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Our Watchword

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 2, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 31.

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Our Watchword

By Editor

Editorial

Our Watchword

FROM the early days of this advent movement it has been believed and advocated that this third angel's message would be proclaimed in all the world within the limits of one generation, and that when this was accomplished, the Lord would come to receive his people and to himself. Five years ago this hope received a stimulus, and the cry was that raised anew, “The advent message to all the world in this generation.” Since that time this expression of our purpose has been the watchword of the believers in this message. This watchword does not simply represent the desire of hearts impatient for the return of their Lord; it is based upon the definite statement of Jesus to his disciples when they inquired of him concerning his coming and the end of the world. After giving the signs which would be proclaimed in the great and final advent movement, our Lord said: “Now from the fig-tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh; even so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished.” In adopting this watchword we have not followed cunningly devised fables, and we have not been carried away by a wave of enthusiasm. We have simply accepted and believed the word of the Lord and the testimony of the spirit of prophecy. But this watchword is more than a sentiment; it is a working program. It means that we are to give ourselves wholly to the work of spreading this advent message in all the world, planning on the basis that we ourselves are to finish the work, and not hand it over to the next generation. It means that we are to advance the lines of our missionary forces rapidly, and that a retreat is never to be sounded. It means that in every land, even in the darkest parts of the earth, the great message of the coming of Jesus, with all the truths associated with this wonderful event, is to be made known to all the people. It means the consecration of time and strength and means to one great purpose—“the advent message to all the world in this generation.”

Our Confidence

THE definite expression of our confidence that the advent message will be given in all the world in this generation is found in the following prophecy: “And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth forever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be delay no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants the prophets.” The course of the history of the gospel has been marked by what seemed to be times of delay in the accomplishment of God's purposes. So long was the apparent delay in the coming of the Messiah in the flesh that the psalmist cried out: “Lord, where are thy former loving-kindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy faithfulness? Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty peoples, wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O Jehovah, wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.” The explanation of all this seeming delay is thus given: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is long-suffering to youward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” But after the long periods of the time-prophecies have all been completed, and the specific predictions have all been fulfilled, then comes the assurance that “there shall be delay no longer.” We have reached the days of the voice of the seventh angel. The period allotted to the sixth angel of this series expired Aug. 11, 1840. The sixth angel and the second woe trumpet are the same, and the statement is clear: “The second woe is past: behold, the third woe cometh quickly.” The third woe is the seventh trumpet, and this comes quickly after the sixth trumpet. Our confidence, therefore, for finishing the work rests upon the assurance that the limit of time is reached, the hour of God's judgment has come, and “there shall be delay no longer.” Our watchword and our confidence should arouse us to earnest and untiring effort in giving the message.