A Solemn Message by E. T. Russell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 27, 1903

A Solemn Message

By E. T. Russell

E. T. Russell

The importance of placing the light given us of God before those who know it not, cannot be overestimated. It is a solemn time, and we have a most solemn message to proclaim to the world. Rev. 14: 6-12. We are living in the time of the investigative judgment, and we have almost reached the close of that period. Rev. 14: 6, 7. At the longest, it can be but a short time until this gospel message closes, and then the destiny of all will be settled forever. Matt. 24: 14; Rev. 22: 11, 12. Then will be ushered in that most glorious of all events, the coming of Christ to redeem his people and take them to the mansions prepared for them in the Father's house. Heb. 9: 28; John 14: 2, 3. That will be a time of great joy to the saints. In exuberant delight they will exclaim, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa. 25: 9. In marked contrast to their experience will be that of the unsaved; as, at that time “the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Rev. 6: 15-17.

To the people of God is intrusted the work of warning the wicked of their impending doom, and a failure on our part will compromise our salvation. “I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Eze. 3: 17, 18.

The prophetic dial indicates that we have reached the eleventh hour of the world's history, when the supper call should go to the world: “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14: 16-23; Matt. 20: 6-9.

The three supper calls of Luke 14: 16-23 are identical with the three judgment messages of Rev. 14: 6-12. These messages are to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and they are to be proclaimed by those who accept the eleventh-hour message, which is the call to labor. The invitation extended is this, “Go work in my vineyard;” the wages to be given is “whatsoever is right.” Matt. 20: 7.

On those who accept this message rests the responsibility of working in his vineyard, of proclaiming the coming of the Master. There are different ways in which this message can be carried to the hearts and homes of the people: (1) by consecrated ministers and Bible workers; (2) by consecrated medical missionary workers; (3) by home missionary work on the part of the people who believe this message; (4) by the consecrated colporteur and canvasser.

It is time for this people to arise in the strength of God and proclaim the message everywhere. The command is, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.” Isa. 60: 1-5.

Laborers are needed in every branch of the work, as the harvest is great, and the laborers are few. Matt. 9: 37, 38. God expects fruit of this people, and we cannot afford to have him disappointed. If he is disappointed in us, we shall be counted as cumberers of the ground, and in the final judgment sad will be our disappointment. “Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these

three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none; cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?” Luke 13: 7.

As individuals, we must bestir ourselves and warn the wicked of their danger, if we expect to have a part in the final reward. We have been like Israel, too long compassing the mount. The Lord says to us, “Go forward.” O that we might be moved by energy from on high, that we might arise to the situation, for the time indeed is short! At the longest it can be but a little while before the angel of mercy ceases to plead for fallen man, before the temple of God will be filled with the glory of God (Rev. 15: 8); before the fiat will go forth (Rev. 22: 11), “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still,” and Jesus will come.

Brethren, are we prepared for that event? And what are we as a people doing to prepare the world for the event? May God deeply impress each of us with a true sense of the peril of the world around us, and of our own peril if we are recreant to duty.