TRUE BELIEVERS AT THE ADVENT.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
The believers in Christ who shall be alive at his second coming, will be Adventists in the sense that they will believe that his coming is near; because, 1. Signs of his coming were promised. Luke 21:25–27. 2. True believers, those who are not hypocrites, will discern the signs of the times. Matt. 16:3; Luke 12:56. 3. Hence, true believers at that time will be Adventists, that is, they will believe the truth that his coming is at hand, and will be expecting him when he comes. Should I live till that time, I hope to be an Adventist in truth. The promised signs have appeared; and, as the consequence, two classes are being developed. One class believe that Christ’s coming is at hand; the other class stand opposed to those who avow and proclaim this faith. Reader, which of these classes will be right when the Lord shall come? Which is the safe side now? The opposing sides in this controversy will exist till the Lord does come. Will it not be better in that day to be an Adventist? When Christ comes, true believers will be keepers of the commandments of God. Rev. 14:12, 14. If they keep these commandments, they will be Sabbath-keepers; for this is required by the commandments. And if they keep the Sabbath, they will keep the seventh day; for “the seventh day is the Sabbath.” Therefore, when the harvest is ripe, and the Son of man comes to “thrust in the sickle and reap,” true believers will not only be Adventists, but Seventh-day Adventists. The preaching of the last messages (Rev. 14:6–12) has produced such a people; and they are being developed and becoming known in all the earth. In the soon-coming day it will be desirable to bear these characteristics, and be numbered with this people. Is it not best to attend to it now? We cannot be too early, but we may be too late. R. F. COTTRELL.