Hold Fast by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 21, 1904

Hold Fast

By Editor

Editorial

Hold Fast

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” “Behold, I shall come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

The Mark of Christ

Those who accept Christ as the personal Saviour from sin will have an experience which will be a constant testimony to the transforming power of God's grace in the life. There comes to them a power for righteousness which will be revealed in the savor of a godly life. There goes out from them an influence which is recognized even by unbelievers as a reproof of sin and an invitation to holiness of character. This is simply the natural result of fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. These are the works of faith. “Christ expects every one who believes in him to reveal in his life the fulfilment of the promise, ‘As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’ Christians are bound by a most solemn obligation to show that their faith is a reality, that they have received power to become the sons of God. They are to give evidence, in word and act, that they possess this power. They are to adorn the doctrine of Christ their Saviour. They are to be frank, sincere, kind, amiable, sober-minded, cheerful, showing by example the elevating character and sanctifying influence of their faith. Thus believers and unbelievers will take knowledge of them that they are laborers together with God. The mark of Christ is upon them, because they have learned of him.”

Sound the Keynote

“God has called this people to give to the world the message of Christ's soon coming.” “The return of Christ to our world will not be long delayed. Let this be the keynote of every message.” “When the true keynote is struck, God will reveal himself as a God of mercy and love. Angels of heaven will ascend and descend on the ladder of shining brightness, co-operating with human workers. The members of the church triumphant—the church in heaven—will be permitted to draw near to the members of the church militant, to aid them in their necessity. Let us ever remember that we are laborers together with God. In this heavenly union we shall carry forward his work with completeness, with singing and rejoicing. In every soul will be kindled the fire of holy zeal. Company after company will leave the dark standard of the foe to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.”

A Personal God

Our God is a personal God who can speak to men in the language of men. One instance of such speaking is thus mentioned by Moses in describing the experience at Sinai: “Behold, Jehovah our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire; we have seen this day that God doth speak with man, and he liveth.” The prophet Isaiah saw God upon his throne: “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.” The prophet Ezekiel gives his view of the throne and of him that sat upon it in these words: “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above.” The prophet Daniel thus describes his view of God on his throne: “I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.” The apostle John was also given a view of God on his throne, and here is his description of what he saw: “I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne; and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.” On the throne with this personal God sits the man Christ Jesus: “I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.” No such language as that which we have quoted could with any propriety be used of a mere all-pervading essence. Our God is a personal God.