Further Study: The Promised Revival: God’s Mission Completed
“The message will be carried not so much by argument as by 
the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.”-Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 612.
Discussion Questions:
- In the quote above, Ellen G. White wrote: “The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God.” In class, discuss what you think that means. What does it not mean? After all, our message is very logical, very reasonable, and it comes with some very powerful arguments in its favor. How are we to understand, then, what she is telling us?
- What spiritual application do the promises God gave to His people in the Old Testament have for His church today? Deut. 11:13-18, Hos. 6:1-3, 10:12.
- Dr. Stephen Hawking, one of the world’s greatest scientists, called the concept of an afterlife a “fairy story for people afraid of the dark.” Why does a statement like that show just how crucial and hopeful our message is for a world that knows neither God nor His love?
- Though we don’t know when Jesus is going to come back, we do know that we want Him to and that we want this sin-sick world to end and a new sinless world to begin. That’s why we believe revival and reformation are so crucial to us as a people, and it’s why our leaders are calling us to it. In the end, though, it will not come by anything other than the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and that will not happen until we, as individuals, make a conscious choice to surrender ourselves with all our hearts and souls and minds to the Lord. How can we, without judging others, without comparing ourselves among ourselves, do our part to encourage each other to be prepared for the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
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May the issue of the false doctrine of salvation by works be elaborated.
I think one of the best ways to make way for the Holy Spirit in our own lives is to keep looking up! "Keep looking to Jesus, He will carry you through." We also need to surrender all to Him, and let Him into every part of our lives. Prayer and much time thinking about God in all His ways, especially noting His Love at work is what melts us and makes us ready for Him to do His best work inside our hearts and lives.
I want to watch the Sabbath school every Saturday morning
l have witnessed the holy spirit change my life and l believe the same can do great wonders in these last days