Heavenly Visions 3

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

THE FORMER DAYS. - NO. 1-2

"BUT call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used." Heb.10:32,33.

No further back than 1858, the field of operation in our whole cause was so limited that one man (Brother Uriah Smith) kept the books of the Review Office. He was secretary and treasurer, keeping all accounts with subscribers, writing the addresses on papers mailed each week, and doing editorial work on the paper besides. His record-book for a whole year would not be of greater bulk than a man could place in his coat pocket. Times have changed. The third angel's message has made its way to different nations and tongues, and is circling the world. So varied are the interests that have since developed in this world-wide harvest-field, that scores of men are now required to manage successfully the numerous under-takings that have been put in operation by this people in different parts of the world. The cause is still one, however, in all these fields, and is moving onward under one great Leader, even Jesus our Lord. As the human agents seek for wisdom from their divine Head, all goes on harmoniously.

Beginning with the year 1846, the pioneer days of this cause, Elder James White seemed to be, in the providence of God, thrust out to take a leading position in the work of publishing the truth, and urging laborers to enter the gospel field. For this reason some of the brethren rather injudiciously took the position that he was "a modern Moses, to lead this people through to the heavenly Canaan, as Moses was Israel's leader through the wilderness." Let it be understood, however, that Brother White never gave credence to such a claim for himself.

We may acquaint ourselves with his position on "Leadership," from an article written by himself, and published in the pamphlet edition of "Testimony for the Church," No.25, 1875. As the article does not appear in the bound "Testimonies for the Church," the following paragraphs quoted from it will show his real position, and what is evidently the gospel doctrine of "leadership."

Taking as his text, "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matt.23:8), he says:-At no time during his public ministry did Christ intimate that any one of his disciples should be designated as their leader. He does say, however, that "he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." Matt.23:11.

Paul enjoins obedience and submission in his epistle to the Hebrews. But he does not require this in particular for himself, or for any other one who may be regarded as the chosen leader of the church. He pleads in behalf of all the faithful ministers in these words: "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follows, considering the end [object or subject] of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." Heb.13:7,8.

But here we wish it distinctly understood that officers were not ordained in the Christian church to order and command the church, and "to lord it over God's heritage." In the case of difference of opinion that arose in some of the churches relative to circumcision and the keeping of the law of Moses, recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Acts, the apostles and elders at Jerusalem acted as counselors, in a manner to give room for the Holy Ghost to act as judge. Christ came into that assembly by his Spirit, and found the apostles, elders, and all the brotherhood in a teachable frame of mind, and at once led them out of their difficulties. In this case, at an early date in the Christian church, the true doctrine of the leadership of Christ and the equality of the ministerial brotherhood stands the test, and the triumphant record is immortalized among the acts of inspired men.

Let the following statements be carefully considered: -

1. I have never professed to be a leader in any other sense than that which makes all of Christ's ministers leaders.

2. At the very commencement of the work, when organization was impossible, it was necessary that some one should lead out until those appointed by an organized body could act officially. I doubt not but God called me to his work.

3. In my labors with Mrs. White, in correcting errors, exposing wrongs, and establishing order in the church, it was my duty to stand firm with her. And because I could not be induced to yield to the demand of error, but stood firmly for right, I was charged with being stubborn, and having a desire to rule.

4. I do affirm that I have ever been anxious to counsel with those associated with me in office, and in the ministry, and that the statements charging me with a desire to lead, or rule, have originated with those who have tried in vain to turn me from the course which I had the best evidence was right. Review and Herald, March 21, 1899

THE FORMER DAYS. - NO. 2.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

AT the time of the organization of the General Conference, May 20, 1863, the whole delegation was not so large as that now in some of our smaller State conferences. The third angel's message has now so spread its interests through the world, with its printed matter in thirty-six of the leading languages of the world, that it is utterly impossible for one general council to give proper attention to the details of the work in all parts of the field, as the General Conference did in its early days.

As the work thus advances harmoniously under the Lord's leadership, in "Testimonies for the Church," No.33, he gives encouraging testimony to us:-

But God's servants are not to trust to themselves in the great emergency. In the visions given to Isaiah, to Ezekiel, and to John, we see how closely heaven is connected with the events taking place upon the earth, and how great is the care of God for those loyal to him. The world is not without a ruler. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of the church, in his own charge.

We permit ourselves to feel altogether too much care, trouble, and perplexity in the Lord's work. Finite men are not left to carry the burden of responsibility. We need to trust in God, believe in him, and go forward. The tireless vigilance of the heavenly messengers, and their unceasing employment in the ministry in connection with the beings on earth, show us how God's hand is guiding the wheel within a wheel. The divine Instructor is saying to every actor in his work, as he said to Cyrus of old, "I girded thee, though thou hast not known me."

In Ezekiel's vision, God had his hands beneath the wings of the cherubim. This is to teach his servants that it is divine power that gives them success. He will work with them if they will put away iniquity, and become pure in heart and life.

The bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning, represents the speed with which this work will finally go forward to completion. He who slumbers not, who is constantly at work for the accomplishment of his designs, can carry forward his work harmoniously. That which appears to finite minds entangled and complicated.

Brethren, it is no time now for mourning and despair, no time to yield to doubt and unbelief. Christ is not now a Saviour in Joseph's new tomb, closed with a great stone, and sealed with a Roman seal. We have a risen Saviour. He is the King, the Lord of hosts; he sitteth between the cherubim; and amid the strife and tumult of nations, he guards his people still. He who ruleth in the heavens is our Saviour. He measures every trial. He watches the furnace fire that must try every soul. When the strongholds of kings shall be overthrown, when the arrows of God's wrath shall strike through the hearts of the enemies, his people will be safe in his hands. Review and Herald, April 11, 1899.

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. - NO. 1.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

HAVING exhorted the church on the importance of unity of action in all their movements, the apostle Paul continues the theme by calling especial attention to the aids which the Lord has provided for securing such unity. In his epistle to the Ephesians, we read: "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive ["a multitude of captives," margin], and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph.4:8-16.

Of the working of the Spirit we read in Paul's letter to the Corinthians: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." 1 Cor.12:7. This is not simply profit to the man, but the manifestation is for the glory of God and the advancement of his cause in the earth. In the furtherance of his truth the Lord uses men as agents. Through these he works by his Spirit when and as it pleases him. This he can do when their will is fully submitted to him.

That the Lord designs that his Spirit shall have free course in the gospel church is not only clear from such admonitions as, "Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess.5:19), and, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph.4:30), but we have the plain testimony of Christ and his apostles in regard to its working. In John's record of the teachings of Christ we read: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of the world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all Truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." John 16:7-14.

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, makes a comparison of the present dispensation with the past. He gives a name to this dispensation that very strongly suggests that the Spirit of God has much to do in the carrying out of God's purpose with the people. He calls the dispensation "the ministration of the Spirit." He says: "How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? for if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory." 2 Cor. 3:8,9.

We learn through the promise made by the prophet Joel that the Holy Spirit should be poured out in the last days. But let us see what is to be the result when that Spirit is poured out: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted this from the prophecy of Joel, showing that the promise there made was beginning to receive its accomplishment. He said: "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophesy: and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come." Acts 2:15-20. Review and Herald, April 18, 1899.

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. - NO. 2.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

COMPARED with the whole six thousand years of our world's history, this last dispensation, fully ushered in on the day of Pentecost, may well be called the last days. The last days, however, must include the very last day of probationary time. The last leaves of a book must include the last leaf, with more or less past the middle of the book. So the last days, when referred to by the Old Testament writers refers either to the last dispensation as a whole, or to the last days of dispensation. The New Testament writers speak of the closing period of the gospel dispensation as the last days. In either case, however, the last days take in the last day.

That the prophet Joel's prediction reaches down to the end of probationary time is evident from the fact that, in this very prediction under consideration, he refers to the signs in the sun and moon which our Saviour gives, in Matthew 24, as definite tokens that his coming is "near, even at the doors."

Joel's prophecy also reaches down to "the great and the terrible day of the Lord." The first advent of our Saviour to the world surely was not the great and the terrible day; for the angels announced that event with the song, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14.

In the same prophecy of Joel we have the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, connected with what is called "the great and the terrible day of the Lord." He says that day is "great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" Joel 1:11. Similar language is used in describing the Lord's coming, under the opening of the sixth seal: "Who shall be able to stand?" Rev.6:17. Joel also speaks of that time as the harvest and the judgment. Joel 3:12,13.

That the prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit, as mentioned in Joel, relates to the whole of the gospel dispensation, and not simply to the manifestation on the day of Pentecost, is evident from the fact that no one is mentioned on the day of Pentecost as "seeing visions" or "dreaming dreams." They spoke "with other tongues." This is one of the manifestations of the Spirit of God, but not the one directly specified in Joel's prophecy. We may, then, understand Peter as saying, "This is the outpouring of the Spirit as spoken of by the prophet Joel," and not that its fulfilment in its entirety took place upon that day. The manifestation seen upon the day of Pentecost marked the beginning of the fulfilment of the prediction which is to cover the whole dispensation.

The working of the Spirit, through the manifestation of the gifts, is very fully set forth by the apostle Paul, when writing to the Corinthians. He says: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." 1Cor.12:4-11.

In the same chapter the apostle, speaking still further upon this subject, says: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." Verses 28-31.

These gifts God set in the church, and we have no testimony in the Scripture record that he ever set these gifts out of the church, or even that they would be no more, until "that which is perfect" - the perfect day - shall come. 1Cor.13:9,10. As these gifts are the ways of the working of the Comforter, - the Holy Spirit that was to abide with the church forever, - why not let our faith grasp the fact that the Lord still manifests these gifts in the church when and as it pleases him?

"THE heart whose attitude is trust,

At his dear feet will listen;

Until the path his love doth choose,

With his own light will glisten.

The atmosphere that's nearest him,

To loyal hearts is never dim."

Review and Herald, April 25, 1899.

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Heavenly Visions 3

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

THE FORMER DAYS. - NO. 1-2

THE FORMER DAYS. - NO. 2.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. - NO. 1.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. - NO. 2.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

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