The Signs of the Times

August 12, 1903

“Lo, I am With You Alway”

EGW

Before leaving His disciples, Christ plainly stated the nature of His kingdom. He called to their minds things that He had previously told them in regard to it. He declared to them that it was not His purpose to establish in this world a temporal kingdom, but a spiritual kingdom. He was not to reign as an earthly king on David's throne. Again He opened to them the Scriptures, showing them that all that He had passed through had been ordained in the councils between the Father and Himself. This was foretold by prophets and men inspired by the Holy Spirit. ST August 12, 1903, par. 1

Christ told the disciples to begin their work at Jerusalem. Jerusalem had been the scene of His amazing condescension for the human race. There He had suffered, been rejected, and condemned. The land of Judea was His birthplace. There, clad in the garb of humanity, He had walked with men, and few had discerned how near Heaven came to earth when Jesus was among them. At Jerusalem the work of the disciples must begin. ST August 12, 1903, par. 2

There were at Jerusalem many who had secretly believed on Jesus, and many who had been deceived by the priests and rulers. To these the Gospel was to be preached. They were to be called to repentance. The wonderful truth that through Christ alone could remission of sins be obtained, was to be made plain. While all Jerusalem was stirred by the thrilling events of the past few weeks, the preaching of the Gospel would make the deepest impression. ST August 12, 1903, par. 3

But the work of the disciples was not to end in Jerusalem. They were to carry the truth to earth's remotest bounds. To His disciples Christ said, You have been witnesses of My life of self-sacrifice in behalf of the world. You have witnessed My labors for Israel. Altho they would not come unto Me that they might have life, altho priests and rulers have done unto Me as they listed, altho they have rejected Me as the scriptures foretold, they will still have another opportunity of accepting the Son of God. You have seen that all who come unto Me confessing their sins, I freely receive. Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out. To you, My disciples, I commit this message of mercy. It is to be given to all nations, tongues, and peoples. It is to be given to Jews and Gentiles. All who believe are to be gathered into one church. ST August 12, 1903, par. 4

The disciples were to carry their work forward in Christ's name. Their faith was to center in Him who is the Source of power. In His name they were to present their petitions to the Father, and they would receive answer. Christ's name was to be their watchword, their badge of office, their bond of union, the authority for their action, and the source of their success. Nothing was to be recognized in His kingdom that did not bear His name and superscription. ST August 12, 1903, par. 5

Thus Christ gave the disciples their commission. He did not tell them that their work would be easy. He showed them the vast confederacy arrayed against them. He told them that they were to fight, not merely against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. But they were not left to fight alone. He assured them that He would be with them, and that if they would go forth in faith, they would move under the shield of Omnipotence. “Lo, I am with you alway,” He said. He made full provision for the prosecution of their work, and took upon Him the responsibility of its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. Go to all nations, He bade them. Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe, but know that My presence will be there. Labor in faith and confidence, for the time will never come when I will forsake you. ST August 12, 1903, par. 6

The disciples went forth preaching the Word. They prepared themselves for their work. Before the day of Pentecost, they met together, and put away all differences. They were of one accord. They believed Christ's promise that the blessing was to be given, and they prayed in faith. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely; they were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls. The Gospel was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day. ST August 12, 1903, par. 7