Unbelief by T. E. Bowen

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 30, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 38.

Unbelief.

By T. E. Bowen

God will have a tried people. The angels that now sing praises to his name in Heaven are beings that have been tested and have chosen of their own free will to remain loyal to their Creator. Those who were rebellious and unbelieving were not suffered to remain in God’s presence. Neither will men who cherish doubts and unbelief ever be permitted an entrance into his glorious kingdom.

When Eve was tempted, had she remembered and believed what God had said, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die,” the words of the serpent would have failed to move her. Then this world, so full of misery and woe, would have remained what the Lord intended it should be—a peaceful and happy home for man.

Ever since the fall unbelief has been the ruling element in every departure from God; for before entering the path of sin, doubts are entertained concerning the words of the Lord. Noah set a good example to all succeeding generations, in moving out upon the bare promises of God. One hundred and twenty years he faithfully labored to warn that generation, yet through unbelief all perished save himself and seven souls.

Those acquainted with the history of the children of Israel, know that it was not God’s pleasure that they should wander forty long years in the wilderness, subject to the temptations of Satan; but that they should enter at once into the land he had promised them. The Lord purposed, however, that they should believe fully in the Saviour that was so tenderly guiding them (compare Ex. 23:20, 21, with Acts 7:37-39), and appreciate their blessings and privileges. Yet the Lord was grieved at their unbelief. “But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?” Heb. 3:17, 18. God intended at the time Moses sent twelve men to spy out the promised land, that the children of Israel should immediately pass over and possess their inheritance. But when the ten spies gave their false report and the people took it up and began to murmur and express their unbelief, the Lord turned them back into the wilderness again, until all the unbelieving ones should perish. “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Heb. 3:19.

“The unbelief and murmurings of the children of Israel illustrate the people of God now upon the earth. Many look back to them, and marvel at their unbelief and continual murmurings, after the Lord had done so much for them, in giving them repeated evidence of his love and care for them. They think that they should not have proved thus ungrateful. But some who thus think, murmur and repine at things of less consequence. They do not know themselves. God frequently proves them, and tries their faith in small things; and they do not endure the trial any better than did ancient Israel.”—Great Controversy, vol. 1, p. 223.

Do we carefully weigh the consequences of following in the footsteps of the Israelites? Paul says, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Heb. 4:1.

The life of Christ was filled up with lessons to inspire faith in God. His heart, so full of faith, was grieved as he beheld the faithlessness of his generation. Why was it, that at the time of Christ’s transfiguration, his disciples were unable to rebuke the evil spirit in the young man? See Matt. 17:14-21. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Unbelief and faith, then, are directly opposite. Both cannot dwell in the heart at the same time. One is of God, the other of Satan. As Christ looked down through the generations to the last, he inquires: “When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?” The Saviour knew whereof he spoke, and to-day, in fulfillment, we see unbelief on every side; while true faith in God can scarcely be found.

Oh, unbelief! through you the prophets that were sent of God have been rejected and slain; thy cruel power has closed many ears that they should not hear the truth; and by your withering influence the Son of God was finally put to death.

Had the people carrying the last message of warning to the world been faithful in living up to all the light given them, they, like Israel, might have entered upon their rest long ago. But though through fear and unbelief they have delayed the coming of their Redeemer, nevertheless “he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness, because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” And all who fail of the needful preparation will be left behind; while the faithful will enter the promised land.

Signs of the near approach of the end are fast thickening about us. Soon the destiny of every soul will be forever sealed. There are but two sides upon which to stand. Either we shall be with the company of believing ones, and hear from the lips of the Saviour, Come ye blessed and inherit the kingdom, or we shall be classed with “the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars [who], shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8. T. E. BOWEN.