p. 203 | Signs of the Times by Sarah A. Dunbar

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1873

Signs of the Times.

By Sarah A. Dunbar

The Scriptures teach “that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Tim. 4:1. Is it not even so? Some make a start to serve God, but after a short time lose their love for him. Desirous of earthly gain and popularity, they soon come under Satan’s contaminating influence, when they sink deep into sin, and will sink still deeper unless they turn at once and do their first works. “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24:37. They laughed at Noah’s belief in a flood, as they do now at our faith in Christ’s soon coming. Those who do not heed this warning will suffer the wrath of God poured out without any mixture of mercy.

Lot gave the people warning in his day that God was about to destroy the city of Sodom, but they heeded not the warning. “The same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all;” “even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:29, 30. “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” 1 Thess. 5:3.

Daniel was to seal up the book, even to the time of the end; and as time is drawing to a close, God has prepared a people to give the warning and proclaim the third angel’s message to a perishing world.

The church is taught to be ever looking for Christ’s appearing, then they that are ready will go in to the marriage, and the door will be shut. Matt. 25:10. Christians ought always to be watching, for we know not when the time is. The Master may come at even, at midnight, or in the morning. Watch, “lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.” Mark 13:36.

Sinners are commanded to repent, and be converted, that their sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come. Acts 3:19. How slow we are to believe, and how few of us will be saved unless we seek that godly sorrow which “worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of;” that our sins may go beforehand to judgment. May the Lord help us to take our stand on the side of truth, and if we meet with trials, take them to the Lord in prayer, believing that, if we cast all our burdens on the “Burden-bearer,” he will give us the required strength to overcome this wicked world, and to gain victory over death, and a home in the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world for those who love and fear his holy name.

SARAH A. DUNBAR.