Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished  (Read 27431 times)

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Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #40 on: August 28, 2018, 05:10:15 AM »
Amen, Richard! When we see God's character as it really is--in Jesus, most clearly revealed at the cross--we are also seeing the character of Satan most strikingly revealed. At the cross, Satan revealed he was a murderer, that his proposed "new government" had at its heart the murder and destruction of the Son of God. But Satan was not finished with deception upon fallen humanity. He now "spins" the cross in a massive public relations stunt in an attempt to deceive people into thinking that as long as they professedly "accept Jesus" and exalt the symbol of the cross (it is everywhere--in jewelry, on churches, etc.) that this is enough to save a person--focusing on mercy, but omitting justice and true, heart-felt obedience. When those who have professedly "accepted Christ" and "mercy" are brought to see that obedience is the fruit of love, and that justice is indissolubly joined to mercy in God's love, many reject this message because it cuts across the inclinations of the fallen human nature that for so many professed Christians is all alive. Is self alive? It will be seen in how we view the cross. Is the cross a revelation to us of the power of God's grace to transform sinners into saints, or have we accepted the devil's version of the crucifixion, that the law was done away with and we as human beings are now free "under grace" to do whatever our impulses and desires tell us to do "as long as we profess to accept Jesus"? I speak plainly because I know that the gospel has been neutered and destroyed in so many ways, leading to a deathly Laodicean condition. Laodicea feels saved and may or does talk about the cross, but it is often without the real power to transform the life (since it is still thought that one may retain justification when committing a known sin). Many see the cross as an evidence of forgiveness for sin, but misunderstand that true forgiveness takes away the sin from the life and renews the soul after the image of Christ. The gospel in its real power brings the blood of Jesus to atone for sin AND gives the repentant sinner a new heart and mind imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, leading to obedience to every known principle of God's holy law as it is in Jesus. The mercy and justice of God are perfectly revealed at the cross if we are willing to accept what the Bible actually reveals to us about the cross. God does not change. But we, in this world, are in need of constant change--continual growth and transformation of character, that through full surrender to Christ, we may through cooperation with Him develop characters that express the true power of the gospel. I choose Christ, by beholding Him, and what the cross really reveals of Him, I may be saved in God's appointed way. Will you join me in this experience?

"Another deception was now to be brought forward. Satan declared that mercy destroyed justice, that the death of Christ abrogated the Father's law. Had it been possible for the law to be changed or abrogated, then Christ need not have died. But to abrogate the law would be to immortalize transgression, and place the world under Satan's control. It was because the law was changeless, because man could be saved only through obedience to its precepts, that Jesus was lifted up on the cross. Yet the very means by which Christ established the law Satan represented as destroying it. Here will come the last conflict of the great controversy between Christ and Satan." {The Desire of Ages, page 762, paragraph 5}

This conflict is rapidly being developed to its fullness. Those who profess Christ but live lives of disobedience are developing their character, as well as those who see the cross for what it really is. God's children are beholding the loveliness of Jesus and loving Him wholeheartedly, humbly acknowledging their continual need of Jesus and are cooperating with Him to have sin removed from their character and the divine nature wrought out in them through receiving the promises of God. Let us watch and pray, for the end is sooner than we think. 
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #41 on: November 23, 2018, 04:32:26 AM »
Satan is around for your and my sake. Really? Yes--because if Satan was just blotted out all of a sudden, and it was not clear as to what was the cause of his demise and ruin, the evil seeds of rebellion that he has sown in minds would bear a crop in other minds, and the promise of God would not be fulfilled: "What do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time" (Nahum 1:9). In order for sin to never again enter the universe, it must be UNMISTAKABLY CLEAR that the wages of sin is death, that rebellion places a being out of harmony with the very essence of God's existence (who sustains all life out of infinite love), and that it is possible for all beings--including us who are about 6,000 years sunken into sin--to perfectly obey God's holy law when we are fully surrendered to Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit so that not one of the fruits of the Spirit is missing in our lives. This is where the great controversy between Christ and Satan currently finds itself--hinging on whether God's people will fully realize the privilege of glorifying God by consenting to be brought fully into harmony with God's will, even as Jesus did. By beholding teh loveliness of character of Jesus and surrendering the whole heart to Him, Christ's life stands in the place of our sinful lives to set us free from condemnation, but more than this He changes our hearts and makes us new creatures who, with renewed hearts and minds, delight to serve Him. And because this must take place while Satan is spreading his lies to counter this reality by those who "profess" to serve God while living in rebellion, God is allowing each of us in our probationary life to fully choose. Notice this clear statement, as to why Satan was not destroyed when Jesus died on the cross:

"Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man, Satan's existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve." {The Desire of Ages, page 761, paragraph 3}

I choose full surrender to Christ motivated by beholding the loveliness of His character, how about you?   
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #42 on: November 23, 2018, 06:00:50 AM »
Amen Pastor Sean! The life, suffering, and death of Jesus was not just for the Redemption of man. It was to establish the security of the universe for eternity. Our world is the lesson book for all time. The entire universe will see and remember the results of sin. Today, we may look around us and see the work of Satan and learn to hate sin. And, we are given a lesson that we shall never forget. The character of our God is revealed also. What love! What Grace! How could we ever want to hurt the one who sacrificed so much! That we might be transformed and live forever! Wonder oh heavens and be astonished oh Earth!

There is in today's reading a most important truth that all need to understand as it pertains to the gospel by which we are saved. A great deception has come into God's church. The lie that Satan hatched has taken root and many do not see it clearly. Carefully study this truth: Satan declared that the law of God could not be obeyed. So too have many today declared that fallen man cannot keep the law of God. That Christ's righteousness stands in place of our sins. This is a lie. Man can keep the law if he is fully surrendered to Christ. It is the power of Christ that enables repentant man to obey the commandments of God.

And, on top of this, besides the liberal "Evangelical" gospel that declares we do not have to keep the commandments, we have conservatives that teach we are saved when we sin a known sin in some cases. That is to say there are excuses made for sinning a known sin. Thus Satan's lie is given influence.

    In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was inconsistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner. 


When ever we sin, we give support to Satan's claim. "When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed." To make excuses supports Satan's lie. Do you understand this? There is no excuse for sin, God has provided a remedy for sin at great expense.

    The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. No matter how severe the pressure brought to bear upon you, sin is your own act. The seat of the difficulty is the unrenewed heart. Adventist Home Pg 331.


The Laodicean has an "unrenewed heart."  Jesus stands at the door of the unrenewed heart calling, wanting entrance. Why not let Him in? What is there to lose? What is there to gain? Love, joy, and peace!


Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #43 on: February 18, 2019, 03:52:51 AM »
God is so wise; He knows that as time allows each character to be fully developed, that there will be no risk of sin ever rising up again after Satan and his followers are fully unmasked by the power of the cross, and then finally destroyed at the end of time as the sure result of separating from God who is the source of life. Christ did not destroy Satan even then at the cross so that we could fully discern the principles at stake between righteousness and sin. We can rejoice that as we surrender fully and abide in Christ, that the character of God revealed to us will fully develop us into His image! The joy of it is that through converting grace, even at this stage of our experience we receive into the life all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--to increase in beauty and fragrance until Jesus returns, as He longs for a fully mature revelation of Himself in His people, and as we behold the loveliness of Jesus, that will happen in our lives if we are willing to cooperate with such amazing grace!!

"God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power." {The Desire of Ages, page 759, paragraph 1}

I am so glad God wins the great controversy with His character--and He wins the war we face in our life in the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil as we choose by a living faith to maintain a vital connection with Christ, who will work out the pattern of life in us that will be to His own glory!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #44 on: February 18, 2019, 06:06:26 AM »
"The warfare against God's law, which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end of time. Every man will be tested. Obedience or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world. All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men. Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes. Every character will be fully developed; and all will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion. "

This points out how very important our choices are on a daily basis. We are either drawing nearer to Christ or going further away. The choice is ours but the outcome will be vastly different based on those choices. 

"God will vindicate His law and deliver His people...Well, then, might the angels rejoice as they looked upon the Saviour's cross; for though they did not then understand all, they knew that the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain, that the redemption of man was assured, and that the universe was made eternally secure. Christ Himself fully comprehended the results of the sacrifice made upon Calvary. To all these He looked forward when upon the cross He cried out, "It is finished."  
Look up and listen for the shout.

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #45 on: February 18, 2019, 07:26:39 AM »
"The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:26."

I'm so thankful to be reminded again of the selfless sacrifice of our dear Saviour. Not just that He went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins but that He imbues us with the attributes of God. Because of Jesus we can live a holy, sinless life as we submit to Him each day. Just as Jesus displayed all the fruits of the Spirit without one missing He will do the same for us. He changes us into His character. Praise God.
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #46 on: May 15, 2019, 07:55:52 PM »
"By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted. God had given man unmistakable evidence of His love."  {The Desire of Ages, page 762, paragraph 4}
   
God has done all He could to save mankind. John 3:16 says..."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." But there is something that we have to do to inherit the promise. !! We have to accept the offer...we have to empty ourselves of "self" and become "Active Ambassadors, demonstrating to a lost and drying world the power of Jesus to save.

 "Another deception was now to be brought forward. Satan declared that mercy destroyed justice, that the death of Christ abrogated the Father's law. Had it been possible for the law to be changed or abrogated, then Christ need not have died. But to abrogate the law would be to immortalize transgression, and place the world under Satan's control. It was because the law was changeless, because man could be saved only through obedience to its precepts, that Jesus was lifted up on the cross. Yet the very means by which Christ established the law Satan represented as destroying it. Here will come the last conflict of the great controversy between Christ and Satan." {The Desire of Ages, page 762, paragraph 5}

In Revelation 3 we find these words of promise and counsel..."10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #47 on: May 16, 2019, 06:04:10 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon!!

Don't let Satan lie to you and tell you that because you have sinned you cannot come back to God. You and I have not yet seen the full light of the glory of God. Lucifer did, and yet he chose to rebel. Let us not for a moment give ear to Satan's temptations. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus who pities and loves us as sinners whom His blood was shed to redeem. Let us learn of Christ, and as we discover how much we are loved, we will find true obedience is the natural outflow of a heart that truly knows the goodness of God because we have experienced the gift of His repentance. Let us remember how much it cost Jesus to save us and not for a moment think that God cannot save us. Away with such thoughts! Turn to Christ and find hope, healing, and restoration of the soul. As we surrender all to Him, we will experience all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing in our lives!!

"But even as a sinner, man was in a different position from that of Satan. Lucifer in heaven had sinned in the light of God's glory. To him as to no other created being was given a revelation of God's love. Understanding the character of God, knowing His goodness, Satan chose to follow his own selfish, independent will. This choice was final. There was no more that God could do to save him. But man was deceived; his mind was darkened by Satan's sophistry. The height and depth of the love of God he did not know. For him there was hope in a knowledge of God's love. By beholding His character he might be drawn back to God. {The Desire of Ages, page 761, paragraph 5}

There is still more for us to see of God's character and for us to know by a personal experience. Look to Jesus and find healing!!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #48 on: May 16, 2019, 09:35:04 AM »
Amen!!  What hinders our progress? Why has not Jesus returned? Because Satan's lies have taken hold in the Christian churches. We are so very blessed to have this chapter that clearly reveals the great deception that has taken captive so many professing Christians. God's grace is powerful to the pulling "of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:4,5. This is not some fairy tale, it is the truth no matter what is being preached from pulpits and printed on our presses.

There will be many will read what we share here. Let all prayerfully consider the simple but powerful truth revealed in this inspired statement. Many love the first part, but refuse to agree with the rest of the statement regarding the power of grace to enable the repentant sinner to not sin. Nor will they agree that sin is a revelation of separation from God. Past sins are covered by the righteousness of Christ for all who are in a converted state. But, not His righteousness does not cover unconfessed or unforsaken sins. In other words, the Laodicean is mistaken about salvation. He thinks he is saved, but does not know he is miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked. He has bought into the false gospel which is widely taught throughout Christian church world-wide, most especially in the prosperous nations of the world.

     The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:26.
     God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love. It had been Satan's purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. He sought to prove that the righteousness of God's law is an enemy to peace. But Christ shows that in God's plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one cannot exist without the other. "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10.
     By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted. God had given man unmistakable evidence of His love. 


What is this "more than this"?  It is more than the righteousness of Christ forgiving past sins for all who love Him supremely. We cannot do anything about past sins. We have no way to atone for them. Thus, we would perish if no for the grace of God through the suffering and death of His dear Son. But, "more than this" God does something which is His greatest miracle of all. He "imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ."

Pay attention to what is said. "The righteousness of the law is" what? It "is fulfilled in the believer in Christ." What does this mean? It means the true believer who loves Jesus with the "whole" heart has the law written on his heart. When? At conversion and as long as the believer continues abiding in Christ and loving Jesus with the "whole" heart. As long as the believer is a partaker of God's diving nature, being filled with the Holy Spirit, he will manifest the character of Christ by obeying the laws of God. When he sins a known sin, it is because he has separated from Christ and has no power to resist the temptation to sin.

Why did Peter fall in the water? Why did he deny Christ? Because he did not understand his continual need of Christ. He did not watch and pray without ceasing. So it is with us. We need Jesus all of the time in order to do any good thing. The Laodicean thinks is is just fine without being fully surrendered to Christ. He makes excuses for sin when there is no excuse for sin. Jesus loves us and gave Himself for us that we might not sin against Him and ourselves. It is through a knowledge of His character that we can become His witnesses in a world soon to perish. Through the suffering and death of Jesus He has proved "that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed." Satan's charges that the law cannot be perfectly obeyed were refuted. Mercy does not set aside the need to obey. Without obedience none will be saved. As Brother Beacon has pointed out in today's reading, we must accept the gift of Christ's righteousness in order to be saved.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #49 on: August 10, 2019, 04:00:24 PM »
"The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. "Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty.


Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:26

No wonder Jesus can say...." COME UNTO ME ALL YE WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN AND-- I WILL GIVE YOU REST.  THANK YOU JESUS for making our salvation possible.  WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. --- WITHOUT HIM  WE ARE NOTHING.
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #50 on: August 11, 2019, 06:43:27 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon!

I was deeply moved this morning to contemplate why God made Lucifer (and us) to begin with. We were created to reveal God's purposes. But Lucifer stopped revealing God's purposes, and he wanted to reveal HIS OWN purposes in which self would get the glory, not God. By nature we are fallen in sin and it is natural for us to seek the purposes of self. But when Christ comes into our hearts as we yield our will to Him, there is a miraculous transformation that takes place--we live as converted children of God to reveal God's purposes, and not our own. We were created to repopulate heaven, to replace the angels that fell in the deceptions that Lucifer pawned off on the angelic host (one third of them sadly fell by transgression). But God in His great love and mercy is letting us become participants in His grand purpose of revealing the power of His character (gracious, loving, merciful, just...) to change sinners into saints and KEEP THEM FROM FALLING even through the time of trouble such as never was. What a marvelous, loving God we serve!

"It was a being of wonderful power and glory that had set himself against God. Of Lucifer the Lord says, 'Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.' Ezekiel 28:12. Lucifer had been the covering cherub. He had stood in the light of God's presence. He had been the highest of all created beings, and had been foremost in revealing God's purposes to the universe. After he had sinned, his power to deceive was the more deceptive, and the unveiling of his character was the more difficult, because of the exalted position he had held with the Father." {The Desire of Ages, page 758, paragraph 4}

God has a way of unveiling Satan's deceptions--not just through the cross, but by the revelation of that principle of the cross in His people! God's self-sacrificing love wrought out fully in our character will silence any accusing or confused voices, so it will be safe for sin and sinners to be destroyed by the full revelation of God's presence and power, for "our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). I am so happy to be given a part to serve in the grand story of the great controversy, and to be able to be "all in" for Jesus. Such an experience is continually "off the charts" in terms of the love, joy, peace and all of the fruits of the Spirit that Christ pours into our hearts (not one of those traits of His character will be missing when it truly is Christ working in us), for grace is much stronger than sin, and love is more powerful than selfishness. Our great need is to keep focused on Jesus so we do not lose sight of His power--His Spirit--that works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure! Would you like to join me in full heart surrender to be a part of helping the controversy between Christ and Satan come to a close by letting Christ reveal His character through you in final and full display? There is no greater privilege!!!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Dorine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #51 on: August 11, 2019, 07:04:53 AM »
"Christ did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and with His parting breath He exclaimed, "It is finished." John 19:30. The battle had been won. His right hand and His holy arm had gotten Him the victory. As a Conqueror He planted His banner on the eternal heights. Was there not joy among the angels? All heaven triumphed in the Saviour's victory. Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost."   

What a victory! Do we really appreciate what Jesus has done for us? I was especially impressed with the thought that although I'm a sinner it is only the righteousness of Christ that is seen when I'm pardoned. How am I pardoned? By recognizing my great need of a Saviour and bowing in confession and repentance and maintaining this walk with Him. In the study of the sanctuary service God's love and mercy and justice are all revealed in such simplistic symbols that you can not help but understand what God is doing for each of us. He is separating sin from man in those who love His law and have it written in their hearts. At the same time He is changing our selfish characters into the beautiful character of Jesus Himself. We need to be reading and praying everyday. May we not take our eyes off Jesus by the distractions of life.
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #52 on: August 12, 2019, 08:32:32 AM »
Once again, as shared by my friends, there is a battle between good and evil, between Christ and Satan. Satan has lied about God's character. What is the basis of this battle? That God is unfair. He cannot be both merciful and just. He says that the law of God cannot be obeyed by man. He is partially right. We cannot obey God unless we are partakers of His divine nature. Then as Brother Beacon has pointed out, the character of God is imparted to repentant sinners.

 In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was inconsistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner.   In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was inconsistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner. 
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #53 on: November 02, 2019, 04:46:48 PM »
"By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted. God had given man unmistakable evidence of His love."

"Another deception was now to be brought forward. Satan declared that mercy destroyed justice, that the death of Christ abrogated the Father's law. Had it been possible for the law to be changed or abrogated, then Christ need not have died. But to abrogate the law would be to immortalize transgression, and place the world under Satan's control. It was because the law was changeless, because man could be saved only through obedience to its precepts, that Jesus was lifted up on the cross. Yet the very means by which Christ established the law Satan represented as destroying it. Here will come the last conflict of the great controversy between Christ and Satan."

"The plan of redemption having been completed, the character of God is revealed to all created intelligences. The precepts of His law are seen to be perfect and immutable. Then sin has made manifest its nature, Satan his character. Then the extermination of sin will vindicate God's love and establish His honor before a universe of beings who delight to do His will, and in whose heart is His law."

 "Well, then, might the angels rejoice as they looked upon the Saviour's cross; for though they did not then understand all, they knew that the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain, that the redemption of man was assured, and that the universe was made eternally secure. Christ Himself fully comprehended the results of the sacrifice made upon Calvary. To all these He looked forward when upon the cross He cried out, "It is finished." 

The Bible says... "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

"The warfare against God's law, which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end of time. Every man will be tested. Obedience or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world. All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men. Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes. Every character will be fully developed; and all will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion."

When our probation closes - Which side will we be found on....Obedience or Disobedience?
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #54 on: November 03, 2019, 03:03:47 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon!

As the evidence unfolds before the entire universe regarding the contrast of Christ's character to that of Satan's character, may we learn each day of our continual need to keep our eyes focused on Christ and to yield the whole heart to Him, that our lives may bear witness to the excellence of obedience over disobedience, and faith over unbelief. While the angels at Christ's death no longer had sympathy for Satan as they saw him murder Jesus, human beings have not fully grasped what is fully at stake, and thus it is a still a manifestation of God's goodness to allow Satan to still exist, so that humanity will be able to see the full contrast, breaking all sympathy with rebellion.

"Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ's brethren of being clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken." {The Desire of Ages, page 761, paragraph 2} 
     "Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man, Satan's existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve." {The Desire of Ages, page 761, paragraph 3}


Even the disloyal and rebellious, after all has been revealed, will finally declare the truth and love of God's government, though too late for their salvation at the end of the 1,000 years:  "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11). God is faithful to give us time to see all that needs to be seen, and to develop a character that is fully ripe. As we behold the loveliness of Jesus, we are ripening into His image, but those who refuse to look upon Jesus and live, thus choosing the way of sin and selfishness will develop characters akin to Satan, and experience destruction when brought into God's glorious presence. Oh, how God longs to save each soul--and His plea to us is that we will behold Christ upon Calvary and see the full nature of sin's terrible enormity, and turn from it in heart that we may be converted and live a life that measures with the life of God throughout eternity!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #55 on: November 03, 2019, 10:11:58 PM »
"By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted.

 "and that the universe was made eternally secure." 

Amen Brother Beacon!  What a trust entrusted to us!! This is what is all about! How so very few understand!

 The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:26. 


Christ not only imputes His righteousness to us, He imparts His righteousness (character) to us. What a miracle! What a God!
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Beacon

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #56 on: January 28, 2020, 05:58:58 PM »
"God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love. It had been Satan's purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. He sought to prove that the righteousness of God's law is an enemy to peace."

"Christ shows that in God's plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one cannot exist without the other. "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10. By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted.

God had given man unmistakable evidence of His love.
"


Matthew say in his gospel chapter 7:21,"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

James says in his gospel chapter 1:25 "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

I pray that we all will be "DOER'S OF HIS WILL and be able to hear Him say....
"Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Mathew 25:23
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #57 on: January 29, 2020, 01:19:43 AM »
If God asks you for something you don't have, you might be tempted to despair and think that it is unreasonable for Him to ask it of you. We are all required to be righteous in order to enter heaven. What does the Scripture say? "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). But even though we are called to have this character, we are not left to ourselves to produce it. The supernatural agency of God's grace is able to change vile sinners like you and me into repentant and obedient children of God by adoption, whereby we may overcome through Christ! His death on Calvary, His atoning blood, and the Holy Spirit working to recreate the soul into the image of the divine are agencies so powerful that the only ones who will not enter heaven and be saved are those who have resisted His love and despised His infinite pleadings to lead us to repentance. Beholding Christ, how can we resist? I pray we will experience the power of the gospel--a life transformed through Christ in a moment-by-moment union and communion with Him through an intelligent appreciation of His sacrifice for us. Such an appreciation is fruitful, manifesting itself by the Holy Spirit infilling the soul in "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23)--and as long as there is a continual surrender of the whole heart to Christ, these divine attributes will all be manifest in the life--not one will be missing!

"The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Romans 3:26." {The Desire of Ages, page 762, paragraph 2}

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39). You and I have been given this mortal life on a probationary basis. It is temporary. The things we have now will not last--except the character we build and the souls influenced by it to save others! Imagine you were handed the keys to a rental car and told that you were given two days to drive to a specific destination. All that you needed was provided, including the gasoline. But instead of driving to the destination where you were to return the car, you drove in the opposite direction, wrecked the car, and ran out of gas. That is basically where we find ourselves in our fallen human nature. We are wrecked by sin and we have chosen a wrong course. But God in His grace invites us to receive another opportunity in character building. He offers to pick us up, put us in the driver's seat (for He continues to give us free will to choose Him or not all the way to heaven), and then offers to teach us how to drive in a way that we will not wreck the new car He has given us. That "new car" we could say is the perfect life of Christ. We are then offered point-by-point directions through the Bible and the Holy Spirit to be led safely to our destination: HEAVEN! Why would we resist such an offer? What destination could possibly be better? The truth is that we often resist God's love because we do not truly know Him, and if we did know Him by spending time with Him, we would truly learn to trust Him and the directions He has for our lives. I pray that you will let Jesus do His work of grace in your heart and safely arrive in heaven with all who have yielded fully to Him!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #58 on: January 29, 2020, 09:35:28 PM »
Two Sabbaths ago I heard what sounded like a beautiful sermon talking about the righteousness of Christ. But, I don't believe that it would lead our church to the truth. The truth that we understand and have been commenting on, and I'm going to repeat today, is the same thing that Pastor Sean has shared.
   The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Romans 3:26. 

Notice what is often said, and what is most often never said. "The law requires righteousness,--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men." What does this mean? Why is it deadly to leave this as is in a sermon? This next statement helps us to understand what the righteousness of Christ means when it is "imputed" to us. "Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." It has nothing to do with future sins. How does God take care of the future? Do we see this being addressed in our sermons being preached? Does God empower man to cease sinning? Can we have imparted to us His righteousness?

If the rest of the quoted statement is left out, then it appears that the righteousness of Christ covers our defects of character because it stands in place of ours. But, this is not true. Known sin is not covered by the imputed righteousness of Christ. His righteousness will cover known sin when they are confessed and forsaken. Then what are we to do? Let us read the rest of the matter again. God does not forgive our past sins without transforming the character at the same time. "More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Romans 3:26."

This is the imparted righteousness of Christ that does not stand in place of our righteousness, but it is the righteousness of Christ given to all who give the whole heart to Jesus. What does "after the similitude of the divine character" mean? It means that our character is a reflection of the character of our God. This is what it means to be a witness of God, to reflect His character, not the character we have when we are not abiding in Christ.

There is much to comment on in this chapter. It is a most wonderful revelation of how much God gave that we might be transformed and have eternal life. But, God would have us feed upon meat and be able to feed others "meat" instead of "milk." There is little time left. Let us move beyond baptism and the foundation of our faith. The light we have been given is shining brightly upon His church.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

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Re: The Desire of Ages--79--It is Finished
« Reply #59 on: April 25, 2020, 03:44:44 AM »
Happy Sabbath in Jesus Christ our Savior!!

Christ's death was victory, and as we identify fully with what He has accomplished at Calvary, it is as we die to self that victory also becomes our experience. Victory over what? The victory in Christ is over the world, the flesh, and the devil, for these antagonistic powers are constantly seeking to intercept the true glory of life: union and communion with God by the Holy Spirit given us in Christ. How may the victory be gained? By beholding the Lamb of God, true repentance is offered us as a gift, and the desire to be transformed is created in the soul. The soul, yielding to the divine agency of the Holy Spirit, yields the whole heart and mind by a simple surrender of the will, and a new being is created in the image of God. Even if ONLY ONE OF US would have chosen to experience this miracle (conversion), Jesus STILL would have come to die on Calvary and proclaim "It is finished." What value we have in the sight of God! Now may we go forth as happy, peaceful and obedient witnesses reflecting all of the Spirit without one missing as we keep Christ uppermost in our thoughts!

"Well, then, might the angels rejoice as they looked upon the Saviour's cross; for though they did not then understand all, they knew that the destruction of sin and Satan was forever made certain, that the redemption of man was assured, and that the universe was made eternally secure. Christ Himself fully comprehended the results of the sacrifice made upon Calvary. To all these He looked forward when upon the cross He cried out, 'It is finished.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 764, paragraph 4}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}