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The Sea and the Waves Roaring

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 47.

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“The Sea and the Waves Roaring”

By L. L. C.

ONCE when the disciples of Christ were calling the attention of the Master to the beauties of the temple at Jerusalem, he told them that the time would come when not one of the immense stones of which the temple was built should be left standing upon another. The disciples supposed that such a calamity as this would take place at the end of the world, and asked him when the temple would be destroyed and what would be the sign of the end of the world. Christ not only gave them the definite sign of the destruction of Jerusalem, but he also gave signs which were to precede his second advent and the end of all things. After speaking of signs in the sun, moon, and stars, he mentioned signs which were to be seen on the earth. Among others was “the sea and the waves roaring.”
A fulfilment of this prophecy was seen in a great storm which occurred in the West Indies, doing great damage to property on the island of Jamaica. Brother E. R. Button, of Riversdale, Jamaica, sends a description of this storm and some of the damage it did. He says:—
‘The hurricane that swept the entire island of Jamaica on August 15, was certainly a severe one, and carried in its wake wreck and ruin everywhere. Our people, in common with others, suffered in many ways. Some of their homes were blown away, and their crops destroyed. They thus sustained a loss from which it will require many months to recover. So far as is known, none of our people on the island were killed.
Photo by E. R. Button LOADING BANANAS SAVED FROM THE WRECKAGE
Photo by E. R. Button LOADING BANANAS SAVED FROM THE WRECKAGE
Photo by E. R. Button Seventh-day Adventist refugees, whose home was destroyed.
Photo by E. R. Button Seventh-day Adventist refugees, whose home was destroyed.
Photo by E. R. Button A STORM-SWEPT BANANA FIELD, A SAMPLE OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES In the foreground is a coolie, cutlass in hand, ready to begin clearing away the wreckage.
Photo by E. R. Button A STORM-SWEPT BANANA FIELD, A SAMPLE OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES In the foreground is a coolie, cutlass in hand, ready to begin clearing away the wreckage.
“The accompanying half tones show something of the devastation. The entire banana walks, comprising thousands of acres, were leveled to the ground. It will be from ten to twelve months before a new crop will be ready for use. The coconut trees stood the storm fairly well, although many were blown down, and millions of the partly matured coconuts blown off. Others of the native fruits and vegetables were so badly damaged as to render them practically valueless.”
As the people of Jamaica have suffered such calamities in the past, Brother Button assures us that they are not discouraged, but are cheerfully beginning the work of clearing away the wreckage and getting ready for another crop a year hence.
When such calamities overtake God's people, they should be able to say with the psalmist: “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, forever.” Ps. 93: 3-5. We can recognize that our God has all power. In speaking to Job out of the whirlwind, God asked him where he was when the Lord created the world and said unto the sea, “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.” When God suffers the waves to become destructive, we should recognize it as the fulfilment of one of the signs which he foretold would be seen before his coming, and we should look up and rejoice that the return of our Lord and Master draws near.
L. L. C.