“THE EARTH WAS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE.”
JESUS put on record, especially for the instruction of the church in the last days, the statement that “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” This statement is a positive refutation of all arguments that a condition of righteousness will greet the Lord at His coming. When we turn to the history of the “days of Noah” we find a state of affairs that was truly appalling. Two statements describe the condition most vividly: “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen. 6:5. “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted His way upon the earth.” Verses 11, 12. We may depend upon it, that the Word of the Lord never fails. We may depend upon it, that Jesus knew just what would be the condition of the world when He should return to gather His people to Himself. Therefore, when He tells us that “as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be,” we may know that at His coming the earth will be “filled with violence” instead of righteousness. It matters not that business or politics or social policy will induce many to join the popular churches, for Christ has revealed the fact that “Babylon” (the apostate church) will “become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Rev. 18:2. This proclamation is made through an angel “having great power.” And concerning this very thing, the Lord said, in His Sermon on the Mount: “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” The great efforts to enforce peace and righteousness in the earth by religious-political laws, and by large armies and navies, furnish the direct means of violence. The former beget persecution; and persecution begets violence; and the latter are schools of bloodshed, of which the present death struggle between Russia and Japan is an apt illustration. Japan is being lauded the world over, by both Christian (professed) and infidel, for her rapid progress in “civilization;” and the evidence given is her skill in the art of war—her prowess in the violence of life destruction. As long as success in war is held up as the crowning evidence of progress in civilization, and immense armies and navies are made the basis of peace among nations, violence stands at the doors awaiting the opportunities that are sure to come. As long as the “Christian” head of a “Christian” nation counsels his young soldiers that “a good soldier is not only ready to fight, but anxious to fight,” the prospect of a Christian, Golden-Rule peace on earth is far off. The doctrine thus instilled into soldiers and sailors paves the way for such disgraceful scenes as occurred in San Francisco recently. A morning paper says of it: “Two battles were fought last night in front of the Hall of Justice between a mob of frenzied soldiers and sailors and a squad of police. Policemen were knocked down and kicked. The heads of many of the coast artillery and sailors of the U. S. S. Pensacola were broken. Finally, by using their clubs savagely and by charging the mob, the police, under Lieutenant Green, broke up the riot and captured all the prisoners they could handle. While the fight lasted the noise could be heard for blocks. The men from the army and navy had been drinking, and as soon as they clashed with the police, they forgot that they were unarmed. So long as they could stand the fast pace they used their fists and feet against the bludgeons of the police.” Surely the world is being prepared for violence to the full, and so sure “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”