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    Chapter 75—June 9, 1851

    James White: The Nominal Church, As a Body, Cannot be Benefited by Christ’s Mediation, but Individuals May Still Find Salvation.

    “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth: I know thy works; behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”SDD 50.3

    This language is addressed to only one church of the seven. Adventists have agreed in applying them to seven periods, or states of the church. This language does not apply to the Sardis [nominal church], neither to the Laodicean church; but to the Philadelphia, the church of Brotherly Love, that came out of the different sectarian bodies, and were united in the Advent faith in 1844. All denominational tenets were laid aside, and although the Advent brethren came out from the different sects, yet all were perfectly united on the great subject of Christ’s coming. To this church, one door is opened, while another is shut. “Behold, I set before thee an open door.” This door Christ opens, while he shuts another.SDD 50.4

    As the Philadelphia church applies to no other period than the time of the termination of the 2300 days, when Christ closed his work for the world in the Holy, and opened the door of the “Holiest of all,” the conclusion seems irresistible that the open and shut door of Revelation 3:7, 8, refers to the change in the position and work of our Great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary. He then closed the work or “door” of the daily ministration in the Holy, and opened the door of the Most Holy. “The tabernacle of the testimony” was then opened; but before this could be done, the “door,” or work of Christ’s continual mediation in the Holy had to be closed. This may well be “likened” to the shut door in the parable.SDD 50.5

    The idea that the door of God’s mercy is closed, or ever was to be closed to those who do not reject the offers of mercy, is not found in the Bible. No such door is mentioned in Scripture. But that there ever has been a point, beyond which men may go, where, according to the plan of salvation, the intercession of Christ could not benefit them, is evident. The Jewish church, having rejected and condemned Christ, could not be benefited by his mediation in the Holy. The nominal Gentile church, as a body, having rejected the Second Advent, cannot be benefited by his intercessions in the Most Holy.SDD 50.6

    Says the objector, “I believe that Jesus is still on the mercy-seat.” To this we reply, that Jesus never was on the mercy-seat, and never will be. The place of the mercy-seat is over the Ark containing the ten commandments, in the Most Holy Place. Jesus did not enter that apartment till the end of the 2300 days, much more, take his position upon the mercy-seat. This is one step further than we can possibly go. We do believe, however, that Jesus entered the “tabernacle of the testimony” at the end of the 2300 days, and now stands before the mercy-seat, pleading his blood before the Father, in our behalf. There he stands an intercessor between the Father and the scattered members of his body, ready to pour salvation and mercy on those who zealously repent of their backslidings, turn to God with the whole heart, and receive the present truth. Oh, may God wake up the Laodiceans, and lead them by the power of his Spirit and truth to the open door, which presents to our view Jesus in the Holiest, standing beside the Ark of the ten commandments. Amen.—The Review and Herald, June 9, 1851, p. 102.SDD 51.1

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