EGW
“I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 1
What a wonderful promise this is! We are to be sharers with Christ in the kingdom that He receives from His Father. This is a spiritual kingdom, in which those who are the most active in serving others are the greatest. AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 2
“Eat and drink at My table,”—that is, be admitted to close communion with Me, as those who are placed in a position of honor near the king. Christ's faithful ones are to minister, under His authority, the affairs of His spiritual kingdom. “Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall, inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 3
Until men co-operate with Christ, they are represented as being idle, so far as His business is concerned. They are doing nothing to promote the interests of the kingdom of God. Could the scenes of the judgment pass before them, they would see that they entertain erroneous ideas regarding that which the Lord values. Many who in this world are first, many who are looked upon as above others, will one day see that God estimates men according to their compassion, love, and self-denial. Those who help and bless their fellow-men, trying always to lift them up, are precious in God's sight; for they follow the example of Him who went about doing good. AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 4
It is such ones who will sit nearest to Christ on His throne. Here they gave others the preference, denying self. He who reads the heart, sees their excellence of character; and when He gathers His chosen ones into His kingdom, they will be given positions of honor; for they are worthy. AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 5
Christ knows how His faithful ones relieve the suffering of the needy, and He is pleased when they apply to Him for help that they may help others. God will hear their prayers, and will strengthen them in their good work. AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 6
Troublous times are right upon us. The signs of the times reveal that the day of the Lord is soon to come. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed by demons are killing men and women and little children. The taking of human life is a matter of daily occurrence. All these things testify that the end of all things is at hand. The powers of earth are stirred with an intensity from beneath; and the Lord sends to His people the warning, “Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My word shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come on you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 7
“As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be..... Watch ye therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 8
The world is not being warned as it should be. Thousands are perishing in their sins, and the last message of mercy to a fallen world is to be proclaimed. But how little is being done! Genuine benevolence will lead those who have been entrusted with the Lord's money to place this money where it will advance His work. Souls are perishing, and hundreds of workers are now needed. Men will be moved by the Holy Spirit to leave their ordinary employment; and enter fields that have never heard the last message of mercy. Many will be endued with power from on high. They will work wisely, not expending means lavishly, but studying how souls can be brought to a knowledge of the truth. They will work for the love of Christ, and success will crown their efforts. AUCR January 15, 1904, par. 9
Mrs. E. G. White