A** ***Speedy Consummation by John D. Gillatt

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1907

A Speedy Consummation

By John D. Gillatt

“The Lord God of heaven will not supply the deficiencies that result from mental and spiritual indolence. When the human agents shall exercise their faculties to acquire knowledge, to become deep-thinking men, . . . then even judges and kings will be brought to acknowledge, in the courts of justice, in parliaments and councils, that the God who made heaven and earth is the author of Christianity . . . who instituted the seventh-day Sabbath.”—Special Testimony.

With the gospel of a soon-coming Saviour as our message, the whole world as our field, and this generation as our only time of work, it behooves us as a people to know the best and quickest means of accomplishing our God-given duty. What shall be the active force to give the advent message to the world in this generation?—Undoubtedly the Spirit of God, in rich measure resting upon a consecrated band of workers. However, the Holy Spirit does not take up his abode indiscriminately in any individual. They that bear the vessels of the Lord must be clean—sanctified.

When the events referred to in the above-quoted Testimony shall occur, it will be essential for us to recall the words of our Saviour: “It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh through you.” This Spirit works in a systematized manner, and the success of its efforts through an individual is measured by the proportion of co-operation which that individual affords. The Holy Spirit will bring to “remembrance” the sacred lessons of Scripture.

Divinity, in the great and all-glorious work of salvation, cloaks itself in humanity. Then how necessary that the wisdom of the God who fashioned nature, who rules in the history of nations, and who inspired the sacred volume, should not be hidden by our ignorance concerning these objects. Stated otherwise, how important as a power speedily to close this work and usher us into glory is education (Prov. 4:7)—not in “science falsely so-called,” but in true science consecrated by a life harmonious with the will of the Propounder of all the facts of science. A man with a dull instrument may accomplish his task; but, O, how slowly and laboriously! Time occupied in sharpening the blade is never time lost. Eccl. 10:10. “God works for people in spite of their ignorance. . . . But those who have education can accomplish a much more extensive work in bringing souls to the knowledge of the truth than can those who are uneducated.”—Special Testimony.

While all are commanded to re-echo the cry, “Come,” yet upon our young especially rests the burden of the speedy and successful accomplishment of this work. “We need young men and women who have a high intellectual culture in order that they may do the best work for the Lord.” “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” How often we have understood this exhortation as calling merely for an acknowledgement of a belief in God. True, it is designed to rouse us to a recognition of our duty to God, for we read further, “Fear God, and keep his commandments.” These commandments, however, also teach us our duty to our fellow men—a duty which is not simply negative, but also positive, making us debtors to all men, owing to them the glad tidings of the kingdom.

If all our youth would remember Christ, the one by whom creation was effected; if they would behold him taking his farewell of the celestial home in glory and coming to this, the darkest spot in the universe as the great missionary Exemplar, would they not by beholding become “changed into the same image”? Would they not gladly surrender home comforts and prepare immediately for successful service even in the darkest portions of the earth? What a powerful corps would soon be added to the militant host! How rapidly the strongest forts of the enemy would fall before the united and advancing army! Soon we should see our beloved Jesus. Families separated for a few short years would share in a glad reunion; partings

would be over; we should have joy in the result of our humble efforts, and should be united with the family above to praise our Redeemer throughout eternity.

Young man, young woman, God is calling, ‘Who will go for us?’ Fathers and mothers in Israel, lend your sons and daughters to the Lord as long as they live, and he will richly repay. May the Saviour now behold us ‘hasting the coming of the day of God.’ 2 Peter 3:12, margin.

JOHN D. GILLATT.