The Temple of Truth
Have you ever wondered why you are a Seventh-day Adventist Christian? Was it easy to become one? What did you have to leave behind, give up, or acquire in order to become one? What attracted you to becoming an Adventist Christian? Was it the Sabbath truth, the Sanctuary, or the Second Coming?
Ellen White, one of our pioneers, describes a dream that she had about a temple. She says, “I dreamed of seeing a temple to which many people were flocking. Only those who took refuge in that temple would be saved when time should close. All who remained outside would be forever lost. The multitudes without, who were going their various ways, were deriding and ridiculing those who were entering the temple, and told them that this plan of safety was a cunning deception, that, in fact, there was no danger whatever to avoid. They even laid hold of some to prevent them from hastening within the walls.†{Early Writings, p. 78}
Does this sound familiar to your experience? I remember when I was just a little fellow, listening and peeping through the key hole, where I saw my parents being berated by their family for joining a cult, following teachings of the devil, and turning their backs on their family tradition. Ellen White continues, “Fearing to be laughed at and ridiculed, I thought best to wait until the multitude were dispersed, or until I could enter unobserved by them. But the numbers increased instead of diminishing, and fearful of being too late, I hastily left my home and pressed through the crowd. In my anxiety to reach the temple I did not notice or care for the throng that surrounded me.†{Early Writings, p. 78}
What did she see in this Temple of Truth? Was it the Sabbath, or the state of the dead, or the Law, or the Second Coming? She says, “On entering the building, I saw that the vast temple was supported by one immense pillar, and to this was tied a Lamb all mangled and bleeding. We who were present seemed to know that this Lamb had been torn and bruised on our account. All who entered the temple must come before it and confess their sins. Just before the Lamb were elevated seats upon which sat a company of people looking very happy. The light of heaven seemed to shine upon their faces, and they praised God and sang songs of glad thanksgiving that seemed to be like the music of angels. These were they who had come before the Lamb, confessed their sins, been pardoned, and were now waiting in glad expectation of some joyful event.†{Early Writings, pp 78-79}
What an amazing scene – an immense pillar and a bleeding Lamb! Where are all the truths and doctrines that we hold dear? Have they disappeared? Are they less important? As I read through the following statements by the same lady who had the dream, my heart was strangely warmed. I was thrilled and overcome with awe and gratitude. Love filled my soul and my whole being rejoiced and felt at rest as I beheld the Lamb, and His amazing love for me. I want to challenge you to meditate on each of the following, so find a quiet place, and open yourself up to experience hearing God’s voice as you read.
- The sacrifice of Christ as atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. Gospel Workers, p. 315.
- It [the cross] is the central pillar on which hangs the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory which is for those who accept that cross. Under and around the cross of Christ, that immortal pillar, sin shall never revive, nor error obtain control. Letter 124, 1900.
- The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption, – the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers. Gospel Workers, p. 315.
- The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring man to his original perfection; yea, more. It was offered to give him an entire transformation of character, making him more than a conqueror.... 7a SDA Bible Commentary, p. 457.
- 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.
- There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures – Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. It is only in the light of the cross that we can discern the exalted character of the law of God. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. Manuscript 31, 1890.
- Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel.... This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in men’s minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God. Manuscript 49, 1898.
- Gather up the strongest affirmative statements regarding the atonement made by Christ for the sins of the world. Show the necessity for this atonement. Evangelism, p. 187.
- The fact that the companions of Christ in His crucifixion were placed the one on His right hand and the other on His left is a significant one; His cross is placed in the very center of the world. Manuscript 52, 1897.
- Christ and Him crucified, is the message God would have His servants sound through the length and breadth of the world. The law and the gospel will then be presented as a perfect whole. The Review and Herald, September 29, 1896.
- Never should a sermon be preached, or Bible instruction in any line be given, without pointing the hearers to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.†John 1:29. Every true doctrine makes Christ the center, every precept receives force from His words. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 54.
- To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting out the sun from the sky. The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him.... Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it depends our every hope. The Acts of the Apostles, pp 209, 210.
- The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last.—Gospel Workers, 251.
- 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 for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 287.
- No discourse should ever be presented without presenting Christ and Him crucified as the foundation of the gospel. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 394.
- We must become exponents of the efficacy of the blood of Christ, by which our own sins have been forgiven. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 82.
- Science is too limited to comprehend the atonement; the mysterious and wonderful plan of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy can not explain it; it will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reason can not fathom. If it could be explained by finite wisdom, it would lose its sacredness and dignity. It is a mystery that One equal with the eternal Father should so abase Himself as to suffer the cruel death of the cross to ransom man; and it is a mystery that God so loved the world as to permit His Son to make this great sacrifice. The Signs of the Times, October 24, 1906.
- It is Satan’s studied purpose to keep souls from believing in Christ as their only hope; for the blood of Christ that cleanseth from all sin is efficacious in behalf of those only who believe in its merit. Gospel Workers, p. 162.
Keep beholding the Lamb. It is all about Him!