The Time and the Work by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 23, 1913

The Time and the Work

By F. M. W.

WE live in the time of the end. Multiplying signs and fulfilling prophecies indicate that the coming of the Lord draws near. The work committed to us is to warn the world of the events that will soon take place, and prepare a people to meet the Lord. We need to recognize the time, in order that we may recognize the work for the time. But when once we have come to a full recognition of the period of the world's history in which we live, it would be useless to spend time in theorizing over the precise outcome of this or that of some detail of the time question. Satan would be pleased to see us do this, and so consume time and energy that should be devoted to doing the work God has committed to us.

The early disciples were prone to make this mistake. Their attention was continually directed to the time to the exclusion of the work. Even after the resurrection of the Lord, the chief thought in their minds was just when he would change the existing order of things. They inquired, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” In his answer the Saviour sought to direct their minds first of all to the work he had given them to do: “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which and the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Having reached this generation in the world's history, it is proper that we should inquire as to the time of the setting up of the kingdom. The Lord has given us signs and prophecies by which we may know that the fulness of times has almost been reached. We must know the time in order to know the message appropriate for the time. But “knowing the time,” we should know also “that now it is high time to wake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:12.

The prophecies will meet their fulfilment. By what we may do, we can not change the course of human events. But one thing we may do, and that is hasten the coming of the Lord by hastening the warning message which must be preached to all the world as a witness to all nations. When this has accomplished its work, then shall the end come. Matt. 24:14.

Let us not fall out by the way, or permit ourselves to be side-tracked. Theorizing and day-dreaming will never finish this work. We need to study, faithfully and earnestly and prayerfully. As never before the Scriptures of Truth should be made the man of our counsel. We should be fortified on every principle of truth, and ready to give to every one that asks us a reason for our hope and faith. Above all, we should seek the Holy Spirit's power to bring the Word into our own experience, feeding upon it, and permitting it to become the living bread of life to our souls. This will prove our only safeguard and our only keeping power.

The time and the work,—let us recognize the time, and recognizing it, gird ourselves for the conflict, and go forth to witness for the Master. F. M. W.