Be Watchful by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 14, 1904

Be Watchful

By Editor

Editorial

“Be Watchful”

IN these times of peril there is need that we should exercise constant watchfulness lest we be ensnared by the enemy. We can see on every hand evidences of Satan’s deceitful working, and his efforts to confuse the minds of men and to lead them astray from safe paths. He presents darkness for light, and evil for good, and all this under the pretense of advancing the cause of truth. Only through the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God shall we be able to discern between the true and the false, and to keep in the old paths. Satan is capable of presenting his own evil philosophy, disguised under the familiar phrases of a Christian vocabulary and even set in Scripture phrases, as the antidote for the more openly heathen teaching of which he himself is the author, and which is designed to captivate the freethinker and the infidel. We need not expect that he will confine these efforts to the unbelieving world and the large and influential denominations, leaving this reform movement to make its way unhindered. To us comes this instruction, to which we shall do well to take heed: “Satanic agencies are clothing false theories in an attractive garb, even as Satan in the garden of Eden concealed his identity from our first parents by speaking through the serpent. These agencies are instilling into human minds that which in reality is deadly error. The hypnotic influence of Satan will rest upon those who turn from the plain Word of God to pleasing fables. It is those who have had the most light that Satan most assiduously seeks to ensnare. He knows that if he can deceive them, they will, under his control, clothe sin with garments of righteousness, and lead many astray. I say to all, Be on your guard; for as an angel of light Satan is walking in every assembly of Christian workers, and in every church, trying to win the members to his side. I am bidden to give to the people of God the warning, ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked.’” Very applicable to-day are the words of the apostle Peter: “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom withstand stedfast in your faith.” Truly “our wrestling is not against flesh and blood.” “Even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness.” “Be on your guard.”

“Unprofitable Discussion”

A CLEAR revelation has been made to us of the things which it is necessary for us to know concerning God and his purpose concerning us. “Every scripture is . . . profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” Why then should we leave this revelation of truth, so clear and so complete, in which we may find personal salvation from sin, for the profitless discussion of those things not essential to salvation, and which have not been fully revealed? Why should we speculate and philosophize about the nature and being of God? Why should we attempt to solve every problem relating to sin and the government of God except the personal problem of being free from sin ourselves and coming into right relation to the government of God? And why do we need to give our chief attention to the revelation which God has made of himself in the things which he has made, as though we were in the condition of the heathen who are without the written Word? If we choose to seek our knowledge of God by thus lightly regarding his Word, and by taking our place upon heathen ground, it will not be surprising if our ideas of God are heathenish. We are responsible for the light given unto us. We can not turn from the clear revelation of truth in the Scriptures to the dimmer revelations in nature without great risk of arriving at falsehood instead of truth. The only safe way to study the lessons of nature is to view them in the light which shines from the written Word. The light from the cross of Calvary renders the pages in the book of nature readable. We shall make greater advancement in our Christian experience if we spend less time in the dim twilight of speculation and uncertainty, where truth and error commingle, and live in the clear sunlight of the truth as it is in Jesus, made known to us in the Word of God. “What is the chaff to the wheat?”

“Glorious Things”

THE prospect before the Christian is indeed a glorious one. When we consider the “exceeding great and precious promises,” and remember that the time for their fulfilment is near at hand, we certainly have reason to be filled with the most joyous anticipations. Soon Jesus our Saviour will come to gather his children home to the Father’s house. Soon we shall be changed from mortal to immortality. Soon we shall meet the Lord in the air, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Soon we shall “enter in by the gates into the city.” Soon we shall behold the mansions which Jesus has gone to prepare. Soon we shall meet again all the loved of earth who have been taken from us by death. Soon we shall join with “every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea” in saying, “Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever.” Glorious indeed is the outlook! The hope of the coming of Jesus, when all these things will be fully realized, is truly “that blessed hope.” But the “glorious things” are not all in the future. More than gates of pearl and streets of gold and mansions fair, and that which sheds glory upon the whole scene, will be the presence of Jesus and the knowledge of the complete victory over sin, but these most glorious blessings may be enjoyed even here while we are seeking to prepare the way of the Lord and to make ready a people to meet

him at his coming. When we accept the provision which has been made that we may have fellowship ‘with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ,’ and when we realize the fulfilment of the promise, ‘Lo, I am with you always,’ we may enjoy the chiefest blessing of heaven before we reach the heavenly country. This is having a heaven in which to go to heaven. Surely we ought to rejoice and praise the Lord more and more for his wondrous kindness to us. Surely we can ‘serve the Lord with gladness.’

“How happy all thy servants are! How great thy grace to me! My life, which thou hast made thy care, Lord, I devote to thee.”