The Time and the Work by Francis M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1914

The Time and the Work

By Francis M. Wilcox

Earnest Labor in Place of Idle Speculation

IN this day of startling events, when history is making so rapidly, when on every hand the predictions regarding the end of all things are fulfilling so significantly, there will be found many theorists and religious prophets who will make all sorts of wild predictions regarding the portent of the present situation. In present conditions will be found rich fields for time setters and alarmists and those who would prey upon the credulity and fears of their fellows. It behooves us to be sober-minded, to be careful in our statements, conservative in our estimates. We need to be stirred. Sad indeed is the condition of the Seventh-day Adventist who is not stirred to the very depths of his soul by the situation which exists today. But we need to be moved in the right direction. As watchmen upon the walls of Zion, when we see the enemy approaching, when we hear the mutterings of the coming storm of disaster, we must sound abroad the warning cry. Seventh-day Adventists should give the trumpet a certain sound. From us as a people there should go forth a clear, distinct message of warning and admonition, of invitation and of comfort. We should seek to show our fellows where we are living in earth's history, and the remedy for the evils found on every side—the evils of the human heart. We should point them to the Lamb of God that ‘taketh away the sin of the world,’ that will take away the sin and wretchedness of every individual that will come to him.

The church of God has always been tempted to dwell upon the curious and to philosophize rather than to labor. This was the temptation of the disciples of the early church. When Christ was about to ascend, they inquired of him, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” A knowledge of the time was the chief desire of their hearts. When will you establish your kingdom? When will the kingdoms of the world come to an end? The Lord directed their attention away from the time of the setting up of his kingdom to the work which must be done before that kingdom could be established.

“And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which 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.”

Knowing that our Lord is soon coming to the earth again, let us not waste time in idle speculation. Let us not theorize too greatly over time questions, but let us set to work to accomplish the task which he has given us to do before his coming takes place. The early disciples needed the power of the Holy Spirit to fit them for their work. We need that power today. As that power rested upon them, they could become fit witnesses for the Lord in Jerusalem, in Judea, and in Samaria, and finally unto the uttermost parts of the earth. We need that power today to enable us to witness for the truth of God in this generation. Let us seek for it. Let us pray for the divine unction that we may go forth with a living message from the throne of God.

With that power we shall be able to move the hearts of men. For the manifestation of that power the world is waiting today. The multitude has listened to the cold logic of facts; they have listened to the oratory of human language; they

have found these but husks without the satisfying power of truth. These have afforded no means by which they could break away from the bondage of sin. They need the energizing touch of the divine Spirit. Let us pray God to make us the messengers whereby this power may be carried to them, so that we shall be able in God's name to bid them arise and come to their Father's house. F. M. W.