p. 3 | CAN YOU SEE IT? by H. G. Thurston

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 17, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 20.

CAN YOU SEE IT?

By H. G. Thurston

THE believer in Jesus sees these to be days filled with peril and events which make this time most solemn. With a clear light flowing from the Living Fountain of prophecy, we see in the startling events of the present and the immediate past, a direct fulfilment of God's sure Word, and with every turn of the rapidly-moving wheel of developments foretold by the prophets, we realize that our faith is being strengthened.

The peace-and-safety cry foretold by the prophet (Micah 4:1-4) has been heard from numberless lips, but perhaps few were looking for such a literal fulfilment of the prophecy as is afforded in the call for a "peace conference" by one nation, and its acceptance by "many nations," according to the Scripture of truth. By this action we know "sudden destruction" is at hand. 1 Thess. 5:3.

Whether such a conference for the disarming of the nations will ever actually amount to anything or not, this text does not say, but simply that it will be called by the nations, and it is now literally fulfilled before our eyes, tho in an unexpected way. But a few years, yes, even a few months ago it was a question how Rev. 16:12, which speaks of the kings of the East, would meet its fulfilment. But now many of the kings and powers of earth are turning their covetous, envious eyes to China, the Flowery Land of the far East, and thither armies and navies are being sent; and when they have each established themselves there, then the "kings of the East" at the head of their vast armies, turn their way westward, perhaps to divide another fair portion of earth; and then their work and armies are crushed by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The manifestation of God's power in the earth as was seen 1,800 years ago is being proclaimed, and accepted, and by it sinners are being turned to righteousness, and are preparing for the fearful time already crowding upon us. People are longing for this year of perplexity, disaster, and wo to close, hoping that coming years will not be bathed in sorrow and blood as is the present; but do they know the next will be better? They may "hope," but we fear it will be worse; for, while men and nations cry peace, still war is being prepared. Joel 3:9,10. And tho a thousand tongues proclaim a better time at hand, more than ten thousand homicides in America declare otherwise.

At this most remarkable time in the history of the world and of nations, God is preparing extensive means for warning the world of its approaching doom. Everything now indicates that the work portrayed in Rev. 18:1 is about to be accomplished; and this again brings us to that greatest of all events in the history of mankind.

Christian, are you doing your duty? Are you heeding the earnest call to labor?

Sinner, are you ready for the consummation of all these things? Are you seeking a secure shelter from these rude blasts of calamity? When plague, disaster, and strife sweep over the earth, with mercy gone, will you be found in the "sure dwellings," and in the "quiet resting-places"? Isa. 32:18.

H. G. THURSTON.