THE LAST DAYS by C. H. Bliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 11, 1877

THE LAST DAYS.

By C. H. Bliss

The last days are described as “perilous times:” when “some shall depart from the faith,” because that Satan works with all power and signs and lying wonders;” when evil spirits have such power, “that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

The last days are also compared to the “days of Noah,” and the “days of Lot,” when God declared that the wickedness of man was so great in the earth “that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually; and when “they were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.”

From the above testimony we are forced to believe that the people of the last generation are very wicked. But many are at a loss to harmonize this with the thought that we are now living in the last generation. It cannot be denied, that the world has improved in many respects, especially in knowledge. “And knowledge shall be increased.” But has there been a corresponding increase of godliness? Knowledge does not of necessity produce morality; the two are not always concomitant; yet knowledge does increase our responsibility; and we are responsible according to our ability.

The servant who has ten talents and improves only five is equally guilty with him who has two and improves only one. This principle is very plainly taught by Christ, in contrasting the guilt of Capernaum with that of Sodom. Speaking of Capernaum, he says, “For if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.” “But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of Judgment, than for thee.”

There is no evidence that the inhabitants of Capernaum were guilty of so gross crimes as the Sodomites, yet they were the greater sinners. Christ often taught in their synagogue, and wrought mighty works there. It was called “his own city.” Thus they sinned against light and known duty, by not repenting, and embracing Christ. Sodom did not enjoy this light, consequently her guilt was less. So with the men of the last generation. They have more light than those of former ages; and although they may not, as a whole, commit such abhorrent crimes as the Antediluvians or the Sodomites, yet they may be accounted greater sinners; as the degree of guilt is determined by the degree of light or knowledge. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.”

C. H. BLISS.

Henry, Ill., Oct. 30, 1876.