The Heart of the 1888 Message

[Guest]

You're quite welcome. I believe you will put it to good use.

[Twilight]

Yes God still desires to do great things for and through His people. But we need no longer speculate as to how He will accomplish this wonderful through those who forsake their own way and accept His way:

"Jesus looked forward to the time when the Holy Spirit, His representative, would come to do a wonderful work in and through His merits and He felt privileged to communicate His relief to His disciples." T.M.402.

This was written for us upon whom the ends of the ages are come. Will we listen this time? Hearken unto Me My people! Hearken unto the voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life: "They bear the word of the Lord: There is salvation for you but only through the merits of Jesus Christ. the Holy Spirit (Christ's relief) has been offered to you again and again." T.M.97.

sky

From the 1888messagestudy@yahoogroups.com

The Return of the Fourth Angel ----

The Significance of 1888 ----

Seventh-day Adventists have long recognized that God desired to do great things for and through them.

After the disappointment of 1844,a small group of about fifty souls restudied the prophecies and began to share the truths that had been revealed to them. They dared to believe they had a message, that somehow, the entire world must hear. On the masthead of The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald was to be found a picture of a globe with the words, "The Field is the World" upon a banner circling the globe.

Today, God still wants to do great things for and with His people; far greater than we have ever dreamed of, or have attempted. Sadly, many of us do nothing but wait and hope because we fail to recognize God's purpose for us and fail to fully recognize the significance of the time in which we live...

Clayton

I have heard you mention this 4th Angel before Sky.

Would you care to give me an introductory explanation?

Keep it simple?

Mark

[Ted Oplinger]

I have heard you mention this 4th Angel before Sky.

Would you care to give me an introductory explanation?

Keep it simple?

Not to but in, but the 4th Angel of reference here is found in Revelation 18:1,2.

Standard SDA end-times perspective is that this angel is a message adding volume and power to the messages listed under the 3 angels referred to in Revelation 14:6-12.

Simple enough?

Ted

[Twilight]

Originally Posted By: Twilight

I have heard you mention this 4th Angel before Sky.

Would you care to give me an introductory explanation?

Keep it simple?

Not to but in, but the 4th Angel of reference here is found in Revelation 18:1,2.

Standard SDA end-times perspective is that this angel is a message adding volume and power to the messages listed under the 3 angels referred to in Revelation 14:6-12.

Simple enough?

Ted

Maybe a little more technical Ted?

Mark :-)

[Lutz13]

Wow, so this is the message that will prepare a people for the time of trouble. I am currently reading this e-book found on one of the links Just provided. E-book What is 1888

Wow is all I can say. I am very excited right now!!!

I truly wish I would have found out what the big deal was about 1888 earlier.

[Twilight]

Wow, so this is the message that will prepare a people for the time of trouble. I am currently reading this e-book found on one of the links Just provided. E-book What is 1888

Wow is all I can say. I am very excited right now!!!

I truly wish I would have found out what the big deal was about 1888 earlier.

I had a quick scan of that book Lutz, so please bare that in mind when I comment.

I could not find one mention of the words merit or merits in that document.

If that is the case, then it has probably missed the heart of the 1888 message.

Justification by faith is really important for us to understand.

But "faith" in what exactly?

This is the big question.

The answer is simple yet so many cannot see it.

It is faith in Christ's Merits.

That seems to be one of the most confusing sentances in the world for us, let me ask you a question (this is because I want to share something I have learned):

What does this mean?

"Faith in the Merits of Christ?"

Mark

[mickbaker]

When i first started preaching about the Sanctuary, I was preaching that man would get "good enough" to be able to enter the Holiest room, and stand before the Father to be judged.

As I was preaching, God came to me in thought and told me "you are preaching error". I was so shaken I couldn't finish the sermon. I literally went to mumbling and sat down.

Man can only fail by his effort to reach God's level of perfection. But by the merits of Christ, I claim his perfection and then stand as white as snow before the judgment throne. It is not my efforts or accomplishments that I present on that day, but His alone, mine are in the dust.

[Lutz13]

I had a quick scan of that book Lutz, so please bare that in mind when I comment.

I could not find one mention of the words merit or merits in that document.

If that is the case, then it has probably missed the heart of the 1888 message.

[mickbaker]

So what could I do? No good merit can accomplish my perfection for that is works. No bad merit could prevent me as long as I claim His merits, not mine. I am caught betwixt the two. I can by failing to choose, remain on the fence.

The Holy Spirit is the fence slayer, moving me to choose, and to take the stand. As i choose Righteousness (CHrist's inspiration in my life) I act as He acts. The world sees that, but that is irrelevant. I choose again, and it becomes habit. Satan sees that and attacks. I choose again and it becomes character, which I take to Heaven.

Which part got me saved? That is not the question.

I was a fence sitter, lukewarm and confused. Now I serve with expectation of a full life in Christ...

[Twilight]

Originally Posted By: Twilight

I had a quick scan of that book Lutz, so please bare that in mind when I comment.

I could not find one mention of the words merit or merits in that document.

If that is the case, then it has probably missed the heart of the 1888 message.

"The purpose of this little booklet is not to feed you but to

make you hungry."

It has done just that. Keep in mind it doesn't go into huge amounts of detail. Just enough to have me search our more. Which is where my excitement comes from.

Originally Posted By: Twilight

It is faith in Christ's Merits.

That seems to be one of the most confusing sentances in the world for us, let me ask you a question (this is because I want to share something I have learned):

What does this mean?

"Faith in the Merits of Christ?"

I have not thought about it much. I am going to make a quick guess and say it means: Having faith in the work that Christ does in us. Much like "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them"(Ezekiel 36:27) Which will cause us to say "I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."(Psalms 40:8)

It is good the Lord is waking you up to this Lutz, it is true gospel freedom. :-)

Faith in the Merits of Christ is "faith in what Christ has done and what He is doing".

It is Faith that His "works" are presented to the Father on "your" behalf.

That "you" are then accepted by our Father as if you were "Jesus Christ" Himself...

------------------------------------

If you have not already, have a read of the little booklet by Sky called "What must I do to be saved?" on this link:

http://www.hidden-treasures.ca/eng.html

It is the only resource I know of that teaches the fundamental essence of the 1888 message.

Faith in Christs Merits.

-------------------------------------

I would also point out though, that I had to pray to the Father for several days before this message could be grasped.

I thought I understood it but did not.

Once the Lord graced me with understanding, I was awestruck...

Please pray the Lord will give you understanding.

We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to grasp this truth, it is not one that is gained easily.

Mark :-)

[Twilight]

So what could I do? No good merit can accomplish my perfection for that is works. No bad merit could prevent me as long as I claim His merits, not mine. I am caught betwixt the two. I can by failing to choose, remain on the fence.

The Holy Spirit is the fence slayer, moving me to choose, and to take the stand. As i choose Righteousness (CHrist's inspiration in my life) I act as He acts. The world sees that, but that is irrelevant. I choose again, and it becomes habit. Satan sees that and attacks. I choose again and it becomes character, which I take to Heaven.

Which part got me saved? That is not the question.

I was a fence sitter, lukewarm and confused. Now I serve with expectation of a full life in Christ...

I understand it like this Mick:

The Merits of Christ is the phonewire that allows my communication with God to ascend and His Grace to descend into my heart...

It is the very basis of my connection and receipt of all His gifts.

Your thoughts?

Mark

[mickbaker]

Skip a few steps then Laver: submission to be washed. Now go inside as a priest.

Light on the left, Food on the right, I seek forgiveness and head straight ahead to the incense. There he presents Himself in my behalf before the Father. Daily I do this, daily I am restored, renewed, empowered.

Last day is easy, the day of reckoning. MY habit is to enter that room where I am fed, have light and am forgiven. My "tendency of character" is this same, despite my occasional failings.

I am presented on the Last day, but have nothing to say for myself. (Joshua in Zech.) I am defended because of His merits, not my own.

It sounds easy to be saved!

[mickbaker]

"Stand before an awesome God without an intercessor"

Never.

"Stand before a Judge without a mediator"

After the judgment is passed, I don't need a lawyer anymore. I just have a friend. Not worried about that day, it happens after my case is past.

[Guest]

I am reading the booklet: "What Must I Do to be Saved" but I didn't know sky wrote it. Is this true sky?

[mickbaker]

Problem with Adventism is all the focus on the last day. Take away the anxiety by correct theology about what happens, no more angst. Our goal is not to play before the symphony perfectly, but to enjoy the daily practice of sitting with the violin making sweet melody...

I really enjoy Jesus. I expect to do so for a long time. I want to have Him as my best friend forever.

[Twilight]

Skip a few steps then Laver: submission to be washed. Now go inside as a priest.

Light on the left, Food on the right, I seek forgiveness and head straight ahead to the incense. There he presents Himself in my behalf before the Father. Daily I do this, daily I am restored, renewed, empowered.

Last day is easy, the day of reckoning. MY habit is to enter that room where I am fed, have light and am forgiven. My "tendency of character" is this same, despite my occasional failings.

I am presented on the Last day, but have nothing to say for myself. (Joshua in Zech.) I am defended because of His merits, not my own.

It sounds easy to be saved!

Mine is slightly different...

Am nailed to the cross in Christ.

Then taken down into the water, raised the other side.

Step out.

Clothed in the robe and crowned.

Enter the temple/citadel of God.

Pass through the guards (angels).

Taken into the sanctuary.

Received into the Fathers presence.

:-)

[Twilight]

I am reading the booklet: "What Must I Do to be Saved" but I didn't know sky wrote it. Is this true sky?

It is our very own Sky Richard.

It has been mentioned on numerous occassions, on this and many other boards, you must have missed it. :-)

Mark

[mickbaker]

Heavenly Sanctuary is as real as the apple I eat for breakfast. We all need to be more concrete about my philosophy. Its past wishy washy time, now we need to act.

[Guest]

I agree

[mickbaker]

oops, not my philosophy, that is worthless. Our own beliefs. I am sounding like a gong or cymbal...

[Guest]

I knew what you meant.

[mickbaker]

Blessings to all today...

[skyblue888]

Wow, so this is the message that will prepare a people for the time of trouble. I am currently reading this e-book found on one of the links Just provided. E-book What is 1888

Wow is all I can say. I am very excited right now!!!

I truly wish I would have found out what the big deal was about 1888 earlier.

Lutz, I am very familiar with the writings of the 1888 study committee. A lot of good and interesting things they have written about 1888 and yet they have missed out on the very heart of that message which they themselves have said was still illusive to them. I even wrote a book especially for them and I entitled it LETTER TO THE 1888 MESSAGE STUDY COMMITTEE and it can be read from my website at www.hidden-treasures.ca

This little booklet (including the first one What Must I Do To Be Saved?) shows how the committee itself admits not knowing what the heart of the message was. They said that it was still illusive, more illusive than any in the history of past ages! Of course they know that it was a message about "righteousness by faith" but they failed to see that it had everything to do with appropriating to ourselves the merits of Christ by claiming them first before His righeousness can be brought into our life. This Mrs. White repeated many many times but somehow this is the precious truth that has continued to elude them and to elude many of us.

It was on January of 1999 after more than 20 years of searching for this most precious message that the Lord finally opened my understanding as to its simplicity. If you will read the first two booklets from my website you will see how plain and clear the Testimonies are on this Bible truth which is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.

"The merits of Christ blot out transgressions and clothe us with the robe of righteousness woven in the loom of Heaven." Evangelism, p.186.

In the book Testimonies to Ministers, p.92, where Mrs. White discusses this very message, she says that the people were invited to receive the righteousness of Christ which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. They were invited to look to Jesus, to His divine Person and to trust in His merits. Then His righteousness would be brought into their life and it would accomplish everything. It would take care of all the requirements of the law. That is why, in another place she said, "Man's part is to lay hold by faith of the merits of Christ, and co-operate with the divine agencies in forming a righteous character." F.E.430.

Appropriating the merits of Christ to ourselves is our lifebusiness! See T.M.92,93,97.

We must daily appropriate the merits of Christ by claiming them before our sins may be forgiven and before we are clothed with the glistening vesture of Christ's righteousness which accomplishes everything. See F.W.65,66,27.

sky

[skyblue888]

Originally Posted By: mickbaker

So what could I do? No good merit can accomplish my perfection for that is works. No bad merit could prevent me as long as I claim His merits, not mine. I am caught betwixt the two. I can by failing to choose, remain on the fence.

The Holy Spirit is the fence slayer, moving me to choose, and to take the stand. As i choose Righteousness (CHrist's inspiration in my life) I act as He acts. The world sees that, but that is irrelevant. I choose again, and it becomes habit. Satan sees that and attacks. I choose again and it becomes character, which I take to Heaven.

Which part got me saved? That is not the question.

I was a fence sitter, lukewarm and confused. Now I serve with expectation of a full life in Christ...

I understand it like this Mick:

The Merits of Christ is the phonewire that allows my communication with God to ascend and His Grace to descend into my heart...

It is the very basis of my connection and receipt of all His gifts.

Your thoughts?

Mark

Very well stated Mark. You are right in saying that the merits of Christ are the "very basis" for our connection with God and to receive all His gifts. They are our blessed assurance, our only hope. Besides our great need, they are our only plea.

Thus it is written, "The merits of a crucified and risen Saviour are the foundation of the Christian's faith." The Great Controversy, p.73.

Heaven is a ceaseless approaching unto God through the merits of Christ. This is how the grace of the Holy Spirit is offered to us, again and again.

"God will accept everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Savoiur. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an abiding, peaceful trust." 1 S.M.354.

"Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Testimonies, Vol.5, p.744.

This message was said to be just as simple as ABC and yet we don't understand it. See F.W.64.

It is high time we understood it. It is high time for the people of God to receive it, to believe it, and to act upon it!

sky

Regarding the rejection of this most precious message in the era of 1888 and the years that followed, Mrs. White wrote this warning to the leaders and ministers of the church: "How long will you hate and despise the messengers of God's righteousess? God has given them His message. They bear the Word of the Lord: There is salvation for you but only through the merits of Jesus Christ. The grace of the Holy Spirit has been offered to you again and again." T.M.96,97.

[skyblue888]

I am reading the booklet: "What Must I Do to be Saved" but I didn't know sky wrote it. Is this true sky?

Yes Richard, it is true.

Hope you enjoy the booklets and if you have any question I will be more than happy to help you if I can. God bless!

sky