Time by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 1, 1875

Time.

By Jos. Clarke

How little is time appreciated by most except to be used for selfish purposes—for profit, or for pleasure, or ambition. But in the light of eternity, how few estimate time as it should be estimated, how few weigh this invaluable treasure in a proper balance! Our most valuable blessings are seldom appreciated until they are withheld from us for a time. The manna became by constant use so little valued that the people complained, murmured, and rebelled, while eating of this heavenly food.

Time is continued to us day by day; our season of probation is lengthened out; shall we undervalue this great blessing, and let the precious opportunity of repentance escape? There is a point of time in the life of each of us, which, if improved, would set our feet in the straight and narrow path that leads to a future life of glory, immortality, and infinite, unspeakable happiness, in the presence of God, of Jesus Christ, and angels, and the just made perfect in Heaven.

There was a period of time in which the antediluvians were warned of the coming deluge. At a certain set time the deluge came; at a certain appointed time the waters of the flood were assuaged, and earth again smiled in beauty and glory, although it was deprived of its former magnificence. So, for a long period, good men looked forward to the time when the Messiah should appear; and when that period of time arrived, the glorious One appeared. For a time he was the present Saviour; good men rejoiced with joy unspeakable; the unfortunate and the poor were relieved. But time flew relentlessly on, and the Messiah was here on earth personally no longer.

Since that time, good men have looked down the distant ages for the fulfillment of the predicted signs of his second coming. Those signs in sun, moon, and stars, have taken place, and now they know he is near, even at the doors. Soon he will come in all the glory of his Father; yes, the time is near. A little space of time and all the elect will be safely landed on the plains of paradise.

Time will run as before its steady course. A thousand years will the sun count in its annual circuits while the poor ruined earth lies in utter ruin without inhabitants; then the resurrection of the wicked will take place, the earth be in flames, and the last sinner consumed.

Time will not stay, but will rush on to final victory. The time will come when all these events will be past, and the purified earth will bloom as when first from the hand of the Creator. Time will verify the truth of prophecy, and will prove that Jehovah will do as he has said by the words of all his prophets.

Jos. CLARKE.