JOHN MATTESON by John Matteson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1868

JOHN MATTESON

By John Matteson

1 Cor. iii, 12-15. The foundation spoken of is Christ. Chap. v, 11. The gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, is that which is builded upon this foundation—the members of the church. Proof: “Ye are God’s building,” v, 9. The apostles and ministers of Christ are the builders. v, 10. They build on Christ, or, in other words, establish churches according to the faith of Jesus. Some of the members prove faithful. They are compared to precious metal, which is purified by fire. In the day of God, their precious faith will prove victorious, and they will endure to the end. But many are like the wood, hay, and stubble; when the fiery trials come, they are devoured. This will be made manifest in the day of God. All such stuff will be a dead loss to the faithful servant of God. The labor he bestowed on such is lost; but himself will be saved if he is victorious over sin and Satan. And for that work which abides, souls who endure to the end and are saved, he shall receive a reward. “Ye are our hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing at the coming of Christ.” 1 Thess. ii, 19.