We have but a little while...

We have only a little while to wage the warfare; then Christ will come, and the conflict will close. Then our last efforts to work with Christ and advance his kingdom, will have been made. Some who have stood at the fore-front of the battle, zealously resisting incoming evil, fall at the post of duty; the living gaze sorrowfully at the fallen heroes; but there is no time to cease work. They must close up the ranks, seize the banner from the hand palsied by death, and with renewed energy vindicate the truth and the honor of Christ. As never before, resistance must be made against sin,-- against the powers of darkness. The time demands energetic and determined activity on the part of those who believe present truth. If the time seems long as we wait for our Deliverer to come; if, bowed by affliction and worn with toil, we feel impatient to receive an honorable release from the warfare, let us remember--and let the remembrance check every murmur--that we are left on earth to encounter storm and tempest, to perfect Christian character, to become better acquainted with God our Father and with Christ our elder brother, and to work for the Master in winning many souls to Christ. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."

{SW, January 26, 1904 par. 13}