Are There No Changes? by R. F. Cottrell

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Nov 7, 1878

Are There No Changes?

By R. F. Cottrell

NUMBER ONE.

"Knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12:4. "The wise shall understand." Verse 10. "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity." Luke 21:25. "All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Pet. 3:4.

These several texts all have their application at the same time. The two from Daniel apply at "the time of the end," a short period just before the close of this state of human probation. It is called by Nahum, "The day of His preparation." The words quoted from the Lord Jesus are followed by the words, "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." And those from Peter are expressly located "in the last days." Skeptics tell us of contradictions in the Bible. It is true that the scoffers of the last days were to contradict, and do contradict, the inspired utterances of prophets and of Jesus Christ. While they foretell an increase of knowledge and other signs portending the end of the age, the scoffers say, "Where is the sign of his coming?" "All things continue as they were."

In the time of the end there is to be an increase of knowledge. Let this be understood in a general sense, as applying to all sorts of knowledge, and it is truly verified in these our days; therefore, we have reached the time of its fulfillment. But it is reasonable to apply it especially to the theme of prophecy, which Daniel was told was "closed up and sealed till the time of the end." At the time of the end these sealed words will be unsealed, and the consequence will be an increase of knowledge of these prophecies, and the wise will understand it; but "none of the wicked shall understand." They scoff on, acknowledging no signs and claiming that there is no change.

The time of the end consists of the days which follow the close of the papal persecution. Dan. 11:35. "And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end." The saints have ceased to fall; the days have come for knowledge to be increased on that which was sealed up, and for the wise to understand it. The prophecies of Daniel and of Revelation are clearly opened as never before, and the great and important truths which are revealed in them are being proclaimed. But many, when they hear these things, will go to their commentaries and expositions written one, two, or three hundred years ago, and perhaps prefer these expositions to the clearer light of the present day. Such persons ignore the revealed fact that these prophecies were sealed up till near the end of time, and that the knowledge of them would be opened to the last generation of men. Going back to past centuries for light on these things is going away from the promised light and approaching the dark ages of the past in search of that knowledge which, according to the prophecy, was reserved for the last days.

The word of God has not failed, and cannot. If we are in "the time of the end," the last days, light upon the prophecies is increasing. On the other hand, the flood of light on the prophecies, poured out in the present generation, is proof positive that we are in the last days, the period to which they were closed up, and in which they were to be unsealed.

Do all things continue as they were in this respect? or, has the promise of God been verified by increasing knowledge? And have there been no signs of Christ's coming in the natural world?—in the heaven's above, and in the earth and elements? Said Jesus, "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 which are coming upon the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth near."

Have not these predictions been verified? In 1780, the sun and moon were supernaturally darkened, according to the words of Christ in Mat. 24:29. In 1833, the stars of heaven fell as there foretold, and as described in Rev. 6:13. Following these events, the nations have been in perplexity, foreboding the evils of war and under the excitement of immense preparations for the coming event; not knowing what it will be, but fearing the worst. And, together with these things, do we not see unprecedented distress of nations" with famines and pestilences? The elements are in commotion. Great and destructive earthquakes are becoming exceedingly frequent. These rock the earth and ocean, raising tremendous tidal waves, so that "the sea and the waves roaring" are poured in upon the land, deluging cities and destroying their inhabitants. And terrific storms and tornadoes abound, pouring out floods of water to drown the people, or sweeping them and their habitations away by cyclones and hurricanes. In this respect all things do not continue as they were within the memory of those of fifty or sixty years of age.

What do these things mean? They conspire to remind us "that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." Believers in Jesus believe his promises, and, as the consequence, they "look up," and lift up their heads, knowing that their "redemption draweth nigh." The Lord will soon come, according to his plighted word. Reader, are you prepared for the event? If not, Get ready, get ready! R. F. Cottrell.