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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
points to their defective characters, to their unlikeness to Christ
which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins which he has
tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his
subjects.
Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and
faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, he lifts his wounded hands
before the Father and the holy angels, saying, “I know them by name.
I have graven them on the palms of my hands. ‘The sacrifices of
God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou
wilt not despise.’” [
Psalm 51:17
.] And to the accuser of his people
he declares, “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that
hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee. Is not this a brand plucked out
of the fire?” [
Zechariah 3:2
.] Christ will place his own signet upon
his faithful ones, that he may present them to his Father “a glorious
church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Their names
stand enrolled in the book of life, and concerning them it is written,
“They shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.”
Those who are owned and approved of God are not therefore
recognized and honored by the world. The very names that are taken
upon the lips of Jesus as belonging to his own sons and daughters,
joint-heirs with the King of glory, honored among the heavenly
angels, are often those that are spoken with contempt and mockery
by the ungodly. Steadfast souls whom Jesus delights to honor are
for his sake defamed, imprisoned, mobbed, hunted, and slain. God’s
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people must live by faith. They must look over into the great beyond,
and choose divine honors and the recompense of the reward above
every earthly gain or preferment. While probation continues, they
must expect that the world will know them not, “because it knew
Him not.”
Great and small, high and low, rich and poor, are to be judged
“out of those things which were written in the books, according to
their works.” Day after day, passing into eternity, bears its burden of
records for the books of Heaven. Words once spoken, deeds once
done, can never be recalled. Angels of God have registered both the
good and the evil. The mightiest conqueror upon the earth cannot
call back the record of even a single day. Our acts, our words, even
our most secret motives, all have their weight in deciding our destiny
for weal or woe. Though they may be forgotten by us, they will