1:21 John 1:2

The eternal life that was with the Father is Jesus Christ, the Word of life, who was manifested and made visible and known to human beings.ST Jan 11, 1899+2 He was divine, yet He clothed His divinity with humanity and became a man of flesh and blood.ST Jan 11, 1899+1 Those who testify of Him heard Him, saw Him with their eyes, looked upon Him, handled Him with their hands, and lived with Him in close companionship, so their witness rests on firsthand seeing and experience and not on supposition or hearsay.ST Jan 11, 1899+4 Having seen that manifested life, they bear witness to it and declare that eternal life to others, so that hearers may have fellowship with them and truly with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, and that joy may be full.7T 286.2+4 That declaration carries that God is light with no darkness at all, so those who receive it must walk in the light in humble obedience and be cleansed from sin through confession and the blood of Jesus Christ, and every minister and worker must speak in the same way, declaring only what has been seen, heard, and experienced of Christ's power.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6+4

The eternal life that was with the Father is Jesus Christ Himself, the Word of life and the Giver of the Word, who was manifested and made visible to human beings and made known to those who saw Him.ST Jan 11, 1899+4 He was seen, talked with, learned from, and loved with pure, sincere, undeviating fidelity, and those who saw Him bear witness to Him and show and declare that eternal life to others, even to those living in this last generation.ST Jan 11, 1899+2 Their witness is grounded in personal experience and is given in the simplest language, which shows depth and not shallowness, spoken positively and decidedly to real men and women to bring them into contact with a real, living God, showing what God is doing and what man must do to meet His requirements.ST Jan 11, 1899+1

He was divine, yet He clothed His divinity with humanity and became a man of flesh and blood whom the witnesses knew personally.ST Jan 11, 1899+1 He is the Saviour to whom the Jewish sacrificial offerings pointed, giving Himself as an offering for sin.Ms 77, 1899, par. 7–8 In giving His only begotten Son to the world God revealed His love, for Christ came not to save men in their sins but to take away the sin of the world through obedience to the truth.Ms 87, 1893, par. 29–30

Contact with this manifested divine life gives life and imparts life-giving power and energy.GW 508.1–2+2 Yielded to, its influence has flowed out to bless the world, and from Christ's fullness grace for grace is received.GW 508.1–2+1 John himself yielded to that life and continued speaking about what he had seen and heard even in his old age, having beheld divine light.Ms 188, 1905, par. 21–26+1 God is not contained in nature nor found in leaves, roots and trees; He rules in heaven and gives His people light that illuminates mind and soul.Ms 188, 1905, par. 21–26

The witnesses heard the Word of life from the beginning, saw Him with their eyes, looked upon Him, and handled Him with their hands.Lt 153, 1901, par. 19+4 They lived with Him and knew Him by close personal companionship during His ministry, learning His words and deeds, beholding His miracles and holy character, receiving His precepts and example, and witnessing His resurrection.ST Jan 11, 1899+3 What was heard, seen, looked upon and handled was the eternal life that was with the Father and was manifested in Christ the Word of life.Lt 153, 1901, par. 19+4 That which was seen and heard is declared so that hearers may have fellowship with the witnesses, and truly their fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, written so that joy may be full.Lt 153, 1901, par. 19+4

Their testimony rests on firsthand personal seeing and experience, not on supposition, guess-work, fiction or hearsay.MH 461.2–3+3 John's message was no uncertain message but certain eyewitness testimony to eternal life manifested in Christ.Ms 161, 1904, par. 6–7 It is certain, positive and decided, given in simplest language that shows depth and not shallowness, spoken with assurance that Christ lived on earth.ST Jan 11, 1899+3 He could speak with assurance of Christ's words and works because he had seen Christ and been with Christ when life was manifested on this earth.ST Jan 11, 1899+1 As he studied the life of Christ he beheld as in a glass the glory of the Lord and was changed from glory to glory till like what he adored, with his Master's lessons engraved on his soul.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 9–12

Having seen the manifested life, they bear witness to it and show and declare that eternal life to others.7T 286.2+4 The life was manifested, was seen with the eyes, and those who saw it bear witness and show it.Lt 393, 1907, par. 4–6+4 That witness is addressed to those living in this last generation, and those who have stood faithful amid storm and trial can say these words together as their own testimony of what they have seen.Lt 216, 1906, par. 6–7+1 Bearing this testimony glorifies God's name for His great gift to redeem fallen man.Lt 394, 1907, par. 9–10

Their eyewitness testimony confirms the teaching of the Old and New Testaments and comes down through the ages so that those who receive it may have fellowship with those who bore it.Lt 116, 1905, par. 20–21+1 The apostles' eyewitness accounts of Jesus and His miracles give evidence of His divinity and support faith in Him.6RED 8.1–2 Christ secured that testimony before He left His disciples by declaring that the Holy Spirit would bring all things to their remembrance.20MR 349.6–7 This testimony was invaluable in the early history of the church for establishing the faith of believers against questions brought in by the enemy to lead to doubt and dissension.Ms 29, 1911, par. 70–71

John bore this witness as an old man nearly one hundred years old, giving a firm, decided, brave testimony full of courage, hope, faith and assurance, and he kept bearing witness to the life and truth he had experienced, repeating it throughout his life and to its close.Ms 92, 1903, par. 2–7+2 His witness is an example of how aged workers can be used, revealing the life of Christ in his own life even when thought by many to be past service like an old broken reed.Ms 92, 1903, par. 2–7+1 In perilous times such a firm, decided testimony is needed from aged laborers who have borne the burden and heat of the day, and they are not to be set aside for young men of far less experience.Ms 92, 1903, par. 8–12

When men grew tired of hearing of Jesus, sought to kill John and banished him to the lone Isle of Patmos, his witness was not silenced.Ms 161, 1904, par. 6–7+1 God was with him there and opened to his view the glories of heaven, and Christ finds His true and faithful servant in any place, honoring servants grown old in His work with His presence.Ms 161, 1904, par. 6–7+1 There he was bidden to write in a book what he saw in revelation so those living in the closing days of earth's history might know the future, and through this aged disciple whom Jesus loved were given the most glorious truths about the last chapters of this earth's history.Ms 154, 1904, par. 22–25+1 His testimony about Christ remained a witness even in exile, amazing those who wished to forget Christ and hated the crucified Redeemer they had rejected, standing against their wicked deeds in crucifying the Lord of glory while the world and the priests and rulers rejoiced to be rid of his voice and sought to put him beyond hearing.Ms 109, 1897, par. 16–18+1

He repeated over and over the story of the crucified and risen Saviour, presenting Christ's life, death and resurrection and identifying Jesus as Messiah and Redeemer.Ms 92, 1903, par. 2–7+2 He did this to hold young believers steady when persecution put them in danger of losing hold on Christ, declaring what he had seen and heard so they might have fellowship with him and with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.Ms 92, 1903, par. 2–7+1 This firsthand testimony, spoken with assurance from one who had seen Christ and been with Christ when life was manifested on earth, was invaluable in the early history of the church for establishing the faith of believers against questions brought in by the enemy to lead to doubt and dissension.Ms 29, 1911, par. 70–71+1

He keeps his own name out of sight so the mind of the reader is centered on the comprehensive truths presented, with self hidden and Christ the Mediator as the center, the all and in all, the foundation and object of faith and hope.Ms 62, 1903, par. 26–27 As he studied the life of Christ he beheld as in a glass the glory of the Lord and was changed into the same image from glory to glory, from character to character, till he was like what he adored, imitating the life in which he delighted, with his Master's lessons engraved on his soul.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 9–12 He had heard Christ's wonderful words and seen His wonderful deeds and regarded being with Christ as a most blessed experience that he loved to relate, knowing the Saviour through close personal association during His ministry.Ms 150, 1899, par. 7+1 His witness is given in clear lines out of a heart overflowing with love for Christ, eloquent with love without doubt, suspicion, controversy or contention, so that no power could stay his words, expressing the love that filled his life.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 9–12+2

What was seen and heard is declared so that hearers may have fellowship with the witnesses, and truly that fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, for eternal life which was with the Father was manifested and seen and is borne witness to and shown to others.Lt 153, 1901, par. 19+4 The manifested eternal life is the Word of life from the beginning, heard and seen with eyes and looked upon and handled, and those who saw it declare it so others may share that fellowship.Lt 153, 1901, par. 19+2 That testimony confirms the teaching of the Old and New Testaments and comes down through the ages to those who receive it.Lt 116, 1905, par. 20–21 It is written and declared so that joy may be full.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6+4 The same message from the beginning, resting on what was heard, seen, looked upon and handled, makes Christ known so others may share fellowship with the Father and His Son and have full joy.Lt 55, 1905, par. 4–7+2

The declaration carries the message that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6+4 To claim fellowship with Him while walking in darkness is to lie and not do the truth.Lt 30, 1895, par. 14–16+1 Walking in the knowledge of the truth requires walking humbly with God in the light, with singleness of purpose as partakers of the divine nature in the genuine experience of plain obedience.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6 It requires opening the door of the heart to Jesus that the Holy Spirit may enter, Satan be expelled from the soul temple, and cleansing and blessing be received.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6+1 Doing the will of God therefore requires being firm in the message for this time brought before the people in distinct lines.Lt 192, 1903, par. 10–13

Walking in that light, sin is cleansed through confession and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son from all sin and unrighteousness.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6+1 In the better covenant this witness is a precious assurance thoroughly appreciated by the repentant sinner who comes to Christ, is cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ, and receives from Him power to become a son of God.Lt 276, 1904, par. 7–11 The word of life, spoken by one sanctified through it and received in love, has life-giving power, convinces receptive hearers of its reality, and works sanctification in character.DA 141.5–142.2

The verse sets the pattern for how every minister, teacher and lay worker must speak, imparting only what is known by experience and declaring from what has been seen, heard and felt of Christ's power.CH 603.2–3+3 Teaching of the Word must rest on knowing Christ for oneself, for the teacher of sacred truth can impart only what he knows by experience, having made the Word his own and learned what it means to have Christ made wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.CT 435.1+1 Christ taught truth because He was the truth, with His own thought and character and life experience embodied in His teaching, and His servants must likewise speak not supposition or may-be but witness to the eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to them.Lt 86, 1907, par. 8–9 Everyone whose heart has been touched by grace can tell how Jesus has led step by step, how His promise has been tested and found true, how the truth in Jesus refines, ennobles and sanctifies the heart, and what has been known of His grace.DA 339.3–340.1

Preaching is testifying what is known to be truth because God has spoken it, with earnestness, positiveness and persuasive entreaties, presenting the plain Thus saith the Lord with authority.Lt 8, 1895, par. 8–13 It is to be done in short pointed discourses followed by Bible readings and questions, with personal effort in the houses of the people, speaking with such certainty that hearers know the truth is a reality and are brought to decision to consecrate heart and mind to Christ.Lt 8, 1895, par. 8–13 Those with faith and experience are to use that testimony to instruct other workers, and the Holy Spirit accompanies the presentation of the truth in its order.Ms 28, 1890, par. 1–5+1

Those who have stood faithful amid storm and trial can say these words together as their own testimony of what they have seen.20MR 220.3 Aged pioneers, old disciples and fathers who have known Him from the beginning, as warriors of the faith and depositories of sacred truth and co-laborers with Christ through whom the waters of life have flowed, have seen the manifested life with their eyes, heard Him and handled the Word of life.Ms 33, 1890, par. 1–4+2 Like John they are to continue bearing witness even in old age, speaking distinctly even in future times of difficulty, including workers who have proclaimed the first, second and third angels' messages.Ms 33, 1890, par. 1–4+2 Even amid infirmities they should praise God for opportunity to testify, hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end, and remain bound to one another and to Christ by love, while John himself kept speaking of the divine light he had beheld.Ms 188, 1905, par. 21–26+1

Their testimony is to be valued, respected, cherished, gratefully followed and sustained, leaving defects to God and imitating virtues.Lt 39, 1894, par. 16–19 Experienced workers who for many years have borne the burden and heat of the day are not to be set aside for young men of far less experience but are to have special recognition, appreciation and respect.Ms 41, 1890, par. 12–14+1 They are to be given abundant help with strong workers united with them so they do not labor beyond their strength, upheld by God's strong arm as their strength and exceeding great reward, with praise to the Lord for the witness of those left alive after fellow laborers have fallen asleep.20MR 219.4+1

That witness is addressed to those living in this last generation and is a word to be repeated to brethren in responsible positions.Lt 216, 1906, par. 6–7+1 It is the same truth from the beginning, resting on what was heard, seen, looked upon and handled, declared so others may have fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ and that joy may be full, for God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.Lt 55, 1905, par. 4–7+1 The truth proclaimed for more than fifty years is that same truth first seen and heard, the old message that brought believers out of the churches in 1843 and 1844, to be proclaimed rather than replaced with a new one, with zeal kindled anew by the Holy Spirit, including in order the first, second and third angels' messages.Lt 55, 1905, par. 4–7+2

These words are fitting when sin must be called by its right name against unconverted men who seek their own glory by claiming to originate new theories as truth that deny the truth God has given His people for the past fifty years and substantiated by the demonstration of the Holy Spirit.Lt 329, 1905, par. 22–25 All are warned to beware the character of such work, to fall into line, to walk in the light where the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, and not to start on a new track using Scripture to substantiate error that brings confusion and turns minds from truths to be indelibly impressed and held fast.Lt 329, 1905, par. 22–25+1 Doing the will of God requires refusing to let innocent youth suppose self-willed men under deceptive influence work under the Spirit's leading, and requires being firm in the message for this time in distinct lines, for God does not work with those who are not so firm.Lt 192, 1903, par. 10–13

The same pattern applies individually, for Elder Loughborough should tell what he has seen and heard through his experience in the rise and progress of the third angel's message.Lt 20, 1890, par. 8–9 Brother Smith can bear firsthand witness to the labor and work God has given, telling what he has seen, heard and experienced in relation to it.Ms 18, 1888, par. 39 This eyewitness testimony confirms the testimonies of the Spirit of God, which Satan strives most earnestly to silence to make them of none effect and gain access to minds.Ms 18, 1888, par. 39

Even those with only brief contact with Christ and no ability to instruct like the disciples daily with Him can bear in their own persons evidence that Jesus is the Messiah.DA 339.3–340.1 Doing this work of spreading the good news brings the worker near the Saviour and gives a greater blessing than remaining with Him for personal benefit alone, and for lack of this personal testimony the world is perishing.DA 339.3–340.1 Bearing this testimony glorifies God's name for His great gift to redeem fallen man, and as the soul takes Christ in more fully there are renewed daily expressions of thanksgiving and praise from converted, sanctified lips, walking in His footsteps and becoming more Christlike in character.Lt 394, 1907, par. 9–10 John's witness in simplest language to real men and women brings them into contact with a real, living God, showing what God is doing and what man must do to meet His requirements, and John stands as the example of a worker bearing a living testimony grounded in real experience.ST Jan 11, 1899+1