BIBLE STUDY TEN
The Soul-winning
Effectiveness
of the 1888 Concepts
A. INTRODUCTION
If clearly understood and presented to
the world, the accomplishments of Christ’s sacrifice will move human
hearts as no other truth can. Such truth, presented together with the
fulfillments of prophecy and our major doctrines, will bring the
phenomenal soul-winning power that prophecy indicates will be in the
"latter rain" and in the "loud cry" of Revelation
18. 1 This evangelistic
"efficiency," says Ellen White, "might have been [ours]
in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after
the day of Pentecost," but it has been "in a great
degree" lost to our work in consequence of the rejection "in a
great measure" of the 1888 message. 2
Is not the recovery of that "most precious message" therefore
priority for the world church? 3
B. THE BIBLE EVIDENCE
Romans 1:16, 17.
The gospel in its full truth has a built-in phenomenal power that drives
it forward, impelling even lukewarm (but honest hearted) church members
to awaken and proclaim it. The motivation will not be fear or
"conference" pressure or promotion. The gospel truth itself
will function like "dynamite" (the Greek word, dunamis).
Acts 2:4-8.
As the "former rain," Pentecost is the model for the measure
of success God has always intended for ultimate Seventh-day Adventist
evangelism.
Zechariah 10:1.
The latter rain is to be even "more abundant" than was the
former rain.
Joel 2:23-32.
The grand success of the final evangelism thrust.
Revelation 14:6-15.
Three angels fly "in the midst of heaven," indicating a
limited world-wide work.
Revelation 18:1-4.
In contrast, a world-wide work of unlimited appeal is the "great
power" of this "mighty angel." It is "light,"
not noise, indicating that the angel proclaims a clearer view of the
gospel of righteousness by Faith. 4
Zechariah 8:20-23.
With every one who then goes to Sabbath School, "ten" will
press in to go along.
1 Thessalonians 1:5-8.
When a church understands the pure gospel, its message becomes
self-propagating. This is an example of how the message itself has the
power within it to motivate to successful witnessing and soul-winning.
John 16:13-17.
The motivation is not superficially charged with effervescent emotion,
but the solid biblical truth of righteousness by faith together with
doctrines gives "unwonted" efficiency to its proclamation by
leaders and people alike. 5
Zechariah 4:6.
The "efficiency" will be in the content of the message, not
the personality or abilities of the speaker, or his
"equipment."
John 8:32.
The full truth of righteousness by faith is self-liberating.
Zechariah 12:8; Isaiah 32:4.
Honest conviction of the truth of the "loud cry" concepts
gives believers no rest until they proclaim it. Uneducated laymembers
will do more than show videos; they will themselves personally proclaim
the message once they understand how good is the Good News. Legalistic,
egocentric motivations will be overcome.
Isaiah 60.
Almost unbelievable prophecies of last-days conversions — that are
solid and lasting.
Matthew 10:18-20.
Obviously even some government leaders will respond.
Revelation 15:2, 3.
Some highly placed Roman Catholic officials, perhaps in the Curia, will
step out fearlessly. What will motivate them to sacrifice all for the
third angel’s message? The truth of the efficacy of the atonement,
which has long been counterfeited by Rome.
2 Corinthians 5:13-21.
An understanding of what happened on the cross, what Christ as "the
Lamb" of Revelation accomplished, the extent of the atonement —
this will "constrain" or "compel" the honest in
heart to break the bands that have held
them back all these long decades. 6
C. SUMMARY
The honor of God, the vindication of
Christ and His sacrifice, require that the great controversy between
Christ and Satan conclude in a blaze of glory that humbles the pride of
man in the dust. The Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in His capacity
as "the Spirit of truth" (John 16:13). That "truth"
will be more than mere doctrinal facts; He who says He "is the
truth" will be revealed as "the Lamb" of the Book of
Revelation, "the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world"
(TM 82). The lips of the stammerer will proclaim the message, the halt
will carry it. 7 The essential,
unique elements that made the 1888 message "most precious"
will accomplish these results.
D. GENERAL CONCLUSION
These prophecies of the glorious
conclusion of the gospel commission have been cherished by the
Seventh-day Adventist Church as God’s promises to the patriarchs of a
Messiah to come and were cherished by the ancient Jews. When He came,
they rejected Him. Likewise when the message that was "the
beginning" of the fulfillment of these grand prophecies came to
"us" a century ago, "we" again ("just like the
Jews") rejected it "in a great degree." If in a journey
we lose something "most precious," would not prudence dictate
that we recover it? To this day (1999), the General Conference have
never comprehended it, and thus permitted the world church to know what
are the essential elements that made that message unique, assuming that
our possession of the Ellen White writings is sufficient. They have
maintained consistently that the church does not need to recover it.
Some even insist that recovering it would be dangerous. As a church we
have long told the world that "time is short." Now we see the
very fabric of society becoming so rotten with the corruption that
Revelation 18:2, 3 describes that we face the prospect that humanity
will soon pass a line beyond which they will be incapable of
understanding the message. Should we not learn
from the Jews, allow the 1888 "messengers" (Jones and
Waggoner) to speak, and recover the message that Ellen white said is
"most precious"? When will we have a better opportunity?
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A
Notes
-
The Loud cry cannot be presented unless the latter rain is first
received, which fits God’s people to proclaim it (EW 271, 277). The
best place to test evangelistic "efficiency" would seem to be
Europe and North America where the third angel’s message began. [return
to study]
-
TM 91-93; 1SM 234, 235; Letter B2A, 1892. [return
to study]
-
The Great Controversy chapter "The Final Warning"
implies that it will appeal most phenomenally to those whose culture saw
the rise of the Advent Movement, where cynicism and apostasy have been
the worst. [return to study]
-
Cf. Review and Herald Extra, Dec. 23, 1890. [return
to study]
-
"Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go
out in darkness" (RH, Nov. 20, 1913)."Those who have trusted
to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank
and file. ... In the last solemn work few great men will be
engaged" (5T 80). [return to study]
-
Cf. The Great Controversy, pp. 390, 612; 3SM 386, 387. [return
to study]
-
Zechariah 12:8; Isaiah 32:4. [return to study]
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