The Assignment to Spiritual Israel

What God intended to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church. He has entrusted “His vineyard to other vinedressers,” who faithfully “render to Him the fruits in their seasons.” These witnesses for God are the spiritual Israel, and God will fulfill to them all the covenant promises He made to His ancient people.RR 250.4

For many centuries, secular and religious law prohibited preaching the gospel in its purity. As a result, the Lord’s great moral “vineyard” was almost unoccupied. The people were deprived of the light of God’s Word. Error and superstition threatened to blot out true religion. God’s church was as surely in captivity during this long period of persecution as the children of Israel were during the exile in Babylon.RR 250.5

But, thank God, the privileges given the people of God when they were delivered from Babylon have been restored to spiritual Israel. In every part of the earth, men and women are responding to the Heaven-sent message, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come.” Revelation 14:7.RR 250.6

“Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city,” which has “made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” God has given spiritual Israel the message, “Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” Verse 8; 18:4. As the captive exiles obeyed the message, “Flee from the midst of Babylon” (Jeremiah 51:6), so those who fear God are withdrawing from spiritual Babylon. Soon they are to stand in the heavenly Canaan as trophies of divine grace.RR 250.7

When the promised Messiah was about to appear, the message of Christ’s forerunner was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2. Today, in the spirit and power of John the Baptist, messengers whom God has appointed are alerting a judgment-bound world to the closing of probation and Christ’s appearance as King of kings and Lord of lords. The responsibility rests on His church to warn those who are standing on the brink of eternal ruin. The principles in the great controversy must be made plain to every human being who will listen.RR 251.1

In these final hours the Lord expects His church to rally to action as never before. Those whom Christ has made free through His precious truth are to proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. The blessings He so liberally bestowed, they are to communicate to every people. Every true disciple is to radiate an influence of life, courage, and true healing.RR 251.2