Who are, and who are not, Subjects for the Kingdom of God?
By Luther Paine
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The great Teacher, while he dwelt among men, was careful to bring to view all the devices of the wicked heart: the self-righteous, the hypocrite, the adulterer, the liar, the blasphemer or any commandment breaker, could not be hid from the close inspection of Him whose knowledge extends to the thoughts, and motives of the human heart. And while dependent man can read from the Bible, that all his acts of transgression are known to God, he yet dares to rebel and continue to sin. Our blessed Lord in this text, "lays the axe at the root of the tree," to cut off all unscriptural hope of entering into his kingdom, and also brings to view the characters, that shall, and shall not, enter into his kingdom. Possibly the thought, in some heart may arise, viz., How can we know when we are doing the will of our Father in heaven? Let Christ first answer: "If ye love me keep my commandments." Can any one love Christ and not love the Father? "He that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father." "He that hath my commandments and doeth them, he it is that loveth me." "Blessed are they that do his (the Father's) commandments," &c. "I and my Father are one." "And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Thanks and high praises, be ascribed to God forever, that they who do his will, shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or of man." What doctrine? We answer, The doctrine of truth:—"thy word is truth." Does the Bible any where teach us, that any who do not have respect to all the commandments of God shall enter into life? Nay, verily. Let Christ's words decide, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Then the keeping of the commandments of God is the Bible requirement of the Great Law-giver. Those who live by every word of God, i. e., do all of the requirements of God, are doubtless doing the will of their heavenly Father; consequently such are fit subjects for his kingdom, while those who rebel and disregard the life-sealing laws of the great Law-giver, are denominated, subjects for Damnation!! But Christ foresaw that in the great day of separation, there would be many (not a few) that would say to him, Lord, Lord, &c. Will the greatest portion of the "many" hail from North America? this enlightened land of Slavery: My thoughts fly back to 1843-4, to that loving, consecrated company, who were loving each other fervently, and all absorbed in the speedy coming of "this same Jesus," but O the sad change, relative to many, since that memorable period when the 2300 days ended. O will any from among the loving alluded to, be found fulfilling our Lord's predictions, Lord, Lord, &c.; and if so will not the mournful detail be added:—Why Lord thou knowest thy Spirit was poured out upon us in 1843-4, and we were expecting thy coming; and we went forward, laboring for the good of souls, and with all our hearts we were enabled to proclaim, Behold the Bridegroom Cometh, &c.; and further Lord, we heartily engaged in the first and second angels' messages, and many souls were converted through our instrumentality; and now Lord, since we have endeavored to be faithful in thy cause, why cannot we enter the kingdom? In our imagination do we hear the judge reply, I know that some of you labored faithfully for me according to the light you had; but you had no Bible authority to believe that the Son of man would appear in 1844. The foundation of your disappointment, was in the view that the earth was called the Sanctuary, while the Sanctuary that was to be cleansed was in heaven; and the Son of man, the antitypical High Priest was making the atonement for man, and cleansing the Sanctuary. You are not condemned for the error you then embraced; but since that point of time passed, that you are guilty of disregarding one or more of my Father's commands. You were not condemned before light shone forth in due time, especially on the fourth commandment; but you have not only broken my laws and commands yourself; but you have taught others to do the same, by shedding your unholy influence upon them and some of you have scattered your deleterious influence from the Press and been persecuting my people who love my law and commandments; and my reproof to you, through them, you have rejected. How often have you read my word by my servant James, that if you "offend in one point, you are guilty of all." Your former good deeds, and righteousness by faith in me, is of no avail to you now; you have sinned against light which I have sent through my servants and Word. Depart from me ye that work iniquity. O my Lord, save thy people, the "little flock;" and if possible cause the blinded transgressors of thy holy law and commandments, to see their fearful doom, in time to escape the snare. The newspapers of the day seem to be involved in mystery, relative to the slow progress of the eastern wars; but the Governor and Upholder of all things is at the helm. Hold, hold, a little longer upon the four winds, ye angels of my charge! may have been uttered. O my brethren, who are entrusted with the momentous truths of the third angel's message, be faithful, while passing the "quickly." Your warfare is drawing to a close. "Endure persecution." "The trial of your faith, is more precious than fine gold, though it be tried in the fire." You are doing a great work; I trust that the Lord will not suffer you to be hindered. Yours in the love of the truth. Ware Village, Mass., July 8th. 1854.