He died to sin, once tor
to sin, for all" (Rom. 6:
all" (Rom. 10);
6:10); "offer-
"offer-
ing
ing of of the
the body
body of Jesus Christ
of Jesus Christ once once fortor all"
all" (Heb.
(Heb.
10: 10).
10:10). He did
did this
this not
not by
by "the
"the blood
blood of
of goats
goats and
calves," but
calves," but by by "his
"his own blood" blood" he entered once tor
he entered for
381
all into
all the holy
Into the holy place
place (or, holies), * "thus
(or, holies),* "thus securing
securing an
eternal redemption"
eternal redemption" for us (Heb.
for us R.S.V.).
9: 12, R.S.V.).
(Heb. 9:12,
VIII. Redemption
VIII. Redemption Absolute
Absolute by
by the Victory of
the Victory of Christ
Christ
When He ascended to heaven, He "sat

to heaven, "sat down on the the
right hand of
right the Majesty
of the Majesty on high" high" (Heb.(Heb. 1:3;1:3; com-
pare
pare Rom. 8:34;
8:34; Eph.
Eph. 1:20;
1:20; Col.
Col. 3: 1).
3:1). The significance
significance
of this
of this is lost if
is lost if we interpret it
interpret it merely
merely as as aa posture.
posture. It It
really expresses
really expresses honor as
as represented by
represented by authority. authority.
Stephen pictured Him not
Stephen pictured not sitting but "standing
sitting but "standing on the the
right
right hand of
of God" (Acts 7:
(Acts 7:56).56). While He is
is our
High Priest ministering
High Priest ministering on our our behalf,
behalf, He is is also co-
also co-
executive with
executive with the Father in
the Father the government
in the government of of the
the
universe. How glorious
universe. glorious is is the thought that
the thought that the King,
the King,
occupies the
who occupies the throne,
throne, is is also
also our
our representative
representative at at
the court
the court ofof heavenl
heaven! This becomes all
This becomes all the
the more mean-
ingful when we realize
ingful realize that
that Jesus
Jesus our suretysurety entered
entered
the "holy
the places,"
"holy places," and appeared
appeared in
in the
the presence
presence of of
God for us. But it
for us. it was not
not with
with thethe hope
hope of
of obtain-
obtain-
ing
ing something
something for us at
for us that time,
at that time, or or atat some future
future
time. No!
time. Nol He had already obtained it
already obtained for us
it for us on the
cross. And now as
cross. as our High
High Priest
Priest He ministers
ministers thethe
virtues of
virtues of His atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice to
to us.
us. Dr.
Dr. Thomas
Charles
Charles Edwards has has well remarked:
well remarked:
The sacrifice
sacrifice was
was made and completed
completed on the the Cross,
Cross, as the
as the
victims
victims were slain in
were slain the outer
in the outer court.
court. But itit was through
through the
the
blood of
blood those victims
of those victims the
the high-priest
high-priest had authority
authority to
to enter
the holiest
the holiest place;
place; and when he had entered,
entered, he must sprinkle
sprinkle
Greek word here

*The Greek here translated
translated "holy place" isis hagia,
hagia, and isis in
in the
the plural
plural
"holy place"
form.
form. A correct
correct translation would be
translation would be "the holies," or
"the holies," or Hholy places," as
"holy places," in Hebrews
as in
9:24. This
9:24. entrance) Scripture
This entrance, teaches, occurred
Scripture teaches, occurred at His ascension
at His ascension to
to glory
glory (Acts
(Acts 1),
1),
having already finis ned His sacrificial work on the cross. The word translated "ob-
tained," in the Greek is from heurisko, and is rendered "found," "procured,"
"~ained," or, in R.S.V., "secured," being nominative, masculine, singular, aorist,
"gained,,
mIddle participle.
middle participle.
382
QUESTIONS
the blood, and so
the warm blood, so present
present the
the sacrifice to God. Similarly
sacrifice to Similarly
Christ must enter
Christ enter a
a sanctuary in order
sanctuary in order toto present
present the
the sacrifice
sacrifice
slain on Calvary.-The
slain Calvary. The Epistle to the
Epistle to Hebrews, p.
the Hebrews, p. 135, in The
135, in
Expositor's Bible.
Expositor's Bible.
Also Dr.
Also H. B.
Dr. H. B. Swete, Professor of
Swete, Professor of Divinity,
Divinity, Uni-
Uni-
versity
versity of
of Cambridge,
Cambridge, truly
truly declared:
declared:
A gospel
gospel which ended ·with
-with the
the story
story of the Cross
of the Cross would have
had all the elevating
all the power of
elevating power of infinite pathos and love.
infinite pathos love. But thethe
power of
power of an an endless life would have
endless life have been wanting.
wanting. It It is
is the
the
abiding life
abiding life of
of our High Priest
our High Priest which makes HisHis atoning
atoning Sacri-
Sacri-
fice operative,
fice operative, and is the unfailing
is the unfailing spring of the
spring of the life
life of justifica-
of justifica-
tion
tion and grace
grace in
in all His true
all His true members upon
upon earth.
earth.-TheThe As-As-
cended Christ,
cended Christ p.
j p. 51.
51.
While we cannotcannot fully understand the

fully understand the nature
nature of of
Christ's priestly
Christ's priestly ministry, yet
ministry, yet we know that that He is is our
mediator,
mediator, and the the only mediator between God and
only mediator
man (1 (1 Tim. 2:5).
2:5). That ministry
ministry isis aa work of of inter-
inter-
cession (Rom. 8:34;
cession (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).
7:25). He confesses
confesses us
us be-
be-
fore
fore the
the Father
Father and claims
claims usus as
as His own (Rev. 3:5).
(Rev. 3:5).
He dispenses
dispenses mercy
mercy and helphelp from the the throne
throne of of grace
grace
(Heb. 4: 16).
(Heb. 4:16). And in
in His capacity
capacity as
as High
High Priest,
Priest, He
gives
gives His
His people power
people power to
to overcome sin
sin (1
(1 Cor.
Cor. 15:57;
15:57;
Rev.
Rev, 3:21).
3:21).
One of of the
the key words in
key words in the
the study
study of the priesthood
of the priesthood
of Jesus
of Jesus isis the
the word "better."
"better." He brought
brought in in a a «better
"better
hope" (Heb.
hope" (Heb. 7:19), 7: 19), and is
is the
the mediator
mediator of
of a
a "better
"better
covenant,"
covenant," which was
was established
established upon
upon "better
"better prom-
prom-
ises"
ises" (Heb.
(Heb. 8:6),
8:6), and in in that
that He became the the surety
surety ofof
a "better
a testament" (Heb.
"better testament" 7:22).
(Heb. 7:22).
IX. Jesus
Jesus Becomes Our "Surety"
"Surety"
Christ became our surety
Christ (Heb. 7:22),
surety (Heb. 7:22), and He
Himself
Himself fulfilled
fulfilled all
all that
that the
the everlasting covenant re-
everlasting covenant re-
quired.
quired. As the
the "last
"last Adam" (1 Cor. 15:45),
(1 Cor. 15:45), He has
has
383
become one of race. And as

of Adam's race. our surety,
as our surety, He not
not
only bore
only bore our sins
sins and carried
carried our sorrows
sorrows on Calvary,
Calvary,
but from the
the throne
throne of
of grace dispenses
grace dispenses His
His blessings
blessings
and intercedes
intercedes on our
our behalf.
behalf.
He could
could rightly
rightly be "chosen
"chosen out out of the people"
of the people" bebe-
cause He was
cause was "holy,
"holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
harmless, undefiled, separate fromfrom
sinners"
sinners'' (Heb. 7:26).
(Heb. 7:26). He came into
into humanity,
humanity, not
not by
by
natural generation,
natural generation, but but by by a
a miracle.
miracle. His
His birth
birth was
was
.supernatural;
.supernatural; God was was His Father. Although born
Father. Although born in in
the flesh,
the flesh, He was nevertheless
nevertheless God, God, and was was exempt
exempt
from thethe inherited passions and pollutions
inherited passions pollutions thatthat corrupt
corrupt
the natural
the natural descendants
descendants of of Adam. He was was "without
"without
sin," not only
sin/' not only inin His outward conduct,
conduct, but but inin His
His very
very
nature.
nature. He could truly truly say,
say, "the prince of
"the prince this world
of this world
cometh, and hath
cometh, hath nothing
nothing [or [or "findeth response"]
"findeth no response"]
in
in me" (John 14:30).
(John 14:30). There was nothing
nothing in
in Him thatthat
responded to the evil
responded to the evil one. one. And just such a priest we
just such a priest
needed. Had He been
needed. been defiled
defiled by by even
even thethe taint
taint of of sin,
sin,
He would have been been disqualified
disqualified from being
being either
either our
sacrifice
sacrifice oror our High
High Priest.
Priest. But though
though sinless
sinless inin His
His
life and in
life His nature,
in His nature, He was was nevertheless
nevertheless "in "in all
all
points tempted
points tempted like
like as
as we are,
are, yet
yet without
without sin"
sin" (Heb.
(Heb.
4: 15). And because
4:15). because of of that,
that, He is is able
able to to sympathize
sympathize
with
with usus in
in every
every sorrow or trial.
or trial.
In order
In order fully to discharge
fully to priestly office,
discharge His priestly office, how-
ever,
ever, He,
He, like
like ancient
ancient Israel's priest, must of
Israel's priest, of necessity
necessity
have
have "somewhat ... ... to offer" (Heb.
to offer" 8:3). When Aaron
(Heb. 8:3).
presented himself
presented before the
himself before the Lord in in the
the typical
typical serv-
serv-
ice,
ice, he had to
he had to have
have the blood of
the blood of aa sacrifice. Likewise,
sacrifice. Likewise,
when Jesus presented

Jesus presented Himself before
before the
the Father
Father on
our behalf in
our behalf the sanctuary
in the sanctuary in
in heaven,
heaven, He too
too must
have blood;
have blood; butbut it was "by
it was his own blood he entered
"by his
QUESTIONS
in"
in" (Heb. 9:
(Heb. 12). It
9:12). was by
It was by "the precious blood
"the precious blood of
of
Christ, as
Christ, as of
of a
a lamb without blemish and without
without blemish without spot"
spot"
(1
(1 Peter
Peter 1: 19) that
1:19) that we were
were redeemed.
redeemed.
We have
have already
already noted that it
noted that was in
it was in the
the Garden of
of
Gethsemane that
Gethsemane that the
the burden
burden of of the
the world's
world's sin was
sin- was
rolled
rolled upon
upon our
our Saviour.
Saviour. Of Him the
the apostle
apostle Peter
Peter says,
says,
"Who
4
'Who hishis own self

self bare our sins
bare our sins .... . . on thethe tree"
tree"
(1 Peter 2:24).
(I Peter 2:24). Thus
were our
our sins imputed to
sins imputed to Him.
He became "sin "sin for us, who knew no sin;
for us, that we
sin; that
might
might be
be made the
the righteousness
righteousness of
of God in
in him" (2
(2
Cor. 5:21).
Cor. 5:21). He accepted
accepted our sin
sin and bore
bore it
it vicariously,
vicariously,
being both
being both offering
offering and priest.
priest. But in in order
order fully
fully to to
carry
carry out
out His purpose
purpose for
for our redemption,
redemption, He had to
to
ascend into
ascend the heavenlies
into the heaven lies as mediator. We are
as our mediator. are inin
full agreement
full agreement with
with Arthur W. Pink who says:
says:
Had Christ remained on earth
Christ remained after His
earth after resurrection, only
His resurrection, only
half of
half of His priestly work had been performed.
His priestly performed. His
His ascension
ascension was
was
necessary for
necessary the maintenance of
for the of God's governmental rights, for
governmental rights, for
the vindication of
the vindication the Redeemer Himself,
of the Himself, and for the well-being
for the well-being
of His
of His people; that what He had begun
people; that begun on earth might be
earth might be con-
con-
tinued,
tinued, consummated and fully fully accomplished
accomplished in heaven. The
in heaven.
expiatory
expiatory sacrifice
sacrifice of
of Christ
Christ had been offered once for
offered once for all,
all, but
but He
must take
must take His
His place
place as
as an Intercessor
Intercessor atat God's right hand,
God's right hand, ifif
His Church should enjoy
His the benefits
enjoy the benefits of
of it.
it.... Christ stayed
... Had Christ stayed
on earth,
earth, He had left His office
left His office imperfect,
imperfect, seeing that His
seeing that His people
people
needed One to to "appear in the
"appear in presence of
the presence of God" (9:24)
(9:24) for them.
for them.
If Aaron had only
If only offered
offered sacrifice at the
sacrifice at the brazen
brazen altar,
altar, and hadhad
not carried the
not carried the blood within
within thethe veil,
veil, he
he had left left his
his work only
only
half done.-An
half done. Exposition of
An Exposition of Hebrews, vol. 1,
Hebrews, vol. pp. 433,
1, pp. 433, 434.
434.
X. The Place
Place of
of Christ's Ministry
Christ's Ministry
Now where and how doesdoes our Lord officiate?

officiate? The
Scripture
Scripture leaves
leaves no room for
for speculation.
speculation. He ministers
ministers
in the
in the heavenly
heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 8: 1, 2).
sanctuary (Heb. 8:1, 2). So long
long as
as the
the
ancient ritual
ancient ritual continued,
continued, "the way into
"the way into the
the holiest
holiest of
of
385
all
all [holy places] was not
[holy places] not . . . made manifest"
manifest" (Heb.
. .
(Heb.
.
9:8).
9:8).*'*'
Various translations
Various translations reflect this thought:
reflect this thought:
And by by this the Holy
this the Holy Spirit
Spirit indicated, that the
indicated, that the way
way to to the
the
holy [places]
holy [places] was notnot yet manifested, so
yet manifested, so long as the
long as the first
first taber-
taber-
nacle was standing.-Murdoch's
nacle standing. Murdoch's Syriac.
Syriac.
The Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit meant usus to
to see
see that way of
that no way access to
of access the
to the
true sanctuary
true sanctu'ary lay
lay open
open to us, as
to us, long as
as long as the
the former tabernacle
former tabernacle
maintained its
its standing.-KNoX.
standing. KNOX.
Thus doth thethe Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit show forth that the
forth that the way
way into
into the
the
sanctuary
sanctuary is
is not yet disclosed,
yet disclosed, so long as
so long as the
the first
first tabernacle
tabernacle is
is
yet standing:
yet latter is
standing: which latter is aa type in view
type in view of the present
of the present time.
time.-
LATTEY.
The Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit signifying
signifying this,
this, that the way
that the way of
of the
the holy
holy places
places
was not
not yet
yet laid
laid open, while the
open, while the first
first tabernacle still standeth.-
tabernacle still standeth.
CAMPBELL, DODDRIDGE, and MACKNIGHT.
When our Lord expired expired on the the cross, the veil
cross, the veil of
of the
the
earthly Temple was "rent
earthly Temple "rent inin twain from the the top
top to the
t8 the
bottom" (Matt.
(Matt. 27: 51), revealing
27:51), revealing to to all succeeding
all succeeding
generations
generations that
that the
the shadow had met the
the substance; type
substance; type
fulfilled in
was fulfilled in antitype.
antitype. For the
the first
first time the
time most
the most
holy place
holy place inin the
the earthly
earthly sanctuary
sanctuary was no longer veiled
longer veiled
from human gaze, gaze, and was was no longer
longer sacred. All that
sacred. All that
had been aa barrier
barrier had now been broken down. We can
now "come boldly boldly unto the throne of
the throne of grace"
grace" (Heb.
(Heb.
4: 16),
4:16), not
not with
with fear
fear and dread,
dread, but with confidence
confidence and
joy.
joy. "Let us
us draw near with
with a
a true
true heart
heart in
in full
full
assurance of
assurance of faith,"
faith/' "by
"by a a new and living way, which he
living way,
hath consecrated
consecrated for us, through
for us, through the veil, that
the veil, that is
is to
to say,
say,
his flesh"
his flesh" (Heb.
(Heb. 10:22,
10:22, 20).
20). When our Lord gave
gave His
flesh
flesh "for the life
"for the life of the world" (John
of the (John 6:51),
6:51), the
the way
way
*The term
term "holiest
"holiest of all," in
of all/* in the K.J.V., is
the K.J.V., is an incorrect translation. The Greek
incorrect translation.
form is
form is plural-ton
plural hagidn, "holies,"
ton hagiiJn, "holies," oror ""holy
"holy places"-and
places'* is correctly
and is correctly rendered
rendered
"holy places" in
"holy places" 9: 24. The contrast
in Hebrews 9:24. here is
contrast here is not between the
the holy
holy place
place
and
and the most holy
the most holy place of the
place of earthly tabernacle,
the earthly tabernacle, but between thethe eaT/My
earthly sanc-
sanc-
tuary and the
tuary heavenly sanctuary.
the heavenly sanctuary.
13
13
386 QUESTIONS
into heaven was opened.
opened. "No man cometh unto
unto the
the
Father,
Father, but by
by me" (John
(John 14:6).
14:6).
XI. The Perfecting

Perfecting of
of Our Characters
Characters
As our exalted
exalted Lord,
Lord, Christ
Christ shares
shares thethe throne
throne of of
Deity.
Deity. Nevertheless
Nevertheless He is
is our "advocate"
"advocate" (parakletos
(parakletos, J
John 2:
1I John 1), representing
2:1), representing us us before
before the the Father.
Father. The
same word is is translated
translated "Comforter" in in John
John 14:26.14:26.
Jesus
Jesus was speaking
speaking to
to the
the disciples
disciples about the
the Holy
Holy
Spirit,
Spirit, who was to
to come to
to them as
as the
the paraclete, or
paraclete, or
"helper"
"helper" (one (one who comes to to the
the aid
aid of,
of, oror stands
stands by by
the
the side
side of,
of, another).
another). Both Jesus Jesus and the the Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit
minister in
minister in the
the capacity
capacity of
of advocate-our
advocate our Saviour Saviour is is an
advocate
advocate with with the the Father, representing
Father, representing us
us at
at the
the
Father's throne, while the
Father's throne, the Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit isis our advocate,
advocate,
helper here
our helper here on earth, representing to
earth, representing to lost
lost man-
kind thethe Father
Father and the the Son.
Son. InIn the
the Gospel
Gospel of of John,
John,
parakletos
parakletos is rendered
is rendered "comforter."
"comforter." But in
in his
his epistle
epistle itit
is translated "advocate."
is translated "advocate/ As our
1
our advocate
advocate and media- media-
tor, Jesus
tor, Jesus sends
sends forth His Spirit
forth His Spirit into
into our hearts
hearts as
as both
comforter and guide.
comforter guide.
Perfection is
Perfection God's aim for
is God's for His
His people.
people. Jesus
Jesus said,
said,
"Be ye ye therefore
therefore perfect,
perfect, even as as your
your Father
Father which is is
in heaven is
in is perfect" (Matt.
perfect" (Matt. 5:48).
5:48). But the
the offering
offering "of
"of
bulls and of
bulls of goats'*
goats" (Heb.
(Heb. 10:4),
10:4), asas such,
such, could
could never
never
make man perfect. perfect. Christ
Christ has has done something
something for for lost
lost
mankind that that those
those sacrifices
sacrifices of of old
old could
could nevernever do. do.
When he he bore
bore "our sins sins inin his
his own body body on the the tree"
tree"
Peter 2:24),
(1 Peter
(1 blotted out
2:24), He blotted out "the
"the handwriting
handwriting of of
ordinances that
ordinances that was against
against us, us, which was was contrary
contrary to to
us, and took
us, took it out of
it out of the
the way,
way, nailing
nailing it it to
to his
his cross"
cross"
(Col. 2:14).
(Col. 2:14).
387
Christ's sacrifice in
Christ's sacrifice behalf of
in behalf of man was
was full
full and complete.
complete. The
condition
condition ofof the
the atonement had been been fulfilled.
fulfilled. The work forfor
which He had come to this this world had been accomplished.
accomplished. He
had won thethe kingdom.
kingdom. He had had wrested
wrested it from Satan,
it from Satan, and had
become heir
heir of all things.-The
of all things. Acts of
The Acts of the
the Apostles,
Apostles, p.
p. 29.
29.
While Christ
Christ is
is "made unto us wisdom,
unto us wisdom, and right-
right-
eousness,
eousness,and sanctification,
sanctification, and redemption" (1
redemption" Cor.
(1 Cor.
1: 30), yet
1:30), yet the
the only
only ones
ones who areare perfected
perfected oror sanctified
sanctified
are those
are those who fullyfully accept
accept of
of His
His grace.
grace. True,
True, "he is
"he is
able also to
able also to save
save them to to the uttermost that
the uttermost that come unto
unto
God byby him,
him, seeing
seeing he ever ever liveth
liveth to intercession
to make intercession
for
for them" (Heb.(Heb. 7:25),
7:25), yet those who would be
yet those be saved
saved
must come unto God. They They must "lay hold on eternal
"lay hold eternal
life" (1
life" (1 Tim. 6: 19). When we accept
6:19). accept Him we are are
justified.
justified. That is,
is, His righteousness
righteousness is
is imputed
imputed to
to us,
us,
and we stand before
stand before God just as though
just as though we had never
never
sinned.
sinned. But only only those
those who follow
follow on and experience
experience
Him as as an indwelling
indwelling power,power, and who continually ap-
continually ap-
propriate
propriate His
His grace
grace for
for victory
victory over
over their
their sinful
sinful natures,
natures,
are sanctified or
are sanctified perfected. We agree
or perfected. with Arthur W.
agree with
Pink,
Pink, who says:
says:
Justification
Justification and sanctification
sanctification are are never
never separated:
separated: where
God imputes
imputes thethe righteousness
righteousness of of Christ,
Christ, He also also imparts
imparts aa
principle of
principle of holiness,
holiness, the
the latter
latter being
being the
the fruit
fruit or consequence of
or consequence of
the former;
the former; both
both being
being necessary before we can be
necessary before be admitted into into
heaven. Because the
heaven. Because the blood
blood of of Christ has fully
Christ has fully met every
every claim
claim ofof
God upon
upon and against
against His people,
people, its
its virtues
virtues and purifying
purifying effects
effects
are applied to
are applied to them by by the
the Spirit
Spirit..... For the
. . . the blood
blood of Christ is
of Christ is
not merely,
not merely, so to speak,
so to speak, the
the key unlocking the
key unlocking the holy
holy of holies to
of holies to
Him as as our High Priest
our High Priest and Redeemer,
Redeemer, it it is not merely
is not merely ourour
ransom
ransom by by which
which we areare delivered
delivered out of of bondage,
bondage, and,and, freed
freed from
the curse, are
the curse, are brought
brought nighnigh unto God; but it
unto God; it also separates us
also separates us
from death
from death and sin. It
and sin. It isis incorruptible,
incorruptible, always
always cleansing
cleansing and
vivifying; through this blood we are
vivifying; through this blood
are separated
separated from -this evil
-this evil
world, and
world, and overcome;
overcome; by by this blood we keep
this blood keep our garments
garments whitewhite
(John 6:53;
(John Rev. 7:14).-ARTHuR
6:53; Rev. 7:14). ARTHUR W. PINK, op. cit.
PINK, op. cit., pp.
f pp. 494,
494, 495.
495.
388 QUESTIONS
Hence, while
Hence, justification Is
while justification is imputed righteousness,
imputed righteousness,
sanctification is imparted righteousness.
sanctification is imparted righteousness.
Lord's perfection
Our Lord's perfection-His life of
His life surrender and
of surrender
obedience-is
obedience Is all
all ours
ours by
by faith. these qualities
faith. And these qualities ofof
perfection
perfection He dispenses
dispenses to
to His
His people
people from the
the place
place of
of
His
His sanctuary.
sanctuary. Our prayers,
prayers, inin some mysterious
mysterious way way as-
as-
sociated with the

sociated with the altar
altar of
of incense
incense (Rev. 8:3, 4; compare
(Rev. 8:3, 4; compare
Rev. 5:8)
Rev. 5:8) in
in the heavenly sanctuary,
the heavenly sanctuary, come up up before
before
the Lord
the Lord and are are intermingled
intermingled withwith the
the virtues
virtues of
of His
own spotless
spotless life. Ellen G.
life. Ellen clearly expresses
G. White clearly the
expresses the
Adventist position in
Adventist position in these
these impressive
impressive words:
words:
Christ has
Christ has pledged
pledged Himself to to be our substitute
substitute and surety,
surety,
and He neglects
neglects nono one.
one. He who could could notnot see
see human beingsbeings
exposed to
exposed to eternal
eternal ruin
ruin without
without pouring
pouring out out HisHis soul
soul unto death
death
in their
in behalf, will
their behalf, will look pity and compassion
look with pity compassion upon upon every
every
soul
soul who realizes that he cannot save
realizes that himself.
save himself.
He will
will look
look upon trembling suppliant
upon no trembling without raising
suppliant without raising
him up. through His own atonement provided
up. He who through provided for for man
an infinite
infinite fund of of moral power,
power, will not fail
will not to employ
fail to employ this this
power
power in
in our
our behalf.
behalf. We may
may take
take our sins
sins and sorrows
sorrows to
to His
feet; for
feet; for He loves us. His
loves us. His every
every look
look and word invites our con-
invites our con-
fidence. He will
fidence. will shape
shape and mold our our characters
characters according
according to to His
His
own will.-Ghrist's
will. Christ's Object Lessons, p.
Object Lessons, p. 157.
157.
Christ
Christ hashas pledged
pledged Himself
Himself toto be our substitute
substitute and surety,
surety,
and He neglects
neglects no one.
one. There is is an inexhaustible
inexhaustible fund of per-
of per-
fect obedience
fect obedience accruing
accruing from His obedience.obedience. In heaven heaven His
merits, His
merits, His self-denial
self-denial and self-sacrifice,
self-sacrifice, are treasured as
are treasured incense
as incense
to be offered
to be offered upup witt the prayers
with the prayers of
of His people.
people. As the the sinner's
sinner's sin-
sin-
cere, prayers ascend
cere, humble prayers ascend to the throne of
to the of God,
God, Christ mingles
Christ mingles
with
with them the the merits
merits of His own life
of His life of
of perfect
perfect obedience.
obedience. Our
prayers
prayers are
are made fragrant
fragrant by
by this
this incense.
incense. Christ
Christ has pledged
has pledged
Himself to
Himself to intercede
intercede in in our behalf,
behalf, and the the Father
Father always
always hears
hears
the Son.-Sons
the Son. Sons and Daughters of
'and Daughters of God,
God, p. p. 22.
22-
Christ
Christ our High Priest
our High Priest represents
represents His people in
His people in the
the
capacity
capacity of
of one who has
has authority. Having
authority. Having won the
the
battle against
battle against the
the kingdom
kingdom ofof darkness,
darkness, He stands
stands now
as
as the
the head of
of a
a new kingdom-the kingdom of
kingdom the kingdom light
of light
peace. Ellen
and peace. G. White likewise
Ellen C. emphasizes this
likewise emphasizes this
truth, declaring:
truth, declaring:
Captain of
The Captain of our
our salvation
salvation is
is interceding
interceding forfor His
His people,
people,
not as
as aa petitioner
petitioner to to move thethe Father
Father to to compassion,
compassion, but as as aa
conqueror,
conqueror, who claims claims the
the trophies
trophies of His victory.-Gospel
of His victory. Gospel
Workers,
Workers, p. p. 154.
154.
By His spotless
By spotless life, His obedience,
life, His obedience, His death
death on the cross of
the cross of
Calvary,
Calvary, Christ
Christ interceded
interceded for the lost
for the lost race.
race. And now,now, not as aa
not as
mere petitioner
petitioner does the Captain
does the Captain of of our salvation intercede
our salvation intercede for
for
us,
us, but asas a Conqueror
Conqueror claiming His victory.
claiming His His offering
victory. His offering is
is com-
plete, and as
plete, as our Intercessor executes His
Intercessor He executes His self-appointed
self-appointed
work, holding before
work, holding before God the the censer
censer containing
containing HisHis own spotless
spotless
merits
merits and the the prayers,
prayers, confessions, thanksgiving of
confessions, and thanksgiving peo-
of His peo-
ple. Perfumed with
ple. with the
the fragrance
fragrance of His righteousness,
of His righteousness, these
these ascend
to God as
to as aa sweet
sweet savor. offering is
savor. The offering wholly acceptable,
is wholly acceptable, and
pardon
pardon covers
covers all
all transgression.-Christ's
transgression. Christ's Object
Object Lessons,
Lessons, p. 156.
p. 156.
XII. Judgment
Judgment Climaxes Christ's
Christ's Ministry
Ministry
priestly ministry
This priestly ministry of of our
our Lord,
Lord, we believe,
believe,
climaxes in aa work of
climaxes in judgment. And this
of judgment. this takes
takes place
place
just before
just before He returns
returns in in glory.
glory. While He does not
minister in "places
minister in "places made withwith hands" (Heb.(Heb. 9:24),
9:24),
seeing
seeing He is is sovereign Lord, yet
sovereign Lord, yet the
the two types
types ofof
ministry
ministry carried
carried out
out in
in the
the ancient
ancient sanctuary-first,
sanctuary first, that
of reconciliation
of reconciliation inin the
the holy place, and second,
holy place, that of
second, that of
judgment
judgment in
in the
the most holy-illustrate
holy illustrate very graphically
very graphically
the
the two phases
phases ofof our Lord's
Lord's ministry
ministry as High Priest.
as High Priest.
And then, that ministry
then, that ministry finished,
finished, He comes in
in glory,
glory,
bringing
bringing His
His rewards with Him.
XIII. Ultimate
XIII. Ultimate Destruction
Destruction of
of Sin
Sin
When our
our Saviour returns, not
Saviour returns, not only
only will
will He take
take the
the
ransomed home,
home, but He will
will also
also finally destroy
finally destroy sin
sin and
eradicate every
eradicate trace of
every trace of evil. universe itself
evil. The universe will
itself will
QUESTIONS
ultimately
ultimately be cleansed of even the
cleansed of the dark record
record of re-
of re-
bellion and sin,
bellion sin, and sinners
sinners will
will be no more. "The day
day
that
that cometh shall
shall burn them up, up, saith the Lord of
saith the hosts,
of hosts,
that
that Itit shall
shall leave neither root
leave them neither root nor branch" (Mal. (Mai.
4: 1).
4:1).
Adventists
Adv enlists do notnot hold
hold anyany theory
theory of of a dual
dual atone-
atone-
ment. "Christ
"Christ hath redeemed us" (Gal. 3:13)
(Gal. 3:13) "once
for
for all"
all" (Heb. 10:
(Heb. 10:10). 10). But we believe
believe that the
that the full
full
picture
picture of
of our Lord's
Lord's atonement and ministry
ministry is
Is not
always comprehended,
always comprehended, even by
by those who most surely
surely
love Him and honor His Word. A cleansed creation,
love creation,
with thethe author of sin sin and allall his
his evil hosts completely
evil hosts completely
destroyed,
destroyed, reveals,
reveals, we believe,
believe, the greatness
greatness and glory glory
and power
power of of our crucified
crucified and risenrisen Lord. We look forfor-
ward to that day
to that day when,
when, with sin
sin abolished,
abolished, every
every voice
voice
in the
in universe will
the universe will join
join the song song of of redemption,
redemption,
"Worthy
"Worthy is is the Lamb that that was slain."
slain."
Our ears
ears strain
strain toto catch thethe sound of that that paean
paean ofof
praise,
praise, which,
which, as
as the prophet
prophet JohnJohn declares,
declares, begins at
begins at
the throne of God,
the God, then sweeps
sweeps out into
into the
the far-fiung
far-flung
universe, until "every
universe, until "every creature which is is in heaven, and
In heaven,
on the earth, and under the
the earth, the earth,
earth, and such as as are in thethe
sea,
sea, and all that are in them,
all that them, [are]
[are] heard .. .
. ..saying,
saying,
Blessing, and honour,
Blessing, honour, and glory, glory, and power, power, be unto
him that
that sitteth
sitteth upon
upon thethe throne,
throne, and unto the the Lamb
for ever
for ever and ever" (Rev. 5: 13).
(Rev. 5:13).
'[he Meaning of
The Meaning Azazel
of Azazel
QUESTION
QUESTION 34
Are not Seventh-day

Adventists alone
alone in
in
teaching
teaching that
that the
the scapegoat,
scapegoaty or
or Azazel, represents
Azazel, represents
Satan?
Satanf
N 0, Seventh-day
No, Adventists are
Seventh-day Adventists are not alone
alone in
in believ-
believ-
ing that Azazel
ing that Azazel represents
represents Satan. Let us
Satan. Let us take
take aa look at
look at
the
the word and itsits origin.
origin.
In the K.J.V. the word used
K.J.V. the used to
to designate the second
designate the
goat
goat in
in the
the ritual
ritual of the Day
of the Day ofof Atonement (Lev.(Lev. 16:16: 10)
10)
is called
is the "scapegoat";
called the "scapegoat"; in
in the
the R.V.
R.V. and the
the A.R.V.,
A.R.V.,
and inin most other translations, the
other translations, the word is rendered
is rendered
"Azazel,"
"Azazel/' which is the transliteration
is the transliteration of the Hebrew
of the
word.
word.
ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD NOT CLEAR.-The CLEAR. The word
"Azazel" has been
"Azazel" has been the subject of
the subject of much dispute
dispute and con-con-
jecture through
jecture through the
the centuries.
centuries. Many
Many scholars
scholars agree that
agree that
it is
it is "a
"a phrase
phrase of of unusual difficulty"
difficulty" (SMITH
(SMITH AND
PELOUBET, Dictionary of
PELOUBET, A Dictionary of the Bible, p.
the Bible, p. 65);
65); "the
origin
origin and meaning
meaning of
of the
the goat
goat 'for
'for Azazel'
AzazeF are
are indeed
indeed
obscure" (GEORGE
obscure" (GEORGE B.
B. STEVENS,
STEVENS, The Christian
Christian Doctrine
Doctrine
of Salvation,
of Salvation, p.
p. 11);
11); "that
"that its etymology is
its etymology is not clear"
clear"
(T.
(T. W. CHAMBERS,
CHAMBERS, "Satan
"Satan in
in the
the Old Testament,"
Testament,"
Presbyterian and Reformed
Presbyterian Revi~w, vol.
Reformed Review, vol. 3,3, p.p. 26).
26).
Note the following:
the following:
391
392
QUESTIONS
Etymology, origin
Etymology, origin and significance
significance are still matters
are still matters of conjec-
of conjec-
ture.
ture. The A.V.
A.V. [K.J.V.]
[K.J.V.] designation
designation scapegoat (i.e. the
scapegoat (i.e. the goat that
goat that
is
is allowed to
allowed to escape,
escape, which
which goes back to
goes back to caper
caper emissarius
emissarius of the
of the
Vulgate) obscures
Vulgate) obscures the
the fact
fact that the word Azazel
that the Azazel is a proper
is a proper name
in the
in the original,
original, and inin particular the name of
particular the of aa powerful
powerful spirit
spirit
or
or demon.-A.
demon. A. R. R. S. Hastings Dictionary
S, KENNEDY, Hastings Dictionary ofof the Bible
the Bible
(one volume), p.
(one volume), p. 77.
77-
How "SCAPEGOAT" CAME INTO THE K.J.V. K.J.V.-TheThe

translation
translation in In the
the text of the
text of the King James
King James Version
Version is
is
"scapegoat."
"scapegoat." The dictionary meaning of
dictionary meaning this word is
of this is
"scape," coming
"scape," coming from the
the Old English-scapen.
English scapen. Chaucer
used it
used it in the expression
in the expression "help
"help us us to scape." (Cen-
to scape." (Cen-
tury Dictionary Encyclopedia.)
tury Dictionary Encyclopedia.) 'Scapegoat. . .. From
"Scapegoat.
'
. . .
Scape
Scape ...
... aa mutilated
mutilated form of escape." (W.
of escape." (W. W. SKEAT,
SKEAT,
Etymological Dictionary
Etymological Dictionary in
in the
the English Language.)
English Language.)
This gives
gives us
us the
the concept
concept of of a goat that
a goat that escaped,
escaped,
the idea being
the idea that the
being that the goat
goat was sentsent away
away into
into the
the
wilderness, and allowed
wilderness, allowed to go free.
to go free. Later,
Later, "scapegoat"
"scapegoat"
came to to mean "a "a person
person or or thing bearing blame for
thing bearing for
others" (Webster's
others" Dictionary).
(Webster's Dictionary).
Tyndale was
Tyndale was evidently
evidently thethe first to use
first to use the
the word
"scapegoat"
"scapegoat" in
in any English
any English translation:
translation:
Apparently invented
Apparently invented by by Tyndale
Tyndale (1530)
(1530) to
to express
express what he
believed to
believed to be
be the
the literal
literal meaning
meaning of
of Hebrew . ... Azazel,
Azazel, occur-
. . occur-
ring only
ring in Lev.
only in Lev. 16:8,
16:8, 10
10 (in VS. 10
(in vs. 10 he renders:
renders: "The goote
goote on
which the
which the lotte fell
lotte to scape.").
fell to scape."). The same interpretation
interpretation is ex-
is ex-
pressed by
pressed by the
the Vulgate caper emissarius
Vulgate caper (whence the
emissarius (whence the Fr.,
Fr., bouc
emissaire), and by
emissaire), by Coverdale's
Coverdale's (1535) rendering "the
(1535) rendering "the fregoate,"
fregoate,"
but is
but is now regarded
regarded as untenable. The word does
as untenable. does not
not appear
appear inin
the Revised
the Revised Version ofof 1884, has "Azazel"
1884, which has (as aa proper
"Azazel" (as proper
name), in the
name), in the text,
text, and "dismissal"
"dismissal" in the margin,
in the margin, as
as an alterna-
alterna-
tive rendering.-Oxford
tive rendering. English Dictionary,
Oxford English Dictionary, vol.
vol. 9, p. 180.
9, p. 180.
Tyndale, however,
Tyndale, however, so
so far
far as this chapter
as this in Leviticus
chapter in Leviticus
is concerned, was evidently
is concerned, evidently influenced
influenced more by the
by the
Vulgate, the
Vulgate, the basis
basis of
of Roman Catholic translations of
Catholic translations of
THE MEANING OF AZAZEL 393
393
the Scriptures,
the Scriptures, rather
rather than by the
than by the original
original Hebrew
Scriptures,
Scriptures, which have been
been used
used by
by Protestants
Protestants and
others.
others. The Latin Vulgate, which,
Latin Vulgate, after all,
which, after all, is aa
is
secondary
secondary source-being
source being itself
itself but
but a
a translation-ren-
translation ren-
ders the term "Azazel"
ders the by caper
"Azazel" by emissarius
caper emissarius> which
J is
is
used for "scapegoat," or

for "scapegoat," or "Azazel,"
"Azazel," in in Leviticus
Leviticus 16:8,
16:8,
and means the the emissary goat or
emissary goat the goat
or the that escaped.
goat that escaped.
"SCAPEGOAT" OBSCURES
OBSCURES THE THOUGHT.THOUGHT.-Many Many
scholars feel that
scholars feel the word "scapegoat"
that the
'
'scapegoat" does
does not
not prop-
prop-
erly convey
erly convey the
the thought
thought of
of the
the Hebrew text;
text; some even
feel
feel itit is
is misleading. The critical
misleading. critical scholar
scholar Dr.
Dr. S.S. R.
Driver
Driver comments:
An evil
evil spirit,
spirit, supposed
supposed to
to dwell in the
dwell in the wilderness.
wilderness. The word
occurs only
occurs only here
here in the O.T
in the O.T.. . . . The rendering
. . . scape-goat,
rendering scape-goat,
derived through
derived through Jerome
Jerome from Symmachus,
Symmachus, is is certainly
certainly incorrect;
incorrect;
it
it does not suit
does not v. 26,
suit v. 26, and implies
implies aa derivation
derivation opposed
opposed to to the
the
genius of
genius of the
the Hebrew language,
language, as though Azazel
as though Azazel were
were aa com-
pound
pound word
word. . .
. . .
. Moreover,
Moreover,
. the
the marked antithesis
antithesis for
between for
between
Azazel for ]HVH,
Azazel and for JHVH, does not leave
does not it open to
leave it open to doubt that
that the
the
former is
former is conceived
conceived as as aa personal being.-Book
personal being. Book of Leviticus,
of Leviticus.,
p. 8l.
p. 81.
A scholar
scholar of
of the
the evangelical
evangelical school
school declares,
declares, in the
in the
Sunday School Times,
Sunday School Times, that
that to
to render
render "Azazel"
"Azazel" by the
by the
"scapegoat" is
word "scapegoat" misleading:
is misleading:
The goat
goat for
for Azazel, the Scapegoat,
Azazel, the as it
Scapegoat, as is sometimes
it is sometimes mislead-
mislead-
ingly
ingly translated, typifies God's
translated, typifies God's challenge to Satan.
challenge to Satan. (John
(John 1 :8;
1:8;
Eph. 3:10.)-].
Eph. 3:10.) J.
RUSSELL HOWDEN, in Sunday School
in Sunday School Times,
Times, Jan.
Jan.
15,
15, 1927.
1927.
THE NAME "AZAZEL."-The testimony of

"AZAZEL." The testimony of many
many
scholars of
scholars of the
the past, both Jewish
past, both Jewish and Christian,
Christian, as well
as well
as many of
as many of the present, is
the present, is to this effect:
to this effect:
a.
a. That Azazel Refers
That Azazel Refers to a Person.
to a Person.
The Jewish
The Jewish authority Dr. M. M. Kalisch.
authority Dr. Kalisch.-There
There can be no
doubt whatever
doubt whatever that
that Azazel personal, aa superhuman,
is aa personal,
Azazel is superhuman, and an
QUESTIONS
evil being-in
evil being in fact
fact a wicked demon. ....
a wicked . . It approved of
It was approved of by
by
early Christian
early writers who identified
Christian writers Azazel with
identified Azazel with Satan (Origen.
(Origen.
C.
C. Cels. VI. 43,
Gels. VI. p. 305
43, p. 305 ed.
ed. Spencer;
Spencer; !reno
Iren. I. 12;
Haer. I.
Adv. Haer. 12; Epiphan.
Epiphan.
Haeres XXXIV. 11), 11),
and by many later
by many later and modern scholars.-
scholars.
Historical and Critical
A Historical Critical Commentary
Commentary on the the Old Testament,
Testament,
vol. 2, pp.
vol. 2, 328, 329.
pp. 328, 329.
"International Standard Bible
"International Standard Bible Encyclopedia."
Encyclopedia."-By By the use of
the use of
the preposition .
the same preposition ...
. . in connection with
in connection with Jehovah
Jehovah and
Azazel, it
Azazel, it seems
seems natural
natural ..... . to
to think of some personal
think of personal being.
being.-
"Azazel," vol. 1,
"Azazel/' vol. p. 343.
1, p. 343.
Smith and Peloubet's
Smith and Peloubet's "A Dictionary
Dictionary of of the
the Bible/'
Bible."-The best
The best
modern scholars
scholars agree that it
agree that designates the
it designates personal being
the personal being toto
whom thethe goat
goat was
was sent, probably Satan.-Page
sent, probably Satan. 65.
Page 65.
b.
b. That Azazel
Azazel Refers
Refers to Satan.
to Satan.
J. Russell Howden (Church

J. Russell of England).
(Church of England).-The goat for
The goat for
Azazel,
Azazel, asas itit is
is sometimes misleadingly
misleadingly translated
translated typifies
typifies God's
God's
challenge
challenge to to Satan.
Satan.
Of the
the two two goats,
goats, one was for Jehovah, signifying
for Jehovah, signifying God's
acceptance
acceptance of
of the
the sin-offering;
sin-offering; the
the other
other was for
for AzazeI. This is
Azazel. is
probably to
probably to be understood as as aa person,
person, being
being parallel
parallel with
Jehovah in
Jehovah the preceding
in the preceding clause.
clause. So Azazel
Azazel is is probably
probably a synonym
synonym
for Satan.-Sunday
for Satan. Sunday School School Times,
Times, Jan.Jan. 15,
15, 1927.
1927.
Samuel M. Zwemer (Presbyterian).-The
Samuel (Presbyterian). The devil
devil (Sheitan,
(Sheitan, oror
IbIis) has a proper name-Azazil.
Iblis) has a proper name Azazil. He was expelledexpelled from Eden.
-Islam,
Islam, a a Challenge
Challenge to Faith, p.
to Faith, p. 89.
89.
E. W. Hengstenberg
. Hengstenberg (Lutheran).-The
(Lutheran). The manner in in which
which the
the
phrase "for
phrase "for Azazel"
Azazel" is is contrasted
contrasted withwith "for
"for Jehovah,"
Jehovah," necessarily
necessarily
requires
requires thatthat Azazel
Azazel should designate
designate aa personal existence and if
personal existence if
so, only Satan

so, only Satan can can be intended.
intended. If by Azazel,
If by Azazel, Satan
Satan isis not
not meant,
meant,
there is
there reason for
is no reason for the
the lots
lots that cast. We can then
that were cast. then see
see
no reason
no reason why why thethe decision referred to
decision was referred to God,
God, why
why the the high
high
priest did
priest did notnot simply
simply assign
assign one goat goat for
for aa sin offering, and the
sin offering, the
other for
other sending away
for sending away into the desert.-Egypt
into the desert. Egypt and the Books of
the Books of
Moses, pp.
Moses, pp. 170,
170, 171.
171.
]. B. Rotherham (Disciples
/. B. (Disciples of of Christ?).-"And
Christ?). "And one lot lot for
for
Azazel" (Lev.
Azazel" (Lev. xvi.xvi. 8).-It
8). It seems impossible
impossible to to dissent
dissent from
from the
the
opinion
opinion thatthat "Azazel,"
"Azazel," instead
instead of of being
being aa name for for the
the (e)scape
(e)scape
goat, is
goat, the name or
is the title of
or title of an evil
evil Being, opposed to
Being, opposed Yahweh,
to Yahweh,
to whom the
to the live
live goat
goat on the the great
great Day
Day of Propitiation was
of Propitiation was sent.
sent.
Admitting
Admitting so so much,
much, it it still
still remains to inquire into
to inquire the meaning
into the meaning
THE MEANING OF AZAZEL 395
395
of this
of very peculiar
this very peculiar but impressive
impressive ceremony
ceremony ofof sending
sending the
the liv-
liv-
ing goat to
ing goat to AzazeL
Azazel. Assuming that Satan is
Assuming that is represented
represented by
by Azazel
Azazel
-and there does not appear
and there anything else
appear anything else which
whkh biblically
biblically we
can assume-it
can assume it is
is most important to observe that
important to observe that there
there is
is here
here
no sacrifice
sacrifice offered
offered to
to the spirit.-The
evil spirit.
the evil Emphasized Bible,
The Emphasized Bible,
vol.
vol. 3, p. 918.
3, p. 918.
William Jenks
Jenks (Congregationalist).-Scapegoat.
(Congregationalist). See different
Scapegoat. See different
opinion in
opinion Bochart. Spencer,
in Bochart. after the
Spencer, after the oldest
oldest opinions
opinions ofof the
the
Hebrews and Christian, Azazel is
thinks Azazel
Christian, thinks is the
the name of of the devil,
the devil,
and soso Rosenmuller,
Rosenmuller, whom see. see. The Syriac Azzail, the
has Azzail,
Syriac has the "angel
"angel
(strong one) who revolted."
(strong one) J·evolted."-TheThe Comprehensive
Comprehensive Commentary
Commentary
of the Holy
of the Bible, p.
Holy Bible, p. 410.
410.
"A
{<
bingdon Bible
Abingdon Bible Commentary" (Methodist).-On
Commentary" (Methodist). the goats
On the goats
lots are
lots are toto be cast,
cast, one forfor Jehovah,
Jehovah, and the the other for Azazel.
other for Azazel.
The translation dismissal in
translation dismissal in the R.V. mg.
the R.V. mg. here (d. removal
here (cf. removal inin
A.S.V. mg.)
A.S.V. mg.) is
is inadmissible, being based on aa false
inadmissible, being false etymology.
etymology.
What the the word meant is unknown, but it
is unknown, should be retained
it should as
retained as
the proper
the proper name of of aa wilderness demon.-Page
wilderness demon. 289.
Page 289.
might be
Mention might be made also of William Milligan,
also of Milligan,
James Hastings,
James Hastings, and William Smith,
Smith, of
of the
the Presbyte-
Presbyte-
rian Church;
rian Church; Elmer Flack
Flack and H. C. C. Alleman,
Alleman, of of the
the
Lutheran Church;
Church; Charles
Charles Beecher and F.
F. N. Peloubet,
Peloubet,
of the Congregational
of the Congregational Church; George A.
Church; George A. Barton,
Barton, of
of
the Society
the Society of
of Friends; John
Friends; John M'Clintock and James
James
Strong,
Strong, of the Methodist Church;
of the Church; James
James M. Gray,
Gray, of
of
the Reformed Episcopal
the Episcopal Church;
Church; and a hosthost of
of others
others
who have
have ("xpressed
expressed themselves
themselves in the same way.
in the way. Ad-
ventists) during the
ventists, during the years,
years, have been in
in full
full accord
with the
with the expressions
expressions of
of such eminent theologians and
theologians
scholars this matter.
scholars on this
'[he
The 'Transaction
Transaction With the
the Scapegoat
Scapegoat
QUESTION
QUESTION 35
What isis the

the actual
actual teaching of Seventh-
teaching of Seventh-
day
day Adventists
Adventists regarding
regarding the
the "scapegoat"
"scapegoat" in
in the
the
sanctuary
sanctuary service?
service? Do you
you hold that
that the
the sins
sins of
of
the righteous
the righteous are rolled
rolled back on Satan,
Satan, so
so that
that
in the
in the end he
he becomes
becomes your
your sin
sin bearer?
bearer?
We take
take our standstand without qualification
qualification on the the
gospel platform
gospel platform that
that the
the death
death of
of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ pro-
pro-
vides the
vides the sole propitiation for
sole propitiation for our sins sins (1 John 2:2;
(1 John 2:2;
4: 10);
4:10); that
that there
there is
is salvation
salvation through
through no other
other means
or medium,
or medium, and no other other name by by which we may may be
saved
saved (Acts
(Acts 4:12);
4:12); and that that the the shed blood of of Jesus
Jesus
Christ alone brings
Christ alone brings remission
remission for
for our
our sins
sins (Matt. 26:
(Matt. 26:
28).
28). That is
is foundational.
foundational.
Further, we hold to
Further, to the
the recognized principle that
recognized principle that
no cardinal
cardinal doctrine
doctrine or belief should be based
or belief based pri-
pri-
marily upon
marily upon aa parable
parable or or type,
type, butbut upon
upon thethe clear
clear
unfigurative
unfigurative statements
statements of of Scripture, understood
Scripture, and understood
defined in
and defined the light
in the light of
of explicit
explicit declarations
declarations of gospel
of gospel
realities.
realities. In other
other words,
words, thethe typetype should be underunder-
stood
stood in the light
in the light of the anti
of the type, and not
antitype, not the
the reverse.
reverse.
Moreover,
Moreover, no parable
parable or
or type
type can be
be applied in
applied all
in all
details.
details. ItIt is
is the
the central
central truth
truth thatthat isis to
to be
be sought
sought out
out
applied. And it
and applied. might be added that
it might that we do not not
396
396
THE SCAPEGOAT 397
397
place
place uponupon the the scapegoat
scapegoat the the emphasis
emphasis that that some of of
our critics
critics would indicate.
indicate.
The transaction
transaction with with the
the scapegoat,
scapegoat, or or Azazel
Azazel (Lev.
(Lev.
16: 8), springs
16:8), springs from the
the annual
annual typical
typical sanctuary serv-
sanctuary serv-
ice
ice of ancient Israel. Israel. These types were simply drama-
types simply drama-
tized
tized symbols,
symbols, or or prophetic
prophetic parables,
parables, of of the
the great
great gos-
gos-
pel
pel realities
realities to to take
take place
place in
in this
this dispensation.
dispensation. Thus the
the
ancient Passover lamb typified typified "Christ
"Christ our
our passover"
passover"
(1
(1 Cor. 5:7),5:7), who was slain slain forfor us.
us. And the the services
services
of
of the ministering
ministering priestspriests symbolized
symbolized our our great
great High
High
Priest,
Priest, Jesus
Jesus Christ,
Christ, who,
who, after
after the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of of Himself
Himself
at
at Calvary,
Calvary, now ministers
ministers for for us
us in
in the
the heavenlies
heavenlies (He- (He-
brews 8 and 9). 9).
In Leviticus
Leviticus 16, 16, two goats
goats entered
entered into into the
the service
service
of
of the great
great DayDay of
of Atonement. One,
One, in
in type, made
type,
atonement for sin. The other
for sin. other goat,
goat, forfor Azazel,
Azazel, waswas not
not
slain,
slain, but was kept alive,
kept alive, and hence
hence made no no atonement
atonement
for anyone's sins.
for anyone's sins.
first goat
The first represented our
goat represented our Lord Jesus Jesus Christ,
Christ,
who, on the
who, the cross, atonement for
cross, made atonement for our
our sins.
sins. The
other goat,
other goat, in antithesis, symbolized
in antithesis, symbolized Satan, Satan, who must must
bear the the responsibility
responsibility not not only
only for
for his
his own sins sins but
but for
for
his part
his part inin all
all the
the sins
sins he
he has
has caused
caused others,
others, both
both right-
right-
eous and wicked,
eous wicked, to to commit.
commit. This This live
live goat,
goat, it it is
is to
to bebe
remembered, was
remembered, was notnot slain.
slain. (Many
(Many outstanding
outstanding au- au-
thorities support
thorities support our understanding
understanding that that the
the live
live goat,
goat,
or Azazel,
or Azazel, typified
typified Satan.
Satan. SeeSee Question
Question 34.) 34.)
Two goatsgoats were obviously
obviously required,
required, and used, used, on
the Day
the Day of of Atonement,
Atonement, because because there there is twofold
is aa twofold
responsibility
responsibility for
for sin-first,
sin first, my responsibility
my responsibility as as the
the
perpetrator,
perpetrator, agent, agent, or
or medium;
medium; and second,
second, Satan's
Satan's
responsibility as
responsibility as the instigator, or
the instigator, or tempter,
tempter, in in whose
whose
QUESTIONS
heart sin
heart was first
sin was first conceived.
conceived. When Satan tempted our
Satan tempted our
first
first parents to
parents to take
take and eat
eat of
of the
the forbidden fruit, he
forbidden fruit, he
as well
as as they
well as they had an inescapable
inescapable responsibility
responsibility in that
in that
act-he
act the instigator,
he the instigator, and they
they the
the perpetrators.
perpetrators. And And
similarly through
similarly through the
the ages-in
ages in all
all sin
sin Satan
Satan is
is involved
involved
in responsibility, as
in responsibility, the originator
as the instigator, or
originator and instigator, or
tempter
tempter (John(John 8:44;
8:44; Rom. 6: 16;
6:16; 1
1 John 3:8).
John 3:8).
concerning my
Now concerning my sin, Christ died
sin, Christ died forfor mymy sins
sins
(Rom. 5:8).
(Rom. 5:8). He was wounded for
for my transgressions
my transgressions
bore my
and bore my iniquities
iniquities (Isaiah
(Isaiah 53).
53). He assumed my my
responsibilities,
responsibilities, and His blood
blood alone
alone cleanses
cleanses me from
from
all sin
all sin (1
(1 John
John 1 :7). The atonement for
1:7). for my sin is
my sin is made
solely
solely byby the
the shed blood of
shed blood of Christ.
Christ.
And concerning
concerning Satan's
Satan's sin,
sin, and his his responsibility
responsibility as as
instigator
instigator and tempter,
tempter, no salvation
salvation is
is provided
provided for
for
him. He must be punished punished for his responsibility.
for his responsibility. There
is no savior,
is savior, or or substitute,
substitute, to to bear
bear his his punishment.
punishment. He
must himself
himself "atone"
"atone" for his sin
for his sin in causing men to
in causing to
transgress,
transgress, in
in the
the same way
way that
that a
a master
master criminal
criminal
suffers
suffers on the the gallows
gallows or in the
or in the electric chair for
electric chair for his
his
responsibility
responsibility in in the
the crimes
crimes that that he has has caused
caused others
others
to commit. It
to commit. It is
is in
in this
this sense only that
sense only that we can understand
understand
the words of
the words of Leviticus
Leviticus 16: 10 concerning
16:10 concerning the
the scapegoat,
scapegoat,
"to
"to make an atonement with with him."
Courts of of law recognize
recognize the principle of
the principle of dual
dual re-
re-
sponsibility.
sponsibility. Thus a
a criminal
criminal father
father may
may teach
teach his
his
child to
child steal, and the
to steal, the child becomes aa habitual
child becomes habitual thief;
thief;
or aa dissolute
or dissolute mother may may teach
teach her her daughter
daughter to to en-
en-
gage in
gage professional prostitution.
in professional prostitution. ParentalParental respon-
respon-
sibility
sibility inin such
such cases
cases isis crystal
crystal clear.
clear. The instigator
instigator of of
a crime is
a is punished, as
punished, as well
well as
as the
the instrument
instrument that
that
actually committed the
actually the act.
act. When the the members of of
THE SCAPEGOAT 399
399
"Murder Incorporated"
Incorporated" were brought
brought toto book
book for
for a
a
succession of
whole succession killings, the master
of killings, the master mind,mind, who
never technically
had never technically taken
taken aa life,
life, went
went to
to the
the chair
chair as
as
instigator, along
instigator, along with
with the
the perpetrators.
perpetrators. And under
under
criminal law,
criminal law, the
the instigator,
instigator, or master mind,
or master mind, may
may bebe
punished more severely
punished than his
severely than agents.
his agents.
In like
In like manner,
manner, Satan is the
Satan is responsible master
the responsible master
mind in the great
in the great crime
crime of
of sin,
sin, and his
his responsibility
responsibility
will return
will upon his
upon his own head.
head. The crushing weight of
crushing weight of
his responsibility
his responsibility in
in the
the sins
sins of the whole world
of the world-ofof
the
the wicked as
as well
well as
as of
of the righteous-must
the righteous be rolled
must be rolled
upon him. Simple
back upon justice demands that
Simple justice that while
Christ
Christ suffers
suffers for my guilt,
for my guilt, Satan
Satan must also
also be
be punished
punished
as the
as the instigator
instigator of
of sin.
sin.
That is is why,
why, on thethe Day
Day ofof Atonement,
Atonement, two two goats
goats
were necessary.
necessary. One was "for "for the
the Lord" (Lev. (Lev. 16:7)
16:7)
to provide the
to provide the atonement through
through the the shedding
shedding of his
of his
blood;
blood; thethe other
other was "for"for Azazel" (Lev. 16:8,
Azazel" (Lev. margin).
16:8, margin).
These twotwo were,
were, in
in the text, placed
the text, placed in in antithesis.
antithesis. One
typified our Lord and Saviour
typified Saviour Jesus Christ, who was
Jesus Christ, was
slain
slain as
as our substitute
substitute and vicariously
vicariously bore our sins,
sins,
with all the guilt
all the guilt and punishment entailed. Thus He
punishment entailed.
made complete
complete atonement for our sins.
for our other goat,
sins. The other goat,
believe, stood
we believe, stood for
for Satan,
Satan, who is
is eventually to
eventually to have
rolled back
rolled back upon
upon his
his own head, not only
head, not his own sins,
only his sins,
but the
but the responsibility
responsibility for all the
for all the sins
sins he hashas caused
caused
others
others toto commit.
commit.
Now
N ow two vitalvital points involved are
points involved are toto be particularly
particularly
noted:
noted: (1) (1) that
that the transaction with
the transaction with thethe live
live goat
goat (or
(or
Azazel)
Azazel) took
took place
place after
after the
the atonement for
for the
the sins
sins of
of
the people
the people had been accomplished,
accomplished, and the
the reconcilia-
reconcilia-
tion completed; and (2)
tion completed; (2) that
that the
the live goat was not
live goat
400 QUESTIONS
slain)
slain, and diddid not provide
provide anyany propitiation
propitiation or or make
any vicarious atonement.
any vicarious atonement. And without the shedding of
the shedding of
blood there
blood there is remission (Heb.
is no remission 9:22). None of
(Heb. 9:22). the
of the
blood
blood of of the
the live
live goat
goat was shed,
shed, or poured out
or poured out in pro-
in pro-
pitiation,
pitiation, and none was taken
taken into
into the
the sanctuary and
sanctuary
sprinkled before the
sprinkled before the Lord,
Lord, oror placed
placed on the the horns
horns of of
the altar.
the altar.
Satan makes no atonement for
Satan for our sins.sins. But Satan Satan
will ultimately have
will ultimately have to to bear
bear thethe retributive
retributive punish-punish-
ment for his responsibility
for his responsibility in the sins
in the sins ofof all
all men,
men, bothboth
righteous
righteous and wicked.
wicked.
Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists therefore repudiate
Adventists therefore repudiate in in toto
to to
any idea, suggestion,
any idea, suggestion, or
or implication
implication that
that Satan
Satan is
is in
in any
any
sense
sense oror degree
degree our sin bearer. The thought
sin bearer. thought is is abhor-
abhor-
rent to
rent us, and appallingly
to us, appallingly sacrilegious.
sacrilegious. Such a a concept
concept
is a dreadful
is a dreadful disparagement
disparagement of of the
the efficacy
efficacy ofof Christ
Christ and
His salvation,
His salvation, and vitiates
vitiates the
the whole glorious
glorious provision
provision
of salvation
of salvation solely
solely through
through our Saviour.
Saviour.
Satan's
Satan's death,
death, a thousand times
a thousand times over, could never
over, could never
make him aa savior savior inin any
any sense
sense whatsoever.
whatsoever. He is
is the
the
archsinner
archsinner of of the universe, the
the universe, the author
author and instigator
instigator of of
sin.
sin. Even if he had never
if he never sinned,
sinned, he still could never
still could never
save others. Not even the
save others. the highest
highest of the holy
of the holy angels
angels
could
could atone
atone for for our sins.
sins. Only Christ,
Only Christ, the
the Creator,
Creator,
the one and only
the only God-man, could make aa substitution-
God-man, could substitution-
ary
ary atonement
atonement for
for men's
men's transgressions.
transgressions. And this this
Christ
Christ did completely, perfectly,
completely, perfectly, and once for
for all,
all, on
Golgotha.
Golgotha.
It is our
It is our primary
primary concern
concern that
that allall men shall
shall come to to
aa knowledge
knowledge of of full
full salvation
salvation in through Jesus
in and through Jesus
Christ. Just how God finally
Christ. Just disposes of
finally disposes of sin,
sin, although
although
interesting subject
an interesting subject to to contemplate,
contemplate, is is something
something we
THE SCAPEGOAT 401
can safely
can safely leave
leave to the infinite
to the justice and mercy
infinite justice of
mercy of
God. It is evidently
It is revealed in
evidently revealed in part
part in
in the
the typical
typical trans-
trans-
action
action of the scapegoat.
of the scapegoat. But our
our fundamental
fundamental concern
concern
is that
is that all
all who will respond shall
will respond shall come under the the full
full
atoning provisions
atoning provisions of
of the
the shed
shed blood of ] esus
of Jesus Christ
Christ our
Lord.
Lord.
'fhe
Tfie Investigative Judgment in
Investigative judgment
m the
the Setting
Setting
of
of the Armiman
the Arminian Concept
Concept
QUESTION
QUESTION 36
Since
Since Seventh-day Adventists
Seventh-day Adventists hold largely
largely
to the principles
to the principles of
of the Arminian,
Arminian, rather than
rather
the Calvinist,
the position concerning
Calmnisty position concerning the human
the
will,
will, in way does this
in what way this affect
affect your under-
your
standing of
standing of the judgment?
judgment?
PART ONE
Man's Free Will and the
the Judgment
Judgment
divergent views
The divergent views classified
classified under "Calvinism"
"Calvinism"
and "Arminianism" have toots
"Arminianism'' have that reach
roots that reach aa long
long wayway
back in
back in church history-as
history as far back as
far back as Augustine.
Augustine.
Through
Through thethe subsequent
subsequent centuries theologians have
centuries theologians
ranged
ranged themselves
themselves on one side
side or
or the
the other. But these
other. these
theological concepts
theological concepts came to head-on collision
collision in
in Hol-
Hol-
land in the
land in the early years
early years of
of the
the seventeenth century,
century,
when Arminius attacked the Calvinist
attacked the Calvinist teaching
teaching ofof di-
di-
vine
vine decrees
decrees involving
involving the
the human will.
will.
I. Five-Point
I. Five-Point Outline
Outline of Calvinistic Predestination
of Calvinistic Predestination
In his
his 1537 Instruction in
1537 Instruction Faith (Paul
in Faith (Paul T. Fuhr-
tr., 1949,
mann tr., p. 36), John
1949, p. 36), John Calvin
Calvin says:
says:
For, the
For, the seed
seed of the
of the word of
of God takes root and brings
takes root brings forth
forth
fruit only
fruit in those
only in those whom the Lord, by
the Lord, by his
his eternal election, has
eternal election, has
402
402
THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT
JUDGMENT 403
predestined to
predestined to be children
children and heirs
heirs of the heavenly
of the heavenly kingdom.
kingdom. To
aU
all the others
others (who by the
(who by the same counsel
counsel of are rejected
of God are rejected
before the foundation of
before the of the
the world)
world) the
the clear
clear and evident
evident
preaching of truth
preaching of truth can be
be nothing but an
nothing but an odor
odor of
of death unto
death unto
death.
death.
John Calvin was one of

John Calvin of the
the most brilliant
brilliant personali-
personali-
ties among
ties among the the sixteenth-century
sixteenth-century Reformers.
Reformers. But his
his
teaching
teaching on predestination
predestination became the
the subject
subject of
of bitter
bitter
controversy
controversy inin later
later years. In 1610
years. In the famous
1610 the famous Remon-
strance was drawn up,
strance up, and presented
presented to to the
the States-
States-
General ofof Holland,
Holland, inin which were
were outlined
outlined five vital
five vital
points
points in
in Calvinistic
Calvinistic theology.
theology. These were declared
declared
offensive, some at
offensive, at that time claiming
that time claiming toto have
have found in in
the Calvinistic
Calvinistic Catechism and the Belgic Confession
the Belgic Confession
certain points
certain that appeared
points that appeared as as somewhat new theology.
theology.
These were setset forth
forth as
as follows:
follows:
1. That God (as

1. (as some asserted)
asserted) had ordered by an eternal
ordered by eternal
and irreversible
irreversible decree,
decree, some from among
among men (whom did
(whom He did
not consider
not consider as created; much less
as created; as fallen)
less as fallen) to
to everlasting life;
everlasting life;
and some (who (who were by by far the greater
far the greater part)
part) to
to everlasting
everlasting per-
per-
dition without
dition without any any regard
regard to to their
their obedience
obedience or or disobedience,
disobedience,
in
in order
order to to exert both His justice
exert both justice and mercy;
mercy; having
having soso disposed
disposed
the means, that
the means, that those
those whom He had appointed appointed to to salvation
salvation
should be necessarily
necessarily and unavoidably
unavoidably saved,
saved, and the
the rest
rest neces-
neces-
sarily and unavoidably
sarily unavoidably damned.
2. That God (as
2. (as others taught) had considered
others taught) considered mankind not not
only as
only as created
created butbut asas fallen
fallen inin Adam, consequently as
Adam, and consequently as liable
liable
to the
to the curse;
curse; from which fall fall and destruction
destruction He had deter- deter-
mined to to release
release some,
some, and to to save
save them as as instances
instances of
of His mercy;
mercy;
and to to leave
leave others,
others, even
even children
children of the Covenant,
of the Covenant, under the the
curse as
curse as examples
examples of of His justice,
justice, without
without any regard to
any regard belief or
to belief or
unbelief. To which end God also
unbelief. also made use use of whereby the
of means whereby
elect were
elect were necessarily
necessarily saved
saved and the the reprobate
reprobate were necessarily
necessarily
damned.
3.
3. That,
That, consequently,
consequently, Jesus Christ the
Jesus Christ the Saviour ofof the World
did not
did not die
die for
for all
all men, but only
men, but only for
for those
those who were elected accord-
elected accord-
ing to the
ing to the first
first or
or second
second manner.
404 QUESTIONS
4.
4. That therefore
therefore the Spirit of
the Spirit Christ wrought
of God and Christ wrought in the
in the
elect
elect by an irresistible
by irresistible force in order
force in order to believe and
to make them believe
be saved,
be but that
saved, but that necessary
necessary and sufficient
sufficient grace not given
grace was not to
given to
the reprobate.
the reprobate.
5. That they
5. they who had once once received
received aa true
true faith
faith could
could never
never
lose it
lose wholly or
it wholly or finaIly.-A.
finally. A. W. HARRISON,
HARRISON, The Beginnings
Beginnings ofof
Arminianism (1926), pp. 149,
(1926), pp. 149, 150.
150.
This position,
position, however,
however, was not not original
original with
with Cal-
Cal-
vin. A thousand
vin. thousand yearsyears earlier, according to
earlier, according to G.
G. F.
F. Wig-
Wig-
gers, Augustine expressed
gers, Augustine expressed the
the same idea:
idea:
Augustine
Augustine introduced
introduced into the ecclesiastical
into the ecclesiastical system
system several
several
views entirely
views new. . .. Amongst
entirely new. Amongst them were
. . . were irresistible
irresistible grace,
grace,
ahsolute fore-ordination and the
absolute fore-ordination the limitation
limitation of redemption by
of redemption by
Christ to
Christ the elect.-An
to the elect. Historical Presentation
An Historical Presentation of of Augustinism
Augustinism
and Pelagianism,
Pelagianism, p.
p. 368.
368.
II. Arminianism's
II. Arminianism's Rebuttal in
in Five
Five Counterpoints
Counterpoints
In opposing
In opposing these these views
views Arminius and his his associates
associates
drew up up aa rebuttal
rebuttal which
which was presentedpresented in five counter-
in five counter-
points. These later
points. later became the epitome of
the epitome of what was
known as as Arminianism. These were as as follows:
follows:
1. That God,
1. God, by by an eternal unchangeable decree
eternal and unchangeable decree in in
Christ before the
Christ before world was,
the world was, determined
determined to to elect
elect from thethe fallen
fallen
and sinning
sinning human race race to everlasting life
to everlasting life those
those who through
through
His grace
His believe in
grace believe Jesus Christ
in Jesus Christ and persevere
persevere in in faith
faith and
obedience; and,
obedience; and, on the the contrary,
contrary, had resolvedresolved to to reject
reject the
the un-
un-
converted and unbelievers
converted unbelievers to to everlasting
everlasting damnation (John
(John iii,
iii, 36).
36).
2. That, in
2. That, in consequence
consequence of this, Christ
of this, Christ thethe Saviour
Saviour of of thethe
world died
world died for all and every
for all every man,
man, so
so that
that He obtained,
obtained, by
by the
the
death
death on the the cross, reconciliation and pardon
cross, reconciliation pardon for for sin
sin for
for allall
men; in
men; in such
such manner,
manner, however,
however, that that none but but thethe faithful
faithful
actually enjoyed
actually enjoyed thethe same (John
(John iii,iii, 16;
16; 11 John ii, 2).
John ii, 2).
3. That man could
3. could not
not obta:""J.
obta n saving
:
faith of
saving faith himself or
of himself or byby
the strength
the strength of his own free
of his will, but stood
free will, stood inin need ofof God's
God's grace
grace
through
through Christ
Christ toto be
be renewed in in thought
thought and will will (John
(John xv,
xv, 5).
5).
4. That this
4. this grace
grace was the the cause
cause of the beginning,
of the beginning, progress
progress
and completion
completion of of man's
man's salvation;
salvation; insomuch that that none couldcould
believe nor
believe nor persevere
persevere in in faith
faith without
without this this co-operating
co-operating grace,
grace,
JUDGMENT 405
405
and consequently
consequently that that all good works
all good works mustmust be be ascribed
ascribed to the
to the
grace of
grace of God inin Christ.
Christ. As to to the
the manner of the operation
of the operation ofof that
that
grace, however,
grace, however, it it is not irresistible
is not irresistible (Acts vii, 51).
(Acts vii, 51).
5. That true
5. true believers
believers had sufficient
sufficient strength through the
strength through the
Divine grace
Divine grace to
to fight
fight against
against Satan, sin, the
Satan, sin, the world,
world, their
their own
flesh, and get
flesh, the victory
get the victory over
over them;
them; butbut whether
whether by by negligence
negligence
they might
they not apostatize
might not apostatize from the the true
true Faith,
Faith, lose the happiness
lose the happiness
of aa good
of conscience and forfeit
good conscience that grace
forfeit that grace needed
needed to be more
to be
tully inquired
fully inquired into
into according
according to to Holy
Holy Writ Writ before
before they pro-
they pro-
ceeded to
ceeded to teach
teach it.-HARRISON,
it. HARRISON, op. op. cit., pp. 150,
cit., pp. 150, 151.
151.
This controversy,
This controversy, which became active active with
with
Arminius in in 1603, reached its
1603, reached its height
height in the Synod
in the Synod of of
Dort in
Dort in 1618
1618 and 1619,
1619, and had far-reaching
far-reaching results.
results.
only did
Not only the Dutch church
did the feel its
church feel effects, but
its effects, but the
the
German, Swiss,
German, Swiss, Scotch, English, and French sections
Scotch, English, sections of
of
the
the Christian
Christian church all participated in,
all participated in, or were di-
or were di-
vided by,
vided by, this
this controversy.
controversy. Since then, Arminianism
Since then,
has become an expression
has expression for
for theological concepts that
theological concepts that
are the
are the opposite
opposite of
of Calvinism. However, the
Calvinism. However, the followers
followers
of Arminius went further
of Arminius further in
in their declarations than
their declarations than did
Arminius himself.
Arminius In fact,
himself. In he would be
fact, he be surprised,
surprised,
even
even shocked,
shocked, could
could he
he read
read the
the theological
theological interpre-
interpre-
tations
tations of
of some who have since been classified
since been classified as
as
Arminian. And the
Arminian. the same principle
principle holds
holds with
with refer-
refer-
ence to the
ence to the followers
followers of Calvin. Present-day
of Calvin. Calvinism
Present-day Calvinism
seems
seems to
to be
be more modified
modified even
even than
than is
is Arminianism.
Arminianism.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is
Seventh-day Adventist neither Cal-
is neither Cal-
vinist nor totally
vinist nor totally Arminian in
in theology. Recognizing
theology. Recognizing
the
the virtues
virtues of of each, have endeavored to
each, we have to assimilate
assimilate
that which to us appears
that which to us appears to to be
be the
the clear
clear teaching of
teaching the
of the
\\lord
Word of of God.
God. While we believe
believe John
John Calvin was one
of the
of the greatest
greatest of
of the
the Protestant
Protestant Reformers,
Reformers, we do not
not
share his view
share his view that
that some men "are predestinated to
"are predestinated to eter-
eter-
nal death
nal without any
death without any demerit of their
demerit of their own,
own, merely
merely byby his
his
QUESTIONS
sovereign
sovereign will"will" (CALVIN, Institutes, bk.
(CALVIN, Institutes, bk. 3,
3, ch. 23, par.
ch. 23, par. 2).2).
Or that
that men "are "are notnot all
all created
created withwith aa similar
similar destiny;
destiny;
but eternal
but eternal lifelife is
is fore-ordained
fore-ordained for some, and eternal
for some, eternal
damnation for
damnation others" (ibid.,
for others" (ibid., bk.
bk. 3,
3, ch.
ch. 21,
21, par. 5).
par. 5).
On the the contrary,
contrary, we believe believe thatthat salvation
salvation is is avail-
avail-
able
able to to any
any and all
all members of
of the
the human race,
race, for
for
"God so so loved
loved the world, that
the world, that he gave
gave hishis only begotten
only begotten
Son, that whosoever
Son, that believeth in
whosoever believeth in him shouldshould not not per-
per-
ish, but
ish, but have
have everlasting
everlasting life" life" (John
(John 3: 16). We
3:16). \Ve rejoice
rejoice
with
with the apostle Paul that
the apostle that "before
"before the the foundation
foundation of of
the world"
the world" (Eph. (Eph. 1:4)1:4) God had purposed
purposed to
to meet
man's need,
man's need, should
should he he sin. This "eternal
sin. This purpose" in-
"eternal purpose" in-
volved the
volved the incarnation
incarnation of of God in in Christ,
Christ, the the sinless
sinless
life
life and all-atoning
all-atoning death death of of Christ,
Christ, His resurrection
His resurrection
from the dead, and His
the dead, His priestly
priestly ministry
ministry in in heaven,
heaven,
which ministry
which ministry willwill climax
climax in in the
the great
great scenes
scenes of the
of the
judgment.
judgment.
Our teaching
teaching on the the subject
subject of of the
the judgment
judgment is, is, we
feel,
feel, entirely scriptural, and is
entirely scriptural, is the logical and inevitable
the logical inevitable
conclusion of
conclusion of our free-will concept. We are
free-will concept. are persuaded
persuaded
that
that as as individuals
individuals we each each are held accountable
are held accountable to to
God.
God, The apostleapostle Paul
Paul says:
says: "We shall all stand
shall all before
stand before
the judgment
the judgment seat seat ofof Christ.
Christ. For For itit is
is written,
written, As II live, live,
saith
saith the
the Lord,
Lord, every
every knee
knee shall
shall bow to
to me,
me, and every
every
tongue shall
tongue shall confess
confess to to God. So then then everyone
every one of of usus
shall give account
shall give account of himself to
of himself to God" (Rom. (Rom. 14: 10-
14:10-
12).
12).
HI.
Human Race Lost
III. Lost Through
Through Adam's Sin
Adam's sin
sin involved
involved the race. "By
the whole human race. "By
one man sin
sin entered
entered into
into the world, and death
the world, death by
by sin,"
sin,"
declares the apostle
declares the apostle Paul (Rom.
(Rom. 5: 12). The expres-
5:12). expres-
JUDGMENT 407
407
sion
sion "by sin" shows
"by sin" shows clearly that he
clearly that he is is referring,
referring, not not
to
to actual
actual individual
individual sins, sins, butbut rather
rather to to thethe sinful
sinful na- na-
ture that we all
ture that all inherited
inherited from from Adam. "In "In Adam all die"
all die"
(1 Cor. 15:22).
(1 Cor. Because of
15:22). Because of Adam's sin, sin, "death
"death passedpassed
upon
upon all
all men" (Rom. 5:
(Rom. 5:12). 12).
It was to
It was to meet man in in his
his need,
need, and to to save
save thethe race
race
from eternal
eternal death,
death, that
that thethe Eternal
Eternal Word became inin-
carnate. Christ
carnate. lived as
Christ lived as aa man among
among men, men, then then died
died in in
man's stead.
man's stead. The substitutionary
substitutionary death death of of our
our Lord is is
the
the very heart of
very heart of the gospel. When by
the gospel. by faith
faith we receive
receive
Him, then
Him, then His death becomes becomes our death-"If
our death "If one died died
for all, then
for all, then were all all dead"
dead" (2 (2 Cor.
Cor. 5:14). The
5:14).
Scriptures
Scriptures revealreveal thatthat as as far-reaching
far-reaching as as waswas thethe effect
effect
of Adam's sin,
of just so
sin, just so far-reaching
far-reaching is
is the
the effect
effect of
of free
free
grace.
grace.
Scripture
Scripture says, says, "As by by the
the offence
offence of of one judgment
judgment
came uponupon all all men to to condemnation;
condemnation; even so so by
by thethe
righteousness
righteousness of
of one [Jesus Christ]
[Jesus Christ] the
the free
free gift
gift came
upon all
upon all men unto unto justification
justification of life" (Rom.
of life" (Rom. 5: 18).
5:18).
But
But if if we would
would "reign
"reign in life" (verse
in life" (verse 17), 17), we must
accept
accept that
that "gift
"gift of
of righteousness."
righteousness." And the apostle
the apostle
John quotes
John quotes the
the Lord as
as saying,
saying, "Whosoever will,
will, let
let
him take
take the the water
water of
of life
life freely" (Rev.
freely" (Rev. 22:17). 22: 17). The
only
only way
way we can
can take
take of
of that
that life is
life is to take Him who is
to take is
the A uthor of
the Author of life.
life. "And this this isis the
the record,
record, that that God
hath given
hath given to to usus eternal life, and this
eternal life, this lifelife isis inin his
his
Son.
Son. He that that hath
hath the
the Son hath hath life;
life; and he that
that hath
not
not the
the SonSon of of God hath hath notnot life"
life" (1 ] ohn 5:
(I John 11, 12).
5:11, 12).
This gift
This gift
of
of life,
life, we understand,
understand, is
is available
available to
to all,
all, yet
yet
only those
only those who lay
lay hold
hold upon
upon that
that gift-those
gift those who
accept
accept the
the divine
divine provision-have
provision have eternal life.
life.
From Adam we all

From all have inherited aa sinful
have inherited nature.
sinful nature.
QUESTIONS
We all all areare "by
"by nature
nature thethe children
children of wrath" (Eph.
of wrath" (Eph.
2:3).
2:3). Whether we be Jews or
be Jews or Gentiles,
Gentiles, we are are "all
"all
under sin." sin/' "There is none that
is none that seeketh
seeketh after
after GodGod..
. . . There
. . There is
, is none thatthat doeth good, no,
doeth good, no, not
not one" (Rom.(Rom.
3:9, 11, 12). Consequently
3:9, 11, 12). Consequently all
all are
are "guilty before God"
"guilty before
(verse
(verse 19).19).
But if if men will
will only accept God's
only accept God's freefree gift
gift
of righteousness,
of righteousness, then
then no matter
matter how far
far they
they have
have
drifted from
drifted from God,God, or or how deeplydeeply they they have
have become
imbedded in In sin,
sin, they can still
they can still bebe justified,
justified, for
for Christ's
Christ's
righteousness, if
righteousness, if accepted,
accepted, is is accounted
accounted as theirs. Such
as theirs.
is the
is the matchless
matchless grace grace of
of God.
When Paul Paul speaks
speaks of the justification
of the justification thatthat isis ours
ours in in
Christ,
Christ, he he says,
says, first,
first, that
that we are are "justified
"justified freely
freely by
by his
his
grace" (Rom.
grace" (Rom. 3:24),
3:24), for
for grace
grace is the source.
is the source. Next,
Next, he
says
says that
that we are
are "justified
"justified by by faith"
faith" (Rom. 5:
(Rom. 1), for
5:1), for
faith
faith is is the
the method.
method. Then he climaxes climaxes all all by
by saying
saying
that
that we are are "justified
"justified by by his
his blood"
blood" (verse
(verse 9), for
9), for
blood is
blood is the
the means.
means. James
James adds
adds another
another quality,
quality, de-
de-
claring that
claring that "by works aa man is
"by works is justified,
justified, and not not byby
faith
faith only"
only" (James 2:24). But works
(James 2:24). works are the evidence,
are the evidence,
not the means,
not the means, of justification. All
of justification. All of these vital
of these vital factors
factors
combined, operate
combined, operate in
in the
the life
life of
of the
the believer,
believer, and all
all who
will may
will may enter
enter into
into this glorious experience.
this glorious experience.
IV.
IV. The Provisions for Our Redemption
Provisions for Redemption
We believe
believe the
the Bible teaches that
Bible teaches that no man need need
ever
ever bebe lost
lost because
because ofof Adam's failure,
failure, for
for through
through
Christ's redemptive work provision
Christ's redemptive provision has
has been made for for
all to accept
all to accept of
of the
the grace of God by
grace of by which they
they can
can be
delivered
delivered from sin sin and reinstated
reinstated into the family
into the family ofof
heaven. When the
heaven. the apostle
apostle John
John wrote
wrote about
about Christ
Christ
Jesus being
Jesus being "the propitiation for
"the propitiation for our sins,"
sins," that
that is,
is, the
the
JUDGMENT 409
409
sins of believers,
sins believers, the
the declaration
declaration was made that
was that recon-
recon-
ciling
ciling atonement,
atonement, or propitiation, was
or propitiation, was not
not for
for our
our sins
sins
only but also
only also for the sins
for the of the
sins of the whole
whole world
world (1 John
(1 John
2:2).
2:2).
tragic fact,
The tragic fact, however, is that
however, is that not
not all
all will
will accept
accept
that sacrifice
that sacrifice and receive
receive eternal life. Jesus
eternal life. Jesus said,
said, "Ye
"Ye
will not
will not to me,
come to that ye
me, that ye might
might have
have life"
life" (John
(John
5:40).
5:40). In His yearning
yearning appeal
appeal He said,
said, "How often
often
would II have gathered thy children
gathered thy together ... and
children together . . .
ye would not" (Matt.

ye (Matt. 23:37). later Stephen
23:37). And later Stephen
charged those Pharisees
charged those with being
Pharisees with being stiff-necked
stiff-necked and
always resisting
always resisting the Holy Ghost (Acts
the Holy 7:51). Thus on
(Acts 7:51).
Biblical testimony we conclude
Biblical testimony conclude they
they were not
were not com-
pelled
pelled to
to resist
resist the
the Spirit; they
Spirit; they chose
chose to
to resist.
resist. We agree
agree
with Arminius who said:
with said:
5. All unregenerate
5. All unregenerate persons
persons have freedom of
have freedom will, and aa capa-
of will, capa-
bility of
bility of resisting
resisting the
the Holy Spirit, of
Holy Spirit, rejecting the
of rejecting the proffered
proffered grace
grace
of God, of
of God, of despising the counsel
despising the counsel ofof God against themselves, of
against themselves, of
refusing
refusing toto accept
accept the
the gospel
gospel of grace, and of
of grace, of not
not opening
opening to to Him
who knocks
knocks atat the
the door of
of the
the heart;
heart; and these
these things
things they
they can
can
actually do, without
actually do, without any of the
difference of
any difference the elect
elect and the repro-
the repro-
bate.-The
bate. The Writings
Writings of James Arminius
of James Arminius (Baker,
(Baker, 1956), vol. 2,
1956), vol. 2,
p. 497.
p. 497.
The apostle Peter, speaking

apostle Peter, speaking of the long-suffering
of the long-suffering of
of
our Lord,
our Lord, declared
declared that that He is is "not willing that
"not willing that any
any
should perish, but
should perish, but that
that all should come to
all should to repentance"
repentance"
(2 Peter 3:
(2 Peter 9). That message
3:9). message is is not
not confined
confined to the
the
Testament; it
New Testament; it is just as
is just real in
as real in the
the Old Testament.
Testament.
"As II live,
live, saith the Lord God,
saith the God, II have
have no pleasure
pleasure in
the
the death
death ofof the wicked; but that
the wicked; the wicked
that the wicked turn from
his way
his way and live"live*' (Eze. 33: 11).
(Eze. 33:11). But the wicked
when the
man repents
repents and turns
turns from his wicked way,
his wicked way, by
by that
that
very act
very act he
he becomes
becomes a
a son
son of
of God and places
places himself
himself
410
QUESTIONS
where the
where the Spirit
Spirit of
of God can
can lead
lead him toto do the
the will
will of
of
God. "As many
many as
as are
are led
led by
by the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of God,
God, they
they are
are
the sons
the sons of
of (Rom. 8:14).
God" (Rom. 8: 14).
It is important
important that
It is that we learn
learn "what the the will
will of
of the
the
Lord is"
is" (Eph. 5: 17). Writing
(Eph. 5:17). Writing to to the
the Thessalonians
Thessalonians
Paul said,
Paul said, "This
"This is the will
IS the of God,
will of God, even your your sanctifi-
sanctifi-
cation" (1
cation" (1 Thess. 4:3). The gospel
Thess. 4:3). gospel of of Christ
Christ isis good
good
news, telling
news, telling how God can
can take
take a
a lost
lost soul,
soul, one who is
is
His enemy
His enemy byby nature,
nature, and after
after forgiving
forgiving his his sin
sin can
can so
so
change his
change his life
life that
that not
not only
only will
will he be be cleansed
cleansed from
every
every defilement,
defilement, but
but through growth
through growth in in grace
grace he
will be
will be conformed
conformed to to the
the image
image of of his
his Lord.
Lord.
v. Divine Grace Both Justifies
V. Divine Justifies and Sanctifies
Sanctifies
first work of
The first grace is
of grace is justification.
justification. The contin-contin-
uing
uing work of grace
of grace in
in the
the life
life is
is sanctification. Some
sanctification.
start on the
who start way of
the way of God and rejoicerejoice inin the
the thought
thought
of being
of being justified,
justified, fail
fail to appropriate the
to appropriate the indwelling
indwelling
power of
power of Christ
Christ byby which alone they they can
can be be sanctified.
sanctified.
result is
The result is that
that at
at last they are
last they are found unworthy.
unworthy. That
is
is why
why thethe apostle
apostle said,
said, "Examine yourselves,
yourselves, whether
ye
ye be in
in the
the faith;
faith; prove your
prove your own selves.
selves. Know ye ye not
your
your own selves,
selves, how that
that Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ is
is in
in you, except
you, except
ye be reprobates?"
ye be reprobates?" (2 (2 Cor.
Cor. 13:5).
13:5). Jesus
Jesus said,
said, "Not every every
one that
that saith
saith unto me, me, Lord,
Lord, Lord,
Lord, shall
shall enter into into
the
the kingdom
kingdom of
of heaven;
heaven; but he that
that doeth the
the will
will of
of
my
my Father which is
is in
in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
(Matt. 7:21).
The grace
grace of of God is is given
given to to the believer
believer that that he
may
may laylay aside
aside every
every weight,
weight, and the the sin
sin that
that does
does soso
easily
easily beset
beset him,
him, and run with patience
patience the
the race
race that
that is
is
;et
set before
before him (Heb. 12:
(Heb. 12:1). 1). The power
power of
of the
the Holy
Holy
Spirit
Spirit enables
enables him to to experience
experience victory
victory over
over sin
sin now,
now,
JUDGMENT 4II
411
and toto live

live aa life
life wholly consecrated to
wholly consecrated to God.
God. "For the the
grace
grace ofof God that bringeth salvation
that bringeth hath appeared
salvation hath appeared to to
all men, teaching
all men, teaching us that, denying
us that, denying ungodliness
ungodliness and
worldly
worldly lusts,
lusts, we should
should livelive soberly, righteously, and
soberly, righteously,
godly,
godly, in
in this
this present
present world"
world" (Titus 2: 11, 12).
(Titus 2:11, By
12). By
grace we are
grace are justified,
justified, and by by that grace we are
that same grace are
made "a peculiar people,
"a peculiar people, zealous
zealous of
of good
good works"
works" (Titus
(Titus
2: 14). And through
2:14). through thethe indwelling
indwelling of of the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of God
we are
are conformed to to the
the image
image ofof Him who called
called us
us
from darkness
darkness to to His marvelous light.light. Again
Again we quote
quote
Arminius:
Arminius:
It is
It is this
this grace
grace which operates on the
operates on the mind,
mind, the
the affections,
affections, and
the will;
the which infuses
will; which good thoughts
infuses good thoughts into the mind,
into the mind, inspires
inspires
good desires into
good desires into the
the affections, bends the
affections, and bends the will
will to
to carry into
carry into
execution good
execution good thoughts
thoughts and good
good desires.
desires. .... It averts
. . It tempta-
averts tempta-
tions, assists and grants
tions, assists grants succor in the
succor in the midst of temptations, sustains
of temptations, sustains
man against the flesh,
against the flesh, the world and Satan,
the world Satan, and in in this
this great
great
contest grants
contest grants to
to man the
the enjoyment
enjoyment of
of the
the victory
victory.....
. .This
. grace
grace
commences salvation,
salvation, promotes it, and perfects
promotes it, perfects and consummates
it.-The
it. The Writings
Writings of James Arminius,
of James Arminius, vol. 2, pp.
vol. 2, 472, 473.
pp. 472, 473.
When Christ
Christ is
is living in
living in the heart of
the heart of one
one who is
is aa
true citizen
true citizen of
of God's kingdom it
God's kingdom it will be abundantly
will be abundantly evi-
evi-
dent, for
dent, every word and act
for every ~ill be
act will be under the
the control of
control of
the Holy
the Holy Spirit.
Spirit. This is
is what the
the Lord expects
expects of
of His
people, for
people, for "he that
that saith
saith he abideth in
in him ought
ought
himself also
himself also so to walk,
so to walk, even as
as he walked" (1
(1 John
John
2:6).
2:6). The great
great apostle
apostle says,
says, "As ye
ye have therefore
therefore re-
re-
ceived Christ Jesus
ceived Christ the Lord,
Jesus the Lord, so ye in
so walk ye in him" (Col.
(Col.
2:6).
2:6).
JJohn
ohn Wesley
Wesley expresses
expresses the
the thought tersely in
thought tersely in one
of his sermons:
of his sermons:
By justification
By justification we are
are saved
saved from the
the guilt
guilt of
of sin,
sin, and
restored to
restored to the
the favour
favour of God; by
of God; by sanctification
sanctificationwe are
are saved
QUESTIONS
the power
from the power and
and root
root of
of sin
sin and
and restored
restored to
to the
the Image
image of
of God.
God.
-Sermons:
Sermons: "On
f<
Working Out Our Own Salvation."
On Working Salvation."
Then, speaking
Then, speaking of of our
our love
love toto God,
God, he he says:
says:
That love
love increases
increases more and more,more, till
till we "grow
"grow up
up in
in all
all
things
things into
into him that
that is
is our
our head";
head"; till
till we "attain
"attain tne
tne measure
measure of
of
the stature
the stature of
of the
the fulness
fulness of Christ."-Ibid.
of Christ." Ibid.
In fact,
In fact, "growth in grace,"
"growth in grace," in
in the
the understanding
understanding of
of
Wesley,
Wesley, was
was not
not merely
merely a
a privilege
privilege but an absolute
absolute
prerequisite to
prerequisite to the
the retention
retention ofof the
the "great
"great salvation."
salvation."
VI. Man,
VI. Man, Once Saved,
Saved, Turn Back
Can Torn to the
Rack to the World
Jesus said, "He that

Jesus said, that endureth to the
endure th to the end shall
shall be
saved" (Matt. 10:22;
saved" (Matt. see also
10:22; see also Matt.
Matt. 24:13;
24: 13; Mark 13:13:
13).
13). Not only
only is
is there
there to
to be a
a beginning
beginning of
of the
the Chris-
Chris-
tian
tian life, but there
life, there must be aa continuing
continuing in in the
the word of of
God.
God.
understand it,
As we understand it, two courses
courses are
are open
open to to men:
(1)
(1) "To them who by patient
by patient continuance in well
in well
doing
doing seek
seek for
for glory
glory and honour and immortality"
immortality" God
will grant
will grant "eternal
"eternal life"
life" (Rom.
(Rom. 2:7), "the gift
2:7), gift ofof God"
(Rom. 6:23);
(Rom. 6:23); and (2)
(2) "unto them that
that are
are contentious,
contentious,
and do not obey obey thethe truth,
truth, but obey unrighteousness,"
obey unrighteousness,"
God willwill mete out "indignation
"indignation and wrath" (Rom. (Rom.
2:8).
2:8).
Salvation
Salvation is is freely offered
freely offered to to all men, but they
all men, they re-
re-
ceive
ceive it it only by accepting
only by accepting Christ
Christ Jesus
Jesus as
as Lord. And
having received it,
having received it, they
they are
are to to "follow
"follow on to to know the the
Lord" (Hosea 6:3).
(Hosea 6:3). This is
is frequently emphasized by
frequently emphasized by
various "if"
various "if" texts
texts of of the
the Bible.
Bible. Thus: "But Christ Christ asas aa
son
son over
over his
his own house;
house; whose house are we, if
are we, if we hold
fast the
fast the confidence
confidence and the the rejoicing
rejoicing of
of the
the hope
hope firm
unto
unto thethe end" (Heb.
(Heb. 3:6);3:6); "For we are
are made partakers
partakers
THE INVESTIGATIVE
INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT
JUDGMENT 413
413
of Christ, if
of Christ, if we
we hold
hold the
the beginning
beginning of of our
our confidence
confidence
stedfast unto the
stedfast unto the end"
end" (verse
(verse 14);
14); "Then
"Then said said Jesus
Jesus
to
to those Jews
Jews which believed
believed on him, him, If ye
If ye continue
continue
in my word,
word, then are are yeye my
my disciples
disciples indeed"
indeed** (John
(John
8:31); "If
8:31); "// yeye abide in
in me,
me, and my
my words abide
words abide in in you,
you,
ye
ye shaH
shall ask
ask what ye ye will,
will, and itit shall
shall be
be done
done unto
unto you"
you"
(John 15:7); "If
(John 15:7); "// ye
ye keep
keep my
my commandments,
commandments, ye ye shall
shall
abide in my love; love; even as as I1 have
have kept
kept my my Father's
Father's
commandments, and abide abide inin hishis love"
love" (verse
(verse 10).
10).
It
It seems clear
clear to to us,
us, therefore,
therefore, thatthat man,
man, onceonce saved,
saved,
can turn back to to the
the world.
world.
If this
this isis not so,so, there
there are
are several
several scriptures
If scriptures thatthat
would be difficult
difficult toto understand, or to harmonize
understand, or to harmonize with with
the
the general
general teaching
teaching of of the
the Bible.
Bible.
Thus there
there is the text:
is the text: "But II keep
keep under
under my my body,
body,
bring it
and bring it into
into subjection:
subjection: lest
lest that
that by any means,
by any means,
preached to
when II have preached to others,
others, II myself
myself should
should be be aa
castaway" (1
castaway" (1 Cor.
Cor. 9:27). "castaw~y," in
9:27). The "castaway," in this
this text,
text,
is from the
is adokimos which
the Greek adokimos, which is is rendered
rendered "re-
J "re-
jected" (Reb.
jected" (Heb. 6:8), 6:8), and "reprobate"'*'
"reprobate"* (2 (2 Cor.
Cor. 13:5,
13:5, 6;6;
1:28).
Rom. 1:28)..
*Sorne maintain
*Some maintain that that thisthis simply
simply means
means "disapproved,"
"disapproved," or or "put
"put aside,"
aside, U as
as one
one
whoho has has served a usefuluseful purpose
purpose in in God's
God's cause
cause butbut who now is is a "castaway,"
"castaway,"
beinE put to one side; and that this does not involve his standing as a child of God.
Other renderings of the Greek, however, seem to us to maKe such an interpre-
tation impossible. Adokimos is rendered "reprobate" no less than six times. And
the context
the context inin each
each instance
instance is is such
such that
that it could not
it could not apply
apply toto aa true
true child
child ofof God.
God.
Note:
Note:
Rom. 1:2& "God
Rom. 1 : 28-"God gave gave them over
them over to reprobate mind"
to aa reprobate mind"-a reference to
a reference to men
men
abandoned to
abandoned to iniquity.
ini,\uity.
22 Cor.
Cor. 13:5
13:5- 'Jesus
'Jesus Christ
Christ is is in
in you,
you, except
except ye ye be reprobate"; also
be reprobate"; also verses
verses 6Ii and
and
77-which cannot refer
which cannot refer to to aa born-again
born-again Christian,
Christian, for for he
he is
is not
not in in the
the faith,
faith, Christ
Christ
is not
is not inin him,
him, butbut he
he isis living
living inin sin.
sin.
22 Tim.
Tim. 3:8 "Men of
3: 8-"Men of corrupt
corrupt minds, reprobate concerning
minds, reprobate concerning thethe faith"
faith" (here
(here are
are
men who
men who resist the truth,
resist the truth, men men whowho areare corrupt)
corrupt).
.
Titus 1:16
Titus 1:16-"Unto
"Unto every every good
good work reprobate." Can
work reprobate." Can this
this refer
refer toto aa Christian
Christian be-
be·
liever? Note
liever? Note that
that such
such aa one one denies
denies God,God, isis abominable,
abominable, disobedient,
disobedient. deceived,
deceived, andand
against every
against ~good work.
every good work.
w,.
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry wellwell remarks
remarks on on Romans
Romans 1:28:1 :28:
" "Here
"Here he he [Paul]
[Paull subjoins
subjoins aa blackblack list
list of
of those
those unbecoming
unbecoming things
things which
which thethe Gen-
Gen-
tiles were
tiles were guilty
guilty of,of, being
being delivered
delivered up up to to aa reprobate
reprobate mind.
mind. No No wickedness
wickedness so so
heinous,
heinous, so
so contrary
contrary to
to the
the light
light of
of nature,
nature, to
to the
the law
law of
of nations\ and to
nations, and to all theall the
interests of
interests of mankind,
mankind, but but aa reprobate
reprobate mind mind will
will comply
comply with
with it."
it.'
414
414 QUESTIONS
Matthew Henry comments on 1I Corinthians
Mattheiv Henry Corinthians 9:27:
9:27:
A preacher
preacher ofof salvation
salvation may
may yet
yet miss it. He may
miss it, may shew others
others
the
the way to
way heaven, and never
to heaven, never get
get thither
thither himself.
himself. To prevent
prevent this,
this,
Paul
Paul took so much pains
took so in subduing
pains in subduing and keeping
keeping under
under bodily
bodily
inclinations,
inclinations, lest by any
lest by any means he himself, who had preached
he himself, preached to to
others,
others, should yet miss
should yet miss the crown, be
the crown, be disapproved rejected by
disapproved and rejected by
his sovereign Judge.
his sovereign Judge. A holy fear of
holy fear of himself
himself was necessary
necessary to
to pre-
pre-
serve the fidelity
serve the fidelity of
of an
an apostle;
apostle; and how much more necessary
necessary is is
it
it to
to our preservation! Note,
our preservation! Note, Holy
Holy fear
fear of ourselves, and not
of ourselves, not
presumptuous confidence,
presumptuous confidence, isis the
the best
best security
security against
against apostacy
apostacy
from God,
from God, and final
final rejection by him.
rejection by him.
Another text
text that
that must bebe considered
considered is is Hebrews
10:28, 29: "He that

10:28, 29: that despised Moses' law died
despised Moses' died without
without
mercy
mercy under
under two
two or
or three
three witnesses:
witnesses: of
of how much
sorer punishment, suppose
sorer punishment, ye,
suppose ye, shall
shall he be
be thought
thought
worthy,
worthy, who hath trodden under foot foot the
the Son ofof God,
God,
hath counted the
and hath the blood of the
blood of the covenant,
covenant, where-
where-
with he
with was sanctified,
he was an unholy
sanctified, an unholy thing,
thing, and hath
hath done
despite
despite unto
unto the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of grace?"
grace?"
this, Dean Henry
On this, Henry Alford properly comments:
Alford properly comments:
There is
There is but
but One true true sacrifice
sacrifice for sins: if
for sins: a man,
if a man, having
having
availed himself of
availed himself of that
that One, then deliberately
One, then deliberately casts it behind
casts it behind him,
him,
there
there is is no second
second left
left for,
for< him. It will be
It will be observed that one thing
observed that thing
is not,
is not, and need not not be,
be, specified
specified in in the text. That he has
the text. has ex-
ex-
hausted the
hausted the virtue
virtue of
of the
the One Sacrifice,
Sacrifice, is not said:
is not said: but
but inin propor-
propor-
tion to
tion his willing
to his willing rejection
rejection of it, has
of it, has itit ceased
ceased toto operate
operate for him.
for him.
has in
He has in fact
fact ... shut
. . the door
shut the
. door ofof repentance behind him,
repentance behind him, by the
by the
very fact
very fact ofof his being in
his being in an abiding
abiding state of willing
state of willing sin. this
sin. And this
is still
is still more forcibly brought out
forcibly brought out when ... the
. . the scene
, scene ofof action
action isis
transferred
transferred to to the
the great
great dayday of
of thethe Lord's coming, and he is
Lord's coming, is
found in
found in that
that impenitent
impenitent statestate irreparably.-The
irreparably. The Greek Testa-Testa-
ment (1875),
(1875), p. p. 707.
707.
One more text-Ezekiel

text Ezekiel 18:20-24:
18:20-24: "The soul that
soul that
sinneth, it shall
sinneth, it shall die.
die. The son shall not
son shall not bear
bear the
the iniquity
iniquity
of the
of the father,
father, neither
neither shall the father
shall the father bear
bear the
the iniquity
iniquity
of the son:
of the the righteousness
son: the righteousness of of the
the righteous
righteous shall
shall be
be
JUDGMENT 415
415
upon
upon him,him, and the wickedness of
the wickedness the wicked
of the wicked shall
shall bebe
upon
upon him.
him. But if
if the
the wicked will turn
will turn from aU his sins
all his sins
that
that he he hath
hath committed,
committed, and keep keep allall my
my statutes,
statutes, and
do that
that which is is lawful
lawful and right,
right, he he shall
shall surely
surely live,
live,
he shall
he shall notnot die.
die. All
All his transgressions that
his transgressions that hehe hath
hath
committed, they
committed, they shall not be
shall not be mentioned unto unto him: in in
his righteousness that
his righteousness that hehe hath
hath done he he shall
shall live.
live. Have
II any pleasure at
any pleasure at all that the
all that the wicked shouldshould die?die? saith
saith
the Lord God: and not
the not that
that he should return from his
should return his
ways, and live?
ways, live? But when the the righteous turneth away
righteous turneth away
from his his righteousness,
righteousness, and committed!
committeth iniquity,
iniquity, and
doeth according
doeth according to
to all
all the
the abominations
abominations that
that the wicked
the wicked
doeth, shall
man doeth, shall hehe live?
live? All his righteousness
All his righteousness that that hehe
hath done shall
hath shall not
not bebe mentioned:
mentioned: in in his
his trespass
trespass that
that
he hath
hath trespassed,
trespassed, and in in his
his sin that he
sin that he hath
hath sinned,
sinned,
in them shall
in shall he he die."
die."
In these
these verses,
verses, two men are are brought
brought to to view.
view. The
one, aa wicked
one, wicked man who turns from his
turns from his sin becomes
sin and becomes
obedient
obedient to to God. He is is forgiven;
forgiven; and if
if he
he walks
walks in the
in the
way
way of
of righteousness,
righteousness, none of
of his
his former sins
sins will
will ever
ever
be mentioned
be mentioned unto unto him.him. The other, other, aa righteous
righteous man
who turnsturns from the the path
path of of righteousness,
righteousness, and goes goes
back into
back sin. If
into sin. If he continues
continues in in iniquity,
iniquity, none of his
of his
previous
previous manifestations
manifestations of
of goodness
goodness will
will ever
ever be men-
tioned.
tioned. He forfeitsforfeits all
all the blessings of
the blessings of salvation
salvation and
goes down intQ
goes into death (verse 24).
(verse 24).
Dr.
Dr. H. A. A. Redpath
Redpath (The (The Westminster Commentar-
ies,
ies, on Eze.
Eze. 18:24), says:
18:24), says:
All his
Ail his [the righteous'] previous
[the righteous*] previous goodness
goodness will
will not
not count:
count: he
shall die in
shall die in his
his sins:
sins: . . . "if,
. . "if, after
. after they have escaped
they have escaped the the defile·
defile-
ments of
ments the world
of the world through
through thethe knowledge
knowledge ofof the
the Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ,
Saviour Jesus Christ, they
they are again entangled
are again therein and over-
entangled therein over·
come, the last
come, the last state is become worse
state is worse . . . than
. than the
. . the first."
first."
416
QUESTIONS
VII. Christians
VII. Christians Counseled to
to Make Their Election
Election Sure
Sore
apostle Peter,
The apostle Peter, evidently
evidently sensing
sensing a a possibility
possibility of of
failure in
failure the Christian
in the Christian life, life, writes
writes to
to those
those who had
been "purged"
been "purged'* from their their "old"old sins," urging them to
sins," urging to
give diligence
give diligence to
to make their
their calling
calling and election
election sure
sure
(2
(2 Peter
Peter 1:9, 1:9, 10).
10). And this, this, byby divine grace, they
divine grace, they can can
do.
do. He says,
says, "Add to
to your
your faith
faith virtue;
virtue; and to virtue
to virtue
knowledge; and to
knowledge; to knowledge
knowledge temperance;
temperance; and to to tem-
tem-
perance patience;
perance patience; and to
to patience godliness;
patience godliness; and to
to god-
god-
liness brotherly kindness;
liness brotherly kindness; and to
to brotherly
brotherly kindness
kindness
charity" (verses
charity" (verses 5-7).5-7). Then he says: says: "For'Tor if if yeye do
these things,
these things, ye ye shall
shall never
never fall:
fall: for
for so
so an entrance
entrance shall
shall
be ministered
be ministered unto unto you you abundantly
abundantly into
into the
the everlasting
everlasting
kingdom of
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Jesus Christ"
Christ" (verses
(verses
10,
10, 11).
1 Therefore, we believe
1). Therefore,
believe thatthat to to make our our entrance
entrance
into
into the
the everlasting
everlasting kingdomkingdom sure, sure, we must by by the
the in-in-
dwelling
dwelling of
of Christ
Christ grow
grow in
in grace
grace and Christian
Christian virtues.
virtues.
He closes
closes hishis letter
letter with a a warning,
warning, reminding
reminding them
that some unlearned
that unlearned and unstable unstable were were wresting
wresting the the
Scriptures
Scriptures to to their
their own destruction
destruction (2 Peter 3:
(2 Peter 16).
3:16).
Then he says, says, "Beware lest
lest ye
ye also,
also, being
being led
led away
away with
with
the error
the error of the wicked,
of the wicked, fall fall from youryour own stedfastness.
stedfastness.
But grow
grow in in grace,
grace, and in in the knowledge of
the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour
Saviour JesusJesus Christ"
Christ" (verses
(verses 17,17, 18).
18).
Paul sets sets ·forth

forth the the same principle
principle in his epistles,
in his epistles,
although
although it
it is
is stated
stated in
in different
different language.
language. He tells tells us us
to put
to put on the the whole armor of of God;
God; to
to fight
fight the
the good
good
fight
fight of faith; to
of faith; to watch
watch unto prayer; prayer; to to search
search the the
Scriptures diligently;
Scriptures diligently; to
to flee
flee from temptation
temptation and turn
turn
away
away from ungodliness;
ungodliness; and as as citizens
citizens of of God's king-
God's king-
dom to yield ourselves
to yield ourselves to the control
to the control of the King
of the King that that
JUDGMENT 417
417
might live
we might live out the
the principles of His
principles of kingdom. To
His kingdom.
any of
do any of these
these things,
things, even the
the least
least of
of them,
them, we need
need
the enabling
the enabling power
power of of the indwelling Spirit.
the indwelling Spirit. But doing doing
right, complying
right, complying with God's commandments, commandments, meeting meeting
any or
any or all
all of
of the
the conditions
conditions we have have mentioned,
mentioned, has has
never saved
never saved a a soul-nor
soul nor can can it it ever
ever preserve
preserve aa saint.
saint.
Salvation proceeds wholly
Salvation proceeds wholly ftom from God,
God, and is is aa gift
gift from
God received
received by by faith.
faith. Yet Yet having
having accepted that
accepted that gift
gift
of grace,
of grace, and with Christ dwelling in
with Christ dwelling in his heart, the his heart, the
believer lives
believer lives aa life of victory
life of victory over
over sin.
sin. ByBy the
the grace
grace ofof
God he he walks
walks in the path
in the path of of righteousness.
righteousness.
While Adventists rejoice that
Adventists rejoice that we receive
receive salvation
salvation
by grace,
by grace, and grace alone,
grace alone, we also
also rejoice
rejoice that
that by that
by that
same grace
grace we obtain present present victory
victory over
over our sins, sins, as
as
well as
well over our sinful
as over nature. And through
sinful nature. through that that same
grace
grace we are are enabled to to endure unto the the end and be
presented
presented "faultless
"faultless before
before the
the presence
presence of of hishis glory
glory
with exceeding joy"
with exceeding joy" (Jude
(Jude 24).24).
The great judgment scene
great judgment scene of of heaven will will clearly
clearly
reveal those who have been growing
reveal those growing in in grace
grace and
developing
developing Christlike
Christlike characters.
characters. Some who have pro- pro-
fessed
fessed toto bebe God's
God's people,
people, but
but who have
have disregarded
disregarded
His
His counsel, will in
counsel, will in amazement say to the
say to the Lord,
Lord, "Have
not prophesied
we not prophesied in thy name? and in
in thy in thy
thy name have have
cast out devils?
cast out devils? and in in thythy name done many many wonderful
works?"
works?" His reply reply toto such will brief but emphatic:
will be brief emphatic:
"I never knew you:
"I never you: depart
depart from me,
me, ye that
ye that work iniq- iniq-
uity" (Matt. 7:22,
uity" (Matt. 7:22, 23). 23). Since they
they have proved
proved them-
them-
selves unworthy of
selves unworthy of His kingdom,
kingdom, the the Lord in in His jus-jus-
tice can
tice can do nothing
nothing else
else but reject
reject them.
them. They
They could
could
have done
have done the will of
the will of God but they chose their
they chose their own
willful way.
willful way.
14
i4
418
QUESTIONS
VIII. Christian
VIII. Christian Believer's
Believer's Relation
Relation to
to the
the Judgment
Judgment
A real
real born-again
born-again Christian,
Christian, whose life
life is
is now
directed
directed controlled by
and controlled by thethe Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, who walks walks
"worthy
"worthy of of the
the Lord"
Lord" (Col. 1:
(Col. 1:10), 10), is
is in
in a
a unique rela-
unique rela-
tionship to
tionship to Christ,
Christ, his his Lord and Master. Master. He is is "in
"in
Christ" (2
Christ" (2 Cor.
Cor. 5:17),
5: 17), and Christ
Christ dwells
dwells in in him (Col.(Col.
1:27).
1:27). '
This is
This is aa seeming
seeming paradox,
paradox, yet yet the
the figures
figures areare beauti-
beauti-
fully true.
fully true. Even nature provides
nature provides illustrations
illustrations of
of this
this
wonderful, soul-satisfying
wonderful, truth. When aa sponge
soul-satisfying truth. sponge is is im-
im-
mersed in
mersed water, it
in water, becomes aa question
it becomes question as as to
to whether
whether
the water
the water isis in the sponge,
in the sponge, or or the
the sponge
sponge in in the
the water.
water.
Both conditions
Both conditions exist.exist. In In like
like manner,
manner, if if we areare sur-
sur-
rendered to
rendered to God,
God, and Christ Christ is is dwelling
dwelling withinwithin the the
heart,
heart, the
the experience
experience of
of the
the apostle
apostle Paul can be ours-
ours
"I
"I live; yet not
live; yet not I,I, but Christ liveth in
Christ liveth in me" (Gal. (Gal 2:20).
2:20).
Christ having taken
Christ having taken our guiltguilt and borne
borne the
the punish-
punish-
ment of of our iniquities,
iniquities, sin sin has
has no more dominion over over
us-provided
us provided we remain "in him." He is
"in him/' is our security.
security.
And as as long
long as
as this
this attitude
attitude of
of submission
submission is
is maintained,
maintained,
there
there isis no power
power on earth earth that that can detach
detach the the soul
soul
from Christ.
Christ. No man can pluck pluck the the believer
believer out of of the
the
Saviour's hands (John
Saviour's hands 10:28).
(John 10:28).
But does
does this
this mean that that the
the Christian
Christian will will not come
into judgment at
into judgment at all?
all? Some believe
believe this,
this, and theythey base
base
their
their concept
concept on John
John 5:24.
5:24. In this
this text-"Verily,
text "Verily,
verily,
verily, II say
say unto you, you, He thatthat heareth my my word,
word, and
believeth
believeth on him that that sent
sent me,
me, hath everlasting
everlasting life,
life, and
shall
shall not come into into condemnation;
condemnation; but is is passed from
passed
death
death unto life"-the
life" the Greek word for for "condemnation"
"condemnation"
is krisiSj and is
is krisis J is usually
usually rendered "judgment.""judgment." It It isis
THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT 419
419
therefore
therefore felt by
felt by many
many Christian scholars that
Christian scholars that thethe
proper understanding
proper understanding of of this
this verse
verse isis " . . . shall
(t
. . shall not
. not
come intointo judgment."
judgment."
It is true
It is true thatthat thethe Greek krisis krisis isis more often ren-
often ren-
dered in
dered in the
the Bible
Bible byby the
the word "judgment"
"judgment" than
than by any
by any
other expression. And it
other expression. it is
is used quite often
used quite often in reference
in reference
to
to the
the "day
"day of judgment." However,
of judgment." However, this this is not absolute,
is not absolute,
for krisis does
for krisis does have other other shades
shades of meaning. For
of meaning. For in-in-
stance,
stance, it
it is
is rendered
rendered "accusation"
"accusation" (Jude
(Jude 9; 29; 2 Peter
Peter 2:
2:
II)
11) and "damnation" (Matt. 23:33; Mark 3:29;
(Matt. 23:33; 3:29; John
John
5:29).
5:29). It It isis also
also rendered
rendered "condemnation" in in John
John 5: 5:
24,
24, also
also in in John
John 3:
3:1919 and James
James 5: 12.
5:12. So while
while "judg-
"judg-
ment" is is the
the prevailing
prevailing idea, idea, there
there is is the
the concept
concept of of
"accusation"
"accusation" made at at such
such a judgment session,
a judgment session, and
hence of the individual's
of the individual's being being under "condemnation"
because of
because of the
the sentence
sentence of the judgment;
of the judgment; and still still
further, of "damnation,"
further, of "damnation," the punishment the punishment meted out
out to to
the offender.
the offender.
It is
It is consequently
consequently our understanding that
our understanding that thethe
thought
thought in
in John
John 5:24
5:24 is
is best
best rendered
rendered by
by the
the word
"condemnation" in in the
the sense
sense in in which the the same Greek
krisis is
word krisis rendered in
is rendered in John
John 3:19:3: 19: "And this this is is
the condemnation)
the condemnation, that light is
that light is come";
come"; and in in James
James
5:12:
5:12: " "...... lestlest ye
ye fall
fall into
into condemnation." Even the the
R.S.V., which renders
R.S.V., renders krisiskrisis as as "judgment"
"judgment" in in several
several
of the texts
of the texts cited, renders it
cited, renders it "condemnation" in James
in James
5: 12. The Christian
5:12. believer, being
Christian believer, being in in Christ,
Christ, is not
is not
under the the condemnation either either of of the

the law
law or or ofof sin,
sin,
for
for ifif he
he is is fully
fully surrendered to to God,
God, thethe righteousness
righteousness
of our blessed
of our blessed Lord covers whatever lack
covers whatever there might
lack there might
be in
be in his
his life.
life. The child child of of God,
God, with
with hishis title
title clear
clear toto
heaven,
heaven, need entertain entertain no fear of
fear of any judgment day.
any judgment day.
420
QUESTIONS
Abiding in
Abiding in Christ,
Christ, with
with Jesus
Jesus as
as his
his Advocate,
Advocate, and
utterly given
utterly given over
over and dedicated
dedicated to
to his
his Lord,
Lord, he knows
that there
that there is
is "no
"no condemnation
condemnation [Greek,
[Greek, katakrima] to
katakrima] to
which are
them which are in
in Christ
Christ Jesus"
Jesus" (Rom.
(Rom. 8:1).
8: 1).
IX. Investigative
IX. Investigative Judgment
Judgment as
as Part
Part of the Program
of the of
Program of God
In view
In view of
of the
the principles
principles here
here set
set forth,
forth, it seems to
it to
us abundantly
us abundantly clear clear that
that the the acceptance
acceptance of of Christ
Christ at at
conversion does
conversion does not
not sealseal aa person's
person's destiny.
destiny. His His lifelife
record after
record after conversion
conversion is is also important. A man may
also important. may
go back
go back on on hishis repentance,
repentance, or or by
by careless
careless inattention
inattention
let slip
let slip the
the very
very life
life he hashas espoused.
espoused. Nor can
can it be
it be said
said
that aa man's
that man's record
record is is closed
closed when he he comes to to the
the
end ofof hishis days.
days. He is is responsible
responsible for for hishis influence
influence
during
during life,
life, and is
is just
just as
as surely
surely responsible
responsible for
for his evil
his evil
influence after
influence after he
he is is dead.
dead. To quote quote the the words
words of of the
the
poet,
poet, "The evil
evil that
that men do
do lives
lives after
after them," leaving a
them," leaving a
trail of
trail of sin
sin toto be
be charged
charged to to the account. In
the account. In order
order to be
to be
just,
just, it would seem that
it that God would need to
to take
take all
all
these
these things
things intointo account
account in in the judgment.
the judgment.
That therethere should be a
a judgment is
judgment is not strange;
strange;
the
the Scriptures
Scriptures reveal
reveal it it as part of
as part of the
the eternal purpose of
eternal purpose of
God (Acts 17:31),
(Acts 17:31), and all
all His ways
ways are
are just.
just. Were God
alone
alone concerned,
concerned, there there would be be no need of of an investi-
investi-
gation
gation of of the
the life
life records
records of of men in in this judgment, for
this judgment, for
as
as our eternal
eternal Sovereign
Sovereign God,
God, He is
is omniscient.
omniscient. He
knows the the end from the the beginning.
beginning. Even before before the the
creation
creation of
of the
the world He knew man would sin
sin and
that
that he would need a a Saviour.
Saviour. Moreover,
Moreover, as as Sovereign
Sovereign
God,
God, He also also knows just just who will
will accept
accept and who will
will
reject
reject His "great
"great salvation"
salvation" (Heb. 2:3).
(Heb. 2:3).
If
If God alonealone were concerned,
concerned, there there would certainly
certainly
THE INVESTIGATIVE
JUDGMENT 421
421
be
be no
no need
need ofof records.
records. But
But that
that the
the inhabitants
inhabitants of of the
the
whole universe,
whole universe, the good and
the good and evil
evil angels,
angels, and all all who
who
have ever lived lived onon this
this earth
earth might
might understand
understand His His
love and His justice,
justice, the
the life
life history
history of
of every
every ind.ividual
individual
who has ever lived lived on the the earth
earth has has been
been recorded,
recorded,
and in in thethe judgment
judgment thesethese records
records willwill bebe disclosed
disclosed
-forfor every
every man will will be judged according
judged according to
to what is is
revealed in in "the
"the books" of of record
record (Dan. 7:
(Dan. 7:10; 10; Rev.
Rev.
20: 1.2).
20:12).
God's love and justicejustice have
have been challenged
challenged by by Sa-
Sa-
tan and his his hosts.
hosts. The arch deceiver and enemy
archdeceiver enemy of
of all
all
righteousness
righteousness has
has made it
it appear
appear that
that God is
is unjust.
unjust.
Therefore in infiniteinfinite wisdom God has has determined
determined to to
resolve every doubt forever.
resolve every forever. He does does thisthis by
by making
making
bare before the entire
bare entire universe
universe the the full
full story
story ofof sin,
sin,
its inception
its inception and its history. It
its history. It will then be
will then be apparent
apparent
why He as
why as the
the God of of love
love and of of justice
justice must ultimately
ultimately
reject the
reject impenitent, who have
the impenitent, have allied
allied themselves
themselves withwith
the forces
the forces of of rebellion.
rebellion.
Just what these
Just these "books"
"books" are are like,
like, we do not not know.
know.
That hashas not been revealed.
revealed. ButBut thethe Scriptures
Scriptures make it it
plain that
plain that whatever
whatever the the nature
nature of of these
these records,
records, theythey
play aa vital
play vital role
role in
in the
the judgment
judgment scene.scene. Moreover,
Moreover, it it
is only
is only those
those who have overcome by by thethe blood
blood of of the
the
Lamb whose names are are retained
retained in in the
the Lamb's
Lamb's book book
of life.
of life.
Ellen G.
Ellen White, in
G. White, in one
one of of our
our standard
standard books,
books, hashas
phrased
phrased it
it tbis
this way:
way:
There must
There must bebe an
an examination
examination ofof the
the books
books of
of record
record toto
determine who,
determine who, through
through repentance
repentance of
of sin
sin and
and faith
faith in
in Christ,
Christ,
are entitled
are entitled to
to the
the benefits
benefits of
of His
His atonement.
atonement. The
The cleansing
cleansing of
of the
the
sanctuary therefore
sanctuary therefore involves
involves aa work
work of
of investigation
investigation-a work of
a work of
judgment. This
judgment. This work
work must
must be
be performed
performed prior
prior to
to the
the coming
coming of
of
422
QUESTIONS
Christ to
Christ to redeem His
redeem His people;
people; for
for when He comes, His reward
comes, His reward is
is
with
with Him toto give
give to
to every
every man according
according to
to his
his works.-The
works. The
Great Controversy, p.
Great Controversy, 422.
p. 422.
It
It is our understanding
is our understanding that that Christ,
Christ, as as High
High Priest,
Priest,
concludes His
concludes His intercessory
intercessory ministry
ministry in in heaven in
heaven in aa work
of judgment. He begins
of judgment. begins His
His great
great work of of judgment
judgment in in
the investigative
the phase. At the
investigative phase. the conclusion
conclusion of of the
the investi-
investi-
gation, the sentence

gation, the sentence of judgment is
of judgment is pronounced.
pronounced. Then
as judge
as judge Christ
Christ descends
descends to execute) or
to execute, or carry
carry into
into effect,
effect,
that sentence.
that sentence. For For sublime
sublime grandeur, nothing
grandeur, nothing in
in the
the
prophetic word can
prophetic can compare
compare with with thethe description
description of of
our Lord as
our Lord as He descends
descends the
the skies,
skies, not
not as
as a
a priest,
priest, but
but as
as
King of
King of kings
kings and Lord of of lords.
lords. And with with Him are are all
all
the angels of
the angels of heaven.
heaven. He commands the the dead,
dead, and that that
great
great unnumbered host
host of
of those
those that
that are asleep in
are asleep in
Christ
Christ spring
spring forth
forth into immortality. At the
into immortality. the same
same time
time
those among
those among the the living
living who are are truly God's children
truly God's children are are
caught up together
caught up together with the with the redeemed of all ages to
of all ages to
meet their Saviour in

their Saviour in the
the air,
air, and to be forever
to be forever with with the
the
Lord.
Lord,
When God'sGod's final sentence of
final sentence of judgment
judgment is is consum-
mated,
mated, the
the redeemed will
will be
be singing
singing the
the song of
song Moses
of Moses
and the
and the Lamb,
Lamb, saying,
saying, "Great marvellous are
"Great and marvellous are thy
thy
works,
works, Lord God Almighty;Almighty; just just and truetrue are thy ways,
are thy ways,
thou King
thou King of saints. Who shall
of saints. not fear
shall not thee, 0O Lord,
fear thee, Lord,
glorify thy
and glorify thy name? for for thou only art
thou only art holy:
holy: for for all
all
nations
nations shall
shall come and worship worship beforebefore thee;
thee; for thy
for thy
judgments
judgments are
are made manifest"
manifest" (Rev. 15:3,
(Rev. 15:3, 4). 4).
JUDGMENT 423
423
PART TWO
The Investigative
Investigative Judgment
Judgment Inin Prophecy,
Prophecy, Type,
Type,
and Bible
Bible Principle
Principle
As we have have suggested

suggested in in Part
Part One,
One, Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventists believe that at the second
Adventists believe that at the second coming coming of of Christ
Christ
the eternal
the eternal destiny
destiny of
of all
all men will have been
will have been irrevocably
irrevocably
fixed
fixed byby the
the decisions
decisions ofof a a court
court of judgment. Such aa
of judgment.
judgment obviously
judgment obviously would take
take place while men are
place while are
still
still living
living on thethe earth.
earth. Men might might be be quite
quite unaware
of
of what is is going
going on in
in heaven.
heaven. It
It is
is hardly
hardly to to be sup-
sup-
posed
posed that
that God would fail
fail to
to warn men of
of such
such anan
impending judgment
impending judgment and its its results.
results. Seventh-day
Seventh-day Ad- Ad-
ventists believe prophecy
ventists believe prophecy does
does foretell
foretell such
such a
a judgment,
judgment,
and indeed
indeed points
points out the very
out the time at
very time which it
at which was
it was
to begin. In
to begin. In addition, prophecy
addition, prophecy foretells
foretells a
a worldwide
worldwide
message
message to to be preached
preached to to every nation on earth,
every nation earth, warn-
warn-
ing
ing that
that this
this judgment
judgment has
has come.
come.
I.
I. The Prophecies of the Judgment
Prophecies of the Judgment
1. COURT CONVENES IN
1. HEAVEN.-A
IN HEAVEN. A work of judg-
of judg-
ment is is graphically
graphically described
described by
by the
the prophet
prophet Daniel:
Daniel:
"I beheld till
"I beheld till the
the thrones
thrones were cast cast down ["were ["were
placed," R.S.V.],
placed/' R.S.V.], and the
the Ancient
Ancient of
of days
days did
did sit,
sit, whose
garment
garment was
was white
white as
as snow,
snow, and the
the hair
hair of
of his
his head
like the pure wool: his throne
like the pure wool: his throne was like
like the
the fiery flame,
fiery flame,
his wheels
and his wheels as
as burning fire. A fiery
burning fire. stream issued
fiery stream issued and
came forth
forth from before him: thousand
before him: thousand thousands
thousands min-
424
QUESTIONS
istered
istered unto him,
unto him, and ten ten thousand
thousand times times tenten thousand
thousand
stood before
stood before him: the judgment
the judgment was set
set ["the
["the courtcourt
sat in
sat in judgment/'
judgment," R.S.V.],
R.S.V.], and the the books
books werewere opened.
opened .
. . . II saw
... saw inin the
the night
night visions,
visions, and, and, behold,
behold, one like like the
the
Son of
Son of man came with with the the clouds
clouds of of heaven,
heaven, and came
to the
to the Ancient
Ancient of of days,
days, and they they brought
brought him near near bebe-
fore him*
fore him. And there there was was given
given him dominion,dominion, and
glory,
glory, and a
a kingdom,
kingdom, that
that all
all people, nations, and
people, nations,
languages,
languages, should
should serve
serve him:
him: his
his dominion is an ever-
is ever-
lasting dominion,
lasting dominion, which shall shall not not pass
pass away"
away" (Dan. (Dan. 7: 7:
9-14).
9-14).
This scene
This scene presented
presented to to the
the prophet
prophet is is part
part of of a larger
larger
vision dealing
vision dealing with
with four
four beasts.
beasts. These are
are interpreted
interpreted
by an
by an angel
angel to to represent
represent four consecutive kingdoms,
four consecutive kingdoms,
or dominions,
or dominions, that that were to to rule
rule the
the earth
earth until
until the the God
of heaven
of heaven sets sets up a kingdom, peopled
up kingdom, peopled exclusively with
a exclusively with
His saints.
His saints. "These great beasts,
great beasts, which are
are four,
four, are are
four kings, which shall
four kings, shall arise
arise out out of of the
the earth.
earth. But the the
saints
saints of the most
of the most HighHigh shall
shall taketake thethe kingdom"
kingdom" (verses (verses
17,
17, 18).
18). Since
Since these
these four
four world kingdoms kingdoms parallelparallel the the
vision of Daniel
vision of Daniel 2, 2, where the
the first
first kingdom
kingdom is
is said
said to be
to
Babylon,
Babylon, this vision of
this vision of Daniel 7 7 must reach reach from the the
time
time of the prophet
of the prophet to
to the
the second coming
coming of
of Christ,
Christ, at
at
which time time thethe everlasting
everlasting kingdom kingdom of
of righteousness
righteousness
will
will be set set up.
up. This is is important to
important to observe, observe, for for thethe
judgment
judgment picturedpictured in
in verses
verses 9-14
9-14 takes
takes place
place before
before the
the
end of of time.
time. Some of of its
its decisions
decisions regarding
regarding the the beast
beast
are
are executed
executed while while world affairs affairs are are inin progress,
progress, and
the
the taking
taking away away of of thethe dominion of of the
the beast
beast under
the
the control
control of of the
the little
little horn is is a
a progressive
progressive work that that
continues
continues "unto the the end" (verse (verse 26).26).
Another statement in in the,
the prophecy
prophecy helps helps to to place
place
JUDGMENT 425
425
judgment in
the judgment in its
its proper perspective. One of
proper perspective. the
of the
acts
acts of judgment is
of judgment is to
to give to the
give to the "Son of of man" "do-"do-
minion, glory, and aa kingdom,
minion, and glory, kingdom, thatthat all
all people,
people, na-na-
tions, and languages,
tions, languages, should serve
serve him" (verses
(verses 13,
13, 14).
14).
This must take take place
place before the second
before the second coming
coming of of
Christ, for when He comes to
Christ, for this earth
to this for His
earth for His saints,
saints,
He comes crowned as as King (Rev.
King (Rev. 14: 14;
14:14; 19:
19:14-16), in
14-16), in
all the
all the glory
glory of
of His
His Father
Father and the
the holy angels,
holy angels, and
according to
according to the
the Bible picture of
Bible picture of the scene, in
the scene, in the
the book
of Revelation,
of Revelation, no rebellious
rebellious sinner will then
sinner will then dare
dare
challenge
challenge His dominion,
dominion, but
but will
will flee
flee in
in terror
terror from
His face
His face (Rev.
(Rev. 6: 15, 16).
6:15, 16).
We agree
agree with
with T. Robinson ("Daniel,"
("Daniel," The Preach-
Preach-
er's Homiletic Commentary),
er's Homiletic
Commentary), that
that the
the judgment here
judgment here
predicted precedes
predicted precedes thethe second coming
coming of of Christ:
Christ:
We have
have before
before us
us aa passage
passage of
of overwhelming
overwhelming grandeur
grandeur and
sublimity;
sublimity; thethe description
description of of aa scene
scene of of awful solemnity. The pas-
awful solemnity. pas-
sage
sage exhibits
exhibits thethe judgment-seat
judgment-seat of of God,
God, with
with myriads
myriads of of attend-
attend-
ant
ant angels,
angels, and the infliction of
the infliction of pronounced
pronounced doom on aa large large
portion of
portion the human race.
of the race. The judgment
judgment is not indeed,
is not indeed, like that
like that
in
in Rev. xx., the
Rev. xx., the general judgment....
general judgment. ... It is rather
It is rather the
the judgment
judgment
on the
on the fourth
fourth beast,
beast, or
or Roman Empire,
Empire, withwith its
its ten
ten horns
horns or or king-
king-
doms, and more especially
doms, especially thethe "Little Horn," whose
"Little Horn/' whose pride,
pride, per-
per-
secution, blasphemy are
secution, and blasphemy are the
the special occasion of
special occasion of it
it.....
...
time of
The time the judgment.
of the judgment. As alreadyalready observed.
observed, thisthis isis not
not
the general
the judgment at
general judgment the termination
at the termination of Christ's reign
of Christ's reign on
earth, or, as
earth, or, as the
the phrase
phrase is is commonly understood, the
commonly understood, the end of of the
the
world. It
world. It appears
appears rather
rather toto be
be an invisible judgment carried
invisible judgment carried on
within the
within the veil
veil and revealed
revealed by its effects
by its effects and the
the execution
execution of of its
its
sentence.
sentence. AsAs occasioned
occasioned by the "great
by the "great words" of the Little
of the Little Horn.
Horn,
and followed
followed by the taking
by the taking away
away ofof his
his dominion,
dominion, it it might
might seem
to
to have already sat.
have already sat. As, however, the
As, however, the sentence
sentence isis not
not yet
yet byby any
any
means fully executed, it
fully executed, may be sitting
it may now.-Pages
sitting now. Pages 136,
136, 139.
139.
The prophecy
prophecy of Daniel 77 contains another clue
of Daniel as
clue as
to the
to the time
time of
of the judgment pictured
the judgment pictured in vision. In har-
in vision. In har-
426 QUESTIONS
mony with
rnony with aa long-held
long-held Protestant position, Seventh-
Protestant position, Seventh-
day Adventists
day Adventists believe
believe that the little
that the of verses
little horn of verses 8,
8,
24, and 25
24, 25 isis a symbol of
a symbol the Papacy,
of the Papacy, which has has spoken
spoken
"great
"great words
words against
against the
the most High,"
High/' and has worn
has
out "the
out "the saints
saints of of the
the most High,"High/' and has has thought
thought "to "to
change
change timestimes and laws" laws" (verse
(verse 25).25). See
See Question
Question 28, 28,
p. 334.)
p. 334.) The little
little horn was to
to be
be given
given power
power over
over
the saints
the saints forfor "a time and times
"a time times and the the dividing
dividing of of
time" (verse
time" 25).
(verse 25). This period
period of
of domination has
has long
long
been interpreted
been interpreted to to be
be 1260
1260 years,
years, and has has been
been placed
placed
from 538
from 538 to to 1798,
1798, thethe terminal
terminal point point being
being marked by by
the capture
the capture of
of the
the pope
pope by by the
the French general
general Berthier.
Berthier.
It was just
It was just at at this point in
this point in the explanation that
the explanation that thethe
angel said,
angel said, "But the judgment shall
the judgment shall sit,
sit, and they shall
they shall
take away
take away his
his dominion" (verse
(verse 26). Apparently the
26). Apparently the
judgment
judgment is to
is to sit
sit while
while the
the dominion of
of the
the little
little horn
horn
is being taken
is being taken away.away.
2.
2. THE HOUR OF Goo's JUDGMENT.-In
GOD'S JUDGMENT. In the
the book
of Revelation
of Revelation is is found a a New Testament clue clue to to the
the
time
time of of the
the investigative judgment.
investigative judgment. "I
"I saw another
another angel
angel
fly in
fly in the midst of
the midst heaven, having
of heaven, having the the everlasting
everlasting gospel
gospel
to preach unto them that
to preach that dwell
dwell on the the earth,
earth, and to to
every
every nation,
tongue, and people,
people, say-say-
ing
ing with a a loud voice,
voice, Fear
Fear God,
God, and give give glory
glory toto him;
him;
for the hour of
for the his judgment
of his judgment is is come: and worship him
worship
that
that made heaven, heaven, and earth, earth, and the the sea,
sea, and the the
fountains
fountains of waters" (Rev.
of waters*' 14:6,
(Rev. 14:6, 7). 7). These two verses
verses
are part of
are part of a vision
vision presented
presented to the apostle
to the apostle John,
John, in in
which he he sees
sees three
three angels
angels with
with consecutive
consecutive messages
messages
for men.
for
These messages,
messages, we believe, believe, are are toto bebe proclaimed
proclaimed
by messengers under
by human messengers under God's
God's direction
direction to to warn the the
THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGM~NT
JUDGMENT 427
world of final cataclysmic
of final cataclysmic events events and to to prepare
prepare men
to meet Christ
to Christ in in glory.
glory. The three three angels'
angels' messages
messages
immediately
immediately precede precede the
the second
second coming,
coming, as
as described
described
in
in verse
verse 1414 of the same chapler.
of the chapter.
Again we have
Again have thethe description
description of of a a judgment
judgment tak- tak-
ing place before
ing place before the the second
second coming
coming of of Christ.
Christ. But But there
there
is another
is another interesting
interesting feature
feature here
here also.
also. This
This judg-
judg-
ment is is described
described in the phrase
in the phrase "the "the hour of of his
his
[God's] judgment."
[God's] judgment." In
In several
several texts
texts in
in the
the New Testa-
Testa-
ment we find find thethe expression
expression "the "the dayday of judgment"
of judgment"
(Matt.
(Matt. 12:36;
12:36; 2
2 Peter
Peter 2:9;
2:9; 3:7;
3:7; I
1
John 4:17), nearly
John 4:17), nearly
always
always with
with the
the implication
implication that
that it
it is
is the time
the time of of punish-
punish-
ment forfor sin.
sin. The apostle
apostle PeterPeter equates
equates "the "the dayday of of
judgment and perdition
judgment perdition of of ungodly
ungodly men" (2 (2 Peter
Peter
3:7) with "the
3:7) with "the dayday of of the Lord ... in
the Lord in the
the which
which the the
heavens shall
heavens pass away
shall pass away with
with a
a great noise,
great noise, and the
the ele-
ele-
ments shall melt with fervent

shall melt fervent heat, the earth
heat, the earth alsoalso and
the works
the works thatthat are therein shall
are therein shall bebe burned up" up" (verse
(verse
10).
10). But in in our understanding
understanding the the "hour of of ... judg-
judg-
ment" is different. Here is
is different. is aa message
message stating
stating that that "the
"the
hour of
hour his judgment
of his judgment is is come,"
come," and it it isis being
being pro-
pro-
claimed while the
claimed while nations and kindreds
the nations kindreds are are here
here on
earth
earth to receive it.
to receive it. There are are two otherother messages
messages to to
follow, calling
follow, calling men to
to abandon their
their connection
connection with
with
apostasy, symbolized by
apostasy, symbolized by Babylon,
Babylon, and warning warning them
against receiving
against receiving a
a mark of
of allegiance
allegiance to
to a God-oppos-
a God-oppos-
ing power symbolized
ing power symbolized by by a
a beast.
beast. To us
us it
it seems inin-
controvertible
controvertible that that the judgment
judgment to taketo take place
place during
during
this
this "hour"
"hour" is is conducted
conducted before before Christ
Christ comes in glory,
In glory,
and while
and while men are are still
still on earth.
earth.
A judgment
judgment to to take
take place before the
place before the second advent, advent,
and which
and which is to decide
is to decide the the eternal
eternal destiny
destiny of of every
every
428 QUESTIONS
human being, being, should
should be be of of supreme
supreme concern to to all
all
mankind. If there is
If there is anything
anything men can can do to to influence
influence
the decisions of
the decisions that judgment,
of that judgment, certainly
certainly each person
each person
would like like to to know when the the judgment
judgment is to sit
is to sit and
how he he cancan relate himself to

relate himself to it in order
it in order to to secure
secure a a
favorable decision in
favorable decision his own case.
in his case. Seventh-day
Seventh-day Ad- Ad-
ventists believe
ventists believe thatthat the time of
the time of the judgment is
the judgment is foretold
foretold
in prophecy, and that
in prophecy, that men may may be forewarned. We will
be forewarned. will
discuss
discuss the the nature
nature of
of the
the investigative judgment
investigative judgment after
after
dealing
dealing with with the the time
time prophecy
prophecy that that fixes the date
fixes the date of of
this important event.
this important event.
3. THE TIME OF THE JUDGMENT.-The
3. JUDGMENT. The prophecy prophecy
in the Bible
in the Bible thatthat reveals
reveals the the time for for the judgment
the judgment is is
found
found in in Daniel
Daniel 8: 14: "He said
8:14: unto me,
said unto me, Unto two two
thousand and three three hundred days; days; then
then shall
shall thethe sanc-
sanc-
tuary
tuary be
be cleansed."
cleansed." The relation
relation of
of the
the cleansing
cleansing of
of the
the
sanctuary
sanctuary to to the
the investigative judgment will
investigative judgment will be dis- dis-
cussed in
cussed in the
the nextnext section.
section. Here we will will deal
deal only
only
with the
with the time
time feature
feature of of the prophecy. In
the prophecy. In Questions
Questions 23 23
and 24 24 we have have dealt
dealt at length with
at length with the the various
various ex- ex-
egetical
egetical and interpretative
interpretative problems problems encountered in in
Daniel
Daniel 8 8 and 9. 9. A short
short summary
summary must suffice
suffice for
for our
our
purposes here.
purposes here.
The 2300-day
2300-day period
period of Daniel 8:
of Daniel 14, is,
8:14, is, we believe,
believe,
to be interpreted
to be interpreted on the the Bible
Bible principle
principle that that aa "day"
"day"
in prophecy represents
in prophecy represents a
a year
year of
of literal
literal time-in
time in other
other
words,
words, that
that the
the 2300
2300 days
days are
are symbolic
symbolic time.
time. The Bibli-
Bibli-
cal justification for
cal justification this procedure
for this procedure is is found in in Ezekiel
Ezekiel
4:6 and Numbers 14:34.
4:6 14:34. The 2300 2300 daysdays toto the
the cleans-
cleans-
ing'
ing of
of the
the sanctuary, interpreted
sanctuary, interpreted as
as years,
years, reach
reach from
from
some ancient
ancient date date to to very
very modern times.
times. In
In Question
Question
24 we have
24 have shown that that the only satisfactory
the only satisfactory BibleBible basis
basis
THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT 429
429
yet proposed for

yet proposed for computing
computing this this prophecy
prophecy is is to
to start
start
the 2300
the year-days from the
2300 year-days the same datedate asas the
the seventy
seventy
weeks ofof years mentioned in
years mentioned in Daniel
Daniel 9. 9. In
In that
that discus-
discus-
sion we have shown that the prophetic
that the prophetic specifications
specifications are are
exactly when both
met exactly periods are
both periods are started
started with
with the the
decree issued
issued in the seventh
in the year of
seventh year of Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes Lon- Lon-
gimanus
gimanus and put put into
into effect by Ezra
effect by Ezra inin the
the year
year 457
457 B.C.
B.C.
Twenty-three
Twenty-three hundred years
years from that
that date
date reaches
reaches to
to
the year A.O.
the year A.D. 1844.
1844.
Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists believe, therefore,
Adventists believe, therefore, that
that some
important
important event
event in
in God's
God's plans
plans was scheduled
scheduled to
to start
start
in
in the year I844-in
the year 1844 in the the symbolic language
symbolic language of
of the
the
prophecy,
prophecy, "the
"the sanctuary [shall]
sanctuary [shall] be cleansed."
cleansed." But
how, it
how, it is
is proper to.-ask,
proper to- ask, does
does the
the cleansing
cleansing ofof the
the sanc-
sanc-
tuary
tuary denote that
that an investigative judgment
investigative judgment is
is to
to be
carried
carried on in heaven? The answer
in heaven? answer lies
lies in part in
in part in an
understanding
understanding of the typology
of the typology of of the
the ancient
ancient Jewish
Jewish
sanctuary.
sanctuary.
II. Investigative Judgment

II. Investigative Judgment in Type and Symbol
in Type Symbol
The sanctuary
sanctuary in the wilderness
in the wilderness and the the Temple
Temple of of
later days
later days were vivid
vivid object lessons in
object lessons God's great
in God's plan
great plan
of
of redemption
redemption for
for the
the human race.
race. Note the
the following
following
features:
features:
1.
1. There were two phasesphases of ministry: (a)
of ministry: (a) that per-
that per-
formed in the outer
in the court and in
outer court in the
the holy
holy place
place every
every
day of
day of the
the year (Heb. 9:6),
year (Heb, 9:6), and (b)
(&) that
that performed
performed in in
the most holy
the holy place
place once each year (verse
year (verse 7).7).
2.
2. The work carried
carried forward daily daily inin the
the outer
outer
court,
court, and in the holy
in the holy place, was in
place, was in aa particular
particular sense
sense
the work of
the of reconciliation
reconciliation for
for men. In
In contrast,
contrast, that
that
performed yearly
performed yearly in
in the
the most
most holy place
holy place was largely
largely aa
430
QUESTIONS
work ot judgment. Every
of judgment. Every dayday of of the
the yearyear (including
(including
the Day of
the Day of Atonement)
Atonement) sins forgiven. But the
sins were forgiven. the
Day
Day of
of Atonement was
was a
a special
special day
day when the
the con-
con-
fessed
fessed sins
sins were alsoalso blotted
blotted out.
out. On this this day
day God gave gave
to Israel a graphic illustration,
to Israel a graphic illustration, we believe,
believe, of
of His
His pur-
pur-
pose to
pose eliminate sin
to eliminate sin forever
forever fromfrom HisHis universe.
universe.
3. There were
3. were three
three special groups
special groups of of sacrificial
sacrificial
offerings
offerings in
in the
the typical
typical service:
service: (a)
(a) the
the morning and
morning
evening
evening sacrifices (Hebrew, the
sacrifices (Hebrew, the tamid-"the
tamid "the contin- contin-
ual"), (b)
ual*'), (fe)
the
the sinner's
sinner's individual
individual offerings,
offerings, and (c) the
(c) the
special offerings
special offerings of
of the
the Day
Day of
of Atonement.
Every day
4. Every
4. day of of the
the year, morning and evening
year, morning evening
sacrifices were offered
sacrifices were offered on behalf
behalf of of the
the people.
people. Atone-
Atone-
ment was was thus
thus provided
provided for
for all
all men,
men, irrespective
irrespective of
of their
their
attitude toward
attitude toward this provision. Wherever the
this provision. the people
people
lived, they
lived, they could
could liftlift their
their hearts
hearts to to God,
God, turnturn theirtheir
faces
faces toward
toward Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, confess
confess their
their sins,
sins, and avail
avail
themselves of
themselves the gracious
of the provisions
gracious provisions of
of the
the atonement
atonement
(1 Kings 8: 30). Also, the individual sinner brought his
(1 Kings 8:30). Also, the individual sinner brought his
own sacrifice
sacrifice as as opportunity afforded. These personal
opportunity afforded. personal
sacrifices
sacrifices werewere expressions
expressions of
of his faith
his faith and of of hishis ac-
ac-
ceptance
ceptance of
of the
the divine
divine provisions
provisions made for
for his
his salvation
salvation
from
from sin.sin. .
5.
5. The special
special sacrifices
sacrifices on the Day of
the Day of Atonement,
Atonement,
already
already noted
noted as
as a
a day
day of
of judgment,
judgment, were
were of
of a different
a different
nature. First,
nature. First, there there were sacrifices offered by
sacrifices offered by the high the high
priest for
priest for himself
himself and his his house.
house. But the the main sacrificial
sacrificial
offering
offering on that
that day
day was
was termed "the
"the Lord's
Lord's goat." Two
goat."
goats
goats were used,
used, but
but one (for Azazel)
(for Azazel) was
was not
not aa sacri-
sacri-
fice. Its
fice. Its blood
blood was was not shed. Only
not shed. Only the blood of
the blood of the
the
"Lord's
"Lord's goat" goat" provided
provided the the cleansing
cleansing and atoning atoning
blood.
blood.
JUDGMENT 431
431
6.
6. The service
service on that that day day was particularly impor-
was particularly Impor-
tant:
tant: (a)
(a) Salvation
Salvation for for the people was,
the people was, asas usual,
usual, pro- pro-
vided by by thethe morning
morning and evening
evening sacrifices;
sacrifices; hut
but there
there
were no individual
individual offerings
offerings on that day; (b)
that day; the blood
(b) the blood
of the Lord's goat
of the goat was for
for the
the people (Heb. 7:27);
people (Heb. 7:27); it it
was to to make an atonement for for them (Lev. (Lev. 16:30);
16:30); it it
was "for
was "for the the children
children of Israel for
of Israel for all their sins
all their sins once
once a a
year" (verse
year" (verse 34); 34); it
it was "for
"for all
all the
the people
people of
of the
the con-
con-
gregation"
gregation" (verse 33); (c)
(verse 33); (c)
when thisthis was
was done,
done, the the same
atoning blood,
atoning blood, in in the type, cleansed
the type, cleansed the the most holy holy
place,
place, the
the altars,
altars, the
the holy place
holy place itself,
itself, and the
the entire
entire
tabernacle; (d)
tabernacle; (d) when the atoning work for
the atoning for the
the people
people
and for
for thethe sanctuary
sanctuary was completed,
completed, and all
all that were
that
willing to
willing to be reconciled
reconciled were reconciled, reconciled, then, then, we
would emphasize,
emphasize, and not
not until
until then,
then y did
did the
the second
second
goat (for
goat (for Azazel)Azazel) enter
enter the
the picture.
picture. We read:
read: "And
when he hath made an end of of reconciling
reconciling the holy
the holy
place, and the
place, tabernacle of
the tabernacle the congregation,
of the congregation, and the the
altar,
altar, hehe shall bring the
shall bring the livelive goat" (Lev. 16:20).
goat" (Lev. 16:20). (On (On
the
the significance
significance of the expression,
of the expression, "for Azazel," see
"for Azazel," see Ques-
Ques-
tion 34.) In
tion 34.) the act
In the performed by
act now performed by the
the high
high priest,
priest,
the people, we repeat,
the people, repeat, were given given an objectobject lesson
lesson of of
what God plans plans to to do in in thethe last days. The sins
last days. were
sins were
placed upon
placed upon the the head of of the live goat,
the live goat, and he was sent sent
into
into thethe wilderness.
wilderness.
7. A careful
7. careful study
study of of all
all the
the sacrifices
sacrifices ofof the
the sanctuary
sanctuary
service
service makes it it evident
evident that there was aa definite
that there definite under-
under-
lying principle
lying principle in
in all
all these
these types-that
types that sin
sin was trans-
trans-
ferred from
ferred from the the guilty
guilty sinnersinner both both to to the
the sacrificial
sacrificial
victim and to
victim to the priest himself.
the priest himself. The offerer placed his
offerer placed his
hand on the the head
head of the victim,
of the victim, symbolically confessing
symbolically confessing
his
his sin
sin and placing
placing it it upon the
upon the animal substitute substitute that that
432
QUESTIONS
was
was toto die
die in in his
his stead.
stead. When the blood was
the blood was sprinkled.
sprinkled,
the sin
the sin was was recorded
recorded in the sanctuary.
in the sanctuary. Through Through the the
prophet.
prophet, God said,
said, "The sin
sin of
of Judah
Judah ...
... is
is graven
graven ..... .
upon the
upon the horns
horns of your altars"
of your (J er. 17:
altars" (Jer. 17:1). 1). When the the
priest
priest ate
ate of
of the
the flesh
flesh of
of the
the victim,
victim, he also
also bore
bore the
the
sin (Lev.
sin (Lev. 10: 17). The individual
10:17). individual sinnersinner was was forgiven
forgiven
and thus
thus freed
freed from his his sin, but in
sin, but in the
the bloodstains
bloodstains of of
the sanctuary
the sanctuary he
he could
could perceive
perceive in
in type
type a
a record
record of
of the
the
misdeeds
misdeeds that that he he would fain see blotted
fain see blotted out and re- re-
forever. On the
moved forever. the DayDay of Atonement, when the
of Atonement, the
blood of
blood of the
the goat
goat was
was sprinkled
sprinkled upon upon all
all the
the furniture
furniture
of
of the
the sanctuary
sanctuary as as well
well asas upon
upon thethe altar
altar of burnt offer-
of burnt offer-
ing, the
ing, the accumulated record
record of
of the
the sins
sins of
of the
the year were
year
removed. The Scripture
removed. Scripture states that the
states that high priest
the high priest "shall
"shall
make an an atonement
atonement for the holy
for the holy place,
place, because
because of the
of the
uncleanness
uncleanness of the children
of the children of of Israel,
Israel, and because
because of
of
their transgressions in
their transgressions in all
all their
their sins:
sins: and so so shall
shall hehe
do
do for
for thethe tabernacle
tabernacle of the congregation"
of the congregation" (Lev. (Lev. 16:16:
16).
16). "And he he shall
shall gogo out unto the altar that
the altar that is before
is before
the Lord,
the Lord, and make an atonement for
for it
it.....
... And he
he
shall
shall sprinkle
sprinkle of of the blood upon
the blood upon it it with
with hishis finger
finger seven
seven
times,
times, and cleansecleanse it, it, and hallow
hallow it it from the the unclean-
unclean-
ness of
ness of the
the children
children of Israel" (verses
of Israel" (verses 18,18, 19).
19). "On that that
day shall
day shall the
the priest
priest make an atonement for
for you,
you, to to
cleanse
cleanse you, you, that
that ye ye may
may be be clean
clean from all all your
your sinssins
before the
before the Lord" (verse 30).
(verse 30).
typical picture
The typical picture seems clear. clear. The sins sins ofof the
the
Israelites, recorded in
Israelites, the sanctuary
in the sanctuary by by thethe shed
shed blood
of the
of the sacrificial victims, were
sacrificial victims, were removed and totally totally
disposed
disposed of
of on the
the Day
Day of
of Atonement. The language
language
used to
used to describe
describe the the transaction
transaction suggests
suggests the the expunging
expunging
of the
of the very
very record
record of of evil.
evil.
JUDGMENT 433
433
8.
8. The Day
Day of
of Atonement was definitely
definitely regarded
regarded
by the
by the Hebrews asas a
a day of judgment,
day of judgment, as
as seen
seen from
the following:
the following:
It
It was supposed that on New Year
supposed that Year Day
Day ... the
the Divine
Divine decrees
. decrees
. .
are written
are written down,
down, and that
that on the
the Day
Day ofof Atonement . . . they
they . . .
are
are sealed, so that
sealed, so the decade
that the decade [of days] is by the name of
[of days] is known by the
of
"Terrible Days," and "the
"Terrible Days," "the Ten Penitential Days." So
Penitential Days." So awful
awful was was
the Day
the Day ofof Atonement that that we are told in
are told in aa Jewish
Jewish book of ritual
of ritual
that the
that very angels
the very angels run to to and fro
fro inin fear
fear and trembling,
trembling, saying,
saying,
"Lo, the Day
"Lo, the Day of Judgment has
of Judgment come!"-F.
has come!" FARRAR, The Early
F. W. FARRAR, Early
Days of
Days of Christianity,
Christianity, pp.pp. 237,
237, 238.
238.
Even the the angels,
angels, we are told in
are told the Ritual,
in the Ritual, are
are seized
seized with fear
with fear
and trembling; they
trembling; they hurry hurry to
to and fro
fro and say,
say, "Behold the
the day of
day of
Judgment
Judgment has has come." The Day Day of of Atonement is is the Day
the Day of of
Judgment.-PAuL
Judgment. PAUL ISAAC HERSHON, Treasures
ISAAC HERSHON, Treasures of of the the Talmud
(1882),
(1882), p.p. 97.
97.
"God,
"God, seated
seated on His throne to
His throne judge the
to judge the world,
world, at at the
the same
time Judge, Pleader,
time Judge, Pleader, Expert,
Expert, and Witness,
Witness, openeth
openeth the the Book of of
Records .... The great
Records. . . .
great trumpet
trumpet is is, sounded;
sounded; a
t
a still, small voice
still, small voice isis
heard; the
heard; the angels
angels shudder,
shudder, saying,
saying, this
this is the day
is the day of judgment....
of judgment. . . .
New·Year's Day
On New-Year's Day the decree is
the decree is written;
written; on the the Day
Day of of Atone-
Atone·
ment it is sealed
it is sealed who shall live and who are
shall live to die."-The
are to die." Jewish
The Jewish
Encyclopedia, vol.
Encyclopedia, vol. 2, p. 286.
2, p. 286.
III.
Ill, The Heavenly
Heavenly Sanctuary
Sanctuary and Its
Its Cleansing
Cleansing
cleansing of
The cleansing of the
the sanctuary prophesied in Dan-
sanctuary prophesied
iel 8:
iel 14 to
8:14 to take
take place
place at
at the
the end ofof 2300
2300 days,
days, or years,
or years,
as we have
as have shown,
shown, could not apply
could not apply to
to the
the ancient
ancient Jewish
Jewish
tabernacle,
tabernacle, for for that
that sanctuary
sanctuary hashas been outout ofof existence
existence
for nearly two thousand
for nearly thousand years. earthly sanctuary
years. The earthly sanctuary
and its
its service,
service, as have indicated
as we have indicated inin Questions
Questions 31
and 33,
33, was
was simply
simply a
a type,
type, or
or symbol,
symbol, of
of the work of
the of
Christ in
Christ the salvation
in the salvation ofof men through
through His death on
the cross
the cross and His ministry
ministry before
before the Father
the Father in their
in their
behalf. The book of
behalf. clearly sets
of Hebrews clearly forth that
sets forth that
Christ is
Christ is aa high
high priest
priest in
in aa sanctuary
sanctuary inin heaven (Heb.
(Heb.
434 QUESTIONS
8:2),
8:2), where He ministers
ministers the the merits
merits of His sacrifice
of His sacrifice toto
repentant
repentant sinners
sinners and devoted saints saints (Heb.
(Heb. 9: 14, 15).
9:14, 15).
We believe
believe it
it is the cleansing
is the cleansing of
of this
this heavenly
heavenly sanctu-
sanctu-
ary, then,
ary, that is
then, that to fulfill
is to the prophecy
fulfill the prophecy of of Daniel
Daniel 8: 14.
8:14.
But how could
could the
the sanctuary
sanctuary in
in heaven need cleans-
cleans-
ing? In
ing? the type,
In the type, thethe sins of the
sins of Israelites defiled
the Israelites defiled thethe
sanctuary,
sanctuary, and on the
the Day
Day of
of Atonement it
it was
was cleansed
cleansed
of
of all these sins.
all these sins. But the the Scripture
Scripture also speaks of
also speaks of the
the
cleansing of
cleansing the heavenly
of the heavenly sanctuary:
sanctuary: "It was necessary
"It was necessary
for the copies
for the copies of the heavenly
of the things
heavenly things to
to be purified with
purified with
these rites,
these rites, but
but the heavenly things
the heavenly things themselves
themselves with
with
better sacrifices
better than these"
sacrifices than these" (Reb. 9:23, R.S.V.).
(Heb. 9:23, R.S.V.). Here
it
it seems clear
clear from the wording that
the wording that thethe expression
expression
"the
"the copies
copies of
of the
the heavenly things"
heavenly things" refers
refers to
to the
the sanc-
sanc-
tuary
tuary or
or Temple
Temple in
in the
the days
days of
of Israel.
Israel. After
After stating
stating
this, the writer
this, the writer mentions that that "the heavenly things
"the heavenly things
themselves" need cleansing
themselves" cleansing "with better sacrifices
"with better sacrifices
than these."
than these."
This, of
This, of course,
course, may may be be difficult
difficult to to understand
understand in in
the light
the of our concept
light of concept that that everything
everything in in heaven must
be pure
be pure and holy.
holy.
Scholars
Scholars have given given much thought thought to to this
this matter.
matter.
After reviewing several
After reviewing several views
views put
put forth
forth by various
by various
writers,
writers, Dean HenryHenry AlfordAlford remarks:
remarks:
this does
But this not meet the
does not requirements of
the requirements the case.
of the case. There
would thus be no cleansing,
thus be as far
cleansing, as far as
as the
the relations
relations of
of God and
are concerned:
men are none, to
concerned: none, which the
to which the propitiatory
propitiatory effect
effect of
of
blood would in
blood in any way apply.
any way apply. We must therefore
therefore rest
rest in the plain
in the plain
and literal
literal sense: that the
sense: that heaven itself
the heaven itself needed,
needed, and obtained,
obtained,
purification by
purification the atoning
by the atoning blood
blood ofof Christ.-The Greek Testa-
Christ. -The Greek Testa-
ment, 1864,
ment, 1864, p. 179.
p. 179.
to just
As to just how this uncleanness comes
this uncleanness comes about,
about, A.
A. S.
S.
Peake, another careful scholar, ·says:

Peake, another careful scholar, -says:
JUDGMENT 435
What is is meant by by the
the cleansing
cleansing of the heavenly
of the heavenly sanctuary
sanctuary
must bebe determined
determined by by its meaning as
its meaning as applied to the
applied to the earthly.
earthly.
ritual of
The ritual the Day
of the Day of of Atonement was was designed, not merely
designed, not to
merely to
atone for
atone the sins
for the sins of the people,
of the but to
people, but atonement for
to make atonement for the
the
sanctuary itself. The sense
sanctuary itself. sense ofof this seem to
this would seem to be
be that
that the
the
constant
constant sin
sin ofof Israel
Israel had communicated
communicated aa certain
certain uncleanness
uncleanness
to the
to sanctuary. Similarly
the sanctuary. Similarly thethe sin of mankind might
sin of might be supposed
supposed
to
to have
have cast
cast its
its shadow even into heaven.-New-Century
even into Bible,
heaven. New-Century Bible,
"Hebrews,"
"Hebrews," p. 191. (Italics
p. 191. (Italics supplied.)
supplied.)
the well-known
And the Dr. Brooke Foss
well-known Dr. Foss Westcott
Westcott adds:
adds:
Blood of
The Blood of Christ
Christ by
by which the
the New Covenant was inau- inau-
gurated was available
gurated was available also for the
also for cleansing of
the cleansing the heavenly
of the heavenly
archetype of
archetype the earthly
of the earthly sanctuary
sanctuary.....
. . .
It may be
It may be said that even "heavenly
said that things," so
"heavenly things," so far as they
far as they
embody
embody thethe conditions
conditions of man's future
of man's future life,
life, contracted
contracted byby the
the
Fall something which required
Fall something cleansing.-The
required cleansing. Epistle to
The Epistle the
to the
(1903), pp.
Hebrews (1903), 271, 272.
pp. 271, 272.
In the
the sanctuary
sanctuary in
in heaven, the record
heaven, the record of
of sins
sins Is
is the
the
only counterpart
only counterpart of the defilement
of the defilement of
of the
the earthly
earthly sanc-
sanc-
tuary. That the

tuary. the sins
sins of
of men are
are recorded
recorded in heaven, we
in heaven,
shall
shall show in in the
the next
next section.
section. It
It is the expunging,
is the expunging, oror
blotting out,
blotting out, of these sins
of these sins from thethe heavenly
heavenly records
records
that
that fulfills
fulfills the
the type
type set
set forth
forth in
in the
the services
services on the
the Day
Day
of Atonement.
of Atonement. In that way
In that way the
the sanctuary
sanctuary in
in heaven can
be cleansed
be cleansed from all
all defilement.
defilement. This conclusion
conclusion does
does
not rest alone
not rest alone on an interpretation
interpretation of of the
the types.
types. There
are many
are many direct
direct and positive
positive statements
statements of
of Scripture
Scripture
about God's
God's method of of dealing
dealing with
with sin
sin and forgiveness,
forgiveness,
judgment and rewards and punishments.
judgment punishments.
IV.
IV. God's Method of Dealing With Sin
of Dealing Sin and Sinners
Sinners
1.
1. GOD KEEPS AN ACCOUNT WITH EVERY MAN.
MAN.-In In
the description
the description of of the judgment given
the judgment given toto Daniel
Daniel in
in
vision,
vision, it is said,
it is said, "The judgment
judgment was set,
set, and the books
the books
were opened"
were opened (Dan.(Dan. 7:
7 '
10). And the

7:10). the apostle
apostle John
John wrote
wrote
QUESTIONS
of the final
of final judgment when evil
judgment evil men and angels re-
angels re-
ceive their punishment,
ceive their punishment, "I"I saw the dead, small
the dead, small and
great,
great, stand before God;
stand before God; and the
the books
books were
were opened:
opened:
and another book was opened,
another book opened, which is
is the
the book of
of
life: and the
life: the dead were judged
dead were judged out of
of those
those things
things
which were
were written
written in
in the books, according
the books, according to to their
their
works" (Rev. (Rev. 20: 12). The decisions
20:12). decisions ofof the
the judgment,
judgment,
then,
then, are based on what is
are based is written
written inin these
these books.
books. It is
It is
not possible
not possible to to suppose
suppose that
that the
the books
books mentioned are
are
books of
books of law,
law, for for John
John says
says that
that what is is written
written in the
in the
books is
books is "according to
"according to their
their works."
works/' Obviously
Obviously these
these
are books
are books of record.
of record.
Nor is is the Bible otherwise
the Bible otherwise silent
silent on what is written
is written
down in in the
the heavenly
heavenly accounts.
accounts. The Scriptures
Scriptures mention
aa book of of remembrance: "They "They that
that feared
feared the the Lord
spake
spake often
often one to
to another:
another: and the
the Lord hearkened,
hearkened,
and heard
heard it, it, and a a book of of remembrance was was written
written
before him for
before for them that that feared the Lord,
feared the Lord, and that that
thought
thought upon upon his
his name. And they
they shall
shall be
be mine,
mine, saith
saith
the Lord of
the of hosts,
hosts, in that day
in that day when II make up up my my
jewels" (Mai.
jewels" (Mal. 3: 16, 17).
3:16, This book,
17). This book, it it would seem,seem,
contains the
contains the good
good deeds of of God-fearing
God-fearing men. The heav- heav-
enly
enly records
records may
may have
have been
been in
in the
the psalmist's
psalmist's mind
when he he wrote:
wrote: "Thou telIest my wanderings:
tellest my wanderings: put put
thou my my tears
tears intointo thythy bottle: are they
bottle: are they notnot in in thy
thy
book?" (Ps.
book?" 56:8).
(Ps. 56:8).
men's evil
But men's evil deeds
deeds are also recorded:
are also recorded: "God shall shall
bring
bring everyevery work into judgment,
into judgment, with every
every secret
secret
thing,
thing, whether it it be
be good,
good, or whether it
or whether be evil"
it be evil" (Eccl.
(Eccl.
12: 14).
12:14). Christ
Christ warned His
His hearers
hearers that
that "every
"every idleidle
word" would come up up inin the
the judgment
judgment (Matt. 12:36),
(Matt. 12:36),
that by
and that by their
their words,
words, good
good or or bad,
bad, men would be be
JUDGMENT 437
437
"justified"
"justified" or or "condemned"
'
'condemned" (verse (verse 37).37). Even men's men's

thoughts
thoughts and motives are recorded
motives are recorded in the in the books above,
above,
for Paul warns
for Paul warns that that in in the judgment the
the judgment the Lord "will "will
bring
bring to
to light
light the
the hidden
hidden things
things of
of darkness,
darkness, and will
will
.make manifest the
make manifest the counsels
counsels of of the
the hearts"
hearts" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 4:5).
4:5).
Evidently
Evidently the the heavenly
heavenly recorderrecorder has has made aa complete
complete
life history of
life history of every
every individual
individual who has has ever
ever lived
lived on
earth, omitting nothing
earth, omitting nothing that that could
could havehave anyany possible
possible
bearing
bearing on the
the decision
decision of
of the
the Omnipotent
Omnipotent Judge. Judge.
Another book is is named in in Revelation
Revelation 20-the20 book
the book
of life. This book is
of life. is either
either mentioned by by name or or ob-
ob-
viously
viously alluded
alluded to
to in
in several
several books
books of
of the
the Bible.
Bible. Moses
Moses
knew of of this
this special register, for
special register, for he offered,
offered, "Blot
"Blot me,me,
I pray
I pray thee,
thee, outout of of thythy book which thou thou hast
hast written"
written"
(Ex. 32:32),
(Ex. 32:32), as
as he pleaded
pleaded with
with God to
to forgive the
forgive the
rebellious Israelites.
rebellious Israelites. Christ told His
Christ told His disciples,
disciples, "Rather
"Rather
rejoice, because
rejoice, because your your names are written in
are written heaven"
in heaven"
(Luke
(Luke 10:20).
10:20). And Paul Paul mentions "my "my fellowlabourers,
fellowlabourers,
whose names are
whose are in in the
the book of of life"
life" (Phil. 4:3).
(Phil. 4:3).
book of
The book of life
life at at the
the very
very last
last contains
contains the names
the
of
of those
those who will will escape
escape the the punishment
punishment of of the
the lake of
lake of
fire (Rev.
fire (Rev. 20: 15),
20:15), and who will
will have
have the
the privilege of
privilege of
entering
entering the
the New Jerusalem (Rev.
Jerusalem (Rev. 21:27). By 21:27). By the
the
time of
time of the
the final judgment the
final judgment the book of of life will contain
life will contain
the names of
the those only
of those only who are are selected
selected by by the
the heavenly
heavenly
court
court to to enjoy
enjoy the
the rewards
rewards of
of eternal
eternal life.
life. But it is
it is
clear that
clear that these
these are are notnot thethe only
only names that
that have
have ever
ever
been in
been the book of
in the of life.
life. Moses was willingwilling forfor his
his name
to be blotted
to be blotted out out of of thethe book.
book. And God Himself Himself gavegave
the basis
the basis upon
upon which such
such blotting
blotting out
out would take
take
place:
place:
"Whosoever hath
hath sinned against
against me,me, him will
will I
I
blot out
blot out of of my book" (Ex.
my book" (Ex. 32: 33). In
32:33). In vision
vision thethe apostle
apostle
438
QUESTIONS
John heard it
John heard It expressed another way:
expressed way: "He that that over-
over-
cometh, the
cometh, the same shall shall be be clothed
clothed in white
In white raiment;
raiment;
and II will
will not blot out
not blot out hishis name out out of the book of
of the life,
of life,
but II will
but will confess
confess hishis name before before my my Father,
Father, and bebe-
fore
fore his
his angels" (Rev.
angels" (Rev. 3:5). 3:5). Those who gain
gain the
the victory
victory
over
over sin
sin through
through the the merits
merits of the shed
of the shed blood
blood of Christ
of Christ
will be
will be retained
retained in the book
in the book of of life.
life. Conversely,
Conversely, those those
who do do notnot overcome will will bebe blotted
blotted out as as sinners
sinners
against
against God. God. KingKing David,
David, identifying
identifying his his enemies
enemies with with
the enemies
the enemies of of the Lord, said,
the Lord, said, "Let them be be blotted
blotted out out
of the
of book of
the book of the
the living,
living, and not
not be
be written
written with
with the
the
righteous" (Ps.
righteous" (Ps. 69:28). 69:28).
It
It would appear appear from this this that
that the the book of of life
life is is
the register
the register of those who have professed
of those professed to to be followers
followers
of God and have
of have made some start toward the
start toward the goal
goal of of
eternal
eternal life.life. The apostle
apostle Paul speaks
speaks of
of "the
"the general
general
assembly and church
assembly church of the firstborn,
of the firstborn, whichwhich areare written
written
["enrolled,"
["enrolled," margin margin and R.S.V.] R.S.V.] in heaven" (Heb.
in heaven" (Heb.
12:23). Speaking
12:23). Speaking after
after the
the manner of
of men,
men, we would
say
say the book of
the book of life
life isis the
the heavenly
heavenly church register.register. In In
this list would be all
this list all whom God could could conceivably
conceivably con- con-
sider
sider asas candidates
candidates for for HisHis eternal kingdom, from Adam
eternal kingdom,
down to to the
the very
very last person on earth
last person earth who turns turns in in
yearning
yearning to
to God,
God, no matter
matter how limited
limited may
may be
be his
his
understanding of
understanding of the glorious gospel
the glorious gospel evangel.
evangel.
blotting of
The blotting of names out out ofof the
the book of of life
life is,
is, we
believe,
believe, a
a work of
of the
the investigative judgment.
investigative judgment. A com-
com-
plete
plete and thorough
thorough check of
of ap
all the
the candidates
candidates for
for
eternal
eternal life life will
will need to to be completed
completed before before Christ
Christ
comes in in the
the douds
clouds of heaven, for
of heaven, for when He appears,appears, the the
decisions for
decisions for life
life or
or death
death are already made.
are already made. The dead dead
in
in Christ
Christ are are called
called to to life,
life, and the the living
living followers
followers of of
JUDGMENT 439
Christ are
Christ are translated
translated (1 Thess. 4: 15-17)-the
(1 Thess. 4:15-17)
entire
the entire
citizenry
citizenry of the
of the everlasting
everlasting kingdom.
kingdom. There isis no time
subsequent
subsequent to the second
to the second advent for such
advent for decisions.
such decisions.
2. THE BLOTTING OUT OF SIN.-But
2. SIN. not only
But not only will
will
be blotted
names be blotted out
out of the book
of the book of life. The Bible
of life. Bible also
also
speaks of the blotting out of sin.
speaks of the blotting out of sin. David prayed, "Ac-
prayed, "Ac-
cording unto the
cording unto multitude of
the multitude of thy tender mercies
thy tender mercies blot
blot
out my
out my transgressions''
transgressions" (Ps. 51:1),
(Ps. 51:1), and,
and, "Blot
"Blot out
out all
all
mine iniquities"
iniquities" (verse
(verse 9). Nehemiah prayed con-
9). And Nehemlah prayed con-
cerning the enemies of
cerning the of God and His people,
people, "Cover not not
their iniquity,
their iniquity, and let
let not their
their sin
sin be
be blotted
blotted out
out
from before
before thee"
thee" (Neh. 4:5). The apostle
(Neh. 4:5). apostle PeterPeter
looked forward
forward to the time
to the time when,
when, because
because of
of men's
repentance,
repentance, their
their "sins
"sins may
may bebe blotted
blotted out'*
out" (Acts
(Acts 3: 19).
3:19).
In Scripture,
Scripture, a
a difference
difference is
is to
to be
be noted
noted between
between the
the
forgiveness
forgiveness of
of sin
sin and the
the blotting
blotting out
out of
of sin.
sin. The for-
for-
giveness
giveness ofof our sins
sins is very real,
is very real, and is is something
something that that
can be
can be known and experienced
experienced by by living
living faith
faith inin our
Lord. In the
Lord. the divine
divine actact of
of forgiveness
forgiveness our sins
sins are
are re-
re-
moved from us, us, and we are are freed, delivered,
freed, delivered, saved.
saved. But
the final destruction
the final destruction of of sin awaits the
sin awaits the day
day of of God's
God's
reckoning, when sin
reckoning, will be
sin will be blotted
blotted outout forever
forever from
the universe
the universe ofof God.
Scripture
Scripture clearly
clearly illustrates
illustrates thethe difference
difference between
forgiveness
forgiveness and the the blotting
blotting outout of
of sin.
sin. Take,
Take, for for ex-
ex-
ample,
ample, Matthew 18:23-35. reference is
18:23-35. Here reference is made to to
a servant
a servant who owed his his king
king ten thousand talents.
talents. Hav-
ing nothing wherewith to
ing nothing pay, he begs
to pay, begs for mercy, the
for mercy, the
king forgives
king forgives him the the debt,
debt, and he goes goes off
off greatly
greatly re-re-
lieved. However,
lieved. However, he he finds
finds a a fellow
fellow servant
servant who owes
him aa mere
mere hundred pence.pence. This second man likewise likewise
has nothing
has nothing with
with which to pay,
pay, and begs
begs for
for mercy and
mercy
440
440 QUESTIONS ON DOCTRINE.
QUESTIONS
for time to
for time to pay
pay what is owed. But although
is owed. although the the first
first
servant has been forgiven,

servant has forgiven, he he now acts in unkindly
acts in unkindly and
brutal fashion
brutal toward his
fashion toward his fellow
fellow servant,
servant, shows him no
mercy,
mercy, and casts
casts him into prison. When the
into prison. the king
king hears
hears
this, he is wroth,
this, he is wroth, and casts
casts the
the servant
servant whom he
he has
has
forgiven into
forgiven into prison
prison till
till he
he shall pay all
shall pay all his
his debt.
debt.
Here is a case
is a case where forgiveness
forgiveness granted was with-
granted with-
drawn. Jesus then
drawn. Jesus then impresses
impresses the the lesson:
lesson: "So"So likewise
likewise
shall
shall my heavenly Father do also
my heavenly you, if
also unto you, ye from
if ye
your
your hearts
hearts forgive
forgive not
not everyone
every one his
his brother
brother their
their tres-
tres-
passes
passes" (verse 35). We concur,
(verse 35). concur, in in principle,
principle, with
with
the conclusions of
the conclusions of these
these two Biblical
Biblical scholars:
scholars:
R. Tuck (The
R. Pulpit Commentary,
(The Pulpit Matt. 18:
Commentary, on Matt. 18:
35)
35) says:
says:
Christ's
Christ's teaching
teaching on this point has
this point has even a a severe
severe side-even
side even
his forgiveness may
his forgiveness may be
be revoked^
revoked; if finds, by
if he finds, by our
our behaviour
behaviour
after forgiveness, that
after forgiveness, that we were
were morally
morally unfitted
unfitted to receive it.-
to receive it.
Page 242.
Page 242.
B. C.
And B. C. Coffin
Coffin adds in the
adds in the same book:
book:
His
His cruelty
cruelty cancelled
cancelled the
the forgiveness which had been granted
forgiveness which granted
him. His last
him. His last state was worse
state was worse than
than the first. Those who,
the first. who, having
having
been once
been once enlightened,
enlightened, fall
fall away
away from grace
grace are
are in
in awful
awful danger.
danger.
"It
"It had been better
better for not to
for them not have known the
to have the way
way of right-
of right-
eousness, than,
eousness, than, after they have
after they have known it,it, to turn from the
to turn the holy
holy
delivered unto them."
commandment delivered them."-Page 223.
Page 223.
Plummer (Commentary
Albert
Albert (Commentary on Matthew,
Matthew, Matt.
Matt.
18:30,35)
18:30, 35) also
also declares:
declares:
The unforgiving
unforgiving spirit
spirit is
is sure to provoke
sure to provoke the
the anger
anger ofof God;
God;
so
so much so,
so, that His free
that His free forgiveness
forgiveness toto sinners ceases to
sinners ceases to flow
flow toto
them
them.....
... It revives the
It revives guilt of
the guilt of their otherwise forgiven
their otherwise forgiven sins.
sins.
We have
have already
already referred
referred to the description
to the description in
in the
the
book ofof Ezekiel (Eze. 18:20-24)
Ezekiel (Eze. of God's
18:20-24) of God's dealings,
dealings, with
with
saints
saints and sinners
sinners who change
change their
their course
course of
of action.
action.
JUDGMENT 441
There the
the apostate
apostate has his forgiveness
has his forgiveness canceled, just as
canceled, just as
the man in
the in Christ's parable was
Christ's parable was compelled
compelled to
to assume
again
again the
the responsibility
responsibility for for his huge debt.
his huge debt. The actual
actual
blotting
blotting out
out of
of sin,
sin, therefore,
therefore, could
could not
not take
take place
place thethe
moment when aa sin sin is is forgiven,
forgiven, because
because subsequent
subsequent
deeds and attitudes
deeds attitudes may may affect
affect thethe final
final decision.
decision. In- In-
stead, the sin
stead, the sin remains
remains on the record until
the record until the
the life
life isis
complete-in
complete in fact,
fact, the
the Scriptures
Scriptures indicate
indicate it
it remains
remains
until the
until judgment.
the judgment.
The Bible pictures Christ
Bible pictures Christ as as our Advocate. "If
our Advocate. "If any
any
man sin,
sin, we have have an advocate
advocate with with the the Father,
Father, Jesus
Jesus
Christ the
Christ righteous" (1
the righteous" John 2:
(1 John 1). But Christ
2:1). Christ cannot
plead our
plead our cases
cases unless
unless we commit them to to Him. He
does not
does not represent
represent us us against
against our will, will, nor does does He
force
force men into heaven contrary
into heaven contrary to
to their
their own decision.
decision.
And how do we ask ask Him? The Scripture Scripture says,says, "If
"If we
confess
confess our sins,
sins, he is
is faithful
faithful and just to forgive
just to forgive us us our
sins, and to
sins, to cleanse
cleanse us us from all unrighteousness" (1
all unrighteousness" (1
John 1:9).
John 1:9). God can forgive
forgive because
because Christ
Christ has
has paid
paid the
the
penalty. Christ
penalty. Christ is is now the the sinner's representative, and
sinner's representative,
pleads the
pleads the merits
merits of of His own atoning atoning sacrifice
sacrifice in the
in the
sinner's behalf.
sinner's behalf.
If every
1£ every detail
detail of of a man's life
a man's life is recorded in
is recorded heaven,
in heaven,
then his
then his confessions
confessions are recorded there
are recorded there too,
too, and of of
course the
course the fact that Christ
fact that Christ has has forgiven
forgiven his his sins.
sins. The
apostle
apostle Paul's
Paul's comment may
may well
well apply
apply here:
here: "Some
sins are
men's sins are open
open beforehand,
beforehand, going
going before
before to
to judg-
judg-
ment" (1 (1 Tim. 5:24). 5:24). The secret
secret things
things we have re-
re-
fused
fused to to confess
confess will will be brought to
be brought to light'
light after
after thethe
judgment opens
judgment opens (Eccl. (Eccl. 12: 14;
12:14; 1
1 Cor. 4:5).
4:5).
When the the name of of a a true child of
true child of God comes up up inin
the judgment,
the judgment, the
the record
record will
will reveal
reveal that
that every
every sin
sin has
has
442
QUESTIONS
confessed-and
been confessed and has forgiven through
has been forgiven through the
the
blood of Christ.
blood of Christ. The promise
promise is:
is: "He that
that overcometh,
overcometh,
the same shall
the shall be
be clothed
clothed in white raiment;
in white raiment; and II will
will
not blot out
not blot his name out
out his of the
out of the book of of life,
life, but I
I will
will
confess his name before
confess his before my Father,
my Father, and before
before his
his
angels"
angels" (Rev. (Rev. 3:5).3:5). Christ
Christ sets sets forth
forth thethe principle:
principle:
"Whosoever therefore therefore shall shall confess
confess me before before men, men,
him will
will II confess
confess also before my
also before my Father
Father which is in
is in
"heaven.
"heaven. But whosoever
whosoever shall shall deny
deny me before
before men,
men, him
will
will II also
also deny
deny before
before my my Father which is is in
in heaven"
(Matt.
(Matt. 10:32,
10:32, 33).
33). To us, us, itit seems clear that we must
clear that
continue our
continue our allegiance throughout
allegiance throughout life
life if we expect
if expect
Christ to represent
Christ to represent us
us in
in the
the judgment.
judgment.
When ChristChrist takes
takes aa case
case in the heavenly
in the heavenly court,
court, there
there
is not
is not thethe slightest possibility
slightest possibility of
of His
His losing,
losing, for
for He
knows all the facts,
all the facts, and He is is able
able toto apply
apply the the remedy.
remedy.
When He confesses confesses beforebefore God and the the holy
holy angels
angels
that the
that the repentant
repentant sinnersinner is is clothed
clothed in in the
the robe
robe of of His
own spotless
spotless character
character (this (this is the white
is the white roberobe thatthat will
will
be given
be him),
given him), no one in
in the
the universe
universe can
can deny
deny to
to that
that
saved
saved man an entrance entrance into into thethe eternal
eternal kingdom
kingdom of of
righteousness.
righteousness. Then,
Then, of
of course,
course, is
is the
the time
time for
for his
his sins
sins
to be
to be blotted
blotted out out forever,
forever, for Christ has
for Christ has claimed
claimed him for for
His own. When every every case
case is
is decided,
decided, the
the decree
decree can
issue forth
issue forth from the the throne:
throne: "He that that isis unjust,
unjust, let let him
be unjust
be unjust still:
still: and he which is filthy, let
is filthy, let him be filthy filthy
still:
still: and he he that
that isis righteous,
righteous, let let him be be righteous
righteous still:still:
and he tnat that is holy, let

is holy, let him be holy holy still"
still" (Rev.
(Rev. 22: 11).
22:11).
The BibleBible usesuses several
several figures
figures to express the
to express the com-
plete
plete obliteration
obliteration of
of the
the sins
sins of
of God's
God's people.
people. The
prophet
prophet Micah says,
says, "Thou wilt
wilt cast
cast all
all their
their sins
sins into
into
the depths
the depths of the sea"
of the sea'
1
(Micah
(Micah 7:19).7: 19). David pictures
pictures it: it:
THE INVESTIGATIVE
JUDGMENT 443
443
"As
"As far
far as
as the
the east
east isIs from
from thethe west,
west, so so far
far hath
hath he he
removed our our transgressions
transgressions from from us" us" (Ps. 103:
(Ps. 103:12).12).
Through
Through the prophet
prophet Jeremiah
Jeremiah God promised, promised, "I "I will
will
forgive
forgive their
their iniquity,
iniquity, and
and II will
will remember their
their sin
sin
no more" (Jer. (Jer. 31:34).
31:34). And through
through Isaiah Isaiah God pro- pro-
claimed,
claimed, "I,"I, even I, I, am he he that
that blotteth
blotteth out out thy
thy trans-
trans-
gressions
gressions for
for mine own sake, sake, and willwill not
not remember thy thy
sins"
sins'* (Isa.
(Isa. 43:25).
43:25). It It would seem that that God wants wants to to
clear the universe of of every
every reminder of
of sin,
sin, so
so that
that the
the
sad and painful
painful experiences
experiences of of this
this life
life "shall
"shall not
not be be
remembered,
remembered, nor come into
into mind" (Isa. 65: 17).
(Isa. 65:17).
The
blotting
blotting out of o thethe whole tragictragic record
record of of sins
sins isis as
as
definitely
definitely a part
part of
of God's plan
plan as
as is
is forgiveness.
forgiveness.
The following
following description
description of
of the
the investigative
investigative judg-judg-
ment, penned by
ment, penned by Ellen
Ellen G. White, Is,
G. White, is, we believe,
believe, based
based
entirely upon the
entirely upon the revealed truths of
revealed truths of God's
God's Word as as we
set them forth
have set forth in the preceding
in the preceding pages: pages:
the books of
As the of record
record are
are opened
opened in in the
the judgment,
judgment, the the lives
lives
of
of all who have believed
all believed on JesusJesus come in in review
review before
before God.
God.
Beginning with those
Beginning those who first
first lived upon the
lived upon the earth,
earth, our
our Advo-
Advo-
cate presents
cate presents thethe cases
cases of
of each
each successive
successive generation,
generation. andand closes
closes
with the living.
with the living. Every
Every name is is mentioned,
mentioned, every every case
case closely
closely in-in-
vestigated. Names are
vestigated. are accepted,
accepted, names rejected.
rejected. When any any have
have
sins remaining
sins remaining upon upon thethe books
books of of record,
record, unrepented
unrepented of of and
and un-
un-
forgiven, their
forgiven, their names will will be blotted
blotted outout of of the
the book
book ofof life,
life, and
and
the record
the record of of their
their good
good deeds
deeds will
will be erased
erased from
from the
the book of of
God's remembrance.
God's remembrance .... All who have
... All have truly
truly repented
repented ofof sin,
sin, and
and
by faith
by faith claimed
claimed the the blood
blood of of Christ
Christ as as their
their atoning
atoning sacrifice,
sacrifice,
have had
have had pardon
pardon entered
entered against
against their
their names
names in in the
the books
books of of
heaven; as
heaven; as they
they have
have become
become partakers
partakers of of the
the righteousness
righteousness of of
Christ, and
Christ, and their
their characters
characters areare found
found to to be
be in
in harmony
harmony withwith
the law
the law ofof God,
God, their
their sins
sins will
will bebe blotted
blotted out,out, and
and they
they themselves
themselves
will be
will be accounted
accounted worthy
worthy ofof eternal
eternallife.-The
life. Great Controversy,
The Great Controversy,
p.483.
p. 483.
3. THE
3. FINAL END
THE FINAL END OF
OF SIN AND
SIN AND SINNERS.
SINNERS.-Seventh-
Seventh-
QUESTIONS
day Adventists
day Adventists believe
believe that
that from 1844 onward,
onward, to the
to the
second
second coming
coming of
of Christ, is the
Christ, is period of
the period the investiga-
of the investiga-
tive judgment.
tive judgment. This period
period we speak
speak of
of as the antitypi-
as the antitypi-
cal Day
cal of Atonement.
Day of Atonement. ButBut during
during this
this time,
time, as
as indi-
indi-
cated in
cated in the
the typical
typical service, the
service, the of salvation
work of salvation goes
goes
forward continually for
forward continually for all
all mankind, thus fulfilling
mankind, thus fulfilling the
the
type.
type. However,
However, just
just before
before our Lord comes in
in all
all His
His
glory, mercy ceases
glory, mercy ceases and probation
probation ends,
ends, as
as is indicated
is indicated
in Revelation
in Revelation 22:11,
22: 11, 12.
12.
When the
the high
high priest in the
priest in the typical
typical service
service had con-
con-
cluded his
cluded his work in the earthly
in the earthly sanctuary
sanctuary on the
the Day of
Day of
the Atonement,
the Atonement, hehe came to to the
the door of the sanctuary.
of the sanctuary.
Then thethe final
final act
act with the the second
second goat, Azazel, took
goat, Azazel, took
place. In
place. In like
like manner,
manner, when our Lord completes completes His His
ministry
ministry in
in the
the heavenly sanctury,
heavenly sanctury, He,
He, too,
too, will
will come
forth. When He does
forth. does this, the day
this, the day ofof salvation
salvation will
will have
have
closed forever.
closed forever. Every
Every soul
soul will
will have thusthus made his his de-
de-
cision for
cision for oror against
against the
the divine
divine Son of
of God.
God, Then upon
upon
Satan, the instigator
Satan, the instigator of of sin, is rolled
sin, is rolled back
back his
his respon-
respon-
sibility for having
sibility for having initiated
initiated and introduced iniquity iniquity
into
into the universe. But he in
the universe. sense vicariously
in no sense vicariously atones
atones
for the
for sins of
the sins of God's people. All
God's people. this Christ
All this Christ fully bore,
fully bore,
vicariously atoned
and vicariously atoned for,for, on Calvary'S
Calvary's cross.
cross.
Having
Having finished
finished His ministry
ministry as high priest,
as high priest, our
Saviour
Saviour thenthen returns
returns to to the
the earth
earth in glory, and it
in glory, it is
is
then that Satan

then that Satan isis cast into the
cast into the bottomless
bottomless pit,pit, where he
and his
his confederates
confederates in rebellion remain for
in rebellion for the
the mil-
mil-
lennial
lennial thousand years of Revelation
years of Revelation 20:1. 20: 1. This is his
is his
prison house,
prison house, withwith devastation
devastation all all around him.him. Then at at
the
the end of the thousand
of the thousand yearsyears thethe wicked dead are are
raised
raised toto life,
life, and together
together withwith the the devil
devil and his his
angels,
angels, are cast into
are cast the lake
into the lake ofof fire.
fire. This
This will
will be their
their
JUDGMENT 445
reward-the
reward the second,
second, oror eternal, death (Rev.
eternal, death (Rev. 20: 13-15).
20:13-15).
(See Question
(See Question 42.)42.)
In Malachi 4:
In 4:11 we read:
read: "The day day that
that cometh
shall
shall burn them up, up, saith the Lord of
saith the of hosts,
hosts, that
that itit shall
shall
leave them neither
leave neither root
root nor branch."
branch."
Looking forward to
Looking that day
to that day when every
every trace
trace ofof sin
sin
will obliterated, King
will be obliterated, King David said,said, "The wicked shall shall
perish, and the
perish, the enemies of of the
the Lord shall
shall be as the fat
as the fat
of lambs:
of lambs: they
they shall
shall consume;
consume; into
into smoke shall
shall they
they
consume away'*
away" (Ps.(Ps. 37:20).
37:20). "For yet yet aa little
little while,
while,
and the wicked shallshall not be:be: yea,
yea, thou shalt
shalt diligently
diligently
consider his
consider place) and it
his place, shall not be.
it shall be. But the the meek
shall inherit the
shall inherit the earth;
earth; and shall delight
shall delight themselves in
in
the abundance of
the peace" (verses
of peace" (verses 10,
10, II).
11). "For the the
earth
earth shall
shall be filled
filled with thethe knowledge
knowledge of the glory
of the glory of of
the Lord,
the Lord, as the waters cover the
as the the sea"
sea" (Hab. 2: 14). So
(Hab. 2:14).
we say,
say, "Blessed
"Blessed be his glorious name for
his glorious for ever:
ever: and let let
the whole earth
the earth be filled
filled with his his glory;
glory; Amen, and
Amen" (Ps. 72: 19).
(Ps.72:19).
VIII.
VIII, Questions
Questions on the Second
on the Advent
Second Advent
and the Millennium
and the Millennium
Cfhe Second Coming
The Second Cowing of Christ
of Christ
QUESTION
QUESTION 37
What is
is the
the teaching
teaching ofof Adventists
Adventists regard-
regard-
ing
ing the second coming
coming of of our
OUT Lord?
Lord? We
Weare are
given
given to
to understand that
that you
you do not
not accept
accept the
the
positions
positions held by many
by many Christians
Christians today
today relative
relative
to the
to the secret
secret rapture,
rapture, the
the tribulation,
tribulation, and anti-
anti-
christ. Why
christ. Why do you
you not
not accept
accept these
these views?
views?
As our denominational name indicates, the second

indicates, the second
coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ is
is one ofof the
the cardinal
cardinal doctrines
doctrines of the
of the
Adventist faith.
Adventlst faith. We give give it
it such prominence
prominence in in our
beliefs because
beliefs because it it occupies
occupies a a pivotal
pivotal place
place in
in Holy
Holy
Scripture,
Scripture, not only
only in the New Testament,
in the Testament, but also
also inin
the
the Old.
Old. As far back as
far back the time
as the time of Enoch, it
of Enoch, it was proph-
proph-
esied,
esied, "The Lord cometh with ten thousands thousands of of his
his
saints"
saints" (Jude 14).
(Jude 14). And Job
Job said,
said, "I
"I know that
that my
my re-re-
deemer liveth,
liveth, and that that he shall
shall stand atat the latter
latter
day upon the
day upon the earth"
earth" (Job
(Job 19:25);
19:25); while David declared,
declared,
"Our God shallshall come,
come, and shallshall not keep
keep silence"
silence" (Ps.
(Ps.
50:3).
50:3). Numerous other
other prophets
prophets wrote in
in similar vein.
vein.
I. Various
I. Various Terms Used to
to Depict
Depict Advent
In the constantly
In the recurring predictions
constantly recurring predictions of
of the
the glo-
glo-
rious second
rious second advent ofof our Lord,
Lord, a number of of Greek
words are used,
words are used, words having
having distinct unique shades
distinct and unique
15
15 449
449
450
QUESTIONS
of meaning.
of We
meaning. We will
will the most prominent,
list the
list prominent, giving
giving an
example of
example of each
each use.
use. are ten
Here are ten leading
leading Greek terms
terms
employed:
employed:
Parousia-HThe
Parousia coming of
"The coming of the
the Lord draweth
draweth nigh"
nigh"
(James
(James 5:8).
5:8).
Erchomai-"Occupy
Erchomai "Occupy till (Luke 19:
till II come" (Luke 13).
19:13).
AjJOkalupto-"When
Apokalupto the Lord Jesus
"When the Jesus shall re-
shall be re-
vealed"
vealed" (2 Thess.
Thess. 1:
(2
7).
1:7).
Epiphaneia-"The
Epiphaneia appearing of
"The appearing of our Lord Jesus
Jesus
Christ" (1 Tim. 6:14).
Christ" (1 6: 14).
Phaneroo-"When
Phaneroo "When the the chief
chief Shepherd
Shepherd shall ap-
shall ap-
pear" (I
pear" (1 Peter
Peter 5:4).
5:4).
Prosopon-"From
Prosopon "From the presence of
the presence of the
the Lord" (2 (2
Thess.l:9).
Thess. 1:9).
Analuo-"He
Analuo "He will return from the
will return wedding" (Luke
the wedding" (Luke
12:36).
12:36).
Hupostrepho-"To
Hupostrephd receive ... aa kingdom,
"To receive kingdom, and to to
return" (Luke 19:
return" (Luke 12).
19:12).
Ephistemi-"That
Ephistemi "That day day come upon you unawares"
upon you unawares"
(Luke 21:34).
(Luke 21:34).
HekO-"Hold
Hekd "Hold fast fast till I come" (Rev.
till I 2:25).
(Rev. 2:25).
The meaning
meaning of of these
these ten
ten Greek terms is is highly
highly
significant. Properly understood,
significant. Properly understood, they they enable us
us toto
glimpse
glimpse at at least
least something
something of of the
the nature of of the
the glorious
glorious
appearing
appearing of
of our blessed
blessed Lord. Erchomai,
Erchomai, for
for example,
example,
indicates
indicates the the act
act of
of coming,
coming, but not necessarily
necessarily ofof ar-
ar-
rival. Heko
rival. Hekd goesgoes a
a step further,
step further, and not only
only means
coming. stresses arrival
coming, but stresses arrival as well. Para
as well. usia goes
Parousia goes fur-
fur-
ther
ther still,
still, for it involves
for it involves not only coming
only coming and arrival,
arrival,
but
but the
the actual personal presence
actual personal presence of of the
the person
person who has has
arrived. Again, analuo indicates a departure
arrived. Again, analud indicates a departure in order to in order to
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST 451
451
while hupostrepho
return, while
return, has the
hupostrepho has the idea of returning
Idea of returning
from aa journey.
journey.
Further, apokalupto stresses
Further, apokalupto appearing. with
stresses appearing, with thethe
idea
idea of revelation. Prosopon
of revelation. indicates the
Prosopon indicates the actual pres-
actual pres-
ence
ence of of the
the one coming,
coming, and that
that all
all are
are before
before his
his
face. Epiphaneia emphasizes
face. Epiphaneia emphasizes the
the glory
glory that
that will
will attend
attend
the Saviour
the Saviour when He comes. Phaneroo involves
comes. Phaneroo involves not
not
only appearing
only appearing but but the
the further thought that
further thought that the
the per-
per-
son appearing
appearing willwill be
be seen in his
seen in his true
true character.
character. The
other word,
other word, ephistemi,
ephistemi, stresses
stresses the
the thought
thought notnot only
only of
of
being near
being near but particularly
particularly of the suddenness
of the suddenness of the
of the
coming
coming of
of the
the Lord.
Lord.
While the the foregoing
foregoing meanings
meanings of of the
the Greek wordswords
are given
are given in their renderings
in their renderings into
into English,
English, these
these mean-
ings
ings are not always
are not always sharp distinct. There is
sharp and distinct. is often
often
an overlapping
overlapping in the shades
in the shades of meaning.
of meaning.
II.
II. Adventist Understanding
Adventlst of the
Understanding of the Second Advent
these preliminary
From these considerations, we feel
preliminary considerations, that
feel that
sound and reasonable
reasonable conclusions
conclusions may may bebe drawn as to
as to
the teaching of the
the teaching of the Word concerning
concerning the the second
second ad-
ad-
vent. The Bible
vent. basis for
Bible basis for our belief
belief may
may bebe stated
stated as
as
follows:
follows:
1.
1. JESUS WILL ASSUREDLY COME THE SECOND TIME.
JESUS
-Jesus Himself promised
Jesus Himself promised to to come again.
again. "I
"I will
will come
again,"
again," He assured
assured His disciples (John 14:3). And
disciples (John 14:3).
Paul the
Paul the apostle
apostle declared that He would "appear
declared that
'
'appear
the second
the time" (Heb.
second time" 9:28).
(Heb. 9:28). The Saviour
Saviour adds the
the
further thought, "1
further thought, will come again,
"I will again, and receive
receive you
you
unto myself"
unto myself" (John
(John l4: 3). There is
14:3). is significance to these
significance to these
last-mentioned words,
last-mentioned words, for it is
for it at the
is at the second advent
452
QUESTIONS
that the
that the resurrection
resurrection of
of the
the saints takes place
saints takes place (1
(1 Thess.
Thess.
4: 16).
4:16).
And thisthis is is ofof such vital necessity
such vital necessity that that the
the same
apostle declares,
apostle declares, "If
"If Christ
Christ be
be not
not risen"
risen" (1
(1 Cor.
Cor. 15: 15:
14)
14) then
then "the
"the dead rise
rise not"
not" (verse
(verse 16);16); and if
if this
this be
be
so,
so, "then
"then they they alsoalso which are are fallen
fallen asleep
asleep in in Christ
Christ
are perished" (verse
are perished" (verse 18).18): The Greek word here
here used
used for
for
"perished"
"perished" is
is apollurni) which
apollumi, which means "destroyed,"
"destroyed," "per- "per-
ished,"
ished," "lost."
"lost" It It is
is the term used
the term used in in Luke 13:3, 13:3, which
reads, "Except
reads, "Except ye
ye repent,
repent, ye
ye shall
shall all
all likewise
likewise perish";
perish";
also in
also John 17:
in John 12, "None of
17:12, of them is is lost) but the
lost, but the son
son ofof
perdition.
perdition." "
There is
There is good reason,
good reason, we therefore therefore believe,
believe, for for
calling
calling the
the advent
advent of
of Jesus
Jesus the
the "blessed
"blessed hope"
hope" (Titus(Titus
2: 13). In
2:13). In a very real
a very real sense
sense it it is
is the supreme hope
the supreme hope of of
the church,
the church, for for itit is
is at the return
at the return of our Lord that
of our that the
the
sleeping
sleeping saints
saints are are called
called forth
forth to to immortality.
immortality. It It isis
then that
then that this
this "mortal
"mortal shall shall ... put
. . ,put on immortality"
immortality"
(1 Cor.
(1 Cor. 15:54).
15:54). And it is then
it is then thatthat "the trumpet shall
"the trumpet shall
sound, and the

sound, the dead shall shall be be raised
raised incorruptible"
incorruptible"
(verse 52).
(verse 52).
Further, those
Further, those who are are translated
translated at at the
the second
second
advent (1
advent (1 Thess.
Thess, 4: 15)
4:15) will
will meet those
those raised
raised from
the dead,
the dead, and togethertogether they they meet their their Lord in in the
the air
air
(verse 17),
(verse 17), and so
so shall
shall they
they "ever
"ever be
be with
with the
the Lord."
Lord."
What consolation
consolation to to those
those who have have laidlaid their
their loved
loved
ones
ones to to rest!
rest! This is evidently
is evidently what the apostle
the apostle had in
in
mind when he he wrote,
wrote, "Wherefore comfort comfort one one another
another
with these
with these words" (verse (verse 18).
18).
2.
2. SECOND ADVENT WILL BE VISIBLE, VISIBLE, AUDIBLE,
AUDIBLE, AND
PERSoNAL.-a.
PERSONAL. His coming
a. His
coming will will be be visible.
visible. The revela-revela-
tor
tor makes this this clear
clear when he he states,
states, "Behold,
"Behold, he he cometh
cometh
453
douds; and every
with clouds; every eye
eye shall
shall see (Rev. 1:7).
see him" (Rev. 1:7).
climactic event
This climactic will certainly
event will certainly be
be visible
visible to
to the
the
saints of God. They
saints of have patiently
They have patiently waited
waited for
for Him
(1 Cor.
(1 Cor. 1:7),
1:7), and it
it is
is "unto that look
"unto them that for him"
look for
that He appears
that appears "without
"without sin unto salvation"
sin unto salvation" (Heb.
(Heb. 9:
9:
28).
28).
But the the unrepentant
unrepentant hosts hosts will
will also
also see
see Him as as He
comes in glory. We read
in glory. read that
that then
then "all the tribes
"all the tribes of of the
the
earth
earth mourn,
mourn, and they they shall
shall see
see the
the Son of
of man coming
coming
in the
in clouds of
the clouds heaven with power
of heaven power and great glory"
great glory"
(Matt.
(Matt. 24:30;
24:30; see also Mark 13:26;
see also 13:26; Luke 21:27). 21:27).
b. His coming
b. His coming will
will be
be audible.
audible. The Bible
Bible writers,
writers,
in describing
in describing the the return
return of Christ, many
of Christ, many times
times refer
refer to to
the accompanying
the accompanying sound of a trumpet: "the last
of a trumpet: "the last trump" trump"
(1 Cor. 15:52);
(1 Cor. 15:52); "a"a shout,"
shout," "the voice," "the
"the voice," "the trump
trump of of
God" (1 (1 Thess.
Thess. 4: 16);
4:16); "a
"a great
great sound of
of a
a trumpet"
trumpet"
(Matt. 24:31). We do not
(Matt. 24:31). not understand
understand this this toto be figura-
figura-
tive language,
tive language, but but aa plain
plain statement
statement of of what will will take
take
place.
place.
c.
c. His coming will
coming will be be personal.
personal. The coming coming of of
Jesus
Jesus is is not
not at death,
at death, or or in
in some great catastrophe-
great catastrophe
such as as the
the destruction
destruction of Jerusalem. The actual,
of Jerusalem. per-
actual, per-
sonal presence of
sonal presence of our Saviour Jesus Christ
Saviour Jesus Christ is is called
called for.
for.
At the
the ascension
ascension thethe angels
angels declared
declared to
to the
the astonished
astonished
disciples, "This same Jesus
disciples, Jesus . . . shall
. . shall so
. so come in in like
like
manner" (Acts I: 11).
(Acts 1:11). The word "same" is
is not
not in
in the
the
Greek text,
text, but
but "this"
"this" is.is. The Greek word is is lioutas,
ftoutos,
aa demonstrative
demonstrative word here here used to stress the
to stress the fact that
fact that
He who returnsreturns will
will be
be the actual Jesus
the actual Jesus who ascended,
ascended,
and notnot another.
another. This might might well
well be rendered,
rendered, "But
Jesus
Jesus Himself
Himself shall
shall come." A.
A. T.
T. Robertson (in
(in hishis
Word Pictures),
Pictures), commenting
commenting on Acts
Acts 1: ll,
1:11, remarks:
remarks:
QUESTIONS
Sa
So in like manner (hautos
in like han trapan).
(houtos kon idea twice.
tropon). Same Idea twice .... . . .
fact of
The fact of His
His second coming and the
second coming the manner of
of it is also
it is also
described
described by this emphatic
by this repetition.
emphatic repetition.
parousia) so
The word parousia, so frequently
frequently used used of of the
the com-
com-
ing
ing of
of Christ,
Christ, means the
the actual
actual personal presence of
personal presence of
the Saviour.
the Saviour. It It is the same word used
Is the used in in describing
describing
the "coming"
the "coming" of
of Titus
Titus (2
(2 Cor.
Cor. 7:6). (See
7:6). (See more on this
this
point
point under
under Section
Section 4.)
4.)
3.
3. VARIOUS DESCRIPTIVE WORDS REFER TO BUT ONE
AnvENT.-It
ADVENT. It is
is to be particularly
to be particularly observed that that there
there
is but
is but oneone second
second coming
coming of of Christ
Christ set set forth
forth in in Scrip-
Scrip-
ture. This is
ture. This is specifically
specifically referred
referred to
to as
as His
His appearing
appearing
(Titus 2:13), coming
(Titus 2:13), coming (James (James 5:8), return (Luke
5:8), return (Luke 19: 19:
12), presence
12), presence (2 (2 Thess.
Thess. I :9), coming
1:9), coming the
the second
second time
(Heb.
(Heb. 9:28),
9:28), and coming coming again again (John(John 14:3).
14:3). Jesus
Jesus
said
said He would "come again" (John
again" (John 14:3); 14:3); and in
in the
the
parable
parable would "return"
"return" from His
His journey (Luke 19:
journey (Luke 19:
12).
12). He referred repeatedly
referred repeatedly to to His "coming"
"coming'* with no
indication whatever
indication whatever of of aa two-stage
two-stage adventadvent or or of
of aa prelimi-
prelimi-
nary coming,
nary coming, secret
secret or
or otherwise,
otherwise, for
for the
the "rapture"
"rapture" of of
the
the saints.
saints. Scripture explicitly
Scripture explicitly states
states that
that Christ
Christ will
will
come "the"the second
second time" to to save
save those
those who are are looking
looking-
for
for Him (Heb. 9:28); obviously
(Heb. 9:28); obviously "we which are
are alive
alive
and remain" (1 (1
Thess.
Thess. 4: 17)
4:17) to
to look
look for
for Him are
are to
to
be saved
be saved at at the
the time
time of the resurrection
of the translation
resurrection and translation
of the saints,
of the that is,
saints, that is, the
the timetime of the so-called
of the so-called rapture.
rapture.
We can find find no scripture
scripture that
that separates
separates what has
has been
termed the
termed the "rapture"
"rapture" from the
the second
second coming.
coming.
In the
In the face
face ofof all the references
all the references to to "the"
"the" coming,
coming,
appearing,
appearing, or
or return
return of
of the
the Lord,
Lord, and in
in the
the absence
absence of
of
any
any statement
statement of
of two
two distinct
distinct events, certainly
events, certainly the
the bur-
bur-
den of of proof
proof rests
rests on those those who would divide these
divide these
455
various references
various references to the
to the coming
coming into into twotwo phases
phases sepa-
sepa-
rated by
rated by the
the period
period of the antichrist.
of the antichrist. And the the advocate
advocate
of the "pretribulationist"
of the "pretribulationist" view view does does not not have
have dear
clear
Scripture
Scripture evidence
evidence for
for a
a preliminary
preliminary coming coming to
to gather
gather
the
the saints
saints before
before the the last-day
last-day tribulation
tribulation and a a coming
coming
with the
with saints after
the saints after thethe tribulation
tribulation in glory and flam-
in glory flam-
ing vengeance
ing vengeance on the
the antichrist
antichrist and the
the wicked.
wicked. Not
only
only is
is there
there no hint
hint of
of two
two such
such different
different comings,
comings, but but
there is
there is specific scriptural evidence
specific scriptural evidence to
to the
the contrary.
contrary.
4. "PAROUSIA" CALLS FOR CHRIST'S
4. CHRIST'S ACTUAL PER- PER-
SONAL APPEARANCE.
ApPEARANCE.-This This word parousiaparousia has has aa distinct
distinct
meaning, and can meet its
meaning, its fulfillment
fulfillment only only in in the
the actual
actual
coming
coming and visible
visible presence
presence of
of the
the individual
individual involved.
involved.
This can be seen seen in the use
in the use of parousia in
of parousia in the
the New
Testament,
Testament, other other thanthan in in reference
reference to to the
the second
second com-
ing. Thus it
ing. it is used of
is used of the
the coming
coming of of Titus
Titus (2 (2 Cor.
Cor.
7:6); the coming of Stephanas
7:6); the coming of Stephanas (1 Cor. 16:17); (1 Cor. 16:17); and the
the
coming of
coming of Paul (Phil.
(Phil. 1:26).
1:26).
An illustration
illustration is is seen
seen inin 22 Corinthians
Corinthians 10: 10, where
10:10,
we read concerning the
read concerning the "bodily presence"
"bodily presence" (parousia) (parousia)
of
of Paul
Paul the the apostle.
apostle. There is is no occasion
occasion for for mistaking
mistaking
the meaning
the meaning of of this word. It
this word. is dear,
It is clear, definite,
definite, and con- con-
clusive.
clusive. Deissmann (Light (Light From the
the Ancient East,
East, pp.
pp.
272, 382)
272, 382) shows that
that parousia ("presence,"
parousia ("presence," "coming") "coming")
was the
was the technical
technical term term forfor thethe personal
personal arrival
arrival ofof a
potentate
potentate or
or his
his representative.
representative.
The Scriptures
Scriptures dearlyclearly teach
teach (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 15:23) that
15:23) that
"they
"they that
that are
are Christ's"
Christ's" are
are to
to be
be resurrected
resurrected "at
"at his
his
coming" (the
coming" (the word here here used is is parousia}. Elsewhere
parousia). Elsewhere
the parousia
the parousia of the Son of
of the of man is described by
is described by a very
very
visible symbol,
visible symbol, the
the lightning shining
lightning shining across
across the
the whole
sky
sky (Matt.
(Matt. 24:27).
24:27). There is nothing secret
is nothing secret about that that
QUESTIONS
kind of of parousia.
parousia. (The (The argument
argument for for a secret coming
a secret coming of of
Christ based on this
Christ based this Greek word has has been
been discredited
discredited
even
even by by some pretribulationist
pretribulationist writers.)
writers.) But the the evi-
evi-
dence
dence does does notnot rest
rest on thethe mere choice
choice of words.
of words.
5.
5. No PLACE FOR "SECRET" RAPTURE AS SEPARATE
PHASE OF ADVENT. AnVENT.-When Jesus returns

When Jesus returns He does not
does not
come alone.alone. Celestial
Celestial beings
beings constitute
constitute the
the triumphal
triumphal
train that returns
train that returns withwith Him. Jesus Jesus said,
said, "The Son of of
man shaH shall come .. .
. . .with
with his
his angels" (Matt.
angels" (Matt. 16:27). 16:27).
refers to
Mark refers to them as as "holy angels" (Mark
"holy angels" (Mark 8:38);
8:38);
Paul,
Paul, as as "his
"his mighty angels"
mighty angels" (2 (2 Thess.
Thess. 1:
1:7); and
7);
Matthew quotes quotes our Lord's
Lord's own words,
words, saying "all
saying the
"all the
holy angels" will
holy angels" will accompany accompany His
His return
return (Matt. 25:31).
(Matt. 25:31).
What aa galaxygalaxy of of celestial glory, not
celestial glory, not merely
merely of of the
the
angel
angel hosts,
hosts, but of
of Christ
Christ Himself
Himself coming
coming in
in "his
"his own
glory" and in
glory" in "his
"his Father's"
Father's" (Luke(Luke 9:26).9:26). Who can can
picture the
picture the scene!
scene! With ten ten thousands
thousands of of ten thou-
ten thou-
sands
sands and and "thousands
"thousands of of thousands"
thousands" (Rev. (Rev. 5: II), of
5:11), of
these messengers of
these messengers of glory,
glory, what a
a pageant
pageant of
of unparal-
unparal-
leled majesty!
leled majesty! What aa revelation
revelation of the effulgent
of the effulgent glory
glory
of the
of the Eternal!
Eternal!
There is is a
a striking
striking similarity
similarity between the the events
events as as
described
described in in different
different parallel
parallel accounts
accounts of
of the
the second
second
coming, particularly in
coming, particularly in relation
relation to the resurrection
to the resurrection of of
the dead and the
the the translation
translation of the living
of the living righteous.
righteous.
Paul says,says, "The Lord himself
himself shall
shall descend
descend from
heaven with
heaven with aa shout,
shout, with the
the voice
voice of
of the
the archangel,
archangel,
and with the the trump
trump of of God" (1 Thess. 4: 16), and will
(1 Thess. 4:16), will
catch
catch up up His
His own into the air
into the to meet Him. Obviously,
air to Obviously,
it is
it is this
this gathering
gathering up up of the saints
of the saints from the the earth
earth that
that
is described
is described in in similar
similar terms
terms byby Jesus
Jesus Himself:
Himself: "They
"They
shall
shall see see the
the Son of of man coming
coming in in thethe clouds
clouds of of
SEQOND COMING OF CHRIST
SEGOND 457
heaven with power
power and great glory. And he
great glory. he shall
shall send
send
his angels
his angels with
with aa great
great sound of of aa trumpet,
trumpet, and they
they
shall gather together
shall gather together his
his elect
elect from thethe four
four winds,
winds,
from one end of
of heaven to the other"
to the other" (Matt. 24:30, 31).
(Matt. 24:30, 31).
And notice
notice that
that itit is the sounding
is the
sounding of of "the trumpet" that
"the trumpet" that
calls forth "the
calls forth "the dead" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 15:52)
15:52) when "they that
"they that
are Christ's" are
are Christ's" are "made alive"
alive" "at his coming"
"at his coming" (verses(verses
22, 23). This selection
22, 23). selection of of the
the righteous
righteous from among among
the vast
the multitudes of
vast multitudes of earth
earth isis on an individual
individual basis.
basis.
Christ Himself
Christ Himself described
described thisthis dividing
dividing of earth's in-
of earth's in-
habitants into
habitants into two distinct classes by
distinct classes by the
the simple
simple decla-
decla-
ration,
ration, "One shall shall bebe taken,
taken, and the the other
other left"
left" (Matt.
(Matt.
24:40).
24:40).
In the
In the light
light ofof these
these considerations,
considerations, we find find no place
place
for
for aa secret rapture, as
secret rapture, as held
held byby some.
some.
6.
6. THE ADVENT AND THE FINAL TRIBULATION.- TRIBULATION.
The "gathering"
"gathering" of of the
the church to Christ
to Christ in in relation
relation to to
the time of
the time of the
the antichrist
antichrist and the the tribulation
tribulation is is dis-
dis-
cussed in
cussed in literal
literal and explicit language in
explicit language in Paul's
Paul's second
letter to
letter to the
the Thessalonians,
Thessalonians, which was written
written to correct
to correct
the misunderstanding
the misunderstanding of of what he had said said inin his
his first
first
letter about
letter about thethe coming
coming of of Jesus
Jesus to
to raise
raise the
the dead and
translate the
translate the living righteous.
living righteous. In his
his second epistle
epistle hehe
tells the
tells the Thessalonian
Thessalonian Christians
Christians that that God willwill recom-
pense their
pense their persecutors
persecutors with with tribulation,
tribulation, and the the vic-
vic-
tims of
tims of persecution
persecution with rest, rest, "when the the Lord Jesus Jesus
shall
shall be be revealed
revealed from heaven with his his mighty
mighty angels,
angels,
in flaming
in flaming fire fire taking
taking vengeance
vengeance on them that that know not not
God, and that
God, that obey
obey not the the gospel"
gospel" (2 Thess. 1:7,
(2 Thess. 1:7, 8).
8).
Again
Again we find
find the
the two classes:
classes: The church finds
finds rest
rest
at
at the time when Christ
the time Christ comes with blazing blazing vengeance
vengeance
on HisHis (and(and her)
her) enemies.
enemies. Further,
Further, Paul instructed
instructed
458
QUESTIONS
them In in regard
regard to to "the coming of
"the coming of our Lord Jesus Jesus
Christ"
Christ" and "our "our gathering
gathering together
together unto unto him"
(2
(2 Thess.
Thess. 2: 1;
2:1; not
not by
by, J or
or in
in the
the name of,
of, the
the coming
coming and
the gathering,
the gathering, but
but concerning
concerning it,
it, as
as the
the R.S.V. cor-
R.S.V. cor-
rectly
rectly renders
renders huper).
huper). What else
else could he
he have
have meant
by "our
by gathering together
"our gathering together unto unto him" but but thethe same
gathering
gathering of
of the
the saints
saints that
that he had described
described in his
in his
former
former letterletter and that that theythey had evidently
evidently misunder-
misunder-
stood-the
stood the coming coming when "we ... shall . shall be
. . be caught
caught up" up"
to Christ,
to Christ, that that is, is, the "rapture" of
the "rapture" of 11 Thessalonians
Thessalonians
4: 16, 17?
4:16, 17? In regard to
In regard to this
this matter
matter he beseechesbeseeches his his
readers
readers not not to to bebe "shaken in in mind,
mind, or or bebe troubled"
troubled"
about the
about the imminence of of the
the dayday of of Christ,
Christ, "for"for that
that
day
day shall
shall not
not come,
come, except
except there
there come a falling
falling away
away
first,
first, and thatthat man of of sin
sin be revealed,
revealed, the the son
son ofof perdi-
perdi-
tion" (2
tion" (2 Thess. 2: 1-3). Paul,
Thess. 2:1-3). then, is
Paul, then, is telling
telling thethe Thes-
Thes-
salon
salonianian Christians
Christians that that thethe dayday of Christ's coming
of Christ's coming to to
gather
gather the
the saints*-the
saints* the coming
coming about which they
they were
were
worried because they
worried because they had misunderstood Paul Paul-was was
not
not to to come until
until after
after the
the revealing
revealing of
of the
the man of
of
sin. This
sin. m~ch is
This much is clear here, but
clear here, but Paul goes goes on.on.
This
This man of
of sin, further,
sin, further, is
is to
to sit
sit "in
"in the temple of
the temple of
God" and claim worship as
claim worship as God-the
God the same power power we
believe that
believe that is to wear out the
is to the saints
saints and bring bring thethe great
great
tribulation of
tribulation of 1260
1260 days-and
days and he is
is to
to be
be destroyed
destroyed
"with
"with the brightness or
the brightness of his
his coming"
coming" (verses (verses 4, 4, 8). It is
8). It is
obvious
obvious that,that, whatever "he who now letteth" letteth" might be,
might be,
the taking
the taking awayaway that
that will
will permit
permit the
the revealing
revealing of
of anti-
anti-
*To hold
hold that
that "that
"that day,"
day," "the
*
'the day or Christ,"
day of Christ," refers
refers toto the
the visible
visible coming
coming
after
after the revealing of antichrl!'t,
the revealing antichrist, while the "coming"
while the "gathering" of
"coming** and "gathering" of the
the
church is
church is the
the "rapture," preceding the
"rapture," preceding the revealing of antichrist,
revealing of antichrist, is to make
is to make Paul
Paul say:
say:
"Now II beseech
beseech you,
you, in
in regard
regard to
to event
event A,
A, not
not to
to be
be troubled
troubled about
about event B,
event B,
which will
will come seven years later.'
seven years later." That would reduce
*
reduce his
his explanation
e"planation to nonsense.
to nonsense.
christ
christcannot be
cannot be equated with the
equated with the gathering
gathering ofof Christ's
Christ's
church to
to Himself,
Himself, which Paul
Paul here refers to
here refers to as
as coming
coming
after the
after the "falling away" and the
"falling away" revealing of
the revealing of the
the man of of
sin.
sin. And it it is
is equally obvious
equally obvious that
that antichrist
antichrist must pre-
pre-
cede,
cede, not not follow,
follow, the the gathering
gathering of of the
the saints
saints toto Christ
Christ
at His
at His coming.
coming. To state state it it inin another
another way: way: If the
If the
coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ that
that destroys
destroys the
the antichrist
antichrist foHows
follows
the revealing
the revealing of the man of
of the of sin,
sin, and if the gathering
if the gathering of of
the
the Christian
Christian saintssaints at at His
His coming
coming also
also follows
follows the
the
revealing
revealing of the man of
of the of sin,
sin, then there is
then there is no conceiv-
conceiv-
able
able reason,
reason, in the absence
in the absence of of anan explicit
explicit statement
statement of
of
Scripture,
Scripture, why why these
these are
are not
not the
the same coming.
coming.
This agrees
agrees with
with Paul's
Paul's statement
statement that that the
the coming
coming to to
bring rest
bring rest toto the
the church is is the coming to
the coming to bring
bring venge-
venge-
ance
ance to to the
the enemies
enemies of of God;
God; with John's John's description
description of of
the coming
the coming of
of the
the King
King that
that includes
includes the
the judgments
judgments on
on
the beast, the
the beast, the false prophet, and the
false prophet, the dragon,
dragon, and the the
first resurrection as
first resurrection well; and with
as well; with Jesus' statement that
Jesus' statement that
His coming
His coming with with trumpet
trumpet blast blast to to gather
gather His elect elect
follows
follows the the tribulation.
tribulation. And all all the passages harmonize
the passages
with Jesus'
with Jesus' repeated
repeated references
references to to His coming
coming (always
(always
in
in the
the singular).
singular).
Therefore Seventh-day
Therefore Seventh-day Adventists believe on the
Adventists believe the
evidence
evidence of
of Scripture
Scripture that
that there
there will
will be
be one
one visible,
visible,
personal, glorious
personal, glorious second
second coming
coming of of Christ.
Christ.
7. PROPHECIES
7. PROPHECIES CONCERNING ANTICHRIST FULFILLED FULFILLED
BEFORE ADVENT.-Adventists,
BEFORE ADVENT. Adventists, in in common with with virtu-
virtu-
ally all early Protestant Reformers,
ally all early Protestant Reformers, recognize
recognize the
the papal
papal
power as
power as the
the great Antichrist of
great Antichrist of the
the centuries, because
centuries, because
it meets
it meets the the scriptural specifications
scriptural specifications of
of the
the "little
"little
horn"
horn" of
of Daniel
Daniel 7
7 and.
and the
the "beast"
"beast" of
of Revelation 13.
13.
Those
Those who take take either
either the preterist or
the preterist or the
the futurist
futurist
QUESTIONS
position are
position are unable
unable to recognize the
to recognize the actual
actual Antichrist
Antichrist
as he carries
as he carries on his work.
his work. When no one is
is on the alert
the alert
to his
to his nefarious
nefarious schemes,
schemes, he will seek to
will seek to deceive
deceive the the
whole world;
whole world; soso much so, that ultimately
so, that ultimately men will will de-
de-
clare,
clare, "Who is
is like
like unto
unto the
the beast?
beast? who is
is able
able to
to make
war
war withwith him?"
him?" and "all "all the the world"
world" will will wonder
"after
"after the beast" (Rev.
the beast" (Rev. 13:4,
13:4, 3).
3).
The work of of Antichrist
Antichrist will will be be brought
brought to to an end
by
by the
the second
second advent
advent of
of our
our Lord.
Lord. We read
read in
in 2 Thes-
2 Thes-
salonians
salonians 2:3 2:3 of
of one who is is called
called thethe "man of of sin."
sin." We
read
read of his blasphemous
of his blasphemous claims claims in verse 4,
in verse 4, ofof his
his signs
signs
and lying
and lying wonders
wonders in in verse
verse 9. 9. But God's
God's Word declares declares
unmistakably
unmistakably that that he
he will
will bebe consumed by by "the
"the bright-
bright-
ness
ness of of his
his [Christ's]
[Christ's] coming"
coming" (2 (2 Thess.
Thess. 2:8).2:8). Though
Though
all the
all the organizations
organizations of of apostasy,
apostasy, with with all their wicked
all their wicked
works,
works, should
should combine,
combine, their
their activities
activities will
will come to an
to an
end at
end at the the time
time our Lord returns
returns from heaven
heaven (Rev. (Rev.
19:19,20).
19:19, 20).
8.
8. SECOND ADVENT MARKS BEGINNING OF MILLENNIAL
millennial period
PERIOD.-The millennial
PERIOD. period is is mentioned
mentioned definitely
definitely
in Revelation
in Revelation 20 20 under the
the expression
expression "thousand years." years."
Verses 4-6
Verses 4-6 speak
speak of the first
of the first resurrection.
resurrection. "They "They carne came
to life
to life again,
again, and reigned
reigned with
with Christ
Christ a
a thousand
thousand years"
years"
(Rev. 20:4, R.S.V.).
(Rev. 20:4, R.S.V.). Those having having part part in
in it it are
are called
called
"blessed
"blessed and holy." Further, "they shall be priests of
holy." Further, "they shall be priests of
God and of of Christ,
Christ, and they they shall reign with
shall reign with him aa
thousand years."
thousand years." The resurrection
resurrection of the saints,
of the saints, taught
taught
in I1 Corinthians
in Corinthians 15 15 and 1 Thessaloni~ns 4,
1 Thessalonians 4, takes
takes place
place
at the
at the coming
corning ofof our Lord.
Lord. And inasmuchinasmuch as as those
those thus
thus
raised reign
raised reign "with
"with Christ
Christ a a thousand years," it
thousand years," it is
is clear
clear
that
that this resurrection marks the
this resurrection the beginning
beginning of of the
the mil-
mil-
lennial period. Seeing
lennial period, that the
Seeing that rest of
the rest the dead (the
of the (the
461
wicked) "did not

wicked) not come to
to life again until
life again until thethe thousand
years
years were ended" (Rev. 20:4, R.S.V.),
(Rev. 20:4, R.S.V.), it likewise seems
it likewise
clear that
clear that this second resurrection
this second resurrection marks the the close
close of the
of the
millennial period.
millennial period. (For (For further
further discussion
discussion of
of the
the mil-
mil-
lennium, see
lennium, see Questions
Questions 38, 38, 39).
39).
9. NEW TESTAMENT EXPRESSIONS
9. EXPRESSIONS ADVANCED BY
RAPTURISTs.-Among
RAPTURISTS. Among these these are
are to
to be noted (a)
be noted (a) "The
day
day of
of the
the Lord so
so cometh as
as a
a thief
thief in
In the
the night"
night"
(1
(1 Thess.
Thess. 5:2)
5:2) and (b)
(6) "The one shall
shall be
be taken, and
taken,
the other
the other left"
left" (Matt.
(Matt. 24:40).
24:40). The likening
likening of of thethe
coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ to
to aa thief
thief in
in the
the night,
night, must,
must, it
it seems
to us,
to be understood as
us, be having some limitations.
as having limitations. One
would surely
surely not wish to push
wish to push the the illustration
illustration to the
to the
extreme. We would hardly
extreme. think 0'£
hardly think the Saviour's
of the Saviour's com-
ing
ing like
like a
a thief
thief who prowls
prowls around,
around, working in
working the dark,
in the dark,
afraid
afraid of of being
being discovered.
discovered. That could could never
never be aa like-like-
ness
ness ofof our Redeemer.
The context
context of of 1 1 Thessalonians 5:2
Thessalonians 5:2 clearly
clearly indi-
indi-
cates what the
cates the apostle
apostle meant by describing
by describing the
the second
coming
coming of Christ as
of Christ as a thief. He is
a thief. is talking
talking about the the
unexpectedness
unexpectedness of of Christ's coming. No one expects
Christ's coming. expects a a
thief; therefore he
thief; therefore he isis able
able toto do his
his nefarious
nefarious work un-
detected.
detected. The apostle describes the
apostle describes heedless at
the heedless that
at that
day
day as
as expecting
expecting peace peace and safety
safety when sudden de-
de-
struction
struction is is in
in immediate prospect prospect (verse
(verse 3).3). But theythey
are not expecting
are not expecting it. cautions the
it. He cautions the faithful
faithful not to to
fall asleep, lest
fall asleep, the second advent overtake
lest the overtake them as as a a
thief (verses
thief (verses 4, 5).
4, 5). He urges
urges them to
to "watch and be
sober" (verse 6)
sober" (verse 6) in
in expectation
expectation of of the
the second comingcoming
of Christ.
of Christ.
The idea, therefore, is
idea, therefore, is of
of unexpectedness
unexpectedness rather rather than
of secrecy.
of secrr:cy. Of course,
course, the the advent of of Jesus
Jesus will
will catch
catch
462
QUESTIONS
some professing
professing Christians asleep, but
Christians asleep, but thatthat willwill be be
their fault, and not part
their own fault, part of God's plan.
of God's plan. !hey
They should
should
be alert
be alert and watching
watching for His appearing.
for His appearing. But even even those
those
who areare awake,
awake, unlessunless they they are
are fully
fully surrendered
surrendered to
to
God,
God, will
will be
be caught
caught unawares.
unawares. The coming
coming of
of the
the Lord
will also
will also be be unexpected
unexpected for for them.
them. In In other words, they
other words, they
are not actually
are not looking
actually looking for
for Him to
to return;
return; they are
they are
not waiting
not waiting for
for Him. Hence,
Hence, Christ's
Christ's coming
coming will,
will, to
to
them,
them, be as
as a
a thief
thief in
in the
the night.
night.
As toto the
the other
other passage-"The
passage "The one one shall
shall be be taken,
taken,
and the
the other
other left"-there
left" there areare two schools
schools of of interpre-
interpre-
tation among
tation among commentators.
commentators. Some feel feel thatthat those
those
"taken" are taken in destruction;
''taken" are taken in destruction; others, others, that
that they
they areare
taken
taken to to bebe with the the Lord.
Lord. But whatever
whatever the the correct
correct
interpretation,
interpretation, one point
point stands
stands out
out clearly:
clearly: No con-
con-
cept of secrecy
cept of secrecy is
is involved
involved in
in the
the words
words used.
used. It
It is
is the
the
fact of being
fact of being "taken"
"taken" or or of being "left"
of being that is
"left" that is stressed.
stressed.
There is is no indication
indication in the words themselves
in the themselves as to
as to
just
just how the
the one is
is taken
taken and the
the other
other left.
left.
passage indicates
The passage indicates clearly that this
clearly that this will
will be aa day day
of
of separation.
separation. To introduce introduce the the idea of secrecy
idea of secrecy into into the
the
text is,
text believe, wholly
is, we believe, wholly unwarranted.
unwarranted. Nowhere in in
the Bible
the Bible is is there
there any any indication
indication that
that when the
the one is
is
taken and the

taken and the other
other left,
left, certain
certain persons
persons will
will awaken the
the
next morning to
next morning to find
find loved
loved ones
ones "missing."
"missing." The thief- thief-
in-the-night
in-the-night illustration
illustration was obviously
obviously given by our
given by
Lord to to indicate
indicate the the suddenness of of His appearing
appearing and
the danger
the danger that that faces
faces notnot only
only the
the world but even the
but the
church of
church of being unprepared and so
being unprepared being taken un-
so being un-
awares.
awares.
Advocates
Advocates of the "rapture"
of the "rapture" theory
theory also advance the
also advance the
case of Enoch in support
case of in support of of their
their concept.
concept. As to Enoch,
to Enoch,
463
the Scripture
the Scripture declares,
declares, "By
"By faith
faith Enoch was
was translated
translated
that he should
that he should not
not see
see death;
death; and was
was not
not found,
found, be-
be-
cause
cause God had translated
translated him" (Heb. (Heb. 11:5).
11:5). It It is
is
maintained that
maintained the expression
that the expression he
he "was not
not found"
indicates that
indicates that aa search
search was made,made, and so so implies
implies secrecy
secrecy
in his
in being translated.
his being translated. But in in this connection it
this connection it must
be remembered that
be that the
the term
term "ascension" itself surely
"ascension" itself surely
does not connote secrecy.
does not Elijah
secrecy. Elijah also
also was
was translated,
translated, but but
in full
in full view
view of Elisha, and with
of Elisha, with chariot
chariot and whirlwind.
whirlwind.
Again,
Again, when our blessed
blessed Lord "was taken
taken up" (Acts
up" (Acts
1: 9),
1:9), it
it was
was in
in full,
full, open
open view of
of His disciples.
disciples.
Furthermore, why
Furthermore, why should
should thethe expression
expression "was not not
found" be be thought
thought to indicate secrecy?
to indicate secrecy? Similar
Similar expres-
expres-
sions
sions are
are found in in other
other connections
connections and they they could not
mean secrecy,
secrecy, or refer to
or refer to something
something done in in aa corner.
corner.
Thus we read that that in the last days "the
in the last days "the mountains were
not found"
not found" (Rev.
(Rev. 16:20);
16:20); of of Babylon, that it
Babylon, that it "shall
"shall be
found no more at at all"
all" (Rev. 18:21);
(Rev. 18:21); and of
of its
its inhabit-
inhabit-
ants,
ants, that
that none "shall
"shall be
be found any
any more in
in thee"
thee"
(verse 22). On what linguistic
(verse 22). linguistic or exegetical authority,
or exegetical authority,
then,
then, can one introduce
can one introduce the the idea
idea of
of something
something happen-
happen-
ing secretly?
ing secretly?
10.
10. SECOND COMING "BLESSED HOPE" OF THE
CHURcH.-In
CHURCH. In summation: Seventh-day Adventists be-
Seventh-day Adventists be-
lieve that
lieve that Christ's
Christ's second advent will
second advent will be
be personal,
personal, visi- visi-
ble, audible,
ble, audible, bodily,
bodily, glorious,
glorious, 'and premillennial, and
atid premillennial,
will
will mark the the completion
completion of of our
our redemption.
redemption. And we
believe that
believe that our Lord's return
our Lord's return is is imminent,
imminent, at at a time
that is
that is near
near but
but not
not disclosed. Adventists' joy,
disclosed. Adventists' joy, hope,
hope,
and expectation
and expectation over
over the
the prospect
prospect are
are well
well expressed
expressed
by the
by the following
following excerpts
excerpts from the writings of
the writings Ellen
of Ellen
G. White:
G. White:
464
QUESTIONS
of the
One of the most solemn and yetyet most glorious
glorious truths
truths revealed
revealed
in the
in the Bible
Bible is
is that
that of
of Christ's coming.-The
Christ's second coming. The Great Con-
troversy, p. 299.
troversy, p. 299.
coming of
The coming of Christ
Christ toto usher
usher in
in the
the reign
reign ofof righteousness
righteousness
has inspired
has inspired the
the most sublime
sublime and impassioned
impassioned utterances
utterances of of the
the
sacred writers.-Ibid.,
sacred writers. p. BOO.
Ibid., p. 300.
The proclamation
proclamation of of Christ's
Christ's coming
coming should now be, be, as
as when
made by by the
the angels
angels to
to the
the shepherds
shepherds ofof Bethlehem,
Bethlehem, good good tidings
tidings
of great
of great joy.
joy. Those who reallyreally love
love the
the Saviour cannot but hail hail
with gladness
with gladness the
the announcement founded upon upon the the word of of
God, that
God, that He inin whom their
their hopes
hopes ofof eternal
eternal life
life are
are centered
centered isis
coming again,
coming again, not
not to insulted, despised,
to be insulted, despised, and rejected,
rejected, as
as at
at
His first
His first advent,
advent, but
but in
in power
power and glory,
glory, to
to redeem His people.
people.
-Ibid., pp. 339,
Ibid., pp. 339, 340.
340.
Varied
Varied Concepts of the Millennium
Concepts of the Millennium
QUESTION
QUESTION 38
Many varied
Many varied and conflicting
conflicting teachings
teachings are
are
current
current on the
the millennium. How,
How, and when,
when, did
did
these
these conflicting
conflicting views
views arise?
arise'?
I. Basic
I. Basic Definitions
Definitions and Differentiations
Differentiations in Millennialism
in Millennialism
The importance
importance of these questions
o these questions is is apparent
apparent from
the molding influence
the molding influence that that varying
varying millennial
millennial views
views
exerted on the
have exerted the Christian faith over
Christian faith over the
the centuries.
centuries.
In order
In order toto understand the the really
really fundamental differ-differ-
ences, definition of
ences, aa definition of the terms used
the terms used to to describe
describe thethe
major
major schools
schools of
of millennialism-premillennial,
millennialism premillennial, post-
post-
millennial, and amillennial-is
millennial, amillennial is first first essential.
essential.
1. MILLENNIUM. The Merriam-Webster unabridged
1. MILLENNIUM.- unabridged
dictionary,
dictionary, second
second edition
edition (1949),
(1949), defines the word "mil-
defines the "mil-
lennium":
1. A thousand
I. thousand years
years.. . . . 2.
... 2. Sped£., the thousand years
years men-
Specif., the
tioned in Revelation
tioned in xx, during
Revelation xx, during which holiness
holiness is
is to
to be trium-
phant.
phant. Some believe
believe that during this
that during period Christ
this period will reign
Christ will reign on
earth.
earth.
This definition
This definition is
is more nearly
nearly accurate
accurate than that
that in
The New Schaff-Herzog,
Schaff-Herzog, which applies
applies the
the word to a
to
reign
reign on earth before the
earth before the end of
of the
the world, disregarding
world., disregarding
the
the fact that these
fact that these specifications
specifications are interpretation
are interpretation
rather than definition.
rather definition.
465
465
466 QUESTIONS
2. CHILIASM.-As
2. CHILIASM. As generally generally used used chlliasm
chiliasm Is is the
the
teaching that
teaching that the
the saints will reign
saints will reign with
with Christ
Christ on earth earth
during
during the
the millennial
millennial thousand
thousand years.
years. The identifica-
identifica-
tion
tion of of the
the one thousand
thousand years
years of of Revelation
Revelation 20 with
20 with
various
various Old Testament prophecies prophecies of of aa literal
literal kingdom
kingdom
earth (not
on earth (not an express
express stipulation
stipulation of of Scripture)
Scripture) has has
periodically
periodically broughtbrought its
Its advocates
advocates into
Into disrepute
disrepute bebe-
cause of
cause of the materialistic expectations
the materialistic expectations and excesses
excesses
sometimes accompanying
accompanying this this concept.
concept.
3. PREMILLENNIALIsM.-Premillennialism
3. PREMILLENNIALISM. Premillennialism posits posits the
the
second coming of
second coming of Christ
Christ and the the first resurrection as
first resurrection as
preceding
preceding the
the thousand
thousand years,
years, with the
the second resur-
resur-
rection
rection to to follow
follow the the millennium. (It (It also
also commonly
commonly
adds
adds a chiliastic corollary,
a chiliastlc corollary, that
that when Christ
Christ comes He
will set
will set upup aa kingdom
kingdom on earth)
earth,, in
in which the
the saints will
saints will
reign
reign with
with Christ
Christ over
over the
the nations.)
nations.) The millennial
millennial
reign is
reign thus introduced
is thus introduced by by supernatural
supernatural and cata- cata-
strophic
strophic events.
events.
4. POSTMILLENNIALISM.-Postmillennialism
4. POSTMILLENNIALISM. Postmlllennialism sees sees the
the
"thousand
"thousand years'*years" as
as possibly
possibly a
a literal
literal period,
period, but
but more
probably an indefinite
probably period of
indefinite period time, preceding
of time, preceding the the
second advent. The "first
second advent. resurrection" is
"first resurrection" is therefore
therefore
a revival
a revival of of the
the spirit,
spirit, doctrine, principles, and charac-
doctrine, principles, charac-
ter of the Christian
ter of the Christian martyrs martyrs and departed
departed saints.
saints. And
after the
after the evil
evil of the world has
of the largely overthrown,
has been largely overthrown,
paradisiac
paradisiac blessedness
blessedness will
will be ushered
ushered in
in by Christ's
by Christ's
coming
coming and the
the general
general resurrection.
resurrection. Thus the
the millen-
millen-
nium is is introduced without direct
Introduced without direct divine
divine intervention.
intervention.
5. AMILLENNIALIsM.-Amillennialists
5. AMILLENNIALISM. Amillennialists assert assert that
that
Revelation
Revelation 20 20 isis simply teaching
simply teaching spiritualspiritual truths
truths in
in
symbolic language.
symbolic language. This concept
concept eliminates
eliminates an actual
actual
millennial reign,
millennial reign, oror regards
regards it it as the entire
as the entire Christian
Christian
CONCEPTS OF THE MILLENNIUM 467
467
Era.
Era. The two two resurrections
resurrections are are fused into one,
fused Into one, and thethe
different
different aspects of the
aspects of judgment become one
the judgment one great
great
assize-Christ
assize Christ simply
simply comes at
at the
the end of
of the
the age to
age to
judge
judge the
the world.
world. Thus amillennialism
amillennialism seeks
seeks to
to avoid
avoid the
the
difficulties
difficulties believed
believed toto beset both premillennialism
beset both premillennialism and
postmill ennialism.
postmillennialism.
With thethe major
major types
types of millennialism now before
of millennialism before
us, we will
us, will sketch
sketch in bold outline
in bold outline the
the course
course of millen-
of millen-
nialism across the
nialism across the centuries,
centuries, in in order to have
order to have the
the nec-
nec-
essary historical setting
essary historical setting for
for our
our own views,
views, which follow
follow
in Question
in Question 39.39.
II.
IL Early-Church
Early-Church PremiHennialism
Premillennialism
CHARACTERISTICS OF EARLY-CHURCH
EARLy-CHURCH PREMILLENNI-
ALISM.-Premillennialism
ALISM. Premillennialism was strong strong in in thethe early
early
Christian church. The believers
Christian church. believers looked
looked forfor aa breakup
breakup
of
of the
the Roman Empire Empire and the the coming
coming of of aa malign
malign
antichrist who would persecute
antichrist persecute the the saints
saints forfor three
three
years
years and a
a half,
half, followed
followed by
by the
the personal
personal advent of
of
Christ.
Christ. They expected
They expected a
a literal
literal first
first resurrection
resurrection at
at the
the
advent, and the
advent, the setting
setting upup ofof a
a thousand-year
thousand-year kingdom
kingdom
of the
of the saints
saints reigning
reigning with Christ.
Christ. Then at
at the
the end ofof
the millennium,
the millennium, the the second resurrection, the
second resurrection, the final
final judg-
judg-
ment, and the
ment, the retribution
retribution of of the
the wicked would take take
place, they
place, they believed,
believed, followed
followed by by the eternal reward of
the eternal of
the
the righteous
righteous in
in the
the new heavens
heavens and new earth.
earth. This
belief they
belief they based
based on the the New Testament prophecies,prophecies,
together
together with
with the
the historical
historical prophecies
prophecies of
of Daniel, in
Daniel,
which they found themselves
which they themselves under the the fourth kingdom.
fourth kingdom.
They expected
They expected the
the further"
further" unfolding
unfolding of
of these
these events
in history
in history soon
soon after
after their
their day,
day, for
for they
they looked for
for the
second advent shortly. (Early-century
second advent shortly. (Early-century churchmen had,
had,
QUESTIONS
of course, no idea
of course, Idea of of such
such a long stretch
a long stretch of of time
time between
between
the first and second
the first second advents
advents as as has
has now alreadyalready ensued.
ensued.
Some looked
looked to to A.D. 500
500 for the end of
for the of thethe age.)
age.) Among
Among
the premillennialist
the premillennialist writerswriters were pseudo-Barnabas,
pseudo-Barnabas,
Justin Martyr, Irenaeus,
Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Montanus,
Montanus, Tertullian,
Tertullian, Nepos, Nepos,
Commodianus, Hippolytus, Methodius,
Commodianus, Hippolytus, Methodius, Victorinus, Victorinus,
Apollinaris. '*'
Lactantius, and Apollinaiis.*
Lactantius,
The millennial
millennial kingdom
kingdom was was described
described variously,
variously,
though
though it
it was
was generally
generally understood
understood to
to be
be on earth, with
earth, with
the saints
the reigning over
saints reigning over the
the nations
nations in in thethe flesh.
flesh. Some
had literal
literal Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, rebuilt,
rebuilt, as
as the
the capital;
capital; Tertul-
Tertul-
lian's view
lian's view had the the New Jerusalem
Jerusalem descending from
descending
heave1.
heaver/. Some emphasized
emphasized the
the spiritu~l joys,
spiritual joys, others
others the
the
material prosperity, fertility,
material prosperity, plenty. Some had aa
fertility, and plenty.
Roman emperor
emperor as
as antichrist
antichrist preceding
preceding the the millen-
millen-
nium,
nium, others
others a
a Jew (during
Jew (during delayeda
a delayed seventieth
seventieth week,
week,
according to Hippolytus,
according to Hippolytus, though thisthough this was not the
the ma-
jority view).
jority view). Methodius
Methodius saw the the millennium as as a day
a day
of judgment; Victorinus,
of judgment; Victorinus, as as aa sabbath
sabbath rest rest (based
(based on the
the
seven-thousand-year theory)+,
seven-thousand-year theory)^ By By the
the time
time of
of Lactantius
Lactantius
the
the full-fledged
full-fledged millennial doctrine was filled
millennial doctrine filled with
with fan-
fan-
tastic elements from sources
tastic elements extraneous to
sources extraneous to the
the Biblical
Biblical
millennium,
millennium, on the the glories
glories of
of the
the renovated
renovated earth,
earth, the
the
multiplied offspring
multiplied offspring of
of the
the righteous
righteous in
in the
the flesh,
flesh, and
the enslavement
the enslavement of of the
the survivors
survivors of of thethe unregenerate
unregenerate
nations. The increasing
nations. increasing "carnality"
"carnality" of of these
these ideasideas caused
caused
aa revulsion
revulsion of of feeling against
feeling against chiliasm,
chiliasm, especially as
especially as
allegorizing
allegorizing and philosophical concepts
philosophical concepts molded the
the
church. Jerome
church. Jerome protested
protested thatthat the kingdom of
the kingdom of the
the saints
saints
was heavenly,
heavenly, not not earthly,
earthly, 'and Augustine, who would
and Augustine,
*Sources for this

^Sources for this section are found
section are found in
in D.
D. H. Krommin«a, Millennium in
Krommincca, The Millennium in the
the
Church,
Church, and L.
L. E. Froom, The Prophetic
E. Froom, PTophetic Faith
Faith of Fathers, vols,
of Our Fathers, vol •. 11 to
to 4.
4.
469
not have objected

not have objected toto a millennial kingdom
a millennial kingdom in in which
the joys
the joys were spiritual rather than material,
spiritual rather than material, abandoned
premillennialism and led
premillennialism led the
the church
church into
into aa new theory.
theory.
It is to
It is to be noted
noted that
that although
although in
in this
this period, and
period,
later,
later, there
there can be
be found hints
hints of
of the
the belief
belief that the
that the
Jews would finally
Jews be converted
finally be before the
converted before the advent,
advent, the
the
early church firmly
early firmly believed
believed that
that the
the kingdom proph-
kingdom proph-
ecies were
ecies were for
for the
the church as the true
as the true Israel.
Israel. That view
view
is very different
is very different from the the idea of aa Jewish
idea of kingdom
Jewish kingdom in in
the
the millennium,
millennium, as held by
as held by many prem ill en-
many modern premillen-
nialists who revert
nialists revert to
to the
the early
early chiliastic
chiliastic view
view of the
of the
earthly
earthly millennial
millennial kingdom.
kingdom.
HI.
The Augnstinian
III.Augustinian Postmillennialism
Postmllleiisiialism
PREMILLENNIALISM ABANDONED IN TIME OF AUGUS-AUGus-

TINE.-Long
TINE. before Augustine,
Long before Augustine, Origen
Origen of Alexandria
of Alexandria
had opposed
opposed the
the increasingly materialistic
increasingly materialistic chiliasm
chiliasm of
of
many, millennialism itself.
many, and millennialism itself. And by by spiritualiza-
spiritualiza-
tion and allegorization
tion allegorization he
he explained
explained awayaway the
the basis
basis of
of
the eschatological hope
the eschatological hope-aa literal resurrection, aa literal
literal resurrection, literal
second advent, and literal
second advent, prophecies. Soon afterward
literal prophecies. afterward
the concept
came the that God's
concept that God's everlasting kingdom is
everlasting kingdom the
is the
dominant church established

established on earth.
earth. This
This was
was intro-
intro-
duced by
duced by Eusebius,
Eusebius, following Constantine's
following Constan tine's "conver-
"conver-
sion"
sion" to Christianity and the
to Christianity the cessation
cessation of pagan persecu-
of pagan persecu-
tion. Augustine,
tion. Augustine, likewise
likewise challenging
challenging the the excesses
excesses ofof
chiliastic premillennialism, now introduced
chiliastic premillennialism, spiritual-
introduced aa spiritual-
ization
ization of
of the millennium. '* The first
the millennium.* first resurrection
resurrection was
spiritual.
spiritual. The thousand yearsyears was thethe period
period between
*Augustine
*
Augustine based his postulate
based his postulate on
on the
the "recapitulation" theory, derived
"recapitulation" theory, derived from
Tichonius-that
Tichonius that the the Apocalypse goes back
Apocalypse goes repeats l covering
back and repeats, the Christian
covering the Christian Era
again
again and
and again
again under
under the
the symbols
symbols of
of the
the seven
seven churches,
churches, seven
seven seals,
seals, seven trum~
seven trum-
pets, the
pets, beasts, and lastly,
the beasts, tbe millennium.
lastly, the millennium.
470
QUESTIONS
the
the first and second
first second advents,
advents, with
with the
the second
second resurrec-
resurrec-
tion-the
tion the literal
literal resurrection
resurrection of the body
of the body-atat its
its close.
closet *
(Present-day
(Present-day Protestant
Protestant amiHennialism
amillennialism takes
takes much the
the
same position
position on thethe two resurrections.)
resurrections.)
Augustine's "thousand
Augustine's "thousand years" was aa figurative
years" was figurative nu-
nu-
meral-an
meral an expression
expression of
of the
the whole period
period betvl'een
between
Christ's ministry
Christ's ministry and the
the end of
of the world. Augustine
the world. Augustine
also
also identified the
identified thousand years
the thousand years of
of Revelation
Revelation 2020
with the
with sixth millennium of
the sixth of the
the world's
world's history,
history, and
equated the seventh
equated the seventh or
or sabbath period with
sabbath period with eternity.
eternity.
The devil's
devil's "binding"
"binding" was his his expulsion
expulsion from the the
hearts
hearts of the believers,
of the believers, the
the Catholic
Catholic Church was the the
"kingdom
"kingdom of
of Christ,"
Christ," and the
the church
church rulers
rulers were al-
al-
ready sitting
ready sitting in
in judgment.
judgment. To Augustine
Augustine the
the triumph
triumph
of Christianity
of Christianity seemed sure. sure. The "beast"
"beast" waswas the
the un-
un-
godly
godly world,
world, and "Gog
"Gog and Magog"
Magog" the
the devil's
devil's nations.
nations.
The "camp
"camp of the saints"
of the is the
saints" is the church,
church, and "devouring
"devouring
fire" their burning
fire" their burning zeal,
zeal, while
while the
the "New Jerusalem"
Jerusalem" is is
the
the church's present glory.
church's present glory. Thus it was that
it was that Augustine's
Augustine'S
millennial kingdom
millennial kingdom was accepted
accepted as
as a
a then-present
then-present
reality on earth.
reality earth. It
It was a basically new philosophy
a basically philosophy of of
history.
history.
This concept
This concept became dominant by by the
the fifth century,
fifth century,
and held
held general
general sway
sway for over aa thousand
for over thousand years
years as
as the
the
controlling
controlling philosophy of Roman Catholic
philosophy of Catholic Christen-
Christen-
dom. Thus early
early premillennialism practically disap-
premillennialism practically disap-
peared
peared under the advancing
the advancing triumph-of-the-church
triumph-of-the-church con-
con-
cept.
cept.
Catholic Commentary
*The new Catholic Commentary on on Holy
Holy Scripture,
Scripture, 1953, p. 1207,
1953, p. 1207, counsels its
counsels its
readers to "regard
readers to "regard the
the chaining of Satan
chaining of the reign
Satan and the reign of
of the
the Saints
Saints as
as the
the whole
whole
period subsequent
period to the
subsequent to the Incarnation."
Incarnation."
471
IV. Medieval Pure-Church Postmillennialism

IV. Medieval Postmillennialism
Augustinianism prevailed
Augustinianism prevailed throughout
throughout thethe Middle
Ages, along
Ages, along with
with increasing
increasing dominance of
of the church
the
in Western Europe.
in Western Europe. But with
with the
the passing
passing of
of A.D. 1000
1000
and the
the approach
approach of
of the year 1260,
the year 1260, a concept arose.
a new concept arose.
The Augustinian theory
Augustinian theory looked
looked for
for a
a triumphant
triumphant
church; medieval
church; medieval Joachim
Joachim and the the Joachimite
Joachimite Spirit-
Spirit-
uals came to
uals to look
look for
for a pure church.
a pure church.
Very apparent ecclesiastical
Very apparent departures on the
ecclesiastical departures the part
part
of
of the Papacy made it
the Papacy it no longer
longer possible
possible to to equate
equate the the
visible church with
visible with thethe kingdom
kingdom of of God on earth. earth. So
the medieval
the pure-church ideal
medieval pure-church took the
ideal took the form of of aa new
postmillennialism, in
postrnillennialism, in which the the golden
golden ageage (not,
(not, how-
ever,
ever, ofof aa thousand
thousand years)years) was
was placed
placed in
in the
the future,
future,
preceding
preceding the
the second
second advent.
advent. Sharp
Sharp criticism
criticism from var-
var-
ious
ious loyal sons and daughters
loyal sons daughters of
of the
the church began
began to to
call for reform
call for reform and to to urge
urge a a spiritual revival. Joachim
spiritual revival. Joachim
of Floris
of Floris (1190)
(1190) stressed
stressed a
a new millennial
millennial ideal-that
ideal that
of
of a pure church.
a pure church. This was based based on aa trinitarian-
trinitarian-
dispensational concept-the
dispensational concept the age age of the Father,
of the Father, the the age
age
of the Son,
of the Son, and the the ageage ofof the
the Spirit. (This was not,
Spirit. (This not,
however, at
however, at all
all akin
akin to to modern dispensationalism.)
dispensationalism.)
He held that the
held that the promised
promised Age Age of of the
the Spirit
Spirit would
begin before
begin before A.D. 1260,
1260, on the
the year-day principle. A
year-day principle.
future
future ageage marked by by the
the dominance of the Spirit
of the Spirit was
increasingly
increasingly stressed
stressed by
by the
the Franciscan
Franciscan Spirituals,
Spirituals, who
held that
held purification of
that aa purification ot the
the church was so greatly
so greatly
needed that nothing
needed that nothing but the coming
the corning of
of the
the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
in mighty
in mighty power
power could
could effect
effect it.
it. A future
future as
as well as
as aa
past binding
past binding of
of Satan
Satan was
was taught
taught by by two Franciscan
Franciscan
Spirituals, Pierre Jean d'OIivi
Spirituals, Pierre Jean
d'Olivi (died(died 1298),
1298), who cas- cas-
472
QUESTIONS
tigated
tigated the
the hierarchical church as
hierarchical church as thethe apocalyptic
apocalyptic
"Babylon,"
"Babylon," and Ubertino of Casale (c.
of Casale (c. 1312), iden-
1312), who iden-
tified aa pope
tified pope with
with the
the apocalyptic
apocalyptic "beast." Arnold of
"beast." Arnold of
Villanova (died
Villanova (died c.
c. 1313)
13 expected
13) expected an internal
internal reform
reform
of the church
of the church to to be
be accomplished
accomplished by by aa pope.
pope. And
Milicz
Milicz of of Kremsier
Kremsier (died(died 1374) held that
1374) held that the
the church
must be
must be cleansed
cleansed of heretics before
of heretics before the
the consummation.
consummation.
So the pure-church
So the pure-church ideal
ideal waswas widely
widely heralded,
heralded, and the the
overthrow of
overthrow antichrist connected
of antichrist connected with with aa future bind-
future bind-
ing
ing of
of Satan.
Satan.
In the
In the medieval
medieval agitation
agitation for reform in
for reform the church
in the church
there came aa rising
there rising chorus
chorus of voices naming
of voices naming the the Papacy
Papacy
as the
as the Antichrist.
Antichrist. Later
Later thethe Reformed groups,
groups, who iden-
iden-
tified Antichrist with
tified Antichrist with thethe apostate
apostate papal
papal church,
church, simi-
simi-
larly
larly sounded the
the call
call to
to come out of
of polluted Babylon.
polluted Babylon.
Thus in in Protestantism
Protestantism the the pure-church
pure-church concept
concept was
was also
also
stressed.
stressed. Some, however, sought
Some, however, sought to blend the
to blend the medieval
medieval
pure-church
pure-church ideal
ideal with
with the
the earlier
earlier triumphant-church-
triumphant-church-
kingdom concept, to
kingdom concept, to be
be brought about through
brought about through political
political
and social
and revolution, as
social revolution, be noted
will be
as will noted in in the
the next
next
section.
section.
V. Premillennialism
V. Revived in
Premiileimialism Revived in Post-Reformation
Post-Reformation Times
The great
great Reformers,
Reformers, occupied
occupied with
with developing
developing
such doctrines as
such doctrines justification by
as justification by faith, not directly
faith, were not directly
concerned
concerned with the millennium.
with the millennium. TheyThey continued
continued the
the
Augustinian
Augustinian view of
of the
the millennial
millennial kingdom as
kingdom as the the
church, though there
church, though there was aa strong
strong emphasis
emphasis on the the
Antichrist
Antichrist as
as the Papacy. As the
the Papacy. the Reformation became a a
movement of of state
state churches,
churches, the
the pure-church
pure-church millen-
millen-
nialists became fringe
nialists fringe groups, such as
groups, such the Anabaptists.
as the Anabaptists.
Indeed, the
Indeed, the main Protestant
Protestant churches tended to
churches tended to dis-
dis-
parage millennialism
parage mlllennialism because of the
because of the excesses
excesses of
of some
chiliasts,
chiliasts, such
such as
as the
the Miinsterites
Miinsterites on the
the Continent
Continent and,
and,
later, the Fifth
later, the Monarchy men in
Fifth Monarchy in England,
England, and bebe-
cause
cause of the political
of the political and revolutionary
revolutionary elements
elements in in
their schemes for
their for introducing
introducing the kingdom of
the kingdom of God on
earth.
earth. But the the more stablestable elements
elements of these fringe
of these fringe
groups left
groups left aa strong
strong impress
impress on the the later
later Baptists
Baptists and
Congregationalists.
Congregationalists. It It was from suchsuch a a source that the
source that the
early
early American churches
churches became imbued with with the
the ideal
ideal
of the
of pure church establishing
the pure establishing the
the kingdom
kingdom of
of God
before the
before the coming
coming of
of Christ.
Christ.
It was after
It was after the
the Reformation period period that
that Joseph
Joseph
Mede combated the the Augustinian
Augustinian view
view with
with his
his scheme
of prophetic
of prophetic interpretation
interpretation thatthat again put the
again put the millen-
millen-
nium in the future,
in the future, after the second
after the second advent,
advent, withwith aa
literal first and aa second
literal first second resurrection. Thenceforth, aa
resurrection. Thenceforth,
historicist premillennialism
historicist premillennialism flourished
flourished in in Protestantism
Protestantism
with such
with such vigor that it
vigor that was never
it was never completely
completely displaced,
displaced,
even through
through the
the period
period of
of ascendancy
ascendancy of
of Whitbyan
Whitbyan
postmillennialism.
postmillennialism.
VI. Whitby'S
VI. Whitby's Eighteenth-Century PostmiHennialism
Eighteenth-Century Postmilieimialism
postmillennialism first
The postmillennialism first introduced by by Daniel
Whitby
Whitby in
in 1703 *
1703* holds
holds that
that the
the second
second advent
advent will
will
come only
only after
after a
a thousand years-literal
thousand years or otherwise
literal or otherwise
-of world betterment,
of world betterment, with
with increasing
increasing peace,
peace, right-
right-
*Whitby
*Whitby denied the common concepts
denied the of the first and second
concepts of the first
literal resurrections,
second literal resurrections,
holding that the
holding that the first
first "resurrection"
"resurrection" IS simply the
is simply glorious renewal
the glorious renewal ofof the church.
second advent,
The second advent, he
he affirmed, is simply
affirmed, is simply aa spiritual
spiritual "effusion." Whitby the
"effusion." To Whitby the
saints on
saints on earth
earth are separated from Christ
are separated Christ during the millennium,
during the millennium, as
as Christ
Christ and the
the
dead of
dead of alSes past are
ages past are alI in heaven.
all in heaven. Whitby
Whitby ends the period
ends the period with
with the
the Lord's
Lord's descent,
descent,
accompamed by
accompanied the spirits
by the spirits of
of iust
iust men made perfect.
perfect. This
This postmillennial
postmillennial advent
advent
brings the day of judgment, with the destruction of remaining
brings the day of judgment, with the destruction of remaining sinners
sinners and eternal
eternal
salvation for
salvation for the
the saints.
saints.
474
QUESTIONS
eousness,
eousness, and world conversion. Through the
conversion. Through the elimina-
elimina-
tion of
tion of war and evil,
evil, the
the world
world as as well
wen as as the
the church will will
enter upon its
enter upon its golden age.
golden age, PostmiHennialism
Postmillennialism maintains
maintains
that
that the millennium will
the millennium will be be brought
brought about without without
direct
direct divine
divine intervention,
intervention, without
without any catastrophic
any catastrophic
event-simply
event simply by the operation
by the operation of of the
the Holy
Holy Spirit
Spirit
through
through the
the gospel
gospel and the
the regular agencies
regular agencies of
of grace. A
grace.
truly
truly Christian
Christian government
government will
will be
be establish~d
established over
over
the world, with Satan ultimately vanquished.
the world, with Satan ultimately vanquished. During During
this time
this time thethe Jews
Jews will
will be be converted,
converted, but but not
not neces-
neces-
sarily
sarily with
with national
national restoration
restoration in
in Palestine.
Palestine.
The effect
effect of this new hypothesis
of this hypothesis uponupon Protestantism
Protestantism
was profound.
was profound. As men began began to to contemplate
contemplate aa great great
vista of peace
vista of peace and safety,
safety, they
they ceased
ceased toto be
be eager
eager for
for the
the
second advent, and came to
second advent, to substitute
substitute the the expectancy
expectancy
of death
of death for for Christ's return. And this
Christ's return. this captivating post·
captivating post-
millennial theory
millennial theory swept like aa tidal
swept like tidal wave overover European
European
Protestantism.
Protestantism. Introduced
Introduced into into America by by Jonathan
Jonathan
Edwards and Samuel Hopkins, Hopkins, it it became the the dominant
view by
view by 1800.
1800.
Postmillennialists
Postmillennialists hold hold that
that the the "binding"
"binding" and
"loosing"
'loosing" of
of Satan
Satan are
are figurative-the
figurative the limiting
limiting of of
Satan's power and aa possible
Satan's power possible flare-up
flare-up of
of that
that power just
power just
before Christ
before Christ appears.
appears. But after the vials
after the vials of
of God's wrath
are poured
are poured out,out, the remaining wicked
the remaining wicked are are destroyed.
destroyed.
Then the the eternal kingdom will
eternal kingdom will bebe established.
established. The
fact
fact that the gospel
that the has already
gospel has already been widely widely preached
preached
and accepted, lends plaus'ibility
accepted, lends plausibility to the to the view that
that thethe
same process
process will
will continue
continue in in augmented
augmented form until until the
the
world is
world is evangelized
evangelized and Christianized.
Christianized.
While Campegius
Campegius Vitringa believed the
Vitringa believed the second res-
second res-
urrection to
urrection to be that
that ofof the
the literal
literal dead, Whitby ex-
dead, Whitby ex-
475
plained
plained it
it as
as the
the uprising
uprising of antichristian principles
of antichristian principles in in
the confederacy
the confederacy of of "Gog
"Gog and Magog." According to
Magog." According to
Whitby and Vitringa,
both Whitby Vitringa, the
the "New
''New Jerusalem"
Jerusalem" is
is the
the
blessedness of
blessedness the earthly
of the earthly church during the
church during the millen-
millen-
nium. On the the contrary,
contrary, Brown and Faber explain
explain it it as
as
the company
the company of the saints
of the saints after
after the millennium.
the millennium,
"Optimistic" postmillennialism, which
"Optimistic" postmillennialism, which later
later came to to
be tied
be tied in
in with
with the
the theory
theory of
of evolution
evolution and human prog-
prog-
ress, has
ress, has long
long chided premillennialism over
chided premillennialism over its "pes-
its ''pes-
simism." Prior
Prior to to World War 1, l> postmillennialists de-
postmillennialists de-
clared that
clared that humanity
humanity had made too too much progress
progress ever
ever
to
to have another war. war. But even as as the
the champions
champions of
of such
such
a roseate
a roseate philosophy
philosophy were denying
denying the the plain
plain declara-
declara-
tions
tions of the Word,
of the Word, the the most terrible
terrible catastrophes
catastrophes ofof all
all
time struck.
time struck. Events of recent decades,
of recent decades, from World War
II onward
onward-including
including the the impotent
impotent LeagueLeague ofof Nations,
Nations,
the second
the second world war,
war, and its
its sequel-have
sequel have revealed
revealed
the fallacy
the fallacy ofof such
such reasoning,
reasoning, and have have shattered
shattered such
such
claims. Whitbyan
claims. postmillennialism
Whitbyan postmillennialism is
is bankrupt today.
bankrupt today.
VII. Resurgent Premillennialism
VII. Resurgent Premillennialism in Nineteenth Century
in Nineteenth Century
1.
I. PREMILLENNIALISM REVIVED.
REVlvED.-In the early
In the early nine-
nine-
teenth century
teenth century came aa resurgence
resurgence of
of premillennialism
premillennialism
in
in the far-flung Old World Advent awakening
the far-flung awakening and the the
New World Advent movement. It has been said
It has said that
that
three
three hundred Anglican
Anglican and seven hundred noncon· noncon-
formist clergymen
formist clergymen in Britain with many others on the
in Britain-with many others
Continent, North Africa,
Continent, Africa, and India-stressed
India stressed the ap- ap-
proaching
proaching destruction
destruction of
of the
the Papacy
Papacy and the
the Turk, the
the
literal first
literal first resurrection
resurrection and translation
translation ofof the
the saints
saints
attending
attending thethe second advent, marking
second advent, marking thethe beginning
beginning ofof
the
the millennium,
millennium, withwith the
the second resurrection
resurrection atat its
its
476
476 QUESTIONS
close. Some held
close. held that the judgment
that the judgment precedes
precedes the the advent,
advent,
followed by by the
the renovation
renovation of of the
the earth
earth at the millen-
at the millen-
nium's close.
nium's close. Another angle angle came sharply
sharply to
to the
the fore-
fore-
front-the
front the anticipated
anticipated rule
rule to
to be
be exercised
exercised by
by the
the
Jews
Jews on earth
earth while
while the
the church
church is
is in
in heaven,
heaven, or
or at
at least
least
in aa glorified
in glorified state.
state.
These premillennialists
premillennialists were called caned literalists
literalists in in
contrast
contrast withwith the the postmillennialist spiritualizers.
postmillennialist spiritualizers. His-
His-
toricists at
toricists at first,
first, these premillennialists held
these premillennialists held that, pre-
that, pre-
ceding the
ceding the second
second advent,
advent, antichrist
antichrist would gather gather hishis
followers
followers for for aa last
last terrific
terrific assault upon God's
assault upon God's people,
people,
institute aa dreadful
and institute tribulation, through
dreadful tribulation, through which
the church must
the church must pass.
pass. Then,
Then, at the close
at the close of the tribula-
of the tribula-
tion, Christ
tion, Christ would appear,appear, the
the dead in
in Christ
Christ would
rise first,
rise in aa literal
first, in literal resurrection,
resurrection, withwith the
the living
living saints
saints
translated and "caught
translated "caught up"up" to
to meet the
the Lord in
in the
the air.
air.
Finally,
Finally, at at the
the close
close of the millennium,
of the millennium, Satan Satan would be be
loosed
loosed and gathergather the
the nations
nations to
to war against
against the
the saints.
saints.
But they
But they would all all be overwhelmed by by fire
fire from heaven.
heaven.
2. SECRET RAPTURE INTRODUCED IN BRITAIN.-Radi-
2. BRITAIN. Radi-
cal innovations were
cal innovations were soon introduced, as
soon introduced, as Edward IrvingIrving
and others
others espoused
espoused futurism. Irving's Catholic
futurism. Irving's Catholic Apos-
Apos-
tolic Church,
tolic Church, established
established in
in 1832 (claiming
1832 (claiming the
the revival
revival
of
of the
the apostolate,
apostolate, of prophecy, and of
of prophecy, of speaking
speaking with with
rapture," *
tongues), introduced the
the concept of
of a
a "secret
"secret rapture," *
tongues), concept
and aa new sacrament-the
and sacrament the "sealing." Babylon they
"sealing." Babylon they
*One of the Plymouth

of the Brethren, Dr.
Plymouth Brethren, S. P,
Dr. S. P. Tregelles
TregeUes (The(The Hope of of Christ's
Christ's
Second Coming,
Second 1864, pp.
Coming, 1864, pp. 34-37),
34-37), aa contemporary,
contemporary, says of the
says of the origin of this
origin of this "theory
"theory
of aa secret
of secretcoming of
coming of Christ":
Christ":
"I
"I am not
not aware that that there
there was any
any definite
delinite teaching
teaching that
that there
there should
should bebe aa
Secret
Secret Rapture
Rapture of of the
the Cburch
Church at at a secret coming
a secret until this
coming until this was given
given forth
forth as
as an
'utterance
'utterance inin Mr. Irving's
Irving's church
church from what was then received as
then received being the
as being voice
the voice
of the Spirit.
of the Spirit. But whether anyone ever asserted
anyone ever asserted such
such a thing
thing oror not
not it
it was from
that supposed
that revelation that
supposed revelation the modern doctrine
that the doctrine and the the modern phraseology
phraseology
respecting
respecting it
it arOse.
arose. It
It came,
came, not
not from Holy Scripture,
Holy Scripture, but
but from that
that which falsely
falsely
pretended to
pretended to be
be the
the Spirit of God."
Spirit of
held was the
held was the corrupt
corrupt church,
church, now ripe ripe for judgment.
for judgment.
The great
great tribulation
tribulation was to to come between the the resur-
resur-
rection of
rection of the
the righteous
righteous and the the "rapture"
"rapture" of
of the
the saints,
saints,
and the
the overthrow
overthrow of of Satan-this
Satan this to to be
be followed
followed by by
the
the millennial
millennial reign reign of
of Christ
Christ and His saints
saints on earth.
earth.
At the the same time, the Plymouth
time, the Brethren, follow-
Plymouth Brethren, follow-
ing J. N.
ing J. N. Darby,
Darby, similarly taught aa pretribulation
similarly taught pretribulation rap- rap-
ture as
ture as the
the initial
Initial coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ for
for His
His saints.
saints. They
They
put the
put the antichrist
antichrist and his three-and-a-half-year perse-
his three-and-a-half-year perse-
cution after
cution after the
the coming
coming of of Christ
Christ for
for the
the first resurrec-
first resurrec-
tion,
tion, in in the
the delayed
delayed seventieth
seventieth week,week, at at the
the end of of
which would be aa further visible coming,
further visible coming, or
or "revela-
"revela-
tion,"
tion," of Christ with
of Christ His saints,
with His for the
saints, for the judgment
judgment of the
of the
living nations.
living nations. While the the Irvingites believed aa "sealing"
Irvingites believed "sealing"
provide escape
would provide escape from the the great tribulation, Darby
great tribulation, Darby
held that
held that no Christian
Christian would pass pass through
through it. it. Darby
Darby
also is
also credited with
is credited with the
the introduction
introduction of dispensational-
of dispensational-
ism,
ism, although
although it it was not entirely
entirely new with him. The
teaching of
teaching of these
these two groups-the
groups the Irvingites
Irvingites and the the
followers
followers of of Darby, particularly
Darby, particularly the
the latter-has
latter has pro-
pro-
foundly influenced present-day
foundly influenced present-day fundamentalist
fundamentalist premil-premil-
lennialism.
lennialism.
VIII. American Premillennialism in

VIII. the Nineteenth
In the Nineteenth
Century
Century
In
In America the the new premillennialism
premillennialism vigorously
vigorously
opposed the strongly
opposed the strongly entrenched postmillennialism that
postmillennialism that
was flourishing
was flourishing in the New World atmosphere
in the atmosphere of re-
of re-
form, utopianism, and general
form, utopianism, rosy optimism
general rosy optimism for
for the
the
perfectibility of
perfectibility mankind. *
of mankind,*
*WhoJly apart fro!,\

*Wholly apart the great
from the great Second Advent Movement of of Miller apd hi~
Miller and his .ass?-
asso-
ciates, and largely
ciates, prIOr thereto,
largely prior thereto, there were a number
Dumber of small, eccentrte, chihasuc
small, eccentric, chiliastic
478
478 QUESTIONS
1. NEW
1. WORLD ADVENT MOVEMENT
WORLD MOVEMENT PREMILLEN-
NIAL.-The
NIAL. The widespread
widespread New World Advent movement
in the fourth
in the fourth and fifthfifth decades
decades ofof the
the nineteenth
nineteenth cen-cen-
tury, counterpart
tury, counterpart of
of the
the Old World awakening,
awakening, was led
led
by
by a
a thousand
thousand premillennialist
premillennialist heralds.
heralds. It
It was an
interdenominational movement,
interdenominational movement, surpassing
surpassing the the Old
World emphasis
emphasis in in extent, intensity, and clarity.
extent, intensity, clarity. This
This
induded the
included the Millerite
Millerite movement, probably 100,000
movement, probably 100,000
strong.
strong. All, All, induding literalists, were ardent
including literalists, ardent premil-
premil-
lennialists
lennialists holding that the
holding that the millennial
millennial period
period would be be
introduced
introduced by by the
the second personal advent
second personal advent and bounded
by the
by the two literal resurrections. Some taught
literal resurrections. taught thethe restora-
restora-
tion
tion of the Jews
of the Jews and otherother views
views derived
derived from the the
writings of
writings of the
the British
British literalists; at least
literalists; at least one held a a
rapture theory,
rapture theory, though though the
the separated
separated seventieth
seventieth week
was aa later
later importation.
importation. They They were historicists,
historicists, with
with aa
papal (or Mohammedan)
papal (or Mohammedan) Antichrist.
Antichrist. Futurism devel-
devel-
oped later
oped later among
among American premillennialists.
premillennialists. The
literalists were regarded
literalists regarded by
by the
the Millerites
Millerites as as brethren
brethren
and allies
allies against postmillennialism
against postmillennialism in
in proclaiming
proclaiming
"the
"the Advent near," near," inin spite
spite ofof their differences on the
their differences the
nature of
nature of the
the millennium.
millennium.
The literalists
literalists disagreed
disagreed withwith the
the postmillennialists
postmillennialists
the means of
on the of setting up
setting up the
the millennial
millennial kingdom, and
kingdom,
to aa considerable
to degree on the
considerable degree nature of
the nature of the
the kingdom.
kingdom.
However,
However, they they agreed
agreed withwith them in in separating
separating the the
millennium from the
millennium the eternal
eternal state; they had the
state; they the unre-
unre-
generate nations still
generate nations still on earth, with birth
earth, with birth and death,
death, sin
sin
or Utopian
or utopian organizations
organizations in in North
North America that that practiced
practiced communal living.
living. Some
introduced
introduced strange
strange sectarian,
sectarian, political, theosophical, or
political, theosophical, dispensational chiliasm-but
Or dispensational chiliasm but
held
held the reign of
the reign of the
the saints to be
saints to be with
with Christ
Christ on earth
earth during
during the
the thousand
thousand years.
years.
These, in
These, varying degrees,
in varying degrees, combined theirtheir eccentricities
eccentricities witn
with premillennialism
premillennialism or or
postmillennialism,
postmillennialism, but
but stressed, along
stressed, along with
with their
their oddities,
oddities, the
the familiar
familiar ideals
ideals of
of the
the
pure church
pure churcb andand the
the chiliastic earthly reign
chiliastic earthly reign of
of the
the saints with Christ.
saints with Christ.
479
and repentance,
repentance, still
still operating. There was
operating. was aa confusion
confusion
of views
of views on the
the relationship
relationship ofof the glorified saints
the glorified to
saints to
the unregenerate
the unregenerate nations, the part
nations, and the part played
played byby the
the
Jews,
Jews, and also
also on the
the prophetic
prophetic fulfillments
fulfillments leading
leading to
to
the
the millennium,
millennium, which was variously expected
variously expected as
as the
the
restoration
restoration of of the
the Jews,
Jews, the cleansing of
the cleansing the church,
of the church, the the
fall
fall ofof the
the Papacy,
Papacy, Mohammedanism,
Mohammedanism, or
or the
the Turks,
Turks, or
or
some other
other event.
event.
2.
2. THE MILLERITES
MILLERITES INTRODUCE NEW MILLENNIAL
CONCEPT.-Through
CONCEPT. Through this this tangle
tangle of conflicting millen-
of conflicting millen-
nial expectations William Miller
nial expectations Miller and his his associates
associates cutcut
a clean
a clean swath in the direction
in the direction of of aa new and different
different
concept.
concept. "No temporal
temporal millennium,"
millennium," they they said.
said. By
By that
that
they meant that
they that the
the millennial
millennial reign reign was not not inin "time,"
"time,"
with death,
death, decay,
decay, and sin sin still present, but
still present, but was
was the
the first
first
portion
portion of
of the
the eternal
eternal state.
state. They
They held
held that
that when Christ
Christ
comes again
again the
the day
day ofof human probation
probation is is ended,
ended, thatthat
all the sinners
all the sinners areare slain
slain byby thethe overpowering
overpowering bright-
bright-
ness
ness of of the
the second advent, and all
second advent, all thethe redeemed are are
resurrected and/or
resurrected and/or transformed
transformed for
for eternity. They
eternity. They taughttaught
that the
that earth is
the earth is renewed by by fire,
fire, and that that on it it begins
begins
the
the kingdom
kingdom of
of eternity-which
eternity which is
is merely
merely punctuated
punctuated
at the end of
at the of a thousand years
a thousand years by by the
the final
final disposal
disposal of of
"the rest
"the rest of of the
the dead."
dead/' That is,
is, the
the sin~ers
sinners will
will be
be resur-
resur-
rected and,
rected and, led
led by the released
by the released Satan,Satan, will will attempt
attempt to to
take the
take the Holy City,
Holy City, which has
has come down out of
of heaven
to the
to the earth;
earth; and then then comes the final judgment
the final judgment and
the
the execution
execution of of the
the sentence
sentence on the wicked.
the wicked.
Thus the
Thus the Millerites denied, on the
Millerites denied, the one hand,
hand, the the
postmillennialist spiritualization
postmillennialist spiritualization
of
of the
the millennium
into aa human Utopia,
into utopia, and on the the other
other hand,
hand, the pre- pre-
millennialist literalism that
millennialist literalism required detailed
that required detailed fulfill-
fulfill-
QUESTIONS
ments, after
raents, after the
the second
second advent,
advent, of of the
the Old Testament
Testament
prophecies of
prophecies the earthly
of the rule of
earthly rule of Israel
Israel over
over carnal na-
carnal na-
tions.
tions.
3. A NONTEMPORAL, NON-JEWISH
3. NON-JEWISH MILLENNIUM DIS-
MILLERISM.-The
TINGUISHES MILLERISM. The Millerite view that that dur-
dur-
ing
ing the
the millennium
millennium only
only the
the immortalized
immortalized saints
saints are
are
living-including
living including redeemed Jews
Jews and Gentiles,
Gentiles, with-
with-
out distinction-eliminated
out distinction eliminated at at one stroke
stroke bothboth the
the tem-
tem-
poral and the
poral Jewish aspect
the Jewish aspect of of the millennial reign.
the millennial reign.
This, not
This, not date
date setting,
setting, was
was the
the basic
basic difference
difference that
that set
set
the
the Millerites
Millerites apart
apart from their
their contemporaries,
contemporaries, both
both
premillennialist and postmillennialist.
premillennialist postmillennialist.
There were opponents
opponents of Miller in
of Miller in both
both camps
camps who
set approximately the
set approximately the same time time asas he for for either
either the
the
beginning of
beginning the millennium or
of the or the second advent or
the second or
both, but
both, but who attacked
attacked thethe Millerite
Millerite view
view that
that the
the mil-
mil-
lennium was was toto be thethe beginning
beginning of the eternal
of the eternal state
state
not aa golden
and not golden ageage of
of the
the church
church or
or a
a kingdom
kingdom of
of the
the
Jews (for
Jews (for example,
example, George
George Bush, postmillennialist, and
Bush, postmillennialist,
Richard Shimeall,
Richard Shimeall, premilIennialist). Unfortunately only
premillennialist). Unfortunately only
the disappointment
the disappointment of of the
the Millerites
Millerites is
is remembered
today, because their
today, because their hopes
hopes were more specific, specific, more
spectacular,
spectacular, and more widely publicized. It
widely publicized. It should be be
remembered that that thethe others equally mistaken,
others were equally mistaken,
their dates
and their dates also passed by
also passed by without
without the the glorious
glorious
events they expected.
events they expected.
IX. Later Development

Development of
of Premillennialism
In the
In the latter half of
latter half the century
of the century premillennialism
premillennialism
and postmillennialism
postmillennialism tended
tended to
to follow
follow aa new line
line of
of
cleavage. Postmillennialism,
cleavage. Postmillennialism, with its
its program
program of
of pro-
pro-
gressive righteousness,
gressive righteousness, tended
tended to
to ally
ally itself with the
itself with the
481
humanistic and evolutionary

evolutionary view of of human progress,
progress,
and toto merge
merge into the social
into the social gospel
gospel and modernism.
modernism. At
the same time premillennialism
the premillennialism tended
tended to
to become
equated
equated with fundamentalism. And premillennialism premillennialism
flowed in in two streams
streams rising
rising from the
the two views
views ex- ex-
emplified
emplified by by the
the Millerites
Millerites and the the literalists.
literalists.
1.
1. ADVENTIST VIEWS DERIVED FROM MILLERITES. MILLERlTES.-
Following
Following the
the breakup
breakup of
of the
the Millerite
Millerite movement came
the formation
formation of Adventist denominations.
of Adventist denominations. Of these these
the Seventh-day
the Seventh-day Adventists
Adventists became the
the leading group,
leading group,
continuing and developing
continuing developing further
further the the Millerite
Millerite typetype
of premillennialism, with a nontemporal,
of premillennialism, nontemporal, non-Jewish
non-Jewish
millennium. (The (The Seventh-day Adventist understand-
Seventh-day Adventist understand-
ing
ing ofof the
the millennium appears
appears in in the
the answer to to Ques-
Ques-
tion
tion 39).
39).
2. LITERALISM BECOMES FUTURIST, DISPENSATIONAL-
2.
IST.-Most
IST. Most premillennialists
premillennialists outsideoutside the the Adventist
Adventist
churches eventually
churches eventually abandoned the the historicist
historicist for the
for the
futurist position. Rising
futurist position. Rising among
among the literalists and devel-
the literalists devel-
oping through
oping through Plymouth
Plymouth Brethrenism,
Brethrenism, there there gradually
gradually
grew up a
a full-fledged
grew up full-fledged system system of
of futurist-pre tribulation-
futurist-pretribulation-
ist-dispensationalist teaching
ist-dispensationalist teaching propagated
propagated by by professional
professional
evangelists,
evangelists, interdenominational
interdenominational prophetic conferences,
prophetic conferences,
Bible schools.
and Bible schools. This system
system hashas largely
largely pre-empted
pre-empted
the term
the term "premillennialism,"
"premillennialism," though though not not all
all premil-
premil-
lennialists ~old
lennialists hold it,
it, and there
there isis sharp
sharp divergence
divergence over
over
various details.
various details.
Present-day
Present-day pretribulationists, constituting an
pretribulationists, now constituting
influential group,
influential group, hold
hold that
that there
there are
are two stages to
stages to the
the
second coming, and that
second coming, that when Christ Christ comes for
for His
own, the
own, watching saints
the watching saints are first secretly
are first caught away,
secretly caught away,
and so
and avoid the
so avoid the tribulation.
tribulation. Meanwhile the the Jews,
Jews, hav-
16
16
482
QUESTIONS
ing
ing returned to to Jerusalem, restore their
Jerusalem, restore their system
system of of sacri-
sacri-
fices centered
fices centered in in a rebuilt temple.
a rebuilt temple. The malign malign Anti-
Anti-
christ
christ then
then sets
sets upup his kingdom, and the
his kingdom, the three-and-one-
tl:i.ree-and-one-
half-year
half-year tribulation
tribulation begins.
begins. This
This aU
all comes within
within a a
fateful seven-year
fateful period-the
seven-year period the seventieth
seventieth week of
of Dan-
Dan-
iel 9.
iel 9. Then comes comes the the second aspectaspect of of the
the second
second
coming-the revelation, or
coming the revelation, or appearing,
appearing, of of Christ, with
Christ, with
His saints,
His saints, toto establish
establish the the millennial
millennial kingdom,
kingdom, in in
which Christ
Christ and the
the saints
saints reign.
reign. The surviving
surviving na- na-
tions are
tions are ruled
ruled by by the converted Jews
the now converted Jews in the flesh
in the flesh
on aa partly
partly renovated
renovated earth,earth, on which the the law
law isis again
again
in
in effect
effect after being in
after being in abeyance throughout the
abeyance throughout the church
church
age.
age. The inwardly
inwardly rebellious nations, ruled
rebellious nations, ruled withwith "a "a
rod of
rod iron" during
of iron" during the the thousand
thousand years,
years, revolt
revolt in the
in the
end,
end, and the the judgment
judgment ensues.
ensues. Then the the millennial
millennial
kingdom
kingdom continues
continues in
in the
the eternal
eternal state.
state.
Along
Along withwith thisthis came the the development
development of of an elab-
elab-
orate division of
orate division of the Bible into
the Bible into dispensational compart-
dispensational compart-
ments (with
ments (with antinomian tendencies),
tendencies), in in aa doctrine
doctrine of of
mutual exclusiveness
mutual exclusiveness between law and grace. grace. (For(For the
the
vast difference
vast between modern futurist
difference between futurist premillennial-
premillennial-
ism and the
ism the historic
historic premillennialism
premillennialism of of thethe early
early
church,
church, see
see pp. 302-308).
pp. 302-308).
This form of of premillennialism
premillennialism has has been opposed
opposed in in
recent years by
recent years by the view called
the view amillennialism-in
called amillennialism in
some waysways a revival
revival of of the Augustinian view.
the Augustinian view.
X. Amillennialism
Amillennialism Revives
Revives Augustinian
Augustinian Concept
Concept
1. A FIGURATIVE
1. FIGURATIVE MILLENNIUM.-To
MILLENNIUM. To amillennialists
amillennialists
there
there is
is no actual,
actual, literal thousand years
literal thousand years as
as a special
special
closing period of
closing period of human history,
history, distinct the pres-
distinct from the pres-
ent era.
ent era. The millennium is simply the present period
is simply the present period
483
in which we are
in which are now living,
living, extending
extending from the the first
first
to the
to the second
second advent
advent of of Christ.
Christ. As in the Augustinian
in the Augustinian
theory of
theory of the
the Catholics,
Catholics, thethe "first resurrection" is
''first resurrection" is spirit-
spirit-
ual-from
ual from death death inin sin
sin toto spiritual
spiritual life
life in
in Christ.
Christ. The
general
resurrection of
of all
all the
the dead
dead occurs
occurs at
at the
the second
second
advent, which will
advent, will usher
usher in in the
the eternal world. Satan
eternal world. Satan
was "bound" by
was by the
the first
first advent
advent of
of our
our Lord,
Lord, and ex-
ex-
pelled
pelled from the
the individual
individual hearts
hearts of
of His fonowers.
followers. Thus
their
their "reign" with Him begins.
"reign" with begins.
This "reign"
This "reign" of of the
the saints embraces both
saints embraces both the the spirit-
spirit-
ual reign
ual reign of of the
the spirits
spirits in
in heaven,
heaven, and the
the reign
reign of
of the
the
saints with Christ
saints with Christ on earth before the
earth before the final judgment.
final judgment.
The "thousand" they interpret as
they interpret as the
the symbolic
symbolic number
of perfection
of perfection-the the complete
complete period period between the the two
comings
comings of
of Christ.
Christ. The concept
concept of
of Satan's
Satan's being
being now
bound in in any
any world
world sense,
sense, as
as some claim,
claim, is
is absurd,
absurd, theythey
say,
say, asas world conditions testify.
conditions testify. And the "resurrection"
the "resurrection"
will
will go go wherever
wherever the the gospel
gospel is is preached,
preached, continuing
continuing
until the
until the second
second coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ at
at the
the end of time,
of time, to to
destroy antichrist,
destroy antichrist, raise
raise the
the dead,
dead, and establish
establish the
the
eternal kingdom.
eternal kingdom.
2. AMILLENNIALISM AND PREMILLENNIALISM COM-
2. AMILLENNIALISM
PARED.-Like
PARED. Like thethe premillennialist,
premillennialist, the the amillennialist
amillennialist
believes there
believes will be
there will be an admixture of of good
good and evil evil upup
to the
to the time
time of of the
the second advent,
advent, and he he does
does not bebe-
lieve
lieve the world will
the world will get
get better
better and better,
better, or that
that all
all
society
society will
will be
be Christianized.
Christianized. Rather,
Rather, when the
the hosts
hosts of
of
Satan
Satan are
are on the point
the point of
of complete victory,
complete victory, Christ
Christ ap-
ap-
pears
pears in
in glory,
glory, and resurrected
resurrected dead and the
the trans-
trans-
figured living saints
figured living saints are
are caught
caught up up to to be be with
with their
their
Saviour.
Saviour.
But amillennialists reject
But amillennialists reject aa literal interpretation that
literal interpretation that
QUESTIONS
calls for aa re-establishment
calls for re-establishment of of the
the Jews
Jews asas God's
God's people
people
and aa restoration
restoration of of the
the Temple
Temple ritual.
ritual. Neither
Neither do theythey
look for
look actual battle
for an actual battle of of Gog
Gog and Magog Magog at at the
the
close of
close of the
the millennium.
millennium. In In other
other words,
words, the
the proph-
proph-
ecies merely
ecies merely predict
predict the
the peace
peace thatthat will
will come to to earth
earth
as the
as the result
result ofof Christ's
Christ's first
first advent
advent as as Saviour,
Saviour, and in in aa
figurative way portray
figurative way portray the
the blessings
blessings and glories
glories of
of the
the
world to
world to come,
come, the
the exalted
exalted glory
glory of of the
the redeemed,
redeemed, and
the completeness
the completeness of of Satan's
Satan's overthrow,
overthrow, which ends ends in in
total triumph
total triumph for for Christ.
Christ. That is is amillennialism,
amillennialism, which
which
has wide
has wide acceptance
acceptance today.
today. In In varying
varying forms,
forms, it
it has
has its
its
adherents among
adherents among Roman Catholics,
Catholics, Protestant
Protestant liberals,
liberals,
and even
and even within
within thethe ranks
ranks of of conservative
conservative Reformed
theology. (See
theology. (See John John F.
F. Walvoord,
Walvoord, "Amillennial Escha-
"Amillennial Escha-
tology,"
tology," Bibliotheca
Bibliotheca Sacra) January-March,
Sacra, January-March, 1951.) 1951.)
Thus the the pendulum,
pendulum, as as concerns
concerns the the millennial
millennial
reign,
reign, has
has swung
swung back and forth,
forth, producing a
producing a confus-
confus-
ing
ing and conflicting picture.
conflicting picture. But what constitutes an
constitutes
inseparable factor
inseparable factor in the complicated
in the complicated settingsetting that lies
that lies
back
back ofof the
the differing positions
differing positions is the
is the chiliastic
chiliastic concept
concept
of
of millennialism-that
millennialism that of of aa literal
literal reign
reign on earth
earth and
in time,
in between the
time, between the present
present ageage and the the eternal
eternal state.
state.
This point needs

This point needs discussion.
discussion.
XI.
XI. The Trail
Trail of
of Materialistic
Materialistic Chiliasm
Cfailiasm Across
Across the
the
Centuries
Centuries
As noted,
noted, aa prominent
prominent feature
feature of
of early
early church pre-
pre-
millennialism
millennialism was the
the chiliastic
chiliastic concept-that
concept that thethe reigl(l
reign
of
of the
the saints exercised on earth.
saints would be exercised earth. But for
for this
this
the
the early
early church went outside
outside Revelation 20-the
20 the only
only
Biblical
Biblical reference
reference to
to the
the thousand years-which
years which does does
not describe
describe or locate
locate the
the reign.
reign. The idea
idea of
of a material,
material,
earthly
earthly kingdom was derived
kingdom partly from the
derived partly the use
use of the
of the
Old Testament propheciesprophecies of
of the
the Messianic
Messianic kingdom,
kingdom,
which the the church applied
applied to to itself.
itself. Further,
Further, the the Jewish
Jewish
Christians
Christians were steeped steeped in the Jewish
in the apocalyptic writ-
Jewish apocalyptic writ-
ings, which embodied their
ings, nationalistic aspirations
their nationalistic aspirations for for
aa gloriQus earthly kingdom,
glorious earthly kingdom, and which contain
contain fantastic
fantastic
accounts of
accounts of the
the fertility, plenty, and material
fertility, plenty, material prosperity
prosperity
of that period.
of that period. At the the same time the the Gentile
Gentile converts
converts
from thethe Roman world of the first
of the century had aa back-
first century back-
ground
ground of then-current pagan
of then-current pagan dreams of a coming
of a coming golden
golden
age.
age. Even the the Jewish
Jewish apocalyptic
apocalyptic notionnotion of of thousand-
thousand-
year periods corresponding
year periods corresponding to
to the
the days
days of
of creation
creation week
was matched by by pagan
pagan traditions
traditions (Etruscan
(Etruscan and Persian)
Persian)
of aa six-thousand-year
of six-thousand-year duration of the race.
of the race.
Since
Since thethe early
early church regarded itself as
regarded itself as the
the true
true
Israel of
Israel of the
the promises,
promises, it it applied
applied the
the kingdom
kingdom proph proph-
ecies
ecies to the saints,
to the saints, not to to the
the Jews, though it
Jews, though it saw no
hope
hope of
of an actual
actual church kingdom
kingdom in
in the
the then-present
then-present
Roman age. age. Considering
Considering the the fact
fact that
that thethe church was
tinged with
tinged with current philosophical concepts,
current philosophical concepts, such such as that
as that
of the inherent
of the inherent evil evil ofof matter,
matter, it it could
could not not allow
allow a a
material kingdom in
material kingdom in the
the new heavens and new earth earth ofof
the eternal state.
the eternal state. Hence it naturally placed
it naturally placed this
this Jewish-
Jewish-
pagan-Christian golden
pagan-Christian golden age age during
during the millennium,
the millennium,
after the
after the advent,
advent, but before before eternity.
eternity. The ideas ideas were
superimposed
superimposed upon upon the
the scriptural
scriptural doctrine
doctrine of
of the
the mil-
lennium,
lennium, and the the prophecies
prophecies of
of the new earth
earth were put
put
on aa definitely
definitely materialistic
materialistic and temporal
temporal basis.
basis. The
persecuted Christians
persecuted Christians came to to aspire
aspire to to an earthly rule
earthly rule
of aa triumphant
of triumphant church.
church. But the the extraneous
extraneous teaching
teaching of of
gross
gross materialism-the
materialism the claims
claims of
of fantastic
fantastic fertility
fertility and
even carnality that
even carnality that were predicted
predicted of of the
the reign
reign of the
of the
486
QUESTIONS
saints on earth-became
saints earth became so so repugnant
repugnant to to many
many thatthat
chiliasm was
chiliasm was regarded
regarded as as aa heresy,
heresy, and for for a brief
a brief
period
period the
the Apocalypse
Apocalypse was
was in
in some quarters
quarters regarded as
regarded as
not apostolic,
not apostolic, and therefore
therefore was
was even omitted
omitted from the
the
Canon. *
Sacred Canon.*
So it
it was,
was, that
that because
because of chiliastic views
of chiliastic views of the mil-
of the mil-
lennium,
lennium, the
the very
very doctrine
doctrine of
of miUennialism
millennialism was dis-
dis-
credited. Similarly,
credited. Similarly, abandonment of
of premillennialism
premillennialism
was hastened
was hastened by by the
the favorable
favorable status the church at-
status the at-
tained in
tained in the
the fourth
fourth century
century under Constantine.
Constantine. As
their influence steadily
their influence steadily increased, the Christians
increased, the Christians beganbegan
to apply
to apply thethe predictions
predictions of of the
the future Messianic
future Messianic king-king-
dom to to the
the then-present
then-present Christian
Christian church.
church. Eventually
Eventually
the exchange of
the exchange of the future dominion of
the future of the saints in
the saints in the
the
Holy City
Holy City for
for the
the present
present dominion of
of the
the church on
earth,
earth, became a a basis
basis for
for the totalitarian rule
the totalitarian rule ofof medi-
eval
eval Catholicism,
Catholicism, with its persecutions.
its persecutions.
The -Reformation
Reformation had had to resist aa -different
to resist different but but
equally fallacious
equally fallacious chiliasm-not
chiliasm not only only an earthly
earthly but a a
political
political and revolutionary
revolutionary kingdom kingdom of
of the
the saints,
saints, set
set
up by
up by fire
fire and sword before before thethe advent and the the resur-
resur-
rection-witness
rection witness the the excesses
excesses of of Thomas Miintzer
Miintzer and
some of the Anabaptists,
of the Anabaptists, the prophets of
the prophets of Zwickau and
the French prophets
the prophets of
of the
the Cervennes and,
and, later,
later, the
the
Fifth Monarchy
Fifth Monarchy men in England.
in England.
*According
*According to to Bishop
Bishop B.B. F. Westcott (A
F. Westcott (A General Survey of
General Survey the History
of the History ofof Canon
of the
of the New Testament,
Testament, 1875,1875, ch. 20), by
ch. 20), the close
by the close of
of the
the second
second century
century thethe Apoca-
Apoca-
lypse
lypse was
was acknowledged
acknowledged as
as apostolic
apostolic and authoritative
authoritative throughout
throughout the
the cllUrch,
church, except
except
in
in the
the Syriac version. But after
Syriac version. almost universal
after almost universal acceptance
acceptance among
among the the Fathers,
Fathers, itit
fell temporarily into
fell temporarily
Dionysius
into discredit because of
discredit because Of position to
of opposition to chiliastic
chiliastic millennialism
millennialism by by
Dionysius of Alexandria (died
of Alexandria 265). Cyril
(died 265). Cyril 0of Jerusalem
Jerusalem (died 386) and Gregory
(died 386) Gregory of of
Nazianzus (died
Nazianzus (died 389)
389) excluded
excluded thethe Apocalypse
Apocalypse from their
their catalogs
catalogs of
of the
the New Testa-
Testa-
ment books,
books, and Chrysostom
Chrysostom (died(died 407)
407) nowhere quoted
quoted it.
it. It
It was omitted from
omitted from
the
the canon list by the
list by the fourth-century
fourth-century Council
Council of Laodicea. But
of Laodicea. But inin 367 Athanasius
367 Athanasius
included
included it it in his enumeration,
in his enumeration, and the the Councils
Councils ofof Hippo
Hippo (393)
(393) and Cartha.~e (397)
and Carthage (397)
declared
declared it it canonical.
canonical. Soon all all doubts disappeared. (See
doubts disappeared. Prophetic Faith
(See The Prophetic Faith ofof
Our Fathers,
Fathers, vol.
vol. 1, pp. 103-107.)
1, pp. 103-107.)
487
The earthliness
earthliness of of the
the millennial reign was
millennial reign was given
given
a
a turn in
new turn Whitby's postmillennialism,
in Whitby's postmiUennialism, with with its its
churchly
churchly golden
golden age.age. The early American churches
early American churches were
strongly
strongly chiliastic,
chiliastic, inheriting
inheriting the pure-church ideal
the pure-chilrch ideal
from the Anabaptists,
Anabaptists, who passed passed it it on toto the
the Baptists
Baptists
Congregationalists. Their chiliasm
and Congregationalists. chiliasm raised
raised exuber-
exuber-
ant hopes
hopes of of aa postmiUennialist
postmillennialist program program of
of social
social re-
re-
generation
generation to
to be
be realized
realized in
in the
the churches.
churches. Thence also
also
came numerous nineteenth-century
nineteenth-century attempts attempts to to bring
bring
the kingdom
the kingdom of of God on earth, earth, not not only
only through
through revival-
revival-
ist-pietist church
ist-pietist church activity
activity and varying reforms of
varying reforms of every
every
shade but also also through sociopolitical
through sociopolitical channels
channels and com-
utopias. In
munal Utopias. In the early-nineteenth-century
the early-nineteenth-century expecta- expecta-
tion
tion of the inauguration
of the inauguration of of the
the millennium such such schemes
schemes
multiplied rapidly.
multiplied rapidly. Also
Also in
in the
the nineteenth
nineteenth century
century a a
"Judaistic"
"Judaistic" chiliasm
chiliasm stemming
stemming from
from the
the extreme
extreme literal-
literal-
ism of the British
of the British Advent awakening emphasized not
awakening emphasized not
only the
only conversion of
the conversion the 1
of the ews but
Jews but also
also aa restoration
restoration of of
the Jewish
the Jewish nation,
nation, a rebuilding
rebuilding of
of the
the Jewish temple,
Jewish temple,
and re-establishment
re-establishment of of the
the sacrificial system, as
sacrificial system, well as
as well as
aa Jewish political domination,
Jewish political domination, and a a coercive
coercive "iron-rod"
"iron-rod"
rule of
rule Christ over
of Christ over thethe rebellious
rebellious nations.
nations.
N or is
Nor is the
the doctrine
doctrine of chiliasm merely
of chiliasm merely an academic
question
question of
of what is
is to
to happen
happen in
in the
the future,
future, with no
practical significance
practical signifIcance to to us today. As aa matter
us today. matter of of fact,
fact,
the political
the political implications
implications of
of this
this future-jewish-kingdom
future-Jewish-kingdom
concept
concept areare obvious,
obvious, and its its effects have been seen
effects have seen in
the nineteenth
the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
twentieth centuries. There is evi-
is evi-
dent at
dent the present
at the present time an unfortunate
unfortunate confusion
confusion bebe-
tween recognizing
tween recognizing the historical fulfillment
the historical fulfillment of of proph-
proph-
ecy and attempting
ecy and attempting to to use
use prophetic
prophetic interpretation
interpretation as as
an instrument
an instrument for for influencing political and interna-
influencing political interna-
QUESTIONS
tional policy. Stemming
tional policy. Stemming also also from this this futurist
futurist view
that
that the
the Jews
Jews are
are to
to be God's elect,
elect, to
to whom aU all
the kingdom
kingdom prophecies
prophecies must yet yet be literally
literally fulfilled,
fulfilled,
is
is unprecedented interpretive
an unprecedented interpretive system system with dan- dan-
gerous
gerous tendencies.
tendencies. It
It is
is embodied in
in a dispensation-
dispensation-
alist
alist emphasis
emphasis that:
that rebuilds
rebuilds the wall wall of of partition
partition be-be-
tween Jew Jew and Gentile that that Jesus
Jesus obliterated,
obliterated, that
that
separates
separates law from gracegrace in in thoroughly
thoroughly antinomian fash- fash-
ion,
ion, and that
that deflects
deflects from the Christian church the
promises
promises and the
the covenants and large portions
large portions of the
the
Bible, especially
Bible, especially the
the Gospels, giving
Gospels, giving to the
the Jew,
Jew, rather
rather
than
than toto the
the Christian,
Christian, not only only the Decalogue,
Decalogue, but also also
the Beatitudes and the
the Beatitudes the Lord's
Lord's Prayer.
Prayer. Fortunately, al-
Fortunately, al-
though
though most premillennialists
premillennialists in
in the
the various
various churches
today belong to
today belong to this
this general
general school of thought, not all
of thought, all
of them subscribe
of subscribe to to all
all these views or
these views or carry
carry them to
to
their logical
their conclusions. It
logical conclusions. is unfortunate that
It is that some
writers
writers who have abandoned this futurist premillennial-
this futurist premiHennial-
ism have so
ism so often merely exchanged
often merely exchanged their their chiliasm
chiliasm forfor
amillennialism.
amillennialism.
This survey
survey calls
calls attention to the fact
to the that through
fact that through
the centuries
the centuries the
the chiliastic
chiliastic expectation
expectation of
of an earthly
earthly
millennial kingdom in
millennial kingdom in the flesh, the flesh, with coercive rule
coercive rule
over unregenerate
unregenerate men, men, hashas been the the root
root ofof doctrinal
doctrinal
distortion,
distortion, fanatical views, excess,
fanatical views, totalitarianism, per-
excess, totalitarianism, per-
secution,
secution, and even political revolution. None of
political revolution. these
of these
is inherent in
is in premillennialism
premillennialism as as based on the Scrip- Scrip-
tures,
tures, unmixed with Jewish traditions and pagan
Jewish traditions pagan con-
con-
cepts, as will
cepts, as will be shown in the answer to
in the to Question
Question 39. 39.
Adventist Understanding
Adventist
Understanding
of the
of
the Millennium
Millennium
QUESTION
QUESTION 39
What do Adventists
Adventists understand
understand to be the
to be the
chronological timing
chronological timing ofof the
the millennium in
in rela-
rela-
tion to
tion to the
the end of
of the
the age,
age the
the nature
f nature of its two
of its
resurrections,
resurrections, the sequence of
the sequence of its
its major events,
major events,
and the outcome and sequel
sequel ofof the
the millennial
millennial
period? Please
period? Please outline your view.
outline your view.
The word "millennium" has has come to to have

have aa spe-
spe-
cialized
cialized meaning
meaning in
in the
the minds of
of most Christians-a
Christians a
thousand-year period
thousand-year period when Christ
Christ will
will reign
reign on earth
earth
with His saints
saints amid plenty, peace, and progressively
plenty, peace, progressively in-in-
creasing righteousness.
creasing righteousness. The word does does not
not occur in in
the Bible.
the Bible. ItIt is
is derived from the the Latin
Latin words mille
annum, meaning
and annum, meaning "thousand" and "year." "year." A thou-
thou-
sand-year reign
sand-year reign of
of the
the saints
saints with Christ
Christ is
is foretold
foretold
in
in Revelation 20:2-7,
20:2-7, but therethere isis no statement in that
in that
chapter that the
chapter that the saints will reign
saints will reign with Christ
Christ on earth
during
during this
this period.
period.
The vision
vision that
that delineates
delineates the the thousand years years isis
one of
one of aa series that must be considered
series that considered as as a chrono-
logical sequence
logical sequence if if we areare toto succeed in in placing
placing the
the
millennium in its proper relationship
in its proper relationship to
to other
other escha-
escha-
tological
tological events.
events. Revelation
Revelation 19 19 depicts the second
depicts the second ad-
ad-
vent of
vent our Lord.
of our Lord. Chapter
Chapter 20
20 speaks
speaks of
of the
the binding
binding of
of
489
489
QUESTIONS
Satan, resurrections one
Satan, two resurrections one thousand years apart,
thousand years apart, thethe
general judgment
general judgment of of evildoers,
evildoers, and theirtheir destruction
destruction
in the
in the lake
lake ofof fire. Revelation 21
fire. Revelation pictures the
21 pictures the descent
descent
of the
of Holy City,
the Holy City, New Jerusalem;
Jerusalem; and chapter
chapter 22
22 con-
con-
tinues the description
tinues the description of of the
the city
city and the
the joys of the
joys of the
redeemed in the eternal
in the eternal state.
state. There seemsseems to to bebe
nothing
nothing in
in these
these chapters
chapters to
to indicate
indicate that
that this
this is
is not
not a
a
chronological sequence
chronological sequence of
of events.
events. With the
the aid
aid of
of par-
par-
allel Bible passages
allel Bible passages thatthat describe
describe the second coming
the second coming of of
Christ, the
Christ, the resurrection,
resurrection, and the the final
final punishment
punishment of of
the wicked,
the wicked, itit is
is possible to
possible to outline
outline the
the events
events of
of the
the
millennium from beginning
millennium beginning to with an assurance
to end with assurance
of accuracy.
of accuracy.
I.
I. The Second Advent of Christ
of Christ
In Revelation 19
In Revelation 19 Christ
Christ is is pictured
pictured atat His
His second
second
coming
coming as
as a
a mighty
mighty warrior
warrior leading
leading the
the armies
armies of
of
heaven to to battle
battle against
against the hosts of
the hosts evil (verses
of evil (verses 11-
11-
16).
16). This
This emphasizes
emphasizes the
the effect
effect of
of His
His coming
coming upon upon
the unsaved.
the unsaved.
In Revelation 14
In Revelation 14 Christ
Christ is is pictured as
pictured as coming
coming on
a cloud,
a cloud, crowned as King of
as King of kings.
kings. In that chapter
In that chapter
the gathering of
the gathering of the
the righteous
righteous and wicked wicked is is depicted
depicted
under thethe figure
figure of of aa harvest.
harvest. In verses
verses 15
15 and 16 the
16 the
righteous are
righteous are gathered
gathered as as "the
"the harvest of the
harvest of the earth."
earth."
wicked are
The wicked are also
also reaped
reaped as
as "the
"the clusters
clusters of
of the
the vine
vine
of the
o earth"-"fully
the earth" ripe" grapes-and
"fully ripe" grapes and "cast
"cast ..... into
into
.
the
the great winepress
great winepress of
of the
the wrath of
of God" (verses 18,
(verses 18,
19). This "winepress"
19). This "winepress" is is mentioned again in
again in chapter
chapter
19, where it
19, it is
is said
said ofof Christ
Christ that
that "he treadeth
treadeth the the
winepress
winepress of
of the
the fierceness
fierceness and wrath
wrath of
of Almighty
Almighty
God" (verse
(verse 15).
15).
ADVENTISTS AND THE MILLENNIUM
MILLENNfUM 491
491
II.
II. The Death of
of AU
All Sinners
Sinners
To thethe rebellious
rebellious sinners
sinners of earth Christ
of earth Christ comes as as
judge
judge and avenger,
avenger, in
in overpowering
overpowering glory, glory, with
with fire
fire
sword, in
and sword, in final
final battle
battle against
against the hosts of
the hosts of evil
evil men
who make theirtheir last
last stand in defiance of Him, and He
stand in defiance of Him,
gives to
gives to the
the birds
birds the flesh of
the flesh the kings,
of the kings, captains, mighty
captains, mighty
men,
men, and all all men free
free and bond,
bond, small
small andand great
great (Rev.
(Rev.
19: 17-19). Revelation
19:17-19). Revelation elsewhere pictures the
elsewhere pictures the same
class of
class of people
people cowering
cowering before
before the face of
the face the Lamb,
of the Lamb,
and the upheavals of
the upheavals nature accompanying
of nature accompanying the the second
second
advent-the
advent the heavens departing departing as as aa scroll
scroll and every
every
mountain and island island shaken
shaken out out ofof place
place (Rev.
(Rev. 6: 14-
6:14-
17). In both
17). In both chapter
chapter 19 19 and chapter
chapter 14 the effect
14 the of
effect of
Christ's
Christ's coming
coming on the
the wicked
wicked is
is described
described under the
the
figure
figure of of treading
treading out grapes grapes in in a winepress, with
a winepress,
blood pouring out of the winepress
blood pouring out of the winepress by the by the space
space ofof
1,600 furlongs (Rev.
1,600 furlongs (Rev. 14:20). Overwhelming destruc-
14:20). Overwhelming destruc-
tion could
tion could hardly
hardly be more graphically
graphically described.
described. Not
only
only does
does nature
nature cooperate
cooperate with an upheaval
upheaval that
that
changes
changes thethe geography
geography of of the earth and shakes
the earth shakes down aU all
the work of
the of men's hands,
hands, butbut all the organized
all the opposi-
organized opposi-
tion
tion to
to God comes to to aa sudden end as as men individually
individually
tremble before their
tremble before their Creator
Creator and true true King
King and Lord.Lord.
The "beast"
"beast" and "false prophet," symbols
"false prophet/' symbols of
of organ-
organ-
ized apostasy
ized apostasy in earlier visions
in earlier visions of Revelation, who are
of Revelation, are
accused of
accused of deceiving
deceiving evil
evil men into
into continued
continued rebellion
rebellion
against
against God,
God, are pictured as
are pictured as being
being cast alive into
cast alive into a lake
lake
of
of fire (Rev. 19:20).
fire (Rev. 19:20). The apostle
apostle Paul, looking with
Paul, looking
prophetic eye
prophetic eye down the
the stream
stream of
of time,
time, described
described the
the
mystery
mystery of
of iniquity
iniquity in
in a
a personalized
personalized name,
name, "that
"that
Wicked"
Wicked" (2(2 Thess. 2:8), "whom the
Thess. 2:8), the Lord shall
shall con-
con-
QUESTIONS
sume with
with the
the spirit
spirit of
of his mouth, and shall
his mouth, shall destroy
destroy
with the
with the brightness
brightness of of his coming." And Revelation
his coming." Revelation
19 ends the
19 ends the description
description ofof the
the total
total destruction
destruction of of the
the
wicked with the words,
with the words, "And the the remnant [the [the remain-
remain-
ing sinners]
ing sinners] were slain with the
slain with the sword of of him that that sat
sat
upon
upon thethe horse,
horse, which
which sword proceeded
proceeded out out of of his
his
mouth: and all the fowls
all the fowls were filled
filled with
with their
their flesh"
flesh"
(verse
(verse 21).
21). Making
Making proper allowance for
proper allowance for figures
figures of of
speech prophetic symbolism,
speech and prophetic symbolism, we may may conclude
conclude that that
all the unrighteous
all the unrighteous who do not their end in
not meet their these
in these
upheavals will be destroyed

upheavals will destroyed byby the brightness of
the brightness of Christ's
Christ's
visible presence
visible presence asas He appears
appears "in
"in flaming
flaming fire
fire taking
taking
vengeance on them that
vengeance that know not
not God" (2 (2 Thess. 1:
Thess. 8).
1:8).
III.
III. The Binding
Binding of
of Satan
very next
The very next event described in
event described the book of
in the of Reve-
Reve-
lation (chapter 20:1-3)
lation (chapter 20: 1-3) is the binding
is the binding of of Satan
Satan withwith
aa great
great chain,
chain, under the
the figure
figure of
of the
the dragon,
dragon, in
in order
order
that he
that he might
might notnot deceive
deceive the the nations
nations for for a a thousand
years. Since this
years. Since this is is a
a symbolic
symbolic scetle,
scene, it is not necessary
it is not necessary
to
to suppose that either
suppose that either thethe chain
chain or the bottomless
or the bottomless pit pit is
is
literal. The dragon

literal. dragon is
is identified
identified as
as Satan,
Satan, and the
the mean-
ing of
ing of the
the other
other symbols
symbols we may deduce from the
may deduce the con-
con-
text.
text. Satan's
Satan's followers
followers havehave all all been
been destroyed
destroyed at at the
the
second
second advent.
advent. The righteous,
righteous, as as we shall see in
shall see in the
the
next
next section,
section, are
are removed from his domain. The earth
his domain. earth
is in
is utter desolation,
in utter desolation, with
with dead bodies
bodies everywhere.
everywhere.
It is
It is only necessary, then,
only necessary, then, to understand by
to understand by the
the symbols
symbols
that Satan
that Satan is is consigned by
consigned by divine
divine fiat
fiat to
to the
the earth,
earth,
there
there forfor one thousand
thousand years years to
to ponder
ponder on the
the re-
re-
sults of
sults his rebellion
of his rebellion against God.
against God.
ADVENTISTS AND THE MILLENNIUM 493
493
IV.
IV. Resurrection of
The Resurrection of the
the Righteous
Righteous
scene changes.
The scene changes. John
John sees
sees thrones
thrones ofof judgment
judgment
which sit
on which sit "the
"the blessed
blessed and
and holy"
holy" ones
ones who have
have part
part
in the
in the first
first resurrection
resurrection (Rev.
(Rev. 20:4,
20:4, 6).
6). "They
"They came to.
to.
life again,
life again, and reigned
reigned with
with Christ
Christ aa thousand
thousand years"
years"
(verse 4,
(verse 4, R.S.V.).
R.S.V.). Specifically John sees
Specifically John sees the
the martyrs
martyrs
those who had gotten
and those gotten the
the victory
victory over
over the
the beast
beast
his image
and his image (prophetic
(prophetic symbols
symbols of
of apostasy,
apostasy, from
chapters 13
chapters 13 and 14). those who reign
14). Do those reign with
with Christ
Christ
during the
during the thousand
thousand years
years include
include more than
than the
the mar-
mar-
tyrs
tyrs and the
the faithful
faithful from the
the last
last generation
generation who with-
with-
stood the wiles
stood the wiles of
of apostasy? answer must be
apostasy? The answer be sought
sought
in other
in other scriptures
scriptures describing the resurrection
describing the resurrection that
that fol-
fol-
lows the
lows the second
second coming
coming ofof Christ
Christ in
jn power
power and great
great
glory. Nowhere in
glory. in the
the Bible
Bible (unless this be the
(unless this the case in
case in
Revelation
Revelation 20) is there
20) is there aa mention
mention of of aa resurrection
resurrection of of
only martyrs;
only martyrs; but
but there
there are
are references
references to
to "the resur-
resur-
rection
rection ofof the
the just"
just" (Luke
(Luke 14: 14) and "the
14:14) resurrection
"the resurrection
of life" in contrast to "the resurrection
of life" in contrast to "the resurrection of
of damnation"
(John
(John 5:29),
5:29), which corresponds
corresponds to the division
to the division in in
Revelation
Revelation 20 20 between the the two resurrections.
resurrections. "They"They
that
that are
are Christ's"
Christ's" areare raised
raised "at his coming"
"at his coming" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor.
15: 23). "The dead in
15:23). in Christ
Christ shall rise"
shall rise" when the
the Lord
descends
descends from heaven "with "with the
the voice
voice ofof the
the archangel,
archangel,
and with
with the
the trump
trump of of God" (1 (I Thess.
Thess. 4: 16). This is
4:16). is
elsewhere
elsewhere referred
referred to to as
as "the
"the last
last trump:
trump: for
for the trum-
pet
pet shall
shall sound,
sound, and the the dead shallshall be raised
raised incor-
incor-
ruptib(e"
ruptible" (I (1 Cor.
Cor. 15:52).
15:52). And Jesus
Jesus described
described His
coming
coming in
in the
the clouds
clouds of
of heaven-seen
heaven seen by
by all,
all, and
mourned by by the
the tribes
tribes of
of earth
earth who are are not ready
ready forfor
Him-as
Him as the the time
time when at at the
the sound of of the
the trumpet
trumpet
494
494 QUESTIONS
"his elect" are
"his elect" are gathered
gathered from all the earth
all the (Matt. 24:
earth (Matt. 24:
30;
30; Mark 13:26, 27). AH
13:26, 27). All these accounts of
these accounts of aa glorious,
glorious,
visible, audible coming,
visible, audible coming, with
with the
the sounding
sounding of
of the
the trum-
trum-
pet,
pet, are
are connected
connected with
with the
the gathering
gathering of
of Christ's
Christ's elect,
elect,
the raising
the raising of
of the
the dead inin Christ,
Christ, and the
the changing
changing
from mortality
mortality to
to immortality. This is
immortality. This is obviously the
obviously the first
first
resurrection of Revelation
resurrection of Revelation 20.
20.
V.
V. The Translation of the
Translation of the Living Righteous
Living Righteous
The prophet
prophet John John saw on the thrones of
the thrones of judgment
judgment
those
those "which
"which had not not worshipped
worshipped the the beast,
beast, neither
neither
his image, neither
his image, received his
neither had received his mark upon upon their
their
foreheads,
foreheads, or
or in
in their
their hands"
hands" (Rev. 20:4).
(Rev. 20:4). Since
Since there
there
are only two classes
are only classes of people on the
of people earth when Christ
the earth Christ
comes-the righteous and the
comes the righteous the sinners,
sinners, the the "sheep"
"sheep" and
the "goats"
the (Matt. 25:32,
"goats" (Matt. 25:32, 33) 33)-those
those who have
have notnot
worshiped the
worshiped the beast
beast must represent
represent the the living
living right-
right-
eous
eous in the last
in the last generation
generation who have
have not
not bowed the
the
knee to
knee to apostasy
apostasy and who are
are prepared
prepared to
to welcome
Christ
Christ when He comes. comes. The apostle
apostle Paul Paul describes
describes
that blessed
that blessed event:
event: "We shall not all
shall not all sleep
sleep [die], but
[die], but
we shall
shall all
all be changed"
changed" when "the
"the trumpet
trumpet shall
shall
sound,
sound, and the the dead shall be raised
shall be raised incorruptible,"
incorruptible," for for
"this mortal
"this mortal must put put on immortality"
immortality" (I (1 Cor.
Cor. 15:51-
15:51-
53).
53). This isis when "we whichwhich are
are alive
alive and remain
remain shall
shall
be caught
be up together
caught up together with
with them in
in the
the clouds,
clouds, to
to meet
the
the Lord in the air"
in the air" (1
(I Thess. 4: 17).
Thess. 4:17).
VI.
VI. The Righteous
Righteous All
All Taken to
to Heaven
In John's
In John's view of the righteous
of the righteous during the thousand
during the thousand
years,
years, it
it is
is not
not specified just
specified just where the
the reigning with
reigning with
Christ takes
Christ takes place.
place. He says
says simply,
simply, "I saw thrones,
"I saw thrones, and
and
495
they
they sat upon them,
sat upon them, and judgment
judgment was was given
given unto unto
them: . . . and they
. . . they lived
lived and reigned
reigned withwith Christ
Christ a a
years" (Rev.
thousand years" 20:4).
(Rev. 20:4). But other
other texts
texts make
this
this clear.
clear. In 1 1 Thessalonians
Thessalonians 4:17, 4: 17, just
just quoted,
quoted, the the
righteous
righteous are
are said
said to "meet
to "meet the the Lord in the
in the air/' air,"
"caught
"caught up up ...
... in in the
the clouds."
clouds." From this this we conclude
conclude
that
that Christ·
Christ' atat His
His second advent does
second advent does not not touch
touch the the
sin-polluted earth,
sin-polluted earth, but
but "he
"he shall
shall send
send his
his angels
angels with
with
a great
a great sound of of aa trumpet,
trumpet, and they they shall
shall gather
gather
together his
together his elect
elect from the the four
four winds,
winds, fromfrom one end
of heaven to
of to the
the other"
other" (Matt.
(Matt. 24:31).
24:31).
And thethe place
place to to which the the saved
saved are taken at
are taken at this
this
time isis indicated
indicated by by thethe Saviour's
Saviour's own words words of of com-
fort to
fort His disciples
to His disciples on the
the evening
evening before
before His
His cruci-
cruci-
fixion:
fixion: "In my my Father's
Father's house are
are many
many mansions:
mansions: if
if
it not so,
it were not so, I
I would have
have told
told you.
you. I
I go
go to
to prepare
prepare a a
place for
place for you.
you. And if if II go prepare aa place
go and prepare place for for you,
you,
I will
I will come again,
again, and receive
receive you
you unto
unto myself; that
myself; that
where II am,
am, there
there ye ye may
may be
be also"
also" (John 14:2,
(John 14:2, 3). 3). The
place to
place to which Christ
Christ takes
takes HisHis saints
saints is is described
described as as
"my Father's house"
"my Father's house" where there there areare "many mansions"
"many mansions"
(more properly, "dwelling
(more properly, places"). The implication
"dwelling places"). implication
is almost
is almost unavoidable
unavoidable that the destination
that the destination of of the
the right-
right-
eous at
eous the second
at the second adventadvent is heaven-not
is heaven not thethe earthearth
from which theythey are
are removed at
at the
the last
last trump.
trump.* '*'
*Revelation
*Revelation 5: SilOII} is
1
is sometimes
sometimes quoted
quoted to prove that
to prove that the
the saints will reign
saints will reign with
Christ
Christ on earth during
on earth during the the millennium.
millennIUm. The text reads: "And hast
text reads: hast made u. us unto
kin~s and priests:
our God kings priests: and we shall reign on the
shall reign the earth." The expression
earth." ^The expression "kings
"kings
and priests"
priests" IU
in this
this text
text isis similar to an
similar to an expression
expression in in Revelation
Revelation 20:20: "they
"they shall
shall be
priests of
priests of God and of of Christ, and shall
Christ, and reign with
shall reign with him aa thousand
thousand years."
year•. " There isis
nothing
nothing inin Revelation
Revelation 5: 10 or
5:10 or its context to
its context to make it it iml;?erative to
imperative to apply the "reign"
apply the "reign"
"on the earth" to
the earth" to the thousand-year period
the thousand-year period of RevelatIon 20.
of Revelation 20. The problem
problem is,is, Can
we consider
we these texts
consider these texts parallel?
parallel? Exegesis
Exegesis cannot answer the
cannot answer the question.
question. Seventh·day
Seventh-day
Adventists believe
Adventists believe that
that this
this "reign
"reign on the the earth"
earth" applies
applies toto the
the righteous
ri$hteous after
after the
close of the
close of the millennium
millennium when the the saints with Christ
saints with Christ and thethe holy
holy city
CIty return
return toto this
this
earth. (See
earth. (See Revelation
Revelation 21, 22.)
21, 22.) Then with
with sin
sin and sinners
sinners destroyed,
destroyed, the
the righteous
righteous
shall reign
shall with Him through
reign with through allall eternity.
eternity.
496
Thus we havehave an explanation
explanation ofof what happens
happens to
to
the classes on earth
the two classes earth when thethe Lord comes. While
one is left on the
is left the earth, dead, for
earth, dead, the birds
for the birds to
to con-
con-
sume, the other
sume, the other is taken alive
is taken alive to he forever
to be forever with
with the
the
Lord.
Lord.
VII.
VII. The Judgment
Judgment and the
the Thousand Years
Years
The apostle
apostle John
John describes
describes the the activities
activities of of the
the
saved
saved in in heaven
heaven very briefly:
very briefly: "They"They .. .
. ..reigned
reigned with
with
Christ
Christ a thousand years"
a thousand years" (Rev.
(Rev. 20:4).20:4). The question question
may properly be
may properly asked, Over whom will
be asked, will thethe saints
saints
reign
reign if
if all
all the
the wicked
wicked have
have been destroyed?
destroyed? That the
the
saints will receive
saints will receive the kingdom, is
the kingdom, is specifically
specifically stated
stated in
in
other texts.
other texts. When the
the seventh
seventh angel sounds,
angel sounds, "the
"the king-
king-
doms of this world . . . become the
of this . . . the kingdoms
kingdoms of of our
Lord, and of
Lord, his Christ"
of his Christ" (Rev. II: 15), and Daniel
(Rev. 11:15), Daniel
speaks
speaks of
of the
the "kingdom
"kingdom and dominion and the
the greatness
greatness
of the kingdom"
of the kingdom" being being "given
"given to to the people of
the people the saints
of the saints
of the
of the most High"High" (Dan. 7:27).
(Dan. 7:27). The saints
saints have
have been
under the the oppressive
oppressive rule
rule of
of the
the kings
kings who have
have drunk
of the
of the wine of Babylon's fornication
of Babylon's fornication (Rev. 18:3). Now
(Rev. 18:3).
the
the tables
tables areare turned,
turned, and the the saints
saints of of thethe Most High High
rule over
rule over their
their oppressors.
oppressors. It
It is
is true
true that
that the
the wicked
wicked are
are
dead,
dead, but
but they
they will
will return
return to
to life
life at
at the
the end of
of the
the
millennium (Rev. They are
20:5). They
(Rev. 20:5). are shut
shut up, up, asas it were,
it were,
later
later to to receive
receive their
their punishment.
punishment. The exercise exercise of of
dominion by by the
the righteous
righteous over
over the
the wicked
wicked is
is indicated
indicated
in the
in the expressions,
expressions, "judgment
"judgment was given given unto them"
(verse
(verse 4) 4) and "they"they . . . reigned
. reigned with
. . with Christ"
Christ" (verse(verse
4), who has
4), has received
received "the
"the kingdoms
kingdoms of
of this
this world"
world"
(Dan. 7:27).
(Dan. 7:27).
In the
the discussion
discussion of the investigative
of the investigative judgmentjudgment (see. (see
497
Question
Question 36), 36), were covered
covered those those features
features of of the
the total
total
judgment work that
judgment that logically
logically must be be completed
completed before before
Christ returns in
Christ returns in glory.
glory. There we showed that that the cases
the cases
of those
of eventually saved
those eventually saved must be be examined before before thethe
second advent,
advent, and they they must
must be
be
*
"accounted
'accounted worthy
worthy
to obtain that
to obtain that world,
world, and the the resurrection
resurrection from the the
dead" (Luke (Luke 20:35),
20:35), and also
also "worthy
"worthy to
to escape
escape all all
these things [the
these things [the troubles
troubles predicted by
predicted by Christ] Christ] ...
. and . .
to
to stand before the
stand before the Son of of man" (Luke (Luke 21:36).
21:36). Since
Since
all the wicked
all the wicked alive alive on earth earth at at Christ's
Christ's coming
coming suffer
suffer
the first
the first death
death-the death common to
the death to all
all mankind
mankind-
and do not not live
live again
again untiluntil after
after thethe thousand
thousand years,years,
the decisions
the decisions regarding
regarding their
their punishment
punishment need not be
be
reached before
reached before the the second advent. advent.
Both Daniel and John John state that judgment
state that judgment was
given
given to
to the
the saints,
saints, or
or the
the resurrected
resurrected ones
ones (Dan. 7:22;
(Dan. 7:22;
Rev. 20:4).
Rev. 20:4). In Revelation
Revelation 20 the 20 the word "judgment"
"judgment" is is
from the the Greek word krima krima, which

J which generally
generally means
"sentence,"
"sentence," "verdict,"
"verdict," or or "a"a decision rendered." Here
decision rendered."
krima seems to to mean the authority to
the authority to pass
pass sentence.
sentence,
The passage
passage doesdoes not refer to
not refer to a verdict in
a verdict favor of
in favor the
of the
righteous.
righteous. In
In the
the Septuagint
Septuagint of
of Daniel,
Daniel, the
the word for
for
"judgment"
"judgment" is krisis
is krisis, J the
the "act
"act of
of judging";
judging"; but
but in
in the
the
Theodotlon
Theodotfon Greek version version it is rendered
it is rendered krima. krima. The
work of of judgment
judgment referredreferred to to byby the revelator is
the revelator is doubt-
less
less that
that spoken
spoken of
of by
by the
the apostle
apostle Paul:
Paul: "Do ye
ye not
know that that the
the saints
saints shall judge the
shall judge the world?
world? ... Know
. . .
ye not
ye not that
that we shall judge angels?"
shall judge angels?" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 6:2,
6:2, 3).
3).
The workwork of judgment may
of judgment may well well involve
involve a a careful
careful in-in-
vestigation of
vestigation of the
the records
records of evil men and aa decision
of evil decision re-re-
garding
garding the
the amount of
of punishment
punishment due each
each sinner
sinner
for his
for part in
his part in thethe rebellion
rebellion against against God.
498
498 QUESTIONS
Justice
Justice demands that that great
great sinners
sinners be be punished
punished
more severely
severely than those whose sins
than those sins were of of aa lesser
lesser
nature. True,
nature. True, all all sinners
sinners will will be
be punished
punished with with eternal
eternal
death, but eventual
death, but eventual extinction
extinction can hardly be
can hardly be conceived
conceived
of as
of as aa graduated
graduated punishment.
punishment. It is the
It is the suffering
suffering before
before
the
the second
second death that can
death that be measured out
can be out toto fit the
fit the
extent of
extent of the
the sinner's personal responsibility
sinner's personal responsibility for for hishis
rebellion.
rebellion. Christ
Christ Himself set set forth
forth thethe principle,
principle, "That
servant,
servant, which knew his lord's will,
his lord's will, and prepared
prepared not not
himself, neither
himself, neither did did according
according to to his
his will,
will, shall
shall be
be beaten
beaten
with many
with many stripes.
stripes. But he that that knew not, not, and did com-
mit things
things worthy
worthy of of stripes,
stripes, shall beaten with few
shall be beaten
stripes" (Luke 12:47,
stripes" (Luke 12:47, 48).48).
Since the saved
Since the saved reign
reign on thrones
thrones "with Christ," the
Christ," the
Judge
Judge of
of all
all men,
men, it is
it is apparent that
apparent that they
they will
will concur in
in
the decisions reached.
the decisions reached. Thus the saints are completely
the saints are completely
satisfied that God is
satisfied that is just, and that
just, that even the the destruction
destruction
of incorrigible
of incorrigible sinners
sinners is
is an evidence
evidence of
of His
His love.
love.
VIII.
VIII. The Earth
Earth as
as Satan's Desolate Prison
Satan's Desolate House
Prison House
Not only
only do the
the Bible descriptions of
Bible descriptions the second
of the second
coming of
coming of Christ
Christ depict
depict the
the destruction
destruction of
of all
all the
the un-
un-
righteous living
righteous living on the
the earth,
earth, but
but they
they also
also speak of
speak of
the desolation
the desolation of the globe.
of the globe. In
In Revelation 6, the
Revelation 6, the earthly
earthly
effects of Christ's
effects of Christ's coming
coming are described briefly
are described briefly but
but
graphically: "Every
graphically: "Every mountain and island
island were moved
out ofof their
their places"
places" (verse 14).
(verse 14). In
In Revelation 11
Revelation II the
the
final events are
final events are again depicted:
again depicted: "There were light-
light-
nings,
nings, and voices,
voices, and thunderings,
thunderings, and an earthquake,
earthquake,
and great
great hail"
hail" (verse 19).
(verse 19). In
In Revelation
Revelation 16,
16, under the
the
seventh plague, the
seventh plague, the details
details of
of the destruction are
the destruction are more
vividly delineated: "The seventh
vividly delineated: seventh angel poured out
angel poured his
out his
499
into the
vial into
vial the air;
air; and there
there came aa great voice out
great voice out of of the
the
temple
temple in in heaven,
heaven, from the the throne,
throne, saying,
saying, It It isis done.
done.
And therethere were voices,voices, and thunders,
thunders, and lightnings;lightnings;
there was aa great
and there great earthquake,
earthquake, such such as was not
as was not since
since
men were upon upon the
the earth,
earth, so
so mighty
mighty an earthquake
earthquake
and so so great.
great. And the the great
great city
city waswas divided
divided into three
into three
parts,
parts, and the
the cities
cities of
of the
the nations
nations fell
fell.....
. . And
. every
every
island
island fledfled away,
away, and the the mountains
mountains were were not not found.
found.
And therethere fell upon men aa great
fell upon great hail
hail out out of of heaven,
heaven,
every stone about the
every stone the weight
weight of of a a talent"
talent" (verses
(verses 17- 17-
21 ).
21).
It is
It is difficult
difficult to to imagine
imagine a a more completecomplete destruc-
destruc-
tion of
tion of all the recognizable
all the recognizable physical physical aspects
aspects of of thethe
earth's
earth's surface.
surface. An earthquake
earthquake of
of such
such globe-shattering
globe-shattering
proportions as
proportions as toto shake
shake down every mountain, and
every mountain,
overwhelm every island
every island in in some vast tidal
vast tidal wave, wave, couldcould
hardly
hardly leaveleave anything
anything of of man's
man's works works intactintact in in thethe
wreckage.
wreckage. A substantial
substantial proportion
proportion of
of earth's
earth's inhab-
inhab-
itants may
itants may loselose their
their lives
lives in in this
this cataclysm,
cataclysm, for for it it is
is
said
said in Revelation 19:21:
in Revelation 19:21: "The remnant [the [the terrified
terrified
survivors
survivors who are are left
left after all this
after all this has
has happened]
happened] were
slain
slain with
with thethe sword
sword of of him that that satsat upon
upon the the horse,
horse,
which sword proceeded out
proceeded out of his of his mouth." Evidently
Evidently
the earthquake
the earthquake and hailstorm
hailstorm take
take place
place just
just as
as Christ
Christ
appears
appears in
in the
the clouds
clouds of
of heaven.
heaven.
Satan's confinement
Satan's confinement to to the
the earth
earth in in this
this condition
condition is is
very fittingly
very fittingly described
described in the symbolic
in the symbolic languagelanguage of of
prophecy:
prophecy: "He laid
laid hold
hold on the
the dragon,
dragon, that
that old ser-
ser-
pent, which is
pent, is the
the Devil,
Devil, and Satan, Satan, and bound him a a
thousand
thousand years,years, and cast
cast him into
into the
the bottomless
bottomless pit,
pit,
and shutshut him up, up, and set set aa seal upon him,
seal upon him, that that he
should deceive the
should deceive the nations
nations no more, more, tilltill the
the thousand
500
QUESTIONS
years should
years should be
be fulfilled"
fulfilled" (Rev. 20:2, 3).
(Rev. 20:2, 3). He can "de-
"de-
ceive the
ceive the nations
nations no more" because
because the
the unsaved are
are all
all
dead, the righteous,
dead, and the righteous, both
both the
the living
living and the
the resur-
resur-
rected of
rected of all ages,
all ages, have
have been
been taken
taken to
to heaven.
heaven. With
his fallen
his fallen angel
angel companions,
companions, Satan
Satan must await
await amid
this desolation
this desolation the
the final
final disposition
disposition of
of the
the cases
cases of
of all
all
the
the unredeemed in
unredeemed in thethe court
court above.
above. In In contrast
contrast with
this,
this, we see
see the
the saints
saints in
in heaven,
heaven, those
those whom SatanSatan
thought to
thought to overcome
overcome and destroy, destroy, sitting
sitting in judgment
in judgment
(Rev. 20:4)
(Rev. 20:4) with
with their
their Lord.
Lord.
This is
This is the
the time,
time, we believe,believe, when the the words of of
the apostle Paul will
the apostle will be be fulfilled:
fulfilled: "Know ye ye not
not that
that
we shall judge angels?"
shall judge angels?" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 6:3).
6:3).
There is is yet
yet further significance that
further significance that Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventists attach
Adventists attach to to Satan's
Satan's thousand-year
thousand-year duressduress in in
desolation.
desolation. In the the symbolism
symbolism of
of Israel's
Israel's Day
Day of
of Atone-
Atone-
ment in the typical
in the typical sanctuary
sanctuary service
service of of old,
old, after
after thethe
goat
goat "for
"for the
the Lord"
Lord" was
was slain
slain as
as an atoning
atoning sacrifice,
sacrifice,
the repentant
the repentant sinner's
sinner's guiltguilt waswas canceled,
canceled, and his his sins
sins
were forgiven,
forgiven, in
in type, through
type, through the
the shed blood.
blood. Then,
Then,
after
after thethe atonement was thus completed^ the
thus completed) the other
other
goat ("for Azazel")-whom
goat ("for Azazel") whom we believe
believe symbolized
symbolized
Satan, man's malignant
Satan, man's malignant seducer-was
seducer was declared declared guilty
guilty
of
of the
the instigation
instigation of of all
all evil,
evil, and was sent
sent away
away alive
alive
into
into the
the uninhabited
uninhabited wilderness,
wilderness, bearing
bearing to to oblivion
oblivion
the
the responsibility
responsibility for
for all
all sins
sins that
that he had led
led Israel
Israel to
to
commit (Lev. 16:20-22).
(Lev. 16:20-22).
Thus the the penalty
penalty was first first remitted to to the
the repentant
repentant
sinner
sinner through
through the the divinely
divinely appointed
appointed Substitute,
Substitute, sym-
sym-
bolizing
bolizing Christ.
Christ. Afterward,
Afterward, retributive
retributive punishment
punishment was
visited
visited upon
upon the
the type
type of
of the
the arch
archtempter and instigator
tempter instigator
of
of sin,
sin, who was consignedconsigned to to the wilderness to
the wilderness to die.
die.
501
Even W. Robertson Nichol

Nichol (The Expositor's Greek
(The Expositor's
Testament, vol.
Testament) vol. 5, p. 471),
5, p. after commenting
471), after commenting Qn the
on the
shutting up of
shutting up of Satan
Satan in prison mentioned
in prison mentioned in Revela-
in Revela-
tion 2-0,
tion interestingly alludes
2-0, interestingly to the
alludes to the "fettering
"fettering of Aza-
of Aza-
zel," *
'*' and to "divine restraint" put for a time upon
zel," to "divine restraint" put for a time upon
that
that "evil
"evil spirit."
spirit/'
This,
This, we believe to be part
believe to part of
of the
the picture
picture involved
involved
in the imprisonment
in the imprisonment of of Satan, as he
Satan, as he is
is "shut up/' with-
"shut up/' with-
out opportunity
opportunity to to deceive the nations
deceive the nations until
until the thou-
the thou-
sand years
years are
are fulfilled.
fulfilled.
IX. Literal
Literal Resurrection the Central
Resurrection the Central Fact of the
Fact of the Gospel
Gospel
Seventh-day Adventists hold
Seventh-day Adventists hold the Christian doctrine
the Christian doctrine
of the
of the future
future life
life toto bebe based
based on the the resurrection
resurrection (1 (1
Cor.
Cor. 15:51-55;
15:51-55; 1 1 Thess.
Thess. 4: 16).
4:16). The righteous,
righteous, made
alive through
alive through the the first
first resurrection,
resurrection, have have no part
part in
in the
the
second death,
second death, which is for the
is for the wicked only.
only. And after
after
the second
the second death there is
death there is no further resurrection, or
further resurrection, or
future life, for
future life, for the wicked. The second
the wicked. advent resurrec-
second advent resurrec-
tion marks
tion marks the the beginning
beginning of of the immortality of
the immortality the
of the
saints
saints (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 15:51-57).
15:51-57).
Revelation 20
Revelation 20 separates
separates the the first
first resurrection
resurrection from
from
that
that of of the
the rest
rest ofof the dead, and places
the dead, places itit at
at the
the begin-
begin-
ning
ning of
of the
the thousand
thousand years.
years. Over those
those who come up
up
in this resurrection
in this resurrection the the "second death hath hath no power"
power"
(verse
(verse 6).6). And we are are expressly told that
expressly told that the
the resur-
resur-
rected
rected saints,
saints, who are are called
called "blessed
"blessed and holy"holy" (verse
(verse
6),
6),
live
live and reign (verse
reign (verse 4) 4) with Christ
Christ during the
during the
* Azazel is
*AzazeI by many
is by many scholars recognized as
scholars recognized as aa name indicating
indicating Satan.
Satan. (See Wil-
(See Wil-
liam Jenks, Comprehensive
liam Jenks, Comprehensive Commentary
Commentary of of the Ho(y Bible,
the Holy Bible, vol. ~, p.
vol. 1, 410; CharIes
p. 410; Charles
Beecher Redeemer and
Beecher, Redeemer Redeemed, pp.
and Redeemed, pp. 67,
67, 68; JewlSh Encyclopedia,
68; Jewish Encydoped!a, vol.
vol. 2,
2, p. 366;
p. 366;
Albert Whalley, The Red Letter
Albert Whalley, Letter Days 0/
Days of Israel,
Israel, p.
p. 125; John Eadie,
125; John Biblical Ency-
Eadie, Biblical Ency-
clopedia, p. 577.
clopedia, p. 577.
502
QUESTIONS
thousand years.
thousand years. They
They not
not only
only come to
to life, but
life, but con-
con-
tinue
tinue to live forevermore.
to live forevermore.
first resurrection
The first resurrection (of the righteous)
(of the righteous) is is ob-ob-
viously
viously in
in contrast
contrast to
to the
the second
second (of
(of the
the wicked),
wicked), which
occurs at
occurs at the
the end of the thousand
of the thousand years.years. And the the "rest
"rest
of the
of dead" stand
the dead" stand in in contrast
contrast to the previously
to the previously men-
tioned {iTst
tioned group
first group of
of the
the dead.
dead. The apostle Paul referred
apostle Paul referred
to the
to the coming
coming forth forth of of "every
"every man in
in his
his own order"
order"
(1 Cor. 15:23). First came the
(1 Cor. 15:23). First
the resurrection
resurrection of of Christ,
Christ, the the
first fruits. Then comes that
first fruits. that of the saints
of the saints at the second
at the second
advent. And now,
advent. now, in Revelation 20,
in Revelation 20, atat the
the dose
close of of
the thousand years,
the thousand years, the
the wicked come forth.
forth. There is
is
definitely aa resurrection
definitely resurrection of of the just and of
the just the unjust
of the unjust
(Acts 24: 15).
(Acts 24:15). These resurrections
resurrections are
are a
a thousand
thousand years
years
apart (Rev.
apart (Rev. 20:4,
20:4, 5)-the
5) the first
first unto
unto life
life and the
the second
second
to damnation (John
to (John 5:29).
5:29).
hosts of
With hosts of others,
others, we hold hold to the literal
to the literal first
first resur-
resur-
rection
rection (Greek, anastasis*),
(Greek, anastasis*), as
as being
being that
that of
of the
the body.
body.
We firmly
firmly believe
believe that
that the
the two
two resurrections-the
resurrections the first
first
as
as well
well asas the
the second-are
second are literal,literal, physical,
physical, corporeal,
corporeal,
and that
that the
the first resurrection is
first resurrection is confined
confined to to the
the saints,
saints,
and precedes
precedes that that of of thethe sinners-the
sinners the "rest
"rest of of the the
dead"t-by
dead"t by the
the millennial
millennial thousand years. Language
years. Language
could not
could not be plainer
plainer in in establishing
establishing the the fact
fact ofof twotwo
resurrections.
resurrections.
We therefore
therefore totally
totally reject
reject the
the "spiritual"
"spiritual firstfirst resur-
5 '
resur-
rection hypotheses
rection hypotheses of of Augustinianism, postmillennial-
Augustinianism, postmillennial-
ism,
ism, and amillennialism
amillennialism as being wholly
as being wholly at variance
at variance
with the
with the inspired
inspired declarations.
declarations. We believe
believe that
that both
both
*Anastasis is thirty-nine
*Anastasis is thirty ... nine times
times rendered c'resurrection," and three
rendered "resurrection," three times
times "rising."
"rising."
tThere should
fThere should be be no uncertainty
uncertainty here.
here. That the
the "rest
"rest of 'the dead" can
of the can only be
only be
taken to
taken to mean thethe wicked
wicked dead,
dead, is
is held
held by
by Alford.
Alford. Faussett,
Faussett. Elliott, Milligan, Peta-
Elliott, Milligan, Peta-
vius,
vius, Gaebelein,
Gaebelein, Scofield, Morgan, Torrey,
Scofield, Morgan, Torrey, Moorehead,
Moore&ead, andana many
many others.
others.
503
resurrections are
resurrections are of
of those
those who have been
been literally dead
literally dead
and who areare literally
literally raised
raised from the
the dead.
dead.
We are in
Weare in complete
complete agreement with the
agreement with the sound
contention
contention of
of Dean Henry Alford (The
Henry Alford (The Greek
Greek Testa-
Testa-
ment, 1884,
ment, vol. 4,
1884, vol. 4, pp.
pp. 732,
732, 733),
733), who declared:
declared:
If in such
If in such aa passage
passage the
the first
first resurrection
resurrection maymay be be understood
understood
to
to mean spiritual
spiritual rising
rising with
with Christ,
Christ, while
while thethe second
second means
literal rising
literal rising from the grave;-then
the grave; there is
then there an end of
is an all sig-
of all sig-
nificance in
nificance in language,
language, and Scripture
Scripture is is wiped
wiped out out asas aa definite
definite
testimony to
testimony to any thing. If
any thing. the first
If the first resurrection
resurrection is is spiritual, then
spiritual, then
so is the
so is second, which
the second, which II suppose
suppose none will will be
be hardy
hardy enough
enough to to
maintain: but
maintain: but if the second
if the is literal,
second is literal, then
then so is the
so is the first, which
first, which
in common with
in with the
the whole primitive
primitive Church and many many of of the
the
best modern expositors,
best expositors, II do maintain, receive as
maintain, and receive as an article
article
of
of faith
faith and hope.
hope.
We, as as Adventists,
Adventists, believe
believe that
that man is is aa candidate
candidate
for immortality-which
for immortality which is is to be received
to be received as as a gift
a gift
through
through Christ
Christ at
at His second
second advent
advent (1
(1
Cor.
Cor. 15:51-57)
15:51-57)
-and likewise believe
and likewise believe inin unconscious
unconscious sleep
sleep in in death
pending
pending the the resurrection.
resurrection. That is
is the
the reason
reason for
for our
hope in
hope in the resurrection. We hold with
the resurrection. with the
the great Eng-
great Eng-
lish Reformer, William
lish Reformer, William Tyndale,
Tyndale, BibleBible translator
translator and
martyr, who declared:
martyr, "If their
declared: "If their souls be in
souls be in heaven,
heaven, tell
tell
me why they be not
why they not in
in asas good case as the angels
good case as the be;
angels be;
and then
and then what cause is there
cause is there ofof the
the resurrection?"
resurrection?"
Dr. William
Dr. William Temple,
Temple, the the late
late Archbishop
Archbishop of of Canter-
Canter-
bury,
bury, in
in the
the Drew Lecture
Lecture on Immortality,
Immortality, in
in October,
October,
1931,
1931, atat Sion
Sion College, London, stated
College, London, stated our view,
view, asas well
as his
as own, when he asserted:
his own, asserted:
Man isis not

not immortal
immortal by by nature
nature or
or of right; but there is
of right; is
offered to him resurrection

offered to resurrection from thethe dead and life
life eternal, if he
eternal, if
will receive
will it from
receive it from God and on God's terms. It
God's terms. It [the
[the core
core of the
the
doctrine
doctrine ofof the
the future life1 is
future life] is aa doctrine,
doctrine, not of of ["natural"]
["natural"]
Immortality, but of
Immortality, Resurrection.
of Resurrection.
504 QUESTIONS
X.
X. Satan
Satan Loosed
Loosed Briefly at Millennium's
Briefly at Millennium's Close
Close
The scenescene on earth earth is is indeed aa gloomy

indeed gloomy oneone
wrecks of
wrecks of once-inhabited
once-inhabited cities, cities, and the the ruin
ruin of of pomp
pomp
and splendor-grim
and splendor grim reminders
reminders of
of the
the teeming
teeming world
that Satan
that Satan had led led inin futile rebellion against
futile rebellion against God. And
now, at
now, at the
the dose
close ofof the thousand years,
the thousand years, Christ,
Christ, accom-
panied by
panied by all
all the
the saints, descends to earth
saints, descends earth in in awesome
power, glory,
power, glory, and majesty,
majesty, to
to execute
execute judgment upon
judgment upon
the
the wicked.
wicked. He then then bids
bids the the wicked dead to rise.
to rise.
And in in answer to to the
the summons,
summons, the mighty host,
the mighty host, num-
berless
berless as the sands
as the sands of the sea,
of the responds (Rev.
sea, responds 20:8). Not
(Rev. 20:8).
only
only the
the "sea"
"sea" but
but "death"
"death" (sin's
(sin's inseparable ally)
inseparable ally) and
"hell" (Greek, hades),
"hell" (Greek, grim receptacle
hades), grim receptacle of
of death's
death's prey,
prey,
each
each delivers
delivers up up itsits quota of
quota of the the wicked dead. dead.
This is
This is in harmony with
in harmony with Isaiah's
Isaiah's description:
description: "They "They
shall be gathered
shall be gathered together,
together, as prisoners are
as prisoners are gathered
gathered in in
the pit,
the pit, and shallshall bebe shut
shut up up in in the prison, and after
the prison, after
many days
many days shall
shall they
they be be visited"
visited" (Isa. (Isa. 24:22).
24:22). But this this
second resurrection is
second resurrection is the
the resurrection
resurrection of of "damna-
tion" (John 5:29).
tion" (John 5:29). These that that now come forth forth com-
prise
prise the
the "rest
"rest of
of the
the dead,"
dead," who "lived
"lived not
not again
again un- un-
til the
til the thousand
thousand years years were finished"
finished" (Rev. 20:5).""
(Rev. 20:5).*
And thethe nations
nations of of Gog
Gog and Magog Magog are are revived
revived by by
means of, of, or
or resulting
resulting from,from, the second resurrection.
the second resurrection.
they overspread
And they overspread the the earth.
earth.
The wicked
wicked are raised with
are raised with the the same rebellious
rebellious
spirit
spirit that
that possessed
possessed them in
in life,
life, and stand
stand in
in the
the
presence
presence of
of the
the Eternal.
Eternal. They
They see
see the
the vast
vast city
city of
of God,
God,
*Whlle
*While some claim that the
claim that the clause,
clause, "the
"the rest
rest of the dead lived
of the lived not
not again
again until
until
the thousand
the thousand years
years are
are finished," is spurious,
finished," is the English
spurious, the EnjIlish Revised,
Revised, American
American Revised,
Revised,
and Revised
Revised Standard,
Standard, as as well
well as
as Rotherham, TlSchendorf, Westcott
Rotherham, Tischendorf, Westcott and
and Hort,
Hort,
Griesbach Wordsworth, Lachmann,
Griesbach, Wordsworth, Lachmann, Tre!lelles, Nestle, Weymouth,
Tregelles, Nestle, Weymouth, andand Alford
Alford all
all
retain it. In
retain it. fact, only
In fact, only one major
majot manuscript,
manuscrIpt, the
the Codex Sinaiticus, omits the
Sinaiticus, omits the clause.
clause.
505
the
the New Jerusalem, descends from God out
Jerusalem, which descends out of
of
heaven (Rev.
heaven (Rev. 21:2,
21:2, 3). Christ returns to the
3). Christ returns to the same
Mount
of Olives,
of Olives, outside
outside Old Jerusalem
Jerusalem (Zech. (Zech. 14:4),
14:4), from
which He ascended after after HisHis resurrection,
resurrection, when the the
angelic messengers gave
angelic messengers gave assurance of assurance of His return
return from
heaven (Acts(Acts 1:9-12).
1:9-12).
Through
Through the
the resurrection of
resurrection the wicked,
of the wicked, Satan
Satan is is
thus
thus "loosed"
"loosed" for for a a "little
"little season"
season" (Rev. 20:
(Rev. 20:3). 3). His
His
enforced idleness is
enforced idleness is over,
over, after his thousand-year
after his thousand-year period period
of
of captivity (verses
captivity (verses 7,
7, 8). Desperate hope springs
8). Desperate hope springs once
once
again
again in
in his
his evil
evil heart
heart as
as he
he sees
sees the
the innumerable
hosts of
hosts of the
the wicked of of all ages. Then comes the
all ages. the last
last
mighty struggle
mighty struggle for for supremacy. Deceiving them into
supremacy. Deceiving into
thinking
thinking that
that they
they can
can take
take the
the city
city of
of God,
God, he
he marshals
marshals
the wicked hordes
the wicked hordes into into frenzied battle array
frenzied battle array inin a a final,
final,
futile assault
futile assault '
** ' upon
upon the "camp of the saints," the be-
the "camp of the saints," the be-
loved Holy
loved Holy City,
City, in in an an endeavor
endeavor to to overthrow
overthrow the the
kingdom of
kingdom of God (verses (verses 8, 9). The wicked
8, 9). wicked who stub- stub-
bornly
bornly refused
refused an entrance
entrance into
into the
the City
City of
of God through
through
the merits of
the merits of Christ's
Christ's sacrificial
sacrificial atonement,
atonement, now deter- deter-
mine to to gain
gain admission
admission and control control by by siege
siege and battle.
battle.
The lastlast act
act in the great
in the great conflict
conflict ofof the
the ages
ages now
takes place,
takes place, as as the the entire
entire human race race meets
meets faceface to to
face for the
face for the firstfirst and last last time.
time. Satan's supreme at-
Satan's supreme at-
tempt proves
tempt proves that
that he
he is
is still
still in
in rebellion,
rebellion, and evil
evil men
show themselves
themselves still to be only
still to only evil.
evil. The eternal
eternal separa-
separa-
tion of the righteous
tion of the righteous from the
the wicked is
is now irrevoca-
irrevoca-
bly fixed.
bly fixed. Then,
Then, from the the great white throne,
great white throne, the the
sentence
sentence of of doom is is pronounced upon
pronounced upon the
the wicked.
wicked.
*"Went up"up" (verse

(verse 9),
9), according
according toto Diisterdieck,
Diisterdieck, is
is an idiomatic
idiomatic expression
expression for
lor
aa military expedition, the
military expedition, place of
the place of attack usually being
attack usually bemg an elevated pOSltion-here,
elevated position here,
that of JJerusalem
that of erusalem-seen
seen from
from all quarters. In
all quarters. In other words, it
other words, is aa portrayal
it is portrayal of
of an
an
invading
invading army
army overspreading
overspreading thethe land.
land.
506 QUESTIONS
And the sentence is
the sentence Is followed
followed byby immediate execution.
execution.
It Is
It is evidently
evidently during this last
during this episode that
last episode that the
the
Master's words
Master's words come to pass: "There shall
to pass: shall bebe weep-
weep-
ing and gnashing
ing gnashing of
of teeth,
teeth, when yeye shall
shall see
see Abraham,
Abraham,
and Isaac,
Isaac, and Jacob,
Jacob, and all
all the
the prophets,
prophets, in
in the king-
the king-
dom of of God,
God, and youyou yourselves thrust out"
yourselves thrust out" (Luke
(Luke
13:28).
13:28).
XI.
XI. Final Destruction of
Final Destruction of Satan
Satan and the
the Wicked
The drama of the ages
of the ends in
ages ends in Satan's final and
Satan's final
irrevocable overthrow,
irrevocable overthrow, and his utter extinction
his utter extinction-as
as well
well
as that
as of all
that of all who follow
follow him-when
him when fire fire comes down
from God out out ofof heaven and devours devours him (2 (2 Peter
Peter
3:10,
3:10, II;
11; Rev. 20:9). The very
Rev. 20:9). very surface
surface of of the
the earth
earth ap-ap-
pears to
pears melt, and becomes
to melt, becomes aa vastvast seething
seething "lake
"lake of of fire"
fire"
(Rev. 20: 10), for

(Rev. 20:10), the judgment
for the judgment and "perdition
"perdition of of un-
un-
godly men" (2
godly (2 Peter
Peter 3:7).
3:7).* '*
The earth
earth burns
burns "as an oven";
"as an oven"; thethe wicked
wicked "shall
"shall
be stubble:
be stubble: and the the day
day that
that cometh
cometh shall
shall burn them
up,
up, saith
saith thethe Lord of of hosts"
hosts" (Mal. 4: 1). So in
(Mai 4:1). in thethe
cleansing
cleansing flames
flames ofof the
the final conflagration, the
final conflagration, the wicked
wicked
-Satan,
Satan, evil
evil angels,
angels, and impenitent
impenitent men men-are are all
all at
at
last destroyed
last by
destroyed by fire, fire, root
root and branch.
branch. Even death
death
and hades,
hades, joint
joint partners,
partners, are are cast
cast into
into this
this lake
lake ofof fire
fire
(Rev. 20: 14),

(Rev. 20:14), with
with no release,
release, no escape
escape from its
its dread
destruction. The punishment

destruction. punishment is is everlasting
everlasting (Matt.
(Matt. 25: 25:
46),t
46),f and constitutes
constitutes the
the second death,
death, from which
**According
According to to 22 Peter
Peter 3: 3-13, the
3:3-13, the ancient
ancient world
world that
that perished
perished in in the
the flood of
flood of
water prefigured
water prefigured the
the final deluge of
final deluge of fire. In this
fire. In this overwhelming
overwhelming conflagration
conflagration not only
not only
do thethe ungodly
ungodly perish, but the
perish, but the verx
very earth dissolves! and its
earth dissolves, its evil
evil works
work. are
are burned
up. The "elements"
up. "elements" are not annihilated,
are not annihilated, butbut are
are 'melted,"
melted," and so every taint
so every of
taint of
sm and trace of the
trace of the curse are purged
curse are purged away.
away.
tt "Everlasting ~unishment"
"Everlasting punishment" (Matt. 25:46)
(Matt. 25:46) is
is not
not endless
endless punishing,
punishing, nor
nor is
is "ever-
"ever-
lasting
lasting destruction'
ig destruction
1**
(2
(2 11.ess.
Thess. 1:9)
1:9) endless destroying, any
endless destroying, any more than than "eternal
"eternal
507
there is no resurrection.
there Is resurrection. In
In this
this we are in accord
are in with
accord with
the late
the Archbishop William Temple,
late Archbishop Temple, already
already cited,
cited,
who, in
who, in discussing
discussing "the ultimate fate
"the ultimate fate of the soul
of the which
soul which
refuses the
refuses the love
love of
of God," record thus:
God/' went on record thus:
thing we can
One thing can say with confidence:
say with confidence: everlasting
everlasting torment
is to
is to be ruled out. If
ruled out. If men had not imported the
not imported the Greek
Greek and un-un·
biblical notion
biblical notion of
of the
the natural indestructibility of
natural indestructibility the individual
of the individual
soul, and then
soul, then read
read the Testament with
the New Testament with that
that already in
already in
their minds, they
their minds, they would havehave drawn fromfrom itit a belief, not
a belief, not in
in
everlasting torment,
everlasting torment, butbut in annihilation. It
in annihilation. is the
It is the fire
fire that is
that is
called aeonian,
called aeonian, not
not the
the life into h.-Christian
cast into
life cast it. Faith and
Christian Faith
Life, 1931,
Life, p. 81
1931, p. 81 (address
(address inin 1931 in University
1931 in University Church at Ox·
at Ox-
ford).
ford).
This fire was prepared

fire was prepared primarily
primarily for
for the
the devil
devil and
his angels
his angels (Matt.
(Matt. 25:41).
25:41). But it it engulfs all who choose
engulfs all
to follow
to follow them.
them. This is is the fire of
the fire of Gehenna that that com-
pletely
pletely consumes
consumes everything consigned
everything consigned thereto
thereto (Mark
(Mark
9:43-48). foretold: "Upon
9:43-48). David foretold: "Upon the the wicked
wicked he shall shall
rain snares
rain snares ["quick burning
["quick burning coals,"
coals," margin],
margin], fire
fire and
brimstone, and an horrible
brimstone, horrible tempest:
tempest: this
this shall
shall bebe the
the
portion
portion of
of their
their cup" (Ps. 11:6).
cup" (Ps. 11:6). Such is
is the
the final
final doom
that ends forever
that ends forever the long rebellion
the long rebellion against
against God,
God, HisHis
law,
law, and His
His government.
government.
upon the
But upon the righteous,
righteous, who were raised
raised in the first
in the first
resurrection, "the
resurrection, "the second death
death hath
hath no power"
power" (Rev.
(Rev.
20:6).
20:6). The saints
saints dwell without harm in
dwell without the city
in the of
city of
God,
God, amid "the
"the devouring fire"
devouring fire" and the
the "everlasting
"everlasting
burnings" (Isa.
burnings" 33: 14). While to
(Isa. 33:14). the wicked,
to the wicked, God is is aa
"consuming
"consuming fire"
fire" (Heb. 12:29),
(Heb. 12:29), to
to the
the righteous
righteous He is
is
aa protecting
protecting shield.
shield.
Out of
of the
the smoldering ruins of
smoldering ruins this old
of this old earth,
earth, there
there
salvation" (Heb. 5:9)

salvation" (Heb. is endless
5:9) is endless saving,
saving, or
or "eternal judgment" (Heb.
"eternal judgment" (Heb. 6:2)
6:2) is
is endless
endless
judging. The "eternal"
judging. pertains to
Heternal" pertains the result,
to the result) and not
not to
to the
the process.
process.
QUESTIONS
springs
springs forth
forth "a new heaven and a a new earth" (Rev. (Rev.
21: I)
21:1) wherein the redeemed find
find their everlast-
their everlast-
ing inheritance
ing inheritance and dwelling place. When the
dwelling place. the new
earth appears, mourning,
earth appears, mourning, tears,
tears, pain,
pain, and death are are
all
all "passed away" (Rev.
"passed away" (Rev. 21:4). 21:4). Death is
is destroyed
destroyed (1 (1
Cor. 15:26;
Cor. 15:26; Rev. 21 :4).
21:4). There is
is no more curse curse (Rev.
(Rev.
22:3), and God is
22:3), is aU in all
all in aU (1(1 Cor. 15:28).
15:28).
dose of
The close of thethe millennium marks the the begin-
begin-
ning
ning of
of the
the eternal
eternal new earth
earth state.
state. The millennial
millennial
events
events are
are all
all of
of divine wisdom,
wisdom, divine
divine grace,
grace, divine
divine
power,
power, and divine
divine intervention.
intervention. In this
this way,
way, and at
at
this time,
this time, we understand the the redeemed of of all nations
all nations
will
will come into
into thethe promised
promised possession
possession of of the ever-
ever-
lasting kingdom
lasting kingdom of
of glory,
glory, for
for which they
they have so
so long
long
waited (Dan. 7:
(Dan. 7:18;18; Rev. 22:5).
22:5).
Ellen G. White beautifully
beautifully expresses
expresses our conviction:
conviction:
The great
great controversy
controversy is
is ended. Sin and sinners
sinners are
are no more.
more.
The entire
entire universe
universe is
is clean. pulse of
clean. One pulse of harmony
harmony and gladness
gladness
beats through
beats the vast
through the vast creation.
creation. From Him who created all,
created all,
flow life
life and light
light and gladness, throughout the
gladness, throughout the realms
realms of
of
illimitable space. From the
illimitable space. the minutest
minutest atom toto the
the greatest
greatest world,
world,
all
all things,
things, animate and inanimate,
inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty
in their beauty
perfect joy,
and perfect joy. declare
declare that
that God isis love."
love."-The
The Great Con·
Con-
troversy, p. 678.
troversy, p. 678.
IX. Questions on Immortality
Questions on Immortality
Innate or Conditional Immortality
Innate or Conditional
Immortality
QUESTION
QUESTION 40 -
What is the Adventist

is the Adventist teaching regarding
teaching regarding
the immortality
the immortality of
of the
the soul?
soul? What do yon under-
you
stand by
stand by the
the terms
terms "soul"
"soul" and "spirit,"
"spirit/' and what
is the relationship
is the the two?
relationship between the two? Are they
they
synonymous
synonymous and interchangeable
interchangeable terms?
terms?
There have long

long been two schools
schools of thought on
of thought
this
this question.
question. Some have
have maintained that
that man waswas
created mortal,
created mortal, so
so far
far as
as his body was
his body was concerned,
concerned,
but that
that he possessed
possessed an immortal entity called either
entity called either
a "soul"
a "soul" or
or a
a "spirit."
"spirit." Others have
have felt equally certain
felt equally certain
that not in
that man was not in any
any sense created immortal.*
sense created immortal. They
They *
have been
have been convinced that man was not
convinced that not in possession of
in possession of
an ethereal
ethereal soul,
soul, or
or spirit,
spirit, which survived
survived death as
as aa
conscious entity,
conscious entity, apart
apart from the
the body.
body.
Before we can discuss
Before the question
discuss the question of immortality,
of immortality,
either innate or
either innate or conditional,
conditional, it
it would seem best
best to
to
define
define our terms; hence we will
our terms; will answer the
the second
question
question first.
first. In
In a
a case
case like this, where there
like this, there is
is aa
difference of
difference of understanding
understanding regarding the
regarding the meaning
meaning ofof
basis for
*The basis for such
such a conclusion is
a conclusion the statement
is the statement of
of God to to man in
in Eden: "In
the day
the day that
that thou
thou eatest thereof thou shalt
eatest thereof shalt surely die" (Gen.
surely die" (Gen. 2:17).
2:17). The fact
fact that
that
was created
man was created with the possibility
with the possibility of
of dying
dying should
should he sin,
sin, evidences the fact that
the fact that
he was not
he not immortal.
immortal.
511
511
512
QUESTIONS
words,
words, should let
we should let the
the Bible
Bible itself,
itself, with
with the
the help
help of
of
the original
the original language
language usages,
usages, define
define its
its own terms.
terms.
The Bible Meaning

Meaning of
of "Soul"
"Soul"
In the
In the Old
Old Testament
Testament the
the word "soul"
"soul" is
is translated
translated
from nephesh,
from nephesh, aa Hebrew word that that occurs
occurs 755
755 times
times
in the
in the Old Testament.
Testament. It It is
is most
most frequently
frequently translated
translated
"soul," but
"soul/* it is
but it is also
also translated
translated in
in many
many other
other ways.
ways.
Nephesh comes
Nephesh comes from
from the
the root
root naphash,
naphash, aa verb
verb oc-
oc-
curring only
curring only three
three times
times in
in the
the Old Testament (Ex.
(Ex.
23: 12; 31:17;
23:12; 31: 17; 22 Sam. 16: 14), each
16:14), each time
time meaning
meaning "to
"to
revive oneself"
revive oneself" oror "to refresh oneself."
"to refresh oneself." The verb
verb seems
seems
to go
to go back
back toto the
the basic
basic meaning
meaning of of breathing.
breathing.
A definition
definition for nephesh may
for nephesh may be
be derived
derived from the
the
Bible account
Bible account of
of the
the creation
creation of
of (Gen. 2:7).
man (Gen. 2:7). The
record
record states that when God gave
states that life to
gave life to the
the body
body He
had formed,
formed, thethe man literally
literally "became aa soul soul of life."
of life."
The "soul" had not
"soul" had not previously
previously existed, but came into
existed, but into
existence at
existence the creation
at the creation of of Adam. A new soul soul comes
into
into existence
existence every
every time
time a a child
child is
is born.
born. Each birth birth
represents
represents a
a new unit
unit of
of life
life uniquely
uniquely different
different and
separate
separate from similar
similar units.
units. The new unit
unit can never
never
merge
merge into unit. It
into another unit. It will
will always
always bebe itself.
itself. There
may
may bebe countless
countless individuals
individuals like
like it,
it, but none that that is
is
exactly
exactly that
that unit.
unit. This uniqueness
uniqueness of
of individuality
individuality
seems
seems toto be the
the idea
idea emphasized
emphasized in in the
the Hebrew term
nephesh.
nephesh.
N ephesh is
Nephesh is applied not
applied not onlyonly to
to men but to to animals.
animals.
The clause
clause "let
"let the
the waters
waters bring
bring forth
forth abundantly
abundantly the the
moving
moving creature
creature that
that hath life"
life" (Gen. 1:20)
(Gen. 1:20) is
is literally,
literally,
"let
"let the
the waters
waters swarm swarms of of souls
souls ofof life
life [individ-
[individ-
CONDITIONAL IMMORTALITY 513
uals of life]."
uals of life]/' Hence animals as well as
as well beings
as human beings
are "souls."
are "souls."
This basicbasic ideaidea of of "soul"
"soul" beingbeing the the individual
individual
rather than a constituent
rather than constituent part part ofo the the individual
individual seems
to underlie the
to underlie the various
various occurrences
occurrences of of nephesh.
nephesh. It is
It is
therefore more accurate
therefore to say that a certain
accurate to say that a certain person is person is
a soul
a than to
soul than to say
say he has has aa soul.
soul. This is clearly ex-
is clearly ex-
pressed in
pressed in Genesis
Genesis 2:7: 2:7: "Man became a a living
living soul."
soul."
From the the basic
basic idea
idea ofof aa nephesh
nephesh being being an individ-
individ-
ual, or aa person,
ual, or person, springs
springs the
the idiomatic
idiomatic use
use of
of nephesh
nephesh
for the personal
for the personal pronoun.
pronoun. Expressions
Expressions such as as "my
"my
soul"
soul" are idiomatic for "I," "me"; "thy soul," for "you";
are idiomatic for "I," "me"; "thy soul," for "you";
"their
"their soul,"
soul," for for "they"
"they" or or "them."
Since
Since eacheach new nephesh represents aa new unit
nephesh represents unit ofof
life, nephesh is
life, nephesh is often
often used synonymously
synonymously with
with "life."
"life."
In 119 instances
In instances the the K.J.V.
K.J.V. translates nephesh by
translates nephesh by
"life,"
"life," and there
there are
are other
other instances
instances where "life"
"life" would
have been aa more accurate
have accurate translation.
translation.
The majority
majority of the occurrences
of the occurrences of of nephesh
nephesh may may be
appropriately
appropriately translated
translated by "person,"
by "person," "individual,"
"individual,"
"life,"
"life," or or by the appropriate
by the personal pronoun.
appropriate personal pronoun. "The
souls that they
souls that they had gotten
gotten in
in Haran" (Gen. 12:5)
(Gen. 12:5) is is
simply
simply "the
"the persons
persons that
that they
they had gotten
gotten in
in Haran."
"That soulsoul shall
shall bebe cut off" (Lev.
cut off" (Lev. 19:8) is simply
19:8) is simply "he
shall
shall bebe cutcut off."
off."
When we turn turn to the New Testament,
to the Testament, we find find that
that
the word "soul"
the "soul" is is translated
translated from the the Greek word
psuche, with
psuche, with thethe meanings
meanings "life,"
"life," "breath,"
"breath," or or "sou1."
"soul."
Psuche is translated
Psuche is translated forty forty times
times in
in the
the New Testament
as
as "life"
"life" or or "lives,"
"lives," clearly with the
clearly with the meaning
meaning commonly
commonly
attributed
attributed to to the
the word "life" (Matt. 2:20;
"life" (Matt. 2:20; 6:25;
6:25; 16:16:
25).
25).
It
It is rendered
is rendered fifty-eight
fifty-eight times
times as
as "soul"
"soul" or "souls"
"souls"
17
17
514
QUESTIONS
(Matt. 10:28;
(Matt. 10:28; 11:29;
11:29; 12:18).
12: 18). InIn some oof these these in-in-
stances
stances it
it means simply "people" (Acts
simply "people" (Acts 7:14; 27:37; 7: 14; 27:37;
Peter 3:20).
11 Peter 3:20). In In other
other instances
instances it is translated
it is translated as,as, or
or
equivalent
equivalent to,
to, some personal pronoun
personal pronoun (Matt. (Matt. 12: 18;
12:18;
2 Cor.
2 Cor. 12:15).
12: 15). At times times it refers to
it refers to the
the emotions
emotions
(Mark 14:34;
(Mark 14:34; Luke 2:35),
2:35), to
to the
the natural
natural appetites
appetites
(Rev. 18:14),
(Rev. 18:14), to to the
the mind (Acts (Acts 14:2; Phil. 1:27),
14:2; Phil. 1:27), oror
to the
to the heart
heart (Eph.
(Eph. 6:6).
6: 6). There is is nothing
nothing in in the
the word
itself that
psuche itself
psuche that even
even remotely
remotely implies
implies aa conscious
conscious
entity that is able to
entity that is able to survive survive the
the death
death of
of the
the body.
body.
there is
And there nothing in
is nothing in the
the Bible
Bible useuse ofof the
the word indi-
indi-
cating
cating that
that the
the Bible
Bible writers
writers held
held any
any such
such belief.
belief.
We fully
fully concur
concur with with the the following
following paragraphs
paragraphs
from aa well-known
from well-known British
British scholar,
scholar, H. Wheeler Robin- Robin-
son, M.A.,
son, M.A., former
former principal
principal of
of Regents
Regents Park College,
College,
London, appearing
London, appearing in in his book, Hebrew Psychology:
his book, Psychology:
Nephesh is
Nephesh not at
is not at all
all adequately rendered by
adequately rendered by "soul." Literary
"soul." Literary
usage shows
usage shows that
that there
there are three more or
are three or less
less distinct meanings
distinct meanings
covered
covered byby the
the word.
word ....
. . first group
The first
. group relates
relates to
to the
the principle
principle
of life, without
of life, without any
any emphasis
emphasis on what we should call its
should call physical
its physical
side. Thus the

side. the Israelite
Israelite captain.
captain, threatened
threatened with destruction.
destruction,
says
says to
to Elijah,
Elijah, "Let my nephesh
"Let my nephesh and the the nephesh
nephesh [life]
[life]
of
of these
these
fifty
fifty thy
thy servants
servants bebe precious
precious in thy sight
in thy sight (2 Kings 1:13)."
(2 Kings 1:13)."
Here the
the proper
proper rendering
rendering is
is "life."
"life," as
as in
in the R.V
the R.V.,.• though
though inin
Jer.
Jer. 38: 16 the
38:16 the K.J.V.
K.J.V. has
has "As the the Lord liveth. that made us
liveth, that us this
this
soul"
soul" where "life" should be
"life" should be rendered.
rendered.
There remains aa second group group of of usages.
usages, the
the only
only one thatthat
can
can be called
called physical
physical inin the
the proper
proper sensesense (though,
(though, for
for the
the He-
brew,
brew, "physical" includes much that
"physical" includes that we should call call physiological;
physiological;
they
they simply
simply do not not distinguish
distinguish the the two).
two). In this group nephesh
this group nephesh
denotes
denotes thethe human consciousness
consciousness in in its
its full
full extent.
extent, as
as in
in Job
Job l'():
16:
4:
4: "I
"I also
also speak
speak like you, if
like you. your nephesh
if your nephesh were instead
instead ofof my
my
nephesh
nephesh [soul)."
[soul]."
There is is no reason
reason to to doubt that that the
the primary
primary meaning
meaning of of
nephesh
nephesh was "breath."
"breath," like
like that
that of of the Arabic, Nafsun--soul
the Arabic, Nafsun soul
(Nafasun-breath),
(Nafasun breath), though though there
there is is but one instance
instance in in the
the Old
in which "breath"
Testament in "breath" is
is the natural rendering.
the natural rendering. It is
It is
found in Job 41:
in Job 41:19·21.
19-21.
If
If then we ask ask the question, "What is
the question, is man?" and try try to
to an-
an-
swer it, not in
it, not the old
in the theological, but
old theological, but inin the
the new physiological
physiological
fashion, we shall
fashion, shall see, that for
see, that the Hebrew,
for the Hebrew, man is a unity,
is a unity, and
that
that that unity in
that unity in a body is
a body is aa complex
complex of
of parts,
parts, drawing
drawing their
their
life and activity
life activity from
from aa breath-soul, which has
breath-soul, which has no no existence
existence
apart
apart from the the body.
body.
The Hebrews had never never thought
thought of
of aa disembodied
disembodied soul.-
soul.
Quoted
Quoted by by the
the Methodist
Methodist leader,
leader, Arthur
Arthur S. Peake, in
S. Peake, in The People
People
and the Oxford: Clarendon
Book. Oxford:
the Book. Clarendon Press,
Press, 1925.
1925.
In harmony
harmony with the foregoing we as
the foregoing as Adventists
Adventists be-
be-
lieve that, in
lieve that, in general,
general, the
the Scriptures
Scriptures teach
teach that
that the
the soul
soul
of man represents
of represents the
the whole man, not aa particular
man, and not particular
part independent
part independent of
of the
the other
other component parts of
component parts of man's
nature; and further,
nature; further, that
that the
the soul
soul cannot exist apart from
exist apart
the body,
the body, for
for man is is a unit.
a unit.
The Bible
Bible Definition
Definition of
of "Spirit"
"Spirit"
Some Bible
Bible students, recognizing that
students, recognizing that the
the word
"soul"
"soul" asas used
used inin the
the Old Testament hardly hardly supports
supports thethe
idea that
idea that man possesses
possesses a
a separate, component
separate, component part part that
that
can survive
can survive thethe death of the body,
of the body, have
have turned
turned to to
Ecclesiastes 12: 7 to support
Ecclesiastes 12:7 to support the
the doctrine
doctrine that
that man has
has
an immortal something
an something that that can exist
exist apart
apart from the the
body.
body. This
This text
text reads,
reads, "Then shall
shall the
the dust
dust return
return to
to
the earth
the earth asas it was: and the
it was: the spirit
spirit shall
shall return
return unto
unto
God who gave gave it."
it."
The word "spirit"

"spirit" inin this
this text is translated
text is translated from the the
Hebrew word mach, ruach, which has
has the various
various meanings
meanings
of "breath,"
of "breath," "wind,"
"wind," and "spirit."
"spirit." InIn the
the Old Testa-
Tesâ-
ment, mach is
ment, ruach translated "breath"
is translated "breath" of of the
the body
body 33 33 times,
times,
as in
as in Ezekiel
Ezekiel 37:5;
37:5; "wind" 117
117 times,
times, as
as in
in Genesis
Genesis
8: 1; "spirit"
8:1; "spirit" 76 times in
76 times in the
the sense
sense of vitality (Judges
of vitality (Judges
516
QUESTIONS
15:19);
15:19); "courage"
"courage" (Joshua (Joshua 2:11); 2:11); temper
temper or or "anger"
"anger"
(Judges
(Judges 8: 3); and in
8:3); reference to
in reference the disposition
to the disposition (Isa. (Isa.
54:6).
54:6). Ruach is
is also
also used
used to describe
describe the
the living prin-
living prin-
ciple in
ciple in men and animals animals 25 25 times,
times, as as in in Psalm 146: 146:
4;
4; the
the seat
seat of
of the
the emotions
emotions 3
3 times,
times, as
as in
in 1
1 Samuel I:
1:
15;
15; the
the "mind" 9 times, as
9 times, as in Ezekiel 11:5;
in Ezekiel 11:5; and of of the
the
Spirit
Spirit of
of God 94
94 times,
times, as
as in
in Isaiah
Isaiah 63:
63:10.10. In
In not
not one
one
of
of the 379 instances
the 379 instances of of its use in
its use the Old Testament
in the
does mach
does ruach denotedenote that
that in
in man there
there is aa separate
is separate entity
entity
capable
capable of of conscious
conscious existence
existence apart apart from the the physical
physical
body. In
body. In Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 12:7, 12:7, that
that which returnsreturns to to God,
God,
believe, is
we believe, is the
the life
life principle imparted
principle imparted to
to man by
by
God.
When we turn turn to to the Testament, we find
the New Testament, that
find that
the
the word "spirit"
"spirit" is translated
is translated 2
2 times
times from the
the Greek
phantasmal and 288
word phantasma, 288 times
times from pneuma. pneuma. The
Greek word pneuma
Greek pneuma is is translated
translated in in thethe KJ.V.
K.J.V. 288 288
times
times as as "spirit,"
"spirit," 93
93 times
times as
as "ghost" (modern
"ghost" (modern revisions
revisions
have
have entirely
entirely abandoned the the useuse of the word "ghost"
of the "ghost"
in favor
in favor of of "spirit,"
"spirit/' where
where the
the word pneuma is
pneuma is being
being
translated), 11 time
translated), time as as "life,"
"life," 1 time as
1 time as "wind,"
"wind," and 1 1
time as
time as "spiritual."
"spiritual."
Pneuma is is used
used (I) (1) of air in
of air in motion,
motion, suchsuch as as "wind"
in John
in John 3:8,3:8, and "breath"
"breath" in
in Revelation
Revelation 11:11; (2)
11: 11; of
(2) of
the principle
the principle of of life,
life, asas inin Luke 8:55; 8:55; (3)(3) of of the
the frame
frame
of mind,
of mind, disposition,
disposition, influence,
influence, or
or attitudes
attitudes that
that gov-
gov-
ern man,
man, the
the basis
basis of
of his
his character,
character, as
as in
in 1
1 Corinthians
Corinthians
4:21; 22 Corinthians
4:21; Corinthians 12: 12:18;18; (4)(4) ofof incorporeal
incorporeal beings, beings,
such as
such as angels
angels (Heb. (Heb. 1: 14),
1:14), demons,
demons, or
or evil
evil spirits
spirits
(Matt. 8: 16);
(Matt. 8:16); (5) (5) of
of the
the Holy Spirit,
Holy Spirit, as
as in
in Matthew
1: 18, et
1:18, et cetera.
cetera. There are also other
are also other shades
shades of of meaning
meaning
related to
related to the
the applications
applications cited cited here.
here.
517
There isis nothing Inherent

nothing inherent in the word pneuma
In the pneuma by by
which it may be
it may be taken
taken to
to mean some supposed
supposed conscious
conscious
entity of man capable
entity of capable of
of existing apart
existing apart from the
the body,
body,
does the
nor does the usage
usage of
of the
the word with
with resjJect
respect to
to man in
In
the New Testament in
the any way imply such a concept.
In any way imply such a concept.
Is
Is Either the Soul
Either the Soul or the Spirit
or the Spirit Immortal?
As far far asas the Bible is

the Bible Is concerned,
concerned, the the word "im- "Im-
mortal"
mortal" is applied
is
applied only only to
to God:
God: "Now unto
unto the
the King
King
eternal,
eternal, immortal, invisible, the
immortal, invisible, only wise
the only wise God,God, be be
honour and glory glory forfor ever
ever and ever" ever" (1 (1 Tim. I: 17).
1:17).
This is is the
the only
only occurrence
occurrence of
of the
the word in
in the
the Scrip-
Scrip-
tures.
tures. Innate immortality
immortality is ascribed only
is ascribed only to to Deity:
Deity: "I "I
give
give thee
thee charge
charge in in the
the sight
sight of of God,
God, ... who is
. . . the
is the
blessed and only

blessed only Potentate,
Potentate, the
the King
King of
of kings,
kings, and
Lord of of lords;
lords; who only only hath
hath immortality"
immortality" (1 (1 Tim. 6: 6:
13-16).
13-16). The gift of immortality is promised
gift of immortality is promised to man, to man,
and he is Is urged to
urged to seek seek forfor itit (Rom.
(Rom. 2:7).2:7). In In fact,
fact, it it
is
is promised to
promised to the
the faithful
faithful at
at the
the second
second coming
coming of
of
Christ:
Christ: "We shall not all
shall not all sleep
sleep [die], but we shall
[die], but shall allall
be changed, in
be changed, in aa moment,
moment, in in the
the twinkling
twinkling of of an eye,
an eye,
at the
at the last
last trump:
trump: for the trumpet
for the trumpet shall sound, and the
shall sound, the
dead shall
shall be be raised incorruptible, and we shall
raised incorruptible, shall be be
changed.
changed. For
For this
this corruptible
corruptible must put
put on incorruption,
incorruption,
and this mortal must put
this mortal put on immortality"
immortality" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 15: I!):
!)I-53).
51-53). In
In I
I Thessalonians
Thessalonians 4:
4:1616 the
the apostle
apostle makes it
it
clear that
clear that thethe "last trump" and the
"last trump" the raising
raising of of the
the dead
are
are atat the
the second advent.advent.
If
If man is urged to
is urged to seek for immortality,
seek for immortality, it is clear
it is clear
that
that he doesdoes notnot now possess
possess it.
it. At the
the creation
creation of
of man
in the beginning,
in the beginning, death was was set before him as
set before as the
the sure
sure
result of
result disobedience: "In
of disobedience: "In thethe day that thou
day that thou eatest
eatest
518 QUESTIONS
thereof [the
thereof fruit of
[the fruit of the forbidden tree]
the forbidden tree] thou shalt
shalt
surely die" (Gen.
surely die" (Gen. 2: 17). It
2:17). is obvious that
It is that man was not
not
created incapable
created incapable of
of dying. It is
dying. It Is equally clear
equally dear from the
the
account
account of the Fall
of the Fall that
that man could
could have
have lived
lived forever
forever
if he
if he had
had continued
continued to partake of
to partake of the
the tree
tree of
of life. After
life. After
Adam's sin sin God said, "Now,

said, "Now, lest lest he put forth his
put forth his hand, hand,
and take
and take also
also of the tree
of the tree of of life,
life, and eat,eat, and live live for
for
ever" (Gen.
ever" (Gen. 3:22).
3:22). It
It is
is simple to
simple to deduce from the
the
account
account of of creation
creation and of of the
the fall
fall of man, that
of man, that God
promised him eternal
promised eternal life
life on condition
condition of of obedience,
obedience,
death if
and death if he disobeyed.
disobeyed.
If
If it be thought
it be thought thatthat the
the New Testament use use of of such
expressions
expressions as
as "body
"body and soul"
soul" and "body,
"body, soul, and
soul,
spirit" may indicate
spirit" may indicate thatthat man really really isis composed
composed of of
three divisible, component
three divisible, component parts, parts, and that
that at
at least
least one
of
of them is is immortal,
immortal, we must consider consider the the following:
following:
1. Christ declared
1. Christ declared that that both soul
soul and body can
body can be
destroyed in
destroyed hell: "Fear not
in hell: not them which kill kill the
the body,
body,
but are
but are not
not able
able to to kill
kill thethe soul:
soul: but but rather
rather fearfear him
which is
which able to
is able to destroy
destroy bothboth soul
soul and body body in in hell"
hell"
(Matt.
(Matt. 10:28).
10:28).
2. A careful
2. careful study
study of of all the adjectives
all the adjectives used used in in
Scripture
Scripture to
to qualify
qualify the
the word "spirit,"
"spirit," as
as applied
applied to to
man,
man, indicates
indicates that
that not one even
even remotely approaches
remotely approaches
the idea
the idea ofof immortality
immortality as as one of of the
the qualities
qualities of the
of the
human "spirit."
"spirit."
3. The Spirit
3. Spirit ofof God is is the only spirit
the only that has
spirit that has the
the
appellative
appellative "eternal"
"eternal" (Reb. 9:
(Heb. 9:14). 14).
Seventh-day
Adventists do not not believe
believe that that thethe
whole man or or any part
any part of
of him is
is inherently
inherently immortal.
immortal.
We believe
believe the Bible picture
the Bible picture of of man is is of
of a a creature
creature
subject
subject toto death,
death, with the the possibility
possibility of of eternal
eternal life only
life only
because Christ has
because Christ has paid
paid the
the penalty
penalty for
for sin
sin and offers
offers
His life to the
life to the repentant
repentant sinner.
sinner. Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ "hath
abolished
abolished death,
death, and hath brought
brought life
life and immor-
Immor-
tality
tality to
to light through
light through the
the gospel" (2
gospel" (2 Tim. I: 10). In
1:10).
Him is is our hope-our
hope our only hope.
only hope.
Tk Condition
'[he Condition of
of
Man in Death
in Death
QUESTION 41 -
QUESTION
Why
Why do you
you not
not accept the commonly
accept the commonly held
belief
belief that
that at
at death man goes
goes either
either to heaven
to
or to
or to hell?
hell? This
This is so widely
is so widely held
held byby Christians
Christians
of most
of most denominations
denominations tha.t it has become one
that it
of
of the
the doctrines
doctrines of
of orthodoxy in
orthodoxy the minds of
in the of
most church leaders
leaders today.
today.
The condition
condition ofof man in death has
in death has intrigued
intrigued Chris-
Chris-
tian scholars
tian scholars throughout
throughout the
the centuries.
centuries. Many
Many illustrious
illustrious
leaders, back through
leaders, back through the the years, differed with
years, have differed with
one another
another over
over this
this doctrine,
doctrine, not
not a
a few dissenting
dissenting
from thethe popular view. (See
popular view. (See under Question
Question 44.) 44.)
Adventists have endeavored to
Adventzsts to follow
follow what they they be-be-
lieve
lieve toto bebe the teaching of
the teaching of Sacred Scripture
Scripture as as toto
whether, at
whether, at death,
death, man goesgoes to
to his
his reward immediately
immediately
or rests
or rests in
in the
the grave
grave awaiting
awaiting thethe morn of the resurrec-
of the resurrec-
tion.
tion.
We, as Adventists, have reached the
as Adventists, the definite
definite con-
con-
clusion that
clusion that man rests
rests in
in the
the tomb until
until the
the resurrec-
resurrec-
tion morning.
tion morning. Then,
Then, at the first
at the first resurrection
resurrection (Rev. 20:
(Rev. 20:
4,5),
4, 5), the resurrection
resurrection of the just
of the just (Acts
(Acts 24:
24: 15),
15), the
the right-
right-
eouS
eous come forthforth immortalized,
immortalized, at at the
the call
call of
of Christ
Christ
the Life-giver.
the Life-giver. And they then enter
they then enter into
into life everlasting,
life everlasting,
in their
in eternal home in
their eternal the kingdom
in the kingdom of of glory.
glory. Such
Such isis
our understanding.
understanding.
520
520
CONDITION OF MAN IN DEATH 521
521
I. Death as
I. as Set Forth In
Set Forth in Scripture
Scripture
In the
the Old Testament the the term "death" refers al-
"death'' refers al-
most exclusively
exclusively to
to physical
physical death.
death. In
In the
the New Testa-
Testa-
ment there
there are
are other
other shades
shades ofof meaning,
meaning, asas seen In the
seen in the
various Greek words
various used. The term
words used. term most
most frequently
frequently
used isis thanatoSj
thanatos> which means either either physical
physical death,
death, aa
carnal indifference to
carnal indifference to spirit\lal matters,
spiritual matters, or
or an insensi-
insensi-
bility to
bility to divine
divine things.
things. The Greek words for for "sleep"-
"sleep"
such as
such koimao, katheudo>
as koimao, katheudo, and hupnos hupnos-quite
quite often
often
rendered "sleep,"
"sleep," refer
refer in
in many
many instances
instances to
to the
the sleep
sleep
of death.
of death.
W. E. E. Vine (Expository Dictionary of
(Expository Dictionary of New Testa-
Testa-
ment Words,
Words, 1939, vol. 1,
1939, vol. p. 81)
1, p. 81) remarks:
remarks:
This metaphorical
This metaphorical use
use of the word sleep
of the sleep is
is appropriate,
appropriate, be-
be-
cause
cause of the similarity
of the in appearance
similarity in appearance between a sleeping body
a sleeping body
and aa dead body.
body.
Referring
Referring to to meanings
meanings of of "death"
"death" other than that
other than that
of physical death,
of physical death, New Testament writers writers state that
state that
those who indulge
those indulge in
in the
the pleasures
pleasures of
of wickedness
wickedness are
are
"dead" while they
"dead" while they live
live (1
(1
Tim. 5:6);
5:6); those
those who are
are
outside
outside of of Christ
Christ are
are "dead in
in trespasses
trespasses and sins"
sins"
(Eph.
(Eph. 2: 1);
2:1); those
those who are
are converted to God pass
to pass "from
death unto
death unto life"
life" (John 5:24);
(John 5:24); those
those who have been
have
born again
born again are
are now "dead indeed unto sin"
sin" (Rom.
(Rom.
6: II); and those
6:11); those who are truly the
are truly the sons of
sons of God "shall
"shall
never
never see
see death"
death" (John
(John 8:51).*
8:51).*
II. Condition
II. of Man In
Condition of in Death
The Scriptures
Scriptures clearly
clearly set
set forth the condition
forth the condition of
of
*We recognize
recognize that
that all
all men,
men, both righteous
righjeous and wicked,
wicked, die.
die. But what is
is here
here
meant is
meant that the
is that the children
children of will not experience
of God will the second
experience the srcond death.
death.
522
man in
man in death.
death. The
The following
following texts
texts answer
answer many
many of
of the
the
questions that
questions that come
come to
to mind.
mind.
Psalm
Psalm 6:5-"In
6:5 "In death
death there
there is Is no
no remembrance
remembrance .of .of thee:
thee: in in
the
the grave
grave who
who shall
shall give
give thee
thee thanks?"
thanks?"
Psalm
Psalm 30:9-"What
30:9 "What profit
profit is is there
there ... when
. .when I1 go
.
go down
down to to the
the
pit?
pit? Shall
Shall the
the dust
dust praise
praise thee?
thee? shall it declare
shall it declare thy
thy truth?"
truth?"
Psalm 88:
Psalm 100"Wilt
88:10 "Wilt thou
thou shew
shew wonders
wonders to to the
the dead?
dead? shall
shall the
the
dead
dead arise
arise and
and praise
praise thee?"
thee?"
Psalm 115: 17-"The
115:17 "The deaddead praise
praise not
not the
the Lord,
Lord, neither
neither any any
that go go down into
Into silence."
silence."
Psalm 146:4-"His
146:4 "His breath
breath goethgoeth forth,
forth, he returnetll
returneth to to his
his
earth;
earth; in in that
that very
very day
day his
his thoughts
thoughts perish."
perish."
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 9:5,9:5, 6-"The
6 "The dead know not not any
any thing,
thing, neither
neither
have theythey any
any more aa reward;
reward; for for the
the memory
memory of them is
of them is forgot-
forgot-
ten.
ten. Also their love, and their
their love, their hatred,
hatred, and theirtheir envy.
envy, is is now
perished;
perished; neither have they they anyany more a a portion
portion for ever in
for ever in any
any
thing that is
thing is done under the the sun."
sun."
38:18, 19-"The
Isaiah 38:18, 19 "The grave
grave cannot praise thee,
cannot praise thee, death
death cancan
not celebrate
celebrate thee:
thee: they that go
they that go down into into the
the pit
pit cannot
cannot hopehope
for thy
thy truth.
truth. The living
living ... shall
. . praise thee."
shall praise
. thee."
I Corinthians
1 15:17, 18-"If
Corinthians 15:17, 18 Christ be
"If Christ be not
not raised,
raised, your
your
faith is
faith is vain.
vain. . . . Then they
. . . they also
also which
which areare fallen
fallen asleep
asleep in in
Christ are
Christ are perished."
perished."
III. The Resurrection,
III. Resurrection, Not Death,
Death, the
the Hope
Hope of
of the
the Saints
Saints
All through
All through the
the apostolic
apostolic letters
letters one
one is
is impressed
impressed
with the fact
with the fact that
that the
the groundwork
groundwork of of the
the gospel
gospel mes-
mes-
sage was
sage was that
that Jesus,
Jesus, the
the Messiah, had risen
Messiah, had risen from
from the
the
dead. Nowhere
dead. Nowhere do the the apostles
apostles refer
refer to
to His
His soul
soul as
as
coming back
coming back from heaven.
heaven. They
They distinctly
distinctly mention
mention that
that
He
He was
was raised
raised from
from the
the dead
dead (Luke
(Luke 24:3-6).
24: 3-6). This
This isis
iterated again
iterated again and
and again.
again. His
His soul
soul was
was "not
"not left
left in
in hell
hell
(Greek hades, "the
(Greek hades, "the grave")"
grave")" (Acts
(Acts 2:31;
2:31; Ps. 16:10, He-
Ps. 16:10, He-
brews, sheol, "the
brews, sheol, "the grave"),
grave"), though
though He "poured
He "poured out
out his
his
soul unto death"
soul unto death" (Isa.
(Isa. 53:12).
53: 12).
The resurrection
The resurrection isis called
called the
the hope of the
hope of the Chris-
Chris-
tian. (Notice
tian. (Notice John
John 6:39,
6:39, 40;
40; Luke
Luke 20:37;
20:37; compare
compare Matt.
Matt.
523
11:5;
11:5; Luke 7:22.) Job declared:
7:22.) Job declared: "I that my
"I know that my re-
re-
liveth, and that
deemer liveth, that he
he shall stand at
shall stand at the
the latter
latter
day
day uponupon the the earth"
earth" (Job (Job 19:25).
19:25). And the the psalmist
psalmist
David,
David, expressing
expressing his
his hope
hope for
for the
the future,
future, declared, "I
declared, "I
shall satisfied, when II awake,
shall be satisfied, awake, with
with thy likeness"
thy likeness"
(Ps.
(Ps. 17:15).
17:15).
Even in in the
the days
days of Jesus, when the
of Jesus, the Pharisees
Pharisees were were
questioning
questioning Him about matters
matters pertaining
pertaining to
to the
the future,
future,
they
they diddid notnot discuss
discuss the the question
question of of death,
death, but but rather
rather
the matter
the matter of the resurrection
of the resurrection (Matt. (Matt. 22:28-30).
22: 28-30). Paul's
Paul's
hope
hope was definitely
definitely fixed
fixed on this
this climactic
climactic event.
event. Writ-
Writ-
ing
ing to
to the
the Philippian church,
Philippian church, he expressed
expressed the
the longing
longing
of his
of his soul
soul when he exclaimed, "If
he exclaimed, "If byby anyany means II
might
might attain unto the
attain unto the resurrection
resurrection of the dead" (Phil.
of the (Phil.
3: 11).
3:11). (See (See also
also I
1 Cor.
Cor. 15: 18,
15:18, 22,
22, 23;
23; 11 Thess.
Thess. 4:14,
4: 14,
17.)
17.) In the
the New Testament the resurrection of the
the resurrection of the
Christian
Christian is referred to
is referred to asas "the resurrectio.n of
"the resurrection of life"
life"
(John 5:29),
(John 5:29), and "the
"the resurrection
resurrection of
of Jesus
Jesus Christ"
Christ"
(1 Peter 3:21).
(1 Peter 3:21).
Rewards are given to
are given to the saints, not
the saints, not at death but
at death but atat
the second advent.
the second advent. The resurrection
resurrection of of thethe righteous
righteous
takes place
takes place at the time
at the time our Saviour returns from heaven
Saviour returns heaven
to gather His people
to gather (Matt.
people (Matt. 16:27; 16:27; Isa.
Isa. 40: 10;
40:10; 2
2 Tim.
4:8; et
4:8; et cetera).
cetera).
Another important
important factorfactor is that, at
is that, at death,
death, thethe saints
saints
go
go to
to the
the grave. They
grave. They will
will live
live again,
again, but they
they come to
to
life and live
life with Jesus
live with Jesus after they are raised
after they raised from the the
dead. While asleep
dead. asleep in the tomb the child
in the child of of God knows
nothing.
nothing. Time matters
matters not
not to
to him. If
If he should be
there aa thousand
there thousand years,
years, the
the time
time would be to him as
to but
as but
aa moment. One who serves serves God closes closes his his eyes
eyes in in
death,
death, and whether one day day or two thousand years years elapse,
elapse,
524
524 QUESTIONS
the next
the next instant in his
Instant In his consciousness will be
consciousness will be when he
opens his eyes
opens his eyes and beholds
beholds his blessed Lord.
his blessed Lord. To him it
it
is death-then
Is death then sudden glory.
glory.
IV.
IV. The First
First and Second Deaths
''''hile
While the the expression
expression "the first death"
"the first death" does
does notnot
appear
appear in
in the
the Bible,
Bible, the
the term "the
"the second
second death" is
Is
used (Rev.
used (Rev. 2:11; 20:6,
2:11; 20:6, 14;
14; 21:8).
21:8). This
This second
second death
death
is associated
is associated with with the
the final punishment of
final punishment of the
the wicked,
wicked,
and really
really indicates
indicates a death from which there
a death there isIs no
resurrection. The first

resurrection. first death is obviously the
is obviously the death
death
resulting from Adam's transgression.
resulting transgression. From this this first
first
death, or
death, sleep, there
or sleep, there is is to
to be
be aa resurrection
resurrection forfor all
all man-
kind. This applies

kind. This applies to
to all,
all, whether
whether righteous
righteous or
or wicked,
wicked,
as the Scriptures
as the clearly
Scriptures clearly declare
declare that
that there
there will
will be aa
be
"resurrection
"resurrection of of the
the dead both both ofof the
the just
just and unjust"
unjust"
(Acts 24:15). Albert
(Acts 24:15). Barnes (on
Albert Barnes (on John
John II:ll) well
11:11) well
remarks:
remarks:
In the Scriptures
In the Scriptures itit [sleep] is
[sleep] is used
used toto intimate that death
intimate that will
death will
not
not be final: that
be final: that there will be
there will be an awakening
awakening out out of this sleep,
of this or aa
sleep, or
resurrection. It
resurrection. It is
is aa beautiful
beautiful and tender expression, removing
tender expression, removing
all that
all that is
is dreadful
dreadful in in death, filling the
death, and filling with the
the mind with the idea
idea of
of
calm repose
repose after
after a life of
a life of toil,
toil, with
with aa reference
reference to
to aa future
future res-
res-
urrection in
urrection in increased
increased vigor
vigor and renovated
renovated powers.
powers.
V.
V. Some Have Returned From the
the Grave
If, at
If, at death,
death, aa conscious
conscious soul
soul or spirit immediately
or spirit immediately
leaves the body
leaves the for either
body for heaven or
either heaven or hell,
hell, then
then what
about those
about those who died
died and were
were raised
raised from thethe dead?
dead?
Did they have anything
they have anything to tell us?
to tell us? There areare at least
at least
seven
seven instances
instances of
of those
those who were raised the dead:
raised from the dead:
The widow's
widow's son (1 (1 Kings
Kings 17); the Shunammite's
17); the Shunammite's son son
(2 Kings 4);
(2 Kings 4); the
the widow's son at Nain (Luke
son at (Luke 7: 11-15);
7:11-15);
525
the daughter
the daughter of
of Jairus
Jairas (Luke
(Luke 8:41, 42, 49-56);
8:41, 42, 49-56); Tabitha
(Acts 9:36-41); Eutychus
(Acts 9:36-41); Eutychus (Acts
(Acts 20:9-12);
20:9-12); and Laza-
Laza-
HIS
rus (John
(John 11: 1-44; 12:
11:1-44; 1, 9).
12:1, 9).
Doubtless
Doubtless some of of these were dead for
these were for but
but aa short
short
time, for
time, according to
for according to Jewish
Jewish custom,
custom, burial
burial took
took place
place
the day
on the day of
of death.
death. (See
(See A. T. Robertson,
A. T. Robertson, Word
Pictures) on John
Pictures,, John 12.)
12.) Lazarus
Lazarus had been dead longer,
longer,
however-"four
however ''four days,"
days/' according
according toto Martha.
Martha.
The question that naturally
question that naturally arises
arises isis this:
this: Did thethe
souls
souls of these individuals
of these individuals go immediately
go immediately at
at death
death to
to
either
either heaven or hell? If
or hell? If so,
so, it
it would surely
surely be
be too
too bad
to bring one back from heaven,
to bring heaven, where,
where, having
having once
arrived, he
arrived, he would naturally expect
naturally expect to
to remain forever.
forever,
To bring
bring one back
back from the realms of
the realms of bliss
bliss to
to this
this vale
vale of
of
tears
tears would be to
to run a a risk
risk of his sinning
of his again,
sinning again, and
so
so of losing his
of losing his eternal
eternal reward.
reward. On the the other hand, if
other hand, if
one were brought

brought back from hell, hell, as
as popularly
popularly con-con-
ceived, he would doubtless
ceived, he doubtless bebe very
very glad
glad to to be released
released
punishment and would have
from punishment have another opportunity
another opportunity
of
of accepting
accepting the
the gospel
gospel of
of the
the grace
grace of
of God.
If
If the
the soul
soul goes to either
goes to either heaven or hell at
or hell at death,
death,
surely
surely those
those who have
have been resurrected
resurrected would talk
talk of
of
the glories of the heavenly
the glories of the heavenly land, or land, or they
they would warn
sinners in
sinners in no uncertain
uncertain tones
tones ofof the torments of
the torments of the
the
damned. Yet Yet there
there is record of
is no record of their
their having
having said
said aa
single
single word.
word. How strange,
strange, if
if the
the soul
soul or
or spirit
spirit survives
survives
death
death asas a~ conscious
conscious entity,
entity, that
that we have no word at at all
all
from any
any of
of the
the aforementioned individuals
individuals concerning
concerning
what happened
happened during the period
during the period theythey were dead!
An excellent
excellent statement
statement appears
appears in the W. Robertson
in the Robertson
Nichol's Expositor's
Nichol's Bible on this
Expositor'S Bible question:
this question:
526
526 QUESTIONS
What was was the
the experience
experience of of Lazarus during these four days?
during these days?
To speculate
speculate on what he saw saw oror heard
heard oror experienced,
experienced, to trace
to trace
the
the flight of his
flight of his soul through the
soul through the gates
gates of
of death
death toto the
the presence
presence of of
God,
God, may perhaps seem to
may perhaps to some as as foolish
foolish as to go
as to those
go with those
curious
curious JewsJews who flocked out to
flocked out to Bethany
Bethany toto set
set eyes
eyes on thisthis
marvel, aa man who had passed
marvel, passed to to the
the unseen
unseen world and yet yet
returned. But
returned. But although
although no doubt good good and great purposes are
great purposes are
served
served by by the
the obscurity that involves
obscurity that involves death, our endeavour to
death, our to
penetrate the
penetrate the gloom,
gloom, and catchcatch some glimpses
glimpses ofof aa life
life we must
shortly
shortly enter,
enter, cannot
cannot be judged
judged altogether
altogether idle. Unfortunately,
idle. Unfortunately,
it
it is little we can
is little can learn
learn from Lazarus.
Lazarus.-Volume
Volume 1, John, p.
1, on John, p.
360.
360.
probability is,
The probability is, he had nothing
nothing to to reveal.
reveal. As Jesus
Jesus said,
said,
He carne
came "to"to awake him out of sleep."
out of sleep." Had he learned
learned anything
anything
of the spirit
of the spirit world,
world, it it must have oozed out.
have oozed out. The burden of of aa
secret which all
secret which all men craved to know,
craved to know, and which the the scribes
scribes and
lawyers from
lawyers from Jerusalem
Jerusalem would do all all in their power
in their power to to elicit
elicit
from him,
him, would have damageddamaged his his mind and oppressed
oppressed his
his life.
life.
His rising
His rising would be be asas the awaking of
the awaking of aa man from deep deep sleep,
sleep,
scarcely knowing what he
scarcely knowing he was doing,
doing, tripping
tripping and stumbling
stumbling in in
the grave-clothes
the grave-clothes and wondering
wondering at at the crowd. What Mary
the crowd. Mary and
Martha would prize prize would be be the
the unchanged
unchanged lovelove that
that shone in in
his face
his face as
as he recognized
recognized them,
them, thethe same familiar tones and en-
familiar tones en-
dearments,-all
dearments, that showed how little
all that little change
change death
death brings,
brings, how
little rupture of
little rupture of affection
affection oror of any good
of any thing, how truly
good thing, truly he was
their brother still.-Ibid.,
their own brother still. Ibid., p.
p. 362.
362.
Mention might
might well
well be made of of one ofof the
the saints
saints of
of
ancient
ancient days.
days. He died,
died, in
in the
the regular
regular course
course of
of events,
events,
and was buried
buried as as were hishis fathers before him.
fathers before him. The
divine record says:
divine record says: "David ... is both
... is both dead and buried,
buried,
and his
his sepulchre
sepulchre is
is with us
us unto
unto this
this day"
day" (Acts 2:29).
(Acts 2:29).
To say
say that
that it
it was David's
David's body
body that
that buried, and
was buried,
that
that his
his soul
soul went to to the
the realms of of bliss,
bliss, would cer-
cer-
tainly not
tainly not be in in accordance
accordance with the the teaching
teaching of the
of the
Word of of God. This might
might accord
accord with
with popular theology,
popular theology,
but the
but Divine Word definitely
the Divine definitely declares that "David
declares that
never went up
never up toto heaven" (verse 34,
(verse 34, Knox translation),
translation),
527
or
or "did not
not ascend
ascend into the heavens"
into the heavens" (R.S.V.;
(R.S.V.; compare
compare
Weymouth, et
Weymouth, et cetera). the Cambridge
cetera). And the Cambridge Bible
Bible has
has
the following
the following note:
note: "For David
David is
is not
not ascended.
ascended. Better
Better
ascended not.
ascended not. He went down to to the grave, and 'slept
the grave, 'slept
"
with his
his fathers.'
fathers/ "
VI. Departing,
VI. Departing, and Being
Being With Christ
Christ
Quite
Quite frequently,
frequently, when we present present the the considera-
considera-
tions
tions advanced here,here, the words of
the words the apostle
of the apostle PaulPaul areare
referred to
referred to inin regard
regard to
to departing,
departing, and being
being with
with
Christ. If
Christ. the saints
If the saints do notnot gogo toto heaven
heaven at at death,
death, what
does the
the great
great apostle
apostle mean when, speaking of
when, speaking himself,
of himself,
he says specifically
says specifically that
that he
he has
has "a
"a desire
desire to
to depart,
depart, and
to be
to be with Christ;
Christ; which is
is far
far better"
better" (Phil.
(Phil. 1: 23)? Of
1:23)?
course it
course will be better
it will better toto be
be with
with Christ.
Christ. But why, why, it it
must be be asked,
asked, should conclude from
should we conclude from thisthis remark
that the apostle
that the apostle expects, immediately upon
expects, immediately upon death,
death, to go
to go
at
at once
once into
into the presence of
the presence of Christ?Christ? The Bible
Bible doesdoes not
not
say
say so.
so. It merely states
It merely his desire
states his desire toto depart,
depart, and to to be
be
with Christ.
Christ.
One might
might reason
reason thatthat the
the implication
implication is is to
to the
the
effect that being
effect that being withwith Christ
Christ would be be immediately
immediately on
his departure.
his departure. But it it must be be admitted that that such is is not
aa necessary
necessary implication,
implication, and it
it certainly
certainly is
is not
not a
a defi-
defi-
nite statement
nite statement of the text.
of the text. InIn this
this particular
particular passage
passage
Paul does
Paul does not telltell us
us when he will will bebe with
with his
his Lord.
Lord. In In
other places he
other places he uses
uses an expression
expression similar
similar to
to one in
in this
this
passage. For instance,
passage. instance, he says,says, "The time of of mymy depar-
depar-
ture is
ture is at
at hand" (2 (2 Tim. 4:6).
4:6). The Greek word used used in in
these two
these two texts,
texts, analu6,
analuo, is not used
is not used very
very often
often in in the
the
Greek New Testament,
Greek Testament, but the the word has has the
the meaning
meaning
"to be loosened
"to be loosened likelike an anchor."
anchor." It It is
is a metaphor drawn
a metaphor
528
QUESTIONS
from the the loosened
loosened moorings preparatory to
moorings preparatory to setting
setting sail.
sail.
(Compare
(Compare W. E. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary,
Vine, Expository Dictionary, vol. vol. 1,1,
pp.
pp. 294,
294, 295.)
295.)
It should
It should be be observed
observed that that Paul
Paul does
does not
not tell
tell us
us that
that
it is his soul
it is his soul or or his
his spirit
spirit that
that will
will depart.
depart. He merely
merely
says "I"
says have aa desire;
"I" have desire; thethe time of of "my" departure is
"my" departure is at
at
hand. That is
hand. is the
the way anyone
way anyone would express
express himself
himself if
if
he were
he leaving for
were leaving for a journey. When the
a journey. the time
time of of leav-
leav-
ing comes, he
ing comes, departs, and the
he departs, the whole personperson goes.goes.
There is is no separation
separation of
of body
body and soul.
soul. Why should
this concept be changed
this concept changed as soon as
as soon as we think
think of of death?
There is
There is a time when Paul
a time Paul could go go toto be
be with
with his his
Lord as as aa whole
whole man man-body,body, soul,
soul, and spirit-and
spirit and that
that
is at the
is at the time
time of of the coming of
the coming of the Lord. This
the Lord. This he stresses
stresses
in 1 Thessalonians
in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Then 5:23. Then-body, soul,
body, soul, and spirit
spirit
-he,
he, and all the redeemed,
all the redeemed, shall either rise
shall either rise from theirtheir
graves
graves to
to meet Christ,
Christ, or
or if
if living
living be
be translated
translated and
caught
caught up up in
in the
the clouds
clouds to
to meet the
the Lord in
in the
the air.
air.
This will
will bebe at the time
at the time of His glorious
of His glorious second
second appear-
appear-
ing
ing for
for His
His saints.
saints. This is
is the
the concept
concept we hold,
hold, and we
believe it
believe it is
is in
in full harmony with the
full harmony the teaching
teaching of Holy
of Holy
Writ.
Writ.
VII. Absent From the

VII. Absent the Body
Body-Present the Lord
Present With the
There is is another
another expression,
expression, in in 2 Corinthians 5:8,
2 Corinthians 5:8,
that
that is
is often used in
often used considering this
in considering this subject.
subject. The
statement of the apostle
of the is, "We are
apostle is, are confident,
confident, II say,
say,
willing rather
and willing rather to
to be absent
absent from the body, and to
the body, be
to be
present with
present with the
the Lord."
Lord." It It must be be recognized
recognized that
that
there is
there nothing in
is nothing in this text to
this text justify our coming
to justify coming toto the
the
conclusion that the
conclusion that the being "present
being "present with
with the
the Lord" will
will
occur immediately
immediately upon upon being
being "absent from the
"absent from the body."
body."
529
The text text does

does notnot indicate
indicate when these these experiences
experiences
take place.
take place. We simply recognize the
simply recognize the interval
interval of of death
between the the two
two experiences.
experiences. This is
is just
just as
as logical
logical as as
to believe that
to believe that one immediately
immediately follows
follows the
the other-and
other and
even more so, so, in
in the
the light
light of of what the the same apostle
apostle hashas
taught concerning
taught concerning the the resurrection
resurrection at at the
the second
second coming
coming
of our Lord. Let us
of us observe
observe the the entire passage and note
entire passage note
its
its obvious teachings.
teachings.
1.
1. REFERENCE TO THE EARTHLY HousE.-Evidentty HOUSE. Evidently
making
making reference
reference to
to the
the body,
body, Paul
Paul writes in
writes in 2 2 Co-
Co-
rinthians 5:1
rinthians 5: 1 of the "earthly
of the "earthly house."
house." Then he
he contin-
contin-
ues, in
ues, verse 2,
in verse 2, stating
stating that that "in this we groan."
"in this Again
groan." Again
referring to
referring to the
the earthly
earthly house,
house, he calls calls itit "this taber-
"this taber-
nacle" (verse 4).
nacle" (verse 4). He states
states in in verse
verse 6 that while
6 that while we are are
absent from the
absent the Lord,
Lord, "we are are at
at home in in the
the body."
body."
2. REFERENCE TO THE HEAVENLY HOUSE.
2. HousE.-Mak- Mak-
ing
ing reference
reference to
to the
the future
future state,
state, Paul
Paul speaks
speaks of of aa
"building
"building of
of God ...
. . eternal
eternal
. in
in the
the heavens"
heavens" (verse
(verse I),
1),
and says
says that
that this
this is
is "our house which is
is from heaven"
(verse 2).
(verse 2). When the
the change
change takestakes place
place and we put put on
immortality,
immortality, he remarks that
that it
it is
is in
in order that
that "mor-
tality might
tality might be
be swallowed up
up of
of life"
life" (verse 4).
(verse 4). Then it
it
is at the resurrection,
is at the resurrection, it
it seems to us,
to us, that
that Paul
Paul expected
expected
to be
to be "present
"present with
with the
the Lord" (verse
(verse 8), 8), for
for he says
says
in 11 Corinthians
in Corinthians 15:53 15:53 that that at
at the
the second coming coming of of
Christ
Christ "this
"this mortal
mortal must put put on immortality."
immortality."
3.
3. REFERENCE TO THE INTERVENING PERIOD. PERIOD.-That That
the apostle
the apostle PaulPaul has
has in in mind an intervening
intervening period period be-be-
tween the
tween the experience
experience of
of being
being in
in the
the "earthly
"earthly house"
house"
and that
that of putting on the
of putting the "house which is is from heaven,"
heaven,"
is evident
is evident from what he mentions in the same passage.
in the passage.
Note his remarks: We do not wish
his remarks: wish to to "be found
530
530 QUESTIONS
naked" (2 (2 Cor.
Cor. 5:3);
5:3); we are
are not desirous
desirous of being "un-
of being
clothed"
clothed" (verse(verse 4).4). This Intervening
intervening period
period we bebe-
lieve to
lieve to bebe the
the state
state of
of death.
death. What we really really desire
desire is
is
"to be clothed
"to be clothed upon upon with our house house which is is from
heaven" (verse
heaven" (verse 2;2; compare verse 4).
compare verse 4).
It is in
It is this connection
in this connection that he declares
that he declares that
that mor-
mor-
tality
tality is
is to
to be
be "swallowed
"swallowed up
up of
of life"
life" (verse 4).
(verse 4). Thus
the whole passage,
the whole passage, when carefully considered, makes
carefully considered,
clear
clear what the the apostle
apostle has in mind.
has in mind. He is is thinking,
thinking, notnot
of death, but
of death, but of
of the resurrection day,
the resurrection day, when "this
"this mortal
mortal
must put
must put on immortality"
immortality" and "this corruptible must
"this corruptible
put on incorruption"
put incorruption" (1 Cor. 15:53).
(1 Cor. 15:53).
This reveals
This reveals thethe importance
importance of of a a careful
careful study
study of of
the context
the context in in order
order to to arrive
arrive atat a sound exegesis
exegesis of
of aa
passage of
passage of Scripture.
Scripture.
VIII.
VIII. An Appropriate
Appropriate Word of of Caution
Every precaution was taken

Every precaution taken byby our beneficent
beneficent Crea-
Crea-
tor in
tor in the
the beginning
beginning that that there
there should not not bebe an im-im-
mortal sinner.
mortal sinner. Man was was given
given free access to
free access to the
the tree of
tree of
life. But when he sinned,
life. sinned, that
that continuing access
continuing access was was
denied him.him. No longer
longer could
could he pluck
pluck its its wonderful
wonderful
fruit.
fruit. He was barred
barred from the the Garden of of Eden (Gen.(Gen.
3:24).
3:24). And why?why? "Lest
"Lest he put put forth his hand,
forth his hand, and taketake
also
also ofof the tree of
the tree life, and eat,
of life, live for
eat, and live for ever"
ever" (verse
(verse
22).
22). Hence,
Hence, it
it is
is evident
evident that
that God never
never intended
intended there
there
should be an immortal sinner. Immortality is
sinner. Immortality is promised
promised
to sinful men only
to sinful only on condition
condition thatthat they
they have been been
saved by
saved grace and live
by grace live in fellowship with
in -fellowship with God.
Satan,
Satan, on thethe other
other hand,
hand, is the responsible
is the responsible author
author
of the
of the doctrine
doctrine that the sinner
that the will live
sinner will live forever.
forever. We find find
announcing this
him announcing this to Eve at
to Eve at the
the time
time ofof the
the Fall.
Fall. God
531
had said,
said, "In
'In the the day
day that
that thou eatest
eatest thereof
thereof thouthou shalt
shalt
surely
surely die"
die" (Gen. 2:
(Gen. 2:17). 17). The devil, however·,
devil, however, flatly flatly
contradicted
contradicted God, God, and said, said, "Ye shallshall not not surely
surely die"die"
(Gen. 3:4).
(Gen. 3:4). In
In the
the Hebrew this
this is
is actually stronger,
actually stronger,
might be
and might be read: "It is
read: "It is certain
certain ye ye shall
shall notnot die."
die."
Matthew Henry, Henry, in in commenting
commenting upon upon this,this, point-
point-
edly remarks:
edly remarks: "This was was aa lie,
lie, aa downright
downright lie;
lie; for
for ...
...
it was contrary to
it to the
the word of
of God."
God." Unfortunately this
this
contrary Unfortunately
teaching that
teaching that the the sinner
sinner willwill not
not die-in
die in other words,
other words,
that he will
that will livelive forever, irrespective of
forever, irrespective his character
of his character-
clearly
clearly has
has its
its origin
origin with
with him who is
is "a
"a liar,
liar, and the the
father
father of of it"
it" (John 8:44).
(John 8:44). The Saviour
Saviour said
said not
not only
only
that the
that the evil
evil one is is "a liar," but
"a liar," but that
that hehe was
was "a "a murderer
from the beginning." He evidently
the beginning." evidently had referencereference to to the
the
experience
experience just just noted.
noted.
Another cautioncaution needsneeds to to be
be observed.
observed. In In speaking
speaking
for God, we must be
for God, be careful
careful thatthat we do not not give
give thethe
sinner
sinner thethe impression
impression that
that he may
may obtain
obtain eternal
eternal life
life
without turning
turning to to God,
God, repenting
repenting of of hishis sins,
sins, and
becoming
becoming a
a new creature
creature in
in Christ
Christ J estiS.
Jesus. Eternal
Eternal life
life
is
is a
a gift
gift from God (Rom. (Rom. 6:23;6:23; 1 I John 5: 12).
John 5:12).
Years ago
Years ago the
the prophet
prophet Ezekiel
Ezekiel referred to
referred to some in in
his day,
his day, men who were false prophets, who were out to
false prophets, to
deceive
deceive the the people.
people. These deceivers,
deceivers, said
said Ezekiel,
Ezekiel,
promise life
promise life to to the sinner even though
the sinner though he he continues
continues in in
his iniquity
his iniquity (Eze. 13:22).
(Eze. 13:22). We thank God that
that the
the
Christian
Christian can go go toto a world perishing
perishing in in sin,
sin, and carrycarry
the
the wonderful offer of
offer of life
life and salvation
salvation through Christ
through Christ
our blessed Lord.
our blessed Lord. We can proclaim with
can proclaim with fullfull assurance
assurance
that if
that if men accept accept Him,
Him, turn
turn to
to God,
God, and are born
are born
again, they
again, they may may have "everlasting
"everlasting life." life." This is
is the
the
message
message of of John
John 3: 16: "Whosoever believeth
3:16: believeth in him in
532 QUESTIONS
should not perish,
perish, but have everlasting
everlasting life."
life." This isIs a
a
remarkable offer,
offer, but we are
are also
also ever to
to remember that
that
those who believe
believe not the
the Son "shall
"shall not see
see iife"
life" (John
(John
3:.36).
3:-36).
'The Punishment
Punishment of
of
the
the Wicked
Wicked
QUESTION
QUESTION 42
What Biblical
Biblical reasons
reasons have youyou for
for teach-
teach-
ing
ing that
that the
the wicked will not suffer
will not suffer conscious
conscious
punishment throughout
punishment eternity? As you
throughout eternity? you know,
know,
the
the majority
majority of of Christian bodies today,
Christian bodies today, believing
believing
that the soul
that the soul of
of man isis immortal, teach that
immortal, teach that the
the
punishment of
punishment of the
the ungodly
ungodly will be conscious
will be conscious tor-
tor-
ment in hellhell throughout
throughout all aU eternity.
eternity. Kindly
Kindly
state the
state the reasons for your
reasons for your belief.
belief.
Everlasting
Everlasting bliss
bliss for the righteous,
for the righteous, and eternaleternal
punishment for
punishment the ungodly,
for the ungodly, are are plainly
plainly taught
taught in the
in the
Scriptures.
Scriptures. That God should reward His people people with
eternal
eternal life,
life, and mete out justjust retribution
retribution to to the
the wicked
for their evil
for their evil deeds,
deeds, appears
appears to
to most men as
as reasonable
reasonable
and equitable,
equitable, and in
in harmony
harmony with both the
the love
love and
the justice of God.
the justice of
In certain
certain scriptures
scriptures we are are given glimpses of
given glimpses of the
the
glory
glory land,
land, and are
are able,
able, at
at least
least to
to some extent,
extent, to
to form
an idea
idea ofof what heaven will will be like.like. However,
However, no
matter how glorious
glorious the
the picture may appear
picture may appear to to be,
be, it
it
will still
will still be true that "eye
true that "eye hath
hath not seen,
seen, nor ear
ear heard,
heard,
neither have entered
neither have entered into
into the heart of
the heart of man,
man, the
the things
things
which God hath hath prepared
prepared for for them that that love
love him"
(1 Cor.
(1 Cor. 2:9).
2:9).
533
533
534 QUESTIONS
fate of
The fate the unrighteous
of the is likewise
unrighteous is emphasized
likewise emphasized
in many places
in many places in Holy Writ.
in Holy Writ. There will surely
will surely be
punishment, according
punishment, according to
to the
the Word,
Word, and there
there will
will also
also
be degrees
be degrees of
of punishment.
punishment. And this
this punishment,
punishment, more-
more-
over, will not
over, will be remedial,
not be remedial, but
but punitive
punitive and final.
final.
I.
I. Punishment Yet Future, Not Now Going
Yet Future, Going On
It is
It is commonly
commonly believed believed that that atat death
death the the righteous
righteous
go immediately
go immediately to
to heaven,
heaven, and the
the wicked
wicked forthwith
forthwith to
to
hell,
hell, where they
they are
are punished.
punished. There are
are persons,
persons, how-
ever,
ever, who believe believe thatthat thethe wicked
wicked are are punished
punished in this
in this
life for
life their sins.
for their sins. They argue
They argue that
that when a
a man is
is cast
cast
into prison,
into prison, or perhaps is
or perhaps is executed on the the gallows,
gallows, he is is
then
then suffering
suffering punishment
punishment for for his
his iniquities.
iniquities. In a way a way
this is
this is true,
true, but not not strictly
strictly so.
so. That he
he thus
thus suffers,
suffers,
there can
there can be be no doubt,
doubt, butbut such
such suffering
suffering is is not
not primarily
primarily
the penalty
the penalty for for hishis sins.
sins. He sufferssuffers in this life
in this life the the
penalty for
penalty for hishis crimes.
crimes. The state punishes for
state punishes for infrac-
infrac-
tion of
tion of human laws, but its
laws, but its punishments
punishments are are meted out out
for crimes,
for crimes, not
not sins.
sins. Sin
Sin is
is infringement
infringement of
of the
the divine
divine
law, the
law, the Decalogue,
Decalogue, the the commandments of of God. And
God willwill be be thethe judge,
judge, and will will mete out out punishment
punishment
according
according to
to His justice.
justice.
It is, of
It is, of course,
course, true that in
true that in this
this life
life men may may loselose
their health
their because of
health because wrong habits
of wrong habits of of living.
living. Men
may
may drink
drink to
to excess
excess and not
not only
only suffer
suffer all
all kinds
kinds of of
sickness
sickness but but also also incur premature death.
incur premature death. But these these
consequences
consequences do not constitute constitute actual punishment for
actual punishment for
sin.
sin. They
They are are the physical results
the physical results of wrongdoing. Pun-
of wrongdoing.
ishment for
ishment for sin,
sin, as as such, will finally
such, will finally bebe meted out when
the wicked
the wicked stand before the
stand before the barbar ofof God and receive receive
the just rewards
the just rewards of their deeds.
of their deeds.
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED 535
N either evil
Neither evil angels nor wicked
angels nor wicked men are re-
are now re-
ceiving
ceiving final
final punishment
punishment for their transgressions.
for their transgressions. Such
punishments are
punishments are still
still future. In the
future. In the days Jesus
days when Jesus
was on earth, the devils
earth, the asked Him,
devils asked Him, "Art thou come
"Art thou
hither to
hither to torment
torment us us before the time?"
before the (Matt. 8:29).
time?" (Matt. 8:29).
Evil
Evil angels
angels are
are "reserved unto judgment"
"reserved unto judgment" (2 (2 Peter
Peter 2:
2:
4),
4), or
or "unto
"unto the
the judgment
judgment of
of the
the great day" (Jude
great day" (Jude 6). 6).
Concerning the
Concerning the wicked we read that God reserves
read that reserves "the
"the
unjust unto
unjust unto the
the day
day of judgment to
of judgment to be punished"
punished" (2 (2
Peter
Peter 2:9).
2:9).
II.
II. What Constitutes
Constitutes the
the Punishment of the Wicked?
of the
The only
only safe
safe and reliable
reliable source
source of
of information
information on
this question
this question is,is, of
of course,
course, the
the Word of of God. No dic- die-
tums from tradition,
turns tradition, from the the writings
writings ofof heathen
heathen
authors,
authors, oror even from the the apocryphal writings of
apocryphal writings of either
either
the Hebrews or
the or the
the early
early Christians, whether ex-
Christians, whether ex-
pressed
pressed in
in prose
prose or
or in
in verse,
verse, should influence
influence us
us in
in this
this
matter. Unless
matter. Unless the the contentions
contentions expressed
expressed are are based
based
upon
upon the
the authoritative
authoritative Word of they should
of God they should have
weight with
no weight us. We therefore
with us. therefore note
note some of
of the
the expres-
expres-
sions used by
sions used by the
the Lord in connection. We read
this connection.
in this read that
that
as
as the final penalty
the final penalty for
for their
their transgressions
transgressions and their
their
rejection of
rejection the Son of
of the of God-
God
1. THE WICKED WILL DIE.
1. DIE.-On On more than one
occasion
occasion we are told that
are told that "the
"the soul that sinneth,
soul that sinneth, it
it shall
shall
die" (Eze. 18:4).
die" (Eze. 18:4). But some may
may say,say, "That is
is in
in the
the
Old Testament."
Old Testament." True;
True; but is not the
is not the Old Testament
as much the
as the Word of of God as as is the New? The fact
is the is
fact is
that the same
that the same truth
truth is
is taught
taught in
in the
the New Testament,
Testament,
for
for we read,
read, "The wages
wages ofof sin
sin isis death" (Rom.
(Rom. 6:23).
6:23).
536
QUESTIONS
And Inin this
this verse
verse aa unique
unique contrast
contrast is is drawn. LifeLife is is
promised to the righteous;
promised to the righteous; death
death to
to the
the unrighteous.
unrighteous.
Over and
Over and over
over again
again death
death is is emphasized
emphasized as as the
the
punishment
punishment of
of the
the wicked.
wicked. Sinners
Sinners are
are declared
declared
"worthy of
"worthy of death"
death" (Rom.
(Rom. 1:32);
1: 32); the
the end of of sin
sin is
is death
death
(Rom, 6: 21
(Rom. 6:21); ); and "sin,
"sin, when it
it is
is finished, bringeth
finished, bringeth
forth death"
forth death" (James
(James 1:15).
1: 15). In
In ancient
ancient days days God in in His
His
love and
love and mercy
mercy pleaded
pleaded with
with Israel
Israel through
through His serv- serv-
ants the
ants the prophets.
prophets. Time after after time
time His appeal appeal was, was,
"Why will
"Why will ye die, O
ye die, 0 house
house of of Israel?
Israel? .... . . II have
have no
pleasure
pleasure in
in the
the death
death of
of him that
that dieth"
dieth" (Eze.
(Eze. 18:31,
18:31,
32).
32).
2. THE WICKED WILL BE CUT OFF.
2. OFF.-ThisThis
thought is
thought is emphasized repeatedly, especially
emphasized repeatedly, especially inin thethe
Old Testament.
Old Testament. The psalmist,
psalmist, looking
looking forward
forward to to the
the
time when sin
time sin would be be abolished, declares, "Evildoers
abolished, declares, "Evildoers
shall be
shall be cutcut off"
off" (Ps. 37 :9);
(Ps. 37:9); and again,
again, "The wicked
wicked
are cut off"
are cut off" (verse
(verse 34).
34). The words
words "cut off" are,
"cut off" are, in the
in the
main, rendered
main, rendered from the the Hebrew word karat h. This
karath.
is
is a
a strong
strong word,
word, and is is several
several times
times translated
translated "de-"de-
stroy," as in Ezekiel
stroy," as in Ezekiel 28:16. 28: 16.
3.
3. THE WICKED WILL PERISH.-ThisPERISH. This expres-
expres-
sion
sion isis repeatedly used
repeatedly used in
in relation
relation to
to the
the destruction
destruction of
of
the
the wicked
wicked hosts.
hosts. The word "perish"
"perish" is
is translated
translated from
the
the Hebrew abad abad,J and means "to "to be cut
cut off"
off" or
or "to
"to be
cut
cut down."
down/' It It will
will be observed
observed in in the
the following
following texts:
texts:
"The wicked shall perish" (Ps.
shall perish" 37:20);
(Ps. 37:20); "The wicked
perish at
perish at the
the presence
presence ofof God" (Ps. (Ps. 68: 2). Another
68:2).
significant
significant expression
expression occurs
occurs in in Psalm 37: 10, where we
37:10,
read,
read, "The wicked shall shall not be."be." This is is paralleled
paralleled in in
the
the New Testament by by our Lord's
Lord's statement
statement that
that "who-
"who-
soever
soever believeth
believeth in in him should not perish"perish" (John
(John 3:3: 16).
16).
537
4. THE WICKED WILL BE BURNED UP.

4. UP.-This also
This also
is aa strong
is strong expression,
expression, and and isis used
used on many
many occasions.
occasions.
Malachi speaks
Malachi speaks ofof the
the dayday when the the wicked
wicked shall
shall be
be
burned up up (Mai.
(MaL 4:1).
4: 1). Matthew writeswrites of
of their
their being
being
bound "in "in bundles
bundles to to burn
burn them" (Matt. (Matt. 13:30),
13:30), and
mentions also
mentions also that
that "the
"the tares
tares are
are gathered
gathered and burned"
burned"
(verse 40).
(verse 40). Peter
Peter declares
declares that
that "the
"the earth
earth also
also the
and the
works thatthat are
are therein
therein shall
shall bebe burned up" up" (2(2 Peter
Peter
3: 10). We read
3:10). read of
of the
the final
final destination
destination of of the
the unright-
unright-
eous as
eous as being
being inin "the
"the lake
lake of
of fire"
fire" (Rev.
(Rev. 20:15),
20: 15), and
this the
this the revelator
revelator calls
calls "the
"the second death" (Rev.
second death" 21:
(Rev. 21:
8).
8).
5. THE WICKED SHALL BE DESTROYED.

5. DESTROYED.-This This
thought
thought occurs
occurs in
in a
a number of
of instances.
instances. "All
"All the
the
wicked will
wicked will be destroyed"
destroyed" (Ps. (Ps. 145:20). Evil angels
145:20). Evil angels
once declared,
once declared, in
in the
the presence
presence of
of Jesus,
Jesus, "Art thou
thou come
to destroy us?"
to destroy us?" (Mark 1:24). Again,
(Mark 1:24). Again, the
the wicked will
will be
be
"punished with everlasting destruction"
"punished with everlasting destruction" (2 (2 Thess.
Thess. I:
I:
9); even the devil himself, the one who introduced

9); and even the devil himself, the
introduced
iniquity
iniquity into
into our fair
fair world,
world, will
will be
be destroyed
destroyed (Heb.
(Heb.
2: 14).
2:14).
Some ofof the

the strongest
strongest words, it seems,
words, it seems, were used by by
the
the sacred
sacred writers to emphasize
writers to emphasize the
the fate
fate of
of the
the wicked.
wicked,
They
They will
will not
not only
only burn,
burn, Greek, kaid (Rev.
Greek, kaio (Rev. 19:20;
19:20; 21:
21:
8), but they shall be burned up,
8), but they shall up, Greek,
Greek, katakaio
(2
(2
Peter
Peter 3: 10;
3:10; Matt.
Matt. 3: 12). They
3:12). They shall
shall not only
only be
destroyed, apollumi (Matt.
destroyed, apollumi (Matt. 21:41;21:41; Mark 1:24),
1:24), but be
"utterly
"utterly destroyed," exolothreud (Acts
destroyed," exolothreuo (Acts 3:23,
3:23, R.V.).
R.V.).
They
They shall
shall not
not only
only be
be "consumed,"
"consumed," tamam (Ps.
(Ps. 104:
104:
35)
35) and
and "consume away,"
away," kalah
kalah (Ps. 37:20),
(Ps. 37:20), but be
"utterly consumed," apollurni (Ps.
"utterly consumed," apollumi (Ps. 73:19; 73: 19; LXX 72: 19).
72:19).
538
538 QUESTIONS
III. Figures and Similes
III. Figures Illustrate Fate
Similes Illustrate Fate of
of Wicked
Not only
only inin language clear and plain
language clear plain doesdoes thethe Lord
reveal
reveal to to man the the fate of the
fate of ungodly, but
the ungodly, but He has has
sought
sought to
to bring
bring this
this truth
truth home to
to us
us in
in familiar
familiar illus-
illus-
trations, figures
trations, figures ofof speech,
speech, and various
various similes.
similes. Observe:
Observe:
l.
1. THE WICKED ARE LIKENED TO COMBUSTIBLE MA-
TERIALS.-The
TERIALS. The psalmist
psalmist likens the wicked to
likens the something
to something
he saw repeatedly
repeatedly in the Temple
in the Temple of
of ancient
ancient days-
days
"The enemies
enemies of the Lord shall
of the be as
shall be as the
the fatfat of
of lambs"
(Ps.
(Ps. 37:20).
37:20). Furthermore,
Furthermore, the the ungodly
ungodly are are likened
likened to to
"the chaff which the
"the chaff the wind driveth
driveth away" (Ps.
away" (Ps. 1:4). 1:4).
Isaiah
Isaiah says that "the
says that "the whirlwind shall take them away
shall take away as as
stubble"
stubble" (Isa. (Isa. 40:24).
40:24). And Malachi also
also declared
declared that
that
in that
in that day
day the wicked "shall
the wicked be stubble"
"shall be stubble" (Mal. 4: 1).
(Mai. 4:1).
2.
2. OVERTHROW OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH Is
Is
TYPE OF DESTRUCTION OF
OF DESTRUCTION OF WICKED.-The
WICKED. The fate fate of of
Sodom and Gomorrah,Gomorrah, in days of
in days of old,
old, is is graphically
graphically
described in
described in the
the Biblical record. We read
Biblical record. read thatthat they
they
were overthrown
were overthrown (Deut. 29:23; Isa.
(Deut. 29:23; Isa. 13: 19), and that
13:19), that
the cities
the were destroyed
cities were (Gen.
destroyed (Gen. 19:29). 19:29). The destruc-
destruc-
tion was complete,
tion was complete, for for we read
read that the fire
that the fire "destroyed
"destroyed
them all"all" (Luke 17:
(Luke 17:29).29).
punishment meted out
The punishment out toto Sodom and Gomor-
rah was not
rah not ofof long
long duration,
duration, for
for we read
read thatthat they
they were
"overthrown as as inin a a moment" (Lam. (Lam. 4:6). 4:6). Further-
Further-
more, another Biblical
more, another Biblical writer
writer tells us how utterly
tells us utterly they
they
were overthrown
were overthrown-they they were turned
turned "into"into ashes"
ashes" (2 (2
Peter 2:6).
Peter 2:6). And PeterPeter further declares that
further declares that this
this experi-
experi-
ence
ence waswas "an ensample
ensample unto unto those
those thatthat after
after should
should
live ungodly."
live ungodly." Jude Jude added a
a unique expression,
unique expression, which which
indicates that
indicates that the
the destruction was not
destruction was not only
only complete
complete but but
It was "the
"the vengeance
it vengeance of eternal fire"
of eternal fire" (Jude
(Jude 7).
7).
This
could not
could not mean fire that would be
fire that be eternally
eternally burning,
burning,
for
for the cities are
the cities not burning
are not burning today.
today. Rather,
Rather, this
this fire
fire
would bebe eternal

eternal in its results.
in its results.
IV.
IV. The Terms "Everlasting"
"Everlasting" and "Eternal"
"Eternal"
These words are are not used in

not used the Old Testament in
in the in
relation
relation toto the
the fate
fate of the wicked;
of the wicked; they they are found, how-
are found, how-
ever,
ever, inin the
the New Testament in in thethe following
following texts:
texts:
"Depart
"Depart .... . . yeye cursed,
cursed, into everlasting fire"
into everlasting fire" (Matt.
(Matt.
25:41); "and these
25:41); these shallshall go go away
away into everlasting
into everlasting
punishment" (Matt.
punishment" (Matt. 25:46);
25:46); "punished
"punished with with everlast-
everlast-
ing
ing destruction"
destruction" (2
(2 Thess.
Thess. 1 :9);
1:9); "in
"in danger
danger of
of eternal
eternal
damnation" (Mark (Mark 3:29); "suffering the vengeance of
3:29); "suffering the vengeance of
eternal fire" (Jude
eternal fire" (Jude 7). In each instance, whether trans-
7). In each instance, whether
trans-
lated
lated "everlasting"
"everlasting" or
or "eternal,"
"eternal," the
the words
words are
are from the
the
Greek aionios.
aidnios. For For instance,
instance, in
in Matthew 25:46, the
25:46, the
"everlasting" (aionios)
"everlasting" punishment is
(aidnios) punishment is contrasted
contrasted with with
"eternal" (aionios)
"eternal" (aidnios) life
life in
in the
the same verse.
verse.
In view
In view of of this,
this, it might be observed
it might observed that that if if the
the
"eternal life" referred
"eternal life" referred to to is
is forever
forever and ever, ever, will not
will not
the
the "everlasting punishment"
"everlasting punishment" be
be for
for the
the same duration,
duration,
inasmuch as
inasmuch as precisely
precisely the the same Greek word is is used in in
both instances?
both instances? Decidedly
Decidedly so! eternal life
so! The eternal life will
will con-
con-
tinue throughout the
tinue throughout the ceaseless
ceaseless agesages of of eternity;
eternity; and the the
punishment
punishment will
will also
also be eternal-not
eternal not eternal
eternal duration
of conscious
of conscious suffering, however, but
suffering, however, but punishment
punishment that that
is
is complete
complete and final.
final. The end of those
of those who thus
thus suffer
suffer
is
is the
the second
second death.
death. This This death will will be be eternal,
eternal, from
which there
there will not, and cannot,
will not, cannot, be be any
any resurrection.
resurrection.
That thisthis isis so,
so, can
can be
be seen
seen in
in the
the use
use of the
of the word
"eternal"
"eternal" in in other relationships. We read
other relationships. read of of eternal
eternal
QUESTIONS
redemption (Heb.
redemption (Heb. 9:12)
9: 12) and of of eternal
eternal judgment
judgment
(Heb. 6:2).
(Heb. 6:2). Surely
Surely this
this does
does not
not mean redemption
redemption
going
going on through
through all
all eternity,
eternity, or
or an unending
unending work of of
judgment.
judgment. No!
No! The work of
of redemption
redemption is
is complete
complete
eternal in
and eternal in its
its results.
results. The same will
will be
be true
true of
of the
the
judgment. The same
judgment. same principle
principle applies
applies concerning
concerning "eter-
"eter-
nal damnation" (Mark
nal damnation" (Mark 3:29),
3:29), "eternal
"eternal fire"
fire" (Jude
(Jude 7),
7),
"eternal punishment"
"eternal punishment" (Matt. 25:46,
(Matt. 25:46, R.S.V.).
R.S.V.) ...
Let us
Let us repeat:
repeat: In In the
the expression
expression "eternal
"eternal punish-
punish-
ment," just
ment," just as
as in
in "eternal
"eternal redemption"
redemption" and "eternal
"eternal
judgment," the
judgment," the Bible
Bible isis referring
referring toto all
all eternity
eternity-not
not
as of
as of process., but as
process) but as of result. It
of result. is not
It is not an endless
endless proc-
proc-
ess of
ess of punishment,
punishment, but but an effectual
effectual punishment,
punishment, which
will be
will be final
final and forever (aionios). *
forever (aidnios).*
v.
V. The Expressions
Expressions "Forever"
"Forever" and "Forever
"Forever and Ever"
These expressions
expressions are
are found many many times
times in Holy
in Holy
Scripture.
Scripture. In
In the
the Old Testament they
they are
are in
in the
the main
from the
the Hebrew olam)olam, which is is translated quite often
translated quite often
by the
by the word "everlasting." It does
"everlasting." It does have several
several other
renderings,
renderings, however,
however, such
such as
as "ancient
"ancient time," "old
time," "old
time,"
time," "beginning
"beginning of
of the
the world,"
world," et
et cetera.
cetera.
Another expression
expression inin the
the Hebrew is is netsach ("for-
("for-
ever"),
ever"), and lenetsach
lenetsach netsachim ("forever
("forever and ever").
ever").
Netsach isis variously
variously rendered
rendered as as "always,"
"always," "constantly,"
"constantly,"
"ever," "evermore," and "perpetually."
"ever," "evermore," "perpetually."
In the
the New Testament the the words "for "for ever,"
ever," et
et
*SchoIars
*SchoIarSj discussing
j discussing the
the Greek words a/on or
words ai5n aionios, tell
or aiiinios, tell us:
us:
uThe
"The word aiiincuon can be used
can be used ofof a
a man's lifetime, as when Paul
lifetime, as Paul contemplates
contemplates eat-
eat-
ing
ing 'no
'no flesh
flesh for
for evermore'
evermore' (1(1 Cor.
Cor. 8:13)."-ALAN RICHARDSON, A Theological
8:13)." ALAN RrcHARDsON, Theological Word
Book ofof th.
the Bible, 1950, art. "Time," p. 266. (The K.J.V.
Bible, 1950, art. "Time," p. 266. (The K.J.V. reads, reads, " .
".... . while the
the
world
world standeth.")
standeth.")
"Describes duration
"Describes duration .. ... not endless."-W. E. Dictionary
not endless." W. E. VINE, Dictionary of
. VINE, of New Testa-
Testa-
Words, on "Eternal."
ment Words, "Eternal."
541
cetera,
cetera, came from the the Greek eiseis taus
tons aionas ton ai~nion,
aidnas ton aionion,
literally,
literally, "to
"to the
the ages
ages of
of the
the ages,"
ages/' and is
Is uniformly
uniformly
rendered "for
rendered "for ever
ever and ever."
ever."
It
It must be be recognized
recognized thatthat these
these words
words areare used
used at
at
times with
times with limitations,
limitations, and the the only
only wayway to
to understand
understand
them is is in the light
in the light of the context.
of the context. If they are
If they are applied
applied to
to
God, as
God, as they
they are
are on so many occasions,
so many occasions, thethe meaning
meaning isis
obvious; but
obvious; but ifif to
to man, they can
man, they can apply
apply only
only as
as long
long as
as
he lives.
lives. In other words,
In other the term
words, the term must be" be" understood
understood
according
according to to the
the object
object toto which it is applied.
it is applied. That this
this
is
is recognized by scholars
recognized by scholars will will be
be seen
seen inin the
the following
following
comments on the the Hebrew word olam: olam:
It
It more often
often refers
refers to future time,
to future time, in
in such
such aa manner,
manner, that
that
is called
what is called the
the terminus ad quem,
terminus ad is always
quern, is always defined
defined from
from the
the
nature of
of the
the thing
thing itself. is applied
it is
itself. When it to human affairs,
applied to affairs,
specially ... to
and specially to individual men, it
individual men, it commonly
commonly signifies
signifies all the
all the
days oj life.-GESENIUs,
days of life. GESENIUS, on Olam, in Hebrew and Chaldee
Olam., in Chaldee Lexi-
Lexi-
con of
of the
the Old Testament Scriptures (1846), S.
Scriptures (1846), P. Tregelles,
S. P. tr.
Tregelles, tr.
jor ever]
for ever] i.e. till his
i.e. till his life's end: d.
life's end: cf. "for ever" in
"for ever" in 1 S. i.
1 S. 22, and
i. 22,
esp. in
esp. in the
the expression,
expression, "servant for ever,"
"servant for xxvii. 12,
ever," xxvii. xli. 44
Job xli,
12, Job
[xl. 28 Heb.]-Cambridge
[xl. 28 Heb.]
Bible, on Ex.
Cambridge Bible, Ex. 21:6.
21:6.
limitation in
The limitation in the use of
the use of these terms will
these terms will be
be seen
seen
by
by the
the following:
following: The Passover
Passover was
was to
to be
be observed
observed
(Ex. 12:17),
forever (Ex.
forever 12:17), the
the slave
slave toto serve his master
serve his master for-
for-
ever
ever (Ex.
(Ex. 21:6), the child
21:6), the child Samuel to to abide
abide in in the
the
tabernacle forever
tabernacle forever (1(1 Sam. 1: 22), Jonah
1:22), Jonah to
to be
be in
in the
the
belly
belly of
of the
the great
great fish
fish forever (Jonah
forever (Jonah 2:6),2:6), and leprosy
leprosy
to cleave
to to Gehazi and his
cleave to his seed
seed forever
forever (2(2 Kings
Kings 5:27).
5:27).
Clarke, in
Clarke, his Commentary,
in his Commentary., has has well
well said:
said:
Some have
have thought, because of
thought, because the prophet's
of the prophet's curse,
curse, The lep·
lep-
rosy of Naaman shall
rosy of shall cleave unto thee
cleave unto thee and thy seed for
thy seed for ever,
ever,
that there
that there are persons still
are persons still alive
alive who are this man's
are this man's real
real de·
de-
scendants,
scendants, and afHicted
afflicted with this horrible disease.
this horrible Maundrell
disease. Mr. Maundrell
when hehe was
was in
in Judea
Judea made diligent
diligent inquiry concerning this,
inquiry concerning this,
but could
but could not
not ascertain
ascertain the
the truth of the
truth of the supposition.
supposition. To me itit
542
QUESTIONS
appears absurd;
appears absurd; the the denunciation took place
denunciation took place in the' posterity
in the posterity of
of
Gehazi till
Gehazi till it
it should extinct, and under the
should become extinct, the influence
influence ofof
this disorder this
this disorder this must soon
soon have taken place.
have taken place. The forfor ever im-
ever im-
plies as
plies as long
long as as any
any of his posterity
of his should remain'.
posterity should remain: This is is the
the
import of
import of the
the word, leolam. It
word, leolam. takes in
It takes in the
the whole
whole extent
extent oror
duration
duration of of the
the thing
thing to which it
to which it is
is applied. The for
applied. for ever
ever ofof
Gehazi was
Gehazi was till his posterity
till his posterity became extinct.
extinct.
We find that the

find that the same limitation in meaning
limitation in meaning applies
applies
in the
in the New Testament
Testament also,
also, to words ai6n
the Greek words
to the aion
and aionios-Philemon
aidnios Philemon was counseled
counseled to
to receive
receive Onesi-
Onesi-
mus "for"for ever"
ever" (Philemon
(Philemon 15).15).
The Apocalypse
Apocalypse also
also declares, concerning Babylon,
declares, concerning Babylon,
that
that "her
"her smoke rose
rose up for
up for ever
ever and ever"
ever" (Rev.
(Rev. 19:
19:
3);
3);
that
that the
the wicked
wicked "shall
"shall be
be tormented day
day and night
night
tor ever and ever"
for ever ever" (Rev.
(Rev. 20: 10); and that
20:10); that "the
"the smoke
of their
of torment ascended
their torment ascended up for ever
up for ever and ever"
ever" (Rev.
(Rev.
14: 11
14:11). ). These
These are
are strong expressions,
strong expressions, and can
can bebe
rightly understood only in the light of Biblical
rightly understood only in the light of Biblical usage. usage.
A good
good illustration
illustration of
of this
this appears
appears in in Isa.
Isa. 34:8-10:
34:8-10:
For it
For it is
is the
the day of the
day of the Lord's
Lord's vengeance,
vengeance, and the the year of
year of
recompences for
recompences the controversy
for the controversy of Zion. And the
of Zion. the streams
streams thereof
thereof
shall be turned
shall be turned into pitch, and the
into pitch, the dust
dust thereof
thereof into
into brimstone,
brimstone,
and the
and the land
land thereof
thereof shall
shall become burning pitch. It
burning pitch. shall not
It shall not be
be
quenched night nor day;
quenched night day; the
the smoke thereof
thereof shall
shall go
go up
up for
for ever:
ever:
from generation to
from generation generation it
to generation it shall
shall lie waste; none shall
lie waste; shall pass
pass
through
through it
it for
for ever
ever and ever.
ever.
This had
had aa local
local application
application in in days
days of
of long
long ago;
ago;
undoub~edly it
and undoubtedly will have aa second application
it will application inin the
the
great conflagration
great conflagration of
of the
the last
last days.
days. But think
think of
of its
its
application
application in
in the
the days
days of
of Israel.
Israel. What a
a picture
picture of of
absolute destruction
absolute destruction-brimstone
brimstone and burningburning pitch,
pitch,
burning
burning so
so fiercely
fiercely it
it could not
not be
be quenched!
quenched! The
smoke ascended,
ascended, and the divine record
the divine record is
is that
that it
it as-
as-
cended
cended "for
"for ever."
ever." But notenote that
that this unquenchable fire
this unquenchable fire
543
in waste
ended in desolation. Who would contend
waste and desolation. contend
that the fire
that the fire is
is still
still burning? What we behold
burning? behold here
here is
is aa
picture of
picture of absolute,
absolute, complete
complete destruction.
destruction. So
So shall
shall it
it
be in
be the day
in the day of
of the
the executive judgment, when the
executive judgment, the
wicked are
are destroyed. "They
destroyed. ''They shall
shall be
be destroyed
destroyed forfor
ever" (Ps. 92:7).
ever" (Ps. 92:7).
VI. Reasons for

VI. for Rejecting
Rejecting Eternal
Eternal Torment
We reject
reject thethe doctrine
doctrine of of eternal torment for
eternal torment the
for the
following
following major major reasons:
reasons:
1. Because everlasting
1. Because
everlasting life life is
is a a gift
gift of
of God (Rom. (Rom.
6:23).
6:23). The wicked do not
not possess
possess this-they
this they "shall
"shall notnot
see life" (John
see life'' (John 3:36);
3:36); "no murderer hath eternal life
hath eternal life
abiding in
abiding him'* (l
in him" John 3:
(1 John 15).
3:15).
2. Because eternal
2. torment would perpetuate
eternal torment perpetuate and
immortalize sin,
immortalize suffering,
sin, suffering, and woe,
woe, and contradict,
contradict, we
believe, divine revelation,
believe, divine revelation, which envisions
envisions the time
the time
when thesethese things
things shall
shall be no more (Rev. 21:4).
(Rev. 21:4).
3.
3. Because it it seems to to us
us to
to provide
provide aa plague
plague spotspot in
in
the universe of
the universe of God throughout
throughout eternity,eternity, and would
seem to to indicate
indicate that that it
it is
is impossible for
impossible for God Himself
ever
ever to to abolish
abolish it. it.
4. Because
4. Because in thinking, it
in our thinking, detract from
it would detract
the
the attribute
attribute of of love
love asas seen
seen in in thethe character
character of of God,
God,
postulates the
and postulates the concept
concept of of aa wrath which is never
is never
appeased.
appeased.
5. Because the
5. Because the Scriptures
Scriptures teach teach thatthat the
the atoning
atoning
work of of Christ
Christ is is to
to "put away
"put away sin"
sin" (Heb. 9:26)-first
(Heb. 9:26) first
from
from the the individual,
individual, and ultimately
ultimately from the the universe.
universe.
full fruition
The full fruition of of Christ's
Christ's sacrificial,
sacrificial, atoning
atoning work will
will
be seen
be seen notnot only
only in
in a
a redeemed people
people but in
in aa restored
restored
heaven and earth
heaven earth (Eph.
(Eph. 1: 14).
1:14).
'The Rich Man and
Tfte Riclt Lazarus
and Lazarus
QUESTION
QUESTION 43
Believing, as
Believing, as Adventists
Adventists do,
do, in
in the uncon-
the uncon~
sciousness of
sciousness of man in
in death,
death, how do you explain
you explain
our Lord's
Lord's statement concerning the
statement concerning rich man
the rich
Lazarus? If
and Lazarus? If this does not teach
this does teach that
that men
enter
enter into
into their rewards at
their rewards at death,
death, then what does
it teach? What is
it teach? is the purpose of
the purpose of the
the story?
story? Please
Please
state
state your position.
your position.
Theological
Theological comment concerning
concerning thethe story
story of
of the
the
rich
rich man and Lazarus
Lazarus has
has differed
differed throughout the
throughout the cen- cen-
turies, with
turies, with scholars
scholars of
of eminence and piety piety on both
sides
sides of the question.
of the question. The majority,
majority, however,
however, seem toto
have regarded
regarded thethe story
story as
as a
a parable,
parable, while
while some have
have
maintained it
maintained to be
it to be historical
historical narrative. Adventists, for
narrative. Adventists, for
numerous reasons,
reasons, believe
believe it
it to
to be
be a
a parable.
parable.
The word "parable"
"parable" comes from the the Greek para-para-
bole, which means "to
bole,, place beside,"
"to place beside," or
or "to
"to draw up up
~longside." Jesus
Alongside." Jesus used parables
parables to
to unfold great
great truths.
truths.
He placed
placed aa simple
simple story alongside aa profound
story alongside profound truth,
truth,
and thethe profound
profound was illumined by by the
the simple.
simple.
I. Setting
I. Setting and Intent
Intent of
of the
the Parable
Parable
The story
story of
of the rich man and Lazarus
the rich Lazarus is
is one of a
of a
group
group of
of parables
parables addressed
addressed particularly
particularly to
to the
the Phari-
Phari-
544
544
RICH MAN AND LAZARUS 545
545
sees,
sees, although
although "publicans
"publicans and sinners" sinners" were also pres-
also pres-
ent.
ent. The fact that Jesus
fact that Jesus talked
talked with
with outcasts
outcasts and sin-
sin-
ners drew sharp
ners sharp censure
censure from the
the scribes
scribes and Pharisees.
Pharisees.
They murmured,
They murmured, saying, saying, "This man receive receiveth th sinners,
sinners,
eateth with them" (Luke
and eateth (Luke 15:2).15:2). Their attitude
attitude
became th.e the occasion for for a group of
a group moving stories,
of moving stories, one
of which is the parable
is the parable of of the
the rich
rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus.
first of
The first of these
these is is the
the story
story of
of the
the lost
lost sheep,
sheep, fol-fol-
lowed by by that
that of the lost
of the coin, next
lost coin, next of of the
the lost
lost son,
son, and
then of
then of the unjust steward.
the unjust steward.
While each of of these
these stories
stories emphasizes
emphasizes vital vital points
points
of our Lord's
of Lord's gospel,
gospel, the the underlying
underlying lesson lesson of of each
is the
is the same. ComingCoining to to the
the climax
climax of of the
the story
story of the
of the
lost
lost sheep,
sheep, our Lord says,
says, "Even so,
so, I
I tell
tell you,
you, there
there
will be more joy
will joy in in heaven over one sinner sinner who re- re-
pents
pents than over ninety-nine righteous
ninety-nine righteous persons persons who
repentance" (Luke
need no repentance" (Luke 15:7, R.S.V.). One can-
15:7, R.S.V.). can-
not fail
not to see
fail to the satire
see the satire in His reference
in His reference to to the
the "ninety-
"ninety-
nine righteous
righteous persons."
persons." He emphasizes emphasizes the the same
thought
thought at
at the
the conclusion
conclusion of
of the
the story
story of
of the
the lost coin,
lost coin,
and thethe same in in the
the story
story of
of the
the lost
lost son.
son. In
In all,
all, there
there
was rejoicing
rejoicing overover the the recovery
recovery of of that
that which was lost. lost.
truth of
The truth of His words was grasped grasped by by both Pharisees
Pharisees
multitude, but the
and multitude, the Pharisees
Pharisees resisted
resisted His message.message.
In His effort
In effort to to unfold His message message of of love, Jesus
love, Jesus
illustrated the
illustrated the kingdom
kingdom of
of God in
in many
many ways. ways. More
than one hundred times
than times in the Gospels
in the Gospels we find the
find the
expression
expression "the
"the kingdom
kingdom of
of God,"
God," or
or the
the "kingdom
"kingdom of of
heaven,"
heaven," and always Jesus impressed
always Jesus impressed the
the thought
thought that
that
His kingdom
kingdom is is filled
filled with joy joy and rejoicing.
rejoicing. But
these Pharisees,
these Pharisees, surrounded as they were by
as they by stultifying
stultifying
rules, regulations, and traditions,
rules, regulations, traditions, found no place place in
18
18
QUESTIONS
their religion for
their religion joy-least
for joy least ofof all
all for the recovery
for the recovery of of
the lost. In
the lost. In fact,
fact, their
their pride
pride separated
separated them from those those
who should
should have have been the objects
been the objects of
of compassion.
compassion.
So, to
So, to bring
bring the lesson of
the lesson the kingdom
of the kingdom home to to
these self-righteous
these men, Jesus
self-righteous men, Jesus spoke spoke the
the parable
parable of
of
the unjust
the unjust steward.
steward. He told told ofof aa certain
certain rich rich man who
had aa steward.
steward. The steward steward had wasted wasted his his master's
master's
goods
goods and
and was
was called
called to
to account
account therefor.
therefor. Unjust
Unjust as as
this m~n was,
this man was, he he took
took aa course
course of action that
of action that was like-like-
wise uncommendable. He was looking
wise uncommendable. looking out out for
for his
his fu-fu-
ture,
ture, and so so inin an effort
effort to ingratiate himself
to ingratiate himself withwith those
those
he had served,
he served, he went to to them one by by one
one and barbar-
gained
gained with
with them.
them.
To those
those who owed his master money,
his master money, he he suggested
suggested
this method of
this settlement: If
of set.tlement: If one owed his his master
master aa
measures of
hundred measures of wheat,
wheat, the
the steward
steward counseled
counseled the
the
debtor to
debtor to write eighty. If
write eighty. If the
the debt
debt was was one hundred
measures of
measures of oil,
oil, the
the debtor
debtor was was counseled
counseled to to write
write
fifty.
fifty.
This
This was,
was, of
of course,
course, dishonest
dishonest and wrong.
wrong. But
being
being a
a shrewd man,
man, he was
was building friendships for
building friendships for
the future. No one would contend
the future. contend that that in in this
this parable
parable
Jesus
Jesus was condoning
condoning the the steward's
steward's dishonesty
dishonesty and trick- trick-
ery.
ery. He was,
was, however,
however, drawing
drawing a
a vital
vital lesson
lesson from this
this
man's shrewdness.
man's shrewdness. Even a wicked man makes
a wicked makes provision
provision
for his earthly
for his earthly future;
future; how much more important important that that
the child
the child of of God take
take account
account of the life
of the life toto come!
come! Then
the
the Master Teacher adds, adds, "The children
children of this world
of this world
are in
are in their
their generation
generation wiser
wiser than
than the
the children
children of of
light" (Luke 16:8).
light" (Luke 16:8).
These lessons
lessons were not not welcomed by by thethe Pharisees,
Pharisees,
for they "were covetous,"
for they covetous," and when they
they heard
heard these
these
things "they
things "they derided him" (Luke 16:
(Luke 16:14). 14). That is, they
is, they
547
sought
sought to to bring Jesus' teachings
bring Jesus' teachings into into contempt.
contempt. Their
actions drew aa stern
actions stern rebuke from our Lord:
Lord: "Ye are are
they which justify
they justify yourselves
yourselves before before men; men; but but God
knoweth your your hearts:
hearts: for that which is
for that highly esteemed
is highly esteemed
among
among men is
is abomination in
in the
the sight
sight of
of God" (verse
(verse
15).
15). It was in
It was this setting
in this setting that
that Jesus uttered one of
Jesus uttered of the
the
illuminating statements
most illuminating statements in in all
all ofof His
His teachings.
teachings.
He said:
said: "The law and the the prophets
prophets were were until
until John:
John:
since
since that time the
that time the kingdom
kingdom of of God is is preached,
preached, and
every presseth into
every man presseth into it."
it." Weymouth
Weymouth puts puts it,it, "All
"All
classes have
classes have been forcing
forcing their
their way
way into
into it"
it" (verse 16).
(verse 16).
The gospel
gospel of
of Christ
Christ is
is as
as wide as
as the
the world,
world, and
in His
in His kingdom
kingdom everyoneeveryone may may find find a a welcome,
welcome, ir- ir-
respective of
respective of his
his social position, education,
social position, education, nationality,
nationality,
or financial
or financial standing.
standing. How different
different from the teach-
the teach-
ings
ings of
of the
the scribes
scribes and Pharisees!
Pharisees! They
They contended
contended that
that
poverty
poverty was the
the evidence
evidence of
of the
the curse of God,
curse of God, while while
riches
riches were a passport to
a passport to glory.
glory. Our Lord's Lord's message
message
found ready
ready response
response among among the
the multitudes,
multitudes, especially
especially
among
among thosethose whom the despised. We read,
Pharisees despised.
the Pharisees read,
"The common people people heard heard him gladly" gladly" (Mark(Mark 12: 12:
37).
37). People
People of
of all
all ranks-the
ranks the downtrodden members
of society
of society as well as
as well as many
many of of the
the more privileged
privileged-
were pressing
were pressing into into thethe kingdom.
kingdom. But the
the Pharisees, by
Pharisees, by
their very
their very attitude
attitude towardtoward the the great
great Teacher and to- to-
ward those
those who believed
believed His His message,
message, were were actually
actually
shutting
shutting themselves
themselves out of
of the
the kingdom.
kingdom.
To such Jesus Jesus said:
said: "But woe to to you,
you, scribes
scribes and
Pharisees,
Pharisees, hypocrites!
hypocrites! because because you you shut
shut thethe kingdom
kingdom
of heaven
of heaven against
against men;
men; for
for ye
ye neither
neither enter
enter your-
your-
selves,
selves, nor
nor allow
allow those
those who would enter
enter to
to go
go in"in"
(Matt. 23: 13, R.S.V.).
(Matt. 23:13, R.S.V.). And again,
again, "The publicans
publicans and
548
548 QUESTIONS
the harlots go
the harlots go into the kingdom
into the kingdom of of God before before you"
you"
(Matt. 21:31). Outcasts,
(Matt 21:31). without aa knowledge
Outcasts, without knowledge of the
of the
law and the
law prophets, were
the prophets, were pressing
pressing into the king-
into the king-
dom, but
dom, but those
those who knew the the Sacred Writings-knew
Sacred Writings knew
every
every jotjot and tittle
tittle of
of them-were
them were refusing the good
refusing the good
news of
news of salvation.
salvation.
Jesus, in
Jesus, in His parables,
parab les, denounced the the selfishness
selfishness
and avarice
and avarice so so rampant
rampant among among the
the religionists of
religionists of that
that
day.
day. The Pharisees
Pharisees were
were covetous,
covetous, and covetousness
covetousness
springs
springs from base base selfishness.
selfishness. I Itt springs
springs from a a de-
de-
termination
termination to to obtain
obtain something
something at
at the
the expense
expense of
of oth-
oth-
ers. It lowers
ers. It lowers and enslaves
enslaves the soul. It
the soul. It destroys
destroys the the
judgment and leads
judgment leads men into into wrong mischievous
wrong and mischievous
courses of
courses of action.
action. To feign righteousness in
feign righteousness in order
order to to
accomplish
accomplish wicked
wicked ends is diabolical
is diabolical in
in the
the extreme.
extreme.
that is
But that is just what these
just these men were were doing.
doing. They
They
were proud
proud and covetous,
covetous, yet eager to
yet eager to justify
justify them-
them-
selves before men. At the
selves before the same time, time, they they derided
derided the the
greatest
greatest Teacher
Teacher of
of all
all time.
time. They
They had the
the law
law of
of God
in their hands,
in their hands, but the the lawlaw of of sin
sin was in their hearts.
in their hearts.
They were
They were perfectly
perfectly familiar
familiar with with the the jots
jots and tittles
tittles
of
of the written Word,
the written Word, but they they did
did not
not know the
the living
living
Word, the
Word, the Author of of all truth. In
all truth. spite of
In spite their ex-
of their ex-
ternal piety,
ternal piety, they
they were actually rejecting
actually rejecting the Holy the Holy One
of God. Their religion
of religion was was allall on the the outside,
outside, and
their attitude
their attitude drew from our our Lord these these scathing
scathing re- re-
bukes. Instead of
bukes. Instead of religion
religion beingbeing a
a joy,
joy, theythey turned
turned it
it
into a burden. Instead

into a burden. Instead of of recognizing
recognizing the the kingdom
kingdom as as
being available
being available to to all,
all, they
they made it it an an exclusive
exclusive inin-
heritance
heritance for for a favored few.
a favored few.
With all all their professed piety
their professed piety these
these same same teachers
teachers
were exceedingly
exceedingly lax lax on the matter of
the matter morals. Divorce
of morals. Divorce
was sanctioned byby the
the rabbis for the
rabbis for the most insignificant
insignificant
causes. Hillel,
causes. Hillel, the
the grandfather
grandfather of
of Gamaliel, taught
Gamaliel, taught that
that
a
a man might divorce
might his wife
divorce his wife for
for such trifling things
such trifling things
as
as burning the
burning the dinner,
dinner, or or even oversalting
oversalting the the soup.
soup.
(See
(See Talmud Gitlin
Gittin 90
90 a). The Pharisees'
a
).
Pharisees' flagrant
flagrant vio-
vio-
lations of
lations of the
the eternal principles of
eternal principles of the
the great
great moral
law ledled our Lord to say: "It
to say: is easier
"It is for heaven and
easier for
earth
earth to to pass,
pass, than one tittle tittle of of the
the law
law toto fail.
fail. Who-
soever putteth
putteth awayaway his
his wife,
wife, and marrieth
marrieth another,
another,
committeth adultery:
adultery: and whosoever marrieth
marrieth her that
that
is put
is put away away from her husband committeth adultery" adultery"
(Luke
(Luke 16:17,16:17, 18).
18).
When Jesus Jesus spoke these words He was nearing
spoke these nearing the the
end of of His public
public ministry.
ministry. The Saviour was making making
His last appeals. Before Him were publicans
last appeals. publicans and sinsin-
ners, Pharisees and the
ners, Pharisees multitude. How He longed
the multitude. longed
that all
that might come to
all might to Him and find find salvation!
salvation! The
particular purpose
particular purpose of this group
of this group of parables was to
of parables to
show thatthat thethe kingdom
kingdom of
of which He spoke
spoke was more
than form and ceremony;
than ceremony; it it was a fellowship with God
a fellowship
and man.
In the
In the story
story of the lost
of the lost sheep the shepherd's
sheep the shepherd's lovelove isis
beautifully illustrated,
beautifully illustrated, while
while the
the woman's diligent
diligent
search
search for for the
the piece
piece ofof silver pressed home the
silver pressed the lesson
lesson
that what was lost
that lost was of of real value. But no story
real value. story isis
so moving as
so moving as that
that ofof the prodigal son,
the prodigal son, for
for there
there we
see the fatherly
see the fatherly love
love ofof God. And the the climax of of each
is similar-there
is similar there was great rejoicing
great rejoicing over over the
the recovery
recovery
of that which was
of that was lost.
lost. The story of the
story of the unjust
unjust steward,
steward,
while
while more difficultdifficult to understand, brought
to understand, brought home aa
great lesson
great lesson to to the Pharisees particularly,
the Pharisees particularly, forfor many
many of of
them were keen businessmen.
550 QUESTIONS
But now thethe Master presses
presses home another great
great
truth-the
truth the necessity
necessity of
of being ready for
being ready for the
the day
day of
of death.
death.
To teach
teach this lesson He told
this lesson told thethe now-familiar
now-familiar tale tale of
of
the rich
the rich man and Lazarus, Lazarus, the the purpose
purpose of of which was to to
emphasize
emphasize the the vital truth that
vital truth riches, instead
that riches, instead of of leading
leading
a man into
a into everlasting
everlasting habitations
habitations with with the the saved,
saved, maymay
indeed prove
indeed prove aa barrier
barrier against
against salvation.
salvation.
Most commentators agree agree thatthat this
this rather
rather unique
unique
parable
parable of
of the
the rich
Lazarus logically
logically belongs
belongs
where it
where is, following
it Is, following the the story
story of of the
the unjust
unjust steward.
steward.
Our Lord's
Lord's description
description of of the
the rich
rich man was told told with
rare
rare skill.
skill. There is is no indication
indication of of anything
anything blame-
worthy
worthy in
in his
his outward life.
life. He is
is not
not depicted as
depicted as vo-
vo-
luptuous, unjust,
luptuous, unjust, or
or debauched.
debauched. He was
was wealthy
wealthy and
lived In
lived in aa beautiful
beautiful home. Moreover,Moreover, he was was tolerant,
tolerant,
for he even
for he even permitted Lazarus to
permitted Lazarus to beg
beg at his gate.
at his gate. This
rich man's place,
rich man's place, inin the
the social
social concept
concept of
of the
the Pharisees,
Pharisees,
was assured.
was assured. As a a son
son of Abraham, the
of Abraham, the rich
rich man had
doubtless
doubtless takentaken particular
particular pridepride in in hishis lineage.
lineage. But
when hishis life
life account
account closed,
closed, a a great
great gulf
gulf separated
separated him
from Abraham
Abraham-aa gulf that was impassable.
gulf that impassable. Jesus Jesus
showed that that his his whole life life had been been lived lived in in false
false
security.
security. Being
Being a a son
son ofof Abraham,
Abraham, the the man naturally
naturally
thought
thought of
of himself
himself as
as being
being in
in the
the kingdom of
kingdom of God.
But Jesus
Jesus revealed
revealed the the fact
fact that
that notnot onlyonly was he out-
out-
side the everlasting
side the kingdom,
everlasting kingdom, but he was outside
outside for-
for-
ever.
ever. That is the point
is the
point ofof the parable.
the parable.
II. An Analysis
II. Analysis of the Parable
of the
1.
1. THE PREDICAMENT OF A LITERAL INTERPRETA-
TION.-The scene
TION. scene of the parable
of the parable is
is laid in hades,
laid in hades) the
the
Greek equivalent
equivalent of the Hebrew sheol.
of the shea!. The story is
story is
551
often cited
cited toto prove
prove thethe popular
popular concept
concept of of the
the innate
innate
immortality
immortality of
of the
the soul.
soul. Such proponents
proponents con.tend
contend that
that
gives an authoritative
it gives
it glimpse into
authoritative glimpse into thethe future
future life,
life,
provided by Christ
provided by Christ Himself, Himself, and lifts the veil
lifts the veil of the of the
world. *
unseen world.*
We willwill now note note some of of the
the problems
problems that that con-
con-
front those
front those who hold this view. In
this view. this portrayal,
In this portrayal, bothboth
the rich man and Lazarus
the rich Lazarus had died, died, with
with the the rich
rich man
buried on earth
buried with appropriate
earth with appropriate ceremonies.
ceremonies. Although
Although
nothing
nothing is
is said
said about an intangible,
intangible, immortal soul soul leav-
leav-
ing
ing the body at
the body at death, these two
death, these two characters
characters are are often
often
regarded as
regarded as disembodied spirits-two
spirits two ghosts,
ghosts, feeling
feeling
their respective
their respective ghostly
ghostly misery
misery and joy, joy, with
with words isis-
suing
suing from their
their lips.
lips.
The rich rich man (frequently
(frequently called Dives, from the
called Dives, the
Latin adjective
Latin adjective for for "rich"),
"rich"), in
in torment,
torment, is
is depicted in
depicted in
the story
the story as
as seeing
seeing Lazarus
Lazarus afar
afar off
off in
in "Abraham's
"Abraham's
bosom"-aa common concept-and
bosom" beseeching Abra-
concept and beseeching Abra-
ham to Lazarus to
to send Lazarus relieve the
to relieve torment of
the torment of the
the rich
rich
with aa drop
man with drop of
of water
water to
to cool
cool his
his tongue.
tongue. But,
But, in
in
response,
response, he is
is reminded of of the
the impassable
impassable gulf gulf fixed
fixed
between them.them.
That is is the
the picture-the
picture the gulf gulf between heaven and
hell realistically
hell realistically too too wide for persons on opposite
for persons opposite
sides to cross
sides to cross over, over, but narrow enough
enough to to permit
permit them
to converse. Now,
to converse. Now, if this portrayal
if this portrayal is is literal,
literal, then the the
abodes of
abodes of thethe saved
saved and of of the
the damned are are forever
forever
within
within sight
sight and sound of of each
each other,
other, yet yet the space
space
*Thus Pool (comment

*Thus Pool (comment on Luke 16:22) insists it
16:22) insists teaches the
it teaches the existence
existence of the soul
soul
separate from the
separate from the body, with the
body, with the souls
souls of the good
of the good and evil
evil having passed
having passed on to the
to the
state of
state of eternal blessedness or
eternal blessedness endless woe. Van Oosterzee
or endless (CommentaTY) likewise
(Commentary)
maintains it
maintains teaches that
it teaches that the
the life
life of both the
of both the godly
godly and the
the ungodly
ungodly is
is uninterrupt-
uninterrupt-
edly
edly continued
continued after
after death-death thus being
death death thus being identical
identical with the
the afterlife.
afterlife.
552
552 QUESTIONS
between them is unbridgeable. It
is unbridgeable. It was that
that concept
concept that
that
gave
gave rise
rise to
to Jonathan
Jonathan Edwards'
Edwards' strange
strange contention that
that
the
the sight
sight of
of the
the agonies
agonies of
of the
the damned enhances
enhances the
the
bliss of
bliss of the
the redeemed!
It
It must not
not bebe overlooked
overlooked thatthat Lazarus
Lazarus was carried
carried
to
to "Abraham's bosom,"
bosom," notnot into
into the
the presence
presence ofof God.
(See
(See Part
Part III.)
III.) Abraham is
is here
here the
the chief
chief personage-
personage
and each
each ofof the
the characters
characters isis portrayed
portrayed as as without
without aa
prior resurrection.
prior resurrection. But this
this concept
concept results
results in
in a maze
of
of absurdities contradictions. It
absurdities and contradictions. It creates
creates a a confused
confused
jumble
jumble of
of the
the literal
literal and the
the figurative,
figurative, and does
does vio-
vio-
lence
lence to the plain
to the plain declarations
declarations of
of Scripture.
Scripture.
2. LITERAL PARABLE, OR ALLEGORY?
NARRATI\'E-LITERAL
2. NARRATIVE ALLEGORY?-
The parable
parable was a,common
a. common method employed by Christ
employed by Christ
in teaching truth.
in teaching truth. And thethe laws,
laws, or principles, of
or principles, par-
of par-
ables,
ables, familiar
familiar in
in Christ's
Christ's day,
day, were a
a sufficient
sufficient safe-
safe-
guard against misunderstanding.
guard against misunderstanding. This particular
particular par-par-
able, unique
able, unique inin the Testament, has
the New Testament, has its
its nearest
nearest
parallel in
parallel the Old Testament,
in the Testament, in in the
the parabolic
parabolic
imagery
imagery of
of Isaiah
Isaiah 14:9-11,
14:9-11, which represents dead kings,
represents dead kings,
though actually
though actually in
in their
their graves,
graves, rising
rising upup and sitting
sitting
thrones in
on thrones (equivalent of
sheal (equivalent
in sheol of the
the Greek,
Greek, hades),
hades),
conversing and rejoicing
conversing rejoicing over
over the
the mighty
mighty Babylonian
Babylonian
conqueror
conqueror who had put
put them to death,
to death, and who him-
him-
self has
self has now been
been conquered
conquered by death and is
by death is coming
coming
to take
to take his
his throne
throne among
among them in in the
the nether
nether regions.
regions.
Hell [margin,
Hell [margin, "the
"the grave"]
grave"] from
from beneath
beneath is is moved forfor thee
thee
to meet thee
to thee at
at thy
thy coming:
coming: it it stirreth
stirreth up
up the
the dead
dead for
for thee,
thee, even
even
all the
all the chief
chief ones
ones of
of the
the earth;
earth; itit hath
hath raised
raised upup from
from their
their
thrones all
thrones all the
the kings
kings of
of the
the nations.
nations. All
All they
they shall
shall speak
speak and
and
say unto thee,
say thee, Art
Art thou
thou also
also become
become weak
weak asas we?
we? art
art thou
thou become
become
like us? Thy
like unto us? Thy pomp
pomp isis brought
brought down to to the
the grave,
grave, and
and the
the
553
noise of thy
noise of thy viols:
viols: the
the worm is
is spread thee, and the
spread under thee, the
worms cover
cover thee.
thee.
Jotham's
Jotham's parabolic
parabolic storystory of of the
the trees,
trees, thethe vine,
vine, and
the bramble engaging
the bramble engaging in in a political discussion
a political discussion is is an-
an-
other parallel
other parallel inin the the Old Testament.
Testament. The episode episode
never took
never place in
took place in reality.
reality. But that that in in no way way de- de-
tracts from the
tracts truth emphasized
the truth emphasized in in parabolic
parabolic form. form.
This parable
parable pictures
pictures inanimate
inanimate objects personified,
objects personified,
even given
and even given life
life and speech.
speech. In Judges 9:8-15
In Judges 9:8-15 we
read, "The trees
read, trees went forthforth on a time to
a time to anoint
anoint aa kingking
them; and they
over them; they said
said .. . .."
." Anyone
Anyone will
will recognize
recognize
this
this asas clearly
clearly figurative language. Parables
figurative language. Parables are are often
often
akin
akin to fables, or
to fables, or fictitious
fictitious narratives.
narratives. In In our concept
concept
of death, dead men holding
of death, holding rational
rational discussion
discussion is is like
like
the trees
the trees holding
holding political
political discourse.
discourse. In a
a parable,
parable, then,
then,
there is
there is often
often substantial
substantial truth truth in in the
the framework of of
the circumstantial
the circumstantial fiction.
fiction.
In
In this
this parable
parable of of Luke 16, 16, hades
hades is figuratively
is figuratively
portrayed
portrayed as
as a
a place
place of
of life,
life, of
of memory,
memory, and of
of speech.
speech.
And the the dead
dead in hades are
in hades pictured as
are pictured alive, and seek-
as alive, seek-
ing
ing to
to give
give admonition
admonition to
to the
the living.
living. It
It is
is an intriguing
intriguing
story,
story, butbut to
to usus it is clearly
it is figurative. In
clearly figurative. In the
the story
story
those actually
those actually dead are
are made to
to speak
speak and act,
act, which
is
is permissible in
permissible in a parable, for
a parable, for inin aa parable
parable all the
all the
incongruities
incongruities of
of time,
time, place,
place, distance,
distance, et
et cetera,
cetera, vanish.
vanish.
In
In this
this allegory, references to
allegory, references to the
the gulf,
gulf, thethe flaming
flaming
fire,
fire, and the the dead speaking
speaking are all understandable,
are all understandable,
for the
for the story
story is
is told
told to to convey
convey aa moral truth. truth. This is is
the point and purpose
the point purpose of of thethe recital,
recital, though
though the the dead
are
are notnot actually
actually conscious
conscious living beings, nor are
living beings, are the
rewards punishment meted out as
rewards and punishment yet.
as yet.
3.
3. CANNOT BE BOTH LITERAL AND FIGURATIVE. FIGURATIVE.-
QUESTIONS
All
All admit that that either
either the
the story
story must be be literal
literal fact,
fact, and
the narrative
the narrative an actualactual occurrence,
occurrence, or or itit isis merely
merely a a
parable.
parable. It
It cannot
cannot be
be both.
both. If
If literal,
literal, it
it must be
be
equally true
equally true inin fact
fact and consistent
consistent in in detail.
detail. But if if aa
parable,
parable, then
then only
only the
the moral
moral truth
truth to
to be
be conveyed
conveyed is
is
be sought.
to be sought. And the the story
story would then then be be subject
subject to to
the recognized laws
the recognized limitations of
laws and limitations of the
the parable.
parable. Thus
all
all is understandable. As we see
Is understandable. see it, the literal
it, the literal applica-
applica-
tion
tion isis clearly incongruous, and breaks
clearly incongruous, breaks down under the the
weight of
weight of its
its own absurdities. Christ is
absurdities. Christ is not
not herehere dis-
dis-
closing particulars
closing particulars of
of life
life beyond
beyond the
the grave.
grave. Rather,
Rather,
He is is employing a
employing a trenchant
trenchant story story ofof the
the times
times to to ad-
ad-
monish and rebuke those those who refused
refused His teachings
teachings on
the
the right
right useuse of
of wealth.
wealth.
Contenders for for literalism
literalism suppose
suppose DivesDives and Laza- Laza-
rus to
rus to be
be inin aa disembodied state, state, that
that is,
is, destitute
destitute of
of
bodies. And yet
bodies. yet the
the rich
rich man is is explicitly referred
explicitly referred to to
as having "eyes"
as having "eyes" that
that see,
see, and a a "tongue"
"tongue" that that speaks,
speaks,
as
as well
well asas seeking
seeking cooling relief from the
cooling relief the "finger"
"finger" of of
Lazarus-real
Lazarus bodily parts.
real bodily parts. They
They are are thus
thus portrayed
portrayed as as
going to
going to their
their reward bodily,bodily, despite
despite the the factfact that
that
Dives's
Dives's bodybody was duly buried and in
duly buried in the
the grave.
grave. Those
contend that,
who contend that, byby this parable, Christ
this parable, Christ was was support-
support-
ing
ing what we believe
believe to
to be
be a
a pagan concept of
pagan concept of death,
death,
must also
must also hold that He condoned the
hold that unethical schemes
the unethical schemes
of
of the unjust steward.
the unjust steward. But this this no one would attempt attempt
to do.
to do.
As toto "Abraham's bosom" bosom"-noted noted later-and
later and itsits in-
in-
volvements, Dr.
volvements, Dr. Charles
Charles L. L. Ives,
Ives, former professorprofessor of of
medicine at at Yale (The (The Bible
Bible Doctrine
Doctrine of
of the
the Soul,
Soul,
1877,
1877, pp.pp. 54, 55), pointedly
54, 55), pointedly remarks:
remarks:
It will
It not do to
will not to say, as has
say, as has been
been claimed,
claimed, thatthat Abraham's
Abraham's
is aa figurative
bosom is figurative expression
expression for the highest
for the highest celestial
celestial felicity;
felicity;
for, Abraham himself
for, himself in his own person
in his person appears
appears on the
the scene.
scene.
And if he himself
if he himself is is present in
present in aa literal
literal sense, it is
sense, it is hardly
hardly fair to
fair to
use his bosom,
use his bosom, at the same time,
at the time, in
in a sensei If
figurative sense!
a figurative If his
his bosom
is figurative, then
is figurative, then Abraham himself,
himself, and so then the
so then whole
the whole
narrative, is
narrative, is figurative.
figurative.
All attempts
All attempts toto blend the literal
blend the literal and the
the figurative
figurative
are
are equally
equally futile. We
futile. We believe
believe with Bloomfield (Greek
with Bloomfield (Greek
Testament):
Testament}: "The best best Commentators,
Commentators, both both ancient
ancient
and modern,
modern, withwith reason consider it
reason consider as a
it as parable."-
a parable"
On Luke 16: 19. Constable
16:19. Constable calls
calls it the "general
it the "general senti-
senti-
ment of of Christendom."
Christendom." The introductory introductory phrasingphrasing
and the entire form and construction
the entire construction correspond
correspond ex- ex-
actly to other parables of Christ,
actly to other parables of Christ, such such as
as the
the unjust
unjust
steward
steward and the the prodigal
prodigal son (Luke 15:11;
son (Luke 15:11; 16:1),
16:1),
which immediately precede
immediately precede and follow
follow the
the rich
rich man
and Lazarus. Proof must be
Lazarus. Proof be offered
offered to sustain the
to sustain the
contrary.
contrary.
4. PARABLE NOT SUITABLE BASIS FOR DOCTRINE.
4. DOCTRINE.-
absurdity of
The absurdity the popular
of the popular contention
contention becomes the the
more apparent
apparent the
the further
further the
the involvements
involvements are
are pur-
pur-
sued.
sued. To cite cite this
this allegory
allegory as as a a literal
literal instead
instead of of a a
figurative
figurative account,
account, would,
would, as
as has
has already
already been observed,
observed,
place heaven
place heaven and hell hell geographically
geographically within within speaking
speaking
and seeing
seeing distance
distance of of each
each other,
other, which is is incongruous.
incongruous.
Saints
Saints andand sinners
sinners eternally holding converse!
eternally holding converse! The re- re-
sultant
sultant question
question is
is inescapable:
inescapable: Will all
all who die in in
Christ
Christ see
see and converse,
converse, across
across the
the dividing
dividing gulf,gulf,
through all
through all eternity,
eternity, withwith their
their own loved loved ones who
have died out
have died out of
of Christ?
Christ?
If
If the recital is
the recital is conceded
conceded to to bebe but
but aa parable,
parable, but
used to sustain the
used to sustain the conceptconcept of
of the
the conscious
conscious torment of
the wicked,
the wicked, then
then we are are confronted
confronted with the the universally
universally
556
QUESTIONS
accepted principle
accepted principle that
that aa doctrine
doctrine cannot
cannot safely
safely be
be
built upon
built upon aa parable
parable or
or an
an allegory
allegory alone,
alone, especially
especially
when it it contradicts
contradicts the the plain
plain teachings
teachings of of Scripture.
Scripture.
To do do so
so involves
involves thethe one
one who attempts
attempts it it in
in absurdity
absurdity
contradiction. We
and contradiction. \Ve repeat
repeat that that this
this parabolic
parabolic dis- dis-
course of
course the Master
of the Master was was notnot designed
designed to to teach
teach con-con-
ditions the
ditions the other
other side
side of of death,
death, or or inin the
the unseen world
in the
in the intermediate
intermediate state, state, but
but to to convey
convey great
great moral
lessons. Edersheim
lessons. Edersheim (Life (Life and Times of Jesus
of Jesus thethe Mes-
rightly says
siah) rightly
siah) says that
that doctrine
doctrine cannot
cannot be be derived
derived from
this parable
this parable concerning
concerning the the other
other world,
world, or or the
the char-
char-
acter or
acter or duration
duration of of future punishments, or
future punishments, or the
the moral
improvement of
improvement those in
of those Gehenna. '*' We feel
in Gehenna.* feel that
that toto use
use
it as
it as proof
proof that
that men receive
receive theirtheir rewards
rewards at death
at death
is squarely
is
squarely to to contradict
contradict Christ Christ Himself,
Himself, who states states
explicitly
explicitly that
that the
the righteous
righteous and the
the wicked receive
receive
their reward,
their reward, "when the the Son of of man shallshall come in in his
his
glory"
glory" (see(see Matt.
Matt. 25:31-41).
25:3141).
If
If dead men actually
actually hold converse with
hold converse with one anan-
other, then
other, then the
the parable
parable contradicts
contradicts the the plainest
plainest declara-
declara-
tions of
tions of Scripture-"His
Scripture "His breath
breath goeth
goeth forth,
forth, he return-
return-
eth
eth to his earth;
to his earth; inin that
that very
very dayday his
his thoughts perish"
thoughts perish"
(Ps.
(Ps. 146:4);
146:4); "The dead praise praise not not the
the Lord,
Lord, neither
neither
any
any that
that go
go down into into silence"
silence" (Ps.115:17).
(Ps. 115:17).
Abraham himselfhimself had died died and his his sons
sons buried
buried
him (Gen. 25:8,
(Gen. 25:8, 9). 9). Nor is there
is there any any account of
of his
his
resurrection.
resurrection. In In the
the Biblical
Biblical account
account (Hebrews
(Hebrews II) 11) he,
he,
like
like the
the other
other patriarchs,
patriarchs, is is awaiting
awaiting that that "better"
"better" resur-
resur-
rection
rection at at the
the second
second coming
coming of
of Christ.
Christ.
*And Dr. William Smith (Dictionary

(Dictionary of
of the Bible, vol.
the Bible, vol. 2, p. 1038)
2, p. 1038) insists:
insists: "It
"It
is
is impossible
impossible to
to ground
ground the
the proof
proof of
of an important
important theological
theological doctrine
doctrine on
on aa passage
passage
which confessedly
confessedly abounds
abounds in
in Jewish
Jewish metaphor."
metaphor."
557
So the
the contention
contention thatthat the
the reward
reward is received at
is received at death
death
(a) nullifies the
(a) nullifies judgment, anticipating
the judgment, anticipating its its predicted
predicted
time; (b)
time; (b) completely
completely contradicts
contradicts what we believe believe to to
be the clear testimony
the clear testimony of of Scripture
Scripture that
that the
the dead are
are
asleep; (c)
asleep; (c) represents
represents disembodied spirits spirits asas possess-
possess-
ing bodily
ing members; and (d)
bodily members; puts the spirits in full
(d) puts the spirits in full
view of of one another.
another.
5.
5. UNRESTRICTED LITERALISM IN
IN CONFLICT WITH
TRUTH.-If
BIBLE TRUTH. If the narrative is
the narrative is literal, then the
literal, then the
beggar received
beggar received his reward, and the
his reward, the rich
rich man his his pun-
pun-
ishment, immediately after
ishment, immediately death and before
after death before the judg-
the judg-
ment day. day. But that that again
again is is in direct conflict
in direct conflict with
Paul's
Paul's declaration
declaration that that God "hath appointed a
appointed a day,
day,
in
in the
the which he will judge the
will judge the world in in righteousness"
righteousness"
(Acts
(Acts 17: 31). This day,
17:31). day, we understand,
understand, will will be when
"the
"the Son of of man shall
shall come in in his
his glory
glory ... and be-
. . . be-
fore
fore him shall
shall be gathered all nations:
gathered all nations: and he shall
shall
separate
separate them one from another" another" (Matt. (Matt. 25:31,
25:31, 32). 32).
A literal
literal interpretation
interpretation also also conflicts
conflicts withwith Christ's
Christ's prom-
prom-
ise: "Behold,
ise: "Behold, II come quickly;quickly; and my my reward is is with me, me,
to give
to give every
every man according
according as his work shall
as his be" (Rev.
shall be" (Rev.
22:12);
22:12); and with the
the promise
promise of
of reward in
in Luke 14:14:
14:14:
"Thou shalt shalt bebe recompensed
recompensed at at the
the resurrection
resurrection of of thethe
just." Compare
just." Compare also
also Paul's
Paul's statement:
statement: "There is
is laid
laid
up
up for for me a a crown of of righteousness,
righteousness, which the the Lord
... shall
. . shall give
.
give me at
at that
that day"
day" (2 (2 Tim. 4:R)-the
4:8) the dayday
of His appearing.
of appearing.
This statement
statement is is inin harmony
harmony with Malachi 4:1-3, 4: 1-3,
which says says that
that "the
"the dayday cometh"-a
cometh" a future future event-
event
when the the wicked
wicked areare to to suffer
suffer the torments of
the torments of con-
con-
suming
suming fire.
fire. It
It seems clear
clear to
to us
us that
that the
the Old Testa-
Testa-
ment, or
ment, or "Moses and all all the prophets," are
the prophets," are united
united and
QUESTIONS
harmonious in In testifying that the
testifying that the dead, both the
dead, both right-
the right-
eous the wicked,
eous and the lie silent
wicked, lie unconscious in
silent and unconscious in death
until the
until the resurrection
resurrection day. (See
day. (See JobJob 14:12-15,
14:12-15, 20, 21;
20, 21;
17:13;
17:13; 19:25,
19:25, 27;
27; Ps.
Ps. 115:17.)
115:17.)
Jesus
Jesus frequently referred to
frequently referred to the fate of
the fate the wicked.
of the wicked.
He mentioned "hell" (Matt. 10:28),
"hell" (Matt. referred to
10:28), referred to "hell
"hell
fire" (Matt. 5:22),
fire" (Matt. 5:22), called
called attention
attention to
to the
the "resurrec-
"resurrec-
tion of
tion of damnation" (John(John 5:29),
5:29), to to the
the "damnation of of
hell" (Matt.
hell" (Matt. 23: 33), and to
23:33), to "eternal
"eternal damnation"
(Mark 3:29).
(Mark 3:29). The Saviour
Saviour also
also referred
referred to the
to the eternal
eternal
home of the righteous.
of the righteous. He called
called it
it "paradise" (Luke
"paradise" (Luke
23:43) and His
23:43) His "Father's
"Father's kingdom"
kingdom" (Matt. 26:29).
(Matt. 26:29).
He badebade His followers lay up
followers lay up treasure
treasure in in heaven
(Matt. 6:20),
(Matt. 6:20), and declared
declared that
that it
it is
is to
to heaven,
heaven, and
His "Father's
His house" (John
"Father's house" 14:2),
(John 14:2), that
that He will
will take
take His
His
children when He comes
children comes thethe second
second time. time.
6. DOES NOT INVOLVE CONSCIOUSNESS OF DEAD.-
6. DEAD.
In the parable,
In the parable, Dives
Dives lifted up his
lifted up his eyes
eyes "in
"in torments,"
torments,"
"in this flame."
"in this flame." But according to Scripture
according to this torment
Scripture this torment
does
does notnot precede
precede the
the second advent (2
second advent (2 Thess.
Thess. 1:7,
1:7, 8).
8),
Gehenna is is the
the Greek word usually
usually used
used when the the
fires
fires ofof destruction
destruction are described. But in
are described. in this
this story
story ofof
the rich
the rich man thethe word "hell" is translated
"hell" is translated from hades)
hades,
and thethe grave
grave contains
contains no such
such fire.
fire. To all Jews, all
all Jews, all the
the
dead were in the grave,
hades, the
in hades, grave, the
the home of of the
the dead.
dead.
So, for us
So, for us the
the story of the
story of the rich
Lazarus
in
in no way
way proves
proves the
the consciousness
consciousness of
of the
the dead,
dead, and the
the
present and eternal
present torment of
eternal torment of the wicked. Such
the wicked. Such a a
conclusion is,
is, we believe,
believe, wholly
wholly without
without justification,
justification,
and contradictory
contradictory to to the
the clear, plain teaching
clear, plain teaching ofof the
the
Word. Death is is consistently set
consistently set forth
forth in
in Scripture
Scripture as a
as a
condition
condition of
of silence,
silence, darkness,
darkness, and unconsciousness
unconsciousness
(Ps. 6:5; 115:17; Isa.
(Ps. 6:5; 115:17; Isa. 38:18). 38:18).
Neither Lazarus
Neither Lazarus nor nor Dives
Dives hashas as yet received
as yet received his his
reward. They
reward. They are are silent
silent in in death, awaiting the
death, awaiting voice
the voice
that will
that will call
call forth
forth "all that are
"all that are in
in thethe graves"
graves" (John (John
5:28).
5:28). They
They are are reserved
reserved to to the
the day
day of of judgment
judgment (2 (2
Peter 2:4,
Peter 2:4, 9; 9; compare Job
compare Job 21:30). 21:30).
In this
this allegory
allegory the the unconscious
unconscious dead are are ficti-
ficti-
tiously represented
tiously represented as
as carrying
carrying on a
a conversation, but
conversation, but
without involving
involving the the actual
actual consciousness
consciousness of of the
the dead-
dead
just
just as
as in
in the
the Old Testament,
Testament, in
in the
the parable of
parable of the
trees, they
trees, they are
are parabolically portrayed
parabolically portrayed as
as holding con-
holding con-
versation,
versation, and anointinganointing a king over
a king over them.
them. But none
contend that
would contend that this
this is evidence that
is evidence that trees
trees talktalk and
have a king over them (Judges
a king (Judges 9:8-15;
9:8-15; compare
compare 2 2
Kings 14:9).
Kings 14:9).
great gulf
The great (Greek, chasma)
gulf (Greek, chasma, "chasm")-narrow
"chasm") narrow
enough to
enough to allow
allow conversation
conversation to take place
to take place across
across it, it,
but deep
but deep enoughenough to
to prevent passage-is
prevent passage is incompre-
incompre-
hensible on the
hensible the hypothesis
hypothesis of of immaterial beings. beings.
Rather, it
Rather, it would indicate
indicate the the irrevocable
irrevocable division
division that that
death fixes
death fixes between the good and the
the good the bad at the close
at the close
of their
of their earthly
earthly probation.
probation. Each must remain in the
in the
class
class inin which death
death finds him,
finds him, until
until the
the great
great assize.
assize.
Today one may

Today may passpass from the the state
state of of the
the condemned
(John 3: 18) to
(John 3:18) to that
that of of the
the pardoned.
pardoned. But when death
comes,
comes, it
it is
is forever
forever too
too late.
late. The gulf
gulf isis fixed.
fixed.
7. OBVIOUS
7. OBVIOUS PURPOSE OF THIS PARABLE. A parable
PARABLE.-A parable
is
is spoken
spoken for
for the
the purpose
purpose of
of influencing
influencing the
the living,
living, and
is
is adapted to
adapted to the
the time.
time. But God's appointed
appointed time of
of
grace for
for man is before
is "before death
death and resurrection.
resurrection. Retri-
Retri-
grace
bution comes
bution comes afterafter the the resurrection.
resurrection. Life after after death
560 QUESTIONS
is always
is consequent upon
always consequent upon the resurrection. Moreover,
the resurrection. Moreover,
when the the rich
rich man pleaded
pleaded with with Abraham that that Lazarus
Lazarus
be sent
be sent back back to to warn his his kinsfolk
kinsfolk against the terrors
against the terrors ofof
hell,
hell, lest
lest they
they come to
to the
the same place
place of
of torment,
torment, the
the
answer
answer is is explicit:
explicit: "They
"They have Moses and the
have Moses the prophets;
prophets;
let
let them hear hear them"
them" (Luke (Luke 16:29).
16:29). And if if they
they will
will
not heed
not heed them, then, Christ
them, then, Christ says plainly,
says plainly, they
they would
not be
not be persuaded
persuaded "though"though one one roserose from the the dead"
(verse
(verse 31).31).
8.
8. WEWE MUST THEREFORE CONCLUDE:
a.
a. That the the dialog,
dialog, withwith its parabolic personifica-
its parabolic personifica-
tion,
tion, was wholly imaginary.
wholly imaginary. And we believe
believe not merely
not merely
that
that it it did
did notnot happen
happen but but that
that it it never
never could happen,
happen,
as
as between the the saved
saved and the lost.
the lost.
b.
b. That the the time
time is is likewise fictitious. Not only
likewise fictitious. only isis
the dialog
the dialog invented,
invented, but
but time
time is
is antedated.
antedated. (Men
(Men are
are
not to
not to be be rewarded,
rewarded, or or to to receive
receive retribution,
retribution, until until
the
the resurrection,
resurrection, but but here
here theythey are
are pictured allegorically
pictured allegorically
as before the
as before the resurrection.)
resurrection.)
c. That it
c. is the
it is the only
only placeplace in in Scripture
Scripture where
hades
hades is is portrayed
portrayed as as aa place
place of of torment.
torment. Such is usu-
is usu-
ally
ally reserved
reserved for
for gehenna.
gehenna. But Christ,
Christ, for
for the
the purpose
purpose
of parable,
of parable, and utilizing current concepts,
utilizing current concepts, herehere ante-
ante-
dates
dates and portraysportrays Dives
Dives and LazarusLazarus as as alive
alive inin hades
before the
before the resurrection,
resurrection, just just asas Isaiah raises up
Isaiah raises up his
his
dead kingskings in in hades to utter aa taunt
to utter upon Babylon.
taunt upon Babylon.
According to
According the teaching
to the teaching of of Jesus
Jesus inin other para-
other para-
bles,
bles, the
the recompense
recompense is
is at the resurrection
at the resurrection of the of the
just-the
just the "time"time of of harvest"
harvest" and the the "end of the
of the
world," when God's people
world," people are
are gathered
gathered into
into His
His gar-
gar-
ner, and the
ner, the wicked,
wicked, as as tares,
tares, are bundled for
are bundled for burning
burning
(Matt.
(Matt. 13:30,13:30, 49;49; Luke 14: 14).
14:14).
561
Such we understand
understand to
to be
be the
the intent
intent and the limi-
the limi-
tations of this
tations of this parable.
parable.
III.
III. Contemporary Jewish Concept
Contemporary Jewish of "Abraham's Bosom"
Concept of
It is evident,
It is evident, from Jewish Jewish writings,
writings, thatthat thethe Phari-
Phari-
sees various others
sees and various others of of Christ's
Christ's day day believed
believed in
in the
the
idea of
idea of consciousness after
consciousness after death. death. Their concept
concept of of
hades had greatly
hades greatly changed
changed since since thethe days
days of of the
the pa-pa-
triarchs and the
triarchs the close
close of the Old Testament canon.
of the canon.
And in the time
in the time of Jesus they
of Jesus believed much as
they believed did
as did
the Greeks and others
the Greeks others around them. them.
Reference is
Reference made, in
is made, the parable
in the parable just just noted,
noted, to to
"Abraham's bosom" (Luke 16:22),
(Luke 16:22), an expression
expression
found no other other place
place in in Scripture.
Scripture. So far as
So far as the
the Bible
Bible
is concerned,
is concerned, there there is nothing to
is nothing to indicate
indicate where "Abra- "Abra-
ham's bosom" is,
ham's is, or
or what it it signifies.
signifies.
We find,
find, however,
however, that that the
the expression
expression appearsappears in in
extra-Biblical
extra-Biblical literature,
literature, and that that it was apparently
it was
apparently a a
current concept,
current concept, or tradition, of
or tradition, of thethe Jewish people.
Jewish people.
Josephus, in
Josephus, in his
his "Discourse
"Discourse Concerning
Concerning Hades," Hades," states
states
that they
that they call
call "Abraham's bosom" the
the place
place of
of felicity
felicity
which the
to which
to the righteous
righteous go go at death. The Talmud refers
at death. refers
to it
to as "Abraham's lap"
it as (Kiddushin
lap" (Kiddushin 72
72 b ). It
b
).
It was evi-
evi-
dently
dently the
the common belief
belief of
of many
many in
in the
the days
days of
of Jesus.
Jesus.
In
In fact,
fact, the the description
description of of hades,
hades, as as given
given by by Jo-Jo-
sephus, parallels
sephus, parallels very very closely
closely the
the narrative
narrative of
of the
the rich
rich
man and Lazarus.
Lazarus. (Full (Full statement quoted quoted in in additional
note
note on p. 565.)
p. 565.) There we read of
of the
the great gulf
great gulf fixed,
fixed,
of the chamber of
of the of the righteous being
the righteous being within sight sight
and speaking
and speaking distance
distance of
of the
the chamber where the
the
wicked
wicked are are tormented,
tormented, and of
of other
other details
details referred
referred to
to
in the story
in the story as as narrated
narrated by by Jesus.
Jesus. Not only
only do these
these
562
QUESTIONS
concepts appear
concepts appear in the writings
in the writings of
of Josephus, but they
Josephus, but they
are to
are to be
be found in
in other Jewish literature.
other Jewish literature. Thus we
read concerning hades:
read concerning hades: (1)(1) that hades was
that hades was composed
composed
of
of- two chambers (2
two chambers (2 Esdras
Esdras 4:41); (2)
4:41); (2) that that one of of
these chambers
these chambers was for was for the
the righteous;
righteous; the
the other
other for
for the
the
wicked (Midrash,
wicked (Midrash, on Ruth 1: 1); (3)
1:1); that the
(3) that the righteous
righteous
inhabit one
inhabit one chamber (Wisdom (Wisdom of
of Solomon 3:1); the
3:1); the
,vicked
wicked the the other,
other, where they
they are
are accursed,
accursed, scourged,
scourged,
and tormented
tormented (Enoch 22:9-13; Talmud Erubin
(Enoch 22:9-13;
19
19 aa );
); (4)
(4) thatthat the the inhabitants
inhabitants of of one chamber are are
visible to,
visible to, and within within speaking
speaking distance
distance of,
of, the
the in-
in-
habitants
habitants of of thethe other
other chamber (Midrash,(Midrash, on Ecel.
Eccl.
7: 14); (5)
7:14); (5) that
that the the righteous
righteous are are welcomed into into hades
by companies
by companies of
of ministering angels (Talmud
ministering angels (Talmud Kethu-
both l04
both 104 aa ; 4 Ezra
; 7:85-87, 91-95);
Ezra 7:85-87, 91-95); (6) that the
(6) that the righteous
righteous
are received into hades by
are received into hades by Abraham, Isaac, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Jacob
(4
(4 Maccabees
Maccabees 13:17); 13:17); and (7)
(7) that
that the
the righteous,
righteous, as
as
part
part of
of their
their reward,
reward, sit
sit "in
"in Abraham's lap" (Talmu<;l
lap" (Talmud
Kiddushin 72
Kiddushin 72 bb).
).
And Josephus
Josephus gives this testimony:
gives this testimony:
They also
They believe that
also believe that souls have an immortal vigour
souls have vigour inin
them,
them, and that
that under
under the
the earth
earth there will be rewards
there will rewards oror punish-
punish-
ments, according as
ments, according they have lived
as they lived virtuously
virtuously or
or viciously
viciously in
in
this life;
this life; and the
the latter are to
latter are to bebe detained
detained in in an everlasting
everlasting
prison, but that
prison, but the former
that the former shall have power
shall have power toto revive
revive and live
live
again.-Antiquities
again. Antiquities xviii.
xviii. 1. 3.
1. 3.
Such was
was the
the setting of current
setting of current concepts,
concepts, or tradi-
or tradi-
tions, concerning
tions, concerning hades as the
as the home of
of the dead, at the
the dead, at the
time that
time that Jesus referred to
Jesus referred to it in the
it in parable.
the parable.
IV. Obvious Lessons

IV. Lessons of
of the Parable
the Parable
Important
Important lessons
lessons are taught in
are taught in this
this parable:
parable: (1)
(1)
that earthly blessings
that earthly blessings at best are
at best uncertain and transi-
are uncertain transi-
tory; (2) that
tory; (2) that rich
rich men are responsible not
are responsible not only
only for
for
563
what theythey do but but alsoalso for

for what they they do do not
not do withwith
their wealth;
their wealth; (3) that this
(3) that this present
present life
life isis the
the onlyop-
only -op-
portunity we will
portunity will be be given
given to to make preparation
preparation for for
the future;
future; (4) (4) that
that selfish
selfish inhumanity,
inhumanity, and the
the wrong
wrong
use of riches, disqualifies
of riches, disqualifies one from from aa placeplace in in God's
God's
eternal kingdom; (5)
eternal kingdom; (5) that
that the clear teachings
the clear teachings of of
Scripture
Scripture are
are sufficient
sufficient to
to make us
us wise
wise unto
unto salvation.
salvation.
The rich rich man was not not separated
separated from Abraham
because he
because he waswas rich,
rich, for for Abraham himself was aa man
himself
of wealth,
of wealth, but but because
because he he had disregarded
disregarded the the funda-
funda-
mental teachings
teachings of of the
the law and the prophets, which
the prophets,
are love
are love to to God and love love to to man. Jesus said that
Jesus said that on
these
these two hang hang all all the
the law and the prophets (Matt.
the prophets (Matt.
22:40).
22:40).
By
By this
this series
series of parables Jesus
of parables Jesus unmasked the the phi-
phi-
losophy
losophy of
of the
the Pharisees
Pharisees and revealed
revealed the
the utter
utter worth-
worth-
lessness
lessness of of certain
certain of of their
their teachings.
teachings. They stood con-
They stood con-
demned before before the the judgment
judgment seat seat of of the
the Eternal.
Eternal. In In
the very
the Scriptures they
very Scriptures they professed professed to
to teach-Moses
teach Moses and
the prophets
the prophets-witness witness was borne borne against
against the the things
things
they were
they were doing.
doing. "Except
'
'Except youryour righteousness

righteousness shall shall ex-
ex-
ceed the
ceed the righteousness
righteousness of
of the
the scribes
scribes and Pharisees,
Pharisees,
ye shall
ye shall in in no casecase enter into the
enter into the kingdom
kingdom of of heaven/'
heaven,"
declared Jesus
declared Jesus (Matt.(Matt. 5:20). kingdom is
5:20). His kingdom is aa king-
king-
dom of fellowship, where love
of fellowship, love and joy joy abound. When
enter that
we enter that kingdom
kingdom we are are thethe children
children of of God
and members one of another. It
of another. It is
is aa family
family relationship
relationship
where all all are
are equal
equal and love love is the bond.
is the bond. These basic basic
principles
principles of
of the
the kingdom
kingdom the
the Pharisees
Pharisees failed
failed to
to un-
derstand.
derstand.
The parable
parable also presses home the
also presses the truth
truth that
that while
eternal
eternal lifelife or or death
death is is a choice set
a choice before everyone
set before every one
564 QUESTIONS
of us,
us, yet
yet we reveal
reveal inin this
this life
life our fitness
fitness for
for that
that
life
life toto come. The rich rich man was not condemned for for
his riches, but for
his riches, for his
his selfishness;
selfishness; nor was the the beggar
beggar
saved because
because ofof his
his poverty
poverty or or even his his earthly
earthly suffer-
suffer-
ings.
ings. Our Lord was not condemning
not condemning wealth, wealth, but its
its
misuse;
misuse; neither
neither was He extolling
extolling poverty
poverty asas aa virtue.
virtue.
He confounded the the Pharisees
Pharisees from their their own teach-
teach-
ings,
ings, thus
thus preventing
preventing them from throwing
throwing dust, as
dust, as it
it
were,
were, into
into the
the eyes
eyes of
of the
the multitude.
multitude.
This parable,
parable, framed as
as it
it isis in
in the
the form of of an
argumentum
argumentum ad hominem)
hominem, is, is, as
as we have already
already
noted,
noted, based upon upon thethe Pharisees'
Pharisees' own conceptsconcepts ofof the
the
condition of of the
the dead.
dead. On this this Ellen
Ellen G.G. White has has re-
re-
marked:
this parable
In this parable Christ
Christ was meeting
meeting the the people
people on their
their own
ground. The doctrine
ground. doctrine ofof a conscious state
a conscious state of
of existence between
existence between
death and thethe resurrection
resurrection was held held byby many
many of those who were
of those
listening to
listening to Christ's words. The Saviour
Christ's words. Saviour knew of of their
their ideas,
ideas, and
He framed His parable parable so so asas to inculcate important
to inculcate important truths
truths
through these
through these preconceived
preconceived opinions.
opinions. He held held up up before
before His
hearers aa mirror
hearers mirror wherein
wherein they
they might
might seesee themselves
themselves in in their
their true
true
relation to
relation to God. He used used thethe prevailing
prevailing opinion
opinion to to convey
convey thethe
idea He wished
idea wished to to make prominent
prominent to to all
all-that
that no man is is
for his
valued for his possessions;
possessions; forfor all
all he
he has
has belongs
belongs to to him only
only as
as
lent by
lent the Lord. A misuse
by the misuse ofof these
these gifts
gifts will place him below the
will place the
poorest and most
poorest most afflicted
afflicted man who loves loves God and trusts trusts in
in
Him.-Christ's
Him. Object Lessons,
Christ's Object p. 263.
Lessons, p. 263.
It brought to
It was brought to this
this group
group of
of critics,
critics, then,
then, not
not
to
to their errors
condone their errors but
but to
to illustrate
illustrate from their
their
teachings the
own teachings the unsoundness
unsoundness ofof their
their position.
position. Our
entrance into
entrance into the
the kingdom
kingdom of of God is is by
by grace,
grace, and
grace alone;
grace alone; but once in
in the
the kingdom
kingdom we are are to
to live
live as
as
citizens of
citizens of the
the kingdom,
kingdom, according
according toto the
the principles
principles of
of
that kingdom,
that kingdom, asas revealed
revealed inin Scripture.
Scripture. IfIf men turn
565
from this
this clear revelation of
clear revelation of God in in His
His Word,
Word, they
they
will not believe
will not believe though one were to
though one to rise
rise from the
the
dead.
dead.
A supernatural event, or
supernatural event, or even
even anan accumulation
accumulation of of
such events, will
such events, will not suffice to convince
suffice to those who re-
convince those re-
ject the
ject the 'Word
'Word ofof God.
God.
In this parable Jesus
this parable Jesus was revealing
revealing toto His
His hearers
hearers
(some
(some of
of whom were tax
tax gatherers
gatherers and notable
notable sin-
sin-
ners), not only

ners), not that the
only that the philosophy
philosophy ofof the
the Pharisees
Pharisees is
is
unsound but but that

that it
it can bebe justly
justly condemned even
from their own literature.
from their literature.
Additional Note
Additional
following paragraphs
The following paragraphs are
are taken from the
the Works
of Josephus,
of ] osephus, his
his "Discourse
'Discourse to
'
the Greeks Concerning

to the Concerning
Hades":
Hades":
1. ... Hades is
1. is a
a place in the
place in not regularly
the world not regularly finished;
finished;
a subterraneous
a region, wherein the
subterraneous region, the light
light of
of this
this world
world does
does not
not
shine;
shine; from
from which circumstance, that in
circumstance, that in this
this region
region the
the light
light
does not
does not shine,
shine, itit cannot be but there
be but there must be be in
in itit per-
per-
petual darkness. This region
petual darkness. region is allotted as
is allotted as aa place
place of
of custody
custody
for souls,
for souls, in which angels
in which are appointed
angels are as guardians
appointed as guardians to
to them,
them,
who distribute
distribute toto them temporary agreeable to
punishments, agreeable
temporary punishments, to
everyone's
every one's behavior
behavior and manners.
manners.
2. In this
2. In this region
region there is aa certain
there is place set
certain place set apart,
apart, as
as aa lake
lake
of unquenchable
of unquenchable fire, whereinto we suppose
fire, whereinto suppose nono one
one hath
hath hitherto
hitherto
been cast;
been cast; but
but it
it is
is prepared for
prepared for a a day
day afore-determined
afore-determined by by God,
God,
in which
in which one righteous sentence
one righteous sentence shall deservedly be
shall deservedly be passed
passed upon
upon
all
all men;
men; when the unjust, and those
the unjust, those that have been disobedient
that have disobedient
to God,
to God, and have
have given
given honour to to such idols as have
idols as have been
been the
the
vain operations
vain operations of of the
the hands of of men as to God himself,
as to himself, shall
shall
be adjudged
be adjudged toto this
this everlasting l)unishment, as
everlasting punishment, as having
having been
been the
the
causes of
causes of defilement; while the
defilement; while just shall
the just shall obtain
obtain an incorruptible
incorruptible
and never-fading
and never·fading kingdom.
kingdom. These are indeed confined
are now indeed confined
in
in Hades, but not
Hades, but not in in the
the same placeplace wherein
wherein thethe unjust
unjust are
are
confined.
confined.
566 QUESTIONS
3. For
3. For therethere is is one descent descent intointo this region, at
this region, at whose gate gate
. .. when those
. those passpass through
through that that are
are conducted down by by thethe
angels appointed
angels appointed over over souls,
souls, they
they do not go the same way;
go the way; but
the just
the just are are guided
guided to to the right hand,
the right hand, and are led with hymns hymns
sung
sung by by the the angels
angels appointed
appointed over that place, place, unto a region region
of light, in
of light, in which the the justjust have dwelt from frolJ1 the
the beginning
beginning of of the
world;
world; not not constrained
constrained by by necessity,
necessity, but ever enjoying enjoying the
prospect of
prospect of the
the good
good thingsthings they
they see,
see, and rejoicing
rejoicing in the the expec-
expec-
tation
tation of those new enjoyments
of those enjoyments which will will be peculiar
peculiar to to ever)
ever)
one
one of them, and esteeming
of them, esteeming those those things beyond what we have
things beyond
here; with
here; with whom there there is is no place
place of of toil, burning heat,
toil, no burning heat, no
piercing cold,
piercing cold, nor nor are are any briers there;
any briers there; but the the countenance
of the
of the fathers,
fathers, and of of the just, which they
the just, they see,
see, always
always smiles
smiles
upon them,
upon them, while while they they wait for that
wait for that rest
rest and eternal new life life
heaven, which is
in heaven,
in is to succeed this
to succeed region. This place
this region. place we call call
The Bosom Of of Abraham.
4. But as
4. as to to the unjust, they
the unjust, they areare dragged
dragged by by force
force to the
to the
left hand by
left by the
the angels
angels allotted
allotted forfor punishment,
punishment, no longer longer going
going
with aa good-will,
with good-will, but as prisoners driven by
as prisoners by violence;
violence; to to whom
are sent
are sent the the angels
angels appointed
appointed over them to to reproach
reproach them and
threaten
threaten them with their their terrible looks, and to
terrible looks, to thrust
thrust them
still
still downwards. Now those those angels
angels that
that are set over
are set over these
these souls
souls
drag them into
drag into the neighbourhood of
the neighbourhood of hell
hell itself; who, when
itself; who,
they are
they are hard by by it,it, continually
continually hear the the noise
noise of of it,
it, and do
not stand
not stand clear clear of of the the hot vapour
vapour itself;
itself; but when they have
they have
a near view of
a this spectacle,
of this spectacle, as as of a terrible
terrible and exceeding
exceeding
great prospect of
great prospect of fire,
fire, they
they are
are struck
struck with a a fearful
fearful expectation
expectation
of
of aa future
future judgment,
judgment, and in in effect punished thereby:
effect punished thereby: and not not
only
only so,so, but where they they see the place
see the place [or choir] of
[or choir] of the fathers
the fathers
and of of thethe just,
just, even hereby hereby areare they
they punished;
punished; for for a a chaos deep
chaos deep
and large
large is is fixed
fixed between them; them; insomuch that that aa justjust man
that hath compassion
that compassion upon upon them cannot be admitted, admitted, nor nor cancan
one that
that is is unjust, if
unjust, if he were bold bold enough
enough to to attempt
attempt it, it, pass
pass
over it.-The
it. Complete Works of
The Complete of Flavins Josephus, Whiston
Flavius Josephus,
translation (John (John C. Winston: Philadelphia), Philadelphia), p. p. 901.
901.
Champions
Champions of
of
Conditional Immortality
Conditional Immortality
Span
Span the
the Centuries
Centuries
QUESTION 44
Yau allude to
You allude others who,
to others through the
who, through the cen-
cen-
turies,
turies, have held that
that immortality
immortality is
is not received
received
until the
until the resurrection,
resurrection, that
that the
the righteous
righteous dead
sleep during
sleep during the
the interim
interim of
of death until
until awakened
by
by the Life-giver
Life-giver atat the resurrection, also
the resurrection, also that
that the
the
wicked will
will ultimately destroyed. Who are
ultimately be destroyed. are
these
these "conditionalists"?
"conditionalists"? Are they they not obscure
obscure
heretics, for practically
heretics, for practically all
all orthodox scholars
scholars
have held to to innate immortality? Kindly name
immortality? Kindly
some of
of the
the advocates to to whom youyou allude,
allude, and
cite some of
cite of their
their writings.
writings.
Truth is not, and never

is not, never has
has been,
been, established
established byby
majorities. Theological
human majorities. Theological truth
truth is
is ever,
ever, and only,
only,
based upon
based upon thethe immutable Word of of God and deter-deter-
mined by by its
its inspired precepts and principles.
inspired precepts principles. But al- al-
ways
ways there
there have
have been godly
godly and scholarly champions
scholarly champions of of
genuine truth.
genuine truth. And this is definitely
this is definitely the
the case
case with the
the
doctrine of
doctrine of immortality
immortality in,in, and only
only inin and through,
through,
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ atat His second advent. Immortality
Immortality is is a gift,
gift,
believe, bestowed
we believe, bestowed upon
upon the righteous only,
the righteous only, who
have
have byby faith
faith accepted
accepted eternal
eternal life in Christ (John
life in (John 3:3:
16, 36; John 11:25,

16, 36; John 11:25, 26), 26), at
at the
the appearing
appearing of
of our Lord
(1 John 5:11; I1 Cor.
(1 John 5:11; Cor. 15:51,53).
15:51,53).
567
567
568
QUESTIONS
The lineline ofof adherents
adherents to to this
this great
great Biblical
Biblical truth
truth
has been
has been more constant,
constant, stronger,
stronger, and more illustrious
illustrious
than most
than most oof us us have
have been
been aware.
aware. In In fact,
fact, the
the line
line of
of
advocates has
advocates has been
been virtually
virtually continuous
continuous from Reforma-
tion times
tion times onward.
onward. The names of of these
these pious
pious Christian
Christian
leaders and brilliant
leaders brilliant scholars,
scholars, found in in every
every genera-
genera-
tion, are
tion, are spread
spread overover the
the centuries.
centuries. Because
Because of of space
space
limitations only
limitations only aa few
few can
can bebe cited
cited here;
here; but thethe histori-
histori-
cal record
cal record is is astonishing.
astonishing. FullFull documented evidence evidence can
be compassed
be compassed only only in
in book form,
form, but the the examples
examples that
that
follow indicate
follow indicate the the high
high caliber
caliber of,
of, and oftenoften the
the key
key
positions
positions held
held by,
by, these
these adherents
adherents to
to conditionalism,
conditionalism,
as it
as it is
is often
often called
called-or or life only in
life only in Christ through the
Christ through the
resurrection. Examples
resurrection. Examples must be limited limited to to men from
Protestant Reformation times
Protestant onward. '*'
times onward.*
The brilliance
brilliance of of the
the assemblage
assemblage of of names thatthat
follow
follow surely
surely indicates
indicates that
that the epithet "heretic,"
the epithet "heretic," inin
contrast
contrast to to the
the "orthodoxy"
"orthodoxy" of
of the
the majority,
majority, cannot
justly be
justly be applied
applied to to this
this notable
notable company
company of of Chris-
Chris-
tian leaders-bishops,
tian leaders archbishops, archdeacons,
bishops, archbishops, archdeacons, deans, deans,
canons,
canons, presbyters,
presbyters, teachers,
teachers, linguists, Bible translators,
linguists, Bible translators,
exegetes,
exegetes, administrators,
administrators, principals, pastors, editors,
principals, pastors, editors,
poets, scientists, barristers, philosophers,
poets, scientists, barristers, philosophers, and even aa
prime minister-whose
prime minister whose names have adorned the the roster
roster
of
of the
the Christian
Christian church and have held the the confidence
and respect
respect of of their
their fellows.
fellows.
These men were, were, moreover,
moreover, spread throughout all
spread throughout all
*These
*These earlier
earlier exceptions,
exceptions, however,
however, must be noted:
noted: The twelfth
twelfth century
century Pied·
Pied-
montese
montese Waldenses,
Waldenses, in in their
their Caterhism
Catechism forfor the instructing of
the in!{tTuC"ting of their
their youth
youth (Mor-
land,
land, The History
History 0/
of the
the Evangelical
Evangelical Churches 0/
of the
the Valleys
Valleys ofof the
the Piedmont,
Piedmont,
1658,
1658, p.
p. 75),
75), declared
declared that
that man is is hut "mortal." And John John Wyclil'fe-who
WyclifTe who rlerivro
derived
many
many ofof his
his evangelical
evangelical concepts
concepts from them-likewise
them likewise heldheld that
that "immortalitie
"immortalitie oror
undedlynesse"
undedlynesse" was to to be
be bestowed
bestowed atat the
the resurrection,
resurrection, and that
that the
the dead cannot
cannot now
be
be benefited
benefited by prayers,
by prayers, but are
are "all
"all dead" and are
are "clepid slepyng" (called sleep·
"clepid slepyng" (called sleep-
ing).
ing).
CHAMPIONS 569
569
faiths-Lutheran,
faiths Reformed, Anglican,
Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Con-
Anglican, Baptist,
gregationalist, Presbyterian, Methodist,
gregationalist, Presbyterian, Methodist, et et cetera.
cetera. And
not only
only do they
they extend over these
extend over these four
four centuries,
centuries, but
but
they
they exist
exist today
today in
in high
high church
church circles.
circles. We submit
submit that
that
if
if they, whose names continue
they, continue to be revered,
to be revered, honored,
honored,
unchallenged in
and unchallenged in their respective church affiliations,
their respective affiliations,
were not
not considered
considered heretics
heretics for
for so
so believing
believing and
teaching,
teaching, then
then by
by the
the same token
token neither
neither we, nor
we, nor others
others
today (like
today (like the
the late
late Archbishop
Archbishop of
of Canterbury, Dr.
Canterbury, Dr.
Temple, Anglican
William Temple, Anglican primate
primate of of Great Britain),
Britain),
conscientiously hold
who conscientiously hold the
the same,
same, cancan justly
justly be
charged with "heresy"
charged with "heresy" for
for so believing.
so believing.
The Historical
Historical Setting
Setting
On December 19,
19, 1513, in connection with the
1513, in the
eighth
eighth session
session of of the
the fifth Lateran Council,
fifth Lateran Council, Pope
Pope Leo
X issued
X issued aa Bull (Apostolici regimis) declaring, "We do
Bull (Apostolici regimis) declaring,
condemn and reprobatereprobate allall who assert that the
assert that the intelli-
intelli-
gent
gent soul is mortal" (Damnamus et reprobamus omnes
soul is mortal" (Damnamus et reprobamus
assertentes animam intellectivam
assertentes mortal em esse).
intellectivam mortalem esse). This
was directed
directed against
against the
the growing "heresy"
growing "heresy" of
of those who
those
denied the
denied the natural
natural immortality
immortality of
of the
the soul,
soul, and avowed
the conditional immortality
the conditional immortality of of man. The Bull Bull also de-
also de-
creed
creed that
that "all
"all who adhere
adhere to to the like erroneous
the like erroneous asser-
asser-
tions
tions shall
shall be be shunned and punished
punished as as heretics."
heretics." The
decrees of this Council,
decrees of this Council, it
it should be noted,
noted, were all all
issued in
issued in the
the form of of Bulls
Bulls or constitutions (H.
or constitutions J.
(H. J.
Schroeder, Disciplinary Decrees
Schroeder, Disciplinary Decrees of of the
the General Coun-
cils, 1937,
cils, pp. 483,
1937, pp. 487).
483, 487).
In 1516
In 1516 Pietro
Pietro Pomponatius,
Pomponatius, of of Mantua,
Mantua, noted
Italian professor and leader
Italian professor leader among
among the Averrorists
the Averrorists
(who denied
(who denied the
the immortality
immortality of
of the
the soul), issued
soul), issued a a
QUESTIONS
in opposition
book in opposition to this position
to this position called
called Treatise
Treatise on
the Immortality of
the Immortality of the
the Soul. This was
SouL This was widely
widely read,
read,
especially
especially in
in the
the Italian
Italian universities.
universities. As a
a result,
result, he
he was
haled before
haled before the
the Inquisition,
Inquisition, and his his book publicly
publicly
burned inin Venice.
Venice.
Then, on October
Then, 31, 1517,
October 31, posted his
1517, Luther posted his fa-
fa-
mous Theses on the church

the church door
door in
in Wittenberg.
Wittenberg. In
In his
his
1520 published Defence of
1520 published of 41 of his
41 of his propositions,
propositions, Luther
Luther
cited the
cited the pope's immortality
pope's immortality declaration,
declaration, as
as among
among
"those monstrous opinions
"those monstrous opinions to
to be
be found in
in the
the Roman
dunghill of
dunghill of decretals"
decretals" (proposition 27). In
(proposition 27). In the
the twenty-
twenty-
seventh proposition of
seventh proposition of his
his Defence Luther said:said:
However,
However, II permit
permit thethe Pope
Pope to establish articles
to establish articles ofof faith
faith for
for
himself
himself and for for his
his own faithful-such
faithful such are:
are: That the the bread
bread and
wine are are transubstantiated
transubstantiated in the sacrament;
in the sacrament; that that the
the essence
essence ofof
God neither
neither generates
generates nor nor is
is generated; that the
generated; that the soul
soul isis the
the sub-
sub-
stantial form of
stantial form of the
the human body; that he
body; that he [the pope] is
[the pope] is emperor
emperor
of the
of the world
world and king king ofof heaven, earthly god;
heaven, and earthly that the
god; that soul
the soul
is immortal;
is immortal; and all all these
these endless monstrosities in
endless monstrosities in the
the Roman
dunghill of
dunghill of decretals-in
decretals order that
in order that such
such as
as his
his faith
faith is,
is, such
such may
may
be his
be gospel, such
his gospel, such also
also his faithful, and such his
his faithful, his church,
church, and that that
the lips
the lips may
may have
have suitable lettuce and the
suitable lettuce the lid
lid may
may be be worthy
worthy of of
the dish.
the dish.-Martin
Martin Luther, Assertio Omnium Articulorum
Luther, Assertio Articulorum M.
Lutheri per
Lutheri per Bullam LeonisLeonis X.X. Novissimam Damnatorum (Asser- (Asser-
tion
tion ofof all
all the
the articles
articles of
of M. Luther condemned by by the
the latest
latest Bull
Bull
of
of Leo X), X), article 27, Weimar edition
article 27, edition of Luther's Works,
of Luther's Works, vol. vol. 7,
7,
pp. 131,
pp. 131, 132
132 (a point-by-point exposition
(a point-by-point exposition of of his
his position,
position, written
written
Dec. 1,
Dec. I, 1520,
1520, inin response
response to to requests for aa fuller
requests for fuller treatment
treatment than than
that
that given
given in in his Adversus execrabilem
his Adversus Antichristi Bullam
execrabilem Antichristi Bullam, and
,
Wider die die Bulle

Bulle desdes Endchrists).
Endchrists).
Archdeacon Francis
Francis Blackburne
Blackburne states in his
states in Short
his Short
Historical View of
Historical of the
the Controversy
Controversy Concerning an In-
Concerning an In-
termediate of 1765:
State) of
termediate State, 1765:
espoused the
Luther espoused the doctrine
doctrine of the sleep
of the of the
sleep of the soul,
soul, upon
upon aa
Scripture
Scripture foundation,
foundation, and then
then he made useuse of
of it as aa confuta-
it as confuta-
CHAMPIONS 571
571
rtion of purgatory,
iClI! of purgatory, and saint worship, and
saint worship, and continucd in that
continued in belief
that belief
to the 1a&t
to the momcnt of
last moment his 1ife.-Page
of his life. Page 14.
14.
In support, Blackburne has

support, Blackburne has an extended
extended Appendix
Appendix
section dealing with Luther's
dealing with Luther's teaching as set
teaching as set forth in
forth in
his
his writings,
writings, and discusses
discusses the charges and counter-
the charges counter-
charges.
charges. *
*
Here follow
follow certain
certain of the leading
of the leading witnesses
witnesses of
of re-
re-
cent centuries,
centuries, with Luther
Luther and Tyndale
Tyndale in
in some detail.
detail.
Sixteenth Century
Sixteenth Century
MARTIN LUTHER (1493-1546),

(1493-1546), German Reformer
Reformer and
Bible translator
Bible translator
immediate cause
The immediate cause of of Luther's stand on the
Luther's stand the
sleep of the
sleep of soul was the
the soul issue of
the issue purgatory, with its
of purgatory, its
postulate of
postulate of the
the conscious torment of
conscious torment of anguished
anguished souls.
souls.
While Luther is is not
not always
always consistent, the predomi-
consistent, the predomi-
nant note
note running
running all through his
all through writings is
his writings that souls
is that souls
sleep
sleep inin peace, without consciousness
peace, without consciousness or pain. The
or pain.
Christian dead are
Christian not aware of
are not of anything
anything-see see not,
not, feel
feel
not, understand not,
not, understand not, and are not conscious
are not conscious of of passing
passing
events. Luther held
events. held and periodically
periodically stated
stated that
that in in the
the
sleep
sleep of
of death,
death, as in normal
as in normal physical
physical sleep,
sleep, there
there is
is com-
plete unconsciousness and unawareness of
plete unconsciousness of the
the condi-
condi-
tion of
tion of death oror the
the passage
passage of
of time.t
time.f Death is
is a
a deep,
deep,
sound,
sound, sweet
sweet sleep.:!:
sleep.J And thethe dead will
will remain asleepasleep
*The Lutheran
Lutheran scholar Dr. T.
scholar Dr. A.. Kantonen (The
T. A. Christian Hope,
(The Christian Hope, 1594, p. 37),
1594, p. 37),
likewise referred
likewise referred to Luther's
to Luther's position
position inin these words,:r
these words
"Luther, with a greater
"Luther, with greater emphasis
emphasis on the the resurrection, preferred to
resurrection, preferred to concentrate
concentrate on
the scriptural
the scriptural metaphor
metallhor ofof sleep. 'For just
sleep. 'For just as
as one who falls falls asleep
asleep and reaches
morning unexpectedly
morning unexpectedly when he awakes,
awakes, without
without knowing
knowinlf what has has happened
happened to to him
so
so we shall
shall suddenly
suddenly rise the last
rise on the last day without knowing
day without knowing how we We have come intointo
death and through
death throus:h death.'
death.' 'We shall
shall sleep, until He comes and knocks
sleep, until knocks on the little
little
grave
grave and says,
says, Doctor Martin,
Martin, get
get up!
up! Then I
I shall
shall rise
rise in
in a moment,
moment, and be
happy with
with Him forever.' "
forever.' "
happy
tSee "Auslegung
fSee "Auslegung des
des ersten
ersten Buches (1544), in
Buches Mose" (1544), Schriften, vol.
in Schriften, vol. 1, col. 1756;
1, col. 1756;
"Kirchen-Pastille"
"Kirchen-Postille" (1528), in Schri/ten,
(1528), in Schriften, vol.
vol. 11,
11, col.
col. 1143; Schriften, vol.
1143; Schriften, vol. 2, col.
2, col.
1069; Deutsche Schriften
1069; Deutsche Schriften (Erlanllen ed.), vol.
(Erlangen ed.), vol. 11, p. 142ff.;
11, p. vol. 41
142ff.; vol. 41 (1525), p. SiS.
(1525), p. 373.
$"Catechetische Schriften"
:j:"Catechetische Schriften" (1542), in Schriften,
(1542), in vol. 11,
Schriften, vol. pp. 287,
11, pp. 287, 288.
288.
572
572 QUESTIONS
until the day
until the day of resurrection, * which resurrection
of resurrection,* resl:rrection em-
braces
braces both body
body and soul,
soul, when both will come to-
will to-
gether again.t
gether again.f
Here are
are sample
sample Luther citations.
citations. In the
the quaint
quaint
1573 English translation
1573 English read:
translation we read:
Salomon iudgeth
iudgeth that the dead
that the dead are are aa sleepe,
slcepe, and feele nothing
feele nothing
at
at all. For
all. For the the dead lye there accompting
lye there accompting neyther neyther dayes dayes nor nor
yeares, but
yeares, but when they they areare awaked,
awaked, they they shall
shall seeme to to haue slept
slept
scarce
scarce one one minute.-An
minute. An Exposition Exposition of Salomon's Booke,
of Salomon's Booke, called
called
Ecclesiastes or
Ecdesiastes or the Preacher, 1573,
the Preacher, 1573, folio
folio 151v.
151 v.
But we Christians,
Christians, who have have beenbeen redeemed from all all this
this
through the
through the precious
precious blood blood of of God's
God's Son, should train
Son, should train and accus·
accus-
tom ourselves
ourselves in in faith
faith to to despise death and regard
despise death regard it it as
as aa deep,
deep,
strong, sweet sleep;
strong, sweet sleep; to to consider
consider the the coffin
coffin as as nothing
nothing other than
other than
our Lord
our Lord Jesus'
Jesus' bosom or or Paradise,
Paradise, the the grave
grave as nothing other
as nothing other
than aa soft
than soft couch of of ease
ease or rest. As verily,
or rest. before God,
verily, before God, it it truly
truly
is just
is just this;
this; for
for he he testifies,
testifies, John
John 11: 11: Lazarus,
11:11: Lazarus, our friend friend sleeps;
sleeps;
Matthew 9:24: 9:24: The maiden is not dead,
is not dead, she she sleeps.
sleeps. Thus,
Thus, too,too,
St.
St. Paul
Paul in in I1 Corinthians
Corinthians 15, removes from
15, removes from sight
sight all
all hateful
hateful aspects
aspects
of death as
of as related
related to to our mortal
mortal bodybody and bringsbrings forward nothing nothing
but charming
but charming and joyful joyful aspects
aspects of of the promised life.
the promised life. He sayssays there
there
[vv. 42ff]:
[vv. 42ff]: It
It is
is sown in in corruption
corruption and will
will rise
rise in
in incorruption;
incorruption;
it is
it is sown in in dishonor
dishonor (that is, aa hateful,
(that is, hateful, shameful form) form) and will will
rise
rise in glory; it
in glory; it is
is sown in in weakness
weakness and will will rise
rise inin strength;
strength; it
it is
is
sown in natural body

in natural body and will will rise
rise aa spiritual body.-"Christian
spiritual body. "Christian
Song
Song Latin and German, German, for for Use at at Funerals,"
Funerals," 1542,1542, in in Works of of
louther (1932),
Luther (3932), vol.vol. 6, pp. 287,
6, pp. 287, 288.
288.
after death the
Thus after the soul goes to
soul goes to its
its bedchamber and to to itsits
peace, and while

peace, while it it is
is sleeping it
sleeping it does does not not realize
realize its its sleep,
sleep, and
preserves indeed the
God preserves awakening souL
the awakening soul. God is able to
is able to awake
Elijah, Moses, and others,

Elijah, Moses, others, and so control them,
so control them, so that they
so that will
they will
live. But how can that
live. that be?
be? That we do not not know;
know; we satisfy our·
satisfy our-
selves with the
selves with the example
example of of bodily
bodily sleep,
sleep, and with with what God says: says:
it is aa sleep,
it is sleep, aa rest,
rest, and aa peace.
peace. He who sleeps naturally knows
sleeps naturally knows
nothing of
nothing of that
that which happens happens in in his
his neighbor's
neighbor's house; house; and
* "Au,Iegungen liber die Psalmen [3J" in 1533 in Schri/ten, vol. 4, pp. 323, 324.
t "Am Zweiten Sonntage nach Trinitatis," "Haus.. PostiIle,U in Schriften, vol. 13,
col. 2153; "Predigt liber I Cor. 15: (54-57)," (1533), "Auslegung des neuen Testa-
ment," in Schrijten, vol. 8, ("01. 1340.
CHAMPIONS 573
nevertheless, he still
nevertheless, still is
is living, even though, contrary to
living, though, contrary to the the nature
nature
of life,
life, he is
is unconscious in in his
his sleep. Exactly the
sleep. Exactly the same
same will
will hap-
hap-
pen also
pen in that
also in that life, but in
life, but in another
another and aa better
better way.*
way. "'-"Ausle-
"Ausle-
gung des ersten
gung Mose," in
ersten Buches Mose," Schritten, vol.
in Schriften, vol. 1,
1, cols.
cols. 1759,
1759, 1760.
1760.
is another
Here is another sample:
sample:
We should learn to view our
learn to our death
death in
in the
the right
right light,
light, so that
so that
not become alarmed on account of
we need not it, as
of it, as unbelief
unbelief does;
does;
because in
because in Christ
Christ it is indeed
it is indeed not death, but
not death, but aa fine,
fine, sweet
sweet and
brief sleep,
brief sleep, which brings
brings us us release
release from this this vale
vale ofof tears,
tears, from
from
sin
sin and from the the fear
fear and extremity
extremity of real death
of real death and from from allall the
the
misfortunes of
misfortunes this life,
of this life, and we shall be secure
shall be secure and without
without care,care,
rest sweetly and gently
rest sweetly gently forfor a brief moment,
a brief moment, as as on aa sofa,sofa, until
until
the
the time
time when he shall calI and awaken us
shall call us together
together withwith allall his
his
dear children
children toto his
his eternal
eternal glory
glory and joy. joy. For since we call
For since it aa
call it
sleep, we know that
sleep, that we shall not remain in
shall not in it,
it, but
but be be again
again
awakened and live, live, and that
that the
the time during
during which we sleep, sleep, shall
shall
longer than if
seem no longer if we had just fallen asleep. Hence,
just fallen asleep. Hence, we shall shall
ourselves that
censure ourselves that we were surprised
surprised or or alarmed at at such
such a a
sleep
sleep in
in the
the hour
hour of
of death,
death, and suddenly
suddenly come alive
alive out
out of the
of the
grave and from decomposition,
grave decomposition, and entirely well, fresh,
entirely well, fresh, with
with a a
pure,
pure, clear,
clear, glorified
glorified life,
life, meet our
our Lord and Savior
Savior Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ
in the
in the clouds
clouds...... . .
Scripture
Scripture everywhere
everywhere affords
affords such
such consolation,
consolation, which speaks speaks ofof
the death
the death of
of the
the saints, as if
saints, as they fell
if they fell asleep
asleep and were gatheredgathered to to
their fathers,
their fathers, that
that is,
is, had overcome death through through thisthis faith
faith and
comfort in Christ, and awaited the
in Christ, the resurrection,
resurrection, together
together with the the
saints
saints who preceded
preceded them in
in death.-A
death. A Compend
Compend of
of Luther's
Luther's
Theology, edited by
Theology, edited by Hugh
Hugh Thomson Ker, Ker, Jr., p. 242.
Jr., p. 242.
WILLIAM TYNDALE (1484-1536), English Bible

(1484-1536), English Bible transla-
transla-
tor and martyr
tor martyr
In Britain
In William Tyndale,
Britain William Tyndale, translator
translator of
of the
the Bible
Bible
into English, came to
into English, to the
the defense of the revived
of the
*In his Master

*In his Master of of Arts thesis (1946),
Arts thesis (1946), "A Study of Martin Luther's
Study of Luther's Teaching
Teaching
Concerning the
Concerning State of
the State of the
the Dead,"
Dead," T. N. Ketola,
Ketola, tabulating
tabulating Luther's
Luther's references
references
to death as
to death as aa sleep-as
sleep as found
found inin Luther's
Luther's Sammtliche Schriften, Walsh's Concordia,
Schriften, Walsh's Concordia,
1904 ed.-lists
1904 ed. lists 125
125 specific
specific Luther references
references to
to death
death as a sleep.
as a sleep. Ketola
Ketola cites another
cites another
smaller group of
smaller group references showing
of references showing Luther believed
believed in
in the
the periodic
periodic consciousness
consciousness
of some.
of some. ButBut thethe main point
point is that, while
is that, the dead live,
while the tliey are
live, they are unconscious-
unconscious
which is
is stated
stated some seven times.
times.
QUESTIONS
teaching of
teaching of conditional
conditional immortality. This, as
immortality. This, as well
well
as other
as other teachings, brought him into
teachings, brought direct
into direct con-
con-
flict with the
flict with the papal
papal champion,
champion, Sir
Sir Thomas More,
More, like-
like-
wise of
wise England. In
of England. In 1529
1529 More had strongly
strongly objected
objected
to the "pestilential sect" represented
to the "pestilential sect" represented by Tyndale and
by Tyndale
Luther, because they
Luther, because they held that "all
held that souls lie
"all souls lie and sleep
sleep
till doomsday." In
till doomsday." In 1530
1530 Tyndale responded vigorously,
Tyndale responded vigorously,
declaring:
declaring:
And ye,
ye, in putting them [the
in putting departed souls]
[the departed souls] in heaven, hell,
in heaven, hell,
and purgatory,
and purgatory, destroy
destroy the
the arguments
arguments wherewith Christ
Christ and Paul
Paul
prove the
prove the resurrection. . . .
again, if
resurrection .... And again, the souls
if the souls be
be in heaven,
in heaven,
tell me why
tell why they
they be not in
be not in as good case
as good case as the angels
as the angels be?
be? And
then what cause
then what cause is
is there
there of the resurrection?
of the resurrection?-William
William Tyndale,
Tyndale,
An Answer to Sir Thomas More's
to Sir More's Dialogue
Dialogue (Parker's
(Parker's 1850 re-
1850 re-
print), bk.
print), bk_ 4,
4, ch_
ch. 4, pp. 180,
4, pp. 180, 181.
181.
Tyndale went to
Tyndale the heart
to the heart of the issue
of the issue in
in pointing
pointing
out the papacy's
out the papacy's draft upon the
draft upon teachings of
the teachings of "heathen
"heathen
philosophers" in
philosophers" in seeking
seeking to
to establish
establish its
its contention of
contention of
innate immortality.
innate immortality.
Thus:
Thus:
true faith
The true putteth [setteth
faith putteth [setteth forth] the resurrection,
forth] the resurrection, which
which
be warned to
we be to look
look for
for every
every hour. heathen philosophers,
hour. The heathen philosophers,
denying that, did
denying that, did put
put [set
[set forth] that the
forth] that the souls
souls did
did ever live. And
ever live.
the pope joineth
the pope joineth the
the spiritual
spiritual doctrine
doctrine ofof Christ
Christ and thethe fleshly
fleshly
doctrine of
doctrine of philosophers together; things
philosophers together; so contrary
things so that they
contrary that they
cannot agree,
cannot agree, no more than
than the Spirit and the
the Spirit the flesh
flesh do in
in aa Chris-
Chris-
tian man. And because
tian the fleshly-minded
because the fleshly-minded pope
pope consenteth
consenteth unto
unto
heathen doctrine,
doctrine, therefore
therefore he corrupteth
corrupteth the
the Scripture
Scripture to to stablish
stablish
it.-Ibid.,
it. p. 180.
Ibid., p. 180.
In yet another section

In yet section of the same treatise,
of the treatise, dealing
dealing
with the
the "invocation
"invocation ofof saints,"
saints," Tyndale
Tyndale uses
uses the
the
same reasoning, pointing
reasoning, pointing out that
that the
the doctrine
doctrine of
of de-
de-
parted
parted saints
saints being
being in
in heaven had not
not yet
yet been
been intro-
intro-
in Christ's
duced in Christ's day:
day:
CHAMPIONS 575
575
And when he [More]
[More] proveth that the
proveth that the saints
saints be
be in
in heaven in
heaven in
glory with
glory with Christ
Christ already, saying, "If
already, saying, "If God bebe their
their God, they be
God, they be in
in
heaven,
heaven, for he is
for he not the
is not the God ofof the
the dead;" there he
dead;" there he stealeth away
stealeth away
Christ's
Christ's argument, wherewith he
argument, proveth the
he proveth the resurrection:
resurrection: that
that
Abraham and all
all saints
saints should
should rise
rise again, not that
again, and not that their
their souls
souls
were in heaven; which doctrine
in heaven; was not
doctrine was not yet
yet in
in the
the world.
world. And
that doctrine
with that doctrine he taketh
taketh away
away the resurrection quite,
the resurrection quite, and
maketh Christ's
Christ's argument of none effect.-Ibid.,
argument of effect. p. 118.
Ibid., p. 118.
Tyndale
Tyndale presses his contention
presses his contention still
still further by show-
further by show-
ing
ing the
the conflict
conflict of
of papal teaching
papal teaching with St.
St. Paul,
Paul, as
as he
he says
says
in slightly
in slightly sarcastic
sarcastic vein:
vein:
"Nay,
"Nay, Paul,
Paul, thou
thou art
art unlearned;
unlearned; go go toto Master
Master More,
More, and
learn
learn a way. We be
a new way. be not most miserable,
not most miserable, though
though we rise not
rise not
again; for
again; for our souls
souls go to heaven as
go to soon as
as soon as we be dead,
dead, and are are
there in as
there in great joy
as great joy as
as Christ
Christ that
that is risen again."
is risen
again." And I
I marvel
marvel
that Paul
that Paul had not
not comforted
comforted the Thessalonians with
the Thessalonians with that
that doctrine,
doctrine,
if wist it,
if he had wist that the
it, that the souls of their
souls of their dead had beenbeen inin joy;
joy; as
as
he did with
he with the resurrection, that
the resurrection, that their
their dead should rise again. If
rise again. If
the
the souls be in
souls be in heaven,
heaven, in in as
as great glory as
great glory the angels,
as the angels, after
after your
your
doctrine, shew me what cause
doctrine, cause should
should be of the resurrection?
of the resurrection?-
Ibid.
Ibid.
JOHN
JOHN FRITH (1503-33),
(1503-33), associate of Tyndale
associate of Tyndale and fellow
fellow
martyr
martyr
Disputacyon of
A Disputacyon Purgatorie ... divided
of Purgatorie divided into three
into three
. . .
Bokes, c. 1530
Bokes) c. 1530
An Answer to John Fisher,
to John Fisher) Bishop
Bishop of
of Rochester
Rochester
Notwithstanding, let
Notwithstanding, let me grant it him that
grant it that some are
are already
already
in
in hell
hell and some in heaven, which thing
in heaven, thing he shall never be
shall never be able
able
to prove
to prove by
by the
the Scriptures, yea, and which plainly
Scriptures, yea, plainly destroy the res-
destroy the res-
urrection, and taketh
urrection, taketh away the arguments
away the arguments wherewith Christ
Christ and
Paul do prove
Paul do prove that
that we shall rise; . . . and as
shall rise; . .as touching
touching this
. this
point
point where
where they
they rest,
rest, I
I dare
dare be
be bold
bold to
to say
say that
that they
they are
are in
in the
the
hand of
of God.-An
God. An Answer to John Fisher.
to John Fisher.
GEORGE WISHART (1500-1546), Greek scholar,

(1500-1546), Greet scholar, friend
friend
of Latimer,
of tutor of
Latimer, tutor John Knox,
of John Knox, and martyr
martyr
576 QUESTIONS
Wishart
Wlshart was charged with attacking
charged with auricular con-
attacking auricular con-
fession,
fession, transubstantiation,
transubstantiation, extreme unction, holy
unction, holy
water, invocation
water, invocation of
of saints
saints (who
(who couldn't
couldn't hear their
hear their
supplications anyway),
supplications anyway), and purgatory. Charge
purgatory. Charge "XVI"
was for
was for promulgating
promulgating the
the doctrine
doctrine of the sleep
of the sleep of
of the
the
soul.
soul.
Charge
Charge "XVI";
"XVI": Thou false heretic has
false heretic has preached
preached openly
openly saying,
saying,
that the
that the soul
soul of
of man shall
shall sleep to the
sleep to the latter
latter day of judgment
day of judgment and
shall not obtain
shall not obtain life immortal until
life immortal that day.-Blackburne,
until that day. His-
Blackburne, His-
torical
torical View,
View, p. 21.
p. 21.
"GENERAL BAPTISTS"
In his Institutes
In his Institutes of Ecclesiastical History,
of Ecclesiastical chancellor
History) chancellor
of
of the University of
the University of Gottingen, Johann L.
Gottingen, Johann L. von
Mosheim, records
Mosheim, records thatthat the the "General Baptists"
Baptists" were
spread
spread in
in large
large numbers over
over many
many of
of the
the provinces of
provinces of
England (Murdock
England (Murdock tr., tr., bk.
bk. IV,
IV, cent.
cent. XVI,
XVI, sec.
sec. III, pt.
Ill, pt.
2, ch. III,
2, ch. Ill, par. 23). As one
par. 23). one article
article of faith they
of faith they held
held
"that
"that the
the soul, between death
soul, between death and the the resurrection
resurrection at at
the last day,
the last day, has
has neither pleasure nor pain,
neither pleasure pain, but is is in
in aa
state
state of insensibility."-Ibid.
of insensibility." Ibid.
On thethe other
other hand,
hand, Calvin, deeply disturbed
Calvin, deeply disturbed over over
the spread
the spread of
of this
this teaching
teaching in
in different
different lands,
lands, in
in 1534
wrote aa militant
wrote militant tract,
tract, Psychopannychia
Psychopannychia (Soul (Soul Sleep).
Sleep).
It was issued
It was issued toto refute
refute thethe teaching
teaching that
that the
the "soul
"soul dies
dies
or
or sleeps,"
sleeps," and stated
stated that
that this
this concept
concept had "already
"already
thousands" into
drawn thousands" into itsits acceptance,
acceptance.
Dr. Joseph
Dr. Joseph Priestley,
Priestley, after observing that
after observing that many
many of of
the
the early
early reformers
reformers held
held to
to "soul-sleep,"
"soul-sleep," declared:
declared:
Had itit not been for for the authority of
the authority of Calvin,
Calvin, who wrote ex-
wrote ex-
pressly against
pressly against it
it [soul sleep],
[soul sleep], the
the doctrine
doctrine of
of an intermediate
intermediate
conscious state would,
conscious slate would, in all probability,
in all probability, have
have been
been as
as effectually
effectually
exploded as
exploded the doctrine
as the doctrine of purgatory itself.-Corruptions
of purgatory itself. Corruptions of of
Christianity,
Christianity, inin Works (1818),
(1818), vol. 5, p.
vol. 5, p. 229.
229.
CHAMPIONS 577
577
Seventeenth Century
Century
"R. O. [Richard
[Richard (or
(or Robert)
Robert) Overton],
Overton], scholar,
scholar,
soldier,
soldier, and pamphleteer
pamphleteer
Man's Mortality,
Mortality) 1643
1643
Title page reads:
Title page reads:
A Treatise
Treatise wherein 'T is
is proved,
proved, both
both Theologically
Theologically and
as whole man sinned,
Philosophically, That as
Philosophically, sinned, so whole man died;
so whole died;
contrary to
contrary to that
that common distinction Soul and Body:
of Soul
distinction of Body: And that
that
present going
the present going of
of the
the Soul
Soul into
into heaven
heaven or
or hell,
hell, is
is a
a meer
Fiction: And that
Fiction: that at
at the Resurrection is
the Resurrection the beginning
is the beginning ofof our
immortality;
immortality; and then actual Condemnation and Salvation,
then actual Salvation, and
not before.
not before.
SAMUEL RICHARDSON (fl. 1633-1658), pastor, First

(fl. 1633-1658), pastor,
First Partic-
Partic-
ular Baptist
ular Church,
Baptist Church, of
of London
A Discourse
Discourse on the the Torments of Hell: the
of Hell: the Founda-
tions and Pillars
tions Pillars thereof
thereof discover'd)
discovered, search'd)
search'd,
shaken)
shaken, and remov'd.
remov'd. With Infallible Proofs that
Infallible Proofs that
there
there is
is not
not to be aa Punishment after
to be after this
this Life,
Life) for
for
any
any to
to endure that shall
that shall never end)
end, 1658
JOHN (1608-1674), "Greatest
JOHN MILTON (1608-1674), "Greatest of the Sacred
of the Sacred
Poets";
Poets"; Latin
Latin secretary to Cromwell
secretary to
Treatise
Treatise of
of Christian Doctrine, vol.
Christian Doctrine, vol. 1, ch. 13
1, ch. 13
(Taught totally
(Taught totally unconscious
unconscious sleep
sleep of of man in in death
until
until coming
coming of
of Christ
Christ and resurrection.)
resurrection.)
Inasmuch then as the whole man is
as the is uniformly
uniformly saidsaid toto consist
consist of
of
body, and soul
body, soul (whatever
(whatever may be the
may be the distinct provinces assigned
distinct provinces assigned
to these divisions),
to these divisions), II will
will show, that in
show, that in death,
death, first,
first, the
the whole
man, and secondly,
man, secondly, each
each component part, suffers
component part, suffers privation
privation of of life
life..
. . . The grave
. . .
grave is
is the
the common guardian
guardian of all till
of all till the
the day
day of judg-
of judg-
ment.-Chapter
ment. Chapter 13. 13.
GEORGE WITHER (1 588-lfi(7), "The Christian Poet,"

(1588-1667), Poet,"
19
578
QUESTIONS
English translation
English translation of Nemesius) [early]
of Nemesius, Bishop of
[early] Bishop of
Emesa) 1636
Emesa, 1636
(Contends
(Contends forfor conditional
conditional immortality;
immortality; soul
soul IS
is
asleep in
asleep in death.)
death.)
JOHN JACKSON (1686-1763),
JOHN JACKSON (1686-1763), rector
rector of
of Rossington
Rossington
Dissertation on Matter
A Dissertation Matter and Spirit,
Spirit) 1735
The Belief
Belief of a Future
of a Future State)
State, 1745
1745
A Clear Distinction Between True and False
Clear Distinction False Re-
Re-
ligion)
ligion, 1750
1750
(Doctrine
(Doctrine ofof eternal
eternal torment confuted and con- con-
demned.)
demned.)
JOHN CANNE (1590-1667),
JOHN printer of
(1590-1667), printer R. Overton's work;
of R. work;
pastor,
pastor, Broadmead Baptist
Baptist Church,
Church, Bristol
Bristol
Reference Bible, 1682

Reference Bible, 1682
(Held essentially
(Held essentially the
the same as R. Overton.)
as R. Overton.)
ARCHBISHOP JOHN
JOHN TILLOTSON (1630-1694), of Canter-
(1630-1694), of Canter-
bury
bury
Works, 1683
Works, 1683
I do
I not find
do not that the
find that the doctrine of the
doctrine of the immortality
immortality of the soul
of the soul
is
is anywhere expressly
anywhere delivered in
expressly delivered in Scripture, but taken
Scripture, but taken for
for
granted.-Works,
granted. Works, 1717
1717 ed.,
ed., vol.
vol. 1, p. 749.
1, p. 749.
DR. ISAAC
ISAAC BARROW (1630-1677), professor of
(1630-1677), professor of Greek,
Greek,
Cambridge University
Cambridge University
Duration of
Duration Future Punishment,
of Future Punishment, inin Works
(Maintained
(Maintained eternal
eternal life
life is
is conditional; held to
conditional; held to
final destruction of
final destruction of wicked.)
wicked.)
Eighteenth Century
Eighteenth Century
DR. WILLIAM COWARD (1657-1725), practicing physi-
(1657-1725), practicing physi-
cian,
cian, London
CHAMPIONS 579
579
Survey of
A Survey of the
the Search After Souls
Search After Souls
Second Thoughts
Thoughts Concerning
Concerning the Soul,
the Human Soul,
demonstrating the
demonstrating the Notion ofof Human Soul,
Soul, as
as
believ'd to
believ'd to be
be aa Spiritual
Spiritual and Immortal
Immortal Sub-
Sub-
stance, united to
stance, a Human Body,
to a Body, to be plain
to be plain
Heathenish Invention, and not
Heathenish Invention, not Consonant to
to the
the
Principles of
Principles Philosophy, Reason
of Philosophy, Reason or
or Religion,
Religion,
1702
1702
Further Thoughts
Further Thoughts Concerning
Concerning the
the Human Soul,
Soul,
1703
1703
HENRY LAYTON (1670-1706), Anglican, author

(1670-1706), Anglican, author of
of
twelve books
twelve books on conditionalism
condltionalism
Arguments and Replies,
Arguments Replies, in
in a dispute concerning
a dispute concerning the
the
nature
nature of
of the Soul, 1703
the Soul, 1703
A Search After Souls,
Search After Souls, 1706
1706
(Contends that during
(Contends that life, we live
during life, live and move in in
Christ;
Christ; and when we die
die we rest
rest and sleep
sleep in
in Him,
Him, in
in
expectation
expectation of being raised
of being raised at
at His second
second coming.)
coming.)
JOSEPH NICOL SCOTT,
JOSEPH NIGOL SCOTT, M.D. (1703-1769), minister, as-
(1703-1769), minister, as-
sisting
sisting his
his father,
father, Thomas Scott
Scott
Sermons Preached
Preached in Defence of
in Defence of All
All Religion,
Religion, 1743
1743
(Maintains-vol.
(Maintains vol. 2,
2, sermons 17,
17, I8-that
18 that life
life is
is for
for
the righteous only,
the righteous with destruction
only, with destruction for the wicked.)
for the wicked.)
DR.
DR. JOSEPH
JOSEPH PRIESTLEY (1733-1804), Unitarian, scien-
(1733-1804), Unitarian, scien-
tist, and philosopher
tist, philosopher
"Disquisitions Relating to
"Disquisitions Relating to Matter and Spirit," in
Spirit," in
Works,
Works, vol.
vol. 3
3
The History
History of Opinion Concerning
of Opinion the State
Concerning the State of
of the
the
Dead
580 QUESTIONS ON DOCTRINES
QUESTIONS
(The
(The "state
"state of the soul
of the soul in death" is
in death" Is one of of utter
utter
insensibility,
insensibility, as
as much dead as the body
as the body itself
itself while it
it
continues in
continues in the
the state
state of death.)
of death.)
BISHOP
BISHOP EDMUND LAW (1703-1787), master of
(1703-1787), master of St.
St. Peter's
Peter's
College,
College, archdeacon
archdeacon of
of Staffordshire,
Staffordshire, bishop
bishop of of
Carlisle
Carlisle
Considemtions
Considerations on .... .. the
the Theory
Theory of Religion, 1749
of Religion, 1749
The State
State ofof the
the Dead,
Dead, 1765
1765 (Appendix
(Appendix to
to the
the
foregoing)
foregoing)
(Challenged
(Challenged doctrine
doctrine of conscious intermediate
of conscious intermediate
state; held death
state; held to be
death to be aa sleep,
sleep, a
a negation
negation ofof all life,
all life,
thought,
thought, or
or action-a
action a state
state of
of rest, silence, oblivion.)
rest, silence, oblivion.)
PETER PECARD (c.

PETER 1718-1797), master of
(c. 1718-1797),
of Magdalen
Magdalen Col-
Col-
lege, Cambridge,
lege, Cambridge, dean of
of Peterborough
Peterborough
Observations
Observations on the Doctrine of
the Doctrine of an Intermediate
Intermediate
State,
State, Between Death and the
the Resurrection, 1756
Resurrection, 1756
(Immortality not innate,
(Immortality not but a gift
innate, but a through Christ.)
gift through Christ.)
ARCHDEACON FRANCIS BLACKBURNE (1705-1787),(1705-1787), of

of
Cleveland;
Cleveland; rector
rector of
of Richmond
Short Historical
A Short Historical View of the Controversy
of the Con-
Controversy Con-
cerning the
cerning the Intermediate
Intermediate State) 1765
State, 1765
(Most complete history
(Most complete history of
of the
the topic in 18th
topic in 18th century.)
century.)
BISHOP WILLIAM WARBURTON (1698-1779),
(1698-1779), of
of Glouces-
Glouces-
ter,
ter, theological
theological controversialist
controversialist
Divine Legation
Divine Legation of Moses, 1738-41
of Moses, 1738-41
(Styled
(Styled militant
militant believers
believers in
in everlasting torment
everlasting torment as
as
the "unmerciful
the "unmerciful doctors.")
doctors.")
SAMUEL BOURN (1714-1796), dissenter, Rivington,

(1714-1796), dissenter, Rivington, Lan-
Lan-
cashire
cashire
CHAMPIONS 581
581
Christian Doctrine of
Christian Doctrine of Future Punishment,
Punishment, 1759
1759
(Stresses "total destruction,
(Stresses "total destruction, or annihilation or
or annihilati"on or
ceasing to
ceasing to exist"
exist" for
for the incorrigibly wicked.)
the incorrigibly wicked.)
DR. WILLIAM WHISTON (1667-1752), Baptist theolo-

(1667-1752), Baptist theolo-
gian, professor
gian, professor of
of mathematics, Cambridge
mathematics, Cambridge Univer-
Univer-
sity
sity
The Eternity
Eternity ofof Hell-Torments Considered,
Considered, 1740
1740
(Denied
(Denied doctrine
doctrine of
of eternal
eternal torment;
torment; held
held wicked
to be totally
to be totally destroyed.)
destroyed.)
JOHN TOTTIE (fl.

DR. JOHN (fl.
1772),
1772), canon of Christ Church,
of Christ Church,
Oxford;
Oxford; archdeacon ofof Worcester
Worcester
Preached Before
Sermons Preached Before University
University of
of Oxford,
Oxford, 1775
1775
(Opposed doctrine
(Opposed doctrine of
of natural
natural immortality
immortality of
of soul.)
soul.)
PROF.
PROF. HENRY DODWELL (1641-1711),
(1641-1711), classical
classical scholar,
scholar,
professor
professor at
at Oxford (the
(the "learned
"learned Dodwell")
Dodwell")
Letter Concerning
Letter Concerning the
the Immortality
Immortality of of the
the Soul,
Soul,
1703
1703
The Natural
Natural Mortality
Mortality ofof Human Souls,
Souls, 1708
1708
An Epistolary
EjJistolary Discourse,
Discourse, Proving
Proving From the Scrip-
the Scrip-
tures and the
tures the First Fathers, That the
First Fathers, the Soul
Soul Is
Is aa
PrincijJie Naturally Mortal,·
Principle Naturally Mortal; but
but Immortalized
Immortalized
Actually by
Actually by the Pleasure of
the Pleasure of God,
God, 1706
1706
Nineteenth Century
Century
BISHOP TIMOTHY KENDRICK,

KENDRICK, Anglican
Anglican
Sermons,
Serm.ons, 1805
1805
(The soul of
(The soul of man dies
dies with the body, and is
the body, is restored
restored
to life at the resurrection
to life at the resurrection and second advent.)
second advent.)
QUESTIONS
DR. WILLIAM THOMSON (1819-1890), archbishop
(1819-1890), archbishop of
of
York
The Thought
Thought of Death (Bampton
of Death (Bampton Lecture),
Lecture), 1862
1862
Life to
Life to the
the godless must be
godless most the beginning
be the beginning of
of destruction
destruction
since nothing but
since nothing but God and that pleases Him can per-
that which pleases per-
manently exist.
manently exist.
DR. EDWARD WHITE (1819-1887),

(1819-1887), Congregationalist,
Congregationalism
pastor
pastor of
of St.
St. Paul's
Paul's Chapel;
Chapel; chairman of of the
the Con-
gregational
gregational Union.
Union. For
For over
over forty years
forty years was leading
leading
advocate
advocate of
of conditional
conditional immortality.
immortality.
Life in
Life in Christ,
Christ, 1846
Country (Symposium)
That Unknown Country (Symposium)
Immortality, aa Clerical
Immortality, Clerical Symposium
Symposium
In 1883
In he declared:
1883 he declared:
II steadfastly
steadfastly maintain,
maintain, after forty years
after forty years of of study
study of
of the matter,
the matter,
that
that it is the
it is the notion
notion of the infliction
of the of aa torment
infliction of torment in body and soul
in body soul
that shall
that be absolutely
shall be absolutely endless,
endless, which alonealone gives
gives a foot of
a foot of stand-
stand-
ing
ing ground
ground to to Ingersoll
Ingersoll in America, or
in America, or Bradlaugh
Bradlaugh In in England.
England.
I believe
I believe more firmly than ever
firmly than that it
ever that is aa doctrine
it is doctrine as
as contrary
contrary to
to
every line
every line of
of the
the Bible
Bible as it is
as it is contrary
contrary to to every moral instinct
every moral instinct of
of
humanity.-Introduction
humanity. Introduction to to J.J. H. Pettingell's
PettingelFs The Unspeakable
Unspeakable
Gift
Gift (1884), p. 22.
(1884), p. 22.
In the
In the following
following year
year he added:
added:
The Old Testament is is consistent throughout with
consistent throughout with the
the belief
belief of
of
the
the eternal
eternal life
life of
of the
the servants
servants ofof God,
God, and of the eternal
of the eternal destruc-
destruc-
tion of the
tion of the wicked.
wicked. And it it is
is consistent,
consistent, when taken
taken in its simple
In its simple
sense with no other
sense with other belief
belief,....
. . .
The Gospels
Gospels and Epistles
Epistles withwith equal
equal pertinacity
pertinacity adhere
almost uniformly
uniformly to to language respecting the
language respecting the doom ofof the
the unsaved
unsaved
which taken
taken in
in its
its simple
simple sense,
sense, teaches,
teaches, as
as does the Old Testament,
does the Testament,
that they shall
that they die, perish,
shall die, perish, be be destroyed, not see
destroyed, not see life,
life, but
but suffer
suffer
destruction, everlasting
destruction, everlasting destruction,
destruction, "destruction,"
"destruction," says
says Christ,
Christ,
"of body and soul
"of body soul inin Gehenna."-Homiletic
Gehenna/' Homiletic Monthly Monthly (England),
(England),
March, 1885.
March, 1885.
CHAMPIONS 583
JOHN THOMAS (1805-1871),
DR. JOHN (1805-1871), editor, Apostolic Ad-
editor, Apostolic
vocate;
vocate; founder of Christadelphians
of Christadelphians
(Final extinction
(Final extinction of
of wicked; immortality aa gift
wicked; immortality gift
through Christ.)
through Christ.)
H. H. DOBNEY (1809-1883), Baptist pastor,
(1809-1883), Baptist pastor, Maidstone,
Maidstone,
England
England
Notes ot
Notes Lectures on
of Lectures on Future
Future Punishment,,
Punishment, 1844
1844
ARCHBISHOP RICHARD WHATELY (1787-1863),

(1787-1863), of
of Dub-
lin; professor and principal
lin; Oxford professor principal
A View of
of the Scriptural Revelations
the Scriptural Revelations Concerning a
Concerning a
Future State
Future State
(The
(The :wicked
wicked are
are never spoken of as
spoken of as being
being kept
kept alive,
alive,
but as
as forfeiting
forfeiting life.
life. Taught
Taught their
their final
final destruction.)
destruction.)
DEAN HENRY ALFORD (1810-1871), of Canterbury,

(1810-1871), of Bib-
Canterbury, Bib-
lical scholar
lical scholar
Greek New Testament

(Eternal fixity
(Eternal fixity and duration belong
belong only
only to
to those
those
are in
who are in accordance with God.)
God.)
JAMES
JAMES PANTON HAM, Congregationalist minister, Bristol
Congregationalist minister, Bristol
Life and Death;
Life Death; or,
or, The Theology
Theology ofof the Bible in
the Bible in
Relation to
Relation to Human Mortality,
Mortality) 1849
1849
CHARLES F.F. HUDSON (1821-1867), Congregationalist min-
(1821-1867), Congregationalist
ister and Greek scholar
ister scholar
Debt and Grace as Related
Grace as Related to
to the
the Doctrine
Doctrine of
of a
a
Life) 1857
Future Life, 1857
Christ
Christ Our Life.
Life. The Scriptural
Scriptural Argument
Argument for
for Im-
mortality Through
mortality Through Christ
Christ Alone)
Alone, 1860
DR. ROBERT W. DALE
DR. (1829-1895), Congregationalist
(1829-1895), Congregationalist
QUESTIONS
pastor,
pastor, Carr's Lane Church,
Can's Church, Birmingham;
Birmingham; editor,
editor,
Congregationalist; chairman,
The Congregationalist; chairman, Congregational
Congregational
of England
Union of England and
and Wales;
Wales; and president
president of
of the
the
First International
First International Council
Council of of Congregational
Congregational
Churches in 1891.
Churches in 1891. He announced his
his acceptance of
acceptance of
conditionalism in
conditionalism in aa paper
paper before
before the
the Congregational
Congregational
of 1874.
Union of 1874.
Eternal
Eternal life, as
life, as II believe,
believe, is
is the
the inheritance
inheritance of
of those
those who are
are
in Christ.
in Christ.Those who are
Those are not
not in
in Him will
will die
die the
the Second Death
from which
from which there
there will
will be
be no
no resurrection,
resurrection .... . . .
I
I not conscious
am not conscious that
that they
they [the positions of
[the positions of Conditionalism]
Conditionalism]
have at all
have at all impaired the authority
impaired the authority in
in my
my teaching
teaching of
of any of the
any of the
great central
great central doctrines of the
doctrines of the Christian
Christian faith.
faith. The doctrine
doctrine of
of the
the
Trinity remains
Trinity remains untouched;
untouched; and the
the doctrine
doctrine of
of the
the incarnation,
incarnation,
the doctrine
and the doctrine ofof the
the atonement in in its
its evangelical
evangelical sense,
sense, and
the doctrine
the doctrine of
of justification
justification by
by faith,
faith, and the
the doctrine
doctrine ofof judge-
judg:'!-
ment byby works,
works, and thethe doctrine
doctrine of
of regeneration
regeneration have
have received,
received, II
believe, from these
believe, these conclusions
conclusions aa new and intenser
intenser illustration.-
illustration.
Recorded in in Freer's
Freer's Edward White,
White, His LifeLife and Work (1902),
(1902),
pp. 354,
pp. 354, 355.
355.
DEAN FREDERICK W. FARRAR (1831-1903),

(1.831-1903), canon of of
Westminster Abbey;
Abbey; dean of
of Canterbury
Canterbury
Eternal
Eternal Hope,
Hope, 1877
1877
Faith
Faith and Mercy
Mercy
Mercy
Mercy and Judgment, 1881
Judgment, 1881
(Denounced
(Denounced dogma
dogma of
of endless,
endless, conscious
conscious suffering;
suffering;
could not find
find one single
single text
text in
in all
all Scripture
Scripture that,
that,
when fairly interpreted,
fairly interpreted, teaches
teaches the
the common views
views
about endless
endless torment.)
torment.)
HERMANN OLSHAUSEN (1796-1839),

(1796-1839), professor
professor of
of theol-
theol-
ogy at
0gy at Konigsberg
Konigsberg
Biblical
Biblical Commentary
Commentary on the
the New Testament,
Testament, vol.
vol.
4, 1860
4, 1860
CHAMPIONS 5R5
585
doctrine of
The doctrine of the
the immortality
immortality of of the
the soul
soul and the
the name are
arc
alike
alike unknown in in the
the entire Bible.-Biblical
entire Bible. Commentary on
Biblical Commentary on
the New Testament
the Testament (1860),
(1860), vol.
vol. 4, p. 381.
4, p. 381.
(died 1894),
CANON HENRY CONSTABLE (died 1894), prebendary
prebendary of
of
Cork, Ireland
Cork, Ireland
Hades:· or
Hades:- or the
the Intermediate
Intermediate State
State of
of Man
Restitution of
Restitution of All
A II Things
Things
of Future
The Duration and Nature of Future Punishment
(The immortality
(The immortality of.
of the
the soul,
soul, and the
the name,
name, are
are
alike
alike in the
unknown in the entire
entire Bible.)
Bible.)
WILLIAM E.
E. GLADSTONE (1809-1898),
(1809-1898), British
British pnme
prime
minister and theologian
minister theologian
Studies Subsidiary
Studies Subsidiary to the
to the Works of
of Bishop
Bishop Butler,
Butler,
1896
1896 ed.
ed.
In aa searching
In searching criticism of Bishop
criticism of Bishop Butler's Analogy
Butler's Analogy
its defense
and its defense of
of innate immortality, Gladstone
innate immortality, Gladstone con-
con-
tended:
tended:
[It is only] from the
[It is only]
the time
time of
of Origen
Origen thatthat we are to regard
are to the
regard the
idea
idea ofof natural,
natural, asas opposed
opposed to to that
that ofof Christian,
Christian, immortality
immortality as as
beginning
beginning to to gain
gain aa firm
firm foothold
foothold in in the
the Christian
Christian Church.-
Church.
Studies
Studies Subsidiary
Subsidiary toto the
the Works of of Bishop
Bishop Butler
Butler (1896
(1896 ed.), p.
ed.), p.
184.
184.
The doctrine
doctrine of of natural,
natural, asas distinguished
distinguished from Christian,
Christian,
immortality
immortality had not not been subjected
subjected to to the
the severer tests of
severer tests of wide
publicity
publicity and resolute
resolute controversy,
controversy, but had crept
crept into
into the Church,
by back door
by aa back as it
door as it were;
were; byby aa silent
silent though
though effective
effective process;
process;
and was
was in in course
course ofof obtaining
obtaining a a title
title by
by tacit
tacit prescription.-
prescription.
Ibid., p.
Ibid., p. 195.
195.
Another
Another consideration
consideration of of the
the highest
highest importance
importance is is that the
natural
natural immortality is aa doctrine
doctrine wholly
wholly unknown to
the soul
soul is to
the
the Holy Scriptures,
Holy Scriptures, and standing
standing on no higher plane
higher plane than that
that
of
of an
an ingeniously
ingeniously sustained,
sustained, but gravely
gravely and formidably
formidably con-
tested, philosophical opinion.-Ibid.,
tested, philosophical opinion. Ibid., p. p. 197.
197.
The character
character ofof the
the Almighty
Almighty is is rendered liable
liable toto charges
charges
586
QUESTIONS
which cannot
which cannot bebe repelled
repelled so
so long
long asas the
the Idea
idea remains that
that there
there
may by
may by His
His ordinance
ordinance be be such
such aa thing
thing as
as never-ending
never-ending punish-
punish-
ment, but
ment, but that
that it
it will
will have
have been
been sufficiently
sufficiently vindicated
vindicated at
at the
the bar
bar
of human judgment,
of judgment, so so soon
soon as it has
as it has been established
established and allowed
allowed
that punishment,
that punishment, whatever
whatever else it may
else it may be,
be, cannot
cannot be never-end-
never-end-
ing.-Ibid.,
ing. p. 241.
/&&., p. 241.
JOSEPH PARKER (1
JOSEPH (1830-1902), Congregationalist, pastor,
830-1902), Congregationalist, pastor,
the City
the City Temple,
Temple, London
People's Bible,,
People's Bible, vol.
vol. 1,
1, on Genesis
Genesis
Glorious to
Glorious to me isis this
this idea
idea (so
(so like
like all
all we know of of the
the Divine
Divine
goodness) of
goodness) of asking
asking man whether
whether he willwill accept
accept life
life and bebe like
like
God, or
God, or whether
whether hehe will
will choose
choose death
death and darkness
darkness for ever.
for ever.
does not
God does not say to man,
say to man, "I "I will
will make you you immortal and inde-inde-
structible whether
structible whether you
you will
will oror not;
not; live
live for
for ever
ever you
you shall." No;
shall." No;
he makes him capable
he capable ofof living;
living; he
he constitutes
constitutes him with a view to to
immortality; he
immortality; he urges,
urges. beseeches,
beseeches, implores
implores him to to work out
out this
this
grand purpose,
grand purpose. assuring
assuring him,
him, with
with infinite
infinite pathos,
pathos, that
that he
he has
has no
pleasure in
pleasure in the
the death
death ofof the
the sinner, rather that
sinner, but would rather that he
should LIVE. A doctrine
should this which in
doctrine this in mymy view
view simplifies
simplifies and
glorifies human history
glorifies history as related in
as related in the
the Bible. Life and death
Bible. Life death areare
not set before
not set any beast;
before any but life
beast; but life and death are
are distinctly
distinctly set be-
set be-
fore man-he
fore man he can can live. he was
live, he was meant to live. he
to live, he is
is besought
besought toto live;
live;
the whole
the whole scheme
scheme of Providence and redemption
of Providence redemption is is arranged
arranged to to
help
help him to to live-why.
live why, then,
then, will ye die?-The
will ye die? People's Bible,
The People's Bible,
vol.
vol. 1.
1, p.
p. 126.
126.
Discussing
Discussing the
the ultimate banishment of
ultimate banishment of sin
sin from the
the
universe,
universe, Parker
Parker adds:
adds:
By
By destroying
destroying evil
evil II do not
not mean locking
locking it
it up by itself
up by itself inin a
a
moral
moral prison,
prison, which shall
shall be enlarged
enlarged through ages
through ages and genera-
genera-
tions until
tions until itit shall
shall become the the abode of of countless
countless millions
millions ofof
rebels,
rebels, but
but its
its utter,
utter, final,
final, everlasting
everlasting extinction,
extinction, so
so that
that at
at last
last the
the
universe
universe shall
shall be "without spotspot or
or wrinkle,
wrinkle, or
or any
any such thing"-
thing"
the
the pure
pure home of pure creation.-Ibid.,
of a pure creation. Ibid., p.
p. 160.
160.
Commenting
Commenting on the the "Destruction
"Destruction of
of Sodom,"
Sodom/* Par-
Par-
ker
ker denies
denies that
that "in
"in giving
giving life
life God has
has put
put it
it absolutely
absolutely
out
out of
of his
his own power
power toto reclaim
reclaim or
or withdraw it."
it." He
comments on the implications:

the implications:
CHAMPIONS 587
587
Having once
Having once given
given you you life
life you
you are
are as immortal as
as Immortal as he him-
self is, and you
self is, you can defydefy him to to interfere with his
interfere with his own work!
work! The
doctrine seems to
doctrine seems to me to to involve
involve a a palpable
palpable absurdity,
absurdity, and hardly
hardly
to escape
to escape thethe charge
charge of blasphemy. Throughout
of blasphemy. Throughout the the whole
whole Bible,
Bible,
God has has reserved
reserved to to himself
himself the the right
right to
to take
take back
back whatever
whatever he
has given,
has because all
given, because his gifts
all his have been offered
gifts have upon conditions
offered upon conditions
about which there there cancan bebe no mistake.-Ibid.,
no mistake. Ibid., p. p. 222.
222.
In this
In this case
case [of Sodom]
[of Sodom] we have
have an instance
instance of utter
of utter and
everlasting destruction. We see
everlasting destruction. see here
here what is is meant by by "everlast-
"everlast-
ing punishment," for
ing punishment," for we are are told
told inin the
the New Testament that that
"Sodom suffered
suffered thethe vengeance
vengeance of of eternal
eternal fire," that is
fire," that is of fire,
of fire,
which made an utter
which utter end of of its existence and perfectly
its existence perfectly accom-
accom-
plished the
plished the purpose
purpose of of God.
God. The "fire" was "eternal,"
"fire" was yet Sodom
"eternal," yet
is not literally
is not literally burning
burning still;still; the
the smoke of of its torment, being
its torment, the
being the
smoke of an eternal
of an eternal fire, ascended up
fire, ascended up for
for ever
ever and ever,
ever, yet
yet no
smoke now rises rises from the the plain,-"eternal
plain, "eternal fire" does not
fire" does involve
not involve
the element of
the element of what we call call "time":
"time": it it means thorough,
thorough, absolute,
absolute,
complete, final: that
complete, final: which is
that which is done or or given
given once
once for all.-Ibid.,
for all. Ibid.,
p.223.
p. 223.
JOHN
BISHOP JOHN J.J. S.
S. PEROWNE (1823-1904),
(1823-1904), Hebrew
scholar, Anglican bishop
scholar, Anglican bishop of
of Worcester
Hulsean Lectures
Hulsean Immortality, 1868
Lectures on Immortality, 1868
immortality of
The immortality the soul
of the soul is neither argued
is neither argued nor affirmed
affirmed
in the
in the Old Testament.-Hulsean
Old Lectures on Immortality,
Testament. Hulsean Lectures Immortality, p.
p. 31.
31.
immortality of
The immortality the soul
of the is aa phantom
soul is phantom which eludes your
eludes your
eager grasp.-Ibid.
eager grasp. Ibid.
SIR GEORGE G. STOKES (1820-1903), professor of

(1820-1903), professor math-
of math-
ematics, Cambridge; president
ematics, Cambridge; president of
of Royal Society;
Royal Society;
M.P.
M. P.
That
That Unknown Country
Country (A
(A Symposium),
Symposium), 1889
Immortality,
Immortality, a
a Clerical
Clerical Symposium
Symposium
It was natural
It was natural that, after the
that, after forfeiture of
the forfeiture of immortality
immortality
through transgression,
through transgression, man should
should seek
seek to
to satisfy
satisfy his craving
his for
craving for
immortality by
immortality by imagining
imagining that he had something
that he something immortal in in his
his
588
QUESTIONS
nature. It
nature. It is, then,
is, then, to
to revelation
revelation that
that we
we must
must look,
look, if we are
if we are to
to
find out
find out something about man's
something about man's condition
condition in
in the
the intermediate
intermediate
state.-That
state. Country, p.
That Unknown Country, p. 829.
829.
Man's whole
Man's whole being
being was
was forfeited
forfeited by by the
the Fall,
Fall, and the
the future
future
life is not
life is not his
his birthright,
birthright, but
but depends
depends on aa supernatural
supernatural dispen-
dispen-
sation of
sation of grace. look to
grace. To look to man's
man's bodily
bodily frame for for indications
indications ofof
immortality,
immortality, to
to look
look even
even to
to his
his lofty
lofty mental
mental powers-lofty,
powers lofty, in-
in-
deed, but sadly

deed, but sadly misused
misused-is seek the
to seek
is to the living
living among
among thethe dead.
dead.
Man mustmust look
look not into himself,
not into himself, butbut out
out of
of himself
himself for
for assurance
assurance
immortality.-Immortality,
of immortality.
of Immortality, a a Clerical
Clerical Symposium,
Symposium, p. p. 123.
123.
A. BROWN
DR. W. A. of Union Seminary,
(1865-1943), of
(18654943), Seminary,
York
New York
Christian Hope,
The Christian Hope) 1912
1912
(From Israel
(From Israel came the
the doctrine
doctrine of
of the
the resurrection,
resurrection,
and of
and of the
the advent; from Greece,
advent; from Greece, the
the doctrine
doctrine of
of natural
natural
immortality.)
immortality.)
DR. J.
J. AGAR (1840-1924), Wesleyan
BEET (1840-1924), professor
Wesleyan professor
Last Things
Last Things
Preface
Preface to
to The Immortality
Immortality of
of the
the Soul:
Soul: A Protest,
Protest,
5th
5th ed.,
cd., 1902
1902
The following
following pages
pages are
are ....
. . aa protest
protest against
against aa doctrine
doctrine
which,
which, during
during long
long centuries,
centuries, has universally ac-
has been almost universally ac-
cepted
cepted asas divine
divine truth
truth taught
taught in
in the
the Bible,
Bible, but which seems
seems toto me
altogether
altogether alien
alien to it in
to it in both phrase
phrase and thought,
thought, and derived
derived
only
only from
from Greek Philosophy.
Philosophy. Until recent
recent times,
times, this
this alien
alien doc-
doc-
trine
trine has
has been comparatively
comparatively harmless. But, as
harmless. But, as II have here
here shown,
shown,
it is
it is now producing most serious
producing serious results
results.....
. . .
It will
It will of
of course
course be said,
said, of
of this
this as
as of
of some other
other doctrines,
doctrines,
that,
that, ifif not
not explicitly
explicitly taught
taught in
in the
the Bible,
Bible, it
it is
is implied and
implied and as-as-
sumed there
there..... They
. .
They who claim
. claim for
for their
their teaching
teaching the
the authority
authority
of
of God must prove that it
prove that it comes from Him. Such proof in
proof in this
this
case, never seen.-The
case, II have never seen. The Immortality
Immortality ot of the
the Soul
Soul (5th
(5th ed.,
ed.,
1902),
1902), Preface.
Preface.
CHAMPIONS 589
589
R. F.
DR. R. WEYMOUTH
F. WEYMOUTH (1822-1902), headmaster of
(1822-1902), headmaster Mill
of Mill
Hill School,
Hill School, translator of New Testament
translator of Testament in
in Mod-
ern Speech
Speech
My
My mind fails to conceive
fails to conceive aa grosser
grosser misrepresentation
misrepresentation ofof lan-
lan-
guage than when five
guage than five or
or six of the
six of the strongest
strongest words
words which the the
Greek tongue
Greek tongue possesses,
possesses, signifying to destroy
signifying to or destruction,
destroy or destruction, are
are
explained
explained toto mean "maintaining
"maintaining an everlasting
everlasting but
but wretched
wretched
existence." To translate
existence." translate black
black as white is
as white is nothing
nothing to this.-Cited
to this. Cited
by
by Edward White in
in Life
Life in
in Christ
Christ (1878), p.
(1878), p. 365.
365.
New Testament in
in .A1odern SPeech, note
Modern Speech, note on 1 Co- 1
rinthians 15:
rinthians 18:
15:18:
By "perish"
By the Apostle
"perish" the Apostle here apparently means "pass
here apparently "pass out of
of
existence."*
existence."*
On Hebrews 9:28:
9:28:
use in
The use the N.T. of
in the of such
such words as "death,"
words as "death," "destruction,"
"destruction,"
"fire,"
"fire," "perish,"
"perish," to describe Future
to describe Retribution, point
Future Retribution, point toto the
the
likelihood of
likelihood of fearful
fearful anguish,
anguish, followed by extinction
followed by extinction ofof being, as
being, as
the doom which
the which awaits those who by
awaits those by persistent
persistent rejection
rejection of the
the
Saviour prove themselves
Saviour prove themselves utterly,
utterly, and therefore
therefore irremediably,
irremediably,
bad. *
bad.*
On Revelation
Revelation 14: 11:
14:11:
There isis nothing in this verse
nothing in this verse that
that necessarily
necessarily implies
implies an
an
eternity
eternity of suffering. In aa similar
of suffering. similar way the word "punishment"
way the "punishment" oror
"correction" in
"correction" in Matt. xxv. 46
Matt. xxv. 46 gives
gives in
in itself
itself no indication
indication of
of time.
time.
On Revelation
Revelation 20: 10:
20:10:
The Lake of fire] Implying
of fire] awful pain
Implying awful pain and complete,
complete, ir-
ir-
remediable ruin
remediable ruin and destruction.'"
destruction.*
LYM AN ABBOTT (1835-1922),

DR. LYMAN Congregationalist pas-
(1835-1922), Congregationalist pas-
editor, Christian
tor, and editor,
tor, Christian Union and The Outlook
That Unknown Country

Country (Symposium),
(Symposium), 1889
1889
Outside
Outside of the walls
of the walls of
of Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, in the valley
in the valley of
of Gehenna,
Gehenna,
*Notes by
by Earnest Hampden-Cook~ editor
Earnest Hampden-Cook, editor and reviser
reviser of third edition
of third of The
edition of
New Testament in
in Modern Speech, by 1<.ichard
Speech, by Richard Francis Weymouth.
Francis Weymouth.
590
QUESTIONS
was kept perpetually burning
kept perpetually burning a a fire,
fire, on
on which the the offal
offal of the city
of the dty
was thrown
was thrown to to bebe destroyed. This is
destroyed. This is the
the hell
hell fire
fire of
of the
the New
Testament. Christ
Testament. warns his
Christ warns his auditors that persistence
auditors that persistence in in sin
sin will
will
make them offal
offal to
to be
be cast out from the
cast out holy city,
the holy dty, to
to be
be destroyed.
destroyed.
The worm thatthat dieth
dieth not
not was the worm devouring
was the devouring the the carcasses,
carcasses,
and is
is equally
equally clearly
clearly a a symbol
symbol not not of
of torture
torture but
but ofof destruction.
destruction.
-That
That Unknown Country,Country, p. p. 72.
72.
notion that
The notion the final
that the final punishment
punishment of of sin
sin is continuance in
is continuance in
sin
sin and suffering
suffering isis also
also based
based inin part
part on, seems to
on, what seems to me,
me, a a false
false
philosophy as
philosophy to man. This
as to This philosophy
philosophy is is that
that man is is by
by nature
nature
immortal. The conviction
immortal. conviction has has grown
grown on me, me, that
that according
according to to the
the
teaching
teaching both
both of
of science
science and
and Scripture,
Scripture, man is
is by
by nature
nature an
animal, and like
animal, like all
all other animals mortal;
other animals mortal; that
that immortality
immortality be-be-
longs only
longs only to
to the
the spiritual
spiritual life;
life; and that
that spiritual
spiritual life
life is
is possible
possible
only in communion and contact
only in contact with God; that,
with God; that, in
in short,
short, im-
im-
mortality
mortality was
was not
not conferred
conferred upon
upon the
the race
race in
in creation
creation whether it
it
would or no, but

or no, but is
is conferred
conferred in in redemption, upon all
redemption, upon all those of
those of
the race
the race who choose
choose life immortality through
life and immortality through Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ
Lord.-Ibid.
our Lord. Ibid.
DR.
DR. EDWARD BEECHER (1803-1895),
(1803-1895), Congregational-
Congregational-
ist theologian;
ist president,
theologian; president, Illinois
Illinois College
College
Doctrine of
Doctrine of Scriptural Retribution
Scriptural Retribution
It
It [the Bible] does
[the Bible] not recognize,
does not nay, it
recognize, nay, it expressly
expressly denies
denies thethe
natural
natural and inherent immortality of
inherent immortality of the soul. It
the souL assures us
It assures us that
that
God only hath immortality.
only hath immortality. (1 vi, 16). By this
(1 Tim. vi, 16). By this we under-
under-
stand that
stand that He has
has immortality
immortality in in the
the highest
highest sense
sense-that
that is,
is, in-
in-
herent immortality.
herent immortality. All
All existence besides Himself He created,
existence besides created, and
upholds. Men are
He upholds. are not, as Plato
not, as taught, self-existent,
Plato taught, self-existent, eternal
eternal
beings,
beings, immortal
immortal in
in their
their very
very nature
nature.. . . .
. There
. . is
is no inherent
inherent
immortality of
immortality the soul
of the soul as
as such.
such. What God created
created He sustains
sustains
in being,
in being, and cancan annihilate
annihilate at at will.-Doctrine
will. Doctrine of of Scriptural
Scriptural
Retribution., p. 58.
Retribution> p. 58.
DR. EMMANUEL PETAVEL-OLLIFF (1836-1910),

(1836-1910), Swiss
Swiss
theologian;
theologian; lecturer,
lecturer, University
University of
of Geneva
The Struggle
Struggle for
for Eternal
Eternal Life
Life (La Fin du Mai)
(La Fin Mal)
The Extinction
Extinction of Evil,
of Evil, 1889
1889
The Problem of Immortality
of Immortality
CHAMPIONS 591
591
DR. FRANZ DELITZSCH (1813-1890), Hebraist, professor,

(1 8 13- 890), Hebraist, professor,
1
Rostock, Erlangen,
Rostock, Leipsic
Erlangen, Leipsic
A New Commentary on Genesis

Commentary on Genesis
There is is nothing in all the
nothing in all the Bible
Bible which
which implies
implies aa native
native
immortality.-Comment
immortality. Comment on Gen. 3:22.
on Gen. 3:22.
the Biblical
From the point of
Biblical point of view the
the soul
soul can
can be
be put
put to
to death,
death,
it is- mortal.-Comment
it is- mortal. Comment on Num. 23:10. 23:10.
BISHOP CHARLES J.
J.
ELLICOTT (1820-1905),
ELLIGOTT of Bristol,
(1820-1905), of Bristol,
chairman, English
chairman, Revision Committee
English Revision
The Ceylon Evangelist) October,
Ceylon Evangelist, October, 1893
1893
It
It seems inconceivable that when God is
inconceivable that is all
all in
in all,
all, there
there
should
should bebe some dark spot,spot, where amid endless
where amid endless self-inflicted
self-inflicted
suffering, or in
suffering, the enhancement of
in the ever-enduring hate,
of ever-enduring hate, rebel
rebel
hands should be be forever
forever raised
raised against the Eternal
against the Eternal Father
Father and
God of of Everlasting
Everlasting Love.
Love.-TheThe Ceylon Evangelist, October,
Ceylon Evangelist, October,
1893.
1893.
DR. GEORGE (1828-1903), pastor,

DANA BOARDMAN (1828-1903), pastor,
First
First Baptist
Baptist Church of
of Philadelphia;
Philadelphia; established
established
Foundation of
Boardman Foundation of Christian Ethics, Uni-
Christian Ethics,
versity
versity of
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Studies in the
Studies in the Creative
Creative Week)
Week, 1880
1880
Writing
Writing on the
the issue
issue of
of immortality states:
immortality he states:
Not aa single
single passage
passage of
of Holy Writ, from Genesis
Holy Writ, Genesis to
to Revela-
Revela-
tion, teaches, so
tion, teaches, so far
far as I am aware,
as I am the doctrine
aware, the doctrine of Man's natural
of Man's natural
immortality. the other
immortality. On the other hand, Holy Writ emphatically
hand, Holy emphatically declares
declares
that God only
that only hath immortality
immortality (1
(1 Tim. vi.
vi. 16):
16): that
that is
is to say:
to say:
God alone
alone is naturally, inherently,
is naturally, in His
inherently, in His own essence
essence and na-na-
ture,
ture, immortal.-Studies
immortal. Studies in
in the
the Creative
Creative Week, pp. 215,
Week, pp. 215, 216.
216.
If, then, Man is
If, then, is immortal,
immortal, it
it is because immortality
is because immortality has been
has been
bestowed on him.
bestowed him. He is
is immortal,
immortal, not because he
not because he was created
created so,
so,
but because
but because hehe has
has become
become so,
so, deriving his deathlessness
deriving his deathlessness from
Him Who alone hath immortality.
alone hath immortality. And of of this
this fact the Tree of
fact the of
592
QUESTIONS
Life in
Life in the
the midst
midst of
of the
the seems to
Garden seems to have
have been thethe appointed
appointed
symbol and pledge.
symbol pledge. That this
this is
is the
the meaning
meaning ofof the
the Tree of of Life
Life
is evident from
is evident from the
the closing
closing words
words of of the
the Archive
Archive of of the
the Fall:
Fall:
"Jehovah God said:
"Jehovah said: 'Behold,
'Behold, the
the Man hathhath become as as one
one ofof Us,
Us,
to know good
to good and evil;
evil; and
al1d now,
now, lest
lest he
he stretch
stretch forth
forth his
his hand,
hand,
take also
and take also of
of the
the Tree
Tree ofof Life,
Life, and eat,
eat, and live
live forever:'
forever:'
therefore Jehovah
therefore Jehovah God drove drove the forth from Eden,
the Man forth Eden, and
stationed on
stationed on the
the East
East of
of the
the Garden the the Cherubim,
Cherubim, and the the Flam-
Flam-
ing Sword
ing Sword which
which turned
turned every
every way,
way, to
to guard
guard the
the way
way toto the
the Tree
Tree
of Life"
of Life" (Gen. iii.
(Gen. iii. 22-24).
22-24). If
If Man isis inherently
inherently immortal,
immortal, what
need was
need was there
there of
of any
any Tree of of Life
Life at
at all?
all? This
This much,
much, then,
then,
seems to
seems to be
be clear:
clear: Immortality was somehow parabolically
Immortality was parabolically condi-
condi-
tioned the eating
tioned on the eating of
of this
this mysterious
mysterious Tree,
Tree, and the
the Immortality
Immortality
was for
was for the
the entire Man-spirit
entire Man soul and body.
spirit and soul body.-Ibid., p. 216.
Ibid., p. 216.
J.
J. PETIINGELL (1815-1887),
H. PETTINGELL Congregationalist, dis-
(1815-1887), Congregationalism dis-
trict secretary
trict secretary of
of Congregationalist of Foreign
Congregationalist Board of Foreign
Missions
Missions
The Theological (Endless Misery)

Theological Trilemma (Endless Misery)
Universal
Universal Salvation, or Conditional
Salvation, or Immortality,
Conditional Immortality,
1878
1878
Platonism versus
Platonism versus Christianity,
Christianity, 1881
1881
The Life
Life Everlasting:
Everlasting: What Is Is It?
It? Whence IsIs It?
It?
Is Ia
Whose Is It? 1882
1882
The Unspeakable
Unspeakable Gift,
Gift, 1884
1884
It
It is
is worthy of
worthy of remark,
remark, thatthat the
the doctrine
doctrine ofof eternal
eternal torment
is
is found
found neither
neither inin the
the Apostles'
Apostles' Creed,
Creed, nor thethe Nicene Creed,
Creed, nor
in
in two
two ofof the
the principal
principal Confessions
Confessions of of Faith
Faith ofof the sixteenth
sixteenth
century,
century, viz.,
viz., the
the otherwise
otherwise rigid
rigid Creed of of the
the French Reformed
Church and the
Church the Thirty-nine
Thirty-nine Articles
Articles of
of the
the Anglican
Anglican Church. And
we believe
believe that
that if
if this
this dogma
dogma has has been handed down throughout
throughout
the
the Protestant
Protestant Churches,
Churches, it it is
is simply as
simply as an inheritance
inheritance from the the
errors of
errors of the
the middle
middle ages
ages and from the the speculative
speculative theories
theories of
of
Platonism.
Platonism. If If we examine the the writings
writings of
of the
the earlier
earlier Fathers,
Fathers,
Barnabas,
Barnabas, Clement of of Rome,
Rome, Hermas,
Hernias, Ignatius,
Ignatius, Polycarp,
Polycarp, Justin
Justin
Martyr,
Martyr, Theophilus
Theophilus of of Antioch,
Antioch, Irenaeus,
Irenaeus, and Clement of of Alex-
Alex-
andria,
andria, we.
we, find
find them all all faithful
faithful toto the
the apostolic
apostolic doctrine
doctrine ofof the
the
CHAMPIONS 593
593
final destruction
final destruction of
of the
the wicked.
wicked. dogma of
The dogma of everlasting
everlasting tor-
tor-
did not
ment did not creep
creep into
into the
the Church until
until she
she yielded
yielded to
to the
the in-
in-
fluence
fluence of Platonic
of philosophy.-Pettingell's,
Platonic philosophy. Pettingell's, Life Ever-
The Life Ever-
lasting, pp. 66,
lasting, pp. 66, 67.
67.
Conferences on Conditionalisnt
Conferences Conditionalism
In the
In the nineteenth
nineteenth century,
century, in
in addition
addition to
to aa great
great re-
re-
vival of
vival individual exponents
of individual exponents of of conditionalism,
conditionalism, con-
con-
ferences were
ferences were held,
held, such
such as
as the
the large
large London Conference
Conference
on Conditional Immortality, May
May 15,
15, 1876, with its
1876, with its
published report.
published report. Convened under the
the chairmanship
chairmanship
of Lieutenant-General
of Lieutenant-General Goodwyn, the
Goodwyn, the attendance
attendance in-
in-
cluded prominent adherents
cluded such prominent adherents as
as Henry
Henry Constable,
Constable,
White, Minton,
Edward White, Minton, Heard,
Heard, Howard,
Howard, Leask,
Leask, Tin-
ling,
ling, and Barrett,
Barrett, with
with messages
messages from Dr.
Dr. Petavel of
Petavel of
Switzerland,
Switzerland, Dr. Dr. Weymouth
Weymouth of of Mill
Mill Hill
Hill School, et
School, et
cetera.
cetera. The gist of the conference
gist of the conference report report was:
was: "The
Bible nowhere teaches
Bible teaches an inherent immortality; but
inherent immortality;
teaches that it
teaches that it is
is the
the object
object of
of redemption
redemption to to impart it .
impart it.
. . . The communication of
. . . it requires
of it requires a
a regeneration
regeneration ofof
man,
man, by by the
the Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, and a resurrection of the
a resurrection of the
dead."-Page
dead/' Page 28. 28. ItIt declared
declared that the enjoyment
that the enjoyment of of
immortality
immortality is
is conditionalj
conditional; and that
that those
those who will
will not
return
return to to God will
will die
die and perish
perish everlastingly.
everlastingly. "Out
of
of Christ there is
Christ there is no life
life eternal."
eternal.'*
Dr. White there
Dr. there declared:
declared:
These are
are the
the ideas
ideas which have brought
brought us
us together
together this
this morn-
ing. They
ing. They are
are now firmly
firmly held by
by an immense multitude of
thoughtful
thoughtful people
people of
of all
all lands,
lands, for
for although
although we areare but aa little
little
company
company herehere assembled,
assembled, we represent
represent an immense army army in in
Europe
Europe and America.
America. These views views are
are spreading
spreading every
every day
day
amongst
amongst the
the churches;
churches; and number among among their
their adherents
adherents some of of
the
the foremost
foremost men ofof science,
science, theologians,
theologians, missionaries,
missionaries, philolo-
philolo-
gers,
gers, philosophers,
philosophers, preachers, statesmen. Report, London
preachers, and statesmen.-Report,
Conference
Conference on Conditional
Immortality, pp.
pp. 28,
28, 29.
29.
QUESTIONS
Important
Important Symposiums Appear
Symposiums Appear
Several
Several important symposiums-Life
Important symposiums Everlasting
Life Everlasting
(199 pages,
(199 pages, 1882),1882), with
with twenty
twenty contributors;
contributors; That
Unknown Country (943 pages,
Country (943 pages, 1889), 1889), a
a pro
pro and con
discussion with
discussion with 52 52 well-known
well-known contributors;
contributors; and a a
third, Immortality: aa Symposium,
third, Immortality: published
Symposium, published in
in Britain
Britain
-were
were all
all issued within aa decade.
issued within These, appearing
decade. These, appearing on
both sides
both sides of the Atlantic,
of the Atlantic, indicate
indicate the
the widespread
widespread inter-inter-
denominational
denominational and international
international interest
Interest In in this
this vital
vital
theme. Note
theme. Note thethe first
first one, in 1882,
one, in published in
1882, published Phila-
in Phila-
delphia.
delphia.
PEITINGELL'S "THE LIFE EVERLASTING" SYMPOSIUM.
PETTINGELL'S
-A A 199-page symposium (appearing
199-page symposium (appearing as as aa supplement
supplement to to
J.
J. H. PettingeU's
Pettingell's The Life Everlasting
Life Everlasting of
of 1882),
1882), was
prepared by
prepared by the
the following
following contributors:
contributors:
Dr. Leonard Bacon,

Dr. Bacon, pastor,
pastor, Park Congregational
Congregational
Church, Norwich,
Church, Norwich, Conn.;
Conn.; Dr.Dr. Edward White,White, Congre-
Congre-
gationalist,
gationalist, St.
St. Paul's
Paul's Chapel,
Chapel, London;
London; Samuel Minton,
MInton,
Anglican, Eaton Chapel,
Anglican, London; George
Chapel, London; George R. R. Kramer,
Kramer,
Independent
Independent pastor,pastor, Household of
of Faith
Faith Church,
Church, Wil- Wil-
mington, Del.;
mington, Joseph D. Wilson,
Del.; Joseph Wilson, rector,
rector, St. John's
St. John's
Reformed Episcopal
Episcopal Church,
Church, Chicago;
Chicago; A.
A. A.
A. Phelps,
Phelps,
pastor, Congregational
pastor, Congregational Church,Church, Rochester,
Rochester, New York; York;
editor, The Bible
editor, Bible Banner;
Banner; Dr. A. M. B.
Dr. A. B. Graham,
Graham, presi-presi-
dent Arkansas
Arkansas Christian Conference and president
Christian Conference president
Christian Temperance
Christian Temperance Union of of Arkansas;
Arkansas; William
B. Hart,
B. Hart, layman,
layman, Philadelphia;
Philadelphia; Dr. Dr. Willam Leask, Leask,
Congregationalist
Congregationalist pastor, Maberly Chapel,
pastor, Maberly Chapel, London;London;
editor, The Rainbow;
editor, Rainbow; Dr. Dr. Emmanuel P^tavel
Petavel (Petavel-
(Petavel-
Olliff), Geneva, Switzerland,
Olliff), Geneva, author of
Switzerland, author of La FinFin du Mai, Mal,
translated
translated into English as
into English as The Struggle
Struggle for for Eternal
Eternal
CHAMPIONS 595
Life;
Life; J.
J. H. Kellogg, M.D., superintendent
Kellogg, M.D., superintendent of of Battle
Battle
Creek, Michigan, Sanitarium,
Creek, Michigan, author of
Sanitarium, author of The Soul
Soul and
the Resurrection; Prof.
the Resurrection; Prof. D. H. Chase, Methodist, Middle-
Chase, Methodist, Middle-
town, Conn.; Charles
town, Conn.; Byse, pastor,
Charles Byse, pastor, Free Evangelical
Free Evangelical
Church, Brussels, Belgium,
Church, Brussels, Belgium, and editor
editor of Eglise Chre-
of Eglise Chre-
tienne Missionnaire Beige
tienne Missionnaire Belge and Journal
Journal du Protantisme
Protantisme
Francoise; William Lang,
Francoise; Lang, author, Edinburgh; M. W.
author, Edinburgh;
Strang, editor,
Strang, editor, The Messenger) Glasgow;
Messenger, Glasgow; Prof. Prof. Her-
Her-
mann Schutz, University of
Schutz, University of Gottingen,
Gottingen, Germany,
Germany, author
author
of Die Voraussetzungen
of Voraussetzungen der
der christ lichen
christlichen Lehre
Lehre von
von der
der
"
Unsterblithkeit
Unsterblichkeit [The Principles
(The Principles of
of the
the Christian
Christian Doc-
trine of
trine Immortality); Dr.
of Immortality); Dr. Clement M. Butler,Butler, rector
rector
of Trinity
of Trinity Church, Washington, D.C.,
Church, Washington, D.C., and professor
professor ofof
history, Episcopal Divinity
history, Episcopal Divinity School,
School, Philadelphia;
Philadelphia; Dr.
Dr.
Matson Meier-Smith,
Meier-Smith, Congregationalist pastor and
Congregationalist pastor
professor of
professor of homiletics
homiletlcs and pastoral
pastoral cares,
cares, Episcopal
Episcopal
Divinity
Divinity School,
School, Philadelphia;
Philadelphia; Canon Henry
Henry Constable,
Constable,
Anglican
Anglican author,
author, London;
London; Dr.Dr. C.
C. R. Hendrickson,
Hendrlckson, pas-pas-
tor, Baptist Church, Jackson,
tor, Baptist Church, Jackson, Tenn.;Tenn.; Dr.
Dr. W. R.
R. Hunt-
ington, rector,
ington, rector, All-Saints
All-Saints Church,
Church, Worcester, Mass.
Worcester, Mass.
PHELPS' INDICTMENT OF INNATE IMMORTALITY.
DR. PHELPS*
-Dr.
Dr. Phelps,
Phelps, in in discussing "Is Man by
discussing "Is by Nature Im-
mortal?" (pp. 639-650), presents twelve
mortal?" (pp. 639-650), presents twelve counts counts against
against
the
the doctrine
doctrine of of innate immortality:
innate Immortality:
1. It
1. has aa bad history;
It has history; it
it was introduced
introduced byby the
the
serpent
serpent in
in Eden,
Eden, and springs
springs from a
a heathen philos-
philos-
ophy; it
ophy; it is
is not
not found inin Jewish
Jewish belief;
belief; is
is a compromise
compromise
with Platonism;
with Platonism; adopted
adopted and authenticated
authenticated by the
by the
Church ofof Rome.
2. It is
2. It is at
at variance
variance with thethe scriptural account of
scriptural account of
man's creation.
man's creation.
3. It clashes
3. It with the
clashes with Bible statement
the Bible statement of of man's fall.
fall.
QUESTIONS
4. It
4.It is
is opposed
opposed to to the
the scriptural
scriptural doctrine
doctrine ofof death.
death.
5. It
5. is equally
It is equally opposed
opposed to to physiological
physiological facts.
facts.
6. Immortality
6. Immortality is
is nowhere ascribed
ascribed to
to man in his
in his
present
present state
state of
of existence.
existence.
7. Immortality
7. Immortality is is a
a blessing to be sought,
blessing to sought, and not
a birthright
a birthright legacy.
legacy.
8.
8. Inherent
Inherent immortality
immortality is is opposed
opposed to to the
the scriptural
scriptural
doom of the wicked.
of the wicked.
9. It
9. It supersedes
supersedes the necessity of
the necessity of a resurrection. '
a resurrection.
10. It reduces
10. It reduces the judgment scene
the judgment to aa solemn farce.
scene to farce.
11. It subverts
11. It subverts the
the Bible
Bible doctrine
doctrine ofof Christ's
Christ's second
coming.
coming.
12. It is
12. It is a
a prolific
prolific source
source of
of error-Mohammedan-
error Mohammedan-
ism,
ism, Shakerism,
Shakerism, Swedenborgianism,
Swedenborgianism, Spiritualism,
Spiritualism, Pur-Pur-
gatory, Mariolatry,
gatory, Mariolatry, Universalism,
Universalism, Eternal-Tormentism.
Eternal-Tormentism.
Twentieth Century
Century
CANON WILLIAM H. M. HAY (1841-1927), An-
HAY AITKEN (1841-1927),
glican
glican mission
mission organizer
organizer
The doctrine
doctrine of Eternal Torment has
of Eternal has lost its hold
lost its hold on the
the
common sense
sense and moral sensibilities of mankind. People
sensibilities of People don't
don't
and won't
won't believe
believe that
that an infinitely
infinitely good
good and merciful
merciful God can
can
consign
consign His own offspring
offspring (Acts xvii. 28,
(Acts xvii. 28, 29) to measureless
29) to measureless
aeons
aeons of
of torture in retribution
torture in retribution for the sins
for the sins and weaknesses
weaknesses of
of aa
few swiftly
swiftly passing
passing years here on earth.-Foreward,
years here earth. Eric Lewis'
Foreward, Eric Lewis'
Life and Immortality,
Life Immortality, 1949, p. f.
1949, p. f.
ERIC LEWIS
ERIC (1864-1948),
(1864-1948), Cambridge University, mis-
Cambridge University, mis-
sionary
sionary to
to Sudan and India
Life and Immortality,
Life Immortality, 1949
1949
Christ,
Christ, the
the First
First Fruits, 1949
Fruits, 1949
Lewis' summary:
Lewis' summary:
1. That man is
1. mortal. That immortality
is mortal. immortality is
is not
not his by na-
his by na-
ture,
ture, but aa gift
but gift of
of God to in Christ,
to him in Christ, conditioned
conditioned on faith
faith and
CHAMPIONS 597
597
obedience, the
obedience, the earnest of which immortality,
earnest of immortality, is
is the
the indwelling
indwelling
Spirit
Spirit of
of God. And this
this immortality is put
immortality is put on atat the
the resurrec-
resurrec-
tion.
tion.
2. That at
2. at death,
death, man's soul,
soul, his physical organism,
his physical organism, dies,
dies, and
the
the returns to
man returns to dust.
dust.
3.
3. That at at death,
death, his
his spirit, is not a personal entity
spirit, which Is not a personal entity
apart
apart from his his body, returns to
body, returns to God who gave gave it,
it, while
while the
the man
himself passes
passes into unconscious sleep
into unconscious until the
sleep until the resurrection.
resurrection.
4. That at
4. at resurrection, calls the
resurrection, God calls the dead man back back toto life,
life,
breathing into
breathing into him again
again His Spirit
Spirit.. . . . The resurrection
. . . resurrection body,
body,
given to
given the righteous
to the righteous atat the coming of
the coming Christ, will
of Christ, will be
be aa spiritual
spiritual
body, aa glorified
body, glorified body, like His own after
body, like His resurrection.
after His resurrection.
There will
will be aa resurrection unto judgment,
resurrection unto judgment, as as well
well as
as unto
life. whose names are
life. Those whose are not found writtenwritten in the book of
in the of
life, will
life, will be
be cast
cast into the lake
into the lake of
of fire, there to
fire, there to perish
perish ultimately,
ultimately,
burned up
burned up like the chaff.
like the chaff. How long their sufferings
long their sufferings will
will last, is
last, is
known to to God alone;
alone; His judgment
judgment will will be
be according
according toto the
the
desert of
desert of each.
each. This isis "the
"the second death," from which there
second death," there will
will
be no resurrection.-Christ
be resurrection. Christ the First Fruits,
the First Fruits, p.
p. 79.
79.
DR. WILLIAM TEMPLE (1881-1944),

(1881-1944), late Archbishop of
late Archbishop of
Canterbury,
Canterbury, Primate
Primate of
of Great
Great Britain
Britain
Christian Life, 1931;

Faith and Life,
Christian Faith 1931; 16th impression,
16th impression,
1954
1954
Lecture on Immortality
Drew Lecture Immortality, 1931
1931 ,
Nature,
Nature, Man and God,
God, 1953
[The] doctrine of
[The] doctrine the future
of the life [will]
future life involve our first
[will] involve dis-
first dis-
entangling
entangling thethe authentic teaching of
authentic teaching the classical
of the classical Scriptures
Scriptures from
accretions which very
accretions very quickly began to
quickly began to obscure this.-Nature,
obscure this. Nature,
Man and God,
God, p.p. 460.
460.
Man is not immortal by
is not by nature
nature oror of right; but he is
of right; is capable
capable
of immortali ty and there
of immortality there isis offered
offered to
to him resurrection
resurrection from thethe
dead and life
dead and life eternal
eternal if
if he will
will receive
receive it
it from God and on God's
terms.-Ibid.,
terms. p. 472.
Ibid., p. 472.
Are there not,
Are there not, however,
however, many passages which speak
many passages of the
speak of the
endless torment of
endless torment of the
the lost?
lost? No; as
No; far as
as far as my
my knowledge
knowledge goes,
goes,
there is
there at all.-Ibid.,
is none at all. p. 464.
Ibid., p. 464.
After
After all,
all, annihilation
annihilation isis an everlasting
everlasting punishment
punishment though
though it
it
is not
is unending torment.-Ibid.
not unending torment. Ibid.
598
598 QUESTIONS
thing we can
One thing can say
say with
with confidence: everlasting torment is
confidence: everlasting is
to
to be ruled
be out. If
ruled out. If men hadhad not
not imported
imported the the Greek and unbibli-
unbibli-
cal notion of
cal notion of the
the natural indestruction of
natural indestruction the individual soul,
of the soul,
and then
then read
read thethe New Testament with with thatthat already
already in in their
their
minds, they
minds, they would have have drawn from it it aa belief,
belief, not
not in
in everlasting
everlasting
torment, but
torment, but inin annihilation.
annihilation. It It is
is the
the fire that is
fire that is called
called aeonian,
aeonian,
not the
not the life
life cast into it.-Christian
cast into it. Faith and Life,
Christian Faith Life, p.
p. 81.
81.
How cancan there be the
there be the Paradise
Paradise forfor any
any while
while there
there is
is Hell,
Hell, con-
con-
ceived
ceived asas unending
unending torment,
torment, for for some?
some? Each supposedly
supposedly damned
soul. was born
soul was born into the world
into the world asas aa mother's child, and Paradise
mother's child, Paradise
cannot be
cannot be Paradise
Paradise for her if
for her if her
her child
child isis in Hell.-Ibid.,
such aa Hell.
in such Ibid.,
p.454.
p. 454.
DR. GERARDUS VAN DER LEEUW (1890-1950), professor,

(1890-1950), professor,
University of
University of Groningen
Groningen
Onsterfelijkheid
Onsterfelijkheid of (Immortality or
Opstanding (Immortality
of Opstanding or Res-
Res-
urrection), 1947
urrection), 1947
After quoting
After quoting Ecc!.
Eccl. 3: 19-21, he comments:
3:19-21, comments:
[Innate]
[Innate] Immortality
Immortality is
is a conception
a conception which fits
fits into
into the
the
philosophy of
philosophy pantheism. With death
of pantheism. death belongs
belongs not
not immortality,
immortality,
but Resurrection.-Onsterfelijkheid
but Resurrection, of Opstanding,
Onsterfelijkheid of Opstanding, p.p. 30.
30.
The Church has

has-no
no matter Hellenized it
matter how much Hellenized may be
it may be
in
in doctrine
doctrine and practice-always
practice always maintained the the resurrection
resurrection of of
the body. . . . The body
the body. . . . dies, death is
body dies, is not
not being
being denied at at all.
all.
Even the Spirit, the

the Spirit, the soul that II am,
soul that will not
am, will not exist.
exist. The soul
soul will
will
also die. But the
also die. the whole life of man will
life of will bebe renewed by by God. God
will raise
will raise me upup "in
"in the
the latter
latter day."-Ibid.,
day." Ibid., p. 32.
p. 32.
God alone
alone isis immortal (1 Tim. 6:16). To man he
(1 6:16). he has
has given
given
the promise
the promise of Resurrection. . . .
of Resurrection. . . .
Creation
Creation will
will change
change into
into re-creation. re-creation is
re-creation. And re-creation resur-
is resur-
1'ection,
rection, a raising up
a raising up by
by God.-Ibid.,
God. Ibid., p. p. 36.
36.
Many preachers
Many preachers of recent times
of recent are rather
times are rather hesitant
hesitant to preach
to preach
about immortality.
immortality. But in in former days, preaching about
days, when preaching about
eternal life, it
eternal life, it was without
without effort
effort that
that they
they dwelt upon imagina-
dwelt upon imagina-
tions of
tions of a corruptible
corruptible bodybody and an immortalimmortal soul.
soul. The older
older
devotional books
devotional books and church hymns hymns are are full of it.
full of it. Even now
people in
people the house
in the house ofof bereavement and on the the graveyards
graveyards areare
being comforted
being comforted from the the same source-yet
source yet thesethese representations
representations
CHAMPIONS 599
599
are not in any

any respect
respect Christian, but purely
Christian, but Grecian and con-
purely Grecian con-
trary to
trary to the
the essence
essence of
of Christian Ibid.> p.
faith.-Ibid.,
Christian faith. 20.
p. 20.
DR. AUBREY R.
R. VINE (1900-
(1900- ), editor, The Con-
), editor,
Con-
gregational Quarterly;
gregational professor at
Quarterly; professor at Yorkshire
Yorkshire United
United
Independent College
Independent College
Approach to
An Approach to Christoiogy,
Christology, 1948
1948
The natural
natural immortality
immortality of the spirit
of the is aa Greek rather
spirit is rather than
than aa
Christian concept.-An
Christian concept. An Approach
Approach to
to Christology p.
Christology (1948), p. 314.
(1948), 314.
Against
Against the
the idea
idea of
of the
the natural
natural immortality
immortality of
of the
the spirit
spirit we
set the
must set the fact that God is
fact that is the only self-existent
the only self-existent and that
that noth-
noth-
ing exis~s or
ing exists or continues to exist
continues to exist except
except byby His grace
grace and will,
will,
within this
within this schema or within any
or within any other.
other. God only
only is
is exoschematic.
exoschematic.
use the
When we use the word "immortal," therefore, of
"immortal/' therefore, anything but
of anything but
God,
God, we must always
always realize that none but
realize that but God is is immortal
immortal byby
his
his nature and without
own nature without qualification.
qualification.-Ibid., p. 315.
Ibid., p. 315.
"Immortal" should onlyonly bebe applied
applied to spirit if
to aa human spirit if we
clearly recognize that

clearly recognize that it
it is
is only
only immortal
immortal at at God's grace
grace and
pleasure. Only
pleasure. Only God isis immortal
immortal by by His own nature
nature and without
qualification. Ibid., p.
qualification.-Ibid., 311, footnote.
p. 311, footnote.
DR. MARTIN J.
J. HEINECKEN (n.d.), professor of
(n.d.), professor of system-
system-
atic theology, Lutheran
atic theology, Lutheran Theological
Theological Seminary, Phil-
Seminary, Phil-
adelphia
adelphia
Basic Christian
Basic Christian Teachings,
Teachings, 1949
1949
Speaking of
Speaking of man as as a unit, he declares:
a unit, declares:
In the Biblical
In the Biblical account
account of creation we are
of creation told that
are told that God
formed man of
formed the dust
of the dust and ofof the
the earth,
earth, and that that hehe then
then
breathed into
breathed into his
his nostrils
nostrils and man became a a living
living soul.
soul. This is is
usually interpreted to
usually interpreted to mean that
that God made aa soul,soul, which is the
is the
real person, and that

real person, that he then
then gave this soul
gave this soul aa temporary
temporary home
in aa body,
in body, made of of the dust of
the dust of the
the earth.
earth. But thisthis is a false
is a false
dualism . . . . Man must be
dualism. . . . be considered
considered a a unity.-Basic
unity. Christian
Basic Christian
Teachings, pp. 36,
Teachings, pp. 36, 37.
37.
We are
are dealing with aa unified
dealing with unified being,
being, aa person,
person, and not not with
something that
something that is
is called
called aa soul
soul and which dwells in aa house
dwells in house called
called
600
600 QUESTIONS
the body, as
the body, as though
though the
the body were just
body were just aa tool
tool for
for the
the soul
soul to
to em-
ploy, but
ploy, but not
not really
really a part of
a part person.-Ibid.,
the person.
of the 38.
p. 38.
Ibid., p.
Coming then to
Coming then to the
the issue
issue of
of the immortality of
the immortality the
of the
soul says:
soul he says:
It
It isis held
held by by some people that
some people that there
there is is within
within every
every man an
unchanging
unchanging and indestructible
indestructible core,
core, immortal in
in its
its own right.
right.
It is
It unaffected by
is unaffected by time;
time; it it had no no beginning,
beginning, neither
neither can it it have
have
an end. It
an end. has always
It has always been and always always willwill be.be. ItIt came into into this
this
world
world of of changing
changing things things from the the realm
realm of eternity and will
of eternity will
return to
return to it.-Ibid.,
it Ibid., p. p. 133.
133. •
The Christian
Christian view view is is by no means to
by to be identified
identified with the the
above belief
above belief in in the
the immortality
the soul.
soul. The Christian belief is
Christian belief is
in the immortality
in the immortality of of the
the God-relationship,
God-relationship, and in in the
the resurrection.
resurrection.
The Christian
Christian dualismdualism is is not
not that
that of of soul
soul and body,body, eternal
eternal mind
and passing
and passing things,
things, but but the dualism of
the dualism of Creator
Creator and creature.
creature. Man
is aa person,
is person, aa unifiedunified being,
being, a a center
center of of responsibility,
responsibility, standing
standing
over against
over against his his Creator
Creator and Judge. Judge. He has has no lifelife oror immortality
immortality
within himself. He came into
within himself. into beingbeing through
through God's God's creative
creative
power. He spends
power. spends as many years
as many years on this this earth
earth as as inin God's
God's provi-
provi-
dence are
dence allotted to
are allotted him. He faces
to him. faces death
death as wages of
the wages
as the of sin.-
sin.
Ibid., pp.
Ibid., pp. 133,133, 134.
134.
Men have have speculated
speculated like like this:
this: At death death the the soulsoul isis sep-
sep-
arated
arated from from the body. It
the body. appears then
It appears before God in
then before in aa pre-
pre-
liminary judgment
liminary judgment (mentioned
(mentioned nowhere in in Scripture)
Scripture) and en- en-
ters into aa preliminary
ters into preliminary state state either
either of of blessedness
blessedness or or condemna-
tion. Then, when the
tion. Then, the last
last trumpet
trumpet sounds,sounds, the the body
body is is resurrected
resurrected
and rejoined
rejoined with with thethe soul, complete once
soul, and complete once more,
more, the the reunited
reunited
body and soul
body soul appear
appear for for thethe final,
final, public
public judgment
judgment scene, scene, from
there to
there enter either
to enter either into
into final bliss or
final bliss or final condemnation. It
final condemnation. is
It is
no wonder that, that, with
with thisthis view,
view, men have had little little use
use forfor a a
resurrection, and have finally
resurrection, finally dropped
dropped the the notion
notion altogether
altogether and
have been satisfied
have satisfied withwith the the redemption
redemption of of only
only the soul.-Ibid.,
the soul. Ibid.,
p. 135.
p. 135.
To diedie thenthen means to to pass
pass to the resurrection
to the resurrection and the judg-
the judg-
ment at at the
the end of of time.
time. Even if if someone should say that all
say that all men
sleep until the
sleep until the final
final trumpet
trumpet sounds,
sounds, what what is the passage
is the passage of of time
time
for those
for those who are are asleep?
asleep? The transitiontransition from the the moment of of
death
death to to thethe resurrection
resurrection would still be instantaneous
still be instantaneous for for them.
them,
It
It would be be no different
different from going going to to bed at night and being
at night
being
waked in in thethe morning.-Ibid.,
morning. Ibid., p. p. 136.
136.
CHAMPIONS 601
601
DAVID R. DA VIES (1889-

DAVIES (1889- ), rector, St.
), rector,
Mary Mag-
St. Mary Mag-
dalen, St.
dalen, St. Leonard-on-Sea, Britain
Leonard-on-Sea, Britain
The Art of Dodging Repentance,
of Dodging Repentance, 1952
1952
The soul
soul of man is is not
not necessarily
necessarily automatically
automatically immortal.
immortal. It It
is
is capable of
capable of beingbeing destroyed.
destroyed. The Bible Bible offers
offers no ground
ground what-what-
soever for for believing
believing thatthat the soul is
the soul is immune from from death
death andand
destruction.
destruction. The soul can be
soul can be destroyed.
destroyed.
immortality of
The immortality of the
the soul
soul is not aa Biblical
is not Biblical doctrine,
doctrine, butbut
Greek philosophy.
philosophy. The Biblical Biblical doctrine
doctrine aboutabout the the soul
soul isis the
the
resurrection
resurrection from the dead. Man is
the dead. is aa created being. God created
created being. created
him out of nothing. Man was created
of nothing. created forfor immortality,
immortality, but but by his
by his
own rebellion against God he
rebellion against himself mortal.
he made himself mortal.-The The ArtArt of
of
Dodging Repentance (1952),
Dodging Repentance (1952), p. p. 84.
84.
idea of
The idea the immortality
of the immortality of of the
the soul derives from Greek
soul derives Greek
philosophy which
philosophy which conceived
conceived the after·life of
the after-life Hades, aa ghostly,
of Hades, ghostly,
shadowy underworld, in
shadowy underworld, in which the the soul
soul lived
lived a twilight existence.
a twilight existence.
We have have translated
translated the the Greek
Greek word,word, Hades,
Hades, by by our English
English
word Hell,
Hell, which we think think of of as
as a place of
a place pain and torment.
of pain torment. But
the Greek
the Greek Hades was was not
not aa place
place ofof torment.
torment. Hell Hell as torment is
as torment is
derived
derived more from the the Hebrew Gehenna than than from the the Greek
Hades, which was
Hades, which was aa lower,
lower, shadowy
shadowy existence,
existence, denuded of passion
of passion
and suffering.
suffering. It It was thethe product
product of of the
the Greek view of of men as as a a
compound
compound of
of matter
matter and soul,
soul, which death
death severed,
severed, releasing
releasing
the
the soul
soul from
from the prison-house of
the prison-house of matter
matter into into an independent
independent
existence.
existence.
The Hebrew view view of of man was entirely entirely different.
different. In In the
the
Bible man is
Bible is regarded
regarded as as a unity of
a unity of "life"
"life" or spirit, which manifests
or spirit, manifests
itself as
itself both soul
as both soul and body.body. Since
Since man has has made himself
himself mortal,
mortal,
his
his soul,
soul, inin consequence,
consequence, also also partakes
partakes of mortality. Man is
of mortality. is not
aa compound
compound of two separate
of two separate entities, matter and spirit,
entities, matter spirit, but
but aa
unity
unity ofof spirit
spirit functioning
functioning as as matter
matter and soul. It is
soul. It is the
the unity
unity that
that
is mortal.-Ibid.,
is mortal. Ibid., pp.pp. 84,
84, 85.
85.
DR. BASIL F.
F. C. under-librarian of
C. ATKINSON, under-librarian of Cambridge
Cambridge
University
University
The Pocket
Pocket Commentary
Commentary of the Bible,
of the Bible, Part
Part One:
Book of
of Genesis,
Genesis, 1954
Comment on Gen. 2:7:2:7:
602
QUESTIONS
It has sometimes
It has sometimes beenbeen thought
thought that the Impartation
that the impartation of of the
the
life principle,
life principle, asas it
it is brought before
is brought before usus in this verse,
in this verse, entailed
entailed
immortality
immortality of the spirit
of the spirit or
or soul. It has
soul. It been said
has been that to
said that to be
be made
in·
in- the
image of
the image of God involves
involves immortality.
immortality. The Bible Bible never says says
so.
so. If it involves
If it involves immortality,
immortality, why does it
why does it not
not also
also involve omnis-
involve omnis-
cience or
cience or omnipresence,
omnipresence, or or any other quality
any other quality or attribute of
or attribute of
the Infinite?
the Infinite? Why
Why should
should oneone alone be singled
alone be out? The breath
singled out? breath ofof
life was
life was notnot breathed
breathed intointo man's heart,
heart, but
but into his nostrils.
into his nostrils. It
It
involved physical
involved physical life. Throughout the
life. Throughout the Bible man, apart
Bible man, apart from
Christ,
Christ, is conceived of
is conceived of as
as made of of dust
dust and ashes,
ashes, a physical
physical
creature, to
creature, to whom is is lent by God aa principle
lent by principle of life. The Greek
of life.
thinkers tended to
thinkers tended to think
think ofof man as as an immortal
immortal soulsoul imprisoned
imprisoned
in
in a body. This emphasis
a body. emphasis is the opposite
is the opposite to to that
that of the Bible,
of the but
Bible, but
has found
has found aa wide
wide place
place inin Christian thought.-The
Christian thought. Pocket Com-
The Pocket
mentary
mentary of of the Bible, Part
the Bible, Part 1,1, Book ofof Genesis,
Genesis, p. p. 32.
32.
DR. EMIL BRUNNER (1889-(1889- ), professor

),
professor of
of system-
system-
atic
atic and practical
practical theology, University of
theology, University of Zurich,
Zurich,
guest professor
guest professor at Princeton, and International
at Princeton, International
Christian University,
Christian Tokyo
University, Tokyo
Eternal Hope
Eternal Hope (English
(English translation
translation byby Harold
Knight), 1954
Knight),
After discussing the
After discussing widespread, historic
the widespread, historic concept
concept of
o
the
the "survival
"survival of
of the
the soul
soul after death" as
after death" "the separation
as "the separation
of
of soul body," he states:
soul from body/* states:
For the
the history
history of
of Western thought, the Platonic
thought, the Platonic teaching
teaching of
o
the immortality
the immortality of
of the
the soul became of
soul became of special significance. It
special significance. It
penetrated so
penetrated so deeply
deeply into
into the
the thought
thought of
of Western man because.
because,
although with certain
although with certain modifications,
modifications, itit was
was assimilated
assimilated by
by Chris-
Chris-
tian
tian theology
theology and church teaching,
teaching, was
was even declared
declared by the
by the
Lateran Council of
Lateran of 1512
1512 [1513]
[1513] to be aa dogma,
to be dogma, toto contradict
contradict
which was aa heresy.-Eternal
heresy Hope, p.
Eternal Hope,
. p. 100.
100.
he adds:
Then he adds:
Only recently, as
Only recently, as a result
result of a deepened
of a deepened understanding
understanding of of
the New Testament,
Testament, have
have strong doubts arisen
strong doubts arisen as to its
as to its compatibil-
compatibil-
ity with the
ity with the Christian conception of
Christian conception the relation
of the relation between Goel
between God
and man.-Ibid.
man. Ibid.
CHAMPIONS 603
603
According
According to Platonism:
to Platonlsm:
The body
body isis mortal,
mortal, the
the soul immortal. The mortal
soul immortal. mortal husk
husk con-
con·
ceals this
ceals this eternal
eternal essence
essence which in
which in death
death is
is freed from its
freed from its outer
outer
shelL-Ibid.,
shell. p. 101.
Ibid., p. 101.
After observing
After that "this
observing that dualistic conception
"this dualistic of
conception of
man does
does not
not correspond
correspond to
to the
the Christian
Christian outlook,"
outlook/' he
he
then remarks:
then remarks:
Since this mode of
Since this of robbing evil of
robbing evil of its sting runs
its sting runs necessarily
necessarily
parallel with
parallel with the rendering
the rendering innocuous of
innocuous of death
death through
through the
the teach-
teach·
ing about immortality,
ing immortality, this
this solution
solution of the problem
of the problem ofof death
stands
stands in
in irreconcilable
irreconcilable opposition Christian thought.-Ibid.
to Christian
opposition to thought. Ibid.
Commenting
Commenting further
further on the
the "doctrine
"doctrine of
of the
the im-
im-
mortality
mortality of
of the
the soul"
soul" (p. 105),
(p. 105), which medieval
medieval Chris-
Chris-
tianity
tianity "took
"took over"
over" from "Greek philosophy,"
philosophy," he ob-ob-
serves
serves that
that it was "utterly
it was "utterly foreign to its
foreign to its [Christianity's]
[Christianity's]
own essential
essential teaching."
teaching." And he
he adds:
adds:
opinion that
The opinion that we men are are immortal because
because ourour soul
soul is
is of
of
an indestructible,
indestructible, because divine, essence
because divine, essence is,is, once for all, ir·
for all, ir-
reconcilable
reconcilable with the Biblical
with the view of
Biblical view of God and man. man.-Ibid.,
Ibid.,
pp.
pp. 105,
105, 106.
106.
The philosophical
philosophical belief
belief in
in immortality
immortality is like an echo,
is like echo, both
reproducing
reproducing and falsifying
falsifying the
the primal
primal Word of
of this
this divine
divine Crea·
Crea-
tor. It
tor. is false
It is because it
false because it does
does not
not take
take into
into account the the real
real loss
loss of
of
this original
this original destiny
destiny through sin.-Ibid.,
through sin. p. 107.
Ibid., p. 107.
DR. REINHOLD NIEBUHR (1892-(1892- ), professor at

), professor
at Union
Theological Seminary
Theological Seminary
The Nature
Nature and Destiny
Destiny of (Scribners), 1955
of Man (Scribners),
(Gifford
(Gifford Lectures
Lectures at
at Edinburgh, 1939)
Edinburgh, 1939)
After contrasting the
After contrasting the "classical"
"classical" view of of man,
man, ofof
Graeco-Roman antiquity,
antiquity, and the "Biblical" view,
the "Biblical" view, Nie-
Nie-
buhr states
buhr that the
states that the two "were actually merged in
actually merged in the
the
thought
thought of
of medieval
medieval Catholicism."-The
Catholicism." The Nature and
Destiny of
Destiny of Man,
Man, vol.
vol. 1, p. 5.
1, p. 5. The classical view, that
classical view, that the
QUESTIONS
"mind" oror "spirit"
"spirit" is
is "immortal" was inseparably
inseparably tied
tied
to
to the dualistic concept
the dualistic concept ofof man (p.
(p. 7).
7). But among
among
the Hebrews,
the Hebrews, he observes,
observes,
the concept of
the concept of an immortal
immortal mind in in aa mortal
mortal body body remains
remains un· un-
known to the encl.-Ibid.,
to the end. Ibid., p. p. 13.
13.
Origen's
Origen's Platonism
Platonism completely
completely destroys
destroys the the Biblical
Biblical sense
sense ofof
the unity
the unity of of man.-Ibid.,
man. Ibid., p. p. 153,
153, footnote.
footnote.
Gregory's [of
Gregory's [of Nyssa] thoroughly Platonic
Nyssa] thoroughly Platonic conception
conception of of the
the
relation
relation of of the
the soul
soul toto the body is
the body is vividly expressed
vividly expressed in
in his
his
metaphor of
metaphor of the
the gold
gold and the the alloy.
alloy.-Ibid.,
Ibid., p. p. 172.
172.
The ideaidea ofof the resurrection of
the resurrection of the body is
the body is aa Biblical
Biblical symbol
symbol
in which
in which modern minds take take thethe greatest
greatest offense
offense and which has has
long since
long since been
been displaced
displaced in in most
most modern versions versions of of the Chris·
the Chris-
tian faith by
tian faith by the
the idea
idea of the immortality
of the immortality of the soul.
of the latter
soul. The latter
idea
idea is is regarded
regarded as as aa more plausible
plausible expression
expression of of the
the hope
hope of of
everlasting life.-Ibid.,
everlasting life. vol. 2,
Ibid., vol. 2, p. 294.
p. 294.
The resurrection
resurrection is is not
not aa human possibility
possibility in the sense
in the that
sense that
the immortality
the immortality of of the
the soul
soul is is thought
thought to to bebe so. All the
so. All the plausible
plausible
implausible proofs
and implausible proofs forfor the immortality of
the immortality of the
the soul are
soul are
efforts
efforts on the the part
part of the human mind to
of the to master
master and to to control
control
the
the consummation of life. They
of life. They all all try
try toto prove
prove in in one way way or or
another that
another that an eternal
eternal element in in the nature of
the nature of man is is worthy
worthy
and capable
capable of of survival beyond death."
survival beyond death."-Ibid.,
Ibid., p. p. 295.
295.
The Christian
Christian hopehope of the consummation of
of the of life history is
life and history is
less absurd than

less absurd than alternate doctrines which seek
alternate doctrines seek to to comprehend
comprehend
and to to effect
effect the
the completion
completion of of life
life by
by some powerpower or or capacity
capacity in-in-
herent
herent in in man and his his history.-Ibid.,
history. p. 298.
Ibid.,, p. 298.
DR. T. A.
DR. A. KANTONEN (1900-
(1900- ),
),
Lutheran professor,
professor,
Hamma Divinity
Divinity School,
School, American Member Lu-
theran Federation Commission on Theology
theran World Federation Theology
The Christian Hope, 1954
Christian Hope, 1954
influence of
The influence Hellenic philosophy,
of Hellenic philosophy, represented
represented by the
by the
Alexandrian fathers
fathers in particular, tended to
in particular, to spiritualize
spiritualize escha-
escha-
tology into
tology into a
a continuing inner purification
continuing inner purification and immortality
immortality of
of
the soul.-The
the soul. The Christian
Christian Hope, p.
Hope, p. 20.
20.
Primitive animism with
Primitive its notion
its notion of a detachable
of a ghost-soul
detachable ghost-soul
which continues
continues after
after death to lead
death to lead a a shadowy
shadowy existence
existence and to
to
enter interaction
enter with the
interaction with the living
living still underlies much of
still underlies of popular
popular
CHAMPIONS 605
religious thinking on the
religious thinking the subject.
subject. More importantimportant and influential
influential
from the theological point
the theological point of view is
of view the Greek idea
is the idea of the im-
of the im-
mortality
mortality of
of the
the soul
soul which found its
its classical
classical formulation
formulation in
in
Plato's dialogues
Plato's dialogues four four centuries
centuries before before Christ.
Christ. Since Platonism
Since Platonism
furnished the
furnished the sublimest
sublimest thoughtthought forms forms for the formative
for the formative period period
of Christian
of Christian theology,theology, it it is is not
not surprising
surprising that that manymany of of thethe
Fathers identified
Fathers identified the the Christian
Christian doctrinedoctrine of of eternal
eternal life with
life with
Platonic immortality
Platonic immortality and that that finally
finally thethe Fifth Lateran Council
Fifth Lateran Council
(1512-17) adopted
(1512-17) adopted it it as
as a dogma of
a dogma the church.-Ibid.,
of the church. Ibid., p. p. 27.
27.
It has been characteristic
It has characteristic of of Western thought
thought ever ever since
since Plato
Plato
to distinguish
to distinguish sharply between the
sharply between the soul
soul and the the body.
body. The body body is is
supposed
supposed to to be be composed
composed of of matter,
matter, and the the soul
soul of of spirit.
spirit. The
body is
body a prison
is a prison from which which the the soul is liberated
soul is liberated at death to
at death to carry
carry
its own proper
on its proper nonphysical existence. Because
nonphysical existence. Because of its immate-
of its immate-
rial spiritual nature
rial spiritual nature the the soul
soul has has been considered indestructible.
considered indestructible.
Hence the the question
question of
of life after
life after death
death has
has been
been the
the question
question of of
demonstrating
demonstrating the the immortality,
immortality, the the death-defying
death-defying capacity,
capacity, of of the
the
soul.
soul. The body body is is of
of little
little consequence.
consequence.
This wayway of thinking is
of thinking is entirely foreign
entirely foreign to to the
the Bible.
Bible. True to to
Scripture
Scripture and definitely rejecting
definitely rejecting the
the Greek view,
view, the
the Christian
Christian
creed
creed says, not "I believe in the immortality of the soul," but "I
says, not "I believe in the immortality of the soul," but "I
believe in
believe in thethe resurrection
resurrection of the body."-Ibid.,
of the body." Ibid., p. p. 28.
28.
The soulsoul is not aa separate
is not
separate part part of of man,
man, constituting
constituting aa sub- sub-
stance
stance of its own.-Ibid.,
of its own. Ibid., p. p. 29.
29.
"The Christian
Christian faith faith knows nothing nothing about an immortality
immortality of of
the person. That would mean aa denial
the person. denial of of death,
death, notnot recognizing
recognizing it it
as judgment of
as judgment of God.
God. It It knows only only an awakening
awakening from real real death
death
through
through the the powerpower of of God. There is is existence after death
existence after death only
only by by
way of
way awakening, resurrection."*
of awakening, resurrection."* There is is no immortality
immortality of the
of the
soul but aa resurrection
soul but resurrection of of thethe whole person,
person, body
body and soul, from
soul, from
death. The only
death. only immortality
immortality which the the Bible recognizes is
Bible recognizes is the
the
immortality of
immortality of a personal relationship
a personal relationship with God in in Christ.-
Christ.
Ibid., p. 33.
Ibid., p. 33.
The Bible
Bible does does not distinguish between man and the
not distinguish the beasts
beasts on
the
the ground
ground that
that man has
has an immortal soul
soul while
while the
the beasts
beasts not.
do not.
Men, beasts, even plants,
Men, beasts, plants, are alike in
are alike death. We do not
in death. not need to to
concern
concern ourselves
ourselves about about spiritualism
spiritualism or or hypotheses
hypotheses of of any kind
any kind
concerning
concerning future future existence.
existence. The whole matter of of death
death and life life
after death
after death is is simplified when our only
simplified only concern is
is faith
faith in
in God
*From Paul
*From Althaus, Die
Paul Althaus, Die lel{len (Gutersloh: Bertelsmann,
Dinge (Gutersloh:
letzten Dinge Bertelsmann, 1933), p. 126.
1933), p. 126.
QUESTIONS
who cancan destroy
destroy and who can can resurrect.
resurrect. Life Life makes no sense sense and
holds
holds no hope hope except
except in in terms
terms of of Christ's victory over
Christ's victory over death
death and
the
the assurance
assurance that that we share share in in that victory.
that victory.
There is
There is considerable
considerable support support in in Scripture
Scripture for for thethe view that that
the soul as
the soul as well
well as as the body is
the body destructible. This evidence
is destructible. evidence has has
been obscured
been obscured because
because the the Greek
Greek conception
conception of of the
the inherent
inherent im· im-
mortality
mortality of of the
the soul
soul hashas supplanted
supplanted the the teaching
teaching of of Scripture.-
Scripture.
Ibid., p.
Ibid., p. 34.
34.
Tliere are
There two indisputable
are two realities in
indisputable realities in thethe scriptural
scriptural doc- doc-
trine, the
trine, fact of
the fact of death
death and and thethe fact
fact of of resurrection
resurrection from the the
dead at
dead at Christ's
Christ's second
second coming.
coming. But between the the death
death of of an indi-
indi-
vidual and the
vidual the return
return of Christ is
of Christ is an interval,
interval, which which from the the
human pointpoint of of view,
view, in in the
the case
case of of most
most men,men, is is aa long
long period
period
of time.-Ibid.,
of time. Ibid.j p. p. 36.
36.
Against
Against suchsuch speculation
speculation [Roman [Roman Catholic purgatory, Limbo,
Catholic purgatory, Limbo,
etc.]
etc.]
Protestant
Protestant orthodoxy
orthodoxy has,
has, on the
the whole,
whole, denied all
all concep-
concep-
tions of
tions of aa neutral
neutral statestate ofof waiting
waiting and held held that that souls
souls passpass im-im-
mediately
mediately into
into a
a state
state of
of misery
misery or
or of
of blessedness.-Ibid.,
blessedness. Ibid., p.
p. 37.
37.
If death means entrance
If death entrance into heaven, then
into heaven, then resurrection
resurrection and
judgment lose
judgment lose their significance_-Ibid.,
their significance. Ibid., p. p. 38.
38.
The soul
soul hashas no existence
existence apart apart fromfrom the the body.
body. The whole
man,
man, bodybody and soul soul dies,
dies, and the whole man,
the whole man, body body and soul, soul,
is resurrected
is resurrected on the the last day. At death
last day. death man proceeds proceeds directly
directly to to
the final
the resurrection and judgment.
final resurrection judgment. There is is no period
period of wait-
of wait-
ing, for
ing, for waiting
waiting implies
implies time,time, and beypnd beyond death time time no longer longer
has any
has significance. From our own temporal
any significance. temporal point point of of view we
may speak
may speak of the dead as
of the as being
being asleep
asleep and then then say with Luther
say with
that for one
that for one in in deep
deep slumber
slumber the the passage
passage of of centuries
centuries is is as
as an
instant. We may
instant. may even say that departed
say that departed believers
believers are are at at home with with
the Lord in
the in the
the sense
sense thatthat their
their striving
striving and waiting waiting are are over and
they have
they have reached
reached their their final goal.-Ibid.,
final goal. Ibid., pp.pp. 96, 96, 97.*
97.'"
An alternative
alternative solution
solution is is that
that the
the fate
fate of the wicked
of the wicked is is neither
neither
eventual redemption nor
eventual redemption nor endless torment but
endless torment but simply annihila-
simply annihila-
tion. Eternal
tion. Eternal death would conform to the New Testament con-
to the con-
notation of
notation of death
death in in general, apoleia, destruction.
general, apoleia, destruction. Proponents
Proponents of of
this view
this view claim that the
claim that the idea
idea ofof eternal
eternal punishment
punishment rests rests on the the
Platonic conception of
Platonic conception of the
the inherent
inherent indestructibility
indestructibility of the soul
of the soul
and that the reasoning
that the reasoning used to to disprove
disprove it applies here
it applies here also.
also. On
"Dr.
*Dr. Kantonen has since
Kaittonen has modified his
since modified his view, according with
view, according with Walter
Walter Kuenneth
Kuenneth
(Theolocis
(Theologie dey Au/erstehung) that
der Auferstehung) that the
the dead are not non-existent.
are not non-existent. (See
(See p.
p. 39.)
39.)
CHAMPIONS 607
607
this
this ground the nature
ground the nature of
of God also
also appears to be
appears to be vindicated.
vindicated.-
Ibid.,p.
Ibid., p. 107.
107.
When Christ, then, in
Christ, then, in the
the end destroys
destroys "every rule and every
"every rule every
authority power," he
authority and power," he will
will wipe
wipe out
out every vestige of
every vestige of opposition
opposition
to
to God, both human and superhuman.
God, both superhuman. This view, view, unlike
unlike univer-
univer-
sal restoration, preserves
sal restoration, preserves the the twofold judgment taught
twofold judgment taught inin Scrip-
Scrip-
ture. And to
ture. to be
be completely
completely cut off from God,
cut off God, the
the source
source of
of life,
life,
would seem logically
logically to
to imply
imply nonexistence.
nonexistence. Such
Such a
a lapse
lapse into
into
nothingness
nothingness of of all
all ofof life's hopes and values
life's hopes values makes perdition
perdition aa
terrible reality
terrible reality even without the
even without added feature
the added feature of prolonged tor-
of prolonged tor-
ture.-Ibid.,
ture. p. 108.
Ibid., p. 108.
hope of
The hope the individual
of the individual Christian
Christian at at death does
does not lie in
not lie in
man's power
man's power toto defy
defy death but but in God's power
in God's power to to raise
raise man from
the dead. Death is
the dead. is real,
real, and man has has no inherent capacity
capacity to
to leap
leap
over the grave
over the grave into
into another existence.-Ibid.,
another existence. p. 111.
Ibid., p. Ill.
ultimate significance
The ultimate significance ofof Christ's triumph over
Christ's triumph over death
death will
will
become manifest in
become manifest the resurrection
in the resurrection of of the dead.-Ibid.,
the dead. Ibid., p.
p. 112.
112.
D. R.
DR. D. R. G. professor of
G. OWEN, professor religious knowledge,
of religious knowledge,
Trinity College;
Trinity College; lecturer,
lecturer, philosophy
philosophy and religion,
religion,
Wycliffe College,
Wycliffe College, Toronto
Body and Soul,
Body Soul, 1956
1956
points at
The points at issue revolve around the
issue revolve the concepts
concepts ofof "body"
"body" and
"soul."
"soul." The "religious"
"religious" anthropology
anthropology [in contradistinction to
[in contradistinction the
to the
Biblical] adopts an extreme dualism,

Biblical] adopts dualism, asserting
asserting that
that thethe body
body
and the
and soul are
the soul are two different and distinct
two different distinct substances.
substances. It claims
It claims
that
that the
the soul
soul is
is divine
divine in origin and immortal by
in origin by nature
nature and
that the
that the corruptible body is
corruptible body is the
the source
source of of all sin and wickedness.
all sin wickedness.
It
It recommends the the cultivation
cultivation of of the soul in
the soul in detachment from
the body, and advocates
the body, advocates thethe suppression
suppression of of all physical appetites
all physical appetites
and natural
natural impulses.
impulses. It
It regards
regards the
the body
body as
as the
the tomb or
or prison
prison
of
of the soul from which it
the soul longs to
it longs get free.
to get free. Finally,
Finally, itit tends
tends toto
suppose
suppose that
that the
the soul,
soul, even
even in
in its
its earth-bound existence,
existence, is
is en-
en-
tirely independent of the body and so
tirely independent of the body
so enjoys
enjoys a freedom of of choice
and action
and action untrammeled by by the
the laws
laws that
that reign
reign in
in the
the physical
physical
realm.-Body
realm. Body and Soul, Soul, p. 26. (Copyright,
p. 26. (Copyright, 1956, by U. L. Jenkins,
1956, by Jenkins,
The Westminster Press. Used by
Westminster Press. by permission.)
permission.)
If we turn
If we turn to
to the Bible, however,
the Bible, however, as as we shall later, we find
shall later, find
that aa quite
that quite different view of
different view of man is is assumed throughout.
throughout. Here
QUESTIONS
there is
there is no dualism
dualism and scarcely
scarcely any idea of
any idea of the
the immortality
immortality ofof aa
detached and independent
detached soul.-Ibid.,
independent soul. p. 29.
Ibid., p. 29.
Plato remains to
Plato remains to the
the end an
an antiphysical
antiphysical dualist.
dualist. It
It is he, and
is he,
his followers,
his followers, who most ofof all
all are responsible for
are responsible imposing the
for imposing the
"religious"
"religious" anthropology
anthropology on Western thought. thought.-Ibid., Ibid., p. p. 41.
41.
This
This latter belief especially-the
latter belief especially the idea that the
idea that the soul
soul can exist exist
apart from the
apart from the body--obviously
body obviously implies implies some form of of body-soul
body-soul
dualism .... This
dualism. . . This body-soul
.
body-soul dualismdualism was was aa necessary
necessary implicate
implicate of of
the Greek
the Greek doctrine
doctrine of the immortality
of the immortality of of the soul.-Ibid.,
the soul. Ibid., p. p. 59.
59.
Now therethere are are aa few isolated
isolated Scriptural passages that
Scriptural passages that maymay sug-
sug-
gest the
gest the idea
idea of of the
the immortality
immortality of of the soul in
the soul in the
the Greek sense, sense, but
the normal Biblical
the normal Biblical point
point of of view is is quite different: in
quite different: the New
in the
Testament it
Testament it is the resurrection
is the resurrection of the body
of the body that
that is stressed, and
is stressed,
this doctrine
this doctrine is is almost
almost a a direct contradiction of
direct contradiction the "Orphic"
of the "Orphic" es- es-
chatology. Why,
chatology. Why, then, then, did did the Fathers lean
the Fathers lean toward this largely
this largely
un-Biblical notion?-Ibid.
un-Biblical notion? Ibid.
The factfact is is that the Fathers'
that the adoption of
Fathers' adoption of the
the "religious"
"religious" idea idea
of the
of immortality of
the immortality of the detachable soul
the detachable soul forced
forced them into into the
the
doctrine of
doctrine of body-soul dualism.-Ibid.,
body-soul dualism. Ibid., p. p. 61.
61.
The ideaidea of the intermediate
of the intermediate state eventually developed
state eventually developed into into
the doctrine
the doctrine of purgatory.-Ibid.
of purgatory. Ibid.
Fathers were
The Fathers were no doubt impressed impressed by by the
the force
force of the argu-
of the argu-
ments advanced
ments advanced by by Greek philosophy
philosophy to to prove
prove thethe immortality
immortality of of
the
the soul. And, finally,
soul. And, finally, of of course,
course, the the idea
idea of of an
an intermediate
intermediate state state
gave
gave thethe human being being another chance chance to to be
be purged
purged of of his
his sins
sins
before the
before the last judgment. It
last judgment. It was
was the development of
the development this notion
of this notion
that led
that led to to the
the doctrine
doctrine of of purgatory,
purgatory, with with all the superstitions
all the superstitions
objectionable practices
and objectionable practices that that eventually
eventually made up up the the pur-
pur-
gatorial
gatorial system
system and, and, in the end,
in the end, furnished
furnished part part of of the
the immediate
cause of
cause of the Reformation.-Ibid.,
the Reformation. Ibid., p. p. 62.
62.
Their [Church Fathers] resulting
[Church Fathers] resulting anthropology
anthropology was aa mix-
ture of
ture of Biblical
Biblical and Greek ideas. They added to
ideas. They the New Testa-
to the Testa-
doctrine of
ment doctrine of the
the resurrection
resurrection of the body
of the body thethe idea
idea of of an inter-
inter-
mediate state
mediate state in in which the the soul exists apart
soul exists apart from the the body,
body,
awaiting
awaiting its recovery at
its recovery the end.-Ibid.,
at the end. Ibid., p. p. 77.
77.
The "religious" anthropology,
"religious" anthropology, as
as far
far as
as Western thought thought is is
concerned, is
concerned, is Greek and not not Biblical
Biblical in in origin.
origin. It It isis also
also typical
typical
of
of Eastern religions in
Eastern religions in general,
general, such such as as Hinduism and Buddhism. Buddhism.
It seems to
It to be characteristically
characteristically "religious,"
"religious," and for this and other
for this other
reasons
reasons has has tended
tended to to creep into and corrupt
creep into corrupt the the Christian
Christian view view of of
man. This happened,
happened, as as we saw, saw, in in the patristic and medieval
the patristic medieval
CHAMPIONS 609
609
periods, and modern Catholicism
periods, Catholicism and Protestantism
Protestantism have
have tended
tended
to perpetuate this
to perpetuate this early
early mistake.-Ibid.,
mistake. Ibid., p.
p. 163.
163.
Biblical view
The Biblical view of
of man is
is entirely
entirely different
different from the
the "reU-
"reli-
gious."-Ibid.,
gious." p. 164.
Ibid., p. 164.
idea of
The idea the immortality
of the immortality of
of the
the soul
soul in
in the
the Greek sense
sense
may be suggested
may suggested in
in some passages
passages in
in the
the wisdom literature
literature and
is
is definitely found in
definitely in places in the
places in Apocrypha. This line
the Apocrypha. line of
of
thought
thought was later
later developed
developed inin the
the Hellenistic
Hellenistic Judaism
Judaism of the
of the
Alexandrine School,
School, in
in the
the inter-Testamental period, of
inter-Testamental period, of which
the religious philosopher
the religious philosopher Philo
Philo is
is the outstanding example.-
the outstanding example.
Ibid., p. 178.
Ibid., p. 178.
Such are
are some of
of the host
the host of
of advocates
advocates of
of conditional
conditional
immortality,
immortality, or
or life
life only
only in
in Christ,
Christ, andlor
and/or of the
of the ulti-
ulti-
mate destruction
destruction of
of unrepentant
unrepentant sinners.
sinners.
20
x. Miscellaneous Questions
X* Miscellaneous Questions
Intent of
Intent
of
the
the Cferm
Term "Everlasting Gospel"
"Everlasting Gospel*
QUESTION
QUESTION 45
Adventists mean by
What do Adventists by their con-
their con-
stant emphasis on the
stant emphasis the "everlasting gospel" oj
"everlasting gospel" of
Revelation 14:6?
Revelation Is this
14:61 Is special gospel
this a special gospel you
you are
are
seeking to
seeking preach, which differs
to preach, differs from,
from the
the gospel
gospel
emphasized by
emphasized by Protestants
Protestants generally?
generally? Please
Please clar-
clar-
ify·
ify.
We
\Ve do not understand the the "everlasting
"everlasting gospel"
gospel" of
of
Revelation 14:614:6 to
to be aa new or different gospel
or different gospel from
that which our Lord,
that Lord, the
the apostles,
apostles, and the the early
early church
preached,
preached, and which is
is to
to be
be re-emphasized in
re-emphasized in world-
proportions in
wide proportions these latter
in these latter days.
days. It
It is
is the
the same
unchanged
unchanged and unchangeable
unchangeable good good news that
that God has
has
conveyed
conveyed to
to man ever
ever since
since sin
sin entered
entered the
the world,
world,
though
though discerned with varying varying degrees
degrees of of clarity
clarity and
emphasis
emphasis in in different
different ages.
ages.
Its foregleams were first
Its foregleams first seen
seen inin the
the promise
promise of the
of the
"seed,"
"seed," a promise given
a promise given while man was still within the
still within
gates
gates ofof Eden (Gen.
(Gen. 3:15).
3:15). The gospel, gospel, according
according to to
Holy Writ,
Holy Writ, was even preached
preached to
to Abraham: "And the
the
scripture,
scripture, foreseeing that God would justify
foreseeing that justify the
the heathen
through faith,
through preached before
faith, preached before the the gospel
gospel unto Abra-
ham,
ham, saying,
saying, In
In thee
thee shall
shall all
all nations
nations blessed" (Gal.
be blessed" (Gal.
3:8).
3:8).
613
614 QUESTIONS
The apostle
apostle Peter
Peter referred
referred to to this
this same gospel
gospel when
he wrote:
he wrote: "Of whichwhich salvation
salvation the prophets have en-
the prophets en-
quired and searched
quired searched diligently, prophesied of
diligently, who prophesied the
of the
grace
grace that
that should
should come unto
unto you: searching
you: searching what,
what, or
or
what
what manner of time the
o time the Spirit
Spirit of
of Christ
Christ which was in
in
them did
them did signify,
signify, when it testified beforehand the
it testified the
sufferings
sufferings of
of Christ,
Christ, and the
the glory
glory that should
that should follow"
follow"
(1
(1 Peter
Peter 1: 10,
1:10, 11).
11).
Clearly, then,
Clearly, then, that
that which was preached preached before
before thethe
cross was
cross was gospel,
gospel, but
but in in figure,
figure, inin type,
type, inin shadow.
shadow. The
full
full revelation
revelation came in in and through
through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ. Thus
we read:
read: "God,
"God, who at at sundry
sundry times
times and in
in divers
divers
manners spake
manners spake in in time
time pastpast unto the the fathers
fathers by by the
the
prophets, hath
prophets, hath inin these
these last days spoken
last days spoken unto us us byby his
his
Son" (Heb.
(Heb. I: 1, 2).
1:1, 2).
But grave departure
But aa grave departure from the faith-aa tragic
the faith tragic and
basic "falling
basic "falling away"away" from the
the pure apostolic gospel
pure apostolic gospel
faith-developed
faith developed in the great
in the great Latin apostasy,
apostasy, thethe domi-
nant papal
nant papal perversion
perversion of the Middle Ages.
of the Ages. Yet,
Yet, this
this was
was
all
all expressly
expressly foretold
foretold by
by the
the apostle
apostle Paul
Paul in
in 2
2 Thessa-
Thessa-
lonians 2:340:
lonians 2:3-10:
Let no man deceive
Let you by
deceive you any means: for
by any for that
that day
day [the
[the
coming of
coming the Lord
of the Lord and our gathering unto
our gathering unto Him,
Him, verses
verses 1, 2]
1, 2]
shall not come,

shall not come, except
except there
there come a
a falling
falling away
away first,
first, and that
that
man ofof sin
sin be revealed, the son
revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth
of perdition; opposeth and
exalteth himself above
exalteth himself above all that is
all that is called
called God,
God, or that is
or that is wor-
wor-
shipped; so
shipped; that he
so that he as
as God sitteth in the
sitteth in the temple
temple ofof God,
God, shewing
shewing
himself that he
himself that he is
is God. Remember ye ye not,
not, that,
that, when II waswa·s yet
yet
with you,
with you, II told
told you these things?
you these things?
And now ye ye know withholdeth that
what withholdeth that he might
might bebe re-
re-
vealed in
vealed in his
his time.
time. For the
the mystery
mystery ofof iniquity
iniquity doth
doth already
already work:
work:
only he who now letteth
only he letteth will
will let, until he be
let, until be taken
taken out of the
out of the
way. And then
way. then shall that Wicked be
shall that be revealed,
revealed, whom the Lord
the Lord
shall
shall consume with the the spirit
spirit of his mouth,
of his mouth, and shall
shall destroy
destroy
with the brightness of
the brightness his coming:
of his coming: even him,him, whose
whose coming
coming isis
"EVERLASTING GOSPEL" 615
after the working
after working ofof Satan
Satan with
with all power and signs
all power signs and lying
lying
wonders, and with
wonders, with all
all deceivable ness of
deceivableness unrighteousness in
of unrighteousness in them
that perish; because
that perish; because they
they received
received not the love
not the love of the truth,
of the truth, that
that
they might be
they might be saved.
saved.
In due time
time thethe Protestant
Protestant Reformation
Reformation arose,arose, which
was a a noble
noble revival
revival ofof much of of the
the gospel that had been
gospel that
perverted
perverted and lost.
lost. The great
great basic
basic principle
principle of of the
the gos-
gos-
pel-justification
pel justification by by faith-was
faith was restored,
restored, and simple
simple
dependence
dependence upon upon thethe once-for-all atoning sacrifice
once-for-all atoning sacrifice and
all-sufficient mediatorial priesthood
all-sufficient mediatorial priesthood of of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ was
reinstated. Many
reinstated. papal perversions*
Many papal perversions* were repudiated
repudiated
abandoned.
and abandoned.
While there
there was a glorious return
a glorious return to to most of the
of the
gospel,
gospel, the
the faith
faith once
once delivered
delivered to
to the
the saints, yet
saints, yet cer-
cer-
tain aspects
tain aspects of the gospel
of the message were not
gospel message not emphasized
emphasized
at that time.
at that time. These included baptism by
included baptism by immersion,
immersion,
immortality
immortality as
as a
a gift
gift bestowed
bestowed by
by Christ
Christ at
at the
the resurrec-
resurrec-
tion,
tion, revival
revival of
of the
the seventh
seventh day
day as
as the
the Sabbath,
Sabbath, and
various other
various other Bible truths.
Bible truths.
We,
We, as
as Adventists, profoundly believe
Adventists, profoundly believe that
that inin these
these
last days
last days God is is calling
calling for the completion
for the completion of the ar-
of the ar-
rested Protestant
rested Protestant Reformation
Reformation and for the full
for the full and final
final
restoration
restoration of of gospel truth. Just
gospel truth. Just asas the
the Baptists
Baptists arose
arose inin
the seventeenth
the seventeenth centurycentury to
to emphasize,
emphasize, amongamong other
other
forgotten
forgotten and trampledtrampled truths,
truths, baptism
baptism by by immersion,
immersion,
and as the eighteenth-century
as the eighteenth-century WesleyansWesleyans stressed
stressed God's
free grace,
free grace, so so today,
today, we believe,
believe, the
the Christian
Christian church
is being
is being called
called to to return
return to the full,
to the full, original, untainted
original, untainted
gospel-the
gospel the "everlasting gospel," unchanged
"everlasting gospel," unchanged and un-
*These include: Prayers

*These include: Prayers for
for the
the dead, the sign
dead, the sign of the cross,
of the cross, veneration
veneration of saints,
saints,
celebration of
celebration the mass,
of the worship of
mass, worship of Mary, purgatory, veneration
Mary, purgatory, veneration ofof relics,
relics, penance,
penance,
holy water, celibacy
holy water, celibacy of
of the
the priesthood,
priesthood, the
the rosary,
rosary, the
the inquisition, transubstantiation,
inquisition, transubstantiation,
extreme unction,
unction, dependence
dependence upon
upon tradition.
tradition.
616
QUESTIONS
changeable in
changeable in the
the plan
plan and
and purpose
purpose of
of God,
God. This,
This, as
as
understand it,
we understand is all
it, is all involved
involved in
in the
the preparation
preparation of
of
the church
the church of
of the
the last
last days
days to
to meet her
her returning
returning Lord.
Lord.
This same
This same principle
principle of of adherence
adherence to to the
the everlasting
everlasting
gospel also involves
gospel also involves rejection rejection of
of all
all ecclesiastical
ecclesiastical de-
de-
partures and
partures and innovations
innovations of of "latter
"latter times,"
times," that that were
likewise foretold
likewise foretold by by the
the same
same apostle
apostle Paul,
Paul, for for we read:
read:
"Now the the Spirit
Spirit speaketh
speaketh expressly,
expressly, that that in in the
the latter
latter
times some shall
times shall depart
depart from the the faith,
faith, giving
giving heed to to
seducing spirits,
seducing spirits, and
and doctrines
doctrines of of devils*'
devils" (1 (1 Tim. 4:1). 4: 1).
portrayal of
The portrayal of this
this peril
peril isis developed
developed in in 2 Timothy
Timothy
3 and
3 and 4, 4, where
where it it is
is prophesied
prpphesied that that "perilous
"perilous times"times"
will come,
will come, in in which men will
will have
have "a
"a form of
of godli-
godli-
ness," but
ness," but will
will deny
deny "the power thereof"
"the power thereof" (2 (2 Tim. 3: 1-5).
3:1-5).
This is
This is the
the time
time foretold
foretold when men "will "will notnot en-en-
dure
dure sound
sound doctrine"
doctrine" and will will "turn away away their
their ears
ears
from
from the truth, and shall
the truth, shall bebe turned unto fables" fables" (2 (2 Tim.
4:3,
4:3, 4). Surely this is aa portrayal
4). Surely this is portrayal of the sundry
of the sundry isms,isms,
pseudo-Christian
pseudo-Christian movements,
movements, and religious perversions
religious perversions
of
of the
the times
times that
that claim
claim sanctuary
sanctuary within the the general
general fold fold
of
of Protestantism.
Protestantism. And this this isis not to to mention modern-
ism-the
ism the great departure
great departure in
in Protestantism-evolution,
Protestantism evolution,
the
the "social
"social gospel," spiritism,
gospel," spiritism, the
the denial
denial of
of the
the inspira-
inspira-
tion
tion ofof the
the Bible,
Bible, the
the denial
denial of
of the
the deity
deity of
of the
the Son of of
God,
God, and otherother subtle
subtle religious
religious philosophies
philosophies of of the
the day.
day.
Against
Against all
all these
these historic
historic and current
current enticements
enticements we
are
are warned (Gal. (Gal. 1:8,
1:8, 9).
9). We are
are to
to hold steadfastly
steadfastly
to
to the
the apostolic
apostolic faith
faith and sound doctrine, doctrine, and to to thethe
true
true gospel,
gospel, based
based on the the Bible
Bible only,
only, as as presented
presented by by
Christ,
Christ, and Paul,Paul, and the the other
other apostles
apostles (1 (1 Tim. 4: 13-
4:13-
16;
16; 2 2 Tim. 3:14-16).
8:14-16).
In the
the history
history of of the
the church there there have been special special
"EVERLASTIN G GOSPEL"
''EVERLASTING 617
emphases and applications
emphases applications of of the
the truth
truth of of the
the gospel
gospel
suited to specific periods.
specific periods. This was true
true prior
prior to
to and in
in
days of
the days of Jesus,
Jesus, in the days
days of
of the
the early
early church,
church, during
during
the Middle Ages, Ages, and in in thethe Reformation period, period, and
now it is true
it is true inin these
these last days. These spiritual
last days. spiritual em-
phases
phases constitute
constitute present
present truths
truths to
to the
the generation
generation to
which they
they are given
given (2 (2 Peter I: 12).
1:12). We believe that
believe that
are now living
we are living in
in the
the hour,
hour, or
or time,
time, of
of God's
God's
judgment. We therefore
judgment. therefore believe
believe there is is to
to be aa full-
full-
ness of
ness of understanding
understanding and emphasis emphasis corresponding
corresponding to to
the fullness
the fullness of of time's last hour.
time's last hour. We believe
believe in in aa purity
purity
of faith
of faith matching
matching the expectations
expectations of of God for for His
people
people in
in these
these last
last climactic
climactic days
days of
of earth's
earth's history,
history,
when thethe redeemed are are soon to to meet theirtheir Lord face face to
to
face.
face.
So,
So, ifif Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventists seem to to differ
differ in in em-
phasis
phasis from some of
of our brethren of
of other
other Protestant
Protestant
faiths, it
faiths, is because
it is because we believe
believe we have a a special message
special message
for this
for hour. We hold the
this hour. the "everlasting gospel"
''everlasting gospel" of of
Revelation 14:6 14:6 toto be the gospel, understood
apostolic gospel,
the apostolic
and emphasized
emphasized in in the setting of
the setting of God's great great last-day
last-day
judgment
judgment hour, hour) and designed
designed for
for the
the preparation of a
preparation a
people completely
people completely clad
clad in
in the
the righteousness
righteousness of
of Christ
and fully
fully following
following the revealed will
the revealed will ofof God as they
as they
prepare
prepare to
to stand in
in His presence
presence at
at His imminent
glorious
glorious appearing.
appearing.
Satan, Demons, and Angels
Satan, Demons, and Angels
QUESTION
QUESTION 46
What dodo Adventists

Adventists believe regarding an-
believe regarding an-
gels
gels and demons'!
demons? Do you
you consider
consider them to
to be
the departed
the departed spirits
spirits of
of the dead? And what about
the deadf
the devil
the devil-is
is he a personality,
personality, or
or simply
simply an evil
evil
influence;
influence; a reality,
reality, or
or a myth?
myth?
Seventh-day Adventists uniformly

Seventh-day Adventists uniformly believe
believe that
that angels
angels
are created
are created beings
beings of
of an order higher
higher than
than man (Heb.
(Heb.
2:7). They
2:7). They were created
created before
before man,
man, and by
by the
the Son
of
of God (Col. 1: 16). They
(Col. 1:16). They are
are greater
greater in
in power and
power
might than man (2
might Peter 2:
(2 Peter 11). They
2:11). They are
are glorious
glorious beings
beings
(Matt. 28: 2, 3),
(Matt. 28:2, 3), and heaven is is their (Matt. 18:
their abode (Matt. 10).
18:10).
We understand
understand that that they
they form part
part of
of the
the "whole
family"
family" ofof God "in "in heaven and earth" (Eph. 3:
earth" (Eph. 14, 15).
3:14, 15).
Different orders
Different orders of of angels
angels are
are named,
named, such
such as
as cherubim
and seraphim
seraphim (Eze.(Eze. 10: 19, 20;
10:19, Isa. 6:2,
20; Isa. 6:2, 6).6). And the the
apostle Paul refers
apostle refers to principalities, powers,
to principalities, powers, rulers
rulers ofof
this world, and spiritual
this world, hosts of
spiritual hosts wickedness (Eph.
of wickedness (Eph. 6:
6:
12; compare Col.
12; compare Col. 2: 15). Some of
2:15). of the
the angels
angels were
were led
led
into rebellion,
into rebellion, and as as a result were cast
a result cast out of of heaven
(2
(2 Peter 2:4).
2:4). These fallen angels are
fallen angels called demons,
are called demons,
"devils,"
"devils," or
or "unclean spirits" (Matt. 8: 16,
spirits" (Matt. 8:16, 28-32; 28-32; Mark
5: 13; I1 Cor.
5:13; Cor. 10:20,
10:20, 21).21).
to Satan,
As to Satan, or thethe devil, hold the
devil, we hold the uniform
uniform teach-
teach-
618
SATAN, DEMONS, AND ANGELS 619
619
Ing of the
ing of the Word to
to be
be that
that he
he is
is definitely
definitely aa personal
personal
being-the
being supreme adversary
the supreme adversary oor God and man. Christ
Christ
called the "wicked
called him the "wicked one"
one" (Matt.
(Matt. 13:19).
13: 19). He was,
was,
however, once
however, once an angel
angel of
or light,
light, the
the highest
highest of
or the
the
angels.
angels. He was
was named "Lucifer,
''Lucifer, son
son of
of the
the morning"
morning"
(Isa. 14: 1244).
(Isa. 14: 12-14). But he he fell
fell from his his high
high estate
estate (Eze.
(Eze.28:
28:
13-18;
1348; Luke 10: 18; John
10:18; John 8:44),
8:44), and drew down with with
him aa host
host ofof angels,
angels, first
first into
into disaffection
disaffection and then then into
into
open
open rebellion
rebellion against
against God and His
His government
government (2 (2
Peter 2:4;
Peter 2:4; Jude
Jude 6). 6). He is is now the the prince
prince of of devils
devils
(Matt. 12:24),
(Matt. 12:24), and heads
heads an opposing
opposing kingdom,
kingdom, with
with
legions
legions of
of evil
evil angels,
angels, in
in deadly
deadly conflict
conflict with
with the
the king-
king-
dom of of God and Christ Christ (Rev. (Rev. 12:7-10).
12:7-10).
Thus we believebelieve Satan
Satan to to bebe but
but aa created
created being,
being,
though
though of
of the
the highest
highest rank.
rank. He was
was once
once called
called the
the
"anointed
"anointed cherub that that covereth"
covereth" (Eze. (Eze. 28:14).
28: 14). He was
described as
described as "full
"full ofof wisdom,
wisdom, and perfect perfect in in beauty"
beauty"
(verse
(verse 12).
12). He was was thethe embodiment of of created
created perfec-
perfec-
tion, and apparently
tion, apparently led the worship
led the worship of
of the
the universe.
universe. He
was
was in
in the
the "mountain of of God,"
God," where God manifestsmanifests His
glory,
glory, and was "perfect"
"perfect" in in his
his ways
ways until
until "iniquity"
"iniquity"
developed
developed in in him (verses
(verses 14, 14, 15).
15). His heart
heart became
lifted up because
lifted up because of of his
his beauty,
beauty, and his his wisdom was
corrupted
corrupted because
because of
of his
his brightness
brightness (verse 17).
(verse 17). Unholy
Unholy
ambition
ambition and jealousy
jealousy ruined him,
him, and he led
led a host
host of
of
angels
angels in in rebellion
rebellion against
against God and Christ Christ (Rev.
(Rev. 12:
12:
7-9).
7-9).
As a
a result
result he was "cast"
"cast" out of
of the mountain of
God (Eze. 28:
(Eze. 28:16),16), and down to
to the "ground,"
"ground," or
earth
earth (verse
(verse 17;17; Isa.
Isa. 14:12).
14:12). He is is now leader
leader of the
realm
realm of of demons (Luke (Luke 1l:14-18,
11:1448, A.R.V.).
A.R.V.).
This
This celestial
celestial being,
being, who "abode not inin the
the truth"
(Johp. 8:44), appeared
(John 8:44), appeared in
in "Eden the garden
garden of of God"
620
QUESTIONS
(Eze. 28: 13), and accomplished
(Eze. 28:13), the fall
accomplished the fall of
of Adam and
Eve by
Eve by insinuating
insinuating doubt as
as to
to God's
God's word and His
His
goodness (Gen.
goodness (Gen. 3: 1-5).
3:1-5). fell and death came as
Adam fell as
a consequence
a consequence ofof his
his sin disobedience (Rom.
sin and disobedience (Rom. 5:
5:
12). Satan,
12). Satan,
as
as the
the arch
arch tempter, goes
tempter, goes "to
"to and fro
fto in
in
the earth"
the earth'
5
(Job
(Job 1:7;
1:7; compare
compare 1 I Peter
Peter 5:8),
5:8), which is is
now the the field
field of his special
of his special activity.
activity. He is the cause
is the cause of of
sin with its
sin with its fruitage
fruitage of
of sickness
sickness and death
death (Eze.
(Eze. 28: 15;
28:15;
Luke 13: 16; John
13:16; John 8:44;
8:44; Acts
Acts 10:38;
10:38; Heb. 2:14). 2:14).
In
In contrast
contrast to to Christ,
Christ, thethe "Holy
"Holy One" (Acts (Acts 2:27;
2:27;
13:35),
13:35), Satan
Satan is
is called
called the
the "wicked one" (Matt.
(Matt. 13:19).
13:19).
He is is the
the embodiment of of consummate wickedness.
wickedness. He
was the
was the original
original sinner,
sinner, and is
is the
the father
father of lies
of lies (John
(John
8:44). He is
8:44). is called
called thethe "prince
*
'prince of of the
the power
power of the
of the
air" (Eph.
air" (Eph. 2:2),2: 2), the
the "prince
"prince of
of this
this world"
world
5 '
(John
(John 12:12:
31;
31; 14:30;
14:30; 16:11),
16:11), the
the "god
"god of
of this
this world"
world" (2
(2 Cor.
Cor. 4:
4:
4;
4; or
or "age," A.R.V.).
"age," A.R.V.). He is
is mighty,
mighty, but
but not
not almighty.
almighty.
without divine
But without power man cannot
divine power cannot successfully
successfully
overcome him.
overcome him. He is is to
to be resisted
resisted by by surrendering
surrendering to to
God (Rom. (Rom. 6:17-21; James 4:7),
6:17-21; James 4:7), by puttingby putting our
our con-
con-
fidence
fidence in in the strength of
the strength of God's might, and by
God's might, by putting
putting
on thethe whole armor of of God (Eph. 6: 10-17).
(Eph. 6:10-17).
The unsaved are are in the "power
in the "power of
of Satan"
Satan" (Acts(Acts 26:
26:
18),
18), and the
the wicked
wicked world lies
lies in
in his
his evil
evil embrace
embrace
(1 John 5:19,
(1 John 5: 19, R.S.V.).
R.S.V.). He has has many
many subtle
subtle "devices"
"devices"
(2
(2 Cor. 2: II), even transforming
Cor. 2:11), transforming himselfhimself intointo an angel
angel
of light (2
of light (2 Cor.
Cor. 11: 14). He blinds
11:14). blinds the the eyes
eyes ofof men so so
the light
light of
of the
the gospel
gospel of
of God is
is not
not perceived (2
perceived (2 Cor. Cor.
4:4, A.R.V.). And he snatches
4:4, A.R.V.). snatches the the Word of of God out out ofof
hearts where it
hearts has been
it has been sown (Luke (Luke 8: 12).
8:12).
Satan layslays snares
snares forfor men (1 (I Tim. 3:7; 3:7; 2 2:26),
2 Tim. 2:26),
putting
putting wicked
wicked purposes
purposes into
into their
their hearts
hearts (John }3:2;
(John 13:2;
SATAN, DEMONS, AND ANGELS 621
621
Acts 5:3),
5:3), and even entering entering into into men (Luke 22:3).
(Luke 22:3).
He sows tares in
sows tares in God's
God's field (Matt. 13:25:
field (Matt. 39), and
13:25, 39),
works withwith signs
signs and lying lying wonders
wonders in in order
order to to insin-
insin-
uate false
uate views (2
false views (2 Thess.
Thess. 2:9,
2:9, 10).
10).
Satan
Satan has
has "minis-
"minis-
ters"
ters" to to do his his bidding
bidding (2 (2 Cor.
Cor. 1l:14,
11:14, 15),15),
and
churches to
churches to carryon
carry on his his work (Rev. 3:9). 1\.nd
(Rev. 3:9). And he
accuses
accuses and slandersslanders the the "brethren"
"brethren" before before God day day
and night
night (Job(Job 1:6-12;
1:642; 2: Rev. 12:9,
1-6; Rev_
2:1-6; 12:9, 10).
10).
But Satan has has been under aa perpetual perpetual cursecurse ever
ever
since he seduced man in
since in Eden (Gen. 3:15).
(Gen. 3: 15). HisHis
destiny
destiny is
is fixed.
fixed. Everlasting
Everlasting fire
fire has
has been
been prepared
prepared for for
him and his his angels (Matt.
angels (Matt. 25:41; 25:41; Rev.
Rev. 20: 10).
20:10). Christ
Christ
came to to earth
earth and took took our naturenature in order to
in order to destroy
destroy thethe
devil
devil and his his works (Heb. (Heb. 2:14;
2:14; 1
1 John 3:8).
John 3:8). Satan
Satan
sought
sought to to overwhelm Christ Christ when He came to to reclaim
man (Mark (Mark 1: 12,
1:12, 13),13), and has
has since
since persecuted
persecuted the the
church (Rev.
church (Rev. 12: 12, 17).
12:12, 17). But his his power
power and domin-
ion received aa death
ion received death blow at Calvary, and he
at Calvary, he isis a con-
a con-
quered
quered foe
foe (John
(John 12:31;
12:31; 16:11;
16:11; 1
1 John 3:8). He will
John 3:8). will
soon
soon be be bruised
bruised under the the feet
feet of of the
the saints
saints (Rom.
(Rom.
16:20).
16:20).
Just before the
Just before the end of of the
the age
age hishis sinister
sinister "spirits
"spirits
of
of demons"
demons*' influence
influence the nations, gathering
the nations, gathering them to- to-
gether
gether for
for the
the great
great dayday of
of God Almighty
Almighty (Rev. (Rev. 16:
16:
14, A.R.V.). At the
14, A.R.V.). the second
second adventadvent he he will
will be
be bound for for
aa thousand years (Rev.
years (Rev. 20:1-3). 20: 1-3). Loosed for
for a
a brief
brief
season
season at its close,
at its close, he will will then
then be cast cast into the lake
into the lake ofof
fire,
fire, where his destruction
his destruction is
is final
final (verse 10).
(verse 10). He, He,
with
with his
his evil
evil angels,
angels, will
will be brought
brought to to "ashes,"
"ashes," and will will
not "be
not "be any any more" (Eze.
(Eze. 28: 18,
28:18, 19;
19; Matt.
Matt. 25:41).
25:41).
That, understand, is
That, we understand, the biography
is the biography of of Satan as por-
as por-
trayed
trayed in in the
the Book of of God.
'[he
The Q.uestion
ûesdon of
of
U Foods
ndean Foods
Unclean
QUESTION
QUESTION 47
Do Seventh-day Adventists believe

that
foods
foods such
such as
as lobsters,
lobsters, crabs,
crabs, pork,
pork, et
et cetera,
cetera, all
all
forbidden
forbidden under the
the Mosaic law,
law, are
are still
still for-
for-
bidden, binding
bidden, binding upon
upon thethe Christian,
Christian, and hence
not to be
not to be eaten
eaten under penalty
penalty ofof sinf
sin?
This query
query opens up an important
opens up important question-that
question that
of the
of the relationship
relationship of the Christian
of the Christian toto the ot
the law of Moses.
It is
It is an old
old question,
question, and as
as is
is well
well known, it has been
known, it
debated from time
debated time to time through
to time through the
the ages.
ages.
Answering first
Answering the second part
first the part of the query,
of the re-
query, we re-
gard the Decalogue
gard the Decalogue as as being distinct from the
being distinct the law ofof
Moses, though we hold that
Moses, though both are
that both are revelations
revelations from
God. But one was the the expression of eternal
expression of principles,
eternal principles,
while the
the other
other was,
was, in
in the
the main,
main, made up
up of
of laws per-
laws per-
taining
taining toto the
the ceremonial,
ceremonial, or or sacrificial,
sacrificial, system,
system, which
pointed forward
pointed forward toto the great antitype, Jesus
great antitype, Jesus our Lord.
Lord.
We believe
believe that
that the
the law ofof commandments contained in
contained in
ordinances-the
ordinances the ceremonial and sacrificial precepts-
sacrificial precepts
met its complete fulfillment
its complete fulfillment inin Christ
Christ on Calvary,
Calvary, as is
as is
explicitly emphasized
explicitly emphasized in
in Ephesians 2:
Ephesians 2:14, 14, 15
15 and Colos·
Colos-
sians
sians 2:14-17.
2:14-17. (See
(See also
also Questions
Questions 12,12, 13.)
13.)
The law of of Moses also contained counsel
also contained counsel on hu-hu-
man relationships,
relationships, on civil judgments, on health
civil judgments, health ques·
ques-
622
622
UNCLEAN FOODS 623
623
tions, and on many

tions, many otherother vital principles of
vital principles of faith
faith and
practice. That many
practice. many of these important
of these important counsels
counsels werewere
carried
carried overover and made an integral part
an integral part ofof the
the Christian
Christian
faith can be
faith can be seen
seen inin the
the following:
following:
1.
1. That we should should love
love God with with all
all the
the heart,
heart, and
neighbors as
our neighbors as ourselves
ourselves (Deut. (Deut. 6:5;6:5; 10: 12; 30:6;
10:12; 30:6;
compare
compare Matt.
Matt. 19: 19;
19:19; 22:39;
22:39; Rom. 13:9;
13:9; Gal.
Gal. 5: 14).
5:14).
2. That we should "be holy,"
2. holy," forfor "I
"I am holy"holy" saith
saith
the Lord (Lev.
the (Lev. 1l:44;
11:44; 19:2;
19:2; 20:7,
20:7, et cetera; compare
et cetera; compare
Peter 1:15,16).
I1 Peter 1:15, 16).
3. That we are
3. are to to know sanctification
sanctification of of life
life (Ex.
(Ex.
31:13;
31:13; Lev.Lev. 20:8;
20:8; Eze.
Eze. 20:12; compare
20:12; compare numerous texts
texts
in the
in the New Testament).
Testament).
These truths
truths formed aa vital vital partpart of
of the
the law
law ofof Moses
and certainly
certainly were were not
not abolished
abolished at the cross
at the cross ofof Calvary.
Calvary.
Rather,
Rather, they they werewere re-emphasized
re-emphasized in in the
the teachings
teachings of of
Jesus Christ,
Jesus Christ, and thus thus become the the norm of of our life life
today
today in
in and
and through
through Him.
The same principle principle applies
applies to the dietary
to the dietary laws laws
given
given to
to Israel
Israel of
of old.
old. It
It is
is true
true we refrain
refrain from eating
eating
certain
certain articles,
articles, as indicated in
as indicated the query,
in the query, but but not bebe-
cause the
cause the law of of Moses has has any binding
any binding claims
claims upon
upon
us. Far from it.
us. Far it. We stand fast in
stand fast the liberty
in the liberty withwith which
God has has setset usus free.
free. It It must be remembered that that
God recognized
recognized "clean""clean" and "unclean" animals at
"unclean" animals the
at the
time
time of of the
the Flood,
Flood, long
long before
before there
there was a
a law of
of Moses.
We reason
reason that that ifif God saw fit fit at that time to
at that to counsel
His people
His people against
against certain
certain articles
articles of of diet,
diet, these things
these things
were not
were not best
best forfor human consumption;
consumption; and since since we
are physically
are physically constituted
constituted in in the
the same way way as as are
are thethe
Jews
Jews and all
all other
other peoples,
peoples, we believe
believe such
such things
things are are
not the
not the best
best for
for us to use
us to today.
use today.
QUESTIONS
To us,
us, the
the whole matter of foods is
of unclean foods Is pri-
pri-
marily aa question
marily question of health, for
of health, believe that
for we believe that "God
is
is as truly the
as truly the author of of physical
physical laws as He is
laws as is the
the
author of
of the
the moral law."-ELLEN
law/' ELLEN G. WHITE, Christ's
G. WHITE, Christ's
Object Lessons)} p.
Object Lessons p. 347.
347.
Our health
health teaching
teaching is not a matter
is not matter ofof religious
religious
taboos; in
taboos; fact, it
in fact, it is
is much more thanthan careful selection in
careful selection in
diet. It is, to us, the following
diet. It is, to us, the following of of a well-balanced health
well-balanced health
program. We feel
program. feel it to be
it to be our Christian
Christian duty
duty toto preserve
preserve
our bodies
bodies in in the
the best of health
best of health for the service
for the service and
glory
glory ofof God. We believebelieve that bodies are
that our bodies the tem-
are the tem-
ples
ples of
of the
the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit (1 (l Cor.
Cor. 3:16;
3:16; 6:19;
6:19; 2
2 Cor.
Cor.
6: 16),
6:16), and that
that whether therefore
therefore we eat,
eat, or
or drink,
drink, or
or
whatsoever we do, do, we should "do all
all to
to the
the glory
glory of
of
God" (1 (1 Cor.
Cor. 10:31).
10:31).
Adventist Relationship
Adventist Relationship to
to
World Missions Program
World Missions Program
QUESTION
QUESTION 48
is your
What is your attitude
attitude as
as Christians
Christians toward
the general
the general missionary
missionary program
program for
for the
the evange-
evange-
lization of the
lization of the non-Christian
non-Christian world?
world? Do you you ac-
ac-
cept responsibility for assigned
cept responsibility for assigned areas,
areas, leaving
leaving the
the
rest for
rest for other
other Christian bodies?
Christian bodies?
position can
Our position can best
best be shown by by quoting
quoting from thethe
Working Policy
Working Policy of
of the
the denomination,
denomination, the
the section
section en-
en-
titled
titled "Statement of Relationship
of Relationship to to Other Societies,"
Societies/'
first
first adopted
adopted by by thethe General Conference Autumn
Council,
Council, inin 1926.
1926. This was laterlater revised
revised and enlarged.
enlarged.
A copy
copy of
of this
this is
is placed
placed in
in the
the hands of
of every missionary
every missionary
sent
sent out toto mission
mission fields.
fields. Here is the complete
is the complete state-
state-
ment from our instruction

instruction manual,
manual, entitled
entitled "Informa-
tion
tion for
for Outgoing
Outgoing and Furloughing
Furloughing Missionaries,"
Missionaries," pages
pages
61-63.
61-63.
STATEMENT OF RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER SOCIETIES

In the
the desire
desire to
to avoid occasion
occasion for
for misunderstanding
misunderstanding or or fric-
fric-
tion
tion in
in the
the matter of of relationship
relationship to
to the
the work of other [mission]
[mission]
societies, the
societies, the following
following statement
statement ofof principles
principles is
is set
set forth
forth as
as a
guidance
guidance to to our workers
workers in in mission fields
fields in
in their
their contacts
contacts with
other
other religious
religious organizations:
organizations:
1.
1, We recognize
recognize every
every agency
agency that
that lifts
lifts up Christ
up Christ before men as as
aa part
part of
of the
the divine
divine plan
plan for
for the
the evangelization
evangelization ofof the world,
world, and
625
626
QUESTIONS
hold in
we tiold in high
high esteem
esteem the the Christian
Christian men and women in in other
other
communions who are are engaged
engaged in in winning
winning souls
souls toto Christ.
Christ.
2. Wherever
2. Wherever the the prosecution
prosecution of of the
the Gospel
Gospel work brings brings us us
into touch
into touch with with other
other societies
societies and their their work,
work, the the spirit
spirit of of
Christian courtesy,
Christian courtesy, frankness,
frankness, and and fairness
fairness should
should at at all
all times
times
guide in
guide in dealing
dealing with with mission
mission problems.
problems.
3. We recognize
3. recognize that that the
the essence
essence of of true
true religion
religion is is that
that re-
re-
ligion
ligion is
is based
based upon
upon conscience
conscience and conviction.
conviction. It
It is
is therefore
therefore to
to
be constantly
be constantly our our purpose
purpose thatthat no no selfish
selfish interest
interest or or temporal
temporal ad- ad-
vantage shall
vantage shall draw
draw any any person
person to our communion,
to our communion, and that that no
tie shall
tie shall hold
hold any any member save save the
the belief
belief and conviction
conviction that that inin
this way
this way he he finds
finds true
true connection
connection with with Christ.
Christ. When change change of of
conviction leads
conviction leads any any member of of our
our society
society toto feel
feel no longer
longer in in
accord with
accord with us us inin faith
faith and practice,
practice, we recognize
recognize not not only
only hishis
right but
right but his his duty
duty to to change
change his his religious
religious affiliation
affiliation to to accord
accord
with his
with his belief.
belief.
4. Before
4. admitting to
Before admitting to church
church membership
membership anyone anyone who is is
a member of
a of another
another church,
church, everyevery care
care shall
shall be exercised
exercised to to
ascertain that
ascertain that the the candidate
candidate is is moved to to change
change his his religious
religious
affiliation only
affiliation only by by force
force of of religious
religious conviction
conviction and out of regard
of regard
to
to his personal relationship
his personal relationship to his God;
to his wherever possible,
God; and wherever possible,
consultation
consultation shall shall be be had withwith those
those in charge of
in charge of the
the church or or
mission with
mission with which
which the the applicant
applicant is is connected.
connected.
5. Persons
5. Persons under ceD5ure censure of of another mission for
another mission for clearly
clearly estab-
estab-
lished fault in
lished fault Christian morals
in Christian morals or character shall
or character shall notnot be con-con-
sidered
sidered eligible
eligible for membership in
for membership in our mission
mission until
until they
they have
given
given evidence
evidence of of repentance
repentance and reformation.
reformation.
6.
6. An agent agent [colporteur,
[colporteur, teacher,
teacher, compound
compound helper, helper, etc.1
etc.]
employed
employed or or recently
recently employed
employed by by another
another church
church or or mission
mission
shall not be employed
shall not employed by by our church or mission without
or mission without prelim-
prelim-
inary consultation with the
inary consultation the church or or mission
mission withwith which the the
agent
agent is is or
or was formerly
formerly connected.
connected.
7.
7. The locallocal mission
mission auditing
auditing committees
committees are are advised
advised to to give
give
consideration,
consideration, when setting setting salaries, to the
salaries, to the salaries
salaries paid
paid byby other
other
missions
missions operating
operating in in the
the same field.
field.
S.
8. As to to the
the matter of of territorial
territorial divisions
divisions and the the restriction
restriction
of
of operations
operations to to designated
designated areas,
areas, our attitude
attitude must
must be shaped
shaped by by
these
these considerations:
considerations:
a.
a. As in in generations
generations past, past,
in
in the
the providence
providence of of God and the the
historical development of
historical development of His work for for men,
men, denominational
denominational bod- bod-
ies and religious
ies religious movements have arisen arisen to to give
give special
special emphasis
emphasis
WORLD MISSIONS PROGRAM 627
627
to different
to different phases
phases of
of gospel truth, so
gospel truth, so we find in the
find in the origin
origin and
rise of the
rise of the Seventh-day
Seventh-day Adventist people, the
Adventist people, the burden laid
laid upon
upon
us to
us to emphasize
emphasize the
the gospel
gospel of
of Christ's
Christ's second
second coming
coming as
as an
event "even
"even atat the
the door," calling for
door," calling the proclamation
for the proclamation ofof the
the
special message of
special message preparation of
of preparation of the way of
the way the Lord
of the Lord as revealed
as revealed
in
in Holy
Holy Scripture.
Scripture.
this Advent proclamation
b. As this
b. proclamation is is described in Scripture
described in Scripture
prophecy, particularly
prophecy, as it
particularly as is set
it is forth in
set forth 14:6-14, it
Revelation 14:6-14,
in Revelation it
is commissioned that
is that this
this special message of
special message of the
the "everlasting
"everlasting
gospel," which is
gospel," to precede
is to precede the
the coming
coming of the Saviour,
of the Saviour, shall be
shall be
preached "to
preached "to every
every nation,
tongue, and peo-
peo-
ple."
ple." commission makes it
This commission it impossible for us to
impossible for us to restrict
restrict our
witness to
witness to this
this phase
phase of the gospel
of the gospel to
to any
any limited area, and impels
limited area, impels
us to call
us to call it to the
it to the attention of all
attention of all peoples
peoples everywhere.
everywhere.
Where different mission bodies

different mission bodies operate
operate in in close
close
proximity, there is
proximity, there is always
always aa possibility
possibility ofof the
the develop-
develop-
ment ofof misunderstandings.
misunderstandings. This is to be
is to be deeply
deeply re-re-
gretted,
gretted, and as
as Adventists
Adventists we wish
wish to
to assure
assure our fellow
fellow
workers in
workers in the
the gospel of Christ
gospel o Christ that
that as
as far
far as
as we areare
concerned,
concerned, in harmony with the
in harmony the foregoing
foregoing statement
statement
published in
published 1926, we will
in 1926, take every
will take precaution to
every precaution t()
avert
avert such misunderstandings.
such misunderstandings.
If
If the matter of
the matter of proselyting is involved
proselyting is involved inin this
this ques-
ques-
tion, we would say:
tion, According
say: According to
to the
the M
Merriam-Web-
err iam- Web-
ster's New International
ster's unabridged dictionary,
International unabridged dictionary, the the
verb proselyte means "to
verb proselyte convert to
"to convert to some religion,
religion, opin-
opin-
ion, system, or
ion, system, the like;
or the to make aa proselyte
like; to proselyte of;
of; to
to make
proselytes; to
proselytes; to convert."
convert." AllAll churches are are seeking
seeking to to
make converts.
converts. In common with with other Christian bodies,
other Christian bodies,
we believe
believe our God-given
God-given dutyduty is
is set
set forth in the
forth in gospel
the gospel
commission, "Go therefore
commission, disciples of
therefore and make disciples of all
all
nations" (Matt.
nations" (Matt. 28: 19,
28:19, R.S.V.).
R.S.V.). This we are
are attempting
attempting
to do.
to do.
On thethe other hand, Seventh-day
other hand, Adventists do not
Seventh-day Adventists not
QUESTIONS
believe in
believe in obtaining
obtaining new members by by offering
offering financial
financial
and other inducements. We condemn such such activities
activities
wherever they
they are practiced. The only
are practiced. only way
way men and
can become true
women can true members ofof the
the body
body of
of Christ
Christ
is through the
is through the converting
converting and transforming power
transforming power of of
God.
Representative Adveniist
Representative
Adventist Doctrinal
Doctrinal Literature
Literature
For the
the benefit
benefit ofof our readers
readers who may
may wish
wish to
to investigate
investigate
further
further some of
of the
the subjects
subjects that
that have
have been
been dealt
dealt with
with but briefly
but briefly
in this
in book, we list
this book, the following
list the publications.
following publications.
General Doctrinal Books
General Doctrinal Books
Bible Readings
Bible Readings tor
for the by various
Home, by
the Home, Bible students.
various Bible students. Revised
Revised
ed. Review and Herald,
ed. Review Herald, 1949. 768 pages.
1949. 768 pages.
A topical
topical study
study of the Bible
of the in the
Bible in popular question-and-an-
the popular question-and-an-
swer form, with
swer form, with the
the answers
answers taken
taken almost
almost entirely from the
entirely from the Bible.
Bible.
The great
great doctrines
doctrines ofof the
the church
church and the
the study
study of prophecy are
of prophecy are
thoroughly
thoroughly set
set forth.
forth.
Drama of
of the by William
Ages, by
the Ages, William H.
H. Branson.
Branson. Southern Publishing
Southern Publishing
Association, 1950.
Association, 1950. 584 pages.
584 pages.
God's plan for
God's plan for saving
saving man from
from sin,
sin, and how it
it is working
is working
out in the
out in the history
history of the world.
of the world.
God Speaks
Speaks to Man, by
to Modern Man, by Arthur E.E. Lickey.
Lickey. Review and
Herald,
Herald, 1952.
1952. 635 pages.
635 pages.
evangelistic presentation
An evangelistic of gospel
presentation of gospel truth,
truth, with
with special em-
special em-
phasis on God's message for these
phasis on God's message for
these closing days of
closing days of earth's history.
earth's history.
Our Firm Foundation, A Report

Firm Foundation, Report of the Seventh-day
of the Adventist
Bible Conference,
Bible Sept. 1-13,
Conference, Sept. 1-13, 1952. Herald. 22 vols.
1952. Review and Herald. vols.
1,403 pages.
1,403 pages.
papers presented
The papers presented at
at the Bible Conference covered
the Bible covered many
many
features of
features basic Seventh-day
of basic Seventh-day Adventist belief.
Adventist belief.
The Bible Plain, Review and Herald,

Bible Made Plain, Herald, 1922. 96 pages.
1922. 96 pages.
A series
series of
of short Bible studies
short Bible studies on certain fundamentals of
certain fundamentals of
Bible doctrine.
Bible doctrine.
The Faith of
The Faith Jesus, by
of Jesus, by M. L.L. Andreasen. Review and Herald,
Herald,
1939,
1939, 1949.
1949. 574
574 pages.
pages.
What Jesus believed and taught
Jesus believed taught is the church
is what the church should
should
believe and teach.
believe and All Christians
teach. All may unite
Christians may unite on the
the platform
platform of
of
the faith
the faith of
of Jesus.
Jesus.
629
629
630
The
The Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary. 77 vols_
Bible Commentary_ vols. Review
Review and
and
Herald,
Herald, 1953-1957.
1953-1957.
A verse-by-verse
A verse-by-verse study
study of
of the
the Scriptures,
Scriptures, with
with general
general articles
articles
in
in each
each volume covering
covering Bible
Bible chronology,
chronology, history,
history, archeology,
archeology,
antiquities,
antiquities, principles
principles of
of interpretation_
interpretation.
What
What Jesus Said, by
Jesus Said, by H. M. S_ S. Richards.
Richards. Southern
Southern Publishing
Publishing
Association,
Association, 1957.
1957. 576
576 pages.
pages.
Christ-centered doctrines of
Christ-centered doctrines of the
the Bible
Bible and their
their application
application
to
to the problems
problems of
of our
our time.
time.
specific
Specific DoctrilUll
Doctrinal Books
Books
Behold the Man, by by Taylor

Taylor G. Bunch. Southern
Southern Publishing
Publishing
Association,
Association, 1946.
1946. 190
190 pages.
pages.
The sufferings
sufferings of
of Christ
Christ from Gethsemane toto Calvary,
Calvary, with
with a
a
special
special study of His Hebrew and Roman trials.
study of trials.
Following the
Following Master, by
the Master, by M. L.
L. Andreasen_
Andreasen. Southern
Southern Publishing
Publishing
Association, 1947. 95
pages.
Fundamentals of the Christian
of the Christian life
life are
are clearly
clearly set
set forth-
forth
confession, restitution,
confession, restitution, witnessing,
witnessing, sanctification, prayer, and
sanctification, prayer, medi-
and medi-
tation.
tation.
to Sunday,
From Sabbath to by Carlyle
Sunday, by Carlyle B.
B. Haynes.
Haynes. Review
Review and
and
Herald, 1928.
Herald, 96 pages.
1928. 96 pages.
A discussion
discussion of
of the
the historical
historical aspects
aspects of
of the
the Sabbath
Sabbath question,
question,
showing how, when,
showing how, when, why,
why, and by by whom the the change
change was
was made
made
the seventh
from the seventh to
to the
the first
first day
day of
of the
the week.
week.
God and II Are
Are Partners, by Denton E.
Partners, by E. Rebok.
Rehok. Review
Review and
and Herald
Herald,
1951. 128
1951. 128 pages.
pages.
The principle
principle of
of tithing
tithing and how it works out
it works out in
in the
the Chris-
Chris-
tian's experience.
tian's experience.
God's Holy
God's Holy Day, by M.
Day, by M. L.
L. Andreasen.
Andreasen. Review
Review and
and Herald,
Herald, 1949.
1949.
118 pages.
118 pages.
The place
The place that
that the
the Sabbath
Sabbath holds
holds in
in the
the Christian's
Christian's life,
life, in
in
history, and
history, and in
in God's
God's last-day
last-day plans.
plans.
His Cross
His Cross and
and Mine, by Meade
Mine, by Meade MacGuire.
MacGuire. Review
Review and
and Herald
Herald,
1927. 192
1927. 192 pages.
pages.
The
The true
true meaning
meaning of
of the
the sacrifice
sacrifice for
for sin
sin told
told in
in aa way
way to
to lead
lead
the Christian
the Christian into the ultimate
into the ultimate victory
victory of
of the
the surrendered
surrendered life.
life.
DOCTRINAL LITERATURE 631
631
How Men Are Saved, by W. H. Branson. Southern

Saved, by Publishing
Southern Publishing
Association, 1941.
128 pages.
A simple
simple yet
yet forceful presentation of
forceful presentation the plan
of the plan of
of salvation
salvation
its practical
and its practical application to men today.
application to today.
or Grace?
Law or Grace? by
by Louis
Louis K. Dickson.
Dickson. Southern Publishing
Publishing Associ-
Associ-
ation,
ation, 1937.
1937. 96
96 pages.
pages.
proper attitude
The proper attitude toward
toward the
the law for the
law for the Christian
Christian today.
today.
Life, Death,
Life, Death, and Immortality,
Immortality, by
by Garlyle
Carlyle B.
B. Haynes.
Haynes. Southern
Southern
Publishing Association,
Publishing Association, 1952. 408 pages.
1952. 408 pages.
A thorough
thorough discussion
discussion of
of the nature of
the nature his relation-
of man and his relation-
ship to immortality.
ship to immortality.
Origin of Sunday
Origin of Sunday Observance, by Walter E.
Observance, by E. Straw.
Straw. Review and
Herald,
Herald, 1939.
1939. 118 pages.
118 pages.
influence of
The influence of Gnosticism opposition to
Gnosticism and opposition to Judaizing
Judaizing in
in
the establishment
the establishment of
of Sunday observance in
Sunday observance in the
the Christian
Christian church.
church.
Our Lord's
Lord's Return,
Return^ byby Carlyle B. Haynes.
Carlyle B. Haynes. Southern Publishing
Publishing
Association, 1948.
95 pages.
pages.
The second
second advent
advent of
of Christ in promise
Christ in promise and prophecy.
prophecy.
Signs of
Signs of Christ's
Christ's Coming,
Coming, by A. Spicer.
by William A. Her-
Review and Her-
Spicer.
ald, 1941.
ald, 1941. 96 pages.
96 pages.
An exposition
exposition of
of Matthew 24
24 and the
the signs
signs which indicate
indicate
that
that Christ's
Christ's coming is near.
coming is near.
Spiritism and the
Spiritism Bible, by
the Bible, by Carlyle
Carlyle B.
B. Haynes.
Haynes. Southern Publish-
Publish-
ing
ing Association,
Association, 1949.
1949. 96 pages.
pages.
The Bible
Bible teaching in regard
teaching in to Spiritism
regard to Spiritism and supposed
supposed com-
munication with the
the dead.
The Book of Hebrews, by

of Hebrews, by M. L. Andreasen. Review and Herald,
L. Andreasen. Herald,
1948. 568 pages.
1948. 568 pages.
A verse-by-verse
verse-by-verse study of the
study of Epistle to
the Epistle to the
the Hebrews,
Hebrews, with
with
special
special emphasis
emphasis on the
the heavenly
heavenly sanctuary
sanctuary and its
its place in Chris-
place Chris-
tian theology.
tian theology.
The Christian
Christian Sabbath, by Carlyle
Sabbath, by Carlyle B.
B. Haynes. Publish-
Haynes. Southern Publish-
ing
ing Association,
Association, 1949.
1949. 95 pages.
pages.
Is
Is the Christian Sabbath Saturday
the Christian Saturday or Sunday?
Sunday?
632
QUESTIONS
The Coming King, by
Coming King, by Arthur S. Maxwell. Pacific
8. Maxwell. Pacific Press,
Press, 1953.
1953. 128
128
pages.
pages.
The signs
signs of
of Christ's
Christ's second coming convincingly
second coming convincingly presented.
presented.
The Coming
Coming of
of the
the Comforter, by LeRoy
Comforter, by LeRoy E. Froom. Review and
E. Froom.
Herald, 1949.
Herald, 1949. 320
320 pages.
pages.
Studies on the
Studies the work of the Holy
of the Holy Spirit in the
Spirit in the life of the
life of the
individual
individual Christian.
Christian.
The Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, by
by W. H.
H. Branson.
Branson. Southern Publishing
Publishing Associ-
Associ-
ation, 1933. 160
ation, 1933. pages.
160 pages.
personality and work of

The personality of the
the Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, and His
His place
place
in the
in life
life of
the the Christian.
of the Christian.
The Law and

and the
the Sabbath, by Allan
Sabbath, by Allan Walker.
Walker. Southern Publishing
Publishing
Association,
Association, 1953.
1953. 240
240 pages.
pages.
The relationship
relationship between the
between the law the Sabbath in
law and the in Chris-
Chris-
tian theology.
tian theology.
The Lord's
Lord's Day,
Day, by
by Calvin
Calvin Edwin Moseley,
Moseley, Jr.,
Jr., Southern
Southern Publish-
Publish-
ing Association, 1949.
ing Association, 1949. 93 pages.
93 pages.
A Biblical presentation of
Biblical presentation the Sabbath-Sunday
of the Sabbath-Sunday question.
question.
The Lord's
Lord's Day
Day the
the Test
Test of
of the Ages, by
the Ages, by Milton
Milton Charles
Charles Wilcox.
Wilcox.
Pacific Press,
Pacific Press, 1931.
1931. 96 pages.
96 pages.
The whole world

world is
is to
to be tested
tested on its relationship to
its relationship to the
the
Sabbath command.
The Other Side
Side of Death, by
of Death, Carlyle B.
by Carlyle B. Haynes.
Haynes. Southern Publish·
Southern Publish-
ing Association,
ing 1944. 95
Association, 1944. pages.
95 pages.
whole question
The whole question of
of human immortality
immortality considered
considered from
from
the standpoint
the standpoint of the teachings
of the of Scripture.
teachings of Scripture.
The Printing
Printing Press
Press and the Gospel, by
the Gospel, by Edwin R.
R. Palmer.
Palmer. Review
Review
and Herald,
Herald, 1947.
1947. 2d ed.,
ed., revised. 223 pages.
revised. 223 pages.
A modern demonstration of the place
of the place of the printed
of the printed word in
in
God's plan
plan for the dissemination
for the of gospel
dissemination of gospel truth.
truth.
The Sabbath:
Sabbath: Which Day
Day and Why? by M. L.
Why? by L. Andreasen.
Andreasen. Review
Review
Herald, 1942.
and Herald, 1942. 312 pages.
312 pages.
633
A thorough
thorough discussion
discussion of
of the
the Sabbath,
Sabbath, its
its moral
moral obligation,
obligation, and
its place
its place in
in the
the final
final events
events of
of earth.
earth.
Sabbath, by
The True Sabbath, by Roy
Roy F.
F. Cottrell.
Cottrell. Southern
Southern Publishing
Publishing
Association, 1942.
96 pages.
pages.
The Sabbath from creation
creation to
to the
the last
last crisis
crisis of
of the
the world.
world.
Way to
The Way to Christ,
Christ, by
by W. H.
H. Branson.
Branson. Review and Herald,
Herald, 1948.
1948.
126 pages.
126 pages.
Salvation through
Salvation the merits
through the merits of
of Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ is clearly
is clearly set
set
forth in
forth in this
this little
little volume.
volume.
When aa Man Dies,Dies, by
by Carlyle
Carlyle B.B. Haynes.
Haynes. Review and Herald,
Herald,
1948. 128 pages.
1948. 128 pages.
explanation of
An explanation the Bible
of the Bible teaching
teaching regarding
regarding human immor-
tality, the
tality, nature of
the nature man, the
of man, the state
state of
of the
the dead,
dead, and the
the future
future life.
life.
Prophetic Exposition
Prophetic Exposition
Daniel and the
Daniel the Revelation,
Revelation, by by Uriah
Uriah Smith.
Smith. Revised
Revised ed.,
ed., Review
Herald, Pacific
and Herald, Pacific Press,
Press, and Southern Publishing Association,
Southern Publishing Association,
1944.
1944. 830 pages.
pages.
A verse-by-verse
verse-by-verse study of the
study of prophecies of
the prophecies Daniel and the
of Daniel the
Revelation.
Revelation.
The Prophetic
Prophetic Faith
Faith of
of Our Fathers,
Fathers, by
by LeRoy
LeRoy Edwin Froom.
Review and Herald,
Herald, 1946-1954.
1946-1954. 4 vols. 3,966
4 vols. pages.
3,966 pages.
A study
study in
in the
the historical
historical development
development of
of prophetic interpreta-
prophetic interpreta-
tion
tion from
from pre-Christian expositors and the
pre-Christian expositors the apostolic
apostolic period
period to
to the
the
third
third quarter
quarter of
of the
the nineteenth
nineteenth century.
century.
Unfolding
Unfolding the
the Revelation,
Revelation, by
by Roy
Roy Allan Anderson. Pacific
Pacific Press,
Press,
1953. 216
1953. 216 pages.
pages.
Evangelistic
Evangelistic studies
studies in
in the
the book of
of Revelation.
Revelation.
Books by Ellen G. White
by Ellen
Patriarchs
Patriarchs and Prophets,
Prophets, by by Ellen
Ellen G. White. Pacific
Pacific Press,
Press, 1890
(original
(original date).
date). 793
793 pages.
pages.
This
This isis the
the first
first volume in in the
the Conflict
Conflict of
of the
the Ages
Ages Series.
Series.
It
It covers
covers the
the story
story ofof God's
God's dealings
dealings with men from creation
creation to
the
the last
last years
years of
of David's
David's reign.
reign.
Prophets
Prophets and Kings,
Kings, by
by Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White. Pacific
Pacific Press,
Press, 1917.
1917. 753
pages.
pages.
Volume 22 of
of the
the Conflict
Conflict of
of the
the Ages
Ages Series.
Series. Continues the
the Old
Testament
Testament account
account from Solomon to to Malachi.
634
QUESTIONS
The Desire
Desire of Ages, by
of Ages, by Ellen White. Pacific
G. White.
Ellen G. Pacific Press,
Press. 1898.
1898. 863
863
pages.
pages.
life of
The life of Christ in this
Christ in this book
book constitutes
constitutes the
the third
third volume
of the Conflict
of the Series. The purpose
Conflict Series. purpose of
of the
the book is to set
is to set forth
forth Jesus
Jesus
Christ as the
Christ as the One inin whom every
every longing
longing may
may bebe satisfied.
satisfied.
The Acts
Acts of
of the Apostles, by
the Apostles, Ellen G.
by Ellen G. White. Pacific Press,
White. Pacific Press, 1911.
191 L
630 pages.
630 pages.
Volume 44 in the Conflict
in the Conflict Series
Series carries the New Testament
carries the
story
story from
from the
the ascension
ascension of
of Christ
Christ to
to the
the end of the apostolic
of the age.
apostolic age.
The Great
Great Controversy Between Christ
Controversy Between Satan, by
Christ and Satan, by Ellen G.
Ellen G.
White. Pacific Press,
White. Pacific Press, 1888. pages.
718 pages.
1888. 718
In this
In last volume of
this last the Conflict
of the Conflict Series, the conflict
Series, the conflict of
of the
the
ages is traced
ages is traced through the Christian
through the Christian dispensation
dispensation to the present,
to the present,
with aa look
with look into
into the
the future
future asas revealed
revealed in the prophecies
in the prophecies of of the
the
Bible.
Bible.
Christ's Object Lessons,

Christ's Object Lessons, byby Ellen G. White.
Ellen G. White. Review and Herald,Herald,
1900. 436
1900. pages.
436 pages.
The lessons which Jesus
lessons which Jesus taught
taught inin His parables
parables are
are applied
applied
to Christianity
to Christianity today.
today.
Counsels
Counsels onon Stewardship,
Stewardship, by by Ellen
Ellen G. White. Review and Herald,
G. White. Herald,
1940. 372 pages.
1940. 372 pages.
Man's responsibility
Man's responsibility to to render
render toto God a a due
due return
return forfor the
the
material benefits which he receives
material benefits receives from
from Heaven.
Education, by
Education, by Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White.
White. Pacific
Pacific Press,
Press, 1903. 320 pages.
1903. 320 pages.
The principles
principles of
of true
true education
education forfor the
the Christian.
Christian.
Fundamentals of
Fundamentals of Christian Education, by
Christian Education, by Ellen
Ellen G.G. White.
White. South-
South-
ern Publishing
ern Publishing Association,
Association, 1923. pages.
576 pages.
1923. 576
Selections
Selections from thethe author's published writings
author's published writings inin periodicals
periodicals
and special
special pamphlets
pamphlets on the
the subject
subject of
of education
education for
for the Chris-
the Chris·
tian.
tian.
Gospel
Gospel Workers,
Workers, byby Ellen
Ellen G.G. White.
White. Review and Herald,
Herald, 1915.
1915.
pages.
534 pages.
Instruction
Instruction for all who are
for all are "laborers together with
"laborers together with God."
God."
Steps to
Steps Christ, by
to Christ, Ellen G.
by Ellen G. White. Review and
Herald, 1892
1892
(original date).
(original 128 pages.
date). 128 pages.
A simple
simple account
account of the steps
of the necessary for
steps necessary for the
the sinner
sinner to
to take
take
as
as he comes
comes to to Christ
Christ and accepts
accepts Him as a personal
as a personal Saviour.
Saviour.
635
The Ministry
Ministry of Healing, by
of Healing, by Ellen G. White.
Ellen G. White. Pacific
Pacific Press,
Press, 1905.
1905.
540 pages.
540 pages.
General principles
General principles of
of healthful living and welfare
healthful living welfare work for
for the
the
sick.
sick.
The Sanctified
Sanctified Life,
Life, by
by Ellen
Ellen G.
G. White.
Herald, 1937.
1937.
lIO pages.
110 pages.
A discussion
discussion of the Bible
of the doctrine of
Bible doctrine of sanctification.
sanctification.
The Sufferings
Sufferings of
of Christ, by Ellen
Christ, by Ellen G.
G. White.
Herald,
date. 47
no date. 47 pages.
pages.
The condescension
condescension of of Christ in consenting
Christ in to suffer
consenting to suffer and die
die
for lost mankind is
for lost is set
set forth with understanding,
forth with understanding, sympathy,
sympathy, and
skill.
skill.
Thoughts
Thoughts From thethe Mount ofof Blessing,
Blessing, by
by Ellen
Ellen G.G. White.
White. Pacific
Pacific
Press,
Press, 1900.
1900. 172 pages, latest
172 pages, latest standard edition.
standard edition.
The Sermon on the the Mount is is here
here set
set forth in its
forth in its spiritual
spiritual
application to
application to the
the individual
individual Christian.
Christian.
Apologetic Literature
Apologetic Literature
Answers
Answers to Objections,
to Objections, by Francis D.
by Francis Nichol. Review and Herald,
D. Nichol. Herald,
1952. 895
1952. pages.
895 pages.
The common objections
objections raised
raised to the teachings
to the teachings of
of Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventists and how they
Adventists may be
they may be answered
answered from the
the Scriptures.
Scriptures.
Ellen G.
Ellen G. White and Her Critics, by Francis
Critics, by Francis D.
D. Nichol.
Nichol. Review and
Herald,
Herald, 1951.
1951. 703 pages.
703 pages.
A candid
candid discussion
discussion of
of the life and ministry
the life ministry of
of Ellen
Ellen G. White,
White,
her call to the
call to the prophetic
prophetic office, the objections
office, and the objections that
that have been
brought against
brought against her
her work by those who questioned
by those her calling.
questioned her calling.
In Defense
In Defense of
of the Faith, by
the Faith, by William H.
H. Branson.
Branson. Review and
Herald,
Herald, 1933.
1933. 398 pages.
398 pages.
truth about
The truth about Seventh-day Adventists in
Seventh-day Adventists in aa reply
reply to
to Canright.
Canright.
The Midnight
Midnight Cry,
Cry, by
by Francis
Francis D. Nichol. Review and Herald,
D. Nichol. Herald,
1944.
1944. 576
576 pages.
pages.
A defense
defense of the character
of the character and conduct
conduct of
of William Miller
Miller and
the Millerites,
the Millerites, who mistakenly
mistakenly believed
believed that
that the
the second coming
coming
of Christ would take
of Christ take place
place in
in the year 1844.
the year 1844.
636
QUESTIONS
Derwminatiol1al History
Denominational History and Polity
Polity
Captains
Captains of
of the Host, by
the Host, by Arthur
Arthur W. Spalding.
Spalding. Review and Herald,
Herald,
1949. 704 pages.
1949. 704 pages.
Christ's Last Legion,
Christ's Last Legion, by Arthur W. Spalding.
by Arthur Spalding. Review and Herald,
Herald,
1949, 784
1949. pages.
784 pages.
A two-volume history of
two-volume history of the
the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Captains of the
Captains of Host brings
the Host the history
brings the up to
history up to 1900.
1900.
Church Manual.
Church Manual. General
General Conference
Conference of
of Seventh-day Adventists,
Seventh-day Adventists,
1951.
1951.
Officially adopted
Officially handbook of
adopted handbook of instruction
instruction for
for Seventh-day
Seventh-day
Adventist church leaders,
Adventist church leaders, covering
covering organization, membership, dis-
organization, membership, dis-
cipline,
cipline, finance, duties of
finance, duties officers, and fundamental
of officers, fundamental beliefs.
beliefs.
Evolution and Creationism
Evolution
Common Sense
Sense Geology, by George
Geology, by George McCready
McCready Price.
Price. Pacific
Pacific Press,
Press,
1946.
1946. 239 pages.
239 pages.
Geology
Geology from the viewpoint
from the viewpoint of
of a
a creationist.
creationist.
Evolution, Creation,
Evolution, Creation, and Science, by Frank
Science, by Lewis Marsh.
Frank Lewis Marsh. Review
Herald, 1944,
and Herald, 1944, 1947.
1947. 381 pages.
381 pages.
The author
author discusses creationism from the
discusses creationism the viewpoint
viewpoint of
of aa
biologist,
biologist, with
with special emphasis
special emphasis on "species"
"species" and the
the Genesis
Genesis
"kind."
"kind."
Genesis
Genesis Vindicated, by George
Vindicated, by George McCready
McCready Price.
Price. Review and Her-
Her-
ald, 1941.
ald, 1941. 313
313 pages.
pages.
A discussion
discussion of
of evolution
evolution and creationism.
creationism.
Studies in
Studies in Creationism, by Frank Lewis
Creationism, by Lewis Marsh.
Marsh. Review and Her-
Her-
ald, 1950.
ald, 1950. 421
421 pages.
pages.
An able defense of
able defense of creationism in the
creationism in the light
light of
of scientific
scientific facts,
facts,
in which the
in the author
author shows that
that some views
views held
held by
by creationists
creationists
are both un-Biblical
are both un-Biblical and unscientific,
unscientific, and entirely
entirely unnecessary
unnecessary
to the
to the support
support of the Bible
of the doctrine of
Bible doctrine creation.
of creation.
Problems and Research

Problems Research
in Bible
Problems in Bible Translation, by aa committee.
Translation, by committee. Review and Her-
Her-
ald,
ald, 1954.
1954. 316
316 pages.
pages.
A study
study of
of certain
certain principles of Bible
principles of Bible translation
translation and interpre-
interpre-
tation. together
tation, with an examination of
together with of several Bible texts
several Bible in the
texts in the
DOCTRINAL
DOCTRIN AL LITERATURE 637
637
light of these
light of these principles,
principles, in
in the atmosphere of
the atmosphere of interest
interest aroused
aroused
by the
by recent translations
the most recent translations of
of the
the Bible.
Bible.
Sunday
Sunday inin Roman Paganism,
Paganism, by
by Robert Leo Odom. Review and
Herald,
Herald, 1944.
1944. 272
272 pages.
pages.
The story
story of
of the
the introduction
introduction of the religious
of the religious observance
observance ofof
Sunday
Sunday into the pagan
into the pagan Roman world,
world, as revealed in
as revealed in classical
classical
literature and the
literature the Greek and Latin
Latin inscriptions.
inscriptions.
The Chronology
Chronology of Ezra 7,
of Ezra by Siegfried
7, by Siegfried H. Horn and Lynn
Lynn H.
Wood. Review and Herald,
Herald, 1953.
1953. 160 pages.
160 pages.
special study
A special of the
study of the date
date of
of the
the decree of Artaxerxes
decree of Artaxerxes Lon-
gimanus
gimanus in the seventh
in the year of
seventh year of his
his reign.
reign.
Religious Liberty
Religious Liberty
State Papers
American State Papers and Related
Related Documents on Freedom in in
Religion. First
Religion. First edition compiled by
edition compiled by William Addison Blakely.
Blakely.
Fourth edition,
Fourth edition, revised.
revised. Review and Herald,
Herald, 1949. pages.
1949. 915 pages.
Laws and court
court decisions
decisions dealing with religion
dealing with religion and religious
religious
liberty, with
liberty, with extended notes. Useful to
notes. Useful to every
every lover
lover of
of freedom.
XI. Appendixes
I* Appendixes and Indexes
and Indexes
Christ's
Christ's Place m the
Place in the Godhead
Godhead
APPENDIX A
Because the
Because the writings of Ellen
writings of Ellen G.G. White have
have often been garbled
often heen garbled
when alleMedly
allegedly "quoted"
"quoted" byby critics
critics or detractors,
detractors, we here give aa com·
here give com-
prehensive assemblage
prehensive assemblage ofof her teachings
teachings on the
the deity
deity and eternal pre-
eternal pre-
existence of Christ,
existence of Christ, and His
His place
place in the Godhead,
in the Godhead, or or Trinity;
Trinity; His
His
nature during
nature during the
the incarnation;
incarnation; and His atoning sacrifice and
atoning sacrifice and priestly
priestly
ministry.
ministry.
I.
I. Deity and Nature of
Deity of Christ
Christ, the Word,
Christ, the Word, the
the only begotten of
only begotten of God, was one with
God, was with the
the
eternal Father,
eternal Father,-one
one in nature, in
in nature, in character,
character, in purpose,-the
in purpose, the
only being
only being that
that could enter
enter into
into all the counsels
all the counsels and purposes
purposes of
of
God. "His name shall
shall be called
called Wonderful,
Wonderful, Counselor,
Counselor, The
mighty God,
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince
everlasting Father, Prince of
of peace"
peace" (Isa. 9:
(Isa. 9:
6). His "goings
6). "goings forth
forth have been from of of old,
old, from everlasting"
everlasting"
(Micah 5:2).-Patriarchs
(Micah 5:2). Patriarchs and Prophets,
Prophets, p. p. 34.
34.
The Jews
Jews had never before before heard such such words from human
lips,
lips,
and aa convicting
convicting influence
influence attended them; them; for
for it
it seemed that
that
divinity flashed
divinity flashed through
through humanity
humanity as as Jesus said, "I
Jesus said, "I and my my Father
are one."
are one." The words of of Christ
Christ were fullfull of
of deep meaning as
deep meaning put
as he put
forth the
forth the claim
claim that
that he and the the Father were of
Father were of one substance,
substance,
possessing the
possessing attributes.-The
the same attributes. Signs of
The Signs of the Times, Nov.
the Times, Nov.
27,
27, 1893,
1893, p.p. 54.
54.
Yet the
Yet the Son of of God was the acknowledged Sovereign of
acknowledged Sovereign of
heaven,
heaven, one in power and authority
in power with the
authority with Father.-The
the Father. Great
The Great
Controversy,
Controversy, p. p. 495.
495.
To save
save thethe transgressor
transgressor of of God's law,
law, Christ,
Christ, the
the one equal
equal
with the
with the Father,
Father, came to to live
live heaven before
before men,
men, that
that they might
they might
learn
learn toto know what it is to
it is to have heaven in the heart.
in the heart. He illustrated
illustrated
what man must be to to be worthy
worthy ofof the
the precious
precious boon of of the
the life
life
that measures
that measures with with the
the life of God.-Fundamentals
life of God. Fundamentals of of Christian
Christian
Education, p.
Education, p. 179.
179.
The only
only way
way inin which the the fallen race could
fallen race could be restored
restored was
through
through the
the gift
gift of
of his
his Son,
Son, equal
equal with
with himself,
himself, possessing
possessing the
the
attributes of
attributes of God. Though
Though so so highly exalted, Christ
highly exalted, Christ consented
consented to to
assume human nature,
assume nature, thatthat he might
might work in in behalf
behalf of of man and
reconcile to
reconcile to God hishis disloyal
disloyal subject. rehelled, Christ
subject. When man rebelled, Christ
21
21 641
642 QUESTIONS
pleaded
pleaded his his merits
merits in in his
his behalf,
behalf, and became man's substitute substitute
and surety.
surety. He undertook to to combat the the powers
powers of of darkness
darkness in in
man's behalf,
behalf, and he prevailed, prevailed, conquering
conquering the the enemy
enemy of of our
souls,
souls, and presenting
presenting to to man the the cup
cup of of salvation.-The
salvation. The Review
and Herald,
Herald, Nov. 8, 1892, p.
8, 1892, p. 690.
690.
The world was made by by him,
him, "and without without him was not anyany-
thing
thing made that that was made." If
was made." If Christ
Christ made all things, he
all things, he existed
existed
before
before all all things.
things. The words spoken spoken in in regard
regard to to this
this are
are soso de-
de-
cisive that
cisive that no one need be left left in in doubt.
doubt. Christ
Christ was God essen- essen-
tially,
tially, and in in the
the highest
highest sense.
sense. He was with with God from all all eter-
eter-
nity,
nity, God over all, all, blessed forevermore.....
blessed forevermore . . .
There are are light

light and glory glory in in thethe truth
truth thatthat Christ
Christ was one
with thethe Father beforebefore the the foundation
foundation of of the
the world was laid. laid. This
is the
the light
light shining
is shining in in a a dark place,place, making
making it it resplendent with
resplendent
divine,
divine, original
original glory.
glory. This truth, truth, infinitely
infinitely mysterious
mysterious in in itself,
itself,
explains
explains other other mysterious
mysterious and otherwise otherwise unexplainable
unexplainable truths, truths,
while it
while it is enshrined in
is enshrined light, unapproachable
in light, unapproachable and incomprehen- incomprehen-
sible.-The
sible. The Review and Herald; Herald, April April 5, 5, 1906,
1906, p. p. 8.
8.
The King King of of the

the universe
universe summoned the the heavenly
heavenly hostshosts bebe-
fore Him, that
fore Him, that in their presence
in their presence He might might set forth the
set forth the true
true posi-
posi-
tion
tion ofof His Son, Son, and show the relation He sustained
the relation sustained to to all
all created
created
beings. The Son of
beings. of God shared shared the the Father's throne, and the
Father's throne, the
glory
glory of of the the eternal,
eternal, self-existent
self-existent One encircled encircled both. both.-Patri-
Patri-
archs and Prophets,
archs Prophets, p. p. 36_
36.
However much aa shepherd shepherd may may love his sheep,
love his sheep, he he loves
loves his his
sons daughters more.
sons and daughters more. Jesus
Jesus is is not
not only
only our
our shepherd;
shepherd; He is is
"everlasting Father."
our "everlasting Father." And He says, says, "I"I know Mine own, own, and
Mine own know Me, Me, even as as the
the Father
Father knoweth Me, Me, and II know
the Father."
the Father." John John 10:14,
10:14, 15, R.V. What aa statement
15, R.V. statement is is this!
thisl-thethe
only-begotten Son,
only-begotten Son, He who is is in
in thethe bosom of of the
the Father,
Father, He
whom God has has declared
declared to be "the
to be "the Man that that isis My
My fellow"
fellow" (Zech.
(Zech.
IS:7),-the
13:7), the communion between Him and the the eternal
eternal God is is
taken to
taken to represent
represent the the communion between between ChristChrist and His His chil-
chil-
dren on the earth!-The
the earth! Desire of
The Desire of Ages,
Ages, p.p. 483.
483.
Still seeking
Still seeking to to give
give aa truetrue direction
direction to to herher faith,
faith, Jesus
Jesus de- de·
dared, "I
clared, "I am the the resurrection,
resurrection, and the the life/*
life." In In Christ
Christ is life,
is life,
original, unboirowed,
original, unborrowed, underived.
underived. "He that that hath
hath the the Son hath
hath life."
life."
1 John 5:12.
I John 5: 12. The divinity
divinity of of Christ
Christ is is the
the believer's
believer's assurance
assurance of of
eternallife.-Ibid.,
eternal life. Ibid., p.p. 530.
530.
Silence fell
Silence fell upon
upon the the vast
vast assembly.
assembly. The name of of God,
God, given
given
to Moses to
to to express
express the the idea
idea of of thethe eternal
eternal presence,
presence, had had been
been
CHRIST'S PLACE IN THE GODHEAD 643
643
claimed as
claimed as His own byby this
this Galilean
Galilean Rabbi.
Rabbi. He had announced
Himself to to be
be the
the self-existent One, He who had been promised
self-existent One, promised
to Israel,
to Israel, "whose goings
goings forth have been
forth have been from
from of
or old,
old, from the
the
days
days of eternity."-Ibid.,
of eternity." p. 469.
Ibid., p. 469.
The world's
world's Redeemer was was equal with God. His
equal with His authority
authority
was as the authority
as the authority of of God.
God. He declared
declared thatthat hehe had no existence
existence
separate from the
separate Father. The authority
the Father. authority by by which
which he he spoke,
spoke, and
wrought miracles, was
wrought miracles, was expressly
expressly his his own,
own, yet
yet hehe assures
assures us us that
that hehe
and thethe Father
Father are are one.-The
one. The Review and and Herald,
Herald, Jan.Jan. 7, 7, 1890,
1890,
p. I.
P . i.
Jehovah, the
Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated
eternal, self-existent, uncreated One, One, Himself
Himself
the source and sustainer
the source sustainer of of all,
all, is
is alone
alone entitled
entitled to to supreme
supreme rever-
rever-
ence and worship.-Patriarchs
ence worship. Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets, p. p. 305.
305.
Jehovah is
Jehovah is the
the name given given to Christ. "Behold,
to Christ. "Behold, God is my sal-
is my sal-
vation," writes
vation," writes the the prophet Isaiah; "I
prophet Isaiah; will trust,
"I will trust, and not not bebe afraid;
afraid;
for the Lord JEHOVAH
for the JEHOVAH is is my
my strength
strength and my my song;
song; He also also isis
become my my salvation. Therefore with

salvation. Therefore with joyjoy shall
shall yeye draw water out out
of the
of the wells
wells of of salvation.
salvation. And in in that
that day
day ye ye shall say, Praise
shall say, the
Praise the
Lord,
Lord, call upon His
call upon name, declare
His name, declare His His doings
doings among
among the the people,
people,
make mention that that His
His name is is exalted."
exalted." "In that that dayday shall this
shall this
song
song be be sung
sung in the land of
in the Judah: We have
of Judah: have aa strong
strong city;
city; salva-
salva-
tion will God appoint
tion will appoint for for walls
walls and bulwarks.
bulwarks. Open Open ye ye the
the gates,
gates,
that the
that the righteous
righteous nation nation which keepeth keepeth the the truth
truth maymay enter in.
enter in.
Thou wilt wilt keepkeep him in in perfect
perfect peacepeace whose mind is is stayed
stayed on
Thee, because
Thee, because he trustethtrusteth in in Thee. Trust Trust yeye in
in the
the Lord forever;
forever;
for in
for in the
the Lord JEHOVAHJEHOVAH is everlasting strength."-The
is everlasting strength." Signs
The Signs
of the
of the Times,
Times, May May 3, 1899, p.
3, 1899, p. 2.
2.
heavenly gates
The heavenly gates are again to
are again be lifted
to be lifted up,
up, and with ten ten
thousand times
thousand times ten ten thousand
thousand and thousands thousands of of thousands
thousands of holy
of holy
ones, our
ones, our Saviour
Saviour will will come forth forth as King of
as King of kings
kings and Lord of of
lords. Jehovah
lords. Jehovah Immanuel "shall "shall be be King
King over
over all the earth;
all the earth; in that
in that
day shall
day there be
shall there be one Lord,Lord, and His His name one."-Thoughts
one." Thoughts
From the the Mount ot Blessing, p.
of Blessing, p. 160.
160.
This is
This the reward of
is the of all
all who follow follow Christ. Jehovah Emman-
Christ. Jehovah
uel-He
uel He "in"in whom are are hid
hid all the treasures
all the treasures ofof wisdom and knowl-
edge," in
edge," in whom dwells dwells "all
"all thethe fulness
fulness ofof the
the Godhead bodily" bodily"
(Col. 2:3,
(Col. 2:3, 9) 9)-to to be brought
brought into into sympathy
sympathy with with Him, to to know
Him,
Him, to possess Him,
to possess Him, as the heart
as the heart opens
opens more and more to receive
to receive
His
His attributes;
attributes; to to know His love love and power,power, to to possess
possess thethe un-
un-
searchable
searchable richesriches of of Christ,
Christ, to to comprehend
comprehend more and more "what
is the
is the breadth,
breadth, and length, length, and depth, height; and to
depth, and height; to know
644
QUESTIONS
the love
the love of
of Christ,
Christ, which
which passeth
passeth knowledge,
knowledge, thatthat ye
ye might
might be
filled with
filled with all
all the
the fulness
fulness of
of God" (Eph.
(Eph. 3:18,
3: 18, 19)
19)-"This is the
"This is the
heritage
heritage of
of the
the servants
servants of
of the
the Lord,
Lord, and their
their righteousness
righteousness is
is of
of
Me, saith
Me, saith the
the Lord/'
Lord."-Ibid., 57.
p. 57.
Ibid., p.
Before the
Before the entrance
entrance of
of sin
sin among the
among the angels:
angels: Christ
Christ the
the
Word, the
Word, the only-begotten
only-begotten of
of God,
God, was
was one
one with
with the
the eternal
eternal Father,
Father,
-one in nature,
one in nature, in
in character,
character, and in
in purpose,
purpose,-the only being
the only being in
in
all the
all the universe
universe that
that could
could enter
enter into
into all
all the
the counsels
counsels and purposes
purposes
of God.
of God. By Christ,
By Christ, the
the Father
Father wrought
wrought inin the
the creation
creation of
of all
all
heavenly beings.-The
heavenly beings. Great Controversy,
The Great Controversy, p.
p. 493.
493.
If reject the
If men reject the testimony
testimony of of the
the inspired
inspired Scriptures
Scriptures con-
can·
cerning
cerning the
the deity
deity of
of Christ,
Christ, it
it is
is in
in vain
vain to
to argue the point
argue the point with
with
them; for
them; for nono argument,
argument, however
however conclusive,
conclusive, could
could convince
convince
them. "The natural
them. natural man receiveth
receiveth not not the
the things
things of
of the
the Spirit
Spirit of
of
God: for
God: for they
they are
are foolishness
foolishness untounto him:
him: neither
neither can he know
them, because
them, because they
they are
are spiritually discerned." 1I Corinthians
spiritually discerned." 2:14.
Corinthians 2:14.
None who hold hold this
this error can have
error can have aa true
true conception
conception of the char-
of the char-
acter or
acter or the
the mission
mission of of Christ,
Christ, or or oof the
the great
great plan
plan of
of God forfor
man's redemption.-Ibid.,
man's redemption. p. 524.
Ibid., p. 524.
,
II. Eternal Pre-existence
II. Eternal Pre-existence of of Christ
Christ
Lord Jesus
The Lord Jesus Christ,
Christ, the
the divine
divine Son of God, existed
of God, existed from
eternity, aa distinct
eternity, distinct person,
person, yet
yet one with
with thethe Father.
Father. He was the the
surpassing
surpassing glory
glory of of heaven.
heaven. He was the the commander of of the
the
heavenly intelligences,
heavenly intelligences, and the the adoring homage of
adoring homage of the
the angels
angels was
received
received byby him as as his
his right.
right. This was no robbery
robbery of of God.-The
God. The
Review and Herald,
Herald, April
April 5,5, 1906, p. 8.
1906, p. 8.
In
In speaking
speaking of of His pre-existence,
pre-existence, Christ
Christ carries
carries thethe mind
back through
back through dateless
dateless ages.
ages. He assures
assures us
us that
that there
there never was aa
time when He was not
time not inin close
close fellowship
fellowship with the the eternal
eternal God.
He toto whose voice
voice the
the Jews
Jews were then listening
listening had been with
God as as one brought
brought up with Him.-The
up with Him. The Signs Signs ofof the
the Times,
Times,
Aug. 29, 1900.
Aug. 29, 1900.
Here Christ
Christ shows them that, that, although
although they they might
might reckon
reckon
His life
life to
to be less
less than fifty
fifty years,
years, yet
yet His divine
divine life
life could
could not be
reckoned by by human computation.
computation. The existence
existence of of Christ
Christ before
before
His incarnation
incarnation is is not
not measured by figures.-The
by figures. The Signs
Signs of of the
the
Times,
Times, May
May 3, 3, 1899.
1899,
From all all eternity Christ was united
eternity Christ united with
with thethe Father,
Father, and
when He took took upon
upon Himself human nature, nature, He was was still
still one
with God.-The
God. The Signs Signs ofof the
the Times,
Times, Aug.
Aug. 2,2, 1905,
1905, p. 10.
p. 10.
CHRIST'S PLACE IN THE GODHEAD 645
645
When Christ Christ passed within the

passed within the heavenly
heavenly gates, gates, He was was en-en-
throned amidst
amidst the the adoration
adoration of of the
the angels.
angels. As soon soon as this cere-
as this cere-
mony completed, the
mony was completed, the Holy
Holy Spirit descended upon
Spirit descended upon the the dis-
dis-
ciples in
ciples rich currents,
in rich currents, and Christ Christ was indeed indeed glorified,
glorified, even even with
with
glory which He had with
the glory with the the Father
Father from all eternity_-The
all eternity. The
Acts of
Acts of the
the Apostles,
Apostles, pp. pp. 38,
38, 39.
39.
But while
while God's <;;od's Word speaks speaks of of thethe humanity
humanity of Christ
of Christ
when upon upon this this earth,
earth, itit also
also speaks decidedly regarding
speaks decidedly regarding his his pre-
pre-
existence. The Word existed
existence. existed as as aa divine being, even
divine being, even as as the
the eternal
eternal
Son of of God,
God, in in union and oneness oneness with with his his Father.
Father. From everlast-everlast-
ing he was the
ing he the Mediator
Mediator of of the
the covenant,
covenant, the the oneone in in whom all all na-
na-
tions of
tions the earth,
of the earth, both Jews Jews and Gentiles,
Gentiles, if if they
they accepted
accepted him,him,
were toto bebe blessed.
blessed. "The Word was was with God, God, and the the Word was
God." Before men or
God." Before or angels were created,
angels were created, the the Word was was with
with God,
God,
was God.-The
and was God. The Review and Herald, Herald, AprilApril 5, 5, 1906.
1906.
A human being being lives,
lives, but
but his his isis aa given
given life,life, aa life
life that will
that will
be quenched. "What is
be quenched. is your
your life?
life? It is even
It is even vapor,
vapor, that that appeareth
appeareth
for aa little
for little time,
time, and then vanishethvanisheth away."away." But Christ's Christ's life
life is
is not
not
aa vapor;
vapor; it it is
is never-ending,
never-ending, a a life
life existing before the
existing before the worlds
worlds were
made.-The
made. The Signs Signs of of the
the Times,
Times, June June 17, 17, 1897,
1897, p. p. 5.5.
From the the days
days of of eternity
eternity the the Lord Jesus· Jesus- Christ
Christ was was one
with
with the
the Father;
Father; He was "the image of
"the image of God,"
God," the the image
image of of His
His
greatness and majesty,
greatness majesty, "the outshining of
"the outshining glory."-The
of His glory." The De-De-
sire of Ages,
sire of Ages, p. p. 19.19.
He was was one with the the Father
Father beforebefore the the angels
angels were were created.
created.
-The Spirit of
The Spirit of Prophecy,
Prophecy, vol. vol. 1, p. 17.
1, p. 17.
Christ was
Christ was God essentially,
essentially, and in in the
the highest
highest sense.sense. He was
with
with God from from all all eternity,
eternity, God over over all, blessed forevermore.-
all, blessed forevermore.
The Review and Herald, Herald, April
April 5, 5, 1906,
1906, p. p. 8.8.
The name of of God,
God, given
given to to Moses to to express
express the the idea
idea ofof the
the
eternal presence, had been claimed
eternal presence, claimed as as His own by by thisthis Galilean
Galilean
Rabbi.
Rabbi. He had announced Himself to to bebe thethe self-existent
self-existent One,One,
He who had been promised promised to to Israel,
Israel, "whose goings goings forth have
forth have
been from of
been from of old,
old, from the the days
days of eternity_" Micah 5:2,
of eternity." margin.
5:2, margin.
-The Desire of
The Desire Ages, pp.
of Ages, pp. 469,
469,470.470.
In it
In it [God's Word] we may
[God's Word] may learnlearn what our redemption redemption has has
cost
cost Him who from the the beginning
beginning was equal equal with with the the Father.-
Father.
Counsels
Counsels to to Parents
Parents and Teachers,Teachers, p. p_ 13.
13.
III. Three Persons

III. Persons in the Godhead
in the
are three
There are three living
living persons
persons ofof the
the heavenly
heavenly trio;
trio; in
in the
the
of these
name of these three
three great powers-the
great powers the Father, the Son,
Father, the Son, and the
the
646
QUESTIONS
Holy Spirit-those
Holy Spirit receive Christ
those who receive Christ by
by living
living faith
faith are
are bap-
bap-
tized, these powers
tized, and these will co-operate
powers will with the
co-operate with the obedient subjects
subjects
of
of heaven
heaven inin their
their efforts
efforts to
to live the new life
live the in Christ.-Evan-
life in Christ. Evan-
gelism, p.
gelism, 615.
p. 615.
The Godhead was was stirred with pity
stirred with pity for
for the
the race,
race, and the
the
Father, the
Father, SOB, and the
the Son, Holy Spirit
the Holy gave themselves
Spirit gave themselves to
to the
the work-
work-
ing out of
ing out 'the plan
of 'the of redemption.-Counsels
plan of Health, p.
redemption. Counsels on Health, 222.
p. 222,
Those who proclaim
Those the third
proclaim the third angel's message must put
angel's message put on
the whole
the whole armor
armor ofof God, that they
God, that they may
may stand
stand boldly
boldly at
at their
their post,
post,
in
in the
the face
face of detraction and falsehood,
of detraction falsehood, fighting the good
fighting the fight
good fight
of
of faith, resisting the
faith, resisting the enemy with the
enemy with "It is
word, "It
the word, written." Keep
is written," Keep
yourselves where
yourselves where the
the three great powers
three great powers of heaven, the
of heaven, the Father,
Father, the
the
Son, and the
Son, and the Holy
Holy Spirit, can be
Spirit, can be your
your efficiency.
efficiency. These powers
powers
work with
with the
the one
one who gives
gives himself unreservedly to
himself unreservedly to God. The
strength
strength of heaven is
of heaven is at the command of
at the of God's believing ones.
God's believing ones. The
man who takes takes God as his trust
as his trust is barricaded by
is barricaded by an impregnable
impregnable
wall.-The
wall The Southern
Southern Watchman,
Watchman, Feb. Feb. 23,
23, 1904,
1904, p.p. 122.
122.
Our sanctification
sanctification is the work of
is the of the
the Father,
Father, the
the Son,
Son, and the the
Holy Spirit. It
Holy Spirit. It is
is the
the fulfilment
fulfilment of the covenant
of the covenant thatthat God has has made
with those who bind
with those bind themselves
themselves up with Him,
up with Him, toto stand with Him,
stand with Him,
with His
with Son, and with
His Son, with His His Spirit
Spirit in holy fellowship.
in holy fellowship. Have you you
been born
been born again?
again? Have you you become a being in
a new being in Christ
Christ Jesus?
Jesus?
co-operate with
Then co-operate with the the three
three great
great powers
powt:rs of heaven who are
of heaven are
working
working in in your behalf. Doing
your behalf. Doing this this you
you will
will reveal
reveal to to the
the world
world
the principles
the principles of righteousness.-The
of righteousness. Signs of
The Signs the Times,
Of the Times, June
June
19,
19, 1901.
1901.
The eternal
eternal heavenly
heavenly dignitaries-God,
dignitaries God, and Christ,
Christ, and the the
Holy Spirit-arming
Holy Spirit arming them [the disciples] with
[the disciples] with more than than mortal
energy, ... would advance
energy, . . . advance with with them to to the
the work and convince
convince
the world
the world of of sin.-Evangelism,
sin. Evangelism, p. p. 616.
616.
We are to co-operate
are to co-operate with with the three highest
the three highest powers
powers in in heaven,
heaven,
-the
the Father,
Father, thethe Son,
Son, and the the Holy Ghost,-and
Holy Ghost, these powers
and these powers
will work through
will through us, us, making
making us us workers
workers together
together withwith God.-
God.
Ibid., p.
Ibid., p. 617.
617.
Those who are are baptized
baptized in in the
the threefold
threefold name of of the
the Father,
Father,
the Son,
the Son, and the the Holy
Holy Spirit,
Spirit, at at the very entrance
the very entrance of their Chris-
of their Chris-
tian life
tian declare publicly
life declare publicly that that they
they have
have forsaken
forsaken the
the service
service of
of
Satan and have
Satan have become members of of the royal family,
the royal family, children
children of of
the heavenly
the heavenly King.King.-Testimonies,
Testimonies, vol. vol. 6, p. 91.
6, p. 91.
Christ's Nature During
Christ's Nature
During the Incarnation
the Incarnation
APPENDIX B
1. Mystery of
I. The Mystery the lrlcarnation
of the Incarnation
humanity of
The humanity the Son of
of the of God is is everything
everything to to us.
us. It
It is
is
the golden
the golden chainchain that binds our souls
that binds souls to to Christ,
Christ, and throughthrough
Christ to
Christ to God. This is is to
to be our study. Christ
our study. Christ was a a real man;
real man;
He gave proof of
gave proof His humility
of His humility in becoming aa man. Yet
in becoming Yet He was
God in the flesh.
in the flesh. When we approach approach this this subject,
subject, we would do
well to
well to heed the the words spoken spoken by by Christ
Christ to to Moses at at the
the burning
burning
bush, "Put off
bush, off thy
thy shoes
shoes from off off thy feet, for
thy feet, the place
for the place where on
thou standest
standest is is holy ground." We should come to
holy ground." to this
this study with
study with
the humility
the humility of
of a
a learner,
learner, with a
a contrite
contrite heart.
heart. And the
the study
study of
of
the incarnation of
the incarnation of Christ
Christ is a fruitful
is a field, which will
fruitful field, will repay
repay the
searcher
searcher who digs digs deep
deep for for hidden truth.-The
truth. The Youth's Instruc-
Youth's Instruc-
tor, Oct.
tor, Oct. 13,13, 1898.
1898.
The only
only plan
plan that that could
could be be devised
devised to to save
save the
the human race race
that which called
was that called forfor the
the incarnation, humiliation, and cruci-
incarnation, humiliation, cruci-
fixion of
fixion the Son of
of the of God,
God, the Majesty of
the Majesty of heaven.
heaven. AfterAfter thethe plan
plan of
of
~alvation was devised,
salvation devised, Satan could have
Satan could have no groundground uponupon which
to found his
to his suggestion
suggestion that that God,
God, because
because so so great,
great, could care
could care
nothing
nothing for for soso insignificant
insignificant a creature as
a creature man.-The
as man. The Signs
Signs ofof
the Times,
the Times, Jan.Jan. 20, 20, 1890.
1890.
In contemplating
contemplating the the incarnation
incarnation of of Christ
in humanity,
stand baffled
stand before an unfathomable
baffled before unfathomable mystery,mystery, that that thethe human
mind cannot comprehend.
comprehend. The more we reflect reflect upon
upon it, it, the
the more
amazing
amazing does does it it appear. How wide is
appear. is the
the contrast
contrast between the the
divinity of
divinity of Christ
Christ and the the helpless
helpless infant
infant in in Bethlehem's manger! manger!
How can we span span the the distance
distance between the the mighty
mighty God and a
helpless
helpless child?
child? And yet
yet the
the Creator
Creator of
of worlds,
worlds, He In in whom was
the fullness
the fullness of of thethe Godhead bodily, bodily, was manifest
manifest in in the
the helpless
helpless
babe in
babe in the
the manger.
manger. Far higher than any
higher than any of the angels,
of the angels, equal
equal with
the
the Father in in dignity
dignity and glory, glory, and yet yet wearing
wearing the the garb
garb ofof hu-
hu-
Divinity and humanity
manity! Divinity
manity! humanity were mysteriously
mysteriously combined,
combined, and
man and God became one. one. It is in
It is in this
this union that that we find find the
the
NOTE. The italicizing

NOTE.- italicizing of
of key
key expressions throughout this
expressions throughout this compilation
compilation is to enable
is to enable
the eye
the eye to
to catch
catch at
at a glance
glance the pertinent point
the pertinent of each paragraph.
point of paragraph.-EDlTORS.
EDITORS.
647
QUESTIONS
hope of
hope of our
our fallen
fallen race. Looking upon
race. Looking upon Christ
in humanity,
look upon
look upon God,
God, and see in Him the
see In brightness of
the brightness of His
His glory,
glory, the
the
express image
express Image of
of His
His person.-The
person. The Signs of
Signs of the
the Times,
Times, July 30,
July 30,
1896.
1896.
As the worker
As the worker studies
studies the the life
life of· Christ, and the
of- Christ, the character
character of of
His mission
His mission is is dwelt upon, each
dwelt upon, each fresh
fresh search
search willwill reveal
reveal something
something
more deeply
deeply interesting
Interesting than than hashas yet
yet been
been unfolded.
unfolded. The subject subject
is inexhaustible.
is inexhaustible. The study study of
of the
the incarnation
incarnation of
of Christ,
Christ, His
atoning sacrifice and mediatorial
atoning sacrifice mediatorial work, work, will
will employ
employ the the mind of of
the diligent student
the diligent student as as long
long as
as time
time shall
shall last.-Gospel
last. Gospel Worke.rs,
Workers,
p.251.
p. 251.
That God should
That should thus thus be manifest
manifest in in the
the flesh
flesh isis indeed aa
mystery; and without
mystery; without the help of
the help of the Holy Spirit
the Holy Spirit we cannot
cannot hope hope
to comprehend
'to
comprehend this subject. The most
this subject. most humbling
humbling lesson lesson that
that man
has to
has to learn
learn is is the nothingness of
the nothingness of human wisdom,
wisdom, and the the folly of
folly of
trying, by
trying, by his
his own unaided efforts, efforts, to to find
find outout God.-The
God. The Re- Re-
view and Herald,
view Herald, AprilApril 5, 5, 1906.
1906.
Was thethe human nature nature of of the
the Son of Mary changed
of Mary changed into into the
the
divine nature
divine nature of the Son of
of the of God? No; No; thethe two
two natures
natures werewere myste-
myste-
riously blended in
riously blended in one person
person-the the man Christ Christ Jesus.
Jesus. In In Him
dwelt
dwelt allall the
the fullness
fullness of the Godhead bodily.
of the bodily..... . .
This
This is is aa great mystery, a
great mystery, a mystery
mystery thatthat will not be
will not be fully,
fully, com-
pletely understood
pletely understood in in all greatness until
its greatness
all its until thethe translation
translation of of the
the
redeemed shall shall take place. Then the
take place. the power
power and greatness
greatness and
efficacy of
efficacy of the
the gift
gift ofof God to to man will will bebe understood.
understood. But the the
enemy is
enemy is determined
determined that that this
this gift
gift shall
shall bebe so mystified that
so mystified that it will
it will
become as as nothingness.-The
nothingness. The SDA Bible Bible Commentary,
Commentary, vol. vol. 5,5,
p.
p. 1113.
1113.
We cannot
cannot explain
explain the the great
great mystery
mystery of of the
the plan
plan of redemp·
of redemp-
tion.
tion. Jesus
Jesus tooktook uponupon Himself humanity,humanity, that that He mightmight reachreach
humanity; but
humanity; but we cannot explain how divinity
cannot explain divinity was was clothed
clothed withwith
humanity.
humanity. An angel angel would not not have known how to to sympathize
sympathize
with fallen man, but Christ
fallen man, Christ came to the world
to the world and suffered
suffered all our
all our
temptations,
temptations, and carried carried aU griefs.-The
all our griefs. The Review and and Herald,
Herald,
Oct. 1,
Oct. 1, 1889.
1889.
II. Miraculous Union of

II. Miraculous of Human and Divine
Divine
Laying
Laying aside
aside His
His royal
royal robe
robe and kingly
kingly crown,
crown, Christ clothed
Christ clothed
divinity with humanity,
His divinity humanity, that
that human beings
beings might
might be raised
be raised
from their degradation and placed
their degradation placed on vantage-ground.
vantage-ground. Christ
Christ
could not have
could not have come to to this
this earth with the
earth with the glory
glory that
that He had inin
CHRIST'S NATURE 649
the heavenly
the heavenly courts.
courts. Sinful beings could
Sinful human beings could not
not have borne
borne
the sight.
the sight.He veiled His divinity
veiled His divinity with
with the
the garb
garb of humanity, but
of humanity, but
He did not part
did not part with
with His
His divinity.
divinity. A divine-human
divine·human Saviour,
Saviour, He
came to stand at
to stand the head of
at the of the fallen race,
the fallen race, to
to share
share in their
in their
experience
experience from childhood childhood to to manhood. That human beings beings
might be
might be partakers
partakers of of the
the divine nature, He came to
divine nature, to this
this earth,
earth,
and lived
lived aa life
life of perfect obedience.
of perfect obedience.-Ibid., Ibid., June
June 15,15, 1905.
1905.
Christ, divinity
In Christ,
In divinity and humanity humanity were were combined.
combined. Divinity
Divinity was
not degraded
not degraded to to humanity;
humanity; divinity divinity heldheld its its place,
place, but
but humanity
humanity
by being
by being united
united to to divinity,
divinity, withstood
withstood the the fiercest
fiercest test
test of tempta·
of tempta-
tion
tion in the wilderness.
in the wilderness. The prince prince of this world
of this world came to to Christ
Christ
after His long
after long fast,
fast, when He was was an hungered,
hungered, and suggestedsuggested to to
Him to to command the the stones
stones to to become bread. bread. But the the plan
plan ofof
God,
God, devised
devised for for thethe salvation
salvation of of man,
man, provided
provided that that Christ
Christ
should
should know hunger, hunger, and poverty, poverty, and every every phase
phase of man's
of man's
experience.-Ibid.,
experience. Ibid., Feb.
Feb. 18,
18, 1890.
1890.
The more we think think about Christ's Christ's becoming
becoming aa babe babe here here on
earth, the more wonderful
earth, the wonderful it it appears.
appears. How can it it be that that the
the
helpless babe
helpless babe in in Bethlehem's
Bethlehem's manger manger is is still
still the divine Son of
the divine of
God? Though
Though we cannot understand it,
cannot understand it, we can believe that
can believe that He
who made the the worlds,
worlds, for for our our sakes
sakes became a helpless babe.
a helpless babe.
Though
Though higherhigher thanthan any any of of the
the angels, though as
angels, though as great
great as as the
the
Father on the
Father the throne
throne of of heaven He became one one with
with us. In Him
us. In
God and man became one, one, and it is in
it is in this
this fact
fact that
that we find the
find the
hope
hope of
of our fallen
fallen race.
race. Looking
Looking upon
upon Christ
Christ in
in the
the flesh,
flesh, we look
look
upon God in
upon in humanity,
humanity, and see see inin Him the the brightness
brightness of divine
of divine
glory,
glory, the
the express
express image
image of
of God the
the Father.-The
Father. The Youth's
Youth's In·
In-
structor, Nov. 21,
structor, 21, 1895.
1895.
No one,one, looking
looking upon upon the childlike countenance,
the childlike countenance, shining shining
animation, could
with animation,
with could say say that Christ was just
that Christ just like
like other
other children.
children.
He was God in in human flesh. flesh. When urged urged by by His companions
companions to to
do wrong,
do wrong, divinity
divinity flashed through humanity,
flashed through humanity, and He refused refused
decidedly.
decidedly. In In a a moment He distinguished distinguished between right right and
wrong, and placed
wrong, placed sin sin in the light
in the light of God's commands,
of God's commands, holding holding
up the law
up the law as as a mirror which reflected
a mirror light upon
reflected light wrong.-Ibid.,
upon wrong. Ibid.,
Sept.
Sept. 8,
8, 1898.
1898.
As
As aa member of of thethe human family family He was mortal, mortal, but but as a
as a
God He was was the
the fountain
fountain of of life
life to
to the world. He could,
the world. could, in in His
divine person,
divine person, eyer have withstood
ever have ivithstood the advances of
the advances of death,
death, and
refused to
refused to come under its dominion; but He voluntarily
its dominion; voluntarily laid laid
down His life, that
His life, that in in so
so doing
doing He might might give give life bring im-
life and bring im·
650 QUESTIONS
mortality to
mortality to light
light..... What humility
. . . humility was was this!
this! It
It amazed angels.
angels.
The tongue
tongue can never describe
can never describe it; the imagination
it; the imagination cannot take it
take it
in. The eternal
in. eternal Word consented
consented to to be flesh! God became
be made flesh!
man!-The
man! The Review and Herald, Herald, July
July 5, 5, 1887.
1887.
The apostle
apostle wouldwould callcall our attention from ourselves
our attention ourselves to to the
the
Author of
Author of ourour salvation.
salvation. He presents
presents before
before us us His
His two
two natures,
natures,
divine and human.
divine voluntarily assumed
human . . . . He voluntarily
. . . assumed human nature. nature.
It was
It His own act,
was His act, and by His own consent.
by His clothed His
consent. He clothed
divinity with
divinity with humanity.
humanity. He was was all the while
all the while asas God,
God, but
but He did
not appear as
not appear as God.
God. He veiled veiled the the demonstrations of Deity
of Deity
which had
which had commanded the the homage,
homage, and called forth the
called forth the admira-
admira-
tion
tion ofof the
the universe
universe of of God. He was was God while while upon
upon earth,
earth, but
but
divested Himself
He divested Himself of at the form of
the form of God,
God and in
? its stead
in its stead took the the
form and fashion
form fashion of of aa man. He walked walked the the earth
earth as as aa man. ForFor
our sakes He became poor,
our sakes poor, that through His
that we through His poverty
poverty might
might be
rich. He laid
made rich. laid aside His glory
aside His glory and His majesty. majesty. He was
God, but
God, but the the glories
glories of the form
of the form of of God He for for awhile
awhile relin-
relin-
quished
quished. . .
. ... He
. bore
bore the
the sins
sins of
of the
the world,
world, and endured the
the
penalty which rolled
penalty rolled like
like aa mountain upon upon His divinedivine soul.
soul. He
yielded
yielded up up HisHis life
life aa sacrifice,
sacrifice, that
that man shouldshould not not eternally
eternally die.
die.
He died,
died, notnot through
through being compelled to
being compelled to die,
die, but
but byby His own
free will.-Ibid.
free will. Ibid.
Was the the human nature nature of of the
the Son of of Mary changed into
Mary changed into the
the
divine nature of
divine nature the Son of
of the of God? No; No; the the two
two natures
natures were mys- mys-
teriously blended in
teriously blended in one person
person-the the man Christ Jesus. In
Christ Jesus. In Him
dwelt all the
dwelt all the fullness
fullness of of the
the Godhead bodily. bodily. When Christ Christ was
was
crucified, it
crucified, it was HisHis human nature nature thatthat died. Deity did
died. Deity did not sink
not sink
die; that
and die; that would have been impossible. impossible.-The The SDA Bible Bible
Commentary,
Commentary, vol. vol. 5, p. 1113.
5, p. 1113.
III. Took Sinless

III. Nature
Sinless Human Nature
Christ came to
Christ to the
the earth,
earth, taking standing as
humanity and standing
taking humanity as
man's representative,
representative, to to show in
in the controversy with
the controversy with Satan that
Satan that
man,
man, asas God created him, connected
created him, connected with
with the
the Father
Father and
and ·the
'the Son,
Son,
could obey
could obey every
every divine requirement.-The
divine requirement. Signs of
The Signs of the
the Times,
Times,
June 9,
June 9, 1898.
1898.
Christ is
Christ is called
called the second Adam. In In purity
purity and holiness,
holiness,
connected with
connected with God and beloved
beloved by
by God, began where
God, He began where the
the
first Adam began.
first passed over
Willingly He passed
began. Willingly over the ground where
the ground where
Adam fell, failure.-The
fell, and redeemed Adam's failure. The Youth's Instruc-
Youth's Instruc-
tor,
tor, June
June 2,
2, 1898.
1898.
CHRIST'S NATURE 651
651
In the
In the fullness
fullness of of time
time He was was to to bebe revealed
revealed in in human form. form.
He was to to take position at
take His position at the
the head of of humanity
humanity by by taking
taking thethe
nature but but notnot thethe sinfulness
sinfulness of of man. In heaven heaven was was heard
heard thethe
voice, "The Redeemer shall
voice, shall come to to Zion,
Zion, and unto unto them that that
turn from transgression
turn transgression in in Jacob,
Jacob, saith
saith the
the Lord."-The
Lord." Signs
The Signs
of
of the
the Times,
Times, May May 29,29, 1901.
1901.
When ChristChrist bowed His head and died,
His died, He bore bore thethe pillars
pillars
of
of Satan's kingdom with
Satan's kingdom with Him to to the vanquished Satan
earth. He vanquished
the earth. Satan
in the same
in the same nature
nature over which in
over which in Eden Satan Satan obtained
obtained the the victory.
victory.
enemy was overcome by
The enemy by Christ
Christ in in His human nature. nature. The
power of
power of the
the Saviour's
Saviour's Godhead was hidden. hidden. He overcame
overcame in in
human nature,nature, relying
relying uponupon God for power.-The
for power. The Youth's
Youth's In- In-
structor, April
structor, April 25,
25, 1901.
1901.
In taking
In taking upon Himself man's
upon Himself man's nature
nature in its fallen
in its fallen condition,
condition,
Christ
Christ diddid notnot inin the
the least participate in
least participate in its sin. He was
its sin. was subject
subject to to
the infirmities and weaknesses
the infirmities weaknesses by by which man is is encompassed,
encompassed, "that "that
it
it might
might be be fulfilled which was
fulfilled which was spoken
spoken by by Esaias
Esaias the
the prophet,
prophet, say-say-
ing, Himself took our infirmities,
ing, Himself infirmities, and bare bare ourour sicknesses."
sicknesses." He
was
was touched
touched with with the feeling of
the feeling of our
our infirmities,
infirmities, and was was inin allall
points tempted like

points tempted like as
as we are.are. And yet yet He "knew no no sin."
sin." He was was
the Lamb "without
the "without blemish
blemish and without
without spot."spot." Could SatanSatan in the
in the
least particular have tempted
least particular tempted Christ
Christ to to sin,
sin, he would have have bruised
bruised
the Saviour's
the head. As it
Saviour's head. it was,
was, he could
could only touch His
only touch His heel.
heel. Had
the head
the head of of Christ
Christ been touched,
touched, the the hope
hope of of the
the human race race
would have
would have perished.
perished. Divine
Divine wrath would have come upon upon Christ
Christ
as it
as it came uponupon Adam Adam..... We should
. . . should have have no misgivings
misgivings in in re-
re-
gard
gard to
to the
the perfect
perfect sinlessness
sinlessness of
of the
the human nature
nature of
of Christ.-
Christ.
The SDA Bible Bible Commentary,
Commentary, vol. vol. 5, p. ll3!.
5, p. 1131.
Be careful, exceedingly
Be careful, exceedingly careful
careful as
as to
to you dwell
how you upon the
dwell upon the
human naturenature of of Christ.
Christ. Do not set Him before
not set the people
before the people as as a a
man withwith the propensities of
the propensities of sin.
sin. He is the second Adam. The first
is the first
Adam was was created
created a a pure,
pure, sinless being, without
sinless being, without aa taint
taint ofof sinsin
upon him;
upon him; he he was in in the image of
the image of God. He could could fall,
fall, and he he did
did
fall through
fall through transgressing.
transgressing. Because of of sin his posterity
sin his posterity was born
with
with inherent propensities of
inherent propensities of disobedience.
disobedience. But Jesxis Jesus Christ
Christ was
the only begotten
the only begotten Son of of God. He took took upon
upon Himself
Himself human
nature,
nature, and and was tempted in
was tempted all points
in all points as nature is
as human nature is tempted.
tempted.
He could have sinned;
could have sinned; He could have fallen, fallen, butbut not
not for
for one mo-
ment was
ment was there
there in in Him an evil propensity. He was assailed
evil propensity. assailed with
temptations in the wilderness, as
temptations in the wilderness,
as Adam was assailed assailed with
with temp-
temp-
tations
tations in in Eden.
Eden.-Ibid.,Ibid., p.p. 1128.
1128,
652
QUESTIONS
The Son Son of of God humbled Himself Himself and took took man's
man's nature
after
after thethe race
race hadhad wandered four thousand years
four thousand years from Eden, Eden, and
from their
from their original
original state
state of purity and uprightness.
of purity uprightness. Sin Sin had been
making its
making its terrible
terrible marks
marks upon upon the the race
race for
for ages;
ages; and physical,
physical,
mental,
mental, and moral moral degeneracy prevailed throughout
degeneracy prevailed throughout. the the human
family. When Adam
family. A dam was was assailed
assailed by by the
the tempter
tempter in in Eden he was
wit!lOut the
without the taint
taint ofof sin
sin.. ... Christ,
. , Christ, in
. in the
the wilderness
wilderness of of temptation,
temptation,
stood in
stood in Adam's
Adam's placeplace to bear the
to bear the test
test he failed to
he failed endure.-The
to endure. The
Review and Herald,
Review Hemld, July 28, 1874.
July 28, 1874.
Avoid every
Avoid every question
question in relation to
in relation the humanity
to the humanity of Christ
of Christ
which is
which is liable
liable toto be misunderstood. Truth lies
be misunderstood. lies close
close to to the
the track
track
of- presumption. In
of- presumption. In treating
treating uponupon the humanity of
the humanity of Christ,
Christ, youyou
need
need to to guard
guard strenuously
strenuously every every assertion)
assertion, lest lest youryour words
words be be
taken to
taken to mean more than than they imply, and thus
they imply, thus youyou loselose oror dim the the
clear perceptions of
clear perceptions His humanity
of His humanity as as combined with with divinity.
divinity. His
birth was
birth was aa miracle
miracle of of God
God.. . . . Never,
. . Never, in
. in any
any way,way, leave
leave thethe
slightest impression upon

slightest impression upon human minds minds thatthat aa taint
taint of,of, or
or inclina-
inclina-
tion to, corruption
tion to, corruption restedrested uponupon Christ,
Christ, or that He in
or that in any
any wayway
yielded to
yielded to cormption.
corruption. He was was tempted
tempted in in all points like
all points like as
as man
is tempted,
is tempted, yet yet He is is called
called "that
"that holy thing." It
holy thing." It isis a mystery that
a mystery that
is left
is left unexplained
unexplained to to mortals
mortals thatthat Christ
Christ could
could be be tempted
tempted in all
in all
points like
points like asas we are,
are, and yet yet bebe without
without sin. sin. The incarnation
incarnation of of
Christ has
Christ has ever been, and will
ever been, will ever remain, aa mystery.
ever remain, mystery. That which
is revealed,
is revealed, is for us
is for us and for for our children,
children, but but let let every
every human
being
being be wamed from
be warned from the ground of
the ground of making
making Christ altogether
Christ altogether
human,
human, such such an one as as ourselves;
ourselves; for for it
it cannot
cannot be.-Thebe. The SDA
Bible Commentary,
Bible Commentary, vol. vol. 5,
5, pp.
pp. 1128,
1128, 1129.
1129.
What opposites
opposites meet and are are revealed
revealed in in the
the person
person of of Christ!
Christ!
The mighty
mighty God, God, yetyet aa helpless
helpless child!
child! The Creator Creator of of all the
all the
world,
world, yet, yet, in world of
in aa world His creating,
of His often hungry
creating, often hungry and weary, weary,
without a place
and without place to to lay
lay His head!head! The Son of of man,
man, yet infi·
yet infi-
nitely higher than
nitely higher than thethe angels!
angels! EqualEqual withwith the the Father,
Father, yet yet HisHis
divinity clothed
divinity clothed withwith humanity, standing at
humanity, standing at the head of
the head of the fallen
the fallen
race, that
race, that human beings beings mightmight be be placed
placed on vantage-ground!
vantage-ground!
Possessing eternal riches,
Possessing eternal riches, yetyet living
living thethe life
life ofof aa poor
poor man! One
with
with the the Father
Father in in dignity
dignity and power, power, yet yet in in HisHis humanity
humanity
tempted
tempted in all points
in all points likelike as
as we areare tempted!
tempted! In In thethe very
very moment
of His
of His dying
dying agony
agony on the the cross,
cross, a a Conqueror,
Conqueror, answeringanswering the the re-re-
quest of
quest of thethe repentant
repentant sinner
sinner to to bebe remembered
remembered by by Him when He
came into into His kingdom.
kingdom.-The Signs of
The Signs of thethe Times,
Times, April April 26, 26,
1905.
1905,
CHRIST'S NATURE 653
653
IV.
IV. Assumed Liabilities of Human Nature
Liabilities of
The doctrine
doctrine of the incarnation
of the incarnation of of Christ
Christ in
in human flesh flesh isis
aa mystery,
mystery, "even the the mystery
mystery which hath hath been hid hid from ages ages and
generations." It
from generations." It is the great
is the
great and profound
profound mystery
mystery of godli-
of godli-
ness ....
ness. . . .
Christ
Christ did did not
not make believe believe take
take human nature; nature; He did did
verily take it. He did
take it. did in reality possess
in reality possess human nature.nature. "As the the
verily
children are
children are partakers
partakers of of flesh
flesh and blood,
blood, He alsoalso Himself
Himself like-like-
wise took
wise part of
took part of the
the same."
same." He was the the son
son of Mary; He was of
of Mary; of
the seed
the seed of of David according
according to to human descent.-The
descent. The Review
Herald, April
and Herald, April 5, 5, 1906_
1906.
He came to to this
this world
world in in human form, to live
form, to live aa man amongst
amongst
men. He assumed assumed the the liabilities
liabilities of of human nature,
nature, to to be proved
proved
tried. In
and tried. In His
His humanity
humanity He was was aa partaker
partaker of of the
the divine
divine na- na-
ture. In His incarnation
ture. incarnation He gained gained in in aa new sense
sense the
the title
title of
of the
the
Son of of God.-The
God. The Signs Signs of of the
the Times, Aug_ 2,
Times, Aug. 2, 1905.
1905.
But our our Saviour
Saviour took humanity, with
took humanity, with all
all its
its liabilities.
liabilities. He
took the
took the nature
nature of man, with
of man, with the possibility of
the possibility yielding to
of yielding to temp-
temp-
tation. We have nothing
tation. nothing to to bear
bear which He has has not
not endured.-
endured.
The Desire
Desire of Ages, p.
of Ages, p. 117.
117.
Christ
Christ borebore the
the sins
sins andand infirmities
infirmities of of the
the race
race asas they
they existed
existed
when He came to to the
the earth
earth to to help
help man. In In behalf
behalf of the race,
of the race,
with
with the weaknesses Of
the weaknesses fallen man upon
of fallen upon Him,
Him, He was to to stand
the temptations of
the temptations of Satan
Satan uponupon all all points
points wherewith
wherewith man would
be assailed.-The
be assailed. The Review and Herald, Herald, July
July 28,
28, 1874.
1874.
Jesus was
Jesus was inin all things made like
all things like unto His brethren.
brethren. He bebe-
came fiesh, even as
flesh, even as we are. are. He was was hungry
hungry and thirstythirsty and
weary. He was
weary. was sustained
sustained by food and refreshed
by food refreshed by sleep. He
by sleep.
shared the
shared lot of
the lot of man;
man; yet yet He was the blameless
was the blameless Son of of God. He
was God in the flesh.
in the flesh. His character
character is to be ours.
is to ours.-The Desire of
The Desire of
Ages, p.
Ages, p. 311.
311.
The human nature nature of of Christ
Christ isis likened
likened to to ours,
ours, and suffering
suffering
was more keenly keenly felt by Him;
felt by Him; for His spiritual
for His spiritual nature
nature was tree free
from every
from taint of
every taint of sin. Therefore His
sin. Therefore His desire
desire for the removal
for the removal of of
suffering
suffering was stronger
stronger than human beings beings can experience.
experience .... . . .
The Son of of God endured the the wrath of of God against

against sin. All
sin. All
the
the accumulated
accumulated sin sin ofof the world was laid
the world laid upon
upon the the Sin-bearer,
Sin-bearer,
the
the One who was innocent, innocent, the the One who alone could be the the
propitiation for
propitiation for sin,
sin, because
because He Himself Himself was obedient.
obedient. He was
One with God. Not aa taint
with God. taint of ot corruption
corruption was upon upon Him.Him.-The The
Signs
Signs of of the
the rimes,
Times, Dec. Dec. 9, 9, 1897.
1897.
QUESTIONS
As one with with us,us, He must must bear
bear the the burden of of our guilt
guilt and
woe.
woe. The Sinless
Sinless One must must feelfeel the
the shame of sin . ... Every
of sin. . . .Every sin,sin,
every
every discord,
discord, eva), defiling
every defiling lust
lust that
that trallSgression
transgression had brought,
brought,
was torture
torture to to His spirit.
SjJirit.- The Desire Desire of of Ages,,
Ages, p. p. 111.
111.
The weight
weight of of the
the sins
sins of the world
of the world was was pressing
pressing His soul, soul,
and His
and countenance expressed
His countenance unutterable sorrow,
expressed unutterable sorrow, aa depth depth of of
anguish that
anguish fallen man had never
that fallen never realized.
realized. He felt felt the
the over-
over-
whelming tide
whelming tide ofof woe that deluged the
that deluged the world.
world. He realizedrealized the the
strength of
strength indulged appetite
of indulged appetite and of unholy passion
of unholy passion that con-
that con-
trolled the
trolled world.-The
the world. The Review and Herald, Herald, Aug. Aug. 4, 4, 1874.
1874.
Entire justice
Entire justice waswas done in in the
the atonement.
atonement. In the the place
place of of the
the
sinner,
sinner, thethe spotless
spotless Son of of God received
received the penalty, and the
the penalty, the
sinner
sinner goes free as
goes free as long
long as he receives
as he receives and holds holds Christ
Christ as his per-
as his per-
sonal Saviour. Though
sonal Saviour. Though guilty, guilty, he
he is
Is looked
looked upon
upon as
as innocent.
innocent.
Christ fulfilled every
Christ fulfilled requirement demanded by
every requirement by justice.
justice.-The The
Youth's Instructor, April
Youth's Instructor, April 25, 25, 1901.
1901.
Guiltless, He bore
Guiltless, bore the the punishment
punishment of of the
the guilty.
guilty. Innocent,
Innocent,
yet offering
yet offering Himself
Himself as
as a
a substitute
substitute for
for the
the transgressor.
transgressor. The guilt
guilt
of
of every
every sinsin pressed
pressed its weight upon
its weight upon the the divine
divine soulsoul ofof the
the world's
world's
Redeemer.-The
Redeemer. Signs of
The Signs of the
the Times,
Times, Dec. Dec. 5, 5, 1892.
1892.
took upon
He took upon His His sinless
sinless nature
nature our sinful sinful nature,
nature, that that He
might
might know how to to succor
succor thosethose that that are are tempted.-Medical
tempted. Medical
Ministry, p.
Ministry, p. 181.
181.
v. Tempted
V. Tempted on on AllAll Points
Points
Christ alone had
Christ alone had experience
experience in
in all
all the sorrows
the SOTrows and tempta· tempta-
tions
tions that befall human beings.
that befall beings. Never another another of of woman born born
was so
was so fiercely
fiercely beset
beset by by temptation;
temptation; never never another
another bore bore so heavy aa
so heavy
burden of of thethe world's
world's sin sin and pain.pain. Never was was there
there another
another
sympathies were so
whose sympathies so broad or or so tender. A sharer
so tender. sharer in in all the
all the
experiences of
experiences humanity, He could
of humanity, could feel feel notnot only
only for,
for, but
but with,
with,
every burdened and tempted
every tempted and struggling struggling one. one.-Education,
Education,
p.78.
p. 78.
God was was in in Christ
Christ in in human form, form, and endured endured all all the
the temp-
temp-
tations wherewith man was
tations wherewith was beset;
beset; in in our behalf He participated
our behalf participated
in the
in the suffering
suffering and trials trials of of sorrowjul
sorrowful human nature. nature.-The The
Watchman, Dec.
Watchman, Dec. 10,10, 1907.
1907.
He "was in in all points tempted
all points tempted like like as as we are."
are." Satan
Satan stood
stood
ready
ready to
to assail
assail Him at
at every step,
every step, hurlinghurling at
at Him his fiercest
his fiercest
temptations; yet
temptations; yet He "did "did no sin, sin, neither
neither was was guile
guile found
found in in His
His
mouth." "He ... suffered
mouth/' . .suffered being
. being tempted/*
tempted," sufferedsuffered in proportion
in proportion
to the perfection
to the perfection of His holiness.
of His holiness. But the the prince
prince of of darkness
darkness
CHRIST'S NATURE 655
655
found nothing
nothing in In Him;
Him; notnot aa single
single thought
thought or or feeling
feeling responded
responded
to
to temptation.-Testimoni.es,
temptation. Testimonies, vol. vol. 5,
5, p.
p. 422.
422.
Would that that we could comprehend the
could comprehend the significance
significance of of the
the
words,
words, "Christ
"Christ suffered, being tempted."
suffered, being tempted." WhileWhile He was was free
free from
from
the taint of
the taint of sin, the refined
sin, the refined sensibilities
sensibilities of His holy
of His holy nature
nature ren-
ren-
dered contact
dered with evil
contact with unspeakably painful
evil unspeakably painful to to Him. Yet Yet with
with
human naturenature upon
upon Him, Him, He met the the arch-apostate
arch-apostate face face to
to
face, and single-handed
face, single-handed withstood
withstood the the foefoe of His throne.
of His throne. Not
even by
even by aa .thought
thought could
could Christ
Christ be brought to
be brought yield to
to yield to the
the power
power
of
of temptation.
temptation. Satan Satan finds
finds in in human hearts hearts some point point where he he
can gain
gain aa foot-hold;
foot-hold; some sinful desire is
sinful desire is cherished,
cherished, by by means
of
of which his his temptations
temptations assert
assert their power. But Christ
their power. Christ declared
declared
of Himself,
of Himself, "The prince prince ofof this world cometh,
this world cometh, and hath hath nothing
nothing
in Me." The storms
in storms ofof temptation
temptation burst burst upon
upon Him,Him, butbut they
they could
not cause Him to
not cause to swerve
swerve from His allegiance to
His allegiance to God.-The
God. The
Review and Herald,Herald, Nov. 8, 8, 1887.
1887.
II perceive
perceive thatthat there
there is is danger
danger in in approaching
approaching subjectssubjects
which dwell on the the humanity
humanity of of the
the Son of of the
the infinite
infinite God. He
did
did humble HimselfHimself when He saw He was was inin fashion
fashion asas a a man,
man,
that He might
that might understand
understand the force of
the force of all temptations wherewith
all temptations
man is beset .... On not
is beset. . . . not one
one occasion
occasion was was there
there a a response
response to his
to his
manifold temptations.
manifold temptations. Not once once did did Christ
Christ step
step on Satan's
Satan's
ground, to
ground, give him any
to give any advantage.
advantage. Satan Satan found nothingnothing in in Him
to encourage his
to encourage his advances.-The
advances. The SDA Bible Bible Commentary,
Commentary, vol. vol.
5, p. 1129.
5, p. 1129.
Many
Many claim
claim that
that itit was
was impossible
impossible for for Christ
Christ to to be
be overcome
by temptation.
by temptation. Then He could
could not
not have
have been placed in
placed in Adam's
position; He could
position; not have gained
could not gained the the victory that Adam failed
victory that to
failed to
gain.
gain. If
If we have in
in any
any sense
sense a
a more trying
trying conflict
conflict than had
Christ, then
Christ, then He would not not be be ableable to succor us.
to succor us. But our Saviour
Saviour
took humanity, with
took humanity, with all
all its
its liabilities.
liabilities. He took took the nature of
the nature of man,
man,
with the
with possibility of
the possibility yielding to
of yielding temptation. We have nothing
to temptation. nothing
to bear
to bear which
which He has has not
not endured
endured.. . . . In
... In man's behalf,
behalf, Christ
Christ
conquered
conquered by by enduring
enduring the the severest
severest test.
test. For our sake sake He exer-
exer-
cised
cised a a self-control stronger than
self-control stronger than hunger
hunger or
or death.-The
death. The Desire
Desire
0/Ages,p.1l7.
of Ages, p. 117.
Bore the
VI. Bore
VI. the Imputed Sin
Imputed Sin and Guilt of the
Guilt of the World
bore the
Christ bore
Christ guilt of
the guilt of the sins of
the sins of the world. Our sufficiency
the world. sufficiency
is found only
is found only in
in the incarnation and death
the incarnation death of of God. He
the Son of
of the
could suffer,
could because sustained
suffer, because divinity. He could
by divinity.
sustained by could endure,
endure, be-
be-
656
QUESTIONS
cause
cause He was was without
without one one taint
taint of disloyalty or
of disloyalty sin.-The
or sin. The Youth's
Instructor,
Instructor, Aug. 4,
Aug. 4, 1898.
1898.
He [Christ]
[Christ] took
took human nature, nature, and bore the the infirmities
infirmities
degeneracy of
and degeneracy of the
the race.-The
race. The Review and Herald, Herald, July July 28, 28,
1874.
1874.
It would
It would have have beenbeen an almost infinite
an almost infinite humiliation
humiliation for for the the
Son ofof God to to take
take man's nature, even
man's nature, even when Adam stood stood in in his
his
innocence in
innocence Eden. But Jesus
in Eden. Jesus accepted
accepted humanity
humanity when the the racerace
had 'been
had been weakened by four thousand
by four thousand years years ofof sin.
sin. Like
Like every child
every child
of Adam He accepted
of accepted the results of
the results the working
of the working of of the great law
the great law
of heredity. What these
of heredity. these results were is
results were is shown in the history
in the history of His
of His
earthly
earthly ancestors.
ancestors. He came with with suchsuch a heredity to
a heredity to share
share our sor- sor-
rows
rows and temptations,
temptations, and to to give
give us us the
the example
example of of aa sinless life.
sinless life.
Satan
Satan in in heaven
heaven had hated Christ for
hated Christ for HisHis position
position in in the the
courts
courts of God. He hated
of God. hated Him the the more when he himself himself was de- de-
throned.
throned. He hated hated Him who pledged pledged Himself
Himself to to redeem aa race race of of
sinners.
sinners. YetYet into
into thethe world where Satan
world where claimed dominion God
Satan claimed
permitted His
permitted His Son to to come,
come, a a helpless
helpless babe,
babe, subject
subject to the weak-
to the weak-
ness of
ness humanity. He permitted
of humanity. permitted Him to to meet life's
life's peril
peril in com-
in com-
mon with every human soul,
with every soul, toto fight the battle
fight the battle as as every
every child
child of of
humanity
humanity must must fight it, at
fight it, the risk
at the risk of failure and eternal
of failure eternal loss.-
loss.
Desire of
The Desire Ages, p.
of Ages, p. 49.
49.
combination of
Wondrous combination of man and God! Godl He might might have have
helped
helped His His human nature nature to withstand the
to withstand inroads of
the inroads of disease
disease by by
pouring from
pouring from His divine divine nature
nature vitality
vitality and undecaying
undecaying vigor vigor to to
the human. But He humbled Himself
the Himself to to man's
man's nature.
nature .... God
. . .
became man!
became man I-The The Review and Herald, Herald, Sept.Sept. 4,4, 1900.
1900.
In our
In our humanity,
humanity, ChristChrist waswas to to redeem Adam's Adam's failure.
failure. But
when Adam was was assailed
assailed by the tempter,
by the tempter, none of of the
the effects
effects of of sin
sin
upon him.
were upon him. He stood stood in in thethe strength
strength of perfect manhood,
of perfect manhood,
possessing the
possessing the full vigor of
full vigor of mind and body. body. He was was surrounded
surrounded
with the glories of
the glories Eden, and was
of Eden, was in in daily
daily communion with with
heavenly beings. It
heavenly beings. It was notnot thus
thus with Jesus when He entered
with Jesus entered the the
wilderness
wilderness to to cope with Satan.
cope with Satan. For four four thousand years years thethe race
race
had been
been decreasing
decreasing in physical strength,
in physical strength, in in mental
mental power,
power, and
in
in moral worth;
worth; and Christ Christ took upon Him the
took upon the infirmities
infirmities of de-
of de-
generate humanity.
generate humanity. Only Only thusthus could
could He rescue rescue man from from the the
lowest
lowest depths
depths of of his
his degradation.-The
degradation. Desire of
The Desire of Ages,
Ages, p. p. Il7.
117.
Clad in in thethe vestments
vestments of of humanity,
humanity, the the Son
Son of of God came came
down to to the level of
the level of those
those He wishedwished to save. In
to save. In Him was was no no
guile or
guile sinfulness; He was
or sinfulness; was ever
ever pure
pure and undefiled;
undefiled; yet yet He took took
CHRIST'S NATURE 657
upon Him our
upon our sinful
sinful nature.
nature. Clothing His divinity
Clothing His with human-
divinity with
ity, that He might
ity, that associate with
might associate with fallen
fallen humanity,
humanity, He sought
sought to
to
regain for
regain for man that
that which,
which, by
by disobedience, lost for
disobedience, Adam had lost for
himself and for
for the
the world.
world. In His character He displayed
His own character displayed to
to
the world
world the
the character
character of
of God.-The
God. The Review
Review and
and Herald,
Herald, Dec.
Dec.
15,
15, 1896.
1896.
He for our sakes
for our sakes laid aside His
laid aside royal robe,
His royal robe, stepped
stepped down
from the throne in
the throne heaven, and condescended to
in heaven, to clothe His divin-
clothe His divin-
ity with
ity humility, and became
with humility, became likelike one of of us except in
us except sin, that
in sin, that
His life
life and character
character should be a pattern for
a pattern for all
all to
to copy, that they
copy, that they
might have
might have thethe precious
precious giftgift of life.-The
eternal life.
of eternal The Youth's
Youth's In- In-
structor, Oct.
structor, Oct. 20,
20, 1886.
1886.
He was bornborn without
without a a taint
taint ofof sin,
sin, but came into into the
the world
world
in
in like
like manner as the human family.
as the family.-Letter
Letter 97,97, 1898.
1898.
Harmless and undefiled,
Harmless undefiled, He walked among among the the thoughtless,
thoughtless,
the
the rude, the uncourteous.-The
rude, the uncourteous. Desire of
The Desire of Ages,
Ages, p. p. 90.
90.
Christ, who knew not
Christ, not the least taint
the least taint of of sin
sin oror defilement,
defilement,
took our nature
took nature in in its deteriorated condition.
its deteriorated condition. This was humilia-
This was humilia-
tion greater than
tion greater finite man can
than finite can comprehend.
comprehend. God was was manifest
manifest in in
the flesh. He humbled Himself.
the flesh. Himself. What a a subject
subject for thought, for
for thought, for
deep, earnest contemplation!
deep, earnest contemplationl So infinitely
infinitely great that He was the
great that the
Majesty of
Majesty heaven, and yet
of heaven, yet He stooped
stooped so so low,
low, without
without losing
losing one
atom of of His dignity
dignity and glory! stooped to
glory! He stooped to poverty
poverty and to the
to the
deepest abasement among
deepest among men.-The
men. The Signs Signs of of the Times, June
the Times, June
9, 1898.
9, 1898.
Notwithstanding that
Notwithstanding the sins
that the sins of of aa guilty
guilty world were were laid
laid
upon
upon Christ,
Christ, notwithstanding
notwithstanding the
the humiliation
humiliation of
of taking
taking upon
upon
Himself our
Himself our fallen
fallen nature,
nature, thethe voice
voice from heaven declared declared Him
to be
to the Son
be the Son of of the Eternal.-The
the Eternal. Desire of
The Desire Ages, p.
of Ages, p. 112.
112.
Though He had
Though had no no taint
taint of sin upon
of sin upon HisHis character,
character, yetyet He
condescended to
condescended to connect
connect our fallen human nature with
our fallen with His divin-
divin-
ity.
ity. By thus taking
By thus humanity, He honored humanity.
taking humanity, humanity. HavingHaving
taken
taken our our fallen nature, He showed what it
fallen nature, it might become,
might become, by by ac-ac-
cepting the
cepting the ample provision He has
ample provision has made for it, and by
for it, by becom-
ing partaker
ing partaker of of the
the divine nature.-Special
divine nature. Instruction Relating
Special Instruction Relating
to the
to Review and Herald
the Review Herald Office,
Office, and the the Work in in Battle
Battle Creek,
Creek,
May
May 26, 1896, p.
26, 1896, p. 13.
13.
He [Paul]
[Paul] directs
directs thethe mind firstfirst to the position
to the position which ChristChrist
occupied in
occupied in heaven,
heaven, in the bosom of
in the of His Father; reveals Him
Father; he reveals
afterward
afterward as as laying
laying off His glory,
off His glory, voluntarily subjecting Himself
voluntarily subjecting Himself
to all
to all the humbling conditions
the humbling conditions of of man's
man's nature,
nature, assuming
assuming the the
658
QUESTIONS
responsibilities
responsibilities of of a a servant,
servant, and becoming
becoming obedient
obedient unto death,death,
that death
and that death the most ignominious
the most revolting, the
ignominious and revolting, the most
shameful,
shameful, the most agonizing-the
the most agonizing the death death of cross.-Testi-
the cross.
of the Testi-
monies, vol.
monies, 4, p.
vol. 4, p. 458.
458.
The angels prostrated themselves
angels prostrated before Him. They
themselves before They offered
offered
their
their lives.
lives. Jcsus
Jesus said
said to to them that
that He would by by His
His death save save
many, that the
many, that the life
life ofof an
an angel could not
angel could not pay
pay the
the debt.
debt. His lifelife
alone could be
alone could be accepted
accepted of
of His
His Father
Father as
as a
a ransom for
for man.
Jesus
Jesus also told them that
also told that they
they would have
have aa part
part to
to act,
act, to
to be with
with
and at
Him and at different times strengthen
different times Him; that
strengthen Him; that He would take take
man's fallen nature, and His strength
fallen nature, strength would not not be even equal equal
with theirs; that
with theirs; that they
they would be witnesses
witnesses of His humiliation
of His humiliation and
great sufferings.
great sufJerings.-EarlyEarly Writings,
Writings, p.p. 150.
150.
impurity, Christ
Amid impurity } Christ maintained
maintained His His purity.
purity. Satan
Satan could
could not
not
stain or
stain or corrupt
corrupt it.it. His
His character
character revealed
revealed a perfect hatred
a perfect hatred forfor sin.
sin.
It His holiness
was His
It was holiness that stirred against
that stirred against Him all all the
the passion
passion of of aa
profligate world;
profligate world; for for byby His
His perfect
perfect life
life He threw
threw uponupon the the
world
world a a perpetual
perpetual reproach,
reproach, and made manifestmanifest the the contrast
contrast be-be-
transgression and the
tween transgression
tween pure spotless
the pure spotless righteousness
righteousness of of One
that
that knew no sin.-The
no sin. The SDA BibleBible Commentary,
Commentary f vol. vol. 5, p. 1142.
5, p. 1142.
Perfect Sinlessness
VII. Perfect
VII. Sinlessness of
of Christ's
Human Nature
Christ's Nature
We should
should have
have no misgivings
misgivings in
in regard to the
regard to the perfect
perfect sinless-
sinless-
ness of
ness of the
the human nature
nature of
of Christ.
Christ. Our faith
faith must
must be
be an intelli-
intelli-
gent
gent faith, looking unto Jesus
faith, looking Jesus in perfect confidence,
in perfect confidence, in in full
full and
entire faith in
entire faith in the atoning sacrifice.
the atoning sacrifice. This isis essential that the
essential that the soul
soul
may
may notnot bebe enshrouded in in darkness.
darkness. This holy substitute
This holy substitute is is able
able
to save
to save to to the uttermost; for
the uttermost; presented to
for He presented to the
the wondering
wondering
universe perfect and complete
universe perfect complete humility
humility in
in His
His human character,
character,
perfect obedience
and perfect obedience to to all the requirements
all the requirements of Of God.-The
God. The
Signs
Signs ofof the
the Times, Junc 9,
Times , June 9, 1898.
1898.
With His His human arm, Christ encircled
arm, Christ the race,
encircled the race, while
while with
with
His divine
divine arm,
arm, He grasped
grasped thethe throne
throne of of the
the Infinite,
Infinite, uniting
uniting
finite man with
finite with the
the infinite
infinite God. He bridged
bridged the
the gulf that sin
gulf that sin had
had
made, connected earth
made, and connected earth with heaven.
heaven. In In His
His human nature nature
He maintained the purity of
the purity divine character.
of His divine character.-The The Youth's
Youth's
Instructor, June
Instructor, June 2,2, 1898.
1898,
He was unsullied
unsullied with conuption,
corruption, a a stranger
stranger to sin; yet
to sin; yet He
prayed, and that
prayed, that often
often with
with strong crying and tears.
strong crying tears. He prayed
prayed
for
for His disciples
disciples and for for Himself,
Himself, thus identifying Himself
thus identifying Himself withwith
our needs, our weaknesses,
needs, our weaknesses, and our our failings,
failings, which
which areare so
so common
CHRIST'S NATURE 659
with humanity.
humanity. He was aa mighty not possessing
petitioner, not
mighty petitioner, possessing the pas-
the pas-
sions of
sions of our
our human, fallen natures,
human,, fallen natures, but
but compassed with like
compassed with in-
like in-
firmities, tempted
firmities, tempted in
in all points like
all points like as are. ]Jesus
as we are. esus endured
agony which required
agony required help
help and support
support from His Father.-
Father.
Testimonies, vol.
Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 508.
2, p. 508.
is aa brother
He is brother inin our
our infirmities, but not
infirmities, but not in possessing like
in possessing like
passions. As the
passions. the sinless
sinless One, His nature
One, His recoiled from
nature recoiled from evil.
evil. He
struggles and torture
endured struggles torture ofof soul
soul in a world
in a world of
of sin. His
sin. His
humanity made prayer
humanity prayer aa necessity
necessity and privilege.
privilege. He required all
required all
the stronger
the stronger divine
divine support
support and comfort
comfort which His
His Father
Father was
ready to
ready to impart to Him,
impart to Him, to
to Him who had,had, for
for the
the benefit
benefit of
of man,
man,
left the
left joys of
the joys of heaven and chosen
chosen His
His home inin aa cold
cold and thank-
thank-
less world. Ibid., p.
less world.-Ibid., 202.
p. 202.
His doctrine
doctrine dropped
dropped as as the
the rain; His speech
rain; His speech distilled
distilled asas the
the
dew. In the
dew. the character
character of of Christ
Christ was was blended such majesty majesty as as God
never before
had never before displayed
displayed to fallen man,
to fallen man, and such such meekness as as
man had never never developed.
developed. Never before before had there walked among
there walked among
men one so so noble,
noble, so so pure,
pure, so so benevolent,
benevolent, so so conscious
conscious of His
of His
godlike nature;
godlike nature; yet yet so simple, so
so simple, full of
so full plans and purposes
of plans purposes to to do
good to
good to humanity.
humanity. While abhorringabhorring sin, sin, He wept wept withwith compas-
compas-
sion over
sion over the sinner. He pleased
the sinner. pleased not Himself.
Himself. The Majesty Majesty of of
heaven clothed Himself
heaven clothed Himself withwith thethe humility
humility of of aa child.
child. This is is the
the
character
character of of Christ.-Ibid.,
Christ. vol. 5,
Ibid., vol. p. 422.
5, p. 422.
The lifelife of Jesus was aa life
of Jesus life in harmony with
in harmony with God. While He
was aa child,
child, He thought
thought and spoke spoke as a child;
as a child; butbut no tracetrace of sin
of sin
marred the image of
the image of God within
within Him. Yet Yet He was not not exempt
exempt
from temptation .... Jesus
from temptation. . . was placed
Jesus was
.
placed where His His character
character would
be tested. It
be tested. was necessary
It was necessary for for Him to to be constantly
constantly on guard guard in in
order
order to to preserve
preserve His His purity.
purity. He was subjectsubject to to all the conflicts
all the conflicts
which
which we have have to meet, that
to meet, that He might might be an example
example to to us in
us in
childhood, youth,
childhood, manhood.-The
youth, and manhood. Desire of
The Desire Ages, p.
of Ages, 71.
p. 71.
In taking
In taking upon Himself man's
upon Himself man's nature
nature in in its
its fallen
fallen condition,
condition,
Christ
Christ did did not
not in
in the
the least participate in
least participate in its
its sin.
sin. He was subject
subject toto
the infirmities
the infirmities and weaknesses
weaknesses by by which man is is encompassed,
encompassed,
"that
"that it it might
might be be fulfilled
fulfilled which was spoken spoken by Esaias the
by Esaias the prophet,
prophet,
saying, Himself took
saying, Himself took ourour infirmities,
infirmities, and bare sicknesses." He
bare our sicknesses."
was touched with
was touched with the
the feeling
feeling of of our infirmities,
infirmities, and was in all
in all
points tempted
points tempted like
like as
as we are.
are. And yet
yet He "knew no sin."
sin." He was
the Lamb "without
the "without blemish
blemish and without spot." spot." ... We should have
. . .
no misgivings
no misgivings in
in regard
regard to
to the
the perfect sinlessness of
perfect sinlessness of the human
nature of
nature of Christ.-The
Christ. The Signs
Signs of of the
the Times, June 9,
Times, June 9, 1898.
1898.
660
Christ alone
Christ alone could
could open
open the
the way,
way, by
by making
making anan offering
offering equal
equal
to the
to the demands of
demands of the
the divine law. He
divine law. He was
was perfect,
perfect, and
and undefined
undefiled
by sin.
by sin. He
He was
was without
without spot
spot or
or blemish.
blemish. The
The extent
extent of
of the
the terrible
terrible
consequences of
consequences
of sin
sin could
could never
never have
have been
been known,
known, hadhad not
not the
the
remedy provided
remedy provided been
been ofof infinite
infinite value.
value. The
The salvation
salvation of
of fallen
fallen
man was
man was procured
procured atat such
such an
an Immense
immense cost
cost that
that angels
angels marveled,
marveled,
and could
and could not
not fully
fully comprehend
comprehend thethe divine
divine mystery
mystery that
that the
the Maj-
Maj-
esty of Heaven, equal with God, should
esty of Heaven, equal with God,
should die
die for
for the
the rebellious
rebellious
race.-The
race. Spirit of
The Spirit of Prophecy,
Prophecy, vol. 2,
vol. 2, pp.
pp. 11, 12.
11, 12.
Thus it
Thus it is
is with
with the
the leprosy
leprosy ofof sin,
sin,--deep-rooted, deadly, and
deep-rooted, deadly, and
impossible to be cleansed by human
impossible to be cleansed by
human power.
power. "The"The whole
whole head
head isis
sick, and
sick, and the
the whole
whole heart
heart faint.
faint. From
From the the sole
sale of
of the
the foot
foot even
even
unto the
unto the head
head there
there is
is no
no soundness
soundness in it; but
in it; but wounds,
wounds, and
and bruises,
bruises,
and putrefying
and putrefying sores/'
sores." Isa.
Isa. 1:5,
1:5, 6.
6. But Jesus, coming
But Jesus, coming toto dwell
dwell in
in
humanity,
humanity, receives
receives no
no pollution.
pollution. His
His presence
presence has
has healing
healing virtue
virtue
for the
for the sinner.
sinner.-The Desire of
The Desire of Ages,
Ages, p.p. 266.
266.
Jesus looked for a upon the scene,~the trembling
the scenesthe trembling
Jesus looked for a moment upon
victim in
victim in her
her shame,
shame. the
the hard-faced
hard-faced dignitaries,
dignitaries, devoid of of even
even
human pity. His spirit
pity. His spirit of
of stainless
stainless purity
purity shrank
shrank from
from the
the spectacle.
spectacle.
Well He knew
Well knew for
for what
what purpose
purpose this
this case
case had been brought
brought to to
Him. He read
Him. read the heart, and knew the
the heart, the character
character and lifelife history
history
of everyone
of everyone in in His presence .... The accusers
His presence. . . aCcusers had been defeated.
.
Now, their
Now, robe of
their robe of pretended
pretended holiness
holiness torn
torn from them,
them, they
they stood.
stood,
guilty
guilty
and
and condemned.
condemned, in
in the presence
the presence of
of Infinite
Infinite Purity.-Ibid.,
Purity. Ibid.,
p.461.
p. 461.
VIII. Christ
VIII. Christ Retains
Retains Human Nature Forever
In
In stooping
stooping to to take
take upon
upon Himself humanity.
humanity, Christ re- re-
vealed
vealed aa character
character the
the opposite
opposite of of the
the character of Satan,.... In
of Satan . . .
taking
taking our
our nature,
nature, thethe Saviour
Saviour has has bound Himself
Himself to to humanity
humanity
by a
by a tie
tie that
that is
is never
never toto be
be broken.
broken. Through
Through thethe eterna.l
eternal ages He isis
ages He
linked with us.
linked with us. "God so so loved
loved the
the world,
world, that
that He gave
gave His only-be-
only-be-
gotten
gotten Son."
Son." John
John 3:16.
3:16. He gave
gave Him not only only to
to bear our sins,sins,
and
and toto die
die as
as our
our sacrifice; He gave
sacrifice; He gave Him
Him toto the
the fallen
fallen race.
race. ToTo
assure
assure us
us ofof His
His immutable
immutable counsel
counsel of of peace.
peace, God
God gave
gave His
His only-
only-
begotten
begotten SonSon toto become
become one one of
of the
the human family, forever
human family, forever to to re-
re-
tain His human
tain His human nature.
nature. This
This isis the
the pledge
pledge that
that God
God will
will fulfill
fulfill
His
His word. "Unto us
word. "Unto us aa child
child is
is born. unto us
born, unto us aa son
son isis given:
given: andand
the
the government
government shallshall bebe upon
upon HisHis shoulder."
shoulder." God
God hashas adopted
adopted
human
human nature
nature inin the
the person
person ofof His Son, and
His Son, and has
has carried
carried the
the same
same
into
into the
the highest
highest heaven.-Ibid.,
heaven. Ibid., p. 25.
p. 25.
'[he Atonement
The Atonement
APPENDIX c
C
ATONING SACRIFICE
I-ATONING
PART I
I. Centrality
I. of the
Centrality of Atoning Cross
the Atoning Cross
The sacrifice
sacrifice of
of Christ
Christ as atonement for
as atonement for sin
sin is the great
is the great truthtruth
around whichwhich all
all other
other truths cluster.-Gospel
truths cluster. Workers, p.
Gospel Workers, p. 315.
315.
[the cross]
It [the
It cross] is is the central pillar
the central pillar on which hangs hangs the the farfar
exceeding and eternal
more exceeding eternal weight
weight of of glory
glory which is is for those
for those
accept that
who accept that cross.
cross. Under and around the the cross
cross of of Christ,
Christ 3
that immortal pillar,

that pillar, sin
sin shall never revive,
shall never revive, nor
nor error
error obtain
obtain con- con-
trol.-Letter
trol. Letter 124,
124, 1900.
1900.
The Sacrifice
Sacrifice of of Christ
Christ as as an aumement
atonement for for sin
sin is
is the great
the great
truth
truth around which all other truths
all other truths cluster.
cluster. In order
order to
to be rightly
rightly
understood and appreciated,
appreciated, every truth in
every truth in thethe Word of God,
of God,
from Genesis
Genesis to to Revelation,
Revelation, must be be studied
studied in in the
the light
light thatthat
streams
streams from the the cross
cross of Calvary. II present
of Calvary. present before
before youyou the the great,
great,
grand monument of
grand of mercy
mercy and regeneration,
regeneration, salvation
salvation and re- re-
demption,-the
demption, the Son of of God uplifted
uplifted on the cross. This is
the cross. is to
to be thethe
foundation of
foundation of every discourse given
every discourse given byby our
our ministers.
ministers.-GospelGospel
Workers,
Workers, p. p. 315.
315.
The crosscross ofof Calvary
Calvary challenges,
challenges, and will will finally
finally vanquish
vanquish
every earthly
every earthly and hellish power. In the
hellish power. cross all
the cross all influence
influence centers,
centers,
from it
and from it all
all influence
influence goes goes forth.
forth. It
It isis the great center
the great center of of
attraction,-
attraction; for for on it it Christ gave up
Christ gave up His life for the
life for the human race. race.
This sacrifice
sacrifice was offered
offered forfor the purpose of
the purpose restoring man to
of restoring his
to his
original perfection; yea,
original perfection; more. It
yea, more. It was offered
offered to to give
give him an en- en-
tire
tire transformation
transformation of of character, making him more than
character, making than aa con- con-
queror....
queror. . . .
If the cross
If the cross does
does not findfind an influence
influence in in its favor, it
its favor, it creates
creates an
influence. Through generation
influence. Through generation succeeding generation, the
succeeding generation, the truth
for this
for this time
time is revealed as
is revealed truth. Christ
present truth.
as present Christ on the cross was
the cross
the medium whereby
the whereby mercy mercy and truthtruth met together,
together, and rightright-
N QTE.-The italicizing
NOTE, of key
italicizing of expressions throughout
key expressions throughout this
this compilation is to
compilation is to enable
enable
the eye to
the eye to catch
catch at
at a glance the pertinent
glance the pertinent point
point of
of each paragraph.
paragraph.-EDITORS.
EDITORS.
661
661
662
QUESTIONS
eousness
eousness andand peace
peace kissed
kissed each
each other.
other. This
This is is the
the means that
that is
is to
to
move the world.-Manuscript
the world. Manuscript 56, 56, 1899.
1899.
There is one great
is one great central
central truth to be
truth to be kept
kept ever
ever before
before thethe
mind in in the
the searching
searching ofof the Scriptures-Christ
the Scriptures Christ and Him cruci-
cruci-
fied. Every
fied. EvelY other
other truth is invested
truth is with influence
invested with influence and power
power cor-
cor-
responding
responding to to its
its relation
relation to
to this theme. It
this theme. It is
is only in
only in the
the light
light of
of
the cross
the cross that
that we can
can discern
discern the character of
exalted character
the exalted the law of
of the of
God. The soul palsied by
soul palsied by sin can be
sin can be endowed with with life only
life only
through the
through the work
work wrought
wrought out upon upon the
the cross
cross by
by the
the Author of of
our
our salvation.-Manuscript
salvation. Manuscript 31,31, 1890.
1890.
Hanging upon
Hanging upon thethe cross
cross Christ
Christ was was the gospel . ... This is
the gospel. . . . is our
message,
message, our our argument,
argument, our our doctrine,
doctrine, our warning warning to to the
the impeni-
impeni-
tent, our
tent, our encouragement
encouragement for for the sorrowing, the
the sorrowing, hope for
the hope for every
every
believer. If
believer. If we can can awaken an interest interest in in men's
men's minds that that will
will
cause them to
cause to fix their eyes
fix their eyes on Christ,
Christ, we may
may step
step aside,
aside, and ask
ask
them onlyonly toto continue
continue to fix their
to fix their eyes upon the
eyes upon the Lamb of of God.-
God.
Manuscript 49,
Manuscript 49, 1898.
1898.
Gather up
Gather up thethe strongest
strongest affirmative regarding the
statements regarding
affirmative statements the
atonement
atonement made by by Christ for the
Christ for sins of
the sins of the world. Show the
the world. the ne-
ne-
cessity for
cessity this atonement.-Evangelism,
for this atonement. Evangelism, p. p. 187.
187.
The fact that the
fact that the companions
companions of of Christ
Christ in His crucifixion
in His crucifixion were
placed the
placed the one
one on His right right hand and the the other
other on His His left
left is a
is a
significant
significant one;one; HisHis cross
cross isis placed in
placed in the the very
very center
center of of the
the world.
world.
-Manuscript
Manuscript 52, 52, 1897.
1897.
Christ
Christ and Him crucified,crucified, is the message
is the message God would have His His
seroants sound
servants sound through
through the the length
length and breadthbreadth of of the world. The
the world.
law and the
law and gospel will
the gospel will then
then be presented as
be presented as aa perfect
perfect whole.-
whole.
The Review and Herald, Herald, Sept.Sept. 29,29, 1896.
1896.
should aa sermon be
Never should preached, or
be preached, or Bible
Bible instruction
instruction in in
any line be
any line be given,
given, without
without pointing
pointing the the hearers
hearers to to "the
"the Lamb of of
God,
God, which taketh taketh awayaway thethe sinsin of the world,"
of the world." JohnJohn 1:29. Every
1:29. Every
true doctrine makes Christ
true doctrine Christ the the center,
center, every precept receives
every precept receives
force from
force from His words.words.-Testimonies,
Testimonies, vol. vol. 6, p. 54.
6, p. 54.
To remove the the cross
cross from the the Christian
Christian would be be like blot-
like blot-
ting out
ting out thethe sun from the sky. The cross
the sky. cross brings
brings us near to
us near to God,
God,
1'econciling us
reconciling us to Him . ... Without the
to Him. . . . the cross,
cross, man could have no
could have
union withwith the Father. On it
the Father. it depends our
depends our every every hope.
hope.-The The ActsActs
of the
of the Apostles,
Apostles, pp. pp. 209, 210.
209, 210.
study of
The study of the
the incarnation
incarnation of of Christ, His atoning
Christ, His sacrifice,
atoning sacrifice,
and mediatorial
mediatorial work, work, willwill employ
employ the the mind of of thethe diligent
diligent
student as
student as long
long as as time shall
shall last.-Gospel
last.
Gospel Workers,
Workers, p. 251.
p. 251.
THE ATONEMENT 663
Christ
Christ crucified
crucified for for our
our sins,
sins, Christ risen from
Christ risen from the dead, Christ
the dead, Christ
ascended on high,
ascended high, is the
is science of
the science of salvation
salvation thatthat we are are to
to learn
learn
and to teach.-Testimonies,
to teach. Testimonies, vol. 8, p.
vol. 8, p. 287.
287.
No discourse
discourse shouldshould ever ever be presented without
be presented without presenting
presenting
Christ
Christ and Him crucified crucified as as the foundation of
the foundation of the
the gospel.-Ibid.,
gospel. Ibid.,
vol. p. 394.
4, p.
vol. 4, 394.
We must become exponents exponents of the efficacy
of the efficacy of the blood
of the blood of of
Christ,
Christ, by by which our our own sins sins have forgiven.-Ibid.,
been forgiven.
have been Ibid., vol.
vol. 6,6,
p.82.
p. 82.
Science
Science is is too limited
too limited to comprehend the
to comprehend the atonement;
atonement; the the
mysterious
mysterious and wonderful plan
plan of
of redemption
redemption is
is so
so far-reaching
far-reaching
that philosophy
that philosophy can can not explain it;
not explain will ever
it will
it; it remain aa mystery
ever remain mystery
that the
that the most
most profound
profound reasonreason can not not fathom.
fathom. If If it could be
it could ex-
be ex-
plained by
plained by finite
finite wisdom,
wisdom, it it would loselose its
its saoredness
sacredness and dignity.
dignity.
is aa mystery
It is
It mystery that that One equalequal with
with the eternal Father
the eternal Father should
should so so
abase Himself
abase Himself as as to suffer the
to suffer the cruel death of
cruel death of the
the cross
cross to
to ransom
man;
man; and it it is
is a mystery that
a mystery that God so so loved the world
loved the world as as to
to permit
permit
His Son to
His to make this this great
great sacrifice.-The
sacrifice. Signs of
The Signs of the Times,
the Times,
Oct.
Oct. 24,
24, 1906.
1906.
It
It is Satan's studied
is Satan's purpose to
studied purpose keep souls
to keep souls from
from believing
believing in in
Christ
Christ as as their
their onlyonly hope;
hope; for for the
the blood
blood of of Christ
Christ that
that cleanseth
cleanseth
from all
from sin is
all sin efficacious in
is efficacious behalf of
in behalf of those
those only belielle in
only who believe its
in its
rnerit.-Gospel
merit. Workers, p.
Gospel Workers, p. 162.
162.
II. Complete
II. Sacrificial Atonement Made cm
Complete Sacrificial on Cross
Cross
He [Christ] planted
[Christ] planted the
the cross
cross between heaven and earth,
earth, and
the Father
when the Father beheld
beheld the sacrifice of
the sacrifice Son, He bowed before
of His Son, before
it in
it in recognition
recognition of
of its
its perfection.
perfection. "It is enough," He said.
"It is enough/' said. "The
Atonement is is complete."-The
complete." The Review and Herald, Herald, Sept. 24,
Sept. 24,
1901.
1901.
Type met anti
Type type in
antitype the death
in the death ofof Christ,
Christ, the
the Lamb slain for
slain for
the
the sins
sins of the world.
of the world. Our greatgreat High
High Priest has made the
Priest has the only
only
sacrifice that is
sacrifice that is of
of any
any value in salvation. When He offered
our salvation.
in our offered
Himself on the
Himself the cross,
cross, a perfect atonement was made for
a perfect for the sins
the sins
of
of the
the people.
people. We are
are now standing
standing in
in the
the outer court,
court, waiting
waiting
and looking
looking for
for that
that blessed hope, the
blessed hope, the glorious appearing of
glorious appearing of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Jesus Christ.-The
Christ. Signs of
of the Times, June
June
28,1899.
28, 1899.
Our great
great High
High Priest
Priest completed
completed the the sacrificial
offering ofof
Himself when He suffered
Himself without the
suffered without the gate.
gate. Then aa perfect
perfect atone-
atone-
ment waswas made for for the sins of
the sins of the people. Jesus
the people. is our Advocate,
Jesus is Advocate,
our High
our High Priest,
Priest, our Intercessor. present position
Intercessor. Our present position therefore
therefore isis
664
QUESTIONS
like that of
like that of the
the Israelites,
Israelites, standing
standing in the outer
in the outer court,
court, waiting
waiting
and looking
looking for that blessed
for that blessed hope,
hope, the glorious appearing
the glorious appearing of
of our
our
Lord and Saviour
Saviour Jesus
Jesus Christ.-Manuscript
Christ. Manuscript 128,
128, 1897.
1897.
The time
time had
had come for the universe
for the of heaven
universe of heaven to
to accept
accept the}r
their
King. Angels,
King. Angels, cherubim
cherubim and seraphim,
seraphim, would
would now stand
stand in
in view
view
of the
of cross..... The Father
the cross . . . Father accepts
accepts the the Son.
Son. No language
language couldcould
convey
convey the the rejoicing
rejoicing of of heaven or or God's
God's expression
expression of of satisfaction
satisfaction
and delight
delight in in His
His only begotten Son as
only begotten as He saw saw the
the completion
completion
of the
of the atonement.-The
atonement, -The Signs Signs ofof the
the Times,
Times, Aug.Aug. 16,16, 1899.
1899.
The Father
Father demonstrates
demonstrates His His infinite
infinite lovelove forfor Christ,
Christ, who
paid our
paid ransom with
our ransom with HisHis blood,
blood, by by receiving
receiving and welcoming
welcoming
Christ's friends as
Christ's friends as His friends. He is
His friends. is satisfied
satisfied with the atonement
with the
made. He is
made. is glorified by the
glorified by the incarnation,
incarnation, the the li]e,
life, death,
death, and medi-
ation of
ation His Son.-Testimonies,
of His Son. Testimonies, vol. vol. 6, p. 364.
6, p. 364.
The Father
Father gave gave all
all honor to to the
the Son,
Son, seating
seating Him at at His
right hand, far
right hand, far above
above all principalities and power.
all principalities power. He expressed
expressed
His
His great
great joy joy and delight
delight in receiving the
in receiving the Crucified
Crucified One and
crowning
crowning Him with with glory
glory and honor.
honor. And all all the
the favors
favors He has has
shown to to HisHis Son in in His acceptance of
His acceptance the great
of the atonement are
great atonement are
shown to to His people.... God loves
His people. . . . loves them as loves His
as He loves His Son
Son..
.. . . The seal
. . seal of of heaven
heaven has been affixed
has been affixed .to.to Christ's atonement. His
Christ's atonement. His
sacrifice is
sacrifice is inin every
every way satisfactory.-The
way satisfactory. Signs of
of the Times,
Aug. 16,
Aug. 16, 1899.
1899.
The sacrifice
sacrifice of Christ is
of Christ sufficient; He made aa whole,
is sufficient; whole, effica-
effica-
cious offering to
cious offering to God,'
God; thethe human effort effort without
without the the merit
merit of of
Christ,
Christ, is worthless.-The
is worthless. The Review and Herald, Herald, Aug.Aug. 19, 19, 1890
1890
(March
(March 24, 24, 1896).
1896).
As the
the sacrifice
sacrifice in in our behalf
behalf was complete,
complete, so so our restoration
our restoration
from the
from the defilement
defilement of sin is
of sin to be
is to complete.-The
be complete. Ministry of
The Ministry of
Healing, p.
Healing, p. 451.
451.
His death
His death on the cross of
the cross of Calvary
Calvary was the the climax
climax of of His humil-
His humil-
iation.
iation. His His work as as a
a redeemer is is beyond finite conception.
beyond finite conception. Only Only
those who have
those have died
died toto self,
self, whose liveslives are hid with
are hid with Christ
Christ in in
God,
God, can can have
have anyany conception
conception of of thethe completeness
completeness of Of the offering
the offering
made to to save
save the the fallen race.-Letter
fallen race. Letter 196,196, 1901.
1901.
III. Incarrwtion Prerequisite

III. Incarnation Prerequisite to to Atoning
Atoning Sacrifice
Sacrifice
Christ
Christ has has purchased
purchased the world by
the world by making
making aa ransom
ransom for it, by
for it, by
taking
taking human nature. nature. He was not not only
only thethe offering, but He Him-
offering, but Him-
self
self was the the Offerer. clothed His divinity
Offerer. He clothed divinity withwith humanity,
humanity,
voluntarily took
and voluntarily took upon
upon Him human nature, making it
nature, making it pos-
pos-
sible to
sible to offer Himself as
offer Himself as aa ransom.-Manuscript
ransom, Manuscript 92, 92, 1899.
1899.
THE ATONEMENT 665
665
Not one of the angels

of the could have become surety
angels could surety for
for the
the hu-
hu-
race: their
man race: their life
life is
is God's;
God's; theythey could
could not not surrender
surrender it. it. The
angels
angels allall wear the the yoke
yoke of of obedience.
obedience. They They are the appointed
are the appointed
messengers
messengers of of Him who is the commander of
is the of all
all heaven.
heaven. But But
Christ is
Christ is equal with
equal with God,
God, infinite
infinite and omnipotent.
omnipotent. He could
could pay
pay
the ransom for
the freedom. He is
for man's freedom. is the
the eternal,
eternal, self-existing
self-existing Son,
Son,
on whom no yoke yoke had come; come; and when God asked, asked, "Whom shall shall
I send?"
1 send?" He could reply, "Here am I;
could reply, I; send
send me."
me." He could
could pledge
pledge
Himself to
Himself to become man's man's surety;
surety; for for He could
could say that which the
say that the
highest angel
highest angel could
could not not say,
say,-II have power power overover MyMy own life, life,
"power
"power to to lay
lay it
it down,
down, and . . . power
. . . power to to take
take itit again."-The
again." The
Youth's Instructor, June
Youth's Instructor, June 21,21, 1900.
1900.
Man couldcould not atone for
not atone for man. His sinful, fallen
His sinful, fallen condition
condition
constitute him an imperfect
would constitute imperfect offering,
offering, an atoning
atoning sacrifice
sacrifice of of
less value
less than Adam before
value than before hishis fall.
fall. God made man perfect perfect and
upright,
upright, and after his transgression
after his transgression there there could
could be be no sacrifice
sacrifice ac-ac-
ceptable to
ceptable to God for for him,
him, unless
unless the the offering
offering made shouldshould in value
in value
be superior
be superior to to man as as he was in in his
his state
state ofof perfection
perfection and inin-
nocency.
nocency.
The divine
divine Son of of God was the the only sacrifice of
only sacrifice sufficient
of sufficient
value
value to to fully
fully satisfy
satisfy thethe claims
claims of of God's perfect law.
God's perfect law. The angels
angels
were sinless,
were sinless, butbut of of less value than
less value than the the law
law of God. They
of God. They were
amenable to to law.
law. They
They werewere messengers
messengers to to do thethe will
will of
of Christ,
Christ,
before him to
and before to bow. TheyThey were created beings, and probation-
created beings, probation·
ers. Upon Christ
ers. Upon Christ no requirements
requirements were were laid.
laid. He had power power to to
lay down his
lay his life,
life, and to to take
take it it again_
again. No obligation
obligation was was laid
laid
upon him to
upon to undertake
undertake the the work of atonement. It
of atonement. was aa volun-
It was volun-
tary
tary sacrifice
sacrifice that
that hehe made. His life was of
life was of sufficient
sufficient value
value to res-
to res*
cue man from
cue from hishis fallen
fallen condition.-The
condition. Spirit of
The Spirit Prophecy, vol.
of Prophecy, vol.
22 (1877
(1877 ed.), pp. 9,
ed.), pp. 9, 10.
10.
IV. Spotless Christ

IV. Spotless Christ Was Perfect
Perfect Offering
Offering
Christ could
Christ could not
not have
have done this
this work had He not per-
not been per-
sonally spotless.
sonally spotless. Only
Only One who was Himself perfection
was Himself perfection could
could be
be
at once the
at once the sin
sin bearer
bearer and the sin pardoner.
the sin pardoner. He stands
stands before
before
the congregation
the congregation ofof His redeemed as their sin-burdened,
as their sin-burdened, sin-
sin-
stained surety, but
stained surety, but it
it is
is their sins He is
their sins is bearing. All through
bearing. All His
through His
life of
life of humiliation
humiliation and suffering, from the
suffering, from the time
time that born
that He was born
an infant
an infant in Bethlehem till
in Bethlehem till He hung on the
hung the cross of Calvary,
cross of Calvary, and
cried in
cried in aa voice
voice that
that shook
shook the universe, "It
the universe, "It is finished," the
is finished," the
Saviour
Saviour was pure and spotless.
was pure spotless.-Manuscript
Manuscript 165,
165, 1899.
1899.
Christ was
Christ without sin,
was without sin, else His life
else His life in
in human flesh
flesh and His
His
666
QUESTIONS
death
death on the the cross
cross would have have beenbeen of of no more value value in procur-
in procur-
ing grace
ing grace for
for the
the sinner
sinner thanthan the death of
the death of any
any other man_ While
other man.
He took upon Him humanity,
took upon humanity, it it was a a life
life taken into into union
with Deity.
with Deity_ He could
could lay
lay down His His life as priest
life as priest and also victim.
also victim.
possessed in
He possessed Himself power
in Himself power to to Jay
lay it
it down and take
take it up
it
up
again. offered Himself
again. He offered Himself without
without spot spot to to Cod.-Manuscript
God. Manuscript 92, 92,
1899.
1899.
When He uttereduttered the the crycry "It
"It is is finished/'
finished," Christ
Christ knew that that
the battle
the battle was
was won.
won. AsAs aa moral conqueror, He planted
moral conqueror, planted His His ban-
ban-
ner 011
ner the eternal
on the eternal heights.
heights. Was there there not not joy
joy among
among the the angels?
angels?
Not aa son,
son, not
not a daughter of
a daughter Adam, but
of Adam, could now lay
but could hold on
lay hold
the merits
the merits of of the
the spotless
spotless Son of of God,
God, and say, say, Christ
Christ has died died
for me.
for me. He is is my Saviour.-Manuscript
my Saviour. Manuscript Ill, 111, 1897.
1897.
As the
the sinbearer,
sinbearer, and priest priest and representative
representative of of man before
before
Cod, He [Christ]
God, [Christ] entered
entered into into thethe life
life of humanity, bearing
of humanity, bearing our our
flesh blood. The life
flesh and blood. life isis in
in the
the living,
living, vital
vital current
current of blood,
of blood,
which blood
blood waswas given
given forfor the the life
life of world. Christ
the world.
of the Christ made a a
full atonement,
full giving His
atonement, giving His life as aa ransom for
life as us. He was born
for us. born
without aa taint
without taint of sin, but
of sin, but came into into the world in
the world in like
like manner as as
the human family.
the family. He did did notnot have aa mere semblance of of aa body,
body,
but He took
but took human nature,nature, participating
participating in the life
in the life ofof human-
ity. According to the law
ity. According to the
law Christ
Christ Himself
Himself gave, gave, thethe forfeited
forfeited inin-
heritance was
heritance was ransomed by by thethe nearest
nearest of of kin. Jesus Christ
kin. Jesus Christ laid
laid off
off
His royal robe, His kingly
royal robe, crown, and clothed
kingly crown, clothed His divinitydivinity with
with
humanity, in
humanity, in order
order toto become a a substitute
substitute and surety surety for for hu-
hu-
manity, that dying
manity, that dying inin humanity
humanity He might migbt by by His
His death destroy
destroy
him who had the the power
power of death. He could
of death. could not have done this
not have this asas
God,
God, but by coming
by coming as
as man Christ
Christ could
could die.
die. By
By death He
overcame death.
death. The death of of Christ
Christ bore to to the
the death him who
had the
the power
power of of death,
death, and opened opened the gates of
the gates the tomb for
of the for all
all
receive Him as
who receive their personal
as their personal Saviour.-Letter
Saviour. Letter 97,97, 1898.
1898.
v. Guilt
V. Guilt and Punishment Transferred
Transferred to
to Substitute
Substitute
dying upon
In dying cross, He transferred
upon the cross, transferred the guilt from
the guilt from the
the
person of
person Of the
the transgressor
transgressor to
to that
that of
of the divine Substitute,
the divine Substitute, through
through
faith in
faith in Him as his personal
as his Redeemer. The sins
personal Redeemer. sins of
of aa guilty
guilty
world,
world, which inin figure
figure are
are represented
represented as
as "red
"red as were
crimson," were
as crimson/'
imputed
imputed to the divine
to the divine Surety.-Manuscript
Surety. 84a, 1897.
Manuscript 84a, 1897.
The holy
holy Son ofof God has sins or
has no sins griefs of
or griefs of His
His own to
to bear:
bear:
He was bearing
bearing the griefs of
the griefs of others; on Him was
for on
others; for was laid
laid the
the
iniquity of us all.
iniquity of all. Through divine
Through divine sympathy connects Himself
sympathy He connects Himself
man, and as
with man, as the representative of
the representative of the
the race submits to
race He submits be
to be
THE ATONEMENT 667
667
treated
treated as as aa transgressor.
transgressor. He looks into the
looks into the abyss
abyss ofof woe opened
opened for for
us
us byby our sins,sins, and proposes
proposes to bridge the
to bridge the gulf
gulf ofof man's separa-
separa-
tion from God.-Bible
tion from God. Bible Echo and and Signs
Signs ofof the
the Times, Aug. 1,
Times, Aug. 1, 1892.
1892.
He waswa~ overwhelmed with with horror
horror at the fearful
at the fearful work thatthat sin
sin
wrought. His
had wrought. Hzs bunlell
burden of of guilt,
guilt, because
because of man's transgression
of man's transgression
of
of the Father's law,
the Father's law, waswas so
so great
great that
that human nature nature was inade-inade-
quate
quate to bear it.
to bear it. The sufferings of
sufferings of martyrs
martyrs can bear no compari-
can bear compari-
with the
son with the agony
agony of of Christ. divine presence
Christ. The divine presence was with them
in their sufferings;
in their sufferings; but but the Father's face
the Father's face waswas hidden
hidden from
from His
dear Son.-Ibid.
Son. Ibid.
In the Garden of
In the Gethsemane, Christ
of Gethsemane, suffered in
Christ suffered in man's
man's stead,
stead,
and the the human nature nature of the Son of
of the of God staggered
staggered under the the
terrible horror of
terrible horror of the
the guilt of sin
guilt of sin.....
. . .
power that
The power inflicted retributive
that inflicted justice upon
retributive justice upon man's sub- sub-
stitute and surety,
stitute surety, waswas the
the power
power that sustained and upheld
that sustained upheld the the
suffering
suffering One under the tremendous weight
the tremendous weight of wrath that
of wrath that would
have fallen
have upon aa sinful
fallen upon world. Christ
sinful world. Christ was was suffering
suffering the death
the death
that was pronounced
that pronounced upon upon the transgressors of
the transgressors of God's
God's law.-Man-
law. Man-
uscript 35,
uscript 35, 1895.
1895.
sustained the
What sustained the Son of of God in in His betrayal
betrayal and trial?
trial? He
saw of the travail
of the travail of His soul
of His soul and was satisfied. caught aa view
satisfied. He caught view
of the
of the expanse
expanse of of eternity
eternity and saw saw thethe hap'piness
happiness of of those
those who
through
through His His humiliation should receive
humiliation should pardon and everlasting
receive pardon everlasting
life. He was
life. was wounded for for their
their transgressions, bruised for
transgressions, bruised their
for their
iniquities.
iniquities. The chastisement
chastisement of of their peace was
their peace was upon
upon Him,
Him, and
with His stripes
with stripes they
they were
were healed.
healed. His ear caught the
ear caught the shout
shout of the
of the
redeemed. He heard
redeemed. heard the ransomed ones
the ransomed ones singing
singing the song of
the song of Moses
and the Lamb.-Testimonies,
the Lamb. Testimonies, vol. vol. 8, pp. 43,
8, pp. 43, 44.
44.
VI. Christ
VI. Christ Sacrificial Offering
Both Sacrificial Officiating Priest
Offering and Officiating Priest
The infinite
infinite sufficiency
sufficiency of
of Christ is demonstrated by
Christ is by His bear-
bear-
ing the
ing sins of
the sins of the occupies the
world. He occupies
the whole world. the double
double position
position
of offerer
of offerer and of of offering, of priest
offering, of priest and of victim. He was
of victim. was holy,
holy,
harmless, undeiiled,
harmless, undefiled, and separate
separate from
from sinners.
sinners. "The prince
prince of
of
this world cometh,"
this cometh," He declares,
declares, "and fincleth nothing in
findeth nothing in Me."
He was aa Lamb without blemish, without spot.-Letter
blemish, and without spot. Letter 192,
192,
1906.
1906,
the high
As the high priest laid aside
priest laid aside his
his gorgeous
gorgeous pontifical
pontifical robes,
robes, and
officiated in
officiated in the
the white linen dress of
linen dress of a priest, so
a common priest, so Christ
Christ
emptied Himself, and took
emptied Himself, took the
the form of of aa servant,
servant, and offered
offered the
the
sacrifice, Himself the
sacrifice, Himself priest, Himself
the priest, Himself thethe victim.
victim.-The Southern
The Southern
Watchman,
Watchman, Aug. Aug. 6,
6, 1903.
1903.
668 QUESTIONS
VII.
VII. The Cross
Cross Central in the
Central in the Atonement
The cross
cross must occupy
occupy the the central because it
place because
central place it is the
is the
means of of man's atonement and and because
because of of the
the influence
influence It it exerts
exerts
on every part of
every part the divine
of the government.-Testimonies,
divine government. Testimonies, vol. vol. 6, p.
6, p.
236.
236.
The atonement of of Christ
Christ is not aa mere skillful
is not way to
skillful way to have our
sins pardoned; it
sins pardoned; it is
is a divine remedy
a divine remedy for for the
the cure
cure ofof transgression
transgression
and the restoration of
the restoration of spiritual health. It
spiritual health. It is
is the heaven-ordained
the heaven-ordained
means by by which thethe righteousness
righteousness of Christ may
of Christ may be be not
not only
only uponupon
us, but in
us, in our
our hearts
hearts and characters.
characters.-Letter 406, 1906.
Letter 406, 1906.
Without shedding
shedding of blood there
of blood there is remission for
Is no remission sin. He
for sin.
suffer the
must suffer the agony
agony of of aa public
public death
death on the the cross, that witness
cross, that witness
of it
of might be
it might be borne
borne without
without the the shadow of of aa doubt.-Manuscript
doubt. Manuscript
101,1897.
101, 1897.
Adam listened
listened toto the
the words
words of of the
the tempter,
tempter, and yielding
yielding to to his
his
insinuations,
insinuations, fellfell into sin. Why
into sin. Why was not not the
the death penalty at
death penalty at once
once
enforced in
enforced in his
his case?-Because
case? Because a a ransom was was found.
found. God's
God's only only
begotten Son volunteered
begotten volunteered to to take the sin
take the sin ofof man upon upon Himself,
Himself,
and to to make an atonement for for the
the fallen race. There could
fallen race. could havehave
pardon for
been no pardon for sin
sin had thisthis atonement not been made.
not been made. Had
pardoned Adam's sin
God pardoned sin without
without an an atonement,
atonement, sin sin would have
been immortalized,
immortalized, and would have have been
been perpetuated
perpetuated with with a a
boldness that
boldness that would have have been withoutwithout restraint.
restraint.-The The Review
Herald, April
and Herald, 23, 1901.
April 23, 1901.
In the
the councils
councils of heaven the
of heaven the cross was ordained
cross was ordained as as the
the means
of
of atonement_
atonement. This was to
This was to bebe God's
God's means of of winning
winning men to to
Him. Christ
Christ came to to this earth to
this earth to show that that inin humanity
humanity He
could keep
keep the
the holy
holy law of of God.-Manuscript
God. Manuscript 165, 165, 1899.
1899.
Christ gave Himself
Christ gave Himself an atoning sacrifice for
atoning sacrifice for the savin£{ of
the saving of aa lost
lost
world.-Testimonies,
world. Testimonies, vol. vol. 8,
8, p.
p.
208.
208.
VIII. Atoning
VIII. Atoning Provisions
Provisions All Mankind
Embrace All
Christ's
Christ's atonement includes
includes the whole human family.
the whole family. No
one, high or
one, high or low,
low, rich
rich or
or poor, free or
poor, free bond, has
or bond, has been left out of
left out of
the plan
the plan of
of redemption.-Letter
redemption. Letter 106, 106, 1900.
1900.
Christ suffered without
Christ suffered without the gates of
the gates Jerusalem, for
of Jerusalem, for Calvary
Calvary was
outside the
the city
city walls.
walls. This was
was to
to show that died, not
that He died, for the
not for the
Hebrews alone,
alone, but for all
but for all mankind. proclaims to
mankind. He proclaims to aa fallen
fallen
that He is
world that is their
their Redeemer,
Redeemer, and urges urges them toto accept the
accept the
salvation He offers.-The
salvation offers. The Watchman,
Watchman, Sept. 4, 1906.
Sept. 4, 1906.
the high
As the high priest
priest sprinkled the warm blood
sprinkled the blood upon
upon thethe mercy-
mercy-
seat
seat while the fragrant
while the fragrant cloud of incense
cloud of incense ascended before God,
ascended before God, so,
so,
THE ATONEMENT 669
669
while confess our

while we confess our sins
sins and plead
plead the the efficacy
efficacy ofof Christ's
Christ's aton-
aton-
ing blood, our prayers
ing blood, prayers are to ascend
are to ascend to heaven, fragrant
to heaven, fragrant withwith the
the
merits
merits of of our
our Saviour's
Saviour's character. Notwithstanding our
character. Notwithstanding our unworthi-
unworthi-
ness,
ness, we areare toto remember that that there
there is is One who can can take
take away
away sin,
sin,
and who is is willing
willing and anxiousanxious to to save the sinner.
save the sinner. With His own
blood He paid
blood paid the penalty for
the penalty for all wrong·doers.-The
all wrong-doers. The Review and
Herald,
Hera Id, Sept.
Sept. 29,
29, 1896.
1896.
Jesus refused [after
Jesus refused the resurrection]
[after the resurrection] to to receive
receive thethe homage
homage
of His
of His people
people untiluntil He had the assurance that
the assurance that His sacrifice
sacrifice was
accepted by
accepted by the Father. He ascended to
the Father. the heavenly
to the heavenly courts,
courts, and
from God Himself Himself heard heard thethe assurance
assurance that that His atonement for for
the sins
the sins of
of men had been been ample,
ample., that through His
that through His blood
blood all might
all might
gain eternal life.-The

gain eternal life. Desire of
The Desire Ages, p.
of Ages, 790.
p. 790.
The sins
sins of the people
of the were transferred
people were transferred in in figure
figure toto the
the officiat-
officiat-
ing priest,
ing priest, who was aa mediatormediator for the people.
for the people. The priest priest could
could
not himself
not himself become an offering offering [orfor sin,
sin, and make an an atonement
with his
with his life,
life, for he was also
for he also aa sinner. Therefore, instead
sinner. Therefore, instead of of suffer-
suffer-
ing
ing death himself,
himself, he he killed
killed aa lamb without blemish; the
without blemish; the penalty
penalty
of sin
of was transferred
sin was transferred to to the
the innocent
innocent beast,beast, which
which thus
thus became
his substitute, and typified
his immediate substitute, typified the the perfect
perfect offering
offering of of
Jesus Christ. Through
Jesus Christ. Through the the blood
blood of this victim,
of this victim, man looked for-
looked for-
ward by by faith
faith to to the
the blood of of Christ
Christ which would atone atone forfor the sins
the sins
of the
of the world.-The
world. Signs of
The Signs of the
the Times,
Times, March 14, 14, 1878.
1878.
IX. Manifold Results of

Manifold Results the Atonement
of the
The atonement of Christ
of Christ sealed
sealed forever the
forever the everlasting cove-
everlasting cove-
nant of
nant of grace.
grace. It was the
It was the fulfilling
fulfilling of
of every
every condition
condition upon
upon which
God suspended
suspended the the free
free communication of of grace
grace toto the
the human
family. Every
family. Every barrier
barrier was then then broken down which intercepted intercepted
the freest
the freest fulness
fulness of the exercise
of the exercise of grace, mercy,
of grace, mercy, peace
peace and love
love
to the
to the most
most guilty
guilty of
of Adam's race.-Manuscript
race. Manuscript 92, 92, 1899.
1899.
In our behalf
behalf He died on the the cross
cross ofof Calvary.
Calvary. He has has paid
paid the
the
price. Justice
price. Justice is satisfied. Those who believe
is satisfied. believe inin Christ, those who
Christ, those
realize that they
realize that they are
are sinners,
sinners, and thatthat as sinners they
as sinners they must
must confess
confess
their sins,
their will receive
sins, will pardon full
receive pardon full and free.
free.-Letter 52, 1906.
Letter 52, 1906.
By transgression
By transgression man was severedsevered fromfrom God, the communion
God, the
between
between them was broken, broken, butbut Jesus
Jesus Christ
Christ died uponupon the cross
the cross
of
of Calvary, bearing in
Calvary, bearing in His body
body the sins of
the sins of the
the whole
whole world;
world; and
the gulf
the gulf between heaven and earth earth was bTirlged by
ivas bridged by that cross.
that cross.
Christ leads
Christ leads men to to the
the gulf,
gulf, and points
points toto the
the bridge
bridge by which it
by which it
is spanned, saying, "If

is spanned, saying, "If any
any man willwill come after me, let
after me, let him deny
deny
himself, and take
himself, take upup his
his cross
cross daily,
daily, and follow
follow rne,"
me." God gives
gives
670
S*
us aa probation
us probation in
in which
which may prove
we may prove whether or
or not
not we will
will be
be
loyal to
loyal to Him.-Manuscript
Him. 21, 1895.
Manuscript 21, 1895.
atoning sacrifice
The atoning sacrifice seen
seen through
through faith
faith brings
brings peace
peace and
comfort and
comfort hope to
and hope to the
the trembling
trembling soul
soul weighed
weighed down beneath
beneath
the sense
the sense of
of guilt.
guilt. The law
law of
of God is
is the
the detector
detector of
of sin,
sin, and as
as the
the
sinner is
sinner is drawn to to the
the dying
dying Christ,
Christ, he sees
sees the
the grievous
grievous character
character
of sin,
of sin, and
and repents
repents and
and lays
lays hold
hold on
on the
the remedy,
remedy, the
the Lamb of of God,
God,
taketh away
who taketh away thethe sin
sin ofof the
the world.
world.-The The Review and Herald, Herald,
Sept. 2,
Sept. 2, 1890.
1890.
Thus, through
Thus, through the the crucifixion
crucifixion of of Christ,
Christ, human beings beings areare rec-
rec-
onciled to
onciled to God.
God. Christ
Christ adopts
adopts the the outcasts,
outcasts, and they they become His
special care,
special care, members of of the
the family
family ofof God,
God, because
because they they have ac- ac-
cepted His
cepted His Son as as their
their Saviour.
Saviour. To them is is given
given power
power to to be-
be-
come the the sons
sons ofof God, heirs of
God, heirs of God and joint joint heirs
heirs with Christ.
Christ.
They gain
They gain an an intelligent knowledge of
intelligent knowledge of what ChristChrist is is to
to them and
of the
of the blessings
blessings they
they may
may receive
receive as as members of of the
the Lord's
Lord's family.
family.
And in in HisHis infinite
infinite condescension
condescension God is is pleased
pleased to to stand
stand to to them
in the
in the relation
relation of of Father.
Father.-Letter 255, 1904.
Letter 255, 1904.
The worldworld doesdoes not
not acknowledge
acknowledge that, that, at at an infinite
infinite cost,
cost,
Christ
Christ has purchased the
has purchased the human race. race. They
They do not not acknowledge
acknowledge
that
that byby creation
creation and by redemption He holds
by redemption holds aa just just claim
claim to to
every human being.
every being. But as as the
the Redeemer of the fallen
of the race, He
fallen race,
has been
has been given
given thethe deed of of possession,
possession, which entitles Him to
which entitles to claim
claim
them as as His property.
property.-Letter
Letter 136,136, 1902.
1902.
Christ pledged
Christ pledged Himself
Himself to to become his substitute and surety,
his substitute surety,
giving
giving man a a second
second trial.
trial. When man transgressed
transgressed even the the small-
small-
est
est precept
precept of Jehovah, it
of Jehovah, it was disobedience just the
just the same as as
though
though the the test
test were larger.
larger. But how is the grace,
is the grace, mercy,
mercy, and love love
provided! The divinity
provided! divinity of Christ undertook to
of Christ to bear the the sins
sins of
of the
the
transgressor. This ransom is
transgressor. is on solid
solid ground;
ground; this this pledged
pledged peacepeace
is for the
is for the heart
heart that
that receives
receives Jesus
Jesus Christ.
Christ. And in receiving Him
in receiving
by faith we are
by faith are blessed
blessed with all all spiritual
spiritual blessings
blessings in in heavenly
heavenly
places in
places in Christ.-Manuscript
Christ. Manuscript 1I4, 114, 1897.
1897.
Christ
Christ received
received His death wound, wound, which was the the trophy
trophy of of His
His
victory, and the
victory, the victory
victory ofof all
all who believe
believe in in Him. These wounds
annihilated
annihilated the the power
power of of Satan over every every loyal,
loyal, believing
believing sub- sub-
ject in
ject in Jesus Christ. By
Jesus Christ. By the
the suffering
suffering and death of of Christ,
Christ, human
intelligences,
intelligences, fallenfallen because of of the
the sin
sin of
of Adam,
Adam, are are through
through theirtheir
acceptance
acceptance of of Christ
Christ and faithfaith in in Him,
Him, elevated
elevated to to become heirs heirs
of
of immortality
immortality and an eternal eternal weight
weight of of glory.
glory. The gates gates ofof the
the
heavenly
heavenly Paradise
Paradise are are thrown open open to to thethe inhabitants
inhabitants of of this
this
THE ATONEMENT 671
671
fallen world.
fallen world. Through
Through faith faith inIn the righteousness of
the righteousness Christ, rebels
of Christ, rebels
against the
against the law
law of
of God may may laylay hold
hold upon
upon thethe Infinite,
Infinite, and bebe-
partakers at
come partakers of everlasting
everlasting life.-Letter
life. Letter 103,
103, 1894.
1894.
"And 1, if I
I, if be lifted
I be lifted up,up, will
will draw all unto me.
all men unto me. This
This hehe
said,
said, signifying
signifying what death
death he
he should
should die."
die." This
This is
is the
the crisis
crisis of
of the
the
world. If
world. If I I become the propitiation for
the propitiation the world,
for the world, it will be
it will be
lighted
lighted up.up. The defaced
defaced image
image of
of God would be
be reproduced
reproduced and
restored, and aa family
restored, family of of believing saints will
believing saints will finally
finally inhabit
inhabit the the
heavenly
heavenly home. This is
is the
the result
result of
of the
the crucifixion
crucifixion of
of Christ
Christ and
the restoration of
the restoration of the
the world.-Manuscript
world. Manuscript 33, 33, 1897.
1897.
Our ransom has has been
been paid
paid by by our Saviour.
Saviour. No one need be
enslaved
enslaved by by Satan.
Satan. Christ stands before
Christ stands before us us as
as our divine
divine example,
example,
our all
our all powerful Helper. We have
powerful Helper. have beenbeen bought
bought with
with aa price
price that
that
it is impossible
it is impossible to to compute.
compute. Who can can measure the the goodness
goodness and
mercy of
mercy redeeming love?-Manuscript
of redeeming love? Manuscript 76, 76, 1903.
1903.
God testified
testified to to the
the great
great work of atonement in
of atonement in reconciling
reconciling
the world to
the to Himself,
Himself, by giving Christ's
by giving followers aa true
Christ's followers true under-
under-
standing
standing of of thethe kingdom
kingdom which He was was establishing
establishing upon upon the the
earth, the
earth, foundation of
the foundation of which His own hand had laid. laid.
Father gave
The Father gave all
all honor to His Son,
to His seating Him at
Son, seating at His right
right
hand, far
hand, far above
above all all principalities
principalities and power. power. He expressed
expressed His His
great joy and delight
great joy delight in in receiving
receiving the Crucified One,
the Crucified One, and crown-
crown-
ing
ing Him with with glory
glory and honor.
honor. And all all the favors He has
the favors has shown
to His Son in
to in His acceptance
acceptance of o

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SeveHtlt-doll AdvcHtists Answer

III. QUESTIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF ELLEN C.

V. QUESTIONS SUNDAY, AND THE MARK

VII. QUESTIONS ON CHRIST AND His

This book came into

enth-day Adventist Church organization

would havehave His children

no sm; that we might

Thus the the gospel

main in the grave

ond, with reference

ment of various lines

What doctrines Seventh-day Adventists

I. In Common With Conservative

ing was only

Jesus Christ, the

Seventh-day Adventists base

II. Biblical Basis for in Deity

4. ASCRIPTION TO CHRIST OF OFFICES

PROPHETIC SPECIFICATIONS AS FULFILLED IN JESUS

While thethe first

which deals with the

1. Denial ofof faith

vine re-creative power

never entered into

The Historic Basis for

No matter how right you are,

Inspired Word and the

In both His natures,

personal Saviour. Though

yet He "knew no sin"

What aa wonderful Saviour is Jesus

Seventh-day Adventists believe

His life is lived

The Historicity of the

Besides the testimony

That Pilate made

The populace must

and many bodies

It has been charged

The One unnamed in Daniel 10:5,

arch egos, derived

31); and "the

5); was one of

which was once delivered unto the

hav~ been consistent

would not have the perfection charac-

What thesethese carping critics dared

Do Seventh-day Adventists regard

were never a part part of

Seventh-day Adventists regard

Adventists hold the

God, and then

Can one who holds

-There is, and can be,

The literal rendering of

none thatthat doeth good, good, no,no, notnot one"

God" has has "no

sured that "our

commandments of of God. He cannot

vation touches human hearts.

The Seventh-day Adventist position

The tenten commandments spoken spoken by by God from