Message of the Latter Rain - Kelvin M. Duncan

faith. The Arminian concept tends to produce a counterfeit faith, which is
very difficult to distinguish from the true and, therefore, all the more
dangerous. This is what makes the Laodicean condition so difficult to cure.
Forgiveness in the Spirit of Prophecy
What is the meaning and significance of corporate justification? It
means that the sins of the world have been pardoned. We have already seen
that the Spirit of Prophecy does transcend Arminianism with respect to the
scope of salvation. Article number one of our summary of Arminianism says,
"God decreed ... to save ... those who believe." The Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy teach that God has decreed and accomplished the salvation of
every human soul. The whole world has been redeemed from the curse. Can
we equate this aspect of salvation with the forgiveness of sins? Were we all,
in a sense, "born forgiven?" If this can be shown, we shall conclude that the
gospel presented in the Spirit of Prophecy also transcends Article No. 2 of
Arminianism.
In the inspired writings we find the following important statements
regarding forgiveness:
But forgiveness has a broader meaning than many suppose. When God
gives the promise that He "will abundantly pardon," He adds, as if the
meaning of that promise exceeded all that we could comprehend: "My
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the
Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:7-9. God's
forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from
condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin. It is
the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart. David had the true
conception of forgiveness when he prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O
God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. And again he says,
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