In the article, The Ladder Against the Wrong Wall, we looked at the link between the Gospel in Galatians, the Loud Cry, and the \u201cLaw of Moses.\u201d The message was given in 1888 and was rejected, which kept the people from receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and from entering the Heavenly Canaan. Please read that document first so you will better understand this one. It is very important if we do not wish to repeat their history.<\/span><\/p>\n

We saw a connection between the theology of George Butler and our current theology. We got a glimpse of the teachings of E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones, which many of us have never really heard. The message in 1888 was not just Righteousness by Faith, but much more. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a brief overview of some of the differences between George Butler’s theology and that of Jones and Waggoner: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Butler taught that the whole Law of Moses was a heavy yoke and was nailed to the Cross, and that Paul was teaching in Galatians that it was to be observed only in the Jewish dispensation before the Cross. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jones and Waggoner taught that Paul was not referring to a certain part of the Law that could not save us but that all<\/b><\/u> Law was powerless to save us; that sin was the heavy yoke; and that his (Paul’s) descriptions comparing “before” and “after” (Galatians 3:23-26) were not dispensational–ie. Jewish era vs. Christian era–but were referring to the personal experience of life in sin vs. life in Christ. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Which understanding shall we choose?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a quick review, I will quote a few paragraphs from the previous article that we shared.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

from a letter by A. T. Jones to C. E. Holmes, May 12, 1921–<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“I can’t now name anyone who accepted the truth at that 1888 meeting openly – besides Ellen White [obviously]. But later many said they were greatly helped by it. One Battle Creek leader said at that meeting after one of Dr. Waggoner’s meetings: “Now we could say amen to all of that if that is all there were to it. But away down yonder there is still something to come. And this is to lead us to that . . . And if we say amen to this we will have to say amen to that, and then we are caught<\/u> . . . ” (quoted in “Exposing the Skeleton in the SDA Closet of 1888” by Norman Bradley)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What was the \u201cthis\u201d and the \u201cthat\u201d?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In 1893 when the subject of pork eating was being discussed using the statute in Deuteronomy 14:8, “Uriah Smith explicitly rejected the applicability of the Mosaic distinction: “We believe there is better ground on which to rest [the prohibition on pork] than the ceremonial law of the former dispensation, if we take the position that that law is still binding, we must accept it all, and then we have more on our hands than we can easily dispose of.<\/u>” (MR 852 2.1)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“. . . then we are caught” and “. . . then we have more on our hands than we can easily dispose of.” What is the subject here? It cannot be merely “Righteousness by Faith” which had been a pillar of Protestantism for centuries before 1888. What I came to understand as I studied these things was that this issue was not merely Righteousness by Faith, friends. It had to do also with the Law of Moses and its applicability to the Christian dispensation. Butler and other leaders, who were ready to dispose of the Law of Moses, based their assumptions on the idea that the Law in Galatians was the Ceremonial Law that was no longer binding. They included everything given through Moses except the Ten Commandments in this disposal. So the real issue in 1888, I believe, was the Law of Moses and its binding claims on Christians today.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

from Ellen White–<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. <\/i>Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ.<\/u><\/i> <\/u><\/i>They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last.<\/b><\/u><\/i> These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law.<\/i> (Review and Herald 05-06-75)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are to become familiar with the Levitical law in all its bearings;<\/i> for it contains rules that must be obeyed; <\/u><\/i>it contains the instruction that if studied will enable us to understand better the rule of faith and practice that we are to follow in our dealings with one another. <\/i>No soul has any excuse for being in darkness. Those who receive Christ by faith will receive also power to become the sons of God (Letter 3, 1905).<\/i> (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary<\/u>, Vol. 1, p. 1110)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are told in the above quotes that the Laws given to Moses at Sinai were not to pass away but were binding upon us as long as time should last and contained rules that must be obeyed. (I would like to refer you to a prior Zion’s Covenant article, sent out May 11, 2010, called “Statutes and Judgments,” that discusses God’s system of Law in more detail. If you did not receive it, you can find it at www.godsfoodforlife.org Click on Zion’s Covenant in the Menu on the left side of the screen for a list of the articles.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Putting the Ladder Back on the Right Wall<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, I would like to put the ladder back on the right wall. We really must if we wish to reach our desired destination, the Heavenly Canaan. Let’s take a look at Scripture to learn more about the message that will prepare God’s people to meet Him. <\/span>H<\/i><\/span>e that hath ears to hear, let him hear. <\/i><\/span>Matthew 11:15<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.<\/i> Malachi 4:1-6<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What day is being described here that burns like an oven when all the wicked become as stubble and are burned up? It is the end of the world, Jesus’ second coming, and the destruction of the wicked. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What comes just before the dreadful Day of the Lord? The message of Elijah, who turns the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What is this prophet’s message? Remember the Law of Moses with the statutes and judgments<\/i>. It is really very simple, friends.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What is the \u201cLaw of Moses?\u201d The word for Law in Malachi 4:4 is \u201cTorah.\u201d Here are some other verses where this word appears.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a <\/i>law<\/b><\/u><\/i>,<\/b><\/i> and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. <\/i> Exodus 24:12 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is the <\/i>law<\/b><\/u><\/i> <\/b><\/i>of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.<\/i> Leviticus 11:46, 47 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the <\/i>law<\/b><\/u><\/i>,<\/i> and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul<\/i>. Deuteronomy 30:10 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

These are just a few examples of how this word is used in the Old Testament. As you can see, it refers to the Ten Commandments, to health laws, and to the Book of the Law which Moses heard from God and wrote down as a permanent record for later generations. I went through and looked at each one of the 219 times that this word is used in the Old Testament and found that it refers specifically to the Book of the Law written by Moses 70 times, to Law in general 83 times, to the Ten Commandments specifically 5 times, as well as other Laws from the Statutes and Judgments numerous times. The prophecy in Malachi 4 is reminding us that everything Moses wrote is critically important for these last days. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What does the Spirit of Prophecy tell us? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The closing words of Malachi are a prophecy regarding the work that should be done preparatory to the first and the<\/u><\/i> second advent of Christ<\/b><\/u><\/i>. This prophecy is introduced with the admonition, “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.<\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”<\/i> (The Southern Watchman, 03-21-05, para. 1 & 2)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John, as a prophet, stood forth as God’s representative, to show the connection between the law and the prophets and the Christian dispensation. Like Malachi, he pleaded with the Jews: “Remember ye the law of Moses, . . . with all the statutes and judgments.” His work and ministry pointed back to the law and the prophets, while he, at the same time, pointed the people forward to Christ as the Saviour of the world.<\/u><\/i> He called upon them to “behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” <\/i> (The Southern Watchman, 03-21-05, para. 7)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He <\/u><\/i>(John the Baptist)<\/u> was a representative of those living in these last days to whom God has entrusted sacred truths to present before the people to prepare the way for the second appearing of Christ<\/u><\/i>.<\/i> (Testimonies for the Church<\/u>, Volume 3, p. 61)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The “Elijah Message” for the last days is the same as John the Baptist’s message. His message was \u201cRemember the Law of Moses with the Statutes and Judgments.\u201d In the above quotes, what is the message we are told to give? The same message that John gave. “Remember the Law of Moses with the Statutes and Judgments.” Does this include the Ten Commandments? Of course it does. Does it include the other Laws God gave that explain and reinforce the Moral Law? Absolutely! Remember the whole Torah! I think it is significant that the Hebrew word for “remember” in Malachi 4:4 is the same word as is used in Exodus 20:8 where we are told to “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. <\/i>Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ<\/u><\/i>. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last<\/b><\/u><\/i>. <\/b><\/i>These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law.<\/i> (Review and Herald, 05-06-75, para. 10)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Who decides what is still binding? Does the church? Do we as individuals? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: <\/i>thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it<\/b><\/u><\/i>.<\/i> Deuteronomy 12:32 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There is no finite man that lives, I care not who he is or whatever is his position, that God has authorized to pick and choose in His Word.<\/b><\/u><\/i> (SDA Bible Commentary<\/u>, Vol. 7, p. 919, para. 2)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Did you catch that? We are forbidden to add or take away from what God has given as His laws! Absolutely no man has the right to do this. So who decides what is to be obeyed in the Christian era? God alone. If Scripture does not say that something ended at the cross, then it continues. If Scripture says that something was finished, then it no longer applies<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Galatians does not say that the Law ended at the Cross. It merely says that the Law cannot save us. It never could. Its role has always been to point us to our Savior and to show us what righteous living is. By faith in Jesus, we can partake of the Divine Nature and live the perfect Law of love, the foundation of God’s government. This is true freedom, freedom from the bondage of sin. This is the message of Galatians. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The book of Hebrews is a thorough explanation of what was changed at the cross. Read it carefully. It speaks of the Sacrifices–Christ was a better Sacrifice. It speaks of the Temple Services–we now have a Heavenly Temple. It speaks of the role of the High Priest–Jesus is now our High Priest. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are told in other places that circumcision was changed. Baptism has replaced it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.<\/i> Colossians 2:11, 12<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are told that the Passover lamb was replaced with bread and juice. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.<\/i> Luke 22:15-19 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some people say that the Passover was finished at the Cross. But our Lord called the service He did with his disciples \u201cPassover\u201d and said it would be fulfilled in the Kingdom. It was the lamb sacrifice that ended at the Cross, being replaced by the symbolic bread and juice.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Covenant Renewed–<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the last days of this earth’s history, God’s covenant with His commandment-keeping people is to be renewed<\/i>. (Prophets and Kings<\/u>, p. 299)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

God wants to renew His Covenant with us. He wants to pour His Spirit upon us. What is required to again be in Covenant with God?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Under the new covenant, the conditions by which eternal life may be gained are the same as under the old–perfect obedience. <\/u><\/i>Under the old covenant, there were many offenses of a daring, presumptuous character, for which there was no atonement specified by law. In the new and better covenant, Christ has fulfilled the law for the transgressors of law, if they receive Him by faith as a personal Saviour. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” Mercy and forgiveness are the reward of all who come to Christ trusting in His merits to take away their sins. In the better covenant we are cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ (Letter 276, 1904).<\/i> (SDA Bible Commentary<\/u>, Volume 7, p. 931, para.10)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Faith in our Savior, Jesus, and obedience to the Torah, the same as in the times of Israel, are still the requirements for us to be in Covenant with God today.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery and heathenism, were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God’s ten precepts. That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments. <\/i>These laws were called <\/u><\/i>judgments<\/b><\/u><\/i>, both because they were framed in infinite wisdom and equity and because <\/i>the magistrates were to give judgment according to them<\/u><\/i>. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered privately to Moses, who was to communicate them to the people.<\/i> (Patriarchs and Prophets<\/u>, p. 310)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The light given me is that <\/i>we are to study more than we do the instruction given to Moses <\/b><\/u><\/i>by God <\/i>after <\/b><\/u><\/i>He had proclaimed the law from Sinai. The ten commandments were spoken by God Himself, and were then written on tables of stone, to be preserved till the judgment should take place. <\/i>After the giving of the law, God gave Moses specifications regarding the law. These specifications are <\/u><\/i>plain and<\/b><\/u><\/i> <\/u><\/i>explicit<\/b><\/u><\/i>. <\/u><\/i>No one need make a mistake.<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/i>In the <\/u><\/i>day of judgment<\/b><\/u><\/i> we shall be asked whether we have<\/u><\/i> lived in harmony with these specifications.<\/b><\/u><\/i> <\/i> (Australasian Union Conference Record, 03-25-07)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Did you catch that? We will be judged by these Laws. Have we lived in harmony with them? How can we live in harmony with Laws we don’t accept or study? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Friends, if we want to stop wandering in the wilderness, then we must start to live the Elijah Message. We must put our ladder on the right wall. These Laws were not all nailed to the Cross. Only a very few came to an end at that time. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Each of the Ten Commandments has other Laws that enforce, illustrate, and apply them. Which ones reinforce the Sabbath?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Again <\/i>the people were reminded of the sacred obligation of the Sabbath. Yearly Feasts were appointed,<\/u><\/i> at which all the men of the nation were to assemble before the Lord, bringing to Him their offerings of gratitude and the first fruits of His bounties. The object of all these regulations was stated: they proceeded from no exercise of mere arbitrary sovereignty; all were given for the good of Israel. The Lord said, “Ye shall be holy men unto Me”–worthy to be acknowledged by a holy God<\/i>. (Patriarchs and Prophets<\/u>, p. 311)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Remember: The Laws that reinforce the Ten Commandments are still binding.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Someone will say: \u201cSurely, if this is truth and we are to do these things, our church fathers would have understood it and been doing them.\u201d Would they?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Wonderful possibilities are open to those who lay hold of the divine assurances of God’s word. There are glorious truths to come before the people of God. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before them. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing His will, they will know more and more of the oracles of God.<\/i> (Testimonies for the Church<\/u>, Volume 8, p. 322)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This was written after the essential doctrines of the SDA church were firmly in place. There is more to come!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The question has been asked me, “Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?” <\/i>I answer that He has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the Word of truth. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us.<\/b><\/u><\/i> We are not making the most of the light which the Lord has already given us, and thus we fail to receive the increased light; we do not walk in light already shed upon us. <\/i> (Selected Messages<\/u>, Book 1, p. 401, 402)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We have only the glimmerings of the rays of light. That was written in 1890. Have we advanced since then? I’m afraid we have stagnated where our church fathers were. Can we have favor with God in this state? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When God’s people are at ease and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favor them.<\/b><\/u><\/i> It is His will that they should be ever moving forward to receive the increased and ever-increasing light which is shining for them. The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light. We are living at a time when Satan is at work on the right hand and on the left, before and behind us; and yet as a people we are asleep. God wills that a voice shall be heard arousing His people to action.<\/i> (Testimonies for the Church<\/u>, Volume 5, p. 708)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Friends, the time is here to go forward with the Loud Cry. We must give the Elijah Message. We are told what that Message is. Let us look at it one more time. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.<\/i> Malachi 4:4-6<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: <\/i><\/span>Luke 9:44<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*All emphases and highlighting in quotes were supplied by the author of this article.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the article, The Ladder Against the Wrong Wall, we looked at the link between the Gospel in Galatians, the Loud Cry, and the \u201cLaw of Moses.\u201d The message was given in 1888 and was rejected, which kept the people from receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and from entering the Heavenly Canaan. Please … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Putting the Ladder on the Right Wall”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[216,218,221,215,220,114,213,217,219,214],"class_list":["post-756","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-bible-topics","tag-butler","tag-ceremonial-law","tag-day-of-the-lord","tag-jones","tag-judgments","tag-law","tag-law-of-moses","tag-moral-law","tag-statutes","tag-waggoner"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8gHhX-cc","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/756"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=756"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":761,"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/756\/revisions\/761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.godsfoodforlife.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}