WHAT MANNER OF PERSONS OUGHT WE TO BE?
By Uriah Smith
“SEEING then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” 2 Pet. iii, 11, 12. The frequency with which admonitions of this and similar import are given throughout the Bible sufficiently attests the importance which was attached to them by the sacred writers. They are directed to those who are looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God—they are directed to us.—With their eye on the closing scenes of earth, the apostles have thrown out many words of encouragement, and have given many necessary cautions and warnings, to encourage and direct the children of God through the perils of the last days; and seeing what we see, and knowing what we know, we are prepared to appreciate their force in its fullest extent. Was there ever a time when the saints should heed the injunction, “Be ye holy, for I am holy;” when they should have their conversation in heaven, and their heart and their treasure there also, now is the time. Was there ever a time when every step should be taken with the most careful watchfulness by the servants of God, when every thought and word and deed should be prompted and approved by his holy Spirit, doubly should it be so at the present moment. As the world draws nearer and nearer to its termination, as the Deceiver, knowing that his time is short, multiplies his deceptive schemes, in geometrical progression, and weaves over the world a darker and a deeper web, so should the saints of God, with a steadier eye of faith, and a firmer trust, rely upon his promises; so should they with double diligence, and with firmer resolution press on to win the prize. One thought upon the position we now occupy, with the scenes that have transpired, and which are soon to transpire, will impress upon our minds the truthfulness of these remarks. We have settled upon our present belief not without reason, the Word of God, and the history of the past to sustain us; nor is it wholly with us a matter of belief; for what we see that we do know. We see the two-horned beast already doing his work; we see the angry nations restrained; the four winds being held that they hurt not the earth, nor sea, nor any tree, till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads; we see the third angel's message going forth and calling upon the length and breadth of the land a remnant who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; we see the spirits of devils, working miracles, going forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty; we see Satan working with all power; we see in the moral and political world, a storm of destruction fast gathering; and though inspiration was silent on the theme, though no prophet told it in unequivocal terms, it would require no prophetic eye to see that a day of darkness and distress is just upon the world, “a time of trouble such as never was.”—This we are expecting. We believe that the work of atonement will soon be finished, that Christ will soon leave his mediatorial position in the Sanctuary, and he that is filthy will be filthy still, and he that is holy will be holy still; when the guilty inhabitants of earth will be restrained no more by the grace of God, nor find a shelter from his hot displeasure. The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly. The harvest will soon be ready for the reapers, and all things human will have an end. Seeing then that we look for such things, what manner of persons ought we to be, hastening unto the coming of the day of God. Watch and be sober, is the Apostle's solemn warning; for they that sleep, sleep in the night, and that be drunken, are drunken in the night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breast-plate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thess. v, 6-8.—We are exhorted not to cast away our confidence, which hath great recompense of reward, but be patient, and stablish our hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh; but who shall abide the day of his coming, who shall stand when he appeareth?—He only who hath clean hands and a pure heart.—Hold that fast therefore which thou hast that no man take thy crown; and says the Lord Jesus, What I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH! U. S.