An Admonition for All Time
By R. R. KENNEDY
“WE need not say, The perils of the last days are soon to come upon us. Already they have come. We have no time to lose. We know not how soon our probation may close. Eternity stretches out before us. The curtain is about to be lifted. Christ is soon to come. Let the thought, the aptitude, the keen exercise of the brain power, be given to the study of the thoughts of God.” Sin darkens the mind, and dims the perceptions. Man is in great danger of being self-deceived. Alienation is the result of this condition, the fruits of which will manifest themselves in all the evils of insubordination and confusion. When these things obtain, how can all things be done decently and in order? “Lucifer became dissatisfied because all the secrets of God’s purposes were not confided to him. By arousing the same discontent in the angels under his command, he caused their fall. Now he seeks to imbue the minds of men with the same spirit, and lead them to disregard the direct commands of God.” It is his plan to bring into the church unregenerate elements that will hinder all who desire to see the work of God advance by the co-operation of his saints on right lines. Methods will be instituted and plans carried out to advance the third angel’s message which will be a reproach to the cause of truth. The church will be confused, and many caused to stumble and to become discouraged. These poor struggling souls must be sought out and instructed. Thus much valuable time is taken that should be given to those who have not received the light of the gospel message in its setting for the last days. Christ designs that heaven’s order, heaven’s plan of government, heaven’s divine harmony, shall be represented in his church on the earth, and to despise the authority of the church is to despise the authority of Christ himself. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth [pruneth] it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” The pretentious foliage of the barren fig tree led our Saviour to search its branches from the lowest bough to the topmost twig for ripe fruit. Finding none, he uttered against it a withering curse. “While this was a symbol of the Jewish nation, yet the warning is for all time, to all churches and to all Christians.” “Prejudice is even stronger in the hearts of men now than in Christ’s day.” And to-day the servant of Christ, the reprover of sin, meets with scorn and rebuffs. “Satan can present a counterfeit so closely resembling the truth that it deceives those who are willing to be deceived.” “He is an expert in quoting scriptures and placing his own interpretation upon passages by which he hopes to cause us to stumble.” Likewise his followers, who are unstable, wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction. Beloved, let us beware lest we be led away with the error of the wicked, and fall from our own steadfastness. “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump.” “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” “If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.” “The followers of Christ and the servants of Satan can not harmonize.” Evil men, like their leader, misconstrue and pervert the Scriptures to accomplish their object. As Satan endeavored to cast reproach upon Christ, so do his agents seek to malign God’s people. “The tempter often works most successfully through those who are least suspected of being under his control.” “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” If confusion has manifested itself, it is evident that Satan has had his agents among us to harrass, perplex, and discourage the Lord’s people. To distinguish between the agents of Christ and Satan we have but to consider the fruit they bear. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths.” “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” “Father, glorify thy name,” was the keynote of Christ’s life. If we follow him, this will be the keynote of our lives. If we submit ourselves to God, he will make our lives consistent with the truth. He then will impart the power to glorify him. This power will not be given to glorify us, nor even to vindicate us. The question that will most concern us will be, Is it I? Charity for our brethren will hide a multitude of sins. We shall show by our works that we have entered into a covenant relation with God.