Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12.
We are standing upon the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange, eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven. Everything in our world is in agitation…. Only a moment of time, as it were, yet remains….
Satan is busily laying his plans for the last mighty conflict, when all will take sides….
Men in their blindness boast of wonderful progress and enlightenment; but to the eye of Omniscience are revealed the inward guilt and depravity. The heavenly watchers see the earth filled with violence and crime. Wealth is obtained by every species of robbery, not robbery of men only, but of God. Men are using His means to gratify their selfishness. Everything they can grasp is made to minister to their greed. Avarice and sensuality prevail. Men cherish the attributes of the first great deceiver. They … have become imbued with his spirit.
But the cloud of judicial wrath hangs over them, containing the elements that destroyed Sodom. In his visions of things to come the prophet John beheld this scene. This demon worship was revealed to him, and it seemed to him as if the whole world were standing on the brink of perdition. But as he looked with intense interest he beheld the company of God’s commandment-keeping people. They had upon their foreheads the seal of the living God, and he said: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
This distinctive banner … [Revelation 14:12 quoted] is to be borne through the world to the close of probation.
This is not a time to haul down our colors, to be ashamed of our faith.
Every man is to stand in his lot and place, thinking, speaking, and acting in harmony with the Spirit of God.
The Faith I Live By p. 307
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Prayer Requests
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Dear Friends,
When my grandfather, Edwin Harmon, was in his late teens, his father forced him to become a student at an academy in the northeastern US. He had lived on his own most of the time since the age of ten in the forests of the east coast. (It was a much wilder area in the 1890’s.) Much to his displeasure, he found himself stuck in a very strict school. This was a great trial for someone who had lived the life of a hobo. Several times he tried to run away, but always something happened to cause him to come back. Always circumstances were such that the school staff never knew what his real intentions were.
One very cold winter day, he decided that he would again try to escape from what to him seemed to be a prison. He was well able to care for himself even in the most severe circumstances and knew just where he would go and what he would do. As he walked along, he saw a man who wandering around in a daze because he was suffering from hypothermia. This poor man had been out in the snow and frigid temperatures for so long that he could not have lasted too much longer. My grandfather did not hesitate. He would try his escape another day. He carried the man back to the school.
Upon arrival, he kicked at the door until someone opened it. Immediately the staff began to work on this poor man. My grandfather wanted to put him by the fire to warm up, but they would not let him. They explained that it would be too hard on the man’s system. They must warm him up gradually. They began rubbing the man’s limbs with snow. Gradually, they warmed him up while explaining each step to my grandfather, so that he would understand. They were so kind, so careful, so caring that my grandfather began to see his teachers in a new light. He did not try to run away again.
How many there are all around us who are half frozen from the sinful life they have chosen, from the circumstances they are in, from the oppression of the evil one. They are wandering around and ready to perish just as surely as that hypothermic man. Our dear Saviour desires to use us to bring those cold and perishing ones to Him where He will warm them with His love.
Our Good Shepherd gently leads them step by step to Himself. We have the privilege to be under-shepherds in this work. As we work for Him wherever we are and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we must plead for wisdom from Above in this great work of soul-saving. Paul advises, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal 6:1 Jude adds, “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 22, 23
Just as the school staff took great care and worked with great patience on the man who was nearly frozen; so we must take care not to give those we are trying to bring to their only Helper too much, too fast. These perishing ones must be led gradually. We cannot expect them to become perfect overnight, when we are still struggling ourselves. We must not give them “strong meat” until they have had the “milk.” Paul explains, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Heb 5:13,14 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Cor 13:11
May we allow the Holy Spirit to use us to bring the perishing one to Him. May we bring them to the foot of the cross, that they might be saved. May we at all times be faithful undershepherds, that “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, [we] shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4
Rose
A People Who Keep God’s Law