The Faith Once Delivered to the Saints

By John Thiel

Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 

 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 

 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. 

The Lord is doing this now.  He is gathering the wheat from the tares to finish his work.  We are called upon if we fear the Lord to speak often one to another.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

This is why we are gathered here and so frequently as we are becoming so aware of the fact that we are living in this time where soon our whole experience of following the Lord is going to conclude.  We have been called upon to be part of the jewel that the Lord is trying to gather and it is important that we speak together about this experience and especially the present truth.  Present truth is very important.

2 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you: 

 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 

 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 

The truth we are now to embrace is the truth that made Seventh-day Adventists as they first commenced so unique.  The truth that makes true Seventh-day Adventists unique is Daniel 8:14.

Daniel 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 

This was the message of the first angel the hour of God’s judgment is come.  That truth since 1844 at the termination of the 2300 days has been present truth since that time.  It is to do with the sanctuary.  The sanctuary shall be cleansed. When the sanctuary has been fully cleansed, the time when the king of the north shall come to his end.

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 

When Jesus has finished pleading for his people there will be the completion of mercy and grace.

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt. 

12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 

Can you see how present this is?  Seal the book until the time of the end.  Are we not there and how long have we been in that period?  At that time when Jesus has finished his work and in comes this terrible time of trouble and special resurrection, then the wise shall shine.

Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 

 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 

Where does the word wise take you in the words of Jesus?  The wise virgins. The present truth has to do with the cleansing of the sanctuary Daniel 8:14.

Many shall be purified, made white and tried.  It is the wise ones that do this will understand.  The rest don’t understand what is going on.  They occupy themselves with all sorts of subjects but they don’t know the present truth.

The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith.–Letter 208, 1906.  {Ev 221.2} 

What is the foundation of our faith? Not just the sanctuary but the correct understanding of the sanctuary.  There are a lot of ideas, allot of teachings, allot of conclusions that people are making that are not correct.  True Seventh-day Adventists believers are those who understand.  They have a correct understanding.  We are to establish ourselves on that faith that has once been delved to the saints when the book of Daniel was opened.  How is our experience in the light of this solemn reality?

The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest.  {Ev 221.3}

What importance is that to you?  Why is this subject important to you?  Why should you know the position and work of your great high priest?

Otherwise, it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time, or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill.  {Ev 221.3}

This is present truth.  We need to know precisely the position which God designs us to fulfil.  We need to know how to exercise the faith which is essential at this time. We need to be the wise who understand.  We need to have a knowledge and have a position ourselves of the work of our great high priest.

Every individual has a soul to save or to lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face. How important, then, that every mind contemplate often the solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, when, with Daniel, every individual must stand in his lot, at the end of the days.  {Ev 221.3}

The subject of the sanctuary and its relevance to what Jesus is doing in the heavenly sanctuary for us and what I am meant to be doing in relation to what he is doing is the important present truth.

The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time, and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects, and be able to give an answer to every one that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them.–The Great Controversy, pp. 488, 489. (1888)  {Ev 222.1} 

Here are weighty words for us.  We want to examine in our minds what is there and have I something in my understanding of this wonderful sanctuary subject that I can talk about and identify clearly so that I can be in harmony with what God wants me to be and do.

The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God’s hand had directed the great advent movement, and revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people.–The Great Controversy, p. 423, (1888)  {Ev 222.2} 

I need to know what my duty is at this present time and the sanctuary reveals this.

As a people, we should be earnest students of prophecy; we should not rest until we become intelligent in regard to the subject of the sanctuary, which is brought out in the visions of Daniel and John. This subject sheds great light on our present position and work, and gives us unmistakable proof that God has led us in our past experience.  {Ev 222.3} 

This is the thing that has been lost in the Seventh-day Adventist circles. That thing that was given so clearly has been lost.  The enthusiasm has been lost in the hearts of the people.  We need to come together and ignite that enthusiasm again.  We need to reflect upon the material in the sanctuary and examine where I am in this system of truth. Why is this system of truth so important?  To you personally, what elements of importance have you found and you wish to find even more to inspire and ignite in your understanding in regards to your own soul’s salvation?  This is a salvation question. How many sad statements I’ve heard from ministers in Adventism say it’s not so important just believe in Jesus.  As if it has nothing to do with Jesus in the sanctuary.  It is important.

The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work of these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others..  {5T 575.1} 

We are to become interested in a subject that is so startling and absorbed in my being so I can impress others.

All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful.  {5T 575.1} 

What a thrill this statement runs through my system.  In harmony with the universe of heaven.  What a precious opportunity. What a privilege is ours to be in such a connected harmonious work with Christ and the angels.

By study, contemplation and prayer Gods people will be elevated above the common earthly thoughts and feelings and will be brought into harmony with Christ and his great work and cleansing his sanctuary above and the sins of the people.

By study, contemplation, and prayer God’s people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people. {5T 575.1} 

By careful study.  When you have studied, contemplate, take time to absorb it.  Continue it with prayer just like we are doing now.  By study, contemplation and prayer Gods people will be elevated above the common earthly thoughts and feelings. Here is the answer.  Occupy our mind with the study and contemplation of this subject.  We will be brought into harmony with Christ and his great work as he is closing the sanctuary from the sins of the people.  As you do this your faith will go with him into the sanctuary.

All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful. By study, contemplation, and prayer God’s people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people. Their faith will go with Him into the sanctuary, and the worshipers on earth will be carefully reviewing their lives and comparing their characters with the great standard of righteousness. They will see their own defects; they will also see that they must have the aid of the Spirit of God if they would become qualified for the great and solemn work for this time which is laid upon God’s ambassadors.  {5T 575.1} 

What have you recalled from the sanctuary studies and have sent your hearts soaring?  What has occupied your mind in this wonderful grand subject?  In this time when the Lord is making up his jewels you will discern that those who know and know not.

Amen.