“Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?” (Luke 3:12). Did he say, Leave your toll and custom houses? No, he said to them, “Exact no more than that which is appointed you” (Luke 3:13). If they were taxgatherers still, they could hold just weights and balances of truth in their hands. They could reform in those things that savored of dishonesty and oppression.
(2SM 150.1)
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“And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14)....
(2SM 150.2)
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Christ also spoke pointedly to every class of men. He reproved those who dominated over their fellow men, those whose passions and prejudices caused many to err and compelled many to blaspheme God. The sword of truth was blunted by apologies and suppositions; but Christ called things by their right names. The ax was laid to the root of the tree. He showed that all the religious forms of worship could not save the Jewish nation, because they did not behold and receive by faith the Lamb of God as their Saviour.
(2SM 150.3)
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Just such a work and message as that of John will be carried on in these last days. The Lord has been giving messages to His people, through the instruments He has chosen, and He would have all take heed to the admonitions and warnings He sends.
(2SM 150.4)
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The message preceding the public ministry of the Son of God was, Repent, publicans; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Our message is not to be one of “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a work to do, a message to bear—“Prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12). We are to lift up the standard, and bear the third angel’s message—the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
(2SM 150.5)
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