1. WHY SUCH A DELAY? Sunday November 21

a. Why did Israel have to wander forty years in the wilderness on their way to Canaan? Hebrews 3:12–19. How are believers in the threefold message delaying the coming of Christ? “It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord’s professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.” –Evangelism, p. 696.“If the people of God had preserved a living connection with Him, if they had obeyed His Word, they would today be in the heavenly Canaan.” –Ibid., p. 694.“Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God.” –Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 450. b. In what sense has there been a delay also on the part of the Lord? 2 Peter 3:9. “God’s unwillingness to have His people perish has been the reason for so long delay.” –Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 194.“God is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish; but His forbearance has a limit, and when the boundary is past, there is no second probation. His wrath will go forth and He will destroy without remedy.” –The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 946.

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2. A LESSON FROM THE EARLY DISCIPLES Monday November 22

a. What work did the disciples have to do before receiving the early rain? Acts 1:13, 14. What work was their great burden? Mark 16:20. “The first disciples went forth preaching the word. They revealed Christ in their lives. And the Lord worked with them, ‘confirming the word with signs following’ (Mark 16:20). These disciples prepared themselves for their work. Before the day of Pentecost they met together, and put away all differences. They were of one accord. They believed Christ’s promise that the blessing would be given, and they prayed in faith. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely; they were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 827. b. How will their experience be repeated in our days? Acts 1:4, 8. “The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel’s message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of worldwide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. The advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel’s message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel.“The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the ‘former rain’ was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the ‘latter rain’ will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest.” –The Great Controversy, p. 611.“Let Christians put away their dissensions, and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them in faith ask for the blessing, and it will come.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 827.

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3. WALKING IN THE LIGHT Tuesday November 23

a. What promise is very precious to those who accept the light of Revelation 18? Psalm 97:11; Ephesians 5:14. How is the third angel’s message strengthened by the coming of that other angel? “The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet.” –Early Writings, p. 277.“It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. ‘Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.’ ” –Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 215, 216 (1882). b. How will the message carried by the faithful remnant swell into a loud cry? Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–8. “Only a few will receive the testimony of truth, for every influence that Satan can bring to bear against the reception of the truth of God will be employed. . . . “The question of most vital importance for this time is, ‘Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will unite with the angel in giving the message of truth to the world? Who will receive the light that is to fill the whole earth with its glory?’ Those who cherish the light that they have, will receive more. Increasing light will shine about the souls who yield to the softening, subduing grace of Christ; and those who love the light, will be saved from the delusions of Satan.” –The Review and Herald, November 5, 1889.“Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. . . .“Thus will the truth be brought into practical life, and thus will be answered the prayer of Christ, uttered just before His humiliation and death: ‘That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me’ (John 17:21). The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry.” –Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401.

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4. CLEARING THE WAY Wednesday November 24

a. How can believers in the threefold message hasten the latter rain and also the coming of the Lord? 2 Peter 3:11, 12, 14. “The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked forward to as in the future; but it is the privilege of the church to have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and Heaven is waiting to bestow it.” –Evangelism, p. 701.“It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.” –Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 22. b. What should be the first step to clear the way for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Hosea 6:1–3. “When we bring our hearts into unity with Christ, and our lives into harmony with His work, the Spirit that fell on the disciples on the day of Pentecost will fall on us.” –Evangelism, pp. 697, 698.

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5. OUR PRESENT DUTY Thursday November 25

a. What could have happened already in 1892 if the message of Revelation 18 had been accepted? What is our present duty? Romans 13:11–14. “The third angel’s message is swelling into a loud cry, and you must not feel at liberty to neglect the present duty, and still entertain the idea that at some future time you will be the recipients of great blessing, when without any effort on your part a wonderful revival will take place. . . . Today you are to have your vessel purified, that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement.” –Evangelism, pp. 701, 702 (1892). b. How are we to yield to and cooperate with the Holy Spirit? James 4:7–10; John 12:35. “It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord–fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. . . .“Instead of living in expectation of some special season of excitement, we are wisely to improve present opportunities, doing that which must be done in order that souls may be saved. Instead of exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and seasons which the Lord has placed in His own power, and withheld from men, we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth.” –Evangelism, p. 702.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS Friday November 26

1. Explain the reasons for the delaying of Christ’s second coming. 2. How should the disciples’ preparation for the early rain inspire our readiness for the latter rain? 3. What characteristics qualify the faithful remnant to receive the latter rain? 4. How can we either hasten or delay the coming of Christ? 5. Whereupon should our efforts be centered in this time of preparation?