The Work of God for Our Time

THE work of reform inaugurated in these last days, having as a basis, the "commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," which we term the third angel's message, is an immense work. It consists of nothing less than bringing up the theory and practice of those who will accept it to the apostolic standard in all its breadth, in all its holiness, in all its power. The very thought of such a reform, is startling, and yet I dare not allow my mind to contemplate being satisfied with anything less. I should consider it unsafe in myself, and criminal in regard to others, to set up a lower standard than this.

During the long night of moral darkness which reigned over the church for ages, Satan succeeded in removing, or obscuring, many of the blessed truths which God had revealed to man. The reformers were agents in his hands in bringing back a portion of them to their rightful position. And as a general rule, each of the denominations into which the Protestant world is divided, has some one or more truths which are important. On these they battle and make converts, holding their errors in the background.

It is the province of the work of God in the last days, to group together all these truths, and with others undiscovered before, go forth to prepare a people for Christ's coming. It may seem vain and egotistic to claim this for ourselves. But the message plainly teaches us that just before the Saviour appears on the white cloud to reap the harvest of the earth, a people will be seen keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. These principles certainly comprehend all the celestial truths of the Bible, and all that I have claimed. The word of God has spoken that such a company do stand on the earth at such a time. This word can never fail. If we are not that people, if we do not perform that work, some others will do it. That power that would cause the stones to cry out, that a prophecy of His might prove true, is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. These words cannot fail. When we realize that Christ left at his departure from this world a church living up to these principles, how reasonable to suppose he would find such an one on his return. The church to which he returns are to go at once to Heaven, to ever remain in his presence. They are to be translated in a moment from mortality to immortality. If there ever was a moment when holiness should be expected, it would be then. The example of those in the past who have been translated proves the same thing. The character possessed at that moment fixes the eternal destiny.

It is a great thing to realize the scope and elevation of the work here suggested. No doubt those who fall out by the way, will fall because they do not realize it. After ages of backsliding and religious apathy, the minds of the people have taken a low level. All the influences around us tend in the same direction. There is a progression in the professed church of God toward the world. The world is fast converting the church, instead of the church converting the world. The practices of to-day among professed Christians would not have been tolerated forty years ago. Pride, fashion, love of pleasure, covetous practices, conformity to the world, a form of godliness without the power, point out with unmistakable certainty the direction in which modern religion is progressing.

Now there must be a progression in the other direction among God's people. Not only must we get back to the standard of forty years ago, but eighteen centuries ago. What a mighty work there is before us! The point we have gained thus far seems about this: The chain of theoretical truth seems most clear to those acquainted with it. It is not difficult to make men who will stop and reason at all, see it, and admit it. But it requires something more than a theory to stem the current of worldliness and sin in these last days. The power of God is what we must have. This will not come from a correct theory alone. It comes from holy living. It comes when we have a submissive heart. It comes when we have a true sense of the worth of God's blessing, and a true sense of our own unworthiness. It comes when we have right views and feelings in reference to the riches of this world, and the eternal riches. In short, it is obtained when the work of true conversion is carried so deep that pride, love of the world, lust, passion, and all this brood of monsters, are expelled from the heart, and truth is wrought in the inward parts, and holiness pervades the whole man. Then the spirit of the great God will reign triumphant, and his mighty power be manifested.

Here is a field then for us to occupy. When our very souls cry out for the living bread, and we long for his sweet blessing as our thirsty souls do for the cooling drink in the heated days of summer, we shall obtain it. God is waiting to be gracious. He is taking us through those trials which he designs shall teach us those lessons most useful to us, that there may be a company prepared through whom God shall wonderfully manifest his Spirit. Then there will be a power sufficient to break down stony hearts, and a mighty work be seen in the earth. How I long to see that day. How I desire to be one of that company who shall stand in the light of Heaven, and see of God's stately steppings. But first the lessons of humility and faithfulness must he learned. Then God will take care of the other.