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The Last Hour

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 5, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 31.

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The Last Hour

By ALBERT WERKS

ALBERT WERKS
“LITTLE children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that Antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18, A. R. V.
When we speak of Antichrist, we think of the great power that began to develop in Paul’s day and extended through the Dark Ages. But this development of which John speaks is of many antichrists that appear in the ranks of the Lord’s children. It is said of them, “They went out from us.” 1 John 2:19.
But why did they go out?—“They were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.”
What constitutes Antichrist?—Being against or opposed to Christ. Not by profession, for the great antichristian hierarchy profess very loudly the religion of Christ, but by works they oppose Christ.
In Titus 1:16 we read, “They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him.” “This is the Antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son.” How?—By what they do, not by what they profess.
That the danger of being deceived in regard to our own condition before God is very great is made certain by the instruction of the Saviour in Matt. 7:21-23: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Thus it is clear that the manifestation of miraculous power by a person is not an evidence that he is accepted of God. Doing the will of the Father is the only evidence that is certain. “By their fruits ye shall know them,” says our Saviour. Verse 16.
Then how careful we ought to be in all we do and say, that we be not found against Christ. Lightly regarding the special instruction that he sends us is to be on the wrong side; for “he that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” Matt. 12:30.
Paul says: “Mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.” Rom. 16:17, 18. In the same strain John continues: “As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.” 1 John 2:24-26.
With what carefulness, then, should we walk in the light that God in his love sends us, that we be not led astray from the path of life. Again, Paul entreats: “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:1-3.
Smith’s Corners, Mich.