He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. John 1:17.
The Lord had a chosen one who would pave the way for his first coming. Now, He also has a chosen people that will prepare the way for His return.
John was to go forth as Jehovah's messenger, to bring to men the light of God. He must give a new direction to their thoughts. He must impress them with the holiness of God's requirements, and their need of His perfect righteousness. Such a messenger must be holy. He must be a temple for the indwelling Spirit of God. In order to fulfill his mission, he must have a sound physical constitution, and mental and spiritual strength. Therefore it would be necessary for him to control the appetites and passions. He must be able so to control all his powers that he could stand among men as unmoved by surrounding circumstances as the rocks and mountains of the wilderness. *
God is calling men and women for this solemn work. Especially, nowadays when many are so busy in everything except the celestial. The Lord in His love and mercy extends us this invitation.
All events are pointing to the second coming of Jesus. There are still too many people who do not know that there is a God who created the heavens and the earth, and that one day He sent His Son to save us.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
It is our duty to speak of our great God who loved us so much that He gave what was most dear, what was most precious, his only Son, the Lord Jesus.
In preparing the way for Christ's first advent, he was a representative of those who are to prepare a people for our Lord's second coming. The world is given to self-indulgence. Errors and fables abound. Satan's snares for destroying souls are multiplied. All who would perfect holiness in the fear of God must learn the lessons of temperance and self-control. The appetites and passions must be held in subjection to the higher powers of the mind. This self-discipline is essential to that mental strength and spiritual insight which will enable us to understand and to practice the sacred truths of God's word. For this reason temperance finds its place in the work of preparation for Christ's second coming. *
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:11-14.
Let us ask assistance in becoming instruments in God's hands. He tells us:
...Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9, 10.
The Lord Jesus is to return a second time, and is looking for HIs pure and righteous people.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 2 Peter 3:14.
There is one last message to give to this world. Let us ask God that we can form part of this great task. Lets leave behind everything that does not allow the Holy Spirit to anoint us with its power.
THE LORD IS COMING SOON, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!
* The Desire Of All Ages, 10. The voice of one crying in the wilderness ", Ellen White
* KCC
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