The Two Proclamations by J. H. Cook

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

The Two Proclamations.

By J. H. Cook

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. And all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” Micah 4:1-5.

I believe it is generally admitted among Adventists, that these words indicate a movement on the part of professors of Christianity, which they doubtless will accept as the dawn of the approaching millennium, when, to use their own language, the knowledge of God shall fill the whole earth, and Christianity be no longer the exception, but the rule.

It is a fact that this fable of the world's conversion has become a popular doctrine in the churches of the day, and that they confidently expect its fulfillment, and are looking for the evidences of its approach. Equally evident is the fact that there must be a movement on the part of the people harmonizing with the prophecy, and that it must take place in the last days.

Now, while we think the evidences are conclusive that the last days have dawned upon us, it should not require any argument to the observing mind to prove that the popular churches are thoroughly indoctrinated into this subject. If any one should have doubts, I might ask, What means this almost constant reference to the subject of the millennium in pulpit prayer, and religious periodicals.

Some time since, a minister, at the close of his services, threw a number of missionary papers promiscuously over the congregation, saying, These are the instruments by which we design to convert the world. Another said, in addressing a Sunday-school, The Sunday-school is the engine of God for the world's conversion.

That one idea is kept constantly before the people till they are looking around to see how this great object is to be accomplished. And who can say that they are not prepared to accept any movement in that direction, which they think gives a reasonable prospect of success?

Being as candid on this subject as on other points of their faith, and thinking the time had come and God was moving in that direction, why should not the movement, when the nations make the call, be marked with zeal and energy, and evidences which would satisfy those engaged in it that it was the work of God? And as the revival system is that on which they generally rely after the ground is prepared for the conversion of individuals, why not reasonably expect a general movement having in view a more enlarged and extended revival influence to inaugurate and complete this great movement?

And, further, as they contemplate such a general, universal work of evangelization, need we be surprised to see the different churches united for the special purpose of promoting the revival influence among the masses, and yet retaining their identity as separate denominations? Indeed, they are so nearly in harmony already, that the sacrifice would be small.

But do not the fourth and fifth verses, in representing them as sitting under their own vine and fig-tree, and saying that all “people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever,” present to our minds the fact of their existence in separate denominational capacities, every one walking in the name of his God? Is it not also evident from verse 2, that there is a national harmony in making the proclamation to bring the people together to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob?

These together convey to my mind the idea that, in a general movement for the advancement of the great work, they will unite, but yet retain their individuality by maintaining their separate church organizations, sitting under their own vine and fig-tree.

Now there is a movement being inaugurated in the West, which, to my mind, appears to be the advance-guard in this great work. It was introduced by a revivalist from the East, of great popular merit. The immediate results of his labors in five cities in Kansas are footed up at about 3000, which I presume, from some personal knowledge of the facts in the case, are not an overestimate. He labors altogether outside of denominational limits; and wherever he goes, he first secures a harmony of all leading denominations. Then all commence the work together, and a stranger would not know but they were all members of the same church. All things being thus made ready, the meeting commences, and is, from the start, a revival, usually taking, first the children, then the adults, till the converts are numbered by the hundreds. This is the case in almost every place he goes.

His meetings are free from the wild excitement of modern revivals, the best of order is maintained throughout, and but two leading features of doctrine are presented to the people: The first and most prominent one is, the sufferings of Christ, which are presented in a variety of happy illustrations to more forcibly impress the mind with the great fact: The second is the doctrine that we go to Heaven when we die. Around these popular points of orthodox faith, all can rally.

And the work, when he leaves, is but begun; for ministers come from all parts of the State to see the wonderful man, and learn the secret of his great success, some coming a distance of three hundred miles. Now, they have returned to their respective fields, thoroughly impressed with the idea of success in a like united effort, and reports are coming in from different points, showing similar results. Were such a movement anything like universal, it would not take long to accomplish wonders in that direction.

But what are the results which follow these revivals? Were I qualified to judge in the case, I should pronounce them apparently at least in advance of what we might expect from modern revivals. That they have created a moral influence apparently for the better, does not admit of a doubt. The popular current of minds at this place for the present is turned to the church. Festivals, picnics, and sociables, have taken the place of their former amusements, as being in harmony with the development of Christian character. Young Men's Christian Associations are brought into life, where both old and young assemble daily for prayer. Yet with all their manifestations of zeal, I find it almost useless to suggest the doctrine of the advent nigh, or that the Sabbath is other than the first day of the week. They have no disposition to look at these things. They appear satisfied that it makes but little difference what church they belong to, or what doctrines they believe, if they are honest and have the Spirit.

But should we expect a work which is not approved of God would come so near being like the work of God that there would be any danger of deception? See Matt. 24: 24: “For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” There would be no danger of deception, if there was no similarity between their work and the true work of God.

But how are we to decide between them? Many ways suggest themselves as forcible; but I will only give one. Has God committed to us as a people the three messages of Rev. 14? We, as a people, so understand. Has he commissioned us to bear them to the world? So we believe, and so we teach. The three messages bring to view the hour of his Judgment, the fall of Babylon, and the time of trouble such as never was. They bear no such tidings as the universal triumph of the gospel, but the opposite. If the first is a true proclamation, the second is evidently a false one. If God is the author of the first, he cannot be of the second. If God has pointed us to the fact that there is a time of trouble just before us, an opposite proclamation, pointing to the world's conversion at the same time must be false, and constitute the peace-and-safety cry of the last days.

But, says one, they enjoy it, and give evidences of conversion and of Christian character. Should we not, then, join with them in their meetings of worship? They claim to be the children of God as well as we, and say they love God, and are trying to get to Heaven. I understand that God does not measure Christian character by outward appearances or profession, but has committed to us an infallible testimony on this point, by which we are to form our conclusions: To the law and testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isa. 8:20.

But, says another, the power of God appears to be with them. I reply, However, honest men may be, if they are engaged in a work of a character which God has pointed out as evil, that is, advocating error after light is given, we cannot admit that the blessings of God are resting upon them; and although they may appear to be warmed up in their meeting, and think that God is with them, it would be far better evidence of their love to God if they kept his commandments. It is true they have an experience which they think is evidence of their acceptance with God and a qualification for Heaven. But it is in their cases almost an impossible barrier in the way of Bible investigation or the plain declarations of the Scriptures. An experience which confirms a false hope is one of the worst of misfortunes, and almost invariably places its subjects beyond the reach of truth.

Again, in verses 6, 7, we learn that while this work is going on the remnant are halting and are afflicted, and cast off by the popular movement, brought into life by the call of the many nations. The remnant, see Rev. 12:17, are in fact cast off and considered of no esteem in the religious world today, because they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And for the same reason the dragon makes war with them. The remnant of the woman's seed must exist in the very last days; for it is the last end of the church. The remnant, then, has to pass through the severe conflicts brought to view in Dan. 12:1, 2, and Rev. 13:13-17, and are instructed in relation thereto by the warning voice of the third angel. Hence they feel the burden of sounding the trumpet of alarm to their fellowmen to prepare for the great day of God Almighty which is soon to fall upon the earth. This brings out and develops the peace-and-safety cry which is also to be given in the last days, both in harmony in point of time. But we understand that while he directs his wrath at the remnant, in falsehood, ridicule, and persecution, he uses his experienced generalship in inaugurating a great counter movement.

The angel has already proclaimed the fall of Babylon. Now it is ready for the dragon to call it into service. He throws in a little wise counsel in relation to their confusion, recommends a charitable honesty that will cover all sectarian differences, and a conscience that accommodates itself to all the varied circumstances of life, casts his dark shadow over the law of God and brings it into poor repute, and exalts the one idea of salvation by faith.

Thus the work is prepared to move forward. It is in harmony with the public mind. It is in every respect a popular movement with the churches of the day. Now, no marvel if he should give the evidence of feeling and of wonderful conversions and witness of the Spirit, and swell loud their cry of “Peace and Safety” and of the world's conversion, to counteract the warning of danger from the third angel.

All things being thus made ready, would it be anything strange to see such a movement carry almost everything before it as it harmonizes so nicely with the public mind? Counterfeits have ever been the most potent weapons that Satan has wielded against the church. 1. Paganism, 2. Catholicism, and 3. Backslidden Protestantism, are brought into requisition; and just how far all these powers will conspire together for the last great and terrible conflict will be better understood in the future.

But this appears plain from many Scriptures that the time of trouble is just before us. The message of warning is going forth. Rev. 14: 9, 11. The siren song of peace and safety, the cry of a good time coming, is heard. The world is said to be getting ready for its grand jubilee.

Dear reader, these respective proclamations will accomplish their work. The great and final conflict is rapidly gathering like angry clouds before a storm which will soon burst upon the world. And though, to all human appearances, it will sweep all things before it, a few will stand its searching

test, will develop the patience of the saints and learn to live by faith and not by sight, nor by feeling. And these will soon be triumphant victors and have an abundant entrance administered to them into the heavenly city. J. H. Cook. Ft. Scott, Kanas.