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Chapter 12
43
the way of God’s work in this world, and the judgments of heaven
will surely fall upon us (
Manuscript 95, 1906
).
42 (
Luke 11:31
). A Greater Than Solomon
—Christ knew that
the Israelites regarded Solomon as the greatest king that ever wielded
a scepter over an earthly kingdom. By special appointment of God,
he had built their first magnificent temple, which was a marvel of
beauty, richness, and glory, and gave influence and dignity to Israel
as a nation. He was endowed with wisdom, and his name had been
glorified by them. To be superior to him was, in their eyes, to be
more than human, to possess the prerogatives of Deity [
Matthew
12:42
quoted] (
The Youth’s Instructor, September 23, 1897
).
43-45 (
Luke 11:24-26
). No Neutrality Possible
—[
Matthew
12:43-45
quoted.] Christ shows that there can be no such thing
as neutrality in His service. The soul must not be satisfied with any-
thing short of entire consecration—consecration of thought, voice,
spirit, and every organ of mind and body. It is not enough that
the vessel be emptied; it must be filled with the grace of Christ
(
Manuscript 78, 1899
).
(
Isaiah 57:12
;
2 Peter 2:20, 21
.) The Curse of Self-
righteousness
—The garnished house represents the self-righteous
soul. Satan is driven out by Christ. But he returned, in the hope of
finding entrance. He finds the house empty, swept, and garnished.
Only self-righteousness is abiding there. “Then goeth he, and taketh
to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter
in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the
first.”
Self-righteousness is a curse, a human embellishment, which
Satan uses for his glory. Those who garnish the soul with self-
praise and flattery prepare the way for the seven other spirits more
wicked than the first. In their very reception of the truth these
souls deceive themselves. They are building upon a foundation of
self-righteousness. The prayers of congregations may be offered
to God with a round of ceremonies, but if they are offered in self-
righteousness God is not honored by them. The Lord declares, “I
will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not
profit thee.” In spite of all their display, their garnished habitation,
Satan comes in with a troop of evil angels and takes his place in the
soul, to help in the deception. The apostle writes, “If after they have