3:16Malachi 3:16

Those who revere the Lord are the loyal and obedient who keep His commandments, love Him supremely and their neighbor as themselves, and care for the poor and oppressed, and they strengthen one another by meeting together often to talk sincerely about Him, His goodness, Christ and salvation, keeping His name in reverent thought instead of murmuring or idle talk.Lt 310, 1908, par. 9–14+4 The Lord bends down to listen to these gathered witnesses, whether they speak aloud, breathe an inaudible desire at work or by the way, or pray in secret, and He is present with Jesus among them by His Spirit.Ms 15, 1899, par. 6–7+4 For them a book of remembrance is written before Him in heaven, preserving every word of faith and act of love, every temptation resisted and sacrifice made, and even hidden victories, humble repentance, and quiet home faithfulness that no human eye sees.GC88 481.1+4 That record, together with the full account of every person's words, motives and deeds, is opened in the judgment to show character exactly and determine reward, yet sins sincerely confessed and repented of through faith in Christ's blood are pardoned and blotted out.GC88 481.2–3+4 Those thus recorded are His treasured jewels whom He will claim and spare as a father spares his faithful son, and in the last-day crisis when God's law is hated and made void they will be plainly discerned from the wicked when the righteous and the wicked are separated forever.Lt 310, 1908, par. 9–14+4

Those who fear the Lord are the loyal and obedient whom God can trust, keepers of His commandments who make a covenant with Him and are tested and tried until pronounced trustworthy members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.Ms 44, 1898, par. 22–23+2 Service to God is comprehensive, meaning consecration of all that is possessed and of all talents lent to be used to glorify His name, which distinguishes those who serve God from those who serve Him not.Ms 44, 1898, par. 43–45 True godliness loves God supremely and neighbor as self, caring personally for the poor, the hungry, the naked, the oppressed and fatherless children rather than doing the work by proxy through institutions, and by Christlike self-denial and self-sacrifice causing light to shine from every Christian home to lead the ignorant to God.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16 Christ measures people differently than the world, which values a man by money, houses, furniture and land, for He counts as His own those who fear Him, speak often to one another about Him, and think upon His name.Ms 44, 1898, par. 22–23

Speaking often to one another means frequent, mutual fellowship in which believers meet together, talk about Him, and keep His name in reverent thought.Lt 310, 1908, par. 9–14+3 Their fellowship brings hope and encouragement, strengthens faith and keeps Christian hope alive.GW92 242.2 It stands in contrast to silence, idle talk, or depending only on a minister to speak, for God knows and attends to the lives of those who honor His name when they gather and speak together in faith with assurance that He hears and remembers them.Ms 16, 1890, par. 23–26+1

Thinking upon His name means revering Him, honoring His name, keeping Him in mind, and speaking and praying with regard for God.Ms 36, 1897, par. 20+1 Those who fear Him speak to one another with reverence, not in complaint, murmuring, despair or sorrowful lament.Lt 30, 1900, par. 2–3+2 Their conversation honors God when it centers on His word, advancing His work and doing good to others, and the Lord listens with pleasure to such words of faith and praise as a hopeful testimony in contrast with complaints that portray service to God as vain.CT 338.3–339.1+1

The Lord hearkening and hearing means God attentively listens, bends down to His witnesses, and hears prayers and testimonies.Lt 90, 1895, par. 1–4+2 His hearkening means Jesus is present among gathered believers, so everyone who loves God and receives the light of truth is to testify to the preciousness of His grace and truth rather than remain silent.Ms 32, 1894, par. 11 Words uttered to God reach the throne, whether poured out from the closet or breathed out as inaudible heart desire while walking by the way or engaged in daily labor, and that word cannot die away into silence, cannot be lost and nothing can drown it, but it rises above the din of the street and the noise of machinery to God's ear.Lt 14, 1899, par. 17–19 Angels carry contrite prayers to God and record them in heaven's books, and when ministers confessed coldness and lack of love and sought forgiveness the Lord heard them, angels rejoiced, and His blessing rested on those who humbled themselves.Lt 90, 1895, par. 1–4+1

The verse was given as encouragement for God's people facing the perils of the last days, for Jesus does not lose sight of His faithful followers amid discouragement and opposition.ST Jan 12, 1882 It especially describes the faithful class in the crisis when wicked men and the church harmonize in hatred of the law of God and attempt to make it void, while disaffected professed Christians murmur and complain and accuse God by accusing His children, saying it is vain to serve God.Lt 123, 1897, par. 29–31 To these consecrated believers the law becomes more precious as contempt is put upon it, and their love of God's commandments grows in proportion as Satan's attributes are developed in its despisers and transgressors.Lt 123, 1897, par. 29–31 Before the Lord soon comes a refining, winnowing process in every church reveals vessels unto honor who experience transformation of character, put on the righteousness of Christ and receive the latter rain, so they are plainly discerned from wicked men among them who do not love truth or honor God, and it applies to God's commandment-keeping people as they prepare for Christ's coming to bear faithful testimony and live in self-denial, bringing appetite and passion under God's Word.Lt 15, 1892, par. 10–12+1

Their speaking together is about God Himself: His glory and mercies and goodness, His Word and ways, Christ and salvation and the plan of salvation, the blessed hope and the heavenly home, the light of truth that has come in messages of warning, and personal religious life and experience, including gratitude and praise and appreciation for the gift of Jesus.6T 390.1–2+4 Their social intercourse centers on holiness, Christ, salvation, and ways to save those in danger of perishing, and is spiritually profitable in uniting them in love.Lt 65, 1895, par. 32 Those who fear the Lord should speak often with one another about that religious life and experience, and He favors and spares such faithful servants as a father spares a serving son.STPW91 31.1+1

Their words are sincere from the heart, without deceit or guile or underhanded working, without complaints against God and without evil speaking against brethren.STMW6 14.1+4 They speak words of courage and hope and faith rather than complaint, with patience and charity, in thankful and helpful testimony that encourages one another and glorifies God.6T 390.1–2+3 What God and angels listen to with delight is not oratory and not doubt, unbelief, and complaint, but words exalting God's name, appreciating the great gift of the only begotten Son, praising the blessing of light that dispelled the darkness of error, and acknowledging the Father's merciful kindness in giving Jesus to take away sins and impute His righteousness.9MR 91.1–3

They stand opposite those who speak stoutly against God, say it is vain to serve God and keep His ordinances, call the proud happy, say workers of wickedness are set up and delivered, murmur and faultfind and complain, and cannot discern God's ways and works.Ms 39, 1891, par. 26+4 While many think and say such things, those who fear the Lord and think upon His name speak often to one another and remain faithful while God's law is despised.Ms 183, 1897, par. 7–9+2 Their faithfulness contrasts with complaints that serving God is useless and that the wicked prosper, and the distinction between those who serve Him and those who do not will be made clear.Ms 183, 1897, par. 7–9+2

Their fellowship brings hope and encouragement and comfort and spiritual profit, strengthens faith and keeps Christian hope alive, refreshes those who meet, and unites them in love and in obedience to God's law without quarrels or condemnation.Ms 183, 1897, par. 7–9+4 Shared testimony in worship gives evidence of truth's power in the heart and strengthens and comforts the gathered believers, and words spoken freely in trial bring encouragement to a person in trial.Lt 44, 1894, par. 7–10+1 The verse is given as encouragement for God's people facing the perils of the last days, that Jesus does not lose sight of His faithful followers amid discouragement and opposition.ST Jan 12, 1882 Their words of faith and praise are recorded as a hopeful testimony, in contrast with complaints that portray service to God as vain.Ms 32, 1894, par. 8

God is pleased with humble and earnest testimonies that confess from the heart and acknowledge blessings received, and even small, scattered groups without a minister are heard when they meet to seek Him and speak of the blessed hope.Ms 10, 1886, par. 17–19+2 Angels minister to the speakers, every heavenly intelligence in the inner court listens with pleasure, praise and thanksgiving from earth is taken up in the heavenly anthem, and their testimonies bring joy to the angels and praise and rejoicing through the heavenly court because Christ has not died in vain for the fallen sons of Adam.6T 390.1–2+4 Jesus is present when they gather to worship, and their testimony meetings are precious to God.Ms 32, 1894, par. 14

Such faithful fellowship opens hearts for the Lord to speak, imparts the Holy Spirit, brings sweet melting power, and leads those who receive to share what they receive and to seek to help others.Ms 15, 1899, par. 6–7+2 When set home with power it produces heartfelt testimonies, confession of wrongs and of coldness, indifference, failures, and discouragement with tears, seeking and granting forgiveness, reconciliation among brethren, leaving the cold place, and coming into harmony to do duty in the fear of God.Lt 35, 1887, par. 1–3+1 Those long discouraged and taking no part are broken down, those prejudiced and silent speak for the first time and bear good testimony, the young humbly confess and are reconciled, and there is renewed earnest purpose to honor God with a better Christian life and decided obedience including keeping the Sabbath.Ms 77, 1886, par. 7–8+2 Such meeting to speak about God's word, advance His work, or do good to others honors God when it welcomes the Holy Spirit, refreshes and strengthens those who take part, and marks them as the Lord's own treasured possession when He gathers them.RP 12.3–13.1

A book of remembrance is written before God in heaven for those who fear the Lord and think upon His name, preserving their faithfulness, devotion, words and deeds, and the value He sets upon His believing people is shown in that when they speak often to one another He listens and hears them.GC88 481.1+3 None who trust Him are forgotten, for His faithful care remains even when human compassion and friendship fail, and the record keeps their good deeds forever.4T 328.1–329.2+2 The book contains the record of the good deeds of all who have believed on Jesus.GC88 483.1

Its contents are words of faith and acts of love, with every deed of righteousness immortalized, including every temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of tender pity expressed, and every act of sacrifice and every suffering and sorrow endured for Christ's sake.GC88 481.1+1 Kind words and prayers for the suffering and oppressed are there, with kind and generous acts, sacrifices, self-denial and anguish, and the gifts given and the good brought about by unselfish effort, which in the hereafter can be traced to show how lives were uplifted and ennobled as a study and reward in the heavenly school.ST Dec 6, 1883+2 Neglected opportunities to serve God are also faithfully recorded, while every deed of faith and love, however humble, is remembered forever.ST Dec 6, 1883+1 The day of the Lord will reveal what is still hidden, and faithful sacrifices will receive their reward.LSEGW 157.2

Unseen and quiet faithfulness is included that people do not see but God and angels know: hidden struggles with self ending in victory, humility about weakness, sincere repentance even for an evil thought, wholehearted service, victories over temptation, efforts to do right, and progress in the divine life.COL 403.2–3+3 Quiet faithfulness in daily and home life may be more precious than famous missionary work or martyrdom, including faithful home work such as a mother shaping her children's characters, and even the broken testimonies of children who feared God and wished to follow Christ were heard in heaven and recorded.COL 403.2–3+1 Right acts, right thoughts, and victories over temptation are recorded, the Lord sees even the thoughts of the heart and nothing is hidden, and the page in heaven records temptations resisted, including refusing tempting worldly offers that would require joining with people outside the faith, for Christ gives strength and wisdom to avoid such a trap.Lt 1, 1860, par. 3–5+1

Heaven's books also record every person's words, actions, influence for good or evil, motives and works without omission or mistake, character and moral worth, thoughts of the heart, and the expression of the countenance.GC88 481.2–3+2 This includes wrong words, selfish acts, neglected duties, secret sins, deceit, unfulfilled duties, time and strength given to Satan, anger, greed, hardheartedness, fraud and robbery, and each day's events and work in school and in business councils.GC88 481.2–3+2 Behind the veil an angel writes every word spoken and every deed done to be faced again, and the record testifies against many where hidden selfishness stands revealed, with time, thought and strength that belonged to Christ given to Satan, while few moments are given to prayer, searching the Scriptures, humiliation of soul and confession of sin, so that if men could see the recording many words would remain unspoken and many deeds undone.4SP 312.1 Words and actions affecting others for good or evil are recorded, sincere prayers for help are noticed by angels who may guide away from wrong, church membership or profession does not erase wrongdoing, and those failing to seek strength to resist temptation will be found wanting.STSE 32.1–33.1+2

Specific wrong speech is traced in the book: faultfinding and criticism whose angel's record will be opened for God and angels to see, harsh words to children, impatient or careless words of parents including failures to instruct children and words spoken in jest counting against Christian character, shameful words bringing misery into the family, careless gossip and unkind criticism, frivolity and pleasure-loving, and light and trifling speech whose record warns professed young people that conversation contradicting profession will bring shame at judgment.SA 56.2+2 Private talk expressing prejudice and opposition, suspicion and jealousy against those called to serve God, words against Sister Starr, false tirades against a self-sacrificing worker, hatred and caricature of gospel ministers, and ridicule and rejection of the Holy Spirit at Minneapolis were noticed by the heavenly Watcher and written in the book.SPBC 173.3–4+1 The conduct at Minneapolis in ridiculing and rejecting the Holy Spirit, with ridicule, criticism, jeering, laughter and attributing its manifestations to fanaticism, made God ashamed to call participants His brethren.SPBC 173.3–4+1

The book of remembrance is one of the books opened in the judgment, giving an exact likeness of character with no false entry, and every life comes in review in order from the first to the living, with every name mentioned and every case closely investigated for acceptance or rejection and reward according to works.GC88 483.1+1 It will confront each person at the judgment bar and reveal in distinct lines God's long-suffering, showing that He spared life instead of cutting down and now points to repent and be converted before every case is decided.Lt 52, 1899, par. 6 Its record of motives and works is used in judgment, and words and acts prompted by the Holy Spirit toward goodness and God will be considered then, when the worker through whom God brought light will be commended.ST Dec 6, 1883+2

Sins remaining unrepented and unforgiven stay on the books, but on sincere confession, repentance, restitution and faith in Christ's atoning blood they are pardoned, blotted out of the book of remembrance, washed away, and pardon written opposite the name, while the name is recorded in the Lamb's book of life and covered with Christ's righteousness.GC88 483.1+3 Evil deeds are faithfully recorded unless repented of, confessed and washed away, and wrongdoing remains as a dread record at judgment unless people repent and walk humbly in fear of the Lord.ApY 58.1–2+1 Those who sincerely repent have transgression blotted out, but when the same evil spirit returns former deeds are reaffirmed, endorsed, and must be answered for at the judgment throne.SPBC 173.3–4+1

The Lord hears words spoken and takes account of the spirit behind actions, and cruel words spoken to Christ's suffering people are recorded as spoken to Christ Himself.Ms 45, 1894, par. 3–4 Words spoken in public are heard and written, and words against His appointed worker are counted as spoken against Him who gave the worker his work.Lt 33, 1899, par. 4–5 Responses to a heaven-sent message are recorded, including scornful, hateful rejection where those professing love for Jesus met the message with scorn, ridicule and hatred, slighting Jesus to heaven's indignation.SG1 151.2 God also records Holy Spirit-given good impulses and holy influence on others, whose results servants will see in the day of God when those helped express gratitude in heaven, without lessening glory due to God and the Lamb who alone redeem.RH Jan 5, 1905

The heavenly record can show a barren life with no deeds of self-denial, filial obedience, love to God or good works, like a desert without growth.Lt 41a, 1874, par. 6 Being written in heaven's books is a great honor meaning becoming mature in God's sight as an experienced, capable worker, produced by much education and growth in which divine and human energies combine, with God providing all necessary for physical and mental development.Ms 49, 1898, par. 13 The book remains unsealed and open during probationary time while Jesus draws near daily inviting conversion, repentance, faith and fruit instead of barren profession with knowledge, form and leafy barrenness, so the curse on the symbolic fig tree need not rest.Lt 16, 1888, par. 43

Those written in the book are God's own treasured possession, His jewels in the day when He makes them up, whom He claims as His, remembers, favors, and counts as His when He gathers them.Lt 310, 1908, par. 9–14+4 They are marked as His faithful people because they feared Him, spoke together about Him, and thought upon His name.Ms 160a, 1898, par. 13–14+2

He will spare them as a man spares his own serving son, as a father honors a faithful and affectionate son.Ms 44, 1898, par. 22–23+4 The world measures a man by money, houses, furniture, and land, and judges these children of God as unfavored beside those who seek advantage by worldly association, yet the time comes when those who honored Him are distinguished and honored by Him because they honored Him.Ms 44, 1898, par. 22–23+2 Christ measures differently than the world, and proves the honoring children to be the ones truly favored, contrary to the judgment of the world.Ms 44, 1898, par. 22–23+1

Then comes a return and a clear discernment between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who serves Him not.Lt 310, 1908, par. 9–14+4 They stand in contrast to murmurers who faultfind and complain against God, and to those who say it is vain to serve God and keep His ordinances and who call the proud happy and workers of wickedness set up and delivered.Ms 53, 1894, par. 50–52+2 The distinction will be made plain and set apart in that coming day.Lt 310, 1908, par. 9–14+4

The day that burns as an oven will burn all the proud and all that do wickedly as stubble, leaving neither root nor branch.Ms 53, 1894, par. 50–52+3 To those who fear His name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.Ms 53, 1894, par. 50–52+2

Before the Lord soon comes there is a refining, winnowing process in every church that reveals vessels unto honor.RH Jun 19, 1900+1 They experience transformation of character, put on beautiful garments, the righteousness of Christ, and receive the latter rain.RH Jun 19, 1900+1 They are then plainly discerned from wicked men among them who do not love the truth or honor God, between him that serves God and him that serves Him not.RH Jun 19, 1900+1

In probationary time there are only two sides, and those God can trust because they are loyal and obedient make a covenant with God.RH Jun 19, 1900+1 After being tested and tried as keepers of His commandments they are pronounced trustworthy members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.RH Jun 19, 1900 Their sober, heavenly-minded conversation during probation reflects that life, and God records them as His own and promises to spare them when He gathers His treasured people.RH Jun 19, 1900+1 Christ loves to commend every faithful worker and will do it, rewarding faithful words and deeds done in reverence for Him, so that those who overcome receive a reward and souls saved through their influence call them blessed.3T 246.2+1

Malachi 3 gives warning and instruction in righteousness for every soul, setting forth divine claims and the consequences of dealing falsely with God and with one another.RH Feb 4, 1902+2 It is a direct, plain message to everyone living, still testing whether people will prove faithful servants by considering divine goodness, responding to mercy, and proving loyalty in deed.RH Feb 4, 1902+1 Honesty is required in dealings with the Lord and His work, so that means entrusted by God are not withheld but used to send the gospel throughout the world.9T 53.3 Every specification in the chapter is to be studied, practiced out of love and fear, obeyed, and taught to others, lest guilt for robbing God bring divine visitation.Lt 70, 1893, par. 11+1 The call is to systematic contributions, including a tenth of increase as prospered, acknowledging mercy in supplying needs, with promise to open heaven's windows and pour out blessing beyond capacity to receive.RH Feb 4, 1902+1

Those who come into harmonious action together become educators instructing others how to obtain that blessing, and those who deal faithfully will see salvation, blessed financially and blessed spiritually.Ms 38a, 1905, par. 33 Faithfulness means bringing all the tithes into the storehouse and giving God what is His, in contrast to serving self, complaining against Him, and withholding what is due.6T 390.1–2+2 Withholding the tithe, diverting it to other work, or using the reserved portion to pay debts to others leaves the treasury depleted, discourages entry into ministry, and stands written as unfaithfulness and robbery of God.GW 227.1+2 Withholding what He claims leaves a record before Him that the selfish will not want to face.Lt 38, 1902, par. 25–27

Faithful stewards who do not rob God in tithes and offerings cooperate with Him in saving their own souls and the souls of others, rather than robbing Him yet expecting blessing and then murmuring when not exalted.Ms 147, 1901, par. 44–45 They do their best to advance His work, giving means to build up the work in Washington so unbelievers may see it finished, and answering constant calls from foreign fields for men and means with willing offerings to enlarge the work.13MR 230.1–4 The funds so given abundantly bless the church and keep supply for laborers, encouraging more to give themselves to ministry instead of selfish hands diverting the tithe to support other lines.Ms 156, 1898, par. 18+1

God takes account of conduct from first to last, weighing character and recording actions in heaven, as applied to every stage of the work at Battle Creek.Lt 354, 1906, par. 5–12 Duties in Malachi 3 are plainly stated, yet spiritual perception clouded by questionable principles and practices can keep people from discerning them.Ms 24, 1901, par. 34–36 Such misuse of divine means cultivates a character that cuts one off from God's family, while faithfulness in position and duty leaves the record clear before God.6T 391.1+1 The same record covers the school, where each day's events and each student's work are entered to testify of experience, and covers all righteous words and deeds worthy of angelic record, since dishonoring conduct weakens the church and damages Christ's witness before unbelievers.Lt 134, 1901, par. 35+1

Fearing the Lord means not forsaking assembling together but speaking often to one another in testimony about Him, and those who do so are blessed and remembered in a book written before Him.EW 93.2+2 Believers on earth meeting in small assemblies in humble churches or private houses to worship are one church with those in heaven who never fell, and the Lord bends down to hearken to the testimonies of His witnesses while every heavenly intelligence listens with pleasure.Ms 10, 1886, par. 17–19+1 Praise and thanksgiving from earth is taken up in the heavenly anthem, with praise and rejoicing sounding through the heavenly court because Christ has not died in vain, and the words heard with delight are not oratory nor doubt, unbelief and complaint, but words exalting God's name, appreciating the gift of His only begotten Son, praising the light of truth in messages of warning, and acknowledging the Father's mercy in giving Jesus to take away sin and impute His righteousness.Ms 10, 1886, par. 17–19+1 Even small, scattered groups without a minister present are heard when they speak of the blessed hope and heavenly home, angels minister to them, and their faithful work to encourage and help one another is recorded and rewarded.Ms 10, 1886, par. 17–19+1 Their faithful presence, speech honoring God, and use of words to uphold His glory, power and truth belong to overcoming through the blood of the Lamb, bringing blessing and refreshment.EW 93.2+2

Social meetings are a duty in which everyone who loves God and truth must bear testimony rather than leaving one man to do all the talking for half an hour to an hour until interest is gone.Ms 29, 1887, par. 31+1 Every member is to take part, especially in Sabbath social meetings, by relating experience and testifying to God's goodness, love, comfort, and great mercy in giving Jesus Christ to die for sinners while they were enemies, keeping the meetings interesting and sharing responsibility in earnest service for Christ instead of remaining idle or depending on a minister to preach.Ms 29, 1887, par. 31+2 Sabbath-keepers are to keep up their meetings and make them interesting with everyone having something to say for the Lord.SCEV 34.3+1 God and holy angels witness these testimonies and are well pleased and glorified by them even when the same story is repeated weekly, for holding back because there is nothing new comes from pride while God loves simplicity and humility.RH May 25, 1876+1

Affectionate, personal, private conversation about religious experience brings God's blessing, especially on the Sabbath which is holy to the Lord, for those who fear the Lord and think upon His name speak often to one another and the Lord attends, hears, and keeps a written memorial before Him.9MR 2.1+2 Such fellowship may include sharing truth, recounting experience, speaking of God's Word and ways, praying and laboring for those needing salvation, and expressing concern for souls, all to advance His work and do good to others.21MR 293.3–295.2+2 When it welcomes the Holy Spirit it honors God, refreshes and strengthens participants, and those who so revere Him in thought and word are recorded in the book of remembrance and claimed as His own treasured people when He gathers them.CT 338.3–339.1+2 Their reverent Sabbath conversation about faith is a fitting occasion for this fellowship, and He will spare these faithful souls.21MR 293.3–295.2+1

Believers who have been gathered out and know the truth are to talk often together about God, build each other up in the most holy faith, and keep up the meetings of the church themselves instead of calling for constant labor from ministers.Ms 122, 1898, par. 23–24+1 In this way ministers are not consumed in preaching to the churches but are left free to give strong, vital energy to save perishing souls outside and to labor in new fields, so that no district is left in darkness.Ms 122, 1898, par. 23–24+1 God listens to and hears such faithful conversation, and a record is kept before Him for those who reverence Him and keep Him in mind.Ms 122, 1898, par. 23–24+1

When this call to speak often is set home with power it opens hearts for the Lord to speak and brings sweet melting power of His Spirit, producing heartfelt testimonies, confession of coldness, indifference, discouragement and wrong with tears, leaving the cold place, coming into harmony with the church, and doing duty in the fear of God.Ms 77, 1886, par. 7–8+2 It leads to seeking and granting forgiveness, reconciliation among brethren, renewed earnest purpose to honor God with a better Christian life, and decided obedience including keeping the Sabbath, with its message moving hearts to renewed commitment and to helping others.Ms 77, 1886, par. 7–8+2 Those long discouraged and taking no part are broken down to confess, the prejudiced and silent speak for the first time and bear good testimony, the young humbly confess and are reconciled, and when ministers confessed coldness and lack of love and sought forgiveness, angels rejoiced and God's blessing rested on the humbled.Lt 35, 1887, par. 1–3+1

Gathering in silence does not fulfill this purpose, and letting precious meeting time run to waste displeases God and grieves angels.EW 94.1+1 Repeated testimonies may seem simple to observers, but God considers them important, records them in His book of remembrance, and will spare these faithful, God-fearing souls as a man spares a son who serves him when He gathers His treasured people.RH May 25, 1876+1 Their testimonies and prayers bring His blessing and refresh them as they use speech to praise Him and uphold His truth.EW 94.1+1

The verse calls for guarding speech and life every day, for speaking and praying in small gatherings as though God hears keeps believers spiritually alive and strengthens them, while God's work among them can draw others to join.ST Apr 17, 1884+1 Each new year is a fresh page in the recording angel's book, urging a record free of neglect of God and unfulfilled duties that can be revealed without shame before people and angels, with progress in the divine life receiving a cheerful record when temper is restrained and words are rightly spoken.2T 268.1+1 Faithfulness in position and duties means having one's record stand clear before God, including family courtesy and holiness lived at home, parental self-discipline, holy influence in business, and refusing tempting worldly offers that would require joining with those outside the faith, for conduct in family life and temptations resisted are included in heaven's record and Christ gives strength and wisdom to avoid such traps.ST Aug 13, 1912+2