The Most High Ruleth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 20, 1908

“The Most High Ruleth”

MEN may refuse to retain God in their knowledge. They may explain the clearest manifestations of his overruling power as shown in fire and flood, in storm and disaster, by referring all these things to natural causes, and so may continue in their daring provocation of the wrath of God. Nevertheless, “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,” and when the limit of divine forbearance has been reached, he will bring to naught the hopes and the plans of the ungodly. We are drawing near this dread time, and of this he is giving abundant warning in his present method of dealing with men.

When men refuse to listen to his messages of instruction sent through his recognized messengers until there is no further hope of reaching them through this means, then God changes his method and appeals to them in other ways, but in that fact of change is great significance. This principle has long been recognized by those who are able to discern the ways of God. An illustration of this is found in “A Discourse on Earthquakes, as Supernatural and Premonitory Signs to a Nation,” by Robert Fleming, printed in London in 1793. From this discourse we make these extracts:—

Yea, may not yet some more strange and immediate appearance to this generation be expected, when such a visible tendency now is to sacrifice to natural causes whatever hath the greatest evidence to bring near an affecting sense of the Deity unto men's consciences; and to account it a small thing to arraign and subject the greatest of his works to the comprehension of their dark and limited reason; and that their wisdom hath such a dominion and influence on future events, as they can give law to providence, and even lay wagers on what the next day is to bring forth? O! may not some unusual application be yet more than expected, to let men know they are under the dominion of that God who can in a moment break the most promising means and measures taken by human counsel by one touch of his hand? . . .

But that which may most direct our eyes to see an immediate appearance of God herein, and a casualty above nature was, as is acknowledged by all, when such a prodigious height of impiety and wickedness seemed to have filled up its full measure, and no ordinary means could reclaim; so as the holy God upon the honor of his justice and government was thus interested to put so astonishing a mark of his severity and wrath on the same, and make known what one day and hour may at last bring forth on a city and country after a long forbearance, when it is least expected or feared. . . .

And when there is so little faith now on the earth, with respect to any threatenings of the Word, is it strange though there be some unusual demonstrations of God in the way of sense, to speak to the world by a monitory voice?

If what occurred more than a century ago was sufficient to call forth such expressions as these from a watchman on the walls of Zion, what ought to be expected to-day in view of the shocking disasters which follow so closely one upon another? And yet where one warning voice is lifted, there are many to explain these untoward happenings and to quiet the minds of the people. For such a course as this some will have a terrible account to render.

In view of the approaching crisis in the government of God, instruction was given to this people through the spirit of prophecy in 1895 as follows:—

There will soon be a sudden change in God's dealings. The world in its perversity is being visited by casualties,—by floods, storms, fires, earthquakes, famines, wars, and bloodshed. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power; yet he will not at all acquit the wicked. ‘The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.’ O that men might understand the patience and long-suffering of God! He is putting under restraint his own attributes. His omnipotent power is under the control of Omnipotence. O that men would understand that God refuses to be wearied out with the world's perversity, and still holds out the hope of forgiveness even to the most undeserving! But his forbearance will not always continue. Who is prepared for the sudden change that will take place in God's dealing with sinful men? Who will be prepared to escape the punishment that will certainly fall upon transgressors?

After the stroke which fell upon San Francisco the following instruction was given through the same instrumentality:—

Ought men to be surprised over a sudden and unexpected change in the dealings of the Supreme Ruler with the inhabitants of a fallen world? Ought they to be surprised when punishment follows transgression and increasing crime? Ought they to be surprised that God should bring destruction and death upon those whose ill-gotten gains have been obtained through deception and fraud? Notwithstanding the fact that increasing light regarding God's requirements has been shining on their pathway many have refused to recognize Jehovah's supreme rulership, and have chosen to remain under the black banner of the originator of all rebellion against the government of heaven. . . . God allows men a period of probation; but there is a point beyond which divine patience is exhausted, and the judgments of God are sure to follow. . . . God is now withholding further vengeance, in order that a faithful work may be done by his ministers. Let there be proclaimed, with no uncertain sound, the message: ‘Watch; . . . for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ In every place is to be heard the voice of the faithful sentinel of truth. God is now calling upon his servants to engage in this closing work of warning the world.

The lessons of the present hour are plain. In the oft-repeated disasters God is proclaiming his own sovereignty and calling sinners to repentance, and at the same time he is calling upon his representatives to proclaim the final message to the world. The change in God's method of dealing with men is another and a marked evidence of the shortness of probationary time, a sure indication that the Ruler of the universe will soon vindicate his right in the earth, and a summons to faithful service. For the sake of our own souls, and for the sake of those yet under the dominion of the great rebel, we should arouse to unflagging devotion to the work of God in the earth. Soon it will be too late.