Chapter 197—Brings Refreshing
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted
out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord.
Acts 3:19
.
The third angel’s message is swelling into a loud cry, and you must not
feel at liberty to neglect the present duty, and still entertain the idea that at
some future time you will be the recipients of great blessing, when without
any effort on your part a wonderful revival will take place. Today you are
to give yourselves to God, that He may make you vessels unto honor, and
meet for His service. Today you are to give yourself to God, that you may be
emptied of self, emptied of envy, jealousy, evil surmising, strife, everything
that shall be dishonoring to God. Today you are to have your vessel purified
that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter
rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul
that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls
to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence
of the Lord—fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit....
God has not revealed to us the time when this message will close, or
when probation will have an end.... It is our duty to watch and work and wait,
to labor every moment for the souls of men that are ready to perish. We are
to keep walking continually in the footsteps of Jesus, working in His lines,
dispensing His gifts as good stewards of the manifold grace of God....
The Word of The Lord reveals the fact that the end of all things is at hand,
and its testimony is most decided that it is necessary for every soul to have
the truth planted in the heart so that it will control the life and sanctify the
character. The Spirit of the Lord is working to take the truth of the inspired
Word and stamp it upon the soul so that professed followers of Christ will
have a holy, sacred joy that they will be able to impart to others.
Our only safety is in being ready for the heavenly refreshing, having our
lamps trimmed and burning.... Day by day we are to seek the enlightenment
of the Spirit of God, that it may do its office work upon the soul and character.
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