p. 6 | The Promise of Great Power and Light

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 6, 1916

The Promise of Great Power and Light

By Albert C. Anderson

ALBERT C. ANDERSON

“I SAW another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Rev. 18:1. Then, as at the Pentecostal season, the people will hear the truth spoken to them, every man in his own tongue. God can breathe new life into every soul that sincerely desires to serve him, and can touch the lips with a live coal from off the altar, and cause them to become eloquent with his praise.”—Gospel Workers, first edition, pp. 383, 384.

The Lord does not reprove the Laodicean church for rejecting light, but because of its lukewarm condition. He says, “I would thou wert cold or hot.” Light will come to this people, and they will receive it. Satan will also present his delusions at this time as great light, and many will be deceived; they will take darkness to be light, and light darkness. Whatever light may come to this people will not conflict with any previous light given, but will blend harmoniously with the third angel’s message.

“There is to be no change in the general features of God’s cause. It is to stand out as clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. . . . No line of our faith that has made us what we are is to be weakened. We have the old landmarks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firm in defense of our principles, in full view of the world.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VIII, p. 160.

Paul’s admonition is, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We are not to lean on our ministers, and rely entirely on them; for “also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the land, they could not help us; for, “though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.” By this we see that we must learn to stand alone, in the righteousness of Christ. We are to continue in the things which we have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom we have learned them. We are to know the Holy Scripture, which is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The people who are to be numbered with the hundred and forty-four thousand must know what they believe, and learn to stand alone. Satan will contest every point of the third angel’s message.

“We must examine well the foundation of our hope, for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures. This delusion [Spiritualism] will spread, and we shall have to contend with it face to face; and unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome. But if we do what we can on our part to be ready for the conflict that is just before us, God will do his part, and his all-powerful arm will protect us.”—Early Writings, p. 88.

Again we read: “I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps,—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.’”—Id., pp. 258, 259.

It is time for the latter rain, and God has said, “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain.” “The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel, are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close.”—The Great Controversy, p. 611.

“The word of God was preached by his ministers in early days ‘in the demonstration of the Spirit, and with power.’”

The hearts of men were stirred by the proclamation of the gospel. Why is it that the preaching of the truth has now so little power to move the people? Is God less willing to bestow his blessing upon the laborers in his cause in this age than in the apostles’ day?

“The warning which we bear to the world must prove to them a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. And will the Lord send forth his servants to proclaim this fearfully solemn message, and withhold from them his Holy Spirit? Shall frail, erring men, without special grace and power from God, dare to stand between the living and the dead, to speak the words of everlasting life? Our Lord is rich in grace, mighty in power; he will abundantly bestow these gifts upon all who come to him in faith. He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him than are parents to give good gifts to their children. The reason why the precious, important truth for this time is not powerful to save, is that we do not work in faith.

“We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today. Moral darkness, like a funeral pall, covers the earth. All manner of false doctrines, heresies, and satanic deceptions are misleading the minds of men. Without the Spirit and power of God, it will be in vain that we labor to present the truth.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. V, pp. 157, 158.

Wichita, Kans.