BOOK REVIEW: NEVER WITHOUT AN INTERCESSOR
Never Without An Intercessor: The Good News About the Judgement by Morris Vendon. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1996. Available at www.adventistbookcenter.com
The title caught my attention right away. It was taken from a statement in The Great Controversy p. 614. Heres that statement. "When He [Christ] leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed."
What is this statement talking about? Vendon, on page 67 says, "It's talking about the intercession, the intervention that God has manifested to keep this world from falling apart. That comes to an end." Significantly, it is not talking about a point in time when the righteous must stand alone without Jesus perfect righteousness covering theirs. How do we know?
The context of the paragraph itself prevents such an interpretation. If we were to keep reading The Great Controversy p. 614, Ellen White actually identifies who this lack of intervention effects. "Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent...The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation...Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one."
So when Jesus releases the four winds (Revelation 7:1) and all hell breaks loose, it may be a scary time even for Christians. But we need not be overwhelmed. For Hebrews 7:25 says Jesus is able to save "them that come unto God by Him" because He "ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). "Ever liveth" means long after the beginning of the end of the world! Romans 8:38-39 says nothing can separate us from Jesus. He is "With us always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
For fearful Adventists, intimidated by misunderstandings of judgement and times of trouble, Vendon reminds us why Revelation 14:7 is indeed very good news.
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3 comments:
It is time for a new blog!!!!!
Although the question might be asked, is Jesus supposed to be interceding for us in heaven, too?
Glenn
You said: "Is Jesus supposed to be interceding for us in heaven, too?"
Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 says He is and does. But Revelation 22:11 suggests that ends right before He returns. After the door to the ark was closed, nobody still wicked got in the ark. That didn't mean Noah didn't still have God's protection though. So I doubt it means we won't either [Ps 94:14 and Matt 28:20]. Eh?
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