3:112 Peter 3:11

Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved means the heavens, the elements, the earth and all its works will be broken up and burned with fervent heat by fire at the day of the Lord.Lt 175, 1903, par. 18–19+2 What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness asks what kind of life to live in view of that end, calling for wholly holy conduct and speech as those bought from slavery to Satan to be the Lord's without reserve.9MR 53.2–54.1+4 The same fire that consumes the wicked after the judgment purifies the whole earth from every stain of sin, preparing it to be made new without impurity as the eternal inheritance wherein dwells righteousness.ExVEGW 35.1+4 Therefore those living at the close of earth's history must not be willingly ignorant like scoffers, but be diligent to be found in peace without spot, looking for and hastening the coming day of God and the promised new heavens and new earth.6T 13.2+4 No time is to be lost, for no one may presume on years to come; everyone must repent, confess sin beforehand, watch and pray and work as witnesses, living as pilgrims with heaven-centered conduct while sounding the warning to flee from wrath to come.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+4

"All these things" that shall be dissolved are the heavens, the elements, the earth and everything in it and its works, to be broken up and destroyed, melted with fervent heat and burned up by fire at the day of the Lord.Lt 175, 1903, par. 18–19+4 That day will come as a thief in the night, when the heavens pass away with great noise and the elements melt with fervent heat.Ms 25, 1911, par. 5–6+1 Because this dissolution is certain, those living in view of it must live pure and God-like lives in holiness of life and godliness, in all holy conduct while awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God.Lt 175, 1903, par. 18–19+4 They are to live faithfully while looking according to promise for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness, and to be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+2

The coming universal burning will be far more thorough than the great fires at Chicago and London, which no human power or invention could stop.Ms 146, 1897, par. 9–10 That destruction by fire is God's decreed judgment in the execution of the great final conflagration, and no human power can prevent what God has decreed.Ms 146, 1897, par. 9–10+1 Finite people ought therefore to fear God and acknowledge His power to create and to destroy in an instant, instead of exalting themselves with great swelling words of vanity that corrupt speaker and hearer.Ms 146, 1897, par. 9–10 Those city fires were God's voice calling to repentance, and the coming burning leaves no place to stand still but to advance or go backward in a holy life and godliness while looking for and hastening the day of God.Ms 146, 1897, par. 9–10

"In all holy conversation" means in all holy conduct, in all matters holy, wholly the Lord's with no reserve.9MR 53.2–54.1+1 It means that all one has and does and says is to be as one bought by redemption money as the price of the soul, freed from slavery to Satan to be indeed a child and servant of God and a God-bought subject of Jesus Christ.9MR 53.2–54.1+1 Those who share the divine nature and belong to God as Creator, Preserver, Redeemer and Father should therefore honor their responsibility to Him, working with God to restore every faculty, with the Holy Spirit working with them so they may be complete in Christ, holding their faculties as sacred trusts that call for careful, circumspect, godly living.Ms 65, 1898, par. 14 In response they are to draw in even cords with Christ, to yoke up with Him and bear the end of the yoke, taking His yoke, lifting His burden, and carrying on the very work He carried on when on earth, who died and rose and ascended to heaven to be Advocate, though He trod the winepress alone with none of the people with Him.9MR 53.2–54.1+1

Holy conversation so understood rebukes hardheartedness and foolish inclination, desire and indulgence of self, with wandering thoughts and light and trifling words.9MR 53.2–54.1+1 Those cleansed by the Holy Spirit and holding the message of truth for this time must instead be holy in all manner of conversation and godliness in pure and holy speech that reveals truth and the righteousness of Christ dwelling within.Ms 73, 1897, par. 28–31 This holiness is shown by the words spoken, by avoiding frivolous company, and by living without spot and blameless in peace.Ms 73, 1897, par. 28–31 It is part of the sharp, positive contrast Christians must keep with the world and not lessen by coming down to the worldly standard, carrying out principle in daily work, holding appetite under the control of reason, maintaining simplicity in dress, and living in holy speech and conduct while walking the humble path of obedience to God's requirements in simplicity, meekness and humility after the pattern of Christ Jesus, which for those given health work is a light continually shining on the pathway of those whose habits are false.CH 282.2

The verse belongs to a chapter full of warnings and counsel for Christ's followers, worth living for and not to be diminished by pleasing human wisdom.Ms 13, 1895, par. 10–11+1 That chapter foretells the abominations, crimes and wickedness that would prevail in the world during the last days, and because that wickedness is now fulfilled, true Christians ought to be humble people of prayer.Lt 220, 1903, par. 46–48 Its question, what manner of persons ought ye to be, calls each reader to consider what kind of life to live in view of the dissolution of all things.STMW9 53.2+2 The answer is humble, godly living: walking humbly with God, not striving for greater responsibility but faithfully doing one's duty and learning meekness and lowliness in Christ, practicing economy and living with the discipline of a race and the seriousness of a battle, trusting in God rather than fallible human wisdom, practicing His word and showing reverence for Him in a humble, careful life marked by love, patience, forbearance and gentleness that reveals God to others, with bearing, words and actions toward one another in Christ's body shaped by life's uncertainty.STMW9 53.2+2

Its setting is the close of this earth's history, the last remnant of time, when prophecy is fulfilling, the end of all things is at hand, and Christ will soon come with power and great glory.Lt 175, 1903, par. 18–19+1 The day of trial comes as a thief in the night stealing unawares, suddenly as a snare on all the earth, with future judgment, second coming, gathering of resurrected saints into God's kingdom and establishment on the new earth still ahead.Lt 49, 1893, par. 1–3+2 Immediate preparation is therefore required, losing no time and showing no indifference, refusing to say the Lord delays His coming.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14 Believers must not be willingly ignorant like last-day scoffers who walk after lust and deny the promise of His coming, but be mindful of the words of the holy prophets and the apostles, understand the Word of the Lord and follow on to know Him day by day, gain an education that trains and consecrates all powers for service, use youthful zeal and ardor, holidays, money and time to glorify God in real, thorough, well-organized efforts under instructors to be a blessing to others after the pattern of the school of the prophets rather than in games and amusements that lead to forgetting God, keep the soul in the love of God, repent of sins and come to Jesus, search the Scriptures to know the reasons of faith, watch and also pray and work and wait, take heed lest hearts be weighed down with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life lest that day come unawares, watch and pray always to be counted worthy to escape what is coming and to stand before the Son of man, and sound earnest words of warning to persuade men everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come, rousing people and being instant in season and out of season.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+3

The certainty that earthly things will be dissolved calls people to live in holiness and godliness while looking for the day of God's coming, and applies that future dissolution to the instability and turmoil of earthly kingdoms and society.Lt 102, 1886, par. 7–8

The dissolving is fire breathed from God in the execution of judgment, going before Him as devouring fire with a fiery stream issuing from before Him.Ms 14, 1850, par. 12–14+1 It comes when Christ appears in glory with His holy angels to judge His people and to take vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel, when the whole earth will be ablaze with the terrible light of His presence.PP 339.2 The wicked are consumed after they are shown what they have lost, receiving according as has been meted out to them during the thousand years by the saints in unison with Jesus.ExVEGW 35.1+1 Satan as the root and his children as the branches are burned up root and branch and never rise again, consumed forever.ExVEGW 32.5+2

That same fire that destroys the wicked purifies the whole earth, melting the broken ragged mountains with fervent heat and consuming the atmosphere and all the stubble.ExVEGW 35.1+2 It consumes every mark of sin and curse, cleansing the earth from moral pollution and every stain of sin.EW 43.1+3 Afterward the whole earth made new opens as the glorious and beautiful inheritance of the righteous, a clean universe and beautiful New Earth given as their eternal inheritance.ExVEGW 35.1+2

The rest of the earth is not cleansed until after the thousand years, during which the saints rest in the Holy City and reign as kings and priests.ExVEGW 32.5+1 Then Jesus descends with the saints upon the Mount of Olives, which parts asunder into a mighty plain for the Paradise of God to rest upon.ExVEGW 32.5+1 At the end of the thousand years the wicked dead are raised and gather around the City, and then fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them, for the feet of the wicked will never desecrate the earth made new.ExVEGW 32.5+1 After a thousand years in the city of God, the city will come down to this cleansed earth.Lt 130, 1906, par. 2 Jerusalem rests under guilt and curse because of the rejection and crucifixion of Christ and is no longer a sacred place until that cleansing, when Christ will again stand upon the Mount of Olives and as His feet rest upon it the mountain will part asunder and become a great plain prepared for the city of God coming down to the cleansed earth.Lt 130, 1906, par. 2+1

Enoch's translation before the Flood represents the translation of the living righteous before the earth is destroyed by fire.1SP 64.3–65.1+2

The same fire that executes judgment consumes the wicked after they have seen what they have lost, giving to them according as has been meted out in unison with Jesus during the thousand years, and that fire breathed from God purifies the whole earth, melting the broken ragged mountains with fervent heat and consuming the atmosphere and all the stubble.ExVEGW 35.1+1 That same destroying fire makes the whole earth new, opening as the glorious and beautiful inheritance of the righteous.ExVEGW 35.1+1 The rest of the earth is not cleansed until the thousand years are finished, when the wicked dead are raised and gather around the city, then fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them, burning them up root and branch with Satan as the root and his children as the branches, so the feet of the wicked will never desecrate the earth made new.CET 108.2–3 At that time Jesus descends with the saints upon the Mount of Olives, which parts asunder and becomes a mighty plain for the Paradise of God to rest upon.CET 108.2–3 The earth is thus purified, melted over and made without sin, cleansed of sin and every mark of the curse, renewed and given forever to the saints as a better place beyond this present world, where the new earth contains nothing impure or harmful to peace and happiness.Ms 1, 1889, par. 65–66+1

In fulfillment of promise there come new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness, and with the wicked consumed forever so that Satan and his followers never rise again, the earth purified of the curse, God's universe is made clean.EW 253.2+1 The saints then inherit the beautiful new earth made new and possess the kingdom forever as their eternal inheritance.EW 253.2+2 The coming dissolution therefore calls for holy living and godliness in loyalty to God's commandments, for a new heaven and earth are promised to the loyal.EW 45.1+1

The world with its earthly treasures and its buildings will be consumed in the great conflagration at the Lord's soon coming, and the wicked will lose their earthly treasures forever, while the righteous will receive lasting heavenly treasures that are incorruptible, undefiled and never fade away.Ms 81, 1900, par. 47–48+1 Because all earthly things shall be dissolved, belief in that coming must be represented in the buildings erected for His work by binding about ambitious plans and guarding against extravagance or improvidence, refusing to put a large outlay of money into what will soon burn.CH 278.1 Money means souls to bring a knowledge of the truth to those who because of sin are under the condemnation of God, and it is to be so used as to keep the Lord's treasury from becoming empty so that builders have means to do their appointed work.CH 278.1

Because the present world with its heavens and earth and all their works will be broken up and dissolved, those living at the close of earth's history must live in all holy conduct and godliness.Lt 49, 1904, par. 27–28+2 This certainty calls for pure and God-like lives, holy and reverent before God, especially from those bearing the solemn message to the world.Lt 222, 1906, par. 8–9+2 With the end of all things at hand, the world in darkness, and destruction and the close of probation near, professed believers are to be sober and watching unto the end, putting away levity, glee, careless and reckless words, laughing, jesting, joking, boastful self-confidence and friendship with the world, and living in humility.Lt 38, 1894, par. 13+2

They must not be willingly ignorant like the last-day scoffers who walk after lust and deny the promise of His coming, but be mindful of the words of the holy prophets and the apostles.Ms 25, 1911, par. 5–6 They are to understand the Word of the Lord and follow on to know Him day by day.Ms 25, 1911, par. 5–6 Rather than being led away by the error of the wicked, they are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.Lt 38, 1893, par. 8–10+1

Holiness in all conduct and godliness is the standard every Christian must strive for, not in natural ability but through grace given by Jesus Christ.Lt 38, 1893, par. 8–10 Those who share the divine nature and belong to God as Creator, Preserver, Redeemer and Father honor their responsibility to Him, bought at a price, working with God to restore every faculty while the Holy Spirit works with them so they may be complete in Christ, holding their faculties as sacred trusts that call for careful, circumspect, godly living.Ms 65, 1898, par. 14 To be such persons means working on the plan of addition, giving all diligence to add to faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, becoming partakers of the divine nature and escaping the corruption in the world through lust by practically living the life of Christ and being an example to others.Ms 138, 1906, par. 7–14

In view of the coming day of God they must look for that day and hasten its coming.6T 13.2+1 They look according to promise for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness, holding hope beyond this present world.Lt 374, 1907, par. 33–35+3 That hope gives good courage in the Lord even when friends may not meet again in this life.Lt 374, 1907, par. 33–35 Their conduct matters as they make God's kingdom known not only to the world but to angels and to the universe.6T 13.2+1

They must be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+4 This means wrestling for mastery over every sin and checking every impatient and fretful expression.Lt 38, 1893, par. 8–10 It means keeping the soul in the love of God, repenting of sins and coming to Jesus, searching the Scriptures to know the reasons of faith, and showing pure and holy speech that reveals truth and righteousness within while avoiding frivolous company.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+1 Every word of this instruction is to be heeded as God's direction for this time, with safety only in receiving divine inspiration from heaven to qualify finite men to be co-laborers with Christ.Lt 242, 1906, par. 4–15

Those who do this secure eternal life.Ms 138, 1906, par. 7–14 They are kept eternally secure in the city of God through the thousand years until the earth is purified, so the city will not be corrupted, with an abundant entrance ministered into the everlasting kingdom where its inhabitants shall know no corruption.Ms 138, 1906, par. 7–14

No time is to be lost in view of the dissolving of all things at the close of this earth's history when prophecy is fulfilling and Christ will soon come with power and great glory, and no one is to say the Lord delays His coming or plead that history will continue five or ten or twenty years.17MR 346.4–347.2+3 Everyone must live as if each day might be the last, doing service faithfully, making right use of light, proclaiming the speedy appearing of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven, and asking whether he will stand at the right hand or the left hand of the Judge.17MR 346.4–347.2+3 All are now deciding eternal destiny, for everything is being decided for life or death and the work is for eternity.RH Nov 27, 1900+1

Readiness means immediate preparation without delay, repenting of sins and coming to Jesus, keeping the soul in the love of God, and watching and also praying and working and waiting in the last remnant of time.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+2 It means examining the soul at once to see if it is in condition to be found ready by Christ as it is, with the Spirit and power of God in the heart and revealed in the character, making a person clean in spirit and pure and holy in all conduct.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+1 Sins must go beforehand through confession and repentance so they may be blotted out and go to judgment beforehand, for those who delay and leave sins unconfessed and unforgiven cannot prepare during the time of trouble but will confess in hopeless anguish.4SP 437.3+1 Such readiness rests not on presuming on one's own righteousness but on trust in God and the righteousness of Christ.7MR 241.2

It means not only watching but praying and working and waiting, keeping the mind on heavenly things, Christian hope and the plan of redemption soon to be finished, praying and watching over words, actions and thoughts.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+2 Truth must be planted in the heart to govern life and not remain merely outward or separate from daily living, with Scripture searched to know the reasons of faith, bringing peace, rest and joy, while truth kept apart leaves the heart unmoved.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+2 God's people must now gain an education that trains and consecrates all powers for service, using youthful zeal and ardor, holidays, money and time to glorify God in real, thorough, well-organized efforts under instructors after the pattern of the school of the prophets, rather than in games and amusements that lead to forgetting God.Lt 49, 1893, par. 1–3 They are to use abilities wisely, practice health reform with care, and prepare to stand in the day of God.Ms 5, 1881, par. 1–2

Preparation to stand in the day of God must not be displaced by war or other calamities, which Satan uses to divert people from that preparation.4SP 406.2 Those who leave sins unconfessed cannot prepare in the time of trouble and at the final conflict will confess in anguish, but their case will be hopeless.4SP 437.3 When everything that can be shaken is shaken, only those firmly grounded in truth and acting from principle, humble, purified, self-denying and willing to endure suffering for the truth, will stand.Ms 5, 1862, par. 1–2

God's judgments on earth announce Christ's soon approach and that the day of judgment is at hand, making urgent the effort to lead people to recognize the time and respond.LSEGW 412.3 In the very last days all things shall be dissolved by the Lord blotting wicked inhabitants from the earth in terrible calamities and destruction of cities, and those judgments with casualties and disasters by sea and land, floods, storms, fires and unsettled affairs are a warning to the world to prepare, to turn from wicked ways to the living God, to stand in fear before Him, and to do the great work of preparing a people in holy conduct and devotion.Lt 78, 1902, par. 2+1 Disregard of law has made the world like Sodom and Gomorrah and before the Flood, filled with iniquity and crime of every order in high places, with methods devised for the guilty to escape punishment, gambling, robbery, drunkenness and its deadly results, hidden corruption and cruelty under satanic rule, and wickedness almost at its limit, and some iniquity is now revealed so men may understand why God sends judgments; therefore individual members ought to warn the world and rise to spiritual responsibility in humility, avoiding pride, carelessness and indifference and showing by life acceptance of the final message.1MR 329.1–330.1+1

Therefore the warning must be sounded in earnest words and lifted up like a trumpet, persuading men everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come because they have souls to save or to lose, with earnest decided purpose, instant in season and out of season to rouse people, since the end of all things is at hand and little is known of what is before them.Lt 105, 1903, par. 11–14+2 Because the day of the Lord will come suddenly as a thief in the night and heavens, elements, earth and its works will be dissolved with fire and fervent heat, believers must take heed lest hearts be weighed down with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life lest that day come unawares as a snare on all the earth, and must watch and pray always to be counted worthy to escape what is coming and to stand before the Son of man.ST Dec 5, 1895 That call to get ready to meet the Lord and to prepare a people for judgment in holy conduct and devotion is aroused by judgments and destruction of cities.Lt 78, 1902, par. 2

Believers are to live as part of a witness seen by the world, angels and people, and by the universe, as they make God's kingdom known while looking for that day and hastening its coming.6T 13.2+1 As watchmen and light bearers entrusted with the last message of mercy and with accumulated light of Scripture, they should show steady spiritual growth, accept the strength God provides, surrender to Him, live out love and gratitude, and reflect Christ in daily life so that sinners are converted and victories over the enemy are gained.RH Nov 23, 1905+1 They are to carry the light of Christ to the ends of the earth in active earnest service in dependence on God, shining out to enlighten those in darkness and meeting enlarged openings, for the field is the world and the work is beyond means on hand.7MR 417.2+2

That witness calls for vigilant waiting and watching joined with earnest work, consecrating all they have and are to God's service.RH Feb 3, 1903 Belief that the end of all things is near calls for earnest, solemn and tireless effort to win people to Christ, perfecting Christian character and doing earnest work for those in darkness, preparing for Christ's second coming and living with eternity in view.Lt 65, 1886, par. 7+2 The day of preparation is a time for God to work upon the earth, yet people are not preparing to stand when Christ appears, and camp meetings should give priority to spiritual instruction for growth and godly living rather than detailed training in practical work.Lt 6, 1883, par. 13–17+1

It calls for times to impress the mind seriously with the crisis soon to come upon the earth, leaving no time for trifling or self-seeking but calling for a more pure and holy work than yet seen, with every soul in deeper and truer consecration than in past years and with men of clear understanding willing to be controlled by the Holy Spirit leading out in thorough reformation.Lt 7, 1913, par. 8–9 Fitness for membership in God's heavenly family and kingdom, tested in this life, is shown by a well-ordered life and strict self-control in holy and godly living.Lt 156, 1906, par. 6 Hearing the truth and having every advantage and helping prepare the people will not save the unholy, who like the men who helped build the ark yet chose corrupt company and unheavenly influence will perish in the general ruin, and education that is merely worldly is like wood and stubble that will be consumed in the final conflagration rather than last into eternity.18MR 261.3+1

Those who would obtain the mercy promised in the gospel must be prepared and purified by hearing and obeying all the commandments of God, with a greater holiness than Israel needed to receive the law.Ms 125, 1906, par. 11–12 They are called to repent, turn to Christ, seek mercy and pardon, and be ready for His coming before the burning day when the unready will call on rocks and mountains in vain.LS 52.2–54.2

Conduct and conversation must show hope in Christ, for those who look for and hasten the day of God live holy and godly lives with talk and conduct centered in heaven rather than on worldly things.SCEV 26.5–27.3+2 Pure and holy conduct honors God and shows a person is born from above, regarding this world not as home but as a temporary dwelling while journeying as a pilgrim toward a better country.RH Feb 17, 1853+1 Home is heaven and citizenship is above, so life is not to be devoted to this world that is soon to be destroyed.Ms 96, 1899, par. 14

This rebukes professed Christians known only by profession, who dress and talk and act like the world to appear well in its eyes.RH Jun 10, 1852 Instead of decorating the body for worldly approval, the life is to be shaped by studying the word of God to be approved by Him.RH Jun 10, 1852 Because the end of all things is near, humility and seriousness replace pride, vanity, worldly friendship and careless levity.Ms 11, 1868, par. 8–9 Sober watching unto the end in all holy conduct and godliness requires putting away levity, glee, careless reckless words, laughing, jesting and joking, boastful self-confidence and seeking friendship with the world, since the world lies in darkness under Satan with destruction and the close of probation near.18MR 369.2–370.2

In view of coming destruction by fire, separation from unrighteous practices is required, with purity of thought and conformity to God's will and refusal to adopt the spirit and customs of unbelievers.1SP 64.3–65.1+2 Holy conversation means conduct, and such godly lives warn and instruct the world and condemn evil by example.1SP 64.3–65.1+1 That example reflects God's image and prepares the living righteous for translation, as Enoch's translation before the Flood represents the translation of the living righteous before the earth is destroyed by fire.1SP 64.3–65.1+2 Enoch exemplifies this call by serving God, seeking communion with Him, living as a holy example and teaching others to turn from evil and serve God more perfectly.SG3 56.1

A sharp, positive contrast with the world must be kept in daily work and not lessened by coming down to the worldly standard.CH 282.2 This means carrying principle into daily work, holding appetite under the control of reason, maintaining simplicity in dress, and living in holy speech and conduct while walking the humble path of obedience in simplicity, meekness and humility after the pattern of Christ.CH 282.2 For those given health work, this holy life is a light continually shining on the pathway of those whose habits are false, with abilities used wisely, health reform practiced with care, and preparation made to stand in the day of God.CH 282.2+1 The nearness of the end when the earth will be purified by fire demands purity of life and caution in deportment.GW 125.3 The wrecks of humanity, broken-down family altars, ruined homes, strange abandonment of principle, lowered standard of morality, and fast increase of the practices that brought judgment on the antediluvian world and caused Sodom to be destroyed by fire prove that end is close.GW 125.3

Receiving Bible truth through its transforming power changes heart and character, so that a person represents God in a well-ordered life and godly conduct.Lt 67, 1894, par. 24–25 This means walking humbly with God, not striving to obtain greater responsibilities but seeing one's special work and being faithful to duty.Lt 73, 1896, par. 32–33+2 In the school of Christ meekness and lowliness of heart are learned, economy is practiced in all lines, and the Lord's standard of perfection of character is held by self-denial and self-sacrifice instead of softening duty to fit natural character or trusting uneven judgment and devising and scheming.Lt 73, 1896, par. 32–33+2 Life is a battlefield and a race that must be run to gain victory, with principle implanted by God rather than duty accommodated to nature.Lt 73, 1896, par. 32–33+1

Because all things will be dissolved, only those who hear and obey the voice of the Lord should be connected with His institutions.Lt 73, 1896, par. 32–33 Proof that a man does not know himself and is unfit to manage is pleading for his own mind and judgment to be supreme, making mistakes that injure rather than restore because he does not understand responsibility to God and others.Lt 73, 1896, par. 32–33 The answer to what kind of lives to live is to trust in God rather than fallible human wisdom, practice His word, and show reverence for Him.STMW6 29.3–30.1 That humble, careful, circumspect walk in love, patience, forbearance, long-suffering and gentleness reveals God to all within the sphere of influence, working under His administration and as lights in the world.STMW6 29.3–30.1+1 It exposes the net of false theories, religions and philosophies spread to catch unwary souls, instead of exalting finite, changeable, erring men as dependence or sowing speculative theories, doubt, unbelief, fault-finding, accusing and evil that unsettle minds and cause souls to stumble to perdition.Lt 78, 1896, par. 9–10

To be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man, who shall judge every man's work and reward every man as his work shall be, selfishness in every form must be expelled from plans and service for God.Lt 71, 1897, par. 22–25 Silent envy, secret slander, injurious surmises and undue self-esteem must be guarded against, with the Lord kept ever before the mind.Lt 71, 1897, par. 22–25 Constant prayer to search the heart, know the thoughts, reveal any wicked thing and lead in the way everlasting keeps blinded discernment and evil suggestions from leading away from purity of action.Lt 71, 1897, par. 22–25 Faith working through love should purify the soul and shape children's characters, since the fires will cleanse the earth of moral pollution, so that God-fearing children shine as clear light amid moral darkness.Ms 12, 1898, par. 40

Belief in the coming dissolution and great conflagration that will soon consume buildings must be represented in buildings erected for God's work.CH 278.1 Ambitious plans are to be bound about and extravagance and improvidence guarded against, refusing large outlay on what will soon burn.CH 278.1 Money means souls and is to bring knowledge of truth to those under condemnation for sin and to keep the treasury supplied for appointed work.CH 278.1 In view of life's uncertainty, consideration of what manner of persons to be governs bearing, words and actions of members of Christ's body toward one another.LSEGW 255.1–3 Expectation of Christ's appearing calls for diligent preparation and readiness.Ms 66, 1886, par. 2–3