p. 271 | Counterfeiting Heaven's Ways by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 20, 1913

Counterfeiting Heaven's Ways

By C. M. S.

NEITHER human being nor angel has ever been commissioned by the Lord of glory to stand as an intermediary between Christ and his children. That infinite price, the life of him who was at once the Son of God and Son of man, was not given that another might step in between him and the object of his redemptive work.

Upon this point of his right to retain what his blood had purchased, our Lord declares: “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” Isa. 48: 11. Christ achieved glory by his sacrifice for man. By the glorious work which he there accomplished, he won the right and the glorious position of Mediator between God and man. So we read: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.” 2 Cor. 5: 18, 19.

Whatever other glory Christ may have achieved, whatever other position he may be now holding, he did achieve that glory of redeeming man and the earth that sin had cursed, and he does occupy that position of mediator between God and man. That it is, then, which he will not relinquish to another. There is no power that can deprive him of his well-earned office. Of Judas it was said prophetically: “Let his habitation be made desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his office let another take.” Acts 1: 20; Ps. 109: 8. Why was this? Because his character was the antithesis of righteousness. The reward he sought is called “the reward of iniquity.” Acts 1: 18. How fitting that the betrayal price, the reward of his traitorous act, should be used for the purchase of a grave! On the other hand, the reward sought by the Redeemer was an eternal habitation for every child of his.

God the Father said of the Son, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” That preeminence of Christ has always stirred the animosity of Satan, even as did the Father’s council with Christ over the creation of man.

In view of this, how natural it is that the enemy of Christ and his cause, he who inspired Judas to his infamous act, should seek to wrest from Christ his office, his glory, in the estimation of mankind. Satan’s representative — Judas — lost his office; therefore he will seek to rob Christ of his, so far as the estimation of men is concerned. Christ’s position is between the Father and his people. He says: “Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15: 16. Again: “If ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name.” John 16: 23, 24. This is Christ’s own definition of his position; and nowhere in the Sacred Word is any intimation given that any person or any being of any order whatsoever is ever to come between him and those whom he redeemed.

What means, then, this human exaltation of the name of another — the Virgin Mary — as an intercessor between human beings and the Christ who died to save them? It means simply the outworking of Satan’s envy at the exaltation of Christ. Lucifer had conceived the mischievous purpose of being like the Most High. That purpose was his ruin; and so he has set himself in every possible way to war against the purpose of Jehovah. It is consistent with his plan, therefore, that he use the same great power in the earth in more than one line of opposition to Christ and his work. The same power that instituted Mariolatry, the worship of Mary,— that made Mary an intermediary between the people and their Saviour, putting her in the place of Christ,— that same power it is that has thought “to change the times and the law” of God, as foretold by the prophet Daniel. Through that same power has come to us the pseudo-sabbath, usurping the place of the Eden-blessed Sabbath of the Lord. Through that same powerful organization we have been given a doctrine which would rob Christ of his glory and office as life-giver. That doctrine is the immortality of the soul. Through Christ only have we life; but that dogma would make life inherent in us, independent of Christ and his great sacrifice in our behalf.

So we might continue on to the end of the whole roster of false doctrines, and find them aimed at the position and glory of our blessed Redeemer; but his own word is sufficient: “I will not give my glory unto another.” He is ours, and we are his; and to him who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” “in all points tempted like as we are,” we can come direct for forgiveness, blessing, and every temporal and spiritual necessity.

Until the end of time, until the warfare of evil against righteousness is ended in the triumph of Christ, we may expect to see the counterfeits of Satan put forward as the truths of God, even to the sealing of the people with a mark which stamps the deceived hosts as the subjects of Satan’s kingdom. He who would be a child of God and would share in the victory of Christ needs to walk close beside his Master, trusting him implicitly and listening intently to his counsel. Half-hearted service will avail nothing. It will require the whole heart, might, mind, and soul, and all under complete submission to the will of Christ.

C. M. S.