Receiving the Spirit of Christ

Jesus repeatedly stated that He would be with His followers and dwell with them.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18)

I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)

Most students interpret these texts to mean that Jesus will be with us by the Spirit, the Comforter. However, as we noticed in the last chapter, Jesus is the Comforter! This helps the statements of Christ to take on added meaning and depth.

The Apostle Paul wrote the following two parallel passages: “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” (Colossians 1:27) and “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” (2 Timothy 1:14) This parallel raises questions. If Christ is to dwell in us, how and where does He dwell in us?

First, let us address the question of where Christ is to dwell in us. Certainly there is only one place He may dwell and that is the mind. This may be seen from the following texts. “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16) “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” (Romans 7:22) The expressions “the inner man” and “the inward man” are identical in the Greek.¹ In Romans 7:22 Paul states that he delights in God’s law “after the inward man,” and then in verse 25 says that with “the mind” he serves “the law of God.” Therefore, the place that Christ dwells in the believer is in the mind. So when Paul writes that we are to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:5) he is telling us to actively have and exercise the mind of Christ which was the mind of the Father (His will, intellect, and character).

Jesus explained the way in which this is accomplished: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) Jesus said that “it is the spirit that quickeneth” or gives life. He later declared that He was “the resurrection, and the life.” (John 11:25) Jesus gives life by His Spirit and He gives His Spirit through His words. Another place Paul speaks of receiving God’s Spirit is in his epistle to the Galatians:

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:1-5)

Paul states that the Galatians had first received the Spirit “by the hearing of faith.” Since “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” (Romans 10:17) the Galatians received the Spirit through the hearing of the Word of God. This explains the meaning of Galatians 3:5 when Paul speaks of ministering the Spirit. This text makes no sense when interpreted with a Trinitarian theology. However, if the Spirit that Paul speaks of as being ministered is God’s thoughts and character being served through His words, then the text makes perfect sense. Paul emphasized that this Spirit is ministered by “the hearing of faith.”

The Latter Rain

Inseparable from the concept of receiving the Spirit of Christ is the subject of the latter rain. To have an understanding of the latter rain, its purpose and effect, we must first understand the mission of the Son of God. Jesus stated in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Christ also declared Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus, “the truth,” would send the “spirit of truth.” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13) This would be done for the purpose of guiding the disciples of Christ into all truth. (John 16:13) Therefore, a portion of the work of the Spirit of God is to reveal truth for the saving of souls.

At the day of Pentecost the disciples received the promise of the Spirit in what was prophesied as the “early rain.”² This, along with the latter rain, is described by Joel:

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. (Joel 2 :23, 28, 32)

The purpose of the message is given in verse 32, “whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered (saved).” Peter quotes the message of Joel 2:28-32 the day of Pentecost.³ This was a message of salvation and redemption — the early rain that had been foretold. The disciples were given a message and then great power to give that message for the saving of souls and the glory of God.

Seventh-day Adventists have been waiting for the latter rain to empower them to give the loud cry. We have been waiting for power to get our lives prepared for the coming of Jesus. Yet, each new year seems to reveal little progress for most. Why do the times seem so spiritually dry? It is because of our misunderstanding of the latter rain, what it is and what it is to accomplish. An examination of the day of Pentecost reveals some important points. Concerning physical manifestations on the day of Pentecost, the Scriptures fail to tell us of any lame people who were healed; any blind eyes being opened; any dead raised to life; or any visions being given.

There were physical manifestations of healings, visions, and even raising of the dead after the early rain was first given. On the day of Pentecost, the only special physical manifestation of the Spirit was the gift of tongues and that was given for the proclamation of a message! Pentecost reveals God’s plan for the early and latter rain. First, He gave a message through the Spirit of truth, and then power to deliver that message. A very special message has been given to Seventh-day Adventists.

The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. 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. (Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91, 92 - Letter of May 1, 1895 to O. A. Olsen, then president of the General Conference.)

God sent a message to deliver us from the bondage of both sin and man. This message was to bring the people to a “genuine faith which works by love and purifies the soul.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 704) This faith leads the believer into obedience to all the commandments of God. Sister White continues:

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 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.

Now, it has been Satan’s determined purpose to eclipse the view of Jesus and lead men to look to man, and trust to man, and be educated to expect help from man. For years the church has been looking to man and expecting much from man, but not looking to Jesus, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. Therefore God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel’s message, in clear, distinct lines. (Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 92, 93)

As noted earlier, Elders Waggoner and Jones, to whom Sister White refers, were two young ministers that God used as “messengers” to His church, especially at the Minneapolis General Conference of 1888.

The Lord has raised up Brother Jones and Brother Waggoner to proclaim a message to the world to prepare a people to stand in the day of God. The world is suffering the need of additional light to come to them upon the Scriptures, — additional proclamation of the principles of purity, lowliness, faith and the righteousness of Christ. This is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p.1814)

They were presenting “the matchless charms of Christ” with wonderful clarity.⁴ Ellen White heartily accepted their message and rejoiced in it. She described the message as the beginning of the loud cry of the third angel!

Let every one who claims to believe that the Lord is soon coming, search the Scriptures as never before; for Satan is determined to try every device possible to keep souls in darkness, and blind the mind to the perils of the times in which we are living. Let every believer take up his Bible with earnest prayer, that he may be enlightened by the holy Spirit as to what is truth, that he may know more of God and of Jesus Christ whom he has sent. Search for the truth as for hidden treasures, and disappoint the enemy. The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. (Review & Herald, Nov. 22, 1892)

The message that Jones, Waggoner, and Ellen White were giving from 1888 till near the end of the 1890’s was the beginning of the loud cry. The latter rain was beginning to be poured out. Yet, a search of our history fails to find great physical miracles during this time. God was sending a message to His people to give to the world. This was a message of salvation, and its proclamation would lighten the whole earth with the glory of God.⁵

The Scriptures plainly testify of the rain that God still wishes to send His people today. “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” (Deuteronomy 32:1, 2) In verse two God’s doctrine (His words) is equated with the rain and His speech with the dew and rain. Proverbs 1:23 says: “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Here the pouring out of God’s spirit is equated with making known His words. This complements what Jesus said in John 6:63: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Ellen White simply stated it this way:

God designs that the message of redemption shall come to His people as the latter rain; for they are fast losing their connection with God. (Signs of the Times, April 18, 1900)

The latter rain is to be received as light from heaven for a sin-sick world, special light from heaven concerning the redemption of man. This helps enlarge our understanding of the following statements:

If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door. (Review & Herald, March 2, 1897)⁶

But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. (Ibid.)

Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. (Ibid.)

Truth is progressive. If we do not receive into our lives the light and truth of the early rain, we will not be able to receive the latter rain. The truth may be received by hearts all around us, yet we are unable to discern it or receive it. A. T. Jones gave a series of studies at the 1893 General Conference entitled, “The Third Angel’s Message.” In his ninth message, Elder Jones clearly noted the relationship of the latter rain to light and the teaching of righteousness:

You remember the other evening when I was reading that second chapter of Joel, that one of the brethren, when I had read that 23d verse, — Brother Corliss — called attention to the margin. Do you remember that? And I said we would have use for the margin at another time. Now all of you turn and read that margin. The 23d verse says: “Be glad, then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain, moderately.” What is the margin?  “A teacher of righteousness.” He hath given you “a teacher of righteousness.” How? “According to righteousness.” “And he will cause to come down for you the rain;” then what will that be? When he gave the former rain, what was it? “A teacher of righteousness.” And when he gives the latter rain what will it be? “A teacher of righteousness.” How? “According to righteousness.” Then is not that just what the testimony has told us in that article that has been read to you several times? “The loud cry of the third angel,” the latter rain has already begun, “in the message of the righteousness of Christ.” Is not that what Joel told us long ago? Has not our eye been held that we did not see? Did not we need the anointing? Brethren, what in the world do we need so much as that? How glad we ought to be that God sends his own Spirit in the prophets to show us, when we did not see! How infinitely glad we ought to be for that!

Well then the latter rain — the loud cry — according to the testimony, and according to the Scripture, is “the teaching of righteousness,” and “according to righteousness,” too. Now brethren, when did that message of the righteousness of Christ, begin with us as a people? [One or two in the audience: “Three or four years ago.”] Which was it, three? or four?  [Congregation: “Four.”] Yes, four. Where was it? [Congregation: “Minneapolis.”] What then did the brethren reject at Minneapolis? [Some in the Congregation: “The loud cry.”]  What is that message of righteousness? The Testimony has told us what it is; the loud cry — the latter rain. Then what did the brethren in that fearful position in which they stood, reject at Minneapolis? They rejected the latter rain — the loud cry of the third angel’s message.

Of course the brethren did not know they were doing this, but the Spirit of the Lord was there to tell them they were doing it, was it not? But when they were rejecting the loud cry, “the teaching of righteousness,” and then the Spirit of the Lord, by his prophet, stood there and told us what they were doing, - what then? Oh, then they simply set this prophet aside with all the rest. That was the next thing. Brethren, it is time to think of these things. It is time to think soberly, to think carefully. (1893 General Conference Daily Bulletin, p. 183 - emphasis in original)

Commenting and expanding on these concepts, Jones stated in his eleventh study:

What is the margin? “He hath given you the former rain?”  What is that? — “A teacher of righteousness.” — “Given you the former rain moderately.” What is that, moderately? What was the former rain at Pentecost? — “A teacher of righteousness.” “He hath given you a teacher of righteousness according to righteousness.” Was that the former rain? And he will give you “the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain,” as at the first. What will the latter rain be? — “A teacher of righteousness” again. According to what? [Congregation: “Righteousness.”] But what is another expression for the latter rain? [Congregation: “The outpouring of the Spirit.”] What is another one? [Congregation: “The times of refreshing.”] What is the latter rain to the third angel’s message? [Congregation: “The loud cry.”] What is the latter rain in connection with the fall of Babylon? — It is the bestowal of that power, and that glory, with which the angel of Rev. 18 comes down and lightens the earth.

Now let us read a few passages of those that we have had already to get the connection here definitely. On page 58 of the BULLETIN in Brother Haskell’s lesson, we had, as it was read from the REVIEW of Nov. 22nd, these words:—

“The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ. . . . This is the beginning of the light of the third angel, whose glory shall fill the whole earth.”

Another passage on page 16 of the BULLETIN, in that Testimony that was read:—

“Yet the work will be cut short in righteousness.”

What “work will be cut short in righteousness”? [Congregation: — “God’s work.”]

“The message of Christ’s righteousness is to sound from one end of the world to the other. This is the glory of God which closes the work of the third angel.”

What is this message of Christ’s righteousness as we read here before in these other places? — “This is the beginning of the light of the third angel, whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” Now, “This is the glory of God which closes the work of the third angel.” Then, when we have come to that time what time have we reached? [Congregation:- “The loud cry of the message.”] We have reached the time when God is going to close it up. That is the glory that closes the work of the message.

Now, another thing: What is that first expression which we have just read? — “He will cut it short in righteousness.” Then when that message of God’s righteousness — the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, God’s right doing — when that is received and is allowed to be carried on, and is held by his people, what does that mean about the work of God on earth? — It will be but a short time until the whole thing is done.

Now, that message of the righteousness of Christ is the loud cry. It is the latter rain. We have been praying for the latter rain here at this Conference already, haven’t we? Have you? [Congregation: “Yes sir.”] What were you looking for when your prayer was answered? Are you ready now to receive the latter rain? We have been praying here for the latter rain. Now there is the connection. The testimonies tell us what it is and Joel tells us what it is. I simply ask now, Are you ready to receive the latter rain? That is, are you ready to receive God’s message of righteousness, according to righteousness. Let us look at that a little further. Joel says, according to the margin, that it is a teacher of righteousness, that which brings the teaching of righteousness according to righteousness. Whose idea of righteousness? [Congregation: “God’s.”] No, mine. [Congregation: “No.”] Why? If I receive the righteousness of Christ according to my idea, is not that enough? Is not that receiving the latter rain? Is not that receiving the righteousness of Christ? [Congregation: “No sir, it is your own righteousness.”] But that is what is the matter with a good many people who have heard this message of the righteousness of Christ. They have received the message of the righteousness of Christ according to their own idea of what his righteousness is, and they have not the righteousness of Christ at all. (Ibid., pp. 242, 243)

No false idea of Christ’s righteousness is more damnable than the pagan-papal Trinity doctrine that denies that God had a Son to send to die for the sins of mankind. Further, most who hold this dark error also deny that Jesus came in the same sinful flesh that humanity must struggle with against sin. The message that A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner taught was not Trinitarian. They taught and believed that Jesus was the literal Son of God and that He accepted our sinful nature in the incarnation. They also taught and heartily endorsed the doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary. These three pillars of faith were evident in the preaching of the 1888 messengers. Compared with that which is taught today, it becomes easy to see why the message has been cut off. We have denied the basic doctrines of the three angels’ messages! Yet, we have been led to believe that we already have the whole message and must simply await God’s timetable for the receiving of great power to give that message which has been reduced to Babylonian error!

Before the loud cry can be given, the message must first be restored to God’s people. Our time is nearly finished on this earth. The wickedness of this earth and the thousands who perish each day constrain God to move quickly. The revival of interest in the truth about God and His Son that has occurred in the last few years is the result of God’s attempt to restore that foundational light to His people. But even a return to the light of 1888 is only to be the beginning. The truth about God and Christ reveals the Scriptures as never previously seen. Old truths become clearer and more brilliant. New truths emerge; not teachings that set aside old truths, but teachings that magnify and brighten old truths. In our search for this truth we have the one great unerring standard of God’s word: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)

But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority—not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord” in its support. (Great Controversy, p. 595)

Satan’s Unholy Influence

The word of God, not miracles or the excitement of wild celebrations, must be the guardian of our souls. We may walk into churches and see miracles, healings, and celebrations, but that does not mean the latter rain has come. There is a spirit there, but it is the spirit of Satan. We are told that he can breathe his unholy influence upon people, imbuing them with his thoughts, mind, words, and character.

I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, “Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.” Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.

I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children. (Early Writings, p. 56, 57)

Miracles are not the Test

The appeal of certain brethren is to “stay with the ship, she’s going through and the miracles and thousands being baptized each day are proof.” This must be met with a “thus saith the Lord.” Miracles are not a proof, especially in the last days. Revelation tells us plainly that many false miracles will be worked in the last days by Satan and his agents:

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:13, 14)

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Revelation 13:13-14)

Christians of all times, but especially last-day Christians, must follow the counsel of 2 Corinthians 5:7: “We walk by faith [hearing of the word], not by sight.”

The Spirit of Prophecy has given us insight into the reaction of unconsecrated men to the message to be given in the loud cry:

When light goes forth to lighten the earth, instead of coming up to the help of the Lord, they will want to bind about His work to meet their narrow ideas. Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300)

The third angel’s message will not be comprehended, the light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory. (Review and Herald, May 27, 1890)

There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations, they will oppose the work. (Review and Herald, December 23, 1890)

The timing of the last two statements reveals that God knew the message being given by His “messengers” would be rejected. History testifies that our people did indeed view the message as something dangerous and perhaps the saddest part of our history is that we are repeating that same rejection today. The majority of Adventism today has rejected the light that was understood and taught by Jones and Waggoner. The nature of God, Christ in the incarnation, and His high priestly ministry are all under attack by the new theology. Sadly, many who profess to oppose the new theology under the heading of “Historic Adventism” reject the truth about God and His Son, and in so doing reject the early leading of God in the Advent Movement.

Brethren, it is time that we left our own ideas of righteousness behind and accept Christ’s righteousness which is “pure, unadulterated truth.” (TM, p. 65) Only as we receive of the early rain can we be ready to receive the latter rain. When we deny doctrines fundamental to the three angels’ messages we cannot expect to be led further into truth and righteousness. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)