Further Thought: See also Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets,
pp. 376–378; also The Desire of Ages, pp. 236–243.
“Jesus stood before the people as a living expositor of the prophecies
concerning Himself. Explaining the words He had read, He spoke
of the Messiah as a reliever of the oppressed, a liberator of captives,
a healer of the afflicted, restoring sight to the blind, and revealing to
the world the light of truth. His impressive manner and the wonderful
import of His words thrilled the hearers with a power they had never
felt before. The tide of divine influence broke every barrier down; like
Moses, they beheld the Invisible. As their hearts were moved upon by
the Holy Spirit, they responded with fervent amens and praises to the
Lord.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 237.
“The day of God’s vengeance cometh—the day of the fierceness of
His wrath. Who will abide the day of His coming? Men have hardened
their hearts against the Spirit of God, but the arrows of His wrath will
pierce where the arrows of conviction could not. God will not far
hence arise to deal with the sinner. Will the false shepherd shield the
transgressor in that day? Can he be excused who went with the multitude in the path of disobedience? Will popularity or numbers make any guiltless? These are questions which the careless and indifferent should consider and settle for themselves.”—Ellen G. White, Faith and Works, p. 33.
Discussion Question:
A Seventh-day Adventist pastor thoughtfully stated that his number
one problem in ministry is the exclusiveness of church members
who do not want others to join them. How can “Christians”
take the love, hope, and good news of Christ’s kingdom to all the
world so that others can have an opportunity to be saved before
the end comes (Matt. 24:14) when they do not even want to accept
people who go out of their way to show up in their church?
Summary: God purifies an unjust society by removing the rebels and by restoring the remnant who turn from the sins that have separated them from Him. Due to the blessings of God’s presence, people from other nations are drawn to God and His people so that they also can enjoy the time of God’s favor that is proclaimed and delivered by the Messiah.