
We are far behind in our missionary work, both at home and in foreign countries. We have in our keeping the most sacred truth ever committed to mortals, and our work should correspond to our profession of faith. The world is becoming more and more lawless. Soon great trouble will arise among the nations,—trouble that will not cease until Jesus comes.
What are we as a people doing at this important time? Are we purifying our souls by obedience to Christ’s words? Are we humbling our hearts before God, and confessing our sins? Are we seeking with earnestness and sincerity for help from him who is the source of strength? Are we claiming the promises, believing that Jesus pardons our transgressions? Are we educating ourselves to overcome all temptation to murmur and complain?
My brethren and sisters, as never before we need to press together, unitedly following him who has prepared his throne in the heavens, and whose kingdom ruleth over all. God has not forsaken his people, and our strength lies in not forsaking him.
Christ died to redeem us. By the infinite price with which he ransomed us he has shown his love for us. He is not willing that any should perish. He desires all to believe on him, that they may have eternal life.
With pity and compassion, with tender yearning, the Lord is looking upon his tried, tempted people. For a time the oppressors will be permitted to triumph over those who obey God’s commandments. All are given the same opportunity that was granted to the first great rebel, the opportunity to show what spirit is prompting them to action. It is God’s purpose that every one shall be tested, to see whether he will be loyal or disloyal to the laws that govern the kingdom of heaven. To the last God gives Satan opportunity to reveal his character. Thus the final triumph of his people will be made more marked, more glorious, more complete. The words of the prophet will be fulfilled: “The day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” “The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble; he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.”
Now and onward till the close of time the people of God should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence from food may not be required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food. No one should lift up his soul unto vanity, walking in pride and self-indulgence. We are living in a time that demands genuine humiliation and most earnest prayer. We are nearing the most important crisis that has ever come upon the world. If we are not wide-awake and watching, it will find us unprepared.
There is in our churches a decided lack of love for Christ and for one another. Christlike simplicity is looked upon as weakness. There is a lack of clear spiritual discernment. Wrongs remain unconfessed. The transgression condemned in the law of God is on the increase in our borders. Sin is cherished, and the result is hardness of heart. When those who are handling sacred things do not walk in the light, the light becomes darkness to them, and how great is that darkness! Men are making strange mistakes in reading character. Those who do not possess moral worth are exalted, while those who are endeavoring to seek the Lord and walk in his steps are not appreciated. This danger will become more and more apparent. We must awake to the perils that are thickening around us. All pharisaism, all self-righteousness, must be separated from the soul. Then we shall realize that we need Christ’s righteousness, and we shall accept it by faith.
There is among us a manifest lack of searching the Scriptures. We must know the reasons of our faith. The importance and solemnity of the scenes opening before us demand this. And on no account must the spirit of complaint be encouraged. Do you cherish malice, bitterness, and wrath if plans are introduced that do not harmonize with your ideas? Is not this indulging a spirit of war, rather than a spirit of meekness and humility? If ever we needed to manifest kindness and true courtesy, it is now. We may have to plead most earnestly before legislative councils for the right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience. Thus in his providence God has designed that the claims of his law shall be brought before men in positions of highest authority. But as we stand before these men, we are to show no bitterness of feeling.
Constantly we are to pray for divine aid. It is God alone who can hold the four winds until his servants shall be sealed in their foreheads.
The Lord will do a great work in the earth. Satan makes a determined effort to divide and scatter God’s people. He brings up side issues to divert minds from the important subjects that should engage our attention. Individually we are to feel the importance of uniting in the bonds of Christian fellowship. With one heart and one mind we are to prepare for the conflict, by faith laying our petitions before the mercy-seat. The throne of God is arched by the bow of promise, and the prayers offered in faith and simplicity are heard. It is God’s glory to answer the supplications of his people.
I have been especially instructed in regard to the danger of drawing apart. Let us leave to Satan the cruel work of accusing and faultfinding. Let us bow before God in repentance because of our want of love for one another and for him who died for us. The gold of love and faith is wanting in our ranks. Christ declares, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Many are holding on to the truth with only the tips of their fingers. They have had great light and many privileges. Like Capernaum, they have in this respect been exalted to heaven. But unless they put away their pride and self-confidence, in the time of trial that is approaching they will become apostates. Unless they have an entire transformation of character, they will never enter heaven.
You strike too low, my brethren. Set your mark higher. Let your work be in harmony with the work of Christ. It is the privilege of all to grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” Is it your will also? My brethren, with intensity of desire long after God; yea, pant after him, as the hart panteth after the water brooks. Press toward the mark of the prize of your high calling in Christ.
Why do not those who name the name of Christ reveal the earnestness and the self-denial that he revealed? Why do they not arouse from their indifferent, self-satisfied condition? God’s people must have a fixed purpose to honor him. They will never be holy until they put all their energies into his work.
Reprinted from Review & Herald, February 11, 1904
Comments
When you read these words, what resonates most with you? Do you sense the increasing urgency of the hour? Of the need for deeper commitment? For repentance, revival, renewal, reformation? How important is it to make seeking God at this time our first priority?![]() |
Posted by Dan Vis on 05/29/23 - Coach | ||
The principle of replacement is so powerful, isn't it? Appreciate your post Rebecca. Christian Service was a fun book to study for me too... Just way too many ideas came out of it! Now I'm overloaded. Again. :) That's a powerful comment--and so easy to do. Especially when we have such a strong servant's heart, like I know you do Sixto. But praise God for how He works to bring us back to Himself again and again. And how He's always calling to embrace Him (His Word) more fully. To use another analogy by the same writer--we need to move truth from the Outer Court into the Most Holy Place. We currently are working through the first draft of our Healing the Heart class in my church. And we just talked about that very concept. :) |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 01/09/23 - Coach | ||
Glad this spoke to you Robert. It reminds me of the lepers II Kings 7:9Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household.. We're going to be studying that soon in Revival School... | |||
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Posted by Robert Gonzales on 01/09/23 | ||
When I read these words I sense the importance of not taking the salvation God has provided for me for me. Thank you so much for having this. | |||
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Posted by Dan Vis on 12/15/22 - Coach | ||
That's an awesome quote Deanne! Thank you so much for praying for our class!!! | |||
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Posted by Dan Vis on 11/26/22 - Coach | ||
I've been memorizing Romans 15:14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another., and I've been so impressed with it--that we can be filled with joy and peace in believing. And that once we grasp the power of the Holy Spirit, we can abound in hope. That's where I would encourage you to focus your mindset Daniel. On believing this really amazing good news and learning to tap into that spiritual power. That is the key to following Christ I think... It's really becoming one of my favorite verses on this topic! | |||
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Posted by Dan Vis on 11/23/22 - Coach | ||
I definitely agree about the urgency of the hour Christine, and the need to be continually advancing... I hear that so many times Carlota, when people say they wish that had learned this or started doing that years before. How much farther ahead they might be. I feel that way about my own journey where I've really tried to be really focused. I could be so much further ahead. But I think that's part of what Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; is all about. We've all fallen short... Wow, that's a powerful quote Jeannie. Words in there that stand out as worth emulating are "Christlike simplicity" "spiritual discernment" and "moral worth". I also like the line about being "awake to the perils that are thickening around us". The more the world slides away from God the harder it will be to keep the church close to God! |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 11/21/22 - Coach | ||
Amen Sam. That's something we all need to strive for isn't it? Wow, what a list Louise! :) |
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Posted by Shawnda McKnight on 11/18/22 | ||
I need to make my calling and election sure! I need to come together with my brother and sisters in Christ and be humble. | |||
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Posted by Qing Ling on 06/17/20 - Coach | ||
Dan how has church attendance been ? We reopen soon in Australia and the many conditions for reopening are overwhelming some people, making it a barrier. |
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Posted by Qing Ling on 06/17/20 - Coach | ||
“This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” Is it your will also? What a pointed question that's worth considering and answering truthfully. I Thessalonians 4:3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: is the original reference. I definitely need deeper commitment to making my relationship with God more of a priority. It's easy to know that God desires sanctification for me. It's not as easy to allow His desire for me to align with my actual day to day decisions. I thank God for the days that I seem to be connected with Him better than others. It's important to persevere in seeking Him. |
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Posted by Georgia Kenny on 05/04/20 | ||
I was only yesterday studying Revelation 12, and it occurred to me that if the remnant is persecuted by the dragon because they carry on the work that Christ did, then I need to be more active in doing His work - just as the article emphasised. I certainly have felt the need to better understand Bible truth for myself so I can be “approved unto God”, “ready always to give an answer” (II Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. and I Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:). Since we “must have a FIXED purpose to honour Him” and only when we put “ALL our energies into His work” will we be holy, I am challenged to take a firmer stand and make more intentional efforts to share the everlasting Gospel. I also feel unprepared - there seems to be so much I could’ve learned and haven’t been faithful over the years to learn and apply. And there are so many loved ones not yet in Christ... Time to redeem the time - Ephesians 5:16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.. Therefore I’m grateful for the article’s emphasis on the fact “it is God’s glory to answer the supplications of His people”. 🙏🏼 |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 08/13/19 - Coach | ||
You are very welcome Carole! And I think you are right. Messages like this need to be read a couple times for what it is saying to really sink in. :) | |||
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