Editorial – The Temporary Opportunity

The opportunities that we have as we travel once through our earthly life are very fleeting. Soon the opportunities, that we have today, will be gone forever. Soon many souls, that we can save today, will be so hardened in sin that it will be impossible to save them. In Ellen White’s day she plainly told us that we had already missed the easier time to warn the cities in the United States. But as difficult as it is now, soon it will be even more difficult to win the lost, because they are becoming more and more hardened in sin. We must snatch everyone out of the fire that we can. Remember, one soul is worth more than a whole world of material possessions. One soul saved by your instrumentality will bring glory to our Commander and be a friend of yours for eternity. You and I cannot really comprehend that, but we need to think about it.

“When we shall stand around the great white throne, what a record will the lives of many then present. Then will they see what they might have done had they not debased their God-given powers. Then will they realize what height of intellectual greatness they might have attained had they given to God all the physical and mental strength He had entrusted to them. In their agony of remorse they will long to have their lives to live over again.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 135.

“We are nearing the close of this earth’s history; soon we shall stand before the great white throne. Your opportunities for work will soon be past. Therefore work while it is called today. With the help of God, every true believer can see where there is work to be done. When the human will co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent, and the worker can make opportunities. Watch for the souls with whom you come in contact. Watch for opportunities to speak a word in season to them. Do not wait for an introduction, or until you become acquainted with them, before you seek to save the perishing souls around you.” Youth’s Instructor, June 24, 1897.

“Oh that Christ’s followers might realize that it is not houses and lands, bank-stock or wheat-fields, or even life itself, that is now at stake; but souls for whom Christ died! We should ever remember that the men and women whom we daily meet are Judgment-bound. They will stand before the great white throne, to testify against us if we are unfaithful to duty, if our example shall lead them away from the truth and from Christ, or to bear witness that our fidelity has encouraged them in the path of righteousness. These souls will either live to offer praise to God and the Lamb through ceaseless ages, or they will perish with the wicked. Christ suffered and died that they might enjoy a blissful eternity. What sacrifices are we willing to make for their salvation?” Review and Herald, January 19, 1886.

“The last great day is right upon us. Let all consider that Satan is now striving for the mastery over souls. He is playing the game of life for your souls. Will there be sins committed by you on the very borders of the heavenly Canaan? Oh what revealings!…The hour of Judgment is almost here,—long delayed by the goodness and mercy of God.…For all the natural weaknesses Jesus has made ample provision, that they may be overcome through His grace. If not overcome, the weakness will become a tyrant, a conqueror, to overcome them, and the heavenly light will become beclouded and extinguished. Ibid., May 24, 1887.