The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

Objects of Christ’s Supreme Regard

Perhaps we can not better close this chapter than by quoting the following from a Testimony in the Review of Sept. 5, 1893: “Although there are evils existing in the church, and will be until the end of the world, the church in these last days is to the light of the world that is polluted and demoralized by sin. The church, enfeebled and defective, needing to be reproved, warned, and counseled, is the only object upon earth upon which Christ bestows his supreme regard.” COOD 159.3

In these few pages we have traced much of the Bible instruction concerning the church of God, the relation of its members to the head-Christ-and how the members should conduct themselves. Many excellent things have also been presented from the “Testimonies for the Church” respecting the same. It has also been shown how, under the Lord’s guidance, Bible order has been established among Seventh-day Adventists. Under this system and plan the message of the third angel (Revelation 14:9-12) is rapidly spreading to the ends of the earth. It has also been shown how in reorganization, the system has been adapted to the enlarged field of labor, and how the purpose of the enemy to disorganize the work has been defeated. Our hope and expectation is that this organization thus “perfected and strengthened” will be a means under God’s hand of leading the church fully out of “the wilderness,” “clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” COOD 159.4