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XXXVIII
- 1 (05) “Watchman, what of the night?” "The
hour has come, the hour is striking and striking at you, The New Year (Page
5) A High Flying (Page 6) Editor's Preface
With this issue, we begin our
38th year of continuous publication. We thank the Lord for His guidance during
these years and will seek to be so led in the months ahead. Each month of this
year, we shall continue to revise and edit a chapter from the first manuscript
we published in 1972 on the history of the doctrine of the Incarnation as
taught by the In the final article, while using the report in Adventist
Today on the problems currently plaguing 3ΑΒΝ as a take off
point, our primary focus is on the meaning of the "end" as indicated
by Jesus in Matthew 24:14. Is the "end" a period of time, or a point
in time? Besides the statement of Jesus, we also note two references in the
Writings which relate to the nature of the "end" and the message to
be given at that time and to whom. Are we in that period of time "after
the truth has been given as a witness to all nations?" If we are, then
some "independent" ministries had better rewrite their "job
description." If not, then we all had better get into "high
gear" for the end hasteth greatly. ++++++ Special OPS
Forces
The
Lord is looking for an all-volunteer army - no conscription. He is looking for
a few good men and women whose motto is "semper fidelis;" who are
willing to be true to duty as the needle to the pole; who are willing to fight
the battles of the Lord when the champions are few; who will learn to gather
warmness from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice and loyalty
from their treason.
- Allan Hamm Page
2 An
interpretive history of the doctrine of the Incarnation as taught by
the Seventh-day Adventist Church — 3 Ellen
G. White on the Incarnation1888-1915 The presentations of Dr. E.
J. Waggoner and Elder A. T. Jones on the subject of righteousness by faith
during the last decade of the 19th century included of necessity a discussion
of the nature of the humanity which the Son of God took upon Himself. Their
concepts on the subject of the doctrine of the Incarnation produced opposition.
Some of those who were opposed wrote to Ellen White. These did not write simply
to obtain the light she had been given in regard to the humanity of the Son of
man, but to assert their doubts as the basis of their questioning. To these
questioners she replied in a morning talk given at If He did not have man's nature, He could not be our example. If He did not partake of our nature, He could not have been tempted as man has been. If it were not possible for Him to yield to temptation, He could not be our helper. It is a solemn reality that Christ came to fight the battle as man, in man's behalf. His temptation and victory tell us that humanity must copy the Pattern; man must become a partaker of the divine nature (Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 408). These letters reveal that
among the rank and file of Adventists, there was as much a need to clarify the
doctrine on the Incarnation, as to understand the 1888 message οn
righteousness by faith. The two go hand in hand. In this brief answer, which
Ellen White gave to the questioners, there is summarized the same position as
found in her writings prior to 1888, and until her death in 1915. While it is
true that during this period - 1888-1915 - many more statements on the subject
of the Incarnation came from her pen than prior to 1888; however, there was no
altering of the basic position as first stated in 1858 - that Jesus would take
"man's fallen nature" (Spiritual Gifts, Vol. I, p. 25). There are two approaches
which can be used in presenting the material on the Incarnation in the writings
of Ellen G. White during the period covered in this chapter: 1) We could simply
list by year what was penned; or 2) We can bring together in an interpretive
analysis of the statements ιrregαrdless of the year sequence. Since
this is an "interpretive" history, we shall use the second approach. To Ellen G. White, the
Incarnation "is a great mystery, a mystery that will not be fully,
completely understood in all its greatness until the translation of the
redeemed shall take place. Then the power and the greatness and efficacy of the
gift of God to man will be understood;" however, she cautioned that
"the enemy is determined that this gift shall be so mystified that it will
become as nothingness" (Letter 280, 1904; 5BC:1113). The magnitude and the depth
of the condescension revealed by the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, leaves the
student "breathless." In 1896, Ellen White wrote: In contemplating the incarnation
of Christ in humanity, we stand baffled before an unfathomable mystery, that the human mind cannot comprehend. The more we
reflect upon it, the more amazing does it appear. How wide is the contrast
between the divinity of Christ and the helpless infant in It is in this union "that we find the hope of our fallen race" (ibid). "The humanity of the Son of
Page 3
God is everything to us. It
is the golden linked chain that binds our souls to Christ,
and through Christ to God. This is to be our study" (Ms.
67, 1998: 7BC, p. 904). Therefore, we need to "fix our minds
on the most marvellous thing that ever took place in earth or heaven - the
incarnation of the Son of God" (Ms. 76, 1903; 7BC:904). "We
must come to this study with the humility of a learner, with a contrite heart.
And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, and will repay
the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth (Ms. 67, 1898;
7ΒC:905). Where is one to begin in the
study of the Incarnation? The counsel indicates that --- There are light and glory in the truth that Christ was One with the Father before the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. This truth, infinitely mysterious in itself, explains other mysterious and otherwise unexplainable truths, while it is enshrined in light, unapproachable and incomprehensible (R&Η, Αρril 5, 1906). As "One with the
Father," "the Lord Jesus Christ . . . existed from eternity a
distinct Person (ibid.). This distinct Person became the man, Christ
Jesus. While Ellen G. White definitely stated that "we cannot explain how
divinity was clothed with humanity" (R&H, Christ at an infinite cost, by a
painful process, mysterious to angels as well as to men, assumed humanity.
Hiding His divinity, laying aside His glory, He was born a babe in In creation, Christ had given
"to humanity an existence outside of Himself;" but "in
redemption He takes humanity unto Himself. He makes it a part
of His own being" (M. L. Andreasen Collection #2, "The
Word Made Flesh"). We might then ask - "Was the human nature
of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the Son of God? No; the
two natures were mysteriously blended in one person, the man Christ Jesus"
(Letter 280, 1904). Or we might ask the question in another way - Was the
divine nature degraded by accepting the human nature formed in the womb of
Mary? The answer is again - no! "In Christ, divinity and humanity were
combined. Divinity was not degraded to humanity; divinity held its place, but
humanity by being united with divinity withstood the fiercest test of
temptation in the wilderness" (SM, bk 1, p. 408). What then is
meant when the expression - Christ "united humanity with divinity" -
is used by Ellen White? Observe this definitive reference: He [Christ] united
humanity with divinity: a divine spirit dwelt in a temple of flesh. He united
Himself with the temple (Youth's Instructor, The nature of this
"temple of flesh" is also clearly defined in this same article. It
reads: Think of Christ's humiliation. He took upon Himself fallen, suffering human nature, degraded and defiled by sin (ibid.). Again: Christ did in reality unite the
offending nature of men with His own sinless nature, because by this act of
condescension He would be enabled to pour out His blessings in behalf of the
fallen race (R&H, Lest it be misunderstood what
she meant by the term, "human nature," or when she wrote that Christ
became "flesh," she emphasized that it was "in the likeness of
sinful flesh." In an article in the Youth's Instructor, "The
Privileges of Childhood” (August 23, 1894), she counselled, "Let children
bear in mind that the child Jesus had taken upon Himself human nature, and was
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and was tempted of Satan as all children are
tempted." [This should dispel forever the deception that Christ bore our
fallen nature only at the time of the wilderness temptation, and then merely
vicariously.] On another occasion, she wrote - (Christ) "was not only made
flesh, but He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh" (W-106-1896). Some
might quibble that because she used the language of Scripture, "likeness
of sinful flesh," the use of "likeness" meant that the nature
that Christ assumed was not really sinful fallen nature, but only something
which Page
4 physically
resembled it. However, in two published sources it is plainly stated that
"He took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature" (Medical
Ministry, p. 181); and "He took upon Him our sinful nature"
(R&H, While being specific as to
the nature that Christ assumed in becoming incarnate, Ellen White was just as
pointed as to the effect of such a union upon Him. She declared that "in
His human nature, He maintained the purity of His divine character" (Youth's
Instructor, The article in the Signs of the
Times from which the last sentence quoted was taken bore the title, "Sin
condemned in the flesh." In this article the various Bible texts which
refer to Christ's sinlessness were quoted, such as, "that holy thing
(Luke One positive point Ellen
White made in reply to the negative assumption that came to her as a result of
the preaching on the subject of righteousness by faith was that if Christ
"was not a partaker of our nature, He could not have been tempted as man
has been" (Selected Messages, bk. 1, 408). She recognized that - -
- Unless there is a possibility of yielding, temptation is no temptation. Temptation comes and is resisted when man is powerfully influenced to do a wrong action, and knowing that he can do it, resists by faith, with a firm hold upon divine power (Ms. 29, 1899). Then she declared -
"This is the ordeal through which Christ passed." To pass through
this experience presented a two-fold risk to the God-head: 1) A risk to the Son
of God personally: and 2) A risk to the unity of the eternal throne unless
certain precautions were taken. From the beginning God had exercised great care
lest sin become immortalized. Our first parents were driven from the Garden of
Eden so they could not partake of the tree of life following their disobedience
(Gen. 3:22-23). Now if Christ came into humanity with the immortal aspect of
the Godhead - the glory He had with the Father before the world was (John 17:5)
- and failed, which had to be a possibility or His temptations would have been
meaningless, then there would have been two Beings in eternal antagonism. The
Incarnation, of necessity, had to synthesize these two risks. Ellen White indicated that
Christ did accept in Himself this synthesis. He came a
"free agent, placed on probation, as was Adam, and as is man” (Ms.
29, 1899). Christ also shielded the Eternal Throne. "He humbled Himself,
and took mortality upon Him. As a member of the human family, He was
mortal." Thus if He sinned, "divine wrath would have come upon Christ
as it came upon Adam" (Signs of the Times, From 1891 to 1900, Ellen
White was in Throughout the book - The
Desire of the Ages - the description of the humanity which Christ took upon
Himself and the victory that He obtained in the flesh reflect the same concepts
the author penned in previous publications, and in articles appearing in church
papers during this same time period. Of Christ it is stated that He Page
5 "accepted
the results of the working of the great law of heredity." In context, she
wrote: It would have been an almost
infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam
stood in his innocence in A prepublication draft of
this paragraph is very expressive. It reads: Christ was to take humanity upon
Him, not as it was when Adam stood in his innocence in In another chapter of the
book, Ellen White wrote that "as one of us He was to give an example of
obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our
experiences" (p. 24). The expressions - "as one of
us," and "our nature" - are clearly defined in the book.
In one place it is written - "Christ took upon Him the infirmities of
degenerate humanity," which for four thousand years "had been
decreasing in physical strength, in mental power, and moral worth" (p. 117).
"Our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities" (ibid.).
Christ knew that it was impossible for man to deny the clamor of his fallen
nature, and that through this channel, Satan would
seek to take advantage of hereditary weakness to ensnare Him, so "by
passing over the ground which man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way
for us to overcome" (pp. 122-123). "By His humanity, Christ touched
humanity: by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of
man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us the
power to obey" (p. 24). A statement appeared in the Youth's
Instructor during 1897 which could serve as a summary of all that the
inspired writings have declared in regard to the humanity of our Lord Jesus
Christ. It reads: To human eyes, Christ was only a man, yet He was a perfect man. In His humanity, He was the impersonation of the divine character. God embodied His own attributes in His Son, - His power, His wisdom, His goodness, His purity, His truthfulness, His spirituality, and His benevolence. In Him, though human, all perfection of character, all divine excellence, dwelt (Sept. 16, 1897). A New Year
Dominating this coming year will
be the results of the American election. Already darkening clouds are appearing
on the horizon indicating a coming storm of mega intensity. Since the election,
the Cabinet shuffle is a cause of deep concern. Michael Ratner, head of the
Center for Constitutional Rights stated that in some ways. Alberto
Gonzales who is Bush's choice to replace Ashcroft as Attorney General "is
more dangerous than Ashcroft" (Time, Rescheduling activities by
the Page
6 The The obvious decline in the Pope's physical health has
prompted Some of the final details of
prophecy could quickly be fulfilled. We face a momentous year. Α High Flying OrganizationThe first issue of Adventist
Today (ΑT) for 2004 carried as its lead article a forthright
and carefully written report on the problems at 3ΑΒΝ using the
suggestion that it was a high flying organization due to the two jets purchased
by Danny Shelton to carry him between various appointments. The author, Elder
Edwin A. Schwisow, was public relations officer for the North Pacific Union
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Another article followed in the second
issue of Adventist Today for 2004 written by the Chairman of the Board
of 3ΑΒΝ defending and explaining the activities of the
organization. It is not our objective to
enter into the moral questions that have been raised in other releases devoted
to 3ΑΒΝ's difficulties, or the monetary problems noted in AT.
The purpose of this essay is to consider the basic concept behind the final
gospel witnessing. The key text is Jesus' own statement - "This gospel of
the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14). The
verb 'ηξει is simple future and conveys the concept that
when the gospel of the kingdom is proclaimed as a witness to all nations, then
the end would come. But is this "end" a
point of time, or a period of time? How one answers this question determines
one's witness. Adventism over the decades
has promoted the point of time viewpoint. Various "independent"
ministries such as 3ΑΒΝ and "Steps to Life" continue
to do so. This is what gives them the basis for support they receive from
sincere Adventists disillusioned with the present course of the regular Church.
3ΑΒΝ goes a step further and connects their outreach with the
very message which fundamental Adventists believe was given in sacred trust to
the Church to proclaim - the Three Angels' Message of Revelation 14. This has
served as a magnet for the drawing of financial support from the laity of the
Church who conscientiously feel they can no longer
support the regular Church. This still leaves unanswered the question asked
above, "point of time" or "period of time," as well as a
further question, is 3ΑΒΝ proclaiming the Three Angels' Messages
as God indicated He wanted it proclaimed for this hour, or have they followed
merely the "traditional" view of its final proclamation? As 1892 was closing, this
message appeared in the Review & Herald (Dec. 13): "After the
truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations," - clearly echoing
the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:14 - "every conceivable power of evil
will be set in operation, and minds will be confused by many voices crying. . .
This is the truth, I have the message from God, He has
sent me with great light." This statement definitely sets the end, not as
a "point" of time, but as a "period" of time. Further it
gives descriptive detail as what would take place in that period so that one
could clearly identify it. Consider: 1) "Every conceivable
power of evil will be set in operation." 2) "Many voices crying. . ..This is the truth, I have the message from God, he has
sent me with great light." Page
7 3) "There will be a
removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our
faith." Keep in mind that these
things were to occur "after" the truth had been proclaimed as a
witness to all nations. With this message given in
1892, there is another that must be considered given as the decade closed: It
reads: The first and second angels' messages are united and made complete in the third. [Rev. 14:9-10 quoted] Under the proclamation of these messages the cry was made, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh." The believers in these messages were compelled to go out from the churches because they preached the second appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven. The whole world was to hear the message, "Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." … Had those who claimed to believe the truth acted their part as wise virgins, the message would ere this have been given to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. But five were foolish. The truth should have been proclaimed by the ten virgins, but only five had made the provision essential to join the company that walked in the light given to them. The first, second, and third
angels' messages are to be repeated. The call is to be given to the church:
[Rev. 18:2-5 quoted]. (Review & Herald, With the prophecy of Jesus
(Luke Into this picture also falls
another statement - "The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state" (R&H,
Scroll down to "Page 8" ++++++++ WEBSITES http://ourworld.cs.com/adventistalert http://www.adventistlaymen.com E- Editor - grotheer@adventistlaymen.com
"Watchman,
What of the Night?" is published monthly by the Adventist Laymen's
Foundation of Mississippi, Inc., Editor, Publications & Research Elder Wm. H. Grotheer Regional Contacts:
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8 NumerologyΑ Doctor in Your letter notes various
time periods and dates. I have meditated on some of these myself especially the times involved with the demise
of In 1967 the "times of
the Gentiles" were fulfilled (Luke If God is working in 13-year
increments – "3" a perfect number is involved in the events from 1967
to 2006. All of this makes for something to think about, and react to in a full
preparation for the coming of Christ with our lamps trimmed and burning for
light in the gross darkness of the present time. whg |