God's Sabbath

G OD ’ S W AY IN M ISSIONARY W ORK

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Joel 2:28–32). It received its first fulfillment in that miraculous time when the Holy Spirit descended upon the waiting disciples at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1–47). Mighty as that manifestation of divine power was, it will be surpassed in that soon-coming day when the loud cry goes forward. “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Joel 2:28–29. “As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fear ful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil au thority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,—all will be unmasked. By these sol emn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thou sands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven.” The Great Controversy , 606.2. This is the success story that the members of Christ’s body have always dreamed about, but never fully realized. The major reason for this disappointment is the persistent determination by God’s people to achieve these results in their own way— which is actually not possible to do. Therefore, when the final work goes forward so powerfully and effectively, it will be be cause God’s methods alone are being employed. There will be no trace of human devising at that time. The way in which mission ary work is carried out then, will be different from how it has usually been attempted until now. This is clearly foretold in the following words: “Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be con trary to any human planning.” Testimonies to Ministers , 299.2.