The
Last Warning
The third
angel’s message is to be given with power. The power of the proclamation of the
first and second messages is to be intensified in the third. In the Revelation
John says of the heavenly messenger who unites with the third angel: “I saw
another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was
lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a
strong voice.”
Revelation 18:1, 2. We are in danger of giving the third angel’s message in so
indefinite a manner that it does not impress the people. So many other
interests are brought in that the very message which should be proclaimed with
power becomes tame and voiceless. At our camp meetings a mistake has been made.
The Sabbath question has been touched upon, but has not been presented as the
great test for this time. While the churches profess to believe in Christ, they
are violating the law which Christ Himself proclaimed from Sinai. The Lord bids
us: “Show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
Isaiah 58:1. The trumpet is to give a certain sound. When you have a
congregation before you for only two weeks, do not defer the presentation of
the Sabbath question until everything else is presented,
supposing that
you thus pave the way for it. Lift up the standard—the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus. Make this the important theme.
Then, by your
strong arguments, make it of still greater force. Dwell more on the Revelation.
Read, explain, and enforce its teaching. Our warfare is aggressive. Tremendous
issues are before us, yea, and right upon us. Let our prayers ascend to God
that the four angels may still hold the
four winds, that
they may not blow to injure or destroy until the last warning has been given to
the world. Then let us work in harmony with our prayers.
Let nothing
lessen the force of the truth for this time. The present truth is to be our
burden. The third angel’s message must do its work of separating from the churches
a people who will take their stand on the platform of eternal truth. Our
message is a life-and-death message, and we must let it appear as it is, the
great power of God. We are to present it in all its telling force. Then
the Lord will
make it effectual. It is our privilege to expect large things, even the
demonstration of the Spirit of God. This is the power that will convict and convert
the soul. The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to
warn the people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which
prophecy has revealed be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they
realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation
would be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We
have no time to lose; God calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must
give an account. Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear-cut truth. It
will be as a sword cutting both ways. But be not too ready to take a
controversial attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see
the salvation of God. Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what
is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the
center of all hope, “the Root and the Offspringof David, and the bright and
morning Star.” Revelation 22:16.
Written by
Testimonies
for the Church
Volume Six
Ellen G. White
1901
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