THE “PEACE-AND-SAFETY” CRY.
By X. Y. Z.
1. THE true servant of God will warn the wicked of danger, and shun not to speak the whole counsel of God. Witness: “If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” See Eze. 33:1–11, also 2 Tim. 4:1–5; Acts 20:20, 27. 2. The cry of the false prophet has ever been one of peace and assurance in the time of danger. Witness: “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14. See also Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 13 and 22, and many other places. 3. A marked feature of the message which God will give to the world in the last days is that of warning and alarm. Witness: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy city; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. See also Rev. 14:6, 7. 4. God will place evidence of this message, not only in the Word, but He will write it in visible signs everywhere. Witness: “And there shall be signs [1] in the sun, [2] and in the moon, [3] and in the stars; [4] and upon the earth distress of nations, [5] with perplexity; [6] the sea and the waves roaring; [7] men’s hearts failing them for fear, [8] and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25–27. Here are eight signs, some of which are indicative of the wildest commotions, and there are many others, such as war preparations, heaping up of riches, etc. 5. The great day of the Lord, in the beginning of which Christ will return, will come upon the world as a thief. Witness: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” 2 Peter 3:10. 6. Yet, notwithstanding all the signs and warnings, the peace-and-safety cry will be heard. 7. But this cry will be but a precursor of the end. Witness: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” 1 Thess. 5:3. There will be another class who will heed the warning message, who will be watching, and who will not be overtaken as a thief. Witness: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” See 1 Thess. 5:1–6. NOTE.—Is it not plain that those who wish to escape the terrors of the day of the Lord must heed the warning message which God gives? And is it not also plain that the cry of “Peace and safety” which is raised, is Satan’s effort to soothe men to slumber in the midst of danger? Happy is he who knows God’s warnings to be “a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn.” 2 Peter 1:19. X. Y. Z.