What Ought Israel to Do at This Time?
By A. T. ROBINSON
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” 1 Chron. 12: 32. The only advantage in Israel’s having an understanding of the time, lies in the fact that it enables her to know what Israel ought to do. The only advantage in knowing what Israel ought to do, is in doing what Israel ought to do. It was “that servant, which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself,” who was adjudged worthy of many stripes. Our responsibility is measured by our privileges. To whom much has been given, of him shall much be required. At different times in the history of the world the Lord has sent special messages of truth to the world. The apostle speaks of such movements, as “the present truth.” Let us notice some of the characteristics of the “present truth” for any given time:— (1) While it continues to be present truth, it is always the most unpopular thing in the world; (2) after it ceases to be present truth, and becomes a historical truth, it always becomes popular; (3) so long as it is present truth, the eternal destiny of every soul in the world is bound up in his acceptance or rejection of it; (4) the people raised up to proclaim a message of present truth will give that message with no uncertain sound, and with absolute knowledge that it is the message for the hour. Noah was unpopular, and preached an unpopular message. In after generations he was universally believed to have been a man of God, raised up to give the message of salvation to the generation in which he lived. He knew he was giving such a message to the world. John the Baptist was sent to herald a message to prepare the way for the first advent of the Saviour. He knew he had a message based upon the prophetic word. “As saith the prophet Esaias,” was his authority to those who came to inquire concerning his claim to be giving a message for his time. The religious teachers of John’s time, and of the time of Christ, while believing in Noah’s message, in Abraham, Moses, and all the prophets, denounced John as a fanatic, and Christ as a devil. The religious teachers of our time, while believing in all special messages of the past, treat as fanatics and dangerous teachers those who are giving the special message for our time. Since 1844 the saving truth for the world has been, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” Following this is the most solemn message of warning that has ever sounded in the ears of humanity, against those who worship the beast and his image. Having understanding of the time, knowing that the judgments of God, in the seven last plagues, are about to fall upon the men and women now living upon the earth, what ought Israel to do in such a time as this? Ought she not to arise in the name and strength of Israel’s God, and give this message to all the world? “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house to lie waste?” Is it time for men who believe such a message as this to have their means invested in bank-stock or tied up in other worldly enterprises, while our missionaries in foreign lands are crippled for the necessary means to carry forward their work; while the Mission Board is unable to respond to their calls for the money needed to support themselves and their families? How much will bank-stock or property of any kind be worth during the last year of probation? — It will be of no value outside the use that can be made of it to help bring lost souls into the ark of safety. How much will it be worth during the last month? the last week? the last day? In “Early Writings” a time is spoken of when there will be a most bitter wailing because, when means was called for, it was withheld. To me it is an alarming fact that so many of our people seem to be clinging to their property with what seems like an almost death-like grasp. Will not the time come when there will be a letting go, a cutting down, a lessening of the hold upon this poor old earth, which is soon to reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man? Has not the time come when every believer in10this message should invest his surplus means in its proclamation? We often wonder and question why this work does not go forward with the power spoken of in the Word of God. When the cords that bind the interests of God’s people to this earth are severed, we shall see the most glorious triumph in this cause that has ever been witnessed since this old earth fell beneath the dark shadow of sin. May God hasten the glad day.