Earlier text: THE TEMPLE OF GODIT IS GOOD.
By F. D. Starr
“THEY helped everyone his neighbor; and everyone said to his brother, be of good courage.” Isa. 41 : 6. A commendable way to do, surely! But who are these who are talking so encouragingly to one another, brother helping brother? A chorus of voices replies: “Christians, God’s people, commandment-keepers.” Very well, let it be so; it certainly ought to be so. But let us read the next verse: “So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.” Now do you know who these people are, and what they are doing? Oh, they are poor, deluded heathen, busily engaged making an idol! The energy with which they work in their misguided zeal, worthy of a better cause, is described in Isa. 44 : 12: “The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.” What devotion to their cause is here expressed. If heathen idolaters can work so harmoniously and unitedly, helping and encouraging one another all they can in their labors and their worship, which the Scriptures inform us is simply demon worship, how ought Christians to work! How ought we to work? Would it not be a shame for us to work at cross purposes with one another, and discourage and hinder one another? So then the language of the text, if transferred to the work of the Lord and brought down to the present time, would read something like this: “So the preacher encouraged the printer; and he that sold books, him that taught in the school. The Bible worker helped the missionary nurse; and schools, sanitariums, publishing houses, and missions, all helped and encouraged one another, and had a good word to speak one for the other and to the other.” How majestically the work of God would move along under such a condition of things as this. If the heathen can speak encouragingly to his brother, how much more should everyone of us be ready to say to our fellow workers in the Lord, Be of good courage, brother; the work is progressing, it will soon be finished, and we shall see the completion of our labors and our hopes. In the margin of verse 7 we have the expression, “It is good.” That is what one workman says to the other, of his work. Such little expressions of appreciation go a great deal further than whole volumes of criticism and fault-finding. May the Lord help us to learn, even from these unregenerate Gentiles, some lessons on the unity of the work and the workers. All the great enterprises in the world have been brought to a successful completion by men who, though worldly minded, have worked together in harmony. Even Babel of old, in all its greatness, was advancing toward a successful completion when the Lord caused the enterprise to cease, by confounding the language of the workers. Satan sees that the only way to frustrate the work of God is to cause disunion and confusion to come in among the workers. Then they begin to discourage and criticise one another, and thus the work is seriously hindered. But instead of that, let the inspired words be true of us, “They helped everyone his neighbor; and everyone said to his brother; Be of good courage.” Even Satan’s kingdom, if divided, would come to an end. That will come to an end; but God’s kingdom, eternally united, will stand forever. THE Bridegroom is coming, surely soon coming. Yes; he is coming. The Comforter has come! He is here, is operating all over the world; is in the wars and rumors of wars, foretold for the last days; is in the midst of these perilous times,—these seasons of darkness, doubt, and gloom,—these cycles of tribulation through which we are passing. He is doing his preparatory work, arranging all matters for the coming of the King. An increasing number are looking, are waiting, for the arrival. They may meet with scorn and contumely, may be taunted with non-fulfillment of prophecy, and asked where are the signs of his coming, and yet, led by the Spirit, they delight to avow and to act on their simple belief, and to take their stand, as they live in glorious expectancy, that the glorified form of the Son of God, the Son of man, is soon coming in person, the second time, to visit, to reign, to own and control this globe of his and ours. This hope, this knowledge, is the hope, the knowledge, that shall not fail; it is the hope of hopes, and when all human hopes fail in utter disappointment, this hope shall end in fruition, in perfect fulfillment. For this coming we are looking. It is the mainspring of power in our lives; it is the consummation of our faith; it is the coming of our Lord. This coming of the King is the gladsome day of days, the most joyous of heaven and earth, the jubilee of the universe. All creation is groaning for this new birthday, is earnestly expecting and desiring it. He is coming; it is nearing; the rumbling of his chariot wheels will break upon our ears. The world is in tumult, in travail, in tribulation, the end is near. Halleluiah! The Lord, the King, is about to take up his triumphal march. He left heaven’s glories once for earth’s manger—its trials, troubles, tribulations. He was tested here in all points like as we are. He died an ignominious death, entered its precincts, demolished its strongholds, and broke down the walls of its dominions. He arose, he waited, he directed, promised and prayed for his people. He ascended, re-entered heaven, has been engaged in fitting up a home, our mansions, a place. He sent Another Comforter, as his representative, to take his place, to prepare his people for his return. He promised to come back; the angels told his disciples he would so come in like manner. His apostles and the primitive church, without controversy, anxiously looked for and awaited his coming; the redeemed of the Lord are searching for and reading the signs of the heavens, of the earth, of the times. They are studying the Scriptures, and are unlocking the prophetic page, and under the light and direct care of the Holy Spirit are waiting in sorrow, yet in joyful expectation, for his appearing. His coming, his soon coming in person to this earth, will untangle all the tangled web of life, will solve all the momentous problems, will give us back our dead, will restore to us our inheritance, and bring us into perfect harmony with him, with one another, with all things. He comes, and may it be, it will be, soon! “Come, Lord Jesus.” There shall be no more war, no more sin, no more death. The wilderness shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; none shall hurt or destroy in all God’s holy mountain. When he comes, the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. When he comes, his risen and quick elect shall reign with him. “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: . . . and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” The time of his coming we know not, but of his speedy coming we are assured. He is waiting as the angels are waiting, and we are waiting; for the fulfillment of prophecy. And in this glorious hope and wonderful expectancy we rest and abide. THE BOY THAT SAYS NO.
By The Evangelical
Here's a hand to the boy who has courage
To do what he knows to be right!
When he falls in the way of temptation,
He has a hard battle to fight.
Who strives against self and his comrades
Will find a most powerful foe;
All honor to him if he conquers;
A cheer for the boy that says “No.” There's many a battle fought daily
The world knows nothing about!
There's many a brave little soldier
Whose strength puts a legion to rout.
And he who fights sin single-handed
Is more of a hero, I say,
Than he who leads soldiers to battle,
And conquers by arms in the fray. Be steadfast, my boy, when you're tempted,
And do what you know to be right;
Stand firm by the colors of manhood,
And you'll overcome in the fight.
“The right,” be your battle-cry ever
In waging the warfare of life;
And God, who knows who are the heroes,
Will give you the strength for the strife. THE sunlight, which pours its bright rays over all things, transforms, as if by magic, that which it touches. The landscape, which before was dull, cold, and uninteresting, suddenly glows with beauty. We forget the rude angles and unsightly ridges in viewing the brightened scene. In like manner love changes our conception of our fellow creatures. It is easy to discern faults in others if they are studied with the eye of criticism. Their ways, manners, beliefs, and practices give occasion for fault-finding, to those who yield to this most common temptation. But Christian charity reveals to us the good in others, and turns the attention from disagreeable traits. Especially does it close the lips against speaking disparagingly of those with whom we daily come in contact. The mother who loves her child may realize that he has imperfections, but her love would forever prevent her from parading those faults to the view of the world. Family pride and affection may hinder one from mentioning the mistakes, or failings, of those in his own household. But that charity which “never faileth” will keep the child of God from indulging in unkind criticism of those outside his family circle. Not even self-sacrificing deeds will win hearts for the Master, unless the love which forgives all injuries, forgets all slights and wrongs, and recognizes the possibilities in every erring human soul, actuates the motives In Life, Not Death: Words of Sympathy
“In life, not death,
Hearts need fond words to help them on their way;
Need tender thoughts and gentle sympathy,
Caresses, pleasant looks, to cheer each passing day.
Then hoard them not until they useless be;
In life, not death,
Speak kindly. Living hearts need sympathy.” BIBLE READINGS.
By Mrs. S. N. Haskell
Fermented and Unfermented Wine.
Alcohol is formed by decay or fermentation. All fermentation and decay come as the result of sin. Alcohol has a bad parentage,—sin and death,—and perpetuates its own race wherever it gains a footing. Unfermented wine is free from alcohol, and represents the blood of Christ. Matt. 26: 27–29. The Lord’s Supper was instituted during the Passover feast. In Ex. 13: 6, 7; 12: 13, we learn that during the eight days of the Passover feast no one was allowed to have leaven or anything leavened or fermented in his house. Therefore the wine the Saviour used was unfermented. By reading the texts that speak of wine, we can readily tell whether or not the wine spoken of contains alcohol. Wherever alcohol is, it reveals traces of its pedigree,—sin and death. We find woe, poverty, and sorrow in its track. The following texts, which refer to fermented wine, will illustrate this fact:— Prov. 20: 1: A mocker and deceiver; infuriates the temper. Prov. 23: 29–32: Brings woe, contention, and sorrow. We are not to look upon it. I am thankful that all the texts that speak of wine do not show traces of alcohol, the child of sin. By reading the texts, unfermented wine is recognized just as readily as is the fermented. Where unfermented wine is mentioned, it is spoken of as cheering and building up, and as a blessing. The following texts illustrate the character of unfermented wine:— Mark 2: 22: In the Saviour’s time it was customary to seal the wine to keep it from fermenting. Old bottles were liable to have traces of the old wine, which would start fermentation, and thus spoil the new wine. The wine must be kept sealed air-tight to prevent fermentation. It would be well to have a bottle of unfermented wine to exhibit, and let the audience come forward and taste it at the close of the exercises. We would suggest that those churches and companies that wish to have successful temperance meetings during the winter, meet together and appoint a wide-awake, earnest Christian as superintendent or chairman of their temperance meetings, also appoint a committee of three to decide upon the programmes for the meetings. If all will act as a committee of the whole to perform faithfully any part assigned them by the programme committee, and also to act as a committee of invitation, and invite all their neighbors,—this, with earnest prayer, will insure good temperance meetings. EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
I have been keeping the Sabbath for thirteen years; have had Bible readings, sent out publications, and for a while I had a Sunday-school for the children who did not attend any. It was an interesting school of fifteen pupils. Since signing Sister Henry’s cards, I began working with one of the most hopeless families in the neighborhood. They were careless and dirty, and my friends objected to my going near them. But they were eager for help, and a transformation was soon wrought in their lives. They do not quarrel with their neighbors, nor seem like the same family. The man acknowledges that he is not as he was before he heard the Bible. I am almost an invalid, and can not do all the work around me. Oh, the blessing of work! The more I work for the Lord, the more I love him, and the greater blessing I receive. Those who do not work for the Lord do not know his rich blessing. I shall continue to scatter our publications, and hold Bible readings. Last week an aged man told me that he never had any faith in Seventh-day Adventists, but he now sees that things are coming to pass just as they have taught, and believes there is truth in their teachings. Sister White says that our publications will be hunted up and studied by those who have not cared for them, when they see what is coming to pass. I believe that time is near. An isolated sister sends in the following list as a sample of the way she intends to keep track of her work, for her own encouragement as well as that of others. She says the people in her vicinity are much prejudiced against the truth, and with but few exceptions the only way to get our publications into their homes is through the mail. April 26, loaned a year’s volume of Good Health.
“ 30, fed one of God’s unfortunates.
May 3, sent away two REVIEWS.
“ 5, gave away Life Boat.
“ 10, visited a sick family.
“ 14, sent away papers.
“ 17, visited sick woman, and loaned her two books.
“ 24, loaned tract.
“ 31, gave one day’s time to sew for a sick family.
June 7, fed two unfortunates, and visited sick woman.
“ 11, sent away tracts.
“ 16, took care of a sick woman half a day.
“ 18, sent away papers.
“ 22, visited a sick family.
“ 30, visited a sick family.
July 1, visited a sick woman.
“ 6, fed two unfortunates.
“ 10, did baking for sick family.
“ 13, sent away papers.
“ 23, sent away papers, and visited sick woman.
“ 31, sent away papers.
Aug. 3, sent away paper.
“ 9, sent away tract.
To-day, August 12, I have called on a neighbor whose son died last night in a soldiers’ hospital in San Francisco. The family are nearly wild with grief, and it is hard to make them believe that God will comfort them in this hour of affliction. This is an encouraging record of work. It is just such little things as these that we are anxious to have every woman engage in. Sister White has written: “The most successful toilers are those who will cheerfully work to serve God in small things. Every human being is to work with his own individual thread,—weave it into the fabric that composes the web, and complete the pattern. Teach our sisters that every day the question is to be, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do this day? Every day we may be advancing in the Christian character, waiting and watching for opportunities to do the will and work of God.” “I WOULD like to request prayer for my grandson. He is well posted in the Bible, and is studying for the ministry. He is a Methodist. I request prayer that he may be converted to the truth. His parents are members of the church, but are not converted, and I request prayer for them and for their other two children, and also for my husband, who is a worldly man.” “A sister, who is in great distress, requests prayer for a friend who has broken faith with her, in what seems to be the most heartless manner, refusing even a word of explanation. This sister has leisure to write, and might be a help to others, but she is in a most despairing state of mind. Please make this request with all urgency.” “I wish that every sister who is interested in this work, and the brethren as well, would pray most earnestly for an aged mother, who, in her last days, is in danger of being deprived of her home, which she worked hard to get. Pray that the Lord will open the way for her to remain in her own home, and that she may be led by the Spirit of God into all truth. Also pray for an afflicted brother, who is in the same danger, that he may be able to retain his home, and be guided into all truth.” “Will the sisters kindly remember to pray for eight dear friends and their families, that God will prepare their hearts to accept this glorious truth, while I seek to help them? Also pray for three with whom I am holding Bible readings, that they may be anxious for the truth, and that they may be among the remnant people. Also please pray for me, that God may direct in a certain trial just before me to his glory and my good, and for the good of all concerned. I am indeed glad for the prayer circle. I know it is a means of drawing us nearer to God’s throne and to one another.” NOTICE!
By Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin
The new book by Sister White, entitled “Christ's Object Lessons,” is now ready for sale, and we would be glad to have a great many copies sold through the Woman's Gospel Work department. We are glad that so many of our sisters have taken hold of the plan for selling the book entitled “My Mother's Life,” and we hope that the experience they have gained in selling this book will be a help in selling others. The price of Sister White's book is $1.25. It is beautifully illustrated, and is neat in appearance. We feel sure that it is a book which will sell well. As all doubtless know, the proceeds from these sales go to relieve our colleges of the debts resting upon them; and I am sure that our sisters will wish to have a part in this work, and at the same time get the precious truth before the people. We know that many have taken a number of copies of this book, and are responsible for their disposal; but we feel sure that many others could assist in this work. If it seems impossible for some of the sisters to buy even one copy of the book, if such will write to me, stating their intention to canvass for it, and will make a special effort to sell at least five copies, under these circumstances I will give to each woman a copy of the book free. We will gladly fill the orders for the books which these sisters may send, and will send the money to the schools in their respective districts. I hope and pray that our sisters will take hold of this work in earnest, and will ask the Lord to send angels with them to direct them to those who are honest in heart. The time to work is short. Let us be up and doing while it is called to-day. MRS. GEO. A. IRWIN. Daily Reading for November 11-17.
Monday, “Thoughts on the Revelation,” Verses 1-6. Tuesday, “Thoughts on the Revelation,” Verses 6-11. Thursday, The Sanctuary, “Early Writings,” pages 113-116. Friday, article on Reading Circle Study, on this page. 1. Where was the door the prophet saw opened? What invitation was given him? 2. What was shown the prophet? 3. If he saw the throne of God through the open door, did not the door open into the heavenly sanctuary? Jer. 17:12. 4. How does he describe the One upon the throne? Rev. 4:3. 5. What encircled the throne? V. 3. 7. Who were seated around the throne? Rev. 4:4. 8. How many chief men were set as governors of the sanctuary in the typical service? 1 Chron. 24:4, 5, 19; Luke 1:8. They were to assist under the high priest. 9. How were these in the heavenly sanctuary attired? Rev. 4:4. 11. What proceeded from the throne? What was seen before the throne? Is there any connection between these lamps and the golden candlestick, with its seven lamps, in the earthly sanctuary? 12. What else was seen before the throne? Who were seen in connection with the throne? Rev. 4:6. The Revised Version renders this “living creatures” instead of “beasts.” 13. Describe the creatures. What was the significance of their four faces? Vs. 7, 8. 14. What do they say of God? V. 8. 15. Who join with the living creatures in the worship? Vs. 9, 10. 16. What tribute of praise do they unite in singing? V. 11. 18. What was the design of all the work done in both the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary?—That poor, frail humanity might be made a fit dwelling place for the Spirit of God, that he might save us eternally. READING CIRCLE STUDY.
By Stephen N. Haskell
The fourth chapter of Revelation is an introduction to the fifth and sixth chapters. Through an open door we are introduced into the heavenly sanctuary. Again, as in Rev. 1:10, the voice of Christ, as of a trumpet, talked with the prophet. “Come up hither,” said Christ, “and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.” There are three temples mentioned in the Scriptures. The one built by Moses was a shadow of heavenly things. In the heavenly sanctuary the real work was performed for the people on the earth, which would enable them to become the temple of God, and be fitted for a habitation of God through the Spirit. 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 6:19. As the work of Christ is carried forward in the heavenly sanctuary, so the work of regeneration goes on in the hearts of God’s people. The typical work in the one built by Moses had to do with the physical and the spiritual nature of man; so the work of Christ pertains to our physical and spiritual natures. In the outer apartment in heaven John saw God’s throne and him that sat upon it. This was shadowed forth in the type. Ex. 29:38–44. The object of the typical sanctuary was that God might dwell among his people, and be their God. Ex. 25:8. As the rays of the sun shining on drops of water causes the rainbow, so the glory of God shining on the precious stones in the heavenly courts reflects a rainbow around the throne. The rainbow was first revealed to man at the time of the flood, and is a token of God’s everlasting covenant, made with Christ before the world was. Gen. 9:6–17. It promises pardon to every penitent soul. Three things are necessary to form the rainbow in the sky,—a cloud, rain, and sunshine. The sun shining on the rain, and reflected on the cloud, forms the beautiful rainbow. Sin, as a cloud, hides God’s love from us, shutting out from the soul the rays of light from the throne of mercy. As the cloud gives forth the rain, and the sun shining upon it produces the rainbow, so “the tears of the penitent are only the raindrops that precede the sunshine of holiness.” The Sun of righteousness shining upon the tears of the penitent makes manifest the glory of God, of which “the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain” is a likeness. Eze. 1:28. “By faith let us look upon the rainbow round about the throne; the cloud of sins confessed behind it. The rainbow of promise is an assurance to every humble, contrite, believing soul that his life is one with Christ, and that Christ is one with God.” God in love delivers the soul from the pit of corruption, and casts the cloud of sins behind his back. Isa. 38:17. When the cloud of sins is gone, there is nothing to prevent the sunlight of his countenance from falling upon the repentant tears; and instead of sins, only the rainbow of his glory is seen. God sees nothing else, for it encircles his throne. The bow in the sky is a pledge to the sinner,—a pledge upon which God looks. And should he not grant pardon to the penitent sinner, it would disgrace the throne of his glory, and break his everlasting covenant with us. See Jer. 14:21, 22. “As the bow in the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight and the shower, so the rainbow encircling the throne represents the combined power of mercy and justice.” “For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isa. 54:9, 10. These are some of the lessons taught by the rainbow. There were four and twenty elders round the throne. In the earthly sanctuary there were four and twenty chief men, governors of the sanctuary. 1 Chron. 24:1–5, 19. The elders seen in heaven by John were among those who ascended with Christ after his resurrection. By the grace of Christ, they had gained the victory, and were in this life conquerors over sin. On their heads were crowns of gold. They were a representative class, taken from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. Rev. 5:9. From the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices, representing the flashes of light that come from God’s word to the believer. The word of God is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Ps. 119:105. By the Spirit of God, flashes of light come from his holy word to every true searcher after truth. In the four living creatures, four phases of Christ’s character are illustrated,—his kingly character, his humility, his humanity, and his divinity. Christ was the Lion of the tribe of Judah, or King of kings (Matt. 1:1), represented by the face of a lion. The face of an ox or calf signifies a servant of labor; so Christ is represented as the one that serves, or servant of all. Mark 10:43–45; Luke 22:27. The human side, illustrated by the face of a man in the four living creatures, is shown by Christ through the apostle calling himself the “man” Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5. The first verses of John’s Gospel, where Christ soars to an equality with the Father, are fitly illustrated by the flying eagle. He who accepts the gospel, although he may be a servant of servants, is exalted by the righteousness of Christ to a position higher than angels who have never fallen. These principles are also brought out in the law of Moses. The Aaronic priesthood was to be the mouthpiece of God. The Levites were assistants, while the Kohathites and the Merarites performed the more menial service, which was no less important, as it was God’s work. In the heavenly courts the living creatures cry continually, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” They fall down before the throne, and cast their crowns before him who sitteth upon the throne, saying, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Every expression of inspiration, every symbol God has used, every type, represents some phase of Christ’s character. Missionary Reading Circle Gains Interest in Australia
IN a letter recently received from Australia, Sister Vesta J. Farnsworth says: “In this Australasian field there are several persons who have felt a deep interest in the Missionary Reading Circle as it has been started in the States, and the necessity for the same kind of study here. We see in this Reading Circle that which is calculated to help us, and to raise up other workers to enter the field; therefore we feel that an effort must be made to interest our people in it.” There's a Cry in the Wind Tonight
There's a cry in the wind to-night
From the lands where the Lord is unknown;
While the Shepherd above, in his pitiful love,
Intercedes at his Father's throne. There's a call from the dark, to-night,
That haunts the lighted room,
From his “other sheep” on the broken steep
At the edge of eternal doom. There's a pain at my heart to-night,—
From the heart of God it came,—
For I can not forget that he loves them yet,
And they've never heard of his name. There's a sob in my prayer to-night,
When I think of the million homes
Where never a word for the Lord is heard,
Nor a message from Jesus comes. Associated press correspondence from the Philippines, says:—
The church has become a troublesome factor in General Young's territory. Aglipay, the priest who has proclaimed himself as archbishop of the Philippines, and has ex-communicated Archbishop Nozaleda, is in the field as a general. . . . General Young has evidence that the priests of the region have been sending church contributions to Aglipay. Two prominent priests are in jail, charged with aiding the insurrection, and will be tried by a military commission. Surveillance has been placed over the finances of some of the larger parishes. Tino and Aglipay are reported to be enemies of the condition which will benefit the Americans. Some of the American generals think the insurrection could be materially crippled by the establishment of a St. Helena for the Filipino leaders, banishing them to some island where they could not give moral and financial support to the rebellion. Guam is advocated as a possible and advantageous residence for captured officers and civil officials. Archbishop Chappelle is a supporter of the idea. He believes the policy of leniency is wasted upon Asiatics, who fail to comprehend the motives for it. To the American officers with whom he has talked, the archbishop has said that the heads of the leaders should be cut off. THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
What Is It to Keep the Faith of Jesus?
WHEN the young man came to Jesus, asking, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus answered, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments,” and cited the second table of the ten commandments. The young man replied: “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” As the record says that Jesus “looking upon him loved him,” and as Jesus asked him to follow him, it is evident that the young man was a person of good intentions and honesty of purpose, and he undoubtedly supposed that he had really kept the commandments. But it is not our own estimate that is the standard of what constitutes obedience to the law; it is God's estimate that is the standard. We might conform so strictly to the law that, according to our own estimate, we could see no point of failure; yet when our actions should be measured by God's estimate, weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, we should be found utterly wanting. It is not according as we see, but according as God sees, that the question of our keeping the commandments of God is to be decided. And as God sees it, it has been recorded: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” No doubt the young man, when measured by his own standard, stood at the full stature of moral character. But God's standard declares that he had “come short.” Even granting all the righteousness that the young man might claim by the keeping of the commandments alone,—and there are yet many like him,—yet to him and to all who, like him, expect righteousness by the law, the word of Christ is, “One thing thou lackest yet.” All such lack the justifying blood: they lack the sanctifying power of the perfect obedience of the Son of God. In short, they lack “the faith of Jesus;” and so must ever come short until, by accepting Christ, they attain to the righteousness of God which is by faith. It is in Christ alone that man can reach the full stature of moral character in the sight of God. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph. 4:13. However hard a man may strive for righteousness by keeping the law, yet, until he accepts Christ and finds in him the righteousness which is of God by faith, against him the word will ever stand, Thou hast “come short of the glory of God,” “one thing thou lackest yet.” So we see then that Jesus taught that those who would be his disciples must keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Again: in his sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:19, 20. Happily, we have the record of the best Pharisee that ever lived, and in his experience we have the inspired illustration of these words of Jesus: Paul says of himself, “As touching the law, a Pharisee; . . . touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” Yet this was not enough; for as he says in another place, “I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.” 1 Cor. 4:4. So even though he might, so far as he could see, be blameless, yet that was not proof that he was justified; for it is God who judges: it is God's standard of righteousness, and not our own, that we must meet, to be justified; and that standard is the righteousness of Christ, to which we can attain only by faith. So Paul says, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: . . . and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Phil. 3:7–9. This is a righteousness which he had not when he was a Pharisee. This, then, is the righteousness which exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees; and this righteousness of faith we must have while doing and teaching the commandments. In his sermon on the mount, therefore, Christ positively taught the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. James says, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. . . . If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said [“that law which said,” margin], Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. . . . What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? . . . Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Thus James shows that the faith of Jesus is manifested in works, and that these works are the keeping of the law of God. He excludes the very idea that anyone can have the faith of Jesus with respect of persons; and respect of persons he declares to be sin, the transgression of the law. Therefore the faith of Jesus can not be held with the conscious breaking of the commandments of God, even in a single point. In other words, James teaches as strongly as it is possible to teach, that those who have the faith of Jesus keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. John says, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 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. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:1–5. The beloved disciple therefore also teaches that Christianity, the love of God, is the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The Lord Jesus himself, referring to God, said: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do HIS [God's] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:13, 14. He also said, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christ said, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments;” he also said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” The Third Angel's Message, the last message from God that the world will ever hear, embodies in a single sentence these sayings of Christ: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”713 The Third Angel's Message is the embodiment of the very gospel of Christ, wherein “is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:16, 17. When the Third Angel's Message shall be finished, then the mystery of God—the gospel—shall be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And those who truly obey the Third Angel's Message will get the victory over the Beast and over his Image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name; they will, at the last, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God; and they will be without fault before the throne of God. And it will all be through “him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Unto him be glory and dominion forever and ever. We thank God for the message which calls upon all men to “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”