“LORD, OPEN HIS EYES THAT HE MAY SEE.”
By John J. Westrup
MANY need their eyes opened to-day in order to discern the rapidity with which everything is drawing to a close. The earth waxes old like a garment. The last act of the drama is just being finished. But few understand the times we live in, and can read the signs of Christ’s coming. His first coming, as to manner, place, and time, was plainly foretold by the Spirit of God through the prophets. Daniel foretold the exact year when Messiah the Prince should suffer, and so plainly that to-day we exclaim, “How could it be possible that so few among the Jews could see it?” But, altho there were many scribes and Pharisees who boasted of their knowledge, only a small number understood the Scriptures and His mission, and so were watching for His coming, and ready to receive Him. History repeats itself. This age is full of learning. The land is full of Bible commentaries, and sermon-books, and preachers, and theologians; still very few know that many signs of Christ’s second coming have been fulfilled, or are so evidently being fulfilled now. Many in “that day” will exclaim, “Why did we not see it, when it was so plain before our eyes?” Yes, why not see it?—Because none can see except those who keep their eyes off from the world and on God and His Word. “None of the wicked shall understand.” In 2 Kings 6 we are shown how the angels are round about them that fear the Lord. In Rev. 7:1-3 we read that the angels are keeping back the evil forces and agencies until other angels “have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” These invisible servants are still urging some onward, trying to get them out of Sodom and over on the Lord’s side, that, victorious over every besetment, they may be filled with the mighty Spirit of God. This is a sifting-time. Some are passing the time of victory; others are turning back, as did Lot’s wife. When all the sincere are over the line of victory, the devil will have full sway over his own for a short time. “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” Dan. 12:1. Then it will be death and destruction and violence among them “that dwell on the earth.” Satan and his associates delight in such work. He would have killed Job had he been allowed to. Now he will have full power over those who have deliberately chosen to serve him. It is evident to those who read the signs of the times that this sealing of “the servants of our God in their foreheads” is nearly accomplished. Some are gaining the victory over every besetment; others are more firmly bound by the chains of sin. The winds of destruction are let loose more and more. Satan is marshaling his destructive forces in preparation for the last great catastrophe. Locusts, lice, caterpillars, worms, potato-bugs, etc., are a great devouring army, which destroys yearly more than half of the products of the earth. And they are increasing rapidly, and appearing in new forms every year. The pea-louse made its first appearance last year, and destroyed three million dollars worth of peas in Maryland. The farmers have to fight these pests every year. They are to constitute one of the terrors of the last days, and man, with all his inventions and devices, is as powerless to prevent it as he is to turn aside the tornado or the earthquake. On the earth and among the nations, clouds are gathering. Earthquakes, cyclones, and tidal waves are becoming more numerous every year. The nations are bending all their energies to be prepared for the conflict which is now seen to be inevitable. Think how ingenious men are in inventing destructive implements. Do not these things demonstrate that the power of demons, instead of the will of the Prince of Peace, is filling the minds of men to-day? An unmitigated selfishness is taking possession of men. What are these capitalistic trusts and labor unions but rapacious tribes, engaged in warring upon each other and upon productive industry? The capitalists are heaping up all the treasures; the poor sink deeper into poverty and despair. Many are huddled together in tenement houses, which seem like burrowing-places of wild animals. A recent report tells of sixty-six old tenement houses in New York City in which 5,640 persons lived. Places like these are sinks of filth and iniquity, and breed the lowest vices and crimes. How can men be led into the delusion that the world is getting better, when thousands of professing Christians continue to offer up their Pharisasical prayers, without even a thought of seeking to relieve the miseries and combat the wickedness of these moral cesspools that exist in all cities? The curse of strong drink is killing its millions. “The habit of drinking light wines among the women of the upper class, and of beer among those of the lower classes, is growing rapidly. They all meet on the common level of whisky, however. Who can contemplate the future without a shudder, if this and other vices which undermine and destroy the life-bearing force of the world are not only permitted to exist, but every opportunity and means of developing them receive the sanction of society?” The sin of Sodom and its allies is still more devastating. They sweep like a wild-fire across the whole earth. One-third of the births in Paris are illegitimate; ten thousand new-born infants have been fished out at the outlet of the city sewers in a single year. Henry Varley says that three-fifths of the young people of England live in onanism and allied sins. The condition is not better here. The great majority are living in adultery, altho under the cover of matrimony. This sin is taking all the sap and life and moral fiber out of men and women to-day. This is the reason so few have the moral courage to count and pay the cost, and the perseverance necessary to gain an abundant entrance into the kingdom of heaven.5The lusts of the eye and the pride of life are swiftly bringing in the harvest of their sowing,—disease and death. These diseases are becoming more prevalent; they are rising up all around us. How long will it be before the conditions of mankind in general will be such that all infectious diseases will go with the rapidity of la grippe? It is known that the race is deteriorating; and the more rapidly it deteriorates, the more rapidly is the soil prepared for contagion and infection. Consumption is fast gaining ground; and one death in every seven is laid at its door. It is much more prevalent than a few years ago, as are also the diseases caused by luxurious living; for luxury itself is increasing. Cancer victims are multiplying rapidly. The yellow plague counts its victims from the Himalayas to Madagascar, from Bombay to Hongkong and Yokohama. Yellow-fever germs are still alive. “Insanity has increased three hundred per cent. over and above the increase of population during the last fifty years.” And there are other diseases only waiting for the soil of the human system to reach the proper stage of deterioration, when their deadly germs will swarm over the earth, and strike the race with fearful virulence. Brethren, the time is at hand. Let us appreciate the light we have, and live up to it, or we shall receive no more. Let our motto be, not, “Get ready,” but, “Be ready.” We are on enchanted ground. But let us look forward and upward, and always “remember Lot’s wife.” Christ is the ark of safety for God’s people. Ps. 91:5-10.