A Hurry-Up Call

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 13, 1913

Lesson for the Children—No. 2

A Hurry-Up Call

MEMORY TEXT: “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” Zeph. 1:14.

To haste means to hurry. When we wish to reach a place quickly, if we can

we “go across lots,” that is, take the nearest way. (Illustrate by a large square drawn on blackboard or paper, with diagonal line drawn through.)

When we are very near the end, the Lord will work fast; he will take a little time to do a great work, so Jesus can soon come. Rom. 9:28. “He will finish the work,” and when he works none can hinder. He will cut the work short, that is, he will not take a long time to finish it. He will “come quickly.”

Describe a storm as it seems to come slowly at first over the sky; but when it is very near, the clouds seem to tumble over one another in their haste as they are driven by the wind. So the last events to take place before Jesus comes will be “rapid ones.”

There has been a “tarrying time” while we have waited for Jesus, but now “there shall be delay no longer.” There is just a little time left in which to get ready. Notice the words the Lord uses to tell us how short the time is:—

Haste Quickly A Short Work No Delay } H U R R Y

They all mean to hurry, and that he will soon be here.

Illustrate by the parable of the ten virgins. Matthew 25. The girls were all invited to a wedding. But they had to wait quite a while. They got sleepy and tired. They took their lamps along so they could see in the night. Some thought they had better take some oil, for they might be delayed, and they kept their lamps and oil-cans close by; even when they got tired they went to sleep.

Suddenly at midnight they were all awakened by somebody shouting, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” They arose quickly, and trimmed their lamps before they started; and those who had brought no oil said to the others, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.” “No,” the others said, “there isn’t enough for both us and you; but go and buy some.” While they were gone, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in, and the door was shut. When the other girls came back, they could not get in, and were left outside crying. How much they wished they had taken along some oil for their lamps, so they would not have been late; but that did not unlock the door for them.

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 25:13.

Did a thief ever visit your house in the night? Did he send word that he would be there at three o’clock in the morning?—No; he came when you were not looking for him. Jesus says, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Rev. 16:15.

We know he will come “quickly,” but he has not told us what day or year he will appear. He bids us, “Take ye heed [be careful], watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is.” It is to those who are not ready that the Lord will come as a thief; “but ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

Let us pray as we go from this meeting, and let us keep watch every day till Jesus comes, that we may be ready.

(Sing to close No. 885, “Christ in Song:” “Waiting and Watching.”)