EGW WritingsMatthew 26

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 87, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 87, 1898, par. 33

We must proclaim the truth now. We are guilty of a fearful sin if we neglect to co-operate with God in His work of salvation. There are fearful conflicts in our world, with war and bloodshed. In this, are men patterning after Christ, who declared that He came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them? “He that taketh the sword shall perish with the sword,” He said. [Matthew 26:52.] Let us press to the mercy seat, and in the name of Christ claim the power that has been promised to co-workers with Him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 27a, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 27a, 1900, par. 12

Christ came to this world to establish a kingdom which would be a pattern of His heavenly kingdom. Pure and undefiled, His church was presented in contrast with the powers of this earth, which in the visions of Daniel are symbolized by ferocious beasts. These kingdoms engaged in war and destruction to gain advantage for themselves. While nation was warring against nation, seeking to obtain the ascendancy by physical force, there fell from the lips of Christ the words, “He that taketh the sword shall perish by the sword.” [Matthew 26:52.] From the church of Christ all carnal weapons, all instruments of coercion, are to be banished.

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Adored of the Angels, August 30

JNN 256.1

“Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”—Matthew 26:53

The Story of Redemption

Judas Betrays Jesus

SR 211.2

The disciples began to hope as they saw the multitude with their staves and swords fall so quickly. As they arose and again surrounded the Son of God, Peter drew his sword and smote a servant of the high priest and cut off an ear. Jesus bade him to put up the sword, saying, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53. I saw that as these words were spoken, the countenances of the angels were animated with hope. They wished then and there to surround their Commander and disperse that angry mob. But again sadness settled upon them, as Jesus added, “But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” Matthew 26:54. The hearts of the disciples also sank in despair and bitter disappointment as Jesus suffered Himself to be led away by His enemies.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 113, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 113, 1899, par. 24

When Christ was betrayed, the record states that “Satan put it into the heart of Judas to betray him.” Another writer says, “Satan entered into him.” [John 13:2, 27; Luke 22:3.] When the band led by Judas seized the Saviour, he said to Peter, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?” [Matthew 26:53, 54.]

The Faith I Live By

Blessings on the Humble Man, May 12

FLB 138.3

Nothing is more offensive to God than a self-sufficient spirit. In the life of Peter is a sad lesson which should be a warning to all the professed followers of Christ. The Saviour had faithfully warned him of the approaching danger, but, self-confident and presumptuous, he asserted his constant fidelity and zeal, and declared himself willing to follow his Master to prison and to death. The test came for Peter when the storm burst upon the disciples by the humiliation of their Leader. Mournful are the words traced by the pen of inspiration: “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” Matthew 26:56. And the ardent, zealous, self-confident Peter repeatedly denied his Lord. He afterward bitterly repented; but this example should admonish all to beware of self-confidence and self-righteousness.40Manuscript 1, 1878.

Conflict and Courage

Caiaphas, November 13

CC 323.1

Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God. Joel 2:13.

CC 323.2

It was the custom among the Jews for the garments to be rent at the death of friends, but this custom the priests were not to observe.... Everything worn by the priest was to be whole and without blemish. By those beautiful official garments was represented the character of the great antitype, Jesus Christ. Nothing but perfection, in dress and attitude, in word and spirit, could be acceptable to God. He is holy, and His glory and perfection must be represented by the earthly service.... Finite man might rend his own heart by showing a contrite and humble spirit. This God would discern. But no rent must be made in the priestly robes, for this would mar the representation of heavenly things.28The Desire of Ages, 708, 709.

CC 323.3

When Christ declared Himself the Son of God, Caiaphas, in pretended horror, rent his robe, and accused the Holy One of Israel of blasphemy.29The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1104.

CC 323.4

He had done the very thing that the Lord had commanded should not be done. Standing under the condemnation of God, he pronounced sentence on Christ as a blasphemer.... The priestly robe he rent in order to impress the people with his horror of the sin of blasphemy covered a heart full of wickedness.30Ibid., 1105.

CC 323.5

How different was the true High Priest from the false and corrupted Caiaphas. Christ stood before the false high priest, pure and undefiled, without a taint of sin. Christ mourned for the transgression of every human being. He bore even the guiltiness of Caiaphas, knowing the hypocrisy that dwelt in his soul, while for pretense he rent his robe. Christ did not rend His robe, but His soul was rent. His garment of human flesh was rent as He hung on the cross, the sin-bearer of the race.31Ibid., 1105.

CC 323.6

Many today who claim to be Christians are in danger of rending their garments, making an outward show of repentance, when their hearts are not softened nor subdued. This is why so many continue to make failures in the Christian life. An outward appearance of sorrow is shown for wrong, but their repentance is not that which needs not to be repented of.32Ibid., 1104, 1105.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 45, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 1

“Now the chief priests and elders and all the council, sought false witnesses against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none; yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and build it again in three days.” [Matthew 26:59-61.]

From the Heart

Calvary, August 30

FH 254.1

At last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” Matthew 26:60, 61.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 111, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 1

“And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” [Matthew 26:62, 63.]

12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 2

According to the Jewish form of administration, Christ was placed on oath by the priest: “I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” [Verse 63.] This appeal was made by the first magistrate of the nation. He occupied a position higher than any in earthly courts. But his religion was a cloak that hid the deformities of a hard, cruel heart. He lorded it over the people, making his supposed godliness a source of gain. He was not accepted by God as a typical high priest at any time. His fitness for the priesthood ended with the covering garment, set apart for the use of the priests, which he wore. He was incapable and unworthy.

12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 5

To the charge of the high priest, Jesus said, “Thou hast said. Nevertheless, I say unto thee, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of God sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” [Verse 64.] These words were spoken with dignity and assurance. They fell from the lips of One whose spirit went with the words. Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was the speaker, and His words came with ease, as if from the depth of a soul possessing the testimony to be given on earth. Divinity flashed through humanity, and like an arrow, the conviction flashed into the hearts of the hearers that this man spake as never man spake.

12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 6

“Then the high priest rent his robe.” [Verse 65.] Conviction, mingled with passion, caused him to do this. He was furious with himself for believing Christ’s words, and instead of rending his heart, under a deep sense of truth, and confessing that Jesus was the Messiah, he rent his priestly robes in determined resistance. By this act he placed himself under the penalty of death. Under no circumstances were the priests to remove their turbans or rend their robes. He who disregarded this law was to die. Nothing but perfection, in dress and attitude, in word and spirit, could be acceptable to God. He is holy, and His glory and perfection must be represented by the earthly service. Nothing but perfection could properly represent the sacredness of the heavenly service. Finite man might rend his own heart by showing a contrite and humble spirit. This God would discern. But no rent must be made in the priestly robes, for this would mar the representation of heavenly things.

12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 45

He who left the heavenly courts and clothed His divinity with humanity that He might secure the salvation of Israel, and that through them the light might shine to the world, was stigmatized by the highest authorities of the Jewish nation. Heathen rulers confederated with them to put the Redeemer to death. But Christ’s word to them is plain and irrevocable, “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of glory.” [Matthew 26:64.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 51, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 51, 1897, par. 11

Patiently, and without one expression of revenge, Jesus listened to their conflicting testimony. He was perfectly silent, answering not a word to their accusations. At last His accusers were entangled, confused, and maddened; they had nothing that they could make stand as a charge against Jesus. That silence was terrible for them to endure. They saw that their plottings were liable to fail. Caiaphas was desperate. He was determined to act. Starting from the judgment seat, his face contorted with satanic passion, and voice and demeanor plainly indicating that were it in his power, he would strike down the Son of God, he exclaimed, “Answerest thou nothing? What is it that these witness against thee?” [Matthew 26:62.]

12LtMs, Ms 51, 1897, par. 12

Jesus knew the nature of the men surrounding Him, and the impotent madness of His accusers because they could not find occasion against Him. But He remained in silence. The high priest was afraid that all their purposes were to be defeated unless they could make Jesus utter His own condemnation. Standing over the prisoner as though he would annihilate Him, he said, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said; nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy, what further need have we of witness? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.” [Verses 63-66.]

12LtMs, Ms 51, 1897, par. 13

In legal condemnation nothing could be done until the light of day and before a full session of the Sanhedrin. And yet the priests had declared that He was worthy of death. He was not considered fit to receive abuse from the lowest and vilest of human kind. He was taken from the outer court to the guard room, on every side meeting with taunts and jeers, and cruel mockery in regard to His claims to be the Son of God; “sitting on the throne of his glory,” and “coming in the clouds of heaven,” was tauntingly and mockingly repeated. [Matthew 25:31; 26:64.]

Reflecting Christ

Christians to Be as Transparent as Sunlight, February 26

RC 71.3

Our Saviour did not, however, forbid the use of the judicial oath, in which God is solemnly called to witness that what is said is truth and nothing but the truth. Jesus Himself, at His trial before the Sanhedrin, did not refuse to testify under oath. The high priest said unto Him, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus answered, “Thou hast said” (Matthew 26:63, 64)....

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

“Swear not at all.”—Matthew 5:34.

MB 66.4

Jesus condemned their practices, declaring that their custom in oath taking was a transgression of the commandment of God. Our Saviour did not, however, forbid the use of the judicial oath, in which God is solemnly called to witness that what is said is truth and nothing but the truth. Jesus Himself, at His trial before the Sanhedrin, did not refuse to testify under oath. The high priest said unto Him, “I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus answered, “Thou hast said.” Matthew 26:63, 64. Had Christ in the Sermon on the Mount condemned the judicial oath, He would at His trial have reproved the high priest and thus, for the benefit of His followers, have enforced His own teaching.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1

Oath Taking

1TT 73.2

I saw that if there is anyone on earth who can consistently testify under oath, it is the Christian. He lives in the light of God’s countenance. He grows strong in His strength. And when matters of importance must be decided by law, there is no one who can so well appeal to God as the Christian. I was bidden by the angel to notice that God swears by Himself. Genesis 22:16; Hebrews 6:13, 17. He swore to Abraham (Genesis 26:3), to Isaac (Psalm 105:9; Jeremiah 11:5), and to David Psalm 132:11; Acts 2:30. God required of the children of Israel an oath between man and man. Exodus 22:10, 11. Jesus submitted to the oath in the hour of His trial. The high priest said unto Him: “I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said unto him: “Thou hast said.” Matthew 26:63, 64. If Jesus in His teachings to His disciples referred to the judicial oath, He would have reproved the high priest, and there enforced His teachings, for the good of His followers present. Satan has been pleased that some have viewed oath taking in a wrong light; for it has given him the opportunity to oppress them and take from them their Lord’s money. The stewards of God must be more wise, lay their plans, and prepare themselves to withstand Satan’s devices; for he is to make greater efforts than ever before.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 52a, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 52a, 1896, par. 4

Christ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. His own divine power and Godhead given for Me? Yes. He declared, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father. I and my Father are one.” [John 14:9; John 10:30.] When challenged by the high priest, “I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God,” Jesus saith unto him, “Thou hast said.” The high priest knew just what that saying comprehended, and he turned and said, “He hath spoken blasphemy.” [Matthew 26:63-65.] Bear all this in your mind. The Saviour whom I know you love, is behind all His words, for His words are truth. Now look at His character, believe His words. Amid insult and scorn and mockery and rejection and shame is He not without guile? Then rest in His words of love, and honor Him by your faith.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 102, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 102, 1897, par. 1

“And the chief priests and the council sought for witness to put Jesus to death, and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. But neither did their witness agree together. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that these witness against thee? But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” [Mark 14:55-61.] “I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” [Matthew 26:63, 64.]

12LtMs, Ms 102, 1897, par. 6

The scene passed from the priest’s vision. Christ’s words cut him, the Sadducee, to the quick. He was maddened by satanic furry. Was this man, a prisoner before him, to assail his most cherished theories? Rending his robe, that the people might see his pretended horror, he demanded that without further preliminaries, the prisoner be condemned for blasphemy. “The high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?” [Matthew 26:65, 66.] And they all condemned Him.

The Story of Jesus

Chapter 18—Before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin

SJ 116.1

“I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the son of God.” Matthew 26:63.

SJ 116.5

“Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven.” Matthew 26:64.

SJ 117.3

The judges answered, “He is guilty of death.” Matthew 26:65, 66.

SJ 117.9

“Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?” Matthew 26:68.

The Great Controversy

Chapter 40—God’s People Delivered

GC 643.1

There are those who mocked Christ in His humiliation. With thrilling power come to their minds the Sufferer’s words, when, adjured by the high priest, He solemnly declared: “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64. Now they behold Him in His glory, and they are yet to see Him sitting on the right hand of power.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 40—God’s People Delivered

GC88 643.1

There are those who mocked Christ in his humiliation. With thrilling power come to their minds the Sufferer’s words, when, adjured by the high priest, he solemnly declared, “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” [Matthew 26:64.] Now they behold him in his glory, and they are yet to see him sitting on the right hand of power.

The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4

Chapter 35—God’s People Delivered

4SP 460.3

Those who mocked Christ in his humiliation are in that throng. With thrilling power come to their minds the Sufferer’s words, when, adjured by the high priest, he solemnly declared, “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” [Matthew 26:64.] Now they behold Christ in his glory, and they are yet to see him sitting on the right hand of power.

From Here to Forever

The King of Kings Appears

HF 389.2

There are those who mocked Christ in His humiliation. He declared: “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64. Now they behold Him in His glory; they are yet to see Him sitting on the right hand of power. There is the haughty Herod who jeered at His royal title. There are the men who placed upon His brow the thorny crown and in His hand the mimic scepter—those who bowed before Him in blasphemous mockery, who spat upon the Prince of life. They seek to flee from His presence. Those who drove the nails through His hands and feet behold these marks with terror and remorse.

The Great Hope (Condensed)

The King of Kings Appears

GrH_c 46.3

There are those who mocked Christ in His humiliation. He declared: “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64. Now they behold Him in His glory; they are yet to see Him sitting on the right hand of power. There is the haughty Herod who jeered at His royal title. There are the men who placed upon His brow the thorny crown and in His hand the mimic scepter—those who bowed before Him in blasphemous mockery, who spat upon the Prince of life. They seek to flee from His presence. Those who drove the nails through His hands and feet behold these marks with terror and remorse.

Homeward Bound

The Special Resurrection of the Lost, December 7

HB 372.1

Hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.—Matthew 26:64.

HB 372.3

There are those who mocked Christ in His humiliation. With thrilling power come to their minds the Sufferer’s words, when, adjured by the high priest, He solemnly declared: “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64.) Now they behold Him in His glory, and they are yet to see Him sitting on the right hand of power.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 43, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 15

Seeing of the travail of His soul, He is satisfied. Satisfied that He should come to our world, that He should become poor for our sakes [so] that we through His poverty might be made rich. And yet we are unwilling to make the venture of enduring of His trials, of His difficulties, for His name’s sake. Why, what does it mean? Shame and reproach, and the shameful spirit, for humanity whom He created and for whom He paid the ransom of His own life and sufferings, and yet they mocked Him and they smote Him in the face, and they clothed Him with an old purple robe, and cried out, “Prophesy unto us who it was that smote thee.” [Matthew 26:68.] They bowed to Him in mockery as though bowing to a king. For our sakes He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. For our sakes He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with His stripes we are healed. Well then, what is this joy that is coming to us? Why, He suffered all this that He might bring many sons and daughters to glory, that He might elevate humanity, that He might place humanity in an elevated scale with God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 142, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 142, 1906, par. 55

We love Thee, we love Thee, because Thou hast so loved us that Thou hast given Thy life to a life of shame, to a life of abuse. They spit in Thy face, Thou Lord of glory; they smote Thee with wickedness, and called out, “Prophesy unto us who it is that smote Thee” [Matthew 26:68]; and O they abused Thee and drove the cruel nails through Thy hands and through Thy feet, and they speared Thy side, and O, amidst it all, Thou didst forgive a poor sinner on the cross, and Thou didst say, “Thou shalt be with Me in paradise” [Luke 23:43], because he asked it, because he saw and acknowledged Christ. Help us every one to acknowledge Thee here today.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 104, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 104, 1897, par. 20

Peter had confidently asserted, “Though all men should forsake thee, yet will not I.” “I will go with thee to prison and to death.” [Mark 14:29; Luke 22:33.] Where now was the confidence of this self-assured disciple? Where his loyalty to his Master? O Peter, this was the time when thou shouldest have confessed thy Lord, and that without shame and unwillingness! But another opportunity was given him. The palace of the high priest was surrounded by a piazza or open court, into which the soldiers and chief priests and multitude had gathered. And Peter took a place among the multitude. But attention was called to him the second time, and he was again charged with being a follower of Jesus. “This fellow was also with Jesus,” said one. [Matthew 26:71.] He now denied the accusation with an oath. The cock crew the second time; but Peter heard it not, for he was now thoroughly intent upon carrying out the character which he had assumed. One of the servants of the high priest, being a near kinsman to the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked him, “Did I not see thee in the garden with him?” “Surely thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.” [John 18:26; Mark 14:70.]

12LtMs, Ms 104, 1897, par. 21

At this Peter flew into a rage, and to fully deceive his questioners, and to justify his assumed character, he denied his Master with cursing and swearing. And immediately the cock crew the third time. Peter heard it then, and he remembered the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice.” [Matthew 26:75.] Christ was weary and faint from fasting when the denial of Peter reached Him; and while the degrading oaths were fresh upon his lips, and the shrill crowing of the cock was yet ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned His face from the frowning judges and looked full upon His poor disciple.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 1a, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 1a, 1890, par. 16

Men who are under the training of the great Teacher will understand the testimonies that He sends them. Those who will not hear and obey the words of Christ will not heart and obey the message of Christ to them personally. Men will rise up against anything that rebukes their unchristlike course. Shall the testimonies of the Spirit of God be accounted as a thing of naught? Shall a man be put in the position of teacher whose course has been such as to make him an unsafe guide, both because he has not the Spirit of Christ and because he says, in his character, “I know not the Man” [Matthew 26:74], just as he willfully says, “I know not the testimonies”? Will you in Fresno accept a man as your teacher who cannot understand these things which you all now have an opportunity to read for yourselves? Spiritual things are spiritually discerned; and if he cannot discern the testimony of the Spirit to himself, how can he discern the testimony of God’s Word and be able to give to every man his portion of meat in due season? He may present clear and cutting truth to the people and yet not understand that it is to be brought into his own life and interwoven with his character. He keeps the truth outside of his inner life, in the outer court.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 79, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 79, 1897, par. 6

The Lord speaks to the poor, Satan-bound, deceived souls who allow their capabilities and power of influence to be worked by satanic agencies. They produce no fruit to the glory of God. Their religion is one of convenience. While they profess to believe in Jesus, their works give as unmistakable evidence to the contrary as if they said, “I know not the Man.” [Matthew 26:74.] “If thou knewest the gift of God,” said Christ, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” [John 4:10.] Mark the words, “If thou knewest the gift of God.” Who is that gift of God? All things come to us from God through His abundant mercy and goodness; but One is the gift of God, the greatest of all gifts, and which brings all others in its train. Of this gift Paul speaks when he says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” [2 Corinthians 9:15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 19, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 19, 1897, par. 30

In our intercourse and association with unbelievers, we must bear in mind that God has given to every one talents to use, and improve by using. The talent of speech is a gift of God, and when we hear so much useless, meaningless chit-chat, we may be assured that those who thus use this precious gift are not Christians. They are not abiding in Christ: nor is Christ abiding in them. Every tree is known by its fruits. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” [Matthew 12:35.] What a flood of evil and rubbish flows forth because of the talent of speech. And how many are denying Christ by their speech! Instead of making a good confession of Christ by their manner of conversation, they say, “I know not the man.” [Matthew 26:74.] It is easy enough to have a form of godliness; but to make a whole-sided confession of our faith in Christ means that our words and dress and spirit shall testify to the fact.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 98a, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 98a, 1897, par. 3

I have not slept since twelve o’clock this night. It is now two o’clock a.m. I am praying for you, and I believe that God will hear prayer. Jesus our Redeemer prayed for Peter that his faith fail not. Peter denied his Lord thrice. He declared, “I know not the man,” and tried to emphasize his denial by cursing and swearing. [Matthew 26:74.] What have you been done to the Lord’s delegated messenger? Think it all over and consider. What reason have you had for taking the position you have against me? What I have said or done in thought, word, or deed lies open before God, and I am not ashamed to meet it in the judgment.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 184, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 184, 1897, par. 3

Peter did not then understand these words, but in a short time he remembered them with a remorse that broke him to pieces. He was converted. How confident man is apt to be in his own strength. Little did Peter think of the possibility of his denying Christ; but circumstances of a most trying nature came up, in which he was involved, and he declared, “I know not the man.” [Matthew 26:74.] If Peter had kept away from those who were making false and unworthy statements in regard to Christ, he would not have denied his Master.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 61, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 61, 1898, par. 7

In Peter’s fall we have before us our own individual cases. We are exhorted, “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” [1 Corinthians 10:12.] The fall of Peter in denying his Lord was fearful and humiliating. He gave away his Lord, saying. “I know not the man.” [Matthew 26:74.] And just as verily have many of the professedly commandment-keeping people of God dishonored and brought reproach upon their best Friend, the One who could save them to the uttermost.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 90, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 90, 1906, par. 7

My brethren, be not turned away from the truth by the sophistries of Satan. I am charged to bear the testimony that some are being deceived through the devising of Satan and are departing from the faith. One jot of our faith yielded through the wily presentation of the foe opens the way for departure from another principle of Bible truth. We have established truth, which is not to be changed by the presentations of medical men, even though these men may have been greatly honored of God, or by the presentations of ministers, even though these ministers may long have preached the truth. Not one pin or pillar is to be removed. Those who make efforts to sustain the men, ministers or physicians, who have been reproved by the testimonies that the Lord has been giving, are laying themselves under the rebuke of God, as did Peter, who, having unlimited confidence in himself, became subject to Satan’s temptations, until he grew desperate, and with cursing and swearing denied his Lord, saying, “I know not the man.” [Matthew 26:74.]