THE TARRYING TIME by R. G. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 13, 1900

THE TARRYING TIME.

By R. G. S.

R. G. S.

(Tahiti, Society Islands.)

“AND, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Why did not the Lord bestow upon his disciples the promise of his Father when he ascended?—It was because he could not trust them with it. There was a preparation which must first be made on their part, so he tells them to tarry at Jerusalem until they receive the promise. During this tarrying time did they sit with folded hands, waiting for the promise of the Lord?—Far from it.

We are told, in Acts 1:14, that “these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” The mind of the Lord was that they should return and prepare themselves for the receiving of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1 we find the tarrying time expired. In verse four we find that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. This tarrying time was a fitting-up time preparatory to the receiving of the Holy Ghost.

Brethren, where are we in the present tarrying time? If we have come to that time spoken of in Acts 4:27–29, of which there is not a shadow of doubt, then follows immediately what is stated in the rest of the chapter: “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Let each one ask himself these solemn questions, Am I where the Lord can trust me? What shall I do? The answer is found in Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Repent; and when we have done that, the mind of Christ and our minds will be the same, and we shall sell that which we have, and a mighty work will be done in a short time.