The 1888 Message:
The Key to Finishing God’s Work
—Interview with Steve Wohlberg—
(Part 2)
4. What is the good news of the 1888 story?
During the 1888-era, both E.J. Waggoner and A.T. Jones taught the solid biblical truth that “righteousness” is defined by God’s law (Isa. 51:7; Ps. 119:172). God’s law is “the law of righteousness.” Rom. 9:31. They also taught the good news that “God so loved the world” (John 3:16)—even while we were all lost in sin (Rom. 5:8)—and took the initiative to send Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, who entered fallen human flesh (John 1:14; Rom. 8:3) and wove into in His own character a life of spotless obedience to the Ten Commandments (John 15:10) in our behalf. This incredible act of love and grace earned Jesus the royal right to the title: “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jer. 23:6. Then on a cruel cross, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Cor. 15:3). He even experienced the horrors of the second death! (Rev. 20:14)
The full price has already been paid!
When the Holy Spirit convicts us of God’s infinite love and of our personal sins of violating His law of love which crucified the Son of God, He leads us to repent of every sin and to trust, not in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ, who alone is OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. When we do, fully consistent with His core principles of justice and mercy, God Himself can still “be just [maintaining the justice of His law], and the justifier [by declaring us “not guilty”] of him which believes in Jesus.” Rom. 3:19,20,26
More than this, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:5) which brings the Presence of Jesus directly into our souls. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:4. “Love is the fulfilling [keeping] of the law” (Rom. 13:10).
Here is the best simple summary I have ever found of this biblical message:
Righteousness is defined by the standard of God's holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on Sinai…Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly obey the holy law. We have no righteousness of our own [Rom. 3:10] with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us. He lived on earth [in fallen human flesh] amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet [Heb. 4:15]. He lived a sinless life. He died for us [an expression of infinite love], and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If [here is a clear condition; Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9] you give yourself to Him [our part], and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous [pronounced by God “not guilty”]. Christ's character [His spotless righteousness] stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.
More than this, Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith…Then with Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works—works of righteousness, obedience. Steps to Christ, pp. 61-63
What a perfect, balanced blend of biblical truths! Satan hates this combination of truths, but God wants us to believe them, experience them, and teach them to the world. FYI, my practice has been to learn from the early writings of Jones and Waggoner (before they lost their way), to read the Spirit of Prophecy, and to look to the Bible as my final authority.
5. What dangers or warnings are expressed in the 1888 message?
The warning is that God’s just judgments will soon fall upon every unrepentant transgressor of His law (Heb. 2:2,3) who resists His love, trusts in his or her own righteousness [Rom. 10:3; Rev. 3:17-19) and refuses to repent. The danger is that if we reject God’s biblical message “false theories and ideas will take minds captive, Christ and His righteousness will be dropped out of the experience of many, and their faith will be without power or life” (Gospel Workers, p. 161).
Jesus urges Laodicea, “I counsel you to buy of Me gold [faith and love] tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment [His spotless righteousness] that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve [the Holy Spirit] that you may see” (Revelation 3:18).
Notice carefully that Jesus describes self-righteous Laodiceans as being “naked” and not clothed with His righteousness. Yes, Jesus already accomplished many wonderful things for lost sinners, whether they believe in Him or not (He keeps everyone alive, He died for our sins), but based on His clear statement in Revelation 3:17,18 (which perfectly agrees with Steps to Christ p. 62), Christ’s death did not automatically cover every naked lost sinner in the entire world with His royal robe of righteousness so that all lawbreakers are now “accounted righteous” in His sight.
This is a false teaching.
Notice carefully: “The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin.” DA, 555
But we can be encouraged that “The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable.” SC, 37. All we need to do is admit, confess and forsake our sins, surrender our hearts to Jesus, and trust His love and grace.
Jesus Christ’s (the True Witness) “straight testimony” to us Laodiceans is that if we respond to His pleading “love,” humble ourselves, become “zealous” and “repent” (Rev. 3:19), He will surely cover us with His spotless “white garments” so that “the shame of [our] nakedness do not appear.” Those who stubbornly refuse will someday be ashamed of their sins when they stand uncovered before God and His holy law without His “wedding garment” at Armageddon and on the Day of Judgment (Matt. 22:11,12; Rev. 16:15).
Jesus said we all need “eye salve” (His Holy Spirit) to “see” our true condition as wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked lawbreaking Laodiceans. But oh, He loves us still! If we are willing to receive His counsel, humble ourselves, repent, and surrender ourselves entirely to Him, “then,” through the glorious news that Christ has become OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, we will certainly be forgiven, pardoned, justified, covered, clothed, “accounted righteous” [declared “not guilty”], and “accepted before God just as if [we] had not sinned.” Gen. 4:4-7; Prov. 28:13; Rom. 4:5-8; 1 John 1:9.
Alleluia!
6. Is 1888 prophetically significant?
Definitely, because through this biblical message the heavenly sanctuary can finally be cleansed (Dan. 8:14). Notice carefully:
All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. GC, 483
This message will equip us to give the loud cry of the third angel in the power of the Holy Spirit to a guilty, lawbreaking world when the mark of the beast is enforced (which is a final mark of transgression of God’s holy law). Then we can present the combined message of the Ten Commandments, the infinite love of Jesus who paid the full price for our violations, and justification by faith in His merits alone. It will lead sinners to repent (if they make that choice) so they can be clothed with Christ’s righteousness (so the shame of their nakedness doesn’t appear) and, after receiving Him fully, to “keep the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” This message will “lighten the earth with its glory.” Revelation 14:9-12; 18:1
7. Some people seem to get pretty animated when they discuss 1888, as if they alone understand truth. Why do you think that is?
There’s nothing wrong with being “animated” for a good cause, but no fallen human perfectly understands all truth, including me. We all need humility. To each of us comes this word: “Our hearts must be cleansed from every feeling of superiority.” 9T, 278. If a person becomes upset with those who disagree with their views, or judgmental and accusing, or a false witness (breaking the 9th commandment), or defends error, this indicates a problem with their experience with Jesus. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” declares God’s law. If a person doesn’t genuinely love others and act respectfully, they have much to learn. They need “much light,” said the angel of God. May God help us all!
8. How does the Church structure (GC) relate to 1888? Do they agree that it is an important message?
At Minneapolis, some accepted God’s biblical message, and some rejected it. Some who remained neutral later rejected it, while others repented and accepted it. It’s the same today. As a whole, I think our SDA leaders generally believe that God sent a message about His law and the Righteousness of Christ in 1888. Yet others hardly think about it. The fact that we are still here should impress us that this message must sink much deeper into our hearts. Just like in 1888, “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.” TM, 92. I think we all need more light “from the law of God and the gospel of righteousness” (1888 Materials, 166) to receive the latter rain and give loud cry of Revelation 14:9-12 and 18:1.
9. What is corporate repentance?
That’s a hard question for me to answer. Personally, I try to stick to God’s exact words in my teaching (see 1 Cor. 2:4, 13), and I don’t see those exact words, “corporate repentance,” in either the Bible or SOP. “Repentance” is definitely there. Some teach “corporate repentance,” but what exactly does this mean? Are they expecting every Adventist worldwide to repent? Or every church officer? I don’t think this will ever happen because Jesus said the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest. That said, the more who do repent of their personal sins, and even of the past sins of our people (like Daniel did), the better. Again, may God help us!
10. Repentance is not real popular today, how can we experience it in our lives?
First, we must be open to the Holy Spirit convicting us of our own personal sins of breaking God’s perfect law and of our need for the spotless righteousness of Christ who kept the law for us, died for our violations, longs to freely forgive those who repent, and to write this law in our hearts (Heb. 8:10-12). We should all ask Jesus to give us repentance; for ultimately, true repentance is His gift. See Acts 5:31.
11. Any final thoughts?
Yes. We all need two things: 1) To understand and experience the biblical message of God’s love, His law, His cross, His righteousness, how He is “the justifier of him which believes in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26), and the blessings of obedience to His Commandments through the power of His Spirit, and 2) To more fully enter “the school of Christ” (Matt. 11:29) so we can relate more humbly to others, even if they disagree with us, thus “loving our neighbor as ourselves.”
Without both 1 and 2, we’re in trouble. Unfortunately, too much bickering, grumbling, ridiculing, mocking, judging and accusing of others took place at Minneapolis, which EGW often rebuked. At the end of Volume 9 of the Testimonies, the Lord’s messenger is very clear that God’s people need to “press together” (to fulfill Jesus’ prayer in John 17) and to work together so God can finish His work through us.
If not now, when?
If not us, who?
The mark of the beast is coming. May God help us as Seventh-day Adventists to finally get this right—after so many long years—so the sanctuary can be cleansed, so we can receive the latter rain, give the loud cry, pass through the time of trouble, and then get off this sinful planet and go home to be with our loving Savior forever.
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Steve Wohlberg is the Speaker/Director of White Horse Media. He is the author of 40+ books, including God’s Last Message: Christ our Righteousness. Pastor Steve also teaches two online courses, Sprouting with Steve (about health) and Grow Your Money With God (Christian stewardship). White Horse Media’s YouTube channel contains many more “present truth” biblical messages. Its online Bible school is also great for sharing with the public.