EGW WritingsJohn 17
Ellen G. White · Page 4 of 8
Read John 17 in the BibleJohn 17:3-8
Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]
MR No. 1043—The Bible as Our Study Book
13MR 267.1
By every teacher in our schools the only true God is to be uplifted. The prayer of Christ for His disciples was: [John 17:3-8, quoted].Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 96, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 96, 1899, par. 26
By every teacher in our schools the only true God is to be uplifted. The prayer of Christ for His disciples was, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” [John 17:3-8.]John 17:3-11
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 19, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 19, 1892, par. 52
As I meditated on these things, I felt more and more deeply the sin of neglecting to keep the soul in the love of God. The Lord does nothing without our co-operation. When Christ prayed, Father keep them in thy name [John 17:11], He did not mean that we should neglect to keep ourselves in the love and faith of God. Alive unto God, through a living union with Christ, we trust in the promises, constantly gaining greater strength by beholding Jesus. What can change the heart or shake the confidence of the one who by beholding the Saviour is changed into His likeness? Shall such a one be on the watch for slights? Shall his imagination center on self? Shall he allow little things to destroy his peace of mind?7LtMs, Ms 19, 1892, par. 67
I am deeply interested in the work of my ministering brethren. My heart is drawn out in sympathy with them, and I pray that they may honor God. “This is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] We can know Christ only by loving and obeying Him. The Lord calls for valiant men, who will not fail or be discouraged. Trials and disappointments will come to God’s workers, but did they not come to Jesus? Shall we cover the Lord’s altar with mourning and sighing and tears? God forbid. It comforts me to meditate upon the loving words of Christ, to think of His courtesy, His sympathy, His compassion. I long to be like Him. I will rest in His care. He will make me a conqueror over evil.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 33, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 33, 1892, par. 39
As I meditated on these things, I felt more and more deeply the sin of neglecting to keep the soul in the love of God. The Lord does nothing without our co-operation. When Christ prayed, “Father, keep them in Thy name” [John 17:11], He did not mean that we should neglect to keep ourselves in the love and faith of God. Alive unto God, through a living union with Christ, we trust in the promises, constantly gaining greater strength by beholding Jesus. What can change the heart or shake the confidence of the one who by beholding the Saviour is changed into His likeness? Shall such a one be on the watch for slights? Shall his imagination center on self? Shall he allow little things to destroy his peace of mind?7LtMs, Ms 33, 1892, par. 54
I am deeply interested in the work of my ministering brethren. My heart is drawn out in sympathy with them, and I pray that they may honor God. “This is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3. We can know Christ only by loving and obeying Him. The Lord calls for valiant men, who will not fail or be discouraged. Trials and disappointments will come to God’s workers, but did they not come to Jesus? Shall we cover the Lord’s altar with mourning and sighing and tears? God forbid. It comforts me to meditate upon the loving words of Christ, to think of His courtesy, His sympathy, His compassion. I long to be like Him. I will rest in His care. He will make me a conqueror over evil.John 17:3-15
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 77, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 77, 1893, par. 12
He knew they would be exposed to trials from the opposition of the world, and He said: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name; those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition: that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. And now come I to Thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” [John 17:12-15.]8LtMs, Lt 77, 1893, par. 64
A great work is to be done. Let the prayer go forth from unfeigned lips, “God be merciful unto us and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; that thy way be known upon the earth, thy saving health among all nations.” [Psalm 67:1, 2.] Our God is waiting to be gracious. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] Will the church give to the world the light of the knowledge of Jesus Christ? Shall the light shine forth to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples?John 17:3-17
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 12, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 12, 1894, par. 12
Satan will work in a most subtle manner to introduce human inventions clothed with angel garments. But the light from the Word is shining amid the moral darkness; and the Bible will never be superseded by miraculous manifestations. The truth must be studied, it must be searched for as hidden treasure. Wonderful illuminations will not be given aside from the Word, or to take the place of it. Cling to the Word, receive the ingrafted Word, which will make men wise unto salvation. This is the meaning of the words of Christ in regard to eating His flesh and drinking His blood. [John 6:54.] And he says, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]9LtMs, Lt 12, 1894, par. 14
Christ has given warning, so that none need accept falsehood for truth. The only channel through which the Spirit operates is that of the truth. The spirit of truth works upon the human agent to convince of sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment to come. A divine agency is constantly working upon the human agent, and here the divine agency is indispensable. God alone can impart the Holy Spirit, making it a transforming power unto the saving of the soul. Faith is termed the gift of God, and God opens the heart to receive the Word. The Holy Spirit of God produces its effect through the medium of truth. Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” [Verse 17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 84, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 84, 1895, par. 1
We have been having excellent meetings. The Lord has given Bro. Prescott a message for the people, which is highly appreciated. His mind is fruitful on the truth, and the power and the grace of God are upon him. We feel that we are highly favored in having his services at this camp meeting. I long to attend every meeting, but am prevented from so doing because of physical weakness. My heart goes out in most earnest prayer that the Lord may guide us into all truth, “Thy word is truth.” [John 17:17.] We are to be growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we have not a moment to lose.10LtMs, Lt 84, 1895, par. 15
We are living in a most solemn period of this world’s history, but light is shining for those who will walk in the light. Those who refuse to walk in the light walk in darkness and cannot possibly comprehend the light, because they have chosen darkness rather than light. There are many who have not had the light, and they are not judged guilty. They mourn because of their human ignorance. They find nothing satisfactory, and thirst for a knowledge of the only true God. They have an ideal of God in their mind and they desire to find Him. He has entrusted light to His people to give to all those who are praying for light. He has sent forth His streams of salvation to refresh those who are athirst for a knowledge of truth, virtue and holiness. To such we should speak as did the Apostle Paul to the Athenians, “Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” [Acts 17:23.] Heavenly inspiration has come to men, and they have been entrusted with gospel truth, and have thereby been weighted with a solemn responsibility to devote their God-given powers to making God known to man. Christ says, “For this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 68, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 68, 1898, par. 7
Those who open their hearts to receive the truth will realize that the Word of God is the great instrument in the transformation of character. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” [Romans 10:17.] Christ prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” [John 17:17.] “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” [Hebrews 4:12.]13LtMs, Ms 68, 1898, par. 9
In His prayer for us Christ said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] These words embody everything, and we cannot, therefore, place too much importance on them.John 17:3-18
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 143, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 143, 1901, par. 54
We are a part of the great web of humanity. We become changed into the image of that upon which we dwell. Then how important to open our hearts to the things that are true and lovely and of good report. Let into the heart the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Do not cherish one root of bitterness that may spring up whereby many may be defiled. ... Let us remember that our great High Priest is pleading before the mercy seat in behalf of His ransomed people. He ever liveth to make intercession for us. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and efficacy for those who are backslidden, for those who are rebellious, for those who sin against great light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our Advocate stands at God’s right hand to plead for us. He has never lost a case that has been committed to Him. We may trust in our Advocate, for He pleads His own merits in our behalf. Hear His prayer before His betrayal and trial. Listen to His prayer for us, for He has us in remembrance. He will not forget His church in the world of temptation. He looks upon His tried and suffering people and prays for them. Let every word be engraven upon the tablets of the soul. He says, “I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. ... I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. ... As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world,” that they may be partakers with Me in self-denial, self-sacrifice, and in My sufferings. [John 17:11, 15, 18.] Yes, He beholds His people in this world, which is a persecuting world, and all seared and marred with the curse, and knows that they need all the divine resources of His sympathy and His love. Our Forerunner hath for us entered within the vail, and yet by the golden chain of love and truth, He is linked with His people in closest sympathy.16LtMs, Ms 143, 1901, par. 86
What are they doing? Christ is opening the treasures and the riches of the truth of the Bible that we do not appreciate now and that seem to be holden from our eyes. We should have been out of sight of our present spiritual condition if we had advanced as the light came to us. We should have advanced so far that we would not recognize our present condition. There has been every hindrance to keep us in earthliness and commonness [so] that we should not grasp the eternal. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] The truth and light given to us of God is as a priceless treasure hidden in a field. We are to buy the field and work every foot of it. The more we look at the promises of the Word of God, the brighter they grow. The more we practice them, the deeper will be our understanding of them. Our position and faith is in the Bible. And never do we want any soul to bring in the Testimonies ahead of the Bible.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 42, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 42, 1890, par. 14
Now is our time to work. Now is the time for us to form character after the divine model. You have rare opportunities to represent Christ to the world. You may win souls to the Redeemer. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] If we know Christ, we shall reveal Him to others. “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so also have I sent them into the world.” [Verse 18.] He came into the world to represent the Father; and the work He has given us is to represent His character. We cannot be excused from doing this work.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 21, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 21, 1890, par. 3
The work of Christ in the world was to reveal the Father, and when praying to the Father for His disciples, He said, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world.” [John 17:18.] “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me: and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” [Verses 3-8.]John 17:3-19
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Ms 22, 1895
10LtMs, Ms 22, 1895, par. 7
It is by the perusal of the Bible that the mind is strengthened, refined, and elevated. If there were not another book in the wide world, the Word of God, lived out through the grace of Christ, would make man perfect in this world, with a character fitted for the future immortal life. Those who study the Word, taking it in faith as the truth, and receiving it into their characters, will be complete in Him who is all in all. Thank God for the possibilities set before humanity. But a study of the many different authors confuses and wearies the mind, and has a detrimental influence upon the religious life. In the Bible [are] specified distinctly man’s duties to God and to his fellow men, but without a study of the Word, how can these requirements be met? We must have a knowledge of God, for “this is life eternal,” said Christ, “that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]10LtMs, Ms 22, 1895, par. 20
The judgment of men, even of teachers, may be very wide of the mark as to what constitutes true education. The teachers in the days of Christ did not educate the youth in the correct knowledge of the Scriptures, which lies at the foundation of all education worthy of the name. Christ declared to the Pharisees, “Ye are both ignorant of the Scriptures and the power of God,” “teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.” [Matthew 22:29; 15:9.] And He prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” [John 17:17-19.]Christian Education
Chapter 19—To Teachers
CE 147.1
The gospel is the power and wisdom of God, if it is correctly represented by those who claim to be Christians. Christ crucified for our sins should humble every soul before God in his own estimation. Christ risen from the dead, ascended on high, our living Intercessor in the presence of God, is the science of salvation which we need to learn and teach to children and youth. Said Christ, “I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified,” [John 17:19.] This is the work that ever devolves upon every teacher. There must not be any hap-hazard work in this matter, for even the work of educating the children in the day schools requires very much of the grace of Christ and the subduing of self. Those who naturally are fretful, easily provoked, and have cherished the habit of criticism, of thinking evil, should find some other kind of work that will not reproduce any of their unlovely traits of character in the children and youth, for they have cost too much. Heaven sees in the child, the undeveloped man or woman, with capabilities and powers that, if correctly guided and developed with heavenly wisdom, will become the human agencies through whom the divine influences can cooperate to be laborers together with God. Sharp words, and continual censure bewilder the child, but never reform him. Keep back that pettish word; keep your own spirit under discipline to Jesus Christ; then will you learn how to pity and sympathize with those brought under your influence. Do not exhibit impatience and harshness, for if these children did not need educating, they would not need the advantages of the school. They are to be patiently, kindly, and in love brought up the ladder of progress, climbing step by step in obtaining knowledge.CE 157.1
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” [John 17:8.] Here is the work laid before us, to be representatives of Christ, as he in our world was the representative of the Father. We are to teach the words given us in the lessons of Christ. “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me.” We have our work, and every instructor of the youth in any capacity is to receive in a good and honest heart what God has unfolded and recorded in his holy word in the lessons of Christ, meekly to accept the words of life. We are in the antitypical day of atonement, and not only are we to humble our hearts before God and confess our sins, but we are, by all our educating talent, to seek to instruct those with whom we are brought in contact, and to bring them by precept and example to know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 41, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 41, 1890, par. 11
Elder Place preached after the Sabbath school session. At halfpast two o’clock p.m. I spoke to a full house. There were quite a number of Seventh Day Baptists present. Extra benches were brought in and placed in the aisles; the gallery was full. I spoke from John 17:3. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” The Lord gave me freedom in speaking to the people assembled, who listened with interest. A social meeting followed and many excellent testimonies were borne.6LtMs, Ms 41, 1890, par. 38
My text was John 17:18. “As Thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.” [Verses 18, 19.] I had much freedom in speaking the Words of Life to those present. The Lord, I know, gave me His Spirit and His grace in rich measure and a decided testimony for His people. There were many whose hearts seemed to be softened and subdued by the Spirit of the Lord.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 34, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 34, 1893, par. 13
The gospel is the power and wisdom of God, if it is correctly represented by those who claim to be Christians. Christ crucified for our sins should humble every soul before God in his own estimation. Christ risen from the dead, ascended on high, our living Intercessor in the presence of God, is the science of salvation which we need to learn and teach to children and youth. Said Christ, “I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified.” [John 17:19.] This is the work that ever devolves upon every teacher. There must not be any haphazard work in this matter, for even the work of educating the children in the day schools requires very much of the grace of Christ and the subduing of self.8LtMs, Ms 34, 1893, par. 50
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” [John 17:3, 8.] Here is the work laid before us, to be representatives of Christ as He in our world was the representative of the Father. We are to teach the words given us in the lessons of Christ. “I have given unto them the words that thou hast given me.”John 17:3-20
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 27, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 27, 1894, par. 35
God has claims upon us individually, and in our short probationary life, He requires us to put into exercise the powers He has granted us, to love one another as He has loved us. We are not to labor merely keeping this short lifetime in view, but to act as if in sight of eternity, to act as if the curtain between us and the universe of heaven were withdrawn, and we could, with the eye of faith, see Christ looking upon us and encouraging us in our work. Study diligently the lessons He gave to His disciples, for He declared, “The words I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are life.” [John 6:63.] There is marrow and fatness in these lessons. Christ has prayed to His Father for His disciples. He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” [John 17:20.]9LtMs, Lt 27, 1894, par. 36
My brethren, preach Christ. We need to keep Him lifted up before the world, that men may behold His mercy and righteousness. Meditate upon the lessons Christ gave to His disciples to be given again to the world. This is the Word which became flesh and dwelt among us. The world’s eternal interest depends upon men knowing Christ as their individual, personal Saviour. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [Verse 3.] The pen of inspiration has traced the words which Christ spoke in order that those who believe in Him may give to others the words which He has given to them. Ministers should set before the people the lessons which are to be brought into the home life. Parents are to be taught to feel a solemn responsibility to teach their children the lessons given them by Christ in both the Old and the New Testaments. The children have been strangely neglected, and the people must be enlightened in regard to what constitutes home religion.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 32, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 25
The very same Satan is at work to undermine the faith of the people of God at this time. There are persons ready to catch up every new idea. The prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation are misinterpreted. These persons do not consider that the truth has been set forth at the appointed time by the very men whom God was leading <to do this special work.> These men followed on step by step in the <very fulfillment> of prophecy, and those who have not had a personal experience in this work are to take the Word of God and believe on “their word” [John 17:20] who have been led by the Lord in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These messages, received and acted upon, are doing their work to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. If we search the Scriptures to confirm the truth God has given His servants for the world, we shall be found proclaiming the first, second, and third angels’ messages.11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 44
Jesus well knew that Satan is constantly working to excite curiosity, and busy men with conjecture. Thus he seeks to eclipse the grand and momentous truth which Christ wished to be ever prominent before their minds. “For this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]John 17:3-21
Manuscript Releases, vol. 11 [Nos. 851-920]
MR No. 883—All-Round Christian Education
11MR 179.1
Yielding to a desire for diversity has placed the church where God cannot glorify His name through His people. The question is asked, “Why are not the sick among us healed?” It is because of the lack of unity, and love that exists in the church. [Ellen White elsewhere writes at length concerning prayer for the healing of the sick and sets forth several reasons why we should not look to this as the only method to pursue. See Medical Ministry, 13-16; egw biography, Vol. 5, pp. 385-388] Perfection of character means perfection in unity. “That they all may be one,” Christ said, “as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee” (John 17:21). What possibilities are before us. Shall not our faith grasp them?—Manuscript 158, 1898, 6, 7, 9. (“The Gift of the Holy Spirit,” December 7, 1898.)11MR 198.4
Knowledge of God Essential—Worldly education cannot make a symmetrical, perfect man. It must be combined with the wisdom that cometh from above. An intelligent knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent, is the essential knowledge, for “this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).—Letter 19, 1895, p. 4. (To S. N. Haskell, November 6, 1895.)Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 7, 1891
7LtMs, Ms 7, 1891, par. 56
In His prayer for His disciples shortly before His ascension, Christ said, “Neither pray I for these alone; but for them also that shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” [John 17:20, 21.] O that these blessed words may be written by the finger of God upon every heart. It is positively essential that every individual labor earnestly for the fulfilment of this prayer. Christ’s words plainly specify the importance of this oneness and how much is involved in the matter of their unity, “That the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Satan will make masterly efforts to cast his hellish shadow between Christ and our souls; and are not Christ’s words of sufficient force to make us realize that the members of the church should put from them, as brethren, everything that would have the least tendency to disunion and discord and strife? It is Satan’s own planned scheme to make the Christian world dishonor Christ instead of honoring Him.7LtMs, Ms 7, 1891, par. 58
The light of truth is not given us to hide. Our experience in the faith is to be communicated to those who are in darkness. Our work is to magnify Christ <and not ourselves> and to represent His character to the world. As we do this work, we shall become charged with a fresh power direct from God. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in all these things I delight, saith the Lord.” [Jeremiah 9:23, 24.]John 17:3-23
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 43, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 43, 1895, par. 15
Through the knowledge of Christ is life eternal. In His prayer Jesus says, “And this is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] In God we are to glory. The prophet says, “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” [Jeremiah 9:23, 24.]10LtMs, Lt 43, 1895, par. 19
Jesus prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:20-23.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 71, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 71, 1896, par. 14
If parents and teachers would dwell largely upon these things, we should see far more accomplished in our schools than we see now. But the Bible is made secondary. The words of men, their traditions, customs, and practices hold the minds of the teachers in regard to what constitutes essential education. In their work of educating they have turned from the mount where the voice of God was heard, presenting the principles of holiness, justice, and mercy. Every other study must not be brought into active school life. The one knowledge which is essential is the knowledge of God. “This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]11LtMs, Ms 71, 1896, par. 28
A life of conformity to the image of Christ is a life of prayer and praise from the human agent which will defeat the lie of Satan that man cannot keep the commandments of God. By partaking of the divine nature, man can be obedient to all the commandments of God. “The glory which thou gavest me,” said Christ, “I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” “I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:22, 23.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 39, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 39, 1896, par. 11
The Lord has called us to unity in the bonds of Christ and fellowship and love. In His prayer for His disciples, Christ said, “Neither pray I for these alone; but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:20-23.]11LtMs, Ms 39, 1896, par. 20
Let those who believe the Word of God sink the shaft deep into the mines of truth. They will then behold wondrous things out of God’s Word. They will understand the prayer of Christ, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] The more one knows of God and of Jesus Christ, the more correct will be his knowledge of himself.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 11, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 1
In the wonderful prayer which Christ offered for His disciples and for us just before His crucifixion, He said, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them me, and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all thine are mine, and mine are thine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” [John 17:6-11.]16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 2
“This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [Verse 3.] These words are of the greatest importance to us. Every member of the church of God should manifest a deep, earnest anxiety to be like the Redeemer in character. Believers should dwell upon Christ and His character. Then they will be changed into His likeness. Let each examine himself critically, to see whether in the home, in the church, and in the world he is revealing the Christlikeness, so that the Saviour can say of him, “I am glorified in him.”16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 3
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,” Christ continued, “but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” [Verse 15.] Church members should exercise every ability God has given them to answer this prayer. They are to ask God earnestly and frequently to keep them from the evil that is in the world. Christ has charged His followers to pray without ceasing. Never fail to importune with God in private prayer. Never cease to intercede with Him; for when you fail to pray you are strengthless to resist Satan’s temptations.16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 17
Teachers, study the words, “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” [John 17:17-19.] Look back over the past showing, and do not repeat the mistakes that have been made. Let not wrong impressions be made upon the minds of the students. Keep in mind the words, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” [Verse 20.] The testimony that true Christians bear will bring many to a belief of the truth.16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 18
“That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” [Verse 21.] These words present the great result of unity. The believers are to be one in Christ. By their unity they bear witness to the world that Christ is the Sent of God. All true disciples will realize that this is the standard they must reach. They will strive continually to help one another.16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 25
The only question asked in the judgment will be, “Are they obedient to My commandments?” The petty strife and contention over questions of no importance is an education which our people do not need. Let them seek instead to answer the prayer <of Christ>, “That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” [John 17:21.]16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 26
“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” [Verses 22, 23.] Then why are not men afraid to place themselves on the enemy’s side by their contentions and bickerings over questions which are of no profit? A knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, this is what all need to obtain by practical experience.16LtMs, Ms 11, 1901, par. 27
“I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me.” [Verse 9.] They are on My side. They stand under My banner. By receiving Me as their personal Saviour they have pledged themselves to keep My holy law, to reveal Me in all their transactions in the church and in the world. I have purchased them by My manifestation in their behalf of My power and love. I have sanctified Myself in their behalf to the work Thou hast appointed Me, that they also may be sanctified to the work Thou hast appointed them, that by their union with Me and with one another they may reveal to the world that Thou didst send Me into the world to save sinners.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 7, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 7, 1902, par. 12
In His last intercessory prayer, Christ pleaded, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.” [John 17:20.] That embraces all who have lived and believed in Christ Jesus and all who live at the present time.17LtMs, Ms 7, 1902, par. 13
“That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” [Verse 21.] Oneness, harmony, unity of spirit with the Saviour—these are the signs by which Christians may be distinguished. These are the credentials that we bear to the world to show that Christ is the Son of the living God, and that He is able to give salvation, even eternal life, to all who believe in Him.17LtMs, Ms 7, 1902, par. 14
“And the glory (character) which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” [Verses 22, 23.] When shall we take hold of God’s work in earnest? We all need a deeper, broader experience. When we are one with Christ, we shall be at unity with one another, and shall manifest steadfast loyalty to God, to the Word of God, and to our brethren.17LtMs, Ms 7, 1902, par. 15
“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” [Verse 3.] Here is our confidence, our trust. We must set ourselves at the task of laying hold upon eternal realities. We must link up with Christ, that we may be hid with Him in God. When we understand this union, we shall not depend upon human agencies for strength. Then God will be to us all and in all.17LtMs, Ms 7, 1902, par. 16
Christ made His soul an offering for sin. Thus He made it possible for man to hate sin—that which requires such an offering, such a sacrifice, to rescue the sinner from its terrible influence. In the Saviour’s memorable prayer, He claims much. To His Father He declared, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” The great conflict was yet before Him. “And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” [Verses 4, 5.] In representing to the world His Father’s attributes, He cast over God’s character no shadow to dim its glory. He revealed to the world His Father’s likeness. In neither word nor action did He perpetuate sin.17LtMs, Ms 7, 1902, par. 17
In this same prayer Christ said, “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word.” [Verse 6.] Can we in these words see the wonderful possibilities set before us? From us Christ expects much. Concerning His faithful followers, He will declare to the Father, “They have kept Thy Word.”17LtMs, Ms 7, 1902, par. 19
Continuing His prayer, Christ pleaded: “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them.” [Verses 9, 10.] Will Christ say concerning us, “I am glorified in them?” Is the spiritual character such that God is glorified? Should not a thorough work be done even in the hearts of men who have long known the truth, but who have not been careful to make earnest efforts to glorify Christ in themselves individually? O, what a lesson this prayer should teach every one who bears any responsibility in God’s service! Shall there not be a deep searching of the heart to detect the real motives prompting wrong words and actions? Have the eyes become so blinded that men cannot discern what is sin and what is righteousness?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 25b, 1892
7LtMs, Lt 25b, 1892, par. 3
The One who has paid the purchase money for our souls prayed just prior to His crucifixion, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” [John 17:20, 21.]7LtMs, Lt 25b, 1892, par. 6
How pleasing it would be to our Saviour, whose children we are, if all would cherish love for one another and make every exertion in their power to see eye to eye, to be at agreement. Jesus said, “The glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one even as we are one: I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:22, 23.] “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 5:16.] In what way is our light shining? The influence of our work upon the world will be affected to a great degree by the attitude we maintain toward one another. When you publish to the world that there is variance among those who are warning the world of Christ’s soon coming, what will be the effect upon those to whom we would give the message of truth? Will it increase their faith in the work that is committed to us?7LtMs, Lt 25b, 1892, par. 42
“He shall glorify me.” [John 16:14.] “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] The Holy Spirit glorifies God by so revealing His character to His people that He becomes the object of their supreme affections, and by making manifest His character in them. They see clearly that there was never any righteousness in the world but His, no excellence in the world but that derived from Him. When the Spirit was poured out from on high, the church was flooded with light, but Christ was the Source of that light; His name was on every tongue; His love filled every heart. So it will be when the angel that comes down from heaven having great power shall lighten the whole earth with His glory. May the Lord help His people to see and understand what is truth.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 110, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 110, 1893, par. 5
In Africa, in this, and all other countries, every soul must understand that in order to work in Christ’s lines in word, in councils, and in plans, he must keep the prayer of Christ before him: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:21-23.8LtMs, Lt 110, 1893, par. 11
In Jesus Christ there is fragrance of character. There is the developing of nobleness of character, of refinement and purity, for by beholding you reflect the image of Christ. Sons of God, daughters of God, we must be like Him, and in this close relationship to God we receive power and heavenly endowment that we may work the works of God. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.John 17:3-24
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 46, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 46, 1902, par. 2
The prayer of Christ is a lesson full of instruction that is infinite in importance. In this prayer He said: “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] Through Christ humanity is connected with divinity. God expects human agencies to be in perfect harmony in the great, grand work of perfecting the love of God in their own hearts and revealing His love to others. By the cords of love they are to draw their fellow men into sacred union with Christ. When all believers, united by Christian fellowship, exemplify their love for one another, they evidence to the world that they are partakers of the divine nature. Thus they reveal the truth of God.17LtMs, Ms 46, 1902, par. 4
“Sanctify them through thy truth; thy Word is truth.” [Verse 17.] “Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.” [Psalm 119:151.] “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” [John 17:19-21.]17LtMs, Ms 46, 1902, par. 28
Our Lord Jesus Christ enjoins us to be united with one another: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.” [John 13:34, 35.] “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” [John 17:17-21.] This is the great object that is to be ever before us. The unity that He prayed might exist among His disciples gives evidence to the world that God has sent His Son into the world.17LtMs, Ms 46, 1902, par. 29
“And the glory (character) which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know (by this heavenly attribute of unity, which is divested from all worldly policy and sentiment, and which represents a perfection of character) that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.” [Verses 22-24.] “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” [Ephesians 5:29-32.]John 17:3-25
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 153, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 153, 1901, par. 10
Infinite possibilities are held before us in the promises and assurances that Christ has given. Read the prayer that He offered just before His crucifixion. “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee; but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.” [John 17:25.]16LtMs, Ms 153, 1901, par. 16
Christ is to be our Teacher, the Man of our counsel. His wisdom is to be revealed in our use of His gifts. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] Christ is our life. If He abides in us, our lives will meet His requirements. His principles are to be nourishment to the soul. He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.Testimony Treasures, vol. 2
The Character of God Revealed in Christ
2TT 334.1
Said the Saviour: “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3. And God declared by the prophet: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23, 24.2TT 334.2
No man, without divine aid, can attain to this knowledge of God. The apostle says that “the world by wisdom knew not God.” 1 Corinthians 1:21. Christ “was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” John 1:10. Jesus declared to His disciples: “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” Matthew 11:27. In that last prayer for His followers, before entering the shadows of Gethsemane, the Saviour lifted His eyes to heaven, and in pity for the ignorance of fallen men He said: “O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee.” “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.” John 17:25, 6.John 17:3-26
Manuscript Releases, vol. 14 [Nos. 1081-1135]
MR No. 1107—The Importance of Unity; The Holy Spirit a Mystery
14MR 175.2
My brother, you have asked me candidly for advice. Please read with attention John 17:17-26. I quote verses 20 to 23: [Verses 20-23, quoted].14MR 178.2
“I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me” [Verse 23]. “And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them” [Verse 26]. With what earnest effort should we seek for unity, for oneness. The church is to be perfected through sufferings after the example of Christ. Being conformed to His image, we shall be one with Him.14MR 179.3
There are many mysteries which I do not seek to understand or to explain; they are too high for me, and too high for you. On some of these points, silence is golden. Piety, devotion, sanctification of soul, body, and spirit—this is essential for us all. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” [John 17:3]. “This is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life” [John 6:40].Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)
Ms 31, 1911
25LtMs, Ms 31, 1911, par. 2
“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]25LtMs, Ms 31, 1911, par. 3
“I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent Me. And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” [Verses 23-26.]25LtMs, Ms 31, 1911, par. 8
“I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” [John 17:15-23.]25LtMs, Ms 31, 1911, par. 10
Jesus says, “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me.” [Verse 6.] How did He do this? By His spotless perfection of character, by His life of unselfish service for an unchanging compassion. “Therefore doth My Father love Me,” He declares, “because I lay down My life for the sheep.” [John 10:17.] “My Father loves you with a love so great that He loves Me the more for dying for you.”Selected Messages Book 1
Chapter 43—Christ the Life-giver
1SM 296.2
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). It is not physical life that is here specified, but immortality, the life which is exclusively the property of God. The Word, who was with God, and who was God, had this life. Physical life is something which each individual receives. It is not eternal or immortal; for God, the Life-giver, takes it again. Man has no control over his life. But the life of Christ was unborrowed. No one can take this life from Him. “I lay it down of myself” (John 10:18), He said. In Him was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as his personal Saviour. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). This is the open fountain of life for the world.1SM 300.1
If through faith man becomes one with Christ, he can win life everlasting. God loves those who are redeemed through Christ, even as He loves His Son. What a thought! Can God love the sinner as He loves His own Son?—Yes; Christ has said it, and He means just what He says. He will honor all our drafts if we will grasp His promise by living faith, and put our trust in Him. Look to Him, and live. All who obey God are embraced in the prayer which Christ offered to His Father, “I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26). Wonderful truth, too difficult for humanity to comprehend!The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials
The Visit to Washington, D C. Diary, December 19 to [30], 1890
1888 776.3
Will we open the door and let Jesus come in with the riches of His grace? “The Spirit of truth ...shall be in you.” John 14:17. We are become indeed the building, even the temple of the living God. We are watched over by faithful sentinels day and night. We are kept by the power of God through faith. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God by resisting or refusing the gift of His grace and choosing your own way. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.1888 781.2
While we dwell upon the paternal character of God, and His love expressed for man in the gift of His only begotten Son, we must tell people why such a costly sacrifice was necessary. It was because of sin. What is sin? The transgression of the law. Only the Son of God could pay the penalty, and that by His own humiliation and death. As men look at the cross, conscience will be aroused. They will see the majesty of the law, the holiness of God, and their own unlikeness to His character. They will flee for refuge to Jesus Christ, who can cleanse them from every stain of sin and adopt them into the royal family, making them sons of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Then will the words of the prayer He offered to His Father be verified: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.... And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:23-26.The Signs of the Times
February 13, 1912
ST February 13, 1912, par. 3
“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” It is not physical life that is here specified, but eternal life, the life which is exclusively the property of God. The Word, who was with God, and who was God, had this life. Physical life is something which each individual received. It is not eternal or immortal; for God, the Life-giver, takes it again. Man has no control over his life. But the life of Christ was unborrowed. No one can take this life from Him. “I lay it down of Myself,” He said. In Him was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He can not earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as his personal Saviour. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3. This is the open fountain of life for the world.ST February 13, 1912, par. 13
If through faith man becomes one with Christ, he can win life everlasting. God loves those who are redeemed through Christ, even as He loves His Son. What a thought! Can God love the sinner as He loves His own Son? — Yes; Christ has said it, and He means just what He says. He will honor all our drafts if we will grasp His promise by living faith, and put our trust in Him. Look to Him, and live. All who obey God are embraced in the prayer which Christ offered to His Father, “I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:26. Wonderful truth, too difficult for humanity to comprehend!Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 53, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 53, 1890, par. 38
Will we open the door and let Jesus come in with the riches of His grace? “The Spirit of truth ... shall be in you.” John 14:17. We are become indeed the building, even the temple of the living God. We are watched over by faithful sentinels day and night. We are kept by the power of God through faith. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God by resisting or refusing the gift of His grace and choosing your own way. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.6LtMs, Ms 53, 1890, par. 45
“A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” [Verse 14.] Walking and working in the world, but not of the world, they are answering in their characters the prayer of Christ: “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” [John 17:15.] They are to stand as the strong fortress of truth, their light shining far in the moral darkness of the world. The Lord has a message for the watchmen on the walls of Zion to bear. The trumpet is to give no uncertain sound.6LtMs, Ms 53, 1890, par. 54
While we dwell upon the paternal character of God, and His love expressed for man in the gift of His only begotten Son, we must tell people why such a costly sacrifice was necessary. It was because of sin. What is sin? The transgression of the law. Only the Son of God could pay the penalty, and that by His own humiliation and death. As men look at the cross, conscience will be aroused. They will see the majesty of the law, the holiness of God, and their own unlikeness to His character. They will flee for refuge to Jesus Christ, who can cleanse them from every stain of sin and adopt them into the royal family, making them sons of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Then will the words of the prayer He offered to His Father be verified: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. ... And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:23-26.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 7, 1891
7LtMs, Lt 7, 1891, par. 2
My brother, you have asked me candidly for advice. Please read with attention John 17:17-27 [26]. I quote (verses 20 to 23): “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”7LtMs, Lt 7, 1891, par. 11
“I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one: and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” [John 17:23, 26.] With what earnest effort should we seek for unity, for oneness. The church is to be perfected through sufferings after the example of Christ. Being conformed to His image, we shall be one with Him.7LtMs, Lt 7, 1891, par. 15
There are many mysteries which I do not seek to understand or to explain; they are too high for me, and too high for you. On some of these points, silence is golden. Piety, devotion, sanctification of soul, body, and spirit—this is essential for us all. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] “This is the will of him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.” [John 6:40.]John 17:4
Lift Him Up
Lift Him Up the Risen Saviour, March 27
LHU 100.2
The time had come for Christ to ascend to His Father’s throne. As a divine conqueror He was about to return with the trophies of victory to the heavenly courts. Before His death He had declared to His Father, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). After His resurrection He tarried on earth for a season, that His disciples might become familiar with Him in His risen and glorified body. Now He was ready for the leave-taking. He had authenticated the fact that He was a living Saviour. His disciples need no longer associate Him with the tomb. They could think of Him as glorified before the heavenly universe.Jesus, Name Above All Names
Divine Conqueror, March 5
JNN 73.2
The time had come for Christ to ascend to His Father’s throne. As a divine conqueror He was about to return with the trophies of victory to the heavenly courts. Before His death He had declared to His Father, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4). After His resurrection He tarried on earth for a season, that His disciples might become familiar with Him in His risen and glorified body. Now He was ready for the leave-taking....Jesus, Name Above All Names
One Like the Sons of Men, December 5
JNN 357.3
Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did, self did not appear. He subordinated all things to the will of His Father. When His mission on earth was about to close, He could say, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4). And He bids us, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself” (Matthew 11:29; 16:24); let self be dethroned and no longer hold the supremacy of the soul.Lift Him Up
Glorified Before the Universe, March 29
LHU 102.1
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:4.Reflecting Christ
Acquiring the Divine Beauty of Meekness, September 6
RC 263.5
Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did, self did not appear. He subordinated all things to the will of His Father. When His mission on earth was about to close, He could say, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4)....Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing
“Blessed are the meek.”—Matthew 5:5.
MB 14.3
Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did, self did not appear. He subordinated all things to the will of His Father. When His mission on earth was about to close, He could say, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” John 17:4. And He bids us, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself” (Matthew 11:29; 16:24); let self be dethroned and no longer hold the supremacy of the soul.True Revival
No Time to Lose
TR 67.5
“I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. ... I have manifested Thy name”? John 17:4From the Heart
A Job Well Done, August 31
FH 255.1
I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. John 17:4.John 17:4-6
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Ms 11, 1895
10LtMs, Ms 11, 1895, par. 22
“Instead of gathering means into the treasury, by the sacrifice of my conscience and by the injury of souls, I must honor all men as my brethren. I must honor them as God’s property.” This is the principle that should be followed, and it will not weaken the cause, but will strengthen, build up, elevate <and ennoble> all those who would be workers together with God. <They can say with Christ, “I have manifested thy name. I have glorified thee on the earth.”> [John 17:6, 4.] It will aid them to consecrate their ability, and <to> labor unselfishly in the cause of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)
Lt 281, 1904
19LtMs, Lt 281, 1904, par. 14
The great Teacher, while on this earth, gave His whole life to teach us how to work as devoted, consecrated missionaries for God. In the prayer that He offered for His disciples just before His trial and crucifixion, He declared, “I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. ... I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.” [John 17:4, 6.]Manuscript Releases, vol. 15 [Nos. 1136-1185]
MR No. 1170—Right Preparation for Medical Missionary Work
15MR 262.2
The great Teacher, while on this earth, gave His whole life to teach us how to work as devoted, consecrated missionaries for God. In the prayer that He offered for His disciples just before His trial and crucifixion, He declared, “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.... I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world” [John 17:4, 6].Our Father Cares
The Arrow of Death, March 15
OFC 86.6
“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.... I have manifested thy name”? John 17:4-6.The Faith I Live By
The Arrow of Death, June 14
FLB 171.6
“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.... I have manifested thy name”? John 17:4-6.The Ministry of Healing
No Time to Lose
MH 454.5
“I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.... I have manifested Thy name”? John 17:4-6.A New Life (Revival and Beyond)
No Time to Lose
NL 62.3
“I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.... I have manifested Thy name”? John 17:4-6.John 17:4-8
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
An Impressive Representation
CT 459.1
By every teacher in our schools the only true God is to be uplifted. The prayer of Christ for His disciples was: “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee. For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.” John 17:4-8.John 17:4-24
The Desire of Ages
Chapter 87—“To My Father, and Your Father”
DA 829.1
The time had come for Christ to ascend to His Father’s throne. As a divine conqueror He was about to return with the trophies of victory to the heavenly courts. Before His death He had declared to His Father, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” John 17:4. After His resurrection He tarried on earth for a season, that His disciples might become familiar with Him in His risen and glorified body. Now He was ready for the leave-taking. He had authenticated the fact that He was a living Saviour. His disciples need no longer associate Him with the tomb. They could think of Him as glorified before the heavenly universe.DA 834.2
But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” John 19:30; 17:24.John 17:4-26
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 128, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 128, 1897, par. 16
“And for their sakes,” Christ prayed, “I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe in me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me ... Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” [John 17:19-21, 24-26.]12LtMs, Ms 128, 1897, par. 30
In His prayer to His Father Christ said, “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” [John 17:4, 5.] Christ’s work was finished when He expired on the cross, crying with a loud voice, “It is finished.” [John 19:30.] The way was laid open, the veil was rent in twain. Man could approach God without sacrificial offerings, without the service of priest. Christ Himself was a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Heaven was His home. He came to this world to reveal the Father. His work on the field of His humiliation and conflict was now done. He ascended up into the heavens, and is forever set down on the right hand of God.12LtMs, Ms 128, 1897, par. 33
All heaven waited with eager earnestness for the end of the tarrying of the Son of God in a world all seared and marred with the curse of transgression. He ascended from the mount of Olives in a cloud of angels, who triumphantly escorted Him to the City of God. Not in His own individual interest did He go, but as the covenant Redeemer of His believing sons and daughters, who are made thus through faith in His name. The plea He makes is, “Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” [John 17:24.] What is the Father’s answer? “And let all the angels of God worship him.” [Hebrews 1:6.] The pledge made before the foundation of the world is renewed; Christ’s relation to His Father embraces all who receive Him by faith as their personal Saviour.John 17:5
Lift Him Up
The Pre-Existence of the Son of God, January 2
LHU 16.1
And now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made. John 17:5, RSV.The Faith I Live By
His Eternal Pre-existence, February 9
FLB 46.1
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17:5.John 17:6
Education
The Transforming Power of Christ
Ed 87.1
Peter, James, and John sought every opportunity of coming into close contact with their Master, and their desire was granted. Of all the Twelve their relationship to Him was closest. John could be satisfied only with a still near intimacy, and this he obtained. At that first conference beside the Jordan, when Andrew, having heard Jesus, hurried away to call his brother, John sat silent, rapt in the contemplation of wondrous themes. He followed the Saviour, ever an eager, absorbed listener. Yet John’s was no faultless character. He was no gentle, dreamy enthusiast. He and his brother were called “the sons of thunder.” Mark 3:17. John was proud, ambitious, combative; but beneath all this the divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked his self-seeking, disappointed his ambitions, tested his faith. But He revealed to him that for which his soul longed—the beauty of holiness, His own transforming love. “Unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world,” He said to the Father, “I have manifested Thy name.” John 17:6.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 142, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 142, 1903, par. 104
“God calls for a reformation among Seventh-day Adventists. He calls upon His people to prepare themselves to do the highest service. He calls upon them to humble their proud hearts at His altar, confessing their sins, banishing human ideas from their plans. Christ’s standard of perfection adjusts the matter of every man’s salvation. He says, ‘I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.’ [John 17:6.] ‘If ye love Me, keep My commandments.’ [John 14:15.] We are not to keep only those commandments which do not interfere with human inclination, thinking this is our whole duty. God requires full and willing obedience. The day of final reward will be a day of great astonishment to those who have done well in serving themselves, making everything convenient for self, placing their own value upon the work they perform and requiring the highest wages, but failing to keep the commandments of God.”Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8
Christ’s Revelation of God
8T 286.6
“Unto the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world,” He said, “I manifested Thy name,” “that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them.” John 17:6, A. R. V., 26.From the Heart
Jesus Reveals the Father, January 20
FH 32.1
I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. John 17:6.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 44, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 44, 1894, par. 20
God gives knowledge to His workmen, and He has left on record for us the rich, full promise, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” [James 1:5-7.] Is it not best to obtain wisdom individually by going to God, and not man? What saith the great Teacher? “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world.” [John 17:6.]John 17:6-15
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Lt 142, 1901
16LtMs, Lt 142, 1901, par. 15
My mind has been called to Christ’s prayer for His disciples: “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” [John 17:6-13.]16LtMs, Lt 142, 1901, par. 17
There is such a thing as leaning heavily on men and lightly on God. Those in charge of our schools should put into active service every talent possessed by the students that can be used for the help of the school. When this is done as it should be, it will be found that students will not hanker for football, tennis, and other amusements. What the students need to be taught is how to make themselves as useful as possible wherever they may be placed. They should learn how to adapt themselves to the work in hand. Christ says, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” [Verse 15.]John 17:6-17
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 94, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 94, 1899, par. 5
You may have a theory of truth, and yet have no special fellowship with Christ. It is essential that we be sanctified through the truth. Christ prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” [John 17:17.] Men may give sermons in special order, and yet not be sanctified through the truth. Those who are sanctified through the truth speak under the inspiration of the Spirit. Thus Christ taught, and the people said of Him, “Never man spake like this man.” [John 7:46.] They were astonished at His doctrine, “for he taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” [Matthew 7:29.] When men are baptized by the Holy Spirit, they put on the robes of Christ’s righteousness. They take their place at His feet, to learn of Him.14LtMs, Ms 94, 1899, par. 17
God calls for a reformation among Seventh-day Adventists. He calls upon His people to prepare themselves to do the highest service. He calls upon them to humble their proud hearts at His altar, confessing their sins, banishing human ideas from their plans. Christ’s standard of perfection adjusts the matter of every man’s salvation. He says, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world.” “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” [John 17:6; 14:15.] We are not to keep only those commandments which do not interfere with human inclination, thinking this is our whole duty. God requires full and willing obedience. The day of final reward will be a day of great astonishment to those who have done well in serving themselves, making everything convenient for self, placing their own value upon the work they perform, and requiring the highest wages, but failing to keep the commandments of God and having no interest in their fellow workers. They did not bring the commandments into their practical life.John 17:6-24
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 73, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 73, 1893, par. 16
If you will without delay solemnly and earnestly take Christ as your personal Saviour, committing to His hands and care the keeping of your precious soul, He will take it. He is waiting for you to open the door. Will you let Jesus in now, just now? Christ has undertaken to save us. “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” [John 17:24.] Again He says, “Thine they were, and thou gavest them me.” [Verse 6.] And again He says, “I give unto them eternal life and none shall be able to pluck them out of my hands.” [John 10:28.] Christ will accomplish that which He has undertaken, if man, the human agent, will co-operate with Him, if he will not resist and refuse the great salvation offered to him. He has undertaken to save us. Shall we be saved? Will we commit the keeping of our souls to Him who hath identified His interests in so remarkable a manner with our interest? If we will accept Christ as our personal Saviour, He will elevate and cleanse us from all moral defilement and He will present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. He will say to the Father, “Here are those whom thou hast given me. I will that they also be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory.”John 17:6-25
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 209, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 209, 1899, par. 25
The Lord has a special message for us to bear to the world, even the third angel’s message. “Lift up thy voice like a trumpet,” He says, “and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1.] The trumpet is to give a certain sound. While the churches profess to believe in Christ, they are violating the law of God, which Christ proclaimed from Sinai. Our condition through sin has become preternatural, and the wisdom which must restore to man that which he has lost must be supernatural, else it is a physician of no account. Said Christ, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee; but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.” [John 17:25.] “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world.” [Verse 6.] This is our work in the world. We are to reveal Christ in spirit and action. The knowledge of God is the peculiar gift of Jesus Christ, and this gift He gives to His followers, to be communicated by them to the world.The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials
Chapter 28—The Discernment of Truth
1888 261.2
What shall we say to present this matter as it is, and make it comprehensible to the minds of the teachers of truth as well as the minds of the hearers of truth? What can ignorance and finite powers do to this subject? Christ lifted His eyes to heaven and in a voice made pathetic by pity and sympathy for the ignorance of fallen man, He prayed, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee.” John 17:25. “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” Matthew 11:27. “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world.” John 17:6.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 16, 1889
6LtMs, Ms 16, 1889, par. 16
What shall we say to present this matter as it is, and make it comprehensible to the minds of the teachers of truth as well as the minds of the hearers of truth? What can ignorance and finite powers do to this subject? Christ lifted His eyes to heaven and in a voice made pathetic by pity and sympathy for the ignorance of fallen man, He prayed, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee.” John 17:25. “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” Matthew 11:27. “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world.” John 17:6.John 17:7
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 23, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 23, 1890, par. 41
The prayer of Christ to His Father just prior to the crucifixion was, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” [John 17:7.] (Matthew 13:44) tells of a man who found a treasure in a field, and for joy thereof went and sold all that he had and bought the field. He was willing to sacrifice all that he possessed to divest himself of many advantages, to suffer inconvenience, that he might win the treasure. My brother, you have lacked that earnest determination to possess the heavenly treasure at any cost. You have not realized your soul-need.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 108, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 108, 1897, par. 12
Just before His crucifixion Christ prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” [John 17:7.] What means this prayer? “Make these My disciples holy through knowing Thy word.”John 17:7-26
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)
Ms 142, 1909
24LtMs, Ms 142, 1909, par. 16
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” John 17:7-20. That takes in us also. Thank the Lord!24LtMs, Ms 142, 1909, par. 17
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:21-23. Oh, what privileges are granted to everyone who shall comply with the conditions to be thus blended in Christ Jesus as His life is one with the Father!24LtMs, Ms 142, 1909, par. 19
This request of Christ in that last prayer is wonderful, and there is expressed all that is possible to be comprehended. Here is the great and precious gift of God—unity with Christ. “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:23-26.John 17:8-24
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 13, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 13, 1894, par. 17
Christ impresses upon the mind of believers the fact that they are to have the glory which the Father has given Him, in order that all who love and serve him may be one with God. “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou hast sent me. ... And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory (character) which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.” [John 17:8, 22-24.]John 17:9
Homeward Bound
You Are Not Alone, April 12
HB 121.1
I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.—John 17:9.John 17:9-13
Sermons and Talks, vol. 1
Fruits of Conversion
1SAT 194.1
“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them” (John 17:9, 10).1SAT 195.2
In this oneness God is glorified. In division and dissension and differences and pulling apart Satan is glorified, and all heaven looks with astonishment upon those who claim to be children of God. Have [they] not served the enemy long enough in this line? “And now,” prayed Christ, “I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now I come to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves” [Verses 11-13].John 17:9-18
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 36, 1891
7LtMs, Ms 36, 1891, par. 1
“I pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are mine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” John 17:9, 10.7LtMs, Ms 36, 1891, par. 2
Mark the words. It is Jesus Christ that is praying to His Father, “and all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them.” [Verse 10.]7LtMs, Ms 36, 1891, par. 6
In this oneness God is glorified. In division and dissension and differences and pulling apart, Satan is glorified, and all heaven looks with astonishment upon those who claim to be children of God. Have [they] not served the enemy long enough in this line? “And now,” prayed Christ, “I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” [Verses 11-13.]7LtMs, Ms 36, 1891, par. 31
I want to read still more. The last I read was, “And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” [John 17:10.] Is it so? Is God glorified in you? Are you a gossiper? Are you a faultfinder? Are you suspicious? Are you jealous? Is God glorified in you? No indeed! The devil is glorified in you, and he is wonderfully pleased with you. But what we want is to change that order by being converted to God right here and not to wait until we get off of this tent ground. What we want is to be clad with the robes of Christ’s righteousness. We want to be built up in the most holy faith. We want to rejoice in Jesus Christ.7LtMs, Ms 36, 1891, par. 32
Now I read some verses further than this: “And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have”—what?—“my joy fulfilled in themselves.” [Verse 13.] Well now, this is the privilege of every individual soul. The joy of Christ fulfilled in themselves. Think that this can be done; believe that it can be done. Act it; and you will find that you are brought into a purer atmosphere; you are breathing the atmosphere of heaven—not the atmosphere of hell, but the atmosphere of heaven—and when you breathe in that atmosphere, and this atmosphere surrounds the soul, all that come within the sphere of your influence are benefitted and blessed.7LtMs, Ms 36, 1891, par. 41
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:20.] Let us answer the knock. Let us open the door. That is our part of the business, and then the glory of God shall pervade our souls. What then? We shall be one in Christ Jesus. “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” [John 17:14.] Well, shall we be engaged in hating one another? The world, He says, hated them. But shall we be working to annoy and make unhappy and hate one another? Is that our business? God forbid. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” [Verse 15.]7LtMs, Ms 36, 1891, par. 42
Now, we want to be kept from the evil. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth. ... As thou hast sent me into the world, even so” I also send them into the world. [Verses 16-18.] [It is] just as much your work to act out right in the world as it was the work of Christ to redeem. He sent you into the world. You are to be the light of the world. You are to show the distinction between the spirit of Christianity and the spirit of the worldling. You are to show the controlling influence of the power of God upon the human heart. God help us that we may be sanctified through the truth and that sanctification shall have its influence to leaven those that are around us—not the leaven of malice, not the leaven of jealousy, not the leaven of evil surmisings, but it is the leaven of the spirit of Jesus Christ, which is sent down from heaven, called the Holy Ghost, and that Spirit affects the heart and the character.John 17:9-24
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Lt 28, 1888
5LtMs, Lt 28, 1888, par. 11
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they may be one: as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may believe that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” [John 17:9-24.]John 17:10-23
The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 2—The Training of the Twelve
AA 20.2
In these first disciples was presented marked diversity. They were to be the world’s teachers, and they represented widely varied types of character. In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these men, differing in natural characteristics and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action. This unity it was Christ’s object to secure. To this end He sought to bring them into unity with Himself. The burden of His labor for them is expressed in His prayer to His Father, “That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us;” “that the world may know that Thou has sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” John 17:21, 23. His constant prayer for them was that they might be sanctified through the truth; and He prayed with assurance, knowing that an Almighty decree had been given before the world was made. He knew that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached to all nations for a witness; He knew that truth armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer in the battle with evil, and that the bloodstained banner would one day wave triumphantly over His followers.AA 24.1
Christ had finished the work that was given Him to do. He had gathered out those who were to continue His work among men. And He said: “I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are.” “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; ... I in them and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” John 17:10, 11, 20-23.John 17:11
From the Heart
Unity Is Essential, November 10
FH 326.1
Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. John 17:11.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)
Ms 1b, 1874
2LtMs, Ms 1b, 1874, par. 12
All through California meeting houses will be built to convene those who shall have moral courage to embrace the truth. Jesus prayed, “Father, keep them in Thy name” [John 17:11], but we must act in faith and cooperate with God. If any become careless and reckless in regard to keeping themselves in the love of God, the wily foe will take possession of them. You may now suppose you will never be moved. What would make you change your faith—alter your affections—toward God and your brethren? Who shall make a separation between me and my God? I know in whom I have believed. Satan is planning to sift every soul as wheat is sifted, and through humility of mind, through humble faith, through much prayer, you can walk securely.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)
Ms 1, 1874
2LtMs, Ms 1, 1874, par. 25
Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Father, keep them in Thy name;” [John 17:11] but you are required to act your part in faith and co-operate with God. If any become careless and reckless, failing to keep themselves in the love of God under every circumstance, the wily foe will surely take possession of them. You may now suppose that your feet stand secure, that they will never be moved. You may ask with surprise, What would make me change my faith? What would lessen my affection toward God and my brethren? I know in whom I believe. I shall never yield the truth. But Satan is planning to take advantage of your cultivated and hereditary traits of character, and blind your eyes to your own necessities and defects, that he may sift you as wheat. Only through humble faith, through cherishing a constant sense of your own weakness, making earnest prayer to God, and watching unto prayer, can you walk securely.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Ms 11, 1888
5LtMs, Ms 11, 1888, par. 14
Christ prayed that His disciples might be one, even as He is one with the Father. [John 17:11.] Then every one who claims to be a child of God should make individual efforts to answer this prayer and labor for this oneness. When it exists, the followers of Christ will be a holy, powerful people, united in love. But if you let love die out of the soul and accept the accusations of Satan’s agents against the children of God, you become servants of sin and are helping the devil in his work.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 7, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 7, 1890, par. 6
The Lord wants that every one of us should have sanctified ears, that we should have a sanctified understanding, that Jesus Christ may move upon our minds, that it may affect our hearts and our characters so that we shall be just what He wants us to be. And what is that? Representatives of Jesus Christ in the world. What is that? What it is to be a light amid the moral darkness that prevails? It is to be a light wherever we are. A light—not to have a light and chaffy spirit—that is not the kind, because that is from beneath. But we want solidity of character. More than that, we want to know what faith is. We want to know what it is to love one another. And if we draw nigh to God, individually, then don’t you see what the result will be? Can’t you see that we will draw nigh to one another? We cannot draw nigh to God and come to the same cross without our hearts being blended together in perfect unity, answering the prayer of Christ “that they may be one,” as He is one with the Father. [John 17:11.] And therefore we should seek in spirit, in understanding, in faith, that we may be one, that God may be glorified in us as He is glorified in the Son; and that God shall love us as He loves the Son. Do you think God will love us if He sees us here right in the very last close of this earth’s history, that we are quibbling and trifling and spreading ourselves apart as far as we can, for fear that we shall have an understanding with some of our brethren? Do you suppose that that honors God? I tell you, Nay. God desires and designs that His children shall be one as Christ is one with the Father.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 41, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 41, 1890, par. 8
He who judgeth righteously has said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] All talents, great or small, have been entrusted to men by God, to be employed in His service, and when men use their ability simply for themselves, and have no special care to work in harmony with those in medical practice, who are of the same faith, they reveal that they are inclined to judge these men by themselves; they do not seek to answer the prayer of Christ. “That they may be one as he is one with the Father.” [John 17:11.] When they demand exorbitant prices for their services, God, the Judge of all the earth, will hold them to the measure of their own overrated estimation and require of them to the full extent of the value they put upon themselves.6LtMs, Lt 41, 1890, par. 49
The people of God can be united only through the power of the Holy Ghost, and this is the union which will stand the test. Christ prayed that His people might be one as He and the Father were one [John 17:11]; but can this union exist, can spiritual life be maintained, if you fail to associate with those of like precious faith in close Christian fellowship and devotion? If you think you can live a Christian life without taking advantage of Christian privileges, you are deceived by the enemy of your soul. I am terribly in earnest to cry aloud and spare not, and show my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 44, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 44, 1894, par. 8
Then I stood in the door of the cottage, and spoke to them nearly half an hour. The Lord strengthened me and put words in my mouth, presenting the love of God as expressed to the world in giving Jesus to a life of shame, reproach, and suffering, and a cruel death to save sinners. Just prior to His crucifixion the Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Father, keep them in thy name.” [John 17:11.] None can be kept in His name if they are careless and inattentive in regard to keeping themselves. They have something to do if their souls are to be kept in the love of God; they must co-operate with God in the grand work. Their faith is to lay hold upon the divine nature, that they may be kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 83, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 83, 1896, par. 29
You, my brother, are to put on the whole armor of God. The Lord Jesus, just before His crucifixion, prayed to His Father, “Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are.” [John 17:11.] Christ offered this prayer in behalf of His disciples, but when He asks that we may be kept, He does not mean that we are not to co-operate with God in keeping ourselves from evil practices. We must every one of us heed the words of Christ, “Watch unto prayer;” “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” [Matthew 26:41.]Selected Messages Book 3
God Has an Organized Body
3SM 18.1
In the place of turning the weapons of warfare within our own ranks, let them be turned against the enemies of God and of the truth. Echo the prayer of Christ with your whole heart: “Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11)...John 17:11-14
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 72, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 72, 1896, par. 3
It has always been essential that God’s people should be distinct and peculiar, “in the world, but not of the world” [see John 17:11, 14]; but it is more necessary now than ever; for we are living in the very last days of this earth’s history. Satan has come down with great power, working “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness,” “because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” “As a roaring lion he walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” [2 Thessalonians 2:10; Revelation 12:12; 1 Peter 5:8.] Every amusement that will occupy the minds of the people is being set forth to attract and ensnare the youth. Men of gray hairs, and those who have come to years of maturity, are co-operating with evil angels to make the amusement question the great and all-absorbing theme of the day, and they have so far succeeded that the most debasing influences that prevail, because of the passion for amusement, have come to be regarded as on a level with duty.John 17:11-15
Our Father Cares
Be One, as Christ and the Father Are One, November 16
OFC 332.1
Now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:11.OFC 332.3
He shows them that all selfishness, all pride, all self-exaltation, all unbelief and prejudice, which lead to resistance of the truth and turn away from the true light, are dangerous, and unless repented of, those who cherish these things will be left in darkness as was the Jewish nation. Let every soul now seek to answer the prayer of Christ. Let every soul echo that prayer in mind, in petitions, in exhortations, that they all may be one even as Christ is one with the Father, and work to this end. In the place of turning the weapons of warfare within our own ranks, let them be turned against the enemies of God and the truth. Echo the prayer of Christ with your whole heart: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.... I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:11-15)....Reflecting Christ
Be One, as Christ and the Father Are One, July 4
RC 199.1
Now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:11.RC 199.3
He shows them that all selfishness, all pride, all self-exaltation, all unbelief and prejudice, which lead to resistance of the truth and turn away from the true light, are dangerous, and unless repented of, those who cherish these things will be left in darkness as was the Jewish nation. Let every soul now seek to answer the prayer of Christ. Let every soul echo that prayer in mind, in petitions, in exhortations, that they all may be one even as Christ is one with the Father, and work to this end. In the place of turning the weapons of warfare within our own ranks, let them be turned against the enemies of God and the truth. Echo the prayer of Christ with your whole heart: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.... I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:11-15)....John 17:11-17
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)
Lt 10, 1870
2LtMs, Lt 10, 1870, par. 2
These last days are days of fearful peril and all should encourage humility and meekness, and to admit the danger of their being deceived. You, my sister, I saw, would injure the cause of God unless you were teachable, subject to the body. God is leading a people, not one or two upon a track, peculiar and separate from the body. A people God is leading. The prayer of Christ to His Father was “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” [John 17:11, 17.]Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]
MR No. 81—God’s Rebuke to Laodicea
1MR 354.3
He shows them that all selfishness, all pride, all self-exaltation, all unbelief and prejudice, are dangerous, and unless repented of, those who cherish these things will be left in darkness as was the Jewish nation. Let every soul now seek to answer the prayer of Christ. Let every soul echo that prayer in mind, in petitions, in exhortations, that they all may be one even as Christ is one with the Father, and work to this end. In the place of turning the weapons of warfare within our own ranks, let them be turned against the enemies of God and of the truth. Echo the prayer of Christ with your whole heart: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.... I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:11, 15). Also this prayer which He offers to interpret the process through which His followers are sanctified, “Sanctify them through thy truth” (John 17:17).1MR 355.1
The Church in Unity—The door of the heart must be opened to the Holy Spirit, for this is the sanctifier, and the truth is the medium. There must be an acceptance of the truth as it is in Jesus. This is the only genuine sanctification: “Thy word is truth.” Oh read the prayer of Christ for unity, “Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11). The prayer of Christ is not only for those who are now His disciples, but for all those who shall believe on Christ through the words of His disciples, even to the end of the world. Jesus was just about to yield up His life to bring life and immortality to light. Christ, amid His sufferings, and being daily rejected of men, looks down the lines two thousand years to His church which would be in existence in the last days, before the close of this earth’s history.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 21, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 21, 1893, par. 22
He shows them [that] all selfishness, all pride, all self-exaltation, all unbelief and prejudice, which is cherished, which leads to the resistance of truth and turns away from the true light, is dangerous, and unless repented of, they will be left in darkness as was the Jewish nation. Let every soul now seek to answer the prayer of Christ. Let every soul echo that prayer in mind, in petitions, in exhortations, that they all may be one as Christ is one with the Father, and work to this end. In the place of turning the weapons of warfare within our own ranks, let them be turned against the enemies of God and the truth. Echo the prayer of Christ with your whole heart: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. ... I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” [John 17:11, 15.] He then offers His prayer to enterpret the process through which His followers are sanctified: “Sanctify them through thy truth.” [Verse 17.]8LtMs, Ms 21, 1893, par. 23
The door of the heart must be opened to the Holy Spirit, for this is the sanctifier, and the truth is the medium. There must be an acceptance of the truth as it is in Jesus. This is the only genuine sanctification: “Thy word is truth.” [Verse 17.] O read the prayer of Christ for unity, “Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” [Verse 11.] The prayer of Christ is not only for those who are now His disciples, but for all those who shall believe on Christ through the words of His disciples, even to the end of the world. Jesus was just about to yield up his life to bring life and immortality to light. Christ, amid his sufferings, and being daily rejected of men, looks down the lines two thousand years to his church which would be in existence in the last days, before the close of this earth’s history.John 17:11-19
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 155, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 155, 1902, par. 26
“I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” [John 17:11-19.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 241, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 241, 1902, par. 11
John 17:11-19. “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” one. Here is a science it would be well and profitable for all to become sufficiently interested in to make it their daily business to practice in the world, which is our fitting-up place for heaven, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”John 17:11-22
Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]
MR No. 55—The Spirit that Should Characterize the Work of Seventh-day Adventist Physicians
1MR 199.2
He who judgeth righteously has said, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). All talents, great or small, have been entrusted to men by God, to be employed in His service, and when men use their ability simply for themselves, and have no special care to work in harmony with those in medical practice, who are of the same faith, they reveal that they are inclined to judge these men by themselves; they do not seek to answer the prayer of Christ, “That they may be one as He is one with the Father” (See John 17:11, 22). When they demand exorbitant prices for their services, God, the judge of all earth, will hold them to the measure of their own overrated estimation, and require of them to the full extent of the value they put upon themselves.John 17:11-23
Homeward Bound
An Example of Church Unity, August 6
HB 243.2
To the early church had been entrusted a constantly enlarging work— that of establishing centers of light and blessing wherever there were honest souls willing to give themselves to the service of Christ. The proclamation of the gospel was to be world-wide in its extent, and the messengers of the cross could not hope to fulfill their important mission unless they should remain united in the bonds of Christian unity, and thus reveal to the world that they were one with Christ in God. Had not their divine Leader prayed to the Father, “Keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are”? And had He not declared of His disciples, “The world hath hated them, because they are not of the world”? Had He not pleaded with the Father that they might be “made perfect in one,” “that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me”? (John 17:11, 14, 23, 21.) Their spiritual life and power was dependent on a close connection with the One by whom they had been commissioned to preach the gospel.The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 9—The Seven Deacons
AA 90.1
To the early church had been entrusted a constantly enlarging work—that of establishing centers of light and blessing wherever there were honest souls willing to give themselves to the service of Christ. The proclamation of the gospel was to be world-wide in its extent, and the messengers of the cross could not hope to fulfill their important mission unless they should remain united in the bonds of Christian unity, and thus reveal to the world that they were one with Christ in God. Had not their divine Leader prayed to the Father, “Keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are”? And had He not declared of His disciples, “The world hath hated them, because they are not of the world”? Had He not pleaded with the Father that they might be “made perfect in one,” “that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me”? John 17:11, 14, 23, 21. Their spiritual life and power was dependent on a close connection with the One by whom they had been commissioned to preach the gospel.From Trials to Triumph
Chapter 9—Why the Seven Deacons Were Chosen
TT 48.4
The proclamation of the gospel was to be worldwide, and the messengers of the cross should remain united, and thus reveal to the world that they were one with Christ in God. See John 17:11, 14, 21, 23. Their power was dependent on a close connection with the One who had commissioned them to preach the gospel.John 17:11-24
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 63, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 63, 1893, par. 60
Let every word be engraven upon the tablets of the soul. He says, “I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. ... I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. ... As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” [John 17:11, 15, 18.] That they may be partakers with Me in self-denial, self-sacrifice, and in My sufferings.8LtMs, Lt 63, 1893, par. 64
Concerning His followers Jesus prayed, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.” [John 17:24.] Oh, what a request! What tender, inexpressible love is contained in this petition! Our living Head longs to have the members of His body associated with Him. Having had fellowship with Him in His sufferings, He will not be satisfied with anything less than that they shall have fellowship with Him in His glory. This He claims as His right.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 63a, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 63a, 1893, par. 57
Satan stands at your right hand to accuse you, and your Advocate stands at God’s right hand to plead for you. He has never lost a case committed unto Him. You may trust in your Advocate, He pleads His own merits in your behalf. Hear His prayer before entering upon His betrayal, His trial. Listen to His prayer, for He has you in remembrance. He will not forget His church in the world of temptation. He looks upon His tried and suffering people. Here Jesus is praying; let every word be engraven on the tablets of the soul. “Now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are ... I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil ... As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” [John 17:11, 15, 18.] That they may be partakers with Me in self-denial, self-sacrifice, and My sufferings.8LtMs, Lt 63a, 1893, par. 61
Do not unhinge your soul from God by unfaithfulness and unbelief. Only believe, only be a doer of the Word, and you touch every perfection of His being. You are one with Christ, as He is one with the Father. “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory.” [John 17:24.] Oh, what a request! What tender, inexpressible love is in this petition! How the Head longed to have the members of His body associated with Him. Having had fellowship with [Him in] His sufferings, He will not be satisfied with anything less than that they shall have fellowship with Him in His glory. This He claims as His right.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 71, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 71, 1895, par. 5
When Moses prayed earnestly, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory,” the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee ... And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth”—The character of God is His glory. [Exodus 33:18, 19; 34:6.] Jesus said, “And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am: that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.” [John 17:22-24.]10LtMs, Lt 71, 1895, par. 21
Who among you manifested interest to watch for Edson’s soul as he that must give an account to God, who has paid the purchase money of an infinite price for his soul? Did you consider that your course of action has [opened], and will continue to open, a door of temptation to the souls of men? Did you consider that your course would bring upon others great suffering of mind, cause great discouragement, and instead of binding hearts in confidence to you, would weaken your faith and trust? Did you consider that you were not answering the prayer of Christ when He prayed that His disciples might be one, as He is One with the Father? [John 17:11.] Was your course one that was likely to inspire confidence in the hearts of those whom the conference had accepted as those who were laboring together with God? Did you care whether you brought suffering to the soul, or inspired men with hope and gladness?That I May Know Him
Our Divine Credentials, June 15
TMK 172.1
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. John 17:11.TMK 172.3
“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:23). Can we comprehend the meaning of these words? Can we take it in? Can we measure this love? The thought that God loves us as He loves His Son should bring us in gratitude and praise to Him. Provision has been made whereby God can love us as He loves His Son, and it is through our oneness with Christ and with each other. We must each come to the fountain and drink for ourselves. A thousand around us may take of the stream of salvation, but we shall not be refreshed unless we drink of the healing stream ourselves. We must see the beauty, the light of God’s Word for ourselves, and kindle our taper at the divine altar, that we may go to the world, holding forth the Word of life as a bright, shining lamp....TMK 172.4
How precious are these words! “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory” (verse 24).... Christ wills that we should behold His glory. Where? In the kingdom of heaven. He wills that we should be one with Him. What a thought! How willing it makes me to make any and every sacrifice for His sake! He is my love, my righteousness, my comfort, my crown of rejoicing, and He wills that we should behold His glory.21The Review and Herald, March 11, 1890.John 17:12
From Here to Forever
Into the Holy City
HF 391.1
Before the ransomed throng is the Holy City. Jesus opens the gates, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. Then His voice is heard, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. Christ presents to the Father the purchase of His blood, declaring: “Here am I, and the children whom thou hast given me.” “Those that thou gavest me I have kept.” Hebrews 2:13; John 17:12. Oh, the rapture of that hour when the infinite Father, looking upon the ransomed, shall behold His image, sin’s blight removed, and the human once more in harmony with the divine!The Great Hope (Condensed)
Into the Holy City
GrH_c 47.3
Before the ransomed throng is the Holy City. Jesus opens the gates, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. Then His voice is heard, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. Christ presents to the Father the purchase of His blood, declaring: “Here am I, and the children whom thou hast given me.” “Those that thou gavest me I have kept.” Hebrews 2:13; John 17:12. Oh, the rapture of that hour when the infinite Father, looking upon the ransomed, shall behold His image, sin’s blight removed, and the human once more in harmony with the divine!John 17:12-15
Manuscript Releases, vol. 15 [Nos. 1136-1185]
MR No. 1180—Put Away Differences; Love One Another; Proclaim the Truth
15MR 297.2
He knew they would be exposed to trials from the opposition of the world, and He said: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name; those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil” [John 17:12-15].The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials
Put Away Differences; Love One Another; Proclaim the Truth
1888 1121.2
He knew they would be exposed to trials from the opposition of the world, and He said: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name; those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil” [John 17:12-15].John 17:13
Manuscript Releases, vol. 12 [Nos. 921-999]
MR No. 938—Ellen White’s Missionary Visits
12MR 76.1
I hope and pray that those who read these lines may not be careless and think they can wait their own time and opportunity to suit themselves. God has given you knowledge, light, opportunities, and privileges. Shall the knowledge of God, which Jesus Christ came from heaven to impart, remain in our possession through our life as a dead letter? Shall we trifle with the letter from heaven which shows us the prescribed condition of salvation? “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:13).Radiant Religion
They Have Christ’s Joy—Seeing Sinners Saved, July 26
RRe 209.1
And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. John 17:13.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 142, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 142, 1903, par. 7
Let all church members study the thirteenth verse of the seventeenth chapter of John. “And now come I to Thee,” Christ says, “and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”John 17:13-26
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 37, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 37, 1894, par. 27
Now let us see what Jesus will do for us if we let Him. In His prayer for His disciples He said, “And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” [John 17:13.] Is it possible to have joy in obeying Christ? It is the only real joy that any soul can have. You may have what you call a “good time,” and laugh and joke; but your joy will only be a foolish gratification of a mind that is not well balanced by the Spirit of God. Christ continued, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” [Verse 14.]9LtMs, Ms 37, 1894, par. 28
Do you expect that the world will love you when you go contrary to the customs and traditions of the world? Do you expect to be treated better than was the Master of the house? “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” [Verse 17.] You have received the truth. Now do not feel that you must hide it under a bushel. Let it be known to others, let it shine forth, that others may be saved, may be sanctified through it. Be a living example, be under the control of the Spirit of Christ. Jesus says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” [Verse 20.] This tells you your duty. The word of those who believe is to be as seed sown in the hearts of others that will spring forth and bear fruit unto life eternal.9LtMs, Ms 37, 1894, par. 29
Christ prays for the unity of His people, and says, “That they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” [Verse 21.] What a oneness is here represented! In this unity, divine credentials are presented to the world, that they may believe in Jesus. “And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them: (that is the character which Christ has, His righteousness); that they may be one even as we are one.” [Verse 22.]9LtMs, Ms 37, 1894, par. 30
Christ within is the glory of God, the hope big with immortality and eternal life. “That they all may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; that the world may know,” and now comes the greatest assertion that has ever been made in behalf of His people, “that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” [Verses 22, 23.] Can we take that in? The “God of heaven loves us as He loves His Son.” All the world is in rebellion against God, but those who struggle, who strive, who agonize to enter in at the strait gate, are beloved of God with peculiar tenderness, and they shall find the broad path, for, “thy commandment is exceeding broad.” [Psalm 119:96.] “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” [Psalm 19:7.]9LtMs, Ms 37, 1894, par. 31
When the world is brought in connection with the converted people of God, they realize that they have been transformed in character, and thus they glorify God. Of them Jesus says, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory,” (they are to behold His divinity, His oneness with the Father which He had from the beginning,) “which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” [John 17:24.] Christ said to His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you ... I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” [John 14:2, 3.]9LtMs, Ms 37, 1894, par. 32
“O righteous Father, the world knows all about thee.” Is that the way it reads? Does the world know all about you, brethren? Jesus says, “The world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” [John 17:25, 26.] Praise God, brethren, with heart and soul and voice. Even when amid trials, we should be the happiest people on the earth, because our life is hid with Christ in God, and when He shall appear, we also shall appear with Him in glory. We are not living for the applause of the world; we are living for the future, immortal inheritance. We are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. When sorrow takes hold of your soul, when persecuted and afflicted, lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh. You are to have a life that measures with the life of God. You are not to seek to meet the world’s standard, but to be a commandment-keepers, to be members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, and to enjoy eternal riches.John 17:14
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 35, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 35, 1902, par. 6
Concerning His followers, Christ prayed, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” [John 17:14.] We are not to love the world or to conform to its wrong practices. Every worldly, unsanctified action on the part of Christ’s followers exerts an evil influence, seemingly justifying the world in the course it is taking. True religion regulates the dress, the deportment, and the words. The body, as well as the soul, has been redeemed. Both should be sanctified by the truth.The Review and Herald
November 26, 1861
RH November 26, 1861, par. 9
I was shown that God is not slack concerning his promises, if his people will obey his requirements. He is faithful who hath promised. The condition of our being received of God is, to separate ourselves from the world. The followers of Jesus and the world can not unite. Please read John 17:14: “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world.” John 15:18, 19: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 29, 1885
4LtMs, Ms 29, 1885, par. 23
I slept poorly during the night. I spoke to the people in the hall from John 17:14. There were some interested hearers, and I felt the calm peace of Christ abiding in my heart. Sister Mallon visited me. We talked freely together and prayed together. She is in deep trial because her husband has given up the truth and opposes her violently. She says all she can do is to pray for him that the Lord will open his eyes to see where he is. She is hoping that he will yet see the truth.EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
John 17:3
Education
Chapter 13—Mental and Spiritual Culture
Ed 126.3
“The excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” “The words that I speak unto you,” said Jesus, “they are spirit, and they are life.” “This is life eternal, that they should know Thee the only true God, and Him whom Thou didst send.” Ecclesiastes 7:12; John 6:63; 17:3, R.V.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 46, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 46, 1892, par. 18
But remember that the only true education is that which includes a knowledge of God. Jesus says, “This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] In this small compass the essence of true education is defined. Let the attainment of the knowledge of God be placed as of the first importance. Let the study of the Bible be counted as of chief advantage to you. The Psalmist says, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” [Psalm 119:130.] Let the Word of God find an entrance into your mind; let the Spirit and power of God come upon you and your intellect will be strengthened, for light will not only enter into the chambers of the mind but flood the soul-temple with glory.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 35, 1891
7LtMs, Ms 35, 1891, par. 20
What we all need is a conscience, and with many it is dead. What souls need is to die to self and be born again. Conscience needs a resurrection. What is wanted is to know what religion is, to know what it is to have a living connection with the God of heaven, to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent, for we read, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] Then there is a knowledge.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 12, 1891
7LtMs, Ms 12, 1891, par. 7
Not all have presented Christ as the great Center to whom all must come, realizing that He is the author and finisher of their redemption, their all in all. The result of their labor makes it manifest that they have not the deep personal experience they should have, but need deeper piety and unselfish devotion to the work. When they bring faith into their practical life, they will see clearly if they are a savor of life unto life. New habits are to be formed, and powerful human propensities are to be held at bay. They need to know God in order that they may rightly represent Him to others. The Saviour said, “This is life eternal, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 18, 1892
7LtMs, Lt 18, 1892, par. 6
I want to tell you, my brother, that human wisdom, unless sanctified day by day, is foolishness. That which finite beings take great pride in is very weak in the sight of a holy God. Very much is expressed in these words: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” [Jeremiah 9:23, 24.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 8b, 1891
7LtMs, Ms 8b, 1891, par. 12
Then I said to him, “This is eternal life, that ye might know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent.” [John 17:3.] Then I spoke to him of my own experience. Said I, “You call religion sorcery, jugglery, and all these things; but we have ‘a sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well to take heed.’ [2 Peter 1:19.]”Faith and Works
Chapter 18—Man May Be As Pure in His Sphere As God Is in His
FW 115.1
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). The heritage of the people of God is discerned through faith in the Word of God. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 35, 1891
7LtMs, Lt 35, 1891, par. 11
Jesus says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] It is because there is so little knowledge of God and of Christ that the enemy works so successfully through his agents, separating men from God, while he links them with the world. In this way God is dishonored rather than glorified. After you left the Health Retreat the first time, you drank deep of the spirit of the world, you enjoyed the flattery of men, and your moral taste was perverted. God graciously gave you another trial, and I was shown that you would either bear the test, separate from the world, become humble and lowly of heart, or you would yield to the spirit which now worketh in the children of disobedience, and would repeat your former experience. You have been free to open your confidences to unbelievers and have not been true to the cause of present truth.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 4, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 4, 1893, par. 10
I caution all to walk carefully, to take the Word of God individually. We may meet Satan with the weapon, “It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [Matthew 4:10.] The Bible is the great mine of truth which we are to work as those seeking for hidden treasure. In no case is the attention to be diverted from that Word. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] Christ declares His Word to be spirit and life. [John 6:63.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 8, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 8, 1893, par. 3
You have left the precious Word of life for a dish of fables, and you are perverting your God-given powers; you are intoxicated with that which is false and deceptive. You have indulged in a kind of reading that gives you not a knowledge of God or of the truth. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] We want to understand every jot and tittle of God’s will as revealed in His Word; but you are filling your mind with rubbish, with trifling things. Time is passing, and you are not gaining an experience for the future, immortal life.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 17a, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 17a, 1893, par. 20
It is not enough for our spiritual interest to read the Word of God, thinking that a knowledge of the truth contained therein will be sufficient for our salvation. The One of whom we read must be our dependence. “And this is life eternal; that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 13, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 45
A mere profession of godliness is worthless. It is he that abideth in Christ that is a Christian. “For every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” [Verse 3.] In every clime, in every nation, our youth should co-operate with God. The only way a person can be pure is to become like-minded with God. How can we know God? By studying His Word. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] Unless the mind of God becomes the mind of man, every effort to purify himself will be useless, for it is impossible to elevate man except through a knowledge of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 51, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 51, 1893, par. 15
Those teachers who have not a progressive religious experience, who are not learning daily lessons in the school of Christ that they may be ensamples to the flock, but who accept their wages as the main thing, are not fit for the solemn, awfully solemn, position they occupy. For this Scripture is appropriate to all our schools established as God designed they should be, after the order or example of the schools of the prophets, imparting a higher class of knowledge—mingling not dross with the silver, and wine with water—which is representation of precious principles. False ideas and unsound practice are leaving the pure and corrupting that which should be ever kept pure, and looked upon by the world, by angels, and [by] men as the Lord’s institution—schools where the education to love and fear God is made first. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] “Neither be ye lords over God’s heritage, but be ye ensamples to the flock.” [1 Peter 5:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 59, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 59, 1893, par. 15
I hope and pray that those who read these lines may not be careless and think they can wait their own time and opportunity to suit themselves. God has given you knowledge, light, opportunities, and privileges. Shall the knowledge of God, which Jesus Christ came from heaven to impart, remain in our possession through our life as a dead letter? Shall we trifle with the letter from heaven which shows us the prescribed condition of salvation? “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.