No. 8. The Spirit Which Should and Will Accompany Their Proclamation—Concluded.
WITH the expectation that the gifts of the Spirit, especially that of prophecy, would be manifest in the closing work of God in the earth for the "perfecting of the saints," confirmed as it is by the considerations and scriptures presented in the foregoing article, we are prepared to appreciate the fact that, connected with the work symbolized by these messages, almost from its very beginning, various gifts of the Spirit, especially that of prophecy, have been in exercise. The influence of this last has uniformly been that which Paul states is the express purpose of the gifts of the Spirit, namely, to bring to the church the "unity of the faith" and the "perfecting of the saints," or, as expressed by the apostle in 1 Cor. 14:3, it has been to the "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" of the church.
The words of Jehoshaphat are true to-day as when Israel was about to meet the hosts of the Lord's enemies in the wilderness of Tekoa: "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper." 2 Chron. 20:20. And in the fearful conflict just before the people of God now, if the words of the king are heeded, the words of the Lord through Jahaziel, on the same occasion, will also be applicable: "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord, . . . for the Lord will be with you."
It is a most precious assurance that if we are on the Lord's side, we shall not have to fight our own battles. If we trust and obey him, he will fight for us to deliver and give the final victory. He is waiting to work mightily for his people. When the same faith, hope, and love prevail among those who believe these messages that did in the beginning of the work, the oppression and persecution will not be long delayed, and the deliverance and victory will soon follow. Differences of opinion may exist, and as the truth develops new controversies will arise; but there is a way to meet these which will bring unity and love instead of confusion and animosity.
In order to show what spirit may, and should, yes, and will prevail in the work, I quote a few lines from the pen of Mrs. White, upon "Searching the Scriptures," which, while defining the true spirit of Scripture investigation, also state how it was in the early days of this work:—
Those who sincerely desire truth will not be reluctant to lay open their positions for investigation and criticism, and will not be annoyed if their opinions and ideas are crossed. This was the spirit cherished among us forty years ago. We would come together burdened in soul, praying that we might be one in faith and doctrine; for we knew that Christ is not divided. One point at a time was made the subject of investigation. Solemnity characterized these councils. The Scriptures were opened with a sense of awe. Often we fasted, that we might be better fitted to understand the truth. After earnest prayer, if any point was not understood, it was discussed, and each one expressed his opinion freely; then we would again bow in prayer, and earnest supplications went up to heaven that God would help us to see eye to eye, that we might be one, as Christ and the Father are one. Many tears were shed. If one brother rebuked another for his dullness of comprehension, in not understanding a passage as he understood it, the one rebuked would afterward take his brother by the hand and say, "Let us not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus is with us; let us keep a humble, teachable spirit;" and the brother addressed would say, 'Forgive me, brother; I have done you an injustice.' Then we would bow down in another season of prayer. We spent many hours in this way. . . .
We sought most earnestly that the Scriptures should not be wrested to suit any man's opinions. We tried to make our differences as slight as possible by not dwelling on points of minor importance, upon which there were varying opinions. But the burden of every soul was to bring about a condition among the brethren which would answer the prayer of Christ that his disciples might be one, as he and the Father are one. Sometimes one or two of the brethren would stubbornly set themselves against the view presented, and would act out the natural feelings of the heart; but when this disposition appeared, we suspended our investigations and adjourned our meeting, that each one might have an opportunity to go to God in prayer, and, without conversation with others, study the point of difference, asking light from heaven. With expressions of friendliness we parted, to meet again as soon as possible for further investigation. At times the power of God would come upon us in a marked manner, and when clear light revealed the points of truth, we would weep and rejoice together. We loved Jesus. We loved one another.
Oh, may this spirit of charity again, and even in greater measure, characterize all the work of proclaiming to the world these solemn messages! This will surely be when all the workers become imbued with the real force and spirit of the first message,—the spirit of sincere worship of the true God, and the everlasting gospel; for 'love is the fulfilling of the law,' or true worship, and 'great joy' is the effect of obeying the gospel. What is now needed is a return to the 'first love.' Then, indeed, will the earth be lightened with glory—the glory of the oneness which is in Christ Jesus—the conflict will soon be ended, and the victory will be to the Lord, to his truth, and to his people.
When that time comes, may the reader and the writer both be found among that company described by John in Rev. 15:2-4: 'And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.'244
THREE MESSAGES.
"I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven." "And there followed another angel . . . And the third angel followed them." Rev. 14:6, 8, 9.
NOTES UPON THE ILLUSTRATION.
1. THE first message begins previous to 1844, announcing the hour of judgment, but continues to the coming of Christ, proclaiming the gospel and the worship of the true God (the commandments) as the basis of the following messages. 2. Simultaneously with the opening of the first message, and as a special feature of its introduction, it is joined by the message of the angel of chapter 10, which continues to 1844 and ceases. 3. Subsequent to 1844 the truths of the first message became more fully understood and preached, though generally rejected, and as a consequence it is joined by the second message, proclaiming the fall of Babylon, which also continues to the end. 4. Later the two are joined by the third, warning against the worship of "the beast" and his image and the reception of his mark, and also continues to the end. 5. Just before the end of gospel work the three are joined by the message of chapter 18, announcing the complete fall of Babylon, and calling upon God's people to come out of her because of her sins. This in effect produces a loud, earnest, and extended giving of all three messages combined, resulting in the lighting of the earth with all truth, and the development of a company keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and fully prepared to meet Christ when he appears in the clouds of heaven.
