THE SPECIAL DANGER PERIOD
By G. B. T.
Hold Fast — Signs and Wonders May Deceive “Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Rev. 3: 10, 11. THE TIME OF SPECIAL DANGER
This scripture has special application, as the connection shows, near the close of human history. As we approach the end, this instruction to hold fast is given. The time of greatest danger to those navigating the ocean is when the vessel is nearing port. While sailing the high seas, a long distance from shore, there is not so much danger. Accidents may happen, but the probability of such is minimized. The captain can take matters somewhat easy. But when approaching shore, then the danger from rocks and breakers and various other causes increases. It is somewhat like this in the voyage of the church of God. As we near the close of human history, the danger will increase. The temptations of the devil will grow stronger, the resisting power of man will be weakened, and there will be a greater tendency to relinquish our hold upon God, and be lost. This is suggested in other scriptures. After speaking of the development of the mystery of iniquity, Paul says: “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2: 9, 10. SIGNS AND WONDERS NOT DEPENDABLE
Down in the closing history of the world, the great leader of darkness is to work “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.” What will people do then who are depending for faith on signs or wonders? Our faith must needs stand on the word of God, and not upon some sign that we may behold. But notice: Satan is to work with all signs and all power and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. Every counterfeit that he can produce, every agency that the enemy has used all through the six thousand years of sin and rebellion, will be brought into the field to deceive souls in these last days. WORKS WITH FRENZIED WRATH
Other scriptures emphasize this same thought. Rev. 12: 12: “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” What does he know?—Why, that he has but a short time in which to work and deceive souls. We find persons occasionally who pretend to believe in the coming of the Lord, but they are not quite sure, and are holding fast to this world, afraid to let go. Yet the great prince of darkness knows when the end is near. Has the Lord revealed His purposes to the arch-enemy, and withheld them from His people? If so, He says to the deceiver: “You have cursed and damned souls for six millenniums. You have rebelled against My government. But I want to give you special light. I won’t tell My people, but I will let you know it. It is this,—I am coming in a short time.” Does God work this way?—No, indeed! Satan knows when this event is near, from the statements of the Bible. He reads the Scriptures, and knows that God’s word is true. And I am glad that we can know, from the same source, when the end is near, and prepare for this great event. HOLD TO THE NAKED PROMISES
In this dark hour, when satanic agencies are being marshaled, when there is being brought upon mankind the strongest temptation they have ever had, the most trying things being experienced, it is then that the voice of the text comes to us, saying, “Hold . . . fast, . . . that no man take thy crown.” It is then that we must hold fast to the naked promises of God—when we must be firmly anchored to the eternal rock of Scripture. Counterfeits of a most deceptive and dangerous character will appear; but the word of God will enable us to detect these, and cleave only to the truth. Now, in this age of infidelity and higher criticism, we are to hold fast to the chart and compass,—the Bible,—that we may not flounder in the sea of skepticism, and perish outside the port at last.