A New Reformation

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

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

A New Reformation.

It has many times been said that a new reformation is demanded. It is. Many are looking for it to come by a union between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Others think that it will come thru Socialism. Many are expecting it by the means of civic righteousness. But all these are futile.

A union between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism means the triumph of the Papacy, and centuries of the past have demonstrated the unworth of its rule.

Socialism is looking for a purely mechanical regime, which does not, can not, change the human heart with its ambitions, passions, and lusts. All civic measures fall into the same category. Hopeless, utterly hopeless, is every change which does not change the unregenerate, carnal, sinful, easily deceived heart of man. Such a movement may promise the gold of heaven; it will pay in the dross of earth.

Friends, workers, brethren in Christ, and all wishers for the better, why not take the reformation which God has given in His word for these very times? There it is, written in the fourteenth chapter of "the Revelation of Jesus Christ." It is all based on "the everlasting Gospel" with its setting for this time. It calls from giving glory to men, calls from human fear and worship to the fear of God, to the glory of God, to the worship of the Creator.

Why not turn from the perishing, confusing creeds of Babylon to the sure word of God? Why not turn from Babylon's fornication—false relationship with the world—and unite with Christ Jesus?

Why not cast off the beast and his image—all world-powers and worldly combinations of church and state which seek to enforce worship—for the pure worship of God—heart worship and voluntary, for "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus"?

There is reform, true reform, in this message from God for this time. It is greater than creed, greater than church, greater than all combinations of men.

This message is potent and vibrant with all the might and power and life of the eternal Creator. It will save the sinner. It will blot out his sin and write righteousness in his heart. It will make him honest, devoted, self-denying, a help to his community, a blessing to his race.

It will take men from every creed and nationality, and race and nation, and land and clime, and make them one in Christ Jesus, not to rule or to be served, but to serve the Lord Christ. And this has been demonstrated for more than a quarter of a century.

Why not then accept God's message of reform?