THE STRAIGHT PATH by E. Hilliard

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 25, 1886

THE STRAIGHT PATH.

By E. Hilliard

"The Bible is so strict and old-fashioned," said a young man to a gray-haired friend who was advising him to study God's word if he would learn how to live. "There are plenty of books written nowadays that are moral enough in their teaching, and do not bind one down as the Bible does." The old merchant turned to his desk and took out two rulers, one of which was slightly bent. With each of these he ruled a line, and silently handed the ruled paper to his companion. "Well," said the lad, "what do you mean?" "One line is not straight and true is it? When you mark out your path in life, do not take a crooked ruler!"

Importance of Prophecy.

WEBSTER defines prophecy as follows: "A declaration of something to come; an inspired foretelling."

Prophecy, then, is of the utmost importance to us, as it points out future events and makes known God's dealings with mankind. It is certainly desirable to know what is to take place in our generation. It has been the privilege of every generation to know what events were pending in their day. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3: 7.

The prophecies of the Bible span the whole history of the world. Great events that were to occur at certain periods have been distinctly foretold, and heralded by signs and warnings. Heaven has ever been most deeply interested in the salvation of men. Man is his own enemy in the matter of his salvation. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" This inclination to do wickedly has led the great majority in every generation to depart from God and to disregard his word. This has made it necessary for God to chastise the people from time to time, with some great punishment. But he never has done this in any age without first giving them warning. Signs have preceded any punishment that God was about to inflict.

One of the most remarkable instances where the people were warned by signs and supernatural sights, was just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem. As we read of the wonderful precursors that heralded its desolation, we can scarcely credit the stupidity of her citizens in not recognizing their danger.

The Saviour had cautioned his disciples that when they should see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel stand in the holy place, they should leave the city and flee to the mountains. Matt. 24: 15, 16. Here, then, the Saviour referred them to the sign that the prophet had foretold as an omen of the doom of that city. Luke makes this warning still plainer in the 21st chapter of his Gospel and the 20th and 21st verses: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains."

How plain! It would seem that no other signal need have been given, and yet we are told that supernatural sights appeared, foreboding disaster and doom. We quote from "Great Controversy," vol. 4, pages 31, 32, as follows:—

"A comet, resembling a flaming sword, for a year hung over the city. An unnatural light was seen hovering over the temple. Upon the clouds were pictured chariots mustering for battle. Mysterious voices in the temple court uttered the warning words, 'Let us depart hence.' The eastern gate of the inner court, which was of brass, and so heavy that it was with difficulty shut by a score of men, and having bolts fastened deep into the firm pavement, was seen at midnight to be opened of its own accord.

"For seven years a man continued to go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, declaring the woes that were to come upon the city. By day and by night he chanted the wild dirge, 'A voice from the east; a voice from the west; a voice from the four winds; a voice against Jerusalem and the temple; a voice against the bridegroom and the bride; and a voice against all the people.'" Also see Josephus, book 6, chap. 5.

Notwithstanding these wonderful demonstrations, the great majority perished in the siege. Just as the Saviour had predicted, the armies encompassed Jerusalem. When everything seemed favorable for an attack, they withdrew. All who took heed to the prophecy seized the opportune moment, and fled to the mountains, while the careless, and those who prided themselves on being the chosen people of God, thinking themselves safe, remained in the city. Soon the armies returned, and it is stated by Josephus that over eleven hundred thousand Jews miserably perished in the siege. They knew not their doom until it was too late.

No less stupid is the present generation to the fulfillment of the prophetic word. The signs that were to appear in the heavens, viz., the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars (Matt. 24: 29) have all appeared, and are recorded by historians as supernatural events. For the darkening of the sun, see Webster's unabridged Dictionary, art. Dark Day; for the falling of the stars, see "New American Cyclopedia."

Aside from these signs, other premonitions that are of an unparalleled nature are almost continually occurring around us. Luke, after speaking of the above signs, says: "And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity." To show the condition of the nations a few years ago, we quote from the San Francisco Chronicle of Jan. 30, 1875, as follows:—

"A careful survey of the European situation seems sufficient to justify a belief in the prediction of the enthusiasts who declare that the true interpretation of John's Apocalyptic vision shows that, 'The battle of the great day of God Almighty, at Armageddon,' is actually at hand. All Europe is at present one vast camp. The nations are arming from the British Channel to the Ural Mountains, from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, as if with a prophetic understanding that a terrible and portentous crisis is at hand. The nations are becoming armies; the general masses of the people are being turned into soldiers. The arsenals are busy shaping more deadly weapons of destruction than were ever before known. The foundries are casting colossal cannon, compared with which those heretofore used in warfare are but children's toys."

The outlook ten years later (1885) is certainly no less appalling. With socialism and nihilism in all countries, can we not see the fulfilling of the prediction, "And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity?"

The Lord further predicts: "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." Luke 21: 26, 27.

Tidal waves, cyclones, and electric storms seem to be the order of the present age. The Interior speaking of them says:—

"The cyclones, tornadoes, water-spouts, and tidal waves of a few years past are the most remarkable of any recorded in history." This fact is indisputable. The very elements are in disorder. Nature herself seems to be unsettled. Like the rushing waters before the cataract, and the preliminary chills and pains before dissolution, these naturally impress the mind as portents of the terrible day of God. These are evidently referred to in Luke 21: 25 as signs of the day of Judgment. Such atmospheric and cosmic disturbances cause the "roaring of the sea and waves."

The prophet Daniel makes a prediction that is most significant of the end of the world: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12: 4.

From the above scripture we conclude that near the end of time there will be an increase of knowledge. Have we reached such a period? Let us glance about and see. If we look for the fulfillment in religious knowledge, we have only to notice a few facts. In 1429, the enormous sum of two hundred and twenty-five dollars was paid for the New Testament. Now, the whole Bible can be purchased for forty cents. If a man is too poor to buy a Bible, it is given to him. The different Bible societies have issued, since their organization, ninety million copies of the Scriptures. Is not this in the providence of God, so that just before the destiny of all is decided, each one can have a Bible to investigate, whether rich or poor? If found unprepared, shall we not be without excuse?

With all this prophetic chain before us, and its remarkable fulfillment, but few will discern the signs of the times. The great majority will slumber on, as did the inhabitants of Jerusalem, until the coming Son of man thrusts in his sickle to reap the harvest of the earth. The nearness of the event should serve as an incentive to make a speedy preparation to meet our Saviour in peace. Why not heed the words of the apostle Peter? "We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Pet. 1: 19, 20.