THE DAY OF THE LORD NIGH AT HAND.
By C. P. B.
As THERE was a general though vague realization just prior to the first advent of our Lord, that that event was at hand, so there is in the world to-day a general though too often an unwelcome impression that the great day of the Lord—the second coming of Christ—is near. As never before we see “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:26. Prominent among the signs that are attracting attention is the unparalleled, world-wide preparation of war. Notwithstanding the persistency with which the doctrine of the temporal millennium is taught by many, thousands who know perhaps little of the teaching of the Word of God upon this subject, but who are familiar with the signs of the times, realize in some measure that, instead of being on the eve of a thousand years of peace, the nations stand to-day upon the verge of a world-wide conflict more terrible in its awful ghastliness, more horrible in its unequaled destructiveness, than anything that history records or the mind of man conceives. The cry of “peace and safety,” referred to by Inspiration (1 Thess. 5:3), is heard even now above the tramp of mobilizing armies, the clang of the forge fashioning instruments of destruction, and the rumbling of trains bearing armed men to the scene of conflict; yea, even above the booming of cannon already hurling death and destruction into the ranks of men made in the image of God. But it is received with an incredulous smile by the thousands already referred to, who, while not knowing that the Bible and the signs of the times testify one thing on this subject, guided by the latter alone, see in the near future not peace but war, not universal good-will but murderous hate. The following note, clipped by the writer from a Southern paper but credited to the Union, of Manchester, N. H., serves to illustrate the statement just made:— The Prince of Wales has got a glimpse of the millennium; he stated in a recent public speech that nations would soon be without the need of armies and navies, because of the policy of universal peace. Meanwhile he may note that Great Britain’s appropriation for the increase of its navy was the largest ever known the present year. The testimony of Inspiration is too plain upon this subject to be mistaken by any one willing to believe unpleasant truth rather than pleasing fiction. The Saviour says plainly that the days of the coming of the Son of man will be as the days of Noah. Matt. 24:37. From Gen. 6:11 we learn that in the days of Noah “the earth was filled with violence.” The apostle warns us “that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Tim. 3:1); while both Old and New Testaments unite in foretelling universal carnage just preceding the second coming of Christ. The writer will not consume space in quoting scriptures already familiar to readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, but will simply refer to a few texts, citing proof that they apply in the last days. Turn to Jer. 4:19-21. Read there that graphic description, written more than twenty-five hundred years ago, of last-day conditions and terrors; and note that it applies just before this earth is reduced again to the condition described as “without form, and void,” when there will be no man left and all the birds of the heavens shall have fled. Verses 23, 25. Compare also verse 22 with 2 Tim. 3:1-5, noting particularly that both texts refer to a season of spiritual declension and religious formality at the very time that the terrors of the last days are about to burst, not only upon a wicked world, but upon a careless, indifferent, pleasure-seeking church. Then turn to Joel 3:9-14, compare verse 13 with Rev. 14:18-20, and note that both scriptures refer to the destruction of the wicked powers of this earth at the second coming of Christ. Keeping this thought in mind, contrast what the Lord says in Joel 3:9, 10, with what the nations say as recorded in Micah 4:2, 3, especially in verse 3. Observe also verses 4 and 5. In verse 4 the nations (people) lay claim to divine authority for their cry of peace and safety; but to all such false claims the Lord makes answer in Eze. 13:7: “Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken?” Observe also the compromise suggested in Micah 4:5 and ask yourself candidly if the God of the first and second commandments (Ex. 20:3-6) could by any possibility be a party to it. No, these are not the words of the Lord, but words spoken presumptuously in the name of the Lord. And this is evident even from the connection; for after the people have spoken, suggesting a compromise dishonoring to God, saying peace when there is no peace, the Lord Himself tells, from verse 6 to the close of the chapter, what He will do: He will gather His people, and the kingdom shall be given to the Lord Jesus Christ, even as promised in Ps. 2:8, 9. When and how the Lord gathers His people we learn from Matt. 25:31-34. With these Old Testament prophecies agree perfectly the predictions of the New Testament touching the same point. Rev. 11:18 tells us that “the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to Thy saints, and to them that fear Thy name,4small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” And again, in Rev. 16:13, 14, just before the Lord comes as a thief, the spirits of devils, stirring up for the last great conflict all the evil passions of men, gather them together to battle. Can we not now see in the light of current events how even the nations of the Western Continent must certainly be involved in the final clash of arms, which, according to the sure word of prophecy, can not be far off? “Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” C. P. B.