Call to Arouse
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never slumbers and never deserts his post. Whenever a Christian is off
his guard, this powerful adversary makes a sudden and violent attack.
Unless the members of the church are active and vigilant, they will be
overcome by his devices.
What if half the soldiers in an army were idling or asleep when
ordered to be on duty; the result would be defeat, captivity, or death.
Should any escape from the hands of the enemy, would they be thought
worthy of a reward? No; they would speedily receive the sentence
of death. And is the church of Christ careless or unfaithful, far more
important consequences are involved. A sleeping army of Christian
soldiers—what could be more terrible? What advance could be made
against the world, who are under the control of the prince of darkness?
Those who stand back indifferently in the day of battle, as though
they had no interest and felt no responsibility as to the issue of the
contest, might better change their course or leave the ranks at once.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:394
.
There Must Be Action
I was shown God’s people waiting for some change to take place,—
a compelling power to take hold of them. But they will be disappointed,
for they are wrong. They must act; they must take hold of the work
themselves, and earnestly cry to God for a true knowledge of the
work themselves. The scenes which are passing before us are of
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sufficient magnitude to cause us to arouse, and urge the truth home
to the hearts of all who will listen. The harvest of the earth is nearly
ripe.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:261
.
Everything in the universe calls upon those who know the truth to
consecrate themselves unreservedly to the proclamation of the truth
as it has been made known to them in the third angel’s message. That
which we see and hear calls us to our duty. The working of satanic
agencies calls every Christian to stand in his lot.—
Testimonies for the
Church 9:25, 26
.
The message of Christ’s soon coming is to be given to all the
nations of the earth. Vigilant, untiring effort is required to overcome
the forces of the enemy. Our part is not to sit still and weep and
wring our hands, but to arise and work for time and for eternity.—
The
Southern Watchman, May 29, 1902
.