I Love This Pure Religion

1. I love this pure religion,
    Soldiers of the Jubilee;
I love this pure religion,
    Soldiers of the Cross.

Refrain
Remember me while toiling here,
    Soldiers of the Jubilee,
Remember me while toiling here,
    Soldiers of the Cross.

2. We’ll preach a coming Saviour,
    Soldiers of the Jubilee;
We’ll preach a coming Saviour,
    Soldiers of the Cross.
Refrain

3. We’ll soon be in the kingdom,
    Soldiers of the Jubilee;
We’ll soon be in the kingdom,
    Soldiers of the Cross.
Refrain

4. Then sorrow will be ended,
    Soldiers of the Jubilee;
Then sorrow will be ended,
    Soldiers of the Cross.
Refrain

5. We’ll have a shout in glory,
    Soldiers of the Jubilee;
We’ll have a shout in glory,
    Soldiers of the Cross.
Refrain

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Instrumental – Sampled Sounds

Youth Choir – from Germany

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The text for this hymn comes from James White’s second hymn collection, “Hymns for Second Advent Believers” published in 1852.

The Advent faith is distinguished by it’s longing for purity of heart. The reasons are simple:

• The pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5:8)
• The prophecies show that Christ’s return is near (Matthew 24:33)
• Some will be alive to see that great event (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
• Therefore, they must be pure in heart.

The book of Revelation also has many statements setting forth the same thought. Here are a few of them:

• The church makes herself ready for Christ by washing her robes—a symbol of purifying of character (Revelation 19:7,8; Revelation 7:14)
• Just before Christ returns, men will be polarized into two groups: the righteous who remain righteous, and the filthy who remain filthy. This indicates that the work of purification by the gospel is finished (Revelation 21:11-12)
• The 144,000, which are the group who overcome the beast and his image, and refuse his mark (which is the final test before Christ’s return) are sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads, in their mouths are no lies, and they are without fault before the throne of God (Revelation 14:1-5; Revelation 7:1-4). These statements all indicate purity of heart.
• They are also described as those who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). This must mean perfect commandment-keeping, for to “offend in one point of the law is to offend in all” (James 2:10).

This excellent article from A.T. Jones also connects these two: the purity of heart, and preparation for Christ’s return:

The message is advancing so rapidly that constant watching and diligent attention are required to keep pace with it. And sad it is for the one who falls behind now, whether he is a layman, or one who must bear the burden and responsibility of acting in public capacity. In order to stand, all must have a constant consecration; indeed, consecration, to be consecration, must be constant.

In 2 Chron. 25:1, 2, we read that Amaziah reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem, and that during that time “he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.” There are Amaziahs to-day, and they find it an easy matter so to conduct themselves that men adjudge their acts as “right in the sight of the Lord,” but God does not accept their service. The Lord is soon coming. In that day only the “pure in heart” will see God unto salvation. Is there any one who knows these truths, and yet delays to pray, from the very depths of his soul: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”?

“The time has come when all who work in Christ’s lines will have the mark of God, in words, in spirit, in character, in their honor of Immanuel.” (The Gospel of Health, November 1, 1898)

But God will never set his mark upon words that are not true and pure, nor upon a spirit that is not right. He will never set his seal upon a character that is not perfect, nor upon an honor of Immanuel which is not genuine.

God can not put his seal upon anything that is in any respect short of perfection. Then as the time has come when all who work in Christ’s lines will have the mark of God, this says that we are not in the time when God will bring to perfection all who work in Christ’s lines. Thank the Lord! What a precious promise! What a cheering thought!

But without the Holy Spirit, no one can have this mark; because it is only “the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Again: none can receive this mark who are in any point short of perfection; and none can have the mark, without the Holy Spirit; therefore, it is the work of the Holy Spirit now to bring to perfection all who work in Christ’s lines.

The Holy Spirit is now given without measure; and the Lord is calling upon all to receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit, when given, is to impart gifts “to every man severally as he will.” The object of these gifts is the perfecting of the saints. And this object will be accomplished in bringing all “in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

Therefore “receive ye the Holy Ghost,” and “covet earnestly the best gifts,” that thus you may be brought to perfection, and may receive the seal of God, in words, in spirit, in character, and in your honor of Immanuel.

“In words;” because “now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things which is of God; that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” 1 Cor. 2:12, 13.

“In spirit;” because “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his;” and if any man have the Spirit of Christ, this “is life because of righteousness.” Rom. 8:9, 10.

“In character;” because “the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:4); and “here are they which keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.

“In their honor of Immanuel;” because they will not worship the beast nor his image, neither receive his mark in their foreheads, nor in their hands.

How good the Lord is, to give us his Holy Spirit to bring us to perfection, that we may have the mark of God in words, in actions, in character, in our honor of Immanuel; and so be sealed with the seal of the living God!

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you PERFECT in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Heb. 13:20, 21.

“Ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” “Be filled with” “the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” For behold “it is near, even at the doors.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, December 6, 1898

Tags: Cross, Jubilee, Purity, Second Advent, Soldiers