Knowing the Time by C. A. Osgood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1872

Knowing the Time.

By C. A. Osgood

There have been some times in past ages when it was of the utmost importance to the people then living to understand the peculiarities of the times they lived in, and when they were called upon to adapt their labors to the wants of those times.

Noah lived in such a time. God had purposed to destroy the wicked inhabitants of the earth with a flood. He made known his purpose to Noah, and directed him to build an ark, wherein he and his household should be preserved. Noah was already a pious man. “He walked with God.” But with increased light, God required of him the performance of a new duty. This duty was one that would cost much expense and time. It would also subject him to much reproach. Moved by faith, he walked in the new light. He built the ark. The result was most happy for himself and family. Had he taken the opposite course, and lived up only to the light he had before, without doubt, he would have perished with the ungodly.

In plain fulfillment of the prophetic scriptures, the Saviour appeared on earth. The tribe from which he should come had been pointed out; the place of his birth, the manner of his birth, the manner of his life, and the manner of his death, had all been described, and were fulfilled before the eyes of the Jewish nation. The Father had testified publicly, “This is my beloved Son.” Yet they rejected him. This was the time of their special visitation. This was the time when new light was shining upon them. Jesus said to them, “While ye have the light, walk in the light, that ye may be children of light.” He further said to them, “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins, and whither I go ye cannot come.” They decided not to receive and obey the new light.

Our Saviour, at one time near the close of his ministry among the people, beheld the city of Jerusalem “and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another: because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”

That people not discerning the times, and not heeding the instructions of the Saviour, experienced the wrath which had been predicted. But the disciples of Christ, who walked in the light, who heeded his teachings, and understood the signs that indicated the overthrow of the city and nation, fled away when the Roman army came against the city, and were saved.

In the history of the world, we are now brought to another period of great importance, when to be acquainted with the peculiarities of this time is very necessary to our best good. Our Saviour taught his people when they might expect his second coming, so that they might make a special effort to be ready for it. The signs in the sun, moon, stars, and upon the earth, have appeared. The sun has been darkened. The moon has withheld its light. The stars have fallen. The sea and the waves have become unusually boisterous. The Saviour said, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree, when its branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near even at the doors.”

Here, at this point of time, we are commanded to know that his coming is near at hand. If it were not important that we should know this, he would not have so commanded us. If it was necessary for God to give notice to Noah and Lot of coming judgments, so that they might escape them, is it to be expected that the unmingled wrath of God will be poured out upon the ungodly, and the Saviour return to the earth, and his people have no notice of it? The last days are to be as the days of Noah were. They are described as days of peculiar peril, when false prophets will appear, who will show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible they would deceive the very elect. Those who do not know what times these are, are in danger of being deceived and ruined by them. Those who do not watch now, will be overtaken as by a thief.

The last days were to be perilous, in consequence of the decay of morals, the lack of faith, and the decrease of piety. They were to be days of pre-eminent selfishness, pride, injustice, and gluttony, when men should be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” This is fulfilled before our eyes. And what renders the condition of mankind more dangerous, is the fact, that all the world, with but few exceptions, are in a state of profound slumber with regard to those things that make haste to come upon them. “When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape. “Oh! how terrible the state of the unbelieving multitude. How important the injunction of the apostle: “Let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch, and be sober.” Also, the warning of the Saviour: “Take heed lest at any time ye be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

C. A. OSGOOD.