Fallen Man by Methuselah Jones

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 23, 1912

Fallen Man

By Methuselah Jones

THE object of the everlasting gospel is the rescue of the fallen sons of Adam. Before sin entered Eden man bore much of the image of his Maker, held personal communion with him, and moved about freely and joyously in his earthly paradise.

But no sooner had the first apostate arraigned the honor and equity of Jehovah's law than he gained the attention and service of man, bringing him thereby into bondage. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. In this deceived and fallen condition, Adam was not only himself a sinner, but he opened to his posterity the way to every species of misery, vice, sin, and death. In the service of sin, blinded in captivity, and hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, men have ever since been hiding from God (Gen. 3:9, 10), and will not readily seek divine favor. They do not like to retain God in their knowledge. Rom. 1:28.

Sovereign Love contested the claim of the usurper in the announcement, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Gen. 3:15. Through Adam's choice, yet also by intrigue of the enemy of all righteousness, man fell captive to sin, and his posterity heirs with him to suffering, pain, and death; yet through the manifestation of Immanuel, "God with us" in the flesh, the power of the tempter would be broken, the castles and strongholds of sin would be demolished, and captive man would be once more free to rejoice in that liberty which comes with righteousness. Gal. 5:1. The promise made in Eden of a Saviour that would bruise the serpent's head, has been a beacon light through all the ages.

God the Father and God the Son were equally interested in the work of man's restoration. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. The captive is not only made free, but he who caused the captivity is to be destroyed, with all the fruit of his works. Heb. 2:14.

Did not the glory of Eden fade, as the black pall of death fell over the once innocent and happy pair? Did not the prince of darkness unveil his dark banner with delight as, with government upon his shoulders, scepter in hand, and subjects to execute his biddings, he entered upon a career, apparently uninterrupted, of destruction and ruin? The mystery of iniquity found a hotbed in which to develop. Man in its service became base, sunken in woe, bowing at the shrines of superstition and demonism, a mouthpiece for his designing captor. Did not this being entertain the hope that the whole human race would be left entirely in his hands? Ah, but the star of Bethlehem has appeared, Messiah is born, and the enemy is met. The life, love, cross at Calvary, death, ascension, and mediation of the Son of God all go to prove that victory is gained and Messiah is king, that Satan is defeated and his governmental reign is at an end.

The gospel work is to close in this generation, and the sons of Adam are being called from captivity and bondage to heed the proclamation of liberty. The gospel is to-day, as it has been in all ages, the only way of salvation for any member of the human race. Rom. 1:16, 17. It is soul-inspiring, life-giving, and health-preserving; yea, more, the characteristics of their Leader will be seen in those who believe and obey, for they shall be like him. Is any struggling for victory over the subtle tendencies of a depraved heart and nature, let them read John 8:32, 36. Have the demon of unbelief, and the poison fangs of a perverted appetite, the coils of a hasty and unsubdued passion, been working to undermine faith in the gospel of liberty; and to lead its victims over the road of regret, back to the castle of doubt? Read again and believe John 8:32, 36.

The gospel in the three angels' messages of Rev. 14:6-14 has been to many, as it is to the writer, a polar star in their Christian pilgrimage, a glass by which the heavenly landscape is viewed. Through that glass we see Eden restored, and the redeemed standing on the sea of glass, joint heirs with Christ. The six thousand years of sin's reign shall vanish before the all-absorbing glorious radiancy of the cycles of eternity. Yea, "the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: . . . and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." Isa. 51:11.

Let us heed the call God is sending to the world in the message which is to close the work of the gospel in the earth.