Pastor's Corner - January 2012
As 2012 dawns, we realize that the work of the salvation of souls has not been completed yet and the Lord’s coming is still a future event. While we long for the return of Jesus, I have to ask myself, do we really desire for Him to come again or do we just find comfort in stating our belief in the Second Advent? Do we either doubt its reality or we hope that maybe it won’t come too soon?
In the last month and a half I have come across several sobering statements from the pen of Ellen White which have caused me to pause and ponder with prayer and even tears. She stated in Testimonies to the Church, vol. 8, page 24: “There are times when a distinct view is presented to me of the condition of the remnant church, a condition of appalling indifference to the needs of a world perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truth for this time. Then I have hours, and sometimes days, of intense anguish. Many to whom have been committed the saving truths of the third angel’s message fail of realizing that the salvation of souls is dependent upon the consecration and activity of God’s church. Many are using their blessings in the service of self. Oh, how my heart aches because Christ is put to shame by their un-Christlike behavior! But, after the agony is past, I feel like working harder than ever to arouse them to put forth unselfish effort for the saving of their fellow men.”
She goes onto say on page 27: “Oh, for consecrated Christians, for Christlike consistency, for the faith that works by love and purifies the soul! May God help us to repent and change our sluggish movements into consecrated activity. May He help us to show in our words and works that we make the burden of perishing souls our own.”
I am grateful that our Outreach Committee is planning for our congregation’s participation in “Operation Global Rain.” Imagine “millions of people around the world praying together for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit” for ten straight days. From January 4 to 14, millions of Adventist believers around the globe will be praying for the Holy Spirit to descend on God’s people to see a finished work. It kind of sounds like Pentecost all over again.
On page 27 in Testimonies vol. 8, Sister White continues: “The world is a theater; the actors, its inhabitants, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama. With the great masses of mankind there is no unity, except as men confederate to accomplish their selfish purposes. God is looking on. His purposes in regard to His rebellious subjects will be fulfilled. The world has not been given into the hands of men, though God is permitting the elements of confusion and disorder to bear sway for a season. A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama – Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceitfulness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect.”
At the end of this section she concludes: “Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.” p. 28
There is a statement from the November 22, 1906 Advent Review and Sabbath Herald which challenges me deeply. Ellen White wrote this seven months after the great San Francisco earthquake and I believe her appeal is even more relevant today. “The Lord calls upon those who believe in Him to be workers together with Him. While life shall last, they are not to feel that their work is done. Shall we allow the signs of the end to be fulfilled without telling people of what is coming upon the earth? Shall we allow them to go down in darkness without having urged upon them the need of a preparation to meet their Lord? Unless we ourselves do our duty to those around us, the day of God will come upon us as a thief. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.” What a passage to meditate and pray on during “Global Rain”!
In reflecting on these themes, my mind turns to the words of the Apostle in II Peter 3:3-15 NIV; “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s Word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same Word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,”
May the year 2012 be a year of infilling and power from the Holy Spirit of God.