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The Groaning Earth

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 30, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 48.

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The Groaning Earth

By T. H. JEYS

T. H. JEYS
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth, . . . even we ourselves groan within ourselves.” Rom. 8: 22, 23.
When one groans, it is because there is some condition that is painful. This is why the earth groans at the present time. For six thousand years the fatal experiment of sin has had time to do its baleful work. The wickedness of man rests heavily on the earth, and causes this mighty cry of anguish to go up from all nature.
Men of God of all ages, patriarchs and prophets, priests and people, have earnestly longed for the fulfilment of the promises made to the fathers. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, looking down through the ages, saw in the far distance the time when the Lord should come with ten thousand of his saints. Abraham, when viewing the future, was overcome with a horror of great darkness as he thought of the long years to elapse before his seed should inherit the promise. When the prophet Daniel was shown the dark, bloody career of the persecutor, he fainted, and was sick certain days. To him it was likewise a revelation of a horror of great darkness, because the time was so long. To the loved disciple on lonely Patmos was revealed the sanguinary conflict and final triumph of God's elect. But even then the finishing of the work was distant. There was to be years, decades, centuries of weary waiting. The wilderness was still to be passed through.
No more do we look at this great work from the view-point of Abraham, Daniel, Paul, or John. Not with prophetic, but with our natural eyes we see the deepening of the conflict, the marshaling to battle of Satan's hosts. The shout of the enemy is heard as charge after charge is made upon the advancing host of God. The last stern conflict is here. The battle is set. The lines are drawn. Closer and still closer draws the last mighty struggle. Through all, the voice of nature is heard groaning to be delivered. God's people cry day and night for help, and that call will not be long neglected.
O brother! soon the mystery of God is to be finished. Shall we rise to the opportunity and smite the enemy? Shall we move in harmony with the angels who are longing to strike the strategic blow, but are retarded because they must needs wait for human co-operation? Just a little longer must the faithful soldier of the cross endure hardness, and then the promises made to the fathers will be realized.
Yonder is the city. Its towers and battlements shine with the added distinctness of a nearer view. Almost by sight now, rather than by faith, we see the closing up of the long, sad conflict. Courage, my brother! Rise to finish the work.
“River of God, I greet thee, Now not afar, but near.”
Spero, N. C.