God’s Purpose in the Church
It is God’s purpose to manifest through His people the principles
of His kingdom. That in life and character they may reveal these
principles, He desires to separate them from the customs, habits, and
practices of the world. He seeks to bring them near to Himself, that
He may make known to them His will.
This was His purpose in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. At
the burning bush Moses received from God the message for the king
of Egypt: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”
Exodus 7:16
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With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm God brought out the
Hebrew host from the land of bondage. Wonderful was the deliverance
He 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 these rocks, immovable
except by the power of the divine will, God communicated with men.
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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, but he
cannot silence this word of command. The human mind can never
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