The Real Battle by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 27, 1903

The Real Battle

By Editor

In a recent editorial, the Independent (New York) enters a strong protest against the idea that peace has come yet to this earth. It does not seem ready to join in the peace-and-safety cry. Among other reasons for taking this position, it says:—

“Even in the very sanctuary of God, invaded by his enemies and misdefended by his friends, there is no place yet for peace. Men care little, too little, for theologies nowadays, but such theologies are taught to Christian people as ought to rouse to battle every child who would not see his Father’s character maligned. Old and new absurdities of doctrine deceive multitudes of people. A more momentous struggle is upon us—that which involves the faith of man in his God. This is the real battle of Armageddon,—theism against the philosophies of Materialism and Nescience,—and it has already joined.”

While we are not prepared to accept the statement that the battle of Armageddon is now in progress, yet it is evident that we are upon the very eve of that momentous struggle, and the great rebel leader is making all preparation for it, and is attempting to deceive if possible the very elect.

It seems to be a good time to recall some statements which were made in instruction given to this people a few years ago. Here they are: “We are standing upon the threshold of great and solemn events. The whole earth is to be lightened with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the channels of the great deep. Prophecies are being fulfilled, and stormy times are before us. Old controversies which have apparently been hushed for a long time will be revived, and new controversies will spring up; new and old will commingle, and this will take place right early. The angels are holding the four winds, that they shall not blow, until the specified work of warning is given to the world; but the storm is gathering, the clouds are loading, ready to burst upon the world, and to many it will be as a thief in the night.”

Now note again a part of the first quotation from the Independent: “Old and new absurdities of doctrine deceive multitudes of people. A more momentous struggle is upon us—that which involves the faith of man in his God.” There are two ways of weakening faith in God. One is by openly denying the existence and being of God—unconcealed atheism. The other is by teaching such a conception of the existence and being of God as really leaves no ground for faith, and calls for no exercise of faith. This is atheism under a Christian guise. The results are the same in both cases, but this latter form of atheism is more dangerous than the former.

This modern form of infidelity is now revealing itself under the pleasing plea of exhibiting the scientific relation between man and God, and of presenting a scientific basis for faith. We warn every one to be on his guard against this specious teaching, from whatever source it comes. In some very important instruction recently given through the spirit of prophecy we find this warning: “We are pilgrims and strangers in this world, traveling in a path beset with dangers from those who have rejected the only One who could save them. Ingenious subterfuges and scientific problems will be held out before us, to tempt us to swerve from our allegiance, but we must not heed them. Every one must now seek God for himself.” Looking forward to this very time, our Saviour asked this question, “Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find the faith on the earth?” There is certainly an emphatic call now to contend earnestly for “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” This is faith in God the Father as a personal Being; faith in Jesus Christ the Son, the one only Mediator and Saviour; faith in the Holy Spirit, the personal representative of our risen Saviour, the Advocate in the church; and faith in the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of the living God. Let no one rob you of this faith, either by reviving old controversies or by bringing in new controversies. Remember that the real battle now is that which involves the faith of a man in his God.