p. 144 | Iniquity Abounding

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 3, 1865

Iniquity Abounding.

One of Paul's predictions in the New Testament is, that in the last days “perilous times shall come,” and “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” 2 Tim. iii, 1, 13. Our Saviour also in his great prophecy recorded, Matt. xxiv, said, “iniquity shall abound.” Joel also, a seer of the Old Testament, twenty-six centuries ago, wrote, “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.” Chap. iii, 13. This is a characteristic feature of our times. Crime is rampant, and the hearts of the sons of men seem to be fully set on evil and that continually,—they are in dead lock with every species of unrighteousness. Well may we exclaim with one of old, “O, my Lord, what shall be the end of these wonders?” But the “vine of the earth” will soon be reaped, and with its voluptuous clusters, be cast into the great wine-press of the wrath of Almighty God. Who shall be able to stand?