A Plea for Loyalty
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
November 20, 1905
Portions of this manuscript are published in UL 338; 3MR 226-227; 7MR 190; NebRep 11/30/1905.
Now, if ever, is the time when the church needs divine wisdom, that it may be seen that God is with us, as a people. In the future we shall have grave difficulties to meet. In view of the conflict before us, we need now to state plainly the evidences of the truth for this time. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 1
The students in our schools and all our youth should be given an education that will strengthen them in the faith. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 2
Heaven is filled with blessings for those who through the truth are sanctified, body, soul, and spirit. As individuals we have before us a great and grand work, that of overcoming every evil propensity. This experience of perfect conformity to the Word of God Christ has characterized as eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 3
Jesus had fed with five loaves of bread and two small fishes a multitude. “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone.” [John 6:14, 15.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 4
Had the purposes of the multitude been carried out, violence and insurrection would have followed, and the work of the spiritual kingdom of Christ would have been hindered. His work would have been interrupted before it was completed. Therefore He sent His disciples away, and He Himself departed alone into a mountain. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 5
“And when even was now come His disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose, by reason of a great wind that blew.” [Verses 16-18.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 6
The disciples gave themselves up for lost. But Jesus had not forgotten them. At the moment when they believed themselves to be lost, a gleam of light revealed a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. Terror overpowered them, and they cried out in their fear. But the voice of their beloved Master came to them, “It is I, be not afraid. Then they willingly received Him into the ship, and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.” [Verses 20, 21.] This incident served to reassure the disciples that though He had refused the honor of an earthly kingdom, yet Jesus was indeed the Son of God. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 7
In the morning the people sought to find Jesus. They came to the place where He had taught them, and when they “saw that Jesus was not there, neither His disciples, they also took shipping and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found Him on the other side of the sea, they said unto Him, Rabbi, when camest Thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily I say unto you, Ye seek Me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” [Verses 24-29.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 8
The price of heaven for every soul is the Messiah. The way to heaven is through faith in the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29.] He asks us first to believe, then to obey His commandments. “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” [John 6:29.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 9
Then “they said therefore unto Him, What sign showest Thou then that we may see and believe Thee? What dost Thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” [Verses 30-33.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 10
In the time of Moses the children had received bread from heaven. For forty years they had received a daily supply of manna in their wilderness wanderings. Christ had miraculously fed the multitude the day previous, and, thinking of temporal food, His hearers exclaimed, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.” [Verse 34.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 11
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: He that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, that ye also have seen Me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me: and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 12
“The Jews then murmured at Him, because He said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He said, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” [Verses 35-44.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 13
Jesus seeks to explain the difficulty of their receiving the truth. A man must be taught of God in order to understand deep spiritual truths. Without the wisdom that comes from God, men are led into error through wrong interpretations of His Word. The Lord is our Teacher. He, the sent of God, declares: “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” [Verses 45-47.] This is the highest science that any human being can study. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 14
“I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever. And the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 15
“The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 16
“This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead; he that eateth of this bread shall live forever. These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 17
“Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying, who can hear it? When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you?” [Verses 48-61.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 18
They had not expressed their doubts, but Jesus sensibly felt their unbelief, and His soul was grieved; for they were His blood-bought heritage. The value of a human soul no one can estimate. The salvation of one soul is of more value than all the advantages this world can bestow. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 19
“When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?” [Verses 61, 62.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 20
This privilege was granted to His constant and true disciples. While His hands were outstretched in blessing them, He was withdrawn from the earth to be escorted with songs of triumph and of victory to the heavenly courts as the Prince. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 21
“It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” [Verse 63.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 22
They were not literally to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, but Christ was to be to them their spiritual food and drink. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood meant believing on Him as their Redeemer. Through His words they were to receive spiritual life and nourishment. If they would faithfully practice His teachings, they would be sanctified through obedience and become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 23
“The flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” [Verse 63.] Those who thus accept the words of Christ will represent His character. The world will see in them a character fashioned after the divine similitude. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 24
Christ does not accept a man merely because he professes to be a Christian. His spirit and conduct must be such as to reveal that he is worthy to be acknowledged as a loyal subject of the kingdom of God. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 25
“From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.” [Verses 66-71.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 26
Now is our testing time. Our eternal destiny is at stake. Those who practice deception in order to gain some advantage in this life forfeit their right to live with Christ throughout eternity. If in this life we do not receive His Word, we shall in the day of judgment be found lacking in the qualifications of character that would fit us to partake of the bread of heaven. Many of our brethren are inclined to present for truth something mysterious. Satan has ever sought to infatuate the minds of men with subtle mysteries. Thus he beguiled Eve, and thus he seeks to seduce men today. Those who misquote the Word of God in an effort to substantiate error are following the example of him who beguiled Eve and who tempted Christ in the wilderness. The enemy substituted for the Word of God his own misleading statements. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 27
The same deceptive agency that seduced the angels in heaven is working in like manner upon human minds today. By means of his seducing statements, he won the confidence of many of the angels, and there was a great war in heaven. Michael and His angels fought against Satan and his deceived followers. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 28
The Lord now calls upon every soul to be wide-awake. We need not be deceived. Christ in His humanity was able to withstand the wily foe. We cannot remain passive and leave the flock of God to be led astray by the great enemy of souls. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 29
Those who understand and believe the truth are to be faithful guardians. When they see the Lord’s people exposed to temptations, they are to lift their voice in warning. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 30
Some who have received warning and instruction from God had deliberately turned from the messages sent to them. They have as it were walked blindfolded into Satan’s prepared snares. Satan is playing the game of life for their souls. And some who might be in a position to help these ensnared souls have themselves become ensnared as captives to the archdeceiver. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 31
God’s love for His church is infinite. He has made every provision for its growth and enlargement. His care over His people is unceasing. He has given instruction regarding the dangers of false theories and subtle reasonings of the archdeceiver. He has sent warnings, reproofs, and messages to save His people. But some, like many of Christ’s disciples, are offended, because they have misinterpreted the messages sent by God. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 32
When it is essential for the purification of the church, trials are permitted. Under these trials some regard themselves as abused; and instead of humbling their hearts, they rise up in indignation. Satan watches his opportunity to present some pleasing sophistry that will captivate the minds of the tempted ones and will lead them to accept his fables. Those who are thus deceived become channels through which other minds are seduced by delusive sentiments. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 33
I am instructed to say that we must do all we possibly can for these deceived ones. Their minds must be freed from the delusions of the enemy; and if we fail in our efforts to save these erring ones, we must “come out from among them” and be separate. [2 Corinthians 6:17.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 34
The time has come for the enlargement and growth of God’s people. For years the backward tendencies of many have greatly hindered the work of God. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 35
Now, just now, the Lord’s people are to show their loyalty. The time has come when the Lord would have all who will honor Him take their stand firmly on the side of truth and righteousness. No longer are we to be a mixed multitude. Those who profess to be followers of God’s Word must be straightforward, pure, and holy. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 36
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 37
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” [Isaiah 55:6-11.] 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 38
I am instructed to say that the Lord will give grace to all who will turn from their unrighteousness, and break with the wily tempter, who has led them captive. The blessings of heaven cannot be bought with merchandise. All who will lay down the weapons of their warfare, and come into harmony with the truth of Jesus Christ, surrendering soul, body, and spirit, to Him who has bought them with the price of His own blood, need not despair of God’s mercy. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 39
We cannot afford to trifle with our soul’s salvation. All who choose to mark out a path for themselves, supposing that they will be saved by their own righteousness, will be destroyed suddenly and that without remedy. God now graciously calls to those, whose souls are lifted up unto vanity, to come to Him. No longer are they to act as a stumbling block to hinder the work of the Lord. Unless they change their attitude, the Lord will remove them; for His work is to be delayed no longer. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 40
God has no pleasure in the death of the unrighteous. He has borne long with stubborn, obdurate hearts. He who gave Christ to the world has sent messages of warning, but many have refused to heed. Long has He borne with men who have not glorified His name. He now calls upon His people to make a thorough work and remove every stumbling block. Let us clear the highway for our God. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 41
*****
November 20, 1905
Sanitarium, California
I am instructed to say to those who edit our denominational papers that they are to print all the matter possible dealing with the affirmative side of Bible truth. They are to give the trumpet a certain sound. Let every article that is printed in the Review and Herald be of a character that will reflect light amid the moral darkness of this world. Every column is to be filled with the precious truth. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 42
Let not our brethren make use of the precious space in our denominational paper, to record incidents connected with the life of President Roosevelt, or his daughter, or any other members of his family. Such items of news will enlighten no one in regard to the truth. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 43
Some of the articles, even those treating upon Bible subjects, should be made shorter. 20LtMs, Ms 106, 1905, par. 44