YET THEY PROSPER by D. A. Robinson

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 14, 1881

YET THEY PROSPER.

By D. A. Robinson

BY ELD. D. A. ROBINSON.

When the claims of the fourth commandment are presented and the Bible evidence is brought out that the seventh day, or Saturday, is the only Sabbath that God requires men to observe, one almost universal reason (?) among the many assigned for keeping Sunday is, “We never would have been prospered as we have if it were wrong to keep Sunday. We would not be blessed as we are if we kept the wrong day.”

The man who takes God's name in vain might say, “I know it can't be wrong, for if it were I would not be blessed with the good health I now enjoy,” and he would use equally as much logic as in the other case.

The weather may be extremely cold and my sitting by the fire and affirming ever so loudly that I know the weather is warm because if it were not I would not be so comfortable, does not make it so. My comfortable condition is not the result of congenial weather, but it comes from another cause.

So men, churches, and nations are blessed—not because of their perfection; but—notwithstanding their imperfections. Many are prospered, not because they keep Sunday, but prosperity often comes notwithstanding our violation of God's holy Sabbath. It will not do to make our prosperity the rule of the correctness of our position, for “the Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.” In reflecting upon this matter, David uttered the following: “For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Prosperity here did not evince an adherence to a correct theory, for they were “wicked.” Prosperity often comes notwithstanding our wickedness, and he who holds up this as a proof of his connection with God may make a fatal mistake. The following from the pen of inspiration is to the point: “For among my people are found wicked men; they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit; therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine; yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked; they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.” Jer 5:26-28.

That life will be the most truly prosperous that has been the most closely allied to God. He alone will be the successful man, who, by implicit faith in his Redeemer and obedience to all God's requirements, has developed a righteous character and is at last fitted for the kingdom of glory.

When the immortal throng shall ascend with their Redeemer, the command will be given as they approach the city of God: “Open ye the gates that the righteous nation that keepeth the truth may enter in.” Reader, will you be there?