Despite all earthly turmoil, God lives and reigns in the heavens above. His watchful eye is over His children in all their troubles. With supreme confidence and perfect trust, they may love and obey Him. His gospel message, with its final appeal, now going to all the world, is designed to pierce the spiritual darkness that envelopes the world, convict and convert the souls of men, and "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." For years we have preached God's warning message and looked for what we now see taking place. The prophetic utterances of the Word are, with deep significance, now meeting their fulfillment. The fulfillment of prophecy is no longer a matter of faith, but of sight. Verily, the last movements of earth are rapid ones.
Today the world is in great confusion. We are truly in the midst of an unparalleled crisis. This time of terror and anguish for men and for nations is also a time of trouble and anxiety for the church. The exigencies of the hour demand courageous and intelligent action, not only among the nations, but also in the church. In the midst of the terrifying scenes of earth, we are not to be afraid, but trustful. The work of God must go forward in the time of crisis as well as under more favorable conditions. We are not to allow forbidding circumstances to hinder or defeat us in the accomplishment of our Heaven-appointed task. It was said of our Saviour:
"Christ did not fail, neither was He discouraged ; and His followers are to manifest a faith of the same enduring nature. They are to live as He lived, and work as He worked, because they depend on Him as the great Master Worker. . . . Though apparent impossibilities obstruct their way, by His grace they are to go forward."—"Gospel Workers," page 39.
We are facing a future filled with solemn significance and crowded with fearful import. How pregnant with meaning are the words penned by the prophet of God, "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Rev. 12:12. Fearful must be the scenes by land and by sea, and terrible the issues, to call forth such an exclamation from the court of heaven.
Satan knows that he "bath but a short time." Therefore he will, if possible, "deceive the very elect." He will work "with all power" and "with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish ; because they received not the love of the truth." Also he will go "forth unto the kings of earth and of the whole world." 2 Thess. 2:9, To; Rev. 16:14. Through his sophistries and mighty power, he will set "all his agencies at work that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until . . . the door of mercy be forever shut." —"The Desire of Ages," p. 636.
Truly we are living in the time of the predicted end. The agencies of evil are assuredly combining and consolidating. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of the Lord is near. Christ says, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Rev. 16:15. Therefore there comes to us the solemn warning, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21 :34.
No man is ready for probation to close or to meet the coming Lord while living in sin. Those who appear before the judgment bar of God in self-righteousness, with love for the world in the heart, burdened down with the cares of this life or living in careless indifference to the needs of the cause of God, face eternal loss. "Watch ye therefore," said Christ, "and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Verse 36. Long ago the messenger of the Lord wrote to this people, saying:
"I would make my brethren alarmed if I could. I would urge upon them with pen and voice, Live in the Lord, walk with God, if you would die in the Lord. . . . Be not disobedient to the heavenly warnings; grasp the neglected appeals, the entreaties, the warnings, the rebukes, the threatenino's of God, and let them correct your wayward, sinfulheart."--"Testimonies to Ministers," p. 430.
Brethren and fellow workers, if we have ever been stirred in anticipation of the blessed hope as we have presented the advent message, have we not far greater reason now—yes, new and living evidence—that should mightily stir our hearts? Have we believed the declarations of God's word concerning the events that would take place on the earth just preceding the coming of Christ? Do we believe them today? Surely this is no time to slacken our efforts or become careless in word or deed. We should be terribly in earnest.
It is not, however, mere activity, sentimental preaching, lofty idealism, visionary sermons, or even more forceful argumentation of doctrine and clearer presentation of fulfilled prophecy that prepares a people to stand true in an hour like this. There is a mighty need for a deep, heartfelt repentance. And above all "form of godliness," there is to be a turning away from every sin. We are to answer the call of heaven for a full and complete reformation of life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
God has set His ministers in the world as watchmen and light bearers, leaders, and examples to the flock. The work assigned us is of utmost importance. It consists not only in preaching the truth, scattering literature, and going from place to place, but it also means that our own lives must be above reproach. God's invitation is, "Come up higher; be holy, yes, holier still."
In order to do this, there must be more than a profession of religion, or scholarship, or dynamic personality, or sonic new technique in preaching. There must be a deep spiritual experience founded upon a living faith in God and His gospel message. Our whole life is to be fashioned by the divine hand. Then we can quickly lead the flock into the one pathway which God says is "broad enough to receive the most hardened sinner, if he truly repents, and yet so narrow that in it sin can find no place. This is the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in."—"Gospel Workers," p. 160.
