Be Zealous and Repent by E. Everts

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1857

“Be Zealous and Repent.”

By E. Everts

Is this message to the remnant? Yes. Our low state testifies with irresistible argument, that we should speedily “be zealous and repent.”

We inquire, Do not the two extreme positions that lie one on one side and, one on the other of zeal and penitence declare, in the most solemn terms to us, that we have reached the judgment of the living? Did the fate of Israel in the day of atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month, when the typical Sanctuary was being cleansed, decide their destiny, which was their judgment? and did not that turn, on whether they afflicted their souls? So likewise, is not the fate of the remnant unalterably fixed, determined, adjudged, by whether they obey the solemn call to be zealous and repent? Have we not reached the last church, and the turning point to that church?

If the work is performed with true heavenly zeal, then, says Jesus, “I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me.” If not heeded, he will be spued out of his mouth. Then follows: “he that overcomes [performs the work, of overcoming the world, the flesh, and the devil,] will I grant to sit with me in my throne.”

I ask myself, I ask my dear brethren and sisters, what can express more forcibly than this, to the remnant, the judgment. Do not these considerations call on us to awake, and put forth every energy of our whole being in this most solemn work? O “I fear and tremble at thy word,” O Lord! I cry, O Lord help.

We will inquire, what will be the effect, if the remnant heed this message? I answer; I believe that it must raise the “loud cry of the third Angel.” Rev. xiv, 9. What is the loud cry that the brethren have talked about so much for a few years? Is it not found in the Third Angel’s Message? And is not that, a cry of warning against the beast-worship and a cry of the “commandments of God and faith of Jesus.”

This is the thing that will stir the ire of the dragon. The announcement, that the King of the Jews was born, troubled Herod and all Jerusalem with him: And that caused the decree to go forth, to kill all the children in Bethlehem from two years old and under. What stirred up the Jews to seek the life of our Lord? It was his powerful, holy life. What ever has stirred the wicked against the saints in all ages? It has been devotedness to God and zeal in his service. What are the reasons, why the dragon goes to make war upon the remnant of the seed of the woman? [church.] It is because “they keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus.”

Brethren, the problem to me is solved, as to what will cause the decree to go forth to kill the saints. It is to live out the counsel of Jesus to the Laodicean church.

How blessed the thought, that the sweet encouraging counsels of Jesus, allow the transporting, heavenly hope, that it is possible, that we can buy gold and raiment, and eye-salve; all of the richest kind. But like the sweet little book, that with its sweetness, imparted a bitter; so the fitness that will prepare us to receive Jesus into our hearts and to sup with him and he with us, will cost all.

Brethren, will we buy this heavenly treasure? My cry with deep anxiety is that I may repent of the past, and wisely give all for the kingdom. When the saints come up to the full work that is assigned the remnant, then I believe, speedily will come the loud cry, then will go forth the wicked decree and that will cause the remnant to raise another cry, which is the day and night cry. Then will come salvation to the remnant.

E. EVERTS.