Our Message and Education by F. W. Johnston

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 1, 1907

Our Message and Education

By F. W. Johnston

UNDER the symbolic representation of angels, three messages are seen going to every kindred, tongue, and people. That these angels are symbolic is beyond doubt, for the preaching of the gospel has not been commissioned save to humanity. The command was, “Go ye into all the world, and preach.” But nevertheless angels have an interest in the work of salvation, and are sent forth to minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation; and it would not be merely imaginative to suppose that angels act a special part in the promulgation of these messages.

This threefold message is the everlasting gospel. “The gospel . . . is the power of God unto salvation,” and always will continue to be such. The preaching of anything else could not be the gospel, and hence would be subject to the anathema of Paul: “For though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

A special feature of this message is the announcement to the world that “Babylon is fallen.” Why?—Because she hath made all nations drink of her wine. The church in general has become intoxicated with the errors of Romanism. A compromise has been made with the world. Having imbibed the doctrines of heathenism, she has become insensible to her mission. But within the precincts of spiritual Babylon are those who sigh and cry for these abominations, and so the call of the everlasting gospel goes forth, “Come out of her, my people.” Were it not for the fact that God has a people in the fallen church, this message would lose its force, and the preaching of it would be vain.

God’s people, being in spiritual captivity, are to be led forth by skilful means. A thorough knowledge of the gospel, combined with tact and ingenuity, consecrated by the Spirit of God, is indispensably requisite to do effectual work in this line. This brings us to the thought that before we can intelligently instruct others, we must be efficiently educated ourselves. Too much haphazard work has been done; too many misdirected efforts because of a misunderstanding of right methods.

To remedy this difficulty we have our educational institutions established in various places, and if all parents were alive to the importance of this message and the responsibility placed upon them to educate the young, our academies and colleges would be filled every year to overflowing. Can we realize that the progress of the message in the future depends upon the rising generation? Let us all be willing to sacrifice all if necessary to send the last warning message to a dying world.

Very little time remains in which to warn the world of the impending doom. Satan is ripening the wicked for the last great conflict. On the other hand, God’s people are to become matured, and are to stand “without fault” before the throne of God. Let us see to it that we cast in our lot with the people and work of God.

F. W. JOHNSTON.