THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
By Elder F. M. Wilcox
IN the twenty-first chapter of Luke we have recorded the same discourse by our Lord as is given in Matthew 24. Luke's record, however, is somewhat different, in that he omits some things given by Matthew, and records other points of which Matthew does not speak. In addition to the signs in the heavens, Luke speaks of the state of the nations, and of disturbances to be witnessed in the ocean just prior to the coming of the Lord: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the 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 that are coming upon the earth; for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." Verses 25, 26. The signs in the sun, moon, and stars we have already noticed in preceding articles. In this we wish to notice the state of the nations just before the end of time. What their state will be we have pointed out in the scripture quoted above. There shall be upon the earth DISTRESS OF NATIONS WITH PERPLEXITY.
That this condition is present among the nations of the world to-day, it needs no long argument to demonstrate. Whether we consider the nations of earth in their social, political, or religious phase, we see among them everywhere sore distress and perplexity. Distress by famine, by disease, by race persecution, by secret and social combinations, by political corruption and degeneracy, in capital versus labor, in burdensome taxes for the support of vast armies,—in all these phases of political and social life are there widespread distress, anxiety, and perplexity. In proof of these statements wanted, we need only to refer to the state of the nations to-day, as chronicled in the public prints during the last few months. For distress by famine, we have only to remember the bitter cry for help wrung from Russia's starving millions a few short months ago, and the food-laden ships of sustenance we forwarded to alleviate their afflictions. Also the want for bread and life's necessities, and poverty, wretchedness, and misery witnessed continually in all our large centers of civilization, both in the New World and Old. For distress by disease, we have but to recount the many victims of cholera's ruthless visit one year ago, and not only the victims of that terrible scourge, but those falling daily and hourly into the grasp of some other last-day disorder, nearly if not quite as fatal. Medical science stands aghast at these deadly maladies, unable to cope with their fearful onslaughts. For distress by race persecution, we can point to the ill-fated Jew, never at rest since the destruction of his national greatness under Solomon, but called upon anew in our day to drink the cup of gall and bitterness by the Russian autocrat. The secret and social combinations in some of our last-day governments have become their bane. The Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists of Germany, the Communists of France, and the Anarchists of our own government have made uneasy many heads that wear crowns; and men in State and responsible positions feel that there is indeed just cause for alarm over these secret guilds of society, who are planning general chaos and destruction. In the matter of political degeneracy and corruption we have only to look at the recent disclosures in the great Panama Canal scandal in France, where the honor and integrity of the greatest men of the French Republic were sold for gold. Grave fears were entertained that the excited and enraged populace would rise up in indignation, and that there would be reënacted the horrors of the French revolution. The problem of capital and labor is coming to be a most perplexing one to social and political economists. The relation of employer and employe are becoming so complicated and strained every year that the outcome of the question is regarded with deep anxiety. It is hoarded wealth and ill-gotten gains in many instances on one hand, and the mad struggle for bread on the part of the millions of wage workers on the other. The fact that inside of two months, during the great labor strikes in our own country last summer, the militia were called out in three States to suppress riots and keep in check the infuriated people, is a sad but true commentary of the condition already reached upon this issue. But perhaps one of the most significant indications to-day of the wild unrest that fills the minds of the nations, is the strained political relations existing between them. Each is regarding with a jealous and critical eye the doings of its neighbors, and each is looking for some crisis in the near future, though of its nature or results none have definite ideas. Bishop Foster, writing to the Christian Advocate a few years ago, gives this thrilling account of the state of Europe. The few intervening months since this account was written, have by no means lessened the force of its application to the situation of affairs to-day. If it described matters accurately then, it falls short in portraying fully the unrest of Europe at the present time:— One cannot long sojourn in Europe without feeling how exceedingly sensitive all political relations are. The quiet is never assuring. There are so many colliding interests among the different powers, and so many internal questions, that any moment may culminate in a wide and ruinous conflagration. The very air pulsates with danger. No power can move, or even silently grow, without disturbing all the rest. India is feverish; Egypt is in unrest; Turkey is a prey around which the vultures are gathered; Greece is dissatisfied; Austria, Germany, France, Italy, and England are distrustful of each other; the Nihilists, Communists, and other guilds of destructionists are341planning and scheming general chaos; and so the nations, from India to the isles of Britain, are liable at any new complication to break forth into the flames of war. There is so much at stake, such vast interests of civilization and human advancement, political and religious, that it cannot but cause great anxiety to all thoughtful observers, as well as make uneasy all heads that wear crowns. What will come next? is a question propounded every day over all these uneasy surfaces of our globe, and the only rest to be found is to faith in an overruling Power, who will somehow, out of the many alarming possibilities, work to the general progress and welfare. The thought that some great crisis is inevitable seems to have fastened itself upon the minds of every European ruler. What will be its outcome none can, of course, predict; but whenever the issue may come and whatever interests it may involve, each power is determined to obtain its full share of spoil at any cost. The terribleness of such a conflict may be judged by the armed forces of Europe today. According to Mr. Labouchere, as published in the Western British American of March 4, Austria already has an army of 1,050,000; Italy, of 1,514,000; Germany, of 2,417,000; Russia, of 2,451,000; and France, of 2,500,000. The total fighting force of Europe is stated to be 12,599,000, and upon this vast host there is spent annually the sum of more than $1,000,000,000. It seems that Europe might rest satisfied with this mighty host, but the strained relations existing between the States, the fear and perplexity of threatening danger, cause each to vie with every other in preparations for deadly strife. The figures given above impart but an imperfect idea of the state of things that will presently exist, as soon as the new military laws shall have come into full effect. Then the German army will comprise 5,000,000 men; the French, 4,350,000; the Russian, 4,000,000; the Italian, 2,236,000; the Austrian, 1,900,000; the Swiss, 489,000; and the Belgian, 258,000. Altogether Europe will be able to dispose not less than 22,000,000 soldiers, or 15,000,000 more than she had in 1869. As these vital points regarding the social and political state of the nations are considered, who cannot feel that the prophecy is meeting with a striking fulfillment to-day. Distress and perplexity are found in every nation, and in every phase of national existence. No thoughtful mind can watch these silent preparations without feeling that underneath its surface there is a fearful unrest, a depth and turbulence of feeling which sometime will manifest itself in fearful convulsions. Men to-day may cry peace, but every indication points to war. Instead of beating their swords into plowshares, the nations are beating their plowshares into swords, and their pruning hooks into spears. Joel 3: 9-12. We are in the last days of our world's history, and the wild unrest we see to-day is but the condition foretold by our Saviour, "distress of nations with perplexity." We can look for better days only under the glorious future reign of the Prince of Peace. In the signs taking place around us, may we read correctly the lesson God designs to reveal to us.