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THE LAST WORK OF THE TRUE CHURCH

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Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Apr 3, 1855

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 6, No. 26.

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THE LAST WORK OF THE TRUE CHURCH

By M. E. Cornell

By M. E. Cornell.
“Bind up the testimony: Seal the law among my disciples.”

CHAPTER I.

THIS text seems to contain two commands equally prominent, each signifying to restore or bring together the truth; implying that the testimony is unbound and the law unsealed. But before we proceed to examine the nature of these commands, it will be necessary to locate the prophecy in order to a correct understanding of the importance of the subject. By the context we learn that the present is the time for the fulfillment of this prophecy: it is when the people are associating themselves and taking counsel together, and crying, “Confederacy, confederacy!” (joining secret societies &c.) Verses 9-12. Again, it is when the disciples (followers of Christ) are looking for the Lord; [verse 17;] which they are not warranted in doing until the signs which he gave to precede his coming are fulfilled; which commenced with the darkening of the sun, May 19th, A. D. 1780. The very generation that witnessed the signs, is to witness the coming of the Lord; hence the prophecy is most definitely fastened upon the present generation.
But there is farther evidence. The prophecy locates itself in a time when the children of the Lord are for signs and for wonders: (separate and peculiar, forsaking the customs of the world.) Verse 18. Again, it is “when they (the people) shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits (mediums) and unto wizards that peep and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” Verse 19. This last quotation evidently refers to the present so-called Spirit manifestations, with all their wonders and miracles, pretending to call up the spirits of the dead, leaving the living God, and going to the dead for knowledge.
By comparing several scriptures we learn that this work of spirits is to be accomplished in the last days, just prior to the second coming of Christ. Our Saviour spoke of this work of wonders and placed its fulfillment this side of the 1260 years of tribulation. See Matt. xxiv, 24. “For there shall arise false christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The apostle Paul defines the events to transpire before the coming of Christ, and the last he mentions is, “The working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness,” &c. 2 Thess. ii, 9, 10. The same work is spoken of in connection with the advent of Christ in Rev. xvi, 14, 15. “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold I come as a thief,” &c.
This work is spoken of again as a part of the work of a beast which is, a symbol of the United States, the very place where these wonders commenced. See Rev. xiii, 13, 14. “And he doeth great wonders so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast,” &c. Let the reader mark well the analogy of these scriptures. Christ says, SIGNS and WONDERS to DECEIVE, &c., and Paul says, POWER, SIGNS, WONDERS, and DECEIVABLENESS; and Rev. xiii, specifies WONDERS, DECEIVING, POWER and MIRACLES; and Rev. xvi, points us to spirits working MIRACLES.
That these prophecies are now receiving a literal accomplishment in the various forms of spirit manifestations, no one that has investigated the matter and believes in the divinity of the Scriptures, can doubt. All this work of power, signs, wonders, and miracles, is to deceive the world, and, if possible, the very elect. In Rev. xix, 20, we learn that those who were deceived by miracles, had also received the mark of the beast, and according to Rev. xiv, 9, 10, and xvi, 2, those who are deceived by familiar spirits, (spirits of devils,) and receive the mark of the beast, will have poured upon them the wine of God’s wrath.
Now when such fearful consequences are involved, is it not reasonable to suppose that God has made the way of escape very plain, and given us a perfect shield against the deception of Satan in all its forms? God’s plan in this respect is clearly developed in the history of the past. He has always given timely warning before sending his judgments upon the wicked. Before the flood the antedeluvians were faithfully warned. God’s will was made known to them, and a way of salvation provided for all the obedient. The inhabitants of Jerusalem were warned: signs were given by which they might know when the destruction was nigh. Says Jesus, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth let him understand,) then let them which be in Judea, flee into the mountains.” Matt. xxiv, 15, 16. All that believed and obeyed were saved. The way of salvation in this case was very plain: “Flee to the mountains!” how simple! all could understand it; and as God is unchangeable we know that he has provided a shield for his people now in this time of unbounded deception. He has spoken of an endless life of glory, and has faithfully marked the way to obtain it. He has also spoken of eternal death, and those things which lead thereto, and has as faithfully warned us of them all.
We are now prepared to inquire, What is the shield against all the wonderful lies with which Satan is deceiving the world at the present time? We will look for the shield in the connection of the warning message; and we may expect to find it composed of a combination of wonderful and mighty truths which, when once understood, will so effectually anoint our eyes, that we can see and shun all of Satan’s snares, and enable us to find and walk in the path which leads under that covering which is to shelter the elect when the last plagues shall fall upon the wicked. Such a combination is alluded to in our text: the TESTIMONY and the LAW. The same is mentioned again in verse 20.
After speaking of the cry which is now being made, that we should seek unto them that have familiar spirits, (mediums,) and go to the dead for knowledge, the Prophet directs our attention to the law and the testimony, and affirms that those have no light who speak not according to this word. This quotation shows that the law and the testimony are a test or detector for this time. This conclusion is corroborated by the third angel’s message. Rev. xiv, 12. After declaring the fate of those who worship the beast, and receive his mark, he says, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” When the beast and image (powers of earth) are “decreasing unrighteous decrees, and writing grievousness which they have prescribed,” (Isa. x, 1.) and “framing mischief by a law,” (Ps. xciv, 20,) and are thus multiplying false tests, we are informed of a company that are keeping God’s law, and Jesus’ faith. Now the very manner in which our attention is called to these, proves conclusively that they are a shield or safe-guard against the false ways of this time. While the two-horned beast is saying you must worship the image, you shall receive the mark, the warning message of the third angel says, “HERE are the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus!” as much as to say, Keep these, and you will not be in danger of worshiping the beast, or receiving his mark; and you will escape the wrath of God.
But there is another scripture relating to this part of the subject which it is important to notice. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. xii, 17. The “Woman” in this text, all will agree, represents the True Church; consequently the remnant of her seed must be the last end of the true church on earth. This proves that God’s people in the last days are distinguished by keeping (not merely professing to keep) the commandments of God, and testimony of Jesus Christ. But why is this a peculiarity of God’s people in the last days? Because the true church has been in the wilderness; and in the last days is to come out entirelyinto the blazing light of truth as taught by God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
The subject of God’s commandments is agitated among them, and they soon find out they are not keeping the true Sabbath, and they immediately return to the original Sabbath which their forefathers left when the church went into the wilderness. They now keep all God’s commandments as they were given to the true Israel on Mt. Sinai. It is the custom of the times, and also the law of the land, that men should keep the first day of the week holy; but the remnant regard it not: they move out regardless of consequences: this brings persecution: the war spirit of the dragon is manifested against them.
We witness no persecution in the popular protestant churches; but let one of their number begin to keep the Sabbath ordained in the fourth commandment, and he will soon have war declared against him. War is not made upon these nominal churches; therefore they are not the seed of the woman spoken of. They are fallen, and are almost on a level with the world, and have no reason to look for persecution; for, as the poet sings, “The world will not persecute those who are like them, But hold them the same as their own.”
But that the true children of God in the last days will be persecuted, is evident from the testimony of the apostle Paul. After declaring that perilous times should come in the last days, because men should be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, &c., having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, he says, “Yea, and, all that will live godly [keep God’s law] in Christ Jesus, (obey all the precepts of Christ,) SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION.” 2 Tim. iii, 12. Mark, he does not say they may, but, SHALL. Persecution, then, is inevitable with those who in reality keep the law and testimony. But do not the protestant churches keep them? They do not; for they violate the fourth commandment every week, and the apostle James says, “Whosoever shall keep (or profess to keep) the whole law and fail in one point, (or precept,) he is guilty of all.” James ii, 10.
The popular churches, we know, profess godliness; as Paul says, “They have a form of godliness, but deny the power (or fruit) thereof.” Actions speak as loud as words; as Paul says again, “They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him,” &c. Titus i, 16. Jesus says, “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” (works.) Matt. vii, 16. Men may profess to know and love God, and at the same time be deceivers and liars. Let them prove that they know and love God. The apostle John has given us the rule by which to test both ourselves and others. A man may deceive himself and think he knows and loves God, when he in reality does not. Therefore Paul says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves,” &c. 2 Cor. xiii, 5.
We will now return to John’s RULE: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abideth in death.” 1 John iii, 14. This alone would not be a perfect rule; for a man might deceive himself in this, and suppose he loved his brother, when he did not. Let us hear John again: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS; for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John v, 2, 3. Jesus gives the same rule: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” “If any man love me he will keep my words,” &c. John xiv, 21, 23.
The evidence that we know God is also in our obedience. See 1 John ii, 3, 5. “And hereby we do know that we know him, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. He that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” The apostle James also teaches that there is no profit in a man’s saying he has faith while he has not works, and says that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James ii, 14, 24.
Having now a perfect rule by which to try men, let us go forth in search of the TRUE CHURCH. Shall we find the true church to be one or all of the popular protestant churches now in existence. Let us see. What is their character at the present time?
  1. They turn away their ears from hearing the law. Prov. xviii, 9.
  2. They teach for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. xv, 9.
  3. They reject the commandment of God, the true Sabbath, that they may keep their own tradition—Sunday. Mark vii, 9.
  4. They are not looking for the second appearing of Jesus Christ. Heb. ix, 28.
  5. They are not persecuted. 2 Tim. iii, 12.
  6. They are not meek and humble, but proud and haughty. Zeph. ii, 3.
  7. They oppress the poor. Isa. lvii, 67.
  8. They refuse to repair the breach, (treading down the Sabbath,) to prepare the people to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Isa. lviii, 12, 13; Eze. xiii, 5.
  9. They will not receive a person into fellowship who keeps the Sabbath according to the commandment. Luke xxiii, 56.
  10. Thus requiring men to be sinners in order to have their fellowship. 1 John iii, 4.
  11. They as bodies are fallen, and are becoming habitations of devils. (They fellowship children of the wicked one.) Rev. xviii, 2.
  12. Because they are fallen and will fellowship wicked men who are guilty of the sin of charming, (magnetizing,) and enchanting, (mesmerizing,) and consulting with familiar spirits, (mediums,) and necromancy, (pretending to communicate with the dead,) [Deut. xvii, 10-12,] God calls his people out, lest they should partake of these sins, and receive of the last plagues. Rev. xviii, 4.
All of the honest, both of priests and people, will leave these fallen bodies when their eyes are opened to see their corruption. The character of the true church is exactly opposite the above.