The Closing Scenes of Earth
By William S. Ingraham
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—From the consideration of the fulfillment of prophecy in our Advent history, I see we are living in a time unparalleled by any that ever preceded it. The church never occupied such a position as now, since the creation of the world. We are hastening with the velocity of an angel to the unseen, untried realities of the eternal world.—The days of Noah, when compared with this day, is but a shadow to the substance. The days of Lot, in which God rained fire and brimstone upon the inhabitants of Sodom, and, also, the destruction of Jerusalem, when contrasted with the scenes which are soon to be ushered in upon us, are but rays that point to a greater time of trouble. The morning will soon dawn upon the chosen and blest. The morning cometh, but is this all? If so, all might rejoice. The day of glory is not only soon to come, but a long, dark, dreary night to commandment-breakers, and beast-worshipers, in which no lone star is seen to direct the guilty to the Lamb of God. The scenes of earth are closing. The last message of mercy is now being proclaimed. The life-boat is out, the standard raised, the flag unfurled, on which is written the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. The dividing line is now being drawn. Take sides we must. No intermediate or neutral ground. All shall worship the beast whose names are not written in the book of life. I often find in my travels, some that are convinced of the truthfulness of our position, but for fear of losing this world's goods, or a good name, they choose to keep silent. Such must expect the wages due them for pursuing such a course. God's Word says, they shall be beaten with many stripes. If heaven is not worth sacrificing all things of an earthly nature, then it cannot be so glorious as described in God's Word.—Many sell their birthright for the trifling things of this world, and Jesus for less than thirty pieces of silver. When I take into consideration the preparation necessary to stand in the time of trouble, and the bright shining glory that is to be revealed when Christ shall appear, I can rightly appreciate the exhortation of Christ, "to strive to enter in at the strait gate." If we come to the conclusion, because we have the theory of truth, the work is accomplished, we surely mistake the work to be done for the remnant.—Permit me to urge forward the saints in the glorious work of the third angel's message. We have no time to idle away. A great work is to be wrought in us. The old man is to be crucified, and put off, with his deeds. Our minds are to be brought in subjection to the mind of Christ. The tongue is to be bridled, foolish talking to be put away, a victory to be gained over our doubts and fears, and we are to walk with God as Enoch did, having the same testimony, that our ways please God, if we expect to be translated. The thought of exchanging this world for another, is one that brings great solemnity to my mind.—And this change will soon take place. Notwithstanding the solemnity that enshrouds my mind, my heart leaps forward to that time when God's people shall return to Zion, with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.—Bright scenes of paradise are just before us. Can we bear the thought of losing that world of glory. It is too much to indulge in such a thought for one moment. What though the billows of life darkly roll, and the combined elements of earth throw up a breastwork, mighty and strong, against the truth. The time will soon come when the 144,000 will rise, and wing their way upward to the sea of glass, and shout victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name. They will pass lightly over the sea of glass, and enter the Holy City, the peaceful home of the righteous. "Forward, then, with courage go,
Long we cannot dwell below;
Soon the joyful news will come,
Child, your Father calls—Come home."
WM. S. INGRAHAM.
Bath, N. Y., Sept. 24th, 1852.