An Open Door by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 14, 1907

An Open Door

By G. B. Thompson

“AND this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.

In portraying to his questioning disciples the signs of the end, the Saviour looked down the ages and saw, among other signs, that all nations would open their doors to the gospel, and that it would be preached as a witness. Then, he said, the end will come.

This significant sign of the coming consummation none who look can fail to discern. The gospel is being preached in all the world. Its very closing notes, the last message men will ever hear, the gospel of the kingdom, the gospel announcing the advent of the King—the rightful heir—and the establishment of the eternal kingdom are being carried speedily into all nations.

For many years China stood as an acknowledged Gibraltar of the heathen world. As one missionary lay dying of fever off the forbidden coast of China, he is said to have exclaimed, “O rock, rock! when wilt thou open?” Another, as he stood gazing at her inaccessible mountains, said, “O mighty fortress! when shall these impenetrable brazen gates of thine be broken through?”

In 1819, when the translation of the Chinese Bible was completed, Robert Morrison said, “I trust that the gloomy darkness of pagan skepticism will be dispelled by the Dayspring from on high.

and that the gilded idols of Buddha and the numberless images which fill the land will one day assuredly fall to the ground before the force of God’s Word, as the idol Dagon fell before the ark. These are my anticipations, although there appears not the least opening at present.”

The hope of this great missionary hero has, however, come to pass. This non-Christian fortress has been captured, and there is an open door in dark Sinim. When Morrison was once sneeringly asked if he expected to make an impression on the idolatry of this great empire, he said, “No, sir; I expect God will.” And God has made an impression.

And what is true of China is true also of other nations. The darkest portions of the earth are being entered. The last message is sounding, and the Macedonian cry, “Come over and help us,” is being heard out of the midst of the darkness.

It is true that there are difficulties, some of which seem insurmountable, and the stupendous work to be done seems appalling, yet it will be finished, even in this generation, hoary though it be with age. Valiant soldiers of the cross are needed who will enter the “open doors,” and push the work of the “mystery of God.”

There are two hundred million Mohammedans in the world. Less than a century ago there was not a single Christian worker in any Moslem land. To-day almost every Moslem city is being entered. The Bible has been translated into every language in the Mohammedan world, whereas the Koran is only in the Arabic. How shall this great Mohammedan world hear the last message? The problem is great, but the Author of the gospel is a Being of unlimited power and resources.

Morrison prayed that the Lord would station him in that portion of the field where the difficulties were the greatest. There is an “open door” in the Mohammedan world, and workers are needed to enter here. May the blessed Lord send forth laborers into the harvest-field.

G. B. THOMPSON.