GLIMPSES OF THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
By F. R. Richards
THERE was war in heaven,” when Michael and His angels and the dragon and his angels fought out the contest between righteousness and iniquity. The result was the casting out of the forces of darkness; for Satan and the third part of the angels, who, on account of rebellion, kept not their first estate, were thus rejected from, and forever denied access to, that holy place. Jude 6. Since that time the warfare has had its seat among the children of men, for the defeated were cast “into the earth.” Rev. 12:7–9; 13:7, 8. Thus, tho the father of lies is no longer accorded the honor of personal contest against the King of the universe nor Michael, the great Prince, yet he is permitted for a time to work among men, in order that, in striking contrast with his moral deformity and selfish intrigue, the goodness, mercy, loving-kindness, and long-suffering of God might shine forth to the remotest corners of the earth; and that the eternal justice and equity of God’s laws may appear, those laws by which He governs the universe, and which the psalmist declares to be perfect, just, true, righteous, and eternal. Ps. 19:7–9; 119:137–160; Rev. 19:2. Satan’s ultimate triumph over man, thru deception, was made to appear imminent; for by his cunning craft he was able to deceive the father of our race into sin, the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4), and consequent death; for “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Eze. 18:4); but that triumph is but apparent. God in infinite mercy, seeing man’s otherwise hopeless chances in the unequal contest, devised means for the salvation of all who should choose thus to share in the victory over him who has “the power of death.” Heb. 2:14. In the Gospel, the “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,” is redemption from sin, and death, its dread consequence. Redemption equals “the gift to God,” “eternal life thru Jesus Christ our Lord.” Note that, tho by sin man earns death as his wages, he can not by obedience earn life, but can receive it only as “the gift of God;” nor can it come by any other channel than “thru Jesus Christ our Lord.” Thus salvation is obtainable only by faith in the Son of God as the purchaser of our sins, that He might suffer their penalty in our stead. Man attains, therefore, as Paul says, by faith and “not by works, lest any man should boast,” and by boasting nullify his covenant of justification with God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Therefore, “being justified freely by His grace thru the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” “we have peace with God thru [by means of] our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 3:23, 24; 5:1. The richest treasure of heaven was yielded up on behalf of fallen man; for “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Having thus instructed, Jesus could appropriately say to inquiring Martha, as to all, “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in Me, tho he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever [thus] liveth and believeth in Me shall never die;” for “I will raise him up at the last day,” when “the trumpet shall sound,” and the righteous dead “shall hear His voice, and shall come forth” in the resurrection to everlasting life. Let every saint rejoice in the crown of righteousness thus laid up to be then given to all them that love His appearing. John 11:25, 26; 6:40; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:8. Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” “I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:11, 15. But why so great a sacrifice?—Because the demand of justice calls for death as the wages of sin, and “the blood is the life;” to shed blood is to take life. Our position, then, in the transaction of redemption is apparent in the answer to this question: “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Heb. 9:22. But the slaying of animals as sin-offerings, which bore witness to the penitent’s faith of pardon thru a coming Saviour, only foreshadowed the cross, but could not actually remove sins; “for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Heb. 10:4. Nor yet were ye “redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,” but “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot;” who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Thus do we recognize Christ as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” 1 Peter 1:18–20, Rev. 13:8. Tho the plan of salvation, which we have briefly described, is so ample in its office, it works only when applied. Hence he who would profit by its munificent provisions may do so only by an act of faith on his part,—faith in Jesus, the Christ, that He has indeed paid the price, thus satisfying the demands of the law for man’s sake. God’s government is one of harmony and love, not of force and compulsion. He desires only willing obedience; His servants serve only from choice. In conformity with these principles, He wisely created man a free moral agent, that he may voluntarily array himself on whichever side he chooses. He does not discriminate, “for there is no respect of persons with God.” As Peter learned this by the sheet let down from heaven full of all manner of beasts and creeping things, so may we “perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but, in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Acts 10:34, 35. None need share in the heavenly inheritance unless they so desire, but Jesus says, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. Do not charge God with placing the Gospel out of your reach by means of its mysteries; for His words will answer you and say, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17. Do not try to work out salvation upon any plan other than the divine plan; for the Saviour says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1.