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Selected Messages Book 2
through the instruments He has chosen, and He would have all take
heed to the admonitions and warnings He sends.
The message preceding the public ministry of the Son of God was,
Repent, publicans; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees, “for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand” (
Matthew 3:2
). Our message is not to be one of
“peace and safety” (
1 Thessalonians 5:3
). As a people who believe in
Christ’s soon appearing, we have a work to do, a message to bear—
“Prepare to meet thy God” (
Amos 4:12
). We are to lift up the standard,
and bear the third angel’s message—the commandments of God, and
the faith of Jesus.
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The Message for Today
The message we bear must be as direct as was the message of
John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. He rebuked the adultery
of Herod. Notwithstanding his life was in peril, the truth did not
languish upon his lips. And our work in this age must be as faithfully
done. The inhabitants of the world at this time are represented by
the dwellers upon the earth at the time of the Flood. The wickedness
of the inhabitants of the old world is plainly stated: “And God saw
that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually”
(
Genesis 6:5
). God became weary of these people whose only thoughts
were of pleasure and indulgence. They sought not the counsel of the
God who had created them, nor cared to do His will. The rebuke of
God was upon them because they followed the imagination of their
own hearts continually; and there was violence in the land. “And it
repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved
him at his heart.” “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was
corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God
said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth
is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them
with the earth” (
Genesis 6:6, 12, 13
)....
There are special duties to be done, special reproofs to be given in
this period of the earth’s history. The Lord will not leave His church
without reproofs and warnings. Sins have become fashionable; but
they are none the less aggravating in the sight of God. They are glossed
over, palliated, and excused; the right hand of fellowship is given to