The Story of Two Prophetic Charts
By Z. G. Baharian
SATAN tries to hinder, but God takes it into his hands to proclaim the message. I recently ordered two prophetic charts from the Review and Herald to be sent to Adana, Cilicia. They were sent registered, and when they arrived at the postoffice of Adana, the director opened them to be investigated. What then followed will be seen from the following letter, sent me from Adana, dated March 26:— “MY DEAR BROTHER: Two charts of the beasts have been sent here from America. They were sent registered. The director of the post office called your father on Sunday, and opened them to show him. Then he asked about these beasts—what they are, and what do they signify, and who sent these to him. Your father told him that he did not know who sent them, but our church has these charts, and they belong to us, but who sent them, and from where they have been sent, he does not know. He was then told to call again to give their significance. It was thought proper that I go with him, so the next day—Monday—in the afternoon we went to the post office. The director had some business on hand. He finished it, and then invited us to sit down. After formal salutation we began to talk. He asked your father whether he had brought the Bible. Then he opened one of the charts, but at this time he sent for the interpreter of the government also. When we were asked who are these beasts, my dear Companion, Christ, strengthened me, and I began to describe first the ram and the he goat, because the single horn, and the little horn which became exceedingly great, had called his attention. “While I was reading and describing from the Bible, the interpreter came in, and would have me describe the chart from the beginning. This was what I was desiring, because it was an opening to preach the everlasting gospel. I began by reading Daniel 2, and before I read two verses, the interpreter (a Catholic) took the Bible himself, and read the whole chapter. I was also describing while he read. Then he read the seventh chapter, and gave me the Bible. I also described it fully. There were about ten souls, all noted officers of the post office. I described the ram and the he goat, its four horns, and the little horn, the red dragon, the beast with seven heads and ten horns, and the two-horned beast. Then the director asked about the woman clothed with the sun, etc. I told him she was the church. At last I described the ark, the high priest, the table, the three angels, and the coming of Christ with a sickle in his hand. These I read from the Bible, so that about two hours I preached them the everlasting gospel. The director said, ‘What is the end of all these?’ I answered, ‘The coming of Christ to reap the earth. This is our message to the world. The end is coming, and we are giving this last message to the people in this way.’” “I forgot to tell you that I described the twenty-three hundred days also, because the director asked about it too. I told them that these days ended at 1844, and that now we are in the judgment time. Then the director turned to the interpreter, saying, ‘Sir, these seem to be harmless. Let us give them to these men, because they are religious things.’ The interpreter said that he knew that they were not harmful, but he could not give them without first asking his ruler—Vali. Then the director asked about them of Mearif, the committee of the public instruction, and got the answer that they could be given us, as they were not harmful, or they might be sent back to America. Then the postman took the charts, and with the interpreter we went to Vali, the chief governor of the province. After formal salutation, Vali commanded us to describe the charts. I described the great image. Then he asked about the beasts. I also described the woman and the United States of America, etc., reading from the Bible as I did so. Then Vali asked the interpreter why he had made us read these things to him. He was afraid that some danger might happen to him because our denomination was forbidden by the government. He said the Christians do not acknowledge us, and commanded that such things that are forwarded to us must not be given us, and these charts must be sent back to America. So we came out of his presence. This is the case. About three hours we talked more at the post office about our truths.” “I am much rejoiced. The Lord opened a large door that I might be able to tell in length. Glory to God. “Your brother in Christ,
“ S. K.” It so happened that I forgot to write to Adana about these charts, that I was sending them. So they were not expected. This was providential, because their attention was turned to the charts rather than to him who sent them. I am thankful that through these charts the gospel was preached to the highest man in the province, and to others. God is indeed in this message, and using every possible means to proclaim it. I have other interesting items for the REVIEW, to show how the Lord is moving on the work. Z. G. BAHARIAN.
Constantinople.