wrought for them, punishing their enemies, who
refused to listen to His word, with total destruction.
God desired to take His people apart from the world and prepare
them to receive His word. From Egypt He led them to Mount
Sinai, where He revealed to them His glory. Here was nothing to
attract their senses or divert their minds from God; and as the vast
multitude looked at the lofty mountains towering above them, they
could realize their own nothingness in the sight of God. Beside
[10] these rocks, immovable except by the power of the divine will, God
communicated with men. And that His word might ever be clear and
distinct in their minds, He proclaimed amid thunder and lightning
and with terrible majesty the law which He had given in Eden and
which was the transcript of His character. And the words were
written on tables of stone by the finger of God. Thus the will of
the infinite God was revealed to a people who were called to make
known to every nation, kindred, and tongue the principles of His
government in heaven and in earth.
To the same work He has called His people in this generation. To
them He has revealed His will, and of them He requires obedience.
In the last days of this earth’s history the voice that spoke from
Sinai is still saying to men: “Thou shalt have no other gods before
Me.” Exodus 20:3. Man has set his will against the will of God,
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God’s Purpose in the Church 15
but he cannot silence this word of command. The human mind can
never fully comprehend its obligation to the higher power, but it
cannot evade the obligation. Profound theories and speculations
may abound, men may try to set science in opposition to revelation,
and thus do away with the law of God; but stronger and still stronger
will the Holy Spirit bring before them the command: “Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew
4:10.
How is the world treating the law of God? Everywhere men are
working against the divine precepts. In their desire to evade the cross
bearing attendant on obedience, even the churches are taking sides
with the great apostate in claiming that the law of God has been
changed or abrogated. Men in their blindness boast of wonderful
progress and enlightenment; but the heavenly watchers see the earth
filled with corruption and violence. Because of sin the atmosphere
of our world has become as the atmosphere of a pesthouse. [11]
A great work is to be accomplished in setting before men the
saving truths of the gospel. This is the means ordained by God to
stem the tide of moral corruption. This is His means of restoring His
moral image in man. It is His remedy for universal disorganization.
It is the power that draws men together in unity. To present these
truths is the work of the third angel’s message. The Lord designs
that the presentation of this message shall be the highest, greatest
work carried on in the world at this time.
Satan is constantly urging men to accept his principles. Thus he
seeks to counterwork the work of God. He is constantly representing
the chosen people of God as a deluded people. He is an accuser of
the brethren, and his accusing power he is constantly using against
those who work righteousness. The Lord desires through His people
to answer Satan’s charges by showing the result of obedience to
right principles.
All the light of the past, all the light which shines in the present
and reaches forth into the future, as revealed in the word of God, is
for every soul who will receive it. The glory of this light, which is
the very glory of the character of Christ, is to be manifested in the
individual Christian, in the family, in the church, in the ministry of
the word, and in every institution established by God’s people. All
these the Lord designs shall be symbols of what can be done for the
16 Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
world. They are to be types of the saving power of the truths of the
gospel. They are agencies in the fulfillment of God’s great purpose
for the human race.
God’s people are to be channels for the outworking of the highest
influence in the universe. In Zechariah’s vision the two olive trees
which stand before God are represented as emptying the golden
oil out of themselves through golden tubes into the bowl of the
[12] sanctuary. From this the lamps of the sanctuary are fed, that they
may give a continuous bright and shining light. So from the anointed
ones that stand in God’s presence the fullness of divine light and
love and power is imparted to His people, that they may impart to
others light and joy and refreshing. They are to become channels
through which divine instrumentalities communicate to the world
the tide of God’s love.
The purpose which God seeks to accomplish through His people
today is the same that He desired to accomplish through Israel when
He brought them forth out of Egypt. By beholding the goodness, the
mercy, the justice, and the love of God revealed in the church, the
world is to have a representation of His character. And when the law
of God is thus exemplified in the life, even the world will