“Can Ye not Discern the Signs of the Times?”
By D. T. Bourdeau
This question was put to the Jews by the Saviour with reference to the first advent, yet it contains principles which are applicable in the times in which we live. In many respects, the first and second advents are parallel events, and as there was danger of overlooking the signs of Christ’s first coming, so there is now danger of overlooking the signs of his second coming. One reason of this danger is, that events lose their force upon the mind by their frequent occurrence. At the commencement of our late war, the American people were more shocked at the news of ten falling in battle, than they were afterward to learn that one thousand soldiers had been killed in an engagement. This should not be the case. Each event of this nature should tend to deepen the first impression, and arouse the soul. So it should be in regard to the increasing signs of Christ’s second coming. But, alas! this is not the case. As it was in the days immediately preceding the deluge, so it is now. The nearer the world are to God’s awful judgments, the less are they moved by them. The nearer they are to the coming of the Lord, the less inclined are they to believe that he is near. This is owing to the fact that when light shines upon impending events, and upon the duty of men with reference to them, they harden their hearts by turning from the light. Thus the light that is in them becomes darkness; and how great is that darkness! In this condition, Satan controls the mind, and men act as though bereft of reason in overlooking the riches and glories of the immortal kingdom, and confining their interests and pursuits to the things of time and sense. But the danger in this direction is by no means confined to the world at large. The church are also in great danger here. Hence the caution of the Saviour to take heed and not be overcharged with eating and drinking, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon us unawares. Luke 21: 34. The greater the light that people reject, the greater the darkness that follows. The higher the point from which one falls, the greater the injury that is experienced. Great is our light as Seventh-day Adventists. We have all the signs of the times that God has given to the world, and we have, beside these, the most forcible and valuable evidences of the end near, in blessed experience in living out the truth, and in the glorious progress of the cause. How encouraging and interesting it is to reflect on the advance steps that God’s people have taken in the establishment and use of mighty agencies to advance the last message of mercy within the last fifteen years! Surely, this work has moved like the work of God. Those who have opposed it have had leanness, darkness, and death, while those who have stood by it have prospered. And no features are better calculated to bring courage and joy to every true friend of the cause, than the present efforts put forth in the missionary work and in the establishment of a denominational school. Now the practical question before us is, Shall we, as a people, take hold of, and give our influence to, these enterprises, as though we discerned in them impressive signs of the times? as though we believed that God was placing within our reach the very agencies that we must use, that the closing work of the third message may be cut short in righteousness? God is inviting us, through these enterprises, to work for him, and to work fast, to invest our talents of means, and our talents of influence, that the message may soon go to every civilized nation, and to missionary stations in heathen lands, and stir the world as no other message has done. Truly, a great and glorious work is before us. Our inmost souls should vibrate with gratitude, joy, love, and holy zeal, that we are connected with it. Shall we, as Seventh-day Adventists, discern the signs of the times in the advance steps that God calls upon us to take? and, discerning, shall we act? Shall we cultivate a spirit of sacrifice? Will those who are called to be messengers of the cross of Christ respond to the call by saying, Here am I? Affect my heart with a sense of the greatness and sacredness of the work. Touch my lips with the living coals from thine altar, and send me. Will those who are called upon to help with their means also respond to God’s call to them? or will they excuse themselves, to lay up treasure upon earth to be consumed in the burning day? All can help more or less in this direction. But there is great danger of being blinded through selfishness and the deceitfulness of riches. Yet God has claims upon our property. How wicked to appropriate God’s means to our own selfish purposes. It is a thousand times more sinful than it would be to steal from man. The greater the being against whom we sin, the greater the sin. Shall a man rob God? Many have had the use of God’s property for years. Shall they now return it to him with usury? or shall they study to put it where it will neither benefit them, nor the cause, and bring upon them a fearful debt in the end? May we all discern the signs of the times and fulfill the obligations that they bring us under.