THE FIRST AND GREATEST STRIKE.
By H. A. St. John
STRIKES between men and men in this our day are becoming quite frequent, and are often quite extended in their scope, and serious in their results. It is not improbable that in some instances the strikers are in the right; as regards the principle for which they contend. Yet perhaps it is rarely the case that the right is all on one side and the wrong on the other. But it is not my present purpose to inquire into the causes that have led to any of these strikes among men. My intention is to notice some features and fruits of the first as well as the greatest strike in the universe of God, at least within the annals of history. This strike is not a dead issue—a thing of bygone days; it is still on. It is even now increasing with interest and intensity with the rolling years. And what makes it of special interest to all is the fact that every accountable human being is on one side or the other of this strike; and in this case the strikers are wholly in the wrong, in principle, in spirit, and in action. This first and greatest strike is not under the leadership of Debs and Sovereign, but the devil. It began in heaven. Lucifer, an exalted angel, was the leader. He had a good situation, and every needed blessing, but he wanted to be equal to his Creator and Employer, hence struck for a higher place. Many sympathetic strikes soon followed. Out of misplaced sympathy many angels struck, and joined Lucifer. The great Ruler in heaven repeatedly offered to reinstate Satan, and take all the rebel strikers back to favor and service, on condition of repentance, but they would not, said they had nothing to arbitrate—had done no wrong. When all hope of reconciliation was cut off, then came the final crisis—a pitched battle. The strikers met with an ignominious defeat. Having voluntarily gone out of God's counsel and service, they were violently cast out of heaven. The next we hear of the strikers was in this beautiful world at its very beginning. God had just finished the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that in them is. Adam and Eve, the first human pair, were put in full possession; dominion was given them, subject, of course, to the Creator of all. God fitted up a paradise—the beautiful Eden—for the capital of the New World. Here they were surrounded with everything that was beautiful to look upon and good to live upon. All was theirs but just one tree, which their Employer reserved sacred to himself. All was perfect bliss till one day that old arch-striker the devil, who had lost his throne and first estate, paid the new rulers a visit in their royal palace. He made the queen a very pleasing speech, spiced with lies. He told her they ought to own and control everything, specially that particular tree. He said eating of that fruit did not mean death to the strikers. She believed him and struck, and a little later Adam, out of sympathy for her, struck too, and they were immediately struck with death, and so all their posterity have to die because of that first great strike in this world. As a result they lost their dominion, and were driven out of their beautiful Eden home. From that time long ago this strike against the government and service of God has continued, often raging with fearful violence, the greater part of the human race being out in this unjust and wicked strike all the time. One of the immediate sons of Adam and Eve struck against the service of God—became violent, and struck his brother dead. This was the first fatal result of a wicked strike to an innocent person. Since then millions of the true, loyal, and righteous servants of the living God have lost their lives by the violent hands of wicked strikers. All persecutors of the servants of God are violent strikers of the Cain tribe. All persons who are living in knowing and willful disobedience to the commandments of God are strikers, and can never be depended upon to treat with justice or mercy the loyal subjects of God's government. Persons who willfully dishonor their parents in purpose or deed are strikers. Persons who murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, or covet, in purpose or deed, are wicked strikers. Those whose interests and affections are not centered in God as supreme, or who bow in worship to images, or profane the name of God, are rebellious strikers. Sabbath breakers, all who know the true Sabbath of God's appointment, and persist in making it void by a tradition, are rebellious strikers. All such will favor human enactments that will work discomfort and oppression to those who are loyal to God's law both in letter and spirit. The backbone of this long strike of nearly six thousand years was broken when Jesus, the loyal Son of God, came to this rebellious world. He was true to his heavenly Father's government, in service, in heart, and letter. The great arch-striker could not swerve him from his loyalty, and so had him crucified. But Jesus triumphed over death, and through him is opened a way for all rebellious strikers against the government and service of God to return to their allegiance. And then, when the rebellion is wiped out, as it will be in a little while, all who have returned through Jesus to the loyal service of God, will be reinstated in Paradise, in a new earth, where they will delight themselves in the abundance of peace forever. But if the strikers persist in their rebellion, continue to neglect the great salvation provided, and will not return, then the time will surely come when their names must needs go on the black list. Then, having sinned away the day of grace, having committed the unpardonable sin, having passed over the dead line, they cannot find forgiveness in this world nor the world to come. He that is then unrighteous and filthy must forever so remain. They are discharged, and forever debarred from entering the blessed service of the High and Holy One. Their names are on the black list, and the blackness and darkness of the second death will be their portion, when this long, bitter, violent, wicked, and widespread strike is wiped out from the universe of God forever. Reader, where stand you?