The Acts of the Apostles
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 58: The Church Triumphant
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"These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
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Review and Herald Publ. Assoc. |
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More than eighteen centuries have passed since the apostles
rested from their labors, but the history of their toils and sacrifices for
Christ's sake is still among the most precious treasures of the church. This
history, written under the direction of the Holy Spirit, was recorded in order
that by it the followers of Christ in every age might be impelled to greater
zeal and earnestness in the cause of the Saviour. {AA 593.1}
The commission that Christ gave to the disciples, they
fulfilled. As these messengers of the cross went forth to proclaim the gospel,
there was such a revelation of the glory of God as had never before been
witnessed by mortal man. By the co-operation of the divine Spirit, the apostles
did a work that shook the world. To every nation was the gospel carried in a
single generation. {AA
593.2}
Glorious were the results that attended the ministry of the
chosen apostles of Christ. At the beginning of their ministry some of them were
unlearned men, but their [594] consecration to the cause of
their Master was unreserved, and under His instruction they gained a
preparation for the great work committed to them. Grace and truth reigned in
their hearts, inspiring their motives and controlling their actions. Their
lives were hid with Christ in God, and self was lost sight of, submerged in the
depths of infinite love. {AA
593.3}
The disciples were men who knew how to speak and pray
sincerely, men who could take hold of the might of the Strength of Israel. How
closely they stood by the side of God, and bound their personal honor to His
throne! Jehovah was their God. His honor was their honor. His truth was their
truth. Any attack made upon the gospel was as if cutting deep into their souls,
and with every power of their being they battled for the cause of Christ. They
could hold forth the word of life because they had received the heavenly
anointing. They expected much, and therefore they attempted much. Christ had
revealed Himself to them, and to Him they looked for guidance. Their
understanding of truth and their power to withstand opposition were
proportionate to their conformity to God's will. Jesus Christ, the wisdom and
power of God, was the theme of every discourse. His name—the only
name given under heaven whereby men can be saved—was by them exalted.
As they proclaimed the completeness of Christ, the risen Saviour, their words
moved hearts, and men and women were won to the gospel. Multitudes who had
reviled the Saviour's name and despised His power now confessed themselves
disciples of the Crucified. [595] {AA 594.1}
Not in their own power did the apostles accomplish their
mission, but in the power of the living God. Their work was not easy. The
opening labors of the Christian church were attended by hardship and bitter
grief. In their work the disciples constantly encountered privation, calumny,
and persecution; but they counted not their lives dear unto themselves and
rejoiced that they were called to suffer for Christ. Irresolution, indecision,
weakness of purpose, found no place in their efforts. They were willing to
spend and be spent. The consciousness of the responsibility resting on them
purified and enriched their experience, and the grace of heaven was revealed in
the conquests they achieved for Christ. With the might of omnipotence God worked
through them to make the gospel triumphant. {AA 595.1}
Upon the foundation that Christ Himself had laid, the
apostles built the church of God. In the Scriptures the figure of the erection
of a temple is frequently used to illustrate the building of the church.
Zechariah refers to Christ as the Branch that should build the temple of the
Lord. He speaks of the Gentiles as helping in the work: "They that are far
off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord;" and Isaiah declares,
"The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls." Zechariah 6:12, 15;
Isaiah 60:10. {AA 595.2}
Writing of the building of this temple, Peter says, "To
whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of
God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by
Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4, 5. [596] {AA 595.3}
In the quarry of the Jewish and the Gentile world the
apostles labored, bringing out stones to lay upon the foundation. In his letter
to the believers at Ephesus, Paul said, "Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone; in whom all the building
fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also
are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
Ephesians 2:19-22. {AA
596.1}
And to the Corinthians he wrote: "According to the
grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the
foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest:
for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire
shall try every man's work of what sort it is." 1 Corinthians 3:10-13. {AA 596.2}
The apostles built upon a sure foundation, even the Rock of
Ages. To this foundation they brought the stones that they quarried from the
world. Not without hindrance did the builders labor. Their work was made
exceedingly difficult by the opposition of the enemies of Christ. They had to
contend against the bigotry, prejudice, and hatred of those who were building
upon a false foundation. Many [597] who wrought as builders of the
church could be likened to the builders of the wall in Nehemiah's day, of whom
it is written: "They which builded on the wall, and they that bare
burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the
work, and with the other hand held a weapon." Nehemiah 4:17. {AA 596.3}
Kings and governors, priests and rulers, sought to destroy
the temple of God. But in the face of imprisonment, torture, and death,
faithful men carried the work forward; and the structure grew, beautiful and symmetrical.
At times the workmen were almost blinded by the mists of superstition that
settled around them. At times they were almost overpowered by the violence of
their opponents. But with unfaltering faith and unfailing courage they pressed
on with the work. {AA
597.1}
One after another the foremost of the builders fell by the
hand of the enemy. Stephen was stoned; James was slain by the sword; Paul was
beheaded; Peter was crucified; John was exiled. Yet the church grew. New
workers took the place of those who fell, and stone after stone was added to
the building. Thus slowly ascended the temple of the church of God. {AA 597.2}
Centuries of fierce persecution followed the establishment
of the Christian church, but there were never wanting men who counted the work
of building God's temple dearer than life itself. Of such it is written:
"Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds
and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they wandered [598] about in sheepskins
and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was
not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves
of the earth." Hebrews 11:36-38. {AA 597.3}
The enemy of righteousness left nothing undone in his effort
to stop the work committed to the Lord's builders. But God "left not
Himself without witness." Acts 14:17. Workers were raised up who ably
defended the faith once delivered to the saints. History bears record to the
fortitude and heroism of these men. Like the apostles, many of them fell at
their post, but the building of the temple went steadily forward. The workmen
were slain, but the work advanced. The Waldenses, John Wycliffe, Huss and
Jerome, Martin Luther and Zwingli, Cranmer, Latimer, and Knox, the Huguenots,
John and Charles Wesley, and a host of others brought to the foundation
material that will endure throughout eternity. And in later years those who
have so nobly endeavored to promote the circulation of God's word, and those
who by their service in heathen lands have prepared the way for the
proclamation of the last great message—these also have helped to rear
the structure. {AA 598.1}
Through the ages that have passed since the days of the apostles,
the building of God's temple has never ceased. We may look back through the
centuries and see the living stones of which it is composed gleaming like jets
of light through the darkness of error and superstition. Throughout eternity
these precious jewels will shine with increasing luster, testifying to the
power of the truth of God. The flashing light [599] of
these polished stones reveals the strong contrast between light and darkness,
between the gold of truth and the dross of error. {AA 598.2}
Paul and the other apostles, and all the righteous who have
lived since then, have acted their part in the building of the temple. But the
structure is not yet complete. We who are living in this age have a work to do,
a part to act. We are to bring to the foundation material that will stand the
test of fire—gold, silver, and precious stones, "polished after
the similitude of a palace." Psalm 144:12. To those who thus build for
God, Paul speaks words of encouragement and warning: "If any man's work
abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's
work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet
so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15. The Christian who faithfully
presents the word of life, leading men and women into the way of holiness and
peace, is bringing to the foundation material that will endure, and in the
kingdom of God he will be honored as a wise builder. {AA 599.1}
Of the apostles it is written, "They went forth, and
preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with
signs following." Mark 16:20. As Christ sent forth His disciples, so today
He sends forth the members of His church. The same power that the apostles had
is for them. If they will make God their strength, He will work with them, and
they shall not labor in vain. Let them realize that the work in which they are
engaged is one upon which the Lord has placed His signet. God said to [600]
Jeremiah, "Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall
send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of
their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee." Then the Lord put forth
His hand and touched His servant's mouth, saying, "Behold, I have put My
words in thy mouth." Jeremiah 1:7-9. And He bids us go forth to speak the
words He gives us, feeling His holy touch upon our lips. {AA 599.2}
Christ has given to the church a sacred charge. Every member
should be a channel through which God can communicate to the world the
treasures of His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. There is nothing
that the Saviour desires so much as agents who will represent to the world His
Spirit and His character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as the
manifestation through humanity of the Saviour's love. All heaven is waiting for
men and women through whom God can reveal the power of Christianity. {AA 600.1}
The church is God's agency for the proclamation of truth,
empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal to Him, obedient to
all His commandments, there will dwell within her the excellency of divine
grace. If she will be true to her allegiance, if she will honor the Lord God of
Israel, there is no power that can stand against her. {AA 600.2}
Zeal for God and His cause moved the disciples to bear
witness to the gospel with mighty power. Should not a like zeal fire our hearts
with a determination to tell the story of redeeming love, of Christ and Him
crucified? It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to
hasten the coming of the Saviour. [601] {AA 600.3}
If the church will put on the robe of Christ's
righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance with the world, there is before
her the dawn of a bright and glorious day. God's promise to her will stand fast
forever. He will make her an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
Truth, passing by those who despise and reject it, will triumph. Although at
times apparently retarded, its progress has never been checked. When the
message of God meets with opposition, He gives it additional force, that it may
exert greater influence. Endowed with divine energy, it will cut its way
through the strongest barriers and triumph over every obstacle. {AA 601.1}
What sustained the Son of God during His life of toil and
sacrifice? He saw the results of the travail of His soul and was satisfied.
Looking into eternity, He beheld the happiness of those who through His
humiliation had received pardon and everlasting life. His ear caught the shout
of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the
Lamb. {AA 601.2}
We may have a vision of the future, the blessedness of
heaven. In the Bible are revealed visions of the future glory, scenes pictured
by the hand of God, and these are dear to His church. By faith we may stand on
the threshold of the eternal city, and hear the gracious welcome given to those
who in this life co-operate with Christ, regarding it as an honor to suffer for
His sake. As the words are spoken, "Come, ye blessed of My Father,"
they cast their crowns at the feet of the Redeemer, exclaiming, "Worthy is
the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength,
and honor, and glory, and blessing. [602] . . .
Honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto
the Lamb for ever and ever." Matthew 25:34; Revelation 5:12, 13. {AA 601.3}
There the redeemed greet those who led them to the Saviour,
and all unite in praising Him who died that human beings might have the life
that measures with the life of God. The conflict is over. Tribulation and
strife are at an end. Songs of victory fill all heaven as the ransomed ones
take up the joyful strain, Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and lives
again, a triumphant conqueror. {AA 602.1}
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"I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man
could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood
before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in
their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Revelation 7:9, 10. {AA 602.2}
"These are they which came out of great tribulation,
and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His
temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall
hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them,
nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes." "And there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the
former things are passed away." Revelation 7:14-17; 21:4. {AA 602.3}
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