NOTE: This article appeared in the April 2025 edition of Adventist World.
The word “come” is perhaps one of the most beautiful invitations in all of Scripture.
In the Old Testament we hear God pleading, “Come now, and let us reason together.. . . though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:18).
And in the New Testament are recorded many well-known invitations of Jesus:
“Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14).
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37).
Even near the end of His life, Jesus “stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38).
Our God is a God of invitation—He never forces or demands, but warmly, earnestly invites.
A Profound Invitation
Perhaps one of the most profound invitations in Scripture is found in Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
Notice, this is a double invitation: First, God invites everyone who desires to come and “take the water of life freely.” The second part of the invitation is directed to those who hear and listen to God’s call, encouraging them to invite others to come to Christ.
In the Bible, we see many examples of God working through people to call others to Himself/ In the Old Testament the psalmist says, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:6-7).
In the New Testament, when Jesus invited Philip to follow Him, Philip answered the call and immediately invited his friend Nathanael to meet the Savior. When Nathanael learned that Jesus was from Nazareth, he exclaimed, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Rather than arguing, Philip simply gave the invitation “Come and see” (John 1:45-46).
God has rich blessings in store for those who invite others to learn of Him. In urging a church member to become involved in soul winning, Ellen White wrote, “You have the privilege of witnessing for Jesus and advocating His truth wherever you may be. . . . Angels long to do this work, and they will work through the human instrumentality that is submitted to Christ. Your life may be a grand opportunity for the holy angels to work for the saving of the lost” [1].
Tens of thousands of Seventh-day Adventists around the world are answering the call to be part of Global Total Member Involvement. God wants to reach everyone with His wonderful messages of salvation and truth, and while He longs to give that privilege to His people, Her sometimes uses very unusual means to accomplish His purposes.
Going On God’s Errands
During one of the evangelistic meetings held in Papua, New Guinea in the spring of 2024, an evangelist made an appeal, inviting those who desired baptism to come forward. At first no one moved. As the seconds ticked by, things began to feel awkward. Suddenly a dog appeared out of nowhere, walked to the front, sat down, and stared at the audience. Soon a large crowd surged forward, responding to the call. God has used a dog to show them the way!
A few months later, half a world away in San Francisco, California, another dog was sent on God’s errand. Missionaries from the Streams of Light Ministry were going door-to-door, handing out packets containing The Great Controversy, along with a small booklet on mental health and an invitation to evangelistic meetings. At one home a couple opened the door, and the missionary started explaining what was in the gift packet. Stating they were not interested, the man started shutting the door when their dog bounded through the open space, grabbed the packet from the missionary’s hand, and quickly ran back inside with it!
“Well!” laughed the man. “I guess we’ll take it!”
Now is the time to become part of Global Total Member Involvement! When you partner with God, you never know what He will do in helping you to reach others for Him!
We read in The Acts of the Apostles, “The gospel commission is the great missionary charter of Christ’s kingdom. The disciples were to work earnestly for souls, giving to all the invitation of mercy. They were not to wait for the people to come to them; they were to go to the people with their message.” The inspired author continues, “The disciples were to carry their work forward in Christ’s name. Their every word and act was to fasten attention on His name, as possessing that vital power by which sinners may be saved. Their faith was to center in Him who is the source of mercy and power” [2].
When we give ourselves wholeheartedly to be a part of God’s mission, we can claim, along with the apostle Paul, the powerful promise found in Philippians 4:13—”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Jesus is coming soon! Be a part of Global Total Member Involvement today!
REFERENCES
Ellen G. White, Letter 95, 1895, in Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 10, p. 122.
——Acts of the Apostles, p. 28
Ted N. C. Wilson is president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church.