p. 324 | An Awful Question by Lephia M. Bryant

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 21, 1901

An Awful Question

By Lephia M. Bryant

LEPHIA M. BRYANT

In the Aberdeen Herald of Jan. 3, 1901, is an article bearing the title, “An Awful Question.” That article contains no words of hope for its anxious readers, and as it treats on a subject of great importance, one which will be discussed until the end comes, I will quote the opening paragraphs:—

“What would be the commercial effect of the certain knowledge that the world was coming to an end in fifty years?”

“Well, the first effect would be rather social and moral than commercial, though, of course, it would react very strongly on the business world. Those who in the ordinary course of affairs would be dead before fifty years had passed, would be the least affected, and younger people would probably become as resigned to the universal death as they are now to the equally certain individual death.”

It is indeed “an awful question,” and the bravest would shrink from being an eyewitness to the sufferings of humanity during the last few years of the world’s history, but for the promises of God. You and I may not be eyewitnesses of the terrible plagues that shall fall upon men because of their transgressions, but some one must be. That time will come. It is nearer than many like to believe, and the little one in your arms may have the glorious privilege of rejoicing when Jesus comes.

God wishes to prepare a people who shall be able to stand in defense of His word. He has mercifully withheld the knowledge of the day and the hour when he shall say, “It is done,” just as He has withheld the knowledge of the day and hour of death. He is giving His children an opportunity to accept or reject His mercy. Jesus paid for every human being, and God is waiting until all who will, shall have accepted that redemption, and willingly keep His commandments.

The mere supposition that the end of the world may occur at the expiration of fifty years, should have the effect of causing immediate action on the part of those engaged in commercial pursuits. Storekeepers should give food and clothing to the needy, and enjoy the fruits of their benevolence; although they need not go out of business. Christ says, “Occupy till I come.” Work while it is yet day! Neither is it necessary that there be “religious frenzy,” as is implied further along in the article from which the preceding quotation is taken. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah’s confidence should be ours.

Satan, knowing that time is short, will put forth every effort to keep men in ignorance of what God wishes them to do at this time. He has so blinded them that they do not search the Bible to see how near to the end of the world we are. Time is short. It is true we do not know the day nor the hour when Christ shall return, but when He does return, the dead who believe in Him shall rise first, and they that remain, who are waiting for Him, shall together meet their Lord in the air, and be saved from the terrible fate of those who have chosen darkness and death, instead of accepting salvation at the hands of Jesus.

When He comes, it will be too late for men to repent! When He comes, man must meet his punishment or his reward, according to his works. That is just what the Bible says will happen at the end of the world. There will be no middle, or debatable, ground to stand on then, no haggling over creeds. All will be “for” or “against” God and His commandments.

“O joy! O delight! should we go without dying, No sickness, no sadness, no dread, and no crying, Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory, When Jesus receives His own.”

Whether the end comes fifty years, ten years, or one year hence, there would still be those who would not accept Christ as their Redeemer. Though He is “not willing that any should perish,” Satan will so blind them that they will choose death rather than believe God’s word, which says that a beautiful new earth shall be the dwelling place of the saved when this shall be no more.

It is not yet too late to believe; and it would not be “religious frenzy” either; but only the same calm trust that filled the hearts of Abraham and Isaiah, of Paul and John. Has not Satan caused you enough anguish and soul-torture already? Submit to God’s will, and be with those who shall rejoice to see the victory of Jesus in that day.

God will give those who trust Him, power to stand if they but use the light they have to enlighten others. He will give them strength to sing as only those can sing who go through the closing scenes, which are even now passing like a panorama before us, bringing us rapidly to the end.

The end, the contemplation of which fills many hearts with anguish unspeakable, is only the beginning for those who take God at His word. The last few years will be appalling only to those who continue to reject the truth of the Bible.

Do you doubt the dispatches from Africa or Turkey, the Philippines or any other foreign country?—No! But the Bible, that wonderful, inspired Book,—the word of God, which teaches us how to live and how to die, as no other book can,—that grand Book, which gives the history of the world from the beginning to the end,—is not regarded as a reliable source from which to obtain information on this most absorbing question, How near is the end?

Why do so many who have once been Christians doubt that Word now? “There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts.” 2 Peter 3:3. Has any one ever said to you, “Oh, nonsense! The end of the world?—what nonsense! Everything is just as it has always been, just as it always will be”? Has any one said anything like that to you lately? And how did you reply?

Satan will say those very words to as many as he can from now on till the end comes. If he can get Christians to give up their faith, he is quite sure to be able to keep business men too busy to go to the only source where truthful information on this subject can be obtained. Satan would much rather you and I should remain in ignorance of what the Bible says concerning the end of the world and the signs preceding it.

Any newspaper you may pick up contains one or more articles on this vital question. Those who have slept so long are waking up. Even those who make no religious profession whatever realize that the end is near, and are forced, by the existing condition of things, to acknowledge it. But in the articles I have lately read on this subject, there has been no reference to God, who “gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That is as Satan would have it. He keeps many who write under such a spirit of subjection that even though they hope Jesus will come soon, they dare not express it. What a difference it would make if those who believe the Third Angel’s Message would tell it just a little oftener than Satan tells his dark messages! Oh, what a difference it would make in the ranks entering the gates of the beautiful city! When Jesus comes, it will be too

late to drop the scales Satan has placed on so many eyes. Cast them aside now, that God may show you the wondrous things in His law. Trust His word before everything else, and all will be well.

God will speak to the hearts of parents presently; and though some turn a deaf ear to His pleading voice, many will obey, and teach their little ones that it is more important to serve God than it is to study Greek and Latin, algebra and geometry; that it is more beautiful to give a drink of water and a slice of bread to the needy than it is to execute the latest waltz.

Satan has made parents believe that a fashionable life is necessary for the development of character in their children; and the result is something pitiable—youth unhappy save when engaged in the whirl of balls and theaters, their young hearts burning and unsatisfied!

Parents, what have you done with the beautiful ones God lent you to train for Him? Will you answer when He comes: “I’m sorry, Lord, but I let Satan have them. It was the fashion not to believe the Bible, and I didn’t think you meant, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old,’ he will not depart from it.’ I tried to follow in some things, but I let my children go where they pleased”?

Nothing pleases Satan quite so much as to keep parents so engrossed with worldly matters that they overlook the responsibility of training their children. Children need parents now as never before—good parents—not good father or mother, but good, earnest, God-fearing parents who shall help each other train their little ones for the blessed Saviour. One-sided homes are not pleasing to the Lord. In every home that would please God, the hearts of the parents should be turned to the children, and the hearts of the children should be turned to the parents.

Fifty years is not a long time, and the signs that show the end near are so rapidly fulfilling that it may come much sooner. Many of those dear to us may be eyewitnesses of the most glorious sight it is possible to behold—the second coming of Christ. “Every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him.”

Turn to God’s word, you who are troubled and in doubt concerning the crisis that all must soon meet. There, and there only, will you find strength for the closing scenes of earth’s history, whether it comes fifty years or one year hence. Now is the time to obey God. Be with those who are “looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God,” who, “according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3.

If I can not do great things for thee, Lord, Accept this mite that I give. It may be the crumb of comfort That shall help some soul to live; It may contain drink for the thirsty That shall cause some one to say, “I repent, I believe in the word of God.” O, let me be glad that day, When earth and its works shall perish, And the heavens shall roll away; When Christ shall appear with His angels, O, let me be glad that day!