Chapter 12—Justice and Mercy Blend at Cross
Justice and Mercy stood apart, in opposition to each other, sepa-
rated by a wide gulf. The Lord our Redeemer clothed His divinity with
humanity, and wrought out in behalf of man a character that was with-
out spot or blemish. He planted His cross midway between heaven and
earth, and made it the object of attraction which reached both ways,
drawing both Justice and Mercy across the gulf. Justice moved from
its exalted throne, and with all the armies of heaven approached the
cross. There it saw One equal with God bearing the penalty for all in-
justice and sin. With perfect satisfaction Justice bowed in reverence at
the cross, saying, It is enough.—General Conference Bulletin, Fourth
Quarter, 1899, vol. 3, p. 102.
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Christ’s death proved God’s administration and government to be
without a flaw. Satan’s charge in regard to the conflicting attributes of
justice and mercy was forever settled beyond question. Every voice in
heaven and out of heaven will one day testify to the justice, mercy, and
exalted attributes of God. It was in order that the heavenly universe
might see the conditions of the covenant of redemption that Christ
bore the penalty in behalf of the human race.—
Manuscript 128, 1897
.
His [Christ’s] object was to reconcile the prerogatives of justice
and mercy, and let each stand separate in its dignity, yet united. His
mercy was not weakness, but a terrible power to punish sin because it
is sin; yet a power to draw to it the love of humanity. Through Christ
Justice is enabled to forgive without sacrificing one jot of its exalted
holiness.—General Conference Bulletin, Fourth Quarter, 1899, vol. 3,
p. 102.
Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death
penalty must be executed. God, in the gift of His only begotten Son,
met both these requirements. By dying in man’s stead, Christ ex-
hausted the penalty and provided a pardon.—
Manuscript 50, 1900
.
God bowed His head satisfied. Now justice and mercy could blend.
Now He could be just, and yet the Justifier of all who should believe
on Christ. He [God] looked upon the victim expiring on the cross,
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