HAVE FAITH IN GOD by D. Hildreth

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 26, 1861

HAVE FAITH IN GOD.

By D. Hildreth

The four mighty angels which stand on the four corners of the earth have their commission to hold the four winds. Rev. vii, 1. They are to hold the winds while the servants of God are being sealed. The third angel [Rev. xiv, 9–13] cries to the four angels [chap. vii, 2] not to let the winds blow until the servants of God are sealed. This fixes the time the winds are to be held: from the time the sealing message starts in the east till the work is accomplished. Waters in scripture are used to represent peoples and nations. “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Rev. xvii, 15. See also Jer. ii, 13; Isa. viii, 7; Dan. vii, 2. Winds represent the moving or controlling power over nations; and when allowed to act, they produce wars and revolutions fitly represented by the clashing and contending of waves driven by opposite winds. It was in this way the four kingdoms were developed, each succeeding power swallowing up its predecessor by wars and commotions. Dan. vii, 2, 3. The nations have been allowed to engage in wars and destroy each other until the ending of the prophetic periods. Since that time they have been held. Will they be held till probation ends? Faith answers unhesitatingly, They will. It is curious to watch the movements of the nations while they are being held. In time past when difficulties have arisen between the kingdoms of Europe, protracted wars have been the result. But the peculiar course of things for a few years past has baffled the wisdom of the ablest statesmen. It is not long since Russia, Turkey, France and England mustered their armies on the shores of the Black Sea. The war-trumpet sounded throughout the cities of Europe. Several battles were fought, and everybody supposed that a general European war was inevitable; but in a little while, to the astonishment of the world, the uproar of nations was hushed, and the soldiers returned home. What was the cause of this? No one was able to tell. The most far-seeing sages of earth could not unravel the mystery. But a chosen few to whom it was given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom knew what it all meant. The angels were holding the winds. The mysteries of God are hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes. Take up any newspaper of the day and you will see elaborate articles written by the wise of earth who suppose they understand the signs of the times, the movements of the nations, and the result of causes now in operation; but they are deceiving themselves. None but the humble few who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, really understand the signs of the times and the events of the future. The seven last plagues will take them away with all their wisdom.

The inquiry now is, Watchman, what of the night? Will the present disturbances in the United States become general, and civil war follow? Faith answers, The angels are holding the four winds. Shall we continue to put forth vigorous efforts to spread the truth? or shall we hold on a little and see if the Lord is going to keep the way open before us? Faith answers, The angels are holding the four winds. We walk by faith, and not by sight. What if dark clouds shut down on the pathway before us, and the light of the holy city is obscured for a little while; we know the path we are in leads through to mount Zion, so we press forward and never think of halting. Some timorous ones like Peter begin to tremble at the tossing of the billows around them, and think perhaps we do not understand the signs of the times. Perhaps the number is almost sealed, and probation about to close. But ifs, and perhapses are no part of the christian's faith. It is admitted they are a part of his unbelief. Paul says, [1 Thess. v, 4, 5]. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness. No ifs nor guessing about this. Faith takes right hold of the promises. Yes, thank the Lord, we know where we are.

But are we Paul's brethren? Let us see. Those that are Christ's brethren are Paul's, of course; and Christ says, “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matt. xii, 50. To do the will of God is to obey him and keep his commandments, so if we are keeping his commandments we are the ones Paul addresses; but if we are not keeping them, we may well fear that the day will overtake us unprepared. But we inquire again, Where are we? Those who

understand the nature and extent of the work to be accomplished by the third angel, know just where they are. They know that the loud voice of the third angel and the strong voice of the angel of Rev. xviii, 1, 2, who unites his voice with the third, and by whom the earth is lightened, is not fulfilled. I have heard individuals say, “Perhaps the Lord will come in a week.” Such a faith is without foundation, and such persons have not got their feet planted firmly on the platform of present truth.

It is the christian's privilege and duty to know where he is, and to know what has got to be accomplished before the coming of the Lord. Paul's Thessalonian brethren had the idea at one time that the Lord was coming immediately, but Paul corrected them, and told them what must transpire before that event. 2 Thess. ii. We are not to be frightened by difficulties among the nations, but should base our faith on the sure word of prophecy. The number has got to be made up, the church get ready, and wait for the Lord. Are any of these, facts of the present tense? No, they are all future, yet to be fulfilled. Then we should not be soon shaken in mind, or troubled, but press steadily on towards perfection. We are not to stop and look around and speculate on the issue of present contingencies, but keep our eyes on our work, and get ready for the advent of Christ, for if we slacken our hands the day will roll around and find us unprepared. That event will not take place instantly, neither will it delay a great while. The wheels of time are rolling steadily round, and it soon will be here. We are to advance cautiously, understandingly, and rapidly as possible in the work before us.

The Lord has assured us that the winds will be held, and we can rely on his word. Things may grow worse and worse, and a general rupture seem inevitable; but it is a very easy thing for Him who holds the earth as a ball in his hand to check the stormy passions of wicked men and bid them wait his time. The Lord has given us his word, now shall we believe or disbelieve? 1 Jno. v, 10. The nations were to get angry before the wrath of God or seven last plagues were to be poured out. Rev. xi, 18. We have seen that other nations have been getting angry for several years, and we expect of course that this nation will also get angry before the message closes, so that when the decree passes, every nation will be ready to join in the battle of the great day.

If things should remain perfectly quiet and peaceable till the message closes, we might have reason to think it had been given in the wrong time; so the present troubles, instead of weakening our faith and position, strengthen them, and admonish us that the end of all things is at hand. Meanwhile the Lord assures us that he will stay his rough wind in the day of the east wind. Isa. xxvii, 8.

D. HILDRETH.

Freeport, Ills.