November 7, 1900

In the Master's Service

EGW

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”ST November 7, 1900, par. 1

If the disciples had now preached the Gospel to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, they would have lost their influence with the Jews. By exciting the prejudice of the Pharisees, they would have involved themselves in controversy, which would have discouraged them at the outset. Even the disciples were slow to understand that the Gospel was to be carried to all nations. Until they themselves could grasp this truth, they were not prepared to labor for the Gentiles. If the Jews would receive the Gospel, God purposed to make them His messengers to the Gentiles. Therefore they were first to hear the message.ST November 7, 1900, par. 2

The Saviour continued: “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go hence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”ST November 7, 1900, par. 3

The Saviour portrayed before His delegated messengers the treatment they would receive as they bore testimony for Him. He would not allow them to enter upon their work as His messengers without telling them what they would meet. He had a complete knowledge of the struggles they would encounter. He showed them the plan of the battle, pointing out the dangers before them. They were not to go into the work blindfold, but were to count the cost of every trial.ST November 7, 1900, par. 4

“Beware of men,” Christ said; “for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake; for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”ST November 7, 1900, par. 5

Christ did not wish His disciples to engage in the warfare in their own strength, thinking that they could break down every opposing influence; for then they would be taken unawares by the enemy. He told them what they might expect. He told them that they must count the cost. At the same time He assured them that help from on high would be given them. They were fighting the good fight of faith, and they would not be left alone. Heavenly angels would fight in their ranks, and the mighty General of heaven would lead the way. They might fear that their sinfulness would make them powerless. They might feel that they could not stand against the enemy. They were to remember that Omnipotence could make them more than conquerors if they would go forward in faith, refusing to fail or be discouraged.ST November 7, 1900, par. 6

The Holy Spirit will supply with grace those who feel their inefficiency. Those who trust in the Lord will be surrounded with a wall of light and holiness. Christ says to His soldiers today: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”ST November 7, 1900, par. 7

This spiritual wickedness will develop as time goes on. Laws will be made to compel men to worship God in accordance with human opinions. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”ST November 7, 1900, par. 8

The powers of this earth will unite with the powers from beneath to oppress God's people. In the Revelation, John writes: “I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”ST November 7, 1900, par. 9

When Satanic agencies shall unite with the professed Christian world in opposing God, these words of the prophet will be fulfilled. In blind zeal “the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”ST November 7, 1900, par. 10

God desires His servants to remember the instruction here given, that they may not be deceived in regard to what is coming upon the world. Of ourselves we can do nothing. Without the Spirit of God we are utterly helpless. Our strength lies in hiding in Jesus. God can do more in one moment to convict people than we can do in a lifetime. Therefore let us hold fast to the arm of Omnipotence. Let us lean upon Jesus. Thus we shall grow strong to do His will. The Lord is our helper. He will not leave or forsake us.ST November 7, 1900, par. 11

Mrs. E. G. White