INIQUITY ABOUNDS by E. E. Sturges

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1868

INIQUITY ABOUNDS.

By E. E. Sturges

THE mystery of iniquity doth yet abound, the earth still increases in wickedness, the great mass of men are ambitious of themselves, full of pride, idolatry, intemperance, and every abomination in the sight of God. I observe men professing godliness, who boast of reading their Bibles much, and laud the truths it teaches, dishonoring God by making void his holy law. I see them heaping up treasures, adding to their earthly possessions by grinding the faces of the poor and needy. Others for political office will make use of any dishonest means possible to attain that object. Intemperance and debauchery have become so common among all classes of both sexes, that it has ceased to be noticed. Vice in its most hideous form is called God's blessing to sustain and preserve life. Members of the same family are in continual strife one with another. Being devoid of natural affection, they seek only to magnify little disturbances till domestic peace is destroyed. Then come trouble, hatred, and separation. These are but few of the occurrences that come under our special notice. How true it is that “the heart of man is set to do evil continually.” “Judgment is turned backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in our streets, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey, and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.”

God is warning the world to flee from the wrath to come. While there is great preparation going on in Heaven for that great event, the setting up of Christ's everlasting kingdom, the little remnant of God's Israel are preparing to enter in. We are warned of plagues, famine, tribulation, and such distress as was never before known. God in mercy bids us be ready, and in these evils be as “pilgrims on the earth.”

We are bidden to beware of Satan, who with his evil angels uses the most artful devices to overcome the faithful. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall,” through the influence of ungodly men, or the workers of iniquity. If our hearts are fully set to the work of overcoming, our God will not suffer us to be dismayed, nor confounded. He promises to stand by us. Says the Lord, “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, in whose heart is my law. Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.” Isa. li, 7.

Amid all the signs of approaching destruction, signs that none ever saw before, who is not willing to forsake all and strive for a home in the kingdom to come, which is never to be destroyed? What joy to be among the ransomed of the Lord when God shall bring again Zion. To these Christ says, “I will give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” These will know his voice when he says, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” E. E. STURGES. Fairfield, Conn.