We are living in unprecedented times. The Covid-19 epidemic has paralyzed many with fear and we have seen our God given liberties which were protected by the Constitution, vaporized before our eyes.
Many of God’s people are inquiring about leaving the cities for country locations. Some have contemplated this move for years but have delayed and are now wondering if it is too late. We have been told that; “…erelong there will be such strife and confusion in the cities, that those who wish to leave them will not be able…” {GCB, April 6, 1903 par. 33}
This has been a wakeup call to many of God’s people. While they have read the counsel and have contemplated the move away from the cities for years, they are now seeing what can easily transpire. With the “stay at home” order that we have experienced, there has still been some movement allowed, but how easy it is to see how the cities could be completely locked down so that no one can come or go.
There are two reasons for leaving the cities; Spiritual and physical or practical. Concerning the Spiritual, we have the following counsel.
“Few realize the importance of shunning, so far as possible, all associations unfriendly to religious life. In choosing their surroundings, few make their spiritual prosperity the first consideration.” {CL 5.1}
“Who will be warned? We say again, Out of the cities. Do not consider it a great deprivation, that you must go into the hills and mountains, but seek for that retirement where you can be alone with God, to learn His will and way…” {CL 14.4}
“I urge our people to make it their lifework to seek for spirituality. Christ is at the door. This is why I say to our people, do not consider it a privation when you are called to leave the cities and move out into the country places. Here there await rich blessings for those who will grasp them. By beholding the scenes of nature, the works of the Creator, by studying God’s handiwork, imperceptibly you will be changed into the same image.” {CL 14.5}
“He (God) wants us to live where we can have elbow room. His people are not to crowd into the cities. He wants them to take their families out of the cities, that they may better prepare for eternal life. In a little while they will have to leave the cities.” {CL 17.1}
“In harmony with the light given me, I am urging people to come out from the great centers of population. Our cities are increasing in wickedness, and it is becoming more and more evident that those who remain in them unnecessarily do so at the peril of their soul’s salvation.” {CL 9.4}
Our soul’s salvation and that of our families should be our first consideration. We need to place ourselves among surroundings and influences that best prepare us for eternal life. As far as possible we must avoid anything that would put our souls and those of our families in peril. By living among the scenes of nature and by contemplating the works of our Creator, we will be changed into His likeness.
The second reason for leaving the cities is for physical or practical reasons. As has been noted, there will come a time when we will not be able to leave the cities.
“… Again and again the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country, where they can raise their own provisions; for in the future the problem of buying and selling will be a very serious one. We should now begin to heed the instruction given us over and over again: Get out of the cities into rural districts, where the houses are not crowded closely together, and where you will be free from the interference of enemies.” {CL 9.5}
“My warning is: Keep out of the cities… Educate our people to get out of the cities into the country, where they can obtain a small piece of land, and make a home for themselves and their children…” {CL 10.4}
Many believe that it is safe to remain in the cities until the Sunday law is enacted.
“The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation [the United States] in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.” {Mar 180.2}
The enactment of the national Sunday law may be our very last chance to leave the cities, but after the Sunday law is enacted, the judgements of God will follow quickly. If we procrastinate until then to leave the cities, we may have to leave everything behind. How much better to get out of the cities now and prepare for what is coming rather than wait and become totally dependent on others. Now is the time. God has given us a warning in this present crisis. We have no time to lose, yet we must move wisely. Seek God earnestly for wisdom and that He will open the door for us to heed the counsel that we’ve had for years.
When God gives a command, He will make a way, but we must move out by faith, trusting in His promises and take that first step. When we do, God will work in our behalf. He will divide the waters that we may go through.
What are those first steps? What would you do if you knew you were moving? You would part with the things that you don’t need. You would start packing your belongings; you would put your house on the market if you own your own home. You would research what you could do when you leave the city to continue providing for yourself and your family. Be creative; evaluate your abilities and talents and training and experience. Is there work you can do from home? What are the opportunities that I might have in a smaller community or country location? Don’t move rashly but move.
By leaving the cities, we are not to leave the cities unwarned. God has given each of us a work. He has given us special abilities and talents to be used to save souls that are in danger.
“The cities are to be worked from outposts. Said the messenger of God, “Shall not the cities be warned? Yes; not by God’s people living in them, but by their visiting them, to warn them of what is coming upon the earth.””{CL 30.2}
Have you felt convicted to get out of the city but feel that you need help? Are you wondering how you can warn the cities without living in them? The author of this article is president of ‘Last Call Out Ministries’, a ministry that was established to assist God’s people in the transition from the city to the country as well as to establish Outposts from which to go back into the cities with the last warning message to the inhabitants of these cities.
If you are wanting to get out of the cities or would like to put your God given abilities to work in helping others to get out of the cities or would like to be a part of an outreach team in working the cities, go to lastcallout.org for contact information.
“Time is precious. The destiny of souls is in the balance. God is holding back His judgments, waiting for the message to be sounded to all. There are many who have not yet heard the testing message of truth for this time. The last call of mercy is to be proclaimed throughout the earth. Heavenly angels have long been waiting for human agents . . . to cooperate with them in the great work to be done. They are waiting for you. So vast is the field, so comprehensive the design, that every sanctified heart will be pressed into service as an agent of divine power.” {HP 314.5}