THE HERITAGE SINGERS: THE PRAYER

THE CRISTOLOGY OF E.J.WAGGONER

During this period E J Waggoner emerged as a theological writer of no mean ability. Only 29 years of age in 1884, a perusal of his articles during that year in The Signs of the Times indicates a theological grasp and a clear style of writing. His pen was rapidly to bring him into prominence within his church and would lead to his being one of the two main speakers at the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference session, the highest deliberative gathering of the church.

The main platform of Waggoner during this period was The Signs of the Times printed in California, U.S.A., with some articles appearing in the Australian counterpart, Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, from 1886 to 1888. A careful analysis of the articles would indicate that Waggoner specialized in the theological study of the law and the gospel.15 Intermingled with these themes was the role of justification by faith and the important place and role of Christ. It is as Waggoner discusses the involvement of Christ in the law and the gospel that we are able to obtain glimpses of his Christology.

1. The Divinity of Christ

Waggoner taught that all things were created by Christ and therefore angels worship the only-begotten Son with equal reverence as the Father.16 Christ partakes of the attributes of God and has life within Himself.17 In speaking of the Lord's day Waggoner says that the title 'Lord' can be applied to both Christ and the Father, thus indicating their equality.18

In an article appearing in the June 19, 1884, The Signs of the Times, Waggoner discusses the Biblical story of the rich young man and Christ as recorded in Matthew 19:16-22. In commenting on Christ's remark, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God" (Matt.19:17), Waggoner says: "Our Saviour did not mean to intimate by this that He was not good."19 He then proceeds to show Biblical evidence that Christ knew no sin and that He was absolutely good and the very embodiment of goodness. He then concludes by stating:

"This being the case, we can understand His words, 'there is none good but one, that is God,' as nothing but a statement of the fact that He Himself was entitled to be called God. If there is but one that is good, viz., God, and Christ is good, then Christ must be God."20

Waggoner then shows that this is in harmony with the sentiments of Isaiah 9:6 and John 1:1 and that as the Son of God He partakes of the attributes of God. He is far more exalted than the angels and has life within Himself, being the Creator of all things. Waggoner states that God alone may be worshipped but it is clear from Scripture that Christ accepted worship. The Father and Son are, therefore, one. This unity is expressed in somewhat anthropomorphic terms:

"This oneness, then, is that of two distinct individuals having the same thoughts, the same purposes, the same attributes. The Father and the Son were one in creating the earth, and one in devising and carrying out of the plan of salvation."21

2. Christ the only Saviour in both Dispensations

Waggoner presents a strong view of Christ functioning as Mediator in Old Testament times. "Did the Patriarchs Know Christ?"22 he answers in the In his article, affirmative and shows from Abel's offering, Abraham's faith in Christ, Moses' esteeming the reproach of Christ and the experience of the Israelites drinking from the spiritual Rock that this is so. In answering the charge that men in the Old Testament had very limited knowledge of Christ, Waggoner says:

"If it were true, it would show that God's ways are not equal, and that in different ages of the world He has different ways of saving men; and still worse, the holding of such a view dishonors Christ by virtually denying that in all things He has the pre-eminence."23

Waggoner believed that Christ was the Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world" and it was on the basis of the clear promise of the Old Testament regarding immortality through Christ that any were resurrected in Old Testament times.24

In this connection we must look at a 71-page pamphlet which Waggoner wrote in 1887 entitled, The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, in answer to a 85-page pamphlet put out by G. I. Butler entitled The Law in the Book of Galatians: is it the Moral Law or does it refer to that system of laws peculiarly Jewish?"25 While the pamphlet by Waggoner deals primarily with the law in Galatians we do find some of His Christological views surfacing.

Waggoner believed that the only method of approach to God in Old Testament and New Testament times was through Christ.26 This also meant that the forgiveness in Old Testament times was real.27 He was convinced that God only has one method of salvation and Christ was the Saviour throughout.28 He believed that no one could build on anything except Christ.29 To depend on anything except Christ for justification is the rejection of Christ.30 Waggoner states that Christ was the One who spoke the ten commandments from Sinai and, therefore, He was the great Mediator of the law in Galatians 3.31 He also maintained that the term 'until the seed should come' (Galatians 3:19), not only applied to the first advent of Christ but to the second advent and thus for him the function of the moral law remained to lead men and women experientially to faith in Christ at all times.32

3. Christ and Sin

With regard to the problem of sin, Waggoner taught that man was sinful and Christ was holy and righteous. In 1884 he was teaching that all of Adam's posterity were born into a state of sin.33 As far as Christ was concerned, Waggoner believed that He came into the same position as the sinner and bore the guilt of the sins of man from his entrance into the world and yet was inherently righteous and holy. Note this contrast in his words:

"Christ was sinless; the law was in His heart. As the Son of God His life was worth more than those of all created beings, whether in heaven or on earth...He took upon Himself our nature, Heb. 2:16,17; and on Him was laid 'the iniquity of us all.' Isa. 53:6. In order to save us, He had to come where we were, or, in other words, He had to take the position of a lost sinner...And because Christ was 'numbered with the transgressors,' He suffered the penalty of transgression.

"But the suffering of Christ was not on His own account. 'He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.' Pet. 2:22."34

In an article in The Signs of the Times Waggoner shows that Christ "had to put Himself in the exact condition of those whom He would save."35 Does this mean that Christ was a sinner? No, Waggoner says that Christ was "absolutely good, the embodiment of goodness, yet He was counted as a sinner."36 So Waggoner says that Christ was counted as a sinner although He was not one. He says that "He bore the sins of the world as though they were His own."37 Waggoner believed that the innocent assumed the crimes of the guilty and the sinless One was made sin for us. He wrote:

"None can die except those in whom sin is found; our sins were laid on Christ, and accounted as His; and so, although personally 'He knew no sin,' He was made to suffer the penalty of the law as a transgressor."38

In this article, "Under the Law," Waggoner takes the position that the term 'made under the law' relative to Christ means not merely that Christ was subject to the law but that He was subject to its penalty as an accounted sinner. Christ put Himself in the place of those who had violated the law and were under the condemnation of death and thus suffered the penalty of the law. Waggoner states his position very clearly in his article, "A New Creature in Christ":

"God made Christ (the sinless one) to be sin for us. He was made in all things 'like unto His brethren;' and that means not simply as to the outward, physical frame, but that he bore sin, just as we do. The sins that he bore were not his own, but ours. He 'knew no sin,' yet 'the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.' Isa. 53:6. Although the sins that he bore were ours, they were counted as his own, and so caused his death." (Isa. 53:5 quoted).39

In his booklet, The Gospel in the book of Galatians, Waggoner deals with Galatians 4:4 and the fact that Christ became flesh. After quoting John 14 and Romans 8:3, Waggoner says: "Christ was born in the likeness of sinful flesh."40 He then proceeds to quote Phil. 2:5-7 and Heb. 2:9 and writes:

"These texts show that Christ took upon Himself man's nature, and that as a consequence He was subject to death. He came into the world on purpose to die; and so from the beginning of His earthly life He was in the same condition that the men are in whose place He died to save."41

After quoting Romans 1:3, Waggoner states that Christ was made of the seed of David. The nature of David was sinful and Waggoner says: "Don't start in horrified astonishment; I am not implying that Christ was a sinner. I shall explain more fully in a few moments."42 After quoting Heb. 2:16,17 he says that Christ's being made in all things like unto His brethren is the same as His being made in the likeness of sinful flesh. The ancestors of Christ had all the weaknesses and passions that we have and we cannot excuse our sinful acts on the ground of heredity. He says:

"If Christ had not been made in all things like unto His brethren, then His sinless life would be no encouragement to us. We might look at it with admiration, but it would be the admiration that would cause hopeless despair."43

Waggoner then quotes 2 Cor. 5:21 and indicates that Christ was made sin for us from His birth when He was made flesh. He was made like men that He might undergo the suffering of death. Waggoner says that Butler would agree that if Christ was under the condemnation of the law on the cross without being a sinner Himself, then, why could He not be under the condemnation of the law from birth and still be sinless? Quite clearly Waggoner regards Christ as being accounted a sinner and not made one Himself inherently. He goes on to say: "I do not know how the pure and holy Savior could ensure all the infirmities of humanity, which are the result of sin, and be reckoned as a sinner, and suffer the death of a sinner."44 With Waggoner we find this tension between a Christ who knew no sin and did no sin and yet was counted as guilty and covered with degradation.45

On the one hand, for Waggoner, Christ "was made on a level with man"46 and He took the position of the lost sinner. It was in this sense that Christ came in "the likeness of sinful flesh."47 In 1886 Waggoner was speaking of human flesh being depraved and having no good thing in it,48 and at the same time, Christ being the embodiment of goodness and so He could only have depraved flesh in an accounted sense. On the other hand, Waggoner proclaimed Christ as the sinless One,49 the perfect Pattern,50 the One who is perfect righteousness,51 who did no sin52 and knew no sin.53

For Waggoner Christ was sinless and the embodiment of holiness but "He went to the very lowest depth of which man had fallen, in order that He might lift man to His own exalted throne; yet He never ceased to be God, or lost a particle of His holiness."54

In discussing Christ's baptism, Waggoner makes it clear that we are dealing not merely with an example, but with the vicarious nature of the atonement. It must have been for the same reason that He died, namely, for sin. And then Waggoner makes a statement showing clearly the vicarious nature of Christ's whole life:

"Not His own sin, but ours; for as in His death, so in His life, our sins were counted as His. And thus it is that He could be all His life, even from His birth, under the condemnation of the law. It was not on His own account, but on ours."55

Thus, for Waggoner, Christ ever remained sinless but He was verily made or accounted a sinner and a transgressor with the sins of the world upon Him. This was a vicarious atonement for Christ from His birth to His death.

During this period of 1883-1888 we have observed Waggoner's position with regard to the divinity of Christ and Waggoner's high regard for a Saviour who possessed the same attributes as God the Father. Moreover, we have seen Waggoner's insistence on Christ's uniformity of mission and work during both the Old and New Testament dispensations. Finally, we paused to consider Waggoner's view of Christ and sin and found that while Waggoner has Christ coming to the place and position of the sinner from birth, it is in an accounted sense. Thus, while Christ is made sin in a vicarious manner, He remains pure and sinless in Himself.

15 Notice some of the titles of his articles in The Signs of the Times during 1884 to 1888. The figures behind the titles indicate the number of articles by that name in a series: "Nature of the Law," (3), June 26, 1884, January 21, 28, 1886; "Under the Law," (8), August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 1884; May 6, 13, 27, June 3, 1886; "Jurisdiction of the Law," (4), February 4, 11, 18, 25, 1886; "Comments on Galatians 3," (9), July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 1886; "Christ the end of the Law," (2), July 24, August 7, 1884.
16 E. J. Waggoner, "Eternal Life," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 33, August 28, 1884, p.522: "Yet He gave His only-begotten Son, - the one by whom all things were made, whom angels worship with reverence equal to that which they yield to God, - that man might have eternal life."

17 "> Ibid., No. 34, September 4, 1884, p.538: "...we turn to John 5:26 and read Christ's words: 'For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself.' Christ, then being the only-begotten Son of God, partakes of His attributes, and has life in Himself. That is, He is able to impart life to others."

18 E. J. Waggoner, "Eternal Life," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 46, December 4, 1884, p.729: "The title Lord is applied to both Christ and the Father. Since these two are one, that which belongs to one must be the property of the other also, there can be no division between them." See also November 27, 1884, p.713. Waggoner wrote a series of five articles on the divinity of Christ appearing in The Signs of the Times from March to May 1889 but we will present their main points in the second period of Waggoner.

19 Ibid., No. 24, June 19, 1884, p.377.

20 Ibid. See also "Which is Evangelical?" The Signs the Times, Vol. 11, No. 43, November 12, 1885, where he applies Heb. 1:2,3 and Col. 2:9 to Christ.

21 E. J. Waggoner, "An Important Question," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 24, June 19, 1884, p.377. See also "Comments on Galatians 3, No. 7" The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 32, August 19, 1886, p.502: "Thus in everything that concerns man, we see oneness of thought and action between the Father and the Son."
22 Waggoner, "Did the Patriarchs Know Christ?" The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 50, December 30, 1886, p.790. See also "The Oracles of God," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, Vol. 3, No. 7, July 1888, p.106. Waggoner applies Isaiah 6:1 to Christ in "Thine is the glory," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1888, p.166.
23 Waggoner, "Did the Patriarchs Know Christ?" The Signs of the Times, December 30, 1886, p.790.

24 See Waggoner, "Lesson for the Pacific Coast," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 22, June 5, 1884, p.342.
25 In 1886 Waggoner wrote a series of articles in The Signs of the Times on Galatians in which he advocated that the law in Chapter 3 was the moral law. This disturbed Uriah Smith, editor of the Review and Herald, and George Butler, president of the General Conference. Butler then wrote his pamphlet in favor of the ceremonial law in Galatians and the pamphlet was issued to coincide with the commencement of the 1886 General Conference session on November 18.Butler also brought the matter to the Theological Committee at the General Conference session of December 6. Although Waggoner was a member of this committee, a resolution was passed with the idea that theological views not held by the majority should not be published unless they had first been presented to leading brethren of experience. On February 10, 1887, Waggoner prepared his 71-page reply to the pamphlet issued by Butler. For some reason he held this back for almost two years, only releasing it in December 1888, after the Minneapolis Conference. It could be that a letter from Ellen White dated February 18, 1887, led Waggoner to hold his pamphlet back. In this letter Ellen White spoke words of caution to Waggoner and appealed for unity between the Review and Herald and The Signs of the Times. She expressed her conviction that the matter was not of sufficient importance to have caused Waggoner to have published his views in The Signs of the Times. A copy of Ellen White's letter to Waggoner and Jones was sent to Smith and Butler and they took the opportunity to attack Waggoner's views in the Review and Herald. This led to a letter from Ellen White to Butler and Smith dated April 5, 1887, in which she stated that because of their actions, matters were now different and it would only be fair for open discussion to take place, and for Waggoner to have a fair opportunity to put his case. No doubt, this led to the development of discussion leading to Waggoner's presentation of his talks at the Minneapolis Conference of 1888. In December 1888, Waggoner issued his pamphlet and in the explanatory note he wrote: "The delay of nearly two years has given ample time to carefully review the subject again and again, and to avoid any appearance of heated controversy." McMahon says: "The clash between Butler and Waggoner was a classic conflict between ecclesiastical conservatism and the real spirit of Protestantism" (David P. McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, p.56). For details see Ibid., pp.53-62.

26 "Do you mean to intimate by this that there was ever a time when any people could approach God except through Christ?...Your words seem to imply that before the first advent men approached God by means of the ceremonial law, and that after that they approached Him through the Messiah; but we shall have to go outside the Bible to find any support for the idea that anybody could ever approach God except through Christ" (Waggoner, The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, Oakland, California: 1888, pp. 11,12).
27 "How could this be? Simply because Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. That He should offer Himself as a sacrifice, was promised to our first parents in Eden, and confirmed to Abraham by an oath from God, and, therefore, by virtue of that promise, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all who wished, could receive as much virtue from the blood of Christ as we can" (Ibid. p.30).

28 Waggoner accuses Butler of having two plans of salvation, one for the Jews before the cross and one for Christians after the cross. To counter this, Waggoner asks: "Were they [the people before the cross] accepted in any other way than by humility of heart, repentance, confession of sins, faith in the blood of Christ, and a determination to obey God? Nay, verily" (Ibid., p.56).

29 "Those who attempt to build their house on anything except the rock Christ Jesus, are building for destruction" (Ibid., p.11).
30 See Ibid., pp.9,11,15,16.
31 Ibid., p.36.

32 Ibid., pp.37-42. It is questionable whether Waggoner was correct in applying the term 'until the seed should come' (Gal. 3:19) to both the first and second advents. It appears reasonable that the phrase has primary application to the historical coming of Christ and the first advent.

33 E. J. Waggoner, "The Mission of Christ," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 41, October 30, 1884, p.650: "The stream, unassisted, cannot rise higher than the fountain, and therefore Adam's posterity were necessarily born into a state of sin. When Adam sinned, God looked down the ages and saw the whole human race in a state of rebellion, and, consequently, of condemnation; and then it was that His great love was manifested, in giving His only-begotten Son to die for a rebellious world." See also "Inheritance of the Saints," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 12, March 19, 1885, p.182: "By his sin, Adam not only lost the dominion for himself, but he made it impossible for any of his posterity to possess it. For since it was forfeited through sin, his descendants could not possess it, because they were born sinful. Moreover his whole posterity were, with himself, doomed to death."

34 E. J. Waggoner, "Condemned and Justified," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 26, July 3, 1884, p.409. See also "Justified by Faith," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 12, March 25, 1886, p.183: "Christ's righteousness was perfect. He delighted to do the will of God, because the law - God's will - was within His heart." See also "Justification and Sanctification," The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1886, p.199.
35 For the source of the statements found in this paragraph see E. J. Waggoner, "Under the Law," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 36, September 18, 1884. p.569.
36 E. J. Waggoner, "Under the Law," The Signs of Times, Vol. 10, No. 36, September 18, 1884, p.569.

37 Ibid.
38 Ibid.

39 E. J. Waggoner, "A New Creature in Christ," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 27,July 17, 1884, p.425.
40 E. J. Waggoner, The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, p.60.

41 Ibid.
42 Ibid., p.61.

43 Ibid.

44 E. J. Waggoner, The Gospel in the book of Galatians, p.62.
45 "And so the Innocent suffered for the guilty. Man had been overcome by sin, and by it brought into bondage (2 Pet. 2:19), and in order to redeem him from this corruption, and the death that must necessarily follow (James 1:15), the spotless Son of God took upon Himself the form of a servant of sin, and consented to be covered with the same degradation into which man had plunged himself." E. J. Waggoner, "Under the Law," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 18, May 13, 1886, p.279.

46 E. J. Waggoner, The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 41, October 29, 1885.

47 E. J. Waggoner, "Principles and Precepts," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 48, December 17, 1885, p.761. At this stage Waggoner does not elaborate on an explanation of Christ coming "in the likeness of sinful flesh." We will note further development in the next period.

48 E. J. Waggoner, "Brief Comments on Romans 7," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 24, June 24, 1886: "The flesh is depraved, having no good thing in it so that although he may determine to do good, he will not find any power in him to carry out his determination" (p.374).
49 E. J. Waggoner, "Judged 5y the Law," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 45, November 26, 1885, p.713.
50 Ibid., Vol. 11, No. 46, December 3, 1885, p.729.
51 Ibid., Vol. 12, No. 13, April 1, 1886, p.199.

52 Ibid., Vol. 10, No. 47, December 11, 1884, p.744.

53 Ibid., "Things We Should Know," No. 2, The Signs of the Times, February 10, 1887.

54 E. J. Waggoner, The Gospel in the book of Galatians, p.63.

55 Ibid.

7 DAY LONG FEAST 5 DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

Based on: Lev. 23:40-43; Deut. 16:13; Patriarchs and Prophets, Desire of Ages: Nehemiah 8:9-17; Ministry of Healing 282

PURPOSE:

It was one of the three feasts that was mandatory attendance for all Jewish males. The others were Passover and Pentecost. (DA 65)

It was a thanksgiving celebration and a time to remember the tent life in the wilderness. “It was God’s design that at this time the people should reflect on His goodness and mercy.” DA 447.2

“In commemoration of their tent life, the Israelites during the feast dwelt in booths or tabernacles of green bought. These were erected in the streets, in the courts of the temple, or on the housetops.” DA 448

It was a prophecy of heaven. PP 541 It “was not only commemorative but typical. It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth His reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into His garner.” PP 541

PALM SYMBOL:

The palm branches had significance. Looking at the characteristics of this tree will help us see why God chose this tree.

In storm the palm tree can withstand great forces of wind. There are recorded evidences of palms standing when the wind was strong enough to lift and throw a pickup truck into a swimming pool, and push a large heavy truck over against a palm tree. What is the secret?

“Remove the sand till you reach the rootlets of the palm tree, and you discover the secret of its life; it strikes down deep beneath the surface, to the secret waters hidden in the earth. Christians indeed may be fitly represented by the palm tree. They are like Enoch; although surrounded with corrupting influences, their faith takes hold of the Unseen.” (RH, January 2, 1879)

“The sky may be as brass, the desert sand may beat about the palm-tree’s roots, and pile itself in heaps about its trunk. Yet the tree lives as an evergreen, fresh and vigorous amid the burning desert sands.”

God wants palm tree Christians relying on Him through the worst of storms.

What does the Bible say about palm tree Christians? Psalms 92:12

The Palm is a symbol of victory:

When Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, there was a great celebration. “They cut down the spreading palm boughs, nature’s emblem of victory, and waved them aloft with loud acclamations and hosannas.” DA 570 In heaven, “ Each will receive “palm branches of victory, …when they surround the great white throne.” AA 153

Animal sacrifices: At every Feast of Tabernacles, “thousands of animals were slain.”

The bullock

“There is a picture representing a bullock standing between a plow and an altar, with the inscription “Ready for either”—ready to toil in the furrow, or to be offered on the altar of sacrifice. This is the position of the true child of God –ready to go where duty calls, to deny self, to sacrifice for the Redeemer’s cause.—“Ministry of Healing.” Pp 497-502; Gospel Workers 294

“Deep are the counsels of God, and the finite mind seeks in vain to comprehend them.

The bullock standing between the altar for sacrifice and the plow in the furrow, –ready for either,– fitly represents the position which God’s people should occupy. The Lord has no place in His work for the indolent and self-indulgent. Like the men of Ephriam, there are many at the present day who are ready to work diligently to secure honor to themselves…” (ST, July 21, 1881 par. 10-12)

“All are required to do something for the Lord. They may interest persons to read; they may converse and pray with them. The minister who shall educate, discipline , and lead an army of efficient workers will have glorious conquests here, and a rich reward awaiting him when, around the great white throne, he shall meet those saved through his influence. 5T 306-308

Trumpets of silver:

“A “shrill blast upon their silver trumpets, and the answering trumpets, and the glad shouts of the people from their booths, echoing over hill and valley, welcomed the festal day.” Psalms 122:2 (Desire of Ages 448)

Silver: When Jesus comes in the sky He has a silver trumpet in one hand. EW16 “Then the silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud.” 1 Thes. 4:16

Silver: Ellen White saw in vision into the ark of heaven. Inside were seen grapes of Caleb and Joshua. Jesus took some to put on the table for those coming into heaven. She looked to see how many were left and it was the same amount as before. These grapes were on silver strands. It was a souvenir of the faith of Caleb and Joshua who urged the people to move in faith with God. For their faith they were almost stoned to death. God stepped in with judgments. Instead of rejoicing at the punishment, these two men took censers among the people with holy fire and incense and urged them to turn back to God and confess their sins before it was too late. These are the kind of people God wants. His missionaries, pastors, teachers must be like this. The fruit growing on them is this kind of attitude. Their character is like Jesus Who is praying and working to restore an ungrateful, spoiled, people on this earth. Ellen recorded this vision in Daystar magazine.

SILVER VINE:

At the entrance to the temple was a vine of gold and silver, with green leaves and massive clusters of grapes executed by the most skillful artists. This design represented Israel as a prosperous vine. DA 575

Silver coin

In the parable of the lost coin, Jesus pointed to the value of the lost person. “Many, many more would be recovered if they were labored for as represented in these parables.” Heavenly Places p. 323

Silver: Words of the Lord

The Bible says that “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psalms 12:6. Jesus is the refiner and purifier of us during our trials. “We shall meet with reverses, affliction, and severe trials, for these are God’s tests. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver and purge His people as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Con 93.1

Should we wear silver and gold like the world? James 4:4 “friendship of the world is enmity with God” Whoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

I Peter 3:3,4. God’s adorning. “The dress of our people should be made most simply.” Evangelism 272

“Give to the world a living illustration of the inward adorning of the grace of God. Let our sisters dress plainly, …having the dress of good material, durable, modest, appropriate. Evangelism 273 “If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right. 1T 158

The palm tree Christian:

Palm Tree Christian has the victory over sin. The roots are deep in the Bible and all the Word of counsel we have been given. The fruit of faith is obedience.

THE CHRIST REMAINS UNKNOWN

The Real Thruth

.Jesus Christ is celebrated and worshipped by billions. Yet the true Christ remains unknown because, deceived, the masses worship the wrong Jesus—“another Jesus”! Who is the Jesus of the Bible? You have almost certainly never heard about the true Jesus Christ.

WEDDING OF THE LAMB

While Jesus was attending the Feast of Tabernacles, He watched as thousands of animals were slain. He noticed that people had almost lost sight of the fact that it was sin which made it necessary. DA 589 He saw how they made these events scenes “ of bloodshed and cruelty”. DA 589 They did not realize it was a symbol of the blood of God’s dear Son, which was to be shed for the life of the world.” DA 589 This was prophesied in Isaiah 53.

It is important to realize this. Some go to the Jews to understand the meanings in the sanctuary. If they lost sight of meaning so long ago, is it not a more reliable source to see our answers in the WORD of God? The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy by Ellen White have so much for us to study on these symbols.

Courtyard lamp lighting service

This was a reminder of the pillar of cloud in the wilderness where God led them. Again we can expect this blessing in the final days. (Isaiah 4:5&6; pp 283)

During the feast, Jesus cried out in a loud voice that He was this light. DA 463. Throughout the book of John, Jesus is referred to as the light.

Music Antiphony effect

Echo songs:1. Unto Thee O Lord, will I lift up my voice; 2. Echo His love, echo His peace, echo His praise through all of our days

In heaven, as God’s people enter the gates, columns of angels are singing echo songs. (Maranatha 300.4; 3SM 430;) “…the angelic choir strikes the note of victory and the angels in the two columns take up the song and the redeemed host join as though they had been singing the song on the earth, and they have been.” 3SM 431.3 “He sees the travail of His soul, and is satisfied.” SD 359

“All heaven is waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at His resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attend the joyous train. (VSS 458) Voice in Speech and song (1988)

AS they drew near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels—“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”

Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond—‘Who is this king of glory?’ …’The Lord strong and might, the Lord mighty in battle!’ “(VSS 458) (Psalms 24:7-10) They repeat this like an echo song to welcome King Jesus after His death and resurrection. With great joy, they shout “Worthy is the Lamb.” Rev. 5:12

“Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise.” VSS 459

Offerings:

All must bring gifts. The harvest done, people came with their tributes of thanksgiving. PP 540 There is an amazing statement that without continual beneficence there cannot be salvation. We become like God when we give abundantly.

“Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown.” MH 452 “It is unsafe to work in our own wisdom and trust to our own judgment.” 3T 325 “It cannot be accomplished without continual help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer…No one, not even God, can carry us to heaven unless we make the necessary effort on our part.” 5T344 “Christ is our model; imitate Him, plant your feet in His steps…We are not to condemn others; this is not our work; but we should love one another and pray for one another. When we see one err from the truth, then we may weep over him as Christ wept over Jerusalem.” Amazing Grace 78; Galatians 6:1

Reading of the law every day: In the court a priest was busy reading the law every day. People who did not have a copy of this document could come and listen and review the law of God. “Whenever the law is presented before the people, let the teacher of truth point to the throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ. The glory of the law is Christ; He came to magnify the law, and to make it honorable. Make it appear distinct that mercy and peace have met together in Christ, and righteousness and truth have embraced each other…” 5BC 1133.5

Rainbow: Genesis 9:16 shows the rainbow a symbol of a covenant that is everlasting. It is for every living creature of all flesh on this earth. “It testifies to the universe that God will never forsake His people in their struggle with evil. It is an assurance to us of strength and protection as long as the throne itself shall endure.” DA 493 Christ is represented as the “One who has stood as our intercessor; who hears all penitential prayers and confessions; who is represented with a rainbow, the symbol of grace and love, encircling His head.” 7BC 989 The rainbow is an “assurance that our prayers shall be answered.” (ST, Oct. 10, 1892 par. 1)

Under the Symbols Key you can find many references.

Golden Vessel & Silver Trumpets

“At the first dawn of day, the priests sounded a long, shrill blast from their silver trumpets, and the answering trumpets, and the glad shouts of the people from their” leafy dwellings. They joined the others at the courtyard and followed with palm branches singing and shouting. “Then the priest dipped from the flowing waters of the Kedron a flagon of water, and, lifting it high, while the trumpets were sounding, he ascended the broad steps of the temple, keeping time with the music with slow and measured tread, chanting meanwhile, ‘Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” Psalms 122:2 (Desire of Ages 448)

He bore the flagon to the altar, which occupied a central position in the court of the priests. Here were two silver basins, with a priest standing at each one. The flagon of water was poured into one, and a flagon of wine into the other; and the contents of both flowed into a pipe which communicated with the Kedron, and was conducted to the Dead Sea. This display of the consecrated water represented the fountain that at the command of God had gushed from the rock…”DA 449 & Voice in Speech and Song chapter 71.

They sang Isaiah 12: 2 &3 while doing this. “The Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song;” “therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Isa. 12:2,3. When the soldier pierced Jesus’ side, blood and water flowed. It showed His death was from a broken heart. Our sins were heavy on Him as He paid the price of separation, so we could enjoy eternal life.

THE ROCK smitten so the river could flow

The smitten rock typified Christ, Who was to be wounded for men’s transgressions, that the stream of salvation might flow to all. AA 315

Silver containers: Word of God

The tube connected back to the brook Kedron where Jesus crossed over during that night of His prayers, capture, and crucifixion on Friday. The story of His gift of salvation is to be told first in the home, then village, and then it is to go to the world. Mathew 28:19 & 20 This must happen before Jesus can come.

White Robes: symbol of Character of Christ

Crown: symbol of victory

Palm: symbol of those who’s faith is firm in the WORD, drinking of the living water.

Red border: symbol of martyrs with special stories to tell of assistance during affliction.