It is an unfortunate fact of our generation that the majority of Seventh-day Adventists either reject the Biblical doctrine of a heavenly sanctuary OR they were never taught this doctrine to begin with. The end result is just the same.
We find ourselves in the midst of God’s church militant; there is a war going on between the wheat and tares over the destiny of God’s church. Thankfully, we are not of the sort that would abandon God’s church because of a struggle but rather we stand our ground in the midst, planting the everlasting banner of present truth, the Three Angels Messages. In that regard, there are a few things we must understand at this time…
• This war within God’s church, between wheat and tares will only continue until the harvest (Matt. 13:24-30).
• The harvest, in a general sense, is the end of the world (Matt. 13:39).
• In principle, harvest is that time when both wheat and tares are CLEARLY DISTINGUISHED FROM THE OTHER. This time for Seventh-day Adventists is at the passing of the National Sunday Law. In other words, this war within God’s church will not end until the passing of the NSL and then rather than (1) the church militant we will be (2) the church triumphant.
“God has a church upon the earth who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading, not stray offshoots, not one here and one there, but a people. The truth is a sanctifying power; but the church militant is not the church triumphant. There are tares among the wheat. “Wilt thou then that we ... gather them up?” was the question of the servant; but the master answered, “Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.” The gospel net draws not only good fish, but bad ones as well, and the Lord only knows who are His.” CCh 240.1
“The life of Christ was a life charged with a divine message of the love of God, and He longed intensely to impart this love to others in rich measure. Compassion beamed from His countenance, and His conduct was characterized by grace, humility, truth, and love. Every member of His church militant must manifest the same qualities, if He would join the church triumphant.” FE 179.3
“The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the church triumphant.”—Ev 707.1
From the above quotations we can clearly see that God’s church has two phases during its growth: the militant phase and then finally the triumphant phase. What is it that makes the church militant? It is the presence of both wheat and tares.
Those who at the Global Sunday Law test “have proved faithful” will become the church triumphant (a whole wheat church). What should be our mindset toward those in the church today who war against present truth?
We must realize that we are at war not with people but with the powers of darkness (Eph. 6:12-13, Hosea 4:4-6). Rather than leaving the church we are to patiently stand our ground and earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3, 2 Cor. 10:3-5).
One major stronghold that Satan has set against present truth is the false doctrine that there is no sanctuary in heaven and no power to live a victorious life over sin.
Christ has broken down every barrier, every possible hindrance to us having victory over sin. The only obstacle is SELF!
We must be ready always to give an answer for the hope that is in us.
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Musa Nkosi is a graduate from Southwestern Adventist University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. His goal is to use his talents and abilities for the Lord’s cause in the finishing of the work.