The Image of God:

Rejection of the error of Monotheism

Errors may be hoary with age; but age does not make error truth, nor truth
error. Altogether too long have the old customs and habits been followed. The Lord
would now have every idea that is false put away from teachers and
students. {6T 142.1}
Who is the author of this doctrine called Monotheism that teaches that there is
literally one God, when the Holy Scripture declares
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. John
1:1,2
The counsel of peace shall be between Them Both (the Two of
Them). Zechariah 6:13
Who is the one , who inspires this type of thinking? : who opposeth and exalteth
himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians
2:4
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Messengers Preface: This next message building upon the reset foundation revealed in the
Vision of Habakkuk focuses on the True foundation of all Theology: The Godhead in the
Beginning. This is imperative to understand properly because if there is any error or imbalance
here it will skew all understanding of Christian doctrine because all true Christian doctrine flows
from God and leads us back to He Who authored it.
The subject in the Nature of the Oneness of the Godhead; and equally as important it is revealed
that the first estate of the Godhead is They were Two in all eternity past. Jesus is not the Son
of God because as many declare that He was birthed of the Father in times eternal, but that
Since Times eternal Jesus was covenanted to become the Lamb Who was foreordained to
secure the universe from future apostasy.
It is also revealed how that Lucifer built His rebellion in heaven by convincing a third of the
angels that the Godhead (Highest Authority) in heaven should be One (the Father only) or Three,
by including him in authority equal with Christ. So how we believe concerning this is momentous
in its results and sets the stage for what doctrines we judge as true or false according to the law
we establish here, in this foundation of all Christian theology, the faith concerning the Godhead
in the beginning before the creation of the heavenly host. These are also issues that were at
the heart of the opening of the Great Controversy in heaven.
We have learned all of these doctrines moving forward, each one of these, are contentious and
issues of great import So we therefore open you dear reader, that in the beginning - They were
Two and understanding this message sets the stage for receiving the glorious Truth of how
These divine Two became the Heavenly Trio at the incarnation of Jesus.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
The character of God revealed in Christ
Our commission, our message, our power is in the treasure we have received
from heaven; a sacred trust to lighten the earth enshrouded in darkness. This
treasure is the knowledge of the glory of God revealed in His sacred law and in the
Holy Scriptures and in the life of Christ: The Character of the Living God. Gods
character is embodied in the Law of Ten Commandments, which are a transcript of
His character. Gods Name, which is His character, was revealed to Moses at the top
of Mount Sinai; And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD,
The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and
transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting
the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's
children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6,7)
This is the character of God that, through the grace of Christ, we are to attain
unto before Jesus second coming and our time of probation closes. When Christ
shall come, He will not change the character of any individual. Precious,
probationary time is given to be improved in washing our robes of character and
making them white in the blood of the Lamb. {Testimonies volume 4 page 429.2}
Gods character is a perfection of the divine attributes of Mercy and Justice;
Merciful and gracious -unto- will NOT clear the guilty and visiting the
iniquity of the fathers
The more we study the attributes of the character of God as
revealed in Christ, the more we see that justice has been sustained in the
sacrifice that met the penalty of the law, and that mercy has been
provided in the only begotten Son, who bore the penalty of the law in the
sinner's place, in order that man might have another probation, another
opportunity to be obedient to the law of God's government, that it might be
made manifest who could be trusted to become members of the Lord's
family, children of the Heavenly King. {The Review and Herald, March 9,
1897 par. 6}
Those who govern their families in the right way, will bring into the
church an influence of order and reverence. They will represent the
attributes of mercy and justice as standing hand in hand. They will reveal
to their children the character of Christ. {The Review and Herald,
February 19, 1895 par. 3}

Worshipping a false conception of God is idolatry

In this next quote is revealed that it is by knowing Gods character and His
Holy attributes, that we can be guarded from worshiping a false god, a philosophical
idea of God in the place of the true and living God:
Thousands have a false conception of God and His attributes.
They are as verily serving a false god as were the servants of Baal. Are

we worshiping the true God as He is revealed in His Word, in Christ, in nature,

or are we adoring some philosophical idol enshrined in His place? God is a
God of truth. Justice and mercy are the attributes of His throne If
such is the Being whom we adore and to whose character we are seeking
to assimilate, we are worshiping the true God. {Testimonies Volume 5
page 173.4}
EGW plainly stated that many are worshiping what they think to be God, but
they are worshipping an idol in His place. Because they have not yet understood the
attributes of our Lords character revealed in Justice and Mercy, they have become
subject to receive error about God in the place of a true knowledge of Him. The
vision of Habakkuk, showing that from Christs pierced side flows forth both blood
and water and at another time bright beams of light come forth, made plain upon
the two tables of the Ten Commandments also reveal the divine attributes of Gods
character: Justice and Mercy, in a very plain and understandable way; that all may
look and behold the glory of the Lord represented in pictures, assimilate His
character and thereby live.

Justice and Mercy Personified by the Spirit of Prophecy

In this next quote EGW personifies Mercy and Justice as divine Persons so that
we can understand more of the true knowledge of Gods character, and so that we
can more readily discern a counterfeit representation of Him:
We may understand the subject of the work of Christ. His object was to
reconcile the prerogatives of justice and mercy, and let each stand
separate in its dignity, yet united. His mercy was not weakness, but a
terrible power to punish sin because it is sin; yet a power to draw to it the
love of humanity. Through Christ Justice is enabled to forgive without
sacrificing one jot of its exalted holiness.
Justice and Mercy stood apart, in opposition to each other,
separated by a wide gulf. The Lord our Redeemer clothed his divinity with
humanity, and wrought out in behalf of man a character that was without
spot or blemish. He planted his cross midway between heaven and earth, and
made it the object of attraction which reached both ways, drawing both
Justice and Mercy across the gulf. Justice moved from its exalted
throne, and with all the armies of heaven approached the cross.
There it saw One equal with God bearing the penalty for all injustice
and sin. With perfect satisfaction Justice bowed in reverence at the
cross, saying, It is enough. {General Conference Bulletin, October 1,
1899 par. 21,22}
Here EGW likens Christ reconciliation of Mercy and Justice to the
reconciliation of Heaven and earth at the cross. She says Christs mercy was not
weakness, and then says, Justice moved from its exalted thronewith all the
armies of heaven. This shows us that the attributes of Mercy and Justice teach us
something about the relationship between Jesus and the Father; behold, earlier she
stated, His object was to reconcile the prerogatives of justice and mercy, and let
each stand separate in its dignity, yet united.

The Image of God

To have each Divine Attribute stand SEPARATE in their dignity, yet united is
the glory of the character of God and the foundation of His everlasting government.
This is also known as the image of God. Two Exalted Equals standing separate in
their dignity, yet united. In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the
earth as the abode of His special, precious creatures which He would make, God
said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. The Hebrew word here
translated God is Elohyim, which is a plural rendering of God signifying more
than one God. The Word continues and declares So God created man in His Own
image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
(Gen 1:26,27) Human beings are made in the image of God, made after His
likeness. It took both man AND woman for mankind to bear the image of God. This
is because the image of God consists of two equal counterparts (which only make a
whole together) standing separate in their dignity, yet united in mind, purpose and
character; even as God the Father and Jesus His Son are one in purpose, in mind, in
character, but not in person. It is thus that God and Christ are one. {The
Ministry of Healing page 422.1}
We read that EGW asked earlier, Are we worshiping the true God as He is
revealed in His Word, in Christ, in nature...? We see that everything in nature has a
mate, a counterpart; even as man and woman together bear the image of God. The
following is what EGW said this should mean for us in the family home:
The wife and mother should not sacrifice her strength and allow her
powers to lie dormant, leaning wholly upon her husband. Her individuality
cannot be merged in his. She should feel that she is her husband's
equal-- to stand by his side, she faithful at her post of duty and he at
his. {The Adventist Home page 231.2}
God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided "an help meet for
him"--a helper corresponding to him--one who was fitted to be his companion,
and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. Eve was created from a
rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as
the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by
his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him. A part of man, bone
of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, she was his second self; showing the close
union and the affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation. {The
Adventist Home page 25.3}
The image of God is two equal counterparts two complementary partners
acting together, distinct in their individuality, yet united in one holy purpose; even
as husband and wife should work together as one, even as the Father and Jesus are
one in purpose, in mind, in character. This complementary relationship is also
displayed in the relationship of the law and the gospel:
They were Two
Listen to this beautiful confession from the Spirit of Prophecy:

From eternity there was a complete unity between the Father and the
Son. They were two, yet little short of being identical; two in
individuality, yet one in spirit, and heart, and character. {YI, December
16, 1897 par. 5}

Image of God represented in the Law and the Gospel

The grace of Christ and the law of God are inseparable. The law and the
gospel are in perfect harmony. Each upholds the other. In all its majesty
the law confronts the conscience, causing the sinner to feel his need of Christ
as the propitiation for sin. The gospel recognizes the power and immutability
of the law. "I had not known sin, but by the law," Paul declares (Rom.
7:7). The sense of sin, urged home by the law, drives the sinner to the
Saviour.
The gospel points to the moral code as a rule of life. That law,
by its demands for undeviating obedience, is continually pointing
the sinner to the gospel for pardon and peace. {Mind, Character and
Personality Volume 2 page 563.2}

Between Them Both: The Two of Them

It is very evident from the Holy Scriptures that God and Christ existed
together from all eternity as two separate and equal, yet united, Divine and both
Uncreated Beings. Each One upholding, supporting, loving the Other. In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The
same was in the beginning with God. (John1:1,2) And the counsel of peace shall
be between them both. (between the Two of Them, Zech. 6:13 Hebrew).
EGW had this to say about the Two of Them:
Before the Father He (Jesus) pleaded in the sinner's behalf, while the host
of heaven awaited the result with an intensity of interest that words cannot
express. Long continued was that mysterious communing--"the counsel of
peace" (Zechariah 6:13) for the fallen sons of men {Patriarchs and
Prophets page 63.3}
"And the counsel of peace shall be between Them both. The love of the
Father, no less than of the Son, is the fountain of salvation for the lost
raceAnd in the ministration in the sanctuary above, "the counsel of peace
shall be between Them both." {The Great Controversy page 416.4}
Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself, only one equal with
God could make atonement for its transgression. {Patriarchs and Prophets
page 63.2}

The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a
distinct person, yet one with the Father. Christ was God essentially, and
in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all,
blessed forevermore. {Selected Messages Volume 1 page 247.4,3}
From eternity there was a complete unity between the Father and the
Son. They were two, yet little short of being identical; two in individuality,
yet one in spirit, and heart, and character. {YI, December 16, 1897 par. 5}

Then where does the idea of Monotheism come from ?

Since it is very clear from the Scriptures that Jesus is God and is equal in
every way to the Father where then, does this idea of Monotheism, the belief that
there is literally only ONE God, come from?
This theory, today called Monotheism, the idea that there is only One
God, is from the mind of Satan. Monotheism is the foundation upon which
Lucifer established the reasoning behind his rebellion in heaven the rebellion that
carried a third of the angels with him to ruin. Thou shalt not surely die was
Satans first lie in the garden of Eden and the foundation of Modern Spiritualism; but
the idea of Monotheism is the foundation upon which the rebellion against
the government of Jehovah - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is built.
It is time to expose this deceptive reasoning from the enemy of all righteousness so
that we can discover the snare Satan has laid for centuries to keep Christians from
entering into the fullness of the Truth.
Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn
unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set
on fire the foundations of the mountains.
The foundation for Babylon was laid by Lucifer in heaven, by framing a lie.
Jeremiah 51:25 Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith
the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand
upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt
mountain.
To study this, God has provided for our limited understanding by giving us the
Spirit of Prophecy to prepare an end time people, a people prepared for Jesus
second coming. These people who perfectly reflect Christs character will also be
purged from every remaining vestige of error by the enlightenment of the Holy
Spirit. Lets us now learn and receive the Spirit of Prophecy

Satans rebellion based on his supposition of Monotheism as revealed in

the Spirit of Prophecy

The following is a summary of the events, in chronological order, recorded in

the first chapter of EGWs book Patriarchs and Prophets, called Why was sin
permitted; we recommend that you also read this foundational chapter in its
entirety.
The following texts in double quotation marks are selected quotes from Patriarchs
and Prophets pages 34-42 (my comments are in parentheses and TIMES NEW ROMAN type):
The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence.
He had an associate--a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and
could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. "In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same
was in the beginning with God." John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the only
begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father--one in nature, in character,
in purpose--the only being that could enter into all the counsels and
purposes of God.
(EGW here begins by showing that the Father and Jesus existed together for all eternity; both equally
God, separate, yet one in nature, in character, in purpose)
The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings. By
Him were all things created . . .
(Jesus is the hand which created all things; He is God. The Father worked through Jesus in creation, by
Him were all things created; Jesus and the Father are equal.)
Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of
God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven.
Lucifer, "son of the morning," was first of the covering cherubs, holy and
undefiled Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for selfexaltation Not content with his position, though honored above the
heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the
Creator.
(Lucifer, though an honored angel created by Christ, he held the FIRST position of the covering
cherubs he came to desire the worship (homage) which was due only to The Creator)
Lucifer allowed his jealousy of Christ to prevail, and became the more
determined. To dispute the supremacy of the Son of God ,
thus impeaching the wisdom and love of the Creator, had become the
purpose of this prince of angels.
Yet the Son of God was exalted above him (Lucifer), as one in power and
authority with the Father. He (Jesus) shared the Father's counsels, while
Lucifer did not thus enter into the purposes of God. "Why," questioned this
mighty angel, "should Christ have the supremacy? Why is He honored above
Lucifer?"
(Here EGW shows that Lucifer clearly questioned WHY Jesus was shown to be equal with the Father.
Lucifer questioned why had God said that to Him (Jesus), as well as to God, their (the
angles) homage and allegiance were due {PP 36.2}?)

Leaving his place in the immediate presence of the Father, Lucifer went
forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels
(Now lets see the lies Lucifer spread among the angels)

He (Satan) worked with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealed his
real purpose under

an appearance of reverence for

God.
(This is a very important revelation as we see that Satan worked as though he really loved and reverenced
God Lucifer was insinuating that there is only ONE true God, and that he is a worshipper of HIM, the
Father and the exaltation of Christ as God Lucifer represented as an arbitrary act of injustice that could
only be rectified if he also was given this status. Satan built his rebellion on his insinuation that there
could only be ONE God and there should only be ONE God.)
The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was
represented as an injustice to Lucifer, who, it was claimed, was also
entitled to reverence and honor (Lucifer claimed) now even the liberty which
they (the angels) had hitherto enjoyed was at an end; for an absolute Ruler had
been appointed them, and to His authority all must pay homage. Such
were the subtle deceptions that through the wiles of Lucifer were fast
obtaining in the heavenly courts.
(Lucifer worked to insinuate that God the Father conferred upon Jesus honors which were not already
His. He is saying that if God should thus arbitrarily give glory and honor to Jesus, then Lucifer should
have it as well, being that he was first of the covering cherubs. In saying these things, Lucifer is
purposely denying the fact that Jesus created Lucifer and all the angels; Lucifer was falsely wondering
(feigning) why Jesus should be worshipped equally as the Father is worshiped. Lucifer then crowned his
argument by saying that in Jesus being exalted to equality with God the Father, another God (Ruler) has
been newly appointed over thembut Jesus was always God, the Father had already said so. Lucifer was
lying to the angels about Jesus.)
There had been no change in the position or authority of Christ.
Lucifer's envy and misrepresentation and his claims to equality with Christ
had made necessary a statement of the true position of the Son of God; but
this had been the same from the beginning. Many of the angels were,
however, blinded by Lucifer's deceptions.
Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light--misconstruing
and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction There were some
who looked with favor upon Lucifer's insinuations against the government of
God. Although they had heretofore been in perfect harmony with the order
which God had established, they were now discontented and unhappy
because they could not penetrate His unsearchable counsels; they were
dissatisfied with His purpose in exalting Christ. These stood ready to
second Lucifer's demand for equal authority with the Son of God.
The preference shown to Christ he declared an act of injustice
both to himself and to all the heavenly host, and announced that he would no

longer submit to this invasion of his rights and theirs. He would never
again acknowledge the supremacy of Christ. He had determined to
claim the honor which should have been given him, and take command of all

he promised those who

would enter his ranks a new and better
government, under which all would enjoy freedom. Great numbers of
who would become his followers; and

the angels signified their purpose to

accept

him

as their

leader.
(Here we see whither Satans denial of Christ as God was drifting. When he insinuated that Jesus should
not be honored as God, he was inferring that he would acknowledge the Father, but not Christ, as God. If
God the Father should contradict Satans Monotheistic doctrine which he had spread among the angels by
allowing two Gods, then this rebel leader made it known that he would form a new government where he
would be their ONE sole leader; and then, as he insinuated, there wouldnt be this confusion of having
two Rulers.)
For himself (Satan), he was determined never again to acknowledge
the authority of Christ He had artfully presented his side of the question,
employing sophistry and fraud to secure his objects. His power to deceive
was very great. By disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood, he had gained
an advantage. All his acts were so clothed with mystery that it was difficult to
disclose to the angels the true nature of his work. Until fully developed, it
could not be made to appear the evil thing it was; his disaffection would not
be seen to be rebellion. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his
character or see to what his work was leading And his high position, so
closely connected with the divine government, gave greater force to
his representations.
The discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan
charged upon the government of God. All evil he declared to be the
result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his own object
to improve upon the statutes of Jehovah. Therefore God permitted him to
demonstrate the nature of his claims, to show the working out of his
proposed changes in the divine law. His own work must condemn him.
For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he (Satan)
must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine
government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that
the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be
forever placed beyond all question. {Patriarchs and Prophets page
42.3}
_____________________________________________________________________________________
EGW sums up what the rebellion of Lucifer in heaven was truly about in her book
Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 1 in the following simple words:

He (Satan) introduced his subject, which was himself. As one aggrieved,

he related the preference God had given Jesus to the neglect of himself. He
told them that henceforth all the sweet liberty the angels had enjoyed was at
an end. For had not a ruler been appointed over them, to whom they
from henceforth must yield servile honor? He stated to them that he
had called them together to assure them that he no longer would submit to
this invasion of his rights and theirs; that never would he again bow down to
Christ; that he would take the honor upon himself which should have been
conferred upon him, and would be the commander of all who would
submit to follow him and obey his voice. There was contention among
the angels. Satan and his sympathizers were striving to reform the
government of God. They were discontented and unhappy because they
could not look into his unsearchable wisdom and ascertain his purposes in
exalting his Son Jesus, and endowing him with such unlimited power and

They rebelled against the

authority of the Son. {Spirit of Prophecy Volume 1 page
command.
18.2}

And this revelation from a Review and Herald article penned by EGW titled,
Redemption:
Satan, who was once an honored angel in Heaven, had been ambitious
for the more exalted honors which God had bestowed upon his Son. He
became envious of Christ, and represented to the angels who honored him as
covering cherub that he had not the honor conferred upon him which
his position demanded. He asserted that he should be exalted equal in
honor with God. {The Review and Herald, February 24, 1874 par. 2}

Also, consider these insights as to insinuations (lies) Satan made against the
government of God:
In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the
law of God could not be obeyed, (and) that justice was inconsistent with
mercy {The Desire of Ages page 761.4}

(Lucifer is here saying that TWO could not rule in harmony; he claimed that it was inconsistent)

Monotheism, the belief that there is literally only one God, is a lie of
Satan. He rebelled against Gods government, where there were two Rulers Who
were equal, united and loving, each upholding the Other. Lucifers loyalty was
tested and he failed by showing jealousy and coveting what was not his. Satan built
his rebellion by insinuating his deceptions and getting his hearers to accept the idea

that there is only one God, the Father, and that that is how it should be. Satans
deception ends with him enticing his hearers to follow him and accept him as their
one god.

Jews believed the error that their own scriptures taught Monotheism
Satan inspired the Jews to misinterpret their own scriptures, according to his
lie of Monotheism; but it is only because of back-sliding and sin that Satan was
successful in doing this. Had the Jews been faithful to God, they would not have
come to this conclusion. God revealed Himself as Elohyim (a plural expression of
Deity) and God said let US make man in Our own image. The Jews consistently
understood the word elohyim as gods when it was used to describe the gods of
other nations. Yet they taught that Elohyim means God in a singular sense,
according to their traditional understanding, when it applied to Elohyim their God;
when they did this, they were not explaining it according to the proper use of their
own language, but according to religious tradition. It was not Gods will that the
Jews should be thus deceived.
Thus saith the Hebrew scriptures:
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a
right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore
God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows. Psalms 45:6,7
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make
thine enemies thy footstool. Psalms 110:1
and

the counsel of peace shall be between Them

Both Zechariah 6:13

All error must be removed to receive the fullness of the latter rain of
Christs Spirit
Now, at the end of the world, it is time we proclaim the truth so that we might
receive the fullness of the latter rain of Gods Spirit: The Spirit of Truth. The latter
rain will be poured out without measure into new bottles, not old bottles still holding
onto vain ideas received by tradition from (our) fathers of the flesh. We have a
duty not only to reject error, but lift up the message of truth unto those still veiled
by the rubbish of error.
I saw that the Man with the "dirt brush" has entered, and that some
are in danger of being swept away. {Early Writings page 48.2}
I remembered God, and earnestly prayed that He would send me help.
Immediately the door opened, and a Man entered the room, when the
people all left it; and He, having a dirt brush in His hand, opened the

windows, and began to brush the dirt and rubbish from the room.
{Early Writings page 83.1,2}
Errors may be hoary with age; but age does not make error truth, nor
truth error. Altogether too long have the old customs and habits been
followed. The Lord would now have every idea that is false put away
from teachers and students. {Testimonies Volume 6 page 142.1}

Every error is sin from Satan

Every error is sin, and every sin has its origin with Satan. Wrong
practices have blinded the eyes and blighted the perceptive faculties of men
and women. We need now to be guarded on every point. . . . {This Day with
God page 163.2}
I was shown that if God's people make no efforts on their part, but wait
for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct
their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they
will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on
those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which
God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. {Testimonies
Volume 1 page 619.1

Let Gods ways of Justice and Mercy guard us from all error of Satan

The Testimony of Jesus instructs us that we are shielded from Satans errors
by knowing Gods perfect character
We are here to become like God in character, and by a life of service to
reveal Him to the world. In order to be co-workers with God, in order to
become like Him and to reveal His character, we must know Him aright.
We must know Him as He reveals Himself.
A knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all
true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation. It is this
alone that can make us like God in character.
This is the knowledge needed by all who are working for the uplifting of
their fellow men. Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in
service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a right
knowledge of God. This knowledge is the essential preparation both for this
life and for the life to come.
"The knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.

Through a knowledge of Him are given unto us "all things that pertain
unto life and godliness." 2 Peter 1:3.
"This is life eternal," said Jesus, "that they might know Thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3. {The Ministry of
Healing page 409.1-5}

My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways.
Proverbs 23:26
Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne: mercy and truth
shall go before Thy face. Psalms 89:14

Mercy and truth are met together;

righteousness and peace have kissed each
other. Psalms 85:10
God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy.
Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love. It had been
Satan's purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. He sought to
prove that the righteousness of God's law is an enemy to peace. But Christ
shows that in God's plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one
cannot exist without the other. "Mercy and truth are met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Ps. 85:10.
By His life and His death, Christ proved that God's justice did not
destroy His mercy, but that sin could be forgiven, and that the law is
righteous, and can be perfectly obeyed. Satan's charges were refuted.
God had given man unmistakable evidence of His love... {The Desire of
Ages page 762.3, 4})
We can see Christ's righteousness in the law. In the cross of Calvary,
"mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have
kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10). This is the blending that there should be
in our work.
Truth and righteousness must be presented with the love of God as it
was manifested in Jesus. What purity will then be seen! What a cleansing
of every moral defilement will be shown to be necessary! Then, when
this is done, the stubbornness of the will which has kept so many away from
the light, as they behold the preciousness of the Redeemer, His mercy and
pity, will all be melted away from their souls... {Faith and Works pages 59.360.1}
The glory of the law is Christ; he came to magnify the law, and to make it
honorable. Make it appear distinct that mercy and peace have met
together in Christ, and righteousness and truth have embraced each
other. When you look to his throne, offering up your penitence, praise, and
thanksgiving that you may perfect Christian character, and represent Christ
to the world, you abide in Christ, and Christ abides in you; you have the

peace that passes all understanding. We need continually to meditate upon

Christ's attractive loveliness. We must direct minds to Jesus, fasten them
upon him. In every discourse dwell upon the divine attributes. {RH,
December 13, 1892 par. 6}
As the bow in the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight and the
shower, so the rainbow encircling the throne represents the combined
power of mercy and justice. It is not justice alone that is to be maintained;
for this would eclipse the glory of the rainbow of promise above the throne;
men could see only the penalty of the law. Were there no justice, no penalty,
there would be no stability to the government of God. It is the mingling of
judgment and mercy that makes salvation complete. It is the blending
of the two that leads us, as we view the world's Redeemer, and the law of
Jehovah, to exclaim, "Thy gentleness hath made me great." We know that the
gospel is a perfect and complete system, revealing the immutability of the
law of God. It inspires the heart with hope, and with love to God. Mercy
invites us to enter through the gates into the city of God, and justice is
satisfied to accord to every obedient soul full privileges as a member of the
royal family, a child of the heavenly King. If we were defective in character,
we could not pass the gates that mercy has opened to the obedient; for
justice stands at the entrance, and demands holiness in all who would see
God. Were justice extinct, and were it possible for divine mercy to open the
gates to the whole race, irrespective of character, there would be a worse
condition of disaffection and rebellion in heaven than before Satan was
expelled. The peace, happiness, and harmony of heaven would be broken.
The change from earth to heaven will not change men's character; the
happiness of the redeemed in heaven results from the character formed in
this life after the image of Christ. {The Advent Review and Sabbath
Herald, December 13, 1892 par. 7}
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Additional information and studies under this topic:
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Places in Old Testament where Jews should have seen error of Monotheism.
(some examples: Ps. 45:7 and Ps. 110.1; One = Hebrew word: Echad means
oneness in duality, see: Gen.2:24, Deut. 6:4)

Satan led Jews to believe that Messiah, would be a man but not God. But will
God indeed dwell on the earth? (1 Kings 8:27) they misinterpreted saying
blasphemy - because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God (John
10:33)... (Jesus silences His critics Matt. 22:41-46)

Ecumenicists in the major world religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity

promote their common Monotheistic belief as foundation for future unity.