White Robes by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1874

White Robes.

By James White

PAUL COMPARES THE TWO MINISTRATIONS, BUT DOES NOT CONTRAST THEM.

In the third chapter of second Corinthians, the apostle compares the Jewish and Christian ministrations. He does not contrast them. The false statement frequently repeated in sermons and in articles from the religious press that the two ministrations are held in contrast by Paul is deceptive in its influence, and is calculated to strengthen fundamental errors in many honest minds.

There are degrees of comparison of character, as good, better, best, bad worse, worst; while things properly held in contrast are of opposite character. There are comparative degrees of heat, and also of cold; while heat and cold are opposite in nature, and are properly held in contrast. We compare the light of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, and the stars; while light and darkness are opposite, and are held in strong contrast.

In the development of the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ in all the ages, from the time that hope first dawned upon fallen Adam to the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, and the glory of pentecost, there have been degrees of light and glory. Hence the comparison of the dispensations. The Councils of high Heaven have not devised three plans by which to save men; one for the patriarchal age, one for the Jewish age, one for the Christian age. The great plan is one, unfolding with degrees of increased light and glory in the successive ages.

Paul compares the ministration of the Jewish and Christian ages in the third chapter of second Corinthians. Please read the chapter and notice with especial care the clearness and strength of the expressions of the great apostle which we here give side by side, not for contrast, but for

COMPARISON.

Jewish Ministration.	Christian Ministration.
“Was glorious.” Verse 7.	“Rather glorious.” Verse 8.
“Be glory.” Verse 9.	“Exceed in glory.” Verse 9.
“Was made glorious.” Verse 10.	“Glory that excelleth.” Verse 10.
“For if that which is done away was glorious.” Verse 11.	“Much more that which remaineth is glorious.” Verse 11.

And why should the two ministrations be held in contrast? They both came from the same Divine Source, in behalf of the same race of sinners, to perfect that holiness of character in all the saved from all the ages, necessary for the same holy Heaven. Hence John in prophetic vision, looking forward, saw them all gathered to the immortal shores, from the time of the holy martyr Abel down to the last ransomed sinner near the close of the Christian age, “a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” He heard them all unite in the same hallowed acclamation, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Rev. 7: 9, 10.

Why should there be a wide contrast between ministrations under which the unit family of the immortal world find eternal redemption? Why? God is the one father of all the adopted sons and daughters of grace from the Patriarchal, Jewish, and Christian ages; and Christ is their only Saviour and Redeemer. “Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4: 12.

Angels that excel in strength are the holy guardians of the obedient and faithful of every age, and the Holy Spirit their sanctifier. The pious dead of all the ages sleep in the one Jesus; 1 Cor. 15: 17, 18; and his voice will awaken them all at his coming. John 5: 28, 29. They will all be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, and upon the sea of glass all will receive the crown of glory and the palm of victory from the hand of Jesus. And the numberless multitude from all ages wear robes of dazzling brightness, washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Then why should there be a wide contrast between God’s moral government of fallen men, or the plan of his saving grace, in the dispensations? J. W.