QUESTION by Uriah Smith

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 12, 1880

QUESTION.

By Uriah Smith

In John 12:32 Christ says, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” What is the meaning of the phrase, “will draw all men unto me”? D. B. W.

ANS. The lifting up from the earth doubtless refers to the death of Christ upon the cross, by which the world beholds in epitome the great work which Christ has wrought in their behalf. And by this means men will be drawn from all nations of the earth to partake of the great salvation he has provided. We do not think the term “all men” here includes every individual of the human family, as the Universalist would have us believe; but the words spoken are in contrast with the notions of the Jews, who arrogated salvation to themselves exclusively; as a nationality. It was one of the peculiar characteristics of the Messiah, that unto him should the gathering of the people be; Gen. 49:2; and when it was announced to the Jews that the Gentiles were to be brought in, and a new body be formed, they took offense thereat. But it is this great fact which we understand is announced in the words under notice. As if he had been asked, “Will you confine your work to the Jews?” and he had answered, “No; I will draw all men unto me;” not that he would draw every individual of all nations unto him, but he would draw from all nations in contrast with the work which had before that time been confined to the particular nation of the Jews. And the gospel has thus gathered from all nations believers in the cross of Christ. U. S.