BY JOHN A. OPPY.
(Healdsburg, Cal.)
“RISE and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” Rev. 11:1. It is not our purpose to notice in this article “the temple of God and the altar,” but simply “them that worship therein.” We digress to note also that the time of this measurement is under the sounding of the third angel’s message. In order to measure worshipers, we must have an instrument of measurement. But the measure of worshipers, as such, cannot be taken in feet and inches; hence the rule, or line, of measurement must be a moral one. As “the temple of God” is the place where these worshipers convene, and the command to measure them comes from God, it follows that the measuring—rod is God’s rule of measure. Now, what is it ?
—”Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. 12:13. From this text we learn that the fear (love) of God, and the keeping of his commandments constitute the whole duty of man.
The reader will note that in this text fear— love—is placed before the keeping of the commandments. We cannot keep the commandments in order to love God, but we must love God in order to keep the commandments. The decalogue, with its kindred truths, is God’s measuring line. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Psa. 19:7Now, a perfect law, perfectly lived out by a probationary being, will develop a perfect character. But an immoral being cannot perfectly live out this divine law. Only a divine nature can live out a divine law; hence it follows that if we are ever able to “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” Rev. 14:12 we must have the “divine nature.” 2Pet. 1:4 “The carnal mind” (or nature) “is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7 No, it cannot be, any more than light can be reconciled to darkness or Christ to Satan. The only way to get rid of the satanic nature is to kill it. That is what Paul says about it: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Rom. 6:6 “Dead men tell no tales.” If the “old man,” the carnal nature, is crucified, destroyed, how can he influence our lives? “He that is dead is freed from sin.” Verse 7.
But how about the divine nature? May we have it? Let Peter answer: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” 2Pet. 1:4. Why are we promised the divine nature?—Because it is absolutely necessary to bring us into harmony with the heavenly world—all of which is governed by the divine law. One of the most fatal mistakes of religionists of all ages and climes has been and is the supposition that the keeping of the law of God will remove moral pollution. The law is as powerless to remove it as a looking-glass is to remove the moles or spots upon one’s face. Paul says the law is “holy,” “just,” “good,” “spiritual.” This being true and the law being a rule of conduct, if the opposites of these things are found in us, the law will condemn them. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2Cor. 5:17 Did the law condemn Christ?—No. Then will it condemn the “new creature?”—No. Why?— Because the “new creature” has the divine nature, and the divine nature is in harmony with the law. It is a moral impossibility for the divine nature to violate the law. Proof of this is seen in the scripture which affirms that “it is impossible for God to lie.” Heb. 6:18 This may at first seem to be very close measurement. But “if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1Pet. 4:18 Christ did not do any more for us to save us than was necessary. How, then, can we be saved unless we claim the full provision? “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” 1Cor. 15:34
To be continued
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald Sept 2, 1890