The Doctrine of Christ

LESSON SIXTY-ONE A World-Wide Movement

1. Just before the end of all things there will be a proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom to all the world. Matthew 24:14. TDOC 171.2

2. In this proclamation, prominence will be given to the law of God, the apostasy of modern Babylon will be announced, and it will culminate in a call for a complete separation from all that is of Babylon. Revelation 14:6-12; 18:1-4. TDOC 171.3

3. Such. a movement ought to arise at the commencement of the investigative judgment. Revelation 14:6, 7. TDOC 171.4

4. That the work of Seventh-day Adventists answers to the movement called for by the prophecies is shown by the following facts: TDOC 171.5

a. It arose at the right time, immediately after the expiration of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:13, 14, which extend to the judgment hour of Revelation 14:7. TDOC 171.6

b. It has emphasized faith in Christ as the only mediator and high priest in the heavenly sanctuary, and obedience to all the commandments of’ God as the fruit of such faith. c. It commenced in the United States of America, the only country since the captivity in ancient Babylon, in whose fundamental law the Christian principle of the separation of church and state has been recognized. TDOC 171.7

d. It, has extended within a single generation until at the present time (January 1, 1920) it is conducting gospel work in 92 countries in 123 languages, and is producing, publications in 94 languages. TDOC 172.1

e. Present, conditions abundantly justify the interpretation of some of the leading prophecies concerning the last days as set forth in the publications put out by this people. TDOC 172.2

f. No other people has arisen to proclaim to the world the message due at this particular time. TDOC 172.3

NOTES

A warning message

“To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished. God saw that many of his professed people were not building for eternity, and in his mercy he was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor, and lead them to make ready for the coming of the Lord. This warning is brought to view in Revelation 14.”-The Great Controversy, 311. TDOC 172.4

A world-wide work

“The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel’s message, is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. The Advent Movement of 1840-1844 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel’s message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel.” TDOC 172.5

“The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost. As the ‘former rain’ was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the up-springing of the precious seed, so the ‘latter rain’ will be given at its close, for the ripening of the harvest. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. ‘Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the ‘latter rain.’ In the last days, said God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.’ ‘And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” TDOC 172.6

“Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand.” TDOC 173.1

“The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them.”-The Great Controversy, 611, 612. TDOC 173.2