While We Wait, December 11
“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord.” Luke 12:35, 36L. (AG 353.1)
Now is the time to prepare for the coming of our Lord. Readiness to meet Him cannot be attained in a moments time. Preparatory to that solemn scene there must be vigilant waiting and watching, combined with earnest work. So Gods children glorify Him. Amid the busy scenes of life their voices will be heard speaking words of encouragement, faith, and hope. All they have and are is consecrated to the Masters service.... (AG 353.2)
Christ tells us when the day of His kingdom shall be ushered in. He does not say that all the world will be converted, but that “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14L). By giving the gospel to the world, it is in our power to hasten the coming of the day of God. Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to the earth in power and great glory. (AG 353.3)
Living power must attend the message of Christs second appearing. We must not rest until we see many souls converted to the blessed hope of the Lords return. In the days of the apostles the message that they bore wrought a real work, turning souls from idols to serve the living God. The work to be done today is just as real, and the truth is just as much truth; only we are to give the message with as much more earnestness as the coming of the Lord is nearer. The message for this time is positive, simple, and of the deepest importance. We must act like men and women who believe it. Waiting, watching, working, praying, warning the world—this is our work.—The Review and Herald, November 13, 1913. (AG 353.4)
I have been deeply impressed by scenes that have recently passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a great movement—a work of revival—going forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to Gods call. My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us. Shall we not heed His call? Shall we not trim our lamps, and act like men who look for their Lord to come?—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 515. (AG 353.5)