Revival and the Return of the First Love Missionary Spirit

A genuine revival and reformation are essential to restore the first love of the gospel and awaken the missionary spirit that is currently dying among God's people6MR 407.2+1. To prepare the world for the second coming of Christ, every believer must be filled with the advent spirit and engage in the work of sharing the last message of mercy10MR 388.3+1. This missionary effort is the highest work possible, requiring us to watch, pray, and labor with unselfish interest for those ready to perishCCh 308.4+1.

Before the final judgments of God, there will be a revival of primitive godliness and a pouring out of the Spirit and power of God upon His childrenNL 9.3+1. True followers of Christ will separate from worldliness and gladly accept the great truths intended to prepare a people for the Lord's returnNL 9.3+1. By giving the gospel to the world, it is actually within our power to hasten the return of our SaviourLDE 39.4+1.

The third angel's message must be presented in its fullness at camp meetings and through our publications to reach all classes of people4MR 376.1+1. Medical missionary work acts as the "helping hand" to the gospel, opening hearts for the proclamation of truth5MR 133.3+1. Every church member is called to be a light-bearer, visiting neighbors and sharing the truth for this time with kindness and sympathyMYP 217.1+1.

"Without me ye can do nothing" John 15:515LtMs, Lt 2, 1900, par. 5.

"Them that honor me, I will honor" 1 Samuel 2:3015LtMs, Lt 2, 1900, par. 5.

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" Matthew 24:14.

"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come" Revelation 14:7.

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15PH004 31.3.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him" Revelation 3:2014MR 308.2.

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" Revelation 2:4.

"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works" Revelation 2:5.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" Luke 21:36GC 309.2.

"The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly" Zephaniah 1:1413MR 396.1.

"Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel" Amos 4:1213MR 396.1.

...mdash;the establishment of important interests outside of Battle Creek. I hope that there will be a revival and a reformation among our people, bringing back to hearts the first love of the gospel.—Letter 80, 1901, pp. 1, 2, 4, 5. (To the Managers of the Review and Herald Off...— 6MR 407.2 (1990)

...visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love...— GC 464.1 (1911)

...is not finished. It continues today. In like manner His ambassadors are to preach the gospel and to reveal His pitying love for lost and perishing souls. By an unselfish interest in those who need help they are to give a practical demonstration of the truth of the gospel. Much more than mere sermonizing is included in this work. The evangelization of the world is the work God has given to those who go forth in His name. They are to be colaborers with Christ, revealing to those ready to perish His tender, pitying love. God calls for thousands to work for Him, not by preaching to those who know the truth for this time, but by warning those who have never heard the last message of mercy. Work with a heart filled with an earnest longing for souls. Do medical missionary work. Thus you will gain access to the hearts of people, and the way will be prepared for a more decide...— CCh 308.4 (1991)

By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord's return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the ...— LDE 39.4 (1992)

We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths. Those who have been enlightened by the truth are to be light bearers to the world. To hide our light at this time is to make a terrible mistake. The message to God's people tod...— 7T 62.1 (1902)

Earnest Warnings—Living power must attend the message of Christ's second appearing. We must not rest until we see many souls converted to the blessed hope of the Lord's return. In the days of the apostles the message that they bore wrought a real work, turning souls from idols to serve the living God. The work to be done today is just as real, and the truth is just as much truth; only we are to give the message with as much more earnestness as the coming of the Lord is nearer. The message for this time is positive, simple, and of the deepest importance. We must act like men and women who believe it. Waiting, watching, working, praying, warning the world—this is our work.—The Review and Herald, November 13, 1913— VSS 335.2 (1988)

...They counseled together, and united in humble, fervent prayer for divine guidance. There has been a decline in the true missionary spirit among ministers and teachers. Yet Christ's coming is nearer than when we believed. Every passi...— PH117 70.2 (1882)

...there is no deeper religious fervor, and no more earnest love for one another in the church is, the missionary spirit has been dying out. Little is now said concerning Christ's coming, which was once the theme of thought and of con...— RH July 10, 1883, par. 8 (1851)