The Signs of the Times by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jul 22, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 30.

The Signs of the Times.

By Editor

NOT this paper and its name, but that which Jesus denominated "the signs of the times," the events indicative of world-conditions and the progress of development in God's purpose of the ages. In His day it was the first advent and its meaning to the church, sunken in tradition and spiritually dead in formalism. In our day we should read in the signs of the times, in the light of His word, the proximity of His second advent, and the necessity of preparation for that great event.

The artist has pictured on our cover-page not less than a quarter-hundred of commonly recurring and widely prevalent omens in the world to-day. Study the picture. It is not pleasant, we grant, but it is highly instructive if you will let God's word illuminate it. We need not name these signs; the artist has done this. We do, however, wish to call your attention to certain scriptures which foretell all these things for the last days. We have not space to quote the scriptures; but we will tell you where they are found. Please read them.

For increasing sin and wickedness, for violence and brutality, read 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13; Matt. 24:37; Gen. 6:11; Isa. 59:1-12, 20.

For deception and conspiracies to deceive and defraud, read in the Revised Version Micah 7:3, 4.

For extravagant living, heaping up riches, and strife between labor and capital, read James 5:1-8; Hab. 1:13 to 2:13.

For men's desires to save themselves by confederating, read Isa. 8:9-17.

For Spiritism and other false isms of Satan's working, read 2 Tim. 5:6-8; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Rev. 13:13, 14; 16:14; Isa. 8:19, 20.

For false teaching and smooth stories, read Acts 20:28-30; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Jude 10-19.

For great world-wide war preparations, read Jer. 25:15-33; Joel 3:9-12; Rev. 16:12-14.

For the synchronous peace cry by the ministers of God who ought to be sounding the alarm instead of soothing God's people with falsehood, read Isa. 2:3-6; 1 Thess. 5:3.

All these and much more are foretold in the "more sure word of prophecy" for these days in which we live. It is not pleasant, but sad to say this picture is so common in the daily press that it is no longer a matter for serious consideration.

Laws innumerable have been placed upon the statute-books to stop the fraud, the deception, the violence, the strife, the inequality; they are but mild and laughed-at protests, which are forgotten on the morrow, while some prince of grafters poses as a world benefactor, and is "honored" by the multitude because he is "successful."

We are not pessimistic; these are only occurrences of the night of sin and evil. But "the night is far spent; the day is at hand."

This picture, these scenes, should teach the child of God these lessons: (1) He should not be deceived by any smooth story which popular preachers might tell. The preacher is himself a sign that his message is false. (2) The Christian should do all in his power to enlighten and save the souls in darkness, before it is too late.

Christ is coming. Men may deny it. Inspiration said they would; and the very denial becomes a sign of the great event. For "there shall come in the last days scoffers . . . saying, Where is the promise of His coming?" Read 2 Peter 3:3-5.

Christ is coming. Be glad that the reign of sin is about to end. The glad dawn of eternal day is at hand.