(in-progress) The Last Generation (ML Andreason) - Line by Line in Ellen G. White's Words - Edited by Winelfred G. Pasamba - v5 part 01
The final demonstration of what the gospel can do in and for humanity is still in the future.
“Day by day God works with him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the time of final test. And day by day the believer is working out before men and angels a sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings.” – Gospel Workers, p. 113 (Digging for Truth)Christ showed the way.
“Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as He was.” – The Desire of Ages, p. 664 (Scribd)He took a human body, and in that body demonstrated the power of God.
“Just that which you may be He was in human nature. His life testified that by the aid of the same divine power which Christ received, it is possible for man to obey God’s law.” – Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 132 (Scribd)Men are to follow His example and prove that what God did in Christ, He can do in every human being who submits to Him.
“Christ came to live the law in His human character in just that way in which all may live the law in human nature if they will do as Christ was doing. Abundant provision has been made that finite, fallen man may so connect with God that, through the same Source by which Christ overcame in His human nature, he may stand firmly against every temptation, as did Christ.” – Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 130 (Scribd)“The world is awaiting this demonstration” (Romans 8:19).
“For the creation was subjected to vanity … waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now, waiting for the revealing of the sons of God.” – General Conference Daily Bulletin, Feb. 5, 1893, p. 137 (Ellen G. White Writings) (cf. Romans 8:19)When it has been accomplished, the end will come.
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” – The Desire of Ages, p. 634 (Ellen G. White Writings)God will have fulfilled His plan.
“The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 68–69 (Ellen G. White Writings)He will have shown Himself true and Satan a liar; His government will stand vindicated.
“It was God’s plan from the very beginning that His followers will reveal Him to the world and that it is through the church that ‘the final and full display of the love of God’ will be made to the world. Thus the perfect character developed by God’s people is crucially important to the final resolution of the great controversy between Christ and Satan.” – Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 34; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 746 (Scribd, Scribd)
There is much spurious doctrine concerning holiness taught in the world today.
“Erroneous theories of sanctification, also, springing from neglect or rejection of the divine law, have a prominent place in the religious movements of the day. These theories are both false in doctrine and dangerous in practical results; and the fact that they are so generally finding favor, renders it doubly essential that all have a clear understanding of what the Scriptures teach upon this point.” – The Great Controversy, p. 469.1 (Ellen G. White Writings)On the one hand are those who deny the power of God to save from sin.
“It is a dreadful opiate to the consciences of men, to teach them that though they sin against God every day, in thought, word, and deed, they may yet be saved from sin when they die, and be received to heaven. It lulls into carnal security. It operates as a standing excuse for all the iniquities which men may chance to commit. While on the contrary, our Saviour’s doctrine, that if we believe not in Him as our Saviour from sin, we shall die in our sins, and where He has gone never go, tends most directly and powerfully to arouse from the fatal slumbers of worldliness and sinful pleasure to cry mightily to God for deliverance.” – The Power of the Gospel, p. 13.1 (Ellen G. White Writings)On the other hand are those who flaunt their sanctity before men and would have us believe that they are without sin.
“Counterfeit holiness, spurious sanctification, is still doing its work of deception. Under various forms it exhibits the same spirit as in the days of Luther, diverting minds from the Scriptures and leading men to follow their own feelings and impressions rather than to yield obedience to the law of God. … And the claim to be without sin is, in itself, evidence that he who makes this claim is far from holy.” – The Great Controversy, p. 472.3 (Ellen G. White Writings)Those who profess holiness yet break God’s commandments are deceiving themselves.
“One of the most dangerous of [false doctrines] is that of false sanctification. There are those who claim to be holy, and yet are breaking God’s commandments. Their assertion that they are sinless is false and should not be received.” – Evangelism, p. 595.2 (Ellen G. White Writings)
Among the first class are not only unbelievers and skeptics but church members whose vision does not include victory over sin, but who accept a kind of compromise with sin.
“Infidelity prevails to an alarming extent, not in the world merely, but in the church. Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith … Those who regard [the law’s] requirements as still valid, to be literally obeyed, are thought to be deserving only of ridicule or contempt.” – The Great Controversy, p. 538.3 (Ellen White Info)
“Many who complacently listen to the truths from God’s Word are dead spiritually, while they profess to live … They assent to the truth, but are not sanctified through it. Neither the Word of God nor the testimonies of His Spirit make any lasting impression upon them. Many who preach the truth to others are themselves cherishing iniquity.” – Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 76.1–76.2 (Ellen G. White Writings)In the other class are such as have no just conception either of sin or of God’s holiness, whose spiritual vision is so impaired that they cannot see their own shortcomings, and hence believe themselves perfect.
“The claim to be without sin is evidence that the person who makes this claim is far from holy. Such a one has no true concept of God’s infinite purity and holiness, and of how hateful and evil sin is. The greater the distance between us and Christ, the more righteous we appear in our own eyes.” – The Great Controversy, p. 536.5 (Christian Classics Ethereal Library)
“Let those who feel inclined to make a high profession of holiness look into the mirror of God’s law … ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.’ ‘If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.’” – Acts of the Apostles, p. 562.1 (Christian Classics Ethereal Library)Their conception of religion is such that their own understanding of truth and righteousness is superior to that revealed in the Word.
“Yet many of this class are sinning daily, and are corrupt in heart and life. Such are self-sufficient and self-righteous, making their own standard of righteousness, and utterly failing to meet the Bible standard.” – Testimonies for the Church, no. 31, p. 135.1 (Ellen G. White Writings)It is not easy to decide which is the greater error.
“There have ever been two classes among those who profess to follow Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and sincere.” – Helps to Lesson 4, p. 29.2 (Digging for Truth)
“That the Bible inculcates holiness is indisputable.”
“True sanctification is a Bible doctrine. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonian church, declares: ‘This is the will of God, even your sanctification.’ And he prays: ‘The very God of peace sanctify you wholly.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23.) The Bible clearly teaches what sanctification is and how it is to be attained.” – Sanctification Is a Bible Doctrine, Mar. 18 (White Estate)“‘The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).”
“The sanctification set forth in the Sacred Scriptures has to do with the entire being—spirit, soul, and body. Here is the true idea of entire consecration. Paul prays that the church at Thessalonica may enjoy this great blessing.… True sanctification is an entire conformity to the will of God. Rebellious thoughts and feelings are overcome, and the voice of Jesus awakens a new life, which pervades the entire being.” – Wholly Sanctified: Body, Soul, and Spirit, Sept. 1 (White Estate)“‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.’ (Hebrews 12:14).”
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. God has from eternity chosen men to be holy. ‘This is the will of God [concerning you], even your sanctification.’ The echo of His voice comes to us, ever saying, ‘Holier, holier still.’ And ever our answer is to be, ‘Yes, Lord, holier still.’” – Holiness, Mar. 28 (White Estate)“‘For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:3).”
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification.—1 Thessalonians 4:3. As God is holy in His sphere, so fallen human beings, through faith in Christ, are to be holy in their sphere.… The sanctification of the church is God’s object in all His dealings with His people. He has chosen them from eternity, that they might be holy. He gave His Son to die for them, that they might be sanctified through obedience to the truth, divested of all the littleness of self. From them He requires a personal work, a personal surrender.” – Sanctification Is …!, Mar. 17 (White Estate)“The Greek word hagios in its various forms is translated ‘sanctify,’ ‘holy,’ ‘holiness,’ ‘sanctified,’ ‘sanctification.’”
“(40) ΑΓΙΟΣ, hagios [hag’-ee-os]. from hagos (an awful thing): sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint. (38) ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ, hagiasmos [hag-ee-as-mos’]. from hagiazo; properly, purification, i.e. (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier:—holiness, sanctification. (39) ΑΓΙΟΝ, hagion [hag’-ee-on]. neuter of hagios; a sacred thing (i.e. spot):—holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.” – Strong’s Greek Dictionary (KJV) (Ellen G. White Writings)“It is the same word which is used for the two apartments of the sanctuary, and means that which is set apart for God.”
“To sanctify is to set apart, to appoint to a holy use.” – In Defense of the Faith – Has the Sabbath Been Lost? (p. 6) (White Estate)“Hagion … properly a sacred place: holiest of all, holy place, sanctuary. Thus the two apartments of the earthly sanctuary are both referred to by the same root hagios (meaning set apart or consecrated to God).” – Strong’s Greek Dictionary (KJV) (Ellen G. White Writings)
“A sanctified person is one who is set apart for God, whose whole life is dedicated to Him.”
“The act of sanctifying means to set apart for a holy use; therefore a sanctified person is one who is set apart to God, whose entire life is consecrated to His service.” – Wholly Sanctified: Body, Soul, and Spirit, Sept. 1 (White Estate)
“The plan of salvation must of necessity include not only forgiveness of sin but complete restoration.”
“Through Christ, restoration as well as reconciliation is provided for man. The gulf that was made by sin has been spanned by the cross of Calvary. A full, complete ransom has been paid by Jesus, by virtue of which the sinner is pardoned, and the justice of the law is maintained.” – The Only Acceptable Ransom, June 18 (White Estate)“Salvation from sin is more than forgiveness of sin.”
“The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin; it means that sin is taken away, and that the vacuum is filled with the Spirit. It means that the mind is divinely illumined, that the heart is emptied of self, and filled with the presence of Christ.” – Revealer of Christ’s Grace, May 28 (White Estate)“Forgiveness presupposes sin and is conditioned upon breaking with it;”
“The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. … He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall have mercy.” – Steps to Christ, p. 37 (White Estate)
“Repentance includes sorrow for sin, and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.” – True Sorrow for Sin, May 1 (White Estate)“Sanctification is separation from sin and indicates deliverance from its power and victory over it.”
“The sanctification set forth in the Sacred Scriptures has to do with the entire being—spirit, soul, and body. … True sanctification is an entire conformity to the will of God. Rebellious thoughts and feelings are overcome, and the voice of Jesus awakens a new life, which pervades the entire being.” – Wholly Sanctified: Body, Soul, and Spirit, Sept. 1 (White Estate)
“Only through the blood of the Crucified One is there cleansing from sin. His grace alone can enable us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature.” – False Theories About God, May 5 (White Estate)“The first is a means to neutralize the effect of sin;”
“God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin but reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart.” – The Meaning of Forgiveness, May 3 (White Estate)“The second is a restoration of power for complete victory.”
“Jesus came to the world to display the glory of God, that man might be uplifted by its restoring power. God was manifested in Him that He might be manifested in them. Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him.” – The Desire of Ages, p. 73 (White Estate)
Sin, like some diseases, leaves man in a deplorable condition—weak, despondent, disheartened.
“After the transgression of Adam, Satan saw that the ruin was complete. The human race was brought into a deplorable condition. Man was cut off from intercourse with God. It was Satan’s design that the state of man should be the same with that of the fallen angels in rebellion against God, uncheered by a gleam of hope.” – Review and Herald, February 24, 1874, par. 32 (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/821.2001692) (Ellen G. White Writings)He has little control of his mind, his will fails him, and with the best of intentions he is unable to do what he knows to be right.
“Great wisdom is needed in dealing with diseases caused through the mind. A sore, sick heart, a discouraged mind, needs mild treatment. Many times some continuing home trouble is, like a canker, eating to the very soul and weakening one’s hold on life. Sometimes remorse for sin undermines the constitution and unbalances the mind.” – The Ministry of Health and Healing, p. 170 (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/2715.1054) (Ellen G. White Writings)He feels that there is no hope.
“When Satan says to you that there is no hope, tell him you know there 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.’” – From the Heart, May 6 (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/12210.1361) (Ellen G. White Writings)He knows that he has himself to blame, and remorse fills his soul.
“Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life-forces and to invite decay and death.” – Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, chapter “Guilt,” p. 451 (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/78.413) (Ellen G. White Writings)To his bodily ailments is added the torture of conscience.
“His own thoughts are his accusers, and there can be no torture keener than the stings of his own guilty conscience, which give him no rest night nor day.” – The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 83 (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/143.289) (Ellen G. White Writings)He knows that he has sinned and is to blame.
“Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life-forces and to invite decay and death.” – Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, chapter “Guilt,” p. 451 (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/78.413) (Ellen G. White Writings)Will no one take pity on him?
“And Jesus, looking on him with compassion, said to him, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Immediately, a sense of relief flooded his heart, and hope filled his life.” – Faith and Works, p. 67 (https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/31.304) (Ellen G. White Writings)
“Then comes the gospel. The good news is preached to him.”
“’Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’” – The Time and The Work, p. 3.1 (m.egwwritings.org)“Though his sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
“The Lord says, ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’” – Steps to Christ, p. 49.2 (m.egwwritings.org)“All is forgiven.”
“That which should cause us the deepest joy is the fact that God forgives sin. If we take Him at His word and forsake our sins, He is ready and willing to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – In Heavenly Places, Jan. 17 (m.egwwritings.org)“He is ‘saved.’ What a wonderful deliverance it is!”
“As you draw nigh to Him with confession and repentance, He will draw nigh to you with mercy and forgiveness. We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He wants to restore His moral image in man.” – Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 1594 (m.egwwritings.org)“His mind is at rest.”
“His mind is at rest, and Satan lets him have peace. Just as long as he maintained a conflict his mind was reined up; now he has ceased the conflict, and the collision ceases—his mind is at rest.” – Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 2018 (m.egwwritings.org)“No longer does his conscience torment him.”
“Sin and conscience torment us, but Christ has overcome these fiends now and forever; those who rest in Him have peace of conscience and no longer endure the tortures of guilt.” – Luther on Galatians, p. 10.4 (m.egwwritings.org)“He has been forgiven. His sins are cast into the depths of the sea.”
“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” – The Ministry of Healing, p. 96.7 (m.egwwritings.org)“His heart wells with praise to God for His mercy and goodness to him.”
“As we contemplate the unselfish love of God, our hearts well up with gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving. We praise Him for the priceless gift of His only begotten Son.” – From the Heart, p. 994 (m.egwwritings.org)
