Christ the Center of the Message
171
The Cross Foundation of Every Discourse—The sacrifice of
Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other
truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every
truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied
in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before
you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation
and redemption—the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be
the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers.—
Gospel
Workers, 315
(1915).
Christ and His Righteousness—Christ and His righteousness—
let this be our platform, the very life of our faith.—
The Review and
Herald, August 31, 1905
.
The Third Angel’s Message in Verity—Several have written to
me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s
message, and I have answered, “It is the third angel’s message in
verity.”—
The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890
.
It Presents an Uplifted Saviour—This message was to bring
more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice
for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith
in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of
Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments
of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their
eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless
love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He
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may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His
own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message
that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s
message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended
with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.
The uplifted Saviour is to appear in His efficacious work as the
Lamb slain, sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant
blessings, the benefits He died to purchase for every soul who should
believe on Him. John could not express that love in words; it was too
deep, too broad; he calls upon the human family to behold it. Christ
is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above, pleading for
those for whom He paid the redemption price of His own lifeblood.
Centuries, ages, can never diminish the efficacy of this atoning sac-
rifice. The message of the gospel of His grace was to be given to the