The Present Truth by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 15, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 45.

"The Present Truth"

By Editor

THE above term is used but once in the Scriptures, namely, in 2 Peter 1:12, where the apostle expresses the wish that the people of God might be "established in the present truth." Present truth must be that which has especial reference to the present time, and which demands special present faith on the part of believers.

There are some great facts which have always been present truth. It is a truth that there is but one God, the Creator of all things, infinite in every perfection, and that to Him His creatures owe their full allegiance. And this has always been true, it always will be true.

It has been true since the creation that the only "name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," is that of Christ Jesus. This was true when Abel by faith offered a better sacrifice than Cain (Heb. 11:4), and it will be true till the last soul is washed from its sins in the blood of the Lamb. Connected with this are many other facts which will ever remain present truth so long as man is on probation, facts which pertain to "this present evil world."

But there is another class of facts which are applicable only at certain times in the world's history. They were not present truth before that time, neither are they after that time. They were applicable to one day and generation; and a special exercise of faith, so to speak, is demanded of that generation, regarding that phase of truth. Or, to put it more correctly perhaps, that present truth becomes a test of the genuine faith which that generation possesses. That is, the generation or age to which that phase of truth is given, must have faith to embrace that truth; and not to do so is at the peril of their soul's salvation. Every such message of present truth bears the following characteristics:

1. It is a message of warning to prepare the world for coming judgments. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7.

2. The reasons why God sends such judgments are always pointed out.

3. The warning is always given to that generation which witnesses the judgment or crisis.

4. God always intrusts it to faithful, God-fearing men.

5. It is always a message of reform. While it points out the sins, it presents the remedy for sin and the refuge from the judgments.

6. The message demands a living, active faith on the part of him who is benefited by it. To fail to have such faith is to stand condemned. To embrace the message is to show that the faith of the one who accepts it is a genuine faith, the power of which will justify and save.

7. That message always includes every truth, common and applicable to the world generally, which relates to the salvation and well-being of man. In other words, it includes the truth preached before its proclamation, and the special truth for that generation to which it is given. To illustrate: Noah preached just the same truths held by Enoch, but connected with those was the warning of the impending destruction of the earth by a flood. John the Baptist preached every practical moral truth taught by the prophets of the past, but in addition to those he proclaimed the coming of God's Messiah.

An illustration of such a message is found in the patriarch Noah's work in connection with the Deluge. When the world became utterly corrupted, God determined that He would destroy it with a flood. But involved in all this were just the principles above stated. Notice:

(a) The Lord revealed to Noah the judgment to come, and sent Noah to warn the world of the coming flood of destruction. Gen. 6:9, 13.

(b) The reason why the Lord determined to send the Flood was because of the wickedness of the world. Gen. 6:5-7.

(d) This message was not intrusted to the mighty men, the men of renown (Gen. 6:4), but to Noah, "a just man and perfect in his generations," and one who "walked with God." Gen. 6:9.

(e) It was a message of reform, for Noah was a "preacher of righteousness." 2 Peter 2:5. The righteousness which is by faith in Christ was presented (Heb. 11:7), and the Spirit of Christ aided in the work (1 Peter 3:18-20). The refuge presented was the ark; but the faith which laid hold of that message was faith in Christ, whose message it was.

(f) This is shown by the fact that faith in that message was a saving faith. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Heb. 11:7. Noah's faith not only saved him, but condemned others who did not believe that message. The fact that Noah believed and was saved, was an evidence that any one else might have believed and been saved; for "God is no respecter of persons."

The above characteristics are manifested in every message of present truth to the world. The warning of the Flood was connected with the great message of salvation to a lost race. That present truth was not applicable a century previous to that time, nor has it been since. We may learn from it God's dealings with men respecting such messages, and may be assured that as He saved or condemned men then as they accepted or rejected His message so will He do now.

The message of John the Baptist to the Jewish nation at the first advent of Christ, bore the same characteristics. It was a message of warning of coming judgments (Matt. 3:7, 10); it pointed out their national pride, their sins against God (verses 7, 8); it was given to that generation who witnessed the destruction of the temple and the scattering of the Jews thirty-three years after; it was intrusted to one of the most faithful and humble of men (Matt. 11:11); it was a message of reform, and pointed to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world (Matt. 3:8; John 1:29-31; Acts 19:4); and John's message demanded a living, active faith. If it were accepted, well; if rejected, it was loss of eternal life. Says the Scripture, in speaking of John and his work: "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." Luke 7:29, 30.

The publicans, and all who accepted of John's message, showed that God did wisely in giving it. It was a saving message; that was demonstrated, and will be to the universe in the judgment-day; for it saved those who believed in it, while, on the other hand, those who rejected that message, "rejected the counsel of God against themselves."

Those Jews reasoned that such a message was not required of Abraham or Moses or the prophets; surely God does not require it of us. But He did, and they were condemned, even as were the antediluvians. In rejecting John's message, they rejected Christ, whose message it was.

Is there a message for our day? Is this time of the ages, when "to be living is sublime," without its present truth? Do not the many fulfilled and fulfilling prophecies indicate that God has for us a message more far-reaching and important than any other ever given, even as this age is greater than any other? God has such a message, dear reader, as there is abundant evidence to show. It embraces every precious truth of the past, with the glorious truths for these days. This message the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is endeavoring, in the fear of God, to set before you in its different aspects. We ask you to weigh these evidences carefully in the light of the Word of God and in view of the coming judgment.