Our Position by V. O. Edson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 3, 1866

Our Position.

By V. O. Edson

THE doctrine of the soon coming of Christ, and the solemn events in close connection therewith, which is being promulgated at the present time, is no cunningly devised fable, or wild imagination of a fanatic's mind. No, no; it is a solemn reality soon to be witnessed by the inhabitants of earth. But says one, "How are we to know when these events are to transpire? It may be very soon, and may not be in hundreds of years; it is all supposition; and I for one do not feel inclined to concern myself about these things."

Gentle reader, this is a subject that should concern us all; for if it is truth, how necessary that we understand it. Think you our kind heavenly Father would leave us on the dark and stormy ocean of time, to drift about in uncertainty, with no chart or compass whereby to determine our whereabouts? Oh no: a chart has been given us on which the voyage is plainly marked out.

The word of God has plainly pointed out the signs which were to precede the great event of the second advent. Have they been fulfilled? Let us see. First, we will look at Dan. ii, 28–45. Has not this Image had its fulfillment? The head of gold, Babylon, has long since passed away. The breast and arms of silver, Media and Persia, have had their day. The brass, Grecia, has borne away, and is numbered in the past.

The legs of iron, Rome, has swayed the sceptre of iron rule. Its power has dwindled away till we now find it in a divided state, symbolized by the ten toes of the image. Where does this mark our position? Emphatically near the very time when the stone is to smite the image upon the feet, symbolizing the destruction of all earthly governments, and the setting up of God's everlasting kingdom.

Dan. vii and viii also have nearly all had a striking fulfillment. The prophet Joel, too, has vividly portrayed the events that were to transpire in the last days, which have been and are now fulfilling.

Our Saviour (Matt. xxiv) in answer to the request of his disciples, "Tell us when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign of thy coming and the end of the world," enumerates the signs which were to precede this great event, which have nearly all had their fulfillment. The sun was darkened May 19, 1780. The moon the following night refused to give her light. The falling stars were witnessed Nov. 13, 1833. The next great event is the sign of the Son of man in heaven.

We may be here met with the objection, "Of that day and hour knoweth no man." Very true; but is it necessary that we should? Is it not enough for us to know that he is nigh even at the door, and be ready and waiting, that when he comes we can hail him with joy and not with grief? Events transpiring at the present proclaim emphatically, even to the most skeptical mind, that some great event is pending; and the Scriptures plainly declare what that event is. "Distress of nations with perplexity" is witnessed on every side; also "men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming upon the earth." Paul in his epistle to Timothy delineates the characteristics of the last days, and how plainly visible are they at the present day. Pride, fashion, pleasure-parties, and pleasure-seeking is the order of the day.

The cry of the angel of Rev. vii, 2, 3, has been made, and in consequence the dreadful scenes of war and bloodshed have been staid, and we are now having "a little time of peace" for the sealing work of the third angel's message of Rev. xiv, to be accomplished. Where are we then in this world's history? Examining the word of God carefully, and the signs as plainly delineated therein, and then turning our attention to the events that have been and are still transpiring, and witnessing the exact fulfillment of prophecy respecting the second coming of Christ, and the answer comes home in warning tones, In the very last days, when Christ is about to come the second time without sin unto salvation, to reward every man as his work shall be!

A little time is now given to seek a preparation for these events. Oh, let it not pass unimproved. Careless sinner awake! Christ is now pleading for you; he stands waiting to receive you. Oh, hear his sweet voice, accept his gracious invitation, come to him without delay, and find acceptance and pardon through his atoning blood. Mercy's sweet voice is now sounding; but it will soon die away. Christ's messengers are now beseeching men to be reconciled to God; their work will soon be done; probation's last hour will soon have passed; Christ will soon have finished his mediatorial work in the Heavenly Sanctuary and come forth clothed in the garments of vengeance. Then a great ransom can never redeem one soul. The mandate will have gone forth, He that is unjust let him be so still; and he that is holy let him so remain. Oh, come while yet there is room, lest the sad lamentation be thine, "The harvest is passed, the summer is ended and we are not saved."

Come wanderer from the fold of Christ, return. Thy Father calls thee back; why longer roam? Lukewarm professor, arise. Oh, may we sense our poverty, blindness, and nakedness, ere it shall be too late, and purchase the gold tried, white raiment and eyesalve, confess our wrongs and forsake them, and thus make straight paths for our feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. Ye weary, tried, disconsolate ones, look up! your God yet lives; cast your burden upon him, he careth for you.

"Let not life's sorrows press you down, Look up, prepare to take the crown."

Weary wayworn traveler to Mt. Zion, lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh. A few more toils, trials, and conflicts here, and thy earthly pilgrimage will cease. Soon shalt thou reach the goal, and anchor safely in the harbor of eternal rest.

Youthful disciple, press on. Though trials and temptations surround you, remember Jesus has trod the rough pathway before thee. He knows thy weakness and thy temptations, for he has endured the same. He has conquered, and so can we. If we will only trust him, and seek him for strength, he will impart it unto us.

"And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." Rom. xiii, 11, 12.

Palermo, N. Y.