December 30, 1889 What Was Secured by the Death of Christ.
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By Mrs. E. G. White.
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It became Him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in the redemption of the world to save sinners by the blood of the Lamb. The great sacrifice of the Son of God was neither too great nor too small to accomplish the work. In the wisdom of God it was complete; and the atonement made testifies to every son and daughter of Adam the immutability of God's law. The value of the law of Jehovah is to be estimated by the immense price that was paid in the death of the Son of God to maintain its sacredness. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 1}

The law of God is a transcript of his character; it portrays the nature of God. As in Christ we behold the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person, so also in the law the attributes of the Father are unfolded. Although the law is unchangeable, his having provided a means of salvation for the law-breaker does not in the least detract from the dignity of the character of God, since the penalty of man's transgression was borne by a divine Substitute. The Father himself suffered with the Son; for "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." Man, with his human, finite judgment, cannot safely question the wisdom of God. Hence it is unbecoming for him to criticise the plan of salvation. Before the theme of redemption, let man lay his wisdom in the dust, and accept the plans of Him whose wisdom is infinite. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 2}

God grants men a probation in this world, that their principles may become firmly established in the right, thus precluding the possibility of sin in the future life, and so assuring the happiness and security of all. Through the atonement of the Son of God alone could power be given to man to establish him in righteousness, and make him a fit subject for heaven. The blood of Christ is the eternal antidote for sin. The offensive character of sin is seen in what it cost the Son of God in humiliation, in suffering and death. All the worlds behold in him a living testimony to the malignity of sin, for in his divine form he bears the marks of the curse. He is in the midst of the throne as a Lamb that hath been slain. The redeemed will ever be vividly impressed with the hateful character of sin, as they behold Him who died for their transgressions. The preciousness of the Offering will be more fully realized as the blood-washed throng more fully comprehend how God has made a new and living way for the salvation of men, through the union of the human and the divine in Christ. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 3}

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, 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. He is surrounded with angels, cherubim and seraphim continually behold him. Angelic voices day and night cry before him: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.... Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." "Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before thee." But although God only is holy and worthy to be praised, human tongues are perverted to praise and glorify man rather than God. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 5}

The greatest gift that God could bestow upon men was bestowed in the gift of his beloved Son. The apostle says, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" There was nothing held in reserve. No second probation will ever be provided. If the unspeakable gift of God does not lead man to repentance, there is nothing that ever will move his heart. There is no power held in reserve to act upon his mind, and arouse his sensibilities. The whole character of God was revealed in his Son, the whole range of the possibilities of heaven is displayed for the acceptance of man in the Son of the Infinite One. The way for man's return to God and heaven has no barriers. The matchless depths of the Saviour's love have been demonstrated; and if this manifestation of God's love for the children of men does not prevail to draw men to himself, there is nothing that ever will. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 6}

Those who will be saved in the kingdom of God will be those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The image of Christ will be perfected in every soul who accepts the gift of his grace, and those who are perfected through his grace, will stand before God equal in elevation, in power and purity, to the angels, and will be honored with them before the eternal throne. The angels of heaven will love those whom Christ has loved, and has bought with his own precious blood. {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 7}

The attention of all the inhabitants of all worlds will be directed to the cross of Christ, around which will cluster the exceeding and eternal weight of glory. The imagination becomes exhausted in its stretch to comprehend the wonderful work of redemption. The plan of salvation is too high to be fully reached by human thought. It is too grand to be fully embraced by finite comprehension. The apostle says, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." Can we wonder that Heaven is amazed because men act as though the gift of God were valueless? What will be the eternal loss of those who reject so great a salvation, offered freely through the merits of God's only-begotten and well-beloved Son! {ST, December 30, 1889 par. 8}

What was secured by death of Christ:

1. The atonement made testifies to every son and daughter of Adam the immutability of God's law. The value of the law of Jehovah is to be estimated by the immense price that was paid in the death of the Son of God to maintain its sacredness.

2. The penalty of man's transgression was borne by a divine Substitute.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. The whole character of God was revealed in his Son, the whole range of the possibilities of heaven is displayed for the acceptance of man in the Son of the Infinite One. The way for man's return to God and heaven has no barriers. The matchless depths of the Saviour's love have been demonstrated; and if this manifestation of God's love for the children of men does not prevail to draw men to himself, there is nothing that ever will.

6. The image of Christ will be perfected in every soul who accepts the gift of his grace, and those who are perfected through his grace, will stand before God equal in elevation, in power and purity, to the angels, and will be honored with them before the eternal throne.

I find it interesting that the first thing Ellen names is the law. Jesus died to vindicate the law, to demonstrate the value, honor, and immutability of the law. By satisfying its just and loving demands, by paying our sin debt of death, He valued and vindicated the law. In so doing, Jesus valued and vindicated the character of God and thereby safeguarded FMAs against a repetition of rebellion. Obedience to the law guarantees rebellion will not reoccur. Peace, happiness, and eternal life are the fruits of holiness, a life lived in harmony with the law of God, a life lived after the example and pattern of Jesus.

Some people seem to think one of the main things Jesus secured on Calvary was a demonstration of the self-sacrificing love of God. Yet, not surprisingly, the first thing named above is the law. Which stands to reason, right? The law is one of the most tangible things there is about God that proves He is holy, just, and good. Otherwise, if the law is defective, nothing else Jesus can say about the Father would make much difference.

We need to understand what the Great Controversy is about and how it started and how it's resolved. In brief:

1.It started when Lucifer raised questions about God's character and government. Lucifer accused God of being unjust, of being severe and harsh, and not having the best interests of His creatures at mind. In short, of being selfish.

2.Lucifer deceived men and angels by misrepresenting God's character.

3.To win the Great Controversy, God must put the lie to Satan's accusations.

4.Christ did so, and won the GC, as far as angels and the unfallen worlds are concerned. Satan was "cast down," as DA 761 or so explains.

5.The GC will be won as far as man is concerned, by the mission of the 144,000, who proclaim the last message of God's character of love (COL 415).

6.The final judgment will reveal that God has been working, from the beginning, to bring sin to an end as quickly as possible. The reason it has taken so long is that it requires the cooperation of His creatures, in particular man, to do so.

IMO, Christ's death should be understood in the context of the Great Controversy.

In regards to the law of God, much of the time EGW was defending Sabbath-keeping against the arguments of evangelicals that Christ's death had done away with the law. So she naturally offered a counter-argument to their argument. But when she was allowed to speak on her own, without reference to counteracting some other argument, she wrote things like the chapter "It Is Finished," where one can see the Great Controversy theme developed. Taking a look at that chapter, which is something like seven pages long, one sees the Great Controversy themes discussed at length, especially how the death of Christ revealed the character of the protagonists. This is as opposed to comments regarding the law, which is scarcely mentioned.

Yes, the law of God was the target of Lucifer's attack. Discrediting the law makes room for Satan's desire to be exalted and worshiped like Jesus. Satan is working through Sunday-keepers to further his desire for exaltation and worship. Since Satan's focus is to tweak the law so that it allows him to be exalted and worshiped, it stands to reason Jesus' focus is to prove the law is holy, just, and good. Save the law, save the universe. In so doing, Jesus demonstrates the honor and glory of God our Father.

The law is a transcript of God's character. Satan's attack of the law is a means to an end. The really critical thing going on is the attack on God's character. It's crucial that we understand this.





It was by attacking God's character that Satan achieved his power in the first place, and the final message, which will prepare the way for Christ's return, is the message which breaks that power.

It's all about vindicating the law of God. Prove that the law is holy, just, and good and you prove that God is holy, just, and good. But not the other way around. Ellen wrote:

Satan represents God's law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men to look upon God as the author of sin, and suffering, and death. Jesus was to unveil this deception. As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our experiences. "In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren." Hebrews 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are." Hebrews 4:15. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God. He says, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart." Psalm 40:8. As He went about doing good, and healing all who were afflicted by Satan, He made plain to men the character of God's law and the nature of His service. His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God. {DA 24.2}

No! It's all about vindicating God.



Why not the other way around? If God is proven to be holy, just, and good, and the law is a transcript of God's character, why wouldn't this prove the law is holy, just and good?

The Great Controversy is not primarily about the law, but about God. It's a controversy between God and Satan (or Christ and Satan). The controversy is regarding God's character.

Here's a particularly eloquent explication of this theme:







I split these up because I think it's easier to read this way than having to scroll. These are contiguous paragraphs from Steps to Christ.

Attacking the law is a means to an end. The end is to misrepresent God's character. This is what Satan is all about.

I disagree. If Jesus had failed to obey the law perfectly He would have lost the great controversy and would have been forced to destroy every living FMA throughout the universe.