AT EASE IN ZION by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1877

AT EASE IN ZION.

By R. F. Cottrell

Believer.—THE great day of the Lord is at hand; we are even now in “the day of his preparation;” and in view of this the meek and the righteous even are commanded to seek meekness and righteousness that they may be secure in that day. “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zeph. 2:3.

Professor.—I don’t think any one knows whether that day is near or far off. It may come to-day or to-morrow, or it may not come in ten thousand years. It matters not to me when it comes, if I am only prepared.

B.—But the Lord promised to give signs of the near approach of that day,—“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” Joel 2: 30, 31. Said Jesus, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Lu. 21: 25–27. Again, “The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” “When ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.” The signs have appeared according to this promise. Do you know that his coming is at the doors?

P.—I don’t profess to know more than the angels of heaven and the Son of God himself. He says, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

B.—Very true; and he says this in immediate connection with the command to know that it is near, even at the doors. Cannot these expressions be reconciled with each other? Does the Son of God contradict himself? Is it not possible to know that the coming of that day is near at hand, though it be impossible to know the day or the hour? To make the Lord contradict himself is infidelity, and not faith. If I cannot know that his coming is even at the doors, and not know the exact time, I am an infidel, and not a Christian.

P.—I don’t know that the signs have appeared.

B.—Do you know that they have not appeared?

P.—Well, I don’t think my salvation depends on my knowing when that day is coming. If I am living a Christian life, I shall be safe.

B.—Your salvation is a matter of consequence; but the salvation of others is of equal importance. There are thousands of precious souls, professors and non-professors, that are out of the ark of safety; and did you never think that your salvation might depend upon your faithfulness in warning them to flee from the wrath to come? God has not only promised signs by which we may know that the day is at hand, but he has promised the whole world a warning, to be given through his people. When that terrible day is near at hand, the prophetic command to his people is, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1.

The meaning of this prophecy is, that when that day is near at hand, the alarm will be given to the inhabitants of the earth; and it will be given through God’s obedient people; the command to them is, Blow ye the trumpet; sound ye the alarm. Should not you obey? Should not your voice be heard in warning sinners of their danger that they may escape? Concerning the time that Christ rode into Jerusalem, a prophet had said, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” The time came for its fulfillment. Jesus rode to Jerusalem as predicted. The people rejoiced and shouted. But unbelievers said, “Master, rebuke thy disciples.” Which class did the will of God on that occasion? All must say, “Those that fulfilled the divine injunction of the prophet.” They had the approval of the Master.

Now when the day of the Lord is near at hand, which will be approved, those who heed the signs fulfilled, and raise their voices in giving the warning to save others, or those that acknowledge not the signs, give no warning, thinking that all is well if they are only prepared? The warning is being given. The three proclamations of Rev. 14: 6–12 are being sounded to the world. Have you not a duty to do? Are you at ease in Zion, content to let this work all be done, and you have no part in it? Do believers in the advent at hand trouble you? Would you have them rebuked, that they should hold their peace? If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Have faith in God. Unite with his faithful people in giving the final warning to mankind. Then you may have the satisfaction of seeing yourself saved in the soon-coming day, and of seeing others saved as the fruit of your faithfulness. “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.”

R. F. Cottrell.