Prepare to Meet Thy God by A. N. Durrant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1907

Prepare to Meet Thy God

By A. N. Durrant

A. N. DURRANT

“LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see.” Isa. 26: 11. These words have been true in every age. God permits “terrible things in righteousness” to take place among the inhabitants of earth—indeed a “sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that are corrupters” (Isa. 1: 4)—that by these judgments the inhabitants may “learn righteousness.” Isa. 26: 9.

The law of God is the standard of his righteousness (Ps. 119: 142, 172; Isa. 51: 6, 7); and when men trample underfoot and “make void” that law, think you that God will keep quiet? Read Ps. 119: 126; Isa. 24: 1-6.

The law of ten commandments which was given amid fire and smoke, when Mount Sinai “quaked greatly,” is God’s microscope for detecting sin. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3: 4. “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5: 17.

“As it was in the days of Noah,” when lawlessness passed the border line of God’s forbearance, so will it be in these last days. See Matt. 24: 37-39; Gen. 6: 5, 6; Joel 3: 13; 2 Tim. 3: 1-6. And because of this God says, “Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.” Isa. 29: 6. There shall be “earthquakes in divers places.” Matt. 24: 7.

These are the last days, and the calamities are here. On the fourteenth day of January, 1907, all Jamaica was shaken, and the city of Kingston became a heap of ruins, covering as dead some two thousand mortals, and leaving many hundreds maimed for life. Scores of shocks have followed since then; and only last night, we were startled out of deep sleep by quite a heavy shock.

O, the fearful and indescribable sights

seen and the bitter wails heard that day! What tongue or pen can describe it all? The most rebellious soul cried for mercy that day; but O! how slow are we to learn the lessons when once the stroke is taken up! One, writing from Kingston, says, 'The people are doing as if there was no earthquake.' 'Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see;' but in the final day they 'shall see, . . . yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.' Isa. 26: 11.

Thousands upon thousands are passing into judgment-bound graves day by day, through these calamities. God says, 'I have overthrown some of you, . . . and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning.' Truly God has been good to us all; for in a moment of time we all might have been wiped out, and now God says, 'Ye have not returned unto me.' Amos 4: 11.

God spared us that we might live for him; he desires us to bring forth fruit meet for his kingdom; he desires that we bring forth 'much fruit' of right-doings day by day, to glorify his name. John 15: 8.

The day of God is at hand; are we bringing forth the fruit of his message of preparation given in Rev. 14: 6-14? If not, why not? And if we will not be moved by the judgments now coming, but allow them to harden our hearts, how shall we meet that 'great day'? God says, 'Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.' Amos 4: 12.

Jamaica.