14:23Luke 14:23

The verse is the master's command to the servant to go out into the highways and hedges and urge people to come in so that his house may be filled.6T 76.3+2 It comes after those first invited refused and after others were brought from the streets and lanes of the city with room still left, belonging to the parable of the great supper in Luke 14:16-24 about how people receive the gospel invitation.Ms 149, 1898, par. 1–2+4 The supper is the gospel feast of grace through the only begotten Son, with all things now ready and the invitation sent to everyone who has had the light of truth.Lt 96, 1898, par. 10–12+2 To compel them to come in does not mean force or coercion, since people cannot be driven into truth, but means to urge earnestly, persistently and with importunity, laying hold of people to bring them as they are.Lt 182, 1909, par. 8–9+2 The compelling power is not force but urgency in the invitation and power in the inducements, the Holy Spirit working with the human agent, divine love and grace, and beholding the cross and righteousness in Christ.GW 505.2–506.3+2 The invitation goes without restriction or boundary to every soul and every class, rich and poor, high and low, and is the third and last call to the gospel supper, the last message of mercy now sounding to mankind near the close of earth's history.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+4

The command is the master's word to his servant to go out into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in so that the house may be filled.6T 76.3 It comes after those first invited refused the supper and after the poor, disabled, maimed, halt and blind had been brought in from the streets and lanes of the city, and when there was still room the servant was sent farther afield to bring in more so the house would be filled.Ms 149, 1898, par. 1–2+2 The first class honored by the invitation refused to come with excuses about buying ground, proving oxen and marrying a wife, and none of those men first bidden shall taste the supper nor be invited again, while the great feast prepared through God's only begotten Son is abundantly supplied with guests from beyond the city streets.Lt 96, 1898, par. 10–12+1 This sending to the highways and hedges is the third call to the gospel supper and marriage supper of the Lamb, extended to outsiders and to the Gentiles after the Jews rejected the message, with the refusal of the original guests meaning they will not share the feast.Ms 149, 1898, par. 1–2+1

The saying belongs to the parable of the great supper in Luke 14:16-24 about how people receive the gospel invitation, including the excuses made in refusing the invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb.19MR 245.4–246.1+2 Preached as a sermon text it makes a deep impression upon minds and carries a call for a work to be done in human hearts and a reformation of character giving close connection with God so that His house may be filled.2MR 259.3–260.4+1 The parable teaches a lesson reaching to the close of probation and does not support theories that distort or misapply its meaning.15MR 14.3–5 The parable was given by Christ while attending a feast He had accepted, using such dinners to control the table talk and give precious lessons adapted to the needs of His hearers, showing how the invitation was treated.Ms 19, 1899, par. 10–13 Publicans and sinners were drawn to Him because He had healed their sick, comforted their sorrowing, and taken their children in His arms and blessed them, and they listened with riveted, subdued attention when He spoke.Ms 19, 1899, par. 10–13 His sinless speech, with never an impure word, where every word was a savor of life unto life, was decidedly different from past feast conversation and brought Him a respect in marked contrast to that given the scribes and Pharisees, making them envious, and by this example He taught how to conduct oneself in company with the religious and the irreligious so that at any public gathering one need not want for something to say.Ms 19, 1899, par. 10–13

The feast represents the blessings of eternal life, and Jewish expectation pictured Abraham, Isaac and Jacob inside at the feast while the Gentiles stood outside looking on.ST May 4, 1915 Christ fulfilled the command by refusing the highest place among the teachers of the Jewish nation in order to take the gospel to the poor where highways and byways people are found, going from place to place that they might hear the words of truth.GW 43.4+1 That going was by the sea, on the mountainside, in the streets of the city, in the synagogue, and often in the outer court of the temple so that the Gentiles might hear.GW 43.4+2 In that going He explained the Scriptures with clearness, power and authority as one having authority and not as the scribes and Pharisees, so that the attention of the people was arrested, and this way of laboring is the way workers are to labor today.CH 347.5+2 His teaching was the word of God itself, meeting questioners with a plain appeal to what is written and what the Scripture says, and His words shed light on the teachings of patriarchs and prophets so the Scriptures came as a new revelation.ST Sep 26, 1916

The supper is the gospel feast, the provisions of grace provided through the only begotten Son, purchased at the cost of His life.Lt 96, 1898, par. 10–12+1 All things are now ready, and the invitation is being sent in this day to everyone who has had the light of truth.Lt 96, 1898, par. 10–12+3 Its principles apply even to attentive children who listen.Ms 59, 1895, par. 60–62 At camp meetings that call reaches sinners and church members, young and old, and those long absent, to impress hearts, convict, and convert.Ms 7, 1900, par. 1

Jesus as great Teacher gives a gracious invitation to finite fallen people needing pardon and peace to come to a bountifully spread table and make peace with God.Lt 89, 1898, par. 12–13 All are invited, and all who will are free to come.Lt 89, 1898, par. 12–13

The gospel invitation calls people to freely receive pardon and spiritual nourishment in Christ as the Bread of Life.Ms 184, 1898, par. 50–51+2 Refusing it rejects humanity's highest good, while accepting it honors the Giver and brings people into His service.Ms 184, 1898, par. 50–51 Those who accept are to draw family and relatives with them.Ms 184, 1898, par. 50–51 The heavenly feast represents rich blessings and knowledge from God, yet few were willing to come and receive them.Lt 117, 1896, par. 8 Those who refuse fail to recognize their need, though eternal interests are at stake.Lt 117, 1896, par. 8

Accepting the invitation is not enough; each one must be fitted by righteousness, putting on the wedding garment.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+1 That means stripping off inherited and cultivated traits of character that dishonor God, through a work in the heart and reformation of character that gives close connection with God.Lt 96, 1898, par. 10–12+2 Those who truly receive Christ and yield to obey God are so fitted by Christ's righteousness.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4

Those brought in come in common unsuitable dress with no fitness for the feast, so fitting apparel is provided for them.Ms 18, 1899, par. 15 Believers who come humbly receive freely Christ's righteousness pictured as a white spotless garment.Ms 143, 1898, par. 21+1 People must put it on before they will be ready for the prepared banquet.Ms 109, 1901, par. 9+1 The invitation offers a place at His banquet with peace and joy and the gift of that righteousness to bring people into His kingdom.Ms 109, 1901, par. 9+1

Those bidden must heed with readiness and be clothed with the wedding garment, the robe of righteousness, to be accepted when the Bridegroom comes to the marriage supper.Ms 8, 1874, par. 9–10 Otherwise they will be found speechless and told none which were bidden shall taste His supper.Ms 8, 1874, par. 9–10 The call to come in that the house may be filled is preached together with the warning of the man who came without the wedding garment.Lt 90, 1898, par. 3 Receiving the invitation is not enough, for those who would share the supper must have the pure linen garment woven in heaven, and there is no place in heaven for a life not joined with divinity.Lt 55, 1897, par. 26–29

Those who respond form a mixed company of true believers and apparent believers without Christ's righteousness who take their stand without ever putting on Christ.Ms 18, 1899, par. 14+1 Servants cannot refuse admittance to any who come since separation is given to no human.Ms 18, 1899, par. 14+1 Yet the Bible rule regarding disorderly members is to be carried out.Ms 18, 1899, par. 14+1 Guests in their ordinary condition are unfit until they receive and wear the robe Christ provides.RH May 8, 1900

Those first invited set aside the gracious invitation with frivolous excuses, letting other things take their attention rather than refusing outright, such as buying ground, proving oxen, merchandise and business cares, and marrying a wife.Lt 96, 1898, par. 10–12+4 In the parable of the gospel feast this is rejection through self-sufficiency and unbelief, preferring earthly goods and worldly advantages to the spiritual nourishment set before souls.Ms 22, 1889, par. 60–63+1 None of the men first bidden who insulted the master in this way will taste of his supper or share the feast, and they will not be invited again.Ms 149, 1898, par. 1–2+4 Those who refuse will come to a time when they would give all for another opportunity, but not one of them will be allowed to taste.Ms 19, 1899, par. 35–37

When those first invited reject the gracious invitation it is extended to others so the house may be filled, offering the benefits secured by Christ's sacrifice of rescue from sin, a place in his kingdom, and an eternal inheritance of glory.2T 40.2 Publicans and sinners who accept enter the kingdom, while those who refuse mercy, reject a life of obedience, and choose earthly pleasures instead will not share his glory.2T 40.2+1 Possessions and business cares make hearts unresponsive when worldly interests matter more than heavenly things, becoming excuses for disobedience.ST Apr 22, 1875 Those who lightly regard present opportunity and occupy high trust yet reject heaven-sent light and will not humble themselves to learn are left while outcasts, publicans, harlots, and those sunk in the lowest depths without God and without hope are called.Lt 54, 1898, par. 13–15+2

The refusal of the feast by religious teachers repeats the course of the Jewish rulers, coming from unwillingness to make a candid investigation of the Scriptures and from closing the eyes against evidence.Ms 23, 1900, par. 15 Such refusal blinds men to their peril and prepares continued opposition where the first step makes the second easier, showing hatred for the principles of Christ's character.Ms 23, 1900, par. 15 The call to the great supper was the coming of the promised Messiah the King of the Jews, for whom priests and elders claimed to look eagerly and to wait in anxious expectancy to go in immediately when called, proclaiming everywhere his coming to conquer enemies and set up his kingdom.ST Feb 10, 1898 They applied the prophecies of his second coming to his first advent, so when he came they did not know him and their profession of instant readiness proved false.ST Feb 10, 1898 The illustration convicted many, but some hesitated to accept from fear of the hatred of the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees.Ms 197, 1898, par. 12–13

The invitation must not be refused for family ties or other excuses, for each person has individual responsibility to accept and follow given light, a spouse's refusal or opposition does not excuse the other, and neglecting the call to please husband, wife, relatives, or children risks eternal loss.Ms 59, 1895, par. 63–65 The making of excuses is disobedience to a gracious invitation bringing unsparing judgment, and likewise children who treat obedience to God as optional and refuse with excuses, especially in Sabbath keeping, will face certain judgment, so parents must gather them into obedience as every member of a Hebrew family had to be gathered inside the blood-marked house on Passover night.Ms 59, 1895, par. 40–44 The marriage supper invitation is refused by those choosing to live for self rather than God, which is the self-righteous who reject the invitation and will not obey God's commandments and are unfit to live in God's presence or share heaven's service.Ms 81, 1898, par. 38 Answering the supper invitation with requests to be excused is ungrateful, and the call to bring people in stands against excusing for ease and worldly pleasures, while those who receive the invitation should instead work to warn the world.ST Sep 11, 1884

To compel them to come in does not mean force or coercion, or shackling the intellect, or physical force, for people cannot be driven into truth.Ms 11, 1894, par. 16–17+3 It means to urge earnestly, persistently and with importunity, listening to no excuse and laying hold of people to bring them as they are.Lt 182, 1909, par. 8–9+2 It is done through the effective appeal of the gospel and the weight of evidence from the Word, going beyond familiar places and usual gatherings including isolated areas to seek the honest in heart wherever they are to enter the kingdom, the highways and hedges picturing outreach into new places.Lt 182, 1909, par. 8–9+4

The compelling power is not force but urgency in the invitation and power in the inducements held out.GW 505.2–506.3+1 That power is the Holy Spirit working with the human agent, divine love and grace, the kindness and long-suffering of messengers, and a tender sympathetic spirit of faith working by love.GW 505.2–506.3+4 Beholding the cross and righteousness in Christ convicts of sin and righteousness and judgment, arouses conscience, brings regret for darkness and refusal of Christ, and constrains people to seek salvation.Ms 12, 1895, par. 22–24+1 Christ stands at the door and knocks, and when scorned or resisted returns to plead with greater force until gentleness wins souls.COL 235.1–236.1 He gives messengers yearning love to lay hold in tender pity on the dull, blind, degraded and discouraged who feel unfit, having compassion and pulling them out of the fire by kindness, courage, hope and strength, presenting his love and the danger of rejecting grace.COL 235.1–236.1

Compelling the lowest degraded outcasts who have scarcely sense enough to know they have souls means workers act in Christ's stead, hearing the call for them and holding fast without desisting.Ms 19, 1899, par. 27–30+2 It is done by persistent love, prayer and practical help: taking them in, washing them, clothing them clean, feeding hunger, preaching Christ as Restorer and great Medical Missionary who heals bodies and abused intellects, inviting them to sign the temperance pledge, and laying them at Christ's feet until they look on the cross and sanely choose the kingdom.Ms 19, 1899, par. 27–30 Then their weakened will must be carefully guided and they must be given work to win back manhood and womanhood.Ms 19, 1899, par. 27–30 To compel means persistently helping those who cannot grasp the invitation, see its goodness, or believe they are fit to be helped, with the same yearning love Christ has.ST May 4, 1915+1 Workers must not give up the discouraged and helpless but meet them with tender pitying love offering courage, hope, and strength, kindness being the urging power.ST May 4, 1915+2

Followers are to seek people from every place, including those sunk in sin, and lovingly urge them to accept so his house may be full.STMW11 16.3–17.3+1 Kindness and patience make the call compelling and lift the lost, while harshness and self-righteousness discourage them and leave them vulnerable to temptation.STMW11 16.3–17.3+1 Compelling means persuading souls who are near a decision and need encouragement by earnestly inviting them to come and presenting God's matchless love.Lt 128, 1895, par. 7–12 It is an appeal the Holy Spirit uses to move them to respond and not force, such invitations are to be made to believers and others, and those who answer are drawn to Christ and brought into his service.Lt 128, 1895, par. 7–12 People on the highways and hedges are compelled to come in by the overwhelming evidence of truth which the Lord impresses upon human hearts, so that many may enter.12MR 91.3–92.1+1

The call to come in compels response as Jesus and angels work with human agents to convict and draw hesitant, tried and tempted souls, with repeated invitations helping people take a public stand as witnesses and seek blessing, while responding believers encourage others to come.Lt 128, 1895, par. 13–17 Earnest invitations to seek Jesus help hesitant and tempted souls respond to the Holy Spirit and find salvation, and heavenly angels work with human messengers in calling people to come to Christ.Lt 128a, 1895, par. 8–11 The verse calls to go to those not yet responding and urge them in, not forcing truth on refusers, and seemingly unimpressible people are not to be abandoned but followed with prayer, persevering preaching, publications, pleading, and lived faith, which impresses unto life or condemnation, with publications spread widely to follow interest raised by preaching.Lt 34, 1875, par. 12

The command to earnestly urge people in to fill the house succeeds not by learned speeches, eloquent testimonies, or deep arguments but by simplicity adapted to souls hungering for bread of life asking what to do to be saved.COL 231.2–232.3+2 In this way thousands are reached humbly and even the intellectual are refreshed by simple words of one loving God speaking naturally, while well-prepared studied words have little influence and the honest natural expression of God's child opens long-closed hearts.COL 231.2–232.3+1 The worker must not labor in own strength but lay hold on God's throne in faith, wrestle in prayer, then work with God-given facilities with the Holy Spirit as efficiency and angels impressing hearts.COL 231.2–232.3 The invitation to fill the house must go out widely in simple words fitted to souls longing for salvation rather than depending on learned speeches or deep arguments, and had Jerusalem's leaders received Christ's truth the city could have become a missionary center with people of influence won to help gather many to the table.ST May 4, 1915

The whole world is the field and the whole human family is the congregation, and the invitation goes without restriction or boundary to every soul and every class, rich and poor, great and gifted, lowly and those in deep darkness, with as many as can be found to be sought out and bidden to come.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+4 It is to reach everyone without restriction and to continue throughout life in cooperation with God, to be organized and carried forward in unity so that the work of seeking and saving the lost may be done, offered to working people and the poor with no class excluded as a drawing to Christ through truth that meets every soul's need.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+2 The compassionate Redeemer bids servants give the supper call to rich and poor and work earnestly for those in the highways as well as those in the byways, presenting light clearly and steadily to draw people to Christ among the poor and those in high positions, going beyond those already near to every place so all may hear, receive light and truth, and pass it on.Ms 109, 1901, par. 8+2

The invitation is for the whole world including those fallen through sin to the very lowest depths, working people, the poor, and those who think they are not fit for such company or that their dress is not appropriate, who are to hear the call where the light of truth shines and be brought in as they are with no excuse listened to.Ms 19, 1899, par. 35–37+2 Those deeply degraded and unable to recognize need or see hope are not to be excluded or abandoned when they resist, but workers must persist in helping them by kindness and practical care, acting in Christ's stead and holding fast to lead them to look to the crucified Saviour so they may choose the kingdom.Ms 103, 1900, par. 13+1 It reaches outcasts, publicans, harlots, sinners, the heathen near and far, and those sunk in the lowest depths of spiritual wickedness without God and without hope, whom the first guests despised as having little value, and Christ draws them by loving-kindness in contrast to the self-esteem of those who stand apart and look down on others.GW 505.2–506.3+4 The kindness and long-suffering and patience of messengers becomes the compelling power to uplift and restore the fallen, and the invitation calls for response, for those who lightly regard present opportunity and make excuses risk losing a share in the blessing while those in high trust who reject heaven-sent light and will not humble themselves to learn are left and outcasts are called.GW 505.2–506.3+4

After a first refused invitation, going into city streets and lanes to bring in the poor, lame, halt, and blind was spoken before haughty Jews to show God would send the gospel to those they self-righteously despised and shunned as lepers, and these despised ones would accept what the first class rejected.Ms 75, 1895, par. 4 Accepting means giving up absorbing worldly interests, turning to preparation, and giving the whole heart, intellect, and strength, becoming as a branch grafted into the living vine drawing vital life from Christ to bear the Spirit's fruit in divine similitude, keeping His commandments and abiding in His love in healthful union through which God is revealed.Ms 75, 1895, par. 4 People sunk in intemperance, dissolute habits, and sin must still be invited though they feel unworthy and are too dull or blind to grasp the call, and patient earnest effort and loving kindness are to urge them with no excuse accepted for excluding them.6T 279.4–280.2 The call applies to the poor, disabled, socially overlooked, and those sunk in addiction and hardship, requiring deliberate efforts for those seeming unlikely to respond, for among them are people with hidden abilities and willingness to accept, the supper is offered even to those sunk very low, and such work is approved by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit.Lt 171, 1897, par. 6–8

Going into byways and hedges brings contact with people of widely different character who live up to all light they have and serve God as best they know yet feel a great work remains, longing for more knowledge of God, seeing only glimmerings of greater light and praying with tears for blessings discerned afar by faith.COL 234.2 Many are amid great-city wickedness in humble unnoticed circumstances unknown to ministers and churches yet the Lord's witnesses, with little light and few training opportunities yet seeking to minister amid nakedness, hunger, and cold, and servants must seek them, visit their homes, study the Bible and pray with them in simplicity inspired by the Holy Spirit, receiving a message as heaven's bread that spreads from heart to heart and family to family.COL 234.2 Going to the byways and hedges means going to the poor and lowly, to the courts and lanes of great cities and lonely country byways, to families and individuals perhaps strangers without church relations feeling God has forgotten them and not knowing what to do to be saved, many sunken in sin, distressed, suffering, want, unbelief, despondency, and diseased in body and soul longing for solace.COL 232.4–234.1+2 The work is to comfort the suffering and heal the sick and then place before them the great truths of the kingdom, relieving bodily suffering to reach the soul, pointing to the uplifted Saviour and great Physician who alone restores, telling the desponding and erring not to despair for God has joy to restore even His salvation, delights to take apparently hopeless material through whom Satan worked and make them subjects of grace, has healing and cleansing for every soul and a place at the table where He waits to welcome them, so the fallen are lifted, outcasts gathered, the invitation rapidly given, and salvation spread far and wide, including by feeding, cleansing, clothing, and unselfish kindness so even the indifferent and very low may believe in Christ's love.COL 232.4–234.1+1

The highways include people engaged in public and professional life and positions of influence, such as teachers, ministers, lawyers, judges, leaders, physicians, public officers, men in business life and high positions of trust, men of inventive faculties, scientific insight and genius, and teachers of the gospel whose minds have not been called to special truths for this time, who are to hear the call and be urged to come in so the house may be filled.Ms 19, 1900, par. 37–44+2 The feast was first given to the Jewish people called to stand as teachers and leaders, entrusted with prophetic scrolls foretelling the advent and symbolic service foreshadowing the mission that they might impart truth to the world, and when priests and people refused it was sent to the poor, maimed, halt, blind, publicans and sinners, and the same plan holds when the call goes to the Gentiles.COL 229.4–231.1 The wealthy and high-standing must be sought with tender affection and brotherly regard by kind personal approach, not neglected for devotion to worldly things or hesitation over position, warned plainly of soul peril as drowning men or men rushing over a precipice would be warned, awakened to responsibility as those entrusted with heaven's gifts and accountable to Him who shall judge living and dead, drawn from trust in riches and heart-sore hunger for peace to enduring value and rest in Christ's meekness, needing personal effort and a clear call to find peace in Christ, with even influential people able to repent, be converted, and serve.Ms 19, 1900, par. 37–44+1

Persevering determined effort is commanded for worldly moneyed men and men of property entrusted with means, showing them their duty and the necessities of the work, for the compassionate Redeemer bids servants give the supper call to rich and poor, take hold of the wealthy and bring them to the banquet of truth He has prepared with every provision, promising to receive them, seat them at His table and serve them Himself, and many souls will come.Ms 22a, 1902, par. 15+4 This means in solemn times warning the world and taking truth especially to the neglected moneyed class whose entrusted money is needed with workers needed, and workers placed in large cities such as New York must urgently compel people to come in, especially moneyed men of large business capability who never heard truth, presenting the Bible alone so the Spirit moves them to accept and obey, bring forth things new and old, clear obstructions, and use means to open doors, establish centers, and prepare the way for warning of the soon coming.Ms 22a, 1902, par. 15+2 The highways mean those entrusted with means holding the Lord's money even if not fully in the faith, and going means giving them the gospel message, showing necessities of institutions where the sick receive treatment for soul and body, making needs of places like Paradise Valley positively known and asking free gifts, with ministers, physicians, and other stewards soliciting means from those with surplus to bestow and put to usury, to be seen in the day of rewards.Ms 136, 1908, par. 10–11 Going to highways and hedges means earnestly seeking wealthy honorable men entrusted with goods as well as those in byways without passing them as hopeless, and compelling means bringing them in by persevering determined Christlike effort.Ms 109, 1901, par. 8+1

The invitation must go beyond byways and outcasts to highways as well and be carried widely so God's house may be filled, not confined to the already marginalized but also reaching wealthy people and making room for them to hear.Ms 75, 1906, par. 15+1 Those in the highways mean the higher class, whose neglected work requires all capabilities, and while the poor and destitute must never be neglected, without men or money for the very lowest classes workers are pointed to a higher grade where ripe harvest fields give strength to carry forward appointed lines.4MR 420.3–421.1+1 This highway work is first work by entering neglected cities not yet entered, rather than going into depths of iniquity in the cities, in fields ripe for harvest.Lt 164, 1901, par. 3–5 Those in highways and byways also mean the lower classes and those far from large settlements reachable in no other way, to be reached by canvassers as evangelists carrying readily selling small salvation books from house to house in out-of-the-way places and opening Scripture to willing learners, so entire families can be won.Lt 155, 1903, par. 1–6

Those in highways, hedges, towns, cities and dark unreached places must hear truth's call preparing Christ's coming, commanding God's people not to colonize or crowd in one place but as pilgrims and strangers to leave where unneeded, go into the harvest field, labor unselfishly, plant truth's standard in many places and make new centers, schools and sanitariums where nothing represents truth.Ms 94a, 1903, par. 9–16 Souls starving for the bread of life are found everywhere in highways and hedges among rich and poor, learned and unlearned, and God calls His people to study His Word so they can feed them saving truth bringing spiritual life.Lt 419, 1907, par. 8–17 The hedges represent out-of-the-way places where the light of truth had not reached, reached through the Morning Star and by boat so people could hear and receive the truth, where workers can sow seeds and people first learn truth.Lt 201, 1905, par. 1–6+2 Going to the hedges means going to places in the Southern field where the light of truth had never shone and workers otherwise could not reach, and a boat fitted as a missionary agency to carry workers and used as a home and place to receive people fulfills the command, its novelty exciting curiosity so many came to see and hear, sowing truth in many hearts where many first see light and angel feet have trodden.4MR 22.1–2 Workers may use boats to reach otherwise unreachable communities with light for those who have not heard, for the call to fill the house reaches out-of-the-way places represented by the hedges.3MR 269.1–3

The great gospel feast is for all classes including white and colored people in the South, many terribly degraded, and those given great light are appointed to bring them mercy and warning, with faithful unselfish work planting memorials in churches, sanitariums and schools, while leaving the field neglected condemns American Christian churches.Lt 193, 1901, par. 6 The invitation must go beyond first hearers to every class, with highways and hedges including the neglected downtrodden, and the colored people of the South should have been sought and invited to the feast.7T 222.1

The command to go to the highways and hedges is the third and last call to the gospel supper and to the marriage supper of the Lamb, the last message of mercy and last invitation now sounding to mankind near the close of earth's history.Ms 19, 1899, par. 20–23+4 After the first invited guests refused and none of them will taste the supper or be invited again, and after the poor, maimed, halt and blind were brought in from the streets and lanes of the city with room still left, the servant is sent farther out to compel outsiders to come in that the house may be filled, and the great feast prepared will be abundantly supplied with guests.Ms 19, 1899, par. 20–23+2 Giving that invitation is work for all to do, to be carried by human messengers linked together as laborers together with God in earnest whole consecration so the Holy Spirit works with them, together with heavenly angels while the feast is now spread, serving as a pattern for the work of the last message.Ms 19, 1899, par. 20–23+3 The compelling is the Holy Spirit presenting every inducement to constrain sinners to come, while Christ watches for the bolts removed and the door of the heart opened for His entrance, and angels and the hosts of heaven wait to carry the tidings upward and rejoice with harps and singing when another lost sinner is found and accepts the gospel feast.COL 237.2 This final urging is God's wonderful condescension in earnestly inviting all to spiritual blessings, going to the byways to seek the most degraded and helpless who were not exalted by ambitious projects, bidding all to come to the marriage supper of the Lamb.Ms 81, 1899, par. 14

Taking the gospel invitation to the whole world in the last days means going into highways and hedges to all classes, rich and poor, high and low, to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.COL 228.1–3 It is the last message of warning and mercy announcing Christ's soon coming, meant to arouse men absorbed in worldly pursuits, pleasure and money-getting and blind to eternal realities, awakening them to a sense of eternal realities so they give heed to the invitation to the Lord's table.COL 228.1–3 This worldwide proclamation will lighten the whole earth with its glory that God's house may be filled.COL 228.1–3 God's people are to give the world that last call to the gospel feast, the last invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb in the message of Christ's soon coming.6T 412.2+1 Thousands of places have not yet heard this call and many who should proclaim it have not yet done so, so young men are called to go out everywhere sounding it.6T 412.2+1

The final invitation sending the servant beyond the original guests so the house will be filled is the last message of warning and mercy proclaiming pardon and salvation to a fallen world.15MR 222.3 Those who receive the warning and refuse it by turning from light and truth have no later call to the heavenly feast after probation closes, with no second invitation.15MR 222.3 The parable of the call to supper teaches a lesson extending to the close of probation.Lt 11, 1890, par. 7

After the invited guests rejected mercy, the call was carried beyond Judaism to people in the highways and byways of the world, to the Gentiles.ST May 4, 1915+3 The feast invitation was first given to the Jewish people called to stand as teachers and leaders, entrusted with prophetic scrolls foretelling Christ's advent and symbolic service foreshadowing His mission that they might impart truth to the world.COL 229.4–231.1 When priests and people refused it and mistreated its messengers, it was sent to the poor, the maimed, the halt and the blind, to publicans and sinners whom the Jews despised and shunned, and the same plan holds when the call goes to the Gentiles, fulfilled when Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles after the Jews rejected the word of God, while those first invited but refusing will not share the supper.ST May 4, 1915+3 The invitation to God's kingdom is not limited to the Jews, but God's blessings are meant to reach others as well.COL 219.1 Luke 14:16-24 shows that gospel invitation, its rejection by the Jewish people with indifference, and the call of mercy to the Gentiles, in which when the invitation is slighted the householder shuts those first bidden out from tasting his supper, yet the feast is still provided with guests.COL 307.2–308.1

The highways include men with an active part in the world's work, teachers and leaders of the people, those in higher ranks of society, men in business life, in high positions of trust, men with large inventive faculties and scientific insight, men of genius, and teachers of the gospel whose minds have not been called to special truths for this time, who are to hear the call.COL 229.4–231.1 The wealthy and high-standing must be sought with tender affection and brotherly regard by kind personal approach, not neglected for devotion to worldly things or hesitation over position and calling.COL 229.4–231.1 They are to be warned plainly of peril of the soul as drowning men or men rushing over a precipice would be warned, awakened to responsibility as those entrusted with gifts of heaven and to account to Him who shall judge the living and the dead, drawn from trust in riches and from heart-sore hunger for peace to things of enduring value and to rest in Christ's meekness.COL 229.4–231.1 Christ's own invitation reached the highways and byways including the poor and Gentiles, for He carried words of truth from place to place and taught in the temple's outer court so Gentiles could hear.MH 20.2

The invitation must reach people in the highways and byways so the house may be filled by proclaiming testing truths to all people to reach their hearts with a message that awakens them, as the time message did in 1843 and 1844, through the Holy Spirit and without fanaticism.Lt 351, 1905, par. 14 The final invitation to the gospel feast is still being given, urging response before the day of the Lord comes, and it must be proclaimed clearly and in the spirit of Jesus.Lt 11, 1899, par. 4 The verse belongs to the parable of the marriage supper where invited people make excuses instead of accepting, and their refusal shows the danger of rejecting God's call, for as in the Passover those who disregard God's directions are not spared from judgment.15MR 224.3–225.2

The command is to be fulfilled largely by personal labor that seeks people where they are instead of waiting for them to come, following Christ's method of personal interviews and faithful regard for the one-soul audience through whom the message often extended to thousands, since multitudes will never be reached unless the gospel is carried to them and pulpit preaching is only the beginning.COL 228.4–229.3 The work is urgent because the world is perishing for want of the gospel, there is a famine for the word of God, few preach the word unmixed with human tradition, people have the Bible yet do not receive its blessing, and the word of everlasting life must be given to those perishing in sins.COL 228.4–229.3

Obedience means entering homes of rich and poor, especially lonely places darkened by sin, sorrow and affliction where people seldom have church or gospel privileges.CT 547.3–548.1+2 It is done by going house to house as singing evangelists who have learned to sing sweet gospel songs with melody and distinctness in melodious voices so words are easily understood, carrying melody and sunshine.RH Aug 27, 1903+1 Workers ask entrance to hold a song service and offer a few words of prayer asking God to bless and keep all present, which few will refuse, and this softens hearts and opens the way for prayer.RH Aug 27, 1903+1 Such going is genuine missionary work requiring conversion and earnest effort, and God blesses those who do it so they see His salvation.RH Aug 27, 1903+1

Going out means house-to-house work visiting families, reading the Bible to willing listeners, teaching truth personally with earnest prayer, drawing close to understand needs and show sincerity without stirring opposition.AA 363.2–364.1+2 This neighbor-to-neighbor sharing of Scripture restores broken family worship, awakens interest, leads neighbors to share light, converts many, and gives spiritual power and words that reach hearts.AA 363.2–364.1+3 Ministers are to seek people beyond the usual audience and bring them into God's household by visiting homes, teaching families, drawing close enough to meet needs, working personally as well as by public preaching in cooperation with God.AA 363.2–364.1 Those who open Scriptures to others work with the Holy Spirit, give God's words and sow seed without knowing which efforts will prosper, while God gives the increase.Ms 139, 1898, par. 44

The verse commands personal labor bringing truth close to people so God's house may be filled through house-to-house work entering homes and teaching families, drawing close and by earnest ministry breaking barriers public preaching never reaches.RH Dec 29, 1904 Those obeying in whole consecration, ready to go where providence sends and speak words given them with hearts throbbing in unison with Christ, cooperate with God and are clothed with spiritual power.RH Dec 29, 1904 Christ guides them and enters houses with them and gives words sinking deep into hearts, while the Holy Spirit endorses the work opening hearts and minds to receive rays from the source of light, touching family members through prayer in the home as prayer in public assembly does not.RH Dec 29, 1904

Filling God's house is done by taking light into homes, visiting and speaking with those needing truth and urging them to come in, with ministers following public preaching by private effort visiting interested people, building trust, and praying with and for them.7MR 37.2–3+2 This brings the message directly to those in darkness so they recognize grace through workers' conduct and words, and may reach people held in error and moral darkness though difficult and requiring earnest personal effort not merely preaching from the pulpit.7MR 37.2–3+2 The command is fulfilled by carrying light directly into interested houses, visiting families, conversing with souls needing light at the right time, and praying with them, instead of ministers holding back writing and working with books.Lt 55, 1874, par. 11–13 Though a cross, this house-to-house compelling brings holy angels right into the forts of error and moral darkness, and when all ministers do it a work will be seen not yet realized.Lt 55, 1874, par. 11–13

The invitation is to be carried beyond usual worship places into highways and hedges by going out to search for the lost and bring the message of mercy and truth to bring them into the fold.RH Nov 19, 1914+1 It applies to sharing the saving message house to house especially with friends and neighbors not yet having full evidence of truth, where simple Bible teaching, prayer, and praise in family homes can lead to salvation.RH Nov 19, 1914+1 Members are to do evangelistic work in homes presenting truth in love and sympathy from house to house in harmony with Christ's instruction to disciples on their first missionary tour, and many will be reached through songs of praise, humble heartfelt prayers, and simple presentation of Bible truth in the family circle while the divine Worker sends conviction.Ms 65, 1907, par. 7 The message goes to highways and byways of life to fill the house by carrying it into neighbors' homes through loving simple evangelism, where humble service, songs of praise and heartfelt prayers reach many while God brings conviction.RH Oct 6, 1910

The gospel goes beyond familiar places directly into homes where God-serving women reach needy sin-stricken people by personal evangelism reading and explaining the word, praying with families, caring for the sick, and meeting practical needs.6T 118.1 Their work presents truth as purifying and transforming and shows following Jesus brings peace and joy.6T 118.1 Going beyond meetinghouses and established settings into public places and outlying roads means outdoor preaching and working towns and villages as well as cities with present truth, giving intelligent people including temperance advocates opportunity to know the third angel's message.Lt 182, 1909, par. 8–9+1 Open-air meetings may be useful on special occasions but are not the regular method.GW92 339.2

Presenting truth in public places fulfills going into the highways and hedges, and when truth is presented in the highways the hedges will be opened and the work will extend further.Lt 168, 1909, par. 5 Christ preached in public places where a small group grew into a great company, and the application includes outdoor gatherings, tents and public halls so people may be reached and God's house filled.9T 63.2+1 Truth is to be proclaimed in public places among people in ordinary paths of life by sensible rational methods, not theatrical displays or extraordinary spectacle, with workers revealing Christ's excellence through lives shaped by His example.HMW 9.3–10.1+1 The gospel is to be proclaimed openly along highways and byways so people from every place can hear, applying to meeting people in busy cities, travel centers and other public places, presenting truth clearly and inviting people to receive it.RH Jan 25, 1906

The command outlines the work of the canvasser and all consecrated spokesmen to enter homes, sound the warning in highways and byways of life, proclaim the gospel, speak truth in love to perishing souls, leave reading matter containing present truth, and circulate Object Lessons as the missionary invitation to the marriage supper.Ms 67, 1903, par. 34–35+3 It gives a present commission to go to people where they are and urge them in so God's house is full, fulfilled when workers go as evangelistic canvassers entering many homes and leaving present truth, and selling and circulating Object Lessons does this missionary work making hearts joyful with peace and joy even when the cross first seems heavy.Ms 67, 1903, par. 34–35+1 The invitation is to go to all including men of wealth and influence who will come if invited, some will refuse but not all, and the work is urgent because things of this world are soon to perish as only the divinely enlightened keeping pace with God's work discern, so no business or other work must hinder it.Ms 46, 1903, par. 25+2

Highways and hedges are places where printed Bible truth can reach seekers, so the verse applies to diligent literature distribution with every page as a means to bring truth and salvation.RH Nov 5, 1914 It includes going into home-field byways and hedges to sow truth by selling periodicals which both spreads truth at home and earns means for foreign fields, and God blesses this labor so it is not done in vain.CH 465.2+1 Carrying truth into highways and hedges is done by printed pages containing present truth, every page a ray of light from heaven shining to shed light on truth's pathway, so every line of printed matter with present truth is a sacred treasure and even fragments of pamphlets or periodicals are valuable to be kept and passed on.RH Aug 27, 1903+1 As food increased passing from Christ to those accepting it in feeding the multitude, God's truth multiplies greatly as publications are passed out, their influence on a seeker cannot be estimated and somebody would be glad to receive every spare page.Ms 67, 1903, par. 36–37

Going to highways and hedges with truth means taking books to neglected places and surrounding territory to warn that the Lord is coming soon and many are unready and to interest souls in present truth.HMW 39.3+1 It is learned by doing, using one's gift, imparting received light, repeating truth in simplicity and love without human wisdom or seeking something new and strange, speaking truth as in Jesus and presenting doctrine in simplicity of true godliness so it speaks to hearts.HMW 39.3 Converted men with converted hearts are called to take books and labor thus instead of erecting large buildings, and giving all opportunity to labor for souls in this way increases ability and qualifies for greater work and will be greatly appreciated.Lt 94a, 1909, par. 32–33 Going into highways and hedges means entering neglected vineyard portions and needy hill settlements to open Scripture to hungry souls in darkness who do not understand truth and let life's light shine to them.Ms 15, 1909, par. 7–9

That entering is done by establishing small mission schools and family mission schools and doing house-to-house work teaching precept upon precept here a little and there a little, gradually leading people into full Bible light.Ms 15, 1909, par. 7–9 Christ set the example traveling place to place laboring for souls as one equal with the Father, some must do a large work in broader field in response to general calls but others moved by Christ see necessity of this neglected work and delight in it.Ms 15, 1909, par. 7–9 Every worker is to stand in lot and place, none is to discourage or turn away those appointed to it, those knowing truth and concealing its light are accountable for neglecting duty, and earnest effort brings the Lord's blessing on workers and seekers.Ms 15, 1909, par. 7–9

Carrying the invitation beyond the city to those along highways and hedges is fulfilled by medical missionary work and care for the poor, suffering and sick, preaching the gospel to the poor, showing mercy and relieving sickness in body and soul for those troubled by sin, poverty and sickness.HL 271.1+1 Churches in every locality are responsible for this neglected commission, those giving themselves to it do the work the Lord would have done and He will accept their service, and faithful work brings many saved people into the church.Ms 18, 1897, par. 1–4+1 Medical missionary work is part of carrying truth into highways and byways inviting broadly so many may be helped and brought to truth, and ministers and members are to cooperate in it.RH Jan 14, 1902+1

The invitation reaches byways, hedges and highways of life including the poor, hungry, suffering, helpless, sick and perishing unable to help themselves, who are to be invited to the feast to fill the house.Ms 14a, 1897, par. 11–12+1 Meeting physical needs with tender care is an essential first step bringing them into contact with Christ and restoration, then bringing them to Christ and the gospel, and many will respond to the hand stretched to save them.Ms 14a, 1897, par. 11–12+1 Through sanitariums the sick and suffering in highways and byways are to learn Christ's healing power, and those receiving light are to live as God's medical missionaries working with Christ to relieve suffering.STB 609.1 Christ's invitation must be carried beyond the usual circle to people in deep need including society's outcasts by seeking and caring for them through medical missionary work feeding, cleansing and clothing them so they learn their souls matter, and even if only a few accept grace the effort is not in vain because every soul is precious to God.STMW11 24.2–25.1+1

The banquet invitation made at infinite cost must be carried into highways and byways so all may hear and the house be filled, by which those ignorant of truth and those enslaved by body-and-soul-destroying habits are brought within its influence and won through Bible truth.1MR 226.3–4+1 Sanitariums help them learn better living, and angels impress hearts.1MR 226.3–4+1 It is God's design for sanitariums to take important part in giving the message of Christ's soon coming and salvation through Christ to those in highways and byways including people from higher walks of life who can be reached in no other way, who will come for treatment and when they leave will tell others of benefits received and induce others to come.RH Mar 30, 1905 People in highways and byways are to be reached and invited in through health reform work without delay, and sanitariums fulfill the command by gathering outsiders where many will receive and obey present truth while learning to care for bodies and become sound in faith.PMMEP 25.3+3 There they are also to be taught that eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God means receiving Christ's words which are spirit and life.9T 168.2

The parable of the supper is the last call to the supper God has prepared, fulfilled in medical missionary work calling people to come in.11MR 217.3–218.3 Those responsible were to accept and advance it, those obstructing or refusing to cooperate placed a stumbling block before the people, and the call must go forward even without their consent.11MR 217.3–218.3 The invitation to fill the house is the last invitation to the supper, and medical missionary work corresponds to it by bringing Christian work to people in cities where the poor and suffering are found.Ms 183, 1898, par. 28 True religion leads its advocates to go into highways and byways to help the suffering as faithful shepherds seeking lost sheep and lambs in the wilderness to save and lead back the perishing.SW 45.1 This going melts frozen selfishness, melts barriers of race and caste, removes obstacles barring others from truth as in Jesus, changes the poor and distressed, helps neighbors see truth and serve acceptably and form Christlike character, causing pure religion to shine as a bright light.SW 45.1

The verse commands carrying the third angel's message to all peoples in highways and byways in preparation for Christ's coming, presented everywhere before public congregations and from house to house as revealed in God's Word and in simplicity.Ms 15, 1909, par. 11–13 It requires a large work in great cities but far more than cities alone, reaching out-of-the-way places, homes along highways, places far from crowded centers, and families in hedges needing to learn whether they understand Jesus' work for His people.Ms 15, 1909, par. 11–13 It means inquiring house by house whether people heard the message, whether truth reached their ears, whether they understand the end of all things is at hand and God's judgments impending, and whether they realize every soul was bought with infinite price.Ms 15, 1909, par. 11–13 Old or young understanding truth as in Jesus are not to wait for workers of highest talent but visit those lacking comfort of grace and acquaint them with God's love and provision for salvation so His house may be filled, meeting serious difficulties with God as helper opening ways.Ms 15, 1909, par. 11–13

Men and women in highways, byways and hedges must be reached by urgent work in cities and villages for all classes because the world is perishing in ignorance of God's holy law.Ms 7, 1908, par. 14 The work is the gospel of the third angel's message carried as Christ carried it through all cities and villages teaching, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing sickness and disease, to gain conversions adding to the church those who shall be saved.Ms 7, 1908, par. 14 Going into highways and hedges to compel souls out of Christ to come in so the Lord's house may be filled calls for longing after lost souls, forgetting nice houses and fine things, bearing reproach for Christ, fixing mind on things above, living truth before the world, and helping others by life as well as words so souls are won to Jesus.Ms 20, 1888, par. 75–79 The work is urged by hope of life beyond this little life, eternity of happiness with no death, sickness, pain or sorrow, streets paved with gold, and seeing the King in glory, which requires character changed here and learning here to sing of goodness and talk of power and redemption rather than expecting to enter heaven with sins unchanged.Ms 20, 1888, par. 75–79

Preparing highways and hedges means using every opportunity to speak for Jesus, comfort the tried and tempted with promises of God's Word, and bring them to the light.Lt 377, 1904, par. 15+1 Going to highways and hedges includes men, women and youth selling Object Lessons and telling in simple words their self-denying effort to free schools from debt.Ms 43, 1903, par. 3 Those in highways and hedges are people outside the church reached by this sale, and compelling them to come in happens as purchases are blessed and preach many sermons, softening hearts, impressing minds deeply, and convicting and converting sinners.Ms 43, 1903, par. 3

The command lays individual responsibility, individual effort and personal sacrifice on every follower to minister to the sick and the poor and to give the gospel to the lost, and this work cannot be left to committees or organized charities nor done by proxy but requires direct touch and personal ministry through which the blessings of the gospel are communicated, with a reflex blessing that makes the despondent forget despondency, the weak strong and the ignorant intelligent.CH 420.5+3 Every believer is commanded to go into the highways and byways to seek the lost, not the ordained minister alone but humble men and women, youth and even children, for God will use the feeblest wholly submitted instruments to reach souls a minister cannot reach by carrying the Bible with a warm heart, telling personal experience of what truth has done, and praying in faith for success, and communicating light gives more light.HL 274.5+2 Success does not require learned eloquent workers but humble Christlike men and women who have learned from Jesus to be meek and lowly and who trusting His strength go into the highways and hedges to say Come for all things are now ready.ST Feb 3, 1904 The work belongs not only to the educated or salaried, for humble ordinary men and women fully giving themselves to God, moved by His Spirit and aided by angels, can become messengers of grace blessing others as they carry truth into every part of life to otherwise neglected people without requiring a long course of formal education, and should give time and ability freely without all depending on conferences for support with hearts throbbing in unison with Christ's love.STBk 166.1+4

Humble men meek and lowly in Christ's school, not learned or eloquent men, must go to highways and hedges to save perishing souls by house-to-house visiting, talking and praying with the unwarned about the soon-coming Saviour with personal interest where they are and carrying present truth and the last mercy message to their own people, including trained colored workers for their race in the South where unsafe for whites, becoming channels of light in humility and harmony and succeeding as they beg at midnight for loaves for hungry souls.RH Sep 21, 1905 Young people should begin working for God without waiting for human examination to certify them, faithfully and generously using knowledge and ability they already have to share light, peace, truth and blessings God gives.7T 281.2+2 Those having the highest education found in the living God's Word are to carry truth's light into highways and byways so God's salvation is remarkably revealed, for that education teaches humble submission to God and belief in just what the Word says, and with God's Spirit its possessors go to give light to others.FE 532.1+1 Christ commissions followers to go to highways, hedges and byways bearing truth's message and sowing truth's seeds to bring souls to gospel faith, and Christian schools are to be conducted to develop missionaries for this work.FE 529.2+1

Workers are to be trained to go into highways and hedges to carry light simply and effectively, and this training work as at Madison is God's will, so those in responsible places must not mourn over it or criticize those engaged in it but humble their hearts, strengthen educators to continue and encourage similar work in many places, and then a great work will be done in a short time.Lt 32, 1908, par. 10 Filling the Master's table requires ministers entrusted with God's word to carry intense burden and travail of soul and labor for souls where they are, heathen near and far, wholly consecrated and linked as laborers with God so the Holy Spirit works with them, schools are to prepare missionaries, and the work should not be hindered by ministers' objections but follow Christ's example letting light shine amid moral darkness, for the last invitation is now spread and must go from human lips.Lt 89, 1898, par. 10–11+3 Obedience requires steady purpose, undying interest and ever-increasing importunity for souls Satan seeks to destroy, with earnest yearning energy nothing may chill, seizing every opportunity in private and public, presenting every argument and motive of infinite weight to draw men to look to Jesus and accept His life of self-denial and sacrifice and give joy to His heart by using every gift, and this personal labor to fill God's house has not yet been fully done.GW 505.2–506.3+4 Determined earnest work is called for to bring souls into the marriage supper of the Lamb, joined with wrestling with God in prayer, believing, receiving and working together with Him for their salvation.6T 66.1

Bringing people in is to be organized and carried forward in unity so Christ's work of seeking and saving the lost may be done, reaching every class including those in new places.Ms 3, 1899, par. 11 God's work must carry truth beyond churches to highways and hedges to bring people in, and medical missionary work is part of God's order that must be done, with the invitation given with interested solicitous hearts while standing firm for old landmarks of truth, experience and duty, yet medical missionary work is only one part as the hand to the body, not all and in all, not weakening any line of faith nor ignoring the ministry but combined with warning, arousing and instructing churches to help the needy.8T 160.1–161.1+3 Special effort is called for in unworked, unwarned and neglected fields rather than drawing people into one center such as Battle Creek, seeking people where they live with the Bible in hand telling them something precious is available, carrying saving truth to cities and surrounding regions including men of large estates never visited and scattered communities where small schools reach the honest in heart, taking the message wherever there is an opening though many make excuses, opening Scripture simply and beginning by serving those nearby.Ms 15, 1909, par. 2–3+4

The command also applies to urgent organized evangelism in large cities among those not yet hearing, requiring faithful workers and wise use of means for strong sustained outreach, and to pressing forward with human effort, resources, self-denial and sacrifice devoted to saving souls.Ms 45, 1910, par. 5–6 Both highways and hedges must be worked and neither neglected, highways calling for bringing truth before those found there and hedges for reaching those scattered through surrounding regions besides great cities, devising means even where few live, with small schools in needy communities as one important means, and when the missionary spirit takes hold many young and old will go and compel the honest in heart to come in.Ms 15, 1909, par. 4–5 The hedges represent districts and people otherwise unreached, and members can visit neighbors, share Scripture and literature and work together, and with wise planning and perseverance truth can reach every district and the converted can teach others, with leaders equipping members and steady devotion bringing success.RH Jan 25, 1912+2 The invitation to the gospel supper is a work for churches everywhere to go beyond their immediate circle and earnestly invite so His house may be full, including nearby families overlooked, for neighbors are all needing sympathy and aid especially those wounded by evil, with no territorial, social or caste boundaries, and this sends churches in every place to carry light in faith into all earthly highways and byways while living in the world without being of it as separate pure holy reflectors of Christ the Sun of Righteousness.6T 294.1–2+2

The invitation is to be carried everywhere, not confined to particular places, to all cities and villages and in highways and byways, sowing truth wherever access is gained even when some do not receive it or no immediate fruit appears, and lack of visible results is no reason to stop or be discouraged.STMW7 4.2+2 In large cities such as New York workers must urgently compel people to come, especially monied men of large business capability who never heard truth, and when the Bible alone is presented the Spirit will move them to accept, bring forth things new and old, clear obstructions and use entrusted means to open doors, establish centers and prepare the way for warning of the soon coming of the Lord, after the first bidden excused themselves for land, oxen and marriage and after the poor, maimed, halt and blind were brought from streets and lanes with room still remaining.Lt 132, 1901, par. 4–6 God's work in the highways means strong evangelistic work in Washington the nation's capital to be carried forward with rejoicing as deep interest is aroused, not weakened by needed laborers being called elsewhere nor broken into by calls from elsewhere but carried forward in straight lines.HMW 7.2–3+1 The highways mean those entrusted with means, men of property holding the Lord's money even if not fully in the faith, and going means giving them the gospel message, showing necessities of institutions where the sick receive treatment for soul and body, making the need of places like Paradise Valley positively known and asking free gifts, with ministers, physicians and other stewards soliciting means from monied men and those with surplus bestowing gifts and putting means to usury to be seen in the day of rewards, including establishing health institutions, multiplying sanitariums and inviting the wealthy class as the Lord's financiers.Ms 136, 1908, par. 10–11+3

Money and strength should be spent in world highways and hedges among unenlightened dark minds rather than on those knowing truth but not practicing or communicating it, and Christian teachers and youth must stop procrastinating in years of study and detention from duty and go at once to neglected fields to enlighten minds and introduce truth's leaven for character transformation, as Philip when he received light at once called Nathanael, for people learn by exercising abilities and ministers should put idle people to work correcting mistakes and setting them to work again.FE 364.1+2 The commission given to the first disciples means the message must reach highways and hedges through special advantages for quick timely work at small expense, and those in counsel and responsibility should accept them in faith and largeness of heart, since neglecting such opportunity closes a door and loses souls.Lt 320, 1908, par. 1–2 The charge was given to those who received Jesus as Messiah through the apostles' work after expulsion from synagogues, with Christ opening the door no man could shut, and it requires not building fine churches and settling as pastors but going constantly place to place proclaiming salvation through Christ.Ms 75, 1903, par. 11–12 Servants are to go without delay beyond places where the message is established including neglected population centers and invite people into God's house so it may be filled, and the call forbids passing by multitudes and concentrating resources in a few places while other equally needy places receive little attention.Lt 28, 1910, par. 11

The verse commands the great work for this time of going everywhere nigh and afar into highways and hedges to diffuse light by holding forth words of life, with sent workers as God's own property whom no man or council may take charge of and keep under control.STMW9 4.1+1 Sharing words of life and bringing people into God's house is to reach everywhere near and far including highways and hedges, and this work is not to be taken under control of one person or council as though God's workers belonged to them.STMW9 4.1 The missionary character and work of the church is to carry truth, light, peace, hope and joy in all directions to those in highways and hedges, meaning those nigh and afar off, those in heights and depths, everyone in darkness of error, and the whole church is responsible for this sacred commission with no boundary, and every member knowing truth is accountable to enlist every power so everyone hears, receives light and truth and transmits it to others.21MR 451.3–5 Servants must carry the invitation everywhere beyond reached places with every church member knowing truth working while time lasts and every learned or unlearned person bearing the message in highways and hedges from nearby people to towns and cities not hearing the warning.Lt 28, 1898, par. 6

Servants are to seek people beyond usual gatherings and urge them in so God's house may be filled, a work belonging not to ministers alone but to members and publication workers who personally visit homes, open Scripture and share the message in neighborhoods and surrounding settlements, doing personal work for souls and seeking ways to bring them in.Ms 53, 1910, par. 14+1 Leaders are to call their forces into active missionary work with all going forth as the first disciples went into byways and highways to teach truth and become laborers in the Lord's vineyard, working diligently and not as idlers to win souls, because one soul saved is of more consequence than all the riches of the world, each member asking whether opportunities are improved and what fruit is borne.Lt 320, 1908, par. 4 God's watchmen are to call all people to the gospel feast and to service for the Master, reaching into new fields with God's people cooperating including by giving means to establish the work.Lt 4, 1899, par. 27–28 The Lord God of heaven uses His people to carry His work into highways and hedges so His name may be glorified, and the verse calls churches to more missionary work and more missionary spirit at once because time is passing.Ms 138, 1909, par. 18

Servants are to seek and warn people in highways and byways now, working earnestly and tirelessly because the work will soon be finished.STB 411.2 Many will make excuses, but the work must still be pressed forward in every field wherever there is an opening, with human effort, resources, self-denial and sacrifice devoted to saving souls, pressing the invitation earnestly to fill God's house.Lt 77, 1893, par. 48–52+1 The invitation goes to all including men of wealth and influence, who will come if invited though some refuse, and the work is urgent because things of this world are soon to perish, discerned only by those divinely enlightened who keep pace with God's work, and no business or other work must hinder it, and this outlines the canvasser's work and all consecrated spokesmen sounding the warning, proclaiming the gospel, speaking truth in love and giving the marriage supper invitation in highways and byways of life with Christ in the heart.Ms 46, 1903, par. 25+2 The verse calls for reaching people beyond established routes and places, with byways and hedges applied to missionary work in every city, and acting on God's Word in this way can produce results like those attending Dr. Kellogg's work.Ms 14a, 1897, par. 23

The verse calls for entering unwarned highways and byways with truth where people will respond, and as interest grows places to meet and opportunities to speak will open, requiring persistent outreach to people where they are.Lt 6, 1910, par. 2–4 The verse calls for light of truth to reach people in byways and hedges, applied as taking the warning of the approaching end to the world.9T 106.2+1 Taking truth's light into byways and hedges means the world must be reached with warning of the approaching end.9T 106.2 The call for the warning message to go into highways and byways reflects the verse in the broad spread of that message throughout America.Lt 30, 1910, par. 4–5

The highways and hedges represent places where people gather to hear the invitation, as in a meeting in Hastings attended by thirty-five people despite heavy rain where hearts were softened by the Holy Spirit.Ms 85, 1893, par. 57–60 The verse points to taking the gospel into highways and byways and using needed means to work in cities and reach people there.Lt 354, 1905, par. 8 The gospel invitation must reach people everywhere across social classes to bring them into God's kingdom, with highways and hedges as places beyond usual outreach, applied to house-to-house soul-winning preparing people for the marriage supper of the Lamb, with practical enterprises like restaurants serving their purpose only when managed to save souls by most earnest efforts for outsiders, pure food, free reading matter, health lectures and best use of periodicals, tracts, pamphlets and books, leaving no opportunity unimproved.RH Feb 16, 1905+1 Every person must go to those outside the congregation in cooperation with Christ the great Medical Missionary Worker each in his own service, with faithful evangelistic canvassing fully as important to God as Sabbath preaching and the faithful canvasser as approved as any minister, both to shine in their spheres as true missionaries when converted.Lt 186, 1903, par. 3

The call to reach people wherever they are and bring them in applies to people reached through canvassing, whose hearts may be touched, convicted and converted by the message.7MR 336.1–2 The call to the prepared supper is carried in this time through canvassing work of great responsibility and evangelistic nature helping give a greatly needed warning, greatly blessing those taking it up earnestly and consecrated, to be done willingly and unselfishly with no time to lose.Ms 113, 1901, par. 13–16 The verse commands urgent work in yet-unworked highways and byways that have not heard truth, and because time is short and signs of Christ's coming are fast fulfilling, urgent inducements must be offered to men who should do missionary work, with young men going now as canvassers and evangelists in house-to-house work as fishermen were called and even from the plow, rather than binding themselves for years under human direction.Lt 169, 1903, par. 3–5+1 The invitation beyond the already reached to highways and hedges is carried by humble Christlike workers inviting because all is ready, applied to personal evangelism among neighbors and daily encounters through loving visits, conversation, prayer, sympathy and simple Bible truth.RH Nov 21, 1907

The call reaches beyond expected guests including those in highways and byways so God's house may be filled, and believers must take the message simply and earnestly to people who have not had Christ presented to them, and those who receive the word may then share it with others.Lt 144, 1909, par. 2–3 Those accepting the invitation receive Christ's grace and are moved to urge others to salvation, persisting despite rejection or abuse with earnest untiring missionary spirit.Ms 197, 1898, par. 1 God's work advances as one person's light leads others to be kindled and brought to the Saviour, reaching beyond the usual circle and urging them to come so God's house may be filled.GW92 338.2 Believers are to teach truth by searching for souls in highways and byways, laboring for them as those who must give account, and obedience to the Lord's will makes this soul-searching work prosperous, and living and practicing sacred Bible truth causes such workers to be respected, with the glory of the Lord going before them and His righteousness as their rearward.Lt 50, 1909, par. 5

The work of searching for souls in highways and hedges meets serious difficulties that must be met and overcome, and the worker is not to fear nor be discouraged for God is the helper and will open ways before His servants, and this means presenting the third angel's message to all peoples everywhere before public congregations or from house to house in simplicity, in great cities and far more, in out-of-the-way places, homes along highways and families in hedges, inquiring house by house whether they heard, whether truth reached their ears and whether they understand the end is at hand and every soul bought with infinite price, with old or young who understand truth not waiting for highest talent but visiting those without comfort of grace.Ms 15, 1909, par. 11–13+1 Going where need is seen in highways and hedges stirs compassion and shows true sacrifice for God, and obeying requires covenant by sacrifice, earnest seeking for blessing, praying in faith and working unitedly to save children and labor for neighbors as if eternal life means something, bringing the joy of the Lord.Ms 19, 1909, par. 27 Obeying requires first coming to the banquet of truth and then going to highways and hedges to compel souls by presenting Christ's great offering, presenting truth in simplicity and love as Christ directed His disciples.Lt 177, 1903, par. 8 Gospel work in highways and hedges specified by God is seen in missionary work in the South carrying light simply but effectively to do a great work, and it is not to be mourned, criticized or blocked, for blockers are not led by God's Spirit, while those in responsibility should humble their hearts, leave workers alone and encourage similar work.Lt 32a, 1908, par. 26

Proclaiming in highways and hedges means going without the camp to most unpromising places to teach truth and labor for conversion, with older and younger members taking hold, especially young men and women of little experience who give themselves to God and are vitalized by the Holy Spirit, rather than preaching to the churches.Ms 3, 1901, par. 5 The verse is a call to proclaim truth beyond churches in highways and hedges including places that seem unpromising so people may be brought to God.17MR 47.5–48.1 The light of present truth must shine in byways and hedges, and everyone must take personal part in spreading a worldwide message to every city, town, village, little mountain settlement and all surrounding towns and settlements, following Christ who stood at the lakeside and in great thoroughfares of travel to preach the gospel, sustaining city and country workers, holding camp-meetings, using lent means and letting reform be seen so no reproach comes on truth.Lt 184, 1908, par. 6–9 A work very different from past work is to be done in cities of America by sending out seventy with a special message to open the way to those in darkness, for highways and hedges hold souls needing salvation, not only respectable classes but fallen and degraded to be gathered in, including many mentally blind and wounded, those with educational privileges and receptive faculties who yielded to temptation and those with more than ordinary talents dead in trespasses and sins who must be sought and labored for, bringing Christ's cooperation while neglect for self-service brings accountability for thousands perishing.Ms 33, 1899, par. 6–7

Going out to highways and hedges means urgent proclamation to all people without distinctions of rank, caste, denomination or sect, to bring people in now with no time to lose.15MR 223.1 Personal missionary work is to seek people outside the fold and bring them into truth everywhere including nearby cities and neglected places through earnest effort to proclaim the third angel's message and win sinners to the Saviour.Lt 43, 1903, par. 22–23 The final invitation to enter God's house is to be carried into highways and byways including cities, calling for work among people degraded by tobacco and alcohol whose reasoning and self-control are damaged, and medical missionary work is part of Christ's work of reaching them.Ms 17, 1898, par. 11–12 Different lines of missionary work are to be taken up to bring saving gospel to friends and neighbors in highways and hedges who have not yet received full evidence of truth through evangelistic work in their homes, and those who fail to communicate received light will sustain great loss, while workers must make Christ's life their constant study, be intensely earnest, use every capability in the Lord's service, and sincere unselfish effort will bring precious results and highest education from the great Teacher.RH Aug 7, 1913+1

The gospel work reaching highways and hedges and calling people to come in is to go forward alongside the ministry of the Word, opening new fields and lifting the gospel standard without allowing any one line to consume means needed for the whole mission.Lt 3, 1899, par. 28 Going to see need in highways and hedges means working for simplest poorest people there including those in mountains who have no clothing, to teach simplicity of true godliness in Jesus Christ's name so they can come to school, including cleansing worn-out land such as a tobacco farm, apportioning it to children to live on and go out from, freely supplying books and refusing to neglect the lowliest.Ms 124, 1909, par. 26–27 God's invitation to the gospel feast is to be carried urgently and diligently with aim that His house be filled, and the invitation can be refused, so those responsible for others must faithfully warn, encourage and point them to Christ, and wealth does not remove anyone's need for this invitation or careful spiritual attention.Lt 21, 1899, par. 2 God calls His servants to carry His message to highways and hedges, and when a person humbles himself before God, God gives him a clear message for them, including distant countries needing help, to keep spiritual light burning revealing it by words and actions.9T 133.2+1

God sends servants beyond usual reach, including distant countries needing help, and those who humble themselves before God receive a message for them and are to keep spiritual light burning, revealing it by words and actions.9T 133.2 The final call to the supper seeks people ready to perish and brings them in so the house may be filled, and the church in Battle Creek was responsible for this work, but when it failed God placed the work in willing hands.Lt 51, 1898, par. 4–6 The last call to the prepared supper is now being given as the long-neglected work given to the church in Battle Creek, and medical missionary workers do that work by giving the invitation, including taking the gospel to those ready to perish in cities beyond Battle Creek and the final invitation to other places, for the supper is the Lord's prepared supper and verse 23 sends the servant beyond invited guests to highways and hedges.8T 71.2+2 Followers are to seek people in every circumstance and social class from highways and hedges and bring them the message that they are objects of His special love and care, and this work is to be earnest and self-sacrificing following Christ's example.Lt 21, 1895, par. 4

The call to fill God's house reaches highways and hedges, and the Holy Spirit's power is to be carried to the many held under sin and death to reform and renew them, with light and power given at the center carried out to them.STMW10 35.1–2+1 The light and power given at the center of the work are to be carried to people in highways and hedges so those under power of sin and death may be reformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit.Ms 22, 1897, par. 13 The call to reach highways and byways and bring people in so the Lord's house may be filled applies to places where people need to hear the warning and be prepared for the great day of the Lord.6T 332.2 God's invitation reaches highways and byways with the sanitarium expected to be a means of reaching many souls in this way.Ms 173, 1905, par. 6

The invitation reaches people in highways and byways of life, and sanitariums are a means of bringing it to the sick and suffering so they learn of healing power, while those who received light become workers in relieving suffering and sharing truth.Lt 241, 1905, par. 11–12 The call to bring people in reaches beyond familiar places to cities, towns, highways and byways for perishing souls including those who never heard the message of truth for that time, requiring earnest missionary work so many may be brought in.Lt 44, 1910, par. 1 The gospel invitation is to be carried everywhere to cities and villages and along highways and byways rather than confined to particular places, as a worldwide message where servants keep sowing truth wherever people can be reached even when some do not receive it and results are not immediately visible.Ms 1, 1874, par. 5 The Lord's work must reach people everywhere even in highways and hedges, so the call to fill the house means workers should diligently seek people beyond those already reached.Ms 85, 1893, par. 9–11

The gospel message must reach people in highways and byways, and the command to fill the house applies to investing in foreign missions and spreading truth in cities and throughout the land.4MR 105.4–106.2 The verse commands carrying present truth into highways and byways of life to all classes, where highways and byways are everyday life where all kinds of people are found including the colored people, requiring ready teachers and prepared trained men and women to help wherever they may be.Lt 168, 1908, par. 5 The call to bring people into the house extends to those encountered in highways and to those attending them, applied to reaching people who come to small sanitariums seeking health.Lt 71, 1902, par. 4–5 Medical missionary evangelists reach people in highways and byways with present truth, inviting widely and not using resources on magnificent display that would hinder reaching them.Lt 249a, 1904, par. 4–7

The call to go into highways and byways applies to reaching people in cities who are perishing in ignorance, supporting sending out materials and urging believers to take part in warning and saving the world through self-denial and self-sacrifice.Ms 64, 1910, par. 40–41 The gospel invitation goes beyond those already reached, calling people from every place so the house may be filled as the final call to the gospel feast and marriage supper of the Lamb, since many places have not yet heard and more people are still to proclaim the invitation.Ms 3, 1899, par. 43–44 That going out is to be done by publishing books and scattering printed truth to the people, with everyone who has means using those means and resources wisely to advance mission outreach in all parts of the world and in cities and foreign fields, for every page from the press is a ray of light to shine in byways and hedges and every line even fragments is sacred treasure multiplying as it is passed out.Ms 71, 1895, par. 4+2 The verse is applied to inviting neighbors to hear the gospel by effort to reach them and bring them to a meeting, after first invited refused and would not taste the supper.Lt 118, 1890, par. 6–8

The parable is an appeal to draw people to the gospel banquet, with the verse supporting personally inviting people to come to the gospel.Lt 112, 1902, par. 14–15 The verse is illustrated by refusing the highest place among teachers to take the gospel to the poor, going from place to place so highways and byways might hear truth and explaining Scripture wherever people could be reached.ST Jun 9, 1914 Men and women from humble walks must carry truth into all highways and byways of life, with many more fully consecrated learners accepted even without long education as messengers in unison with Christ's love to neglected classes, and the whole church working unselfishly in varied unsalaried ways without dependence on conferences, machinery or sermonizing, developing intellectual and moral power and adaptability where God leads.DCPP 14.1–2 Every man, woman and child must labor for those outside the ark of safety by seeking souls in highways and byways of life through unselfish daily work from love for souls in union with the great Medical Missionary, sowing kind words and deeds, learning as in a school rather than seeking amusement, seeking as earnestly as worldly games, striving for the unfading crown of life, and doing practical medical missionary work to relieve suffering and become Christlike.Ms 32, 1901, par. 22–23

The verse gives the remnant a solemn work of faithful missionary labor in highways and byways of the earth requiring true heart conversion, not a tame scientific religion but living power and the spirit of Christ that subdues hearts and sanctifies, cleanses and refines life in practical godliness, separation from selfishness, and daily blessing as channels of heaven's light and grace.Lt 94a, 1909, par. 1 In the present time burdened with eternal interests, truth is to be unfurled before a perishing world by rallying under Christ's banner, giving the Bible to the people, multiplying camp meetings, warning cities, and sending the warning far and near in highways and byways, and helping this outward work with gifts strengthens the helpers themselves by freeing workers, extending labors, gathering souls, establishing churches and bringing financial strength to impart to other fields, while withholding means hinders extending knowledge of God.Ms 4, 1899, par. 52–53 Christ's servants are to carry the call beyond those who already have light into the world's highways and hedges, inviting people in darkness to come to God, using resources to take light to others rather than detaining students who already know truth.SPBC 219.3–220.2 Going along highways and byways to fill the house applies to families moving from cities to the country to carry truth to people in those places, and this moving makes that outreach possible.6T 178.3+1

Carrying truth into the earth's highways and byways is aided by moving families from cities to the country to make that outreach possible.8MR 200.4–201.1 Families must get out of cities into the country so truth may be carried into highways and byways of the earth, and the command is urgent because serious times are ahead and requires laying plans according to the Word of the Lord and going ahead with persevering active energy.Lt 75, 1898, par. 19–20 Going to highways and hedges applies to reaching those who have not heard, including remote mountain communities, where little companies from mission schools labor until little companies of believers are raised up, a work whose cost cannot compare with Christ's sacrifice and which brings abiding heavenly light when light is taken from under the bushel to profit others, as those near Nashville going into mountains.SBAWP 76.3+1 The verse pictures going into highways and hedges applied to workers in Italy traveling on foot into remote mountain communities, holding meetings in stables and opening Scripture to eager listeners, work needing financial help to continue.Lt 59, 1886, par. 8–9

Christ distinctly points to cities and highways and byways that never heard the warning, including neglected cities and eastern states left without the message, requiring decided present action to get truth before them in clear rays from the Word with earnest labor and pure gospel simplicity, urgency, and removal of hindrances over means.Ms 113, 1909, par. 9–12 Taking the invitation beyond familiar circles to people who have not heard truth and urging them to come in means reaching nearby neighbors through personal visits and preaching, and when people become interested the work should be followed up until brought to a close.Lt 1a, 1882, par. 3–5 The verse illustrates taking the gospel beyond established churches and preaching it in places that have not yet heard truth, gathering believers in new fields.Lt 169, 1904, par. 15–16 The verse commands carrying the invitation beyond familiar and already approached places and people, everywhere near and far, to outsiders needing salvation so the house may be filled, as a repeated opportunity and responsibility requiring laborers to be sent even there, reaching neglected people and those in sin throughout the world, seeking those needing help, sharing received light, scattering the message beyond meetings, working new overlooked places and gathering hearers, with city missions supported.Lt 5, 1897, par. 7–10+4

The invitation to the gospel feast extends beyond those already reached to neglected people and those living in sin throughout the world, to be earnestly brought in so the house may be full, and those who receive it are called to live faithfully and not merely profess truth.Lt 5, 1897, par. 7–10 The invitation now goes beyond those who for years have heard the call to the marriage supper yet persistently refuse, to those who have not heard repeated appeals, and this work continues throughout life in cooperation with God, stopping confinement of labor to refusers and giving the Lamb's marriage supper invitation to all classes urging them to come so His house may be filled, with receivers fitted by Christ's righteousness.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+1 After the prepared feast has been offered the invitation must be carried beyond those who have already heard it to every soul so God's house may be filled, and those who know truth must practice it and invite others working with God, and the spiritual banquet includes Christ's righteousness, justification by faith, God's promises, access to the Father through Christ, the Holy Spirit's comfort and assurance of eternal life.Ms 29, 1898, par. 16–18 Those who teach truth are to go beyond usual and familiar places into highways and hedges and urge people to come in so God's house may be full, carrying the message to the wider world and to people who have not yet heard, using time and resources to warn and enlighten them, and the light given is meant for the whole world.Ms 76, 1905, par. 14–16+3

The call is to take the message beyond those already reached into new places to work for conversion of unbelievers, with the way left open for Adventists to come and hear if they choose.2T 710.2–711.1 The invitation to enter God's house is to be carried beyond familiar places into byways and highways so the house may be filled, applied to taking light to all nations, tongues and people with angels preparing the way.Lt 115, 1890, par. 22–24 The invitation must go beyond familiar places and people from country to country in prominent places and byways so all are reached, for God shows no partiality to persons or places, and the church must work with power to raise truth and righteousness everywhere.Ms 83, 1897, par. 14 The call reaches beyond highways to byways and to poor, despised and forsaken people, with work among them succeeding through humility and meekness rather than dignity or superiority.Ms 60, 1897, par. 20

God's people must take truth beyond their usual reach to people in the world including higher classes and urgently invite them in so God's house may be filled, presenting soul-saving as precious work requiring dedicated effort.RH Aug 12, 1902 The call reaches beyond familiar settings with truth to be carried into public places and work camps and offered to all who can be reached.Lt 94, 1903, par. 11 God's invitation reaches highways and byways with followers to take truth wherever permitted to speak including congregations and invite people to receive the word of life.Ms 188, 1905, par. 9–10 The verse calls for going at once without delay to highways and byways when the Lord calls to neglected soul-needing places, especially large Southern cities such as New Orleans, Memphis and St. Louis, establishing plants there and devoting doctors' and nurses' energies to greatly needy people.Lt 169, 1901, par. 1–3

The call into highways and byways applies to missionary work among colored people in the South, preaching Christ's words, awakening and developing talent, and striving to reach every possible soul.Ms 75, 1906, par. 23–24 The call to go out and bring people in applies to Southern field missionary work reaching beyond established paths, seeking every possible soul and preaching Jesus to people left in ignorance.15MR 323.2–3 The message must be carried beyond usual paths to neglected places so those in byways and hedges may hear, applying to neglected fields in the South where coordinated effort could have brought much greater progress but obstruction and unbelief hindered the work.Lt 41, 1911, par. 4 Going out to highways pictures letting light shine in every place including beyond the immediate work, requiring careful consideration of different places' needs when directing resources.Ms 74, 1910, par. 3

Highways and hedges mean mountain settlements and surrounding country places like Lakeport near Washington that have not received a right impression of present truth, bringing ignorant people the light while believers must not remain absorbed by commercial enterprises that unfit them for labor.Ms 65, 1908, par. 12 Highways represent places and people to be reached beyond familiar circles, here applied to two large wealthy southern cities needing the message and work.Lt 351, 1905, par. 7 Going to highways and hedges means taking the message to neglected places so every community including smaller settlements like Riverside receives earnest outreach rather than ministers being drawn to larger centers, continuing wisely until all are warned.Ms 59, 1911, par. 2–4 The command to go into highways and hedges that the house may be filled means local work in the immediate locality requiring someone to take it up and stay with it, helping when most needed after large meetings, carrying forward the work in Sydney, and training new workers.Lt 83a, 1898, par. 5–6

The call to fill the Lord's house extends to highways and byways, applied to Oakland and nearby settlements as missionary work to reach those beyond the immediate center.Ms 67, 1906, par. 1 Going to highways and hedges means reaching wicked cities and the many there who need help finding the way of life, bringing them into connection with sanitariums where they can be drawn to Christ, hear of forgiving love, and receive physical and spiritual healing.Lt 181, 1904, par. 7–8 God sends His message to unreached people in highways and byways to bring them in, applied to spreading the message through medical missionary work and sanitariums in many places especially large cities.20MR 258.1–2 The church must reach people where they are in cities, byways and hedges and bring them into meeting human need including physical, mental and moral suffering, and churches leaving this undone cannot prosper until they take it up, when angels will cooperate with workers.Ms 6, 1897, par. 12–13

Christ goes out to seek people ignorant and far from the right way, and His ministers are to carry the message of life into cities, highways, and byways, reaching neglected people and places rather than concentrating resources in a few large centers.Lt 128, 1909, par. 7–11 Filling the house means going into cities to seek neglected, oppressed people who cannot help themselves, directing resources and workers toward those needing to be reached rather than spending on speculative plans or concentrating among those who already know truth.STMW10 5.4–6.1 The verse supports laboring in highways as well as byways beyond those readily accessible, including people whose needs call for suitable accommodations.STB 597.3 Churches everywhere are sent to carry light in faith into all earthly highways and byways, requiring living in the world without being of it as separate, pure, holy, and undefiled reflectors of Christ the Sun of Righteousness.6T 437.1

Going to the hedges means going to places where truth's light had not reached, supporting taking the message to otherwise inaccessible places to sow seeds where people first learn truth.STGC 79.1–2 Highways and hedges are missionary fields where people need light of truth, so time, talent and means should be spent reaching them rather than keeping workers in prolonged preparation or supporting those who already know truth but do not share it.STE 145.1–146.1 God's people are to work broadly among others in byways and highways of life to save fellow beings, recognizing, receiving and presenting the Holy Spirit to the people.STBk 68.1 Giving the message of warning in all highways and byways means cities are to be worked and not merely preached to, with house-to-house labor, and after truth is presented from Scripture and souls are convicted, workers must act only as channels through whom the Lord works, hiding self in Jesus and giving God all glory without self-sufficiency or exaltation.RH Oct 14, 1902

Christ's work of reaching people in byways and inviting them into God's house applies to missionary labor in new territory for people who might otherwise be unreached.9T 120.1 Christ's invitation must be carried to people where they are so His house may be filled, reaching the higher classes first by seeking people personally and tenderly and not relying on preaching alone.Lt 18, 1898, par. 6–8 Filling the Lord's house includes proclaiming truth widely in highways and byways and reaching people from every class including the higher classes, and angels go before those who lift the standard and wisely proclaim truth.Lt 89, 1905, par. 6 Christ commissions followers to carry truth beyond familiar places and urge people to come to Him, and as truth is proclaimed in highways and byways the Spirit works on hearts.Ms 4, 1913, par. 4

Highways and hedges represent neglected fields where the gospel is not yet proclaimed, to be entered to bring people in so God's house may be filled.Lt 281, 1904, par. 17–20 The verse calls for pressing forward in gospel work and carrying the invitation to people in highways and byways wherever the way opens under the Holy Spirit's leading.Lt 56, 1910, par. 8 The message must go beyond familiar places into highways and byways with greatly increased efforts to recover lost souls, and its call to fill the house applies to investing means in new work where truth is needed and laboring earnestly with God so people may be convicted and converted.12MR 271.4–272.1+1 Filling the house means investing means in new work where truth is needed and laboring earnestly with God so people are convicted and converted.12MR 271.4–272.1

Labor is to be directed to new fields pictured as highways and hedges and to untaught people to invite them in, rather than spending excessive time urging people with no desire for help.Ms 21, 1902, par. 19–20 The Lord provides means including buildings to reach prominent and less-traveled places and bring people into His house, enabling workers to reach even higher-standing people with biblical truth.Lt 140, 1906, par. 29–30 God's invitation reaches those in highways including moderate drinkers reachable through faithful labor, with work extending to earth's ends and every trade so people may be convicted and converted.Lt 154a, 1900, par. 9 Christ extends His grace in highways and hedges which are cities, villages and new places with great undone work, and openings for sending truth to new places are opportunities He presents that must not pass unused nor be treated indifferently by leading workers.Lt 316, 1908, par. 3

The gospel supper invitation requires reaching people perishing in sin and not only those who already know truth, with the church using every ability and channel to carry the invitation to the world and believers ministering by word and example including through medical missionary work.Lt 55, 1897, par. 16–19 The invitation to the gospel supper must be given with decided earnestness, with God's people uniting to proclaim the character-testing essential truths for the last days, following Christ as leader and helping others without self-interest.Ms 44, 1905, par. 12–13 The Master sends workers to gather people from highways and hedges for His house, which applies to gathering people through the gospel including beyond the usual welcome.RH Feb 28, 1907 Christ sends workers to gather people from highways and hedges, continuing His preaching to the poor and calling for earnest work to bring people in for Him, and ordinary humble workers trusting God carry this warning and soul-winning call, God and angels work with them, and people are gathered into church fellowship.RH May 21, 1908+1

Ordinary humble workers relying on God rather than gifts carry out bringing people from highways and hedges to fill the house by warning and inviting to Christ, with angels and the Spirit working with them to bring people to the cross and into church fellowship.Lt 109, 1901, par. 9–11 Going into highways and byways to warn, win souls and bring them in obeys the great commission by many spending and spent for the Master, with ordinary humble men distrusting their gifts, working simply with constant trust, moved by God's Spirit under angels, sharing the Saviour's joy through persevering prayer bringing souls to the cross.2MR 25.3 God's work requires willing laborers sent into highways and hedges to seek and save the lost, with means invested to support them to give time and ability, and their search and the sheep's return bring joy to God, Christ and heaven.Lt 90, 1895, par. 25–30 Gathering people from highways and hedges is work Christ gives workers to bring people in as sheaves for Him, requiring more than words, religious forms or feelings but faithful service.ST Feb 6, 1901

The verse calls laborers into the great harvest field in cities, highways and hedges with a compelling message, and those who see by faith the need and the fewness of laborers will pray for laborers, promise to sustain them, do their best to reflect light, and pray in faith for sharp sickles.Lt 70, 1886, par. 20 The invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb must go everywhere into highways and hedges to all social standings rich and poor, including house-to-house work, so that the house may be filled.8MR 400.1 The feast invitation must reach people needing spiritual enlightenment with truth and bread of life, including relieving physical needs since practical care awakens gratitude and can open hearts to truth.Lt 5, 1897, par. 41–44 The call reaches every setting among poor and wealthy alike because souls are valuable, with highways and hedges representing new places and people needing the warning message and present truth and the broad reach to rich and poor, and servants must go forward into new territory throughout the field to fill the house, urging earnestly, with God accepting offered servants as messengers of peace and hope though some resist and others hunger, receive and carry truth onward.Lt 153, 1899, par. 13+2

The gospel invitation is a feast, and the verse is the duty of messengers to take it beyond those who do not come into homes and along highways and byways with the final message to the world, showing the invitation has no exception or limit with gracious provision for all and applying this universal call to difficult distant fields including Africa to bring them into the kingdom.Lt 164, 1899, par. 18+1 The call goes beyond those already sheltered to bring the gospel invitation to people outside, and the church is to labor patiently and earnestly to awaken people who are spiritually dead.Ms 25, 1897, par. 1 People in the highways can be reached through a spacious building with instruction in health reform and every opportunity to hear religious talks, and capable speakers and ample reading material can serve them without requiring a special meetinghouse.Ms 163, 1904, par. 8 Servants going to invite to the feast must be humble, meek messengers formed by Christ calling because all is ready, and the call reaches highways and hedges, and persistent prayer for spiritual nourishment for hungry souls will succeed.RH Aug 12, 1909

Christ sends servants beyond expected guests to overlooked needy people within His rightful domain in highways, byways and hedges, to lovingly and persistently urge acceptance of a place at His banquet with peace, joy and His righteousness pictured as a spotless wedding garment, to bring people into His kingdom, and receivers of light must carry this glad news for all especially to strangers, outcasts and those weak in moral power to fill the house.Ms 109, 1901, par. 9+1 Christ's followers are to go into many places and invite people to come to Him, with simple earnest Bible readings as a way to carry out this commission and influence minds.Ms 53, 1910, par. 11 Those knowing truth are to take the gospel beyond the familiar community to highways and byways and urge them in so God's house may be filled, applied to personal evangelism where members and families reach neighbors and communities not having the message by books, papers and Bible readings.RH Jan 4, 1912 The verse commissions active evangelistic house-to-house work, especially by students and canvassers entering fields and homes with reading matter containing present truth, and fulfilling it requires preparation including parents training children to love working with God and gain prevailing power so opportunities and ability grow, and schools sending consecrated missionaries clothed in Christ's righteousness.RH Aug 27, 1903

The Lord calls His people to take up different lines of work so those in life's highways and byways hear the gospel, with members doing evangelistic work in homes of neighbors who have not yet received full evidence of present truth.RH Aug 7, 1913 God's invitation to His prepared supper is to be carried to highways and byways calling men and women to come as His guests, through earnest persevering personal labor without needless display.Ms 42, 1905, par. 3–5 Christ's message is to be carried beyond churches into highways, hedges, byways and even most unpromising places to invite people to come to Him, approaching souls ready to be saved including those groping in spiritual darkness with kindness, sympathy, love and gospel light, calling for earnest efforts to lead to conversion and bring them into God's household.RH Apr 12, 1906+1 Companies of believers are to go into highways and hedges to search for scattered sheep by quickly giving present truth to unworked cities East, West, North and South, following Christ's example, as progressive work to build old waste places with every believer wisely proclaiming truth, putting away lack of faith that hindered God's work.HMW 39.1+1

The invitation is not confined to time or place, and highways and byways are to be thoroughly searched by every means including visiting people at home, so souls are gathered and the house filled.RH Mar 11, 1902 The gospel is to be brought to people everywhere including cities, towns, villages and unreached places and to people of all classes, and work should not begin only with the abandoned but should reach the most promising classes as well, after which work among the abandoned can follow.RH Jan 25, 1912 In the last days with the end at hand and stormy times ahead, God Himself sends His message of healing and grace into highways and byways to fill His house, and understanding needs of the feeblest flock He arranges advantages in many places to arouse attention and moved by everlasting love gives healing for sin-sick souls desiring His grace to shine from many places through those acquainted with His healing ministry and the mercy seat.CH 422.1 God sends His message beyond places and people first reached and beyond familiar places, including the weakest and feeblest, to be brought in so His house may be filled, reflecting His everlasting love, healing sin-sick souls and revealing grace, and He arranges opportunities for workers to awaken attention.STB 431.2+2

Mercy and warning must be carried far and near including world highways and byways so those perishing in error are reached and prepared for the day of God.RH Apr 18, 1912 Going into highways and hedges and bringing people in means personal home to home work visiting those who show interest, gaining their trust, and praying with and for them, and this close contact reaches people in darkness and invites them to accept unpopular truth, requiring earnest personal effort and not merely preaching from the pulpit.Lt 55, 1874, par. 6–7 The command to go to highways and byways to call men and women to the feast means proclaiming truth to those who know it not, especially in retired country, mountain and valley settlements, where those who heartily open Scripture are assured ministering angels will give grace, power and efficiency and God's Spirit will impress hearts, and the work must be done unitedly to completion.Ms 65, 1908, par. 2 Going into byways and highways means ministering to souls ignorant of present truth by sounding the warning with publications to prepare a people for the great day of God about to break, in places of error, superstition and darkness nigh and afar, by sacrificing ease and pleasure to labor earnestly and perseveringly in wisdom, grace and love, speaking truth simply, praying in faith, doing house-to-house labor, opening Scripture and calling to repentance, as canvassers without the camp imbued with the Holy Spirit with fitness, talent, courage, perseverance, faith and tact imparted to cooperators with divine power.AAC 4.2+1

The call to fill the house reaches highways and hedges through opening Scripture to neighbors and reaching every district including those not yet warned, and those brought to truth can then enlighten others, spreading the message widely and bringing souls to salvation.Lt 4, 1911, par. 11 Highways and hedges apply to personal evangelism among nearby communities with believers opening Scripture, visiting people, sharing publications and using every suitable opportunity to warn the unreached, while church leaders equip members and steady devoted effort brings success.Ms 53, 1910, par. 30–31 The call to fill God's house reaches byways and hedges, applied to sowing truth in ordinary places at home through selling and sharing religious periodicals, which can support mission fields and will be blessed rather than in vain.Ms 55, 1908, par. 2 Seeking highways and hedges applies to efforts for the needy in ordinary public places and margins, supporting using resources to reach others and fill the house, with believers giving what can be spared rather than unnecessary comforts and putting love for God and neighbor into action.21MR 190.5

The call to fill the house reaches highways and byways including city and house to house labor where after warning and scriptural truth many may be convicted, and human workers are only channels of the Holy Spirit, and all success belongs to the Lord with no glory to workers.Ms 95, 1894, par. 10 The message must go everywhere to everyone high and low rich and poor by house to house work warning the world of the Son of man's coming in clouds with power and glory and preparing for the marriage supper, done by zealous men circulating larger books with young men as canvassers, evangelists and physicians learning medical missionary work and truth presentation, without commercial food factories, stores and restaurants absorbing minds and crowding out soul-saving.Lt 243, 1903, par. 13–14 Work in every part of life to bring salvation and fill His house depends on receiving the Holy Spirit amid the final conflict.STOM 54.1 Those who received truth must go to people wherever they are and share it without waiting for authorization or special call, watching and praying, searching Scripture, and presenting Christ as crucified and risen Saviour, with everyone knowing truth accountable to pass on received light.Ms 118, 1898, par. 7

Everyone professing connection with God must help save the world without wasting time, put away frivolous words and trifling that drain strength, and those humbling themselves will receive a message for churches and for those in highways and hedges including needy people in foreign countries, requiring trimmed burning lamps so speech and actions reveal light everywhere.Ms 21, 1909, par. 19 The final gospel call must reach poor and suffering people hidden away and often overlooked, with servants seeking them out, bringing them into the invitation and communicating with those in need.Ms 17, 1898, par. 5 The call to enter God's house extends beyond the overlooked and helpless to people throughout highways and byways, supporting broad work to bring people in including those who doubt or have fallen into unbelief.15MR 321.2 Christ commands a final earnest call to bring people in so His house may be filled, reaching those otherwise overlooked, and believers should support rather than criticize efforts to save the willing and join that work.8T 72.2

The invitation going beyond expected guests into highways and hedges to fill the house is applied to humble Christian workers inviting people to accept the gospel, especially through house-to-house work among the Black community, requiring not high education or eloquence but meek people trained in Christ.PMMEP 19.2 Going out as humble workers to invite people into God's kingdom means going house to house among one's own people to offer truth and seek souls, relying not chiefly on eloquence or advanced education but on meekness and willingness to carry the invitation wherever people can be reached.STB 579.1–2 The Lord invites people to His prepared gospel feast, which Brother Faulkhead heeded by devoting his talents to God's work for him.Lt 99, 1895, par. 3–4 The verse applies to presenting truth in public and in new fields, where highways are places where people can be reached and servants invite them to come in so the house may be filled.10MR 362.1

The gospel invitation reaches people in highways and hedges, so a sanitarium's Christian work must reach beyond its walls through truth's influence on minds, with those connected with it as living channels of light showing the Holy Spirit at work.Lt 209, 1899, par. 9–10 The verse calls sanitarium workers to go into nearby cities and visit families, using their abilities to help people understand truth.Ms 68, 1910, par. 3 The Lord's work must reach people everywhere even in highways and hedges, so the call to fill the house means workers should diligently seek people beyond those already reached.Ms 85, 1893, par. 9–11 Warning and Bible truth are to be carried beyond the expected audience to people where they are, and highways and hedges are places where people can be found and invited to respond, as in Los Angeles.Ms 186, 1905, par. 6

Those in highways are to be urged to come in by giving special donations to relieve sanitariums of indebtedness and to take their stand to believe the whole truth before the close of 1908.Ms 138, 1908, par. 18 After those first invited refuse and make light of the invitation, servants are sent into highways and hedges so that the house may be filled, the invitation reaching all classes and every place and those who accept becoming guests while the refusers are excluded, with mercy proclaimed widely and all invited to share what the Lord provided.Lt 19a, 1895, par. 1–2+1 Jesus as great Teacher gives a gracious invitation met with contempt, frivolous excuses and jesting because the devil allures ears shut, and the command to compel them to come in lays responsibility on Christians to give this testing message by every means, while thousands who hide talents will as unfaithful slothful servants be called to account and faithful voices feeling responsibility are at work to compel men in.Lt 89, 1898, par. 12–13 Accepting means giving up absorbing worldly interests, turning to preparation, and giving whole heart, intellect and strength, becoming as a branch grafted into the vine drawing life from Christ to bear the Spirit's fruit in divine similitude, keeping His commandments and abiding in His love in healthful union revealing God, after the first invitation refused and the poor, lame, halt and blind brought from streets and lanes before haughty Jews to show God would send the gospel to the despised who would accept what the first class rejected.Ms 75, 1895, par. 4

The coming Saviour's message must reach byways and hedges, and money spent on large expensive buildings must not leave those people unwarned.Lt 94a, 1909, par. 35–36 Light must shine far more extensively in highways, byways and hedges with every possible soul coming to its brightness and carrying rays into many highways and byways, and the world is warned by extending work to individual vicinities onward gathering increase and opening every possible place, spending no money for mere show when souls need light on the path to eternal life, and God will impress even outside parties not accepting truth to supply means to press forward.Ms 134, 1908, par. 5–7 The highways and byways remain unworked, requiring many more faithful laborers in home and foreign fields, and those who should serve as missionaries are to be urgently encouraged to do so.FE 488.2 The call to carry truth's light into highways and byways is given so God's salvation may be revealed.RH Oct 21, 1909 Servants go out to invite people into God's kingdom carrying the warning message throughout the world and, like humble Christlike workers, reaching those who might otherwise never hear, with help for the sick and suffering also leading people to accept the words of life.RH Nov 23, 1905