The Finishing of the Work by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 16, 1906

The Finishing of the Work

By F. G.

“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.

We are certainly living in the time foretold in this scripture. There are to be revealed in these days the greatest works of saving grace which the universe has ever seen. Angels themselves are to be astonished at the changes in character which are to be effected by the Holy Spirit. Satan has come in great power, but the Lord our God, who is mightier than he, has also come, and the results of his might and power are to be seen in the righteous lives of those who believe in and trust that power.

This finishing of the work of salvation is to be accomplished only by the fiercest conflict of all the ages, and in this conflict we each must act a part. We are bound to be enlisted on one side or the other; there is no neutral ground for a living person. It is given us to choose upon which side we shall place ourselves.

In the finishing of this work young men and women in the very prime of strength and health are to act a most important part. Never before in the history of the gospel has there been such a display of intellect as is to be involved in this final conflict. On the one side, genius, knowledge, and skill are consecrated to the forces of wrong; on the other, the same gifts are consecrated to those of right. Every talent and ability which one has is to be brought into play.

What then, in view of this, is the duty of our young men and women? Clearly it is to prepare themselves for a part on the side of right in this conflict. God calls as never before for strong men and women, those of education and refinement. That the work is being “cut short” is witnessed to by the fact that within the last few years this message of the end has gone to every nation under heaven. It is also witnessed to in a striking manner by the recent move on the part of our educators to fill our schools with earnest students to be trained for places of usefulness and prominence in the work.

The word of the Lord will not return to him void, but it will accomplish the work to which he sent it. God will finish the work now. To secure the preparation necessary for a part in this finishing work will mean, in many instances, severe sacrifices. But it will pay. Right is to triumph, and wrong is to be forever removed from the throne. No uncertainties exist in this matter. Will not parents and children deny themselves of those things that will hinder in securing the education necessary to be effective soldiers in this last great battle? “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” God has established our schools to provide our young people with these mighty weapons. Not only the salvation of others, but their own as well, depends upon their securing the training necessary for this work, and

then doing the work. There are enough men and women in our ranks to fill twice the present number of our training schools. This coming year should see every one of our schools filled to its utmost capacity. This filling will result if all will appreciate the truth that the Lord has really set his hand to the final work, and appreciating this, will sacrifice to secure the speedy preparation necessary to act a noble part. F. G.