The Jews expected the coming of the Messiah for over 1,000 years. They looked forward to it, preached about it, and taught about it in their synagogues and in their special weekly, monthly, and yearly worship services. Yet, when it happened and Jesus came, they rejected Him!
The same thing will happen in the second advent movement as happened when Jesus came the first time. We are looking forward to the latter rain and the loud cry, which will finish the work of God in the world. We are looking forward to the sealing of God’s people and the finishing of the Three Angels’ Messages throughout the world. Yet, when it happens, we know from Bible prophecy that the majority of Seventh-day Adventists will reject the very thing they have been anticipating.
Where will you be, and what side will you take when what we have looked for so long is no longer in the future but rather in the present? We hope that these Week of Prayer messages will be helpful to you and your family as you prepare for the future that will take most of the world by surprise.
“I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.
“I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. . . . I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence.” Early Writings, 71.
Friend, will you be part of the latter rain? Will you receive it, or will you oppose it? Go to your closet and ask the Lord to give you a totally converted heart so you are ready for the future and the door of mercy and probation is not shut with you on the outside.
“The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time.” Review and Herald, July 5, 1906.