THE DEATH OF TRUTH

The truth stands out clear and distinct in its native purity, and those who believe the truth will be charged with an inspiration from on high. The truth will bind up heart with heart, and its followers will answer the prayer of Christ: “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gravest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:17-23.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 2

The people of God will be consolidated as one with Christ in God, just in proportion as false theories become more and more prevalent. As we near the close of time, the distinction between those who are Christ’s and those who are on the side of the apostate will become more marked. Only two great centers will appear—Christ, the Prince of heaven, the Prince of life and immortality, and Antichrist, the center of the rebel forces of apostasy. The separating line is now being drawn, and in that great conflict the parties will be forever separated. That day will come as destruction came upon the inhabitants of the world in Noah’s day. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 3

Then “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air. For it repentant me that I have made them. ... The earth also was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them. And, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” [Genesis 6:5-7, 11-13.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 4

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ... As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” [Matthew 24:29-31, 37-39.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 5

In all the beautiful city of Sodom ten righteous persons could not be found. The blessing of God had been upon the land, and yet none had responded to those mercies and blessings. Their land was rich, resembling the land of Eden. But the goodness of God did not bring them to repentance. “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the days when the Son of man is revealed.” [Luke 17:28-30.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 6

The Lord is coming, and of all the people upon the face of the earth, those who have the Word of God and do it not, will be found the most guilty. If those who claim to believe the truth will believe the Word of the Lord and obey a “Thus saith the Lord,” they will represent Christ. The truth will become a part of them, their meat and their drink. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 7

I would that I could trace with pen and ink all that the Holy Spirit has presented before me. The ten lepers were brought before me. All were cleansed, but only one appreciated the work wrought for him, only one returned to give God the glory. The representation is true of those who claim to be converted. Apparently the lepers in their loathsome condition were not worth caring for, but Christ knew that among them was one who would appreciate the work done for him, and would honor the Lord. Christ looked with tenderest love upon the one who appreciated the great gift of cleansing. He asks, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found to give God glory save this stranger. Arise, he said, go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole.” [Verses 17-19.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 8

Here are lessons that all of God’s people should learn. The one of ten, a despised Samaritan, appreciated the great gift of God, while the others for whom the great work of healing had been performed gave not God the glory. This is a representation of many who have had opened before them the living oracles of God. When those who have great light do not walk in the light, Christ’s gracious work for them cannot be appreciated. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 9
In the parable of the great supper, Christ brings to view another class. “A certain man,” He said, “made a great supper, and bade many. And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come: So that servant came and showed his lord these things. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 10

“Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto his servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” [Luke 14:16-24.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 11

These things mean very much to everyone who has had the light of truth, who has been invited to partake of the provisions of grace which God has provided through His only begotten Son. The man who came in and took his seat at the table without having on the wedding garment is presented as a warning to all. It is not enough to accept the privileges of the gospel supper. Have you put on the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment? Have you stripped yourself of all your miserable inherited and cultivated traits of character? All who do not put on the character of Christ, but retain traits of character which dishonor God, make Christ ashamed of them. They may have laid the foundation in building that tower, but they have not counted the cost. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 12

There are hundreds who are a reproach to the cause of truth and who by their lives counteract the influence of pure, sacred truth. Their words are not right words, because their heart is not cleansed with the washing of the Word. Their actions are not such as to magnify the sacred influence of truth. Many, while claiming to be teachers in Israel, weave so much of the rubbish of selfishness into their habits of character that they are represented by those who bring to the foundation wood, hay, and stubble. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 13

“If any man come to me,” Christ said, “and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” [Verse 26.] These words mean that every action, every principle of disobedience, every violation of God’s holy law, is to be hated. Every influence of word, or action, that is in opposition to the laws of the kingdom of righteousness if it is in father, in mother, in sisters, in brethren, or in our own minds and hearts, is to be despised. The invitation is given, the gospel feast is prepared, and all are invited to come. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 14

The excuses made by father, mother, brethren, or friends for their disobedience to God’s requirements are not to draw any from entire willing, glad obedience. Everything savoring of excuse is to be turned from with decision. Everything that would lead us to seek our own personal advantage is to be repudiated, and hated as a temptation of Satan. Said Christ, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me,” practicing the self-denial of which I have given an example in My life, “cannot be my disciple.” [Verse 27.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 15

Christ then presented before His hearers the parable of the building of the tower. “Which of you,” He said, “intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counted the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another King, sitteth not down first, and consulted whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an embassage, and desireth conditions of peace.” [Verses 28-32.] 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 16

The Lord would have every one considerate. We are not to be rash and impetuous. We are to consider what our strength is. Is it sufficient to enable us to stand our ground? We are to take time for wise thought before action, whether with our ten thousand we can engage in conflict with twenty thousand. Those who take their position against God and the truth would do well to consider this matter. Before we can overcome the difficulties in the warfare which each must encounter, we must have a preparation. Be not presumptuous. Despise not the strength and power of your enemy. 13LtMs, Lt 96, 1898, par. 17