p. 10 | Seek Ye the Lord by William T. Knox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 10, 1903

“Seek Ye the Lord”

By William T. Knox

W. T. KNOX

“LIFT up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” Who that heed this injunction can fail to discern on every hand the evidences that the harvest is ripe, and that the time has fully come when “he that soweth and he that reapeth” may rejoice together? As we contemplate the rapid

development of events, and see the nearness of the great crisis in human events, we can almost hear that habitue of the heavenly temple crying to our Lord, “Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

As this scene is held before our minds, mingled feelings crowd in upon us. Joy and fear are prominent; for who can fail to rejoice with the prospect before him that the bitter tale of sorrow and suffering, pain and anguish, sickness and sin, will soon be forever ended, and the blessedness of eternity be ushered in, and all God’s faithful ones be gathered into his heavenly garner? But with the joy comes the fear. Not because we question the ability or willingness of our great High Priest and Saviour; for we are persuaded “that he is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” But this gathering means not only infinite joy and salvation, but also infinite sorrow and loss. In the face of the world’s crisis we see its inhabitants either asleep in carnal security or intoxicated with its pleasures and sins, all unmindful of their fast oncoming doom. Who is to awaken them? Who to snatch them as brands from the burning? The responsibility must rest with the people who see the danger. Why have we been so indolent, so indifferent, our efforts so unfruitful with this great responsibility resting upon us? These and kindred questions crowd upon us as we view the nearness of the coming of Christ, and beget feelings of dread; for we must confess that we have been unprofitable servants.

For our own sakes, and the sake of the unsaved, the call of Joel should be taken to our hearts as never before: “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach.”

The existing conditions in and outside of the church demand such a seeking of the Lord as is here portrayed. Every believer in the third angel’s message should gratefully welcome this year’s special season of prayer, and earnestly plan to receive its blessings and impart them to others.