Held Open for Us by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 2, 1904

Held Open for Us

By W. A. S.

As the angels hold the winds of universal strife, they are holding open the doors for us to enter every nation and tribe with this message. We must not forget it for a moment. The angels are holding back the crisis that the final reformation may accomplish its work. God has commissioned us to carry this sealing message of Sabbath reform. As angels that excel in strength exert their might to hold the doors open, their eyes are upon us. They look to see us enter in.

Every hour’s delay means untold addition to the woes of this suffering world. The only hope of the world is the coming of Christ to end it all. In order that not one honest soul should be left unwarned, God commissions those who know this truth to go out quickly and tell it to every kindred and tongue.

Lately we have seen how easily an untoward incident could set all China and all Asia ablaze; and that might easily mean the whole world. But thus far influences from above have led the nations to join in restricting the area of strife. We pray for a little more time in which to get workers into Asia, where half the world lies in darkness. Thus far we have supplied that vast continent with workers at the rate of one minister to one hundred million souls—as though we had one minister to look after all the United States, with Mexico and Canada included. Yet what meaning can there be in our prayers to God to hold the winds a little longer unless there is in our hearts a determination that by his grace we will enter the open doors?

The angels talked with Lot about the need of haste. They warned him of the judgment just overhanging. But so slow he was to realize the crisis that had come, that they had to take him by the arm and hasten him out to save his life. Now the great world-crisis is at hand, and Heaven urges us to go out quickly with the warning message. Surely we must pray the Lord to restore unto us the years that the locust hath eaten. We might years ago have had at least a few workers in the great fields, learning the languages, and by this time prepared to lead our forces in. But we waited.

Now God in mercy gives evidence of his willingness to restore lost years. He is bringing to the truth some who have the languages in the great fields. He is blessing our workers sent out so tardily, in their efforts to sound abroad the truth. We can pray in all faith that the winds may still be held. But never a prayer must ascend in this matter that does not mean a faithful, unwearying effort to enter the open doors without delay.

W. A. S.