Someone has said: "All true preaching begins with preaching to one's self." That is what I have been doing while preparing this message —continuously speaking to my own heart. In the history of our world there never has been a message like the one we bear. We have been called to give God's last appeal to the people of this world. Mankind must soon make the choice concerning the truths we hold.
Certainly our message—the final message of the Second Advent—must be more rapidly brought to the front. Looking back, we fully recognize that there have been delays along the way. We can say with the prophet of old: "The shadows of the evening are stretched out" (Jer. 6:4).
Now let us turn to Joshua 7:10-13:
And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel bath sinned, . . . for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. . . tip, sanctify the people, and say, . . . O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
You will recall the occasion. The children of Israel had just met their first defeat since the beginning of the conquest of Canaan. They experienced this defeat at the hands of a few Palestinian warriors at the small town of Al—a little place tucked away in the hill country near Jericho.
The previous few days had seen great and marvelous victories for the chosen people of God. First, there was the miraculous crossing of the river Jordan when the rushing waters divided and "all the Israelites passed over on dry ground." Then there followed the taking of Jericho—one of the strongest fortresses in the Promised Land. Jericho was an impregnable walled city. To reduce Jericho was the first step in the conquest of Canaan. Joshua earnestly sought God for an assurance of divine guidance. This was granted him. It was the armies of heaven that brought down the walls of Jericho. The conquest of this city was wholly the Lord's. The Mighty One had decreed: "I have given into thine hand Jericho." Human strength was powerless before those massive stone walls and victory came through divine power alone.
Now, flushed with victory, the armies of Israel prepared to take Ai—just a little village. An easy victory was expected. The great victories already gained had made the leaders of God's people self-confident. They felt secure. Hadn't God promised them Canaan? They began to exalt their own strength. They turned to the arm of flesh. In fact, Joshua laid plans to seize Ai without seeking the counsel of God at all. But they were defeated.
Reason for Defeat
The humiliating experience at Ai was the result of three things:
- The leaders laid plans without seeking God's counsel.
- They rested on the promises of God but failed to meet His conditions.
- They were self-confident—ready to rely on their own power.
Because of their attitude the initiative passed into Satan's hands. It was little wonder that the whole camp was discouraged. It was at this time that God sent a positive message to Joshua. He said: "Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath . . . transgressed my covenant which I commanded them."
This was not an hour for despair and lamentation. It was time for decided and prompt action. God's program of conquest must not be retarded. There must be no longer any delays in God's divine plans for Israel.
Israel's experience at Ai has a lesson for us. We need to study and analyze the things that may be retarding the program of God for His people in this crucial period of the Advent Movement.
Are there things to be found among us which may be retarding the work of God? That there have been delays none will deny. God's work has been retarded and the Advent Movement is now deep in history. But it seems the passing of time has created not so much a sense of solemnity as of satisfaction. We are inclined to pride ourselves on our great accomplishments today.
Fellow workers, it is not the distance we have come, but the distance that still remains before us which should give us concern. Can it be that we, as leaders and as a people alike, stand in the same relationship before God that Joshua and the camp of Israelites did when Achan's sin and Israel's self-confidence halted the conquest of Canaan? The servant of the Lord draws the following striking parallel:
The influence most to be feared by the church is not that of open opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but of inconsistent professors of Christ. These are the ones that keep back the blessing of the God of Israel, and bring weakness upon His people.—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 497.
Note the expression "inconsistent professors of Christ." Their influence among the people of God always keeps back the blessings of God and brings weakness upon the whole church. If we have such among us, then it is our duty, our responsibility, to discover them and find the remedy. Inconsistencies always restrict the influence of God in our lives and in our work. Are we by our attitudes keeping back the outpouring of God's Spirit upon the church in this time of the latter rain?
Let each ask himself, "Am I living my religion? Am I, as a worker, inconsistent in this crucial hour in the proclamation of the Advent message? Do I as a minister possess a theological intellectualism while my spirituality is sterile? Am I more ready for active labor, for hustle and bustle, than for humble devotion? Am I more eager to engage in outward religious service than in the inner work of the heart?"
Questions like these we often suppress because they make us uneasy. But this matter is too fundamental to be ignored. Achan ignored the direct command of God and brought disaster upon the camp of Israel. If we actually realize the nearness of the close of probation and the return of our Lord, why is our personal religion not accomplishing more? Why is the knowledge of divine truth not effecting a more vital transformation in our lives and work?
Today, as never before, we workers and church members face the grave danger of complacency and satisfaction with this life. With our modern conveniences, our homes and comforts, we are prone to enjoy our ease in Zion. God must stir us up. What an hour in which to live! But what an awful hour to be at ease when a whole world is headed for destruction, unprepared and unwarned!
Our workers do not have to endure the physical sacrifices of the early pioneers. Encircled as we are with various denominational securities, is there not danger that Satan will envelop us with a Laodicean torpor? We preach about the coming of Christ, but are we wholly preparing to meet Him? In view of the crucial hour this great movement now faces, surely an attitude of unconcern in a worker is an affront to God. We dare not let the externals be the sum total of our religion.
It was when the Israelites were in a condition of outward ease and security that they were led into sin. They failed to keep God ever before them, they neglected prayer, and cherished a spirit of selfconfidence.—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 459.
Where Are We Placing the Emphasis?
Because of circumstances surrounding our denomination we have to place emphasis upon the mechanics of organization—the human machinery. And especially so since we have grown into a large worldwide organization. In an ever-enlarging and expanding work there are increasing demands made upon the resources of the church. And the larger we grow numerically and financially, the greater will be these demands. This is to be expected. Nevertheless, when we have done our best,
we will have to admit our human inadequacy, our complete inability to compass our task in human strength. We ought to approach our worldwide task in a practical and realistic way. But how can we be realistic? It is valid realism to confess our helplessness and utter dependence upon God. It was on this point that Joshua failed. Instead of seeking God for guidance and help he relied on a well-trained army. God was left out of his plans. He didn't wait for God. It pays to wait, brethren, if we are waiting for God.
Under the showers of the latter rain, the inventions of men, the human machinery, will at times be swept away, the boundary of man's authority will be as broken reeds, and the Holy Spirit will speak through the living, human agent with convincing power. No one will then watch to see if the sentences are well rounded off, if the grammar is faultless. The living water wilt flow in God's own channels.—General Conference Bulletin (1895), p. 183. (Italics supplied.)
Again I ask, Where are we placing the emphasis? Is there not danger that our vision in this crucial hour will become clouded? It is so easy for our energies and ideas to be sidetracked so that less important matters absorb our interests and demand our attention. Today, as never before, we must put the things we are expected to do into their relative positions of importance—we must put first things first.
We recognize God's prospering hand has been upon us. Our growth in church membership during past decades has been phenomenal. We are told that in North America in 1870 only one person in 9,320 was a Seventh-day Adventist. Today there is one for every 556. This means that our church membership has grown 13 times faster in the United States than the population as a whole. But here is something more revealing and meaningful. The most rapid proportionate growth in our membership was between the years 1870 and 1900. Following this, in what has been spoken of as the boom decade-1920-1930, the proportionate growth had dropped to only 8 percent, but in the following depression decade, 1930-1940, it rose to 44 percent. During the war decade, 1940-1950, the rate of growth in church membership again dropped to less than half that of the depression years. Now at the present time it has once more fallen to 8 per cent or less than 1/6 of what it was during the depression years.
This points to one undeniable fact: material prosperity and spiritual prosperity do not go together. Could it be that today the church is in dire need of another major economic depression that will focus our concern on spiritual matters? Depressions, privations, or persecutions are not desirable, yet during such experiences the church of God has always made its greatest advancement. Days of prosperity and favor have proved the most dangerous and have often led to apostasy and defeat.
The Pattern of Missions Is Changing
During past decades great emphasis has been placed on our worldwide mission program. But today we face a different world. Cataclysmic changes follow one another with great rapidity. Within a few years most of mankind has changed political status. Three major groupings have emerged: one third of mankind is under Communist rule; one third is in the "Free West"; and approximately one third is in the so-called neutral nations. Asia has thrown off the century-old imperialism of the West; Africa is becoming increasingly restive under colonial domination; China has emerged as a world power, and India has been given self-rule. New revolutionary convictions are gripping the masses of humanity in the non-Christian populations of the world. There is potential violence in the growing tendency among nations for the rich to become richer and the poor, poorer.
With a new aggressiveness in the East, with the continued explosive rise of nationalism among the colored peoples, with a vigorous revival of the non-Christian faiths being fanned into flame by the hot winds of racialism, with the accelerated demand for recognition and leadership in world affairs, the question keeps haunting me, "Hasn't the time come to once again review the established pattern of our mission program relationship to the present cataclysmic changes in a world for whose salvation we have been especially called into being?" To restudy the changing patterns of our mission program, therefore, would be to consider factors to be found in both the world and the church.
We Tend to Stress Human Problems
It seems to me that in our ministry there is a growing tendency to stress human problems rather than the vital truths designed to "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Why is this trend looming larger among our workers? Could it be that modern life is filled with many and varied complications? We live amid stresses, strains, tensions, and tranquilizers. The present popularity of the psychoanalyst, mental hygienist, and psychiatrist is abundant evidence of the disturbed and troubled sea through which multitudes in civilized lands are passing.
Our ministers are having to spend more and more time helping to solve the personal problems of church members. Problem-solving sermons seem to be the order of the day. Unwittingly some of our ministers seem to be using the methods of other churches where the emphasis is on psychology and the counsel chamber. It is altogether possible for us to spend more time on human problems and less time in presenting the plain gospel message of salvation, which will revitalize the drooping spirits of our believers. It is Adventist preaching that is going to make Adventist believers. Our dear people need counsel and comfort, but they desperately need Christ and the glorious hope of His near return.
One minister asked: "When shall we be led by the Christian religion to Gethsemane rather than to the psychiatrist's couch?" We are commissioned of God in this late hour to prepare a people for translation. Every sermon must carry something of the summons from the Eternal God.
The Lord is fitting a people for heaven. The defects of character, the stubborn will, the selfish idolatry, the indulgence of faultfinding, hatred, and contention, . . . must be put away from His commandment-keeping people.—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 180.
Our Inconsistencies Open Ways for Satan to Take the Initiative
Satan is stealing the march on us just as he did through Achan. He wants to delay the work of God. He wants nothing more than to forever delay the outpouring of God's Spirit upon the church. We are nearing Satan's last hour of deception for the world. Into this final assault will be poured every hellish scheme and stratagem that his devilish warped intellect can invent. The essential final issues are now rapidly taking shape.
The Bible plainly states that the coming of Christ will be preceded by
the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:9-11).
Today, as never before, this prophecy concerning the deceptive work of Satan is being fulfilled. A dynamic demonism is at work in the world. Miracle-working spirits are rapidly invading the churches. Surely this is a forerunner of that hour when modern Babylon shall "become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit" (Rev. 18:2). We are on the verge of actually seeing a new and more exalted form of religion sweep over the world. The widespread and almost universal interest in and acceptance of spiritism among the nominal Christian bodies, including the Roman Catholic Church, is paving the way for a world religion founded upon psychic phenomena and spirit messages.
As Seventh-day Adventists we must not suppose that we will be untouched or unaffected by these multiplying satanic sophistries. It is the enemy's avowed purpose to deceive, if possible, "the very elect." The danger from some of the subtle deceptive teachings now coming from religious and scientific circles is far greater than many believe.
Paul writes about the "latter times" when "some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1).
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13, 14).
They will be wearing the mask of Christ's apostles.
How Are We to Meet This Great Delusion?
These last-day delusions will be unveiled by the divine light that emanates from the three angels' messages. These messages, based on a "Thus saith the Lord," are designed to expose all the sophistries and delusions of Satan. We are to proclaim these distinctive messages in thunderous tones. This is no time for the heralds of God to soften or muffle the clear truths for this momentous hour. In no way can we as workers preach these special messages in a manner that most nearly fits the pattern of present-day teaching in so many churches today. What we need now is indomitable courage and a living faith in God, courage to step out and attempt the impossible, and a corresponding faith to believe that God will perform the impossible for us.
I have been greatly impressed in recent months in reading the book, The Acts of the Apostles, with the simple but straightforward, convincing witness of the early apostles and believers. They were indomitable and courageous men and women whose all-absorbing interest was to glorify their Lord and Saviour. They prayed for boldness and they preached with boldness. With what burning language they clothed their ideas as they bore witness of their blessed Lord! Their language burned because they were on fire. They faced difficulty, persecution, and death, but they fearlessly went forward to conquer in the name of Christ. They fully understood that their work was cut out for them by the divine Planner. They knew they could never triumph by leaving to others the task of disclosing what God had by divine revelation made known to them. And so it must be today. Our prayers, our planning, must not be for more favorable conditions, greater security, easier paths, or less trouble, but for power, courage, and fortitude to meet the great and eternal issues of this mighty hour.
At this time there needs to arise among our leaders, ministers, and working force, men who are filled with unusual power from on high. From every viewpoint there must come from among us a mighty upsurge in forceful and effective witnessing. Our great need is for more fearless preachers filled with apostolic fervor and devotion.
McCheyne, that spiritual leader, who before he was thirty years old, more than a hundred years ago, shook Scotland with his prayers, summed it all up thus: "It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus." "A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God."—Memoirs of McCheyne, p. 95.
My fellow workers, can we expect such a manifestation of Heaven-sent power among us that will lead the ministry and this people into the latter rain loud cry experience when we delay and refuse to walk in the light and counsel God has graciously given to His people?
The following is timely counsel:
Pray that the mighty energies of the Holy Spirit, with all their quickening, recuperative, and transforming power, may fall like an electric shock on the palsy-stricken soul, causing every nerve to thrill with new life, restoring the whole man from his dead, earthly, sensual state to spiritual soundness. —Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 267.
In this mighty challenging hour in history our consecration to the cause of God must be unreserved. We dare not be inconsistent in our profession of faith. Grace and truth must reign in our hearts—inspiring our motives and controlling our actions. Our lives must daily be hid in Christ and be submerged in the depths of Infinite Love. May God help us to sense the need of a genuine rededication of heart and purpose to Him. May we be empowered by God to sanctify our own lives and the lives of our believers so that there may dwell within us the excellency of divine grace.
Rise up, O men of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task:
Rise up and make her great!