The Commission by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1875

The Commission.

By M. Wood

As our divine Lord was closing up his work upon earth, as prophet and teacher, and was about to ascend to his Father, there in the heavenly sanctuary to enter upon his duties as priest, he gave his disciples this great commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16 : 15. It is quite evident from the reading of the word of God that the human family should have the glad tidings of salvation preached to them before the second coming of the Son of man; and this commission, given to his disciples was an unlimited one. The world was their field. It is the same to-day. The gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to those that hear, must be preached for a witness to all the world. As the third angel’s message of Rev. 14 : 9-12, is a portion of the word of God, it must be preached to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

And who is to warn the world of the approaching judgments of God, and the second coming of Christ? Is this work committed to Eld. J. N. Andrews only and a few other preachers, who are acting as missionaries for God? Is it into their hands alone that this work is given? No, thank God, dear reader, every disciple of Christ is permitted to be a co-worker with Jesus. And what did he do? He left the royal courts of Heaven, took upon himself the nature of mortal man, and by personal labors he came close to man, that he might pluck him as a brand from the burning. He withheld not himself. He gave all. He suffered intense agony, and deprivation, and reproach, and hatred, from those whom he came to save.

Our Saviour says, I have done all this for you. What are you willing to do for me? I have set you an example; and who will follow the example of his divine Lord in self-sacrifice and disinterested benevolence to save his fellow-men? Nobly did these primitive believers follow the instructions of their crucified Saviour. Those poor despised and persecuted Christians consulted not with flesh and blood. They thought not of their own ease and comfort. They sought not for some pretext whereby to evade the command of Jesus their Lord; but they took their lives in their hands and went forth to execute the orders of the Captain of our salvation. They went forth and preached everywhere. This is precisely what the true missionary spirit leads men to do at the present time. It is said in the same verse that the Lord worked with them. He works with his missionary servants now. God has put his hand to this work. It must triumph, and those who act well the part assigned to them in this great work will witness the glorious triumph of the third angel’s message.

This commission, which Christ gave to his disciples nearly two thousand years ago, has never been annulled, and every Christian is a commissioned officer in the army of the Lord. Says Jesus, “Ye are the light of the world.” Who? All Christians are light in the Lord; Eph. 5 : 8; and must shine as lights in the world. Phil. 2 : 15. All their neighbors have an eye upon them. Some admire, commend, and rejoice in them. Others are filled with envy and hatred, and study to destroy them. But Jesus is with his servants to strengthen and sustain them. He leads in the work himself, and clings closer than a brother to his faithful harvesters.

And now as repeated calls are being made for volunteers to work under his direction, to rescue souls from ruin, who will obey the call, and enlist under the banner of King Jesus—not for a day, nor for an hour, but for life? Who of us will manifest that true missionary spirit so heroically displayed by the primitive believers? There are thousands and thousands of precious souls who have not so much as heard the sound of the third angel’s message. And Paul says, “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Therefore, those who have the true missionary spirit say, The world shall hear the last notes of warning. The blood of souls shall not be found upon our garments. We will sound an alarm, and herald to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, the solemn announcement of Rev. 14 : 9-12.

Where is the Christian heart that can reflect unmoved upon the fact that in a few days millions of our fellow-creatures must stumble over the high mountains of darkness and be lost forever? Surely no person looking and longing for the second coming of Christ can reflect upon this without feeling a strong desire to extend a helping hand, and exert himself as God’s instrument in sending the advent message to the perishing sons and daughters of Adam. If we are truly converted to the truth, we shall feel an individual responsibility resting upon us, and make earnest efforts for the salvation of others. We will not remain inactive nor indifferent to the dangerous position occupied by our relatives, friends, and neighbors, but will use every available means to present the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. We have books, periodicals, and tracts, which even a child may distribute to the saving of souls. May the Lord enable us, individually, to realize the responsibilities devolving upon us as a people entrusted with the most solemn message ever proclaimed to mortal man. May we with brokenness of heart seek God, learn to know his will concerning us, and then with humility hasten to obey, remembering that those who know the Master’s will, and do it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.

M. Wood.

Boston, May 6, 1875.