Why This World-Wide Missionary Movement? by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1909

Why This World-Wide Missionary Movement?

By A. G. Daniells

THIS is an age of great activity in behalf of foreign missions. At no time since apostolic days has the church shown such deep interest in the preaching of the gospel to the heathen. And never in all her history has the church prosecuted foreign mission work on such a gigantic scale.

OFFICE OF THE S. D. A. GENERAL CONFERENCE, AND THE REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D. C.

The organized campaign of modern missions was set on foot by William Carey and a few other devout men a hundred years ago. At first small, it has steadily grown, until now it is truly world-wide. So broad is the scope of this movement, so powerful its influence, and so definite its purpose, that it has chosen the watchword: “The evangelization of the world in this generation.”

And while the church has been working up such a splendid program, the providences of God have been shaping the affairs of men relating to exploration, discovery, invention, education, and the world’s progress generally. The present is the first time in the history of the world that all the habitable parts of the globe, and all the people inhabiting them, have been known the world over.

While explorers have been bringing to the knowledge of the world the location, distribution, and conditions of all races, inventors and capitalists have been hard at work providing transportation for reaching quickly and safely every part of the world, and facilities for the quick transmission of news and the production of literature.

Thus the providence of God has made it possible for an awakened church to tell the story of the cross to all the world in a single generation. And this is by the definite purpose of God, in fulfilment of promise and prophecy given centuries ago.

When Jesus was on earth, he told his followers that he must leave them. This sad, disappointing message was accompanied by the promise that he would come again, receive them to himself, and establish his kingdom forever. The disciples believed this promise, and requested the Master to give some sign or token by which all men might know the time of his return and the end of the world. In simple, direct statements Jesus gave them a clear, connected outline of events, extending from their time to the end of the world. One of the events that was to occur just before his return, and which was to be evidence of his immediate coming, was the following: “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.

There is no fact more clearly and positively affirmed in the Scriptures than the second coming of Christ. Whoever believes that he once came, must, from the same authority and evidence, believe that he will come again. And if we may rely upon his own word, his coming will be heralded by so many unmistakable tokens that all may understand. And one of these great signs will be the preaching of the gospel of his coming kingdom in all the world for a witness unto all nations.

This same world-wide movement was described by the apostle John in these words: “I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” Rev. 14:6, 7.

Every Bible student knows that the judgment is a last-day event. It had not come in Paul’s day, for he reasoned of the “judgment to come.” Acts 24:25.

The proclamation of this gospel message to all the world will be followed by the coming of Christ, which John describes as follows: “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a sharp sickle.” Rev. 14:14.

Here is positive evidence that just before the close of human history a great world-wide missionary movement was to be carried forward. That movement is here, fulfilling both the promise and the prophecy of God’s Word. It is because this movement is due that there is now such great activity on the part of the church to give quickly the gospel to all the world.

Never before has the church faced such opportunities and possibilities, nor has she ever faced such vast responsibilities. It is the day of the Lord’s preparation; the hour of his judgment is come. The gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the world in this generation. This will lighten the earth with the glory of God, and then the end will come.

It is with the profoundest gratitude that we see in active, vigorous progress the very work foretold in the Scriptures, and for which all these marvelous openings and facilities have been created.

The missionary work reported in this paper is a part of the great movement for the evangelization of the world in this generation, and it is an unspeakable privilege to be associated with it. We earnestly solicit the helpful co-operation of all who wish to take some part in this splendid work.

A. G. DANIELLS, President Seventh-day Adventist General Conference.