Letter to the 1888 Message Study Committee

[skyblue888]

I just thought of making this letter I sent to the 1888 Message Study Committee available to this forum so it may be read and discussed.

Thank you.

Letter to the 1888 Message Study Committee

Preface

Dear members of the 1888 Message Study Committee,

More than two years ago, I mailed you a little booklet entitled, What Must I Do to be Saved? (re-Examining the 1888 Message) The book was a result of many years of research and efforts in the hope to unravel the 1888 message, "a special testimony, a special message of truth appropriate for this time, which message is to be received, believed, and acted upon." Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p.984.

It is written that when it is received, believed, and acted upon, that the light of the glory of God--His character--will shine forth in His followers:

"The revelation of His own glory in the form of humanity will bring Heaven so near to men that the beauty adorning the inner temple will be seen in every soul in whom the Saviour dwells. Men will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ. The indwelling of the Spirit will be shown by the out-flowing of heavenly love. The divine fullness will flow through the consecrated human agent to be given forth to others. And in currents of praise and thanksgiving from the many souls thus won to God, glory will flow back to the great Giver." Christ’s Object Lessons, pp.420,419; Isaiah 60:1-5; Rev.18:1; 2 Thess.2:14; John 17:22.

I, like you, have spent many years in search of this special message of truth. I am humbly asking you to take a close look at the content of this letter.

I have also sent a copy of it to brother Lloyd and to thank him for the January copy of The 1888 Glad Tidings. My eyes got big when I read: D.K. Short, In Memoriam! Please accept my condolences. Though I have never met you in person, I have spoken to you at least once over the phone and corresponded with you several times.

sky

[ClubV12]

Who wrote this letter Sky (yourself I assume)? Is this the "letter" they are supposed to pay special attention to or does it refer to a different letter or booklet they are supposed to pay special attention to?

[skyblue888]

The letter is in the form of a small booklet.

Yes, I did write it, of course.

sky

[ClubV12]

Oh, OK, of course! Well I don't know if you head a committee or group or have a lawyer (wait, no way Sky would have a lawyer) or what.

Anyway, is this "1888 Message Study Committee" still meeting? Have you received a response from them? How long ago was the booklet sent?

...just trying to get some background info on the subject.

HOLD ON!!! I remember your post about that letter, I downloaded it as a PDF. It was sent out a couple of years ago. Oh, THAT booklet!

[skyblue888]

As far as I know, this committee is still meeting. The letter was sent to them a few years ago and I received replies from both Wieland and Short and from another member of the committee.

sky

[skyblue888]

Introduction

I will never forget (while taking theology, about 26 years ago, 33 now) when my brother-in-law introduced me to Wieland and Short's two books, The 1888 MESSAGE and The 1888 MESSAGE RE-EXAMINED. These two books were to dramatically change the course of my life. In Homiletics'class, in which I was to preach my first sermon ever, I spoke based on the title of a chapter to the effect that it is easier to be saved than to be lost! You can imagine the reaction in the classroom! Nevertheless, my mind became engrossed with the subject of 1888 until one day I read these words:

"Many even in the world today are trying to discover the light which God revealed to His people in 1888. No one has so far been successful. Religious thinkers are yearning for something no one clearly understands, though it would seem that a few are on the verge of discovery." 1950 Edition of Wieland & Shhort's The 1888 Message Re-Examined, p.242,243.

It is impossible to describe the impression these words made upon my mind especially in the light of the fact that if that message had been received, believed, and acted upon, the mission of the Gospel would have been finished and Jesus would have returned and also we must keep in mind the fact that inspiration had declared the message to be as simple as receiving the alphabet:

"The matter of salvation is just as simple as ABC. But we don't understand it." Faith and Works, p.64; Manuscript 1, 1889.

In 1990, my brother-in-law, again, called my attention to Wieland and Short's 1987 newly revised edition of their book, THE 1888 MESSAGE RE-EXAMINED. I was extremely interested in this book. With great anticipation, I began searching through its pages to see if the authors, after all these years, had finally put the finger on it. To my utter amazement my eyes caught these words:

"It would seem that 1888 presents a problem unique in the long history of God's confrontation with His people. There is a truth involved therein that seems more elusive than any in the history of past ages." 1987 Revised Edition, p.184.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

"It would seem that 1888 presents a problem unique in the long history of God's confrontation with His people. There is a truth involved therein that seems more elusive than any in the history of past ages." 1987 Revised Edition, p.184.

Needless to say, this last statement made an even greater impression upon my mind but only to intensify my determination to sink the shaft deeper into the mine of truth with the hope of unravelling the "elusive" message, keeping in mind that here were two Bible scholars who had spent many years trying to decipher it and yet seemed to have come up empty handed!

Like them, I found myself searching and longing for a message that was apparently more elusive than any in the history of past ages! So I kept on searching. I also read any new book released by them. It would take a few more years before the veil was finally removed from the eyes of my understanding!

We are now in 2011, 123 years later! Whatever happened to the light that was to illuminate the whole earth with its glory? Shortly after 1888, the Lord sent this testimony:

"There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare." Review and Herald, Sept.3, 1889.

to be continued

[ClubV12]

Sky, I can't recall where it was I downloaded your "booklet" as a PDF. You might consider posting a link to it. I still have the PDF myself, but others may also want to view it in it's entirety.

[skyblue888]

THE MESSAGE REJECTED, WHY?

Before we go any further, I believe it would be good to review some of the reasons as to why the message was resisted and why it has remained so elusive to many of us. When in September 1889 the Lord told us that there was not one in one hundred who understood this message for himself, He also told us why:

"When light begins to shine forth to make clear the plan of redemption to the people, the enemy works with all diligence that the light may be shut away from the hearts of men." Review and Herald, Sept.3, 1889; 1 S.M.360.

How did the enemy manage to shut away the light that was to make clear the plan of redemption? "An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions lays at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord's message through Brethren E.J. Waggoner and A.T. Jones." Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.234.

And "If this attitude is preserved, then when the Lord shall again let His light shine upon the people, they will turn from the heavenly illumination." Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.143.

To be continued

[ClubV12]

"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel’s message in verity."--1SM 372 (1890).

It amazes me that THIS IS the third angels message, and yet, we as a church, are still struggling to figure it out. The third angels message, the most distinct, powerful and last message to be given to planet earth, and we don't fully understand it! I barely understand it, new revelations of it's beauty continue to unfold as the message is studied.

[skyblue888]

"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel’s message in verity."--1SM 372 (1890).

It amazes me that THIS IS the third angels message, and yet, we as a church, are still struggling to figure it out. The third angels message, the most distinct, powerful and last message to be given to planet earth, and we don't fully understand it! I barely understand it, new revelations of it's beauty continue to unfold as the message is studied.

Club, we know that the message was about justification by faith. Wieland & Short knew this from the time they began searching for that message and so did I. It is not enough to know that the message was about justification by faith. What we need to know is what was it about that message that Mrs. White could say that it was the most precious message ever sent to God's professed people and that it was just as simple as ABC.

sky

[ClubV12]

I didn't know until recently that it was also the third angels message. When I mentioned this in church it seems NO ONE knew it was. The most fundamental message we have to deliver to the world, and we don't understand it? Thats mind boggling...

[skyblue888]

"Satan is working with all his hellish power to quench that light which should burn brightly in the soul and shine forth in good works. He is working against this all the time. Satan will work to quench the light God has for every soul, by casting his shadow across the pathway to intercept every ray of heavenly light. He knows that his time is short." Manuscript 140, 1901.

He is working against this message all the time and "With all possible deception Satan will manifest his power, calling to his aid all the fallen angels of his realm" (The Great Controversy, p.398) to intercept the heavenly illumination. This is what He did in the days of Christ, in the days of the Reformation, in 1844, and between 1888 and 1901. He was so successful in his efforts to intercept the heaven-sent light that in 1901 the Lord sent this testimony:

"We may have to remain here in this world because of our insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel." Evangelism, p.696.

We are now 110 years later. We have been wandering in this wilderness of sin and sorrow ever since. Our only hope is in accepting the light of truth which is just as simple as ABC, the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare:

"The only remedy is belief in the truth, acceptance of the light." Testimonies to Ministers, p.91.

To be continued

[skyblue888]

I didn't know until recently that it was also the third angels message. When I mentioned this in church it seems NO ONE knew it was. The most fundamental message we have to deliver to the world, and we don't understand it? Thats mind boggling...

Ha okay. The same thing happened to me some thirty years ago when that statement was brought to my attention. I was also surprised to hear that that message "justification by faith," was the third angel's message "in verity".

We don't understand it for at least two reasons. 1. Preconceived opinions and 2. Satan is determined to intercept that light.

sky

[skyblue888]

From Australia Mrs. White said, "We have been in the time of the latter rain since the Minneapolis meeting." 1893 General Conference Bulletin, p.377.

Mrs. White was shown something very interesting about the speaking of the law at Sinai:

"She saw that the angels, ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, surrounded the people of God as they assembled around the mountain, and all above them, thus making a great living tabernacle from which every evil angel was excluded; that not one word that was to come from the voice of Jesus should be altered in any mind, or one suggestion of doubt, or evil, to a soul, be made." Ibid, p.377.

To this brother Jones said, "This is what we want here. What we want right here is for each one to just put up his own prayer himself, for himself, to the Lord to cover us with such a canopy as that at this Institute, that when the words of the Lord are read, not one word shall be altered in any mind from just what God speaks, and that not one suggestion of doubt or evil shall come to a single soul; but that we, each one may receive just what the Lord says in his own way, as He says it, and as He means it."

Then further from brother Starr in Australia:

"In a late testimony to an individual here, Sister White was forbidden to send it to him in writing, but to read it personally; for the reason that evil angels are at work substituting words for those that are written. Other words are pronounced in his ears and he gets a meaning just opposite from that designed of God." Ibid, p.377.

"Well," said brother Jones, "If that man needs that, is he the only one in the world that needs it? If Satan is working that way, is he going to confine himself to Avondale? Then don't you and I need to have our ears anointed as well as our eyes, that we may hear? And does not that word of Jesus, ' Take heed how you hear," come to us?" Ibid,377.

To be continued

[skyblue888]

In Clear, Distinct Lines

Before we read the statements from Mrs. White presenting to us the 1888 message "in clear, distinct lines," each one should put up his own prayer himself for the Lord to cover him with such a canopy of angels as surrounded the people of God at Sinai. And let us not forget this solemn warning: "That light which is to fill the whole earth with its glory has been despised by some who claim to believe the present truth. Be careful how you treat it. Take off the shoes from off your feet; for you are on holy ground." Testimonies to Ministers, p.89.

Here, in a nutshell, is that Message, just what the Lord meant it to be understood:

"Unless he makes it his life business to behold the uplifted Saviour, and by faith to accept the merits which it is his privilege to claim, the sinner can no more be saved than Peter could walk upon the water unless he kept his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus." Ibid, p.93.

In other words, "The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour: which appropriates His merits to ourselves." The Desire of Ages, p.347.

So what does it mean to accept Christ as a personal Saviour? It means to appropriate His merits to ourselves. And how do we appropriate His merits to ourselves? by claiming them. It is our privilege to claim them and this is called "living faith" and it is the faith that pleases God as it works by love to purify the soul.

"Living faith is essential for our salvation, that we should lay hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour." Faith and Works, p.64.

"God will accept everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an abiding, peaceful trust." Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.354.

"A living faith means an increase of vigour, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power." Desire of Ages, p.347.

"You want to be like little children, hanging upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Then you will be fortified. How? The angels of God will be around you like a wall of fire; the righteousness of Christ, which you claim, goes before you and the glory of the Lord is your rearward." E.G. White, Ms, 9, 1891.

This is the 1888 message of righteousness by faith and it is just as simple as ABC:

"The sinner must ever look toward Calvary, and with the simple faith of a little child, he must rest in the merits of Christ, accepting His righteousness and believing in His mercy." Evangelism, p.185.

This is how faith is counted for righteousness! This is the very heart of the message which the enemy is fighting against all the time.

"Who can measure the infinity of the sacrifice?" Faith and Works, p.24. "God Himself has bowed in acceptance of the sacrifice." Ibid, p.72. "God bowed His head satisfied." Bible Commentary, Vo.5, p.1150.

Are not the merits of Christ's sacrifice, then, sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf, to receive the blessings of the covenant of grace?

Yes indeed!

"The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." Steps to Christ, p.36.

"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.

To be continued

[skyblue888]

It is court week with us and we must present our case before God pleading the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour:

"Present your case before God pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross." Faith and Works, p.106.

This is our work. "Man's work is to lay hold by faith of the merits of Christ." F.C.E.430. This is the "true light" and it is "pregnant with eternal results." Grest Controversy,74; Testimonies to Ministers, p.397.

We are to dwell upon Christ and the merits of His shed blood, the merits of the blood that is of value beyond estimate. And as we daily apply to the merits of Christ's infinite sacrifice, the Father clothes us with the priceless gift of Christ's righteousness which is "made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." Testimonies to Ministers, p.92.

"This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure." Ibid, p.92,93.

In the book, Faith and Works, bottom of page 65, we are told that this is the faith that brings the righteousness of Christ into the life:

"'I want,' says one, 'to reason out this matter.' Well, reason it out if you can, 'The wind bloweth where it listeth,' and you hear the sound thereof, but you cannot explain it. And no more can you explain the things of God upon the heart. You cannot explain this faith that lays right hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour to bring Christ's righteousness into your life. Cothed with the righteousness of Christ and not your own righteousness, you will not depend upon what you can do or what you will do," for "Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything."

"How many believe the truths you have heard today? Do you want to go a few months before you will acknowledge there is light in it? Do you want to stop to reason it all out? You will die before that time." Faith & Works, p.65,27,76.

To be continued

[skyblue888]

The Only Remedy

"Faith is the condition upon which God has seen fit to promise pardon to sinners. Not that there is any virtue in faith whereby salvation is merited but because faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin." Faith and Works, pp.100,101.

So you see how simple the 1888 Message is? Faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin! This is the thing that is essential to our present and eternal welfare!

"Justice demanded the sufferings of man; but Christ rendered the sufferings of a God; He needed no atonement of suffering for Himself; all His sufferings were for us; all His merits and holiness were open to fallen man, presented as a gift." E.G. White, Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p.913.

"Only the merits and righteousness of Christ will be recognized. But this is placed in our account in rich fullness. We may draw upon God every moment. God has pledged Himself to open before us all the riches of His grace." Our Father Cares, p.149.

"If men would open the windows of the soul heavenward in appreciation of the divine gifts, a flood of healing virtue would pour in." Ministry of Healing, p.116.

"As we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ's merits, fragrance is given to our intercessions. As we approach God through the virtue of the Redeemer's merits, Christ places us close by His side, encircling us with His human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He puts His merits as sweet incense in the censor in our hands in order to encourage our petitions." Our Father Cares, p.120.

"Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness; this the sinner owes to the law but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ." Faith and Works, p.101.

Could the Lord have made the matter of salvation more simple and clear? As we recognize our great need, we can bring to God the merits of His Son and the Father accepts us, forgives us, justifies us, and transforms us into His own image. The merits of Christ are placed upon us and God loves us as He loves His Son! And we may go on from grace to grace and from light to a greater light! See Faith and Works, p.101

So we see that "The only remedy is belief in the truth, acceptance of the light." Testimonies to Ministers, p.91.

"Believe it because it is the truth, because God says it, and lay hold upon the meritorious blood of a crucified and risen Saviour." Faith and Works, p.76.

So then, What is faith? Faith is the hand by which the soul lays right hold upon the means of salvation: the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour! It is that simple, just as simple as ABC. Now and ever, we are to come to God just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent, trusting wholly in the merits of the blood shed for us upon Calvary's cross to receive the blessings of pardon and peace and joy in the Holy spirit, the power to live a life in harmony with God’s will as it is expressed in the precepts of His holy law.

If we believe from the heart that the merits of Christ's sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf, in order to receive these unmerited blessings, our faith is accounted righteousness and God receives us to Himself:

"We see in the midst of the throne One bearing in hands and feet and side the marks of the suffering endured to reconcile man to God. We see a Father, infinite, dwelling in light unapproachable, yet receiving us to Himself through the merits of His Son. The cloud of vengeance that threatened only misery and despair, in the light reflected from the cross reveals the writing of God: Live, sinner, live! ye penitent, believing souls, live! I have paid a ransom." Acts of the Apostles, p.333; Ps.133:3. *emphasis mine.

We have something to do: Now and ever we are to present our helpless case before God pleading the merits of the slain Lamb of God that we may be clothed with the glistening vesture of Christ's righteousness. Then the law is taken care of because His righteousness fills up the measure of the law's requirements.

"Let the law take care of itself. We have been at work on the law until we get as dry as the hills of Gilboah, without dew or rain. Let us trust in the merits of Jesus Christ of Nazareth." 1888 E.G.White Materials, Vol.2, p.557.

To be continued

[skyblue888]

I believe this is the message Mrs. White said was the interest that should prevail, the subject that should swallow up every other!

sky

[skyblue888]

Our Only Plea

This is our only plea: "Lord, I have no merit or goodness whereby I may claim salvation, but I present before you the all-sufficient merits of the all-atoning blood of the spotless Lamb of God. This is my only plea."

i believe this prayer of faith can stir the universe in our behalf!

"Man's work is to lay hold by faith of the merits of Christ." Fundamentals of Christian Education, p.430.

Then Christ's righteousness is brought into our life and it accomplishes everything for "It is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." Testimonies to Ministers, p.92.

"Oh be so full of the message that it is like fire shut up in your bones, that you cannot hold your peace. It is true, men will say, 'You are too excited; you are making too much of this matter, and you do not think enough of the law; now, you are to think more of the law; don't be all the time reaching for this righteousness of Christ, but build up the law.' LET THE LAW TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. We have been at work on the law until we get as dry as the hills of Gilboah, without dew or rain. LET US TRUST IN THE MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH. May God help us that our eyes may be anointed with eyesalve that we may see." E.G. White, 1888 Materials, Vol.2, p.557. *emphasis mine

"We need the heavenly eyesalve that we may discern with astonishment the utter worthlessness of creature merit to earn the wages of eternal life." Faith and Works, p..23.

Calvin prayed, "Lord, we had devised for ourselves many useless follies, but You have placed Your word before me like a torch, and you have touched my heart in order that I may hold in abomination all other merits save those of Jesus." The Great Controversy, p.221.

Notice how he said, "You have placed Your word before me like a torch" and then says, "You have touched my heart in order that I may hold in abomination all other merits save those of Jesus." And then compare with this: "How long will you hate and despise the messengers of God's righteousness? 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.97.

Thus we read, "Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits, we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." 5 T 744.

sky

[skyblue888]

The Promised Revival

"Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive faith and godliness as has not been seen since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children." The Great Controversy, p.464.

To those who learn to daily appropriate to themselves the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, the Holy Spirit is given to fill up the measure of the law's requirements. The Holy Spirit brings Christ's righteousness (love) into the heart and it is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Rom.5:5; 13:10.

Thus the law will be restored to its rightful position in the hearts of men and women and children:

"It is only as the law is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness." The Great Controversy, p.478.

This revival of primitive faith and godliness will be the time when the Holy Spirit will do a wonderful work in and through the merits of Christ:

"Jesus looked forward to the time when the Holy Spirit, as His representative, should come to do a wonderful work in and through His merits." Testimonies to Ministers, p.402.

Tio be continued

[skyblue888]

"In His divine arrangement, through His unmerited favour, the Lord has ordained that good works shall be rewarded. But we are accepted through Christ's merits alone; and the acts of mercy, the deeds of love, which we perform, are the fruits of faith; and they become a blessing to us; for men are to be rewarded according to their works. But it is the fragrance of the merit of Christ that makes our good works acceptable to God, and it is grace that enables us to do the works for which He rewards us. These works, in and of themselves, have no merit. When we have done all that it is possible for us to do, we are to count ourselves as unprofitable servants. (Luke 17:10) We deserve no thanks from God. We have only done what it was our duty to do, and our works could not have been performed in the strength of our own sinful natures." E.G. White, Review and Herald, Jan.29,1895.

"If you would gather together everything that is good and holy and noble and lovely in man and then present the subject to the angels of God as acting a part in the salvation of the human soul or in merit, the proposition would be rejected as treason." E.G. White, Faith and Works, 24.

So even the good works that the grace of the Holy Spirit will have enabled us to do will not act a part in the salvation of the soul or in merit. Good works shall be rewarded but the redeemed shall walk through the everlasting gates solely on account of the all-sufficient merits of a crucified and risen Saviour.

sky

[skyblue888]

Blessed Assurance

In January of 1999, twenty-four years after I had become a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church, while I was re-reading the book Patriarchs and Prophets, my eyes caught these words:

"We can do nothing of ourselves. In all our helpless unworthiness we must trust in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. None will ever perish while they do this." p.203.

None will ever perish while they do what? Trust in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour! I was amazed as I realized for the first time in my life how simple the matter of salvation was. I kept on reading and again on page 432 of the same book, the same precious truth appeared before me in these words:

"If we are conscious of our needs, we should not devote all our powers to mourning over them. While we realize our helpless condition without Christ, we are not to yield to discouragement, but rely upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Look and live. Jesus has pledged His word. He will save all who come unto Him. Though millions who need to be healed will reject His offered mercy, not one who trusts in His merits will be left to perish."

Not one who trusts in His merits will be left to perish! Blessed assurance! God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever, now and ever, casts himself wholly upon His merits, will not perish but receive the Holy Spirit and “The Holy Spirit, received into the heart by faith (in the merits of Christ), is the beginning of the life eternal.” Desire of Ages, p.388.

The continual application of the merits of the blood of Christ is essential: “We shall come in repentance and contrition, with a despairing sense of our own finite weakness, and learn that we must daily apply to the merits of the blood of Christ thst we may become vessels fit for the Master's use." Faith and Works, p.86.

"By faith take hold of the merits of Christ, and the soul-cleansing blood will be applied." Faith and Works, p.96.

"You cannot save yourself from the tempter's power, but he trembles and flees when the merits of that precious blood are urged." Testimonies, Vol.5, p.317.

"The blood of Christ, in an ever-abiding efficacy is our only hope, for through His merits alone we have pardon and peace." Our Father Cares, p.143.

When the Lord impressed this most precious truth upon my mind I was totally oblivious of the fact that He was opening before my very eyes the very heart and essence of the 1888 message that I had been searching for so many years. I felt like I was drinking at a fountain untouched. I was never to forget these words:

"And when the Holy Spirit shall come into your hearts, to impress the truth into your souls, you will not let it go easily." Faith and Works, p.56.

sky

[skyblue888]

Press Right To The Light

"We need to have an individual experience. We need to be converted as did the Jews. If you see a little light, you are not to stand back and say, 'I will wait until my brethren have seen it.' If you do, you will go on in darkness. God help us have a knowledge of the truth, and if you have seen the truth of God, press right to the light and put up the bars behind you." Faith and Works, pp.77,78.

"The only remedy is belief in the truth, acceptance of the light." Testimonies to Ministers, p.91.

It seemed as though every time I would open a book from Mrs. White I would come across a statement concerning the merits of Christ. I began memorizing all these statements, one by one, until the chambers of my mind were filled with the precious light.

I felt impressed to write a little booklet. I titled it, What Must I Do To Be Saved? Re-Examining the 1888 Message. I wasted no time mailing it to brothers Wieland and Short. I was very anxious for them to read it and to get some feedback from them. It didn't take too long before I received a personal note from them. Brother Wieland said that he was very pleased with the book and wished for it to have wide circulation. Brother Short added that there was a lot of "meat" in that booklet for our people. I also felt impressed with sending a copy to every member of the 1888 Committee. Brother Wieland graciously provided me with their mailing addresses.

to be continued

[skyblue888]

The Only Faith That Will Benefit Us

The Bible declares that there is one faith. (Eph.4:5) It is the faith that works by love (Eph.5:6) as it lays right hold upon the merits of the blood that is of value beyond estimate because it was the life of God in His Son that was for us poured out upon Calvary's cross. (2 Cor.5:19) This is the faith that brings Christ’s righteousness (love) into the life: (Rom.3:25;5:5)

"God will accept everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an abiding, peaceful trust." Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.354.

"Righteousness is love and love is the light and the life of God." Mount of Blessing, p.18.

"The gold tried in the fire is faith that works by love. Only this can bring us into harmony with God. We may be active, we may do much work; but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of Heaven." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.158; Galatians 5:6.

Is this not, then, the 1888 message (Laodicean message) "in clear, distinct lines?"

"The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour: which appropriates His merits to ourselves." Desire of Ages, 347.

As we appropriate to ourselves the merits of Jesus Christ, by claiming them, (T.M.93) His righteousness (love) is brought into the life and "His righteousness accomplishes everything." Faith and Works, p.27; T.M.92. "Righteousness is love and love is the light and the life of God” "And the life of God in the soul is man's only hope." Mount of Blessing, p.18; Ministry of Healing, p.115.

And "The love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part--the brain, the heart, the nerves--it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul a joy that nothing earthly can destroy, joy in the Holy Spirit, health-giving, life-giving joy." Ministry of Healing, p.115.

The merits of Christ are the recurring theme of the 1888 message:

"Let the law take care of itself. We have been at work on the law till we get as dry as the hills of Gilboah, without dew or rain. Let us trust in the merits of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. May God help us that our eyes may be anointed with eyesalve that we may see." E.G. White, 1888 Materials, Vol.2, p.557.

To be continued