In the World's Spotlight

A hundred  years ago a handful of Adventist believers faced a hostile, rid­iculing world. But convinced as they were of their divine commission, they dared to stand for truth in spite of misrepresenta­tion and slander. Numerically they were weak, but the consciousness that the hour had struck for the proclamation of a great prophetic truth made them strong. With courage they faced the future, and for them compromise was impossible. The group was made up largely of sincere souls who had been disfellowshiped from differ­ent congregations where they had for­merly worshiped, their chief offense being that they taught-

1.     The imminent, personal, and visible return of our Lord Jesus Christ (a very unpopular doctrine in those days of post­millennialism and the beginnings of the social gospel).

2.     The importance of full obedience to all the known will of God.

They were regarded by their former brethren as somewhat of a contaminating influence, and were consequently scorned. Fellowship seemed impossible, and this nat­urally tended to isolate them from the great body of Christians.

With the passing of the years changes have come, so that today, instead of being brushed aside as of no consequence, Ad­ventism is in the spotlight of the world. In this we see the fulfillment of a predic­tion made many years ago:

Our people have been regarded as too insignifi­cant to be worthy of notice, but a change will come. The Christian world is now making movements which will necessarily bring commandment-keeping people into prominence.—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 546.

Many things have combined to produce this present attitude. While the reasons for this change are important, yet even more important is our denominational at­titude toward it. Any normal person or group of persons desires to be rightly un­derstood. We like to feel we are accepted and appreciated by our fellows. And Chris­tians are no exception. Naturally, then, we as Adventists rejoice that the smoke of mis­understanding that has screened us for so long is being cleared away, and that there is increasing recognition that we are Christians, believing wholeheartedly in the same great fundamentals of the gospel of Christ. The spirit of Christian love that has moved men to declare their confidence in us finds response in our hearts, and we thank God for the sincerity of friends. In fact in some places we have even become popular. However, popularity is rarely a healthy environment for spiritual growth. History reveals that the church has always made her greatest gains in times of perse­cution. Tolerance and good will make it possible for a movement to lose its distinc­tiveness.

Pitfall of Popularity

In New Zealand, back in 1923, we were traveling with a high-ranking officer of the Salvation Army. During our conversation he began to reminisce concerning earlier days in England. Soon he was expressing regret for what he regarded as a serious loss on the part of his people. To illustrate he said: "As young soldiers in the Army of the Lord we were trained to stand on the streets and preach the love of Jesus. We knew what it was to be ridiculed, stoned, and slandered. But that very hostility kept us aware of our mission and the importance of our work. It also pointed up the spiritual need of those around us. The Salvation Army was unpopular in those days. But to­day there is a change. Our service to the men in the front lines during the Great War has given us a standing. We are now re­spected by all classes of society. You might say we are even popular today; but with that popularity something has happened to us. Perhaps I should say something has departed from us." There was real pathos in his voice, and what he said made a deep impression.

While he was talking we saw history re­peating itself, for what was true of his peo­ple has been true of practically every other Christian group. And that same peril faces us as a people. We, too, can seek acceptance to the point where we may lose our dis­tinctive message. That must never hap­pen. And it will not if we are alert and keep ourselves abreast of the truth. There will be, there must be, a broadening of our com­prehension of the message, for truth is never static; it is always advancing. But the basic doctrines of the Advent message re­main. Nor is there any disposition on the part of our leaders to add to or take from the teachings that have made us a people.

Truth From the Living Fountain

The truth we present to the world, how­ever, must be more than a system of theol­ogy. It must be alive and warm. It is easy to talk about putting Christ into our ser­mons; "Christ-centered preaching" must be more than a slogan. We are not to put Christ into our sermons as a mere ingredient, but rather our sermons should flow from Him as the living fountain of all truth. As preachers and as members of His body we are to make His character known to all men. This is the essence of all successful witnessing.

The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory.—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 415, 416.

Men today are losing their knowledge of God. Spiritual darkness has indeed settled down upon the earth. The more men know of "science falsely so called" the less they know of the Author of true science. The enemy of truth has come down with great power, knowing that he has but a short time. He is filling the world with error, and millions are being deluded. Men ev­erywhere are being led captive at his will, while his deceptions are undermining the very structure of truth.

The great apostasy will develop into darkness deep as midnight, impenetrable as sackcloth of hair. To God's people it will be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of persecution for the truth's sake. But out of that night of darkness God's light will shine.—Ibid., pp. 414, 415.

One of the most subtle delusions of all is the doctrine that man is by nature immor­tal. Upon this foundational error the whole structure of both ancient and modern spir­itualism is built. This error is the very core of the great apostasy that will sweep the world just prior to our Lord's return in glory. To prepare God's people to stand in that great and final test the Lord is sending to all the world a definite message couched in the terms of the everlasting gos­pel and proclaiming the truth of the liv­ing God "who only hath immortality."

Reason for Our Existence

The accomplishment of that purpose is the only reason for our existence. God has called and commissioned us to carry the light of His saving truth to the very ends of the earth. We are to herald the everlasting gospel in all its beauty, yet with such clar­ity, certainty, and love that men and women of all walks of life will be led to realize that here indeed "is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the com­mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." That faith is a saving faith, an illuminat­ing faith, a healing faith, for it makes God real to men.

When we proclaim that faith, however, some men, even good men, will not re­spond or comprehend it. This has been true throughout the history of the church. In view of this fact it seems strange to us that a few have expressed concern over what has appeared of late in certain reli­gious journals about Adventists. "How can men with trained minds so completely mis­understand the simplest truth of God?" they say. Well, that is hard to answer. But while we do not understand, let us never, even for a moment, reveal a spirit of impa­tience or intolerance. Even a mind as giant as that of Saul of Tarsus was unable to comprehend the light of truth until the Lord Himself appeared to him in person. Saul was not wicked; he was only mistaken. What he did he did conscientiously. So if men, even scholars, misunderstand us, let us not judge them.

We must expect to meet unbelief and opposition. The truth has always had to meet these elements. But though you should meet the bitterest opposi­tion, do not denounce your opponents. They may think, as did Paul, that they are doing God's service, and to such we must manifest patience, meekness, and long-suffering. . . .

The Lord wants His people to follow other methods than that of condeming wrong, even though the condemnation be just. He wants us to do something more than to hurl at our adversaries charges that only drive them further from the truth. The work which Christ came to do in our world was not to erect barriers and constantly thrust upon the people the fact that they were wrong. He who expects to enlighten a deceived people must come near to them and labor for them in love. He must become a center of holy influence.

In the advocacy of the truth the bitterest oppo­nents should be treated with respect and deference. Some will not respond to our efforts, but will make light of the gospel invitation. Others—even those whom we suppose to have passed the bound­ary of God's mercy—will be won to Christ. The very last work in the controversy may be the enlightenment of those who have not rejected light and evidence, but who have been in midnight darkness and have in ignorance worked against the truth. Therefore treat every man as honest—Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 120-122.

The fact that men differ from us is no evi­dence that they are not Christians. When the apostle Paul saw Jesus he saw in Him the embodiment of love and forbearance, and that changed his whole life. His ob­jectives and techniques were different from that day forward. Listen as he addresses his followers. Having enumerated the various gifts of God to the church through which His people will give their witness to the world, this great leader says: "And yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." And that was the way of love.

Love abides when argument has with­ered. In the last analysis—the message will be carried not so much by argu­ment as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit.—The Great Controversy, p. 612.

When the rays of light penetrate every­where and truth in its clarity is seen against the dark background of error, then God's children of light wherever they may be will heed the call and take their stand upon the Lord's side. That day is not far distant. Earth's last reformation is now due.

To be in the world's spotlight is both a privilege and a peril. May God help us to walk humbly before Him and our fellow men, all the while searching the Scriptures for the advancing light of truth that God will permit to shine upon our pathway.

R. A. A.