Come and See by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1874

Come and See.

By Uriah Smith

WHEN the first of the seven seals was broken, that the servants of God might read from the unfolding scroll a record of the things that were soon to come to pass, John says that he heard one of the living beings before the throne, saying with a voice like the noise of thunder, “Come and see.”

In no dispensation does God do his work in a corner. He does not call his created intelligences to an examination of his plans and purposes with a voice so weak that but few, or none, can hear it. But he sends forth the proclamation through heaven and earth.

His own voice once shook this solid globe, when he spoke his law in grandeur from Sinai. A strong angel with a loud voice challenges heaven and earth to produce a being that is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof, except the Lamb that was slain. The living beings before God's throne, say to all with a voice of thunder, Come and see. Angels proclaim with a loud voice the everlasting gospel to every nation, tongue, and kindred, on the face of the earth.

All this indicates that God's truth is not to be shut up in secrecy. It never has been, it never will be. And the closing work is no exception to this rule. It is a world-wide message of mercy. It is to go with a loud voice. The truth courts publicity. It sends forth no challenges for controversy; but it invites all to come to the light and receive its benefits. It loudly calls upon all to come and see. Come and see in what period of this world's history our lot is cast. Come and see the perils and dangers that surround us. Come and see the purposes that God has to fulfill in the near future. Come and see the path of safety and salvation, and make haste to walk therein.

Parents, come and see. Children, come and see. Young and old, come and see. Professor, backslider, sinner, come and see. Thus the truth for this time, now calls upon all in thunder tones.

And this is but the prelude to a higher and more joyous note which shall be heard in a little while, from “a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Hallelujah; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Rev. 19: 6, 7. U. S.