| The Law of God Needs No Revision |
Today's Text:
And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12
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The Message:
Christ came to our world to represent the character of God as it is represented in His holy law, for His law is a transcript of His character. Christ was both the law and the gospel. The angel that proclaims the everlasting gospel proclaims the law of God; for the gospel of salvation brings men to obedience of the law, whereby their characters are formed after the divine similitude.
In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah the work of those who worship God, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, is specified: "They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations." God's memorial, His seventh-day Sabbath, will be uplifted. [Isaiah 58:12-14 quoted].
The history of the church and the world, the loyal and the disloyal, is here plainly revealed. The loyal, under the proclamation of the third angel's message, have turned their feet into the way of God's commandments, to respect, to honor and glorify Him who created the heavens and the earth. The opposing forces have dishonored God by making a breach in His law, and when light from His Word has called attention to His holy commandments, revealing the breach made in the law by the papal authority, then, to get rid of conviction, many have tried to destroy the whole law. But could they destroy it? No; for all who will search the Scriptures for themselves will see that the law of God stands immutable, eternal, and His memorial, the Sabbath, will endure through eternal ages, pointing to the only true God in distinction from all false gods.
Satan has been persevering and untiring in his efforts to prosecute the work he began in heaven, to change the law of God. He has succeeded in making the world believe the theory he presented in heaven before his fall, that the law of God was faulty and needed revising. A large part of the professed Christian church, by their attitude, if not by their words, show that they have accepted the same error. But if in one jot or tittle the law of God has been changed, Satan has gained on earth that which he could not gain in heaven. He has prepared his delusive snare, hoping to take captive the church and the world. But not all will be taken in the snare. A line of distinction is being drawn between the children of obedience and the children of disobedience, the loyal and true and the disloyal and untrue. Two great parties are developed, the worshipers of the beast and his image, and the worshipers of the true and living God.-Manuscript 32, 1896 (Manuscript Releases 17:8, 9).
*Note: I have added in the parts that were left out by the compilers for what ever reason, that the true sentiment of the author may be seen.
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Commentary:
My friend, the law of God is a transcript of His character and as such cannot change, for He says "For I am the LORD, I change not;" (Malachi 3:6). The children of Israel, coming out of the bondage of Egypt, had lost their knowledge of God which had been given to them through the patriarchs beginning with Adam. Thus as He brought the children of Israel out of bondage, it was necessary for Him to reveal His character to them. In giving them the ten commandments, He gave them a transcript of His character. As they contemplated His law, they would be brought into a knowledge of Him.
The knowledge and character of God had before then been preserved by the patriarchs from Adam to Abraham, and then unto Jacob who became Israel. This knowledge was given that man may be brought into a close relationship with God. But the greater manifestation of the character of God was to be given by the coming Messiah, the Son of the One true God. In Christ is manifested the fullness of the godhead (divinity) bodily.
The Son who was with God from the beginning of the world reveals to us the character of God manifest in the flesh. Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." (John 14:10, 11).
As we look unto Jesus we see the very character of God. In the Son of God is the greater, fuller representation of the character of God, and where the law could only reveal to us our sins, the Son of God could transform us into the character of God. As the Father lives within the Son, so too are we transformed into the character of God by the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ. "And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3).
In the Old Testament was given to us the law that we may be brought into a knowledge of God. In the New Testament is given to us the Son of God that we may be transformed into image of God. As Christ lives within us by His Spirit, we are transformed by His life; His perfect, holy and righteous life. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11). "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
The gospel given to us is "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16), and in order for God to give us His Son, He had to have a son to give. The trinity teaches that the Son of God is not a literal son, but is only a role that one of the god-beings assumed for the salvation of man. In teaching this it not only destroys the gospel, but denies the Father and makes Him a liar. "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (1 John 2:22, 23).
My friend, now is the time for us to study the Word of God that we may know the truth about God. To know that there is only One true God and He is manifested to us through His Son. As we look unto Jesus we are transformed into His image, the only begotten Son of God.
God bless,
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Video of the Week
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| David Clayton - The Godhead and the Gospel |
God is not a Trinity. Understanding the truth about God's identity and character are critical to having a true understanding of the gospel.
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