p. 158 | THIS GENERATION by Wm. Penniman

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 7, 1881

"THIS GENERATION."

By Wm. Penniman

BY WM. PENNIMAN.

(Continued.)

As OUR object all along has been to show what Christ teaches in this wonderful and memorable chapter (Matthew 24) in regard to the nearness of the end of all things, we shall notice a few more points which relate to the subject before we attempt to take a general view of the whole field of evidence.

Our Saviour next gives more of the spiritual signs of his coming as follows: "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

The people did not think the Lord was going to destroy the world in the time of Noah. No doubt they ridiculed the idea, and called Noah a fool and a fanatic for preaching such a doctrine. Noah was not moved from his purpose, but kept on building the ark. The people did not regard his warnings, but went on in wickedness and unbelief till the earth "was filled with violence," and the storms of God's wrath fell upon it. The very fact that people are doing now as they did then proves the words of Jesus true. So far as buying, selling, planting and building, marrying, etc., are concerned, these things are right, if they are, not made the great end of life, as they were before the flood, and as they are now by the great mass. Men have become so hardened in sin that the claims of God's law are not regarded. God's hand is not seen in the most astonishing signs.

Christ saw that even those who professed to be his followers would put off the day of his coming, as the language of the 48th and following verses will prove: "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This language implies that this class of evil servants are apostates, reprobates, and backsliders from the true advent faith. Unless this class of hypocritical pretenders, as well as all others who wickedly reject the light and oppose the third angel's message which is now going before the world, speedily repent they will have their portion with the hypocrites. The closing words of the 24th chapter plainly represent two classes of servants, the faithful and the unfaithful, the one proclaiming just the opposite of the other.

The two classes of servants of whom Christ speaks show the close connection of this chapter with the 25th, the first part of which refers to the wise and the foolish virgins. The remarkable fulfillment of this prophecy adds another stone to the monument of proof already given of the nearness of the end. The 25th chapter begins, "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all these virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps."

An event of this character has taken place. The 24th and 25th chapters are one connected discourse, the division into chapters being made in the 13th century. The word then which commences the chapter implies at the very time; it therefore follows that at the very time when both these classes of servants (spoken of in the closing of the 24th chapter) are manifested, the kingdom of heaven may be compared (Campbell's translation) to ten virgins, or to an eastern marriage. In regard to this parable Eld. James White says:—

"The kingdom of heaven is not the future kingdom of glory. The parable can in no wise illustrate that kingdom. The term here, as in many other places in the New Testament, applies to the work of grace; or, more definitely expressed, it refers to the great second-advent movement, caused by the power of the word and Spirit of God upon the minds and hearts of men. The ten virgins illustrate those who professed faith in the evidences of the soon coming of Christ, based upon fulfilled and fulfilling prophecy, and the signs of the times. Their lamps represent the word of God. Ps. 119: 105; 2 Peter 1: 19. The oil may illustrate abiding faith, produced by a thorough work of the word and Spirit of God upon the hearts and lives of men. The difference, then, between those illustrated by the foolish and the wise virgins, is that one class rest in that faith which alone is the result of theory, while the other class have that abiding faith which results not only from theory, but also from the work of grace wrought by the word and Spirit of God. And in the great advent movement, these two classes have been clearly manifested. The bridegroom in this parable represents Jesus Christ, and the tarrying of the bridegroom clearly shows a disappointment on the part of those looking for his second coming, and a consequent delay. The first point of expectation, as expressed in the title page of Wm. Miller's nineteen lectures, was 'about the year 1843.' This time passed, and believers for a time sank into a position which is well represented by the words, 'they all slumbered and slept.' In the summer of 1844, it was seen that those evidences which had been relied upon as proof that the 2300 prophetic days of Dan. 8, would end in the year 1843, proved that they would terminate in 1844. The entire body of believers had been united, agreeing with Wm. Miller that the 2300 days dated from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, B. C. 457. This point settled, the figures 1843 were readily found: From 2300 take 457 and there remain 1843.

"But it was seen that it would require 457 full years before Christ and 1843 full years after Christ, to make 2300 full years; so that if the 2300 years commenced with the first day of B. C. 457, they would reach to the first day of A. D. 1844. It was also seen that this prophetic period did not commence with the year 457, in the spring, but in the autumn of that year; consequently, 2300 full years would terminate in the autumn of 1844. In connection with this view of the subject, a most forcible application of the parable of the ten virgins, and other scriptures, was made, and a most solemn, searching cry went forth to Adventists everywhere, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.' This appeal to professed believers went with astonishing rapidity and power, and all were aroused to search the Scriptures with greater care and deeper interest, fully represented by the words, 'Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.'" The preceding explanation of this parable proves that it has been clearly and forcibly fulfilled in the days of "this generation."

Heretofore we have confined our attention to the spiritual and physical signs which our Lord enumerates; we shall next try to present some parallel evidence before taking up the important lesson which the subject impresses upon us. Our object has not been to prove Christ's second coming, but to show that it is near. On this point Eld. J. H. Waggoner says: "The instruction which Christ gave his disciples in Matt. 24 was not given to prove that he would come again (though it does prove this), for this is abundantly proved by other scriptures, and on this point the questioners had no doubt. But it was given especially to teach the church when that event is 'near, even at the doors.' They did not ask him if he was coming, but what should be the sign of his coming, and of the end of the world. He gave them the information desired."

Fifteen years after the falling of the stars in 1833, Spiritualism in its modern phases and manifestations made its appearance in Hydesville, N. Y. Judge Edmonds, in the "Year Book of Spiritualism" for 1871, says: "While Romanism and Protestantism combined numbered from eight to nine millions, with some forty-five thousand preachers, Spiritualism numbered between ten and eleven millions, with fifty thousand mediums. Recollect, now, that this estimate comes not from us, but from our opponents; it is not the product of our imaginations, but the result of the severe scrutiny of those who have no sympathy with us. I confess, however, that I believe it to be accurate; all my information goes to confirm it; and my error I might be accused of exaggerating."

This shows a growth of ten millions in a little more than twenty years. It is now about thirty-three years since it came up, yet perhaps it can be safely said that the believers in Spiritualism number from fifteen to twenty millions. It can be truly said of Spiritualism that it "leads to bewilder and dazzels to blind." It has drawn into its ranks men of all classes and professions, men of great talents, including scientists and college professors; and even those who profess to be ministers of the gospel have not escaped its power. The word of God declares in 2 Thess. 2: 11, 12: "And for this cause (preceding verse, 'because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved') God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Have we not a wonderful fulfillment of this prophecy at this day, and have not the churches been very much weakened by this satanic delusion? Spiritualists deny God. They deny Christ. They have "counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing." Heb. 10: 29.

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief." Rev. 16: 13-15. We have a literal fulfillment of this prophecy, as the "mediums," and wonder-workers have already gone before the kings and the great ones of the earth "working miracles."

Soon the great battle of "Armageddon" will take place, and the final consummation. Mark, the language "Behold, I come as a thief," follows in close connection with the doings of these spirits of devils, and the great battle.

There never was a time in the history of the world when there was so much infidelity in regard to the Scriptures as now. The world is literally flooded (at least wherever the English, German, or French languages are used) with infidel books and papers. A paper is published in New York called "Payne's Age of Reason" with the likeness of that noted infidel on the front page. In this paper the Bible and its teachings are of course ridiculed. Men cry out, with far more astonishing effrontery than they did in the noted "reign of terror" in France, when the Bible—the "two witnesses"—was put down for "three and a half years," "CRUSH THE WRETCH," meaning Christ. There seems to be wickedness and infidelity enough in our own country without importing any more from France or any other land. Are we to have "The Age of Reason" (and another "reign of terror") and its author enthroned in our land? May we not soon look for the enthronement of the "goddess of reason" (if not already enthroned) in the minds of American infidels? Thirteen years after the darkening of the sun, nearly synchronizing with the rise of Spiritualism, wicked men, instigated by the power of Satan, undertook to put out the great spiritual and universal light which emanates from "the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." Rev. 11: 4. For evidence of this bold and heaven-daring undertaking, we quote from the Dr. Croly on the French Revolution:—

"The spirit which had filled and tortured every limb of France with rebellion to man, now (1793) put forth a fierce malice, and blasphemed. Hostility was declared against all that bore the name of religion. By an act which, history, in all its depths and recesses of national guilt, had never an example,—a crime too blind for the blindest eyes of barbarism, and too atrocious for the hottest corruptions of the pagan world, France, the leader of civilized Europe, publically pronounced that there was no God. The decree was rapidly followed by every measure which could make the blasphemy practical and national. The municipality of Paris, the virtual government, proclaimed that as they had defied earthly monarchy, they 'would now dethrone the monarchy of heaven.' On the 7th of November, 1793, Gobet, the bishop of Paris, attended by his vicars-general, entered the hall of the legislature, tore off his ecclesiastical robes, and abjured Christianity, declaring that the only religion henceforth should be the religion of liberty, equality, and morality. His language was echoed with acclamation. A still more consummate blasphemy was to follow; within a few days the municipality presented a veiled female to the assembly as the 'goddess of reason,' with the fearful words, 'There is no God; the worship of reason shall exist in his stead.' The assembly bowed before her and worshiped. She was then borne in triumph to the cathedral of Paris, placed on the high altar, and worshiped by the public authorities and people. The name of the cathedral was thenceforth the Temple of Reason. Atheism was enthroned; treason to the majesty of God had reached its height; no more gigantic insult could be hurled against Heaven. But persecution had still its work; all the churches of the republic were closed; all rites of religion were forbidden; baptism and the communion were to be administered no more; the seventh day was to be no longer sacred, but a tenth was substituted, and on that day a public orator was appointed to read a discourse on 'The Wisdom of Atheism!'"

"The reign of the demon was now resistless. While Voltaire and Marat (infidelity and massacre personified) were raised to the honors of idolatry, the tombs of the kings, warriors, and statesmen of France were torn open, and the relics of men whose names were a national glory, tossed about in the licentious sport of the populace. On the gates of the cemeteries was written, 'Death is an eternal sleep!' In this general outburst of frenzy, all the forms and feelings of religion, true or false, were alike trodden under foot of the multitude; the Scriptures, the lamps of the holy place, had fallen in the general fall of the temple; but they were not without their peculiar indignity; the copies of the Bible were publicly insulted; they were contemptuously burned in the havoc of the religious libraries. In Lyons, the capital of the south, where Protestantism had once erected her special church, and where still a remnant worshiped in its ruins, an ass was actually made to drink wine out of the communion cup, and was afterwards led in public procession through the streets, dragging the Bible at its heels. The example of these horrors stimulated the daring of infidelity in every part of the continent. France, always modeling the mind of Europe, now still more powerfully impressed her image, while every nation was beginning to glow with fires like her own. Recklessness, licentiousness, and blasphemy were the characters and credentials by which the leaders of overthrow, in every land, ostentatiously proceeded to make good their claims to French regeneration. The Scriptures, long lost to the people in the whole extent of Romish Christendom, were now still more decisively undone; no effort was made to reinstate them by the Romish church."

If infidelity, communism, socialism, evolutionism, spiritualism and many more kindred "isms" continue to increase as they have for a few years, how long will it be before another "reign of terror" will be inaugurated? The world has certainly arrived at an "alarming crisis," and it is evident that an "age of doubt is to precede our Lord's second coming." "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18: 8.

(To be Continued.)