80
Selected Messages Book 1
retards the self-sacrificing movements which should be made to warn
the world and save souls.
“The powers of darkness are working with an intensity of effort,
and year by year thousands of people, from all kindreds, nations, and
tongues, pass into eternity, unwarned and unready. Our faith must
mean something more definite, more decided, more important.
“Ask my institutions and churches, ‘Do you believe the Word of
God? What then are you doing in missionary lines? Are you working
with self-denial and self-sacrifice? Do you believe that the Word of
God means what it says? Your actions show that you do not. How will
you meet at the bar of God the countless millions who, unwarned, are
passing into eternity?
“‘Will there be a second probation? No, no. This fallacy might
just as well be given up at once. The present probation is all that we
shall have. Do you realize that the salvation of fallen human beings
must be secured in this present life, or they will be forever lost?’”
[92]
Our Responsibilities
The Laodicean message is applicable to the church at this time.
Do you believe this message? Have you hearts that feel? Or are
you constantly saying, We are rich and increased in goods, and have
need of nothing? Is it in vain that the declaration of eternal truth has
been given to this nation to be carried to all the nations of the world?
God has chosen a people and made them the repositories of truth
weighty with eternal results. To them has been given the light that
must illuminate the world. Has God made a mistake? Are we indeed
His chosen instrumentalities? Are we the men and women who are to
bear to the world the messages of Revelation fourteen, to proclaim the
message of salvation to those who are standing on the brink of ruin?
Do we act as if we were?
In a clear, determined voice the messenger said, “I ask you what
you are doing? O that you could comprehend! O that you could
understand the importance of the warning and what it means to you
and to the world! If you did understand, if you were filled with the
spirit of the One who gave His life for the life of the world, you would
cooperate with Him, making earnest, self-sacrificing efforts to save
sinners.”