Present Truth by S. N. HASKELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1905

“Present Truth”

By S. N. HASKELL

S. N. HASKELL

The term “present truth” is used by the apostle Peter when, after speaking of certain general duties, he said, “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 ever had a present truth since he first announced that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. Present truth is a further revelation of the gospel. Every succeeding generation has received fresh light on the truths already revealed, and this has become a test to the people of God.

Not one Israelitish family who did not have the blood of the pascal lamb sprinkled on the lintel of the door-post escaped when the destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt on the night of their deliverance. Not a single Israelite was saved who remained in Egypt when the great host passed out, led by the pillar of fire by night, and the cloud by day. When Sinai was sanctified for God to proclaim his holy law, he said, “Whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: there shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live.” So in the building of the sanctuary. Those who had no interest in it were heathen; but those who walked in the light, and built the sanctuary, and let that light shine out to the heathen, were saved. The building of Solomon’s temple was another illustration. The leaving of Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple by Zerubbabel is also illustrative of this truth. Their entire history was one of advancing light, and demonstrated the fulfilment of the words, “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18.

Each event pointed forward to the birth of Christ. This period was finally reached; the time was fulfilled; Christ was born in a stable and cradled in a manger, surrounded by the beasts of the stall. The Majesty of glory, who filled all heaven with admiration, is humiliated to a bed in a manger. In heaven, he was surrounded by holy angels; but now, his companions are the beasts of the stall. What humiliation is this! Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth! From the throne of the Highest the word went forth, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” A multitude praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.” Simeon and Anna discerned him to be the Son of God, and uttered remarkable prophecies when Christ was brought to the temple. This was present truth. From the day of his birth salvation depended upon believing this truth. The dividing line began to be drawn between believers and unbelievers.

We pass down to his death. Here is another unfolding of the plan of salvation, another present truth, another dividing line. It was the emptying of all heaven in giving him who was next to the Father to die for a lost race. His death was a triumph amid the darkness of this world. The thief on the cross cried out, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” The Roman centurion glorified God by saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” Simon the Cyrenian bore for the first time the saving cross of Christ. Thus Europe, Asia, and Africa were represented at the cross of Christ. The inhabitants of heaven sang with great joy and triumph, “Thou hast vanquished Satan and the powers of darkness! Thou hast swallowed up death in victory!” “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” The casting down of Satan as an accuser of the brethren in heaven was accomplished when Christ died. Satan now knew that his doom was sealed. The kingdom he had usurped would one day be wrested from him, and returned to its lawful owner. When Christ cried, “It is finished,” the price was paid; salvation was purchased. There is none other name under heaven than that of our Lord Jesus Christ whereby man can be saved.

The third day from this event occurs another event more wonderful still, and not fully comprehended by the disciples at the time; but when it took place, the echo of praise and thanksgiving rang from world to world; for life and immortality was brought to light through the gospel. Christ arose from the dead as the first-fruits of those that slept. He was the antitype of the wave sheaf, and his resurrection took place on the very day when the wave sheaf was to be presented before the Lord. He brought forth from the grave a multitude of captives. They were a few chosen ones taken from every age from creation down to the days of Christ. It was a sample company. They varied in stature and form as disease and death had marred the human frame. Those who came from the generations of earlier times were more noble than those of later years. This company was taken to heaven with Christ, and presented to the Father as a sample of the general resurrection of the dead. All heaven

was awaiting their coming. Representatives from the other worlds waited with the angels. It was the event of events. It was a further unfolding of the plan of redemption. Each of these events confirmed what was in the past. This illustrates new light. It does not prove the past light darkness, but establishes the past light. From that day it was present truth; and all denominations agree that none can be saved without believing that Christ died and lived again. It is a cardinal point with all evangelical denominations.

But let us now pass down to one other event that is as clearly marked as any we have referred to. “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. . . . And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.” These words need but little comment:—

1. The expression, “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly,” shows that it is in the midst of a consecutive prophecy. 2. “In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished,” shows it to be in the closing work of the gospel. 3. That closing work is the cleansing of the sanctuary, which began in 1844. Then, shall we say that these other events mentioned were essential to salvation, and that it is necessary for the people of God to have an experience in them, but that this is of no account? The seeing of the ark of his testament reveals the fact that a people will be gathered out who will keep the commandments of God. Without an experience of this nature we can no more enter the kingdom of God than if we deny the birth, death, or resurrection of Christ. Each step is an unfolding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. At each event from the birth of Christ to his resurrection, every angel in glory took part; so in this last event “there were voices in heaven,” not only of the angels, but the elders who sat around the throne of God, worshiped God, saying, “We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” It is an announcement of the event Satan knew would come. The time of the judgment is reached, and now since this great event has begun, every angel in heaven is astir to co-operate with those who are consecrated to the accomplishment of God’s work in the earth. Every power of Satan is also aroused to stir opposition; for he has great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time. Especially is he wroth with the remnant because they keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Here lies the foundation of the third angel’s message. It is as much present truth for this time as any other truth that unfolds the plan of salvation in its onward march.

South Lancaster, Mass.