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Ce este în centrul Întreitei Solii Îngerești?

Un studiu despre Ispășirea lui Hristos

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O armată de tineri aflați în misiunea de a proclama Întreita Solie Îngerească

întregii lumi în această generație
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INTRODUCERE

GANDURI DESPRE CRUCE SI CRISTOS - E. J. Waggoner

L-am văzut pe Hristos răstignit pentru mine şi, pentru prima dată în viaţa mea, am înţeles că Dumnezeu m-a
iubit pe mine personal şi că Hristos S-a dat pe Sine pentru mine. Totul era personal pentru mine.

Astfel s-a dat Hristos pe El Însuşi pentru mine, ca şi cum aş fi singurul păcătos din lume.

Răstignirea lui Hristos nu este un lucru doar de o zi. El este “Mielul jungheat de la întemeierea lumii”.
Apocalipsa 13:8. (KJV). Şi chinurile Calvarului nu vor avea sfârşit atâta timp cât un singur păcat sau păcătos mai
există încă în univers. Chiar acum Hristos poartă păcatele întregii lumi, pentru că “toate se ţin prin El”.

Hristos este răstignit în păcătos; pentru că oriunde este păcat şi blestem, acolo este Hristos purtându-l.

Scena Calvarului a fost manifestarea a ceea ce a avut loc atâta timp cât a existat păcatul, şi va avea loc până când
fiecare om care vrea să fie mântuit va fi mântuit: Hristos purtând păcatele lumii. El le poartă acum.

Mielul - E. G. White

Am văzut că templul acela mare era susţinut de un singur stâlp imens, de care era legat un miel complet
desfigurat şi însângerat. Se părea că noi, cei prezenţi, ştiam că acest miel fusese sfâşiat şi rănit din cauza
noastră.

Legamantul cel Vesnic

Făgăduința Legământului celui veșnic pe care Dumnezeu l-a făcut cu decăzutul Adam în Grădina
Edenului (Geneza 3:15) era că Emanuel (= Dumnezeu cu noi) avea "să salveze pe poporul Său de
păcatele sale" (Matei 1:21). Iisus a împlinit această făgăduință în orice aspect al ei.

"Gândiți-vă la asta: Dumnezeu a jurat pe Sine Însuși! Adică, El a garantat cu Sine Însuși, și cu
propria Lui existență, pentru salvarea noastră în Iisus Hristos. S-a pus pe Sine ca amanet. Viața
Lui pentru a noastră, dacă ne pierdem în timp ce ne încredem în El. Este onoarea Lui în joc."[24]

Un concept atât de extins în lungime și lățime asupra Ispășirii nu mai fusese auzit vreodată mai
înainte de la vreun amvon. A fost declarat a fi "cea mai prețioasă solie," o solie care "urma să-L
prezinte mai proeminent înaintea lumii pe înălțatul Mântuitor, jertfa pentru păcatele întregii lumi. Ea
[solia] prezenta Ispășirea prin Credință ca Garanție; invita oamenii să primească neprihănirea lui
Hristos, care se exteriorizează prin ascultare de toate poruncile lui Dumnezeu.”[25]

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 Studiu din Spiritul Profetic
- Ispasirea lui Cristos -

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. {7ABC 457.1}

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. {7ABC 457.2}

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. {7ABC 457.3}

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. . . .
{7ABC 457.4}

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. {7ABC 457.5}
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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.-

It is the one great truth to be constantly kept before the minds of men. Yet
how dimly is the love of God understood; and in the teaching of the Word it
makes but a faint impression. Manuscript 31, 1890. {7ABC 458.1}

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. {7ABC 458.2}

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. {7ABC 458.3}

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. {7ABC
458.4}

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. {7ABC 458.5}

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. {7ABC 458.6}

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. . . .

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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. {7ABC 458.7}

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 (459) {7ABC 458.8}

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. {7ABC 459.1}

No discourse should ever be presented without presenting Christ and

Him crucified as the foundation of the gospel.--Ibid., vol. 4, p. 394. {7ABC
459.2}

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. {7ABC 459.3}

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. {7ABC 459.4}

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. {7ABC
459.5}

Chap. 15 - Uplift Jesus as the Center

The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the
people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy
has revealed be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized
the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would
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be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We
have no time to lose. . . .

Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But
whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of
all hope, "the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning
star." {Mar 23.2}

How to Present the Message

Everywhere there are hearts crying out for the living God. Discourses
unsatisfying to the hungry soul have been given in the churches. In these
discourses there is not that divine manifestation which touches the mind and
creates a glow in the soul. The hearers cannot say: "Did not our heart burn
within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the
Scriptures?" Luke 24:32. Much of the teaching given is powerless to awaken
the transgressor or convict souls of sin. Some who have once tasted of the
word of God have dwelt long in an atmosphere where there is no God, and
they long for the divine presence. {6T 53.2}

The very first and most important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by
presenting our Lord Jesus Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour. 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. {6T 53.3}

Keep before the people the cross of Calvary. Show what caused the death
of Christ - the transgression of the law. Let not sin be cloaked or treated as a
matter of little consequence. It is to be presented as guilt against the Son of
God. Then point the people to Christ, telling them that immortality comes only
through receiving Him as their personal Saviour. {6T 54.1}

He who beholds the Saviour's matchless love will be elevated in thought,

purified in heart, transformed in character. {DA 661.3}

All the offices of the church centered in Himself alone. {FE 399.1}

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I long to see our ministers dwell more upon the cross of

Christ, their own hearts, meanwhile, softened and subdued by the Saviour's
matchless love, which prompted that infinite sacrifice. If, in connection with
the theory of the truth, our ministers would dwell more upon practical
godliness, speaking from a heart imbued with the spirit of truth, we should
see many more souls flocking to the standard of truth; their hearts would be
touched by the pleadings of the cross of Christ, the infinite generosity and pity
of Jesus in suffering for man. These vital subjects, in connection with the
doctrinal points of our faith, would effect much good among the people. But
the heart of the teacher must be filled with the experimental knowledge of the
love of Christ. {4T 374.2}

The mighty argument of the cross will convict of sin. The divine love of
God for sinners, expressed in the gift of His Son to suffer shame and death
that they might be ennobled and endowed with everlasting life, is the study of
a lifetime. I ask you to study anew the cross of Christ. If all the proud and
vainglorious, whose hearts are panting for the applause of men and for
distinction above their fellows, could rightly estimate the value of the highest
earthly glory in contrast with the value of the Son of God, rejected, despised,
spit upon, by the very ones whom He came to redeem, how insignificant
would appear all the honor that finite man can bestow. {4T 375.1}

“The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the
whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul
of the image of God. Prom the first intimation of hope in the sentence
pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, ‘They
shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads’ (Revelation 22:4),
the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of
this wondrous theme. Man’s uplifting, the power of God, which gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57”-Education, 125,
126.

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One interest will prevail: Christ our righteousness. - Ellen White

One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other - Christ our
righteousness.”-The Review and Herald, Extra. December 23, 1890.

“Christ crucified - talk it, pray it, sing it, and it will break and win hearts.

Set, formal phrases, the presentation of merely argumentative subjects, is

productive of little good. The melting love of God in the hearts of the workers
will be recognized by those for whom they labor. Souls are thirsting for the
water of life. Do not allow them to go from you empty. Reveal the love of
Christ to them. Lead them to Jesus, and He will give them the bread of life
and the water of salvation.”-The Review and Herald, June 2, 1903.

“The great center of attraction, Jesus Christ, must not be left out of the
third angel’s message. By many who have been engaged in the work for
this time, Christ has been made secondary, and theories and arguments have
had the first place.”-The Review and Herald, March 20, 1894.

“This I do know, that our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the
subject of righteousness by faith in Christ, and on kindred truths.”-Gospel
Workers, 301.

“The theme that attracts the heart of the sinner is Christ and Him crucified.
On the cross of Calvary, Jesus stands revealed to the world in unparalleled
love.

Present Him thus to the hungering multitudes, and the light of His love will
win men from darkness to light, from transgression to obedience and true
holiness. Beholding Jesus upon the cross of Calvary arouses the conscience
to the heinous character of sin as nothing else can do.”-The Review and
Herald, November 22, 1892.

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“The sweetest melodies that come from human lips,-justification by faith, and
the righteousness of Christ.”-The Review and Herald, April 4, 1895.

Assurance of salvation

"Is He my Saviour? Can I lay hold upon His merits this very hour? Can I
commit the keeping of my soul to Jesus Christ today? Yes. How? What
assurance have I? I point you to Christ of Calvary. Can you stand under
the shadow of the cross and there talk your crosses, your darkness, your
wicked feelings? Can you do it? Dare you do it? You never dare to do it when
standing under the shadow of the cross, because all that infinite sacrifice was
made to make me love God. It was made that I might reflect the image of
God in Jesus Christ. Well, then, when all this sacrifice has been made for me,
shall I let everybody know that it amounts to something? Shall I let the world
know that Jesus, the precious Saviour, has made all this infinite sacrifice that
He might be formed within, the hope of glory, and that I might rejoice in His
love?" (Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, p. 208).

"Through Christ, restoration as well as reconciliation is provided for man. The

gulf that was made by sin has been spanned by the cross of Calvary. A full,
complete ransom has been paid by Jesus, by virtue of which the sinner is
pardoned and the justice of the law is maintained. All who believe that Christ
is the atoning sacrifice may come and receive pardon for their sins; for
through the merit of Christ, communication has been opened between God
and man. God can accept me as His child, and I can claim Him and rejoice in
Him as my loving Father" (Faith and Works, p. 93).

Blot from sky

"To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting out the sun
from the sky" (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 209).

"If the Holy Spirit dwells in us, our work will testify to the fact we shall lift up
Jesus. Not one can afford to be silent now; the burden of the work is to
present Christ to the world" (Review and Herald Extra, Dec. 23, 1890).

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Center for all schools

"The cross of Christ, how many believe it to be what it is? How many bring it
into their studies, and know its true significance? There could not be a
Christian in our world without the cross of Christ. Then keep it before the
schools as the foundation of all true education" (Youth's Instructor, July 7,
1898).

Center for all institutions

"The cross is the center of all religious institutions. These institutions are
to be under the control of the Spirit of God; in no institution is any one man to
be the sole head. The divine mind has men for every place" (Counsels on
Health, p. 524).

Center of all truth

"The knowledge of truth is the great power of God unto salvation to all who
believe. The atoning sacrifice, the righteousness of Christ, is to us the
vital center of all truth. In the cross of Calvary, mercy and truth are met
together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The law and the
gospel are in perfect harmony; they are interwoven as the warp and the woof.
They shed a flood of light amid the moral darkness of the world, stimulating,
renovating, sanctifying all who will believe the truth, all who will gladly and
gratefully accept the light coming from the throne of God" (Review and
Herald, Sept. 29, 1891).

“When Christ in His work of redemption is seen to be the great central truth of
the system of truth, a new light is shed upon all the events of the past and the
future. They are seen in a new relation, and possess a new and deeper
significance" (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, vol. 2, pp. 806, 807).

Cling to the cross

"If Satan comes to cast his shadow between you and God, accusing you of
sin, tempting you to distrust God and doubt His mercy, say: I cannot allow my
weakness to come between me and God; for He is my strength. My sins,
which are many, are laid upon Jesus, my divine Substitute and Sacrifice.

'Nothing in my hand I bring. Simply to thy cross I cling" (Selected Messages,

book 1, p. 332).

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Contemplate His sacrifice

"It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation
of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination
grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His
great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love
will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we
would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation
at the foot of the cross" (The Desire of Ages, p. 83).

Dwell too much?

"Some of our brethren have expressed fears that we shall dwell too much
upon the subject of justification by faith, but I hope and pray that none will be
needlessly alarmed; for there is no danger in presenting this doctrine as it is
set forth in the Scriptures. If there had not been a remissness in the past to
properly instruct the people of God, there would not now be a necessity of
calling special attention to it.... The exceeding great and precious promises
given us in the Holy Scriptures have been lost sight of to a great extent, just
as the enemy of all righteousness designed that they should be. He has cast
his own dark shadow between us and our God, that we may not see the true
character of God. The Lord has proclaimed Himself to be 'merciful and
gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth' (Selected
Messages, book 1 .p.372).

Faith before works

"But must works come first? No, it is faith first. And how? The cross of Christ
is lifted up between heaven and earth. Here comes the Father and the whole
train of holy angels; and as they approach that cross, the Father bows to the
cross and the sacrifice is accepted. Then comes sinful man, with his burden
of sin, to the cross, and he there looks up to Christ on the cross of Calvary,
and he rolls his sins at the foot of the cross. Here mercy and truth have met
together and righteousness and peace have kissed each other. And Christ
says, 'I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me' " (The Ellen G. White 1888
Materials, vol. 1, p. 344).

Influence of cross

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"Our work in all its lines is to demonstrate the influence of the
cross" (Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 235).

First among Christians

"Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in

uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel's
message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others
included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great center of
attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out" (Gospel Workers, p. 156).

Inspire enthusiasm

"If there is anything in our world that should inspire enthusiasm, it is the cross
of Calvary. 'Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called the sons of God.' Christ, made unto us 'wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption,' should be humbly and
thankfully received by us. His sacrifice should inspire us with zeal to work in
His service, calling upon others to behold in Him 'the Lamb of God, which
taketh away the sin of the world" (Review and Herald, Sept. 29, 1896).

Lift the cross higher

"Lift the cross higher, that many may behold, and look and live. Christ died for
the world, and His command is, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature." The Lord would give us no such commission
without placing resources at our command sufficient for the work. Who will
present in its rich fullness the righteousness of Christ? Will the church who
claim to believe the truth, the blood-bought church, do this
work?" (Testimonies to Southern Africa, pp. 64, 65).

Matchless love

"Often doctrinal subjects are presented with no special effect; for men expect
others to press upon them their doctrines; but when the matchless love of
Christ is dwelt upon, His grace impresses the heart. There are many who are
sincerely seeking for light, who know not what they must do to be saved. Oh,
tell them of the love of God, of the sacrifice made on Calvary's cross to save
the perishing! Tell them to place their will on the side of God's will; and 'if any
man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.' John
7:17" (Colporteur Ministry, p. 42).
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Motivates

" 'The love of Christ,' said Paul, 'constraineth us' [2 Cor. 5:14]. This was the
actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive-power. If ever his ardor in
the path of duty flagged for a moment, one glance at the cross caused him to
gird up anew the loins of his mind, and press forward in the way of self-
denial. In his labors for his brethren he relied much upon the manifestation of
infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, constraining
power" (Gospel Workers, p. 293).

One object of supreme interest

"To Paul the cross was the one object of supreme interest. Ever since he had
been arrested in his career of persecution against the followers of the
crucified Nazarene he had never ceased to glory in the cross. ... He knew by
personal experience that when a sinner once be holds the love of the Father,
as seen in the sacrifice of His Son, and yields to the divine influence, a
change of heart takes place, and henceforth Christ is all and in all" (The Acts
of the Apostles, p. 245).

One interest

"One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other Christ our
righteousness" (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 259).

Our only hope

"Justification by faith is to many a mystery. A sinner is justified by God when

he repents of his sins. He sees Jesus upon the cross of Calvary.... He looks
to the atoning Sacrifice as his only hope, through repentance toward God
because the laws of His government have been broken and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ as the One who can save and cleanse the sinner from
every transgression" (Our High Calling, p. 52).

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Point to the cross

"I point you to the cross of Calvary. I ask you to consider the infinite sacrifice
made in your behalf that through faith in Jesus Christ you may not perish but
have everlasting life. . . I point you to Jesus. You are safe in committing to
Him the innermost working of your mind. The Lord Jesus hath purchased you
with an infinite price. You may commit the keeping of your soul to Jesus. You
may trust Him as your Counselor. . . . Constantly draw nigh unto God. He will
help you" (That I May Know Him, p. 341).

Power of the cross

"The cross of Calvary appeals in power, affording a reason why we should

love Christ now, and why we should consider Him first, and best, and last, in
everything. We should take our fitting place in humble penitence at the foot of
the cross. We may learn the lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind as
we go up to Mount Calvary, and, looking upon the cross, see our
Saviour in agony, the Son of God dying, the Just for the unjust" ("That I
May Know Him," p. 65).

Stamped on every loaf

"To the death of Christ we owe even this earthly life. The bread we eat is the
purchase of His broken body. The water we drink is bought by His spilled
blood. Never one, saint or sinner, eats his daily food, but he is nourished by
the body and the blood of Christ. The cross of Calvary is stamped on every
loaf. It is reflected in every waterspring. All this Christ has taught in appointing
the emblems of His great sacrifice. The light shining from that Communion
service in the upper chamber makes sacred the provisions for our daily life.
The family board becomes as the table of the Lord, and every meal a
sacrament" (The Desire of Ages, p. 660).

Talk the cross

"Let those whose hearts glow with the Saviour's love talk of Jesus, dwelling
upon His infinite sacrifice in behalf of man. Dwell much upon His second
14
appearing to our world; tell also of His first coming from heaven, His life of
constant humiliation and sacrifice. With softened heart and tearful eye, tell the
story of His dying upon Calvary's cross, because He loved us, that we might
be saved" (Review and Herald, Dec. 2, 1890).

Third angel's message

"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is

the third angel's message, and I have answered, 'It is the third angel's
message in verity' " (Evangelism, p. 190).

The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the

earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God,
which closes the work of the third angel.--6T 19 (1900). {LDE 200.3}

The last message of mercy to be given to the world is a revelation of His

character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own
life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for
them.--COL 415, 416 (1900). {LDE 200.4}

The Message of Justification by Faith

The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people
through Elders Waggoner and Jones. [SEE APPENDIX.] This message was
to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice
for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the
Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is
made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost
sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person,
His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given
into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the
priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is
the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third

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angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended
with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. {TM 91.2}

The uplifted Saviour is to appear in His efficacious work as the Lamb slain,
sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings, the
benefits He died to purchase for every soul who should believe on Him. John
could not express that love in words; it was too deep, too broad; he calls
upon the human family to behold it. Christ is pleading for the church in the
heavenly courts above, pleading for those for whom He paid the redemption
price of His own lifeblood. Centuries, ages, can never diminish the efficacy of
this atoning sacrifice. The message of the gospel of His grace was to be
given to the church in clear and distinct lines, that the world should no longer
say that Seventh-day Adventists talk the law, the law, but do not teach or
believe Christ. {TM 92.1}

The efficacy of the blood of Christ was to be presented to the people with
freshness and power, that their faith might lay hold upon its merits. As the
high priest sprinkled the warm blood upon the mercy seat, while the fragrant
cloud of incense ascended before God,

93

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 ever to bear in mind that
there is One that can take away sin and save the sinner. Every sin
acknowledged before God with a contrite heart, He will remove. This faith is
the life of the church. As the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness by Moses,
and all that had been bitten by the fiery serpents were bidden to look and live,
so also the Son of man must be lifted up, that "whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life." {TM 92.2}

Unless he makes it his life business to behold the uplifted Saviour, and by
faith to accept the merits which it is his privilege to claim, the sinner can no
more be saved than Peter could walk upon the water unless he kept his eyes
fixed steadily upon Jesus. Now, it has been Satan's determined purpose to
eclipse the view of Jesus and lead men to look to man, and trust to man, and
be educated to expect help from man. For years the church has been looking
to man and expecting much from man, but not looking to Jesus, in whom our

16
hopes of eternal life are centered. Therefore God gave to His servants a
testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's
message, in clear, distinct lines. This is the testimony that must go
throughout the length and breadth of the world. It presents the law and the
gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole. (See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9
to the close of the chapter.)

Study the Cross

The cross of Calvary means everything to perishing souls. Through the

suffering and death of the Son of man, the salvation of man was made
possible. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit God designs that His image
shall be restored in humanity, that a new and living principle of life shall be
introduced into the minds that have become defiled by sin. The love of God is
fully able to restore, rebuild, encourage, and strengthen every believing soul
who will accept the truth as it is in Jesus. But in order that this may be
accomplished, men must yoke up with Christ. The cross of Christ must be
studied. It must rivet the attention and hold the affections. The blood which
there was shed for sins will purify and cleanse mind and heart from every
species of selfishness. {TM 377.4}

We Are to Glory Only in the Cross

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14.
{SD 231.1}

The cross of Christ,--how many believe it to be what it is? How many bring
it into their studies, and know its true significance? There could not be a
Christian in our world without the cross of Christ. . . . Turn from the examples
of the world, cease to extol the professedly great men; turn the mind from the
glory of everything save the cross of Christ. Said Paul, "God forbid that I
17
should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Let all, from the
highest to the lowest, understand what it means to glory in the cross of Christ.
That cross is to be bravely and manfully borne. Christ declares, "If any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me." And to all who will lift it, and bear it after Christ, the cross is a pledge of
the crown of glory that can never fade away. . . . {SD 231.2}

This is the highest science that we can learn,--the science of salvation.

The cross of Calvary, rightly regarded, is true philosophy, pure and undefiled
religion. It is eternal life to all who believe. By painstaking effort, line upon
line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, it should be
impressed upon the minds . . . that the cross of Christ is just as efficacious
now as in Paul's day, and should be as perfectly understood by them as it
was by the great apostle. . . . {SD 231.3}

Know that Christ is to be set forth among you, and that all that was lost in
Adam the cross of Christ fully restores to every believing soul.

The Cross Planted Between Earth and Heaven.--When Christ came to this
world, He found that Satan had everything as he wanted it. The adversary of
God and man thought that he was indeed the prince of the earth, but Jesus
laid hold of the world to take it out of the power of Satan. He came to redeem
it from the curse of sin and the penalty of transgression, that the transgressor
might be forgiven. He planted the cross between earth and heaven, and
between divinity and humanity; and as the Father beheld the cross, He was
satisfied. He said, "It is enough, the offering is complete." God and man may
be reconciled. Those who have lived in rebellion against God, may become
reconciled, if as they see the cross, they become repentant, and accept the
great propitiation that Christ has made for their sins. In the cross they see
that "mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have
kissed each other" (ST Sept. 30, 1889). {5BC 1137.9}

(Galatians 6:14.) The Cross a Center in the World.--The cross stands

alone, a great center in the world. It does not find friends, but it makes them.
It creates its own agencies. Christ proposes that men shall become laborers
together with God. He makes human beings His instrumentalities for drawing
all men unto Himself. A divine agency is sufficient only through its operation

18
on human hearts with its transforming power, making men colaborers with
God (RH Sept. 29, 1891). {5BC 1138.1}

Therefore the burden of Paul's preaching among them had been Christ, and
him crucified. He wished them to understand that the theme for their most
earnest study, and greatest joy, should be the grand truth of salvation through
repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. {LP 124.3}

The philosopher turns aside from the light of salvation, because it puts his
proud theories to shame. The worldling refuses to receive it, because it would
separate him from his earthly idols, and draw him to a holier life, for which he
has no inclination. Paul saw that the character of Christ must be understood,
before men could love him, and view the cross with the eye of faith. Here
must begin that study which shall be the science and the song of the
redeemed through all eternity. In the light of the cross alone can the true
value of the human soul be estimated. {LP 125.1}

{MYP 115.1}

We must come nearer to the cross of Christ. Penitence at the foot of the
cross is the first lesson of peace we have to learn. The love of Jesus--who
can comprehend it? Infinitely more tender and self-denying than a mother's
love! If we would know the value of a human soul, we must look in living faith
upon the cross, and thus begin the study which shall be the science and the
song of the redeemed through all eternity. The value of our time and our
talents can be estimated only by the greatness of the ransom paid for our
redemption. What ingratitude do we manifest toward God when we rob Him
of His own by withholding from Him our affections and our service! Is it too
much to give ourselves to Him who has sacrificed all for us?

"Everyone that is of the truth," Christ declared, "heareth My voice." John

18:37. Having stood in the counsels of God, having dwelt in the everlasting
heights of the sanctuary, all elements of truth were in Him and of Him. He was
one with God. It means more than finite minds can comprehend to present in
every missionary effort Christ and Him crucified. "He was wounded for our
19
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our
peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5. "He
hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made

the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21. Christ crucified for our
sins; Christ risen from the dead; Christ ascended on high as our intercessor--
this is the science of salvation that we need to learn and to teach. This is to
be the burden of our work. {CT 22.2}

The cross of Christ--teach it to every student over and over again. How
many believe it to be what it is? How many bring it into their studies and know
its true significance? Could there be a Christian in our world without the cross
of Christ? Then keep the cross upheld in your school as the foundation of true
education. The cross of Christ is just as near our teachers, and should be as
perfectly understood by them, as it was by Paul, who could say, "God forbid
that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the
world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14. {CT 23.1}

Let teachers, from the highest to the lowest, seek to understand what it
means to glory in the cross of Christ. Then by precept and example they can
teach their students the blessings it brings to those who bear it manfully and
bravely. The Saviour declares, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24. And to all who
lift it and bear it after Christ, the cross is a pledge of the crown of immortality
that they will receive. {CT 23.2}

Educators who will not work in this line are not worthy of the name they
bear. Teachers, turn from the example of the world, cease to extol professedly
great men; turn the minds of your students from the glory of everything save
the cross of Christ. The crucified Messiah is the central point of all
Christianity. The most essential lessons for teachers and students to learn
are those which point, not to the world, but from the world to the cross of
Calvary.

How many there are who grieve the Spirit of God by continual repining! This
is because they have lost sight of Christ. If we behold Him who bore our
sorrows and died as our sacrifice, that we might have an exceeding weight of
glory, we shall regard our heaviest sorrows and trials as light afflictions. Think
20
of the Saviour upon the cross, bruised, smitten, mocked, yet uncomplaining
and unresisting, suffering without a murmur. This is the Lord of heaven,
whose throne is from everlasting, All this suffering and shame He endured for
the joy that was set before Him--the joy of bringing to men the gift of eternal
life. {LHU 248.3}

When the attention is fastened on the cross of Christ, the whole being is
ennobled. The knowledge of the Saviour's love subdues the soul, and lifts the
mind above the things of time and sense. Let us learn to estimate all temporal
things in the light that shines from the cross. Let us strive to fathom the
depths of humiliation to which our Saviour descended in order to make man
the possessor of eternal riches. As we study the plan of redemption, the heart
will feel the throb of the Saviour's love, and will be ravished by the charms of
His character. {LHU 248.4}

It is the love of Christ that makes our heaven. But when we seek to tell of
this love, language fails us. We think of His life on earth, of His sacrifice for
us; we think of His work in heaven as our advocate, of the mansions He is
preparing for those who love Him; and we can but exclaim, "O the heights
and depths of the love of Christ!" As we linger beneath the cross, we gain a
faint conception of the love of God, and we say, "Herein is love, not that we
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our
sins." But in our contemplation of Christ, we are only lingering round the edge
of a love that is measureless. His love is like a vast ocean, without bottom or
shore. {LHU 248.5}

In all true disciples this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the
heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Jesus. It
is on the earth that His children are to let this love shine out through
blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross, to behold the Lamb of
God (Review and Herald, May 6, 1902).

The cross of Christ is to be the theme, revealing the lessons we must learn
and practice. Christ must be brought into all the studies, that students may
drink in the knowledge of God and may represent Him in character. His
excellence is to be our study in time as well as in eternity. The word of God,
spoken by Christ in the Old and New Testaments, is the bread from heaven;

21
but much that is called science is as dishes of human invention, adulterated
food; it is not the true manna. {6T 132.1}

In the light shining from the cross, we can rightly interpret nature's teaching.
{8T 324.1}

"The cross of Calvary, rightly regarded, is true philosophy, pure and

undefiled religion."--Youth's Instructor, July 7, 1898, art. "God's Word Our
Study Book." {PH124 22.7}

Truly converted men and women will reveal the cross of Calvary in their daily
actions. There are many Seventh-day Adventists who do not understand that
to accept the cause of Christ means to accept his cross. {RH, February 25,
1909 par. 1}

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 angels ascribe honor
and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the
sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the
angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would
be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan.
Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the
paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the
Lamb of God. The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of
God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as
well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Our
only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost
all that come unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is
our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come. Oh,
22
we do not comprehend the value of the atonement! If we did, we would
talk more about it. The gift of God in his beloved Son was the expression of
an incomprehensible love. It was the utmost that God could do to preserve
the honor of his law, and still save the transgressor. Why should man not
study the theme of redemption? It is the greatest subject that can engage the
human mind. If men would contemplate the love of Christ, displayed in the
cross, their faith would be strengthened to appropriate the merits of his shed
blood, and they would be cleansed and saved from sin. There are many who
will be lost, because they depend on legal religion, or mere repentance for
sin. But repentance for sin alone cannot work the salvation of any soul. Man
cannot be saved by his own works. Without Christ it is impossible for him to
render perfect obedience to the law of God; and heaven can never be gained
by an imperfect obedience; for this would place all heaven in jeopardy, and
make possible a second rebellion. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 4}

God saves man through the blood of Christ alone, and man's belief in, and
allegiance to, Christ is salvation. It is no marvel to angels that the infinite
sacrifice made by the Son of God was ample enough to bring salvation to a
fallen race, but that this atoning sacrifice should have been made is a wonder
to the universe. It is a mystery which angels desire to look into. The angels
are amazed at the indifference and coldness manifested by those for whom
so great a salvation has been provided. They look with grief and holy
indignation upon those who do not seek to appreciate the unspeakable gift of
God. Instead of offering adoration to God, finite men think themselves
capable, without divine unction, of determining what is worthy of praise or
blame in their fellow-men. But to be glorified by man is no glory. We should
learn to value the praise of man at what it is worth. The Lord says, "Them that
honor me I will honor." Let every breath of praise, every word of exaltation,
flow to him who is worthy, flow to Jesus, the Prince of life, the Lamb of God
that taketh away the sin of the world. Elevate the cross of Christ. Elevate
the Mediator. Lift up Jesus. In him is everything noble. Contemplate God
in Christ. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 5}

The burden of our message is the cross of Calvary. This is our

warning and invitation. This is our encouragement to the sorrowing, the rich
feast which we spread before the believers. Under the deep moving of the

23
Spirit of God, we engage the attention of those not enlightened in regard to
the truth for this time. With a longing desire they fix their gaze upon the cross
of Calvary. We ourselves shall be so affected by the wondrous sight that we
shall study the lesson more and more earnestly, and then we shall let
wondrous love flow forth from sanctified lips. We will draw with Christ. {2MR
165.2}

They say, I have been told that this people do not preach Christ, but I have
never attended meetings where Christ was more manifestly taught and
exalted than in the sermons and in every line of work at these meetings.
{2MR 166.3}

How can Seventh-day Adventists preach any other doctrine? In Him

our hope of eternal life is centered. There is no other way but to lift Him up,
the Man of Calvary. All ministers should present to the people the only Hope
of the world.

The whole science of salvation is contained in accepting Christ as a personal,

sin-pardoning Saviour. He died for sinful, erring human beings. "As Moses
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
up. . . . For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." {3MR 339.1}

This is the highest science that we can learn,--the science of

salvation. The cross of Calvary, rightly regarded, is true philosophy, pure
and undefiled religion. It is eternal life to all who believe. By painstaking
effort, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, it
should be impressed upon the minds . . . that the cross of Christ is just as
efficacious now as in Paul's day, and should be as perfectly understood by
them as it was by the great apostle. . . . {SD 231.3}

Christ crucified is the power of God unto salvation to all who will believe.
A Saviour lifted up--a Saviour full and complete to all who accept Him--
is the science of salvation. The subject is never exhausted. It is always
24
fresh; for today Christ is a living Intercessor before the Father in the heavenly
courts. Christ, the propitiation for the sins of the world, is a living subject
instinct with divinity, and always fresh and new. {1SAT 292.2}

While obtaining a knowledge of the sciences, they were studying, also, the
highest science that mortals can study,--the science of salvation.{YI, August
6, 1903 par. 5}

Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people, lift Him up in sermon, in song, in
prayer. Let all your powers be directed to pointing souls, confused,
bewildered, lost to "the Lamb of God." Lift Him up, the risen Saviour, and say
to all who hear, Come to Him who "hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us" (Ephesians 5:2). Let the science of salvation be the burden of every
sermon, the theme of every song. Let it be poured forth in every
supplication. . . . Show forth the grace and completeness of the Saviour (ibid.,
p. 160). Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be
foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third
angel's message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth,
with others included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great
center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out. It is at the cross of
Christ that mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss
each other. The sinner must be led to look to Calvary; with the simple faith of
a little child he must trust in the merits of the Saviour, accepting His
righteousness, believing in His mercy. {LHU 161.2}

162

I gave my only begotten Son to die for sinners. He bore the penalty of the
sins of the world. He is sufficient for your redemption. If you will plant your
feet upon the platform of obedience; if you will repent and accept the merits
of the Son of God, you may have hope of eternal life. The soul who will take
God at his word, and obey his law, may live. To such the assurance is given,
"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they
be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." {RH, September 30, 1909 par. 9}

The science of overcoming as Christ overcame is the science of salvation.

Burden of Every Sermon--The science of salvation is to be the burden of

every sermon, the theme of every song. Let it be poured forth in every
supplication. Let nothing be brought into the preaching of the Word to
25
supplement Christ, the Word and power of God. Let His name, the only name
given under heaven whereby we may be saved, be exalted in every
discourse, and from Sabbath to Sabbath let the trumpet of the watchmen give
a certain sound. Christ is the science and eloquence of the gospel, and
His ministers are to hold forth the Word of life, presenting hope to the
penitent, peace to the troubled and desponding, and grace and completeness
and strength to the believing.--Ms 107, 1898. {VSS 337.1}

The revelation of God's love to man centers in the cross. Its full
significance tongue cannot utter; pen cannot portray; the mind of man cannot
comprehend. . . . 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. {AG 178.2}

What we need is truth, present truth. Let the truth shine forth in its
unmeasured superiority, in all the dignity and purity that distinguish true
religion. Hold up the cross of Calvary. This will rebuke heathen philosophy
and pagan idolatry. Lift up the cross of Calvary higher and still higher, as
the identified reality of Christianity. Let all our works, our every enterprise,
show forth the sacred principles of the gospel. {20MR 65.2}

In Jesus, bruised, mocked, and hanging upon the cross, he sees the Lamb of God, that
taketh away the sin of the world.{Mar 320.4}

And now before the swaying multitude are revealed the final scenes—the patient Sufferer
treading the path to Calvary; the Prince of heaven hanging upon the cross. . . . {TA
292.1}

Look upon Christ hanging on the cross of Calvary, sacrificed for us. "God so loved
the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life." {RH, April 16, 1901 par. 20}

Exalting The Man Of Calvary

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be
lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John
3:14, 15. {OFC 140.6}

26
I point you to the cross of Calvary. I ask you to consider the infinite sacrifice made in your
behalf that through faith in Jesus Christ you may not perish but have everlasting life. . . . I
point you to Jesus. {OFC 141.1}

Lift up your banner, lift it up higher. Never, never let it trail in the dust of the earth. Exalt
Jesus. Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher. {OFC 141.4}

Chap. 59 - The Cross of Calvary

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified
him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Luke 23:33.
{TMK 65.1}

The cross of Calvary appeals in power, affording a reason why we should love Christ
now, and why we should consider Him first, and best, and last, in everything. We should
take our fitting place in humble penitence at the foot of the cross. We may learn the
lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind as we go up to Mount Calvary, and, looking
upon the cross, see our Saviour in agony, the Son of God dying, the Just for the
unjust. Behold Him who could summon legions of angels to His assistance with one word,
a subject of jest and merriment, of reviling and hatred. He gives Himself a sacrifice for sin.
When reviled, He threatened not; when falsely accused, He opened not His mouth. He
prays on the cross for His murderers. He is dying for them. He is paying an infinite
price for every one of them. He would not lose one whom He has purchased at so great
cost. He gives Himself to be smitten and scourged without a murmur. And this
uncomplaining victim is the Son of God. His throne is from everlasting, and His kingdom
shall have no end. . . . Look, O look upon the cross of Calvary; behold the royal victim
suffering on your account. . . . {TMK 65.2}

The Son of God was rejected and despised for our sakes. Can you, in full view of the
cross, beholding by the eye of faith the sufferings of Christ, tell your tale of woe, your
trials?

In the spring of A.D. 31, Christ, the true Sacrifice, was offered on Calvary. {FLB 201.2}

The eyes of men were turned to the true sacrifice for the sins of the world. The earthly
priesthood ceased; but we look to Jesus, the minister of the new covenant. {FLB 201.6}

The Elder Brother of our race is by the eternal throne.{FLB 201.7}

Your life is too precious a thing to be treated as of little worth. Calvary testifies to you the
value of your soul. {OHC 257.5}

We See Christ on the Cross

27
 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. Mark 15:25. {SD 220.1}

The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His flesh lacerated with stripes; those
hands so often reached out in blessing, nailed to the wooden bars; those feet so tireless
on ministries of love, spiked to the tree; that royal head pierced by the crown of thorns;
those quivering lips shaped to the cry of woe. And all that He endured--the blood drops
that flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, the agony that racked His frame, and the
unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father's face--speaks to each
child of humanity, declaring, It is for thee that the Son of God consents to bear this burden
of guilt; for thee He spoils the domain of death, and opens the gates of Paradise. He ...
offers Himself upon the cross as a sacrifice, and this from love to thee. He, the Sin-Bearer,
endures the wrath of divine justice, and for thy sake becomes sin itself. {SD 220.2}

All Men are Drawn to the Uplifted Saviour

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32. {SD 221.1}

Never before was there such a general knowledge of Jesus as when He hung
upon the cross. He was lifted up from the earth, to draw all to Him. Into the hearts of
many who beheld that crucifixion scene, and who heard Christ's words, was the light of
truth to shine. With John they would proclaim, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world." There were those who never rested until, searching the
Scriptures and comparing passage with passage, they saw the meaning of Christ's
mission. They saw that free forgiveness was provided by Him whose tender mercy
embraced the whole world. They read the prophecies regarding Christ, and the promises
so free and full, pointing to a fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem. {SD 221.2}

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 which streams from the
cross of Calvary, and in connection with the wondrous, central truth of the Saviour's
atonement. Those who study the Redeemer's wonderful sacrifice grow in grace and
knowledge. {SD 221.3}

I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation
and redemption,--the Son of God uplifted on the cross of Calvary. This is to be the theme
of every discourse. {SD 221.4}

Jesus is inviting and drawing by His Holy Spirit the hearts of young and old to Himself. .
. . When Christ crucified is preached, the power of the gospel is demonstrated by the

28
influence it exerts over the believer. In place of remaining dead in trespasses and sins, he
is awakened. {SD 221.5}

Lift up the Man of Calvary higher and still higher;

there is power in the exaltation of the cross of Christ.
{SD 221.6}

All Who Look to the Cross will Live

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if
a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Numbers
21:9. {SD 222.1}

The Lord Jesus had protected the children of Israel from the venomous serpents in the
wilderness, but this part of their history they did not know. Angels from heaven had
accompanied them, and in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night Christ
had been their protection through all their journeying. But they became selfish and
discontented, and in order that they might not forget His great care over them, the Lord
gave them a bitter lesson. He permitted them to be bitten by the fiery serpents, yet in His
great mercy He did not leave them to perish. Moses was bidden to lift the brazen serpent
on the pole, and make the proclamation that whosoever should look upon it should live.
And all who looked, did live. They recovered health at once. . . . What a strange symbol
of Christ was that likeness of the serpents which stung them. This symbol was lifted
on a pole, and they were to look to it, and be healed. So Jesus was made in the likeness
of sinful flesh. He came as the sin-bearer. . . . {SD 222.2}

The same healing, life-giving message is now sounding. It points to the uplifted
Saviour upon the shameful tree. Those who have been bitten by that old serpent, the
devil, are bidden to look and live. . . . Look alone to Jesus as your righteousness and your
sacrifice. As you are justified by faith, the deadly sting of the serpent will be healed. {SD
222.3}

Cross of Christ to Be Erected in Our Homes

29
 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know
that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak
these things. John 8:28. {SD 223.1}

Christ should be uplifted by those whom He has redeemed by dying on the cross a
death of shame. He who has felt the power of the grace of Christ has a story to tell. He
seeks to put in operation methods of work which will diffuse the gospel of Christ. Humanity,
drawing its efficiency from the great source of wisdom, is made the instrumentality, the
working agency, through which the gospel exercises its transforming power on mind and
heart. . . . {SD 223.2}

His first duty is to his children and his nearest relatives. Nothing can
excuse him from neglecting the inner circle for the larger circle
outside. . . . {SD 223.3}
The cross is erected in their home. {SD 223.4}

The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7. {SD 225.1}

The very system of sacrifices was devised by Christ, and given to Adam as typifying a
Saviour to come, who would bear the sins of the world, and die for its redemption. Through
Moses, Christ gave definite directions to the children of Israel in regard to the sacrificial
offerings. . . . Only clean and precious animals, those which would best symbolize Christ,
were accepted as offerings to God. . . . {SD 225.3}

Atonement Through Christ's Blood

We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the
atonement. Romans 5:11. {SD 226.1}

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. . . . We need to keep ever before us the efficacy of

30
 That life-cleansing, life-sustaining blood,
the blood of Jesus.
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. {SD 226.2}

The wonderful symbol of the living bird dipped in the blood of the bird slain and then set
free to its joyous life [Leviticus 14:4-8], is to us the symbol of the atonement. There were
death and life blended, presenting to the searcher for truth and hidden treasure, the union
of the pardoning blood with the resurrection and life of our Redeemer. The bird slain was
over living water; that flowing stream was a symbol of the ever flowing, ever cleansing
efficacy of the blood of Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. . . . {SD
226.3}

We are to have free access to the atoning blood of Christ. This we must regard as the
most precious privilege, the greatest blessing, ever granted to sinful man. . . . How deep,
how wide and continuous is this stream! To every soul thirsting after holiness there is
repose, there is rest, there is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit, and then the holy,
happy, peaceful walk and precious communion with Christ {SD 226.4}

Through the merits of His blood, you may overcome every spiritual foe, and remedy
every defect of character. {SD 227.5}

Sons of God Through Christ's Blood

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by
a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
flesh. Hebrews 10:19, 20. {SD 228.1}

Christ was nailed to the cross between the third and sixth hour, that is between nine
and twelve o'clock. In the afternoon He died. This was the hour of the evening sacrifice.
Then the veil of the temple, that which hid God's glory from the view of the congregation of
Israel, was rent in twain from top to bottom. {SD 228.2}

The simple story of the cross of Christ, His suffering and dying for the world, His
resurrection and ascension, His mediation in the sinner's behalf before the Father,
subdues and breaks the hard and sinful heart, and brings the sinner to repentance. The
31
Holy Spirit sets the matter before him in a new light, and the sinner realizes that sin must
be a tremendous evil to cost such a sacrifice to atone for it. . . . How grievous must
sin be that no less a remedy than the death of the Son of God could save man from the
consequences of his guilt. Why was this done in behalf of man?-- It was because God
loved him, and was not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance, believe in Jesus as a personal Saviour, and have life eternal. {SD 228.4}

We Are Reconciled to God by Christ's Death

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,
much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:10. {SD 229.1}

The cross is invested with a power that language cannot

express. Christ's sacrifice in behalf of the human race puts to shame our meager
efforts and methods to meet and uplift humanity, to help sinful men and women to find
Jesus. {SD 229.2}

Having engaged in the work, the amazing work of our redemption, Christ determined
in council with His Father to spare nothing, however costly, to withhold
nothing however highly it might be estimated, that would rescue the
poor sinner. He would give all heaven to this work of salvation, of restoring the moral
image of God in man. . . . To be a child of God is to be one with Christ in God, and to put
forth our hands in earnest, self-sacrificing love to strengthen and bless the souls that are
perishing in their sins. {SD 229.4}

Christ Has Delivered Us from Eternal Death

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will
yet deliver us. 2 Corinthians 1:10. {SD 230.1}

With His life Christ has purchased every human being. He died a cruel
death to save human beings from eternal death. He gave His sinless life to obtain for the
sinner a life that measures with the life of God. Through His death, He provided a way
whereby man may break with Satan, return to his allegiance to God, and through faith in
the Redeemer obtain pardon. . . . {SD 230.3}

We Are to Glory Only in the Cross

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 God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the
world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14. {SD 231.1}

The cross of Christ,--how many believe it to be what it is? How many

bring it into their studies, and know its true significance? There could
not be a Christian in our world without the cross of Christ. . . . Turn from
the examples of the world, cease to extol the professedly great men; turn the mind from
the glory of everything save the cross of Christ. Said Paul, "God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Let all, from the highest to the lowest,
understand what it means to glory in the cross of Christ. That cross is to be bravely and
manfully borne. Christ declares, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me." And to all who will lift it, and bear it after Christ, the
cross is a pledge of the crown of glory that can never fade away. . . . {SD 231.2}

This is the highest science that we can learn,--the science of salvation. The cross
of Calvary, rightly regarded, is true philosophy, pure and undefiled religion. It is
eternal life to all who believe. By painstaking effort, line upon line, precept upon precept,
here a little and there a little, it should be impressed upon the minds . . . that the cross of
Christ is just as efficacious now as in Paul's day, and should be as perfectly understood by
them as it was by the great apostle. . . . {SD 231.3}

Know that the only thing in which you can safely glory is that which will open to you the
gates of the city of God. Learn from the Word of God how to form characters fitted for the
country you are seeking. Know that Christ is to be set forth among you, and
that all that was lost in Adam the cross of Christ fully restores to every
believing soul.
232

{SD 231.4}

Jesus alone cleanses from sin; He only can forgive our transgressions.

Who can fathom the suffering of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He felt to its
fullest extent the weight of the sin of the world? So keenly did He feel the sinfulness of sin
that for a moment the cup trembled in His hand, and all heaven heard the agonizing cry,
"O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me" (Matthew 26:39). "Nevertheless

33
not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42). The omnipotent God suffered with His Son.
{UL 223.3}

Stand before the cross of Calvary, and learn from it the cost of redemption. With
breaking heart the holy Sufferer upon the cross of Calvary looks up to God, and cries, "My
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). The angels of heaven
sympathized with their loved Commander. Gladly would they have broken their ranks and
gone to His assistance. But this was not God's plan. Our Saviour trod the wine press
alone, and of the people there was none with Him. {UL 223.4}

Nothing could have actuated Christ to leave his honor and majesty in Heaven,
and come to a sinful world, to be neglected, despised, and rejected by those He
came to save, and finally to suffer upon the cross, but eternal, redeeming love,
which will ever remain a mystery. O, what love! what amazing love! that the Son of
God should come to earth to be made sin for us, in order that we might be reconciled to
God, and exalted to a place with Him in the mansions of glory. And O, what is man that
such a price should be paid for his redemption! {BEcho, September 15, 1892 par. 7}

When we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the great sacrifice
made by the Majesty of heaven in dying for man, the plan of salvation will be glorified
before us, and the thought of Calvary will awaken sacred and living emotions in the
Christian's heart. Praise to God and to the Lamb will be in our hearts and upon our lips; for
pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the heart that keeps fresh in memory the scenes
of Calvary. {BEcho, September 15, 1892 par. 8}

He who desires salvation should fix his mind upon the cross of Calvary. It is there that
the sinner may behold what sin has done. There he can see the infinite sacrifice
that has been made to redeem him from the penalty of the broken law of God. As the
transgressor realizes his lost condition, he sees in Christ his only hope of salvation. From
the cross he learns precious lessons of the life, the self-denial, the self-sacrifice, the
goodness, the mercy and love of the Son of God, who gave himself for us. Calvary
portrays the matchless attributes of the divine character. As he looks to the cross, he will
hate sin; for he will understand that it was sin that rejected, reproached, denied, scourged,
and crucified the Majesty of Heaven. He will love the Father, who gave all Heaven to men
in the gift of his only begotten Son. His heart will be filled with an eager desire for the
knowledge of God, and for an understanding of the plan of salvation. He who has had a
vivid view of the cross, will hate sin, and love righteousness. His doubts will vanish in
the clear light reflected from the cross of Calvary. {ST, July 6, 1888 par. 1}

Christ has done all for us because we were helpless; we were bound in chains of
darkness, sin, and despair, and could therefore do nothing for ourselves. It is through the
exercise of faith, hope, and love that we come nearer and nearer to the standard of perfect
holiness. Our brethren feel the same pitying need of help that we have felt. We should not
burden them with unnecessary censure, but should let the love of Christ constrain us to be
very compassionate and tender, that we can weep over the erring and those who have
34
backslidden from God. The soul is of infinite value. Its worth can be estimated only by
the price paid to ransom it. Calvary! Calvary! Calvary! will explain the true value of
the soul.

I invite you to look to the Man of Calvary. Look to him whose head was crowned with the
crown of thorns, who bore the cross of shame, who went step by step down the path of
humiliation. Look to him who was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, who was
despised and rejected of men. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows."
"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Look to
Calvary until your heart melts at the amazing love of the Son of God. He left nothing
undone that fallen man might be elevated and purified. And shall we not confess him? Will
the religion of Christ degrade its receiver?--No; it will be no degradation to follow in the
footsteps of the Man of Calvary. {3T 187.2}

Father Suffered With Son.--In the scenes that transpired in the judgment hall and at
Calvary, we see what the human heart is capable of when under the influence of Satan.
Christ submitted to crucifixion, although the heavenly host could have delivered Him. The
angels suffered with Christ. God Himself was crucified with Christ; for Christ was one
with the Father. Those who reject Christ, those who will not have this man to rule over
them, choose to place themselves under the rule of Satan, to do his work as his
bondslaves. Yet for them Christ yielded up His life on Calvary (BE Aug. 6, 1894). {5BC
1108.5}

"I long to introduce you to Jesus Christ, to behold Him as a Christ of love, mercy,
sympathy, and tender compassion." {1SAT 107.1}

There was one who came to me and said, "Sister White, can you tell me how I am to
know that Jesus forgives me my sins as I repent of them?" "Yes, I can. I point you to
Calvary, to the dying Saviour upon the cross." There is the evidence that we present to the
mind. It is the evidence that you see, that Christ forgives sins. The light reflected from the
cross of Calvary speaks to us of the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed for the
remission of sins, and it tells us that we may be cleansed and sanctified. {1SAT 107.2}

I remember one woman who said, O, if the Lord would only show her in a dream that
He would have mercy upon her and save her! Well, He did teach her, and she was taught
in a dream, and then the first impression was, "Is that dream any stronger than a 'Thus
saith the Lord!?" I want every one of you to take that, because I have found out that
whenever I have been pleading for some special light, some strong evidence, I have found
I had to wait a long time before I got it. I have found out that I had to take what the Lord
said, and believe it as spoken to me. I am one of the daughters of Adam, one for whom
Christ died, and have a right to lay hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and
risen Saviour, because I am a sinner. {1SAT 107.3}

35
Chap. 39 - The Cord Let Down from Heaven

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8. {OHC 45.1}

Measure the cord, if you can, that has been let down from heaven to lift man up. The
only estimate we can give you of the length of that chain is to point you to Calvary. {OHC
45.2}

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? ... {OHC 45.3}

Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of
bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God. The plan
of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard
against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by
the blood of the Lamb. Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to
the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross of
Calvary is our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come.
Oh, we do not comprehend the value of the atonement! If we did, we would talk more
about it. The gift of God in His beloved Son was the expression of an incomprehensible
love. It was the utmost that God could do to preserve the honor of His law, and still save
the transgressor. {OHC 45.4}

Jesus placed the cross in line with the light coming from heaven, for it is there that it
shall catch the eye of man. The cross is in direct line with the shining of the divine
countenances, so that by beholding the cross men may see and know God and Jesus
Christ, whom He hath sent. In beholding God we behold the One who poured out His
soul unto death. In beholding the cross the view is extended to God, and His hatred of sin
is discerned. But while we behold in the cross God's hatred of sin, we also behold His love
for sinners, which is stronger than death. To the world the cross is the incontrovertible
argument that God is truth and light and love. {OHC 45.5}

Chap. 40 - The Center of my Hope

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14. {OHC 46.1}

Remove the cross from the Christian and it is like blotting out the sun which illumines
the day, and dropping the moon and the stars out of the firmament of the heavens at night.
The cross of Christ brings us nigh to God, reconciling man to God, and God to man. The
Father looks upon the cross, upon the suffering He has given His Son to endure in order to
save the race from hopeless misery and to draw man to Himself. He looks upon it with the
36
relenting compassion of a Father's love. The cross has been almost lost sight of, but
without the cross there is no connection with the Father, no unity with the Lamb in the
midst of the throne in heaven, no welcome reception of the wandering who would return to
the forsaken path of righteousness and truth, no hope for the transgressor in the day of
judgment. Without the cross there is no means provided for overcoming the power of our
strong foe. Every hope of the race hangs upon the cross. {OHC 46.2}

When the sinner reaches the cross, and looks up to the One who died to save him, he
may rejoice with fullness of joy; for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling at the cross, he has
reached the highest place to which man can attain. The light of the knowledge of the glory
of God is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ; and the words of pardon are spoken: Live,
O ye guilty sinners, live. Your repentance is accepted; for I have found a ransom. {OHC
46.3}

Through the cross we learn that our heavenly Father loves us with an infinite and
everlasting love, and draws us to Him with more than a mother's yearning sympathy for a
wayward child. Can we wonder that Paul exclaimed, "God forbid that I should glory, save
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"? It is our privilege also to glory in the cross of
Calvary, our privilege to give ourselves wholly to Him who gave Himself for us. Then with
the light of love that shines from His face on ours, we shall go forth to reflect it to those in
darkness. {OHC 46.4}

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." 1 John 1:9. The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses us from all sin. It speaketh better things 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. 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. {OHC
47.4}

We must gather about the cross. Christ and Him crucified should be the theme of
contemplation, of conversation, and of our most joyful emotion. We should keep in
our thoughts every blessing we receive from God, and when we realize His great love we
should be willing to trust everything to the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.
{LHU 254.4}

We are to lift the cross, and follow the steps of Christ. Those who lift the cross will find
that as they do this, the cross lifts them, giving them fortitude and courage, and
pointing them to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.

37
{SD 247.6}

That this redemption might be ours, God withheld not even the sacrifice of Himself. He
gave Himself in His Son. The Father suffered with Christ in all His humiliation and agony.
He suffered as He saw the Son of His love despised and rejected by those whom He came
to elevate, ennoble, and save. He saw Him hanging upon the cross, mocked and jeered by
the passers-by, and He hid as it were His face from Him. He saw Christ bearing the sin of
the world, and dying in the sinner's stead. The human heart knows the love of a parent for
his child. We know what a mother's love will do and suffer for her beloved one. But never
can the heart of man fathom the depths of God's self-sacrifice. {AUCR, June 1, 1900 par.
11}

O, the cross, the cross! It is set up that we may know the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Only the cross can measure the length and breadth,
the depth and height, of infinite love, the greatness of the Father's sacrifice for lost
humanity. {AUCR, June 1, 1900 par. 12}

The voice continued, "Cast thy net on the right side of the ship; walk not in the shadow of
the cross, but in the path where the Sun of Righteousness is ever shining to impart life and
vitality, and to give grace for grace. The cross of Calvary is to you a pledge of forgiveness,
of righteousness, of peace, and of fullness of joy. It is a well of water to every believer,
springing up into everlasting life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but should have
everlasting life." {10MR 77.2}

The cross speaks life, and not death, to the soul that believes in Jesus. Welcome the
precious life-giving rays that shine from the cross of Calvary. Reach up for the blessing,
believe for the blessing. Your Saviour, who died on the cross, is God's gift to a fallen world,
and that gift embraces all heaven. {10MR 78.1}

Walk not in the shadow of the cross. Do not give expression to weeping, lamentation
and woe; but encourage your soul to hope and joy. The cross points upwards to a living
Saviour, who is your advocate, and is pleading in your behalf. I remember that my
husband used to sometimes halt in the shadow of the cross, and he could see nothing but
the dark side. He was sorely tried and perplexed. He suffered being tempted. So sorely
were we tried that I thought death would be preferable to the sufferings we endured.
Clouds surrounded us, and everything was unfavorable to the light, hope, and courage of
the soul. We are in the same danger now of not discerning the light that shines from the
cross of Calvary. We have been halting in the shadow of the cross of Calvary. At times we
have failed to gather about us the warm bright rays which come to us from an uplifted
Saviour. {10MR 78.2}

Brethren, the cross speaketh better things than the blood of Abel in behalf of every soul
that receives Jesus Christ. When you are deeply shadowed it is because Satan has
interposed himself between you and the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness. In times
of trouble the brightness is eclipsed, and we do not understand why the assurance seems
38
to be withdrawn. We are led to look at self and the shadow of the cross, and this prevents
us from seeing the consolation there is for us. We complain of the way and withdraw the
hand from the hand of Christ. But sometimes God's favor breaks suddenly upon the soul
and the gloom is dispelled. Let us live in the sunlight of the cross of Calvary. Let us no
longer dwell in the shadow, complaining of our sorrows, for this only deepens our trouble.
{10MR 78.3}

Let us never forget, even when we walk in the valley, that Christ is as much with us
when we walk trustingly there as when we are on the mountaintop. The voice said to us,
"Will you not roll your burden upon the Burden-Bearer, the Lord Jesus Christ? Will
you not live on the sunny side of the cross? saying, 'I know whom I have believed, and
am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that
day.' 'Whom having not seen ye love, in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing,
ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the
salvation of your souls'" (2 Timothy 1:12: 1 Peter 1:8, 9). {10MR 79.1}

I have indeed been halting under the shadow of the cross. It is not a common thing for
me to be overpowered and to suffer so much depression of spirits as I have suffered for
the past few months. I would not be found to trifle with my own soul and thus trifle with my
Saviour. I would not teach that Jesus is risen from the tomb, and that He is ascended on
high and lives to make intercession for us before the Father, unless I carry out my
teachings by practice, and believe in Him for His salvation, casting my helpless soul upon
Jesus for His grace, for righteousness, for peace, and love. {10MR 79.2}

I must trust in Him irrespective of the changes of my emotional atmosphere. I must

show forth the praises of Him who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light.
My heart must be steadfast in Christ, my Saviour, beholding His love and gracious
goodness. I must not trust Him now and then, but always, that I may manifest the results of
abiding in Him who has bought me with His precious blood. We must learn to believe the
promises, to have an abiding faith so that we may take them as the sure word of God.
{10MR 79.3}

The Greeks looked upon philosophy and science as the only road to true elevation and
honor. They believed that there was need of elevating the race; but could Paul lead them
to believe that the cross of Christ would do this? There is to us a sacredness about the
cross of Calvary. The scenes and associations connected with it are hallowed. But when
Paul preached the gospel in Corinth, the cross was regarded with the same feeling of
repulsion as the gibbet of today. Any reference to a Saviour who had met his death on the
cross would naturally meet with opposition. {YI, November 15, 1900 par. 11}

Paul knew how his message would be regarded by the Greeks. "We preach Christ
crucified," he said, "unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness." In
the estimation of the Greeks his words would be absurd folly. They would look upon Paul
as weak-minded for endeavoring to show how the cross could have any connection
with the elevation of the race or the salvation of men. {YI, November 15, 1900 par. 12}

39
 But the cross was to Paul the one object of interest in the world. He determined to
know nothing among the Corinthians "save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." He presented
the cross to them as the only means of salvation. He stood forth before them declaring:
"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved
it is the power of God." {YI, November 15, 1900 par. 13}

Christ in the Heart--Discourses that have little of Christ and His righteousness in them are
given in the desk. They are Christless sermons. To preach in the demonstration of the
Spirit is completely beyond the power of those who are without Christ. They are feeble,
empty, and without nourishment. They have no Christ to carry with them in private life.
They are full of boasting, of pride, of self-esteem, speaking evil of things of which they
have no real knowledge. They manifest an impatience of everything that does not follow in
their line. They will even scoff and mock at sacred things, because they do not see that
spiritual things are spiritually discerned. They degrade themselves by perverting and
falsifying truth.--Ms 15, 1886. {VSS 314.1}

The Spirit's Power--Merely to speak to beautiful things that please the ear and attract
attention should not be our purpose. We are to present Christ and Him crucified, that souls
who are dead in trespasses and sins may be alarmed and quickened. Those who seek to
teach others need to be converted to Christ; they need to plead with God that He will
imbue them with His Holy Spirit before they can lift up Christ as the sinner's only hope.
Flowery speeches, pleasing tales, anecdotes, and stories do not convict the sinner. Men
listen to such words as they would listen to a pleasant song, and the laborers gather but
few sheaves into the garner. The message the sinner should hear is, "God so loved the
world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life" [John 3:16]. And the truth will subdue and tender the soul
of the teacher because he feels its practical utility.--Ms 12, 1891. {VSS 314.2}

Life-Healing Balm From the Cross--The cross, the cross of Calvary presented again
and again, plainly dwelt upon in every discourse, will prove the life-healing balm,
will reveal the beauty and excellence of virtue. Those who quibble over the authenticity
of the Scriptures and question the authority of revelation will not be influenced.--Ms 20,
1893. {VSS 315.1}

Jesus in the Discourse--"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" [John 17:3]. The eternal Word became flesh
and dwelt among us. This theme will quench unbelief; and yet, sad to say, Jesus has been
dropped out of many, many discourses that have been preached by Seventh-day Adventist
ministers. And why? Because these ministers had not Jesus abiding in their hearts by
faith; they were not clothed with Christ's righteousness. --Ms 16, 1890. {VSS 315.2}

If Jesus were made the sum and substance of every discourse, sinners would be
convicted. By the message borne they would know what they must do to be saved. Lift
Him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher. Who can declare the glory of the

40
incarnate God? What language can describe it? It is not the men learned in this world's
wisdom who have true eloquence.--Ms 176, 1899. {VSS 311.1}

Foundation of the Gospel--Theoretical discourses are essential, that people may see
the chain of truth, link after link, uniting in a perfect whole; but no discourse should ever
be preached without presenting Christ and Him crucified as the foundation of the
gospel.--GW 158. {VSS 311.2}

Love must be the principle of action. Love is the underlying principle of God's government
in heaven and earth, and it must be the foundation of the Christian's character. This alone
can make and keep him steadfast. This alone can enable him to withstand trial and
temptation. {COL 49.1}

And love will be revealed in sacrifice. The plan of redemption was laid in sacrifice--a
sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. Christ gave all for us,
and those who receive Christ will be ready to sacrifice all for the sake of their Redeemer.
The thought of His honor and glory will come before anything else. {COL 49.2}

This is the religion of Christ. Anything short of it is a deception. No mere theory of truth
or profession of discipleship will save any soul. We do not belong to Christ unless we are
His wholly. It is by halfheartedness in the Christian life that men become feeble in purpose
and changeable in desire. The effort to serve both self and Christ makes one a stony-
ground hearer, and he will not endure when the test comes upon him. {COL 50.1}

The Voluntary Sacrifice of Jesus

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy
will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:7, 8. {FLB 199.1}

The children of Israel were anciently commanded to make an offering for the entire
congregation to purify them from ceremonial defilement. This sacrifice was a red heifer
and represented the more perfect offering that should redeem from the pollution of sin.
This was an occasional sacrifice for the purification of all those who had necessarily or
accidentally touched the dead. All who came in contact with death in any way were
considered ceremonially unclean. This was to forcibly impress the minds of the Hebrews
with the fact that death came in consequence of sin and therefore is a representative of
sin. The one heifer, the one ark, the one brazen serpent, impressively point to the one
great offering, the sacrifice of Christ. {FLB 199.2}

This heifer was to be red, which was a symbol of blood. It must be without spot or
blemish, and one that had never borne a yoke. Here, again, Christ was typified. The Son
of God came voluntarily to accomplish the work of atonement. There was no obligatory
yoke upon Him, for He was independent and above all law. The angels, as God's
41
intelligent messengers, were under the yoke of obligation; no personal sacrifice of theirs
could atone for the guilt of fallen man. Christ alone was free from the claims of the law to
undertake the redemption of the sinful race. . . . {FLB 199.3}

Jesus might have remained at His Father's right hand, wearing His kingly crown and
royal robes. But He chose to exchange all the riches, honor, and glory of heaven for the
poverty of humanity, and His station of high command for the horrors of Gethsemane and
the humiliation and agony of Calvary. . . . {FLB 199.4}

The wounded hands, the pierced side, the marred feet, plead eloquently for fallen man,
whose redemption is purchased at such an infinite cost. Oh, matchless condescension!
Neither time nor events can lessen the efficacy of the atoning sacrifice. {FLB 199.5}

December 8, 1898 Our Sacrifice.

While the death of Christ appeared to be a hellish triumph over His humanity, it was a
victory so full and broad and deep that it encompassed the world. Christ was cut off, but
not for Himself. He died the just for the unjust, that He might bring many sons and
daughters to God. Tho innocent and undeserving of punishment, our Substitute and Surety
was brought under the curse and condemnation that should have been ours. He, the
perfection of holiness, was arrayed in our defiled garments, that we might be clothed with
His glorious righteousness. {ST, December 8, 1898 par. 1}

Had silver and gold been sufficient to purchase the salvation of men, how easily might it
have been accomplished by Him who says, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine.”
Haggai 2:8. But only by the precious blood of the Son of God could the transgressor be
redeemed. The plan of salvation was laid in sacrifice. The apostle Paul wrote, “Ye know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He
became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9. Christ gave
Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity. And as the crowning blessing of
salvation, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.{AA
519.2}

Dear children, this dream has caused me to reflect, and has cast a sadness
upon my spirits that I cannot immediately throw off. You are none of you too
young to die. Do you understand the plan of salvation? Your
righteousness cannot recommend you to God. I do not think that you are yet
adopted into his family. Our sins caused Jesus to die a shameful death,
that through his sufferings and death we might receive pardon. Can we
receive the forgiveness of sins before we feel that we are sinners? and before
we realize the sinfulness of sin? I think not. When we repent before God of
our sins sincerely, we shall feel that without the pardoning blood of Christ we
must perish. If we cast ourselves in our wretchedness wholly upon the mercy

42
of Christ, and feel that unless he saves us we perish; when we yield our own
will, our own way, and plead for Jesus to control our will and actions, then we
come into a position where we can receive and appreciate pardon and the
forgiveness of sin. {AY 67.1}

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 salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense
to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the
broken law of God{CIHS 125.2}

One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind, and its relation
to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many
chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained.

{CE 58.2}

The themes of redemption are momentous themes, and only those who are
spiritually minded can discern their depth and significance. It is our safety, our
life, our joy, to dwell upon the truths of the plan of salvation {CE 77.2}

The plan of salvation had its place in the counsels of the Infinite from all
eternity. The gospel is the revelation of God’s love to men, and means
everything that is essential to the happiness and well-being of
humanity. {CE 83.3}

If half the zeal manifested in seeking to comprehend the bright ideas of

infidels, was manifested in studying the plan of salvation, thousands who are
now in darkness, would be charmed with the wisdom, the purity, the elevation
of the provisions of God in our behalf; they would be lifted out of and away
43
from themselves in wonder and amazement at the love and
condescension of God in giving his only begotten Son for a fallen race.
{CE 101.1}

He will make the most of his opportunities to draw souls to Christ, not
dwelling upon doctrinal subjects, but upon the love of God, upon His mercy
and goodness in the plan of salvation. In the spirit of Christ he will be ready to
speak a word in season to him that is weary. {CEv 59.2}

The great need of the soul is to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He
has sent.

Men and women indulge appetite at the expense of health and their powers
of intellect, so that they cannot appreciate the plan of salvation. What
appreciation can such have of the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, and
of the victory He gained upon the point of appetite. It is impossible for them to
have exalted views of God, and to realize the claims of His law. The proposed
followers of Christ are forgetful of the great sacrifice made by Him on their
account. The Majesty of heaven, in order to bring salvation within their reach,
was smitten, bruised, and afflicted. He became a Man of sorrow and
acquainted with grief {Con 62.1}

The scene of trial with Christ in the wilderness was the foundation of the plan
of salvation, and gives to fallen man the key whereby he, in Christ’s name,
may overcome.{Con 63.2}

Looking upon the crucified Redeemer, we more fully comprehend the

magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven. The
plan of salvation is glorified before us, and the thought of Calvary awakens
living and sacred emotions in our hearts. Praise to God and the Lamb will be
in our hearts and on our lips; for pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the
soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary.{CCh 302.1}

As faith contemplates our Lord’s great sacrifice, the soul assimilates the
spiritual life of Christ

Christ knew that in order to successfully carry forward the plan of salvation
He must commence the work of redeeming man just where the ruin began.
Adam fell by the indulgence of appetite. In order to impress upon man his
44
obligations to obey the law of God, Christ began His work of redemption by
reforming the physical habits of man. The declension in virtue and the
degeneracy of the race are chiefly attributable to the indulgence of perverted
appetite.—Testimonies for the Church 3:486, 487, 1875{CD 54.3}

The Sabbath school should be a place where the jewels of truth are searched
for and rescued from their environment of error, and placed in their true
setting in the framework of the gospel. Precious gems of truth, long lost sight
of, are now to be restored to the children of God. The themes of justification
by faith, the righteousness of Christ, should be presented in our schools, that
the youth and children may understand these important subjects, and
teachers and scholars may know the way of salvation. Sacred and eternal
principles connected with the plan of salvation have long been lost from sight,
but they must be restored to their proper place in the plan of salvation, and
made to appear in their heavenly light, and penetrate the moral darkness in
which the world is enshrouded. {CSW 12.2}

He has arranged the plan of salvation so that it begins and ends in

benevolence. Christ offered Himself, an infinite sacrifice.{3T 547.3}

In the interview with Nicodemus, Jesus unfolded the plan of salvation, and
His mission to the world.{DA 176.1}

Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement. The plan of

redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it. It will ever
remain a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot fathom. The
science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience.
Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the
Saviour. {DA 494.4}

The plan and ground of salvation is love..{DA 550.4}

45
The words spoken in indignation, “To what purpose is this waste?” brought
vividly before Christ the greatest sacrifice ever made,—the gift of Himself as
the propitiation for a lost world. The Lord would be so bountiful to His human
family that it could not be said of Him that He could do more. In the gift of
Jesus, God gave all heaven. From a human point of view, such a sacrifice
was a wanton waste. To human reasoning the whole plan of salvation is a
waste of mercies and resources. Self-denial and wholehearted sacrifice meet
us everywhere. Well may the heavenly host look with amazement upon the
human family who refuse to be uplifted and enriched with the boundless love
expressed in Christ. Well may they exclaim, Why this great waste?{DA 565.4}

But the atonement for a lost world was to be full, abundant, and complete.
Christ’s offering was exceedingly abundant to reach every soul that God had
created. It could not be restricted so as not to exceed the number who would
accept the great Gift. All men are not saved; yet the plan of redemption is not
a waste because it does not accomplish all that its liberality has provided for.
There must be enough and to spare. {DA 565.5}

Christ was the cornerstone of the Jewish economy, and of the whole plan of
salvation.{DA 597.2}

All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, “It is done.
It is finished.” The plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had
chosen to accept it.”{EW 281.1}

The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the earth, for
Christ is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation
13:8); yet it was a struggle with the King of the universe to yield up His
Son to die for the guilty race. But “God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. O, the mystery of
redemption! the love of God for a world that did not love Him!{EP 31.3}

In Every Discourse—More people than we think are longing to find the way to
Christ. Those who preach the last message of mercy should bear in mind that
46
Christ is to be exalted as the sinner’s refuge. Some ministers think that it is
not necessary to preach repentance and faith; they take it for granted that
their hearers are acquainted with the gospel, and that matters of a different
nature must be presented in order to hold their attention. But many people
are sadly ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation; they need more
instruction upon this all-important subject than upon any other. {Ev
185.4}

Christ is to be preached, not controversially, but affirmatively. Take your stand

without controversy. Let not your words at any time be uncertain. The Word of
the living God is to be the foundation of our faith. Gather up the strongest
affirmative statements regarding the atonement made by Christ for the sins of
the world. Show the necessity for this atonement and tell men and women
that they may be saved if they will repent and return to their loyalty to God’s
law. Gather all the affirmatives and proofs that make the gospel the glad
tidings of salvation to all who receive and believe on Christ as a personal
Saviour.—Letter 65, 1905.{Ev 187.4}

Theoretical discourses are essential, that people may see the chain of truth,
link after link, uniting in a perfect whole; but no discourse should ever be
preached without presenting Christ and Him crucified as the foundation
of the gospel. Ministers would reach more hearts if they would dwell more
upon practical godliness.—Gospel Workers, 158, 159 (1915).{Ev 186.1}

At the time of his conversion, Paul was inspired with a longing desire to help
his fellow men to behold Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of the living God,
mighty to transform and to save. Henceforth his life was wholly devoted to an
effort to portray the love and power of the Crucified One. His great heart of
sympathy took in all classes. “I am debtor,” he declared, “both to the Greeks,
and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” Romans 1:14.
Love for the Lord of glory, whom he had so relentlessly persecuted in the
person of His saints, was the actuating principle of his conduct, his motive
power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged, one glance at the cross
and the amazing love there revealed, was enough to cause him to gird up the
loins of his mind and press forward in the path of self-denial.{AA 246.1}

47
In the sufferings of Christ upon the cross prophecy was fulfilled.{DA 746.1}

Many minds were busy with thoughts started by the scenes of Calvary. From
the crucifixion to the resurrection many sleepless eyes were constantly
searching the prophecies, some to learn the full meaning of the feast they
were then celebrating, some to find evidence that Jesus was not what He
claimed to be; and others with sorrowful hearts were searching for proofs that
He was the true Messiah. Though searching with different objects in view, all
were convicted of the same truth,—that prophecy had been fulfilled in the
events of the past few days, and that the Crucified One was the world’s
Redeemer. Many who at that time united in the service never again took part
in the paschal rites. Many even of the priests were convicted of the true
character of Jesus. Their searching of the prophecies had not been in vain,
and after His resurrection they acknowledged Him as the Son of God.{DA
775.1}

Nicodemus, when he saw Jesus lifted up on the cross, remembered His

words spoken by night in the Mount of Olives: “As Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

But Jesus will come to us in no other character than the meek, crucified One.
{LS80 250.1}

Almost blinded by the light, the companions of Saul heard a voice, but saw no
man. But Saul understood the words spoken, and in the glorious Being who
stood before him he saw the Crucified One. On the soul of the stricken Jew
the image of the Saviour’s countenance was imprinted forever. Into the
darkened chambers of his mind there poured a flood of light, revealing the
error of his former life and his need of the Holy Spirit.{TT 61.3}

48
To Paul the cross was the one object of supreme interest. Ever since he
had been arrested in his career of persecution against the followers of the
crucified Nazarene he had never ceased to glory in the cross.... He knew by
personal experience that when a sinner once beholds the love of the Father,
as seen in the sacrifice of His Son, and yields to the divine influence, a
change of heart takes place, and henceforth Christ is all and in all.{CC 341.3}

At the time of his conversion, Paul was inspired with a longing desire to help
his fellow men to behold Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of the living God,
mighty to transform and to save. Henceforth his life was wholly devoted to an
effort to portray the love and power of the Crucified One.... The apostle’s
efforts were not confined to public speaking; there were many who could not
have been reached in that way.... He visited the sick and the sorrowing,
comforted the afflicted, and lifted up the oppressed. And in all that he said
and did he magnified the name of Jesus....{CC 341.4}

Christ was crucified for our sins, and was raised from the rent sepulcher for
our justification; and He proclaims in triumph, “I am the resurrection, and the
life.” Jesus lives as our intercessor to plead before the Father. He has carried
the sins of the whole world, and has not made one mortal man a sin-bearer
for others. No man can bear the weight of his own sins. The crucified One
bore them all, and every soul who believes in Him shall not perish, but have
everlasting life.{LHU 110.4}

In His dying agony on the cross, Christ was scorned by the people who
claimed to be waiting for the Messiah, but who showed by their actions the
value of their spirituality. Surely Christ has borne our griefs and carried our
sorrows. Surely he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our
iniquities. But did not Satan understand that while He was bruising the heel of
the Son of God, the Son of God was bruising his head? What great and
wonderful effects have resulted from the crucifixion! What a view of the
character of God, Christ’s sacrifice has opened to the universe! His love for
man, far surpassing all human love, has lifted the law of God to its own
eternal dignity. The attributes of God have been revealed, and the holy
requirements of His law have been vindicated. The effects of the sacrifice on

49
the cross are still felt; but all who would be saved must themselves have an
interest in the crucified One.{ST April 14, 1898, par. 11}

Many of our ministers have made a great mistake in giving discourses which
were wholly argumentative. There are souls who listen to the theory of the
truth, and are impressed with the evidences brought out, and then, if a portion
of the discourse presents Christ as the Saviour of the world, the seed sown
may spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God. But in many discourses the
cross of Christ is not presented before the people. Some may be listening to
the last sermon they will ever hear, and others will never again be so situated
that they can have the chain of truth brought before them, and a practical
application made of it to their hearts. That golden opportunity lost, is lost
forever. Had Christ and his redeeming love been exalted in connection with
the theory of truth, it might have balanced them on his side. {GW92 11.3}

There are more souls longing to understand how they may come to Christ
than we imagine. Many listen to popular sermons from the pulpit, and know
no better than before they listened, how to find Jesus and the peace and rest
which their souls desire. Ministers who preach the last message of mercy to
the world should bear in mind that Christ is to be exalted as the sinner’s
refuge. Many ministers think that it is not necessary to preach repentance
and faith, with a heart all subdued by the love of God; they take it for granted
that their hearers are perfectly acquainted with the gospel, and that matters of
a different nature must be presented in order to hold their attention. If their
hearers are interested, they take it as evidence of success. The people are
more ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation, and need more instruction
upon this all-important subject, than upon any other.{GW92 12.1}

Those who assemble to listen to the truth should expect to be profited, as did
Cornelius and his friends: “Now therefore are we all here present before God,
to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” [Acts 10:33.]{GW92
12.2}

Theoretical discourses are essential, that all may know the form of doctrine,
and see the chain of truth, link after link, uniting in a perfect whole. But no
discourse should ever be delivered without presenting Christ and him
50
crucified as the foundation of the gospel, making a practical application of the
truths set forth, and impressing upon the people the fact that the doctrine of
Christ is not yea and nay, but yea and amen in Christ Jesus. {GW92 12.3}

There is little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Bible. One may read
the whole Bible through, and yet fail to see its beauty, or to comprehend its
deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear
to the mind, and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more
value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view,
and no positive instruction gained.{GW92 389.1}

The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul. In the
beginning God created man in His own likeness. He endowed him with noble
qualities. His mind was well balanced, and all the powers of his being were
harmonious. But the Fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has
marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore
this that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted
to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created is the
great object of life—the object that underlies every other. {PP 595.2}

Heaven’s plan of salvation is broad enough to embrace the whole world. {PK
377.1}

Through the plan of salvation, Jesus is breaking Satan’s hold upon the
human family and rescuing souls from his power. {PK 585.3}

In the wilderness of temptation, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the

cross, our Saviour measured weapons with the prince of darkness. His
wounds became the trophies of His victory in behalf of the race. When
Christ hung in agony upon the cross, while evil spirits rejoiced and evil men
reviled, then indeed His heel was bruised by Satan. But that very act was
crushing the serpent’s head. Through death He destroyed “him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14. This act decided the destiny
of the rebel chief, and made forever sure the plan of salvation. In death He
gained the victory over its power; in rising again, He opened the gates of the
51
grave to all His followers. In that last great contest we see fulfilled the
prophecy, “It shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise His heel.” Genesis
3:15. {PK 701.3

It was a mystery to John that God could give His Son to die for
rebellious man. And he was lost in amazement that the plan of salvation,
devised at such a cost to Heaven, should be refused by those for whom the
infinite sacrifice had been made.{SL 75.1}

In our schools the work of redemption is not carefully studied. Many of

the students have no real conception of what the plan of salvation means.
God’s word is pledged in our behalf. He who is touched with the feeling of our
infirmities invites us: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).{1SM 242.1}

An Inexhaustible Theme

Redemption is an inexhaustible theme, worthy of our closest contemplation. It

passes the comprehension of the deepest thought, the stretch of the most
vivid imagination. Who by searching can find out God? The treasures of
wisdom and knowledge are opened to all men, and were thousands of the
most gifted men to devote their whole time to setting forth Jesus always
before us, studying how they might portray His matchless charms, they would
never exhaust the subject.{1SM 403.1}

Although great and talented authors have made known wonderful truths, and
have presented increased light to the people, still in our day we shall find new
ideas, and ample fields in which to work, for the theme of salvation is
inexhaustible. The work has gone forward from century to century, setting
forth the life and character of Christ, and the love of God as manifested in the
atoning sacrifice. The theme of redemption will employ the minds of the
redeemed through all eternity. There will be new and rich developments made
manifest in the plan of salvation throughout eternal ages.{1SM 403.2}
52
Righteousness by Faith Does Not Downgrade the Law—Holding up Christ as
our only source of strength, presenting his matchless love in having the guilt
of the sins of men charged to his account and his own righteousness imputed
to man, in no case does away with the law or detracts from its dignity. Rather,
it places it where the correct light shines upon and glorifies it. This is done
only through the light reflected from the cross of Calvary. The law is complete
and full in the great plan of salvation, only as it is presented in the light
shining from the crucified and risen Saviour. This can be only spiritually
discerned. It kindles in the heart of the beholder ardent faith, hope, and joy
that Christ is his righteousness. This joy is only for those who love and keep
the words of Jesus, which are the words of God. {3SM 176.2}

The Efficacy of the Cross—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
angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except
by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the
cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross
they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the
fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in
Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must
look to the Lamb of God.{5BC 1132.8}

The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides
an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among
those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Our only hope is
perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost all that come
unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is our only hope
in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come. Oh, we do not
53
comprehend the value of the atonement! If we did, we would talk more about
it. The gift of God in His beloved Son was the expression of an
incomprehensible love. It was the utmost that God could do to preserve the
honor of His law, and still save the transgressor. Why should man not study
the theme of redemption? It is the greatest subject that can engage the
human mind. If men would contemplate the love of Christ, displayed in the
cross, their faith would be strengthened to appropriate the merits of His shed
blood, and they would be cleansed and saved from sin (The Signs of the
Times, December 30, 1889). {5BC 1132.9}

(1 Corinthians 2:2; Colossians 1:20.) Light From the Cross—Without the

cross, man could have no connection with the Father. On it hangs our every
hope. In view of it the Christian may advance with the steps of a conqueror;
for from it streams the light of the Saviour’s love. When the sinner reaches
the cross, and looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with
fullness of joy; for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling at the cross, he has
reached the highest place to which man can attain. The light of the
knowledge of the glory of God is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ; and the
words of pardon are spoken: Live, O ye guilty sinners, live. Your repentance
is accepted; for I have found a ransom.{5BC 1133.1}

Through the cross we learn that our heavenly Father loves us with an infinite
and everlasting love, and draws us to Him with more than a mother’s
yearning sympathy for a wayward child. Can we wonder that Paul exclaimed,
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”? It
is our privilege also to glory in the cross of Calvary, our privilege to give
ourselves wholly to Him who gave Himself for us. Then with the light of love
that shines from His face on ours, we shall go forth to reflect it to those in
darkness (The Review and Herald, April 29, 1902).{5BC 1133.2}

Love Is Stronger Than Death—Jesus placed the cross in line with the light
coming from heaven, for it is there that it shall catch the eye of man. The
cross is in direct line with the shining of the divine countenances, so that by
beholding the cross men may see and know God and Jesus Christ, whom He
hath sent. In beholding God we behold the One who poured out His soul unto
death. In beholding the cross the view is extended to God, and His hatred of
sin is discerned. But while we behold in the cross God’s hatred of sin, we also
behold His love for sinners, which is stronger than death. To the world the

54
cross is the incontrovertible argument that God is truth and light and love
(The Signs of the Times, March 7, 1895).{5BC 1133.3}

16. The Science of Redemption—The scheme of redemption far exceeds the

comprehension of the human mind. The great condescension on the part of
God is a mystery that is beyond our fathoming. The greatness of the plan
cannot be fully comprehended, nor could infinite Wisdom devise a plan that
would surpass it. It could only be successful by the clothing of divinity with
humanity, by Christ becoming man, and suffering the wrath which sin has
made because of the transgression of God’s law. Through this plan the great,
the dreadful God can be just, and yet be the justifier of all who believe in
Jesus, and who receive Him as their personal Saviour. This is the heavenly
science of redemption, of saving men from eternal ruin, and can be carried
out only through the incarnation of the Son of God in humanity, through His
triumph over sin and death, and in seeking to fathom this plan all finite
intelligences are baffled (Letter 43, 1895).{5BC 1133.4}

(Matthew 27:51.) Satan Fell Like Lightning—When Christ cried, “It is

finished,” God’s unseen hand rent the strong fabric composing the veil of the
temple from top to bottom. The way into the holiest of all was made manifest.
God bowed His head satisfied. Now His justice and mercy could blend. He
could be just, and yet the justifier of all who should believe on Christ. He
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 (Manuscript 111, 1897).{5BC 1150.1}

As the worker studies the life of Christ, and the character of His mission is
dwelt upon, each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting
than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. 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,
251.{7ABC 444.1}

55
And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their
sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The
wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them.
They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and
exclaim, “What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the
redemption of its victim?

Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that
we might not perish, but have everlasting life?”{SC 27.1}

The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he
does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of
salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which
have caused the sufferings of God’s dear Son.{SC 27.2}

Their property has absorbed their affections and eclipsed the magnitude of
the plan of salvation. While they are improving and enlarging their worldly
plans, they see no necessity for the enlargement and extension of the work of
God. They invest their means in temporal but not in eternal things. Their
hearts are ambitious for more means. .{3T 385.2}

Many of our ministers in their discourses dwell too largely upon theory and
not enough on practical godliness. They have an intellectual knowledge of the
truth, but their hearts are untouched with the genuine fervor of the love of
Christ. Many have gained by the study of our publications a knowledge of the
arguments that sustain the truth, but they have not become Bible students for
themselves. They are not constantly seeking for a deeper and more thorough
knowledge of the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures. While
preaching to others, they are becoming dwarfs in religious growth. They do
not often go before God to plead for His Spirit and grace that they may rightly
present Christ to the world.{5T 158.3}

Business managers are needed in the Review office who will correctly
represent Jesus and the plan of salvation. God is displeased when they use
all their powers in worldly enterprises, or even in business relating to the
publishing work, and do nothing for the strengthening of His church, the

56
upbuilding of His kingdom. To labor for God and for the salvation of souls is
the highest and noblest calling that men ever had or ever can have. The
losses and gains in this business are of great importance; for the results do
not end with this life, but reach over into eternity. {5T 410.3}

Our work in all its lines is to demonstrate the influence of the cross. The
work of God in the plan of salvation is not to be done in any disjointed way. It
is not to operate at random. The plan that provided the influence of the cross
provided also the methods of its diffusion. This method is simple in its
principles and comprehensive in its plain, distinct lines. Part is connected with
part in perfect order and relation.{6T 235.2}

The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is our only hope in this world, and
it will be our theme in the world to come.—The Signs of the Times, December
30, 1889. {TA 205.3}

The inhabitants of all worlds will be convinced of the justice of the law in the
overthrow of rebellion and the eradication of sin.... The working out of the
plan of salvation reveals not only to men but to angels, the character of God,
and through the ages of eternity the malignant character of sin will be
understood by the cost to the Father and the Son of the redemption of a rebel
race. In Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, all worlds will
behold the marks of the curse, and angels as well as men will ascribe honor
and glory to the Redeemer through whom they are all made secure from
apostasy.{TA 296.1}

The efficiency of the cross guards the redeemed race from the danger of a
second fall. The life and death of Christ effectually unveils the deceptions of
Satan, and refutes his claims. The sacrifice of Christ for a fallen world draws
not only men, but angels unto Him [in] bonds of indissoluble union. Through
the plan of salvation the justice and mercy of God are fully vindicated, and to
all eternity rebellion will never again arise, affliction never again touch the
universe of God.—The Messenger, June 7, 1893.{TA 296.2}

57
Christ must be revealed to sinners as the Savior dying for the sins of the
world; and as they behold the Lamb of God on the cross of Calvary, the
mysteries of redemption begin to unfold to the mind, and the goodness of
God leads to repentance.{BLJ 372.3}

Although the plan of salvation calls for the deepest study of the philosopher, it
is not too deep for the comprehension of a child. In dying for sinners, Christ
manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and in beholding this love the
heart is impressed, the conscience is aroused, and the soul is led to inquire,
“What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of
its victim?” ... The apostle Paul gave instruction in regard to the plan of
salvation. He declares, “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but
have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God,
and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” John, speaking of the Savior, says,
“Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no
sin.” ...{BLJ 372.4}

Satan could not hinder the plan of salvation.{FLB 81.2}

“Immeasurably superior in value to the productions ‘of any human author are
the Bible writings, even when thus considered; but of infinitely wider scope,
of infinitely greater value, are they when viewed in their relation to the
grand central thought. Viewed in the light of this thought, every topic has a
new significance. In the most simply stated truths are involved principles that
are as high as heaven and that compass eternity.

“The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the
whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human
soul of the image of God. Prom the first intimation of hope in the sentence
pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, ‘They
shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads’ (Revelation 22:4),
the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of
this wondrous theme. Man’s uplifting, the power of God, which gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57”-Education, 125,
126.

The exaltation of Christ is the great truth that all who labor in word and
doctrine are to reveal.—Manuscript 109, 1897.{1SM 155.1}

58
Christ crucified, Christ ascended into the heavens, Christ coming again,
should so soften, gladden, and fill the mind of the minister of the gospel that
he will present thesetruths to the people in love and deep earnestness. The
minister will then be lost sight of and Jesus magnified. The people will be
so impressed with these all-absorbing subjects that they will talk of them
and praise them, instead of praising the minister, the mere instrument.--4T
399. {PaM 191.3} 

With their thoughts and affections centered in Christ, they will obtain true
wisdom, which will be worth more to them than the richest earthly treasures.
{ApM 32.1} 

    Christ is the center of all true doctrine. All true religion is found in His
word and in nature. He is the One in whom our hopes of eternal life are
centered; and the teacher who learns from Him finds a safe anchorage.  {CT
453.3}  

El se baza pe crucea lui Hristos, ca fiind singura lui garanție a

succesului.{SEv 61.1}

Dar, când se afla la porțile Damascului, a auzit o voce care i-a

vorbit, o lumină cerească a strălucit în sufletul lui și Domnul
Hristos cel crucificat i S-a descoperit, schimbând întregul curs al
vieții lui. Din acel moment, dragostea pentru Domnul slavei, pe care
Îl persecutase necruțător în persoana sfinților Săi, a devenit mai
importantă ca orice.

Rânduielile biblice trebuie să fie călăuza vieții de toate zilele. Crucea lui Hristos trebuie
să fie tema care să descopere lecțiile pe care trebuie să le studiem și să le
practicăm. Hristos trebuie să fie adus în toate studiile, pentru ca elevii să soarbă
cunoașterea de Dumnezeu și să-L poată reprezenta pe El în caracter. Desăvârșirea Lui
trebuie să fie studiul nostru acum și în veșnicie. Cuvântul lui Dumnezeu, rostit de Hristos
în Vechiul și în Noul Testament, este pâinea venită din cer; dar mare parte din ceea ce
este numit știință este un fel de mâncare de origine omenească, o hrană stricată ea nu
este mană adevărată.{6M 132.1}

We would do well to study carefully the first and second chapters of 1 Corinthians. "We
preach Christ crucified," the apostle declared, "unto the Jews a stumbling block, and
unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God

59
As we learn to adorn the doctrine of Christ our Savior, we shall surely see of the salvation
of God. {BLJ 286.5} 

“The cross of Christ is the mighty agency through which God has planned to
move the world. Christ as the atoning sacrifice has influenced the heavenly
intelligences to such a degree that it is their highest joy to work as the
messengers of Christ, to minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation.

“The cross of Christ is to be so distinctly presented before the world that

every other power will be eclipsed, and the human race be drawn in homage
to Christ Jesus. The Father has given everything into the hands of Christ,–all
power, dominion, and glory have been bestowed upon the Son of God.
When the eye is directed to Calvary, the soul beholds Jesus, the royal
Sufferer, dying for the sin of man, in order that man may have another trial,
another opportunity to obtain eternal life. When Jesus Christ is evidently set
forth before the sinner’s eyes, manifest in the flesh and crucified for him, the
Spirit has taken of the things of Christ, and has shown them to the sinner,
and the result has been transformation of character, the sinner becomes a
new creature in Christ Jesus.”

In order to fully realize the value of salvation, it is necessary to understand

what it cost. In consequence of limited ideas of the sufferings of Christ,
many place a low estimate upon the great work of the atonement.

Din crucea lui Hristos să facă știința întregii educații, centrul oricărei
învățături și al oricărui studiu. Să fie adusă în experiența zilnică, în viața
practică. Așa va deveni Mântuitorul pentru tineri un tovarăș zilnic și un
prieten. Fiecare gând va fi robit ascultării de Hristos. Împreună cu apostolul
Pavel, ei vor putea spune: DV 460.5

“Departe de mine gândul să mă laud cu altceva decât cu crucea Domnului

nostru Isus Hristos, prin care lumea este răstignită față de mine și eu față de
lume!” (Galateni 6, 14.) DV 460.6

Răscumpărătorul lumii a fost răstignit pe crucea Golgotei. Priviţi-L pe

Mântuitorul lumii, în care locuieşte TOATA PLINATATEA Dumnezeirii. Poate
cineva să privească şi să contemple jertfa Fiului iubit al lui Dumnezeu, fără ca
inima lui să fie sensibila şi zdrobită, iar el gata să-I consacre lui Dumnezeu
inima şi sufletul?

60
The Saviour of the world became sin for the race. {Con 44.1}

We would do well to study carefully the first and second chapters of 1 Corinthians. "We
preach Christ crucified," the apostle declared, "unto the Jews a stumbling block, and
unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God

As we learn to adorn the doctrine of Christ our Savior, we shall surely see of the salvation
of God. {BLJ 286.5} 

"Hristos în voi ... înaintea ochilor carora a fost asezat în mod clar Isus Hristos, rastignit între voi?

 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
3 Galatians, don’t act like fools! Has someone cast a spell over you? Did you miss the crucifixion of
Jesus the Anointed that was reenacted right in front of your eyes?

3 O foolish Galatians, who cast a spell on you? Before your eyesYeshua the Messiah was clearly
portrayed as crucified

O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes

Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?

Christ Visibly Crucified. -“Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified” before their eyes, said the

apostle Paul, and he knew, for he first preached to them. But the experience of the Galatians was not

peculiar to them. The cross of Christ is a present thing. The expression, SITI January 25, 1899, p.

67.7

Christ Crucified before Us. -“Who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set
forth crucified?” R.V. The first part of the verse, concerning witchcraft, we shall leave until next
week. What we are now concerned with is that Jesus was set forth before the Galatians, when Paul
preached to them, as openly crucified before their eyes. So vivid was the presentation that they
could actually see Christ crucified. It was not skilful word painting on the part of Paul, nor
imagination on the part of the Galatians, for then it would have been only deception. No; it was an
actual fact; Christ was there, crucified, before their eyes, and Paul by the Spirit enabled them to see
Him. We know that it was not Paul’s skill in making beautiful word pictures that enabled them to
fancy that they saw the crucifixion, for elsewhere Paul says that he determined to know nothing
but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that he purposely and carefully refrained from using the
wisdom of words, for fear that he should make the cross of Christ with effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17,
18; 2:1-4. Christ is crucified before us, and each blade of grass, each leaf in the forest, reveals the
fact. Yea, we have the testimony in our own bodies. Many there are who can testify that it is

61
something more than a figure of speech, when the apostle says that Christ was crucified before the
eyes of the Galatians. They have had the experience. God grant that this study of Galatians, before
it is finished, may be the means of opening the eyes of many more, so that they may see SITI
January 18, 1899, p. 52.9

Christ crucified before their eyes, and know Him crucified in them and for them. E. J.
WAGGONER. SITI January 18, 1899, p. 53.9

Christ Visibly Crucified. -“Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified” before their eyes,
said the apostle Paul, and he knew, for he first preached to them. But the experience of
the Galatians was not peculiar to them. The cross of Christ is a present thing. The
expression, SITI January 25, 1899, p. 67.7

“Come to the cross, is not a mere empty formula, but an invitation that can be literally
complied with. Not until one has seen Christ crucified before his eyes, and can see the
cross of Christ at every turn, does one know the reality of the Gospel. Let those scoff who
will; the fact that a blind man can not see the sun, and denies that it shines, will not deter
one who sees it from talking of its glory. Our next lesson will deal more fully with this
matter of the cross in all creation. But, accepting the fact on the apostle’s testimony, is it
not marvelous that those who had seen and accepted Christ crucified for them, could
turn away from Him, to trust in their own works for salvation? Could it be anything less
than witchcraft that could produce such a result? SITI January 25, 1899, p. 68.7

 So the Gospel which Paul preached to the Galatians, as well as to the
Corinthians,-“Jesus Christ and Him crucified,”-“was the Gospel that was preached by
Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah. SITI December 1, 1898, p. 755.9

STUDIU CHRIST CRUCIFIED

 The preaching of Christ crucified, Christ our righteousness, is what satisfies the soul’s
hunger

General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 28, 1893.{LDE 151.1}

Christ crucified is the source of all wisdom and virtue for man.{SSW December 1, 1895,
par. 2}

The man with a cultivated intellect may have vast stores of knowledge, he may engage in
theological speculations, he may be great and honored of men and be considered the
repository of knowledge, but unless he has a saving knowledge of Christ crucified for
him, and by faith lays hold of the righteousness of Christ, he is lost. Christ “was
wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of
62
our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). “Saved by the
blood of Jesus Christ,” will be our only hope for time and our song throughout eternity.
{12MR 194.1}

Christ was crucified to take away our sins

 Christ crucified was presented to you.

The banner round which God proposes to gather “the outcasts of Israel” is
the Christ crucified, that is, Christ despised and rejected of men. 

The cross gives rest.

The cross creates: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” or, “there is a new
creation.” The cross restores what was lost in the fall. The fall deprived man of the
glory of God; the cross restores it. The cross creates anew, doing the same work that
God did in the beginning. The cross represents a perfect work completed-for on it Jesus
said, “It is finished.” Now finished work means rest; it can mean nothing else, therefore
the cross of Christ must give rest to all who come to it.

It is very easy for men to see the marks of the curse everywhere. In plague and
pestilence, in famine and in drought, in havoc and disaster, in ruined homes and blighted
lives, the deadly working of the curse is seen. But the curse is the cross of Christ. Christ
has been made a curse for men. Galatians 3:13. It is He who bears its weight,
and wherever we see the curse, we see Christ crucified. When we see it in our
own lives, we are not to be discouraged, for wherever the cross is there is
Christ. Where sin abounds grace does much more abound.Christ crucified is the power
of God. “Though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of
God.” 2 Corinthians 13:4. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of
God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”Galatians 2:20.{PTUK August 3, 1899, p.
496.11}

Christ Crucified before Us. -“Who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was
openly set forth crucified?” R.V. The first part of the verse, concerning witchcraft, we shall
leave until next week. What we are now concerned with is that Jesus was set forth before
the Galatians, when Paul preached to them, as openly crucified before their eyes. So vivid
was the presentation that they could actually see Christ crucified. It was not skilful word
painting on the part of Paul, nor imagination on the part of the Galatians, for then it would
have been only deception. No; it was an actual fact; Christ was there, crucified, before
their eyes, and Paul by the Spirit enabled them to see Him. We know that it was not
Paul’s skill in making beautiful word pictures that enabled them to fancy that they saw the
crucifixion, for elsewhere Paul says that he determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ

63
and Him crucified, and that he purposely and carefully refrained from using the wisdom of
words, for fear that he should make the cross of Christ with effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17,
18; 2:1-4. Christ is crucified before us, and each blade of grass, each leaf in the forest,
reveals the fact. Yea, we have the testimony in our own bodies. Many there are who can
testify that it is something more than a figure of speech, when the apostle says that Christ
was crucified before the eyes of the Galatians. They have had the experience. God grant
that this study of Galatians, before it is finished, may be the means of opening the eyes of
many more, so that they may see Christ crucified before their eyes, and know Him
crucified in them and for them. E. J. WAGGONER. {SITI January 18, 1899, p. 52.9}

Christ Visibly Crucified. -“Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified” before their eyes,
said the apostle Paul, and he knew, for he first preached to them. But the experience of
the Galatians was not peculiar to them. The cross of Christ is a present thing. The
expression, “Come to the cross, is not a mere empty formula, but an invitation that can
be literally complied with. Not until one has seenChrist crucified before his eyes, and can
see the cross of Christ at every turn, does one know the reality of the Gospel. Let those
scoff who will; the fact that a blind man can not see the sun, and denies that it shines, will
not deter one who sees it from talking of its glory. Our next lesson will deal more fully with
this matter of the cross in all creation. But, accepting the fact on the apostle’s testimony,
is it not marvelous that those who had seen and accepted Christ crucified for them, could
turn away from Him, to trust in their own works for salvation? Could it be anything less
than witchcraft that could produce such a result? {SITI January 25, 1899, p. 67.7}

3. Christ crucified is the only way Christ is revealed to fallen men. There is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby salvation may be obtained (Acts 4:12),
and, therefore, it is all that God sets forth before men, since He does not wish to confuse
them. “Christ and Him crucified,” is all that Paul wished to know; it is all that any man
needs to know. Thus the one thing that men need is salvation; if they get that, they get all
things; but salvation is found only in the cross of Christ; therefore, God puts before the
eyes of men nothing else: He gives them just what they need. Jesus Christ is by God set
forth openly crucified before the eyes of every man, so that there is no excuse for any to
be lost, or to continue in sin.{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.7}

The Revelation of the Cross. -In verse 13 we are brought back to the subject presented
in Galatians 2:20and 3:1,-the ever-present universal cross. We can not go into the subject
in detail, for it is inexhaustible; but note the following facts, which may suggest many
more things to your minds:-{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.4}

1. The redemption from sin and death is accomplished through the cross. Galatians 3:13.
{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.5}

2. The Gospel is all contained in the cross; for the Gospel is “the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16), and “unto us which are saved” the
cross of Christ “is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.6}

3. Christ crucified is the only way Christ is revealed to fallen men. There is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby salvation may be obtained (Acts 4:12),

64
and, therefore, it is all that God sets forth before men, since He does not wish to confuse
them. “Christ and Him crucified,” is all that Paul wished to know; it is all that any man
needs to know. Thus the one thing that men need is salvation; if they get that, they get all
things; but salvation is found only in the cross of Christ; therefore, God puts before the
eyes of men nothing else: He gives them just what they need. Jesus Christ is by God set
forth openly crucified before the eyes of every man, so that there is no excuse for any to
be lost, or to continue in sin.{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.7}

4. Christ is set forth before men only as the crucified Redeemer; and since that from
which men need to be saved is the curse, He is set forth as bearing the curse. Wherever
there is any curse, there is Christ bearing it. We have already seen that Christ bore, and
still bears, our curse, in that He bears our sin. He also bears the curse of the earth itself,
for He bore the crown of thorns, and the curse pronounced on the earth was, “Thorns
also and thistles shall it bring forth.” Genesis 3:18. So the whole creation, which now
groans under the curse, has been redeemed through the cross of Christ. Romans
8:19-23.{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.8}

5. It is only on the cross that Christ bears the curse, for His being made a curse for us
was indicated by His hanging on the cross. The cross is the symbol of the curse, but also
of deliverance from the curse, since it is the cross of Christ, the Conqueror and Deliverer.
The very curse itself, therefore, presents the cross, and proclaims our deliverance.{SITI
February 1, 1899, p. 84.9}

6. Where is the curse? Ah, where is it not? The blindest can see it, if he will but
acknowledge the evidence of his own senses. Imperfection is a curse, yea, that is the
curse; and imperfection is on everything connected with this earth. Man is imperfect, and
even the finest plant that grows from the earth is not as perfect as it might be. There is
nothing that meets the eye that does not show the possibility of improvement, even if our
untrained eyes can not see the absolute necessity of it. When God made the earth,
everything was “very good,” or, as the Hebrew idiom has it, “good exceedingly.” God
Himself could see no chance, no possibility, for improvement. But now it is different. The
gardener spends his thought and labor trying to improve the fruits and flowers under his
care. And since the best that the earth produces reveals the curse, what need be said of
the gnarled, stunted growths, the withered and blasted buds and leaves and fruits, and
the noxious, poisonous weeds? Everywhere “hath the curse devoured the earth.” Isaiah
24:6.{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.10}

7. What, then, is the conclusion of the whole matter? Is it discouragement? Nay; “for God
hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1
Thessalonians 5:9. Altho the curse is visible everywhere-{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.11}

“Change and decay in all around I see;”{SITI February 1, 1899, p. 84.12}

yet things live, and men live. But the curse is death, and no man and no thing in creation
can bear death and still live. Death kills. But Christ is He that liveth, and was dead, and is
alive forevermore. Revelation 1:18. He alone can bear the curse-death-and still live.
Therefore, the fact that there is life on the earth and in man, in spite of the curse, is proof
that the cross of Christ is everywhere. Every blade of grass, every leaf of the forest, every
shrub and tree, every flower and fruit, even the bread that we eat, is stamped with the
cross of Christ. In our own bodies is Christ crucified. Everywhere is that cross; and as the
preaching of the cross is the power of God, which is the Gospel, so it is that the

65
everlasting power of God is revealed in all things that He has made. Romans 1:16-20,
compared with 1 Corinthians 1:17, 18, amounts to a plain declaration that the cross of
Christ is seen in all the things that God has made-even in us.{SITI February 1, 1899, p.
84.13}

“We preach a crucified Messiah,”

JESUS IN THIS LIFE. “I want,” said a corporal one day to Hedley Vicars, “to have more of
Jesus in this life.”Christ crucified is not a mere fund in reserve-a kind of extreme unction-
to teach men how to die; it is the lever which is to move the life.{ARSH September 22,
1859, p. 139.24}

Men would rather hear of Christ crucified for them, than be crucified for Christ.{ARSH
February 21, 1865, p. 100.42}

God has set before us the source of wisdom in the words of our text: “Christ crucified ...
unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the
wisdom of God.” In the eighteenth verse it is said that “the preaching of the cross is to
them that perish, foolishness, but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.” This is
where wisdom lies. It is in the cross of Christ. All in the Cross. We sometimes look at the
resurrection, or the new earth, or other things, and long for them, and they are all parts of
the great plan of salvation; but, brethren, our wisdom is in the cross of Christ. What does
the cross mean? In answer read John 12:23, 24:-{GCDB March 5, 1897, p. 277.1}

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be
glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die,
it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.{GCDB March 5, 1897, p. 277.2}

The wisdom of the world is to gather everything to ourselves. The wisdom of the cross is
to give up all for others, even to the death. The cross is not to the Christian simply a fact
that occurred eighteen hundred years ago. It is an ever-present fact. And God wants it to
be to us such a living fact as though we stood upon Calvary itself in the presence of the
crucified One. Christ not only gave his life upon Calvary, but he gave all of himself for
mankind in the beginning. He who was in the form of God, as declared inPhilippians
2:5-8, did not affect to be like God, did not aspire after all power, but emptied himself of
his divine power, becoming a servant, taking upon himself the likeness of man, and
becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And because of this, the
Father filled him with all the fullness of God, and exalted him above every name that is
named. Thus by the cross he was filled with all wisdom, all power. He descended to “the
lower parts of the earth,” to death, nothingness, that in the fullness of the Godhead
wherewith he was filled, he might fill all things.{GCDB March 5, 1897, p. 277.3}

One of the great lessons presented before us in the gospel is that we are living in the
presence of the cross. That is what Christ taught. And the wisdom of the cross will be a
theme for contemplation throughout eternity. That the Son of God should lay aside all his

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glory and take upon him the form of sinful man - take upon him the death of the cross - is
a subject worthy of the highest study.{GCDB March 5, 1897, p. 277.4}

Sometimes we find those who are starting in the Christian life counting out what they
must give and what they may retain. But this is not the principle of Christianity. Love
seeks to give, and not to withhold. But love has its everlasting reward. Because Christ
emptied himself, God filled him with all the fullness of the Godhead. That is what love
always does. Love never holds back and binds its possessions to itself, but love gives,
and in giving always receives more than it gives. And inasmuch as Christ gave all, God
gave him all things. That is what the cross of Christ means, giving up all for love’s sake. It
meant that to Christ, and that is what it must mean to us: and God asks us to embrace
the cross in order that we may receive that which he has for us. That fullness which came
to Christ never could have come to him except for the cross. It is true that he was perfect
before he gave himself, but he gave up all that in his work for man there might be no
semblance of selfishness. For the unselfishness of Christ all righteousness was won for
those who would accept the cross. {GCDB March 5, 1897, p. 277.5}

All crosses are not the cross of Christ. There are those who are making crosses for
themselves all their lives. Some of the greatest blessings that God sends to us are
perverted into crosses and trials. But that is not bearing of the cross of Christ. What the
cross means is indicated inGalatians 5:24:-{GCDB March 5, 1897, p. 278.1}

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.{GCDB
March 5, 1897, p. 278.2}

They that accept of the crucifixion of Christ must therefore give up all as Christ gave up
all heavenly glory for them. The apostle says in Galatians 6:14:-{GCDB March 5, 1897, p.
278.3}

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the
world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.{GCDB March 5, 1897, p. 278.4}

How much, then, of this world can a Christian bring into his life? How much of its
purposes, its educational principles and plans, should we bring into our lives? The Word
of God to us is that we should not seek worldly counsel or worldly wisdom.{GCDB March
5, 1897, p. 278.5}

Sursa intelepciunii este crucea.

“Christ is Christianity.” (Gospel Workers, 282, 283.) {RABV 31.4}

Si am vazut un alt inger, zburand prin mijlocul cerului cu o EVANGHELIE VESNICA

ca sa o vesteasca.

 Noi predicam pe Hristos Rastignit.

 Caci "am fost rastignit impreuna cu Hristos"

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Cine va fermecat pe voi inaintea carora a fost zugravit Isus Hristos ca rastignit?

Solia aceasta îl prezintă pe Mântuitorul cel înălţat — Această solie a avut

scopul de a-L prezinte inaintea lumii mai proeminent pe Mântuitorul inaltat ca jertfă
rascumparatoare pentru păcatele întregii lumi, 

Ea prezentata îndreptăţirea prin credinţa în Cel care este Siguranta, Garantia

noastra (In Cel care S-a pus chezas pentru noi), si invita oamenii să primească
neprihănirea lui Hristos, care ii va face pe oameni sa asculte de toate poruncile lui
Dumnezeu.

 Mulţi L-au pierdut din vedere pe Domnul Isus. Ei aveau nevoie să li se îndrepte
privirile spre Persoana Sa divină, spre meritele Sale şi spre iubirea Sa
neschimbătoare faţă de familia omenească. 

Toată puterea este dată în mâinile Sale, ca să le poată împărţi oamenilor daruri
bogate, împărtăşindu-i omului neajutorat darul nepreţuit al neprihănirii Sale.
Aceasta este solia pe care Dumnezeu ne-a poruncit s-o vestim lumii. Este solia
îngerului al treilea, care trebuie să fie proclamată cu glas tare şi să fie însoţită de
revărsarea Duhului Său într-o mare măsură. {Ev 190.4}

mesajul lui Waggoner Îl prezenta pe Hristos în toată gloria Sa ca Mântuitor al

întregii umanități. Atunci când este înțeles corect ca o apreciere din inimă față de
prețul plătit de către Dumnezeire pentru răscumpărarea din păcat a omului căzut,
acest Adevăr are ca rezultat o inimă predată voinței lui Dumnezeu, generând
supunere loială față de toate poruncile Lui.

Esenţa ultimei solii a lui Dumnezeu

Mai multe persoane mi-au scris, întrebându-mă dacă solia îndreptăţirii prin
credinţă este solia îngerului al treilea, şi eu am răspuns:„Este cu adevărat solia
îngerului al treilea“. — Selected Messages 1:372 (1890).{EUZ 199.4}

Solia neprihănirii lui Hristos trebuie să răsune de la o margine la alta a pământului,

spre a pregăti calea Domnului. Ea este slava lui Dumnezeu, care încheie lucrarea
îngerului al treilea. — Testimonies for the Church 6:19 (1900). {EUZ 200.3}

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 The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in
the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer.--1SM 363
(1892).  {LDE 37.3}  

In Him all things consist, which are in heaven and earth.

We go to Calvary. We may never have seen that spot just outside the
walls of Jerusalem. Not many have either the time or the means to go
there; and it would not add to their faith in Christ if they could. We are
glad we do not have to go to Jerusalem, either to see the place or to
see Him crucified. Calvary is right here. Here is the cross set up, and
we see Christ set forth crucified among us. Gal. iii. 1. We see Him as
Isaiah saw Him, "high and lifted up." He is crucified for all the sins of
the flesh, and they are all ours. We say, "Lord, I will go to the cross with
Thee, and be crucified with Thee." And as we see Him lifted up from the
earth we see in Him some things wonderful. We see in Him joy in the
midst of tribulation. We see in Him righteousness under provocation
such as no man on earth ever had. There is power and attractiveness in
all these things. {March 1, 1894 EJW, PTUK 134.1} 

 For the Christian, the crucifixion of Christ is an ever-present reality; not a symbol upon
the breast or gazed upon in the church, but a daily experience in his life. Here the apostle
Paul: "I am crucified with Christ" (Gal. ii. 20); and again, "We are troubled on every side. .
always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus
might be manifest in our body." 2 Cor. iv. 8-10. And to the church he wrote: "O foolish
Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" Gal. iii. 1. And what had
been done for the Galatian church had been done for all the churches. In Paul's day and
under his preaching, the churches saw Jesus Christ set forth, crucified among them, and
the believers experienced His crucifixion in their hearts. They had the reality; and where
the reality is, symbols are altogether unnecessary and out of place. {September 28, 1893
EJW, PTUK 416.10} 

Every act of God is an act of mercy;

The point in this is that He brought them unto Himself. In the third chapter of first Peter
we are told that "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He
might bring us to God." We are separated from God by our sins, and Christ suffered that
He might bring as nigh to God. God was bringing the children at Israel to Himself; and
Christ was the Leader who went before the armies of Israel in the pillar of fire, to

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accomplish this end. He is the Deliverer, and He it was who was carrying Israel and
bringing them to God. They had seen how He was doing it; they had seen Christ set forth
crucified among them. {August 15, 1901 EJW, PTUK 515.12} 

CRUCIFIED WITH HIM

So when He told us again that He loved us, and would deliver us from the sin that bound
us, we believed Him, and gave ourselves to Him. He said He would identify Himself with
us, and He did; although sinless, "He was made to be sin for us," counting our sin as His.
We had gone astray, and the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all. So when He was
crucified, He was crucified for our sin. We saw Him lifted up, and we consented to be
crucified with Him. And we knew it was a crucifixion too. It was no fancy; for when we
came to giving up those evil things, we found that the whole life was composed of them,
and it was giving our life. We found that the disease of sin was in the blood itself, and it
was taking our very life to have it taken away. But we said to the Lord, "We identify ourself
with You, as You with us," and so we were crucified with Him. And in that crucifixion we
found Him a wonderful Being, the like of which had never lived on the earth before; for
although crucified, He still lived, and when we accepted His terms, and told Him that He
might take our life in the crucifixion, we took His life for us, and ever since He has lived
with us. {March 1, 1894 EJW, PTUK 133.2} 

Christ Crucified before Us

"Who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth
crucified?" Jesus was set forth before the Galatians, when Paul preached to
them, as openly crucified before their eyes. So vivid was the presentation,
that they could actually see Christ crucified. It was not skilful word-painting
on the part of Paul, nor imagination on the part of the Galatians, for then it
would have been only deception. No; it was an actual fact; Christ was there,
crucified, before their eyes, and Paul by the Spirit enabled them to see Him.
We know that it was not Paul's skill in making beautiful word pictures that
enabled them to fancy that they saw the crucifixion, for elsewhere Paul says
that he determined

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to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that he purposely
and carefully refrained from using the wisdom of words, for fear that he
should make the cross of Christ without effect. 1Cor.1:17,18; 2:1-4. The
experience of the Galatians in this matter was not peculiar to them. The
cross of Christ is a present thing. The expression, "Come to the cross," is
not an empty form of words, but an invitation that can be literally complied
with. Christ is crucified before us, and each blade of grass, each leaf in the
forest, reveals the fact. Yea, we have the testimony in our own bodies, in
that, although sinful and corruptible, we yet live. Not until one has seen
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Christ crucified before his eyes, and can see the cross of Christ at every
turn, does one know the reality of the Gospel.  God grant that this study of
Galatians, before it is finished, may be the means of opening the eyes of
many more, so that they may see Christ crucified before their eyes, and
know Him crucified in them and for them. {1900 EJW, GTI 100.1} 

"Studies in Galatians. Gal. 3:1" Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 76, 45 , p. 721.

"O FOOLISH Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,
before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among
you?" {November 7, 1899 ATJ, ARSH 721.1} 

Christ having been set forth, crucified among them, it was easy for the Galatians to
understand the words of chapter 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ." When he was set
forth, crucified among them, it was easy enough for all who were willing, to be crucified
with him. {November 7, 1899 ATJ, ARSH 721.2} 

Paul preached only "Christ, and him crucified." This he preached wherever he went. And
wherever he went, he preached Christ crucified among the people in that place. That is,
when he was in Galatia, he preached not only Christ crucified down in Judea, but also in
Galatia. When he was in Corinth, he preached not only Christ crucified away over at
Jerusalem, but also Christ crucified there in Corinth. {November 7, 1899 ATJ, ARSH
721.3} 

In other words, Christ crucified at Jerusalem in Judea, was also Christ crucified wherever
there is a man on the earth. And the preaching of Christ crucified at Jerusalem in Judea,
to be the true preaching of that fact must be also the preaching of Christ crucified
wherever the fact is preached. It is simply the preaching of the universal and ever-present
Christ the Saviour. {November 7, 1899 ATJ, ARSH 721.4} 

The preaching in Galatia, in Corinth, in Rome, in Britain, in the United States, of Christ
crucified only at Jerusalem in Judea, is too far away both in distance and in time for the
people readily to grasp it as a power in their own lives. But in preaching of Christ crucified
at Jerusalem in Judea, and also wherever there is a human soul,—this brings to each
soul, just where that soul is, Christ, the crucified, the risen, and the ever-living Saviour.
And then and there each soul who hears the preaching can be crucified with him (Rom.
6:6), can rise with him (Eph. 2:5, 6), and can live with him (Rom. 6:8), as the ever-crucified,
ever-risen, and ever-living Saviour. {November 7, 1899 ATJ, ARSH 721.5} 

Such preaching, and such alone, is the true preaching of Christ and him crucified. Such
preaching, and such alone, is the true preaching of the cross of Christ. Such preaching of
the cross of Christ is the preaching of "the power of God;" and such preaching of Christ
crucified is "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1:17, 18, 23, 24.
{November 7, 1899 ATJ, ARSH 721.6} 

It is very easy for men to see the marks of the curse everywhere. In plague and
pestilence, in famine and in drought, in havoc and disaster, in ruined homes and blighted
lives, the deadly working of the curse is seen. But the curse is the cross of Christ. Christ
has been made a curse for men. Gal. iii. 13. It is He who bears its weight, and wherever

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we see the curse, we see Christ crucified. When we see it in our own lives, we are not to
be discouraged, for wherever the cross is there is Christ. Where sin abounds grace does
much more abound. Christ crucified is the power of God. "Though He was crucified
through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God." 2 Cor. xiii. 4. "I am crucified with
Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in
the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
Gal. ii. 20. {August 3, 1899 EJW, PTUK 496.11} 

Christ Visibly Crucified. -"Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified" before their eyes,
said the apostle Paul, and he knew, for he first preached to them. But the experience of
the Galatians was not peculiar to them. The cross of Christ is a present thing. The
expression, "Come to the cross, is not a mere empty formula, but an invitation that can
be literally complied with. Not until one has seen Christ crucified before his eyes, and can
see the cross of Christ at every turn, does one know the reality of the Gospel. Let those
scoff who will; the fact that a blind man can not see the sun, and denies that it shines, will
not deter one who sees it from talking of its glory. Our next lesson will deal more fully with
this matter of the cross in all creation. But accepting the fact on the apostle's testimony,
is it not marvelous that those who had seen and accepted Christ crucified for them, could
turn away from Him, to trust in their own works for salvation? Could it be anything less
than witchcraft that could produce such a result? {February 24, 1898 EJW, PTUK 115.4}

Isaiah 53 - "The Message" translation

"But it was our sins that did this to him,

that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins!

And God has pilled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong on him, on him.

He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many."

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