Occupy, Occupy

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 15, 1902

IF you are a student of prophecy, I entreat you, never let it be said that prophetic study prevents practical diligence. If you do believe that the day is really approaching, then labor actively to provoke others unto love and good works. If you do believe that the night is far spent, be doubly diligent to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Never was there a greater mistake than to fancy that the doctrine of the personal return of Christ is calculated to paralyze Christian diligence. Surely there can be no greater spur to the servant’s activity than the expectation of his Master’s return.

This is the way to attain a healthy state of the soul. There is nothing like the exercise of our graces for promoting our spiritual vigor. Alas! there are not a few of God’s saints who complain that they want spiritual comfort in their religion, while the fault is altogether in themselves. “Occupy,” “occupy,” I would say to such persons. Lay yourselves out more heartily for the glory of God, and then uncomfortable feelings will soon vanish.

This is the way to do good to the children of the world. Nothing under God has such an effect upon unconverted people as the sight of a real, thoroughgoing Christian. There are thousands who will not come to hear the gospel, and do not know the meaning of justification by faith, who yet can understand an uncompromising, holy, consistent walk with God. “Occupy,” “occupy,” I say again, if you want to do good.

This is the way to promote meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. There will be no illness in the kingdom of Christ. The saints and angels shall there wait on their Lord with unwearied activity, and serve him day and night. It is a fine saying of Bernard that Jacob in his vision saw some angels ascending and some descending, but none standing still. “Occupy,” “occupy,” I say again, if you would be thoroughly trained for your glorious home. O brethren believers, it would be well indeed if we did but see clearly how much it is for our interest and happiness to use every farthing of our Lord’s money to live very near to God.

So living, we shall find great joy in our work, great comfort in our trials, great doors of usefulness in the world, great consolation in our sicknesses, great hope in our death, leave great evidences behind us when we are buried, have great confidence in the day of Christ’s return, and receive a great crown in the day of reward.—Selected.