7,000 HAVE NOT BOWED (AB LESTER)

Dear Brethren, editors of the Signs of the Times.

I am well pleased with the plan of having the signs in pamphlet form. As you say, They can be preserved so much better, Period. Since receiving the notice, I've been trying to procure subscribers; but there are but very few in this city that have but hate the doctrine they contain. But it is not strange that the worldly religionists should hate the doctrine our Savior taught?

They hated it from the first because it was contrary to their theory. Jesus told him “No man can come to me except the Father which has sent him. Draw him and I will raise him up at the last day” John 6.44. But they say all men can come if they will; But how can they come if they know not the way? Jesus says, “I am the way.;” and the Father tells them that “no man knows the Son but the Father; Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to some, however, the Son will reveal him”. Matthew 11.27. But they say, away with such a doctrine.; The days of revelation are passed: We have his blessed word, (the Bible) that all may read and learn of Him, and turn and live. “Blind leaders, leading the blind”. This shows that they are strangers to the word of God. The sun has never revealed himself to them, or they would know that “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 of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents. Of the heart.”. Hebrews 6.12. By following up their theory, it is plain to be seen that they are yet seeking justification under the old Mosaic law or covenant of works given to national Israel, which was written on tables of stone, that all might read and teach their children to know the Lord. Yet, notwithstanding the promise of the new covenant of grace God has made to all his spiritual people on that day, that all shall know him, from the least of them unto the greatest, all that God promised the old prophet. 7000 that have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." 7, I understand to be a full and complete number in Scripture, all of the elect of God, chosen in Christ from before the foundation of the world. That company John saw “when which no man can number., that came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. 

Yet we find these same blind leaders today, still trying to teach their neighbors and their neighbor's children from the old tables of stone. (the Bible) to know the Lord. “Having a great zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.”. Romans 10.2-4. But they have no knowledge of Christ; Thus we find them still clinging to Moses, while they pretend to be married to Christ, just for the sake of His name, to take away their reproach. So it looks to me that they are nothing more or less than an adulterous generation, laboring under a theory of works and grace, which Paul says cannot be; For “If by grace, then it is no more of works: Otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work”. Romans 9.6. But what more can we expect? “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts”. But has not got a right to do with his own as he pleases. “Nay, but, oh man, who are you that replies against God? Shall the thing form say to him that formed it, Why have you made me this way? Has not the Potter over the clay, of the same lump, to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?” All Let us rejoice that he has had compassion on us, called us by His grace, and has revealed Himself unto us as our Savior, and that, too, without any of our assistance. If He had required us to do all these “blind leaders” require, we would have been cut off without hope., God be praised, He has never required it at our hand. “My own arm brought salvation,” says the prophet Isaiah. Again., the same inspired writer says, “Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, give up; And to the south, Keep not back; Bring my sons from afar and my daughter from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: For I have created him for my glory I have formed him, Yeah, I have made him”. Isaiah 43.5-8. 

Many, says Jesus, shall come from the east and West, and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven. (Gospel, church); But the children of the natural Kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness. The old Jewish nation, (Kingdom closed parentheses have been scattered throughout the world in darkness. (blindness) so that they call darkness, light, and light darkness. But his work of manifestation still goes on., “adding to the church. (Kingdom) such as shall be saved”, where they are enabled by grace divine to “sit together in heavenly places” " rejoicing and singing praise to the eternal and all-wise God our Savior, and have no confidence in the flesh.new paragraph But I must close. I have made this scribble too long already. Do with it as you think best, and all will be right. As ever, yours in hope of glorious immortality beyond the grave,

Elder AB Lester

12/10/1896

Vol. 65.1, Signs of the Times