The Finishing of the Work by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 20, 1913

The Finishing of the Work

By I. H. Evans

As a people, we talk about the “finishing of the work.” In our prayers, we oftentimes ask that the work may be speedily finished. “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly,” is the repeated cry of contrite and sincere hearts. Our gifts to the cause of God, our labors in behalf of others, our desire to see our fellow beings accept Christ, are all that the end may come soon. This is right and proper, and cannot but be well-pleasing to the Lord.

But there enters into this question of finishing the work a personal interest which we must not neglect. It is not simply numbers the Lord is to receive unto himself when he comes, but it is those who have clean hands and pure hearts, whose characters are perfected, who are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

The apostle John, describing the people who will stand on the sea of glass before the throne of God, says: “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” And the prophet Zephaniah, speaking of the character of the people called the “remnant of Israel,” says: “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” Such scriptures as these teach what must be the character of the people who are to be translated at the “finishing of the work.”

Judging the future experiences of the people of God by the past, we are warranted in concluding that the giving of the third angel’s message can speedily be finished. Already its truths have encircled the earth. One by one the kingdoms of this world have been entered with the living witness proclaiming the coming of our Lord. The light is shining in every large center on earth. The capital and metropolis of nearly every state and nation have become centers for disseminating the last message. Literature bearing on the truths for this time has entered millions of homes; the missionaries and missionary stations planted far and near among the peoples of earth form a circle embracing every important nation in the world. Thus it would appear that the way is prepared for the work to be speedily closed.

One thing more is needed,—a heart preparation on the part of God’s people. When his Holy Spirit fills these messengers, when every witness for Christ becomes a channel through which the Spirit of God may pass to other souls, the work can indeed be quickly finished.

Are we ready for this final baptism of power from on high? When it comes, the Spirit of God will possess his people,

and those who are ready to receive this experience and are consecrated to the service of God will become in their spheres of influence mighty factors in giving the warning message to the world.

This delaying of our Lord’s coming cannot but be short, for God has promised again and again to do a short work in the closing of human history. The all-important questions for each of us must be, Am I ready for the work to be finished? Is my character such as the prophet ascribes to those whom he saw standing on the sea of glass? Can the third angel’s message close soon, as far as I am concerned? If we are not now ready, when will we be ready for the finishing of the work? How much more time is required by us as individuals to get ready? Must God extend human probation five years? ten years? What remains unfinished in our characters that must be perfected before we are ready for the Lord’s return?

The work of God is rapidly closing; the message is finishing in the earth; the world is ripe in iniquity; it is time for God’s people to be in a state of readiness, waiting for their Lord’s return. Are we ready? What is there that is imperfect and unsanctified in our characters and lives? Individually, we must settle these questions. Then we must set ourselves to the preparing of our “house” for the coming of the Lord. For the Lord will finish his work, and cut it short in righteousness.

I. H. EVANS.