LOOK UP by S. H. Durland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1877

LOOK UP.

By S. H. Durland

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21: 28.

Seventh-day Adventists have believed in, and been talking of, the soon coming of Christ for the past quarter of a century; and in connection with this, we claim to have the last warning message to deliver to this world before this great event takes place. On every hand, we notice events that are fulfilling prophecy, and sounding the warning in our ears, The Lord is coming. Oh! how these things should arouse God’s people to action!

For some years we have been watching the countries of the Old World, believing that they have been acting a great part in the fulfilling of the prophecies of Dan. 11. We have so far seen that all has been fulfilled but what is contained in the last verse, and events that may lead to the speedy fulfillment of the remainder are taking place before our eyes. The prophet says that after this is fulfilled Michael shall stand up, “the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people.” Do we not see the signs thickening around us? and can we see these things without asking ourselves, Are we ready? and have we done what the Lord has required us to do?

We can hear the cry of peace and safety on every hand. Only last week I heard a prominent minister, while discoursing on the effects of infidelity, say that the world was better to-day than it had been in the past, and the great millennium would soon be ushered in. Oh! what a deception Satan is palming off upon the people to lull them to sleep! The apostle Paul gives us words that we should heed at this time: “Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thess. 5:6.

It seems to me that we have arrived at a time when we can feel that we shall soon see the object of our hope, and that the time to work for our fellow-men is very, very, short. Are we working as earnestly, and have we as much faith, as those who bore a part in the great advent movement in 1844? While the churches are being lulled to sleep by the peace and safety cry, and scoffers still continue to scoff, God’s people should look up; for they will soon be delivered. The apostle says, “But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Fearful words! While some believe to the saving of the soul, others doubt the work of God in the present message, become impatient, cast away their confidence in the way the Lord has led his people, and give up their experience as the work of man or of Satan, and draw back toward perdition.

The apostle continues, as he speaks in behalf of the faithful: “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” These words are the language of saving faith. Having sufficient evidence that God had led them out from the world, and from a fallen church, to wait for his Son from Heaven, they stand fast. They see the golden chain of truth, illustrated by the three messages of Rev. 14: 6-12, which explains and harmonizes the past, gives certainty to the present, and lights up the future; and joyfully they embrace it. Of these, it can truly be said, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.” S. H. DURLAND.

Sigourney, Iowa.