1. Presents Mistaking The Identity of Christ Mistaking The Identity of Christ Compiled and Illustrated from The study of The Word of GOD And The Spirit of Prophecy, February 2015 Introduction Part (1) `

2. It is said that, "The spiritualistic theories regarding the personality of God, followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away the whole Christian economy." {1SM 203.4} And speaking of these spiritualistic theories regarding The Personality of God, it is said, "They estimate as nothing the light that Christ came from heaven to give John to give to His people." {1SM 203.4} "They teach that the scenes just before us are not of sufficient importance to be given special attention." {1SM 203.4}

3. “They make of no effect the truth of heavenly origin, and rob the people of God of their past experience, giving them instead a false science." {1SM 203.4} Speaking of the spiritualistic theories, it is said, “…these sentiments have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be brought in and made prominent…” as the grand truths of the faith. {1SM 204.1} “The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists.” {1SM 204.2} This reformation "would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith.” {1SM 204.2} (Selected Messages, Volume 1, Page 203-204) This reformation "would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith.” {1SM 204.2} (Selected Messages, Volume 1, Page 203-204)

4. Although these prophesies were given to the church back in the late 1800’s, to make us, who we are as Seventh-day Adventists, today, our churches do not seem to be aware of any problem, to respond to these prophesies with any great concern towards repenting from the mistakes made in the past, in the discernment of the Identity of The Personality of God. Especially when the prophesies have revealed that the spiritualistic theories would be brought into the faith, and be made prominent, to give up the true understanding of The Faith, which was once delivered to the saints. The spiritualistic theories are not seen for what they are. And the errors in judgment, tents to sweep away the whole Christian economy, to establish the faith upon a false science of spiritualistic theories, which has been brought into the church, as the grand truths, to be made prominent in the faith.

5. Imagine for a moment a bride to be, who looks forward with great anticipation, to meet her husband to be at the airport. The day finally arrives to meet her husband to be, and she goes to the airport to meet him face to face for the first time. And she looks and looks at every man that she believes is her husband to be. All the while, her husband to be is waiting for her at the location where he said they would meet. Like Mary, who had mistaken her Lord to be the gardener, rather than The Risen Christ, Isaiah testifies of Christ Jesus and His bride to be, and how she responded to Him, by not believing the reports given of Him. Isaiah testified and said…

6. “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:1-4).

7. “But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:5-7).

8. “He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:8-10).

9. “He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 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 53:11, 12).

10. Ellen G. White wrote and said, "They make of no effect the truth of heavenly origin, and rob the people of God of their past experience, giving them instead a false science." They make of no effect the truth of heavenly origin, because, “Few can discern the result of entertaining the sophistries advocated by some…” And because few can discern the sophistries of the spiritualistic theories, the leaders of the faith preach boldly the errors within the faith, to make of no effect The Truth of heavenly origin. Speaking of the result of entertaining the sophistries advocated by some, Ellen G. White wrote a letter to a brother, who was departing from the faith. And she said...

11. Danger of Accepting Infidel Sentiments “Brother [G. C.] Tenney, you have been drawn away from the truth more than you have known, and your connection with men in Battle Creek has been to your great injury. The light of your past experience is going out. “I have been surprised and made sad to read some of your articles in the Medical Missionary, and especially those on the sanctuary question. These articles show that you have been departing from the faith. You have helped in confusing the understanding of our people. The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith. “Brother [G. C.] Tenney, you have been drawn away from the truth more than you have known, and your connection with men in Battle Creek has been to your great injury. The light of your past experience is going out. “I have been surprised and made sad to read some of your articles in the Medical Missionary, and especially those on the sanctuary question. These articles show that you have been departing from the faith. You have helped in confusing the understanding of our people. The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith.

12. “If you had remained away from the seducing influences that Satan is exerting at the present time in Battle Creek, you might yet be standing on vantage ground. “We are very sorry to see the result of gathering a large number to Battle Creek. Ministers who have been believers in the foundation truths that have made us what we are -- Seventh-day Adventists; ministers who went to Battle Creek to teach and uphold the truths of the Bible, are now, when old and gray-headed, turning from the grand truths of the Bible, and accepting infidel sentiments. This means that the next step will be a denial of a personal God, pulling down the bulwarks of the faith that are plainly revealed in the Scriptures. “If you had remained away from the seducing influences that Satan is exerting at the present time in Battle Creek, you might yet be standing on vantage ground. “We are very sorry to see the result of gathering a large number to Battle Creek. Ministers who have been believers in the foundation truths that have made us what we are -- Seventh-day Adventists; ministers who went to Battle Creek to teach and uphold the truths of the Bible, are now, when old and gray-headed, turning from the grand truths of the Bible, and accepting infidel sentiments. This means that the next step will be a denial of a personal God, pulling down the bulwarks of the faith that are plainly revealed in the Scriptures.

13. “In the Word is given the warning, "Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." -- Letter 208, 1906." (Retirement Years, Page 78)

14. In the letter that Ellen G. White wrote to the brother, who was being drawn away from The Truth, she said that he was drawn away more than he had known, which by his connection with men in Battle Creek, his connection caused him great injury. The light of his past experience was going out. His articles showed that he was departing from the faith and was helping to confuse the understanding of our people, on what the correct understanding is on the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary, which is the foundation of our faith. And what about those, who are in the church today, who are helping to confuse the understanding of our people on the correct understanding of the Identity of The Personality of God? Are they not denying The Light of GOD to His people, to rob them of their past experience, and lead them to walk in darkness? In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he shared a thought, which will be used, to set the framework in presenting this series of presentations, on The Identity of Christ. Paul said…

15. “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity” (1 Corinthians 13:9-13).

16. Notice the framework on what Paul is saying, which will be used in the presenting of this series of presentations, on knowing Christ Identity. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. and we prophesy in part. when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. Paul said… But then

17. he said… When I was a child, I understood as a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child: when I became a man, I put away childish things. But

18. Paul also said… For now we see through a glass, darkly; now I know in part; then face to face: then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; the greatest of these is charity. But

19. In the preparing of this series for this presentation, The LORD presented by HIS Word, a devotionals study, right in the time that it was need. In the devotional for one of the days in which this presentation was being prepared, came the title that reveals its’ intent, which says, “Help in Study” Notice what this devotional says about The Help, Which comes from The LORD by HIS Word. It says…

20. Help in Study “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). “Be careful how you interpret Scripture. Read it with a heart opened to the entrance of God's Word, and it will express heaven's light, giving understanding unto the simple. This does not mean the weak-minded, but those who do not stretch themselves beyond their measure and ability in trying to be original and independent in reaching after knowledge above that which constitutes true knowledge.

21. “All who handle the Word of God are engaged in a most solemn and sacred work; for in their research they are to receive light and a correct knowledge, that they may give to those who are ignorant. Education is the inculcation of ideas which are light and truth. Everyone who diligently and patiently searches the Scriptures that he may educate others, entering upon the work correctly and with an honest heart, laying aside his preconceived ideas, whatever they may have been, and his hereditary prejudices at the door of investigation, will gain true knowledge. But it is easy to put a false interpretation on Scripture, placing stress on passages, and assigning to them a meaning, which, at the first investigation, may appear true, but which by further search, will be seen to be false.”

22. “If the seeker after truth will compare Scripture with Scripture, he will find the key that unlocks the treasure house and gives him a true understanding of the Word of God. Then he will see that his first impressions would not bear investigation, and that continuing to believe them would be mixing falsehood with truth.” “The Psalmist David in his experience had many changes of mind. At times, as he obtained views of God's will and ways, he was highly exalted. Then as he caught sight of the reverse of God's mercy and changeless love, everything seemed to be shrouded in a cloud of darkness. But through the darkness he obtained a view of the attributes of God, which gave him confidence and strengthened his faith.....

23. “As he wept and prayed, he obtained a clearer view of the character and attributes of God, being educated by heavenly agencies, and he decided that his ideas of God's justice and severity were exaggerated.--Manuscript 4, Feb. 4, 1896." (This Day With God, Page 43)

24. The focus of understanding this framework, of comparing Scripture with Scripture, is to help guide our understanding, from seeing through a glass darkly, to the point of bringing our focus, into focus, on knowing The Truth of Christ Identity, even as we also are known. The reason for presenting this concept of a framework, through which this series will be presented, is to comprehend that we can have two, ten, a hundred, or even thousand people in a dark room, and they are not all looking in the same direction, or even have the same thought, or view in their minds. A person could present an idea, to look in this direction. And another person in another location may present another idea, to look in that direction. But if all are in darkness, then all, who are caught in the middle are left trying to decide in which direction they are to view the presented idea.

25. The problem has been the case in which, not everyone is standing in the same place in his, or her growth in the understanding of The Word of GOD. As Paul said… “…we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:9, 10). There are many views that are being presented in the faith, which do not fit with The Testimony of Scripture. And many have settled on placing these views under the large umbrella of the term “mystery” that these views might be accepted into the faith. By using the term “mystery”, it means that we must accept these views on faith that they are in agreement with Scripture. Yet, according to The Scriptures, Paul has testified and said…

26. “…that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19, 20).

27. Notice what GOD has revealed to us by HIS Word through His servant Paul. “…that which may be known of God manifest in them; God hath shewed [it] unto them. the invisible things of him the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, his eternal power and Godhead; they are without excuse. Is For from even so that

28. Notice that the things that are made in The Image of GOD, HE has revealed The Invisible Things of HIM, to manifest That, Which may be known of HIM in them. And they are without excuse for not knowing, even HIS Eternal Power and Godhead, Which HE has shown unto them, being understood from the creation of the world by the things that are made, even man, whom HE has created in HIS Own Image. End of Part 1