This question is often asked before a Boxing Match, ‘Will he go the distance,’ will he be still standing, and will he be able to go all the rounds until the very end? 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Will you stay the course, will you be still standing when the final bell tolls, when the final whistle blows, can you sing, ‘I’m still standing,’ I am still at my post, I have gone the distance, I’m still standing, or will you fall short, fall by the wayside, or will you just quit, “Will you go the distance?” Quote; “The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the redeemed. God led His people in the reformation movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great disappointment, their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have seen the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the third angel’s message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago, the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people.
It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and establish them there, a holy, happy people. But “they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:19. Because of their backsliding and apostasy they perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the Promised Land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God. As they refused to do the work which He had appointed them, others were raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to the world, Jesus delays His coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall soon be poured out. {GC 458}
Quote; “Christ commits to His followers an individual work–a work that cannot be done by proxy. Ministry to the sick and the poor, the giving of the gospel to the lost, is not to be left to committees or organized charities. Individual responsibility, individual effort, personal sacrifice, is the requirement of the gospel. “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in,” is Christ’s command, “that My house may be filled.” He brings men into touch with those whom they seek to benefit. “Bring the poor that are cast out to thy house,” He says. “When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him.” “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Luke 14:23; Isaiah 58:7; Mark 16:18. Through direct contact, through personal ministry, the blessings of the gospel are to be communicated. {MH 147}
Quote; “Satan is now seeking to hold God’s people in a state of inactivity, to keep them from acting their part in spreading the truth, that they may at last be weighed in the balance and found wanting.” {1T 260} What wicked and dangerous ‘Fearful Enchantment’ has crept in upon us, and now holds us captivated, imperceptibly, thread by thread, day by day, until we find ourselves bound by huge thick ropes, bound in captivity to sin, when we should change course, repent, cast off all constraints, Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” “Will you go the Distance?”
Of all the adults who walked out of Egypt in the Exodus, only two ever walked into the Promised Land, just Caleb and Joshua, only two people. Luke 17:26 “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Population Growth experts who research and map out population growth, find that the population in Noah’s days, are about the same as today, around 7-8 Billion and of that number, only Eight actually stepped aboard the Ark to Salvation, will apathy and the cares of this life, those ‘Fearful Enchantments’ still hold us captive, make us unfit for the purity of Heaven, with corrupted characters, and leaving us standing abandoned outside of the Kingdom, and in Noah’s Days, only eight will be saved, will it be exactly the same in our days?? But “they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:19, then “Will you go the Distance?”
Paul ran the ran his race, and encourages us to press onwards, Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” “Will you go the Distance?”
