WATCH by E. A. Stockman

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 20, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 42.

WATCH

By E. A. Stockman

THIS is no time for slumber. We are too near the end of the age to sleep now. The perils of the last day are upon us, and to cease our vigils now is to peril our eternal salvation. Life’s cares are pressing heavily, and if we do not watch, we may be overcharged, and so the day of the Lord come upon us unawares. Earth’s gaudy trappings are arrayed before the world in every alluring form, and if we do not watch, we shall be attracted with their glitter, and so lose sight of the resplendent glory of the world to come. Satan with all his forces is fast throwing his coils around the world, and if we do not watch, we may be brought within his folds. His power over the world is marvelous, and our only safety is close to the side of One who is stronger than the strong man armed. Then we are secure. But if we do not watch, we may stray from His side, and thus expose ourselves to the power of the wicked one.

In view of the last-day dangers our beloved Lord run up the danger signals when he said: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

O man of God, keep faithfully thy vigils, lest thou be taken in the snare! The storm signals are flying, the shelter is provided, and if the storm bursts upon our unsheltered heads, it may be because we ceased to watch.—E. A. Stockman.