PEOPLE are not apt to think of the prophecies as something that call for an absolutely definite fulfilment. But we should call to mind that the God of the Bible, the Author of all true prophecy, is also the God of all nature. He is the mighty Creator of all things. And in all His created works there is absolute accuracy displayed. All nature shows that it is operating under definite law. The chemist or the astronomer, as well as any other man that is dealing with true science, knows that definite law pervades everything, so that he can count with infinite accuracy on the results that he is seeking to secure.
But nowhere is this infinite accuracy that is displayed in nature any more striking in its operations than in the field of Bible prophecy. God calls for definite things, in the prophecies of His Word; and marvelous accuracy is displayed in their fulfilment. Two weeks ago we commented on one of the prophecies that speak of the amassing of wealth in this time, and promised to give at a later date other prophecies that speak in the same definite way about the operations of the money power that would characterize the closing hours of earth's history. To keep the whole matter in mind, let us quote again the prophecy referred to in that issue:
"But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away." 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
Courtesy "Scientific American"
Let us observe that the text says that the last days are to be made grievous because men shall be lovers of self and lovers of money. And not only will they be loving self and money, but they will have a long list of other leading characteristics. We will not comment further upon this text, but will refer the reader to what was said two weeks ago. But in harmony with our promise, we present the text which follows, and invite the reader to give it careful attention:
"Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. Ye have laid up your treasure in the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who mowed your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth out; and the cries of them that reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure; ye have nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned, ye have killed the righteous one; he doth not resist you.
"Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the Judge standeth before the doors." James 5:1-9.
Courtesy "Scientific American"
It is necessary only to observe carefully what the foregoing text from James says, in order to see how accurately and remarkably it is meeting its fulfilment right before our eyes in this very time. It is in perfect accord with the text from Paul, and gives some added particulars.
In the first place, the text draws attention to the weeping and howling that the rich will pass through because of the miseries that are coming upon them. Their riches are not honestly acquired, neither are they properly used; for attention is called to the hire of the laborer that is kept back by fraud. The laborer is not properly rewarded. And because the laborer is not getting his just reward, the wealth of the rich is "heaped" together, as expressed in the King James Version. Their riches are corrupted and their garments are moth-eaten. Their gold and silver have been hoarded so that their rust shall be a testimony against the wealthy, and shall finally eat their flesh as fire.
These wealthy people live delicately; they take their pleasure, and nourish their own hearts, even in this time when the slaughter of the great populace is going on. For while the wealthy are having every luxury, there is heard the cry of the laborer on every hand. Millions of people, taken the world around, do not know where they are to get their next meal. They may be ruthlessly thrown out of work in order to create panics; and the wealthy man, instead of showing tenderness toward the laborer who has reaped down his fields, places himself in a hostile camp to oppress him.
In saying the foregoing, let it be understood that we are not presenting some theory for you to think about; we are endeavoring to call attention to what the text actually says, and are depending on the general knowledge of the reader to enable him to see that current events are in direct harmony with what is said in the prophetic Word. Let us closely study the text; for it is what the text says, and not some theories about it, that counts.
Observe, furthermore, that the text says these wealthy men have laid up their treasure in the last days. The statement is very plain upon this point. And not only do we have this direct statement that the prophecy is for the last days, but we are exhorted to be patient when grinding under these conditions, for it is then that the "coming of the Lord is at hand," it is then that "the Judge standeth before the doors."
Now we trust that the reader will see that the prophetic texts of Scripture call for definite things in a very definite way. These texts tell in advance the story of things as they are to be. And with all the agitation that is on in every part of this world over the question11of capital and labor, can you not see that we are even now coming into the very midst of the days when grievous times have come because the perils of strife and discontent are thickening on every hand? Not merely millions, but billions of dollars are gathered into the coffers of just a few men. They have become world powers because of their world control of the gold and silver. This monopoly of wealth is the menace of the age, and everybody knows it. But did you know that God's Word foretold it nearly two thousand years ago?
Another prophecy concerning the wealth of this time and its significance will be considered next week. T.
