The Bursting Forth of the Winds of Strife
By Editor
WE have frequently called attention, in our columns, to the prophecy of the seventh chapter of Revelation. This chapter speaks of God's commission to the angels, in the great sealing time of the last days, to hold the winds of strife. Four angels are represented as standing upon the four corners of the earth, and they are bidden to hold the winds, that they should not blow. As has often been observed, "winds," used in such a connection in these prophecies, refers to wars, strifes, and turbulent commotions among men. The prophecy, upon the face of it, carries this interpretation. Since the angels are commissioned to hold the winds of war, we could not expect absolute and perfect peace and quiet; because God, through His prophecies, is seeking to reach the intelligence of men, and we could not be cognizant of the fact that there were any smoldering strifes and wars if they did not occasionally break loose. But since they are held, in the very nature of things, when they do break away, they will be furious and violent. One thing to be observed in modern wars is the suddenness with which they arise and the furies with which they are prosecuted. For instance, this present war in Europe had its immediate excuse in the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, which occurred on June 28. On July 23 Austria sent an ultimatum to Servia over the matter. July 28 war was declared between Austria and Servia. Then in quick succession Russia, Germany, England, and France hurled themselves onto the battle-field. At this writing, the war has been in progress a little less than eight weeks; and yet in that brief time, millions of men have been mobilized, and decisive conflicts have been raging day after day, and thousands upon thousands have been killed and wounded. Both the suddenness and the furies of this war are awe-inspiring. It came like the gusts of a hurricane that break away from some restraining power. This journal, through the forty years of its history, has been pointing to these prophecies. It has steadfastly taught that we would have wars and not peace in these closing days, and that when wars would break forth, they would be characterized by suddenness and ferocity. Those who will take the pains to look for it, can find this teaching scattered through not only the pages of this journal, but our other denominational literature in general, during all these years. The Bible is very plain upon these subjects; and it is far safer to trust to the teaching of God's word than to be guided by the theories and notions of men. God's word is always right. Human theories and speculations are very likely to be wrong.