Literature in the Closing Work
119
they are to do the same work that was done by John the Baptist for
the Jewish nation. By startling messages of warning, God’s prophet
awakened men from worldly dreaming. Through him God called back-
sliding Israel to repentance. By his presentation of truth he exposed
popular delusions. In contrast with the false theories of his time, truth
in his teaching stood forth as an eternal certainty. “Repent ye; for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” was John’s message. This same
message, through the publications from our printing houses, is to be
given to the world today. The prophecy that John’s mission fulfilled
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outlines our work,—“Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths
straight.”
Matthew 3:2, 3
. As John prepared the way for the first, so
we are to prepare the way for the second, advent of the Saviour.
Exalt the Sabbath—Our publishing institutions are to exalt the
claims of God’s downtrodden law. Standing before the world as re-
formers, they are to show that the law of God is the foundation of
all enduring reform. In clear, distinct lines they are to present the
necessity of obedience to all His commandments. Constrained by the
love of Christ, they are to co-operate with Him in building up the old
waste places, raising up the foundations of many generations. They
are to stand as repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in.
Through their testimony the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to
stand as a witness, a constant reminded of God, to attract notice and
arouse investigation that shall direct the minds of men to their Creator.
Herald the Three Angels’ Messages—Let it never be forgotten
that these institutions are to cooperate with the ministry of the delegates
of heaven. They are among the agencies represented by the angel flying
“in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto
them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and
tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory
to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.”
Revelation 14:6, 7
.
From them is to go forth the terrible denunciation, “Babylon is
fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of
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the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
Revelation 14:8
.
They are represented by the third angel that followed, “saying with
a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive
his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the
wine of the wrath of God.”
Revelation 14:9, 10
.—
Testimonies for the
Church 7:138-140
(1902).