The Outlook by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 18, 1909

The Outlook

By A. G. Daniells

A. G. DANIELLS

(Reading for Sabbath, December 18)

The progress of the third angel’s message is watched with great interest by Seventh-day Adventists. In this message are centered all our interests, and we look to its final triumph for the realization of all our hopes.

This is not to say that we put the message in the place of Christ, or make it a substitute for the gospel. The third angel’s message is Christ’s message to this generation. It is the “everlasting gospel” revealed in greater fulness than ever before, and placed in a setting to meet the conditions of the hour. It is because we look to Christ as the only Saviour, and to the gospel as the only message of salvation, that we regard the third angel’s message as we do.

And it is because we accept the Bible as God’s revelation of the gospel, that we have this faith in Christ as our Redeemer, and in the third angel’s message as God’s special message to this generation. In that revelation it is very definitely and clearly set forth that God has a work in progress here in this world where sin abounds. The prophet Jeremiah says: “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently.” Jer. 48: 10, R. V. Speaking of one of his “fellow workers,” the apostle Paul said that “for the work of Christ” he was “nigh unto death.” Phil. 2: 30. To the church at Corinth he said: “Now if Timotheus come, see that he be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.” 1 Cor. 16: 10.

While here among men, Jesus said to his disciples: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9: 4. Again: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4: 34. And in his last prayer, just before his betrayal, he said to his Father: “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17: 4.

From these statements it is clear that the Lord has a work here in the world which he is having carried forward by men. And it is equally clear that that work is the proclamation of the gospel of salvation to lost humanity. Paul makes it plain that in working “the work of the Lord,” he was preaching the gospel. He says: “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Eph. 3: 8. Again: “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9: 16.

The same blessed work of the Lord that was being carried forward in the days of prophets and apostles is still here in the world accomplishing the purpose of God. It is still entrusted to his people, and demands their faithful, loyal service.

But the work of God as it is now being carried forward is not to continue forever. Some day it will have fully accomplished that for which it was begun, and then it will close. In the epistle to the Romans we read: “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Rom. 9: 28. The time when the work is to be finished is given in the book of Revelation, as follows: “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he

hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Rev. 10: 7.

The seventh angel began to sound in 1844. That marked the beginning of that period of time called the “days of the voice of the seventh angel.” In those days the mystery of God is to be finished. The mystery of God is explained by the Word to be the gospel. See Eph. 3: 3-6; Gal. 1: 11, 12; Rom. 16: 25. The preaching of the gospel is the work which the Lord is having carried forward in the earth. Thus it is plain that we are now living in the time of the finishing of God’s work.

The finishing of that work will close human history, and open the reign of Christ in his kingdom of glory. And the way that work will be finished will be by the world-wide proclamation of the gospel of that coming kingdom. This is evident from the instruction Jesus has given us. He said: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24: 14. The details of this work are given more fully in the book of Revelation. Here it is revealed as a great threefold message to be given to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples on the earth. Rev. 14: 6, 7. As a direct result of the proclamation of this message, a people will be gathered out, of whom it is declared that they “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Verse 12. When the message has been fully proclaimed, and has done its work, the Saviour will come to reap the harvest of the earth. Verse 14. Thus the work of God will have been finished.

In 1844 the time came for this closing work to begin, and it began on time. By the guiding, overruling providences of the Lord, the third angel’s message was brought to the attention of devout men and women, and a burden was laid upon them to tell it to their fellow men. The message carried deep conviction to the hearts of many to whom it was made known, and they took their stand for it. In this way a movement was set on foot which has silently spread out like a fan over the face of the whole earth. We who are considering this reading, can well remember how the light of the message came to us, and with what power the truth laid hold of us. It was at some tent-meeting, or in a hall, or perhaps at a Bible study in our home, or possibly while reading a paper or a book, that we received our instruction regarding the first, second, and third messages of Revelation 14. We can recall the lessons regarding the hour of God’s judgment, the fall of Babylon, the beast and his image, and the warning against worshiping them and receiving their mark. We well remember how the Sabbath loomed up before us, and into what perplexity we were thrown as we tried to evade it. And we can remember, too, the joy that filled our hearts when we surrendered to the Lord, and promised him that we would be obedient to the heavenly calling.

These experiences have attended the proclamation of the third angel’s message in all lands. Everywhere, regardless of nationality, heredity, environment, and previous teaching, it has laid hold of the consciences of men with a grip that could not be broken. And so wherever the message has been preached, it has raised up believers, until to-day it is firmly established in all parts of the world.

And now what can be said of the outlook? What tokens have we for encouragement? Surely we have many. Comparing what remains to be done with what has already been accomplished, it certainly looks as if we had finished the larger and more difficult part of this great undertaking.

EAST GATE OF WUI CHOWFU, CHINA; MIDWAY BETWEEN HONGKONG AND SWATOW. THE X INDICATES THE HOUSE WHERE BROTHER J. P. ANDERSON LIVES AMONG THE HAKKLO PEOPLE

The beautiful, comprehensive, and harmonious system of truth set forth in the Scriptures has been discovered. An efficient literature, comprising nearly two thousand different books, pamphlets, and tracts, has been produced. A thorough, successful system of book and periodical distribution has been developed. An educational system has been worked out which provides educational advantages for all classes in our ranks. A medical missionary department has been provided for the teaching of all that relates to health and the rational treatment of the sick. A financial system for the support of this work in all its phases has been established. A plan of organization for the orderly and effective conduct of this movement throughout the world has been developed. A world-wide foreign missionary enterprise has been set on foot. Nearly every country in the world has been entered by our workers. Scores of foreign languages are now being used in the proclamation of the message.

The Lord has wonderfully blessed the endeavors of the earnest men who had the courage to put their hands to this mighty undertaking. Every important feature of the movement has been worked out. We have gone to all parts of the world, and applied our facilities and methods, and they work. Every month that passes gathers hundreds of people of all nationalities to this cause.

We do not pretend to claim perfection for what has been developed. It can no doubt be improved. But we do claim that it is workable and efficient, when applied in a thorough, conscientious manner.

With every kind of required facility provided, with the varied plans of operation worked out, and having entered and gained a foothold in nearly every country, it is perfectly plain that the thing to do now is to throw all our forces into the work, and use to the fullest possible extent all these facilities, plans, and advantages at our command.

What is wanted now is men, and money, and consecrated activity. Our work now is not to go back where the pioneers began, and spend years in bringing into existence publishing, educational, and sanitarium institutions, with all their equipment. We are not obliged to go through the laborious process of devising and working out all the methods of operation required to make use of these facilities. We do not have to begin to find our way to foreign lands, and learn how to work for the people. All this is done, and hundreds of men and women are everywhere making use of all that has been provided for the accomplishment of this work. Again, we ask, What is the thing to be done now? And again we reply that the demand of this hour is for men, and money, and great activity.

Men are wanted in all parts of the great field—strong, active, earnest men. Able preachers are in great demand to proclaim the message with power to the masses in the cities. Bible workers and canvassing evangelists of education and consecration are surely needed to visit the people in their homes and give them the warning message. God-fearing teachers are called for everywhere. Physicians and nurses who love this cause more than honor or money are needed in our sanitariums, and in heathen lands, to minister to the sick and suffering, and lead them to the

Great Physician. And there is the most pressing demand for the services of the man of business talents, and for the farmer. The cause needs money, and a great deal of it.

Brethren, let us pray for a clear understanding of what is now to be done, and for the courage and devotion to do it. The hour has come for the work of God to be finished. He has declared that it shall close in this generation, and he will bring it to pass. The end is in sight. “Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?”