A Book Review of A.T. Jones' - The Consecrated Way to Christian Perfection
In 1888 A. T. Jones gave a memorable series of sermons on righteousness by faith at the General Conference session of Seventh-day Adventists held in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers pages 91-92).
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Listen to a Bible study relating to the cause of Christ's death, a "Separation Principle".
At the commencement of the Latter rain movement in 1888, A.T. Jones gave memorable sermons regarding the well-needed subject of Righteousness by Faith, the Third Angel's message in verity, at the Minneapolis General Conference Meeting (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers page 91, Review and Herald April 1st, 1890). Jones' phenomenal book The Consecrated Way to Christian Perfection drives the key points related to Christ in the form of Son of God (not temptable See James 1:13) and Son of man (temptable See Hebrews 4:15). Its references are explosively righteous, imparting knowledge to all who patiently take note to A.T. Jones’ repetitive writing style. It commences with a description of Christ in temporal, prophesied successive roles in relation to earth’s inhabitants: Prophet, Priest and King. However, its reference of Christ as Priest was never intended to be understood regarding any earthly Priesthood. Jones draws a correlation to Christ as “Kingly Priest”, referencing the order of Melchisedec, the King of Salem, a King of peace (Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 6:20, 7:1-2).
Praise Him! Let us praise our Redeemer for His excellent greatness, as He shakes the earth with His straight testimony (Psalms 150:1-2, Isaiah 2:19-21, Haggai 2:6-7, Hebrews 12:26, Early Writings pages 269-271). "Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord, to Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens....Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, and His strength is in the heavens." Psalm 68:32-34 (Acts of the Apostles page 33).
Jones ties in the thought of a diadem in relationship to King David, identifying that the only King that was intended to be recognized was that of Christ and His righteous Kingship. All earthly kingdoms were never God’s will. “God and His protective hand watched over Israel, intending to prevent them from going into Babylonian captivity. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God was warning Israel about their consequence of disobedience, potential enslavement. God never intended for Israel to have a king, however, Israel's very first King Saul would not obey the prophet of the Lord, Samuel. King Saul, King David, King Solomon and King Rehoboam were all disobedient. The consequence of not abiding in God's ways is that by the third or fourth generation, God's judgment will visit the seed of those which continue in disobedience (Exodus 20:5). By the fourth king, Israel was judged and the monarchy was split into two, never to be reunified again. Israel was determined to have an earthly king and monarchy even with God's forewarning of its consequences. Similarly, within Adventism the 1859 onset of a laodicean condition was as a result of disobedience and the rejection of the gospel since the Fall of 1844, the Great Disappointment (Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 page 186)” (A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 42).
Christ with His phenomenal greatness will be returning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords: and, He will return to reap His subjects who will reign with Him eternally. Will you be among them? (See Daniel 7:18, Mark 4:29, Revelation 14:14-16, 20:6, 22:5).
Christ was the only begotten Son of God, and He is God; the express image of God, exalted in Heaven (Hebrews 1:1-8). While in heaven, the nature of Christ was the nature of God, by inheritance, as He was created above angels (Hebrews 1:4).
Because of Adam’s sin, his reproductive-line became the subject of death, as the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Christ, knowing no sin, was made sin because He made Himself subject to death as the second and last Adam (1Corinthians 15:45, Hebrews 6:23, James 1:15). He reconciled man from the sin issue, being born of a woman, made under the law, not being ashamed to be called mankind’s brethren (Galatians 4:4, Colossians 1:21, Romans 5:10, 2Corinthians 5:18-20). Offering them glorified positions through His redemptive, reconciling act of benevolence, Christ bought His subjects back, a priceless redemptive act (A.T. Jones page 17).
As Son of God, Christ was higher than the angels and as Son of man He was made lower than the angels (Hebrews 1 and 2). Hebrews 2 expounds on this fact that Yeshua met mankind right at the “sin problem”, becoming “Emmanuel” or “God with us” (Matthew 1:23, Romans 8:1-4, A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 101). Christ can sanctify and He became one with those that He sanctifies (Ezekiel 20:12, Hebrews 2:11). Fear is caused from the sin problem, and it can be seen in the act of Adam and Eve running and hiding their “nakedness” or “laodicean condition” (Genesis 3:8, Revelation 3:14-18, A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 59).
Jones highlights that Christ entered into an eternal covenant with Abraham, as a blood-brother, redeeming His inheritance; an act that was more commonly practiced among Ancient Hebrews known as the “law of redemption to man and their inheritances” (Genesis 15:8-18, Jeremiah 34:18-19, Ruth 2:20, 3:9, 12, 13, 4:14). Christ took on the seed of Abraham, confirming an everlasting covenant (Genesis 15:18, Hebrews 2:16).
While on sinful, fallen planet earth, Christ (as the Son of man) took on the nature of fallen man, feeling the pull of sin, and He was tempted just as fallen man is—a true risk was taken: and, He is able to relieve those that choose Him as a personal Redeemer and Savior. Most important, Yeshua humbly covered His divinity with His humanity one hundred percent, and He became weak just as we are, only able to overcome sin by way of God the Father who dwelled in Him and “doeth the works” (John 14:10, Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, mankind, (by way of Christ's righteous garments) must overcome sin today, as it is the only way to enter God's eternal kingdom: and, those who will be among the 144,000 will be granted precious seats (above angels) at the Throne of God for eternity (Ephesians 2:8-10, Revelation 3:21).
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