SPECIAL MESSAGE TO WGM TEAM MEMBERS:
“Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a REASON of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good CONSCIENCE, that, whereas THEY [see verses 12-15] speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ASHAMED that FALSELY accuse your good conversation [conduct; life] IN CHRIST. For it is better, if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well doing [doing God’s express will] than for evil doing [disobeying God’s will by transgressing His law of righteousness].” 1 Pet. 3: 12-17, KJV.
That we may be better equipped and empowered to fulfill the above divine injunction that will soon become the lot of all who choose to “endure to the end and be saved, we must quickly heed this counsel from the Testimonies:
“We do not go deep enough in our search for truth. EVERY SOUL who believes PRESENT TRUTH [be sure to personally know what this truth comprehends] will be brought where he will be REQUIRED to give a reason of the hope that is in him. The people of God will be called upon to STAND BEFORE kings, princes, rulers, and great men of the earth. [see Matt. 10: 18, 1-43] and they MUST know what they do know WHAT is truth! They must be CONVERTED men and women.
“God can teach you MORE IN ONE MOMENT BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT THAN YOU CAN LEARN from the great men of the earth.” [I have long believed and taken this edifying, enlightening, and sanctifying truth to heart].
“The UNIVERSE is looking upon the controversy that is going on upon the earth. At an INFINITE cost, God has provided for EVERY man to an OPPORTUNITY to know that which will make him WISE unto salvation [from ‘the world, the flesh, and the devil’].
“How eagerly do the ANGELS look to see WHO will avail himself of this opportunity! [are you and I one of them?]. When a MESSAGE is presented to God’s people, they should NOT RISE UP IN OPPOSITION to it; [instead] they should go to the BIBLE, comparing it with ‘the law and testimony,’ and IF it does not bear this test, is is NOT true.
“God wants our MINDS TO EXPAND. He desires to put His GRACE upon us [to expand, not shrink in shallowness, surface work, and mere appearance, forms, and profession]. We may have a FEAST [of God’s word] every day [not only on the Sabbath or scheduled Bible studjes], for God can OPEN THE WHOLE TREASURE OF HEAVEN to us [this is what I personally desire and long for more than the ‘mansions,’ ‘streets of gold,’ the 12 different monthly fruits of the tree of life, etc.].” -Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 119. RH Feb. 19, 1890. [all emphasis and bracketed words mine].
May all constantly strive to please God only as Enoch did and was translated to heaven. Bless all in your particular work for the ministry. Pastor Nat