T. E. BOWEN by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1916

T. E. BOWEN

By T. E. BOWEN

Nearing the End — No. 4

T. E. BOWEN

“I SAW four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Rev. 7: 1-3.

This work is now going forward in all the earth, and to us as a people is committed, the message that calls men back from false worship to “worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” This message is a call to all people to come back to the keeping of the commandments, including the true Sabbath, which contains the very seal of the law itself. Connected with this is the warning against the worship of that power that has set forth for its mark a false sabbath as the sign of its authority.

The Third Angel’s Message Closes When Michael Stands Up

But a time comes when this work ends. The gospel will then be finished. This time is identical with the standing up of Michael, mentioned in Dan. 12: 1. Christ, the angels, and God’s people on earth are busily engaged in giving the message in all the world until the Father summons his Son to him to receive his kingdom.

“I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing. The power of God had rested upon his people; they had accomplished their work, and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last great warning had sounded everywhere.”—Early Writings, p. 279.

Little do we now comprehend what it will mean to have the gospel come to an end. Surely it will do us good to stop occasionally and ponder what it would mean to us, to our friends, and to every soul, should there be no Saviour to whom we could go for the forgiveness of sins. That day surely hastens. It is probable that God’s people, who are covered by the righteousness of Christ, will continue to pray to him with consciousness of their unworthiness; but those whose sins are not forgiven, will experience terrible anguish.

A World Famine for Hearing the Word

The prophet says, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, and shall not find it.” Amos 8: 11, 12.

“All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, ‘It is done. It is finished.’ The plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy’s sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness they heard the words, ‘Too late! too late!’”

“Those who had not prized God’s word were hurrying to and fro, wandering from sea to sea, and from the north to the east, to seek the word of the Lord. Said the angel, ‘They shall not find it. There is a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Lord. What would they not give for one word of approval from God! But no, they must hunger and thirst on. Day after day they have slighted salvation, prizing earthly riches and earthly pleasure higher than any heavenly treasure or inducement. They have rejected Jesus and despised his saints. The filthy must remain filthy forever.’”—Id., pp. 281, 282.

“Some were denouncing God, and cursing him. Others rushed to the people of God, and begged to be taught how they might escape his judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden borne, the last warning given. The sweet voice of mercy was no more to invite them. When the saints, and all heaven, were interested in their salvation, they had no interest for themselves. Life and death had been set before them. Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it.”—Id., p. 281.

God’s People Covered by the Protection of Holy Angels

While the plagues are coming upon the impenitent, the people of God have the promise of divine protection and care. The prophet Isaiah saw this time, and wrote: “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Isa. 26: 20, 21.

But to share this special protection requires a previous preparation.

“I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful, and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain,’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord, and to live in his sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation, therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets, and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building.”—Id., p. 71.

This time here spoken of is the very time when Jesus leaves the heavenly sanctuary to go to his Father to receive his kingdom. This takes place in heaven, and is the coming mentioned in Mark 13, and in the other Gospels,—the coming of which no man shall know the day or the hour. Those who are not ready for this event, will not be ready for the personal coming of Jesus in the clouds to this earth some time later. It is on account of this that he admonishes us all to “watch.” Those who are prepared when Christ ceases his work as priest, those whose sins have all been confessed and gone beforehand to judgment, will be ready to say, when they see him as he comes to earth to get his people at the end of this time of trouble, “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.” Isa. 25: 9.

Therefore the day when Jesus shall rise up and proclaim, “It is finished,” is in reality the end of the world so far as probation is concerned. Of all days, it, perhaps, is the most important. Although time will continue and many events occur upon earth after this, no change will take place in the character

of either the righteous or the wicked.

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” “Seeing then that all these [earthly] things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” 2 Peter 3: 14, 11. “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13: 35-37.

Takoma Park, D. C.