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Part I—Atoning Sacrifice
I. Centrality of the Atoning Cross
The sacrifice of Christ as atonement for sin is the great truth around which
all other truths cluster.—Gospel Workers, p. 315.
It [the cross] is the
central pillar on which hangs the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
which is for those who accept that cross. Under and around the cross of
Christ,
that immortal pillar, sin shall never revive, nor error obtain control.—Letter
124, 1900.
The Sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which
all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated,
every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in
the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the
great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,—the
Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every
discourse given by our ministers.—Gospel Workers, p. 315.
The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and
hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence
goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His
life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring
man to his original perfection; yea, more. It was offered to give him an entire
transformation of character, making him more than a conqueror....
If the cross does not find an influence in its favor, it creates an influence.
Through generation succeeding generation, the truth for this time is revealed as
present truth. Christ on the cross was the medium whereby mercy and truth met
together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. This is the means that is to move the
world.—Manuscript 56, 1899.
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NOTE.—The italicizing of key expressions throughout this compilation is to
enable the eye to catch at a glance the pertinent point of each paragraph.—Editors.
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There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the
searching of the Scriptures—Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is
invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme.
It is only in the light of the cross that we can discern the exalted character
of the law of God. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through
the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation.—Manuscript
31, 1890.
Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. . . . This is our message, our
argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the
sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in men's
minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, we may step aside, and
ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God.— Manuscript
49, 1898.
Gather up the strongest affirmative statements regarding the atonement made by
Christ for the sins of the world. Show the necessity for this atonement—Evangelism, p. 187.
The fact that the companions of Christ in His crucifixion were placed the one on
His right hand and the other on His left is a significant one; His cross is
placed in the very center of the world.—Manuscript 52, 1897.
Christ and Him crucified, is the message God would have His servants sound
through the length and breadth of the world. The law and the gospel will then be
presented as a perfect whole.—The Review and Herald, Sept. 29, 1896.
Never should a sermon be preached, or Bible instruction in any line be given,
without pointing the hearers to "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
of the world." John 1:29. Every true doctrine makes Christ the center,
every precept receives force from His words.—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 54.
To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting out the sun from
the sky. The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him. . . . Without the
cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it depends our every hope.—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 209, 210.
The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and mediatorial
work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall
last.—Gospel Workers, p. 251.
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Christ crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on
high, is the science of salvation that we are to learn and to
teach.—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 287.
No discourse should ever be presented without presenting Christ and Him
crucified as the foundation of the gospel.—Ibid., vol. 4, p. 394.
We must become exponents of the efficacy of the blood of Christ, by which our
own sins have been forgiven. —Ibid., vol. 6, p.82.
Science is too limited to comprehend the atonement; the mysterious and wonderful
plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy can not explain it; it
will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reason can not fathom. If it
could be explained by finite wisdom, it would lose its sacredness and dignity.
It is a mystery that One equal with the eternal Father should so abase Himself
as to suffer the cruel death of the cross to ransom man; and it is a mystery
that God so loved the world as to permit His Son to make this great
sacrifice.—The Signs of the Times, Oct. 24, 1906.
It is Satan's studied purpose to keep souls from believing in Christ as their
only hope; for the blood of Christ that cleanseth from all sin is efficacious in
behalf of those only who believe in its merit.—Gospel Workers, p. 162.
II. Complete Sacrificial Atonement Made on Cross
He [Christ] planted the cross between heaven and earth, and when the Father
beheld the sacrifice of His Son, He bowed before it in recognition of its
perfection. "It is enough," He said. "The Atonement is
complete."—The Review and Herald, Sept. 24, 1901.
Type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb slain for the sins of the
world. Our great High Priest has made the only sacrifice that is of any value in
our salvation. When He offered Himself on the cross, a perfect atonement was
made for the sins of the people. We are now standing in the outer court, waiting
and looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ.—The Signs of the Times, June 28, 1899.
Our great High Priest completed the sacrificial offering of Himself when He
suffered without the gate. Then a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the
people. Jesus is our Advocate, our High priest, our Intercessor. Our present
position therefore is
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like that of the Israelites, standing in the outer court, waiting and looking
for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ.—Manuscript 128, 1897.
The time had come for the universe of heaven to accept their King. Angels,
cherubim and seraphim, would now stand in view of the cross. . . . The Father
accepts the Son. No language could convey the rejoicing of heaven or God's
expression of satisfaction and delight in His only begotten Son as He saw the
completion of the atonement.—The Signs of the Times, Aug. 16, 1899.
The Father demonstrates His infinite love for Christ, who paid our ransom with
His blood, by receiving and welcoming Christ's friends as His friends. He is
satisfied with the atonement made. He is glorified by the incarnation, the life,
death, and mediation of His Son.—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 364.
The Father gave all honor to the Son, seating Him at His right hand, far above
all principalities and power. He expressed His great joy and delight in
receiving the Crucified One and crowning Him with glory and honor. And all the
favors He has shown to His Son in His acceptance of the great atonement are
shown to His people. . . . God loves them as He loves His Son. . . . The seal of
heaven has been affixed to Christ's atonement. His sacrifice is in every way
satisfactory.—The Signs of the Times, Aug. 16, 1899.
The sacrifice of Christ is sufficient; He made a whole, efficacious offering to
God; the human effort without the merit of Christ, is worthless.—The Review
and Herald, Aug. 19, 1890 (March 24, 1896).
As the sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the
defilement of sin is to be complete.—The Ministry of Healing, p. 451.
His death on the cross of Calvary was the climax of His humiliation. His work as
a redeemer is beyond finite conception. Only those who have died to self, whose
lives are hid with Christ in God, can have any conception of the completeness of
the offering made to save the fallen race.—Letter 196, 1901.
III. Incarnation Prerequisite to Atoning Sacrifice
Christ has purchased the world by making a ransom for it, by taking human
nature. He was not only the offering, but He Himself was the Offerer. He clothed
His divinity with humanity, and voluntarily took upon Him human nature, making
it possible to offer Himself as a ransom.—Manuscript 92, 1899.
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Not one of the angels could have become surety for the human race: their life is
God's; they could not surrender it. The angels all wear the yoke of obedience.
They are the appointed messengers of Him who is the commander of all heaven. But
Christ is equal with God, infinite and omnipotent. He could pay the ransom for
man's freedom. He is the eternal, self-existing Son, on whom no yoke had come;
and when God asked, "Whom shall I send?" He could reply, "Here am
I; send me." He could pledge Himself to become man's surety; for He could
say that which the highest angel could not say,—I have power over My own life,
"power to lay it down, and . . . power to take it again."—The
Youth's Instructor, June 21, 1900.
Man could not atone for man. His sinful, fallen condition would constitute him
an imperfect offering, an atoning sacrifice of less value than Adam before his
fall. God made man perfect and upright, and after his transgression there could
be no sacrifice acceptable to God for him, unless the offering made should in
value be superior to man as he was in his state of perfection and innocency.
The divine Son of God was the only sacrifice of sufficient value to fully
satisfy the claims of God's perfect law. The angels were sinless, but of less
value than the law of God. They were amenable to law. They were messengers to do
the will of Christ, and before him to bow. They were created beings, and
probationers. Upon Christ no requirements were laid. He had power to lay down
his life, and to take it again. No obligation was laid upon him to undertake the
work of atonement. It was a voluntary sacrifice that he made. His life was of
sufficient value to rescue man from his fallen condition.—The Spirit of
Prophecy, vol. 2 (1877 ed.), pp. 9, 10.
IV. Spotless Christ Was Perfect Offering
Christ could not have done this work had He not been personally spotless.
Only One who was Himself perfection could be at once the sin bearer and the sin
pardoner. He stands before the congregation of His redeemed as their
sin—burdened, sin-stained surety, but it is their sins He is bearing. All
through His life of humiliation and suffering, from the time that He was born an
infant in Bethlehem till He hung on the cross of Calvary, and cried in a voice
that shook the universe, "It is finished," the Saviour was pure and
spotless.—Manuscript 165, 1899.
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Christ was without sin, else His life in human flesh and His death on the cross would have been of no more value in procuring grace for the
sinner than the death of any other man. While He took upon Him humanity, it was
a life taken into union with Deity. He could lay down His life as priest and
also victim. He possessed in Himself power to lay it down and take it up again.
He offered Himself without spot to God.—Manuscript 92, 1899.
When He uttered the cry "It is finished," Christ knew that the battle
was won. As a moral conqueror, He planted His banner on the eternal heights. Was
there not joy among the angels? Not a son, not a daughter of Adam, but could now
lay hold on the merits of the spotless Son of God, and say, Christ has died for
me. He is my Saviour.—Manuscript 111, 1897.
As the sinbearer, and priest and representative of man before God, He [Christ]
entered into the life of humanity, bearing our flesh and blood. The life is in
the living, vital current of blood, which blood was given for the life of the
world. Christ made a full atonement, giving His life as a ransom for us. He was
born without a taint of sin, but came into the world in like manner as the human
family. He did not have a mere semblance of a body, but He took human nature,
participating in the life of humanity. According to the law Christ Himself gave,
the forfeited inheritance was ransomed by the nearest of kin. Jesus Christ laid
off His royal robe, His kingly crown, and clothed His divinity with humanity, in
order to become a substitute and surety for humanity, that dying in humanity He
might by His death destroy him who had the power of death. He could not have
done this as God, but by coming as man Christ could die. By death He overcame
death. The death of Christ bore to the death him who had the power of death, and
opened the gates of the tomb for all who receive Him as their personal
Saviour;—Letter 97, 1898.
V. Guilt and Punishment Transferred to Substitute
In dying upon the cross, He transferred the guilt from the person of the
transgressor to that of the divine Substitute, through faith in Him as his
personal Redeemer. The sins of a guilty world, which in figure are represented
as "red as crimson," were imputed to the divine Surety.—Manuscript
84a, 1897.
The holy Son of God has no sins or griefs of His own to bear: He was bearing the
griefs of others; for on Him was laid the iniquity of us all. Through divine
sympathy He connects Himself with man, and as the representative of the race He
submits to be
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treated as a transgressor. He looks into the abyss of woe opened for us by our
sins, and proposes to bridge the gulf of man's separation from God.—Bible Echo
and Signs of the Times, Aug. 1, 1892.
He was overwhelmed with horror at the fearful work that sin had wrought. His
burden of guilt, because of man's transgression of the Father's law, was so
great that human nature was inadequate to bear it. The sufferings of martyrs can
bear no comparison with the agony of Christ. The divine presence was with them
in their sufferings; but the Father's face was hidden from His dear Son.—Ibid.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ suffered in man's stead, and the human
nature of the Son of God staggered under the terrible horror of the guilt of
sin. . . .
The power that inflicted retributive justice upon man's substitute and surety,
was the power that sustained and upheld the suffering One under the tremendous
weight of wrath that would have fallen upon a sinful world. Christ was suffering
the death that was pronounced upon the transgressors of God's law.—Manuscript
35, 1895.
What sustained the Son of God in His betrayal and trial? He saw of the travail
of His soul and was satisfied. He caught a view of the expanse of eternity and
saw the happiness of those who through His humiliation should receive pardon and
everlasting life. He was wounded for their transgressions, bruised for their
iniquities. The chastisement of their peace was upon Him, and with His stripes
they were healed. His ear caught the shout of the redeemed. He heard the
ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.—Testimonies, vol. 8, pp.
43, 44.
VI. Christ Both Sacrificial Offering and Officiating Priest
The infinite sufficiency of Christ is demonstrated by His bearing the sins of
the whole world. He occupies the double position of offerer and of offering, of
priest and of victim. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from
sinners. "The prince of this world cometh," He declares, "and
findeth nothing in Me." He was a Lamb without blemish, and without
spot.—Letter 192, 1906.
As the high priest laid aside his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in
the white linen dress of a common priest, so Christ emptied Himself, and took
the form of a servant, and offered the sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself
the victim.—The Southern Watchman, Aug. 6, 1903.
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VII. The Cross Central in the Atonement
The cross must occupy the central place because it is the means of man's
atonement and because of the influence it exerts on every part of the divine
government.—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 236.
The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have our sins pardoned;
it
is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of
spiritual health. It is the heaven-ordained means by which the righteousness of
Christ may be not only upon us, but in our hearts and characters.—Letter 406,
1906.
Without shedding of blood there is no remission for sin. He must suffer the
agony of a public death on the cross, that witness of it might be borne without
the shadow of a doubt.—Manuscript 101, 1897.
Adam listened to the words of the tempter, and yielding to his insinuations,
fell into sin. Why was not the death penalty at once enforced in his
case?—Because a ransom was found. God's only begotten Son volunteered to take
the sin of man upon Himself, and to make an atonement for the fallen race. There
could have been no pardon for sin had this atonement not been made. Had God
pardoned Adam's sin without an atonement, sin would have been immortalized, and
would have been perpetuated with a boldness that would have been without
restraint.—The Review and Herald, April 23, 1901.
In the councils of heaven the cross was ordained as the means of atonement. This
was to be God's means of winning men to Him. Christ came to this earth to show
that in humanity He could keep the holy law of God.—Manuscript 165, 1899.
Christ gave Himself an atoning sacrifice for the saving of a lost world.—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 208.
VIII. Atoning Provisions Embrace All Mankind
Christ's atonement includes the whole human family. No
one, high or low, rich
or poor, free or bond, has been left out of the plan of redemption.—Letter
106, 1900.
Christ suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, for Calvary was outside the city
walls. This was to show that He died, not for the Hebrews alone, but for all
mankind. He proclaims to a fallen world that He is their Redeemer, and urges
them to accept the salvation He offers.—The Watchman, Sept. 4, 1906.
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As the high priest sprinkled the warm blood upon the mercy-seat while the
fragrant cloud of incense ascended before God, so,while we confess our sins and plead the efficacy of Christ's atoning blood, our
prayers are to ascend to heaven, fragrant with the merits of our Saviour's
character. Notwithstanding our unworthiness, we are to remember that there is
One who can take away sin, and who is willing and anxious to save the sinner.
With His own blood He paid the penalty for all wrong-doers.—The Review and
Herald, Sept. 29, 1896.
Jesus refused [after the resurrection] to receive the homage of His people until
He had the assurance that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. He ascended
to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His
atonement for the sins of men had been ample, that through His blood all might
gain eternal life.—The Desire of Ages, p. 790.
The sins of the people were transferred in figure to the officiating priest, who
was a mediator for the people. The priest could not himself become an offering
for sin, and make an atonement with his life, for he was also a sinner.
Therefore, instead of suffering death himself, he killed a lamb without blemish;
the penalty of sin was transferred to the innocent beast, which thus became his
immediate substitute, and typified the perfect offering of Jesus Christ. Through
the blood of this victim, man looked forward by faith to the blood of Christ
which would alone for the sins of the world.—The Signs of the Times, March 14,
1878.
IX. Manifold Results of the Atonement
The atonement of Christ sealed forever the everlasting covenant of grace. It
was the fulfilling of every condition upon which God suspended the free
communication of grace to the human family. Every barrier was then broken down
which intercepted the freest fulness of the exercise of grace, mercy, peace and
love to the most guilty of Adam's race.—Manuscript 92, 1899.
In our behalf He died on the cross of Calvary. He has paid the price. Justice is
satisfied. Those who believe in Christ, those who realize that they are sinners,
and that as sinners they must confess their sins, will receive pardon full and
free.—Letter 52, 1906.
By transgression man was severed from God, the communion between them was
broken, but Jesus Christ died upon the cross of Calvary, bearing in His body the
sins of the whole world; and the gulf between heaven and earth was bridged by
that cross. Christ leads men to the gulf, and points to the bridge by which it
is spanned, saying, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me." God gives
us a probation in which we may prove whether or not we will be loyal to
Him.—Manuscript 21, 1895.
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The atoning sacrifice seen through faith brings peace and comfort and hope to
the trembling soul weighed down beneath the sense of guilt. The law of God is
the detector of sin, and as the sinner is drawn to the dying Christ, he sees the
grievous character of sin, and repents and lays hold on the remedy, the Lamb of
God, who taketh away the sin of the world.—The Review and Herald, Sept. 2,
1890.
Thus, through the crucifixion of Christ, human beings are reconciled to God.
Christ adopts the outcasts, and they become His special care, members of the
family of God, because they have accepted His Son as their Saviour. To them is
given power to become the sons of God, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
They gain an intelligent knowledge of what Christ is to them and of the
blessings they may receive as members of the Lord's family. And in His infinite
condescension God is pleased to stand to them in the relation of
Father.—Letter 255, 1904.
The world does not acknowledge that, at an infinite cost, Christ has purchased
the human race. They do not acknowledge that by creation and by redemption He
holds a just claim to every human being. But as the Redeemer of the fallen race,
He has been given the deed of possession, which entitles Him to claim them as
His property.—Letter 136, 1902.
Christ pledged Himself to become his substitute and surety, giving man a second
trial. When man transgressed even the smallest precept of Jehovah, it was
disobedience just the same as though the test were larger. But how is the grace,
mercy, and love provided! The divinity of Christ undertook to bear the sins of
the transgressor. This ransom is on solid ground; this pledged peace is for the
heart that receives Jesus Christ. And in receiving Him by faith we are blessed
with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.—Manuscript 114,
1897.
Christ received His death wound, which was the trophy of His victory, and the
victory of all who believe in Him. These wounds annihilated the power of Satan
over every loyal, believing subject in Jesus Christ. By the suffering and death
of Christ, human intelligences, fallen because of the sin of Adam, are through
their acceptance of Christ and faith in Him, elevated to become heirs of
immortality and an eternal weight of glory. The gates of the heavenly Paradise
are thrown open to the inhabitants of this
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fallen world. Through faith in the righteousness of Christ, rebels against the
law of God may lay hold upon the Infinite, and become partakers of everlasting
life.—Letter 103, 1894.
"And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me. This he said,
signifying what death he should die." This is the crisis of the world. If I
become the propitiation for the world, it will be lighted up. The defaced image
of God would be reproduced and restored, and a family of believing saints will
finally inhabit the heavenly home. This is the result of the crucifixion of
Christ and the restoration of the world. —Manuscript 33, 1897.
Our ransom has been paid by our Saviour. No one need be enslaved by Satan.
Christ stands before us as our divine example, our all powerful Helper. We have
been bought with a price that it is impossible to compute. Who can measure the
goodness and mercy of redeeming love?—Manuscript 76, 1903.
God testified to the great work of atonement in reconciling the world to
Himself, by giving Christ's followers a true understanding of the kingdom which
He was establishing upon the earth, the foundation of which His own hand had
laid.
The Father gave all honor to His Son, seating Him at His right hand, far above
all principalities and power. He expressed His great joy and delight in
receiving the Crucified One, and crowning Him with glory and honor. And all the
favors He has shown to His Son in His acceptance of the great atonement are
shown to His people. Those who have united their interests in love with Christ
are accepted in the Beloved. They suffer with Christ, and His glorification is
of great interest to them, because they are accepted in Him. God loves them as
He loves His Son.—The Signs of the Times, Aug. 16, 1899.
X. Righteousness Provided Through Atonement
It was evident to him that the law did not abate one jot of its justice, but
through the atoning sacrifice, through the imputed righteousness of Christ, the
repentant sinner stands justified before the law.
Christ bore the penalty that would have fallen upon the transgressor; and
through faith the helpless, hopeless sinner becomes a partaker of the divine
nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust. Christ
imputes His perfection and righteousness to the believing sinner when he does
not continue in sin, but turns from transgression to obedience of the
commandments.— The Review and Herald, May 23, 1899.
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The only One who could with hope approach God in humanity was the only begotten
Son of God. That sinful, repentant human beings might be received by the Father,
and clothed with the robe of righteousness, Christ came to the earth, and made
an offering of such value that He redeemed the race. Through the sacrifice made
on Calvary is offered to everyone the sanctification of grace.—Letter 67,
1902.
It is only through faith in Christ that sinners may have the righteousness of
Christ imputed unto them, and that they may be "made the righteousness of
God in him." Our sins were laid on Christ, punished in Christ, put away by
Christ, in order that His righteousness might be imputed to us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Although sin was charged to His account
on our behalf, yet He remained perfectly sinless.—The Signs of the Times, May
30, 1895.
The Lord made a full and complete sacrifice upon the cross, the shameful cross,
that men might be complete in the great and precious gift of His righteousness.
We have God's pledge that He will bind men closely to His great heart of
infinite love in the bonds of the new covenant of grace. All who will give up
their hope of paying for their salvation, or earning it, and will come to Jesus
just as they are, unworthy, sinful, and fall upon His merits, holding in their
plea the pledged word of God to pardon the transgressor of His law, confessing
their sins and seeking pardon, will find full and free salvation.—Letter 148,
1897.
XI. Redemptive Price Completely Paid on Calvary
The ransom paid by Christ—the atonement on the cross—is ever before
them.—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 190.
On the cross of Calvary He paid the redemption price of the race. And thus He
gained the right to rescue the captives from the grasp of the great deceiver,
who by a lie framed against the government of God, caused the fall of man, and
who thus forfeited all claim to be called a loyal subject of God's kingdom.
Satan refused to let his captives go. He held them as his subjects because of
their belief of his lie. He had thus become their jailor. But he had no right to
demand that a price be paid for them; because he had not obtained possession of
them by lawful conquest, but under false pretense.
God, being the creditor, had a right to make any provision for the redemption of
human beings. Justice demanded that a certain price be paid. The Son of God was
the only One who could pay
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this price. He volunteered to come to this earth and pass over the ground where
Adam fell. He came as the redeemer of the lost race, to conquer the wily foe,
and by His steadfast allegiance to right, to save all who should accept Him as
their Saviour.—Letter 20, 1903.
Christ alone could bear the message of man's deliverance. He came with a full
and complete ransom. He came to bring life and immortality within the reach of
the fallen race. As the Life-giver, He assumed our nature, that He might reveal
the character of God, and stamp His image on all who would receive Him. He
became man that through His infinite sacrifice God might receive the homage of
the restored race. . . . The science of redemption is as high as heaven, and its
value is infinite. This truth is so broad, so deep, so high, that beside it all
the wisdom of earth's wisest men sinks into insignificance. In comparison with
the knowledge of God, all human knowledge is as chaff. And the way of salvation
can be made known only by God.—Manuscript 69, 1897.
All that God and Christ could do has been done to save sinners. Transgression
placed the whole world in jeopardy, under the death sentence. But in heaven
there was heard a voice saying, I have found a ransom. Jesus Christ, who knew no
sin, was made sin for fallen man. "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 gave Himself as a ransom. He laid off His royal
robe. He laid aside His kingly crown, and stepped down from His high command
over all heaven, clothing His divinity with humanity that He might carry all the
infirmities and bear all the temptations of humanity.—Letter 22, 1900
XII. Justice and Mercy Blend at Cross
Justice and Mercy stood apart, in opposition to each other, separated by a
wide gulf. The Lord our Redeemer clothed His divinity with humanity, and wrought
out in behalf of man a character that was without spot or blemish. He planted
His cross midway between heaven and earth, and made it the object of attraction
which reached both ways, drawing both justice and Mercy across the gulf. Justice
moved from its exalted throne, and with all the armies of heaven approached the
cross. There it saw One equal with God bearing the penalty for all injustice and
sin. With perfect satisfaction Justice bowed in reverence at the cross, saying,
It is enough.—General Conference Bulletin, Fourth Quarter, 1899, vol. 3, p.
102.
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Christ's death proved God's administration and government to be without a flaw.
Satan's charge in regard to the conflicting attributes of justice and mercy was
forever settled beyond question. Every voice in heaven and out of heaven will
one day testify to the justice, mercy, and exalted attributes of God. It was in
order that the heavenly universe might see the conditions of the covenant of
redemption that Christ bore the penalty in behalf of the human
race.—Manuscript 128, 1897.
His [Christ's] object was to reconcile the prerogatives of justice and mercy,
and let each stand separate in its dignity, yet united. His mercy was not
weakness, but a terrible power to punish sin because it is sin; yet a power to
draw to it the love of humanity. Through Christ Justice is enabled to forgive
without sacrificing one jot of its exalted holiness.—General Conference
Bulletin, Fourth Quarter, 1899, vol. 3, p. 102.
Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death penalty must be
executed. God, in the gift of His only begotten Son, met both these
requirements. By dying in man's stead, Christ exhausted the penalty and provided
a pardon.—Manuscript 50, 1900.
God bowed His head satisfied. Now justice and mercy could blend. Now He could be
just, and yet the Justifier of all who should believe on Christ. He [God] looked
upon the victim expiring on the cross, and said, "It is finished. The human
race shall have another trial." The redemption price was paid, and Satan
fell like lightning from heaven.—Youth's Instructor, June 21, 1900.
The only-begotten Son of God took upon Him the nature of man, and established
His cross between earth and heaven. Through the cross, man was drawn to God, and
God to man. Justice moved from its high and awful position, and the heavenly
hosts, the armies of holiness, drew near to the cross, bowing with reverence;
for at the cross justice was satisfied. Through the cross the sinner was drawn
from the stronghold of sin, from the confederacy of evil, and at every approach
to the cross his heart relents and in penitence he cries, "It was my sins
that crucified the Son of God." At the cross he leaves his sins, and
through the grace of Christ His character is transformed. The Redeemer raises
the sinner from the dust, and places him under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.—The Signs of the Times, June 5, 1893.
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XIII. Atonement Vindicates God's Changeless Law
The cross speaks to the hosts of heaven, to worlds unfallen, and to the
fallen world, the value which God has placed upon men, and of His great love
wherewith He has loved us. It testifies to the world, to angels, and to men, the
immutability of the divine law. The death of God's only begotten Son upon the
cross in the sinner's behalf is the unanswerable argument as to the changeless
character of the law of Jehovah.—The Review and Herald, May 23, 1899.
The cross of Christ testifies to the sinner that the law is not changed to meet
the sinner in his sins, but that Christ has made an offering of Himself that the
transgressors of the law might have an opportunity to repent. As Christ bore the
sins of every transgressor so the sinner who will not believe in Christ as his
personal Saviour, who rejects the light that comes to him, and refuses to
respect and obey the commandments of God, will bear the penalty of his
transgression.—Manuscript 133, 1897.
The death of Christ was to be the convincing, everlasting argument that the law
of God is as unchangeable as His throne. The agonies of the garden of
Gethsemane, the insult, the mockery, the abuse heaped upon God's dear Son, the
horrors and ignominy of the crucifixion, furnish sufficient and thrilling
demonstration that God's justice, when it punishes, does the work thoroughly.
The fact that His own Son, the Surety for man, was not spared, is an argument
that will stand to all eternity before saint and sinner, before the universe of
God, to testify that He will not excuse the transgressor of His law.—Manuscript 58, 1897.
Satan is continuing the work on earth that he commenced in heaven. He leads men
to transgress the commandments of God. The plain "Thus saith the Lord"
is put aside for the "thus saith" of men. The whole world needs to be
instructed in the oracles of God, to understand the object of the atonement, the
at-one-ment, with God. The object of this atonement was that the divine law and
government might be maintained. The sinner is pardoned through repentance toward
God and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There is forgiveness of sin,
and yet the law of God stands immutable, eternal as His throne. There is no such
thing as weakening or strengthening the law of Jehovah. As it has always been,
so it is. It cannot be repealed or changed in one principle. It is eternal,
immutable as God Himself.—Manuscript 163, 1897.
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Satan endeavored to keep hidden from the world the great atoning sacrifice which
reveals the law in all its sacred dignity, and impresses hearts with the force
of its binding claims. He was warring against the work of Christ, and united all
his evil angels with human instrumentalities in opposition to that work. But
while he was carrying on this work, heavenly intelligences were combining with
human instrumentalities in the work of restoration. The cross stands as the
great center of the world, bearing a certain testimony that the cross of Christ
will be the condemnation of every transgressor of the law of God. Here are the
two great powers, the power of truth and righteousness and the working of Satan
to make of none effect the law of God.—Manuscript 61, 1899.
The death of Christ removes every argument that Satan could bring against the
precepts of Jehovah. Satan has declared that men could not enter the kingdom of
heaven unless the law was abolished, and a way devised by which transgressors
could be reinstated into the favor of God, and made heirs of heaven. He made the
claim that the law must be changed, that the reins of government must be
slackened in heaven, that sin must be tolerated, and sinners pitied and saved in
their sins. But every such plea was cast aside when Christ died as a substitute
for the sinner. —The Signs of the Times, May 21, 1912.
XIV. Atonement Result of Divine Love
The atonement of Christ was not made in order to induce God to love those
whom He otherwise hated; and it was not made to produce a love that was not in
existence; but it was made as a manifestation of the love that was already in
God's heart, an exponent of the divine favor in the sight of heavenly
intelligences, in the sight of worlds unfallen, and in the sight of a fallen
race.... We are not to entertain the idea that God loves us because Christ has
died for us, but that He so loved us that He gave His only-begotten Son to die
for us.—The Signs of the Times, May 30, 1893.
As the Saviour is lifted up before the people, they will see His humiliation,
His self-denial, His self-sacrifice, His goodness, His tender compassion, His
sufferings to save fallen man, and will realize that the atonement of Christ was
not the cause of God's love, but the result of that love. Jesus died because God
loved the world.—The Review and Herald, Sept. 2, 1890.
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The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but
He provided the propitiation because He loves us. Christ was the medium through
which He could pour out His infinite love upon a fallen world. "God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." God suffered with His Son, in
the agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary; the heart of Infinite Love paid
the price of our redemption.—The Home Missionary, April, 1893.
XV. Atoning Provision Greater Than Man's Need
Justice demanded the sufferings of a man. Christ, equal with God, gave the
sufferings of a God. He needed no atonement. His suffering was not for any sin
He had committed; it was for man—all for man; and His free pardon is
accessible to all. The suffering of Christ was in correspondence with His
spotless purity; His depth of agony, proportionate to the dignity and grandeur
of His character. Never can we comprehend the intense anguish of the spotless
Lamb of God, until we realize how deep is the pit from which we have been
rescued, how grievous is the sin of which mankind is guilty, and by faith grasp
the full and entire pardon.—The Review and Herald, Sept. 21, 1886.
The divine Son of God was the only sacrifice of sufficient value to fully
satisfy the claims of God's perfect law. The angels were sinless, but of less
value than the law of God. They were amenable to law. They were messengers to do
the will of Christ, and before Him to bow. They were created beings, and
probationers. Upon Christ no requirements were laid. He had power to lay down
His life, and to take it again. No obligation was laid upon Him to undertake the
work of atonement. It was a voluntary sacrifice that He made. His life was of
sufficient value to rescue man from his fallen condition.—The Review and
Herald, Dec. 17, 1872.
The work of God's dear Son in undertaking to link the created with the
Uncreated, the finite with the Infinite, in His own divine person, is a subject
that may well employ our thoughts for a lifetime. This work of Christ was to
confirm the beings of other worlds in their innocency and loyalty, as well as to
save the lost and perishing of this world. He opened a way for the disobedient
to return to their allegiance to God, while by the same act He placed a
safeguard around those who were already pure, that they might not become
polluted.—The Review and Herald, Jan. 11, 1881.
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XVI. Typical Sacrifices Prefigure Lamb of God
The sacrificial offerings, and the priesthood of the Jewish system, were
instituted to represent the death and mediatorial work of Christ. All those
ceremonies had no meaning, and no virtue, only as they related to Christ, who
was Himself the foundation of, and who brought into existence, the entire
system. The Lord had made known to Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and
the ancient worthies, especially Moses, that the ceremonial system of sacrifices
and the priesthood, of themselves, were not sufficient to secure the salvation
of one soul.
The system of sacrificial offerings pointed to Christ. Through these, the
ancient worthies saw Christ, and believed in Him.—The Review and Herald, Dec.
17, 1872.
Christ, in counsel with His Father, instituted the system of sacrificial
offerings; that death, instead of being immediately visited upon the
transgressor, should be transferred to a victim which should prefigure the great
and perfect offering of the Son of God.
The sins of the people were transferred in figure to the officiating priest, who
was a mediator for the people. The priest could not himself become an offering
for sin, and make an atonement with his life, for he was also a sinner.
Therefore, instead of suffering death himself, he killed a lamb without blemish;
the penalty of sin was transferred to the innocent beast, which thus became his
immediate substitute, and typified the perfect offering of Jesus Christ. Through
the blood of this victim, man looked forward by faith to the blood of Christ
which would atone for the sins of the world.—The Signs of the Times, March 14,
1878.
The great truth that was to be kept before men, and imprinted upon mind and
heart, was this, "Without shedding of blood is no remission." In every
bleeding sacrifice was typified "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
of the world." Christ Himself was the originator of the Jewish system of
worship, in which, by types and symbols, were shadowed forth spiritual and
heavenly things. Many forgot the true significance of these offerings; and the
great truth that through Christ alone there is forgiveness of sin, was lost to
them. The multiplying of sacrificial offerings, the blood of bulls and goats,
could not take away sin.—The Signs of the Times, Jan. 2, 1893.
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The great lesson embodied in the sacrifice of every bleeding victim, impressed
in every ceremony, inculcated by God Himself
was that through the blood of Christ alone is forgiveness of sins; yet how many
carry the galling yoke and how few feel the force of this truth and act upon it,
personally, and derive the blessings they might through a perfect faith in the
blood of the Lamb of God, realizing that through Him only is forgiveness of
sins, believing that when repented of He forgives them, whether great or small.
O! What a blessed Saviour!—Letter 12, 1892.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. . . .
Through the shed blood he looked forward to the future sacrifice, Christ dying
on the cross of Calvary; and trusting in the atonement that was there to be made, he had witness that he was righteous, and his offering accepted.—Patriarchs and
Prophets, p. 72.
XVII. The Cross Gave Death Stroke to Satan
He [Christ] died on the cross to give the death-stroke to
Satan, and to take
away the sin of every believing soul.—Manuscript 61, 1903.
What right had Christ to take the captives out of the enemy's hands? The right
of having made a sacrifice that satisfies the principles of justice by which the
kingdom of heaven is governed. He came to this earth as the Redeemer of the lost
race, to conquer the wily foe, and, by His steadfast allegiance to right, to
save all who accept Him as their Saviour. On the cross of Calvary He paid the
redemption price of the race. And thus He gained the right to take the captives
from the grasp of the great deceiver, who, by a lie, framed against the
government of God, caused the fall of man, and thus forfeited all claim to be
called a loyal subject of God's glorious everlasting kingdom.—The Signs of the
Times, Sept. 30, 1903.
Christ on the cross not only draws men to repentance toward God for the
transgression of His law—for whom God pardons He first makes penitent—but
Christ has satisfied justice; He has proffered Himself as an atonement. His
gushing blood, His broken body satisfy the claims of the broken law, and thus He
bridges the gulf which sin has made. He suffered in the flesh that with His
bruised and broken body He might cover the defenseless sinner. The victory
gained at His death on Calvary broke forever the accusing power of Satan over
the universe and silenced his charges that self-denial was impossible with God
and therefore not essential in the human family.—Manuscript 50, 1900.
He [Christ] planted His cross midway between heaven and
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earth, that He might wrestle with and overcome the powers of darkness.
He gave
His life for the life of sinners, and Satan, the prince of the world, was cast
out.—Manuscript 44, 1901.
Soon was to be offered the great Sacrifice to which all the Jewish offerings
pointed. When with the cross before Him, the Saviour uttered the sublime
prediction, "Now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be
lifted up, shall draw all men unto me," He saw that the great apostate, who
had been expelled from heaven, was the central power in the earth. Looking for
Satan's throne, He found it set up where God's should have been. He saw all men
worshiping the apostate, who inspired them with rebellion. The inhabitants of
this world had prostrated themselves at Satan's feet. Christ declared, Where
stands Satan's throne, there shall stand My cross, the instrument of humiliation
and suffering.—Manuscript 165, 1899.
Christ was crucified, but in wondrous power and glory He rose from the tomb. He
took in His grasp the world over which Satan claimed to preside, and restored
the human race to favor with God. And at this glorious completion of His work,
songs of triumph echoed and reechoed through the unfallen worlds. Angel and
archangel, cherubim and seraphim, joined in the chorus of victory.—The Youth's
Instructor, April 16, 1903.
XVIII. Atonement Never to Be Repeated
The death of Christ upon the cross made sure the destruction of him who has
the power of death, who was the originator of sin. When Satan is destroyed,
there will be none to tempt to evil; the atonement will never need to be
repeated; and there will be no danger of another rebellion in the universe of
God. That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of
darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ
will be seen by saints and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the
paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Shall
we not then exalt the cross of Christ?—The Signs of the Times, Dec. 30, 1889.
PART II—HIGH-PRIESTLY
APPLICATION OF ATONING
SACRIFICE
I. Ministers the Benefits of Complete Atoning Sacrifice
These are our themes—Christ crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the
dead, Christ our intercessor before God; and closely connected with these is the office work of the Holy Spirit.—Evangelism, p.
187
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The great Sacrifice had been offered and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit
which descended on the day of Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from
the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly, where Jesus had entered by His own blood,
to shed upon His disciples the benefits of His atonement.—Early Writings, p.
260.
Our Saviour is in the sanctuary pleading in our behalf. He is our interceding
High Priest, making an atoning sacrifice for us, pleading in our behalf the
efficacy of His blood.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 370.
Every one who will break from the slavery and service of Satan, and will stand
under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel, will be kept by Christ's
intercessions. Christ, as our Mediator, at the right hand of the Father, ever
keeps us in view, for it is as necessary that He should keep us by His
intercessions as that He should redeem us with His blood. If He lets go His hold
of us for one moment, Satan stands ready to destroy. Those purchased by His
blood, He now keeps by His intercession.—Manuscript 73, 1893.
Thank God that He who spilled His blood for us, lives to plead it, lives to make
intercession for every soul who receives Him. . . . We need to keep ever before
us the efficacy of the blood of Jesus. That life-cleansing, life-sustaining
blood, appropriated by living faith, is our hope. We need to grow in
appreciation of its inestimable value, for it speaks for us only as we by faith
claim its virtue, keeping the conscience clean and at peace with God.
This is represented as the pardoning blood, inseparably connected with the
resurrection and life of our Redeemer, illustrated by the ever-flowing stream
that proceeds from the throne of God, the water of the river of life.—Letter
87, 1894.
Christ died to make an atoning sacrifice for our sins. At the Father's right
hand He is interceding for us as our High Priest. By the sacrifice of His life
He purchased redemption for us. His atonement is effectual for every one who
will humble himself, and receive Christ as his example in all things. If the
Saviour had not given His life as a propitiation for our sins, the whole human
family would have perished. They would have had no right to heaven. It is
through His intercession that we, through faith,
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repentance, and conversion, are enabled to become partakers of the divine
nature, and thus escape the corruption that is in the world through
lust.—Manuscript 29, 1906.
This prayer [of John 17] is a lesson regarding the intercession that the Saviour
would carry on within the veil, when His great sacrifice in behalf of men, the
offering of Himself, should have been completed. Our Mediator gave His disciples
this illustration of His ministration in the heavenly sanctuary in behalf of all
who will come to Him in meekness and humility, emptied of all selfishness, and
believing in His power to save.—Manuscript 29, 1906 (SDA Bible Commentary,
vol. 5, p. 1145).
II. Ministry Applies and Completes Transaction of Cross
The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above is as
essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death
He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in
heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, "whither the forerunner is
for us entered." Hebrews 6:20. There the light from the cross of Calvary is
reflected. There we may gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of
redemption.—The Great Controversy, p. 489.
Christ's words on the mountainside were the announcement that His sacrifice in
behalf of man was full and complete. The conditions of the atonement had been
fulfilled; the work for which He came to this world had been accomplished. He
had won the kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan, and had become heir of all
things. He was on His way to the throne of God, to be honored by angels,
principalities, and powers. He had entered upon His mediatorial work. Clothed
with boundless authority, He gave His commission to the disciples, "Go ye
therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end
of the world."—Manuscript 138, 1897.
Thank God that He who spilled His blood for us, lives to plead it, lives to make
intercession for every soul who receives Him. "If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. It
speaketh better things
683
than the blood of Abel, for Christ ever liveth to make intercession for us. We
need to keep ever before us the efficacy of the blood of Jesus.—Letter 87,
1894.
Jesus stands before the Father, continually offering a sacrifice for the sins of
the world. He is the minister of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched,
and not man. The typical offerings of the Jewish tabernacle no longer possess
any virtue. A daily and yearly atonement is no longer necessary. But because of
the continual commission of sin, the atoning sacrifice of a heavenly Mediator is
essential. Jesus, our great high priest, officiates for us in the presence of
God, offering in our behalf His shed blood.—The Youth's Instructor, April 16,
1903.
By His spotless life, His obedience, His death on the cross of Calvary, Christ
interceded for the lost race. And now, not as a mere petitioner does the Captain
of our salvation intercede for us, but as a conqueror claiming His victory. His
offering is complete, and as our intercessor He executes His self-appointed
work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the
prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the
fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The
offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression. To the true
believer Christ is indeed the minister of the sanctuary, officiating for him in
the sanctuary, and speaking through God's appointed agencies.—The Signs of the
Times, Feb. 14, 1900.
In the courts above, Christ is pleading for His church—pleading for those for
whom He has paid the redemption price of His blood. Centuries, ages, can never
lessen the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. Neither life nor death, height nor
depth, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus; not
because we hold Him so firmly, but because He holds us so fast.—The Acts of
the Apostles, pp. 552, 553.
Jesus is our great High Priest in heaven. And what is He doing?—He is making
intercession and atonement for His people who believe in Him.—Testimonies to
Ministers, p. 37.
God is approached through Jesus Christ, the Mediator, the only way through which
He forgives sins. God cannot forgive sins at the expense of His justice, His
holiness, and His truth. But He does forgive sins and that fully. There are no
sins He will not forgive in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the
sinner's only hope, and if he rests here in sincere faith, he is sure of
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pardon and that full and free. There is only one channel and that is accessible to
all, and through that channel a rich and abundant forgiveness awaits the
penitent, contrite soul and the darkest sins are forgiven.
These lessons were taught to the chosen people of God thousands of years ago;
repeated in various symbols and figures that the work of truth might be riveted
in every heart, that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of
sins.—Letter 12, 1892.
Christ died for us, and receiving His perfection, we are entitled to heaven. To
all who believe in Him, He gives power to become the sons of God. Because He
lives, we shall live also. He is our Advocate in the courts above. This is our
only hope.—Manuscript 29, 1906.
By pledging His own life, Christ has made Himself responsible for every man and
woman on the earth. He stands in the presence of God, saying, Father, I take
upon Myself the guilt of that soul. It means death to him if he is left to bear
it. If he repents, he shall be forgiven. My blood shall cleanse him from all
sin. I gave My life for the sins of the world.
If the transgressor of God's law will see in Christ his atoning sacrifice, if he
will believe in Him who can cleanse from all unrighteousness, Christ will not
have died for him in vain.—The Review and Herald, Feb. 27, 1900.
"In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he
might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God [mark
the words], to make reconciliation for the sins of the people," through the
atonement. The repenting sinner is to believe in Christ as his personal Saviour.
This is his only hope. He may lay hold on the merits of the blood of Christ,
presenting to God the crucified and risen Saviour as his worthiness. Thus
through Christ's offering of Himself, the innocent for the guilty, every
obstruction is removed, and the pardoning love of God flows forth in rich
streams of mercy to fallen man.—Letter 91, 1895.
As we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ's merits, fragrance is
given to our intercessions. Oh, who can value this great mercy and love. As we
approach God through the virtue of Christ's merits, we are clothed with His
priestly vestments. He places us close by His side, encircling us with His human
arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He puts His
merits, as sweet incense, in a censer in their hands, in order to encourage their petitions. He promises to hear and answer
their supplications.—Letter 22, 1898.
685
Today He [Christ] is making an atonement for us before the Father. "If any
man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
Pointing to the palms of His hands, pierced by the fury and prejudice of wicked
men, He says of us, "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands"
[Isa. 49:16]. The Father bows in recognition of the price paid for humanity, and
the angels approach the cross of Calvary with reverence. What a sacrifice is
this! Who can fathom it! It will take the whole of eternity for man to
understand the plan of redemption. It will open to him line upon line, here a
little and there a little.—Manuscript 21, 1895.
III. Christ Ministering in Heavenly Sanctuary
We are in the great day of atonement, and the sacred work of Christ for the
people of God that is going on at the present time [1882] in the heavenly
sanctuary, should be our constant study. —Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 520.
O that all could behold our precious Saviour as He is, a Saviour. Let His hand
draw aside the veil which conceals His glory from our eyes. It shows Him in His
high and holy place. What do we see? Our Saviour, not in a position of silence
and inactivity. He is surrounded with heavenly intelligences, cherubims and
seraphims, ten thousand times ten thousand of angels. All these heavenly beings
have one object above all others, in which they are intensely interested,—His church in a world of corruption.—Letter 89c, 1897.
He is in His holy place, not in a state of solitude and grandeur, but surrounded
by ten thousand times ten thousand of heavenly beings who wait to do their
Master's bidding. And He bids them go and work for the weakest saint who puts
his trust in God. High and low, rich and poor, have the same help
provided—Letter 134, 1899.
Do not place your influence against God's commandments. That law is just as
Jehovah wrote it in the temple of heaven. Man may trample upon its copy here
below, but the original is kept in the ark of God in heaven; and on the cover of
this ark, right above that law, is the mercy seat. Jesus stands right there
before that ark to mediate for man.—Manuscript 6a, 1886 (SDA Bible
Commentary,
vol. 1, p. 1109).
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We all need to keep the subject of the sanctuary in mind. God forbid that the
clatter of words coming from human lips should lessen the belief of our people
in the truth that there is a sanctuary to heaven, and that a pattern of this
sanctuary was once built on this earth. God desires His people to become
familiar with this pattern, keeping ever before their minds the heavenly
sanctuary, where God is all and in all.—Letter 233, 1904.
Jesus is our Advocate, our High Priest, our Intercessor. Our position is like
that of the Israelites on the Day of Atonement. When the High Priest entered the
most holy place, representing the place where our High Priest is now pleading,
and sprinkled the atoning blood upon the mercy seat, no propitiatory sacrifices
were offered without. While the priest was interceding with God, every heart was
to be bowed in contrition, pleading for the pardon of transgression.—The Signs
of the Times, June 28, 1899.
IV. Second Phase of Priesthood Embraces Judgment
He fulfilled one phase of His priesthood by dying on the cross for the fallen
race. He is now fulfilling another phase by pleading before the Father the case
of the repenting, believing sinner, presenting to God the offerings of His
people. Having taken human nature and in this nature having overcome the
temptations of the enemy, and having divine perfection, to Him has been
committed the judgment of the world. The case of each one will be brought in
review before Him. He will pronounce judgment, rendering to every man according
to his works.—Manuscript 42, 1901.
V. Perpetual Intercession
The incense, ascending with the prayers of Israel, represents the merits and
intercession of Christ, His perfect righteousness, which through faith is
imputed to His people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings
acceptable to God. Before the veil of the most holy place, was an altar of
perpetual intercession, before the holy, an altar of continual atonement. By
blood and by incense, God was to be approached—symbols pointing to the great
Mediator, through whom sinners may approach Jehovah, and through whom alone
mercy and salvation can be granted to the repentant, believing soul.—Patriarchs
and Prophets, p. 353.
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In the service of the Jewish priesthood we are continually reminded of the sacrifice and intercession of Christ.
All who come to Christ today
are to remember that His merit is the incense that mingles with the prayers of
those who repent of their sins and receive pardon and mercy and grace. Our need
of Christ's intercession is constant.—Manuscript 14, 1901.
VI. Christ Both Mediator and Judge
By personal experience Christ is acquainted with the warfare which, since Adam's
fall, has been constantly going on. How appropriate, then, for Him to be the
judge. To Jesus, the Son of man, is committed all judgment. There is one
mediator between God and men. Only by Him can we enter the kingdom of heaven. He
is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. From His decision there is no appeal. He is
the Rock of ages, a rock rent on purpose that every tried, tempted soul may find
a sure hiding place.—The Review and Herald, March 12, 1901.
"The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the
Son." "He hath given him authority to execute judgment also because he
is the Son of man." In His superadded humanity consists the reason of
Christ's appointment. God has committed all judgment unto the Son, for without
controversy He is God manifest in the flesh.
God designed that the Prince of sufferers in humanity should be judge of the
whole world. He who came from the heavenly courts to save man from eternal
death; He whom men despised, rejected, and upon whom they heaped all the
contempt of which human beings, inspired by Satan, are capable; He who submitted
to be arraigned before an earthly tribunal, and who suffered the ignominious
death of the cross,—He alone is to pronounce the sentence of reward or of
punishment. He who submitted to the suffering and humiliation of the cross here,
in the counsel of God is to have the fullest compensation, and ascend the throne
acknowledged by all the heavenly universe as the King of saints. He has
undertaken the work of salvation, and shown before unfallen worlds and the
heavenly family that the work He has begun He is able to complete. It is Christ
who gives men the grace of repentance; His merits are accepted by the Father in
behalf of every soul that will help to compose the family of God.
In that day of final punishment and reward, both saints and sinners will
recognize in Him who was crucified the judge of all living.—The Review and
Herald, Nov. 22, 1898.
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VII. Wondrous Results of Christ's Priestly Mediation
The intercession of Christ is as a golden chain fastened to the throne of God. He has turned the merit of His sacrifice into prayer. Jesus prays, and by prayer
succeeds.—Manuscript 8, 1892.
As our Mediator, Christ works incessantly. Whether men receive or reject Him, He works earnestly for them. He grants them life and light, striving by His Spirit to win them from Satan's
service. And while the Saviour works, Satan also works, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, and with unflagging
energy.—The Review and Herald, March 12, 1901.
This Saviour was to be a mediator, to stand between the Most High and His people. Through this provision, a way was opened whereby the guilty sinner might find access to God through the
mediation of another. The sinner could not come in his own person, with his guilt upon him, and with no greater merit than he possessed in himself. Christ alone could open the way, by making an offering equal to the demands of the divine law. He was perfect, and undefiled by sin. He was without spot or blemish.—The Review and Herald, Dec. 17, 1872.
Christ is the Minister of the true tabernacle, the High Priest of all who believe in Him as a personal Saviour; and His office no other can take. He is the High Priest of the church, and He has a work to do which no other can perform. By His grace He is able to keep every man from transgression.—The Signs of the Times, Feb. 14, 1900.
Faith in the atonement and intercession of Christ will keep us steadfast and immovable
amid the temptations that press upon us in the church militant.—The Review and Herald, June 9, 1896.
The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work for these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others. All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful.—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 575.
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Christ's priestly intercession is now going on in our behalf in the sanctuary above. But how few have a real understanding that
our great High Priest presents before the Father His own blood, claiming for the sinner who receives
Him as his personal Saviour all the graces which His covenant embraces as the reward of His sacrifice. This sacrifice made Him abundantly able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him, seeing He liveth to make intercession for
them.—Manuscript 92, 1899.
Christ as High Priest within the veil so immortalized Calvary, that though He liveth unto God, He dies continually to sin and thus
if any man sin, he has an Advocate with the Father. He arose from the tomb enshrouded with a cloud of angels in wondrous power and
glory,—the Deity and humanity combined. He took in His grasp the world over which Satan claimed to preside as his lawful territory, and by His wonderful work in giving His life,
He restored the whole race of men to favor with God. The songs of triumph echoed and re-echoed through the worlds. Angel and archangel, cherubim and seraphim, sang the triumphant song at the amazing
achievement.—Manuscript 50, 1900.
This is the great day of atonement, and our Advocate is standing before the Father, pleading as our Intercessor.
In place of wrapping about us the garments of self-righteousness, we should be found daily humbling ourselves before God, confessing our own individual sins, seeking the pardon of our transgressions,
and cooperating with Christ in the work of preparing our souls to reflect the divine
image.—Manuscript 168, 1898 (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, Ellen G. White Comments, on Hebrews 10:19-21).
As our Mediator, Jesus was fully able to accomplish this work of redemption; but O, at what a
price! The sinless Son of God was condemned for the sin in which He had no part, in order that the sinner, through repentance and faith, might be justified by the righteousness of
Christ, in which he had no personal merit. The sins of every one who has lived upon the earth were laid upon Christ, testifying to the fact that no one need be a loser in the conflict with Satan. Provision has been made that all may lay hold of the strength of Him who will save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.
Christ receives upon Him the guilt of man's transgression, while He lays upon all who receive Him by faith, who return to their allegiance to God, His own spotless
righteousness.—The Review and Herald, May 23, 1899.
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He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned. . . . The fragrance of this righteousness ascends like a cloud around the mercy seat.—Manuscript 50, 1900 (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, on Rom. 8:26, 34).
VIII. Christ Is Our Friend at Court
Our great High Priest is pleading before the mercy-seat in behalf of His ransomed people. . . . Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our advocate stands at God's right hand to plead for us. He has never lost a case that has been committed to Him. We may trust in our advocate; for He pleads His own merits in our behalf.—The Review and Herald, Aug. 15, 1893.
Christ glorified not Himself in being made High Priest. God gave Him His appointment to the priesthood. He was to be an example to all the human family.
He qualified Himself to be, not only the representative of the race, but their Advocate, so that every soul if he will may say, I have a Friend at court. He is a High Priest that can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.—Manuscript 101, 1897.
Jesus is officiating in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood, as it had been a lamb slain. Jesus presents the oblation offered for every offense and every shortcoming of the sinner.
Christ, our Mediator, and the Holy Spirit are constantly interceding in man's
behalf, but the Spirit pleads not for us as does Christ who presents His blood,
shed from the foundation of the world; the Spirit works upon our hearts, drawing
out prayers and penitence, praise and thanksgiving.—Manuscript 50, 1900 (SDA
Bible Commentary, vol. 6, on Rom. 8:26, 34).
When Christ ascended to heaven, He ascended as our advocate. We always have a
friend at court. And from on high Christ sends His representative to every
nation, kindred, tongue, and people. The Holy Spirit gives the divine anointing
to all who receive Christ.—The Christian Educator, August, 1897, p. 22.
He has paid the ransom money for the whole world. All may be saved through Him.
He will present those who believe on Him to God as loyal subjects of His
kingdom. He will be their Mediator as well as their Redeemer.—Manuscript 41,
1896.
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When Christ died upon the cross of Calvary, a new and living way was opened to
both Jew and Gentile. The Saviour was henceforth to officiate as priest and
advocate in the heaven of heavens. Henceforth the blood of beasts offered for
sins was valueless, for the Lamb of God had died for the sins of the
world.—Und. Manuscript 127.
The arm that raised the human family from the ruin which Satan has brought upon
the race through his temptations, is the arm which has preserved the inhabitants
of other worlds from sin. Every world throughout immensity engages the care and
support of the Father and the Son; and this care is constantly exercised for
fallen humanity. Christ is mediating in behalf of man, and the order of unseen
worlds also is preserved by His mediatorial work. Are not these themes of
sufficient magnitude and importance to engage our thoughts, and call forth our
gratitude and adoration to God?—The Review and Herald, Jan, 11, 1881; Messages
to Young People, p. 254.
IX. Became Man That He Might Become Mediator
Jesus became a man that He might mediate between man and God. He clothed His
divinity with humanity, He associated with the human race, that with His long
human arm He might encircle humanity, and with His divine arm grasp the throne
of Divinity. And this, that He might restore to man the original mind which he
lost in Eden through Satan's alluring temptation; that man might realize that it
is for his present and eternal good to obey the requirements of God.
Disobedience is not in accordance with the nature which God gave to man in
Eden.—Letter 121, 1897.
The completeness of His humanity, the perfection of His divinity, form for us a
strong ground upon which we may be brought into reconciliation with God. It was
when we were yet sinners that Christ died for us. We have redemption through His
blood, even the forgiveness of sins. His nail-pierced hands are outreached
toward heaven and earth. With one hand He lays hold of sinners upon earth, and
with the other He grasps the throne of the Infinite, and thus He makes
reconciliation for us. Christ is today standing as our Advocate before the
Father. He is the one Mediator between God and man. Bearing the marks of His
crucifixion, He pleads the causes of our souls.—Letter 35, 1894.
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X. Heavenly Advocate Retains Human Nature Forever
Christ ascended to heaven, bearing a sanctified, holy humanity. He took this
humanity with Him into the heavenly courts, and through the eternal ages He will
bear it, as the One who has redeemed every human being in the city of
God.—The Review and Herald, March 9, 1905.
By His appointment He [the Father] has placed at His altar an Advocate clothed
with our nature. As our Intercessor, His office work is to introduce us to God
as His sons and daughters. Christ intercedes in behalf of those who have
received Him. To them He gives power, by virtue of His own merits, to become
members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.—Testimonies, vol.
6, pp. 363, 364.
It is our privilege to contemplate Jesus by faith, and see Him standing between
humanity and the eternal throne. He is our Advocate, presenting our prayers and
offerings as spiritual sacrifices to God. Jesus is the great, sinless
propitiation, and through His merit, God and man may hold converse together.
Christ has carried His humanity into eternity. He stands before God as the
representative of our race.—The Youth's Instructor, Oct. 28, 1897.
Jesus could give alone security to God; for He was equal with God. He alone
could be a mediator between God and man; for He possessed divinity and humanity.
Jesus could thus give security to both parties for the fulfillment of the
prescribed conditions. As the Son of God He gives security to God in our behalf,
and as the eternal Word, as one equal with the Father, He assures us of the
Father's love to usward who believe His pledged word. When God would assure us
of His immutable counsel of peace, He gives His only begotten Son to become one
of the human family, forever to retain His human nature as a pledge that God
will fulfil His word.—The Review and Herald, April 3, 1894.
The reconciliation of man to God could be accomplished only through a mediator
who was equal with God, possessed of attributes that would dignify, and declare
Him worthy to treat with the Infinite God in man's behalf, and also represent
God to a fallen world. Man's substitute and surety must have man's nature, a
connection with the human family whom He was to represent, and, as God's
ambassador, He must partake of the divine nature, have a connection with the
Infinite, in order to manifest God to the world, and be a mediator between God
and man.—The Review and Herald, Dec. 22, 1891.
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