Who is able to Stand?

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 30, 1862

Who is able to Stand?

“Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?”—1 Samuel vi, 20.

God is essentially, infinitely, and eternally holy; and his holiness influences him, and appears in all he does. His holy eye observes the least violation of his law; his holy heart loathes all impurity: his holy law condemns every transgression; his holy arm will punish every obstinate offender: and his holy covenant saves myriads of beings from their sins. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. His holiness makes him a consuming fire to sinners, and produces the question, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?” Not the formal professor, the presumptuous pretender, the proud legalist, or the unsanctioned church member,—these will not be able to stand. But only those who now fall at his feet in penitence, flee to Jesus as the refuge for the guilty, trust in his glorious atonement for peace, rely on his precious promises for support, plead at his throne of grace for daily supplies, are clothed in his righteousness, united to his person, and lovingly look for his appearing. Sinner! you must appear before this holy Lord God: how will you be able to stand? Reader! whoever you are, examine into your state; be wise in time, nor rest without good ground to conclude that you will be able to stand. Believer! see to it that your evidences are bright, that your preparation is complete, and that you have no just cause for fear. Set the foot on the Rock of Ages, obtain grace to sanctify your soul, and trust in Jesus alone: so shall you be able to stand. Oh! my soul, see to it that in that great and terrible day, the day of wrath, thou wilt be safe. Ponder the question, “The great day of his wrath is come, and WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?”

“Thou, even thou art to be feared; and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?”—Ps. lxxvi, 7.—Sel.