Scripture versus National Reform.
By A. H. Will
THE Christian Statesman of Feb. 11, 1886, contains some "fundamental principles" which it seeks to promulgate. Among others, under the heading, "The Kingly Office of Jesus Christ," we find the following: "The word of prophecy indicates that the final and decisive struggle which shall issue in the subjugation of the world to Christ is to turn on the claims of his kingly office." In proof of this proposition the writer cites Dan. 7; Rev. 11: 15-17; 19: 11-16; and from these texts draws conclusions which differ as widely from the teaching of the word of God, as the darkest night differs from the clearest day. We think none will deny that the passages of Scripture cited above teach that the world will finally be brought under subjection to Christ, and that he will be "King of kings and Lord of lords." But as to the manner in which this will be accomplished, there is a wide difference of opinion. The National Reform advocates, of which the Christian Statesman is the chief organ, teach that our country will be brought under subjection to Christ, by placing the name of God in our Constitution, and by amending it, so as "to place all Christian laws, institutions, and usages, on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land." Of course it is understood that these Christian laws, institutions, and usages must be in harmony with the will of this National Reform Party; and behold, thus it is done, and Christ rules according to the dictum of the National Reformers! Grand consummation of earthly glory this will be! and woe unto them who dare to "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," and so disobey this dragonic alliance of Church and State. The seventh chapter of Daniel contains no evidence that any nation of mortal beings will ever willingly acknowledge Christ as its king. True, it does state that the time will come when "all dominions shall serve and obey him," but from verses 13 and 14, we learn that this dominion is given him by the Ancient of Days—by him who is from everlasting to everlasting. Ps. 90: 2. This is in harmony with the second chapter (verse 44), where it is stated that the God of Heaven will set up this kingdom of Christ. Verse 45 shows clearly that this kingdom will be set up without any human agencies; for it will be set up without hands. God says he will set it up himself. It will never be done by the erring hands of the National Reform Party. Besides this, the "dominions" that serve and obey him are composed of the saints who will have been made immortal that they may "possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever." Rev. 11: 15-17 contains no statement whatever, as to how this kingdom of Christ will be established, but verse 18, which the Christian Statesman has undoubtedly overlooked, contains a statement which is fatal to this National Reform theory. We read: "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged." Compare Rev. 1: 7; Matt. 24: 30; 25: 31-34; Rom. 2: 12, 16. The nations are angry when the kingdoms of this world are brought under subjection to Christ, and the wrath of God will be poured out upon them. Just think of the wrath of God being poured out on a nation that loves and obeys Christ! Absurd! With their mouth (or constitution) the nations may profess to love and obey Christ, but the hearts of the people and rulers will be far from him, for when all rule and authority are given him he will "break them with a rod of iron," and "dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Ps. 2: 9. In Rev. 19: 14, 15, we are informed what Christ will do as King of kings. How the Christian Statesman can quote this as being in harmony with its National Reform theory, is beyond comprehension by any mind not initiated in the mysteries of National Reform. The text reads thus: "And the armies which were in Heaven followed him [Christ] upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." By the armies in Heaven the nations are brought under subjection to Christ, saith the Lord, not by the help of the fallible human army of National Reform. This King of kings will smite the nations and break them in pieces, so that they will become like the chaff of the summer threshing floor. Dan. 2: 35. The 19th verse, which is not included in the reference of the Christian Statesman, reads thus: "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army." Thus we see that when he comes whose right the dominion of the earth is, the nations of the earth, instead of crying, "Lo this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us," will array their armies against him, and will be utterly consumed. Verses 20, 21. In view of these things the prophet says: "Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your hands be made strong; for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth." Isa. 28: 22. It is clearly and unmistakably revealed by these and many other passages of Scripture, that the National Reform theory is unscriptural, and so has no foundation other than in the imagination of the self-styled National Reformers. In view of these facts we ask the Christian Statesman in its own words, Do you "know how to read" the Bible? "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that they prophecy unto you; they make you vain." Jer. 23: 16. And why?—Because "they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord." Ibid. And now when we abide by the word of God, and refuse to accept the unscriptural deductions of National Reform, the Statesman accuses us of being in "voluntary darkness or willful infidelity." We leave it to the reader to judge who is most deserving of this accusation.