WARNINGS OF THE COMING KING.
By Augusta W. Heald
In past ages God has never failed to warn His people when any great event or terrible judgment was impending; and they, in turn, are required to convey the warning to the world. Thus when the earth became corrupted with violence and wickedness, and God determined to destroy its inhabitants with a flood, He made known His purpose to Noah; and for one hundred and twenty years “while the ark was a preparing,” that faithful preacher of righteousness failed not to deliver the divine message of a coming destruction. Also when destruction was determined upon Sodom, “the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” Gen. 18 : 17. And says the prophet, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” Amos 3 : 7. In accordance with this declaration, the Scriptures contain numerous complete chains of prophecy portraying the history of the world down to the coming of the Lord and the end of the Gospel age, and even to the eternity beyond. It is not the province of these articles to trace these prophecies, except in one or two instances. When the disciples inquired of the Saviour, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt. 24 : 3) He proceeded to give them instructions by which they might understand that this event would not transpire in their day, and by which we may “discern the signs of the times.” He first says to the disciples, “Take heed that no man deceive you,” and then predicts false christs, wars, and rumors of wars, but says, “The end is not yet.” Verses 4-6. After describing the uprising of nations with famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, he adds, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Verse 8. The Saviour points out the persecutions which the church must suffer, the rise of false prophets, iniquity, and apostasy in the church; but He assures His disciples that “this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Verses 9-14. He does not say the world will be converted, as some maintain; He simply says the Gospel will be preached for a witness, and then comes the end. Thus briefly is mapped out the history of the church from Christ’s time till the end of the world. Again the Lord begins by answering the disciples’ question relating to the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem, and a second time depicts the experience of the Christian church after the escape to the mountains (verses 15, 16), down thru the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, to the shortening of the days “for the elect’s sake.” Verses 21, 22. He shows that after this false prophets will arise, showing great signs and wonders, and if possible deceiving “the very elect,” and also that there will be false teachers saying that Christ has already appeared “in the desert” or “in the secret chambers,” and He adds: “Believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Verses 24-27. The Saviour next declares that signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars will precede the day of His coming, and He enforced the teachings of this wonderful chapter by the beautiful parable of the fig-tree. “When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [margin, he] is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matt. 24 : 32-35. Will the world, then, know the appointed time of the Lord’s appearing?—No. Says the Saviour: “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Verses 37-39. From this and other passages it is evident that altho the designated signs will appear in due time, they will be unheeded by the world in general. The vast majority will still be pursuing their accustomed course, seeking sensual gratification, and laying plans for years of future enjoyment, until at last the great day of God will come upon them “as a snare.” Luke 21 : 35. The apostle says, “When3they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them; . . . and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5 : 3. Had the antediluvian world heeded the preaching of Noah while the ark was preparing, and “the long-suffering of God waited,” had they repented, forsaken their sins, and accepted the free salvation, they would not have been overtaken by the destroying flood. And so will it be in the great day of final destruction. The day and hour of His coming are hidden in the secret purpose of the Almighty; He has imparted the knowledge of them to no man, and because of this Jesus says, “Watch therefore.” “Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 24 : 42-44. Those who watch the signs will not be overtaken by surprises, and confusion, and destruction. Paul says: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day.” “Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” 1 Thess. 5 : 4, 5, 6, 9, 10. And Jesus says, “What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13 : 37. “Heir of the kingdom, O why dost thou slumber?
Why art thou sleeping so near thy blest home?
Wake thee, arouse thee, and gird on thine armor,
Speed; for the moments are hurrying on. “Keep the eye single, the head upward lifted;
Watch for the glory of earth’s coming King;
Lo! o’er the mountain-tops light is now breaking;
Heirs of the kingdom, rejoice ye and sing.”