p. 3 | The Spirit Upon All Flesh by Francis McLellan Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1915

The Spirit Upon All Flesh

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

As never before perhaps in the history of the world does there exist a spirit of reaching out after God. The character of the times in which we live, the events that are taking place on the earth, are opening the minds of men as never before to study and investigation. This is apparent not only among the nations of the West, but throughout the Orient. This, we believe, is the fulfillment of the word of God through the prophet Joel. The Lord declares that in the last days he will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh. Joel 2: 28.

Heaven is making its last great effort to accomplish the salvation of the human family. The day of retribution is fast hastening on. The Lord is exhausting the resources of his grace in an effort to save from the great final overthrow all who will come unto him. His Spirit is searching out the honest in heart. Our workers from every part of the harvest field report that they find men and women whose minds have been deeply exercised over the portent of the times and the meaning of the things which are taking place on the earth. Disheartened by the iniquity which abounds on every side, and with the lethargy which exists in the great Christian church, they are wondering if God does not have a message for this day and generation, as he had for the days of Noah.

The Spirit of God has prepared the hearts of many of these inquirers to readily accept the truth. They do not require prolonged argument or discussion. As soon as they recognize what the Lord says in his Word, they are ready to obey. One of our Bible workers reports the finding of three women, sisters, who had been prepared in this way for the reception of the message. The first call resulted in a Bible study, which lasted throughout that day and was continued the day following. As a result of this two days’ study, these three sisters, most excellent women, decided to take their stand for the truth of God, and are now rejoicing in a knowledge of the soon coming of the Lord.

This is the day of God’s power. He is making many honest souls ready for the reception of his message, and he is also making his people ready to carry the truth to these inquirers. We shall find in many places, perhaps in our own neighborhoods, where in the past there has existed a deep prejudice against this message, that the barriers have been broken down in many hearts, and that some whom we thought unwilling to read or converse about the truth for this time will welcome such effort on our part. We have come to the time when we should attempt great things for God, confidently expecting great things from him. He will not fail us in our expectations. F. M. W.