World-Cleaning Through Human Effort

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

World-Cleaning Through Human Effort

QUITE a large portion of Christendom seems to have in mind the renovation of this old earth through human efforts alone. The Christian Register, voicing such sentiments, says:—

The world-cleaning on which we have now entered, and from which there can be no reprieve, will tax the energy and the patience of the wisest and best during the century to come.

But our Lord has declared that without him we can do nothing. And as that movement is being carried on without special reference to the work of Christ in the earth, and in denial of his claims as the mediator between God and man, it is certain that if Christ spoke truly, there is no success in store for a movement of this nature. More than that, inspiration does not teach that the renovation of this earth is to be accomplished through any human instrumentality. Inspiration does declare, however, that “the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. . . . The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. . . . But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:7–13. This world-cleaning movement through human power allows no place in its operations for the mighty agency which inspiration declares shall renovate the world, making a new world out of this abode of sin. It can also be said that inspiration has given no place to that movement for which the Christian Register stands. For this reason it must be clear to the Bible-loving Christian that the world-cleaning movement by human hands will never succeed. God has a definite program for removing sin from his universe, and is not dependent upon any human plans to bring about that great transformation.