Why has Christ called us to the gospel? Is it not to work for the salvation of lost souls? We live in a very crucial time—a very stimulating and yet dangerous time. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” (2 Thessalonians 2:1–5). If we, as the church, had recognized our privilege in receiving the message of Christ our Righteousness and giving it to the world, Christ would have come long ago. So, now, more than ever, God’s people need to be prepared for future events. We need to be attuned—acutely aware of prophecy being fulfilled around us. And we are to go forward in the righteousness of Christ so that we can give this precious message in love to others.

We should not sleep. Let the youth wake up and proclaim the message of Christ’s second coming. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Let us not be fooled into thinking that the wrath of God would spare us just because we are young! Let us make use of our youth: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) before the troublous days come. Let us be God’s instruments to bear His emblem. Let us work to bring souls to Christ so that we can fulfill His commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). Let the youth be teachers in the school of Christ.

We as a people have not accomplished the work which God has committed to us. We are not ready for the issues which the enforcement of the Sunday law will bring us. As we see the signs of approaching peril, it is our duty to arouse to action. Let none sit in calm expectation of the evil, comforting themselves with the belief that this work must go on because prophecy has foretold it and that the Lord will shelter His people. We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience.

Let us be prepared for Christ’s second coming, for there may be no future time left to work. This is the time. Let us therefore work without stopping, for “the Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5).

Editor’s note: Bro. Daniel Arwa Ojuok is a youth of 21 years of age. He would like to have a penpal from any corner of the Lord’s vineyard. He is unmarried and his interests include Bible study, singing, missionary work and, agriculture among many other Christian activities.