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Living in the Presence of an Invisible God
Part Two
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
I. Introduction:
1. Night had fallen prematurely. It seemed that the end was near. For three hours it seemed unpenetrable. There was nothing like it since the beginning of time. The Bible record says: "And it was about the sixth hour [12:00 noon], and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst." Luke 23:44, 45.
a. "With amazement angels witnessed the Saviour’s despairing agony. The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight. Inanimate nature expressed sympathy with its insulted and dying Author. The sun refused to look upon the awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. Complete darkness, like a funeral pall, enveloped the cross. ‘There was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.’ There was no eclipse or other natural cause for this darkness, which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars. It was a miraculous testimony given by God that the faith of after generations might be confirmed." Desire of Ages, p. 753:3.
(1) What happened around the cross during that darkness? "The silence of the grave seemed to have fallen upon Calvary. A nameless terror held the throng that was gathered about the cross. The cursing and reviling ceased in the midst of half-uttered sentences. Men, women, and children fell prostrate upon the earth. Vivid lightnings occasionally flashed forth from the cloud, and revealed the cross and the crucified Redeemer. Priests, rulers, scribes, executioners, and the mob, all thought that their time of retribution had come. After a while some whispered that Jesus would now come down from the cross. Some attempted to grope their way back to the city, beating their breasts and wailing in fear." Desire of Ages, p. 754:2.
(2) At 3:00 p.m. the darkness lifted but not from Jesus. "At the ninth hour the darkness lifted from the people but still enveloped the Saviour. It was a symbol of the agony and horror that weighed upon His heart. No eye could pierce the gloom that surrounded the cross, and none could penetrate the deeper gloom that enshrouded the suffering soul of Christ." Desire of Ages, p. 754:3.
b. What happened to the followers of Jesus during this time? "And they all forsook him, and fled." Mark 14:50.
(1) You are familiar with the experience of Peter as he tagged along and finally denying Christ.
(2) The final moments came at the foot of the cross. Only a few dared remain till the end. "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." John 19:25-27.
2. What happened to the followers of the Saviour? What happened with their hopes, their aspirations, or their dreams?
a. On the road to Emaus is revealed the true thoughts of the followers of Christ after the crucifixion. "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done." Luke 24:21.
(1) They once trusted that Jesus was the Messiah.
b. The immediate disciples [the eleven] locked themselves in the upper room and hid because they were afraid of the Jews. "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." John 20:19.
(1) They thought that they would also be killed.
(2) They knew that even when Jesus went up to resurrect Lazarus. "Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him." John 11:16.
3. How could these poor, frightened disciples with their hopes and dreams all dashed to pieces finish the work that God had given them to do? How could they raise enthusiasm to tell the world about Jesus as the Saviour from all sin and eventually all suffering? How could they again face their friends and relatives whom they left behind just to follow Jesus? How could they again go back to the temple and their synagogue when they rejected the counsel and advise of their religious leaders?
a. Something had happened that drastically changed their hearts, their perceptions, and their whole religious experience.
b. This morning let us consider the one unforgettable event in their life so that we also may receive that rejuvenating stimulus, that impelling force in our work for the Saviour so that we can go home very soon to that place where "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
II. A Living Saviour
1. Even as the disciples were afraid and disheartened, an occurrence took place that changed the entire course of history. Next Monday, April 17th, will be the 1,964th anniversary of that truly historic event. "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:1-6.
a. This happened while it was yet dark, before the rising of the sun. "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre." John 20:1.
b. The idea of a resurrection from the dead was contrary to a religious idea that was circulating among the Sadducees—the leading sect among the Jews.
(1) They believed in no resurrection. "The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him." Matthew 22:23.
(2) This same belief of the Saducees began to creep into the early Christian church at a later date. "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?" 1 Corinthians 15:12.
(a) Apostle Paul had to explain to the believers that if that were the case, we are wasting our time believing in Christ for any kind of salvation either present or future. "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." 1 Corinthians 15:13-19.
(b) But Christ is risen from the dead. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Corinthians 15:20.
2. The disciples then spent 40 days with Christ learning about all the prophecies concerning the Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled them all to the letter. "To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." Acts 1:3.
a. After the ascension of Jesus, the Jewish nation saw a most striking and shocking paradox. "And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." Luke 24:52, 53.
(1) "When the disciples returned to Jerusalem alone, people looked at them, expecting to see in their faces expressions of sorrow, confusion, and defeat; but they saw there gladness and triumph. They did not wail over disappointed hopes, but were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. The priests and rulers were at a loss to understand this mystery. After the discouraging events connected with the trial, condemnation, and ignominious death of their Master, the disciples were supposed to be defeated and ashamed; but they now came forth with buoyant spirits, and countenances beaming with a joy not born of earth." Vol. 3, Spirit of Prophecy, p. 257:2.
(2) Why did they have such an experience? "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.
(a) "They told the wonderful story of Christ’s glorious resurrection, and ascension to Heaven, and many believed their testimony. The disciples had no longer a vague distrust of the future; they knew that Jesus was in Heaven; that his sympathies were unchanged; that he was identifying himself with suffering humanity, receiving the prayers of his people; that he was pleading with God the merits of his own precious blood, showing his wounded hands and feet, as a remembrance of the price he had paid for his redeemed. They knew that he would come again escorted by the heavenly host, and they looked upon this event, not as a dreaded calamity, but as an occasion for great joy and longing anticipation. They knew that he would stand again upon the Mount of Olives, while the Hebrew hallelujahs should mingle with Gentile hosannas, and myriads of voices should unite in the glad acclamation of ‘Crown him Lord of all!’ They knew that he had ascended to Heaven to prepare mansions for his obedient children, and that he would return and take them unto himself." Vol. 3, Spirit of Prophecy, pp. 257-258.
(b) "Christ is the connecting link between God and man. He has promised His personal intercession. He places the whole virtue of His righteousness on the side of the suppliant. He pleads for man, and man, in need of divine help, pleads for himself in the presence of God, using the influence of the One who gave His life for the life of the world. As we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ’s merits, fragrance is given to our intercessions. As we approach God through the virtue of the Redeemer’s merits, Christ places us close by His side, encircling us with His human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He puts His merits, as sweet incense, in the censer in our hands, in order to encourage our petitions. He promises to hear and answer our supplications." Vol. 8, Testimonies for the Church, p. 178:2.
3. The death of Christ alone would not have saved us. We needed a resurrected Christ.
a. But a resurrected Christ merely also is not sufficient to save us. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have not received the atonement." Romans 5:8-11.
(1) We have a need of a living Saviour who is continually interceding in our behalf. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.
(a) Through this whole experience—death, resurrection, and intercession in the heavenly sanctuary - we have confidence in Christ as our elder brother ministering in our behalf. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." Hebrews 2:9-11.
(b) Through Christ we have access to salvation. "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." Ephesians 3:11, 12.
[1] Notice the words "boldness" and "confidence."
[2] For this reason we can approach God boldly for salvation. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15, 16.
(c) "From these scriptures [1 John 2;1, 2; 4:10; Hebrews 7:25] it is evident that it is not God’s will that you should be distrustful, and torture your soul with the fear that God will not accept you because you are sinful and unworthy. ‘Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.’ Present your case before him, pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary’s cross. Satan will accuse you of being a great sinner, and you must admit this, but you can say: ‘I know I am a sinner, and that is the reason I need a Saviour. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. ‘The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ I have no merit or goodness whereby I may claim salvation, but I present before God the all-atoning blood of the spotless Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is my only plea. The name of Jesus gives me access to the Father. His ear, his heart, is open to my faintest pleading, and he supplies my deepest necessities.’" The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892:3.
(2) "We have a living Saviour. He is not in Joseph’s new tomb; he is risen from the dead, and has ascended on high as a substitute and surety for every believing soul. ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ The sinner is justified through the merits of Jesus, and this is God’s acknowledgment of the perfection of the ransom paid for man. That Christ was obedient even unto the death of the cross is a pledge of the repenting sinner’s acceptance with the Father. Then shall we permit ourselves to have a vacillating experience of doubting and believing, believing and doubting? Jesus is the pledge of our acceptance with God. We stand in favor before God, not because of any merit in ourselves, but because of our faith in ‘the Lord our righteousness.’" The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892:6.
(a) "Jesus stands in the holy of holies, now to appear in the presence of God for us. There he ceases not to present his people moment by moment, complete in himself. But because we are thus represented before the Father, we are not to imagine that we are to presume upon his mercy, and become careless, indifferent, and self-indulgent. Christ is not the minister of sin. We are complete in him, accepted in the Beloved, only as we abide in him by faith." The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892:7.
(b) "Perfection through our own good works we can never attain. The soul who sees Jesus by faith, repudiates his own righteousness. He sees himself as incomplete, his repentance insufficient, his strongest faith but feebleness, his most costly sacrifice as meager, and he sinks in humility at the foot of the cross. But a voice speaks to him from the oracles of God’s word. In amazement he hears the message, ‘Ye are complete in him’. Now all is at rest in his soul. No longer must he strive to find some worthiness in himself, some meritorious deed by which to gain the favor of God." The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892:8.
(3) What happens to us as we look to Jesus as our intercessor? "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18.
(a) "Beholding the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, he finds the peace of Christ; for pardon is written against his name, and he accepts the word of God, ‘Ye are complete in him.’ How hard is it for humanity, long accustomed to cherish doubt, to grasp this great truth! But what peace it brings to the soul, what vital life! In looking to ourselves for righteousness, by which to find acceptance with God, we look to the wrong place, ‘for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.’ We are to look to Jesus; ‘for we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.’ You are to find your completeness by beholding the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892:9.
(b) "The sinner so recently dead in trespasses and sins is quickened by faith in Christ. He sees by faith that Jesus is his Saviour, and alive forevermore, able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by him. In the atonement made for him the believer sees such breadth, and length, and height, and depth of efficiency,—sees such completeness of salvation, purchased at such infinite cost, that his soul is filled with praise and thanksgiving. He sees as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and is changed into the same image as by the Spirit of the Lord. He sees the robe of Christ’s righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, wrought by his obedience, and imputed to the repenting soul through faith in his name. When the sinner has a view of the matchless charms of Jesus, sin no longer looks attractive to him; for he beholds the Chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely. He realizes by a personal experience the power of the gospel, whose vastness of design is equaled only by its preciousness of purpose." The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892:5.
b. What command were they now eager to employ? "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:23, 24.
(1) "With joy the disciples related to their brethren the news of their Lord’s ascension. They now felt that they had a Friend at the throne of God, and were eager to prefer their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus. They gathered together in solemn awe and bowed in prayer, repeating to each other the assurance of the Saviour, ‘Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’ John 16:23, 24. During the ten days following the ascension, they, with one accord, devoted the time to prayer and praise, waiting for the descent of the Holy Ghost. They extended the hand of faith higher and higher, with the mighty argument, ‘It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.’" Romans 8:34. Vol. 3, Spirit of Prophecy, p. 258-259.
III. Disciples’ Experience—Our Experience
1. How can we have such an experience? "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love." John 15:1-10.
a. "Jesus says, ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches’ (John 15:5). Can we conceive of a more intimate relation than this implies? The fibers of the branch are identical with those of the vine. The communication of life, strength, and nourishment from the trunk to the branches is unobstructed and constant. The root sends its nourishment through the branches. Such is the believer’s relation to Christ, if he abides in Christ and draws his nourishment from Him. But this spiritual relation between Christ and the soul can be established only through the exercise of personal faith. ‘Without faith it is impossible to please him’ (Heb. 11:6); for it is faith that connects us with the power of heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. ‘This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith’ (1 John 5:4). Faith familiarizes the soul with the existence and presence of God, and, living with an eye single to the glory of God, more and more we discern the beauty of His character, the excellence of His grace. Our souls become strong in spiritual power; for we are breathing the atmosphere of heaven, and realizing that God is at our right hand, that we shall not be moved. We are rising above the world, beholding Him who is the chief among ten thousand, the one altogether lovely, and by beholding we are to become changed into His image." Vol. 1, Selected Messages, pp. 334-355.
(1) "Those who would follow Christ, must believe in Him; they must open the heart to receive Him as an abiding guest. They must abide in Christ, as the branch abides in the living vine. There is a vital union formed between the parent stock and the branch, and the same fruit appears upon the branch that is seen upon the tree. Thus the Lord will work through the human agent who unites himself to Jesus Christ. Those who have an abiding trust in Christ, will, like Enoch, have a sense of the abiding presence of God. Why is it that there are so many who feel in uncertainty, who feel that they are orphans?—It is because they do not cultivate faith in the precious assurance that the Lord Jesus is their sin-bearer. It was in behalf of those who had transgressed the law, that Jesus took upon Him human nature, and became like unto us, in order that we might have everlasting peace and assurance. We have an advocate in the heavens, and whosoever accepts Him as his personal Saviour is not left an orphan to bear the curse of his own sins." Sons and Daughters of God, p. 287:2.
b. And what will be the result? "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." 1 John 3:5, 6.
(1) "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues." Psalms 31:20.
(2) "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19.
(3) "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." Hebrews 9:24.
(4) "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11.
IV. Conclusion
1. "Keep self out of sight; let it not come in to mar the work, though this will be natural. Walk humbly with God. Let us work for the Master with disinterested energy, keeping before us a sense of the constant presence of God." Vol. 5, Testimonies for the Church, p. 651:2.
*** "If you will only watch, continually watch unto prayer, if you will do everything as if you were in the immediate presence of God, you will be saved from yielding to temptation, and may hope to be kept pure, spotless, and undefiled at last." Vol. 5, Testimonies for the Church, p. 148.
*** "The pure in heart live as in the visible presence of God during the time He apportions them in this world. And they will also see Him face to face in the future, immortal state, as did Adam when he walked and talked with God in Eden." Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 27:1.
*** "Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face." 1 Corinthians 13:12.
2. "Jesus declared that the pure in heart should see God. They would recognize him in the person of his Son, who was sent to the world for the salvation of the human race. Their minds, being cleansed and occupied with pure thoughts, would more clearly discover the Creator in the works of his mighty hand, in the things of beauty and magnificence which comprise the universe. They would live as in the visible presence of the Almighty, in a world of his creation, during the time that he apportions them here. They would also see God in the future immortal state, as did Adam when he walked and talked with God in Eden. Even now the pure in heart see God "through a glass darkly, but then face to face." Volume 2, Spirit of Prophecy, p. 208-209.
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