Our Duties and Privileges in This Judgment Hour
By John M. Hopkins
“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul9it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.” Lev. 23: 26-32. For a more perfect understanding of this scripture the reader will do well prayerfully to study the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus, where the character of the service of this atonement work is more fully dwelt upon. From verses 29-34, it will be seen that chapters 23: 26-32, and 16 refer to the same service, which was performed only “once a year” (verse 34), making it the closing work for that year. And this constituted the work of “atonement for the people,” and whoever among all the tribes of Israel was indifferent and careless, and did not heartily enter into this work by repentance and confession and by earnestly seeking God, was “cut off from among his people.” Nothing could be more sad, more terrible, than to become an outcast, to be separated from the Lord and his people. And as this atonement work was one of those services which Paul says “are a shadow of things to come” (Col. 2: 17), “which was a figure for the time then present” (Heb. 9: 9), as this work of atonement for ancient Israel was a “shadow,” “a figure,” or type, of the great atonement work begun by our great High Priest on the “tenth day of the seventh month,” in 1844, at the expiration of the twenty-three hundred days of Dan. 8: 14 and 9: 24-27, we may be able to see, somewhat, the importance we should attach to the present time. The solemn work of atonement is now being carried forward by our Lord in the “true tabernacle” in heaven. It, too, is the closing work, not for one year only, but forever. The “mystery of God,” the gospel work, is being “finished;” and if it was important for ancient Israel to “afflict their souls,” how much more imperative the necessity for us to-day, by earnest prayer and supplication, not by “vain repetitions,” not by noisy demonstration, but by a careful study of his Word, by a careful study of our own hearts and lives, the motives and the principles that govern us. The Lord has said, “Be ye holy; for I am holy,” and without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 12: 14. Holiness means wholeness to God,—our very hearts and characters like the heart and character of God; pure, clean, not defiled by sin; no sin in us or about us; Christ dwelling in us by his Holy Spirit, so that mentally and physically and morally we shall be wholly like him; not simply by profession, but in fact “born again,” a new creature in Christ Jesus. We love God, and we love just what he loves. We love justice; it is a part of our being, as it is of the Lord’s. We love righteousness, and truth, and kindness, and gentleness, and patience, and meekness, and long-suffering, and all those beautiful graces of the Spirit. By our “newness of life” we are the living examples of those graces. They constitute the Christian character, and shine out in the every-day life. They are the reflection, the outward evidence, of an indwelling Christ. Then there will be no impure thoughts cherished in the heart. There will be no impure words escape our lips. There will be no unkindness expressed in our words or actions. There will be no unfair or dishonorable methods employed in our business transactions. In everything we shall be and do just what Jesus, our indwelling Guide and Keeper, would be and do. Then his cause will be our cause; for we are one, in unison with him. Our work will be his; for he is one with us. Whether on the farm, in the home, or at the anvil, or working with the square and plane, or in the mission field, we shall be holy unto the Lord—wholly for the Lord. And as he is interested in all our undertakings, so shall we be in all his work. It, too, will lie nearest the heart; for it is our dear Lord’s work. We shall love the proclamation of the gospel; for it brings dear souls to Jesus for salvation. Every enterprise for the advancement of his cause, every call for help, will find a listening ear, a ready hand, a warm heart, a cheerful response. We shall plow, and sow, and reap for Jesus, to supply our own needs and the needs of his precious cause. That will be a “new life,” a blessed, happy life, a holy life. That will be a character and a life that will be accepted by our High Priest, and by our Father in this atonement hour. My brother, my sister, be true to God and to principle. You may be misjudged. But know that “the Lord looketh on the heart.” He knows what your motives are, what you are, and what you desire to be. He knows just what traits of character, either good or evil, you inherited. He knows just how hard you have struggled to overcome those traits. He knows, too, that for long years you may have cultivated those unholy appetites and passions, until they became like a chain of steel forged around you. He knows all the mistakes you have made, and how, perhaps, those whom you love, and whose love your inmost soul is crying, yes, starving, for, regard you with distrust or suspicion. And he knows also your repentance, and your heart-longing for holiness. And now, brother, sister, let me say, Just tell him all about it, believing his sure word that all those unlovely things are forgiven—made “whiter than snow.” Commit it all to him. Ask, and believe that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. And then, however hard the conflict may be, however long the days, however lonely the hours, however heavy the burdens, in Jesus’ name, in Jesus’ strength, be true to principle. Be true to your high sense of Christian manhood and womanhood. Every day seek that help which alone will sustain you and enable you to overcome. Know that God loves you. Know that Christ pleads for you. Know that heaven is interested in your best interests. And then go steadily, carefully, prayerfully, faithfully forward in the work God gives you to do.