The Closing Messages by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 19, 1870

The Closing Messages

By Roswell F. Cottrell

The Closing Messages.—No. 30.

In closing our series we recapitulate some of the evidences of our position.

The fulfillment of the prophecies of the four great kingdoms of Dan. 2 and 7 shows that we are in the last days, and that the everlasting kingdom is at hand; for its establishment and the destruction of these earthly kingdoms are all that remain unfulfilled of those great lines of prophecy.

The signs in heaven of the second coming of Christ, as foretold by our Lord himself as merciful warnings of its approach, have all been fulfilled in the given order, so that, believing his word, we may have the strongest assurance that his coming is near, even at the door; therefore we are living in the time when we should expect these closing messages of the gospel should be given.

The 2300 days have expired. At their termination the cleansing of the sanctuary begins. Dan. 8:14. The cleansing of the sanctuary is the work of the high priest, namely, the blotting out of the sins of the people. Lev. 16. Our sanctuary and High Priest are in Heaven. Heb. 8 and 9. The days having expired, the time has come for Christ our High Priest to finish the work of his priesthood by blotting out the sins of all his people; but the blotting out of their sins is their acquittal in the Judgment—all those whose sins are blotted out are thus judged worthy of a part in the first resurrection and the world to come—therefore the time has certainly come for the proclamation to be made: “Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come.” Rev. 14:7.

Precisely this proclamation was made as we approached the ending of the days in 1844. And following this, the cry was suddenly and unexpectedly raised: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.”

Then came the disappointment which led, by renewed investigation, to the light on the subject of the sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the days: “The temple of God was opened in Heaven.” Rev. 11:19. Our High Priest had entered upon his atoning work within the “second veil;” and the “commandments of God,” spoken of by the third angel’s message, were seen to be contained in the “ark of his testament,” before which Jesus ministers.

Since 1844 the light of these holy, heavenly, unabolished, unchanged, and unchangeable commandments, has developed the meaning of the third angel’s message to those who were looking for Christ, loving his appearing, and studying the sure word of prophecy, showing that the worship and mark of the beast are opposed to these commandments, and that any change whatever in them is only the work of that blasphemous power that would, according to prophecy, “think to change times and laws.” And here also the prophecy of the two-horned beast—the last persecuting power—is seen to apply to the United States—the first and only plausible application of the prophecy that was ever made; for the very good reason that the description given perfectly applies to this government and cannot possibly apply to any other which ever existed upon the earth. And here in this country we see at the present time a grand movement already inaugurated to change our national constitution—that instrument which says, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof—so as to make it acknowledge certain religious tenets, and especially to enforce obedience to that law which the Papacy has put in the place and stead of the fourth commandment of God.

All these considerations combined prove that the time has come for the warning of the third angel to be given. The Lord has set forth the Sabbath—the memorial of his finished work—as a sign of his power and right. Ex. 31:13, 17; Exo. 20:12, 20. The Roman church sets forth its “substituted Sunday” as the sign of its power and right to set aside what God has commanded, and make laws to bind men’s consciences. (See what we have quoted from their own works.) And now our Protestant churches are clamoring for “a better observance” of this institution of the Papacy, and are moving to have it engrafted upon the constitutional law of our government. And they will succeed. The prophecy plainly shows it. Power obtained will be used—the predicted persecution will follow—the final conflict of the true people of God will ensue; but they will be delivered and caught away to Mount Zion to sing the victor’s song, while their enemies will sink beneath the unmingled wrath of God.

It is time that the warning message should be proclaimed; and in the providence of God it is being done. His providence is always ready to fulfill his word in its proper season. Already I see a company gathering who have heard and heeded this call from Heaven, have embraced the down-trodden fourth commandment of Jehovah’s law, and are striving to purify themselves from all sin and thus get a preparation for translation at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. A return to the Sabbath of the Lord is the grand test for those who would enlist into this army; but nominally keeping the commandments of God will not insure the victory. Many have enlisted; and many more will, who will fail to share in the triumph. It will require a character perfected by the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, to pass the test of the Judgment, stand in the hour of severe trial and persecution, and prepare one to be translated without death to Mount Zion above. But the whole-hearted will find grace and strength to endure, and will be conquerors through Him who hath loved them.

All have a personal interest in this matter. The last message of probation is doing its solemn, fearful work. It calls on each to make a choice between the commandments of God and those by which the Man of Sin has made void the divine law. Which will you choose? A choice must be made ere long. There is no chance for neutrality. “If any man worship the beast and his image, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” But the image will demand that you shall do these very things on pain of death. Now, before that terrible hour of temptation is upon you, is the time to secure the favor of God, and prove yourself loyal to him. The warning mercifully precedes the trial, that you may escape the danger. By faith it must be heeded; for when the trial is actually come, it will be too late to choose the right and escape. Probation will then have closed. The final choice will have been made.

Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Oh! heed the solemn call at once. Choose now, while it is called to-day, to be on the Lord’s side, and willingly and cheerfully keep his commandments, as we find them in his written word. Fly, oh! fly to Christ for pardon and refuge, ere it shall be too late. Now tender mercy calls in melting strains. Jesus who died for sinners still pleads his blood before the mercy-seat. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. But soon the day of salvation will be past. The Spirit will cease to invite. The servants of God will no longer entreat. Jesus will cease to plead. Then the filthy must remain filthy still; and He who now, clad in priestly attire, invites the sinner to pardon and life, will “put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,” and, “according to their deeds,” “repay fury to his adversaries.” Isa. 59:16–20. “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:11, 12. The great day of his wrath will have come. Too late now to seek for pardon. Slighted mercy calls no more. Bleeding love has been rejected. The atoning blood has been set at nought. Now the sinner seeks in vain for a hiding place. Rocks and mountains cannot shelter him; he cannot escape.

In that day of desolation, when the slain of the Lord unburied shall strew the earth, the shepherds and principal of the flock, who have by false teaching led the people astray, will experience the fierceness of the indignation of the Lord. “Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in ashes, ye principal of the flock.” “The shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.” See Jer. 25:30–38. Now they enjoy their fat salaries and princely livings, while they preach smooth things to itching ears. Now the people pay them well for telling them that they are safe while in the path of disobedience; that all is peace and safety, and all may safely rely on their guidance. But then both priests and people will be undeceived; and, oh! what fruitless wailings will rend the air!

Oh! be entreated to heed the call from Heaven. Take sides with the Lord, venture wholly on his word. It is safe to trust in him. Watch and pray, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of Man.

May God save his little ones from the coming storm. May you and I, dear reader, be found with the redeemed on Mount Zion. R. F. Cottrell.