THE NATIONS WERE ANGRY by T.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Nov 8, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 45.

"THE NATIONS WERE ANGRY."

By T.

THE eighteenth verse of the eleventh chapter of Revelation presents the following significant and thrilling view of the world:—

"And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."

The time viewed by the prophet is when the "nations were angry." And when he sees this marked anger among the nations, he sees at the same time the scenes connected with the wrath of God and the judgment day. Language could not be so framed that it would make this fact clearer than the foregoing scripture states it.

Every little trouble that arises now between any two of the nations is taken up by all the rest. This has always been true in a sense, but never have the jealousies of the nations in this respect been so apparent as to-day. When this country was having her recent war with Spain, the powers of Europe, with the possible exception of England, were watching the matter closely and jealously. Many hard things were said about the United States that showed that there was not a very friendly feeling toward this country.

And now when England gets into trouble with the people in South Africa there is a regular torrent of epithet poured out against her by the press of the Old World. It is considered that England is seeking to become the mistress of Africa, and the nations of Europe are not willing that this shall be so, and so army and navy equipment are being studied, and everything is being closely watched to see if any opportunity may offer that will allow the other powers to take advantage of England while she is at war.

And it should be noted that this strife is largely over territory. There is great wealth in South Africa, and England wants to get hold of it.

The covetousness of those in power in England leads them to desire to get everything they can, and the comfort or the rights of others are not always taken into consideration when the plans are laid to seize upon territory and the wealth and resources of nature. A like covetousness among other nations leads them to say that they will do all in their power to keep England from getting the coveted prize. And thus does the greed of covetousness stir up jealousies, anger, and strife.

This spirit of covetousness that is so characteristic of these times is also foretold by the apostle Paul as one of the things that would make the last days "perilous." See 2 Tim. 3:1-5. And thus do the various elements combine in fulfilling the Word of God. Covetousness, jealousies, and intrigues commingle and make the anger among the nations. And we know by all these things that the end is right at hand.

God has foretold the condition of the world to-day, and said to us, when we see "all these things, know that He is near, even at the doors."

That great day, which is right at hand, may be to you a day of darkness, gloominess, and indescribable and torturing fear, or it may be the bright morning when your Redeemer will bestow immortality upon you. All depends upon your choice now.

These moments are surcharged with importance. To be blinded by the sophistries of Satan at this time carries with it the awful possibilities of speedy destruction in that day that comes rolling on with rapid whirl.