Storm and Tempest by T.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 9, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 35.

Storm and Tempest

By T.

On August 21 a despatch from Milan said: “A terrific cyclone has devastated the entire Italian lake districts. Dozens of mountain villages have been blown away. The crops are ruined, and all the factories have been compelled to close.” On the same day, another despatch from Messina, Sicily, tells of a “strong earthquake” which occurred there on the afternoon of that day. Three days later, on August 24, a despatch from Rome tells of a “hurricane of terrific violence” that swept over Messina. It is stated that hundreds of the shelters that have been erected there since the earthquake of 1908 have collapsed, and that thousands of people have been rendered homeless.

Storms, earthquakes, and pestilences are among the things that the Lord has told us will mark the last days. Men have made light of the tornadoes that have devastated so many sections of the Central States. They have told us that these storms have always raged on the plains of Kansas and the states adjoining, but there was no one living there to notice them, and so nothing was thought of it, because nothing was known of it. But these storms have been greatly on the increase, and they are becoming more and more destructive. And not only that, but they are becoming quite frequent in some sections of the Old World that have been densely settled since centuries before the birth of Christ. When God gives us signs of the end, we may be sure that He will make them so plain that it will be very foolish to cavil.

The storms that spread havoc and ruin over the earth, as well as the unsettled and violent conditions of society, are causing men to have sober reflections in spite of themselves. And the Master has forewarned us that “there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25-27. The Lord's word must be fulfilled. “Men's hearts” are surely “failing them for fear” as they are “looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” And we are only in the beginnings of it. These conditions will grow worse and worse till the end is finally reached.

But God does not send such things to distress men. He wants them to think, and to study His word to know the meaning of it, and then to turn to Him for protection. His protection has been provided for all; it is abundant, and it is offered to every one who will receive it. You may be tempted to laugh at this to-day; but keep the matter in mind, and watch how rapidly one calamity will follow another, and turn to the shelter before it is too late. T.