A RIPENED PROPHECY by J. O. C.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 21, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 50.

A RIPENED PROPHECY

By J. O. C.

Conditions in the Church Foretold—Would Not Have Expected Such Things The Warring “Christian Nations”—The World War of Armageddon Yet to Come

ANCIENT prophetic foresight, looking through the vista of ages, saw the trend of religious professionalism, and declared that in the “last days” ominous times would come, in which men would wear the “form of godliness,” while denying its life-giving power. In this garb, the apostle says, they will love themselves, be covetous, boasters, proud, and even blasphemers, despising those who are good, being destitute of love toward God. 2 Tim. 3: 1-5.

WOULD NOT EXPECT IT IN THE CHURCH

Laying aside the voice of inspiration, one would hardly look for such characters in a professed church of God. But here is the statement, clearly made, that such as these would appear in the garb of godly forms and ceremonies, as a distinct revelation of last-day happenings. The prophecy also clearly points out that this would be the foundation of a world-wide danger zone. Indeed, the implication is here laid that the fulness of this danger season, known as the last days, will be brought about by those professing godliness, rather than by those who care nothing for the forms of religion.

WHAT EUROPE’S “CHRISTIAN NATIONS” ARE DOING

One has but to cast his eyes over the field of strife in Europe to note that of the dozen nations there embroiled, every one professes to be guided by the promptings of Christ’s Spirit. Each one practices, even on the battle plains, some form of Christian worship. Yet, as expressed by one writer, the campaigns of Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan were mere local squabbles compared with the mighty struggle now going on, in which fifteen million men have been killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. It is not strange, therefore, that a wondering world now asks, “Why?” Yes, why has this world war begun? And when will it cease?

To the first clause of this almost universal question, the scripture before cited gives answer. But the second part of it must be answered by reference to other prophecies. One inspired seer cried out in very agony at the view given him of a great world war. He was pained at his very heart, because he saw “destruction upon destruction,” which spoiled the whole land. He watched the result of it all until the earth lost its form, and was made void. In this action, the mountains and the hills moved out of their places, and no man was left upon the scene. Utter desolation assumed the place of a once beautiful spot of God’s creation, because in His anger He had smitten the nations for their wretched returns for all His infinite mercies. Jer. 4: 19-26.

WHEN MICHAEL STANDS UP

It requires no stretch of the imagination to see that this prophecy reaches down to the close of earth’s history, and that universal war brings its consummation. Another prophet views the same scene, and gives added information regarding its details. He says that “at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12: 1.

A question or two regarding the statements here found: Who is Michael, that stands for the children of God’s people? And what means His “standing up”? This Being is none other than Christ, the Archangel, as may be seen by comparing Jude 9 and 1 Thess. 4: 16. His “standing up” is in contrast with His “sitting” at “the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb. 8: 1), where He must remain until His foes become subdued. Acts 2: 34, 35. Then He comes to release His people from the awful carnage of the time of trouble such as had never before been seen.

CANNOT BE ARMAGEDDON

No one will question that the present titanic struggle is the mightiest one ever known. Yet this cannot be the long anticipated Armageddon, and for one certain reason, which is as sure as the prophecy under consideration. Isolated nations exist which have not yet been warned of the world’s coming doom. According to the Saviour’s prediction, these must hear such message before being made to meet the closing scenes of earth’s history. This is what He said: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24: 14. This “witness” that the end of all things is near, has not yet been heard in earth’s remotest corners; therefore some sort of truce between the present belligerents must take place. But as all things are now ready for a quick work in bearing this witness, the lull of war will at most be but a short one.

A WORLD CONFLICT COMING

Yet the education for war and vengeance is well matured, preparatory to an entire world conflict, quickly to follow. Then the word will be heralded forth: “Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3: 9, 10. No nation will escape; for the prophet says, in his description of that time: “Come, all ye heathen: . . . cause thy mighty ones to come down.”

Why so general a struggle?—Because the time has come for Jehovah to bring deserved judgments upon all nations, and so the call is: “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.” The reason for this turn of affairs is given in the following verse: “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: . . . the press is full, . . . for their wickedness is great.” Joel 3: 9-13.

It is therefore clear that the great day of the Lord is very soon to burst upon a wicked world, through the opening of Armageddon. Already the preparation for that struggle has begun, and the way of “the kings of the east” is being opened to enter “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16: 12-14. So the call of heaven to-day is, to “watch,” and keep the garments of religious faith well secured, lest, being found destitute of heavenly covering, we be drawn into the awful vortex that no tongue can describe. Verses 15, 16.

But in what way may human coöperation with Heaven be

effected to secure the coveted safety when such time arrives? Christ has Himself announced the process through the seer of Patmos. Thus he says: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12. Turning his eyes in another direction, from earth toward heaven, he cries out: “I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.” Verse 14.

That is the moment when the saints are delivered, as given in the citation from Dan. 12: 1. That is when the harvest of the earth is gathered, as revealed in Rev. 14: 16, and corresponds to the Saviour’s statement in another place, when He said, “The harvest is the end of the world,” and then declared that in that time He will root out from their habitation all offenders against His rule of life, and lift up the righteous to “shine forth as the sun” in the kingdom of God. Matt. 13: 39-43.

There can be no escaping the evidence that the scenes of earth are rapidly passing beyond recall. God’s message is now calling on those of all nations to keep His commandments, and so be prepared, when the Saviour appears to take His rightful throne, to be counted loyal to the requirements of His heavenly rule. The time is at hand. Let all now secure heavenly favor, and so be watchful for the Master’s quick return.

J. O. C.