Everything in this life is measured by a pattern. When we go to buy something in the store, we do not accept any goods just by a rough estimate of size, weight or volume. We check it by the measuring system, to see if the size, weight or volume is correct.
Likewise, to measure one’s character and life we have to compare them with the divine measurement—the law of God. The Bible speaks of this measuring rod:
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” Revelation 11:1.
The Spirit of Prophecy makes reference to this measurement:
“We are to compare our characters with the infallible standard of God’s law. In order to do this, we must search the Scriptures, measuring our attainments by the word of God.” 1
“Let us study and eat the word of God, for we are built up from that which we eat. When we open the Bible, let us compare our lives with its requirements, measuring our character by the great moral standard of righteousness, God’s holy law.” 2
“The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you; when you are attending your household duties, when you engage in conversation, God is measuring you. Remember that your words and actions are being daguerreotyped [photographed] in the books of heaven, as the face is reproduced by the artist on the polished plate.” 3
The early Seventh-day Adventists considered the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus as of utmost importance. We read:
“The soul-saving message, the third angel’s message, is the message to be given to the world. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are both important, immensely important, and must be given with equal force and power.” 4
“Lift up the standard—the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Make this the important theme. Then, by your strong arguments, make it of still greater force.” 5
“We are to raise the banner on which is inscribed, ‘The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ Obedience to God’s law is the great issue. Let it not be put out of sight. We must strive to arouse church members, and those who make no profession, to see and obey the claims of the law of Heaven. We are to magnify this law and make it honorable.” 6
On the evening of October 5, 1861, the Seventh-day Adventist Church made a solemn pledge to keep the commandments of God when they were associated together as a church. They declared:
“We, the undersigned, hereby associate ourselves together as a church, taking the name Seventh-day Adventists, covenanting to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ.” 7
The Seventh-day Adventists were organized as a General Conference in 1863. The following year, when they faced the problem of the American Civil War, they made another declaration, on August 2, 1864, as follows:
“We, the undersigned, Executive Committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, respectfully beg leave to present for your consideration the following statements:
“The denomination of Christians calling themselves Seventh-day Adventists, taking the Bible as their rule of faith and practice, are unanimous in their views that its teachings are contrary to the spirit and practice of war; hence, they have ever been conscientiously opposed to bearing arms. If there is any portion of the Bible which we, as a people, can point to more than another as our creed, it is the law of ten commandments, which we regard as the supreme law, and each precept of which we take in its most obvious and literal import. The fourth of these commandments requires cessation from labor on the seventh day of the week, the sixth prohibits the taking of life, neither of which, in our view could be observed while doing military duty. Our practice has uniformly been consistent with these principles.” 8
As we can see, the law of God was the measuring rod they used. This position to uphold God’s law was taught and practiced throughout the years. As a matter of fact, the early Adventists preached too much the law, forgetting Christ in the law. This is what the Lord’s servant said about it:
“You will meet with those who will say, ‘You are too much excited over this matter. You are too much in earnest. You should not be reaching for the righteousness of Christ, and making so much of that. You should preach the law.’ As a people, we have preached the law until we are as dry as the hills of Gilboa that had neither dew nor rain. We must preach Christ in the law, and there will be sap and nourishment in the preaching that will be as food to the famishing flock of God.” 9
“Let the law take care of itself. . . . Let us trust in the merits of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. May God help us that our eyes may be anointed with eyesalve, that we may see.” 10
When by His mercy God sent a precious message to the church, at the 1888 General Conference Session held in Minneapolis, the main leaders rejected it. The message Christ Our Righteousness was accepted only by a very few. The servant of the Lord says:
“The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. 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.” 11
As the main leaders of the church continued to stick to the law, God tested His people, especially those in positions of trust who had rejected the message of 1888, exactly on this point—obedience to the ten commandments. What was the result? We quote from an official publication of the SDA Church:
“On the German mobilization, in August, 1914, the SDA’s of that country were faced with the necessity of making an immediate decision concerning their duty to God and country when called into the armed forces (see Germany, V; Noncombatancy). After counseling with the few SDA leaders locally available at the time, the president of the East German Union Conference informed the German War Ministry in writing, dated Aug. 4, 1914, that conscripted SDA’s would bear arms as combatants and would render service on the Sabbath in defense of their country. . . .
“Admittedly, the three SDA leaders in Germany took a stand concerning the duty of SDA’s in military service that was contrary to the historic stand officially maintained by the denomination ever since the American Civil War (1861-1865).” 12
In our understanding, the leaders in Europe did not have to make any “immediate decision” whether they should obey the commandments of God or of men. The historic position was clear. Just two years before World War I, the church published a quarterly about the ten commandments. The people everywhere in Europe who had studied the Sabbath school lessons knew their duty to God. When men require of us obedience which conflicts with the law of God, we should follow the example of the apostles: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. This is what the Spirit of Prophecy says:
“I was shown that God’s people, who are His peculiar treasure, cannot engage in this perplexing war, for it is opposed to every principle of their faith. In the army they cannot obey the truth and at the same time obey the requirements of their officers. There would be a continual violation of conscience. Worldly men are governed by worldly principles. They can appreciate no other. Worldly policy and public opinion comprise the principle of action that governs them and leads them to practice the form of rightdoing. But God’s people cannot be governed by these motives. The words and commands of God, written in the soul, are spirit and life, and there is power in them to bring into subjection and enforce obedience. The ten precepts of Jehovah are the foundation of all righteous and good laws. Those who love God’s commandments will conform to every good law of the land. But if the requirements of the rulers are such as conflict with the laws of God, the only question to be settled is: Shall we obey God, or man?” 13
As stated in the Bible, we all, who know the law of God, the ten commandments, will be judged by God’s moral law. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:10–12.
It is Satan’s plan to overthrow God’s law. The work that he had begun in heaven, he endeavors to carry on unto the end. This is what we read:
“Satan grew bold in his rebellion, and expressed his contempt of the Creator’s law. This Satan could not bear. He claimed that angels needed no law; but should be left free to follow their own will, which would ever guide them right; that law was a restriction of their liberty, and that to abolish law was one great object of his standing as he did.” 14
“From the first, the great controversy had been upon the law of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, and that His law was faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed. In attacking the law, he aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author. In the controversy it was to be shown whether the divine statutes were defective and subject to change, or perfect and immutable.” 15
“Satan was the first transgressor of the law of Jehovah. We read in the Bible how sin entered into the world. Satan was the first one who ever questioned the holy will of God, and his very first work was to transgress God’s law, and then he came to Adam and Eve in Eden, and through his temptations caused them to break the commandments of God.” 16
“Satan’s policy in this final conflict with God’s people is the same that he employed in the opening of the great controversy in heaven. He professed to be seeking to promote the stability of the divine government, while secretly bending every effort to secure its overthrow. And the very work which he was thus endeavoring to accomplish he charged upon the loyal angels.” 17
“Satan has a large confederacy, his church. Christ calls them the synagogue of Satan because the members are the children of sin. The members of Satan’s church have been constantly working to cast off the divine law, and confuse the distinction between good and evil. Satan is working with great power in and through the children of disobedience to exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty. And at this time the power of his satanic inspiration is moving the living agencies to carry out the great rebellion against God that commenced in heaven.” 18
In the judgment, the character of each person will be judged by the commandments of God. What question will be asked? The Spirit of Prophecy answers:
“The only question asked in the judgment will be, ‘Have they been obedient to My commandments?’ ” 19
Yes, the question of obedience to the ten commandments is historic Adventism. It is the great test for us today, and it will be the decisive factor in the final test to the whole world.
“To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear God, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people.” 20
“To be a Christian is to be far more than many understand. It means more than simply having your name upon the church records. It means to be joined to Christ. It means to have simple faith, unwavering reliance upon God. It means to have child-like confidence in your heavenly Father through the name and merit of His dear Son. Do you love to keep the commandments of God, because the commandments of God are God’s precepts, the transcript of His character, and can no more be altered than can the character of God? Do you respect and love the law of Jehovah?” 21
“With pity and compassion, with tender yearning, the Lord is looking upon His tempted and tried people. For a time the oppressors will be permitted to triumph over those who know God’s holy commandments. All are given the same opportunity that was granted to the first great rebel to demonstrate the spirit that moves them to action. It is God’s purpose that everyone shall be tested and proved, to see whether he will be loyal or disloyal to the laws which govern the kingdom of heaven. To the last God permits Satan to reveal his character as a liar, an accuser, and a murderer. Thus the final triumph of His people is made more marked, more glorious, more full and complete.” 22