When we use the verb “build” we think of the raising of something upon a support or a foundation. And the stability of this structure depends on whether or not the foundation is solid. In the second chapter of Ephesians is mentioned the building of the household of God with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. That building is fitly framed and built together to be the dwelling of God (verses 19–22).

In order for something to be built, there must be a builder, someone who is willing to follow the blueprint, or instruction sheet, regarding that which is to be built. Throughout the Bible we find examples of those people who were dedicated to following the leading of God in the building of not only physical structures but also the building up of the followers of God, teaching them and imparting to them the knowledge which He had given them through inspiration from His Spirit.

The “testimony of Jesus” and the commandments of God are credentials which are designated as the identifying marks of God’s remnant church. We read in 2 Peter 1:21 that “the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” We read in Revelation 19:10 that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

When a witness is brought before the magistrate in a court scene, he or she gives a testimony regarding what transpired in whatever case is being tried; this testimony consists of the words coming from one who has sworn to tell the truth. In much the same way, the testimony borne by the prophets of God were His words which were to be borne to the people. Thus were God’s words given to the people through inspiration of the prophets, or the servants of God.

There is a firm and broad foundation contained in the Bible upon which God would again speak to His people in this same way in the last days, so that His remnant church would receive guidance from Him. Thus we can see how God has worked through His prophets in times past and will again work through inspired human lips for these last days of earth’s history.

This established method of instruction, which God has used for His people, can be trusted to be the truth from Him to His church. He has provided this sure word of prophecy as an infallible guide, available to all.

As we, in this article, probe into two important aspects of those people who will be among the saved when Jesus returns to earth, we will search for the information which God has given through His word—the scriptures—and through the inspiration of His messenger for this time. We know that His church must be purified as well as edified, or lifted up in Christian knowledge. Let us prayerfully search for that which He has made known for us.

We know that the Lord is waiting for a purified church that He can come to redeem. The term “to purify” means to remove pollution and defilement; the act of removing or separating anything foreign. The cleansing from guilt and sinfulness; the extinction of sinful desires, appetites, and inclinations are also among the definitions. Fire is known as an excellent purifier; perhaps this is the reason that God will use this method by which all sin will be eradicated from the earth when it is to be made new again.

Just why is it necessary for the church to be purified? Is it not already following the leading of the Lord in the way of truth? The servant of the Lord was deeply troubled when she contemplated the condition found within the body as a whole. “For weeks I have not been able to sleep after half past three o’clock. My mind is deeply exercised in regard to our condition as a people. We ought to be far in advance of any other people on the earth because we have greater light and greater knowledge of the truth, which lays us under increased accountability to advance that light and not only to profess to believe the truth but to practice it. When we do practice the truth we are then following Jesus, who is the light of the world; and if we as a people are not constantly elevating, becoming more and more spiritual minded, we are becoming like the Pharisees—self-righteous—while we do not the will of God.”1

In these words which were penned many years ago, the messenger of the Lord was concerned that the element of self-righteousness was present in the church rather than the practical following after the way of truth and right. Those who professed the truth were found guilty of not being in communication with heaven. They were neglecting the use of prayer, although the ministering angels are always ready to bring answers to those prayers that ascend from faithful, believing souls.

“While presenting an appearance of sorrow for their sins, [the Israelites in the days of Isaiah] were cherishing pride and avarice. At the very time when they were showing such outward humiliation, they would exact hard labor from those under them or in their employ. They placed a high estimate on all the good that they had done, but a very low estimate on the services of others. They despised and oppressed the poor. And their fasting only gave them a higher opinion of their own goodness.

“There are sins of this same character among us today, and they bring the rebuke of God upon His church. Wherever such sins are found, seasons of fasting and prayer are indeed necessary; but they must be accompanied with sincere repentance and decided reformation. Without such contrition of soul, these seasons only increase the guilt of the wrongdoer. The Lord has specified the fast He has chosen, the one He will accept. It is that which bears fruit to His glory, in repentance, in devotion, in true piety.”2

God is very specific in the instruction which He gives to His followers. We read in Isaiah 58:6, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” He knows what is the right thing for us to do in all circumstances. He desires that we be free from every yoke of bondage, from that which would enslave us.

As the prophets of God’s choosing were called into this service for Him, each of them experienced different circumstances. Some were willing, some were humbled and fearful that their ability would not be sufficient to do this special work to which they were being called. Such an one was Isaiah:

“The young man went into the Temple and while there God opened his eyes and gave him a vision of the throne of God and the angels about that throne, which seemed high and lifted up. Isaiah caught that vision of God in all His glory and celestial majesty. Immediately he felt his own humiliation and sensed his unworthiness. He would flee from the presence of such awful holiness and grandeur, but the Lord took a live coal from off the altar and, as it were, placed it upon his lips and said, ‘Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged’ (Isaiah 6:7). Purification made him ready to be God’s servant and God’s messenger. Then in response to the call, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Isaiah in his youth responded, ‘Here am I; send me’ (verse 8).

“Isaiah, as God’s chosen mouthpiece, became the gospel prophet of the Old Testament and has left for the Christian world a piece of literature of surpassing beauty. The testimony of Jesus through Isaiah is an example of the prophetic gift in sublime and powerful action.”3

In the foregoing experience of Isaiah is an example of the importance of purification among the people and servants of God. The live coal symbolizes purification. Isaiah had his iniquity taken away and his sin purged, and by this act of purification he was made ready to go and speak for the Lord.

But what about the condition of the church as a whole, in the daily routine of life? The “church” consists of its membership, the people, individually and as the collective whole. Each member goes to make up the body. What is the process which God uses to bring about the purification of the “church” so that it will consist of those faithful ones who will be ready to enter into the heavenly reward when Jesus appears to claim His own? Here again we may look to the Lord’s messenger for insight which has been supplied by God Himself.

“How few are aware that they have darling idols, that they have cherished sins! God sees these sins to which you may be blinded, and He works with His pruning knife to strike deep and separate these cherished sins from you. You all want to choose for yourselves the process of purification. How hard it is for you to submit to the crucifixion of self; but when the work is all submitted to God, to Him who knows our weakness and our sinfulness, He takes the very best way to bring about the desired results. It was through constant conflict and simple faith that Enoch walked with God. You may all do the same. You may be thoroughly converted and transformed, and be indeed children of God, enjoying not only the knowledge of His will, but, by your example, leading others in the same path of humble obedience and consecration. Real godliness is diffusive and communicative. The psalmist says: ‘I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation: I have not concealed Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth from the great congregation’ (Psalm 40:10). Wherever the love of God is, there is always a desire to express it.”4

“The work of purification is an individual work. No one can do this work for another. ‘If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use’ (2 Timothy 2:21). The Spirit of God will work through sanctified human agencies, leading them to work aright. Ability and grace will be provided. Men will be filled with an earnest desire to preach the truths of the gospel, firmly, decidedly, and in a clear manner.”5

“We are in a world that is opposed to righteousness, or purity of character, and especially to growth in grace. Wherever we look, we see defilement and corruption, deformity and sin. How opposed is all this to the work that must be accomplished in us just previous to receiving the gift of immortality! God’s elect must stand untainted amid the corruptions teeming around them in these last days. Their bodies must be made holy, their spirits pure. If this work is to be accomplished, it must be undertaken at once, earnestly and understandingly. The Spirit of God should have perfect control, influencing every action.”6

It is by these messages of truth, the principles in which we must recognize the process of our becoming purified, to be without spot or wrinkle, that we are to examine ourselves. We indeed need to surrender all to Him so that we may be sure that we have no hidden or secret idols in our life or heart which would stand between Him and us. We must be willing to suffer whatever persecution may come upon us, remembering that Jesus suffered much in our behalf. It should be natural that we speak freely of Him and of His love for us, so that other people may see His reflection within our life.

The messenger of the Lord for our day bore her personal testimony regarding trials: “Some have said to me, ‘Do you not get discouraged at times when you are under trial?’ And I have answered, ‘Yes, if by discouragement you mean sad or cast down.’ ‘Didn’t you talk to anyone of your feelings?’ ‘No; there is a time for silence, a time to keep the tongue as with a bridle, and I was determined to utter no word of doubt or darkness, to bring no shade of gloom upon those with whom I was associated. I have said to myself, I will bear the Refiner’s fire; I shall not be consumed. When I speak, it shall be of light; it shall be of faith and hope in God; it shall be of righteousness, of goodness, of the love of Christ my Saviour; it shall be to direct the minds of others toward heaven and heavenly things, to Christ’s work in heaven for us, and our work upon earth for Him.’ ”7

Oh, that this could be the testimony that each of us bears when in the presence of others. We do have a Friend who understands all of our problems, for He has passed this way before us. Each trial has its purpose.

“The refining furnace is to remove the dross. When the Refiner sees His image reflected in you perfectly, He will remove you from the furnace. You will not be left to be consumed or to endure the fiery ordeal any longer than is necessary for your purification. But it is necessary for you, in order to reflect the divine image, to submit to the process the Refiner chooses for you, that you may be cleansed, purified, and every spot and blemish removed—not even a wrinkle left in your Christian character. May the Lord help you . . . to choose to have the will and work of God accomplished in you. . . . Look up! Jesus lives. Jesus loves. Jesus pities, and He will receive you with all your burden of care and trouble if you will come to Him and lay your burden upon Him. He has promised He will never leave or forsake those who put their trust in Him.”8

The process of edifying is to build up in Christian knowledge, to improve the mind, to build, to make, to instruct. I Thessalonians 5:11 reads thus: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” This verse of Scripture gives to the body of Christ, the church members, the admonition that each one needs to give to one another the encouragement needed for the uplifting and strengthening of the other. The purpose of the church on earth is to know the truth, maintain it, and give it to others. In Matthew 5:14, 15 we read, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”

With this very important purpose for us to exist, how can any of us decline to let our light shine, to be seen by all humanity! “It is not to be looked upon as a trifling matter to have the light of present truth, and yet to be noncommittal. It is no trifling thing to say by attitude and sentiment, even though that sentiment is not expressed in words, ‘My Lord delayeth his coming.’ The spirit and influence of the peace and safety sentiment is in our very midst, and the very atmosphere that surrounds the soul of many who profess to be believers in the soon coming of Christ is of a malarious character, calculated to soothe the very ones who would be stirred if we showed zeal and determination and stood at our post of duty to warn men of the speedy advent of our Lord. . . . We must speak forth the truth, we must let our light shine forth in clear, steady rays, lest some soul shall stumble and fall because our light is eclipsed.”9

There may be many things found among the believers that need correcting if each one is to fully be representative of the character and work of Christ. When these things are detected, we are admonished to exhort the erring ones, prayerfully and tactfully, that they may see their need of reform. “Brethren, in your dealings with the Lord’s household, ‘follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify [build up] another’ (Romans 14:19). Speak no words of censure. Lay no blame on this one or that one. There is need now of the help that all can bring. Seek to heal the breach that has been made. Do it cheerfully. Do it nobly. Come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.”10

We must remember that all that we do is being recorded in the books of heaven. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

“If Christ is indeed abiding in our hearts, we shall love God, we shall love to obey all His commandments, and this love will continually deepen and strengthen. If we represent Christ to the world, we shall be pure in heart, in life, in character; we shall be holy in conversation; there will be no guile in our hearts or upon our lips. Let us examine our past life and see if we have given evidence of our love for Jesus by seeking to be like Him, and by working, as He worked, to save those for whom He died.”11

As we contemplate the purpose and work that the church is here to do, may we be determined to do all that we can to cooperate with the powers of heaven to build up and strengthen our brethren and our own characters, so that we may faithfully bear the responsibility placed upon us. AMEN.