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The Desire of Ages
of the earth. Christ’s work when upon earth appeared to be confined
to a narrow field, but multitudes from all lands heard His message.
God often uses the simplest means to accomplish the greatest results.
It is His plan that every part of His work shall depend on every other
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part, as a wheel within a wheel, all acting in harmony. The humblest
worker, moved by the Holy Spirit, will touch invisible chords, whose
vibrations will ring to the ends of the earth, and make melody through
eternal ages.
But the command, “Go ye into all the world,” is not to be lost
sight of. We are called upon to lift our eyes to the “regions beyond.”
Christ tears away the wall of partition, the dividing prejudice of na-
tionality, and teaches a love for all the human family. He lifts men
from the narrow circle which their selfishness prescribes; He abolishes
all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society. He makes no
difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. He
teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our brother, and the world
as our field.
When the Saviour said, “Go, ... teach all nations,” He said also,
“These signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they
cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” The promise is as
far-reaching as the commission. Not that all the gifts are imparted to
each believer. The Spirit divides “to every man severally as He will.”
1 Corinthians 12:11
. But the gifts of the Spirit are promised to every
believer according to his need for the Lord’s work. The promise is just
as strong and trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. “These
signs shall follow them that believe.” This is the privilege of God’s
children, and faith should lay hold on all that it is possible to have as
an indorsement of faith.
“They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” This
world is a vast lazar house, but Christ came to heal the sick, to proclaim
deliverance to the captives of Satan. He was in Himself health and
strength. He imparted His life to the sick, the afflicted, those possessed
of demons. He turned away none who came to receive His healing
power. He knew that those who petitioned Him for help had brought
disease upon themselves; yet He did not refuse to heal them. And when
virtue from Christ entered into these poor souls, they were convicted