WEEK OF PRAYER READINGS

H. E. OSBORNE

December 20 to 27, 1902. INTRODUCTORY.
(To be read before the reading for December 20.)

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is high at hand.” “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.1

The keynote of the Readings for this Week of Prayer is Service. It is the service that is to finish this work committed to us.GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.2

The third angel’s message that has built up this people on the sure foundation of truth is the message that is to prepare the way for the Lord’s second advent in our own time. We are not to plan for many years to come; but we are to rise as one people, in the service of our God, and bear this final message to friends and neighbors and to all the world.GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.3

We may know that the revival of missionary interest, with its promise of a quickly finished work, will surely be met by the most determined effort of the enemy to throw the advancing ranks into confusion, and to dull the senses of believers. Hearts will be led to think, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Lips may even speak it, and the life may show it by a setting down as though to live indefinitely in this world.GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.4

But current events have been speaking in trumpet tones of the end of all things. The terrific volcanic upheavals in the West Indies and other parts this year have sent thousands to sudden doom, and filled the hearts of men with forebodings of disaster. The earth is waxing old. The strife between labor and capital has this year entered a new and intensified stage. The current of the world socially and religiously runs more swiftly downward. The perilous times of the last days have come.GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.5

Let every believer now look up and lift up the head, for our redemption draweth nigh. Sin is to be confessed and put away. No more profession can stand now in the solemn time, when we must be clean who bear the vessels of the Lord. Let the life be opened before the searching gaze of our God. Now must we cut loose from all that hinders service, and let the world know that the blessed hope of a quickly coming Saviour fills our hearts with joy.GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.6

“The return of Christ to this world will not be long delayed. Let this be the keynote of every message,” says the last volume of the Testimonies to the Church. This hope is reviving hearts. Those who have grown old looking for the consolation of Israel are taking fresh courage. God’s Spirit is stirring hearts in all the conferences and mission fields with the hope that this work is to be finished now. Is it not the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise, “Thy people shall be all willing in the day of Thy power”? Let us make this week of prayer a blessed season of consecration to willing service, until Jesus comes.GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.7

“Even so, come [quickly], Lord Jesus.”GCB October 1, 1902, page 649.8