THIS WORLD WILL HAVE AN END.
By G.
Most people treat with indifference the idea of the world's coming to an end. This is not surprising, for it is a matter of prophecy. Indeed, it is one of the features of the last days. The nearer we approach the end, the greater the tendency to scoff at truthful allusion to the important event. The Word of prophecy tells us that “there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3: 3, 4. But it is remarkable that on the occurrence of some great catastrophe through the disturbance of nature, or some unusual phenomenon in the heavens, the minds of the masses instinctively turn to the end of the world. It is especially noticeable that those who do not believe the promise of His coming are suddenly alarmed by anything which they do not readily understand in the line of catastrophe or unusual appearance. The “dark day” of May 19, 1780, suggested to many people the end of the world, and great fear came upon the masses as far as the wonderful occurrence was manifest. So with the extensive phenomenon of the falling stars, or meteoric shower, of Nov. 13, 1833. From all parts wherever the great display was visible, there came reports of the terror of the people because they thought the end of the world had come. Such, too, has invariably been the sentiment when great earthquakes have occurred. Notably when the great earthquake of 1755 shook all of Europe, destroying in the city of Lisbon alone, 60,000 people, there was the dread that the end of the world had come. It is also said that when the great earthquake and volcanic eruption took place on the island of St. Vincent in 1812, the inhabitants were terrified by the thought of the end of the world. On the appearance of the notable comet of 1857, scientists said it was coming directly toward the earth, and there were all kinds of speculations as to what would be the result of a possible collision. Many people, scientists as well as commoners, were fearful that it meant the end of all things earthly; and many others kept up a semblance of courage by laughing at the fears of the timid ones. An amusing incident occurred at Leavenworth, Kansas, at that time, which shows how many people will manifest a superstitious dread of that which they do not believe, or at least do not believe in a practical way. Leavenworth was then a new town, and for the most part the people were decidedly worldly. There were many steamboats plying on the Missouri River in those days, as travel westward was largely by river conveyance. One night, after most people were asleep, a steamer that had just been fitted with a new calliope (or steam organ) came up the river. Being the first one of that class of musical instruments that ever had been brought up that river, the people were not prepared for it. So when it suddenly poured forth its huge volume of music, that could be heard a distance of about three miles in a still night, it struck terror to many of the sleeping populace, who thought for the moment that the end of the world had come. It is a very common thing to hear people relate instances of sudden fright, and describing their feelings by the expression that they thought the end of the world had come. It is an exaggerated expression that has passed into a joke in common conversation; yet with all the professions of unbelief in such an event, at least as an event near at hand, it is a fact that there is an instinctive dread of such an occurrence in the minds of a large share of the world's population. What a pity that this dread can not more extensively be changed into intelligent belief, based on the Word of God. The Lord has promised to come again to take His people to Himself; and when He does come, even before His coming (which will be as a thief in the night to those who are unprepared), there will be an end of this world's probation. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3: 9. An intelligent faith in His Word will change the instinctive fear of His coming, and of the end, into a feeling of real joy. “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” Verse 10. But the promise takes away from the believer all dread of this terrible time; for “we [believers], according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Verse 13. With such a promise, all true believers, “they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14: 12), will rejoice at the prospect, will be glad to know that the end is near. “Perfect love casteth out fear.” In the day when the unbelievers will be calling upon the rocks and mountains to hide them (Rev. 6: 16), the righteous will look up and say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isa. 25: 9. G.