Counsel #3 — Descriptive Or Prescriptive?

Picture: Counsel #3 — Descriptive Or Prescriptive?CCW 72.1

Many read Revelation with fear because considering the end of the world—the end of what we know, is scary. When you read Revelation 22:11, 12, it can be easy to misread it as a prescriptive command of what to become—as if we must conform to the right side, or else! But what if it’s not only a prescriptive command, but also descriptive? What if Jesus waits because people aren’t settled into the truth yet? As the world polarizes, our choices settle us closer to Jesus, or further from Him. When we walk with Him each day, we don’t have to stress about ending up on the wrong side.^{[101]https://www.adventist.org/the-law-of-god/negotiating-with-the-law/}CCW 72.2

“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:11, 12 NKJVCCW 72.3

“Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come.” Ellen White in Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 17, Manuscript 173, 1902, par. 25CCW 72.4

Reflect: How can you ensure that you are settling into the experience of always being connected with Jesus?CCW 72.5