Description of the Covenant - Conditions and Objectives
In the first part, we saw the chronology of events related to the plan of salvation, after the fall into sin. Now we will see what this Covenant between the Father and the Son encompasses and the things that are important for us to know and understand.
A covenant is an agreement between parties, in which there are certain objectives to be achieved, with specific conditions and promises on both sides.
“A covenant is an agreement between parties, founded upon conditions.” {ST December 22, 1881, par. 5}
“A covenant is an agreement whereby parties bind themselves mutually to fulfill certain specified conditions.” {1MR 110.2}
The Father had the right to provide any kind of redemption for man, although Satan claimed that he could hold them in his slavery forever because they believed his lies.
“When Satan was cast out of heaven, he determined to make the earth his kingdom. When he tempted and overcame Adam and Eve, he claimed that because of this victory the fallen human race were his lawful subjects, and the world was his. By sin the human race became alienated from God, brought into sympathy with Satan, and prepared to unite with him in rebellion against God’s law. Christ determined to redeem man and rescue the world from Satan’s grasp.” {ST November 4, 1908, par. 13}
“Satan refused to release his captives. He held them as his subjects because of their belief in his lie. Thus he became their jailer. But he had no right to demand that a price should be paid for them; for he had not gained them by a lawful victory, but through false representations.” {7ABC 468.6}
“God, being the creditor, had a right to devise any expedient for the redemption of the human beings. Justice demanded that the penalty should be paid. The Son of God was the only one who could pay this penalty. He was willing to come to this earth and walk over the ground where Adam fell. He came as the Redeemer of the lost race, to conquer the wily foe, and by His steadfast integrity to justice save all who would accept Him as their Saviour.” Letter 20, 1903. {7ABC 468.7}
So, Satan wanted to keep people under control forever, but he could not because he had captured them through lies, through deception. But the Father had the right, as the Creditor, to redeem people.
The Father’s Promises in the Covenant
In this Covenant, that is, the agreement between the Father and the Son for man’s salvation, there are promises on both sides. The Father promised certain things to Christ in this agreement, and Christ on His part promised certain things to the Father. It was a joint agreement and They joined hands in a solemn Covenant.
These are the Father’s promises to Christ:
“The Father’s promise was covenanted that if Christ would clothe His divinity with humanity, if He would bear the test and trial that Adam failed to endure, His obedience should be imputed to His people as righteousness. He would conquer in their behalf and place them at advantage. Thus they would have a probationary time in which they might return to their allegiance, keeping God’s law. In this Christ would see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied.” {Ms128-1897.}
“…dependent upon our Lord Jesus Christ whose property we are, who has redeemed us by covenant with his Father.” {Ms 195, 1905, par. 4}
The Father promised Christ that His obedience would be credited as righteousness to His people and they would be given to Christ as an eternal inheritance. They would be given probationary time, earthly life, to return to loyalty to God. In this, Christ would be satisfied when He sees those saved for eternity through His merits.
One of the promises, as we have just read, was that people would then receive another probationary time:
“God and Christ knew from the beginning of Satan’s apostasy and of man’s fall through the deceptive power of the apostate. The plan of salvation was designed to redeem the fallen race, and give them another trial.” {LHU 74.6}
Now another quote that again summarizes the Father’s promises to Christ, and Christ’s to the Father:
“Through Christ the work has been accomplished upon which the fulfillment of God’s purpose depends. This was the compact in the councils of the Godhead. The Father in counsel with His Son had a purpose that the human family should be tested and tried to see whether they would be allured by satanic temptations, or would make Christ their righteousness, keeping God’s commandments and live. God gave to His Son all who would be faithful and loyal. Christ pledged Himself that He would redeem them from the power of Satan, at the cost of His own life. We have the conditions of this covenant.” {21MR 54.3}
All the promises are summarized in that the Father will give Christ all people who will be faithful and the Earth itself, and Christ promised that He would redeem people from sin and the consequences of sin with His life. These promises include much, and some things we have only mentioned so far, and later we will examine in detail during our studies.
The Father provided in His Son for the penalty of sin and for forgiveness - for both at the same time. God was not defeated by Satan. He sent His Son to accomplish for man what only Christ could.
“Justice demands that sin shall not only be forgiven, but that the death penalty shall be executed. God, in the gift of His only-begotten Son, met both these requirements. By dying in man’s stead, Christ exhausted the penalty and provided a pardon.” {Ms50-1900.1}
The Father promised to be with Christ and support Him in His great sacrifice and to be with Him in it.
“What a wonderful interest God must have had in humanity when for their benefit He gave His only-begotten Son to a life of suffering that He might accomplish the salvation of the human race. The Prince of heaven was given as a sacrifice, and He had capability to suffer proportionate to His exalted and holy purity. The infinite God was the only one who could sustain the Saviour in His great sacrifice.” {Ms57-1898.13}
The Father promised to set everything in motion and send help to man:
“The Lord could have cut off the sinner and destroyed him utterly; but He chose a more costly plan. In His great love He offers hope to the hopeless, giving His only-begotten Son to bear the sins of the world. And since in that one precious gift God poured out all the treasures of heaven, He will not withhold from man anything that he needs. All the heavenly intelligences are at the command of the believing soul, that it may be successful in the warfare against the powers of darkness.” {ST June 27, 1892, par. 6}
“Christ has power from his Father to impart his divine grace and strength to man,—enabling him to overcome through his name.” {RH September 8, 1874, par. 15}
Through further studies in this series, we will see other promises and conditions in this Covenant that we cannot detail here now. We will also see through the Bible where those promises in this Covenant are mentioned and described.
Christ’s Promises in the Covenant
Now we will consider some promises that Christ gave to the Father in this Covenant. Later during our study we will see other details that we cannot cover now.
First, Christ wanted to redeem man to the Father.
“Christ pitied the fallen human race and consented to give up the glory which he had with the Father, and took upon himself human nature, that he might sympathize with them in their afflictions, and then die the ignominious death upon the cross that he might redeem them to his Father.” {Ms 6, 1854, par. 5}
Furthermore, Christ promised to defend the honor and immutability of the Father’s Law, to reveal the Father as Supreme in Heaven and on Earth, convict people of sin, restore them to obedience, and enable forgiveness of man’s sins through His death for him:
“The Son of God, man’s substitute and surety, bearing the curse that should fall upon man for his disobedience, pledged himself, in behalf of the human race, to maintain the honor of God’s law. The Father committed the world into the hands of Christ, that by his mediatorial work he might save the sinner and fully vindicate the claims of [the law]. His mission was to convict men of sin, which is the transgression of the law, and through the merit of his blood, and by his mediation, he was to restore them to obedience. Through Christ’s sacrifice the law could be maintained, and the sinner could be pardoned, not only released from the power of sin, but “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Colossians 3:10.” {Ms41-1892.24}
“He purposes to maintain the full honor of God’s law, notwithstanding that the human family have transgressed it. **He will redeem from its curse all the obedient **who will embrace the offer of mercy by accepting the atonement so wondrously provided. By his mediatorial work Christ will fully vindicate the holiness and immutability of the law of his Father.” {RH April 29, 1875, par. 3}
“Christ was willing to come to our world and give men the true light. God gave his only-begotten Son to the world to reveal the Father as supreme in heaven and in earth.” {EGW; 25LtMs, Lt 132, 1910}
We see that Christ’s promises to the Father were to redeem man from the curse of the Law, bearing our sins, but also to restore God’s image in man through His mediation. Thus He would restore people back to faithfulness to God and His Law.
Christ promised and intended to do the seemingly impossible, to unite and reconcile justice and mercy, through His sacrifice for the sins of the world and mediation by the power of grace in man’s heart to restore him according to God’s image.
“His [Christ’s] object was to reconcile the prerogatives of justice and mercy, and let each stand apart in its dignity, yet united. His mercy was not weakness, but a terrible power to punish sin because it is sin; yet mercy represented a power that would draw to itself the love of humanity. Through Christ, Justice could forgive without sacrificing one jot of its exalted holiness.” (General Conference Bulletin, Fourth Quarter, 1899, vol. 3, p. 102.) {7ABC 470.2}
Christ’s priestly mediation began immediately after the fall into sin, and He promised the Father the restoration of everything that was lost:
“Jesus became man’s substitute and surety. He became responsible for the race. To him their sins were imputed. He took all their liabilities upon himself. He pledged his word that he would make good their transgression, and he would form in them a character like his own in the great plan of salvation, imputing to man his righteous character. By faith in Christ they shall be gathered under his banner, under his protecting care, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings.” {Ms 43b, 1891, par. 6}
Christ promised the Father that He would substitute for man, that He would make atonement for people’s sins and that He would form in man a character like His own. Now we continue reading about other promises that Christ gave in this Covenant:
“The human race might have been blotted out of the universe, another creation might have peopled the earth; but the throne of Justice must be eternally and forever made secure. By offering his infinite sacrifice, Christ will exalt and honor the law. He will make known to the fallen race the exalted character of the law of God’s government, which cannot in any way be changed to meet man in his sinful condition. Christ alone could restore honor to God’s government before the unfallen worlds and the heavenly universe. By the sacrifice which he proposed to make all doubts will be forever settled, and the human race will be saved if they return to their allegiance. The cross of Calvary will be looked upon by the unfallen worlds, the heavenly universe, the satanic agencies, the fallen race, and every mouth will be stopped.” {Ms128-1897.19}
“Christ suffered in man’s stead, giving his life for the life of the world. All who repent and turn to him as a personal Saviour are his purchased possession. Christ’s death has proved God’s administration and government without a flaw. Satan’s charge in regard to the conflicting attributes of justice and mercy is forever settled above all question. Every voice in heaven and out of heaven will one day testify to the justice, mercy, and exalted attributes of God.” {Ms128-1897.20}
“Christ bore the penalty in behalf of the human race that the heavenly universe might see the terms of the covenant of redemption. God was pleased to bruise his only-begotten Son, to suffer the test that would come upon him, to permit Satan to develop his attributes and the principles of his government. The enmity of the apostate against the Commander of all heaven must be seen and understood. It must be shown that Satan’s mercy is cruelty.” {Ms128-1897.21}
Christ promised to become man and leave the glory of Heaven, and identify with man’s weaknesses and become poor and engage in fierce battles with Satan to conquer for man, and enable and show man how he too can overcome. Christ promised the Father that He would restore honor to God’s government and secure the Father’s throne of justice before the universe and Heaven and remove all doubt. He would make known the exalted character of God’s Law and give His life for the life of the world and prove that God’s government is without flaw, that the Law is unchangeable. He would prove that God is just and merciful at the same time and refute Satan’s claims. He would show the entire universe the terms of the covenant of redemption. There is also mention that the Father would allow Satan to develop his principles and show his character and his hatred toward Christ, to see Satan’s cruelty.
Christ wanted to again make man a temple for the Father’s dwelling:
“From eternal ages it was God’s purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine Being. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple.” {DA, 161}
“It is the acceptance of Christ that gives value to the human being. His sacrifice brings life and light to those who accept Christ as their personal Saviour. The love of God through Jesus Christ is shed abroad in the hearts of every member of his body, bringing with it the life-giving power of the law of God the Father. Thus God may dwell with man, and man may dwell with God.” {ST April 8, 1897, par. 11}
He promised that He would spare nothing for this plan to be fulfilled for man, that He would put all Heaven to work in saving man:
“In taking hold of this work, the wonderful work of our salvation, Christ, in counsel with his Father, determined that he would leave nothing undone, regardless of the cost, he would withhold nothing, however highly prized, whereby he might rescue the wretched sinner. He would enlist all heaven in this work of salvation, the restoration of the moral image of God in man.” {Lt10-1897.8}
Christ Voluntarily Offered Himself
It is important to understand that Christ voluntarily offered Himself for man’s salvation. He had no obligation to do so, nor was He compelled, but He offered Himself out of love for man. It was a voluntary sacrifice. He proposed Himself to the Father.
“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53
Christ voluntarily offered Himself. Here is how the Croatian Standard Version says:
“Therefore I will give him a multitude as inheritance and he will share the spoil with the mighty, for he offered himself unto death and was numbered among the wicked, to bear the sins of many upon himself and to intercede for the criminals.” Isaiah 53:12
Jesus proposed Himself to the Father as a substitute for man. Here is a text that describes this and where it mentions 4 times that Jesus “proposed” Himself:
“O, wonderful condescension! The Majesty of Heaven, through love and pity for fallen man, proposed to become his substitute and surety. He would bear man’s guilt. He would take upon himself the wrath of his Father, which otherwise would have fallen upon man because of his disobedience.” {RH February 24, 1874, par. 21}
“Christ’s divine soul was moved with infinite pity for fallen man… He proposed the only expedient that could be acceptable to God, which would give man another trial, and place him again on probation. Christ consented to leave his honor.” {RH February 24, 1874, par. 23}
“What love! What condescension! The King of glory proposed himself to humiliate himself to fallen humanity. He would place his feet in Adam’s steps.” {RH February 24, 1874, par. 25}
“If the holy pair had been obedient, the human race would after a time have been equal with the angels. As Adam and Eve failed to bear this test, Christ proposed to become a voluntary offering for man.” {RH February 24, 1874, par. 26}
Christ was not compelled to do this. He voluntarily offered Himself as man’s Substitute and Surety, to redeem fallen people.
“Christ was not compelled to endure this cruel treatment. No yoke of necessity was placed upon him to undertake the work of redemption. He offered himself voluntarily, as a willing, spotless sacrifice. He was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent. He was above all finite requirements. He was himself the law in character.” {Ms101-1897.27}
“Christ could have continued to remain in the heavenly courts, clothed with the garments of whitest white, and seated as a Prince at God’s right hand. He was not compelled to step down from the throne, to lay aside his royal robes and royal crown, and come to this earth to receive the hatred, abuse, rejection, scourging, and the crown of thorns. The humiliation which he suffered he endured willingly, that he might save the world from eternal ruin.” {Ms101-1897.35}
Christ knew that this would be the only possible way and that there was no other, and out of infinite love and compassion for man, He proposed Himself to the Father as a voluntary Sacrifice instead of man, and thereby displayed the Father’s heart and love and character, how the Father thinks about people.
Christ was not compelled to do this, but did it by His own will:
“Christ was not compelled to do this [bear the guilt for the perishing world]. He volunteered to give his life to save the world. The claims of God’s government are misunderstood through Satan’s deceptive words and works, and the Father and Son saw and felt the need of a mediator.” {CTr 267.2}
The Covenant Was Made Before the Fall
This Covenant, the agreement between the Father and the Son, existed from eternity, before the world was created. It was not an afterthought after man’s fall, but a plan made before everything. In case sin should happen, God had a plan of salvation in His mind and in agreement with Christ in every detail. We have confirmations of this in Scripture and in the Spirit of Prophecy writings:
“The great plan of redemption was laid before the foundation of the world. Christ was not alone in this wonderful undertaking** **for the redemption of man. In the heavenly councils, before the world was made, the Father and the Son covenanted together that, if man should prove disloyal to God, Christ, who was one with the Father, should take the place of the transgressor, and suffer the penalty of justice that must fall upon him.” {RH November 15, 1898, par. 1}
“Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race.” {LHU 103.2}
We read further additional texts:
“How great is God’s love! God created the world to enlarge heaven. He desired a larger family. And before man was created, God and Christ entered into a covenant that if he fell from his allegiance, Christ should suffer the penalty for the transgression. Man fell, but he was not left to the power of the destroyer. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” All power was given to the Redeemer to bestow upon fallen human beings for their benefit and blessing.” {ST December 25, 1901, par. 13}
God thought ahead how to save man if he fell into sin, and had a perfect plan, “ordered in all things, and sure” (2 Samuel 23:5), the only one He could devise for man’s salvation. The Father and Son had from eternity, before the creation of the world, a plan for the salvation of humanity.
“Before the foundations of the world were laid, Christ, the Only Begotten of God, pledged himself to become the Redeemer of the human race should Adam transgress.” {1SM 226.1}
“Christ was the Sent of God. Before sin entered our world, even before man was created, Christ covenanted with his Father that if the human family transgressed the divine law, he would take the penalty for transgression upon his own divine soul. Man has fallen; and in the fullness of time, that he might reveal to fallen humanity the character of the Father, Christ laid aside his royal robe and royal crown, clothed his divinity with humanity, and came to this earth, here to live a sinless life.” {Ms110-1905.8}
“The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of “the mystery which was kept secret since the world began.” Romans 16:25. It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but he foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great was his love for the world, that he covenanted to give his only-begotten Son, “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.” {DA 22.2}
This is what we read about in Romans 16:25-26. As well as texts from Ephesians 1:3-4, 9, 3: 8-9.
There are many other texts that confirm and explain this repeatedly, but for this point we will not read all those quotes because this is sufficient to understand.
Only the Son Could Redeem:
There are specific reasons why only Christ could be the Savior of people. The main reason is that He was the Only One who was equal to the Father and of such value that He could redeem the transgression of the infinitely valuable Law of God, and because only He had the power to renew all humanity in a moral sense. In connection with this, He was also the only one who could portray the Father’s love and character. This goes hand in hand with the renewal of character in man because man will be changed by beholding, and must see exactly and clearly what the Father is like, in order to love and accept Him and be changed.
“Yet had he one son, his wellbeloved. He sent him also unto them last, saying, They will reverence my son.” Mark 12:37
One very important and essential thing to understand in this Plan is that there was no other way or possibility for some other plan, and only the Son of God could do it. No one else. This was because the Father’s Law, which was transgressed, was infinitely valuable and only One who was equally or more valuable, could redeem the transgression of that Law. Therefore no one else could do it except Christ.
The Exaltation of the Law
A key point in this plan is the exaltation of the Father’s Law, that is, His word and will. It is important to understand that God was jealous for His Law and He could not surrender it to shame because that would have destroyed His Authority as God in the universe, and also endangered the life of all intelligent creatures because the good of all was connected to obedience to that perfect Law.
“Without the atoning sacrifice of God’s Son, there could be no communication of blessing or salvation from God to man. God was jealous for the honor of his law. The transgression of that law had caused a fearful separation between God and man.” {ST January 30, 1879, par. 19}
God’s Law was an expression of His character, and therefore perfect and infinite, and it was impossible to change because God would thereby deny Himself.
“When man, led astray by Satan, became disobedient to the divine law, God could not, even to save the lost race, change that law. God is love; his law is the expression of his character. To change his law would be to deny himself; that would demolish those principles with which the welfare of the universe is bound up.” {BEcho July 15, 1893, par. 4}
“The God of heaven has placed his blessing upon those who keep God’s commandments. Shall we stand as God’s peculiar people, or shall we trample upon his law by saying it is no longer binding? God might as well blot out himself. In the law every precept is the character of the infinite God.” (Manuscript 12, 1894). {1BC 1104.7}
Because of these important reasons, if we understand them correctly, there was only One who could redeem man, and that was Christ, the Son of God. Now comes a key quote that explains it all: God’s Law was more valuable to Him than the angels around the Throne:
“Adam was told that the life of an angel could not pay the debt. Jehovah’s law, the foundation of his government in Heaven and earth, was as sacred as God himself, and for this reason the life of an angel could not be accepted by God as a sacrifice for its transgression. His law was of more value in his sight than the holy angels around his throne. The Father could not abolish nor change one precept of his law to meet man in his fallen condition. But the Son of God, who had in unison with the Father created man, could make an atonement for man acceptable to God, by giving his life as a sacrifice and bearing the wrath of his Father. As Adam’s transgression had brought wretchedness and death to the human race, so the life and immortality should be brought to light through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, a sacrifice of such infinite value as would make man who would avail himself of it more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” {ST January 30, 1879, par. 12}
The Father valued His Law more even than the angels who are around the Throne. Now we properly understand why. And therefore only Christ could redeem man. None of the angels or men could make such a covenant:
“The compact that was made by the Father and Son to save the world through Christ, who would give himself that none need perish who believe in him, but have everlasting life. No human power or angelic power could have entered into that compact. The bow in the cloud is the sign that God pledges himself through Christ to save all who believe in him. The covenant is as enduring as the throne. Why then are we such unbelievers, so distrustful?” Manuscript 16, 1890, 25, 26. (“Our Constant Need of Divine Enlightenment,” 1890.) {1MR 109.5}
As we have just read, in those counsels between the Father and Son, not even angels could enter:
“Not even the angels were permitted to share in the counsels between the Father and the Son when the plan of salvation was laid.” {MH 429.4}
The Only Possible Plan
This plan was the only possible way for man’s salvation. There was no other possible way. No, there was only one single way. Christ was the Only One who could save us. We read several texts about this:
“This the Father and the Son purposed before the foundation of the world. The Father “sent” him. [Mark 12:6.] He was delivered by God’s determinate counsel and foreknowledge. This was the only plan that could be made for the redemption of humanity. By yielding to sin, man had incurred the penalty for transgression. The gift of Christ to our world was made that mercy might be shown, and yet God’s justice be fully satisfied.” {Ms139-1907.3}
“The only plan that could be devised for the salvation of the human race was the one that required the incarnation, humiliation, and crucifixion of the Son of God, the Majesty of heaven. After the plan of salvation was conceived, Satan could have no ground on which to base his suggestion that God, being so great, could not trouble himself about so insignificant a creature as man.” {ST January 20, 1890, par. 8}
“The only way in which the fallen race could be restored was through the gift of his Son, equal with himself, possessing the attributes of Deity. Though so highly exalted, Christ consented to assume human nature, that he might work in behalf of man and reconcile to God his disloyal subject.” {RH November 8, 1892, par. 3}
“There is no other way for man’s salvation. “Without me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” Through Christ, and Christ alone, the springs of life can quicken man’s nature, transform his taste, and set his affections flowing heavenward. Through union of the divine with the human nature, Christ could enlighten the understanding and diffuse his life-giving properties through the soul dead in trespasses and sins.” {Ms50-1900.4}
Christ knew that only He could redeem man. God’s Son was the Only One who could substitute for us and bring us new life:
“Satan had made men and women his captives, and claimed them as his subjects. When Christ saw that there was no human being who could be man’s advocate, he himself entered into the fierce conflict and wrestled with Satan. The First-born of God was the only one who could deliver those who through Adam’s sin had been brought into subjection to Satan. The Son of God gave Satan every opportunity to try upon him all his arts.” (Ellen G. White, Manuscript 125, Dec. 9, 1901, ‘The Unchangeable Law of God’)
“Consider what it cost Christ to leave the heavenly courts and take his position at the head of humanity. Why did he do this? — Because he was the only one who could redeem fallen humanity.” {RH March 9, 1905, par. 5}
“None but Christ could redeem man from the curse of the law. He proposed to take upon himself the guilt and shame of sin—sin so offensive in God’s sight as to necessitate separation from his Father.**” {ST December 15, 1914, par. 11}
“There is only One who has power to take away the sin of the world. That One is Christ, the Sin Bearer. By his grace he can so uplift men that they are fitted to cooperate with him.” {Ms45-1902.9}
“God will soon vindicate his righteousness before the universe. His justice demands that sin be punished; his mercy provides that sin may be forgiven through repentance and confession. Forgiveness can come only through his only-begotten Son; Christ alone can make an atonement for sin —and that only when sin is repented of and forsaken.” {Lt38-1907.8}
Having all this in mind and understanding this important fact, we will now consider the various reasons that have been revealed to us why Christ was the Only One who could redeem man.
1. Only One of Sufficient Value
It had to be someone who was as valuable as God’s Law or more than that. Animals, men and angels could not redeem man because they did not have sufficient value. We read a description of this:
“Adam fell through disobedience. God’s law was broken. Divine authority was dishonored and justice demanded that the penalty be paid for the transgression.” {Ms 196, 1903, par. 1}
“In order to save the human race from eternal death, the Son of God voluntarily consented to bear the penalty for disobedience. Only by the humiliation of the Prince of heaven could the disgrace be removed, justice be satisfied and man be restored to the position he had lost through disobedience. There was no other way. It would not have been sufficient for an angel to come to earth and pass through the test in which Adam stumbled and fell. This could not remove a single stain of sin nor procure for man one hour of probation.” {Ms 196, 1903, par. 2}
The price for transgression is the price of the height of the value of God’s Law, how much it is worth.
“The blood of beasts could not satisfy God’s requirements as a sacrifice of atonement for the transgression of his law. The life of the beast was inferior to that of the transgressor and sinner, and therefore could not be a ransom for sin. It could be accepted by God only as a figure of the sacrifice of his Son.” {RH December 17, 1872, par. 2}
“Man could not redeem man. His sinful, fallen condition would represent an imperfect sacrifice,** a sin-offering of less value than man was before his fall.** God could accept no sacrifice in behalf of man, unless the sacrifice offered possessed a value superior to man in his state of perfection and innocence.” {RH December 17, 1872, par. 3}
“The divine Son of God was the only sacrifice of sufficient value to fully satisfy the claims of God’s perfect law. The angels were sinless, but of inferior value to the law of God. They were amenable to law. They were messengers to do Christ’s will and to minister unto him. They were created beings and finite. No exaction was laid upon Christ. He had power to lay down his life and to take it again. No obligation was laid upon him to undertake the work of atonement. It was a voluntary sacrifice. His life was of sufficient value to save man from his fallen condition.” {RH December 17, 1872, par. 4}
“The Son of God was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. He was the only one who could say to all mankind while living as a man upon the earth, ‘Which of you convinceth me of sin?’ He was one with the Father in the creation of man and had power through his divine perfection of character to redeem man’s transgression, to elevate him, and restore him back to his original position.” {RH December 17, 1872, par. 5}
“The power of one angel could not make an atonement for our sins. Angelic nature united with human nature could not be of so dear, so exalted a value, as the law of God. Only the Son of God could make an acceptable sacrifice.” (Ellen G. White, Youth’s Instructor, 31st August 1887 ‘Search the Scriptures’)
So, it had to be someone who was more valuable than man before his fall into sin and at least of equal value as God’s Law. Angels could not be this. Only the Son of God was as valuable as God’s Law.
“None of the angels could become the substitute and surety for the human race, for their life is God’s; they could not surrender it. Only upon Christ was the human family dependent for their existence. He is the self-existent, eternal Son, upon whom no yoke has come. When God inquired, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ only Christ of the angelic host could respond, ‘Here am I; send me.’ Only he pledged himself before the foundation of the world to become the surety for man. He could say what the highest angel could not say—‘I have power over my own life. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.‘” {Ms101-1897.28}
“The brightness of the Father’s glory was revealed in his Son. Christ was in the express image of his Father’s person. He was the only one of sufficient virtue and value as a sin-offering.” {Lt72-1893.12}
Christ was the only one of such value. God’s justice demanded that the transgression of the Law be paid. Only the Father’s Son could remove the shame of sin. Only Christ was equal to the requirements of the Law, but also higher than that value:
“The sinner could not come personally with his guilt upon him, and without greater merit than he possessed in himself. Only Christ can open the way, by making a sacrifice equal to the demands of the divine law… The magnitude of the terrible results of sin would never have been known, had not the remedy provided been of infinite value.” {2SP 11.1}
Since Christ was one with the Father, He was above the Law, more valuable than the Law. Christ was of infinite value and therefore the only one who could pay the ransom for transgression.
“Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, undertook of his own free will the burden of carrying forward the great plan of salvation. He made an atonement for our sins. Being one with the Father, the Son of the infinite God was above all law. Of the holy, created angels it could not be said, as it was said of Christ, “upon whom no yoke was ever placed.” The angels bear the yoke of service and obedience, and are God’s commissioned messengers. They could not offer a sacrifice adequate for the redemption of man. Christ was equal with the Father. He alone was of sufficient value to undertake the surety for fallen humanity. He was made sin for us. Upon him was laid the iniquity of us all.” {Ms71-1901.3}
“But a plan was devised that the death penalty should fall upon a Substitute of greater value than God’s law. In the plan of salvation there must be the shedding of blood, for death must come as a result of man’s sin.” {RH March 3, 1874, par. 1}
The reason Christ was of such value is that the Father’s life was in Him:
“Every gift is marked with the cross, and bears the image and superscription of Jesus Christ. All things come from God. From the smallest benefits to the greatest blessing, all flow through the one Channel—a superhuman mediation sprinkled with blood that is of inestimable worth because the life of God was in his Son.” {FW 22.1}
“He offered a sacrifice the value of which could by no means be exceeded. The love of God was manifested in and through Christ. The Son of God suffered the penalty of transgression, reconciling the world unto himself.” {Lt72-1906.9}
Christ as the Son of God was more valuable than the Law because the Father’s life was in Him, as we just read, and therefore the Only One of sufficient value as a sin-offering for the transgression of the Law. Nothing less valuable was acceptable.
“Justice, the moral excellence of the law must be maintained and vindicated before the heavenly universe. And that holy law could not be sustained at any less cost than the death of the Son of God.” {RH November 15, 1898, par. 3}
“Man had severed his connection with God, and his soul became paralyzed and helpless by the deadly poison of sin. But there was a time when the proclamation rang through the heavenly courts, ‘I have found a ransom’! The divine life was offered as man’s ransom; One equal with the Father became man’s substitute.” {Lt38-1907.8}
“Nothing short of Christ’s life would redeem man’s transgression.” (Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, 15th November 1899, ‘The Law Revealed in Christ’)
And therefore we received through Christ greater value than we originally had:
“God took every measure that the purpose he had in view in the creation of man should not be frustrated by Satan. After Adam and Eve through disobedience brought death into the world, a costly sacrifice was provided for the human race. Now a greater value is placed upon them than they originally possessed. By giving Christ, his only-begotten Son, as a ransom for the world, God has given the whole of heaven.” {ST April 8, 1897, par. 10}
“The acceptance of Christ gives value to the human being. His sacrifice brings life and light to all who receive Christ as their personal Saviour.” {ST April 8, 1897, par. 11}
“But God will not permit Satan to triumph over him. He has sent his Son into the world that by taking upon himself human form and nature, the divine and human united in him might lift man up in the scale of moral value with God.” {Ms50-1900.3}
“By rebellion and apostasy man forfeited God’s favor; not his right, for he could have no value except as invested in God’s dear Son. This must be understood.” {FW 21.1}
This is precisely why we read so many texts, because this is so important that we must properly understand this point of truth. The curse of the Law was so great that only the life of the Son of God could destroy it.
“We have a message for all, in that Christ, as the Sin Bearer, bore the sins of the world in his own body on the tree. Here is manifested the love of God. The only-begotten Son of God, one equal with the Father, alone could make an atonement for sin. How great must be the curse of sin that it requires the life of the Son of God to destroy it.” {Ms25-1898.19}
2. Only One with Enough Power - Equal with God
It had to be someone who was more powerful even than Satan before his fall, and he was then the highest being next to Christ in the heavenly world, as we saw in the first study about the rebellion in heaven.
“Adam’s sin brought a deplorable state of things. Satan would now have unlimited control over the human race, unless a more powerful being than Satan was before his fall should take the field and conquer him and redeem man.” {RH February 24, 1874, par. 22}
“There came one stronger than the strong man armed. Help was laid upon one that was mighty to save, who could measure weapons with the apostate. Satan was next in power to Christ; he was highly exalted, the covering cherub, and none but Christ could engage in battle with him, successfully resisting the temptations wherewith he assailed the human family.” {BEcho August 6, 1894, par. 7}
“His grace is for all, and his estimate of the human soul is infinite. His power also is unlimited by virtue of his position with the Father… He alone can give man another chance for recovery; for only the One who was equal with God could work out the great plan of redemption.” {Lt44-1907.6}
The key is this: Christ’s equality with God made Him sufficiently valuable and capable of being able to redeem man. We now read confirmations about this:
“Christ’s position with his Father is one of equality. This enabled him to become a sacrifice for sin for transgressors. He was fully adequate to exalt the law and make it honorable.” {Ms48-1893.}
“Because Christ was one with the Father, equal with him, he could make an atonement for transgression and save man, not in his sins, but from his sins.” {Lt363-1904.5}
“The Father and Son united in making this wondrous sacrifice that the character of God might be fully understood and that the fullness of their amazing mercy might be known by fallen angels and sinful men. Only one equal with the Father could offer the sacrifice for the lost race. Only divinity could uplift the sinner into sonship with God and make him partaker of the divine nature.” {Ms139-1907.4}
“Jesus alone could give surety to God; for he was equal with God. He alone could be mediator between God and man; for he possessed divinity and humanity. Jesus could thus give assurance to both parties for the fulfillment of the prescribed conditions. As the Son of God he gives assurance to God in our behalf, and as the eternal Word, as one equal with the Father, he assures us of the Father’s love toward us who believe his covenanted word. When God would assure us of his immutable counsel of peace, he gave his only-begotten Son to become a member of the human family, forever to retain his human nature, as a pledge that God will fulfill his word.” {RH April 3, 1894, par. 13}
“The fallen human race could be restored only through the merits of him who was equal with God.” (Ellen G. White, Messenger, 26th April 1893, ‘Chosen in Christ’)
“Christ undertook the plan when he knew all, that nothing but the infinite capabilities that made him equal with the Father could carry out the plan unless he became one with man, taking upon himself human nature, and thus enduring all temptations as man, and dying that man might live through faith in his redeeming power.” {16MR 192.1}
God the Father was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. Therefore Christ was the only one who could accomplish this work because He is one with the Father and the Father dwells in Him:
“Since only divinity could be efficacious in restoring man from the poisonous sting of the serpent, God himself, in his only-begotten Son, took human nature, and in the weakness of human nature he sustained the character of God, vindicated his holy law in every particular, and accepted the verdict of wrath and death for the sons of men.” (Ellen G. White, Youth’s Instructor, 11th February 1897 ‘The mind of Christ’)
It is about the Father. He took human nature in His Son, and the verdict of wrath and death.
3. Only Christ Reveals the Father’s Character
Only Christ, in the entire universe, could reveal the Father’s love and character. And this was what was important for man to see so that through this he would have the opportunity to return to God whom he now finally sees correctly again. We are changed by beholding:
“The great apostasy originally began with disavowing God’s love, as clearly revealed in his word. Then provision was made whereby fallen man might have a mighty revelation of God’s love and be given an opportunity to return to his allegiance to Jehovah.” {Lt172-1907.9}
“The earth was dark with misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan’s deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; he desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love him; his character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only he who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world’s dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, “with healing in his wings.” Malachi 4:2.” {DA 22.1}
“How many members of the church today sympathize with God in giving gifts that are most dear to him? Between God and his only-begotten Son there existed the closest bond of unity—perfect unity. Thus, through Christ, Satan’s misrepresentation of God could be exposed and shown in its real character.” {Ms57-1898.14}
Only Jesus could portray exactly what the Father is like because only He knew the depth of the Father’s love because He was one with Him. No other being in the universe could do this.
“Satan has labored to intercept every ray of light from God’s throne. He has sought to cast his shadow upon the earth, that men might lose the true view of God’s character, and that the knowledge of God might perish from the earth. He has caused the truth of vital importance to be so mixed with error that it has lost its significance. Jehovah’s law has been burdened with needless exactions and traditions, and God has been represented as severe, exacting, revengeful, and arbitrary. He has been pictured as one who could take pleasure in the sufferings of his creatures. The very attributes that belong to the character of Satan, the evil one has represented as belonging to the character of God. Jesus came to teach men of the Father, to correctly represent him before the fallen children of men. Angels could not fully portray the character of God, but Christ, who was a living embodiment of God, could not fail to accomplish the work. The only way in which he could set and keep men right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. That men might have salvation, he came directly to man, and became a partaker of his nature.” {ST January 20, 1890, par. 6}
“In the work of creation Christ was with God. He was one with God, equal with him, the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person, the representative of the Father. He alone, the Creator of man, could be his Saviour. No heavenly angel could reveal the Father to the sinner and win him back to loyalty to God. But Christ could manifest the Father’s love; for God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Christ could be the “mediator” between the holy God and lost humanity, one who could “lay his hand upon us both.” {ST December 15, 1914, par. 9}
“The only hope for fallen humanity lay in a reconciliation with God. Satan had so misrepresented God that man had no true conception of the divine character. Christ came to the world, and in carrying forward the plan of salvation revealed the fact that “God is love.” {ST December 15, 1914, par. 13}
Christ was the one who made a covenant with the Father even before the creation of the world that He would reveal the Father’s true character to sinners through an infinite sacrifice of Himself. Only He could:
“Christ covenanted with God the Father to represent God’s love in his human nature to the fallen human race. Christ knew that this great display of the mercy of God, which he himself undertook to represent—nothing short could represent that love of infinity but the giving of his own Son to save the sinner.” {16MR 192.1}
“In word and deed the Messiah was, during his earthly ministry,** to reveal to humanity the glory of God the Father. Every act of his life, every word spoken, every miracle wrought,** was to make known to fallen humanity the infinite love of God.**” {PK 696.6}
“To the amazement of all heaven it was announced that God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son to a life of humiliation and suffering. By this incomparable sacrifice the Son of the infinite God showed his love for the fallen human race. He did this as the only means of manifesting God’s love for disobedient human beings. He gave an offering the value of which could by no means be exceeded. The love of God was manifested in and through Christ. The Son of God suffered the penalty of transgression, reconciling the world unto himself.” {Lt72-1906.9}
Christ could portray the Father’s love only by an infinite sacrifice because God’s love for man is also infinite. Therefore angels could not do this. Along with this, he correctly represented God’s Law and the principles that God has ordained.
4. God Gave the Greatest Possible Gift
In all this, showing His love for man, it was not possible for God to give a greater gift, nor did He want or could give a lesser one. People know how to ask questions like this:
“The question has been asked, ‘Would not a less gift from God have been adequate for the redemption of lost man?’ ‘Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ The question is unanswerable, and it is unprofitable for us to spend time in speculation. All our thoughts and imagination will not change in the least any feature of the plan of redemption devised from all eternity. God loved the world to such a degree that he gave full and complete evidence of the fact. He has left no room for the tempter to say that he does not love us, because he has given a gift whose value could not be estimated. Had he done less, Satan and his agents would have endeavored to stir up jealousy against God by intimating that he could have done more than he has done. God so loved the world that he determined to give a gift that could not be computed, and to show how his love is immeasurable. God’s gift will be the wonder of all worlds, of all created intelligences, ever increasing their ideas of what God’s love is in its infinity and greatness. The contemplation of this love will eradicate from the heart all selfishness and so transform the soul that men will cherish generosity, practice self-denial, and imitate God’s example. God so loved the world that he gave heaven’s best Gift, that the vilest transgressor might not delay to come to Christ, however great his sin, and that he might be able to ask for pardon at the throne of grace.” {ST February 5, 1894, par. 6}
God did not want to leave the possibility for anyone to think that He could have given more, but also He could not devise any other possible plan for saving people nor give more because in His Son He gave everything, all Heaven and Himself. That is the infinite love of God.
“But the plan of redemption far transcends the comprehension of the human mind. The great humiliation on the part of God is a mystery that we cannot fathom. The magnitude of the plan cannot be fully comprehended, nor could infinite Wisdom devise a plan that would exceed it.” {RH October 22, 1895, par. 6}
“Let men and women remember that God made a sacrifice that cannot be exceeded in order to save them from eternal ruin. The Son of the infinite God took human nature that he might give his life as a sacrifice for the sinful human race. All heaven was embraced in the gift of God’s Son.” {Ms64-1899.1}
“All that God and Christ could do to save sinners has been done. Transgression has brought the whole world into jeopardy, under the sentence of death. But a voice was heard in heaven saying, ‘I have found a ransom.” {7ABC 469.2}
5. Christ Came to Show That the Law Can Be Kept:
Another objective of the plan of salvation was for Christ to prove that the Law can be kept:
“The Redeemer of the world passed over the ground where Adam fell through his disobedience to the expressed law of Jehovah; and the only-begotten Son of God came to our world as a man, to reveal to the world that men could keep the law of God. Satan, the fallen angel, declared that no man could keep God’s law after Adam’s disobedience. He claimed the right to hold the whole human race under his control.” {Ms1-1892.1}
Here again we see that the Law is what God forbade Adam, that is, what He told him.
6. The Earth Also Needed to be Redeemed:
Also, in the plan of redemption the redemption of Earth was also included:
“Not only did man come under the dominion of the deceiver, but the earth itself, the domain of man’s dominion, was usurped by the enemy. Through the plan of salvation, through Christ’s sacrifice, not only man was to be redeemed, but the domain of his dominion. All that man lost through sin was to be restored through Christ’s merits.” {BEcho July 15, 1893, par. 2}
Some Other Objectives of the Plan of Salvation:
To secure both man and the entire universe, showing God’s true character and the nature of sin:
“Through the plan of salvation** a greater purpose is to be accomplished even than the salvation of man and the redemption of the earth. Through Christ’s revelation of God’s character, the beneficence of the divine government is to be manifested before the universe, Satan’s charge against God refuted, the nature and results of sin made plain, and the perpetuity of the law fully demonstrated.** Satan has declared that God’s law is faulty, and that the good of the universe requires a change in its requirements. In attacking the law, he thought to overthrow the authority of its Author, and gain for himself the supreme allegiance. But through the plan of salvation, the statutes of the law are to be proved perfect and immutable, that finally one tide of glory and love might roll through the universe, ascribing glory, honor, and praise to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.” {BEcho July 15, 1893, par. 3}
“The inhabitants of all worlds will be convinced of the justice of the law in the overthrow of rebellion and the extirpation of sin. When man, led astray by Satan’s power, transgressed the divine law, God could not, even to save the lost human race, change that law. God is love, and to change the law would be to deny himself, to demolish those principles with which the welfare of the universe is bound up. The working out of the plan of salvation reveals to men, as well as to angels, the character of God, and through eternal ages the malignity of sin will be understood by the cost that the Father and Son have paid for the redemption of the rebellious race. In Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, all worlds will see the tokens of the curse, and angels as well as men will ascribe honor and glory to the Redeemer, through whom all are secured from apostasy. The efficacy of the cross secures the redeemed human race from the peril of a second fall. Christ’s life and death effectually expose Satan’s deceptions and refute his claims. Christ’s sacrifice for the fallen world not only attracts men, but angels to himself in bonds of indissoluble unity.” {BEcho July 15, 1893, par. 4}
The following quote basically repeats the same, but is equally important because of the details:
“However, the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man… Christ’s work of dying for the salvation of man will not only make heaven accessible to man, but will justify God and his Son before the entire universe in their dealing with Satan’s rebellion. It will establish the perpetuity of the law of God and reveal the nature and results of sin.” {PP 68.2}
Both angels are secured from apostasy, as well as men from another rebellion, through Christ’s sacrifice because He showed exactly what the Father is like and what His Law and government are like. Satan’s claims are refuted, and the malignity of sin is shown. And the unfallen worlds are secured.
“Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. Then the deceptions and accusations of him who had once been an exalted angel were seen in their true light.” {The Signs of the Times, August 27, 1902. {TA 205.1}
“The holy angels were filled with horror that one of their number could fall so far as to be capable of such cruelty as was manifested toward the Son of God at Calvary. Every feeling of sympathy and pity that they had ever felt for Satan in his banishment was quenched in their hearts.” (The Signs of the Times, September 23, 1889.) {TA 204.2}
“When Christ exclaimed, ‘It is finished,’ the unfallen worlds were secure. For them the battle had been fought and the victory won. Henceforth Satan had no place in the affections of the universe.” {The Review and Herald, March 12, 1901. {TA 204.1}
“Through the plan of salvation God’s justice and mercy are fully vindicated, and for all eternity rebellion will never again arise, trouble will never again touch God’s universe.” {BEcho July 15, 1893, par. 5}
“The meaning of the death of Christ will be seen by the saints and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world… Angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the heavenly angels are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure from evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden…The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides eternal security against defection in unfallen worlds…The death of Christ upon the cross of Calvary is our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come.” (The Signs of the Times, December 30, 1889.) {TA 205.3}
“Christ conquered the enemy for every created being.” {RH March 12, 1901, par. 10}
In this process of redeeming humanity through the great sacrifice, Christ continuously revealed the Father to all in the universe and thus secured the loyalty of all toward the Father and toward Himself.
“Through creation and redemption, through nature and through Christ, the glories of the divine character were revealed. By the wonderful display of his love in giving ‘his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,’** the character of God is revealed to the inhabitants of the universe. Through Christ our heavenly Father is made known as the God of love.**” {ST February 13, 1893, par. 5}
These are mighty and wonderful truths that we must understand.
The Vacancy in Heaven Will Be Filled by the Redeemed
One of the objectives was also to fill the vacancy created in Heaven through the rebellion:
“God desires to fulfill his purpose of grace toward us. By the power of his love, through obedience, fallen man, the worm of the dust, is to be transformed, fitted to be a member of the heavenly family, a companion, through eternal ages, of God, Christ, and holy angels. Heaven will triumph; for the vacancy made by the fall of Satan and his host will be filled by the redeemed of the Lord.” {AUCR June 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 39}
Conditions for Man:
There are conditions for us. Now we read about these conditions for our salvation through this Covenant:
“Through transgression of God’s law Adam lost paradise. In obedience to the Father’s law and through faith in the atoning blood of his Son, paradise may be regained. Repentance toward God”, because his law has been transgressed, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, as the only Redeemer of man, will be acceptable to God. The merits of God’s dear Son in behalf of man will be accepted by the Father, notwithstanding his sinfulness.” {RH February 24, 1874, par. 17}
God wants cooperation from us, in order to be able to save us. We have a part to work out:
“God proposes cooperation with his weak, erring creatures, which he has placed at advantage. On one side are infinite wisdom, goodness, compassion, power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness, poverty, dependence…Man is given the privilege of cooperating with God in the salvation of his own soul. He is to receive Christ as his personal Saviour and believe on him. Reception and belief is his part of the covenant.” {HP 12.4}
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you!” Matthew 7:7. To place ourselves in close connection with Christ, by earnest prayer with faith,—this is our duty. For our part of the covenant we are held responsible. For the rest we are to trust him who knows and understands what will best help us in our endeavors to do his will.” {1MR 115.2}
“Let us place ourselves where we can cooperate with God, enabling him to answer our prayers. He has given his promise, stating, ‘A new heart also will I give you’ (See Ezekiel 36:26). He says he will be found of those who seek him with all their heart. When you lose your connection with Christ, the bank of heaven has not failed, but you have broken your covenant with God. He cannot cover your sin while you continue in sin, refusing to let him take away your transgression, for you assume that by disobedience to God’s commandments you have placed yourself beyond help. The Lord says, ‘Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.‘” {Manuscript 56, 1903, 1, 2. (“A Present Help,” May 22, 1903.) {1MR 115.3}
There are various other important things that could be said regarding the conditions of salvation, but so that we do not expand this study now, we will stop here.
A Strong Call to Accept the Covenant of Salvation
Finally, after such a mighty display of the wonderful plan for our salvation, we are called by the strongest motives to accept this plan and believe and submit to God:
“The Father has given a pledge to sinners, in that he has not withheld his dear beloved Son, but has given him as a sacrifice for them. Christ has given a pledge of his love to sinners, in that he gave his life to save them. If the Father has manifested his love toward sinners by giving his only Son, will he not give every grace and blessing?… The thought that Jesus loves them, that pure angels love them, and that our merciful heavenly Father loves, pities, and desires to save them, should inspire them with faith and confidence in God. The Father has no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but desires that he should repent of his sins and turn unto righteousness and live…” {RH May 4, 1876, par. 67}
“You must have repentance toward God, for it is the Father’s law you have transgressed; and you must believe in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the sinner’s Advocate, who pleads in his behalf. Come, sinner, to the Father and the Son! All heaven invites you to come and receive eternal life.” {RH May 4, 1876, par. 68}
“The strongest motives and inducements that can be imagined are presented to win man back, and gain him from the path of transgression to the path of humble obedience. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” No stronger incentive could be offered. Nothing has been withheld. In Christ God has given himself. He has enriched the world with a gift above all comparison. This gift is the source of all forbearance, long-suffering, and mercy. In him is love sufficient to fill the whole world. It is of infinite value; for with it is given all that heaven could bestow.” {ST January 20, 1898, par. 12}
Such is God’s great love, and such is His wonderful and marvelous character. Therefore let us have faith in Him. Let us follow Christ and He will surely bring us to the Father.