Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:24, NKJV).
We are to “work . . . while it is day.” Long ago the armies of Israel were engaged in battle with the Amorites. The sun was about to set but the battle was not over. Joshua prayed: “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; . . . and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.” “So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day” (Joshua 10:12, 13). At last the victory was won.
Once more, the daylight of probationary time has been extended to this generation. 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, 450.
The breathtaking changes in our world are causing many — both believers and unbelievers — to inquire, “What do these things mean? Is this the end of the world?”
The sun still shines, but we are now living in its evening shadow. The day long extended is about to end.
In what way would God have those who are specially trained for medical missionary work utilize the last remaining moments of daylight?
“No line is to be drawn between the genuine medical missionary work and the gospel ministry. These two must blend. They are not to stand apart as separate lines of work. They are to be joined in an inseparable union, even as the hand is joined to the body.”—Letter 102, 1900.
Medical missionary work opens the way for the gospel to find entrance into the heart.
It is no longer difficult to imagine the day when this statement will be fulfilled: “I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work.” -Counsels on Health, 533.
The judgment will reveal how these closing moments were spent, “while it [was] day.”
Ellen White wrote, “I seemed to be in a large gathering. One of authority was addressing the company, before whom was spread out a map of the world. He said that the map pictured God’s vineyard, which must be cultivated. As light from heaven shone upon anyone, that one was to reflect the light to others. Lights were to be kindled in many places, and from these lights still other lights were to be kindled.”
“I saw jets of light shining from cities and villages and from the high places of the earth. God’s word was obeyed, and as a result there were memorials for Him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the world.”
“Then this map was removed and another put in it place. On it light was shining from a few places only. The rest of the world was in darkness, with only a glimmer of light here and there.“ -Testimonies, vol. 9, 29.
In the vision of the two maps the “Instructor” did not reveal the ending. It remains for us to decide whether to give the Light entrance into our hearts and reflect it to others or resist and hide it under a bushel. The final pages of history are being recorded.
What a privilege is ours to live and work “while it is day.”  CONTINUE READING EDITORIAL »