What in the World
The Progressive Nature of the Kingdom
Chapter five
“first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear” Mk.4:28.
Aug 25
Introduction
The Bible teaches that God always intended that his Kingdom would develop and grow. We have the illustration of God finding an abandoned newborn infant. And God taking the helpless, child said:
“Yes, I said to you while you were there in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you (Israel) multiply like plants [which grow] in the field, and you grew up and became tall and you reached the age for [weaning] Eze.16:6, 7. Amplified Bible.
And under God’s loving care the child becomes an example to the world. Initially God was pleased with the result - “Then your fame went out among the nations on account of yo’ur beauty, for it was perfect because of My majesty and splendor which I bestowed on you,” says the Lord God” Eze. 16:14. Amplified Bible
God strategically placed his creation where it would receive the maximum attention “Thus saith the Lord God; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her” (Eze. 5:5). God wanted the nations to witness how he was going to develop and prosper Israel, so that they would be drawn to his people and want to become a part of Israel - God intended Israel to be the salt of the earth and a light upon a hill.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Isa. 60: 1-7
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord‘s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Isa. 2:1-3.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. Jer. 3:17…. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. Jer. 3:17; 33: 7-9.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. Zech. 2:10,11. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. Zech. 8:20-23.
But before Israel could be the holy nation of priests to evangelise the world God needed to soften the hearts and turn the necks of his people- the Kingdom needed an upgrade, so God gave the people a probationary period of 490 years - to finish transgression, bring in everlasting righteousness and to anoint the Messiah when he came.
“Seventy weeks [of years, or 490 years] have been decreed for your people and for your holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make atonement (reconciliation) for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness (right-standing with God), to seal up vision and prophecy and prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. So you are to know and understand that from the issuance of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until [the coming of] the Messiah (the Anointed One), the Prince… Dan. 9:24-27.Amplified Bible.
Progression in the New Testament
When the Jewish nation failed to accomplish what God intended the Kingdom to be, The Progressive Nature of the Kingdom, continued as Spiritual Israel: And Jesus spoke often about the progression of the Kingdom.
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Mk. 4:26-29.
Jesus repeated the same principle in his very next parable whereby the Kingdom starts as the smallest of all the seeds, but then it grows into a great plant, big enough to shelter all:
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. Mk. 4:30-32.
Jesus has told us that his Kingdom is not of this world, but that it is a spiritual Kingdom and it resides in the hearts of his people:
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Lu. 17:20, 21.
If the Kingdom is in us, then it naturally follows that if God wants to develop and grow the Kingdom, then this would require development and growth in the spiritual life ofhis people. We can discover development and growth in almost everything that Jesus said, For example, in the parables of the talents and the pounds, Jesus gives gifts and resources to his people and then he expects his people to ‘increase’ what he has given them. (see Matt. 25: 14-30;Lu. 19:12- 26) In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds the people how things were spoken of and how things were done in the past. But his mission was to declare that, this old standard of morality was no longer acceptable and that he was calling for a higher standard of morality (see Matt. ch 5 & 6).
God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. The living God has given in His holy law a transcript of His character. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known is Jesus Christ; and what is the standard He has given for all who believe in Him?—“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. As God is perfect in His high sphere of action, so man may be perfect in his human sphere… The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. There is opened before us a path of continual advancement. We have an object to reach, a standard to gain, which includes everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual striving and constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character. Ellen White, Our High Calling, p. 31, 32.
Development and growth can also be found in the epistles of the Apostles, Paul tells us that our knowledge needs an upgrade:
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. Heb. 5:10-6:1-3.And apter wrotea, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”1Pwt. 2.2.
Jesus said that the Kingdom. Is like grain growing in the field, the seed planted is perfect, then it sprouts, and it grows, - and it is”known not how” - but it is clearly a process, from one stage of development to another- at each stage of deveopment the plant is perfect - but the full potential is not reached until the harvest - When a baby is born, we do not expect it to act like an adult. But we do expect the baby to go through a process of growth and devlopment until it reaches its full potential as an adult - and so it is is with the Christian life.
The Christian Doctrine of Perfection
Paul writes of “going on to perfection’ and Jesus exhorted His audience on the Mount to “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:40). Many Christians abhor the whole concept of perfection and yet it is one of the most beautiful doctrines found in the Bible and not something to be afraid of. If we deny Christian perfection then we deny the power of God, and we deny that Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus said that the Kingdom. Is like grain growing in the field, the seed planted is perfect, then it sprouts, the sprouts are perfect, at every stage of its development it is perfect and so it is with the Christian life, when we are ‘born again’ – ‘the old man of sin’ dies and we begin a new life:
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Rom. 6:3-7.
The Word of God is the seed that brings life. Jesus said,” It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”(Jn. 6:63). When the Word is sown in the heart, the person begins a journey toward perfection:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Eph. 11-14.
Every seed brings forth fruit after its kind. Sow the seed under right conditions, and it will develop its own life in the plant. Receive into the soul by faith the incorruptible seed of the word, and it will bring forth a character and a life after the similitude of the character and the life of God. Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons p. 38.
This is the goal of the Kingdom, and the Mystery of God - to restore the image of God in mankind, This is not a time of anxiety, the spiritual growth takes place by the power of God, and continues until the harvest - during the growing time we are all perfect, we only fail if we stop growing:
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. Ibid. p. 65.
The continual advancement of the Kingdom, ends when the wheat growing in the field reaches maturity. with the harvest .” when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”
Paul proclaimed the same message about perfection. Writing to the Philippians’ he admitted that he had not attained to it,
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Phil. 3:12-15.
Paul writes that he has not as yet attained to perfection, but he also writes that he strives after it. Then he writes, if people have the same attitude as he has, then they are reckoned as being perfect – Sanctification is the work of a lifetime – we do not expect newborns to be adults within days – God does not demand newborn Christian’s to be perfect immediately either – but he does expect us to grow, because, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6) and because we are “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).
The finishing of our faith takes place during the preaching of the ‘Three angel’s messages’ (see Rev. 14:6.11). When The Three Angel’s Messages are completed the preaching produces a people, “that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12) and they are “without fault before the throne of God” (Rev. 14:6).This is a picture of the Kingdom come to maturity- and after the 144,000, appear it is harvest time:
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the aearth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Rev.14:13-16).
A Solemn Message Ignored
In 1858, Spiritual Gifts vol. 1, was published in which Ellen White wrote “The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs” - In other words, every Adventist’s personal salvation depends on this ‘solemn testimony’ hearing it and obeying it. Since this message is so vital it must be well known within Adventist circles and a prominent part of any preachers plan, and Sabbath School discussion. However, this is not the case at all – this Solemn Message is known about, but it is largely ignored. So, what is the solemn Message? If we include the missing first sentence in the quote above, it becomes clear what the Message is:
I saw that the testimony of the true Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it, will obey it, and be purified. Ellen White, Spiritual Gifts vol.1, p.185.
THE FAITHFUL and TRUE WITNESS is JESUS CHRIST And the solemn Message is his message to the Laodicean Church. In the message to the Laodicean Church there are two destinys presented – stay in the Laodicean condition and be spued out of the Lord’s mouth, or alternatively, accept the counsel of the FAITHFUL andTRUE WITNESS andpurchase the White robes, the gold tried in the fire, and the eye salve, and open the door of our hearts and invite HIM in - and be saved - rhese two choices are ours to make.
The reason why God’s people ignore this Solemn Testimony, is because they have been lulled into a false sense of assurance by the preaching of the Relationship Gospel. The Relationship Gospel teaches that ‘’If you know Jesus you already have the Robe of Righteousness, you already have faith enough, and you already have the Holy Spirit” – you have nothing to worry about – your salvation is assured.”
Conclusion.
Revelation chapter 6, finishes with a question, the context is the second Coming of Christ and the question is, at that time “who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:17). The answer is not the Laodiceans, the answer is those who are sealed – the Philadelphians, upon whom Jesus has written the Father’s name(see Rev. 3:12) – also known as the 144,000 - “having his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).
‘Tis a thrilling thought, that we are now in the time of the end; that prophetic time is closed; but the idea that the 144 000 are now getting ready, that Christ is now almost through with the priestly office; that the seven last plagues are just impending; that Satan is now tempting mankind in new and novel ways, thus fulfilling Scripture, and filling up the measure of iniquity; these are thoughts that take possession of the mind. These times, these truths, now proclaimed, the signs now taking place, the quick succession of great events, and fulfillments of prophecy, seen by the eye of faith and compared with God’s word, are indeed startling. Ellen White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Jan. 7, 1858.
MY BRETHREN AND SISTERS: We have reached an important point of time, wherein we must overcome or be overcome, and that shortly. It is now more than two years since the faithful and true Witness warned us of our lukewarmness, and great danger of being spued out of his mouth, unless we zealously repented. The promise is, if we do repent we shall have the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment and the eye-salve, and the rich supper with Jesus, and finally sit down with him on his throne, as he has overcome and set down with his Father on his throne. Some may be led to think that their lot is harder than the hardest, therefore they cannot overcome. We find in testimony No. 3, these words: “We can overcome, yes, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we may overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with him.” Brethren and sisters, do we believe this? that if we are faithful to confess and forsake our sins, we can completely and entirely overcome everything that is wrong, and finally the wicked one himself, and be as free and happy as though we had never sinned? Do we all believe this? O may the Lord help us to believe, and take hold anew, and never give over until we overcome, and be of the 144 000, and with the Lamb stand on the Mount Zion, and have the Father’s name written in our foreheads. Revelation 14:1. Ellen White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Dec. 30, 1858.
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1Thess. 4:3). Jesus said he only knows those who do the will of God (see Matt. 7:23- The Mystery of God is almost finished – the opportunities for Sanctification are almost over when it is finished God will have a perfect Church:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish… This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Eph. 5:25-27, 32.
The Laodiceans have a false sense of assurance. On the Day of the Lord, they are perplexed they think their relationship with the Lord is built upon service, so they complain “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matt. 7:22). They were hoping to hear the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt.25:21). Instead, they hear the words “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23). Service for Jesus is Biblical, but it needs to come from a converted and sanctified heart - It is the converted and sanctified heart that saves us. No amount of ‘wonderful works’ will save us - it is the ffruit of a converted and sanctified life that Jesus is looking for.
When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69.
Introduction
The Bible teaches that God always intended that his Kingdom would develop and grow. We have the illustration of God finding an abandoned newborn infant. And God taking the helpless, child said:
“Yes, I said to you while you were there in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you (Israel) multiply like plants [which grow] in the field, and you grew up and became tall and you reached the age for [weaning] Eze.16:6, 7. Amplified Bible.
And under God’s loving care the child becomes an example to the world. Initially God was pleased with the result - “Then your fame went out among the nations on account of yo’ur beauty, for it was perfect because of My majesty and splendor which I bestowed on you,” says the Lord God” Eze. 16:14. Amplified Bible
God strategically placed his creation where it would receive the maximum attention “Thus saith the Lord God; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her” (Eze. 5:5). God wanted the nations to witness how he was going to develop and prosper Israel, so that they would be drawn to his people and want to become a part of Israel - God intended Israel to be the salt of the earth and a light upon a hill.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Isa. 60: 1-7
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord‘s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Isa. 2:1-3.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. Jer. 3:17…. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. Jer. 3:17; 33: 7-9.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. Zech. 2:10,11. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. Zech. 8:20-23.
But before Israel could be the holy nation of priests to evangelise the world God needed to soften the hearts and turn the necks of his people- the Kingdom needed an upgrade, so God gave the people a probationary period of 490 years - to finish transgression, bring in everlasting righteousness and to anoint the Messiah when he came.
“Seventy weeks [of years, or 490 years] have been decreed for your people and for your holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make atonement (reconciliation) for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness (right-standing with God), to seal up vision and prophecy and prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. So you are to know and understand that from the issuance of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until [the coming of] the Messiah (the Anointed One), the Prince… Dan. 9:24-27.Amplified Bible.
Progression in the New Testament
When the Jewish nation failed to accomplish what God intended the Kingdom to be, The Progressive Nature of the Kingdom, continued as Spiritual Israel: And Jesus spoke often about the progression of the Kingdom.
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Mk. 4:26-29.
Jesus repeated the same principle in his very next parable whereby the Kingdom starts as the smallest of all the seeds, but then it grows into a great plant, big enough to shelter all:
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. Mk. 4:30-32.
Jesus has told us that his Kingdom is not of this world, but that it is a spiritual Kingdom and it resides in the hearts of his people:
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Lu. 17:20, 21.
If the Kingdom is in us, then it naturally follows that if God wants to develop and grow the Kingdom, then this would require development and growth in the spiritual life ofhis people. We can discover development and growth in almost everything that Jesus said, For example, in the parables of the talents and the pounds, Jesus gives gifts and resources to his people and then he expects his people to ‘increase’ what he has given them. (see Matt. 25: 14-30;Lu. 19:12- 26) In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds the people how things were spoken of and how things were done in the past. But his mission was to declare that, this old standard of morality was no longer acceptable and that he was calling for a higher standard of morality (see Matt. ch 5 & 6).
God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. The living God has given in His holy law a transcript of His character. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known is Jesus Christ; and what is the standard He has given for all who believe in Him?—“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. As God is perfect in His high sphere of action, so man may be perfect in his human sphere… The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. There is opened before us a path of continual advancement. We have an object to reach, a standard to gain, which includes everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual striving and constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character. Ellen White, Our High Calling, p. 31, 32.
Development and growth can also be found in the epistles of the Apostles, Paul tells us that our knowledge needs an upgrade:
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. Heb. 5:10-6:1-3.And apter wrotea, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”1Pwt. 2.2.
Jesus said that the Kingdom. Is like grain growing in the field, the seed planted is perfect, then it sprouts, and it grows, - and it is”known not how” - but it is clearly a process, from one stage of development to another- at each stage of deveopment the plant is perfect - but the full potential is not reached until the harvest - When a baby is born, we do not expect it to act like an adult. But we do expect the baby to go through a process of growth and devlopment until it reaches its full potential as an adult - and so it is is with the Christian life.
The Christian Doctrine of Perfection
Paul writes of “going on to perfection’ and Jesus exhorted His audience on the Mount to “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:40). Many Christians abhor the whole concept of perfection and yet it is one of the most beautiful doctrines found in the Bible and not something to be afraid of. If we deny Christian perfection then we deny the power of God, and we deny that Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus said that the Kingdom. Is like grain growing in the field, the seed planted is perfect, then it sprouts, the sprouts are perfect, at every stage of its development it is perfect and so it is with the Christian life, when we are ‘born again’ – ‘the old man of sin’ dies and we begin a new life:
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Rom. 6:3-7.
The Word of God is the seed that brings life. Jesus said,” It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”(Jn. 6:63). When the Word is sown in the heart, the person begins a journey toward perfection:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Eph. 11-14.
Every seed brings forth fruit after its kind. Sow the seed under right conditions, and it will develop its own life in the plant. Receive into the soul by faith the incorruptible seed of the word, and it will bring forth a character and a life after the similitude of the character and the life of God. Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons p. 38.
This is the goal of the Kingdom, and the Mystery of God - to restore the image of God in mankind, This is not a time of anxiety, the spiritual growth takes place by the power of God, and continues until the harvest - during the growing time we are all perfect, we only fail if we stop growing:
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. Ibid. p. 65.
The continual advancement of the Kingdom, ends when the wheat growing in the field reaches maturity. with the harvest .” when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”
Paul proclaimed the same message about perfection. Writing to the Philippians’ he admitted that he had not attained to it,
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Phil. 3:12-15.
Paul writes that he has not as yet attained to perfection, but he also writes that he strives after it. Then he writes, if people have the same attitude as he has, then they are reckoned as being perfect – Sanctification is the work of a lifetime – we do not expect newborns to be adults within days – God does not demand newborn Christian’s to be perfect immediately either – but he does expect us to grow, because, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6) and because we are “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).
The finishing of our faith takes place during the preaching of the ‘Three angel’s messages’ (see Rev. 14:6.11). When The Three Angel’s Messages are completed the preaching produces a people, “that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12) and they are “without fault before the throne of God” (Rev. 14:6).This is a picture of the Kingdom come to maturity- and after the 144,000, appear it is harvest time:
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the aearth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Rev.14:13-16).
A Solemn Message Ignored
In 1858, Spiritual Gifts vol. 1, was published in which Ellen White wrote “The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs” - In other words, every Adventist’s personal salvation depends on this ‘solemn testimony’ hearing it and obeying it. Since this message is so vital it must be well known within Adventist circles and a prominent part of any preachers plan, and Sabbath School discussion. However, this is not the case at all – this Solemn Message is known about, but it is largely ignored. So, what is the solemn Message? If we include the missing first sentence in the quote above, it becomes clear what the Message is:
I saw that the testimony of the true Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance, and all that truly receive it, will obey it, and be purified. Ellen White, Spiritual Gifts vol.1, p.185.
THE FAITHFUL and TRUE WITNESS is JESUS CHRIST And the solemn Message is his message to the Laodicean Church. In the message to the Laodicean Church there are two destinys presented – stay in the Laodicean condition and be spued out of the Lord’s mouth, or alternatively, accept the counsel of the FAITHFUL andTRUE WITNESS andpurchase the White robes, the gold tried in the fire, and the eye salve, and open the door of our hearts and invite HIM in - and be saved - rhese two choices are ours to make.
The reason why God’s people ignore this Solemn Testimony, is because they have been lulled into a false sense of assurance by the preaching of the Relationship Gospel. The Relationship Gospel teaches that ‘’If you know Jesus you already have the Robe of Righteousness, you already have faith enough, and you already have the Holy Spirit” – you have nothing to worry about – your salvation is assured.”
Conclusion.
Revelation chapter 6, finishes with a question, the context is the second Coming of Christ and the question is, at that time “who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:17). The answer is not the Laodiceans, the answer is those who are sealed – the Philadelphians, upon whom Jesus has written the Father’s name(see Rev. 3:12) – also known as the 144,000 - “having his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).
‘Tis a thrilling thought, that we are now in the time of the end; that prophetic time is closed; but the idea that the 144 000 are now getting ready, that Christ is now almost through with the priestly office; that the seven last plagues are just impending; that Satan is now tempting mankind in new and novel ways, thus fulfilling Scripture, and filling up the measure of iniquity; these are thoughts that take possession of the mind. These times, these truths, now proclaimed, the signs now taking place, the quick succession of great events, and fulfillments of prophecy, seen by the eye of faith and compared with God’s word, are indeed startling. Ellen White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Jan. 7, 1858.
MY BRETHREN AND SISTERS: We have reached an important point of time, wherein we must overcome or be overcome, and that shortly. It is now more than two years since the faithful and true Witness warned us of our lukewarmness, and great danger of being spued out of his mouth, unless we zealously repented. The promise is, if we do repent we shall have the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment and the eye-salve, and the rich supper with Jesus, and finally sit down with him on his throne, as he has overcome and set down with his Father on his throne. Some may be led to think that their lot is harder than the hardest, therefore they cannot overcome. We find in testimony No. 3, these words: “We can overcome, yes, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we may overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with him.” Brethren and sisters, do we believe this? that if we are faithful to confess and forsake our sins, we can completely and entirely overcome everything that is wrong, and finally the wicked one himself, and be as free and happy as though we had never sinned? Do we all believe this? O may the Lord help us to believe, and take hold anew, and never give over until we overcome, and be of the 144 000, and with the Lamb stand on the Mount Zion, and have the Father’s name written in our foreheads. Revelation 14:1. Ellen White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Dec. 30, 1858.
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1Thess. 4:3). Jesus said he only knows those who do the will of God (see Matt. 7:23- The Mystery of God is almost finished – the opportunities for Sanctification are almost over when it is finished God will have a perfect Church:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish… This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Eph. 5:25-27, 32.
The Laodiceans have a false sense of assurance. On the Day of the Lord, they are perplexed they think their relationship with the Lord is built upon service, so they complain “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matt. 7:22). They were hoping to hear the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt.25:21). Instead, they hear the words “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23). Service for Jesus is Biblical, but it needs to come from a converted and sanctified heart - It is the converted and sanctified heart that saves us. No amount of ‘wonderful works’ will save us - it is the ffruit of a converted and sanctified life that Jesus is looking for.
When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69.
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