Watchful Waiting | AdventAI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 18, 1915

“Watchful Waiting”

THE situation in the war zone of Europe has presented no startling developments during the last few days. The interest of the world centers at Constantinople, the subjugation of which one of the largest fleets ever assembled in active warfare is endeavoring to accomplish. Conflicting reports regarding results yet achieved come from different war centers.

While but little has been accomplished by the Russian fleet in its attack on forts at the Black Sea entrance to the Bosporus, considerable has been done by the French and English warships in forcing an entrance to the Dardanelles. This strait, it appears, has been cleared for about one half of its length of all fortifications. How long it may take to complete this work and bring about the fall of Constantinople no one can tell. Indeed, just how and when the prophecy regarding the fall of the Ottoman Empire will be fulfilled we cannot safely predict, and it is both wise and well for us not to speculate too greatly over this. It is for us to wait and watch. The term “watchful waiting” as applied to our attitude toward this subject just now is most appropriate.

Let us not run ahead of God’s providences. Let us not seek to be wise above that which is written in figuring out the details as to how prophecy may be fulfilled, but let us watch the unfolding of events, and when we see the developments which clearly mark the progress of the fulfillment of the prophetic word, stand ready as watchmen on Zion’s wall to give the trumpet a certain sound. Let us guard our statements and not give expression to wild or sensational predictions regarding this question. We need to study and watch and pray that we may be kept from wrong conclusions, and that we may discern clearly the signs of the times.