verything that causes us to see the weakness of humanity is in the Lord's purpose to help us to look to him, and in no case put our trust in man, or make flesh our arm. Let us remember that our great High Priest is pleading before the mercy seat in behalf of His ransomed people. He ever liveth to make intercession for us. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and efficacy for those who are backslidden, for those who are rebellious, for those who sin against great light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our advocate stands at God's right hand to plead for us. He has never lost a case that has been committed to Him.
We may trust in our advocate; for He pleads His own merits in our behalf. Hear His prayer before his betrayal and trial. Listen to His prayer for us; for He had us in remembrance. He will not forget His church in the world of temptation. He looks upon His tried and suffering people, and prays for them. Let every word be engraven upon the tablets of the soul. He says, "I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. . . . I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. . . . As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world," that they may be partakers with me in self-denial, self-sacrifice, and in my sufferings. Yes, He beholds His people in this world, which is a persecuting world, and all seared and marred with the curse, and knows that they need all the divine resources of His sympathy and His love. Our forerunner hath for us entered within the vail, and yet by the golden chain of love and truth, He is linked with His people in closest sympathy.
He is making intercession for the most lowly, the most oppressed and suffering, for the most tried and tempted ones. With upraised hands He pleads, "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." God loves to hear, and responds to the pleadings of His Son. Paul writes (Heb. 4:14-16), "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Look, O look to the open door which God hath opened, and no man can shut. Jesus Christ hath He exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel and forgiveness of sins; and will He not with these costly mercies freely give us all things? The full promise is ours; God will not falsify His word. Jesus says, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Do not separate your soul from God by unbelief and unfaithfulness. Only believe, only be doers of the Word, and you may be able to touch every perfection of His being. You are one with Christ, as He is one with the Father. Concerning His followers Jesus prayed, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." O what a request! What tender, inexpressible love is contained in this petition! Our living Head longs to have the members of His body associated with Him. They have had fellowship with Him in His sufferings, and He will not be satisfied with anything less than that they shall have fellowship with Him in His glory. This He claims as His right.
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This article is excerpted from one that first appeared in the August 15, 1893, edition of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (now the Adventist Review). Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White exercised the biblical gift of prophecy during more than 70 years of public ministry.
