Isaiah 58:12 (KJV): “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”

ABSTRACT

This article explores God’s call to restoration through reformation, highlighting the rebuilding of divine institutions—marriage, Sabbath, and the image of God in humanity—as foretold in Scripture. Drawing on biblical promises and inspired counsel, it presents reformation as both personal and communal, rooted in God’s love, advancing societal revival, and preparing the faithful for Christ’s return.

A CALL TO REFORMATION

The call for reformation echoes through Scripture, urging the community to return to the ancient paths designed by God. Zephaniah 3:9 declares, “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” This pure language signifies unity in faith and action, aligning humanity with God’s will, as Psalm 51:12 affirms, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit,” while Isaiah 1:26 promises, “And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Reformation restores divine institutions to their original glory, preparing the community for Christ’s return, since God’s design for humanity was perfection, unmarred by sin, and sin’s entrance distorted this creation, necessitating a divine plan for restoration. Ellen G. White states, “The age in which we live calls for reformatory action” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 488, 1881), and through inspired counsel we learn, “A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things” (Review and Herald, February 25, 1902). This call extends beyond outward behaviors to a transformation of heart and life, reclaiming God’s original purpose for humanity, walking in His ways, and finding peace in His yoke (Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:29), so how will the community respond to this urgent summons for renewal?

RESTORING THE DIVINE IMAGE

At creation, God formed humanity in His image, granting dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). This image carried spiritual and moral depth, reflecting His character fully. Sin shattered this reflection, yet through Christ, restoration emerges as a living reality. Colossians 3:10 reveals, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him,” and 2 Corinthians 3:18 adds, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” A passage from Education reminds the community that “the true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul” (Education, p. 29, 1903), while the inspired pen declares, “To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul” (Steps to Christ, p. 9, 1892). Sr. White writes, “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69, 1900). Reformation starts within hearts, shaping daily lives to mirror Christ’s love and holiness, but how can the community better reflect His image amid everyday challenges?

UPHOLDING MARRIAGE’S SACRED BOND

Marriage and the Sabbath stand as pillars of divine design, established in Eden to reflect God’s love and purpose for humanity. These twin institutions embody eternal truths for the community. Marriage, created before the Sabbath, embodies unity and commitment, mirroring Christ’s relationship with His church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Malachi 2:14 warns, “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant,” and Hebrews 13:4 declares, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” In The Adventist Home, a prophetic voice affirms, “God has ordained that there should be perfect love and harmony between those who enter into the marriage relation” (The Adventist Home, p. 15, 1952), as Counsels for the Church notes, “Instituted by God, marriage is a sacred ordinance and should never be entered upon in a spirit of selfishness” (Counsels for the Church, p. 181, 1972). Yet, societal norms have eroded its sanctity, and reformation calls the community to uphold marriage with the same boldness as John the Baptist, who declared, “It is not lawful for thee to have her” (Matthew 14:4). Sr. White notes, “In the time of the end, every divine institution is to be restored” (Prophets and Kings, p. 678, 1917), so how do relationships within the community honor God’s original blueprint?

RECLAIMING SABBATH’S HOLY REST

The Sabbath demands restoration as a memorial of creation, pointing the community back to God’s creative power. It anchors reminders of God’s sovereignty and dependence on Him alone. As modern reformers, the community preserves its sanctity, resisting worldly distractions that diminish its profound significance. Exodus 20:8 commands, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy,” and Genesis 2:3 states, “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Through inspired counsel in The Desire of Ages, we read, “The Sabbath was hallowed at the creation. So it is hallowed to all who keep it holy” (The Desire of Ages, p. 283, 1898), while Patriarchs and Prophets declares, “The Sabbath is a memorial of what the Creator did during the first week of time” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 48, 1890). This sacred rhythm calls the community to pause and honor the Creator’s rest, fostering deeper communion with Him, yet how can the community reclaim this holy rest in a hurried world?

IGNITING SOCIETAL REVIVAL

Reformation extends beyond individual transformation to ignite societal impact across the community. Acts 3:19-21 speaks of “the restitution of all things,” signaling the restoration of God’s order before Christ’s return. This encompasses addressing injustices, such as broken families and moral decay. Micah 6:8 instructs, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” while Isaiah 1:17 urges, “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” The Great Controversy highlights how “the effect of the Reformation on society was to reconstruct” longstanding errors (The Great Controversy, p. 245, 1888), and Testimonies for the Church affirms, “Reformers must be prepared to meet opposition” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 236, 1889). Sr. White challenges the community: “The work of reform will be carried forward until all divine institutions are restored to their rightful place” (Prophets and Kings, p. 678, 1917). In a world plagued by division, the community acts as agents of unity and restoration, but how can this fire spread to transform surrounding societies?

CHANNELING GOD’S BOUNDLESS LOVE

At the heart of reformation lies God’s love, serving as the guiding force for all restoration efforts. God’s love shines evident in His desire to reclaim humanity from sin’s grasp. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Romans 5:5 explains, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us,” and 1 John 4:19 confesses, “We love him, because he first loved us.” Early Writings captures this tenderly: “I have seen the tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great” (Early Writings, p. 21, 1882), while Steps to Christ weaves, “The love of God in the gift of His Son is without parallel” (Steps to Christ, p. 15, 1892). This sacrificial love compels the community to act boldly. By restoring divine institutions, the community reflects His love to the world. As Sr. White explains, “Love must be the principle of action. Love is the underlying principle of God’s government in heaven and earth” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 305, 1890). God’s love transforms lives, urging extension of grace and truth to others, so will the community embrace this love and share it through active reformation?

GEARING UP FOR GLORIOUS RETURN

Reformation stands not as optional but essential for the community awaiting Christ’s return. 2 Peter 3:12 urges the community to “hasten the coming of the day of God.” This hastening demands active engagement in restoring God’s truth across all spheres. Titus 2:13 encourages, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,” and Matthew 24:44 warns, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Last Day Events declares, “When the final warning shall be given to the world, there will be an awakening such as has not been since the time of the Reformation” (Last Day Events, p. 178, 1992), and The Great Controversy affirms, “Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times” (The Great Controversy, p. 611, 1888). Sr. White affirms, “When the people of God are at rest in Christ and restored to His image, His glory will fill the earth” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69, 1900). As the community works to restore divine institutions, alignment with God’s plan brings hope and healing to a broken world. Reformation unfolds as a journey of restoration, rooted in God’s love and leading to His glory, challenging the community to reflect His image, uphold divine institutions, and impact society for His kingdom, so will the community answer this call, walk in the ancient paths, find rest for souls, and hasten the day of Christ’s return? Let the community commit to this sacred work, knowing that God’s promise holds firm: “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent” (Zephaniah 3:9, KJV).

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these truths on reformation and divine institutions, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these themes on restoration and God’s laws to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about reformation and divine institutions like marriage and the Sabbath in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s soon return and God’s ultimate victory over evil?