IS THE MILLENNIUM APPROACHING? by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 30, 1878

IS THE MILLENNIUM APPROACHING?

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

So we are told by the clergy of the day. They write beautiful essays, and call them sermons, on the coming condition of the world when the heathen shall be given to Christ, and he shall possess the uttermost parts of the earth. True, they forget to read that he will “rule them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Their fine sense of harmony will not allow them to notice that point, as it would mar the beauty of the picture of their own creation, and it might disturb some one in his dream of “peace and safety.” There are well toward a thousand millions of Pagans yet to be heard from on the great question of the conversion of the world; but we are constantly assured that the work is progressing rapidly; the world is growing better; the church is rising higher in piety and zeal; everything betokens the speedy evangelization of the nations.

But sometimes they are forced to take a common sense view of the state of things. At a meeting in Cleveland recently held, the following statement was made:—

“Rev. Dr. Coleman deprecated the lack of attendance at the meeting. We have fallen upon evil times. Let it be known that a missionary meeting is to be held, and some excuse will be offered for attending. There never was a more favorable opportunity for missionary work, and many often spend their money for unworthy objects when it might do much good if devoted to missions. It might be urged that the times are hard, but the hearts of many are harder. It is necessary to Christianize those outside of Christian influence as there was danger of dechristianization of those within the pale of the church.”

It is just so, and every one can see it. Not the conversion of the outside world, but the “dechristianization of those within the pale of the church,” is evidently fast progressing. The superficial conversions under such superficial men as Mr. E. P. Hammond is exactly calculated to amalgamate the church and the world. They who have the form of godliness are destitute of the power thereof, and are lovers of their own selves, and of pleasures, more than lovers of God. 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

Why will people be so blinded as to shut their eyes to the plainest declarations of the inspired word, and to the facts everywhere occurring, and cry “Peace and safety,” when “sudden destruction” is impending?

J. H. Waggoner.

Cook’s Corners, O.