If we understand God's mission correctly, we will understand that the Publishing Ministry is a divine institution created by Him to accomplish His purposes. Each of the points below deserves serious reflection beyond the scope of this summary document. I encourage you to take the time to meditate on each point prayerfully and allow God to teach you.

The press is a powerful instrumentality which God has ordained to be combined with the energies of the living preacher to bring the truth before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. PM 44

The publishing department is an important branch of God’s work, and all connected with it should feel that it is ordained of God and that all heaven is interested in it. PM 64

And one of the principal agencies He has ordained for our use is the printed page. PM 275

What is the meaning of this word “ordained”? It means “to set apart” or “to establish.” If something is ordained by God, it has divine authority and God has a divine purpose for it.

The publishing work is not a clever strategy invented by the church. It is not, as some churches treat it, an optional activity. This is God's special project, invented by Him to accomplish His purpose. We have the privilege and honor of being invited to participate in God's work!

Our publishing work was established by the direction of God and under His special supervision. PM 41

For a deeper look at the Divine origins of publishing, read Biblical Origins of Publishing.

We often think of a publishing house in terms of the literature it produces. But God's plan is deeper and broader. He intends all aspects of the publishing house to be a witness for Him, This includes

• Building architecture
• Cleanliness and orderliness of the building
• Spiritual atmosphere
• Workplace ethics
• Quality of materials produced

We are not only to publish the theory of the truth, but to present a practical illustration of it in character and life. Our publishing institutions are to stand before the world as an embodiment of Christian principles. In these institutions, if God’s purpose for them is fulfilled, Christ Himself stands at the head of the working forces. Holy angels supervise the work in every department. And all that is done in every line is to bear the impress of heaven, to show forth the excellence of the character of God….
Even in mechanical lines, God desires that the perfection of His character shall appear. The exactness, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection which He required in the building of the earthly tabernacle, He desires to have brought into everything that shall be done in His service. Every transaction entered into by His servants is to be as pure and as precious in His sight as were the gold and frankincense and myrrh which in sincere, uncorrupted faith the Wise Men from the East brought to the infant Saviour.
Thus in their business life Christ’s followers are to be light bearers to the world. PM 40-41

Do we cultivate a sense of God's presence? Are we aware that holy angels are supervising the work? Oh, let us be very careful to think and say and do only that which is pleasing to God and the angels. We want their help in the printshop! Let us abandon habits that chase away the angels and develop habits of holiness. Let us allow the truth to sanctify us until we bring glory to God in all areas of our lives.

Notice the completeness of the holiness of the printshop. “All that is done in every line is to bear the impress of heaven.” That includes not only those who write and edit and translate, but those who print and fold and staple. It includes the printer technician, the computer technician, the janitor, the materials manager, and the accountant. Each person in each department must have as their goal to reveal God's character in their lives and in their work.

Even a quick study of the building instructions for the tabernacle is enough to convince anyone that God cares about details. He requires a high standard, and He blesses us with the wisdom and talent to achieve it. God blessed Bezalel and filled him with the Holy Spirit to enable him to accomplish his noble work. “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Exodus 31:3).

Just as in the tabernacle, heaven and earth met, so in the Adventist publishing house, heaven and earth meet. God's presence is there. Angels descend from heaven to supervise the work and cooperate with the staff members. God's character is revealed.

The publications sent forth from our printing houses are to prepare a people to meet God. Throughout the world they are to do the same work that was done by John the Baptist for the Jewish nation. By startling messages of warning, God’s prophet awakened men from worldly dreaming. Through him God called backsliding Israel to repentance. By his presentation of truth he exposed popular delusions. In contrast with the false theories of his time, truth in his teaching stood forth as an eternal certainty. “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” was John’s message. Matthew 3:2. This same message, through the publications from our printing houses, is to be given to the world today…. PM 387

If this same message is to be given to the world today, don't you think it would be a good idea to understand the message of John the Baptist? We'll take a brief look, but the question deserves its own study.

Adventist literature is much more than just a means of sharing information. It is a continuation of the prophet John the Baptist.

…to develop

Ellen White strongly associates the publishing ministry with prophecy — specifically, the Three Angels' Messages. In the context of Revelation 14:6-12, we read:

Let it never be forgotten that these [publishing] institutions are to cooperate with the ministry of the delegates of heaven. They are among the agencies represented by the angel flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Revelation 14:6, 7. PM 49

I am bidden to say to our publishing houses. Lift up the standard; lift it up. Proclaim the third angel’s message, that all the world may hear, and know that there is a people who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Let our literature give the divine message as a witness to all the world. PM 57

And in the context of the “fourth” angel of Revelation 18, we read:

In a large degree through our publishing houses is to be accomplished the work of that other angel who comes down from heaven with great power, and who lightens the earth with his glory. PM 50

The publishing work is not an asset, a supplement, or an add-on. It is one of the primary mechanisms through which God proclaims His final messages of warning!

What if we neglect to participate in this work? See section Watchman on this page.

The publishing ministry is directly connected with the completion of the Great Commission. It plays a vital role in preparing people for Jesus' return. Ellen White repeatedly ties in the publishing work with end-time events language in the Bible.

There is great need of men who can use the press to the best advantage, that the truth may be given wings to speed it to every nation, and tongue, and people. PM 47

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. Revelation 14:6

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

Notice how the language used below connects with the verses above.

The publishing houses, the presses, are instrumentalities in God’s hand to send out to every tongue and nation the precious light of truth. PM 386

During the loud cry, the church, aided by the providential interpositions of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light will be communicated to every city and town. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of salvation. So abundantly will the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with success the intensely active agencies, that the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere. PM 388

Who are these “intensely active agencies”? They not only include angels, but publishers and literature evangelists.

Our publishing institutions are to exalt the claims of God’s downtrodden law. Standing before the world as reformers, they are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring reform. In clear, distinct lines they are to present the necessity of obedience to all His commandments. Constrained by the love of Christ, they are to cooperate with Him in building up the old waste places, raising up the foundations of many generations. They are to stand as repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in. Through their testimony the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a witness, a constant reminder of God, to attract notice and arouse investigation that shall direct the minds of men to their Creator. PM 48

“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Ezekiel 33:7-8

Solemn is the responsibility that rests upon our houses of publication. Those who conduct these institutions, those who edit the periodicals and prepare the books, standing as they do in the light of God’s purpose, and called to give warning to the world, are held by God accountable for the souls of their fellow men. To them, as well as to the ministers of the word, applies the message given by God to His prophet of old: “Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 33:7, 8.
Never did this message apply with greater force than it applies today. PM 50

Working at the printshop is not a light thing. The responsibility is solemn. Just as pastors are watchmen, so are the staff at the printshop. Each of us is accountable to God for what we do and for what we do not do.

Literature is not neutral. It either warns its readers and prepares them for the coming of the Lord, or it doesn't.

We are not neutral, either. Either we are warning people, or we are not. Either we are using the talents that God has entrusted to us, or we are not. May we all be faithful!

My heart is often burdened because so many who might work are doing nothing. They are the sport of Satan’s temptations. Every church member who has a knowledge of the truth is expected to work while the day lasts; for the night cometh, wherein no man can work. Erelong we shall understand what that night means. The Spirit of God is being grieved away from the earth. The nations are angry with one another. Widespread preparations are being made for war. The night is at hand. Let the church arouse and go forth to do her appointed work. Every believer, educated or uneducated, can bear the message. PM 279

To every man He has given his work. We are laborers together with God. There are diversities of gifts, and every man should appreciate the moral and spiritual capital which God has entrusted to him. No one should treat these entrusted talents with indifference. No one is accountable for the talents he has never had; none should complain of the smallness of their gifts. Everyone is to trade on that which God has entrusted to him, working where he can, doing the best possible service for the Master. PM 138

What has God entrusted to you? How are you improving the talents entrusted to you? How are you participating in the literature ministry?

God's plan is for the spoken word and the printed page to work together. This section is a short summary of the page Preacher-Paper Duo.

You are not as a people doing one twentieth part of what might be done in spreading the knowledge of the truth. Very much more can be accomplished by the living preacher with the circulation of papers and tracts than by the preaching of the word alone without the publications. The press is a powerful instrumentality which God has ordained to be combined with the energies of the living preacher to bring the truth before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. Many minds can be reached in no other way. PM 44

You have called the attention of the people to important subjects, which, to a large number, are strange and new. To some they are intensely interesting. The laborers in word and doctrine have done what they could in presenting the truth. But unless there is a more thorough effort made to fasten these impressions upon minds, your efforts will prove nearly fruitless. Satan has many attractions ready to divert the mind; and the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches all combine to choke the seed of truth sown in the heart. In every effort such as you are now making, much more good would result from your labors if you had appropriate reading matter ready for circulation. Tracts upon the important points of truth for the present time should be handed out freely to all who will accept them. You are to sow beside all waters…. PM 45

Notice the connection with the parable of the sower and the seed (See Matthew 13:1-9,18-23). Preachers often complain about poor results, the place is hard, evangelism is expensive, and various other excuses. Notice the solution presented here to find fruit: incorporate literature into the plan! God's plan is to combine the energies of the preacher with the printed page to produce “much more good” from the labors. Neither the preacher nor the printed page alone is sufficient.

It is through the publication of our literature that light is to shine forth to many places. Our books and tracts and papers will go where we cannot go. As these messengers are sent on their way, they will give their message. No one can enter into controversy with them, for they cannot answer back. They stand as dumb, but powerful witnesses for the truth. PM 196

I was shown that the truth once published now, will stand, for it is the truth for the last days; it will live, and less need be said upon it in future. Numberless words need not be put upon paper to justify what speaks for itself and shines in its clearness. Truth is straight, plain, clear, and stands out boldly in its own defense; but it is not so with error. It is so winding and twisting that it needs a multitude of words to explain it in its crooked form. PM 47

I saw that all the light they had received in some places had come from the paper; that souls had received the truth in this way, [The Review and Herald, which at that time, 1853, was published semimonthly.] and then talked it to others; and that now in places where there are several, they had been raised up by this silent messenger. It was their only preacher. PM 47

Notice several advantages to the silent messenger:

• It can go where the living preacher cannot go.
• It does not argue with the reader. It cannot be argued into submission.
• Literature contains the Truth of the Word of God, which stands out boldly in its own defense.