Righteousness by Faith

The Final events of this world’s history are a reality before our very eyes; the time of test has come for God’s people, “for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer.” a The time has come for the bride to “make herself ready” for the wedding by receiving the gift of His wedding garment. As watchmen and light-bearers “the last warning message” has been entrusted to modern Israel, this is a “work of the most solemn import,” – “the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.” b (See Revelation 14:6-12; 18:1-5) The message of Justification by faith is the third angle’s message, in fact, “It is the third angel's message in verity." The prophet declares, "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory." Brightness, glory, and power are to be connected with the third angel's message, and conviction will follow wherever it is preached in demonstration of the Spirit.” c The Loud Cry is the final Gospel warning message, to be given to the whole world. It will be given in great power as the Holy Spirit is poured out immediately prior to the closure of human probation. In (Revelation 18:1) a fourth angels is introduced, giving brightness, glory, and power to the Loud Cry of the third angel. The light will be the glorious truth of God’s Character revealed clearly and with power through the full message of the Everlasting Gospel. “This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family.” d This Glorious truth of “Christ our righteousness,” leaves no room for self-righteousness, for the glorifying of self. “The Spirit of righteousness will undo the work of sin. When the spirit is poured upon us from on high, ‘then will the wilderness become a fruitful field.’ Although violence shall fill the earth, even as in the days that were before the flood (See Genesis 6:11; Matthew 24:37), ‘yet the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.’ ” e “Righteousness is right-doing; it is the opposite of unrighteousness, and ‘all unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’ 1 John 3:4. Therefore righteousness is the keeping of the law. It is also peace, because it is the way of the Lord (Psalms 119:1-3), and He is ‘the very God of peace.’ ‘Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.’ Psalms 119:165. ‘They have none occasion of stumbling.’ ‘Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Romans 5:1. Thank God, ‘the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.’ Even though we have sinned, and have departed from the law of peace and righteousness, we may in Christ be brought into the right way, because He is the way, the true way. His name is ‘ the Lord our righteousness.’ He is of God made unto us wisdom and righteousness. ‘Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.’ Romans 10:4. Those who forsake their own way, and come to Christ, allowing Him to dwell in their hearts by faith, attain unto righteousness (Romans 9:30-33), even that righteousness which is witnessed by the law and the prophets. (Romans 3:21-22)” f "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. " Matthew 5:6 “Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and "God is love." 1 John 4:16. It is conformity to the law of God, for "all Thy commandments are righteousness" (Psalm 119:172), and "love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10). Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him.” g “Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love . The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.” “The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works--in words of truth and deeds of holiness…. Christ has made every provision that His church shall be a transformed body, illumined with the Light of the world, possessing the glory of Emmanuel. It is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace. He desires that we shall reveal His own joy in our lives.” h a.) RH November 22, 1892 b.) 9T 19 c.) RH April 1, 1890 d.) TM 91 e.) E. J. Waggoner, “Treasures in Isaiah,” 169 f.) E. J. Waggoner, “Treasures in Isaiah,” 390-1 g.) MB 18 h.) COL 415, 416, 419