“Something Great And Decisive”

As Mrs. White met with the representatives of other lands in the 1909 General Conference, she felt that she had a serious message for those brethren regarding conflicts to come:SPIAM 109.5

“Mrs. White solemnly charged the brethren who had come to the meeting as representatives of the cause of present truth from every part of Europe, from Asia, Africa, South America, Australasia, and the islands of the sea, to prepare their hearts for terrible scenes of strife and oppression beyond anything they had conceived of, soon to be witnessed among the nations of earth.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 421.SPIAM 109.6

She said that these conditions were to arise “very soon.” These things, she told the delegates, “will break forth with an intensity that you do not now anticipate.” We were all exhorted to special prayer and acquaintance with God, in view of the times that were coming.SPIAM 110.1

Again, in the The Review and Herald, November 17, 1910, the church was urged to hasten on with its work with special earnestness, in view of the scenes of strife and commotion which soon would break out among the nations. Mrs. White wrote:SPIAM 110.2

“Soon strife among the nations will break out with an intensity that we do not now anticipate. The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they realize that something great and decisive is about to take place, that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis....SPIAM 110.3

“The Lord calls upon you, O church that has been blessed with the truth, to give a knowledge of this truth to those who know it not. From one end of the world to the other must the message of Christ’s soon coming be proclaimed. The third angel’s message—the last message of mercy to a perishing world—is so precious, so glorious. Let the truth go forth as a lamp that burneth.”SPIAM 110.4