The Signs of the Times
November 28, 1906
The Closing Work
To each human being God has assigned a work. Abraham was called to go forth from his home, a light-bearer to the heathen. And without questioning he obeyed. “He went out, not knowing whither he went.” So today God's servants are to go where He calls, trusting Him to guide them and give them success in their work. ST November 28, 1906, par. 1
The disciples of Christ are to feel a noble, generous sympathy for every line of work carried on in the great harvest field. They are to be interested in everything that concerns the good of their fellow men. By their baptismal vows they are pledged to make persevering, self-denying efforts to promote, in the hardest parts of the field, the work of soul-saving. God has placed on every believer the responsibility of striving to rescue the helpless and the oppressed. They are to break every yoke, letting the oppressed go free from the power of vicious habits and sinful practises. ST November 28, 1906, par. 2
Christians are to be Christlike in their earnest desire to save souls. They should regard it as the highest honor to be enlisted in Christ's army. They should thank God for the privilege of using the talent of speech to win souls to the Saviour. They should look upon no privilege as more precious than that of imparting to others knowledge they have received. ST November 28, 1906, par. 3
Time is Passing; the End is Near
While you are unconsecrated, golden opportunities to help souls to see Jesus as He is full of grace and truth—are being lost. That which you have not done as a devoted Christian in the year which has now almost passed into eternity, you can not now do. But through the grace of Christ, you may redeem the time by redoubling your exertions. Let your interest in the souls for whom Christ has died deepen and broaden. Do not ask, “What shall this man do?” for then Christ would say to you as He said to Peter, “What is that to thee? follow thou Me.” Keep your own soul in the love of the truth, and work with untiring endeavor to win souls to the Saviour. ST November 28, 1906, par. 4
Look upon the world today. Is the voice of prayer heard amidst the din of confusion? Altars are erected, but it is not to God that the sacrifices are offered. Deceivers, robbers, and murderers are many. Pride of ancestry and pride of wealth minister to the work of soul-destruction. Avarice, sensuality, malice—these are the attributes that bear sway. Thousands are standing on the brink of perdition. Do you not see them, many of them lost, eternally lost, whilst professing Christians sleep the sleep of indifference? ST November 28, 1906, par. 5
Earnest, Self-Sacrificing Men and Women are needed, men and women who will go to God, and with strong crying and tears plead for the precious souls that are going to ruin. There can be no harvest without seed-sowing, no result without effort. ST November 28, 1906, par. 6
Christ gave His life to save sinners, and He says to His followers, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.” He has laid out before us the work to be done, and has declared that He will give power for the accomplishment of this work. Shall we take Him at His word, believing that He meant just what He said when He declared that the whole world is to hear the message of mercy? ST November 28, 1906, par. 7
The work is fast closing up, and on every side wickedness is increasing. We have but a short time in which to work. God is not willing that any should perish. He has provided abundantly for the salvation of all. If His people had gone forth as they should, giving the invitation of mercy, many souls would have been won to Christ. Let us awake from spiritual slumber, and consecrate all that we have and are to the Lord. His Spirit will abide with true missionaries, furnishing them with power for service. God is an overflowing fountain of efficiency and strength. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes. When this power is utilized, it will be found to be more than sufficient to meet the power of the enemy. ST November 28, 1906, par. 8
It is impossible for men who believe in Christ to see the work that needs to be done and not do anything. Daily the church is to receive from heaven the healing balm of God's grace to impart to the needy and suffering. The church of God is weighted with the most sacred responsibilities and the most glorious privileges. All who believe the message of Christ's soon coming will go forth to do something for the Master, relying on the assurance, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” In practical obedience to the divine command, his confidence will increase and his talents will multiply. ST November 28, 1906, par. 9