Part 1
Which is easier? To say, “I do not believe in the three angels’ messages,” or to say, “I do not believe in last generation theology?”
Do you believe in last generation theology? If your answer is yes, you run the risk of being regarded as deluded, legalistic and even cultic by certain modern professed Adventists. On the other hand, if you say no, your claim to being a Seventh-day Adventist awaiting the coming of Jesus could very well be called into question. The truth is that we have come to a time of decision in this beloved church of ours; a time when clear lines of demarcation are being drawn, as we have been told to expect at this very juncture. “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” Malachi 3:18.
The writer recently came across an article written by a
prominent Seventh-day Adventist which bore the title, Saying No to Last
Generation Theology.[1]
An excerpt from this article forms the basis for this brief commentary which is
offered for the reader’s prayerful contemplation. The author of the article
makes no attempt to hide his stance on last generation theology; he wants
nothing to do with it, and the tenor of his message to his readers seems to be
that they would be better off shunning “this theological current that is
rapidly gaining ground among Adventists throughout the world.” Curiously, he
makes his arguments for rejecting this teaching, even while pointing out in the
same document that there are passages in the Bible which support it.
Notwithstanding, he rejects it.
Here follows a portion of the article:
“If you have not yet heard about Last Generation
Theology, I predict that before too long you will. Perhaps you are not familiar
with the term, but you are aware of some of the ideas that form the basis of
this theological current that is rapidly gaining ground among Adventists
throughout the world. Once you are aware of these ideas, you will notice them
in lots of places. So, what is it all about?
The key premise of this ‘theology’ is that before
Christ’s return, there will be a ‘final generation’ of true believers that has
reached perfection and will thereby vindicate God’s character. The men and
women of this final generation will show to the universe that, after all, God’s
law can be kept and that Satan is wrong in claiming that God’s demands for
mankind were unreasonable. Behind this assertion is the dubious argument that,
since Christ was able to live without sin, it must also be possible for His
followers, since the kind of humanity that Christ took upon Himself, when He
came to this earth, was the same as the sinful nature of Adam after the Fall.
Other ideas that are connected with these basic premises are that there will be
a ‘shaking’ to separate the true remnant, who will constitute the ‘last
generation,’ from those whose loyalty to their Lord proved inadequate. This final
generation will have to survive the ‘time of trouble’ without a Mediator, since
‘probation’ has ‘closed.’ More-over, by boldly proclaiming the unadulterated
Advent message we can ‘hasten’ the Second Coming.
Bible passages are cited to prove this theory, but its
cornerstone is a quote from Ellen G. White’s book Christ’s Object Lessons:
‘Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His
church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His
people, then He will come to claim them as His own.’
Last Generation Theology has its roots among such early
Adventist leaders as A.R. Jones, E. J. Waggoner and W.W. Prescott, but found
its clearest expression in the last chapter of the book Sanctuary Service
by Milian Lauritz Andreasen (1876-1962). His ideas are forcefully promoted
today by several prominent Adventist speakers and a range of independent
ministries.”[2]
Key statements
Before commenting on some of the statements made in the
preceding excerpt, it would be useful for the reader to contemplate the
following thought: this bold statement made on a public platform by the author
of the article would have been far less impactful without the preparation carried
out beforehand to condition the general Adventist community for the reception
of such a blatant public rejection of key Adventist teachings that have
characterized our message since the beginning of the movement. For decades, and
since the 1950s in particular, careful and persistent efforts have been made by
scholarly elements in the church to represent key Adventist doctrines as
sectarian, cultic, unbiblical or simply out of date. As a result, many more
Adventists, failing to study for themselves and at the same time putting
implicit trust in the assertions of reputed thought-leaders, are prepared at
this time to turn away from these distinctive ideas in favor of a version of
Adventism that is more palatable to the general Christian community.
Let the reader take note of some of the teachings that are
rejected by the author in his document:
1. The writer casts doubt on the notion that there will
indeed be a final generation of true believers.
2. He says no to the idea of character perfection, denying
the possibility of victory over sin in this life.
3. He says no to the teaching that the vindication of the
character of God is in any way connected to the choices made by His people here
on earth.
4. He does not believe that God’s law can be kept under any
circumstance.
5. He does not believe that Satan is wrong in claiming that
God’s demands for mankind are unreasonable.
6. He does not believe that Jesus’ life of sinless obedience
is the pattern given for His people and that He has power to lead them in the
same “paths of righteousness” that He walked. Psalm 23:3.
7. He does not believe in the biblical teaching that Jesus
in His incarnation was made “in the likeness of sinful flesh” Romans 8:3.
8. He does not believe in the shaking.
9. He does not believe in the time of trouble.
10. He does not believe in the close of probation and the
sanctuary concept of living without a Mediator after that event.
11. He does not believe that it is possible in any sense to
hasten the coming of the Savior.
12. He affirms that the entire system of truth contained in last
generation theology is based on one brief statement made by Ellen White in the
book Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69.
Reaction
After going through this list gleaned from what this writer
has stated, it would be totally understandable if the reader should question whether
this individual is indeed a Seventh-day Adventist! Well, apart from what we can
know “by their fruits” we will abandon all needless conjecture or judgment and
go to work on the critical matter at hand, that of the defense of the truth.
Now, as it relates to a number of the points stated above,
it seems appropriate to adopt the stance of the three young Hebrews in their
response to an unbelieving king: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and
said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this
matter” Daniel 3:16 NKJV. This writer feels no need to argue with this learned brother
as to whether there is/will be a shaking among God’s people or not, except to
point out that his article, and this response, provide live evidence of the
reality of the very shaking that he seeks to deny. It is evident that the two
varieties of fruit here visible, namely, the author’s proposal and the current
rebuttal, are not from the same tree. It is needless, we hope, to argue as to
whether there will be a final generation, or a time of trouble such as was not since
men were upon the earth, or whether probation will really close, or whether the
church will live through the time of trouble without an Intercessor in the
heavenly sanctuary, or some of the other obvious truths that the goodly
gentleman despises. How one can be a member of this church and deny the
teachings just outlined is beyond comprehension. We find here a perplexing
mystery that has confounded many a believer at this solemn hour. It is with a
deep desire to help those sincere seekers that this reply is prepared.
The author’s denial of the coming of Christ in sinful flesh at
the first Advent, something that the Bible affirms unequivocally, deserves more
extensive deliberation than can be afforded here. Nonetheless it is a serious
issue that will lead many souls to make shipwreck of their faith if the claims
of popular theology are accepted. What we would like to address briefly is the
issue of “perfection” as it is understood by and applicable to God’s last day
people, whether or not victory over sin is possible, and if so, by what means,
and we should also make a few remarks on this idea of the vindication of the
character of God, and whether this has anything at all to do with the great
plan of redemption devised in the omniscient mind of God. Also, is this system
of truth labeled last generation theology based on one statement from Ellen White?
This is the claim that is made. We must determine whether this is indeed so.
And what relation exists, if any, between last generation theology and the
official Seventh-day Adventist fundamental beliefs?
Absolutely sinless
and perfect?
As we consider the concept of perfection, two things must be
made clear. First, those who embrace last generation theology are often accused
of teaching that we must become “absolutely perfect.” Here is one such
statement. “Some Adventists affirm what has come to be known as last generation
theology (LGT). . . [W]e might minimally define it as the view that there must
be a last generation of humans who become absolutely sinless and ‘perfect’ in
order to provide the grounds to vindicate God’s character and win the great
controversy.”[3]
The preceding statement was quoted from a book written by
about a dozen scholars from one of our universities. Not one of these dear
people ventured to cite a source to support this allegation. The reason is
simple; no one who can be taken seriously teaches such a doctrine. The very
idea is preposterous. In the first place, no Seventh-day Adventist in his or
her right mind has ever taught such an idea. No one, including the author of
the document in question, has ever been able to produce any statement by any Adventist
that men and women need to become absolutely perfect in this life. Here we find
a serious breach of the integrity that must be expected of those who claim to
be scholars. Absolutely no evidence is provided to support the outrageous claim
that is made, and not only that, but an abundance of evidence that the opposite
is indeed true is glaringly omitted. And these are the people who are regarded
as enlightened and educated among us. Is it any different now than when learned
scribes and doctors of the law thought they knew more than the Son of God and
falsely accused Him before the people? It is no wonder that many in this class
will be bypassed when the latter rain is poured out. God has no use for those
who resort to such unscrupulous methods.
An absolutely perfect person will never take the wrong turn
on a one-way street, or have to apologize to the person on the other end of the
line because they dialed the wrong number! These innocent errors are the result
of having a fallen and imperfect nature, which we will have as long as we are
in this flesh, but they are not deemed sins because they in no way constitute a
decided choice to violate the law of God! In addition to this, the only
absolutely perfect Beings in the vast universe are the Members of the Godhead!
Not even the sinless angels can claim absolute perfection, because they do not
have absolute knowledge. Perhaps nowhere is this truth more clearly made evident
than during the passion of Christ, when we are told that some angels, upon
seeing the abuse heaped upon the Savior, wanted to rescue Him from His cruel
tormenters. And what would have been the result had these sinless beings
interposed to rescue Him? The collapse of the plan of salvation. This shows
that even the sinless angels did not have perfect understanding of those
issues. But this did not make them sinners, because they have not been
disobedient to God!
Sin is disobedience. Sin is transgression. Sin is rebellion.
Sin is refusing to have faith in the promises spoken by God. Absolute perfection
is not what God requires of the final generation of His saints, but perfect obedience
to the requirements of His holy law, and He provides the weakest of His
children with all the power that is needed to honor this call to
holiness. He wants us to be able to see His face and not run to rocks and
mountains at His coming. His wants to put His covering over us during the
outpouring of the plagues. He will not do that if we refuse to be cleansed
through and through. He will not force His righteousness on any person, but
those who receive Him will be given the power to become the sons and daughters
of God. The perfection to which humanity is called in these last days is
perfection of character, the partaking of the divine nature, the finishing of
the mystery of God, and the writing of the Father’s name in our foreheads. It
is the preparation that all need who intend to remain standing at the appearing
of the Son of Man. The call of the final generation is a call to loyalty, to
faithfulness to God and His truth, and let no theologian tell you that what God
has promised to do in your life is not possible. Let us not be found faithless
in this of all generations!
The second issue that must be clarified is the oft-repeated allegation
that those who believe in last generation theology (i. e. Adventism without the
corruption of evangelical ideologies) think that they will have to overcome sin
in their own strength and will become so perfect that they do not need Jesus.
Again, I challenge those who accuse the brethren of this terrible teaching to
provide their evidence that such teachings really exist in the church and are
being taught by the proponents of last generation theology. Should we not be
more reticent to resort to extreme misrepresentations such as this? And yet I
have observed that those like our author who reject Adventism’s core message
find it a difficult task to build their case against our faith without use of
these extreme and groundless accusations. The straw man must needs be present,
or the assault becomes meaningless and futile.
The truth of the matter is that the men and women of the
final generation will consider themselves the weakest, the most unworthy of all
people, and therefore they will be most dependent on Jesus, knowing they have
no chance of enduring the final conflict without Him. They will be honored in
Heaven as Jesus’ best friends, not because they stirred themselves up to do
great things, but simply because they refused to let go of Him in their most trying
ordeal. They do not equate living without an Intercessor with living without
Jesus, because the very presence of Jesus will be with them in their most fiery
trials through the person of the Holy Spirit. In this sense, they will
experience the fulfillment of the Savior’s words, “I am with you always, until
the end of the world.” Contrary to the false accusations of critics, they will
not be trying to pull themselves up by the bootstraps in some self-centered,
saved-by-my-own-works religion, but they will be totally surrendered to God who
is allowed to work in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. One would
hope that this is the aim of every person who claims to be a Christian in
earth’s final hours, because this total surrender is the only way through those
pearly gates!
An unfounded claim
We must now turn our attention to the claim made by our
author that the cornerstone of last generation theology is the following
statement by Ellen White: “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the
manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be
perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.”[4]
The author cannot seem to make up his mind about who to blame for his last
generation theology conundrum. He first claims that this Ellen White statement
is the cornerstone of it, but then goes on to say that A. T. Jones, E. J.
Waggoner, W. W. Prescott and M. L. Andreason were the ones who came up with it.
That bit of confusion aside, it is not hard to see why this
positive statement has caused such consternation and misery for those who
disagree with the truth there expressed. It has been quite intriguing to
witness the theological gymnastics that have been attempted in order to avoid
taking the statement literally. Some have claimed that the context of the
statement does not allow for a literal understanding. Anyone reading the entire
chapter will quickly find this to be a lie. Others have attempted to paraphrase
or rewrite the statement altogether, assigning to it a totally different meaning
to what is stated. Think of that! Presumptuous authors, uninspired by the
Spirit of God, venture to rewrite things given through none other than a
prophet of the Most High God! How long shall God suffer such a monstrous
display of creature arrogance? Have men and women forgotten that they are but
dust? All such attempts have utterly failed to obscure the biblical teaching
that the people who go to Heaven will be a people in whom the image of the
Creator is reflected, and that this transformation must be wrought for them in
preparation for the coming of Christ in the clouds. The teaching of the prophet
is straightforward and without controversy: Jesus longs to see something happen
in His church; He wants the church to reflect His lovely character. He wants to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He is working by His Holy Spirit to bring
about this reality in those who believe. When He is allowed to have His way
with us, He will come to take us home. Not that terrible a doctrine, not that
terrible at all … well, unless you are on the other side of the great
controversy, then you definitely resent the very thought!
But we are yet to answer the accusation. Is last generation
theology built upon this statement, or is last generation theology a biblical
teaching for which this statement merely provides prophetic confirmation? Does
the Bible have anything to say about preparing our characters for these last
days? Is there any biblical exhortation to warn us from coming up to the close
of probation with a presumptuous attitude of clinging to our sins, while
claiming to be covered in the righteousness of Christ? Is there a group of people
in our day that is in danger of being found naked, that is, not clothed
in the righteousness of Christ, but believing that they have need of nothing,
that is, that they have the righteousness of Christ? This righteousness, in its
imputed and imparted manifestations, is both our title and fitness for Heaven.
If we are without the title or the fitness, should we expect to stand before
the Son of man while the rebellious and ungodly are falling by the thousands
and ten thousands around us. Our author assures us in his article, “sinless
perfection (as in character perfection) remains out of human reach while we are
on this earth.”[5] Is
he right? Should we follow him? Or does the Bible have a different message? The
evidence seems to support the hypothesis that last generation theology is the
clear teaching of Scripture, especially when the passages that follow are
considered.
Prophets that are inspired will always agree with the
prophets that spoke before them. Let us see if Mrs. White is creating a
doctrine of her own, or whether she simply confirms what God revealed to His
messengers that preceded her.
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet
been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall
be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in
Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” 1 John 3:2, 3 NKJV.
This prophet, John by name, teaches here the very same thing
that we read from Mrs. White. John died in the first century AD. Mrs. White was
born in the year 1827 AD. These two have the same last generation theology, and
John did not get it from Mrs. White. It was the other way around. So the
cornerstone of last generation theology cannot be the statement from Mrs.
White, because here we have another prophet teaching the same doctrine that she
has, almost two millennia before the birth of Mrs. White.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are
therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and
godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein
the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens
and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing
that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,
without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:10-14.
This prophet, Peter by name, teaches here the very same
thing that we read from Mrs. White. Peter died in the first century AD. Mrs.
White was born in the year 1827 AD. These two have the same last generation
theology, and Peter did not get it from Mrs. White. It was the other way
around. So the cornerstone of last generation theology cannot be the statement
from Mrs. White, because here we have another prophet teaching the same
doctrine that she has, almost two millennia before the birth of Mrs. White.
“Abstain from all appearance of evil. And 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. Faithful is he
that calleth you, who also will do it” 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking
for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works”
Titus 2:11-14.
This prophet, Paul by name, teaches here the very same thing
that we read from Mrs. White. Paul died in the first century AD. Mrs. White was
born in the year 1827 AD. These two have the same last generation theology, and
Paul did not get it from Mrs. White. It was the other way around. So the
cornerstone of last generation theology cannot be the statement from Mrs.
White, because here we have another prophet teaching the same doctrine that she
has, almost two millennia before the birth of Mrs. White.
By the way, this prophet adds a very needful message in the
fifteenth verse, which we who love the truth will find especially useful: “These
things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise
thee.” How encouraging for the time in which we live! Very encouraging and inspiring
indeed.
“The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak
lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall
feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid” Zephaniah 3:13.
This prophet, Zephaniah by name, teaches here the very same
thing that we read from Mrs. White. Zephaniah prophesied around 625 BC. Mrs.
White was born in the year 1827 AD. These two have the same last generation
theology, and Zephaniah did not get it from Mrs. White. It was the other way
around. So the cornerstone of last generation theology cannot be the statement
from Mrs. White, because here we have another prophet teaching the same
doctrine that she has, almost two and a half millennia before the birth of Mrs.
White.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they
shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”
Matthew 5:6-8.
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but
he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” Matthew 7:20, 21.
This Prophet, Jesus by name, teaches here the very same
thing that we read from Mrs. White. Jesus gave that sermon in the first century
AD. Mrs. White was born in the year 1827 AD. These two have the same last
generation theology, and Jesus did not get it from Mrs. White. It was the other
way around. So the cornerstone of last generation theology cannot be the
statement from Mrs. White, because here we have another Prophet, who is God
Himself, teaching the same doctrine that she has, almost two millennia before
the birth of Mrs. White.
It is more than fitting that these statements from Jesus
should be included in our deliberation. In fact, we may safely say that all the
statements just referenced are His statements, seeing that they came from His
prophets, and the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. And we have not
even consulted the plethora of other clear statements by the modern prophet
that confirm what she has written in Christ’s Object Lessons, page 69!
Another group
The teaching of Scripture is clear regarding the experience
of those who expect to welcome Jesus at His coming. The Bible also speaks of
another group. Our author, inexplicably, seems to prefer that group. This group
believes that this work of purification, of heart sanctification, is either not
possible or not necessary. For this group, seeking to be like Christ in
character is something to be shunned, to be scoffed at, to be denounced as
dangerous, even sinful. The author teaches, according to his article, that all
that is needed is to be “fervently expecting Jesus’ return.”[6]
Fervently expect Him to come. You will be sinful still, filthy still, unjust
still, but never you mind. His robe of righteousness covers it all. All you
need is to say, “Lord, Lord.” Fervently expect Him. And then what? What is the
result of that?
Since we would rather believe God’s prophets, let us ask
Amos. Can he shed any light on this notion of fervently expecting Jesus to
return, but continuing to transgress His law until He comes?
He surely can: “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord!
to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. As
if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and
leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the
Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?” Amos
5:18-20. Amos would counsel modern day Seventh-day
Adventists to avoid the idea that all they need to do is wait fervently for the
coming of Jesus while ignoring His clear teaching on how to prepare for His
return.
While we are at it, we might as well consult
with Isaiah, too, on this matter. After all, is he not the gospel prophet, and
does not this have to do with the everlasting gospel, of which he ought to know
something? What was he shown concerning this issue? Does he have a testimony
for the last generation?
Indeed he does! He reports what he was shown in vision: “The
sinners in Zion are afraid.” Notice now, he did not say the sinners in the
world. He did not say the sinners in Babylon. He said, “the sinners in Zion.” Zion
is God’s church. The prophet here speaks of those in the church who do not
believe in victory over sin, but “go on still in (their) trespasses,”[7]
while affirming, with frightening presumption, that they are wearing the robe
of Christ’s righteousness. He speaks of the virgins here, the five foolish
ones. Maybe they were wise according to this world. Maybe they had great
qualifications and fine reputations. Maybe they were deemed wise by men, but
they were fools in God’s estimation because they thought they could get into
the wedding supper without the regeneration of the Holy Ghost. In simple
language, they thought they could see God while despising holiness. They did
not think Paul’s words were literal when He said, “Seek peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no one will see God” Hebrews 12:14. Now, this must be
the Himalaya of human folly.
So what happens? “The sinners in Zion are afraid;
fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the
devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that
walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of
oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his
ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall
dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread
shall be given him; his waters shall be sure” Isaiah 33:14-16.
This fearful scene will become a reality when those who
refuse to die to sin and truly take up the cross of Jesus come face to face
with the fact that probation has closed. Fearfulness will surprise them. Why?
They are surprised to find themselves afraid because of their prior boldness.
They have been bold in proclaiming their doctrines. They have had overwhelming
support in spreading abroad their theories. They have had power and influence
on their side. Fear, timidity and bashfulness have been far from their experience.
Rather than being fearful, they have made others to fear. They have made life a
trying ordeal for the advocates of truth. But now, these mighty ones are made
to experience different emotions, alien to what they have thus far experienced.
They are made to know fearfulness such as mankind has not known. Having failed
to receive the seal of God, they have no shelter from the seven last plagues. The
angels of God cannot protect them because they do not have oil in their vessels
with their lamps. They find that they cannot dwell in the presence of a holy
God without Jesus’ imputed and imparted righteousness and are left to suffer
the wrath of God with the wicked. A most terrible and heart-wrenching spectacle
indeed. God’s last generation message will keep all who embrace it from falling
into this fatal delusion.
Standing with the
Lamb
One scene in the vision given to John on Patmos is of
particular interest to the present writer. We read of it here: “And I looked,
and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four
thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a
voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great
thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they
sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and
the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four
thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not
defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the
firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile:
for they are without fault before the throne of God” Revelation 14:1-5.
Now, we know that this group, referred to in the prophecy as
the one hundred and forty-four thousand, represents the people of the last
generation, and in particular, those who are to be honored with the privilege
of being translated to Heaven without seeing death. They are shown to John to
be standing with the Lamb. Jesus is represented in many different ways in the
book of Revelation, but when introduced to His people as the Lamb of God, the
corresponding explanation is that He is so designated because He takes away
sin. John was shown this group of people from the last generation, and they
stood with the Lamb on Mount Zion, in the very presence of God. Understand what
that means, that they stood with the Lamb. How could this be? What creates such
a glorious possibility? Well, the matter is quite a simple one. The Lamb takes
away the sins of the world, so these are standing with the Lamb in the vision
of John on Mount Zion because they allowed the Lamb to take away all their sins
while they awaited His return. They are with the Lamb because they have become
Lamblike in character. Concerning the Lamb, it is said: “For even hereunto were
ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye
should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth”
1 Peter 2:21, 22. Concerning this group, it is said: “And in their mouth was
found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” Revelation
14:5.
“Did they do it themselves? No! Did He do it for
them? Yes. Did they allow Him to do it? Yes. Has he promised to do it for
you? Yes. If you do not believe that He can do it, will He do it? No! You must
be the one to choose, dear friend. You must be the one to believe. The Lamb has
said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” Mark
9:23.
Other inspired
statements
In addition to the wonderful announcement found on page 69
of the book Christ’s Object Lessons, the following information that the
Spirit says to the churches should be thoughtfully considered.
“Many do not realize what they must be in order to live in
the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time
of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in
the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. Their robes must be
spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of
sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must
be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is
going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed
from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting
away of sin, among God's people upon earth.”[8]
Let the reader take note of the fact brought out here that
having the character of Christ reproduced in us is needful in order to be
ready, not only for the coming of Christ, but to actually pass through the time
of trouble under the protection of the angels of God. Angels will simply not be
shielding willful sinners or professed church members who have not worked in
cooperation with the Master to bring their lives into harmony with His law.
“The ‘time of trouble, such as never was’ (Daniel 12:1) is soon to open upon us, and we
shall need an experience which many are too indolent to obtain.... Now, while
our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become
perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield
to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can
gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his
temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself, “The prince of
this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30). Satan could find nothing in the
Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's
commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his
advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand
in the time of trouble.”[9]
Vindicating God
As for the question of vindicating the character of God, one really wonders what the great debate is all about! What do we not understand? Every human being on this earth is even now doing a work of vindication. We are either vindicating God or vindicating Satan! There is no third option! When we say yes to God’s truth, and when we say no, that is vindication - of God in the former case, and of the devil in the latter. And the people of God in these last days have simply made the choice to “fear God and give glory to Him!” They have made a decision to let their light so shine before men, that men may see their good works, and thereby glorify the Father! As a result, Jesus, having dealt Satan a colossal blow at Calvary, will yet reserve for him another crushing of the head, under the feet of His people in the last days, as pointed out by Paul in Romans 16:20. And those who do not take part in this vindication will thereby show themselves up as vindicators of the enemy of God, by standing on his side of the great controversy, rather than on the side of righteousness. It really is not a complicated matter, this vindication question. Who is the reader vindicating right now, as these issues are brought to the fore? Who is the writer vindicating? There are two sides to pick from. The side of loyalty and obedience, or the side of infidelity and disobedience. And all of us will not only vindicate, or be witnesses for, but also fully reflect the image o