p. 7 | Established in the Present Truth by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 24, 1915

Established in the Present Truth

By F. M. W.

DECLARES the apostle Peter: “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”

God has given to his church in nearly every period of its history special truths particularly applicable to that period. These truths have usually been unpopular, believed in by the few, rejected by the many; but they have nevertheless been the messages of God which he designed his church to proclaim to the world. Such was the message which Noah proclaimed to the antediluvians. For one hundred and twenty years he bore his testimony of the coming flood. But few accepted his word. Some doubtless believed who died before the time of the great overwhelming disaster; but when Noah entered the ark provided for his salvation, only seven others were prepared to embark with him.

It was such a message that Jonah proclaimed to wicked Nineveh. The response, however, in this instance was most gratifying; for the record is that from the king on his throne to his humblest subject, the people engaged in fasting and humiliation, seeking God to forgive their sins and to avert the threatened calamity.

John the Baptist was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, preparing the people for the reception of Christ at his first manifestation. Upon Luther and his colaborers was placed the responsibility of proclaiming the doctrine of free grace through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ as against the teaching of the minions of Rome. The Wesleys and Whitefield served a divine purpose in the work which God accomplished through them. William Miller and his associates, by the message they bore, awakened the world to a realization of the proximity of the last great judgment.

To the people connected with this movement there has been committed a special message constituting the present truth for this day and generation. It hardly seems necessary that we enumerate the specific truths embodied in this message,—the truths relating to the coming of the Lord, the perpetuity of the law of God, the priestly work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, the life that can be found only through Christ, the condition of man between death and the resurrection, the final rewards which will be meted out to the impenitent and ungodly, the eternal home of the people of God in the earth made new, the proper support of the gospel ministry, the change which must be wrought in the physical life as represented in the principles of health and temperance, the work of the spirit of prophecy in connection with the remnant church, together with the warning to be sounded against the beast and his image and the religio-political combinations which will be arrayed against the truth of God in the last days.

There is need that the members of this church be established in the present truth for this time. We can become established in it only as we become acquainted with it, only as we learn by personal study and investigation that it has been founded upon the Scriptures of Truth.

We can say, as did Peter, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Where we possessed one evidence of the truthfulness of our positions twenty-five years ago, we possess one hundred evidences today. We know that earth’s history is fast hastening to its close, that soon the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth and take his children home unto himself.

God’s providence has been seen in the evolution of this movement. We cannot for a moment doubt that it exists in his order. We know from the assurances of the Word of God that it will triumph in the end, and its triumph may be our triumph as members of the church.

A mere profession of the truth will not assure us victory. It is only as the power of the message which we are endeavoring to give to others sanctifies our own lives that we shall be saved. And no theory of the message, no versatility of discussion or power of argument, will enable us to withstand the forces which will be arrayed against us. He only will stand who makes God his trust, who walks humbly before him, who puts out of his life every sin, and places himself under the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There is need today that Seventh-day Adventists study anew the principles of the faith in order that they may obtain that individual knowledge and experience which will enable them to stand. There should be organized in all our churches a systematic study of the special truths for this time. Either the church should meet together as one company under competent leadership for this purpose, or there should be formed little companies, several families uniting. And if this is not possible, then earnest study should be taken up in every family and by every individual.

I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe, but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith, and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God, and a turning to men, putting human in place of divine wisdom. . . .

Agitate, agitate, agitate. The subjects which we present to the world must be to us a living reality. It is important that in defending the doctrines which we consider fundamental articles of faith, we should never allow ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth. We should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, pages 707, 708.

Let us study to know for ourselves what the Word of God teaches, so that we may be able to give a reason of the hope that is within us, with meekness and with fear. Then we shall not believe this message because others believe it, or because our fathers and mothers before us were members of the

church, or because some minister in whom we have confidence has taught us, but because we know for ourselves what the Word of the Lord teaches. In this way only can be obtained that knowledge of the Word of God, that experience in him, which will establish us in the present truths for this time, and enable us to stand in the evil day.

Says the servant of the Lord, 'None but those who have trained the intellect to grasp the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.' Now is our day of opportunity to secure this training. Let us improve it.

F. M. W.