Signs in the Religious World by L. L. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1916

Signs in the Religious World

By L. L. C.

Signs of Christ’s Coming — No. 8

Signs in the Religious World

It is very proper that in bringing to a close this series of studies on the signs of Christ’s coming, we consider the signs in the religious world. The apostle Peter tells us:—

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3: 3-7.

It is scarcely necessary to say that we see this fulfilled all about us. There are many who question the destruction of the world by the flood, whom it is impossible to convince that the world will ever be destroyed by fire at Christ’s second coming, yet this is the plain teaching of the scripture which says,—

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3: 10-13.

Another sign in the religious world is pointed out in 2 Tim. 3: 1-5, which says:—

“In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, . . . having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

Two years ago there was published in the Lutheran of Feb. 19, 1914, a Lenten message to the Lutheran churches by the presidents of the synods and the president of the general conference of that denomination, which clearly states the fulfilment of the prophecy. From this we quote:—

“We must confess, as pastors and people, that we are exposed to the danger of worldliness. We are living in an age of material prosperity and progress such as history knows not of. Men have become intoxicated with the glare and glitter of wealth, and stand aghast before the babel of human achievement in the world of industry and science. This has bred a spirit of self-sufficiency and smothered the spirit of dependence upon God. The worship of God has given way to the worship of man. This spirit has powerfully influenced the life of the church. Both pastors and people are in danger of being conformed to the fashion of this world. Pride is taking the place of self-denial, indulgence the place of discipline, and Belial the place of Christ. There is no clear line of demarcation between many professed followers of Christ and pure worldlings. The church is being tempted to make an alliance between God and mammon, and her members have ceased to be a ‘peculiar people.’ Social customs and standards destructive of spiritual life are adopted or patterned after, and soul-destroying pleasures are eating like a canker into the vitals of the Christian life. The church often seems more concerned to please men than to save them, and is adopting the spirit and ways of the world. It is a compromising rather than a conquering church. The scriptures are being betrayed and the gospel surrendered in the very citadels where the bulwarks are supposed to be thrown around them. Like a weak and foolish Samson, the church is toying with Delilah, and its strength is passing from it.”

Yet in these very days when many have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, a great increase has been seen in the study of the Bible. Large Bible conferences have been held in various places. Many have run to and fro, and a knowledge of the Scriptures

has been increased.

The study of prophecy has especially engaged the attention of many people. As Dr. Isaak da Costa says,—

“Among the many and manifold signs is one of the most remarkable indeed, that in our day more than ever hearts feel drawn to the study of the prophetic books. Never was the attention of Christians everywhere so directed to the study of unfulfilled prophecies as now. This interest, this searching, characterized an entirely new epoch in church history, the beginning of which can be placed at the end of the eighteenth century, and the increasing development of which one especially notices in the nineteenth. It synchronizes with the ‘period of revolution’ in secular history.”—“Israel u. d. Voelker,” p. 8.

The last century has also been marked by a great increase in the missionary activities of the Christian world. This is in accord with the prophetic statement of Christ, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” It is very striking indeed that in this very generation in which the other signs to which we have referred are being fulfilled, the motto displayed at almost every national and international convention of Christian people is, “The gospel to the world in this generation.”

The special message of warning which is to be the witness to all nations is pointed out in Rev. 14:6-12. The first angel’s message was given in the judgment-hour message of 1844. Shortly after the disappointment in 1844, the work of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination started in weakness, but has now grown and spread until at present there are four large division conferences, 33 unions, 131 local conferences, and 110 mission fields, covering the greater portion of the whole world. The appropriation for this present year totaled $853,153.57, of which $692,077.57 was for the foreign field. In 1914, 67 academies and colleges were conducted, with an estimated value of $2,163,661.96, besides 611 primary schools, with a total value of $185,557.31. The 38 publishing houses and branches publish periodicals and books in 88 languages, with a total sale of $2,109,834.60. The 32 sanitariums and 10 treatment-rooms were estimated in 1914 to have assets of $2,894,605.67. Of the 5,313 evangelical laborers in 1914, 2,927, or 55.09 per cent, were working outside of the United States. These figures are entirely inadequate to give an idea of the rapid spread of a message which God is sending to the world as a witness, that all may be warned of the near approach of the end of all things.

As we see the fulfilment of all the signs of Christ’s coming given us in the Scriptures, let us all resolve that we personally will be ready for the consummation of this work, and for a part in the eternal kingdom which Christ will so soon establish.

L. L. C.