A CLEAN UNIVERSE by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 16, 1869

A CLEAN UNIVERSE.

By John Nevins Andrews

The universe of God was once free from the taint of sin. Every thing which God made was pure and holy in his sight. There was no evil thing in existence. Rebellion broke out in the person of one of the highest of created beings. It spread among the angels of God. It was communicated to the inhabitants of our earth. Sin is a short word, but it embraces all the deeds of wickedness that can be committed or imagined. It began with one evil thought, or, perhaps, to speak more accurately, with one thought of evil. This was harbored instead of being rejected. Behold, how wonderful the extent of the ocean of iniquity which has originated from this one evil thought. God’s fair creation has suffered from the intrusion of this pestilential evil.

To us the time seems very long that this awful plague has remained in existence. But let none suppose that this intruder has gained any rights by this long-continued possession of a place in the universe of God. It has only one right, that is, to be punished. And in due time that shall be attended to. Evil, having once broken out, was not to be extirpated till it had borne its fruit; and then, when put down, it shall be done in such a manner that it shall not rise the second time. Be patient. God waits till the heirs of salvation are complete. He waits till the measure of evil is full. Then the wickedness that refused to be cleansed by blood, shall feel the cleansing touch of the devouring fire, and the universe shall be clean never again to be defiled. J. N. A.