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Taken by Surprise

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 41.

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Taken by Surprise

By L. A. S.

BEWARE of a surprise. In all the records of the past is written this warning. Both history and Scripture are full of admonitions upon this point. The worst calamities that have fallen upon men are those which have taken their victims unawares. Very little chance has one in such a case either for escape or for successful resistance.
The antediluvian world perished by a calamity which took its inhabitants by surprise. They “knew not until the flood came and took them all away.” The men of Sodom and Gomorrah came all unaware to the day when they were to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. Belshazzar, reveling in his palace, suddenly beheld the handwriting upon the wall, announcing his doom and the overthrow of his kingdom. Jerusalem of old had its day of visitation, and knew it not. Pompeii and Herculaneum were full of careless people on the fatal day when Vesuvius suddenly awoke from its long slumber.
The man who prospered and amassed great wealth, so that he knew not where to bestow his goods, was in the midst of plans for a long life of ease and pleasure, when suddenly death laid his hand upon him. The five foolish virgins went to buy oil for their lamps, thinking to return and participate in the marriage feast, but upon their return they looked, and lo, “the door was shut”!
A great and fatal surprise is before the world. The day of the Lord is approaching as a thief in the night, and that as a snare that is to be sprung suddenly upon its victim. The god of this world has blinded the minds of its people and lulled them to sleep, so that in spite of heaven-sent warnings, they will come unawares to the day of doom. Many, even of those who profess to be looking for him, will share in this fatal surprise, for many will say in their hearts, “My lord delayeth his coming,” and cease to watch and keep in readiness for his return. “In such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” When it is least expected, suddenly the mystery of God will be finished in the earth, and the destiny of every individual will be unalterably fixed.
Beware of a surprise. “Now is the day of salvation.”
L. A. S.