EditorialThe symbolic Elijah, the greatreformer who would come before thesecond coming <strong>of</strong> Christ is to “turnthe heart <strong>of</strong> the fathers to the children,and the heart <strong>of</strong> the children to theirfathers” (Malachi 4:6). Here we see awork <strong>of</strong> revival and reformation startingat home.“Those who bear the last message <strong>of</strong>mercy to the world should feel it theirduty to instruct parents in regard tohome religion. The great reformatorymovement must begin in presentingto fathers and mothers and childrenthe principles <strong>of</strong> the law <strong>of</strong> God. As theclaims <strong>of</strong> the law are presented, and menand women are convicted <strong>of</strong> their dutyto render obedience, show them theresponsibility <strong>of</strong> their decision, not onlyfor themselves but for their children.Show that obedience to God’s word isour only safeguard against the evils thatare sweeping the world to destruction.” 1In preparation for the first coming<strong>of</strong> Christ, the prophetic Elijah—whomJesus identified as John the Baptist (Matthew11:11–14)—was to “go before himin the spirit and power <strong>of</strong> Elias, to turnthe hearts <strong>of</strong> the fathers to the children,and the disobedient to the wisdom <strong>of</strong>the just; to make ready a people preparedfor the Lord” (Luke 1:17).Likewise, it is the mission <strong>of</strong> God’speople in these last days to prepare apeople before the second coming <strong>of</strong>Christ in glory. Through the divinegrace, these “reformers,” and “restorers”are to bring to the attention <strong>of</strong>the people the divine institutionsestablished in Eden: Marriage accordingto God’s principle (Genesis 1:27),the original diet (verse 29), and theseventh-day Sabbath (Genesis 2:1–3)are among those institutions whichmust be restored in the process <strong>of</strong>preparing a peculiar people to receivethe Lord in glory.The apostle Peter, speaking <strong>of</strong> thework to be done before the “great day<strong>of</strong> the Lord”—the close <strong>of</strong> probation—declared: “Repent ye therefore, and beconverted, that your sins may be blottedout, when the times <strong>of</strong> refreshingshall come from the presence <strong>of</strong> theLord; and he shall send Jesus Christ,which before was preached unto you:whom the heaven must receive untilthe times <strong>of</strong> restitution <strong>of</strong> all things,which God hath spoken by the mouth<strong>of</strong> all his holy prophets since the worldbegan” (Acts 3:19–21).Here we have:1. Repentance, which is sorrow forsin and turning away from it.2. Conversion, “the renewing <strong>of</strong>your mind, that ye may prove what isthat good, and acceptable, and perfect,will <strong>of</strong> God” (Romans 12:2).3. “Blotting out <strong>of</strong> sins” as an essentialcondition to receive the “refreshing”baptism <strong>of</strong> the Holy Spirit uponGod’s people before the finishing <strong>of</strong>God’s work on earth.The apostle explains that Christmust be kept in heaven “until the times<strong>of</strong> restitution <strong>of</strong> all things.”Therefore, “in this age, just priorto the second coming <strong>of</strong> Christ in theclouds <strong>of</strong> heaven, God <strong>ca</strong>lls for menwho will prepare a people to standin the great day <strong>of</strong> the Lord. Just sucha work as that which John did, is tobe <strong>ca</strong>rried on in these last days. TheLord is giving messages to His people,through the instruments He has chosen,and He would have all heed theadmonitions and warnings He sends.The message preceding the publicministry <strong>of</strong> Christ was, Repent, publi<strong>ca</strong>nsand sinners; repent, Pharisees andSadducees; ‘for the kingdom <strong>of</strong> heavenis at hand’. Our message is not to beone <strong>of</strong> peace and safety. As a peoplewho believe in Christ’s soon appearing,we have a definite message to bear—‘Prepare to meet thy God.’“Our message must be as direct aswas that <strong>of</strong> John. He rebuked kings fortheir iniquity. Notwithstanding the perilhis life was in, he never allowed truth tolanguish on his lips. Our work in thisage must be as faithfully done. . . .“In this time <strong>of</strong> well-nigh universalapostasy, God <strong>ca</strong>lls upon His messengersto proclaim His law in the spiritand power <strong>of</strong> Elias. As John the Baptist,in preparing a people for Christ’s firstadvent, <strong>ca</strong>lled their attention to theTen Commandments, so we are to give,with no uncertain sound, the message:‘Fear God, and give glory to him; forthe hour <strong>of</strong> his judgment is come’(Revelation 14:7). With the earnestnessthat characterized Elijah the prophetand John the Baptist, we are to striveto prepare the way for Christ’s secondadvent.” 2May the Lord give us His wonderfulgrace to prepare a people for His imminentcoming! RReferences1Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 119.2The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. WhiteComments], vol. 4, p. 1184.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 3
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