p. 5 | Too Late by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 18, 1909

Too Late

By W. A. S.

It is easy for anybody now to see that God led in the exodus movement. Yet all the way from the Red Sea to Jordan there were murmurers and doubters. And men rose up to lead those elements into rebellion and apostasy.

Suppose, for example, that in the thirty-eighth year of the journey, some element of evil had risen up, finding fault with the way in which the movement had been led, and proposing a new exodus movement. Any child of faith in Israel would have replied that no true exodus movement could be begun in the wilderness, or at that late date.

Nearly a generation before, according to God’s promise and prophecy, the time for the exodus movement had come, and the Lord was leading his people on. Except for his leadership and mighty deliverances, even the disaffected would have known not so much as that there was any exodus movement. They would have been back in Egypt, making bricks, instead of along with the people of God, on the borders of Canaan.

We can see plainly enough that the very exodus movement that came out of Egypt went into the land of promise. Those who clung to it, went in with it. Those who were true to God were never called out from it, but the disloyal and unbelieving separated themselves from it. The experiences of Israel “happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Now and then some disaffected element

has arisen in connection with the advent movement, repudiating the past experience and leadership of God in the message, and proposing to call out a new movement. But the suggestion comes too late. If this be not the true movement, it is too late for the true one to rise. The true advent movement, which John saw in vision doing the appointed work and triumphing in heaven, was to rise when the hour of God’s judgment came, nearly a generation ago. At the right time this movement rose; it is giving the message foretold, and flying swiftly through to every nation and tongue; and the people carrying the message keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and have the testimony of Jesus. Not a word has failed that God has spoken aforetime concerning the rise and progress of the movement. Now, with the time of the latter rain and of the shaking come, and with the message rising to a loud cry in many lands, we know that the journey of the advent people is nearly done. The “blessed hope” grows brighter all the way.

W. A. S.