1. A REFORMATORY WORK Sunday September 24

a. What is one of the main responsibilities with which God’s people are entrusted? Ezekiel 44:23. “[God’s servants] cannot be excused from the faithful discharge of their duty to reprove sins and wrongs in the people of God, although it may be a disagreeable task and may not be received by the one who is at fault. But in most cases the one reproved would accept the warning and heed reproof were it not that others stand in the way. They come in as sympathizers and pity the one reproved and feel that they must stand in his defense. They do not see that the Lord is displeased with the wrongdoer, because the cause of God has been wounded and His name reproached. Souls have been turned aside from the truth and have made shipwreck of faith as the result of the wrong course pursued by the one in fault; but the servant of God whose discernment is clouded and whose judgment is swayed by wrong influences would as soon take his position with the offender whose influence has done much harm, as with the reprover of wrong and of sin, and in so doing he virtually says to the sinner: ‘Do not be troubled, do not be cast down; you are about right after all.’ These say to the sinner: ‘It shall be well with thee.’”–Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 196. b. What other important principle was urged upon the princes and the people? Ezekiel 45:9, 10. How can we see this principle applied in the New Testament? Matthew 7:12; Romans 12:17–21.

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2. THE MISSION OF GOD’S PEOPLE Monday September 25

a. What is the mission of the church of God on earth? Ezekiel 47:9; Isaiah 60:1, 2; Matthew 5:13–16. “Wonderful is the work which the Lord designs to accomplish through His church, that His name may be glorified. A picture of this work is given in Ezekiel’s vision of the river of healing: [Ezekiel 47:8–12 quoted].“From the beginning God has wrought through His people to bring blessing to the world. To the ancient Egyptian nation God made Joseph a fountain of life. Through the integrity of Joseph the life of that whole people was preserved. Through Daniel God saved the life of all the wise men of Babylon. And these deliverances are as object lessons; they illustrate the spiritual blessings offered to the world through connection with the God whom Joseph and Daniel worshiped. Everyone in whose heart Christ abides, everyone who will show forth His love to the world, is a worker together with God for the blessing of humanity. As he receives from the Saviour grace to impart to others, from his whole being flows forth the tide of spiritual life.”–The Acts of the Apostles, p. 13. b. What does Christ teach in connection with our mission as a church? Luke 10:25–27. “In the story of the good Samaritan, Christ illustrates the nature of true religion. He shows that it consists not in systems, creeds, or rites, but in the performance of loving deeds, in bringing the greatest good to others, in genuine goodness.”–The Desire of Ages, p. 497.“It is now, just now, that genuine gospel medical missionary work is to be done by men who acknowledge Christ as their Master; who realize, as did Elijah and Jeremiah, that they hold their commission from God, and that they are accountable to God for the use made of the talents entrusted to them. God’s workers are to acknowledge no earthly master. One higher than men, even He who is the way, the truth, and the life, is their Master.”–The Review and Herald, November 5, 1903.

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3. THE CLOSING HOURS Tuesday September 26

a. How is the final work of God’s people depicted? Ezekiel 47:1–8. “To the prophet Ezekiel was given the representation of waters issuing ‘from under the threshold of the house eastward,’ ‘at the south side of the altar.’ Read Ezekiel 47. Especially mark verse 8: [Ezekiel 47:8 quoted]. So our work was presented to me as extending to the east and to the west, to the islands of the sea, and to all parts of the world. As the work extends, there will be great interests to be managed. The work is not to be centered in any one place. Human wisdom argues that it is more convenient to build up the interests where the work has already obtained character and influence, but mistakes have been made in this line. It is burden bearing that gives strength and development. And for the workers in different localities to be largely freed from responsibility means to place them where their characters will remain undeveloped and their powers will be repressed and weakened. The work is the Lord’s, and it is not His will that the strength and efficiency shall be concentrated in any one place.”–Testimonies, vol. 7, pp. 171, 172. b. How and through whom is the blessing promised in Ezekiel 47 to reach the people? Zechariah 13:1; John 4:13, 14; Mark 16:15, 16. “Christ came as the Great Physician to heal the wounds that sin has made in the human family; and His Spirit, working through His servants, imparts to sin-sick, suffering human beings a mighty healing power that is efficacious for the body and the soul. [Zechariah 13:1 quoted.] The waters of this fountain contain medicinal properties that will heal both physical and spiritual infirmities. From this fountain flows the mighty river seen in Ezekiel’s vision.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 227.

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4. A LAST CHANCE TO WORK FOR OTHERS Wednesday September 27

a. What should all believers realize concerning the last available chances to work for God? Psalm 67:1, 2. “I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work. The work of a minister is to minister. Our ministers are to work on the gospel plan of ministering.”–Evangelism, p. 523.“The medical missionary work is to burst all barriers. All are invited to take a part in it, and help where help is needed. The wealthy are to be reached, and their sympathy and assistance solicited; for are they not the Lord’s stewards? Idle children are to be instructed; they are to enlist in the army of workers to help the sick and suffering. Train the children, for they are the Lord’s heritage. As the children sang in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Highest, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord,’ so in these days children’s voices will be raised to give the last message of warning to a perishing world.”–Battle Creek Letters, p. 26. b. What is the glorious culmination of the task assigned to us all? Habakkuk 2:14. “Troublous times are before us. He who understands the necessities of the situation arranges that advantages should be brought to the workers in various places, to enable them more effectually to arouse the attention of the people. He knows the needs and the necessities of the feeblest of His flock, and He sends His own message into the highways and byways. He loves us with an everlasting love.”–Medical Ministry, p. 326.“The proclamation of the gospel is the only means in which God can employ human beings as His instrumentalities for the salvation of souls. As men, women, and children proclaim the gospel, the Lord will open the eyes of the blind to see His statutes, and will write upon the hearts of the truly penitent His law. The animating Spirit of God, working through human agencies, leads the believers to be of one mind, one soul, unitedly loving God and keeping His commandments–preparing here below for translation.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 984.

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5. SAFETY AMID CHAOS Thursday September 28

a. After the spiritual shaking in the Laodicean period, what other “shaking” will come after the close of probation? Ezekiel 38:18–20; Hebrews 12:25–27; Revelation 16:18–20. “When the laws of men are exalted above the laws of God, when the powers of this earth try to force men to keep the first day of the week, know that the time has come for God to work. He will arise in His majesty, and will shake terribly the earth. He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 980. b. Describe the scene that will take place among the wicked and the shelter that God will offer to His people. Ezekiel 38:21–23; Psalm 46:1–3, 7; 91:1–10. “The world see the very class whom they have mocked and derided, and desired to exterminate, pass unharmed through pestilence, tempest, and earthquake. He who is to the transgressors of His law a devouring fire, is to His people a safe pavilion.”–The Great Controversy, p. 654.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS Friday September 29

1. What duties and responsibilities are upon us today? 2. How can the church bring God’s blessings to the world? 3. What final work should be of great interest to the church? 4. How does the Spirit of God lead human agencies? 5. How will the power of God be revealed during the closing hours?