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The Nearness of the End

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 14, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 62.

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The Nearness of the End

By Carrie K. Butcher

MRS. CARRIE K. BUTCHER
As a people claiming to believe in the soon coming of Christ, do we really sense as we should the solemnity of the times in which we live? Are we carefully heeding the admonition to “watch . . . and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man”? Luke 21:36.
The assurance grows doubly sure that the end is near. The signs are increasing, look where we may,—in the political, the social, the physical, and the religious world. The awful calamities on land and sea, the increasing wickedness in our cities, the hatred and cruelty of the warring nations, all tell us that this old world is rushing on to her doom with lightning speed. We know it from what we can see; we know it from the “sure word of prophecy.” We see “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:26. And yet, strange to say, men and women are talking and planning for a time of universal peace.
Many of the nations of earth are engaged in deadly combat, resulting in the most terrible destruction of life and property this old world has ever known. On the other hand, peace conferences and federations assure us that the time is near when wars will cease, and peace and prosperity will be restored to the whole earth. But what does the Lord say of these last days? “When they [the people] shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3. Isaiah says, “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” So, though the people say peace and safety, the Lord says “sudden destruction.”
How little time is left us to get ready for that solemn time, and to work for the salvation of men and women around us! As we see the war spirit spreading, and note the anger of the nations and the terrible things coming upon the earth, we can but question, Where are we in the stream of time? Are the watchmen on the walls of Zion falling in with the peace-and-safety cry? or are they giving the trumpet a certain sound? “Watchman, what of the night?”
*Fort Worth, Tex.