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You may copy it, give it away or re-use - it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License <a href= - "#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this eBook</a> or - online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class= - "tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>. If you are - not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> - </div> - <pre class="pre tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 3.00em; margin-bottom: 3.00em"> -Title: His Glorious Appearing - -Author: James Springer White - -Release Date: June 15, 2017 [Ebook #54914] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING*** -</pre> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"></div> - <hr class="page" /> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.73em; text-align: center"><span style= - "font-size: 173%">His Glorious Appearing</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.20em"><span style= - "font-size: 120%">An Exposition of Matthew Twenty-Four</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em">By</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.44em; text-align: center"><span style= - "font-size: 144%">James Springer White</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center">Revised and - Illustrated</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"><span class="tei tei-q" - style="text-align: center">“What shall be the sign of thy coming, and - of the end of the world?”</span>—<span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: center"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">Disciples</span></span>.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" - style="text-align: center">“When ye shall see all these things, know - that it is near, even at the doors.”</span>—<span class="tei tei-hi" - style="text-align: center"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">Jesus</span></span>.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center">Eleventh Edition.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center">Review and Herald - Publishing Co.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em">Battle Creek, Mich.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em">1895</p> - </div> - <hr class="page" /> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 5.00em; margin-bottom: 5.00em"> - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: left; margin-top: 3.46em; margin-bottom: 3.46em"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">Contents</span></h1> - - <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-toc"> - <li><a href="#toc1">Introductory.</a></li> - - <li><a href="#toc3">Christ's Prophecy.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc5">Persecution And False - Prophets.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc7">Iniquity - Abounds.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc9">The End.</a></li> - - <li><a href="#toc11">When Shall These Things Be?</a></li> - - <li><a href="#toc13">What Shall Be The Sign Of Thy Coming?</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc15">Shortened For The - Elect's Sake.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc17">Lo, Here, And Lo, - There.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc19">The Signs Of Christ's - Coming.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc21">“And The Stars Shall - Fall.”</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc23">“The Powers Of Heaven - Shall Be Shaken.”</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc25">“Sign Of The Son Of - Man.”</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc27">Parable Of The - Fig-Tree.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc29">“The Day And - Hour.”</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc31">Noah's Time And - Ours.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc33">Peace And - Safety.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc35">The Final - Separation.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc37">Those Who Watch Will - Know The Time.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc39">The Faithful And Wise - Servant.</a></li> - - <li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc41">The Evil - Servant.</a></li> - - <li><a href="#toc43">Conclusion.</a></li> - - <li><a href="#toc45">Choice Religious Books.</a></li> - </ul> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-body" style= - "margin-top: 6.00em; margin-bottom: 6.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 60%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/cover.jpg"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt= - "Book Cover" /></a> - </div> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page002">[pg 002]</span><a name= - "Pg002" id="Pg002" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 5.00em; margin-bottom: 5.00em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 50%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/frontis.png"><img src="images/frontis.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em"> - The Light of the World - </div> - </div> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page005">[pg 005]</span><a name= - "Pg005" id="Pg005" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - <hr class="page" /> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> - <a name="toc1" id="toc1"></a> <a name="pdf2" id="pdf2"></a> - - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-top: 3.46em; text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">Introductory.</span></h1> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-q">“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth - his secret unto his servants the prophets.”</span> Amos 3:7.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No truth of - inspiration can be more clearly demonstrated than that God reveals - his designs to his prophets, that men and nations may be prepared for - their accomplishment. Before visiting with judgments, God has - uniformly sent forth warnings sufficient to enable the believing to - escape his wrath, and to condemn those who have not heeded the - warning. This was the case before the flood. The wickedness of the - world had become very great. Every imagination of the thoughts of the - hearts of men was only evil. It would seem that they had forfeited - all claims for consideration. Violence and corruption filled the - earth, and the only way to eradicate evil was to destroy it with its - workers. But before doing so, the world must be warned of the - impending doom; and there was found one man who would engage in the - work. Noah had faith in God, and preached for one hundred and twenty - years the message of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page006">[pg - 006]</span><a name="Pg006" id="Pg006" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - warning and salvation. His work also testified with his words.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not - seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his - house; by the which he condemned the world.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Heb. - 11:7.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a later period, - when the nations had again become sunken in idolatry and crime, and - the destruction of wicked Sodom and Gomorrah was determined, the Lord - said,—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; - seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, - and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in - him?</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Gen. 18:17, 18.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And due notice was - given to righteous Lot, who, with his daughters, was preserved; and - none, even in that guilty city, perished without due warning. Lot - evidently warned the people; and in thus communing with them, was - <span class="tei tei-q">“vexed with the filthy conversation of the - wicked.”</span> 2 Peter 2:7, 8. His righteous life had been a rebuke - to them; and we have every reason to believe that the holy example of - Abraham in his worship of the true God was known to them. He had at - one time been their saviour, and rescued their captives and spoil - from the victorious enemy who was carrying them away. But when Lot - warned his friends of the approaching doom, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“he seemed as one that mocked.”</span> Gen. 19:14. They, - like the antediluvians, persisted in sin, and drank of the wrath of - God.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a subsequent - time the sins of Nineveh rose to heaven, and Jonah was sent to bear - to that proud capital the startling message, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed.”</span> - The consciences of those sinners told them the message was true; and - from the least of them to the greatest they humbled themselves, and - the overhanging judgment was averted.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page007">[pg 007]</span><a name="Pg007" id="Pg007" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before Christ - commenced his earthly mission, John the Baptist was sent as the voice - of one crying in the wilderness, <span class="tei tei-q">“Prepare ye - the way of the Lord.”</span> By this means the expectation of the - people was raised, and doubtless many were through it led to accept - of salvation, while the generation at large was condemned for - rejecting the light.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Our Saviour in his - time saw the destruction of Jerusalem just in the future of that - generation, and faithfully warned the people, foretelling signs by - which it might be known when the desolation thereof was nigh. Luke - 21:21. Such is the testimony of inspiration respecting the dealings - of God with his people in past ages.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All who accept the - Bible as the inspired word of God acknowledge that he has been very - faithful in warning people in past ages of impending judgments and - other events which affected their eternal welfare. Such having been - the divine plan in relation to past events, we would certainly be - justified in anticipating such warnings of Christ's second coming as - would comport with the importance of the event. But when we come to - regard the future, and especially our own immediate future, the - incredulity of very many is at once aroused.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But what are the - facts in the case? Can anything be learned from the Bible relative to - the time of the second advent? This is a grave inquiry; and, from the - very nature of the subject, is worthy of close investigation, and a - candid answer. It is a matter of painful regret that many, under the - influence of popular prejudice, have decided that the period of the - second advent is a secret, hidden with the Lord. While these can - scarcely be reached with this subject, as long as they remain under - the influence of those who denounce all investigation of it as prying - into the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page009">[pg - 009]</span><a name="Pg009" id="Pg009" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - secrets of the Almighty, there is still, we believe, a larger class - who wait for evidence before deciding.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 80%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_008.png"><img src="images/i_008.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-top: 1.00em; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - Christ Weeping Over Jerusalem - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We accept the - Bible as a revelation from heaven. What God has revealed in that - book, let no man call a mystery, or a secret of the Almighty. - <span class="tei tei-q">“The secret things belong unto the Lord our - God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our - children forever.”</span> Deut. 29:29. If the sacred Scriptures, in a - most clear and harmonious manner, point out the signs of the approach - of that great event, and if there is evidence that <span class= - "tei tei-q">“it is near, even at the doors,”</span> the subject at - once assumes great importance.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the disciples - inquired, <span class="tei tei-q">“What shall be the sign of thy - coming, and of the end of the world?”</span> Jesus did not reprove - them for inquiring into this matter, nor tell them that it was - purposely hidden from all men; but he answered their question in the - most definite manner.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The simple fact - that the Lord mentions signs of his second advent, is the best proof - possible that his people were not to remain ignorant of the relative - nearness of the event. Add to this his injunctions to watchfulness, - and the blessings which he pronounces upon those who are awake and - watching at his coming, and it becomes a certainty that he would not - leave his people ignorant of the proximity of that event. Paul also - says that <span class="tei tei-q">“unto <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">them that look for - him</span></em> shall he appear the second time without sin unto - salvation.”</span> Heb. 9:28. And that a crown of righteousness will - be given <span class="tei tei-q">“unto all them also that love his - appearing.”</span> 2 Tim. 4:8.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With these - assurances we may look for plain and emphatic tokens of the Saviour's - second coming.</p> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page011">[pg 011]</span><a name= - "Pg011" id="Pg011" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - <hr class="page" /> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 5.00em; margin-bottom: 5.00em"> - <a name="toc3" id="toc3"></a> <a name="pdf4" id="pdf4"></a> - - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: left; margin-top: 3.46em; margin-bottom: 3.46em"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">Christ's Prophecy.</span></h1> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 80%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_010.png"><img src="images/i_010.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-top: 1.00em; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - Jesus on the Mount of Olives - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Probably no other - chapter of the Bible speaks more fully, and more definitely, upon the - subject of the second advent, than Matthew 24, in Christ's own words. - We invite the attention of the candid reader to a brief explanation - of the entire chapter.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps"> - Verse 1</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">:</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">And Jesus - went out, and departed from the temple; and his disciples came to - him for to show him the buildings of the temple.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jesus had been - addressing the multitude, in the presence of his disciples. He had - reproved the scribes and the Pharisees for their sins, and had - declared, in the previous chapter, the doom of the Jews, their city, - and their temple. The disciples supposed that the temple would stand - forever, and they called the attention of Christ to its magnificence - and strength, and to the great stones that entered into the - structure. On this point the historian of those times, Josephus, - says: <span class="tei tei-q">“Now the temple was built of stones - that were white and strong, and each of their lengths was twenty-five - cubits, their height was eight, and their breadth about - twelve.”</span>—<span class="tei tei-hi"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-style: italic">“</span><span style= - "font-style: italic">Antiquities,</span><span style= - "font-style: italic">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-style: italic">book xv, chap. xi.</span></span> If we compute a - cubit at twenty inches, we shall be able to gain some idea of the - size and <span class="tei tei-q">“manner”</span> of these stones.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps"> - Verse 2</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">:</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">And Jesus - said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, - There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not - be thrown down.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verse - 3</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the - disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall - these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of - the end of the world?</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This statement - from the Master could not but deeply interest the disciples. And it - matters not whether they supposed that the destruction of the temple, - the coming of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page012">[pg - 012]</span><a name="Pg012" id="Pg012" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - Christ, and the end of the age, would all occur at the same time, or - at different periods, since Christ, in his answer in this chapter, - has distinctly spoken of each separately, and has given each its - place in the prophetic history of events. If it were their impression - that the overthrow of the temple and the end of the world would occur - at the same time, it by no means proves that this would be the case. - As the Scriptures show, up to the time of the out-pouring of the Holy - Spirit on the day of Pentecost, their ideas upon many points were - crude and inaccurate. Take as proof of this the parable which the - Lord spake when he was going into Jerusalem. Luke 19. They thought - that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. To correct this - impression, the parable of the nobleman was spoken. If they - understood the parable at the time when it was spoken, it did not - fully eradicate the impression from their minds, as is proved by what - they did when they entered Jerusalem. We cannot believe that they - would have hailed him as the Son of David, and rejoiced before him as - a King in his triumph, if they had realized that he was going into - the city to be condemned and crucified as a malefactor. Palm branches - and shouts of triumph did not attend the steps of the lowly and the - condemned.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">John admits for - himself and Peter, after they had seen the empty sepulcher, that - <span class="tei tei-q">“they knew not the scripture, that he must - rise again from the dead.”</span> John 20:9.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Again, after his - resurrection, Jesus reproved two of his disciples, who, though they - had trusted that he would redeem Israel, were then sad and - disheartened. They did not then understand that Christ ought - <span class="tei tei-q">“to have suffered these things, and to enter - into his glory.”</span> The suffering part was still a mystery to - them. And some of the apostles were so slow to realize that which he - had spoken to them, <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page013">[pg - 013]</span><a name="Pg013" id="Pg013" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - that they could hardly be persuaded that he was indeed risen from the - dead. And after he had been with them full forty days, speaking to - them of the things pertaining to the kingdom, they did not yet - understand <span class="tei tei-q">“the times and the - seasons,”</span> and therefore asked him, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom - to Israel?”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">However the matter - may have been entertained in the minds of the disciples, it is - evident that their query consisted of two distinct questions in the - mind of the Saviour. These questions relate, first, to the - destruction of Jerusalem; and, second, to Christ's second coming at - the end of the world or age. They were distinctly answered by our - Lord; not, however, before the promiscuous multitude; but on the - occasion of a private interview with his disciples. Christ here - speaks to his disciples; hence his words in this prophetic discourse - are addressed especially to the church.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps"> - Verses 4, 5</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">:</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">And Jesus - answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For - many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive - many.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jesus knew the - hearts of men, and that many impostors would arise, and deceive - multitudes. He here warns his disciples, and guards them against the - deceptions of corrupt and ambitious men. Such was the general - expectation of the appearance of the Messiah among the Jews, that - many would set up the claim that they were the Christ, to carry out - selfish purposes, or to gain notoriety, and the credulous people - would be easily led into the deception, and then be destroyed for - sedition. We are informed that in the days succeeding those of - Christ, impostors arose in great numbers. Josephus tells us of an - Egyptian false prophet who led 30,000 men into the desert to show - them <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page015">[pg 015]</span><a name= - "Pg015" id="Pg015" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> signs, and then - brought them to Jerusalem as if to attack the city. He caused great - pillage and destruction in Judea, but in the time of battle, ran - away, leaving his followers to the exasperated Romans.—<span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-style: italic">“</span><span style="font-style: italic">Wars of - the Jews,</span><span style= - "font-style: italic">”</span></span><span style= - "font-style: italic">book ii, chap. xiii.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 80%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_014.png"><img src="images/i_014.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - Ancient Jerusalem - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the former part - of the second century Cazibee set himself at the head of the Jewish - nation and proclaimed himself their long-expected Messiah. To - facilitate the success of his bold enterprise he changed his name to - that of Barchocheba, alluding to the Star foretold by Balaam. Adrian - raised an army, and sent it against him. He retired into a town - called Bither, where he was besieged. Barchocheba was killed in the - siege, the city was taken, and a dreadful havoc succeeded. The Jews - themselves allow that, during this short war against the Romans in - defense of this false Messiah, they lost five or six hundred thousand - souls.—<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-style: italic">Buck's Dictionary.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. A. Clarke - says, on the authority of Josephus, that <span class="tei tei-q">“a - few years afterward, under the reign of Nero, while Felix was - procurator of Judea, impostors of this stamp were so frequent that - some were taken and killed almost every day.”</span> And at intervals - since then the Jews who are all the time expecting the appearance of - the Messiah have been repeatedly the victims of cruel deception.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps"> - Verse 6</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">:</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">And ye shall - hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye be not troubled: for - all these things must come to pass, but the end is not - yet.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is proper that - we should consider what is meant by the term <span class= - "tei tei-q">“the end,”</span> used in this verse; in verse 14, - <span class="tei tei-q">“then shall the end come;”</span> and in - verse 3, <span class="tei tei-q">“the sign of thy coming, and the end - of the world.”</span> In the first place, it may be unhesitatingly - claimed that the term does not refer to the end of the Jewish - dispensation, which terminated at <span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page016">[pg 016]</span><a name="Pg016" id="Pg016" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> the crucifixion, nor to the destruction of - Jerusalem, which occurred about forty years later. Because, first, - Jesus treated the question concerning the destruction of the temple - and that referring to his coming and the end of the world as relating - to two distinct events, widely separated in time. Second, the signs - which were to be premonitory of the end did not transpire before the - destruction of the temple. Third, the second coming of Christ, the - close of probation, the judgment, the resurrection, and the end of - sin, death, and mortality, are frequently and prominently associated - together in the Bible as constituting the most important epoch in - human history. To limit this thrilling discourse to the local and - long past destruction of Jerusalem would be to rob it of its force - and grandeur. Not only would the twenty-fourth of Matthew which we - are now studying be stultified, but very much of the life and power - of the Scriptures would be sacrificed by such a course.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As to the meaning - of the phrase, <span class="tei tei-q">“the end of the world,”</span> - it may consistently be translated <span class="tei tei-q">“the end of - the age,”</span> and in the margin of the Revised Bible it is - rendered <span class="tei tei-q">“the consummation of the - age.”</span> For an inspired definition of the term, let the reader - turn to Matt. 13:38-40 and its context, where the same words are used - and repeated in the original:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The tares are the children of the wicked one; the - enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the - world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are - gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this - world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall - gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do - iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be - weeping and gnashing of teeth.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From Rev. 14:14-16 - we learn that the harvest of the earth and the second coming of - Christ are identical. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page017">[pg - 017]</span><a name="Pg017" id="Pg017" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> So - that by no possible means could it be established that the - <span class="tei tei-q">“end of the world”</span> means the - destruction of Jerusalem. Further evidence is found in Matt. 28:20 - where the same expression, both in the original and in the - translation, is used: <span class="tei tei-q">“Lo I am with you - alway, even unto the end of the world.”</span> But no one would have - the audacity to claim that this promise expired in <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">a. - d.</span></span> 70, as it must have done if those questions of the - disciples and the subsequent discourse of Christ related only to the - impending doom of the temple and city.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps"> - Verses</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">7, 8:</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">For nation - shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there - shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers - places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Wars, famines, - pestilences, and earthquakes have occurred all along since these - words were spoken. Therefore, these, as they have ever existed, - cannot be regarded as the especial signs of the end. It may be - claimed, however, with a good degree of consistency, that the - Scriptures teach that these calamities would abound in the last days - to such an extent as to constitute a sign of the approaching - Judgment. We wish to keep the important fact distinctly before the - mind, that the sacred Scriptures do teach when men may not, and when - they may, look for the second appearing of Christ.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sacred writers - have so uniformly associated such judgments as war, famine, - pestilence, and earthquake, with the last Judgment, that the - disciples would be in danger of concluding that the end would - immediately follow the first appearance of these calamities; hence - the caution given: <span class="tei tei-q">“These things must come to - pass, but the end is not yet.”</span> Here the disciples were clearly - taught that they should not expect the end in their day. This fact is - worthy of the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page018">[pg - 018]</span><a name="Pg018" id="Pg018" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - candid attention of those who object to the proclamation of the - second advent of Christ in the form of an especial message. These - sometimes assert that it was right for the disciples to look for - Christ in their day, and that it has been scriptural and right for - all Christians to look for the second appearing of Christ in their - time, from the days of the chosen twelve to the present time. And - they decide that no more can be learned and believed upon this - subject in our time than by the Christians of past generations, and - that the public mind should not now be moved upon this great - question, any more than in all past time since the first advent of - Christ.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We have seen that - this position is incorrect so far as the early disciples were - concerned. They are directed to the distant future as the time when - their Lord should come. They are assured that they need not be - troubled at hearing of wars and rumors of wars; <span class= - "tei tei-q">“for all these things must come to pass, but the end is - not yet.”</span> Our Lord then guides the minds of his disciples, as - we shall see in the examination of this chapter, down over the time - of the great apostasy, and the long period of the rule of papal Rome, - before mentioning a sign of his second advent. He does not intimate - that his people during these long periods may expect the end. No, not - once. But when he comes to a later time, the Lord names signs in the - sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and adds: <span class= - "tei tei-q">“When ye shall see all these things, know that it is - near, even at the doors.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mark this: Our - Lord does not mention wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes as - signs of his second advent; but rather as events of common occurrence - all the way through the Christian age, which must exist before the - end. And history attests the fact that these calamities have - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page019">[pg 019]</span><a name="Pg019" - id="Pg019" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> covered at least seventeen - centuries. The following is from a work of Noah Webster, LL. D., - published in 1799:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">By famine and sword, 580,000 Jews were destroyed - between</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">96 and</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"> - <span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. - d.</span></span> <span style= - "font-size: 90%">180.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In Antioch, from</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">96 to</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">180, earthquakes destroyed 13 cities - and over 100,000 lives.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In Rome,</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">169, pestilence destroyed 10,000 - daily.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In Rome,</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">187, pestilence appeared and continued - three years.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In London,</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">310, by famine, 40,000 - died.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">446, September 17, an earthquake shook - down the walls of Constantinople, and 57 towers - fell.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In Rome,</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">539, in one district 50,000 - died.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In Antioch,</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">588, an earthquake killed - 60,000.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">542, the plague killed 10,000 in one - day in Turkey.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">679, a severe famine in England, three - years.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">717, in Constantinople, 300,000 died - of plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1005, earthquakes three months, - followed by pestilence, by which it is said one third of the human - race died.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1077, in Constantinople, so many died - by plague and famine the living could not bury - them.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1124, in Italy, there was such famine - that the dead lay in the streets not buried; and in England one - third of the people died of plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1294, in England thousands died of - famine.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1346, in London, 50,000 died of plague - and famine, and were buried in one grave-yard; in Norwich, 50,000; - in Venice, 100,000; in Florence, 100,000; in Eastern nations, - 20,000,000. It was called the black death.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1352, in China, 900,000 died of - famine.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1427 in Dantzic, 80,000 died of - plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1570, in Moscow, 200,000 died of - plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1572, in Lyons, 50,000 died of - plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1625, in London, 35,000 died of - plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1656, in Naples, 300,000 died of - plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1665, in London, 68,000 died of - plague.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1755, an earthquake destroyed the city - of Lisbon, killing 50,000. In Mitylene, and the Archipelago, it - shook down 2000 houses. It shook all the Spanish coast. The plague - followed, which destroyed 150,000 persons in - Constantinople.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page021">[pg 021]</span><a name= - "Pg021" id="Pg021" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Doubtless the - figures in the above list should in some instances be corrected to - correspond with facts. But, taken as a whole, they do not nearly - represent the ravages of death in their enormity. For instance, the - Encyclopedia Britannica states that Hecker estimates the celebrated - <span class="tei tei-q">“black death”</span> of the fourteenth - century in the different epidemics, to have swept away one fourth of - the inhabitants of Europe, or 25,000,000 people!</p> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc5" id="toc5"></a> <a name="pdf6" id="pdf6"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Persecution And False - Prophets.</span></h2> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 60%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_020.png"><img src="images/i_020.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - Martyrdom of Huss - </div> - </div> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">9, 10:</span> <span class="tei tei-q"> - <span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, - and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my - name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray - one another, and shall hate one another.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here is a brief - description of the afflictions and martyrdom of the church of - Christ. Thousands of the faithful followers of Jesus were most - cruelly put to death by pagan Rome; yet the prophecy doubtless - applies more particularly to the long period of papal persecutions, - in which not less than fifty millions of Christians were put to - death in the most cruel manner that wicked men and demons could - devise. In these verses we are brought down over the long period of - the martyrdom of the church of Jesus Christ, to near the present - generation. These verses being parallel with verses 21 and 22, this - subject will be noticed again.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verse</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">11:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And many false prophets shall rise, and shall - deceive many.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A true prophet - is one who speaks for God. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony - of Jesus. Rev. 19:10. It is Jesus Christ speaking through human - lips or pen to his people. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-style: italic">Pseudo</span></span>, or false prophets, speak - through the agency of wicked spirits and the power of Satan. Their - work is to deceive. And while this is true of those who are under - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page023">[pg 023]</span><a name= - "Pg023" id="Pg023" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> the direct - inspiration of superior beings, good or evil, it is true in a more - restricted sense that consecrated teachers of divine truth may be - regarded as God's prophets; and teachers of error may properly be - called false prophets. True and false prophets may be known.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 60%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_022.png"><img src="images/i_022.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em; text-align: center"> - The Crucifixion - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The prophets of - God are teachers of purity, reprovers of sin, and faithful in - warning the people of coming dangers. The duties of those whom God - calls to speak in his great name are clearly expressed by the - sacred writers. We here quote from three of them:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Isa.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">58:1:</span> <span class="tei tei-q"> - <span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a - trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of - Jacob their sins.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Joel</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">2:1:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm - in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; - for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at - hand.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">2 Tim.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">4:1, 2:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord - Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his - appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, - out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering - and doctrine.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">False prophets - do not reprove the people for their sins, and do not warn them of - coming danger; but they proclaim peace to the sinner. Their - teachings lead from God and his word, and are such as please the - unconverted mind. The inspired writers have also spoken definitely - of the testimony and work of false prophets. We here give several - for example:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Eze.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">13:9, 10:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see - vanity, and that divine lies. They shall not be in the assembly of - my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the - house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; - and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. Because, even because - they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; - and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered - mortar.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page024">[pg 024]</span><a name="Pg024" id="Pg024" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Jer.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">6:13, 14:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">For from the least of them even unto the - greatest of them, every one is given to covetousness; and from - the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They - have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, - saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Jer.</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">14:13, 14:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets - say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have - famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the - Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I sent - them not, neither spake unto them.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After stating - the duty of the faithful servant of God to preach the word, to - reprove, to rebuke, and exhort with all long-suffering and - doctrine, the apostle says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">For the time will come when they will not endure - sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to - themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away - their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto - fables.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">2 Tim. 4:3, 4.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That time has - now fully come. The people choose pleasing fables, which do not - disturb them in their sins, rather than the reproving, searching - declarations of the word of God. They love to be deceived by the - teachings of false prophets, and <span class="tei tei-q">“say to - the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right - things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.”</span> Isa. - 30:10.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Shall I not visit for these things? saith the - Lord. Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A - wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets - prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my - people love to have it so; and what will ye do in the end - thereof?</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Jer. 5:29-31.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ears of the - people are filled with the pleasing fables of the world's - conversion, a good time coming, and that we are just entering the - golden age. The threatenings of God's word on the proud, the - haughty, the vain, the rich, the sinners in Zion, and those out of - Zion, are kept back by <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page025">[pg - 025]</span><a name="Pg025" id="Pg025" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - the false teachers of these times. Many of them even dare to teach - that the moral code of the ten commandments is abrogated. And as - the result of such a course, and of such teaching, we see in the - professed church of Jesus Christ, that</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc7" id="toc7"></a> <a name="pdf8" id="pdf8"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Iniquity Abounds.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verse</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">12:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And because iniquity shall abound, the love of - many shall wax cold.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is evident - that both the abounding of iniquity and the waxing cold of the love - of many, are fulfilled in the professed church of Jesus Christ. Men - must first experience the love of God and of heavenly things before - that love can grow cold. Hence, common, unconverted sinners are not - here referred to as apostatizing. And, again, the prevalence of - iniquity in the unconverted world alone, would stimulate the church - to greater diligence, and more godliness, instead of being a cause - of apostasy. Hence, the iniquity here mentioned is in the very - heart of the professed church, diffusing its chilling influence - through the whole body. As the result, the love of many has grown - cold. With this, agree the words of the apostle:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">This know also, that in the last days perilous - times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, - covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, - unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, - false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are - good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than - lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power - thereof; from such turn away.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">2 - Tim. 3:1-5.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here is a - catalogue of eighteen sins, all resting upon those having a form of - godliness. These are not infidels and common worldly sinners, for - they have not a form of godliness; but they are men and women - professing to be <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page027">[pg - 027]</span><a name="Pg027" id="Pg027" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - followers of Jesus Christ. And although they make a profession of - piety as high as heaven, these very sins lie at their doors. And by - reason of their example, and their chilling influence, many are led - from the humble path to heaven, and their love waxes cold.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 60%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_026.png"><img src="images/i_026.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em"> - The Ascension - </div> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc9" id="toc9"></a> <a name="pdf10" id="pdf10"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em; margin-bottom: 2.88em"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">The End.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verse</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">13:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But he that shall endure unto the end, the same - shall be saved.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As before noted, - the word <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">end</span></em>, whenever used in this - chapter, refers to the end of the age, and to nothing else. It is - the end associated in the New Testament with the second appearing - of Jesus Christ. If it be urged that the word <span class= - "tei tei-q">“end”</span> has reference to the close of mortal life, - then we reply that the disciples did not ask their Lord (see verse - 3) when they should die; but <span class="tei tei-q">“what shall be - the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”</span> - Neither does the Lord speak of death, when he says (see verse 6), - <span class="tei tei-q">“But the end is not yet.”</span> And it - would be strange indeed to suppose that the word <span class= - "tei tei-q">“end”</span> (verse 14) meant death. If any think such - a position admissible, let them read it into the text, as follows: - And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, - for a witness unto all nations, and then shall death come. - Absurdity!</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verse</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">14:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached - In all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the - end come.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This is the - first sign of the end given by our Lord in answer to the question, - <span class="tei tei-q">“What shall be the sign of thy coming, and - of the end of the world?”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But it is robbed - of its distinct power by that interpretation, sometimes given, by - which it is assumed that all men will receive the gospel and be - converted, and that then <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page028">[pg - 028]</span><a name="Pg028" id="Pg028" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - instead of the end, there will ensue a thousand years in which all - shall know the Lord. After this long period of peace and safety, - the end will come. How much is assumed on this text will appear - when we consider that the text does not say that every individual - will even hear this gospel of the kingdom. It does not state that - any one will be converted and made holy by it. And we find it far - from intimating that the world will be converted and remain so one - thousand years. We have no reason to conclude that greater measure - of success is implied in this text than that which has always - attended the preaching of the gospel. While a few have believed and - received it, the great mass of men have passed it by unheedingly. - The text simply states: First, <span class="tei tei-q">“And this - gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world;”</span> - second, <span class="tei tei-q">“For a witness unto all - nations;”</span> third, <span class="tei tei-q">“And <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">then</span></em> - [not one thousand years later, but <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">then</span></span>] shall the end - come.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But to what does - the term <span class="tei tei-q">“gospel of the kingdom”</span> - refer? The query sometimes rises as to whether the gospel in the - common acceptation of the word, or a gospel peculiarly related to - the second coming of Christ is here meant. No such distinction is - to be drawn. There neither is, has been, nor will be more than one - gospel. <span class="tei tei-q">“But though we, or an angel from - heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have - preached unto you, let him be accursed.”</span> Gal. 1:8.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gospel, - then, in this instance, is the same as Paul preached, which was the - <span class="tei tei-q">“power of God unto salvation to every one - that believeth.”</span> But in Rev. 14:6 and 7 we read:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And I saw another angel fly 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</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" - id="page029">[pg 029]</span><a name="Pg029" id="Pg029" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">voice, Fear - God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; - and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the - fountain of waters.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gospel is - here called the <span class="tei tei-q">“everlasting - gospel,”</span> and must necessarily be referred to the gospel of - Christ. In connection with the preaching of that gospel, was the - proclamation that the judgment hour had come. Not that this message - was appended to the gospel, but the angel who had the everlasting - gospel to preach said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Fear God ... for - the hour of his judgment is come.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gospel of - Jesus Christ embraces all truth relating to salvation. The - warnings, counsel, invitations, promises, precepts, prophecies, or - whatever the Lord would have the people hear,—the gospel embraces - them all. In the days of Noah, the gospel included repentance, - faith, obedience, with the promises of grace and mercy; it also - included the warning of the impending judgment. And the only way to - escape that judgment was through the gospel. So here in Revelation - we have the gospel with all it implies, including the message of - Christ's second coming and kingdom and the judgment. Closely - associated with this message are two others as given in Rev. - 14:8-12. The first is merged into these. Then immediately following - their proclamation we have the following scene:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And I looked and behold a white cloud, and upon - the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a - golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.... And he that sat on - the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was - reaped.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Rev. 14:14-16.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In Rev. 14:6-16, - then, we learn what is the meaning of the term <span class= - "tei tei-q">“gospel of the kingdom.”</span> It is <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">the</span></em> - gospel, and it embraces the admonitions and instructions relative - to the second coming of Christ. And now that we have reached that - time, the complete gospel embraces the good <span class= - "tei tei-pb" id="page030">[pg 030]</span><a name="Pg030" id="Pg030" - class="tei tei-anchor"></a> news of the coming kingdom with - appropriate warnings and teachings. Our Saviour says it - <span class="tei tei-q">“shall be preached in all the world for a - witness unto all nations.”</span> The Revelator says the message is - to be preached <span class="tei tei-q">“to every nation, kindred, - tongue, and people.”</span> When this shall be done, the end will - come.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The world-wide - proclamation of the soon coming of Christ was inaugurated about - 1832. Since that time, the work of extending its warning voice has - gone on. A most remarkable feature of this movement is the fact - that in different countries individuals were moved upon, almost - simultaneously, to study the prophecies and proclaim the nearness - of the end, although they knew nothing of what was being done by - others. In the United States and Canada, in Great Britain, Norway, - Sweden, Germany, and in Asia, a profound interest in this subject - was created, and people were led to expect the early appearance of - Jesus. Since that time clearer light has appeared in connection - with the other messages of Revelation 14, and still the work is - onward. Wherever the light of the Bible has penetrated, the good - news of the coming Saviour is now going. Not only so, but - messengers bearing this gracious warning are rapidly finding their - way into the dark portions of the earth. Evidence of its extent and - progress might be expressed in facts and figures, but the rapid - development of the work would soon leave these in the rear. Let it - suffice to say that at present the everlasting gospel is being - preached and published in all the leading languages and countries - of the world. The work has encircled the globe. It is rapidly - reaching every nation. We now wait for the approaching end; for - when the purpose of God in the proclamation of the coming reign of - Christ shall be fully accomplished, then the end will - come.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page031">[pg - 031]</span><a name="Pg031" id="Pg031" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus far in this - discourse Jesus has passed over the entire Christian dispensation. - Beginning with a warning against the deceptions that were to - succeed his own times, he next describes wars and disasters, - persecutions, apostasy, the perils of the last days, and closes - with a distinct sign of the end.</p> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 5.00em; margin-bottom: 5.00em"> - <a name="toc11" id="toc11"></a> <a name="pdf12" id="pdf12"></a> - - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: left; margin-top: 3.46em; margin-bottom: 3.46em"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">When Shall These Things Be?</span></h1> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps"> - Verses</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">15-20:</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">When ye, - therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by - Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him - understand); then let them which be in Judea flee into the - mountains; let him which is on the housetop not come down to take - anything out of his house; neither let him which is in the field - return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with - child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that - your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath - day.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Our Lord having in - verses 5-14, passed over the important events in the Christian age - down to the end, goes back and introduces in verse 15 the destruction - of Jerusalem, in answer to the inquiry, <span class="tei tei-q">“When - shall these things be?”</span> Luke's version of this language is, - <span class="tei tei-q">“When ye shall see Jerusalem encompassed with - armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.”</span> Luke - 21:20. By this we know that the term <span class= - "tei tei-q">“abomination of desolation”</span> refers to the Roman - army. This desolating power is spoken of by Daniel as follows:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And the people of the prince that shall come shall - destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with - a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.... - And for the over-spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, - even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon - the desolate.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Margin,</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">desolator.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Dan. - 9:26, 27.</span></p> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page032">[pg 032]</span><a name= - "Pg032" id="Pg032" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 80%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_032.png"><img src="images/i_032.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus - </div> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page033">[pg 033]</span><a name= - "Pg033" id="Pg033" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here is a clear - prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies. Our - Lord referred to the book of Daniel, and taught his disciples to read - and understand it; and when they should see take place what was there - predicted, they must make their escape.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It would seem to - be impracticable to flee from a city after it was encompassed with - armies; but our Saviour did not speak at random. Josephus tells us - that Cestius, the Roman general who first led the attack upon - Jerusalem, became dismayed at the apparent forces and strength of the - city, and after having surrounded the city raised the siege. The - historian says: <span class="tei tei-q">“He retired from the city, - without any reason in the world.”</span>—<span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-style: italic">“</span><span style= - "font-style: italic">Wars,</span><span style= - "font-style: italic">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-style: italic">book ii, chap. xix.</span></span> And in the - first words of the succeeding chapter he further states: <span class= - "tei tei-q">“After this calamity had befallen Cestius, many of the - most eminent Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it was - going to sink.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. A. Clarke, - commenting on verse 16, says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">This counsel was remembered and wisely followed by - the Christians afterwards. Eusebius and Epiphanius say, that at this - juncture, after Cestius Gallus had raised the siege, all who believed - in Christ left Jerusalem and fled to Pella, and other places beyond - Jordan.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The flight of the - Christians of Judea to the mountains would be attended with - difficulties. And their subsequent condition would be that of - hardship and suffering. The Lord knew this, and gave them the - instructions and warnings necessary. The statement of verse 19 was - given to save them from the sorrows of unnecessary woe. That was a - time of trouble.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jesus recognizes - the existence of the Sabbath, in verse 20, as late as the destruction - of Jerusalem, as verily as he does the seasons of the year. - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The - Sabbath</span></span>, is the uniform <span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page034">[pg 034]</span><a name="Pg034" id="Pg034" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> term of both Testaments to designate the very - day on which Jehovah rested after the creation, the day upon which he - put his blessing, and which he set apart for man. Not only in this - instance does our Saviour show his regard for the sacred day of rest, - but in his life he kept it (see Luke 4:16); in his teaching he upheld - it, and taught its true character (Matt. 12:12); and when he lay in - the tomb, the devout women reverently rested <span class= - "tei tei-q">“according to the commandment.”</span> He himself is Lord - of the Sabbath, and he declares that it was made for man. Mark 2:27, - 28. Jesus does not speak of the Sabbath as being only a seventh part - of time, or one day in seven, and no day in particular. The Sabbath - is the term used, referring to the last day of the first week of - time, and to the last day of each subsequent week.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is thus that - Jesus answered the question, <span class="tei tei-q">“When shall - these things be?”</span> He now proceeds to answer the second great - question.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 5.00em; margin-bottom: 5.00em"> - <a name="toc13" id="toc13"></a> <a name="pdf14" id="pdf14"></a> - - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 3.46em; text-align: left; margin-top: 3.46em"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">What Shall Be The Sign Of Thy - Coming?</span></h1> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps"> - Verse</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">21:</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">For then - shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of - the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is not - surprising, perhaps, that upon a casual reading some should conclude - that this verse had its fulfillment at the siege of Jerusalem by - Titus. It was a time of great suffering, and the verse follows so - closely those which relate to the destruction of the city, that this - explanation suggests itself readily enough. But for good reasons we - cannot accept that application of this verse. Jesus is giving a - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page035">[pg 035]</span><a name="Pg035" - id="Pg035" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> continuous prophecy. The - narrative proceeds from verse to verse along the line of the entire - dispensation.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class= - "tei tei-q">“great tribulation”</span> mentioned in verse 21 is that - of the church of Christ, and not the tribulation of the Jews at the - destruction of Jerusalem. We offer the following reasons for so - deciding:—</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">1. It is a fact - that the tribulation of the Christian church, especially under the - reign of the papacy, was greater than God's people had suffered - before <span class="tei tei-q">“since the beginning of the - world.”</span> The tribulation of the Christian church has been - greater than it will ever be again. True, a time of trouble - <span class="tei tei-q">“such as never was,”</span> spoken of in Dan. - 12:1, is coming <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">upon the wicked</span></em>; but we find in the - same verse this blessed promise, <span class="tei tei-q">“And at that - time thy people shall be delivered.”</span> The tribulation of the - Jews at the destruction of Jerusalem was not greater than the world - will ever witness. The vials of Jehovah's unmingled wrath are yet to - be poured out, not upon the people of one nation only, but upon the - guilty people of all nations.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one - end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; they shall not - be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Jer. - 25:33.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">2. If the - tribulation be applied to the Jews, or to any other class of - unbelieving men, it cannot be harmonized with Dan. 12:1, which speaks - of the time of trouble such as never was, when Michael shall stand - up. Certainly there cannot be two times of trouble at different - periods, greater than ever was or ever would be. Therefore the - <span class="tei tei-q">“tribulation”</span> spoken of in Matt. - 24:21, 29, applies not to the Jews, but to the church of Christ, - extending through the 1260 years of papal persecution; and the - <span class="tei tei-q">“trouble”</span> mentioned in Dan. 12:1, to - the unbelieving world, to be experienced by them in the - future.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page036">[pg - 036]</span><a name="Pg036" id="Pg036" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 60%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_036.png"><img src="images/i_036.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em"> - St. Bartholomew Massacre. - </div> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page037">[pg 037]</span><a name= - "Pg037" id="Pg037" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">3. The period of - tribulation was shortened for the elect's sake. This cannot refer to - the Jews, for their house had been pronounced desolate. They were - left of God in their hardness of heart and blindness of mind. Says - Paul, <span class="tei tei-q">“Lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”</span> - The elect were the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. And where were - they when tribulation was upon the Jews?—They had fled to the - mountains. It is absurd, then, to say that the days of tribulation of - the Jews in the city of Jerusalem, were shortened for the sake of the - elect, who had fled from the place of tribulation. Moreover the - tribulation that came upon Jerusalem was not restrained or modified, - but continued until the city was destroyed and its people were given - to the sword and to captivity.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">4. The connection - between verses 20 and 21 shows that the tribulation was to commence - with those Christians who were to flee out of the city. <span class= - "tei tei-q">“But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, - neither on the Sabbath-day; for then shall be great - tribulation.”</span> Our Lord here speaks of the tribulation which - his people would suffer from the time of their flight onward. We - follow them in their flight to the mountains, and then pass along - down through the noted persecutions of the church of God under pagan - Rome, and we see, indeed, <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">tribulation</span></em>. And when we come to the - period of papal persecutions, we see them suffering the most cruel - tortures, and dying the most dreadful deaths that wicked men and - demons could inflict. This last period is especially noted in - prophecy.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The prophet Daniel - saw the papacy, its blasphemy, its ignorance, its work of death on - the saints, and its duration as a persecuting power, under the symbol - of the little horn.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page038">[pg - 038]</span><a name="Pg038" id="Pg038" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 80%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_038.png"><img src="images/i_038.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em"> - Taking the Pope Prisoner. 1798. - </div> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page039">[pg 039]</span><a name= - "Pg039" id="Pg039" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And he shall speak great words against the Most - High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to - change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a - time and times and the dividing of time.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Dan. - 7:25.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is generally - admitted that <span class="tei tei-q">“a time and times and the - dividing of time”</span> is 1260 years. The proof of it may readily - be seen by comparing Rev. 12:14, 6; 13:5, with the scripture just - quoted. In these passages we learn that <span class= - "tei tei-q">“time, times, and the dividing of time”</span> is - equivalent to a thousand two hundred and threescore days, which - equals three and one half Biblical years, or <span class= - "tei tei-q">“forty and two months.”</span> Applying the scriptural - rule of interpretation, a day for a year (Eze. 4:6), we have 1260 - years.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This period is to - cover the supremacy of the papacy. The beginning of it will be the - point of the establishment of the power of the papacy. This was the - year 538 <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> Justinian, emperor of - Rome, with his capital at Constantinople, espoused the cause of the - bishop of Rome; and in 533 <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> issued a decree which - constituted that prelate head of all the churches. But the Arian - Ostrogoths had possession of Rome, and it was not until they had been - rooted up that the city was accessible to the bishop. This was - accomplished in 538, by Belisarius, Justinian's celebrated general. - For a concise and clear account of this occurrence we refer the - reader to the <span class="tei tei-q">“Two Republics,”</span> by A. - T. Jones, pp. 551-553.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Commencing the - 1260 years <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> 538, they reach to - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">a. - d.</span></span> 1798, when Berthier, a French general, took - possession of Rome. The pope was made a prisoner and carried with - violence away from his palace and out of Italy. The papacy was - stripped of its civil power. Here ended the days of tribulation - spoken of by our Lord, which were—</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page040">[pg 040]</span><a name="Pg040" id="Pg040" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc15" id="toc15"></a> <a name="pdf16" id="pdf16"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em; text-align: left"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Shortened For The Elect's - Sake.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verse</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">22:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And except those days should be shortened, there - should no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake those days shall - be shortened.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The papacy was - clothed with civil power to punish heretics, which it held for 1260 - years; and had not the period of tribulation of the elect in the - providence of God been shortened, the martyrdom of the church would - have continued to 1798, in which event, no flesh of the elect would - have been saved. But the Reformation under Martin Luther, and those - associated with this great reformer, modified this tribulation, and - continued to restrain the rage and power of the papacy until the - suppression of the Jesuits in 1773, since which time, there has - been no general persecution waged against the church. Thus we are - brought in this prophetic discourse of our Lord, down into the - eighteenth century, very near the present time. We would naturally - expect, then, that the instructions and warnings which follow would - be applicable to this generation.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc17" id="toc17"></a> <a name="pdf18" id="pdf18"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Lo, Here, And Lo, There.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">23-27:</span> <span class="tei tei-q"> - <span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is - Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false - christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and - wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive - the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they - shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: - behold: he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the - lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west; - so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In these verses - the great theme of Christ's second coming is again vividly brought - forth. Satan is ever on the alert to contravene by some device or - art, the work of God. His most successful plan is to deceive. By - this means he gains ready access to all such as desire to evade the - force of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page041">[pg - 041]</span><a name="Pg041" id="Pg041" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - truth. And having deceived an individual, he not only prevents his - salvation, but gains to himself an adherent if not an active agent. - So, as the time for the second advent draws near, the enemy becomes - particularly active, knowing that he hath but a short time. In the - words last quoted our Lord seeks to prepare the minds of his people - for the deceptions that are to be practiced upon those who live - near the time of his second coming. There will be those who will - cry, <span class="tei tei-q">“Lo, here; or Lo, there,”</span> some - will even claim to be Christ. They will purport to represent the - truth in regard to Christ's coming in various plausible or - fanatical ways. Others, in order to reach other minds, will present - theories of human device accounting for the advent of Christ in - various so-called rational schemes. Many sincere people will be led - to expect the conversion of the world through a millennium of - peace. Others will be persuaded that the coming of Christ means - death. And even false prophets, showing great signs and wonders, - will appear. All these form an atmosphere of deception, the miasma - of which will stupefy, if it were possible, the elect of God.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In this fearful - work will be engaged the notorious deceiver, the trained agents of - Satan, the worldly philosopher, worldly preachers, popular - ministers, critics of the Bible, and many whose eyes do not discern - the signs of the times. The Mormons call the people to the desert; - Spiritualism invites us to the secret chamber, where Satanic signs - and wonders are wrought to captivate the mind and divert it from - the truth. Of these <span class="tei tei-q">“false prophets”</span> - Paul speaks in 1 Tim. 4:1:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the - latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to - seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page042">[pg 042]</span><a name= - "Pg042" id="Pg042" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In another - scripture the apostle places the coming of Christ in connection - with—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The working of Satan with all power and signs and - lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in - them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, - that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them - strong delusions, that they should believe a - lie.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">2 Thess. 2:9-11.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These are some - of the deceptions of which Christ is speaking in the text. It is - undoubtedly the work of modern Spiritualism. This work, in its - present form, originated in the year 1848, and constitutes and is - to constitute one of the most prominent signs of the end.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Let no one be - deceived by any means. For these are but subterfuges. They are not - the coming of Christ. He has said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I will - come again, and receive you unto myself.”</span> John 14:3.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The angels said - at his ascension,—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">This - same Jesus</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">, which is - taken up from you into heaven, shall</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">so - come in like manner</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">as - ye have seen him go into heaven.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Acts - 1:11.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Paul tells - us,—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a - shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of - God.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">1 Thess. 4:16.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And here our - Saviour says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">As the lightning cometh out of the east, and - shineth, unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man - be.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He will come - literally, personally, the same Jesus who was here upon the earth. - Not in lowly form as an offering for sin, to be set at naught, - abused, and crucified, but in <span class="tei tei-q">“all his - glory”</span> attended with <span class="tei tei-q">“all the holy - angels.”</span> Matt. 25:31. We shall know when he comes for - <span class="tei tei-q">“every eye shall see him.”</span> Rev. - 1:7.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page043">[pg - 043]</span><a name="Pg043" id="Pg043" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">None of these - evasions of the truth will ever be able to counterfeit the real - event. The Roman army did not come to Jerusalem in this way. Death - does not come in this way. The deceptive wonders of Spiritualism - cannot imitate the glory of Christ's second coming. He will come in - power and great glory (verse 30); he will come in the glory of his - Father (chapter 16:27); and in the glory of the holy angels (Luke - 9:26); all the holy angels shall come with him. Matt. 25:31. His - coming will be as glorious and resplendent as the lightning. When - Jesus revealed himself to Saul of Tarsus, there was a light above - the brightness of the sun (Acts 26:13); of the angel who appeared - at the tomb after the resurrection of Jesus it is said, - <span class="tei tei-q">“His countenance was like lightning”</span> - (Matt. 28:3); and Ezekiel says of the messengers of the Most High, - they <span class="tei tei-q">“ran and returned as the appearance of - a flash of lightning.”</span> Eze. 1:14.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Jesus comes - in the glory of his Father, with so glorious a train attendant, his - coming will indeed be as the lightning coming out of the east and - shining to the west, and no one will have any more occasion or - opportunity to say to his fellow, <span class="tei tei-q">“See - here,”</span> than one would have to call another to behold a gleam - of lightning flashing through the heavens. The vivid lightning - flashing out of the distant east, and shining even to the west, - lights up the whole heavens. What, then, when the Lord comes in - flaming glory, and all the holy angels with him? The presence of - only one holy angel at the sepulcher where Christ lay dead, caused - the Roman guard to shake, and become as dead men. The light and - glory of one angel completely overpowered those strong sentinels. - The Son of man is coming in his own kingly glory, and in the glory - of his Father, attended by all the holy angels. Then the - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page044">[pg 044]</span><a name= - "Pg044" id="Pg044" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> whole heavens will - blaze with glory, and the whole earth will tremble before him.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc19" id="toc19"></a> <a name="pdf20" id="pdf20"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em; text-align: left"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">The Signs Of Christ's - Coming.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">29-31:</span> <span class="tei tei-q"> - <span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Immediately after the tribulation of those days - shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, - and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the - heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the - Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth - mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of - heaven, with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels - with a great sound of a trumpet; and they shall gather together - his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the - other.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We have before - seen that our Lord speaks in this chapter of the long period of - tribulation that was to come upon his followers, and we have also - seen how those days of tribulation were shortened for the elect's - sake. Christ says that the sun should be darkened immediately after - the tribulation of those days. Mark in his gospel, gives it as - follows:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In those days, after that tribulation, the sun - shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her - light.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Mark 13:24.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This makes the - time in which the sun was to be darkened more distinct and - definite. The days of tribulation were the 1260 years of papal - supremacy, beginning in 538 <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">a. d.</span></span> and ending with the - capture of Rome and the pope by the French in 1798. But we have - already seen that the <span class="tei tei-q">“tribulation”</span> - or persecution of those days was <span class= - "tei tei-q">“shortened”</span> for the elect's sake. That is, the - active persecution of the church by papal power ceased in 1773. - Then, according to Mark's statement, the sun should be darkened - between that date and 1798. It was fulfilled. May 19, 1780, has - passed into history as <span class="tei tei-q">“the dark - day.”</span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page045">[pg - 045]</span><a name="Pg045" id="Pg045" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This is a fact - of so general knowledge that we need not consume space in - elucidating it. A few references to undoubted authorities will - suffice.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Noah Webster's - dictionary, in the edition for 1869, under the head of Explanatory - and Pronouncing Vocabulary of Noted Names, says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">The - dark day</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">, May 19, - 1780—so called on account of a remarkable darkness on that day - extending over all New England. In some places, persons could not - see to read common print in the open air for several hours - together. Birds sang their evening songs, disappeared, and became - silent; fowls went to roost; cattle sought the barn-yard; and - candles were lighted in the houses. The obscuration began about ten - o'clock in the morning, and continued till the middle of the next - night, but with differences of degree and duration in different - places. For several days previous, the wind had been variable, but - chiefly from the south-west and the north-east. The true cause of - this remarkable phenomenon is not known.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From another - good authority we quote:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">A solemn gloom of unusual darkness before ten - o'clock,—a still darker cloud rolling under the sable curtain from - the north and west before eleven o'clock,—excluded the light so - that none could see to read or write in the House, even at either - window, or distinguish persons at a small distance, or perceive any - distinction of dress in the circle of attendants; wherefore, at - eleven o'clock adjourned the House till two in the - afternoon.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Journal of the Connecticut - House of Representatives, Friday, May 19, 1780.</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Herschel, the - great astronomer, says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The dark day in Northern America was one of those - wonderful phenomena of nature which will always be read with - interest, but which philosophy is at a loss to - explain.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A contemporary - paper contained the following:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">During the whole time a sickly, melancholy gloom - overcast the face of nature. Nor was the darkness of the night less - uncommon and terrifying than that of the day, for notwithstanding - there was almost a</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page047">[pg - 047]</span><a name="Pg047" id="Pg047" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">full moon, no - object was discernible but by the help of some artificial light, - which seen from the neighboring houses and other places at a - distance appeared through a kind of Egyptian darkness which seemed - almost impervious to its rays. This unusual phenomenon excited the - fears and apprehensions of many people.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Mass. Spy, Correspondence, - 1780.</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From another - good authority we take the following:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Almost, if not altogether alone as the most - mysterious and as yet unexplained phenomenon of its kind in - nature's diversified range of events during the last century, - stands the dark day of May 19, 1780, a most unaccountable darkening - of the whole visible heavens and atmosphere in New England, which - brought intense alarm and distress to multitudes of minds, as well - as dismay to the brute creation, the fowls fleeing, bewildered, to - their roosts, and the birds to their nests, and the cattle - returning to their stalls. Indeed thousands of the good people of - that day became fully convinced that the end of all things - terrestrial had come; many gave up, for the time, their secular - pursuits, and betook themselves to religious - devotions.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Our First - Century.</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An extract from - a sermon preached at that time will be of interest:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But especially I mention that</span> <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">wonderful darkness</span></em> - <span style="font-size: 90%">on the 19th of May inst. [1780]. Then, - as in our text, the sun was darkened; such a darkness as probably - was never known before since the crucifixion of our Lord. People - left their work in the house and in the field. Travelers stopped; - schools broke up at eleven o'clock; people lighted candles at - noonday; and the fire shone as at night. Some people, I have been - told, were in dismay, and thought whether the day of Judgment was - not drawing on. A great part of the following night also was - singularly dark. The</span> <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">moon, though in the full, gave - no light</span></em><span style="font-size: 90%">, as in our - text.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">From - a manuscript sermon by Rev. Elam Potter, delivered May 28, - 1780.</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the - remarkable obscuration of the moon on the following night, the next - sign, <span class="tei tei-q">“And the moon shall not give her - light,”</span> was fulfilled. Concerning this it is only necessary - to insert a few words:—</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page048">[pg 048]</span><a name="Pg048" id="Pg048" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The night succeeding that day (May 19, 1780) was - of such pitchy darkness that, in some instances, horses could not - be compelled to leave the stable when wanted for service. About - midnight, the clouds were dispersed, and the moon and stars - appeared with unimpaired brilliancy.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Stone's History of - Beverly.</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Tenny, of - Exeter, N. H., quoted by Mr. Gage, to the Historical Society, - speaking of the dark day and dark night of May 19, 1780, says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The darkness of the following evening was probably - as gross as has ever been observed since the Almighty first gave - birth to light. I could not help conceiving at the time, that if - every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in - impenetrable darkness, or struck out of existence, the darkness - could not have been more complete. A sheet of white paper held - within a few inches of the eye was equally invisible with the - blackest velvet.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Concerning a - similar phenomenon in the Old World a reliable work says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Three years later, and Europe with its teeming - millions went under as mysterious a cloud, which, though not so - dense, yet continued longer and awoke a wonder and fear that was - widely felt. A haze, for which no known cause was then assigned - (though in subsequent years it has been supposed by some to have - been volcanic dust), spread through the entire breadth of the - atmosphere over all the continent far into Asia. It appeared in - Denmark, May 29, reached France, June 14; Italy, June 16; Norway, - June 22; Austria and Switzerland, June 23; Sweden, June 24; and - Russia, June 25. By the close of the month it had overspread like a - pall all Syria, and on July 18, had penetrated the heart of Asia to - the Altai Mountains. The obscurity prevailed a greater portion of - the summer, imparting to the sun an unnatural color of a dull, - rusty red, and causing both the days and nights to wear a weird and - gloomy aspect. The atmosphere was highly electric, and nature was - greatly convulsed.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Dr. N. Webster in his valuable</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style="font-size: 90%">History of - Pestilences,</span><span style="font-size: 90%">’</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">vol. ii. p. 274, testifies to the - general fear. As it was in America on the occurrence of - the</span> <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style="font-size: 90%">dark - day,</span><span style="font-size: 90%">’</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">so the churches in Europe were - crowded with alarmed multitudes supplicating mercy of Heaven. - Professor Lalande,</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page049">[pg 049]</span><a name="Pg049" id="Pg049" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">the astronomer - of France, attempted to quiet the popular fear by ascribing the - darkened heavens to exhalations arising out of the earth; but - both Webster and Humboldt (Cosmos IV., p. 75) rejected this - solution of the mysterious obscurity. Protestant England shared - in the alarm it occasioned; and the poet Cowper sang that all the - elements</span> <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style="font-size: 90%">preached - the general doom.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">’</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">It - was to this unaccountable obscuration of light that he refers in - his</span> <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Task:</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">’</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span></span></p> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-top: 0.90em; margin-bottom: 0.90em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“ </span><span class="tei tei-q" style= - "text-align: left"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style="font-size: 90%">Nature - seems with dim and sickly eye</span></span></span> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span class= - "tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">To wait the close of all.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">’</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%"> ”</span></span> - </div> - </div><span class="tei tei-ab"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">“</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Great - Consummation.</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></span> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc21" id="toc21"></a> <a name="pdf22" id="pdf22"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-top: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em"> - <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-size: 144%">“</span><span style="font-size: 144%">And The - Stars Shall Fall.</span><span style= - "font-size: 144%">”</span></span></h2> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">How this sign - can be fulfilled is a query with some people, who, perhaps - captiously, remark that it would be impossible, since the earth - itself is but a small body compared with many of the vast worlds of - space. But all such queries are out of date now since the sign - itself has already been witnessed. On the night of November 13, - 1833, the grandest display of celestial fireworks ever beheld took - place. From works of accepted authority we take the following - descriptions of this remarkable event:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But the most sublime phenomenon of shooting stars, - of which the world has furnished any record, was witnessed - throughout the United States on the morning of the 13th of - November, 1833. The entire extent of this astonishing exhibition - has not been precisely ascertained; but it covered no - inconsiderable portion of the earth's surface.... The first - appearance was that of fireworks of the most imposing grandeur, - covering the entire vault of heaven with myriads of fire-balls, - resembling sky-rockets. Their coruscations were bright, gleaming, - and incessant, and they fell thick as the flakes in the early snows - of December. To the splendors of this celestial exhibition the most - brilliant sky-rockets and fire-works of art bear less relation than - the twinkling of the most tiny star to the broad glare of the sun. - The whole heavens seemed in motion, and suggested to some the awful - grandeur of the image employed in the Apocalypse, upon the opening - of the sixth seal, when</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, - even</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page051">[pg - 051]</span><a name="Pg051" id="Pg051" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">as a fig-tree - casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty - wind.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">’</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%"> ”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Burritt's</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Geography of the - Heavens,</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">p. 163, ed. - 1854.</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 80%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_050.png"><img src="images/i_050.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em; text-align: center"> - The Falling Stars. - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A celebrated - astronomer and meteorologist, says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Those who were so fortunate as to witness the - exhibition of shooting stars on the morning of Nov. 13, 1833, - probably saw the greatest display of celestial fire-works that has - ever been since the creation of the world, or at least within the - annals covered by the pages of history.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">In nearly all places the meteors began to - attract notice by their unusual frequency as early as eleven - o'clock, and increased in numbers and splendor until about four - o'clock, from which time they gradually declined, but were - visible until lost in the light of day. The meteors did not fly - at random over all parts of the sky, but appeared to emanate from - a point in the constellation Leo, near a star called Gamma - Leonis, in the bend of the Sickle....</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The extent of the shower of 1833 was such as to - cover no inconsiderable part of the earth's surface, from the - middle of the Atlantic on the east to the Pacific on the west; - and from the northern coast of South America to undefined regions - among the British possessions on the north, the exhibition was - visible, and everywhere presented nearly the same appearance. - This is no longer to be regarded as a terrestrial but a celestial - phenomenon, and shooting stars are now to be no more viewed as - casual productions of the upper regions of the atmosphere, but - as</span> <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">visitants from other - worlds</span></em><span style="font-size: 90%">, or from the - planetary voids.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Prof. Olmstead, of Yale - College.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">No philosopher or scholar has told or recorded - an event, I suppose, like that of yesterday morning. A prophet - 1800 years ago foretold it exactly, if we will be at the trouble - of understanding stars falling to mean falling stars; or</span> - <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span class= - "tei tei-foreign"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">hoi asteres tou ouranou - epesan eis teen geen</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">,</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">’</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">in - the only sense in which it is possible to be literally - true.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Henry Dana Ward, in Journal - of Commerce, Nov. 14, 1833.</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not only here in - Matthew 24 is attention directed to these signs as premonitory of - the coming of Christ. The Lord through the prophet Joel says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the - moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord - come.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page053">[pg 053]</span><a name= - "Pg053" id="Pg053" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Under the sixth - seal, as given in Rev. 6:12-17, we have the following - language:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, - and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as - sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of - heaven fell unto the earth even as a fig tree casteth her untimely - figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed - as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and - island were moved out of their places.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That the fourth - and fifth seals apply to the papal persecution there can be no - reasonable doubt. If so, then the great earthquake with which the - sixth seal opens would be that of Lisbon, in 1755, which agitated - the greater part of the earth and destroyed many thousands of - lives, 60,000 in Lisbon alone.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The darkening of - the sun and moon follows in 1780, and the falling of the stars in - 1833. Consequently the next event which we are to expect under this - seal is the departing of the heavens as a scroll. This being - future, we may say that we are living between the thirteenth and - fourteenth verses of Revelation 6.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the gospel as - written by Luke, however, we have at this point some additional - specifications given, which are of such interest at the present - juncture. And they rightfully belong to this exposition, since both - Matthew and Luke are giving versions of the same discourse. The - passage from Luke to which reference is made is the following:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the - moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, - with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts - failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are - coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be - shaken.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Luke 21:25-27.</span></p> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page054">[pg 054]</span><a name= - "Pg054" id="Pg054" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="width: 80%; text-align: center"> - <a href="images/i_054.png"><img src="images/i_054.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: center; margin-top: 1.00em; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - Modern Cyclone. - </div> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page055">[pg 055]</span><a name= - "Pg055" id="Pg055" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The signs in the - sun, moon, and stars are here spoken of less specifically than by - Matthew, while other features of the times, which Matthew does not - notice, are introduced between those signs and the shaking of the - powers of heaven. These are of peculiar interest to us because we - are living in the very days when the things that Luke speaks of are - coming to pass. The signs here predicted consist of violent - commotions upon earth which cause anxiety, perplexity, and distress - among nations and in the hearts of men. We may refer the - expression, <span class="tei tei-q">“the sea and the waves - roaring,”</span> to unusual disturbances of the natural elements, - and we have the most abundant evidences of its fulfillment in the - storms and convulsions of nature that are occurring by sea and - land, filling the heart with dread at the sight of every dark cloud - that arises. The tidal waves and volcanic upheavals at sea have, in - the last two or three decades, been marked with extraordinary - violence. On land, cyclones and earthquakes have carried on a - fearful work of destruction. Many instances might be cited to - substantiate this statement, but the events are too familiar to - require it. Hardly a week passes but some great calamity of this - kind is recorded.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the - expression referred to is probably susceptible of another - application in which it will be found to be as forcible and - pertinent to the present state of affairs as in the one just - noticed. This would be to give the term <span class= - "tei tei-q">“sea and waves”</span> its symbolic meaning. The - prophet of old said: <span class="tei tei-q">“And behold the four - winds of heaven strove upon the great sea.”</span> Dan. 7:2. We are - told that the sea represents <span class="tei tei-q">“peoples, and - multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”</span> Rev. 17:15. Taking - the words in this sense, the meaning and fulfillment are still as - apparent as before; and the expression joins its force to that of - the remainder of the passage—<span class="tei tei-q">“upon the - earth distress of nations, with perplexity; <span class= - "tei tei-pb" id="page057">[pg 057]</span><a name="Pg057" id="Pg057" - class="tei tei-anchor"></a> the sea and the waves roaring; men's - hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things - which are coming on the earth.”</span> In this sense the expression - in question would indicate commotion and violent disturbance in the - social and political world. In this meaning all will at once see - the vivid force of the text as applied to our times.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center; width: 80%"> - <a href="images/i_056.png"><img src="images/i_056.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-top: 1.00em; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - Assassination of Carnot. - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The times we - live in are anomalous to any that have ever preceded us. For some - years there have been universal and active preparations for war, - and almost universal peace. To secure the greatest efficiency of - armed forces for defensive and offensive purposes, has been the - prime consideration of government, especially so, as far as the Old - World nations are concerned. Europe echoes to the tread of vast - hosts of war while the nations are driven to their wits' end to - provide for their support. It is well known that these costly - preparations are not for show; and the hearts of men quail in view - of the culmination which, though delayed, must soon be reached.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But while the - temple of Janus is closed as far as international strife is - concerned, and angel hands are holding the winds of war (see Rev. - 7:1-3), internal strife and dissension are rending the vitals of - the great nations of earth. Within the confines of its own border, - each of these nations is cherishing elements of the deadliest - nature. Trouble is brewing that has for the people far more terror - than foreign complications. For some time the ominous mutterings of - an oncoming storm have been heard in every land, and it requires no - remarkable acumen to discern the rapid approach of the crisis.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The apostle - James strikes directly at the matter in a prophetic glance and - exhortation in the following language:—</p><span class="tei tei-pb" - id="page058">[pg 058]</span><a name="Pg058" id="Pg058" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your - miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and - your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and - the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your - flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the - last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down - your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the - cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the - Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been - wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye - have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist - you.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">James 5:1-6.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The apostle - locates the circumstances he here refers to in the last days. He - denounces the rich men who have heaped together treasures, the rust - and canker of which will be a witness against them. They live in - pleasure and wantonness while the cries of those whose wages they - have kept back enter into the ears of the Lord of Hosts.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There is a - universal cry of hard times in all the world. It is hard to obtain - money; and yet, there never was so much money as at present. But it - is being collected—gathered in heaps—by the powerful few, while the - limited means of the masses are dwindling lower and lower. The - poorer classes witness the absorption of wealth by the money-kings, - with feelings that are being aroused to the point of desperation by - the sense of their inability to secure what seems to them a more - equitable distribution of the things of this world. The laborers - cry, and God hears their cry.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That these - things are taking place to-day as the most prominent feature of our - social life no one will for a moment deny. Such colossal fortunes - the world has heretofore at most but dreamed of. There are men - living to-day who have risen in wealth from obscure stations to - become lords <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page059">[pg - 059]</span><a name="Pg059" id="Pg059" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - of untold millions. Their wealth passes the bounds of just - computation, for it includes the power of oppression by which it - may be indefinitely increased. The lavish expenditure of these - means for selfish pleasure often amounts to wantonness.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Well then, what - is to be done? It is a difficult and delicate matter to frame and - secure legislation by which this or any other class of men shall be - deprived of the management of their own business as long as that - business is legitimate and is legitimately conducted. Shall anarchy - and violence be resorted to? Shall the laborer seize the torch and - the weapons of death? Shall the country be devastated by strikes, - strife, and civil war? Shall our communities be rent with murder, - arson, treason, and intense personal hatred and enmity? No one - possessing the natural instincts of humanity could contemplate such - a condition of affairs except with horror. There are ghouls of - society who gloat in blood; but such are not true citizens, they - are not neighbors, they certainly are not Christians.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But what shall - we do as citizens, neighbors, and Christians? This is a question of - great importance just now. Inspiration long ago foresaw our - situation. The pitying Saviour long since anticipated the - sufferings that are to come upon this generation; and having, - through his servant, outlined the present condition of affairs so - closely, he certainly would not leave his followers uninformed as - to the course he would have them pursue. We have to read only two - verses farther in James's letter to find the counsel we need.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Be - patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the - Lord.</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Behold, the - husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath - long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. - Be ye</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page061">[pg - 061]</span><a name="Pg061" id="Pg061" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">also patient; - stablish your hearts;</span> <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">for - the coming of the Lord draweth nigh</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-size: 90%">James 5:7, 8.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center; width: 80%"> - <a href="images/i_060.png"><img src="images/i_060.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em; text-align: center"> - Chicago Riot. - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Oppression and - revolt, combination and intrigue, strife and bloodshed, never will - cease until the supreme selfishness, which in the absence of divine - grace controls all men, gives place to true philanthropy, and a - brotherhood that is not outlined by class or sectional interests. - This happy time is coming. When Jesus comes, he will take to - himself his power and reign in righteousness. Then will the hills - be brought low, the valleys exalted, the crooked be made straight, - and the rough places smooth.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Those who are - weary of strife, those who through misfortune or oppression have - been made to feel their need of relief will find rest to their - souls in looking for the coming of the Lord. It is vain to match - evil with evil or to try to cure wrong with wrong. The gospel of - Christ is the only remedy for these ills. And all that we can - really do to counteract the annoyances of this life must be done - through the gospel of peace. In this time of perplexity, distress, - and fear, let every Christian hold up Christ. Let his patient - suffering be exemplified in whatever circumstances may come. Just a - little beyond, there is relief.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Strikes, - boycotts, lock-outs, trusts, unions, or any other human device or - demonstration only augments the trouble, as the experience of the - past few years shows. For there never was so much of these things - as now, and never was capital so insecure, business so uncertain, - and labor in such distress as at present. The employment of - arbitrary force provokes greater efforts on the opposite side, and - thus the breach is widened and the strife becomes more bitter. We - do not argue the merits or demerits of the case. That there is deep - wrong involved, the fruits plainly show. It is our task only to - point out the one remedy available alike to <span class= - "tei tei-pb" id="page062">[pg 062]</span><a name="Pg062" id="Pg062" - class="tei tei-anchor"></a> either and all. That remedy is the - gospel of Christ, which is soon to close in a glorious triumph for - those who have patiently and faithfully wrought his will.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc23" id="toc23"></a> <a name="pdf24" id="pdf24"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em"> - <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-size: 144%">“</span><span style="font-size: 144%">The Powers - Of Heaven Shall Be Shaken.</span><span style= - "font-size: 144%">”</span></span></h2> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We do not - apprehend that this circumstance will occur as a sign of Christ's - coming, but rather that it will constitute one of the events of his - coming, the same as the features mentioned in the next verse. An - evident distinction may be drawn between the <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">signs</span></em> - of the advent and the circumstances of it. With the falling of the - stars, the former cease; and with the next event the latter - commence. This event, the shaking of the powers of heaven, we must - regard as being future. It holds the same place in the events of - this chapter, that the departing of the heavens as a scroll does in - the events of the sixth seal of Revelation 6. Both follow the - falling stars. The Scriptures plainly teach that, prior to the - resurrection of the just by the voice of the Son of God, the voice - of God the Father will shake the heavens and the earth, when will - be fulfilled the shaking of the powers of the heaven. This is not - the voice of the Son of God as he descends to raise the dead. It - comes from the throne of God in the temple of heaven.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter - his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shall - shake; but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the - strength of the children of Israel.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Joel - 3:16.</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Therefore will I shake the heavens, and the - earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of - hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-size: 90%">Isa. 13:13.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Paul quotes from - the words of the Lord by Haggai and comments as - follows:—</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page063">[pg - 063]</span><a name="Pg063" id="Pg063" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also - heaven. And this word, yet once more, signifieth the removing of - those things that are shaken.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Heb. - 12:26, 27.</span></p> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc25" id="toc25"></a> <a name="pdf26" id="pdf26"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em; margin-bottom: 2.88em"> - <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-size: 144%">“</span><span style="font-size: 144%">Sign Of The - Son Of Man.</span><span style= - "font-size: 144%">”</span></span></h2> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Neither is this - one of the signs showing that the coming of the Son of man is near, - but <span class="tei tei-q">“the sign of the Son of man in - heaven.”</span> It is that which indicates his position. When - Christ ascended from the mount of Olivet, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“a cloud received him”</span> from the sight of his - disciples. They still gazed at the cloud as it rolled upward, - bearing the Saviour toward the Father's throne but they could not - see his person. When he comes <span class="tei tei-q">“in like - manner”</span> as he was taken up to heaven, the cloud will appear, - small in the distance, but as it draws near, it will signify to - those who are looking for his return, that he is there, and soon - his presence will fill the earth with matchless glory. In Rev. - 14:14, the holy seer records his view of the coming Saviour in the - following words: <span class="tei tei-q">“And I looked, and behold - a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of - man.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This is not a - mass of vapor but a cloud of resplendent glory. He comes - <span class="tei tei-q">“with power and great glory.”</span> He - will <span class="tei tei-q">“come in the glory of his - Father”</span> (Matt. 16:27); in his own glory, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“and all the holy angels with him.”</span> Matt. 25:31. - The glory of the Father, of the Son, and of all the holy - angels—this glory will comprise the cloud which attends him on the - way. Of its intensity we can form no just conception. In the - presence of one angel the Roman guard <span class="tei tei-q">“did - quake and became as dead men.”</span> There are ten thousand times - ten thousand and thousands of thousands of them in this throng. - Above the brightness of their glory is that of the Father and the - Son.</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page064">[pg - 064]</span><a name="Pg064" id="Pg064" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first the - cloud is only perceptible, but as it approaches, it attracts - attention, and at length every eye is fastened intently upon the - wonderful spectacle. The trumpet resounds, the voice of the - Archangel awakens the dead, and they come forth to share in the - glorious revelation of their Redeemer. All nature is convulsed with - her coming dissolution. Each moment the glory draws nearer, and - soon the wicked can no longer endure the sight.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, - and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven - with power and great glory.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Verse - 30.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Again attention - is directed to the parallel language of Rev. 6:15-47:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and - the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every - bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the - rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall - on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, - and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of his wrath is - come; and who shall be able to stand?</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The prophet - Isaiah describes the same thrilling event from the other - standpoint—that of the waiting people of God:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord - God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his - people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath - spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; - we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we - have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his - salvation.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Isa. 25:8, 9.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The apostle Paul - gives a vivid description of the event with its attendant - circumstances as follows:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, - concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as - others which have</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page065">[pg - 065]</span><a name="Pg065" id="Pg065" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">no hope. For if - we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which - sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by - the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the - coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the - Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice - of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ - shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be - caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the - air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">1 - Thess. 4:13-17.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The once - slighted, insulted, and crucified Saviour, now King of kings and - Lord of lords, is coming near the earth! His glory blazes - everywhere! The saints hope and rejoice with trembling. But what an - hour for the wicked! The tribes of the earth mourn. Amid the ruins - of shivered creation they hold one general prayer-meeting. Kings - and great men, rich men, chief captains and mighty men, free and - bond, all, yes, all unite in the general wail. As the Son of man in - the glory of his Father, attended by all the holy angels, draws - still nearer, consternation fills every breast. They hide in dens - and in the rocks of the mountains. Their only hope is to be - concealed from the glory of that scene. They know it is too late to - pray for mercy, that probation for the human family has ended - forever.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But rocks cannot - shelter them from the burning glory manifested by the King of - kings, attended by the whole heavenly host. When <span class= - "tei tei-q">“the Son of man shall come in the glory of the - Father,”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“and all the holy angels - with him,”</span> no sinner can endure the scene and live. The - exceeding brightness of that vast multitude of angels, brighter - than a thousand suns at noonday, will pierce the sinner's lowest - hiding place, and will <span class="tei tei-q">“make even a speedy - riddance of all them that dwell in the land.”</span> Zeph. 1:18. - The Son <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page066">[pg - 066]</span><a name="Pg066" id="Pg066" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - of man will be seen <span class="tei tei-q">“coming in the clouds - of heaven with power and great glory.”</span> But before his coming - a great work will be done for his people. Should he suddenly burst - upon them now, they could not endure <span class="tei tei-q">“the - power and great glory”</span> of the scene. This subject is well - illustrated by the following words of the prophet:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the - Lord; his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come - unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the - earth.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Hosea 6:3.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The morning is a - beautiful figure of the opening glory of the day of God. The - day-star first appears, then the dawn of day. And as the light of - day increases, the eyes are enabled to endure it, and view the sun - shining in his strength. But should the light of the sun burst upon - the world suddenly at midnight, no human eye could endure it.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So will the - people of God be prepared to meet their coming King. They must - first break away from the love and cares of this world, and - consecrate all to the Lord. Then will they, in due time, share the - outpouring of the Holy Spirit <span class="tei tei-q">“as the rain, - as the latter and former rain upon the earth.”</span> The day-star - will arise in their hearts. 2 Peter 1:19. Those who have taken heed - to the sure word of prophecy through the dark, watching night, then - raise their heads in triumph. They are filled with faith and with - the Holy Spirit. Glory is poured upon them till they can gaze on - Christ and angels. The trumpet sounds. The angels are dispatched to - the graves of the righteous. The voice of the Son of God awakes the - sleeping saints of all ages. They come forth in immortal perfection - and, as they leave the earth, the living saints are changed. The - <span class="tei tei-q">“elect from one end of heaven to the - other,”</span> each with an angel bright and strong to lead the - way, are caught <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page067">[pg - 067]</span><a name="Pg067" id="Pg067" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - up to meet the Lord, who waits in mid-heaven to receive the - purchase of his blood. As language would fail to describe what - follows, we leave the reader to contemplate it, praying that we may - be prepared to participate in the meeting scene.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc27" id="toc27"></a> <a name="pdf28" id="pdf28"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Parable Of The Fig-Tree.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">32, 33:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Now learn a parable of the fig-tree; when his - branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer - is nigh. So likewise ye when ye shall see all these things, know - that it [</span><span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">he,</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">’</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">R. - V.] is near, even at the doors.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This parable is - probably the most forcible figure that could be used with which to - illustrate this subject. When the trees of the field begin to put - forth their leaves, and the tender grass springs up, and the ground - is being covered with its green velvet carpet, we know that summer - is nigh. It is a certainty with us that summer is coming when we - see these signs in nature. We know that summer is nigh <span class= - "tei tei-q">“<em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">So, likewise</span></em>,”</span> or, with the - same certainty, we may <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">know</span></em> that Christ's coming is near - when the signs in the sun, moon, and stars are fulfilled. How - near?—Even at the doors. How near may that be?</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verse</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">34:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Verily I say unto you. This generation shall not - pass, till all these things be fulfilled.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is sometimes - claimed that the generation spoken of was the one then living. If - so, it could have been to no greater extent than referring to the - answer of the question relating to the destruction of Jerusalem. - But it would be wholly illogical to limit the application of the - statement to that generation or to place its principal significance - there. <span class="tei tei-q">“All these things”</span> must - include the signs and circumstances of which Christ has been - speaking. In the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page068">[pg - 068]</span><a name="Pg068" id="Pg068" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - preceding verses he gives the parable of the fig-tree, and - addresses those who are to be living at that time directly. - <span class="tei tei-q">“So likewise <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">ye</span></em>, - when <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">ye</span></em> shall see all these things, - <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">know</span></em> that it is near.”</span> And - then, <span class="tei tei-q">“<em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">This</span></em> - generation shall not pass.”</span> What generation? Evidently the - one which he was addressing, and which saw <span class= - "tei tei-q">“these things come to pass.”</span> Not only does such - an interpretation do no violence to the Saviour's meaning, but it - is obviously the only one that can be reasonably entertained in - regard to it.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Paul speaks in - the first person of those who will be living when Jesus comes, for - he says, <span class="tei tei-q">“We shall not all sleep, but we - shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at - the last trump.”</span> 1 Cor. 15:51, 52. Or, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up - together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the - air.”</span> 1 Thess. 4:17. The things here mentioned by the - apostle did not take place in his day. They have not yet taken - place. Notwithstanding, he speaks of them as though they would take - place in his day, and as if he were to have a part in them.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The proclamation - of the coming and kingdom of Christ is given to the last - generation. God sent Noah to preach to the last generation before - the flood, not to any preceding one. The very generation which was - destroyed by the waters of the flood saw Noah build the ark, and - heard his warning voice. So God has raised up men to give the - solemn warning to the world at the right time to give force to the - warning. And the very generation of men that live after the three - great signs are fulfilled, and who hear and reject the warning - message of Heaven, will drink the cup of the unmingled wrath of - God. And those of this very generation who receive the message, - suffer disappointments, and endure the trials of the waiting - position, will witness <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page069">[pg - 069]</span><a name="Pg069" id="Pg069" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - the coming of Christ, and exclaim, <span class="tei tei-q">“Lo, - this is our God; we have <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">waited</span></em> for him, and he will save - us.”</span> Isa. 25:9.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With what - emphasis our Lord gave utterance to this sentiment! It is a rebuke - upon our unbelief. As we read it, God help us to believe it: - <span class="tei tei-q">“Verily I say unto you, This generation - shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”</span> And as - though this were not enough to lead us to unwavering faith, he adds - these forcible words: <span class="tei tei-q">“Heaven and earth - shall pass away but my words shall not pass away.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The word and - promises of men may fail; but Christ has given assurance that his - word, and his word in reference to this solemn truth, will stand - though heaven and earth fail.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc29" id="toc29"></a> <a name="pdf30" id="pdf30"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em"> - <span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-size: 144%">“</span><span style="font-size: 144%">The Day And - Hour.</span><span style="font-size: 144%">”</span></span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">36, 37:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not - the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe - were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man - be.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This has become - a very familiar passage of scripture because of the frequent use - that is made of it to prove that nothing can be known of the - proximity of the second coming of Christ. But if we pause a moment - and lay beside this verse those we have just studied, we shall be - able to discover the exact truth at once. <span class= - "tei tei-q">“When ye shall see these things, know that it is near - even at the doors;”</span> and, <span class="tei tei-q">“This - generation shall not pass, till all these things be - fulfilled;”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“But of that day and - hour knoweth no man.”</span> The line of knowledge, then, lies - between the former expressions and the latter—between <span class= - "tei tei-q">“even at the doors”</span> and the definite day and - hour. The former we may know, and every Christian is commanded to - know. The latter no man knoweth. One may consistently say that he - knows an event is <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page071">[pg - 071]</span><a name="Pg071" id="Pg071" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - near, and yet say that he does not know the hour nor the day when - it will take place. That this is the scriptural teaching upon this - point may be readily proved by a reference to 1 Thess. 5:1-4:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye - have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly - that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For - when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction - cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they - shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that - day should overtake you as a thief.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An evident - distinction is here drawn between two classes. Upon one class the - day of the Lord will come as a thief. Those of the other are not in - darkness that that day should come as a thief upon them. The - children of God are children of light. Their heavenly Father knows - the end from the beginning, and he has promised to reveal his - secret to his people through his servants the prophets. Amos - 3:7.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The apostle - Peter also bears testimony to the same truth.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">We have also a more sure word of prophecy; - whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that - shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day-star arise - in your hearts.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">2 Peter 1:19.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The dark place - here spoken of is the future. The past is lighted up by history, - the present is brought to our knowledge by press and telegraph; but - the future no human art or wisdom can penetrate. Prophecy throws - its gleam into those dark regions, yet unexplored, and marks out - the path of human history centuries and ages before it has echoed - to the footsteps of mankind. When at last we pass along the - pathway, we may, if we will, recognize the waymarks set up here and - there, every one of which <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page072">[pg - 072]</span><a name="Pg072" id="Pg072" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - is a monument to the wisdom and knowledge of God, and the - faithfulness of his word. Those who have no eyes to discern these - things, no ears to hear, nor hearts to understand their - significance, will pass on, and the final event will come upon them - unawares. Not so with those who take heed to the things God has - spoken.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We would not - detract an iota from the force of the verse under consideration. It - means all it says. No man knows the definite time of Christ's - coming. The day and hour, and even the year of the second advent - are purposely hidden. Some of the prophetic periods reach to the - time of the end, while others extend still farther down, very near - to the end itself; yet none of them reach to the coming of the Son - of man. The prophecies clearly point to the period of the second - advent, but do not give the definite time of that event.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But with this - passage before us we may claim that it would be transcending its - meaning to claim upon its authority that nothing should or could be - known of the approach of Christ's coming. More than that, it is not - inconsistent with the text nor improbable that prior to that event - the Lord will in his own way reveal that which has hitherto been - withheld. Those who claim that the text proves that nothing may be - known of the period of the second advent, make it prove too much - for their own unbelief. As recorded by Mark, the declaration reads: - <span class="tei tei-q">“But of that day and that hour knoweth no - man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son, but - the Father.”</span> If the text proves that men will know nothing - of the period of the second advent, it also proves that angels will - know nothing of it, and also that the Son will know nothing of it, - till the event takes place! This position proves too much, - therefore proves nothing to the point. <span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page073">[pg 073]</span><a name="Pg073" id="Pg073" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> Christ will know of the period of his second - advent to this world. The holy angels who wait around the throne of - heaven to receive messages relative to the part they act in the - salvation of men, will know of the time of this closing event of - salvation. And so will the waiting, watching people of God - understand. An old English version of the passage reads, - <span class="tei tei-q">“But that day and hour no man maketh known, - neither the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the - Father.”</span> This is the correct reading, according to several - of the ablest critics of the age. The word <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">know</span></em> is - used in the same sense here that it is by Paul in 1 Cor. 2:2: - <span class="tei tei-q">“For I determined not to know [make known] - anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.”</span> - Men will not make known the day and hour, angels will not make it - known, neither will the Son; but the Father will make it known. - Says Campbell:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Macknight argues that the term</span> <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">known</span></em> - <span style="font-size: 90%">is here used as a causative, in the - Hebrew sense of the conjugation</span> <span class= - "tei tei-foreign"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">hiphil</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">, - that is,</span> <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">to make - known</span></em><span style="font-size: 90%">.... His [Christ's] - answer is just equivalent to saying, The Father will make it - known when it pleases him; but he has not authorized man, angel, - or the Son to make it known. Just in this sense, Paul uses the - term</span> <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">know</span></em><span style= - "font-size: 90%">, 1 Cor. 2:2:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">I came to you</span> <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">making known</span></em> - <span style="font-size: 90%">the testimony of God; for I - determined to</span> <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">make known</span></em> - <span style="font-size: 90%">nothing among you but a crucified - Christ.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">’</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%"> ”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Albert Barnes, - in his <span class="tei tei-q">“Notes on the Gospels,”</span> - says:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Others have said that the verb rendered</span> - <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">knoweth</span></em> - <span style="font-size: 90%">means sometimes to</span> <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">make</span></em> - <span style="font-size: 90%">known, or to reveal, and that the - passage means,</span> <span class="tei tei-q"><span style= - "font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style="font-size: 90%">that day - and hour none maketh known, neither the angels, nor the Son, but - the Father.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">’</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">It is true the word has sometimes - that meaning, as 1 Cor. 2:2.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the - patriarch's work of warning and building was finished, God said to - him, <span class="tei tei-q">“Come thou and all thy house into the - ark.”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“For yet seven days and I will - cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty - nights.”</span> So when <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page074">[pg - 074]</span><a name="Pg074" id="Pg074" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - the waiting, watching, weeping, toiling time shall be finished, and - the saints shall all be sealed, and shut in with God, then, we - conclude, will the voice of the Father from heaven make known the - definite time. See Rev. 16:17; Joel 3:16; Jer. 25:30.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The present is - emphatically the waiting, watching time. It is the especial period - of the patience of the saints. The Lord appeals to us thus:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Watch ye, therefore; for ye know not when the - Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the - cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you - sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, - Watch.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Mark 13:35-37.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the fatal - consequences of not watching is distinctly stated in Rev. 3:3:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on - thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon - thee.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In consequence - of not watching, the people will remain in ignorance of the - approach of that hour. And the unavoidable inference is that by - watching they will be aware of and prepared for its coming. In - answer to the agonizing prayer of the Son of God, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Father, glorify thy name,”</span> there came a voice - from heaven, saying, <span class="tei tei-q">“I have both glorified - it, and will glorify it again.”</span> The disciples understood - these words from heaven, while the people that stood by said it - thundered. John 12:27-29. So will the waiting disciples of Christ - understand the voice of God when he shall speak from on high. But - the unbelieving world will not understand it. In comparing Noah's - days and ours, the Lord continues:—</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc31" id="toc31"></a> <a name="pdf32" id="pdf32"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em; text-align: left"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Noah's Time And Ours.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">38, 39:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">For as in the days that were before the flood, - they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, - until</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page075">[pg - 075]</span><a name="Pg075" id="Pg075" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">the day that Noe - entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took - them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man - be.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A picture of the - present condition of the mass of mankind is here drawn. The people - of the last generation will be like those before the flood, while - the ark was preparing. While Noah preached, and warned them of the - coming flood, they mocked. He built the ark; and they scoffed and - jeered. He was a preacher of righteousness. His works were - calculated to give edge to, and send home to the heart, what he - preached. Every righteous sermon, and every blow struck in building - the ark, condemned a careless, scoffing world. As the time drew - nearer, the people grew more careless, more hardened, more bold and - impudent, and their condemnation surer. Noah and his family stood - alone. And could one family know more than all the world? The ark - was a matter of ridicule, and Noah was regarded as a willful - bigot.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the Lord - calls Noah into the ark. And by the hand of Providence the beasts - are led into the ark; and the Lord shuts Noah in. This is regarded - at first by the scoffing multitude as something wonderful; but it - is soon explained away by the wiser ones, so as to calm their - fears, and they breathe easier.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The day of - expectation finally arrives. The sun rises as usual, and the - heavens are clear. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now where is old Noah's - flood?”</span> is heard from a thousand impious lips. The farmer is - caring for his herds and lands, and the mechanic is pursuing his - work of building. On this very day, some are being joined in - marriage. With many it is a day of unusual feasting and sports. And - while all are looking to long years of future prosperity and - happiness, suddenly the heavens gather blackness. Fear fills every - heart. The windows <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page076">[pg - 076]</span><a name="Pg076" id="Pg076" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - of heaven open, and the rain descends in torrents. <span class= - "tei tei-q">“The fountains of the great deep are broken up,”</span> - and here and there come gushing up rivers of water. The valleys are - fast filling up, and thousands are swept away in death. Awful - death! made still more horrible by being in consequence of slighted - mercy! But where is Noah? Ah! safe in the ark, borne upon the - billows. Safe from the flood, for God <span class="tei tei-q">“shut - him in.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By some people, - the evidences of the soon coming of Christ are considered - insufficient to base faith upon. But the testimony and acts of one - man in the case of Noah, condemned the people destroyed by the - flood. The evidences then were sufficient, otherwise the world - would not have been condemned. But a hundred times more convincing - evidences come pouring in upon us that the day of the Lord is near, - and hasteth greatly. We follow down the several prophetic chains of - Daniel and of the Revelation, and we find ourselves in every - instance standing just before the day of wrath. We see the signs - spoken of by prophets, by Christ, and by the apostles, fulfilling - or fulfilled. And at the right time, and in the right manner, to - fulfill certain prophecies, a solemn message arises in different - parts of the world: <span class="tei tei-q">“Blow ye the trumpet in - Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the - inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, - for it is nigh at hand.”</span> Joel 2:1. Wherever we look, we see - prophecy fulfilling. While the knowledge of God and the spirit of - holiness are departing, spiritual wickedness, like a flood, covers - the land.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But these - evidences are considered insufficient to rest faith upon. Well, - what kind of evidence would the unbelieving have? <span class= - "tei tei-q">“When the signs of the end,”</span> says the skeptic, - <span class="tei tei-q">“are fulfilled, they will be so plain that - no one <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page077">[pg - 077]</span><a name="Pg077" id="Pg077" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - can doubt.”</span> But if the signs are of such a nature, and are - fulfilled in such a manner, as to compel all to believe in the - coming of Christ, how can it be as it was in the days of Noah? Men - were not then compelled to believe. But eight believing souls were - saved, while all the world besides sank in their unbelief beneath - the waters of the flood. God has never revealed his truth to man in - a manner to compel him to believe. Those who have wished to doubt - his word, have found a wide field in which to doubt, and a broad - road to perdition; while those who have wished to believe, have - ever found an everlasting rock upon which to rest their faith.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just before the - end, the world will be hardened in sin, and indifferent to the - claims of God. Men will be careless in regard to the warnings of - danger, and blinded by cares, pleasures, and riches. An unbelieving - generation will be eating, drinking, marrying, building, planting, - and sowing. It is right to eat and drink to sustain nature, but the - sin is in excess and gluttony. The marriage covenant is holy, but - God's glory is seldom thought of. Building, planting, and sowing, - necessary for convenient shelter, food, and clothing, are right; - but the world has gone wholly after these things, so that men have - no time nor disposition to think of God, heaven, Christ's coming, - and the Judgment. This world is their god, and all their energies - of body and mind are made to serve it. And the evil day is put far - away.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The faithful - watchman who sounds the alarm as he sees destruction coming, is - held up before the people from the pulpits of our land, and by the - religious press, as a fanatic, a teacher of dangerous heresies; - while in contrast is set forth a long period of peace and - prosperity to the church. So the churches are quieted to sleep. The - scoffer <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page079">[pg - 079]</span><a name="Pg079" id="Pg079" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - continues to scoff, and the mocker mocks on. But that day is - coming. Thus saith the prophet of God:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it - shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all - hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt. And they shall be - afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them.... Behold, the - day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to - lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out - of it.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Isa. 13:6-9.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; text-align: center"></p> - - <div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center; width: 80%"> - <a href="images/i_078.png"><img src="images/i_078.png" alt= - "Illustration" /></a> - - <div class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em; text-align: center"> - The Day of Wrath. - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Most dreadful - day! and is it near?—Yes; it hasteth! It hasteth greatly! What a - description given by the prophet! Read it; and as you read, try to - realize how dreadful will be that day:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and - hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty - man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of - trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of - darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day - of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the - high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall - walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord; and - their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the - dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver - them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be - devoured by the fire of his jealousy; for he shall make even a - speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the - land.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Zeph. 1:14-18.</span></p> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc33" id="toc33"></a> <a name="pdf34" id="pdf34"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em; text-align: left"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Peace And Safety.</span></h2> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The attitude of - the religious world toward this most important subject is worthy of - more than passing notice both because of its effect upon the cause - of truth and also because it of itself is a sign of the times. - While it is true that many individuals in the different Christian - denominations recognize with more or less distinctness the fact - that we are living in the last days, with many of these - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page080">[pg 080]</span><a name= - "Pg080" id="Pg080" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> it does not become a - practical truth. Outside of these there are many who ridicule the - idea as preposterous and outlandish; and in opposition to the - message that Christ is soon coming, raise the cry of, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Peace, peace, when there is no peace.”</span> Such - teaching is alluded to by the prophet in Eze. 13:10, 11.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The groundwork - of the peace and safety cry is the doctrine of the temporal - millennium. This teaches that the world is now entering, or about - to enter upon a period of universal peace and good will, that the - moral tone of the world is improving, men and nations are learning - righteousness; and the gospel of Christ is about to become the - controlling principle in public and private life. And, further, - this happy state will continue for one thousand years, which period - of time the word millennium literally signifies. At the end of that - time, perhaps, the Lord will come. However, if this doctrine be - true, it will make but little difference to this generation or to - the one living at the close of the period whether he does or not. - The verses we have just considered which liken the last days to - those of Noah wholly disprove this position. In addition to what - Matthew states, Luke gives a still more forcible version of our - Saviour's words:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be - also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they - married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe - entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. - Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they - drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the - same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone - from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the - day when the Son of man is revealed.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">Luke - 17:26-30.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Paul writes in - his epistles to Timothy as follows:—</p><span class="tei tei-pb" - id="page081">[pg 081]</span><a name="Pg081" id="Pg081" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the - latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to - seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">1 - Tim. 4:1.</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">This know also, that in the last days perilous - times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, - covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, - unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, - false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are - good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than - lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power - thereof: from such turn away.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">2 - Tim. 3:1-5.</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and - worse, deceiving, and being deceived.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-size: 90%">Verse 13.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In very many - scriptures it is plainly declared that when Christ comes, he comes - not only to reward and save his people but also to punish his - enemies. Looking upon the last days he exclaims, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find - faith on the earth?”</span> Luke 18:8. The idea of a thousand years - of peace and righteousness before Christ comes might be dismissed - as utterly out of the question. But space will be given to one or - two passages supposed to teach it, which will represent the whole - class. The first and chief is found in Isa. 2:2-4:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">And it shall come to pass in the last days, that - the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of - the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all - nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come - ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of - the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will - walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the - word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the - nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their - swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: - nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they - learn war any more.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Almost the same - language is used in Micah 4:1-3. It is enough to call attention to - the authorship of the <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page082">[pg - 082]</span><a name="Pg082" id="Pg082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - propositions contained in the text. They come from the people. - <span class="tei tei-q">“Many people shall go and say, Come - ye,”</span> etc. Inspiration asserts that in the last days the - mountain or power of the Lord's house or church shall be - established in the tops of the mountains, or civil power. - Undoubtedly it will. Everything is tending to the union of Church - and State and the professed church of Christ is riding on a high - tide to civil power in all lands. But farewell to godliness and - spiritual power. When this is accomplished, in a general chorus all - will proclaim the dawning millennium.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">How the Lord - regards the people who are saying these things is shown in the - succeeding verses:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house - of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are - soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the - children of strangers. Their land also is full of silver and gold, - neither is there any end of their treasures; their land also is - full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: their - land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own - hands, that which their own fingers have made.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">Isa. - 2:6-8.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Now let us see - what God says on the same point and concerning the same time:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; prepare war, - wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them - come up: beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruninghooks - into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, - and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round - about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the - heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for - there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in - the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the - press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. - Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of - the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon - shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw</span> - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page083">[pg 083]</span><a name= - "Pg083" id="Pg083" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span style= - "font-size: 90%">their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of - Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the - earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, - and the strength of the children of Israel.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-size: 90%">Joel 3:9-16.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mark, this is - not what the people say, but what the Lord says of the very same - time when the people are preaching a good time coming.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Another verse - referred to, and representing quite a numerous class of similar - ones, is found in Num. 14:21.</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be - filled with the glory of the Lord.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There is no - occasion to modify or limit the meaning of those words; for their - utmost significance will be realized. But when?—When sin and the - curse are wiped away. After the purifying fires of the day of the - Lord have burned up the last work and relic of rebellion, and the - earth made new in Edenic glory comes again from the hand of its - Maker, as beautiful, yea, more beautiful, if possible, than at - first. It would not be within the limits of this pamphlet to follow - out this subject, but the reader is referred to the following - scriptures: Isa. 65:17-22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21 and 22, and - to published works.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In that state - this and all kindred scriptures will meet a fulfillment that is - ample and complete. But for such a condition of things this side of - the coming of Christ neither the Bible nor the trend of events give - any promise whatever.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Judging of the - probability of the conversion of the world from the facts, it would - seem to be far from striking. The following table gives a - comparatively accurate showing of the present religious status of - the world:—</p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page085">[pg - 085]</span><a name="Pg085" id="Pg085" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-top: 1.00em; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Jews and Parsees 15,470,000 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Greek Catholics 84,136,000 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Protestants 114,815,500 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Brahminical Hindoos 120,000,000 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Mohammedans 122,400,000 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Roman Catholics 255,000,000 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Pagans 227,000,000 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Buddhists 482,000,000 - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Unclassified 51,050,000 - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Concerning the - very small proportion of this number classed in the list of - Christians, Bishop Foster has very aptly said:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">There are some who too fondly anticipate a - millennium. There is a lack of information on the progress of - Christianity. The facts are misstated daily in pulpits all over the - country. Ministers hesitate to present the worst side for fear of - causing discouragement, and they create hopes that are never - realized. We are not at the dawn of a millennium. Compared with the - work to be done, the past is nothing. Our children's children for - ten generations to come must labor harder than we are doing, to - accomplish the conversion of the world. The world's population is - 1,500,000,000. Of these, Christians number less than a third; and - half of that third belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. The - Protestants number 114,000,000. They are divided into 500 sects. - And this number of their strength includes, also, all the thieves, - ex-convicts, the debased, besotted, and the speckled and streaked - in Christendom.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">—</span><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-style: italic">Northwestern Christian - Advocate of Dec. 2, 1885.</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Farther on in - the same article the Bishop said:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Before us we have the great problem—the - 1,100,000,000 of pagans to convert to Christianity. That is the - solid rock that looms up in our path. Look at it; see what work has - been done in 1800 years, and how much is yet to be accomplished. In - India, after more than a hundred years of mission work, we have - 600,000 native converts and 2,000,000 Christians among 260,000,000 - heathen. Can we remove that solid boulder that is as old as the - hills?... Our Methodist Church we think the most divine and - ineffable. We boast that we are going to conquer</span> - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page086">[pg 086]</span><a name= - "Pg086" id="Pg086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span style= - "font-size: 90%">the world, and come from our palaces and - princely farms to subscribe fifty cents a head for the - undertaking! It is a burning disgrace that excites pity and - disgust.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And as to the - prospects for universal peace, the following recent statement of - the armament of Europe does not indicate that the nations are - really contemplating such a happy consummation:—</p> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Russia: 1,519,810 men, 181,000 horses, 2,084 cannon - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Germany: 835,000 men, 96,000 horses, 2,022 cannon - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Austria: 856,980 men, 58,125 horses, 1,600 cannon - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - England: 478,800 men - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - France: 1,850,000 men - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The remaining - states of Europe make up with the above a total of about 6,000,000 - men.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc35" id="toc35"></a> <a name="pdf36" id="pdf36"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">The Final Separation.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">40, 41:</span> <span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be - taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; - the one shall be taken, and the other left.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This language - shows the final separation between the righteous and the wicked. - There is no elaborate explanation as to how the circumstances will - meet their fulfillment, but that is not the essential force of the - text. The line will in some cases be drawn between those who are - intimately related. Some members of the same family will be taken - away by the judgments of God, while others will be left to receive - their coming Lord.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc37" id="toc37"></a> <a name="pdf38" id="pdf38"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em; text-align: left"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">Those Who Watch Will Know The - Time.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">42-44:</span> <span class="tei tei-q"> - <span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your - Lord doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the</span> - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page087">[pg 087]</span><a name= - "Pg087" id="Pg087" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><span style= - "font-size: 90%">house had known in what watch the thief would - come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his - house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an - hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The injunction - to watchfulness is repeatedly given by our Saviour in connection - with his teaching in reference to his second advent. These - injunctions must apply especially to those who live in proximity to - that event. This fact is convincing evidence that the Lord is not - displeased with those who anticipate his coming, and study the word - in reference to it. No one watches for that which he does not - expect, and indifference or aversion toward the coming of Christ is - sure evidence of coldness toward Christ himself. If we love Jesus, - we shall love his appearing and if we love his appearing, we shall - be eagerly watching and waiting for it. But if we knew the hour - when he would come, we should not watch for his coming, nor could - we with eagerness expect his coming if we had no knowledge of its - approach. The course of time has been measured off in definite - periods down to the beginning of the present generation. The time - from the end of the prophetic periods to the coming of Christ is - emphatically the waiting, watching time. Those who watch, as our - Lord commands, will eventually know the time. No man will make it - known, for it is not revealed to man in the Scriptures. Angels will - not make it known, though they may minister to, and communicate - with, the children of men. Neither will the Son. But the Father - will make it known when he speaks again from heaven.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is - undoubtedly true that the unscriptural and irrational course - pursued by many so-called Adventists in repeatedly setting a time - of their own for the Lord to come has had the effect to disgust - many with the whole <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page088">[pg - 088]</span><a name="Pg088" id="Pg088" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - matter. This is the enemy's work. He will seek thus to obscure each - truth by bringing it into the shadow of reproach. But it is unwise - to be thus misled. Probably there is no prophecy that better - describes the present state of unbelief in the world in regard to - the second advent, caused partly by fanatical time-movements, than - the following:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in - the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every - vision faileth? Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God: I - will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a - proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the - effect of every vision. For there shall be no more any vain vision - nor flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the - Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to - pass; it shall be no more prolonged, for in your days, O rebellious - house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord - God.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Eze. 12:22-25.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The burden of - this prophecy is time; therefore the word here mentioned that the - Lord will speak, will be the time. Rev. 3:3, is also to the - point:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and - heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not - watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what - hour I will come upon thee.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Those who do not - watch, will not know the hour. Those who watch will know the - hour.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The present - watching, waiting position requires much faith and patience. Says - Paul:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which - hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, - that, after ye have done the will of God [in proclaiming the coming - of Christ], ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, - and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just - shall live by faith;</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page089"> - [pg 089]</span><a name="Pg089" id="Pg089" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">but if any man - draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not - of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to - the saving of the soul.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style= - "font-size: 90%">Heb. 10:35-39.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Says James: - <span class="tei tei-q">“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the - coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious - fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive - the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your - hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”</span> James 5:7, - 8.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jesus says: - <span class="tei tei-q">“Because thou hast kept the word of my - patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which - shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the - earth.”</span> Rev. 3:10.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The present - position and present duty of God's people are defined in Rev. - 14:12: <span class="tei tei-q">“Here is the patience of the saints; - here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of - Jesus.”</span></p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc39" id="toc39"></a> <a name="pdf40" id="pdf40"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: left; margin-top: 2.88em; margin-bottom: 2.88em"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">The Faithful And Wise - Servant.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">45-47:</span> <span class="tei tei-q"> - <span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom - his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in - due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh - shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make - him ruler over all his goods.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In this figure, - Christ is represented as the Lord of the household of faith (see - Mark 13:35; Heb. 3:6), leaving his house, and committing the work - of caring for his church to his servants. A blessing is promised - those servants who are found faithfully discharging this duty when - their Lord comes. They are to feed the flock of God, over whom the - Holy Ghost hath made them overseers. Acts 20:28. They must preach - the word. 2 Tim. 4:2. They should watch for souls as they that must - give account. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page090">[pg - 090]</span><a name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - Heb. 13:17. They will not only give meat to the household, but they - will give it in due season. They will preach the <em class= - "tei tei-emph"><span style="font-style: italic">present</span></em> - truth.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And meat in due - season when Christ's coming draws near, will be the gospel of the - kingdom. Verse 14. It will embrace warnings, instructions, and - encouragements pertaining to a message that is designed and adapted - to prepare the world for so solemn an event. Suppose, for a moment, - that when Noah had received his message of the coming flood to give - to the world, he had reasoned with worldly wisdom that as such a - thing never had occurred, and from all appearances seemed very - unlikely to occur, and hence to preach it would subject him to - reproach, it would be better to avoid any particular allusion to - such an unwelcome subject. His preaching seemed to excite only - ridicule. He could retain his own private convictions and preach - the ordinary principles of righteousness, saying, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Do not so, my brethren.”</span> And if the people were - only prepared for the flood, that would be all that would be - necessary. Of such a course we can say two things. He would thus - have proved very unfaithful to his trust, and the blood of his - fellow-men would have been upon him; and he would have done just as - thousands are doing now. He certainly would not have represented - the faithful and wise servant. So it is now. A solemn - responsibility is placed upon the watchmen:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, - and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the - people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for - their watchman: if when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he - blow the trumpet, and warn the people; then whosoever heareth the - sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, - and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard - the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be - upon him. But</span> <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page091">[pg - 091]</span><a name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a><span style="font-size: 90%">he that taketh - warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword - come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if - the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken - away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the - watchman's hand. So thou, O 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.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span> <span style="font-size: 90%">Eze. - 33:2-7.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Jesus - comes, the faithful servants will be found proclaiming his coming - and teaching the necessary preparation. The Saviour speaks of such - as <span class="tei tei-q">“faithful and wise.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">1. He is - faithful. As a faithful watchman, he will give timely warning when - he sees the sword coming. His work just before the end, is seen in - the following scriptures:—</p> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in - my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for - the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at - hand.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">Joel 2:1.</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a - trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of - Jacob their sins.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%">Isa. - 58:1.</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord - Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his - appearing and his kingdom, Preach the word; be instant in season, - out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering - and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure - sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to - themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn - away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables. - But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of - an evangelist, make full proof of thy - ministry.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">2. Tim. 4:1-5.</span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">2. He is wise. - <span class="tei tei-q">“He that winneth souls is wise.”</span> He - must be wise. He will hold forth the truth in its harmony and - beauty, and thus expose error and win men to the truth. When it - becomes his duty to <span class="tei tei-q">“reprove and - rebuke,”</span> it will be at a proper time and place, and then - with all <span class="tei tei-q">“long-suffering and - doctrine.”</span> He will study to <span class="tei tei-pb" id= - "page092">[pg 092]</span><a name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class= - "tei tei-anchor"></a> show himself <span class= - "tei tei-q">“approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be - ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”</span> 2 Tim. - 2:15.</p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <a name="toc41" id="toc41"></a> <a name="pdf42" id="pdf42"></a> - - <h2 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em; text-align: left"> - <span style="font-size: 144%">The Evil Servant.</span></h2> - - <div class="block tei tei-quote" style= - "margin-top: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 0.90em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps">Verses</span></span> - <span style="font-size: 90%">48-51:</span> <span class="tei tei-q"> - <span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">But and if that evil servant shall say in his - heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his - fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord - of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, - and in an hour that he is not aware of; and shall cut him - asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there - shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</span><span style= - "font-size: 90%">”</span></span></p> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">What the evil - servant says and does, shows most clearly the position and work of - the faithful and wise servant. The evil servant says, <span class= - "tei tei-q">“My lord delayeth his coming,”</span> because the - faithful servant is proclaiming the coming of his lord. The evil - servant smites the faithful servant, because he teaches the soon - coming of his Lord. The faithful servant, true to his commission to - preach the <span class="tei tei-q">“gospel of the kingdom”</span> - to a fallen church and a scoffing world, toils on, and for this the - evil servant smites him. Not with the fist, perhaps, but with the - tongue of obloquy and reproach. That there should be professed - servants of Christ engaged in smiting those who are faithfully - warning the world, need not cause surprise in view of the past, but - must cause sorrow in the heart of every lover of truth. The wicked - servant says in heart, and some are saying with their lips, The - Lord is not coming. The world is now just starting out upon its - career of knowledge and enjoyment. Where is the promise or - indication of his coming? Some say, He may come to-night, he may - not come in a million years, thus neutralizing the truth. Such men - will be found criticising and discounting the Scriptures and - subjecting them to the tests of human philosophy and science. The - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page093">[pg 093]</span><a name= - "Pg093" id="Pg093" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> only safety for the - people is to look beyond such watchmen. Let them take the Bible for - themselves, and there discerning the truth, embrace it, and live - according to it.</p> - </div> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> - <a name="toc43" id="toc43"></a> <a name="pdf44" id="pdf44"></a> - - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em; text-align: left"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">Conclusion.</span></h1> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The impression - prevails to some extent that he who teaches that Christ is soon - coming is acting the <span class="tei tei-foreign"><span style= - "font-style: italic">rôle</span></span> of an alarmist. If so, we - have seen that the great Teacher has placed himself at the head of - the class. No one has spoken more positively upon this point than he - has done. He said, <span class="tei tei-q">“In my Father's house are - many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to - prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I - will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there - ye may be also.”</span> John 14:2, 3. There is nothing ambiguous - about that language. A child can understand it. It means that Jesus - will come again. In the remarkable chapter we have here reviewed, the - Saviour takes up the subject specifically, and not only affirms the - fact of his coming, but foretells in explicit language the events - which he would have us recognize as signs of the near approach of his - coming and the end of the world.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the message of - Christ's second coming is not sensational in its essential character. - It is a solemn, practical truth. It is full of warning and admonition - to sinners and worldly professors, and full of comfort to the - faithful followers of Christ. It is spoken of in the Scriptures as a - fact, established upon the word which never fails. When speaking - <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page095">[pg 095]</span><a name="Pg095" - id="Pg095" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> of his second advent, the - Saviour said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Heaven and earth shall pass - away, but my word shall not pass away.”</span> Matt. 24:35. To - disbelieve in his coming would be to doubt one of the two great - features of the gospel plan. What the harvest is to seed-time, - Christ's second advent will be to his first. To doubt that he ever - came to earth would be to subvert the gospel. To disbelieve his - second coming would nullify in the mind his first coming, and rob the - sacrifice of its glorious reward.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The apostle Paul - speaks of the second advent as <span class="tei tei-q">“that blessed - hope.”</span> Titus 2:13. Jesus says: <span class="tei tei-q">“And - when these things [the signs of his coming] begin to come to pass, - then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth - nigh.”</span> The prophet Isaiah anticipates the feelings of God's - people who will witness the event, and expresses them in the - following manner: <span class="tei tei-q">“And it shall be said in - that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will - save us: This is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad - and rejoice in his salvation.”</span> Isa. 25:9.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At his coming, the - dead in Christ will be raised to everlasting life. The righteous - living will be changed to immortality. The hand of our Saviour will - wipe away all tears; <span class="tei tei-q">“there shall be no more - death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more - pain; for the former things are passed away.”</span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Why should we not - rejoice in such a prospect? Who would not welcome such a friend? Who - would not rejoice in the prospect of such a consummation?</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But it is true - that the grand event will not be attended with joy alone. There will - be dismay and anguish. For while one prophet records the exclamations - of joyful anticipation, another has foreseen and recorded the cry of - despair. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page096">[pg - 096]</span><a name="Pg096" id="Pg096" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - <span class="tei tei-q">“And the kings of the earth, and the great - men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, - and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and - in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, - Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the - throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his - wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”</span> Rev. 6:15-17. - A vast number will thus lament. All who cannot join the shout of - welcome will unite in the wail of despair. There will be but two - classes in that day. And to one of those classes each one living will - belong. To which shall I belong? Solemn question. To which party will - you belong, reader? No one can <em class="tei tei-emph"><span style= - "font-style: italic">wait</span></em> for Christ who is not prepared - for his coming. Only the precious blood of Jesus that cleanses from - sin can prepare us to receive him and fit us to dwell in his - presence. Have you an interest in his forgiving love? Is your peace - made with God? If so, his coming will have no terror to you, for he - comes to save his waiting people.</p> - </div><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page097">[pg 097]</span><a name= - "Pg097" id="Pg097" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - <hr class="page" /> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> - <a name="toc45" id="toc45"></a> <a name="pdf46" id="pdf46"></a> - - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "margin-bottom: 3.46em; text-align: left; margin-top: 3.46em"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">Choice Religious Books.</span></h1> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Any publication in - the following list will be sent post-paid to any address in the - United States and Canada. See directions on the last page.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">PROPHETIC - LIGHTS</span></span> treats of some of the leading prophecies both of - the Old and New Testaments, showing the exact fulfillment of the - predictions of the Bible concerning Egypt, Tyre, Babylon, - Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, also of the prophecies concerning the - first advent of Christ, which prove the inspiration of the Bible, and - give assurance that other prophecies which are noted will as surely - and exactly be fulfilled. Nearly all the illustrations of this book - were designed and engraved especially for this work, at great - expense, and are a study in themselves. The book contains nearly 200 - large octavo pages, and is printed on an extra quality of heavy - calendared paper. It is bound in fine English cloth, with beautiful - symbolical side stamp in brown and gold, and has gilt edges. - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">$1.00</span></span>.</p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">MARVEL OF - NATIONS</span></span>, embracing the past, present, and future of the - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-variant: small-caps">United States</span></span>, from a - historical, political, and religious standpoint; what great men have - predicted; what the Scriptures have foretold. This book gives a brief - but comprehensive historical review of our country, comparing the - past with the present state of religion, education, and science, and - calling special attention to the advancement that is being made by - Spiritualism, Catholicism, and the National Reform movement, which is - rapidly bringing about a union of Church and State in America. These - questions are coming to the front; and he who prizes current thought - on living issues should give them an examination. The book contains - 300 pages, and over 40 illustrations; and has reached its 200th - thousand. It needs no other indorsement than a careful reading.</p> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - In plain edges <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">$1.00</span></span> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Gilt edges <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">1.25</span></span> - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">FROM EDEN TO - EDEN.</span></span>—This book is a most interesting study of the more - important historic and prophetic portions of the Scriptures. The - author traces the world in its career front the time when - <span class="tei tei-q">“God saw everything that he had made and - behold it was very good,”</span> on through the period while - <span class="tei tei-q">“the earth also is defiled under the - inhabitants thereof,”</span> to the future glorious time when Christ - says to his followers, <span class="tei tei-q">“Come, ye blessed of - my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation - of the world.”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">From Eden to - Eden</span></span>”</span> is printed from new electrotype plates, on - heavy calendared paper made especially for this book, and contains - 264 pages. It is illustrated with numerous full-page engravings, and - furnished in two very attractive styles of binding, at the following - prices:—</p> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - In a highly ornamental binding <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">$1.50</span></span> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Plain binding, with marbled edges <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">1.00</span></span> - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">GREAT - CONTROVERSY</span></span> between Christ and Satan during the - Christian Dispensation. A companion volume to <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Patriarchs and Prophets.”</span> By the same author. - This volume presents the most wonderful and intensely interesting - history that has ever been written of the great conflict between - Christianity and the powers of darkness, as illustrated in the lives - of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men - and persecuting powers on the other. Beginning with our Lord's great - prophecy given while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, this - book outlines the history of the whole dispensation down to the time - when <span class="tei tei-q">“sin and sinners are no more; God's - entire universe is clean: and the great controversy is forever - ended.”</span> This remarkable book contains over 700 pp., and 26 - illustrations. The work is handsomely printed and - bound.</p><span class="tei tei-ab">Bound in five styles, varying in - price from <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">$4.50 to 2.25</span></span></span> <span class= - "tei tei-pb" id="page098">[pg 098]</span><a name="Pg098" id="Pg098" - class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">PATRIARCHS AND - PROPHETS</span></span>; or the Great Conflict between Good and Evil - as illustrated in the Lives of Holy Men of Old. By Mrs. E. G. White, - author of <span class="tei tei-q">“Great Controversy,”</span> - <span class="tei tei-q">“Life of Christ,”</span> and numerous other - works on religious subjects. This book treats upon the themes of - Bible history—themes not in themselves new, but so presented here as - to give them a new significance. Beginning with the rebellion in - heaven, the author shows why sin was permitted, why Satan was not - destroyed, and why man was tested; gives a thrilling description of - man's temptation and fall; and rehearses the plan of redemption - devised for his salvation. This volume traces the great conflict - between good and evil from its inception down through the centuries - to the time of David's death, and shows God's wonderful love for - mankind by his dealings with the <span class="tei tei-q">“holy men of - old.”</span> The book contains over 760 octavo pages. It is printed - from clear, new electrotypes on a fine quality of tinted paper. Its - pages are adorned with more than 50 engravings, over 30 of which are - full-page, and many were designed and engraved especially for this - book by an artist in Paris, France.</p> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Furnished in four styles of binding, ranging from <span class= - "tei tei-hi" style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">$4.50 to 2.25</span></span> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - In plain binding, with 13 illustrations <span class="tei tei-hi" - style="text-align: left"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">1.75</span></span> - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">HERE AND - HEREAFTER</span></span>, or Man's Nature and Destiny, The State of - the Dead, the Reward of the Righteous, and the End of the Wicked. By - U. Smith. A thorough canvass of the great question of a future - existence, and the nature of man in the present life. Every text in - the Bible which has any bearing upon these points, is taken up and - carefully explained, thus giving the most comprehensive view of the - subject that has yet been presented. The work contains 444 pages. In - cloth covers <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">$1.00</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">CHRISTIAN - EDUCATION.</span></span>—The most complete and comprehensive work on - the subject of Christian Education that has ever been published. - Starting from the period of infancy, it points out the most - successful way of preparing the mind of the child for the work of - succeeding years. The importance of proceeding upon Christian - principles in the work of education, the nature and kind of studies - which are best for children, and the moulding influences of home and - associates, are dwelt upon in the most practical and explicit way. - Many of the problems that perplex parents are cleared up in this - book, and every one who has to deal with children should procure and - study it.</p><span class="tei tei-ab">256 pages nicely bound in cloth - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">50 - cts.</span></span></span> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">STEPS TO - CHRIST.</span></span>—This little work by Mrs. E. G. White presents - in a simple and attractive manner the steps by which the sinner may - be made complete in Christ. While the book is an excellent guide for - inquirers and young converts, it also contains a wealth of counsel - and encouragement for those who are laboring with the difficulties - that beset a growing experience. 157 pages. In neat cloth binding - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">75. - cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">HELPS TO BIBLE - STUDY.</span></span>—A series of Bible readings, simple and easy, - designed as an aid to the personal study of the Scriptures, and - adapted to the use of individuals or families; also a valuable - assistant to Bible workers. The book contains about forty readings, - prepared by practical Bible workers and teachers, and covering the - most important subjects that pertain to the spiritual welfare of - mankind at the present time. 125 pages.</p> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - In cloth binding <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style="font-weight: 700">50 - cts.</span></span> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - In paper covers <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style="font-weight: 700">25 - cts.</span></span> - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">GOSPEL - WORKERS</span></span> is a very interesting volume of 480 pages. It - outlines the qualifications that should be possessed by ministers and - all others who would win souls to Christ. It should be in the hands - of all Christian workers. This book can be read and studied by all - classes with edification and profit.</p><span class="tei tei-ab">In - plain substantial binding <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">$1.00</span></span></span> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">MINISTRATION OF - ANGELS</span></span>, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. - A work of great interest upon a subject seldom written upon, yet of - great importance to the Christian. Bound in paper covers <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">20 - cts.</span></span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page099">[pg - 099]</span><a name="Pg099" id="Pg099" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">FACTS FOR THE - TIMES.</span></span>—Containing historical extracts, candid - admissions from authors, ancient and modern, on the live questions of - the present hour, political and religious. A book for these times. - Revised to 1893. A compilation of facts that are astounding, by - students of Biblical and historical research. 340 pages. In fine - cloth covers <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">75 cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE SAINTS' - INHERITANCE.</span></span>—The reader will here find a very - interesting pamphlet of 82 pages showing that the future kingdom of - Christ, with the family of the redeemed, will be in this earth, - renewed, restored, and regenerated, according to numerous scriptures - in the Old and New Testaments.</p><span class="tei tei-ab">In paper - covers <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">10 - cts.</span></span></span> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE GOSPEL IN - CREATION.</span></span>—A nicely illustrated work setting forth - clearly and simply the relation between God's work in creation and - redemption. The signs of power and greatness that mark the handiwork - of God in the visible universe are shown to be but indications of the - unfailing strength with which he works in the lives of those who - submit to his will. The confirmation of the truths of the gospel - drawn from the study of the creation will make this book a valuable - one to all who are watching with interest the attacks that are now - made on the authority of the Bible.</p><span class="tei tei-ab">In - cloth covers <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">50 cts.</span></span></span> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">SACRED - CHRONOLOGY.</span></span>—A new and revised edition of a little work - published by the late Sylvester Bliss about forty years ago, giving - the chronology from creation to the death of the apostle John. Also - <span class="tei tei-q">“The Peopling of the Earth; or, Historical - Notes on the Tenth Chapter of Genesis.”</span> By A. T. Jones. A - valuable reference book. 298 pp. Cloth covers <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">$1.00</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">LIFE OF CHRIST AND HIS - APOSTLES.</span></span>—A series of eight pamphlets, under the - general title of <span class="tei tei-q">“Redemption,”</span> - portraying the first advent of Christ, his temptation, his miracles, - his teachings, his sufferings, and his resurrection, and the - teachings and labors of Peter and Paul. Here are 788 pages of most - excellent reading.</p><span class="tei tei-ab">In paper covers - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">90 - cts.</span></span></span> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">SATAN'S FIRST - LIE</span></span>; or Man in Death. A very fascinating poem of 36 - pages by a well-known poet of Michigan. The <span class= - "tei tei-q">“Lie”</span> referred to is the one mentioned in the - third chapter of Genesis; and though, as the Scriptures tell, the - devil is a liar and the father of it, none of his lies have wrought - such disastrous consequences to the race as the one here pointed out. - The reader will hardly fail of being alike interested in both the - poetry and theology of this unique poem. In paper covers <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">15 cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE CHRISTIAN'S SECRET OF - A HAPPY LIFE.</span></span>—By Hannah Whitall Smith. <span class= - "tei tei-q">“To commend this work would seem almost superfluous; and - yet to young Christians who may not know it, we cannot refrain from - saying, Buy this book, and keep it with your Bible for constant - study, until you have thoroughly mastered, in your experience, the - secret of which it tells. It will transform the dark days of your - life, as it has transformed those of thousands before you into days - of heavenly light.”</span>—<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-style: italic">The Evangelist (N. - Y.).</span></span></p><span class="tei tei-ab">In cloth covers - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">75 - cts.</span></span></span> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">HIS GLORIOUS - APPEARING.</span></span>—An exposition of Matthew XXIV. This is a - verse-by-verse explanation of the Redeemer's great prophecy - concerning the Gospel Dispensation and his second appearing in glory. - 96 pages, with 20 full-page illustrations.</p> - - <div class="tei tei-lg" style= - "margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - In paper covers, <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style="font-weight: 700">20 - cts.</span></span> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Board covers, <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style="font-weight: 700">25 - cts.</span></span> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"> - Cloth covers <span class="tei tei-hi" style= - "text-align: left"><span style="font-weight: 700">40 - cts.</span></span> - </div> - </div> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE CHARIOTS OF FIRE AND - IRON</span></span>; or, The Modern Railroad System, treated in the - light of sacred prophecy. A very interesting pamphlet of 168 pages. - By D. T. Taylor, the well-known author.</p><span class= - "tei tei-ab">In paper covers <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">25 cts.</span></span></span> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE REJECTED - ORDINANCE.</span></span>—A convincing argument to show that our - Saviour's remarkable act of humility recorded in the thirteenth - chapter of John, should be literally perpetuated among Christians - <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">10 - cts.</span></span></p><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page100">[pg - 100]</span><a name="Pg100" id="Pg100" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">SCRIPTURE - REFERENCES.</span></span>—A careful compilation of proof-texts on - twenty-five different subjects of great importance at the present - time. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">4 - cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">SPIRITUALISM A SATANIC - DELUSION.</span></span>—This is a scathing arraignment of the system - of necromancy known under the name of <span class="tei tei-q">“Modern - Spiritualism.”</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">4 cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">IS THE END - NEAR?</span></span>—An 8-page tract of great interest, giving - numerous reasons for believing that the Second Coming of Christ is at - hand. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">1 - ct.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">CAN WE - KNOW?</span></span>—A tract of 8 pages which proves most conclusively - that the numerous predictions concerning the signs of the times and - the second advent may be understood. <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">1 ct.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE TWO - LAWS.</span></span>—A clear and scriptural argument showing the - difference between the Ten Commandments and the ceremonial law or the - Hebrews. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">2 - cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE SUFFERINGS OF - CHRIST.</span></span>—This tract dwells with great force on the - agonies of our Redeemer in the garden and on the cross, in order to - make the salvation of sinners possible. <span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">4 cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">THE SECOND - ADVENT</span></span>, showing the nature of the Second Coming, and - reasons for believing it near. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">4 cts.</span></span></p> - - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class= - "tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">BIBLE - CONVERSION.</span></span>—A tract of 16 pages which sets forth very - clearly what it is to be born again, and that without a change of - heart no one can be saved. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style= - "font-weight: 700">2 cts.</span></span></p> - </div> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> - <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">[Transcriber's - Note: Obvious printer's errors have been corrected.]</p> - </div> - </div> - <hr class="doublepage" /> - - <div class="tei tei-back" style= - "margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> - <hr class="doublepage" /> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> - <div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-top: 4.00em; margin-bottom: 4.00em"> - <pre class="pre tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING*** -</pre> - <hr class="doublepage" /> - - <div class="tei tei-div" style= - "margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"> - <a name="rightpageheader47" id="rightpageheader47"></a><a name= - "pgtoc48" id="pgtoc48"></a><a name="pdf49" id="pdf49"></a> - - <h1 class="tei tei-head" style= - "text-align: left; margin-top: 3.46em; margin-bottom: 3.46em"> - <span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1> - - <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style= - "margin-top: 1.00em; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">June 15, - 2017 </th> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="tei tei-item tei-item-gloss"> - <table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" - style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> - <tbody> - <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> - <th class="tei tei-label"></th> - - <td class="tei tei-item">Project Gutenberg TEI - edition 1</td> - </tr> - - <tr class="tei tei-labelitem"> - <th class="tei tei-label"></th> - - <td class="tei tei-item"><span class= - "tei tei-respStmt"><span class= - "tei tei-name">Produced by Richard Hulse, Bryan - Ness, David King, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. 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