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how many deeds would remain undone. When all the details of life
appear in the books that never contain a false entry, many will find
too late that the record testifies against them. There their hidden
selfishness stands revealed. There is the record of unfulfilled duties
to their fellow-men, of forgetfulness of the Saviour’s claims. There
they will see how often were given to Satan the time, thought, and
strength that belonged to Christ. Sad is the record which angels
bear to Heaven. Intelligent beings, professed followers of Christ, are
absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment
of earthly pleasures. Money, time, and strength are sacrificed for
display and self-indulgence; but few are the moments devoted to
prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to humiliation of soul and
confession of sin.
Satan invents u
they may not dwell upon the very work with which we ought to be
best acquainted. The arch-deceiver hates the great truths that bring
to view an atoning sacrifice and an all-powerful Mediator. He knows
that with him everything now depends on his diverting minds from
Jesus and his truth.
Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour’s mediation
should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness
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in the fear of God. The hours heretofore given to pleasure, to display,
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or to gain-seeking, should now be devoted to an earnest, prayerful
study of the word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the
investigative Judgment should be clearly understood by the people
of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and
work of their great High Priest. Otherwise, it will be impossible
for them to exercise the faith essential at this time, or to occupy the
position which God designs them to fill.
We are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has
committed to us. The sanctuary in Heaven is the very center of
Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon
the earth. It opens to our view the plan of redemption, bringing us
down to the very close of time, and revealing the triumphant issue
of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost
importance that all who have received the light, both old and young,
should thoroughly investigate these subjects, and be able to give an
answer to every one that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in
them.
The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above
is as essential to the plan of salvation as was his death upon the
cross. By his death he began that work which after his resurrection
he ascended to complete in Heaven. We must by faith enter within
the vail, “whither the foreru
from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain a clearer
insight into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is
accomplished at an infinite expense to Heaven; the sacrifice made is
equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has
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opened the way to the Father’s throne, and through his mediation
the sincere desire of all who come to him in faith may be presented
before God.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth
and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” [Proverbs 28:13.] If those who hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them
how he taunts Christ and holy angels with them, they would make
haste to confess their sins and to put them away. Satan is continually
seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry
that their defective traits of character render it impossible for them
to overcome. But Jesus pleads in their behalf his wounded hands,
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his bruised body; and he declares to all who would follow him, “My
grace is sufficient for thee.” “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of
me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto
your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matthew
11:29, 30.] Let none, then, regard their defects as incurable. God will give faith and grace to overcome them.
All who would have their names retained in the book of life,
should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict
their souls before God by sorrow for sin, and true repentance. There
must be deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit
indulged by the majority of professed Christians must be put away.
There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil ten-
dencies that strive for the mastery.
Solemn are the scenes co
atonement. Momentous are the interests therein involved. The
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Judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. Forty years has
this work been in progress. Soon—none know how soon—it will
pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives
are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves
every soul to heed the Saviour’s admonition, “Watch and pray, for
ye know not when the time is.” “Watch ye therefore, ... lest coming
suddenly he find you sleeping.” [Mark 13:33, 35, 36.]
“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief;
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” [Reve-
lation 3:3.] How perilous is the condition of those, who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While
the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the
pleasure-lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion
is arranging her adornments,—it may be in that hour the Judge of
all the earth will pronounce the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the
balances, and art found wanting.”
Every soul that has named the name of Christ has a case pending
at the heavenly tribunal. It is court week with us, and the decision
passed upon each case will be final.
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Chapter 24—Origin of Evil
To many minds the origin of sin and the reason for its existence
are a source of great perplexity. In their interest in these questions,
the truths plainly revealed in God’s word and essential to salvation
are neglected; and the fact that the Scriptures furnish no explanation,
is seized upon as an excuse for rejecting the words of Holy Writ.
It is impossible to explain the origin of sin, or to give a reason
for its existence. It is an intruder, for whose existence no reason can
be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it, is to defend
it. Could it be excused, could a cause be shown for its existence, it
would cease to be sin. Our only definition of sin is that given in the