Signs of the End by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 7, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 39.

Signs of the End.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

To THOSE who are looking for that event, there are evidences of the soon coming of the Lord, which are not evidences to those who do not believe the truth. It is now as it was in the day when Israel came out of Egypt. The pillar of the cloud lit up the pathway of the Israelites that they might see clearly where to go, but the other side of the cloud was darkness to the Egyptians, and left them to pursue a course that brought them into confusion and final destruction. The Scriptures clearly give us the history of the world, showing that we have reached the last days. This can be understood by all; and having reached the last days, near the second coming of Christ, there are many things spoken of which those who are looking for that event see fulfilled, that to them are evidences that probation is about to end. The earthquake which has recently shaken Charleston, South Carolina, and affected the larger portion of this country, is only a precursor of what will be seen, sooner or later, not only in this country, but in other parts of the world. Such events as are now taking place in America are not peculiar to this country. Like events happen in Europe; and in the Pacific Ocean, some islands sink while others rise.

The Saviour teaches us in Luke 21:25, that upon the earth there will be “distress of nations, with perplexity,” the “sea and the waves roaring.” There will be disturbances in the earth and among the nations. These disturbances of nature will affect the sea, and men's hearts will fail them for fear for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth. The heaving of the mighty deep, causing tidal waves, is something to be feared. At the time of the great day of wrath there will be such disturbances in nature that every mountain and island will be moved out of their places, and so terrible will be the day of the Lord that 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 will hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, and call for the mountains and the rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

But previous to this the “gospel of the kingdom,” will be preached unto all nations. It will have found its way to every kindred, nation, tongue, and people, and in the closing of the work, persecution also will come upon the people of God. “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” This will be among the last acts in the experience of the people of God in this world. As we approach this time, we shall see scenes taking place around us that will clearly indicate that the end is approaching. The persecutions, that will come on the people of God even in this enlightened land, for not observing the first day of the week, are already approaching. Many of our brethren have been indicted, their goods taken from them to pay fines, or they have been sent to prison. The Russians are taking their part in imprisoning those who are preaching the truths of the Third Angel's Message. Brother Conradi, missionary from America, was lately confined in a Russian jail for the truth's sake.

The truth has nearly encircled the world. Although there are nations where the living preacher has not gone, yet by publications the message has found its way to almost every nation, and God has, through this instrumentality, raised up advocates of the truth, so that calls for laborers come in from every part of the civilized world. We have not the men nor the means to fill these calls, but it would be a disgrace to say that God has not means among his people to carry forward a work which he has undertaken to do. But this means needs to be transferred from the people to the Lord's treasury, that it may be used to carry forward the work that God would have us perform, and if we refuse to act in this matter, God will raise up others who will do this, for the silver and the gold are his, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Do we need greater evidences that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh than these facts which we see existing all over the world. Destructive earthquakes have been rare in this country, but they are now becoming common. The Spirit of God has borne testimony to these things. The events for which we have looked for the past forty years are taking place in our midst. Shall we not then stir ourselves as never before to throw in the scale of truth the influence which we possess? Most certainly we should if we are to be found among those who will be saved when the Lord comes. He calls upon his people everywhere to co-operate with his providence and work to warn the world of the impending judgments. Those who cannot be stirred by these events to put forth extra efforts to send the solemn warning to all parts of the earth show too clearly that they are lacking that interest which is necessary to prepare them for the coming storm. We say to our brethren and friends, Have courage in God; it is the Lord who is shaking this earth; and he will care for those who link their interests with his truth and thus prepare to meet him.

S. N. H.