REVIVAL IN BUDDHISM

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 18, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 38.

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REVIVAL IN BUDDHISM.

WITHIN the last few years Buddhism has been arousing itself and making unusual efforts at proselyting in Europe and America. This course was taken to offset in a measure the work of Christian missionaries in the strongholds of Buddhism. Buddhists from India and Japan have sought to stem the tide of Christian progress by teaching their religion in the homeland of the missionary. The result of this propaganda is now beginning to manifest itself. Converts to Buddhism in both Europe and America are now going to India to act as missionaries against Christianity, and to undo, so far as they are able, the work of the Christian missionaries who have preceded them. This reflex movement on behalf of heathenism is acting as a stimulant to the followers of Buddha, who appear to be greatly elated over having pongyis from “Christian lands” to expound their doctrines and denounce Christianity.
What is the significance of this revival of a heathen worship at this present time? The answer is plain. It is found in Rev. 12 : 12: “Wo 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.” The Scriptures also bring to view a time when Satan should work “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. This, the same scripture tells us, was to take place just before the second coming of Christ. Verses 8, 9.
Thus the Lord has revealed to us beforehand what we might expect to see in the earth just before He came; and we are seeing it now as never before. The resuscitation of Buddhism is only one of the many deceptions which Satan is planning for the ruin of souls; but it is one of them, and thus becomes one of the signs that the coming of the just One draweth nigh.
S.