THE LAST WORK OF THE TRUE CHURCH
By M. E. Cornell
"Bind up the testimony: Seal the law among my disciples." HAVING now proved that the time has come when special attention is to be given to the "Law" and "Testimony," we will proceed to inquire,- WHAT IS THE LAW, and
- WHAT IS THE TESTIMONY,
referred to in the text. From the scriptures already quoted we learn that the terms, law, and commandments, are used interchangeably referring to the same code. And it is a fact worthy of notice that where the phrase, commandments of God, occurs in the Scriptures it almost invariably refers to the ten commandments written upon tables of stone. The code of ceremonial laws, having been abolished at the death of Christ, the moral laws alone remain. The book of Revelation was given sixty-five years after the crucifixion, where the ceremonial commandments were done away; therefore Jesus refers to the ten commandments in Rev. xxii, 14: "Blessed are they that do his (the Father's) commandments," &c. The apostle Paul must have reference to the same law when he says, "The law is holy, . . . just and good." "The law is spiritual." "The doers of the law shall be justified." "By the law is the knowledge of sin." "With the mind I myself serve the law of God." "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God." Jesus must refer to the same law when he says, "If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments." "The young man saith unto him, Which?" He wished to know which code of commandments Jesus referred to, and Jesus informed him by quoting half of the ten commandments, and these represented the whole code from which they were taken. Matt. xix, 17. The apostle James speaks of the law of liberty, and the royal law, and gives us to understand what law he refers to by quoting two of the ten commandments; [James ii, 8, 10, 11, 12;] and the apostle shows the importance of this law by saying that it is to judge the words and actions of men. Then if a man does not speak according to this law he is a sinner and of course is in darkness and has no light. Now compare this with the testimony of Isaiah concerning the law mentioned in our text: "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them." Isa. viii, 20. From this we learn that the law mentioned in the text is to govern the words of men; and the testimony of the apostle James, already referred to, shows the rule of conversation to be the ten commandments; therefore we conclude that in order for THE LAW TO BE SEALED AMONG THE DISCIPLES, THEY MUST KEEP ALL OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Having now ascertained what law is to be sealed, we will proceed to examine our second proposition; viz., What is the Testimony to be bound up? As the prophecy containing the text relates to the present time, we conclude that the work of familiar spirits mentioned in the context is synonymous with the same work mentioned in the book of Revelation; hence the law and testimony which is referred to in both places as a Shield, are the same. That which is called the faith of Jesus, in Rev. xiv, 12, is named the testimony of Jesus, in Chap. xii, 17. These two passages referring to the same company at the same time, give us a key to the matter and show that the faith of Jesus, and the testimony of Jesus, are the same, and refer to that part of the shield called in our text the testimony. That the testimony is something separate and distinct from the law is evident from Rev. i, 2: "Who bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ." See also verse 9: ". . . was in the isle that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony," &c. Again in Rev. xiv, 12: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." It being now sufficiently clear that the law and testimony are not the same, we come more directly to the question, What is the testimony of Jesus? Jesus' testimony must be what he has declared as a witness; and we find that the Scriptures thus speak of him. See Rev. i, 5: "And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness." Again in Rev. iii, 14: "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness," &c. Again in Rev. xx, 4: "And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God," &c. From these references we might conclude that the testimony of Jesus is what he has witnessed to, or taught. But other scriptures will settle the question so as to leave no room for doubts. Jesus says, "For this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth." John xviii, 37. Then what Jesus spake while on earth, he spake as a witness; consequently all his sayings can with propriety be called his testimony. This conclusion is established by the testimony of the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. i, 5, 6. Paul here assures the saints that they are enriched by Christ in all knowledge even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them, so that they come behind in no gift, &c. There can be no doubt that the testimony of Jesus here embraces all his teaching. As Jesus never taught in vain, he would cease to teach when his disciples were enriched in all knowledge, so that they came behind in no gift, &c.; therefore we conclude that a part of the sayings of Jesus would not have enriched the Corinthians in all knowledge; hence the phrase, testimony of Jesus, comprehends all that Jesus taught. Once more: Paul admonished Timothy "not to be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus; [2 Tim. i, 8,] and Jesus instructed men "not to be ashamed of his words," &c. Mark viii, 38. We may infer from this that the testimony of Christ and his words are the same. But this question is forever settled by the testimony of John the Baptist. Speaking of Christ, he says: "And what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth, and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God." John iii, 32-34. Jesus testifieth and speaketh; and his words are his testimony. He speaks concerning the past, the present and the future; of things in this world, and that which is to come. He pronounces blessings upon the meek and pure in heart, and woes upon the pharisees and hypocrites. He tells man what is in his heart, and what he shall and shall not do, or say, or think, that he may have eternal life. ALL THESE ARE HIS TESTIMONY. When Jesus prayed for the apostles, he said, "I have given them thy words." John xvii, 8, 14. And the apostle Paul speaking of the great salvation, says, "It began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." Heb. ii, 3. From this we learn that the testimony of Jesus was finished by the apostles; hence all the doctrines and precepts of the New Testament are comprehended in the phrase, "testimony of Jesus."