Preach the Message

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1902

Preach the Message

THERE is a definite message to be proclaimed to all the world in this generation. It is the threefold message of Rev. 14:6-12, which is to prepare the way for the coming Saviour. This message is “the everlasting gospel” so presented as to meet and defeat the final effort of Satan to make of none effect the provision which God has made for our salvation. When the messengers understand the situation as made plain in the prophecies, they will see clearly that this particular message is the only presentation of the gospel which will be able to deliver either their own souls or the souls of the people from the fearful deception which Satan has brought upon the world. And they will further see clearly that the heart of this message is found in what is called the sanctuary question. It is through the study of this question that we learn when “the hour of his judgment” began, and are brought face to face with the great truth of the immediate personal coming of Christ. It is in the study of this question that we learn of Christ as our sacrifice, our substitute, and our surety. It is in the study of this question that we learn of the heavenly sanctuary above, and the work of our great high Priest, “who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” It is in the study of this question that we learn of the unchangeable law of God and our relation to it. In fact, the whole of that teaching which constitutes what we regard as the special message for this time finds its center in the sanctuary question. And the instruction which was given to this people in the early days of the message is just as applicable now. Here it is: “I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause. But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the twenty-three hundred days, the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell.” Saving truth is what the people need to-day, truth which will save them from present sin and from present deception. In following this instruction no phase of saving truth will be neglected, but all will be presented from such a standpoint and in such a setting as to meet the actual needs of the present situation. There is great need that all the messengers should now present a united front to the enemy by all preaching “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” the definite message which is due to the world at this time. This alone can prepare the way of the Lord.