The Lord sent a very important message in the year 1888 on the righteousness of Christ and the true gospel. It revealed the truth of many things for which modern day Christianity was lacking. It presented the truth in a primary and simple way that appealed to the conscience. It presented God is a fresh wonderful light that caused a great religious awakening. It was and is indeed the message of the angel of Revelation 18:1-4. So what exactly is this message? What does it contain? The key points of the message will be highlighted below:
May God Help us to look again more closely at this "Most Precious Message."
- The 1888 message presented God as the taking the initiative to save fallen man rather that the popular view that we have to try hard to save ourselves.
- It presented the correct understanding of the gospel. Jesus Christ did not die to pay a legal penalty merely but much more. He died to reveal God's righteousness, His character and vindicated the principles of His government. All of that was accomplished by the cross of Calvary. Even more still it fully displayed to two antagonistic universal forces that will finally collide again, This time in the person of the 144000 and the finally unrepentant who receive the mark of the beast.
- The 1888 Message expanded the concept of the righteousness of God. It showed that righteousness is more than right doing. It is God's agape love in action. That is, God's application of His love to the sin problem will produce total and final victory over death (Revelation 21:4).
- The 1888 message also brought the connection between the sanctuary message of Daniel 8:14 and the perfection of the saints. It was beautifully shown how the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary was simultaneous to the cleansing of God's people on earth producing the final remnant.
- The 1888 Message presented more clearly the issues at stake in the Great Controversy.The nature of Christ's victory over our sinful fallen flesh (Romans 8:1-4) and this victory being given to us as a free gift to be received put the everlasting gospel on a solid footing of God's agape love.
- The 1888 Message made it clear that the gospel has two parts. The Objective or legal or forensic gospel. That is, what God has done for the entire human race apart from their individual choice. All humanity stands redeemed, sanctified, forgiven, cleansed, reconciled and washed of all sin "in Christ." That is the Objective gospel. However, to make the experience real in the believers life the Subjective gospel makes that work effective in the life by the Holy Spirit. The believer now believes and receives the good news of the gospel plan worked out in Jesus Christ and submits to the Holy Spirit to be born again, cleansed and progressively transformed into the image of Christ. This occurs only with the believers consent after responding to the drawing of the Holy Spirit.
- The 1888 Message brought to light the doctrine of the Two Adams (1 Corinthians 15:44-48). The 1st Adam sold out Humanity. The second Adam redeemed all humanity. Whereby now all humanity must choose whether to remain in Adam or be found in the second Adam.
- The 1888 Message brought to light the fact that the covenants are conditions of the heart and not dispensation of time. God's covenant is His promise (Galatians 3:19) therefore God promises to make us His sons and daughters, He promises to make us righteous, He promises to keep us from falling, the work is the Lord's! The Long delay is on our part for unbelief of God's gracious promises
- The 1888 Message presented the correct between the law of God, His character and Government. Emphasis is placed on heart obedience because we see God;s agape love and the gracious provision of His law as a description of His character and government rather than a set of rules to follow by rote.
- Finally and most importantly, The 1888 Message presented the agape Love of God in Jesus Christ as the solution to all the problems facing the church. The all for the other none for self love that characterizes life itself for the universe. A love that is at the center of God Himself and flows out to all. It presents this love in Jesus Christ as the standard and free gift to e believed and received to finish this work of vindicating the character and Government of God before the entire universe.
May God Help us to look again more closely at this "Most Precious Message."