SIMPLICITY OF BIBLE TRUTH.
By R. F. Cottrell
How plain the truths of revelation; how easy to be understood! The fulfillment of the scriptures is so plain and humble, that it is hid from those the world call wise and prudent, and revealed to babes. While Jesus was fulfilling the prophecies relating to his First Advent, the children could understand it, and join in the cry of "Hosanna to the Son of David," while the learned Doctors of Divinity of that day could say, "We know that God spake to Moses; as for this fellow, we know not whence he is." And how very easily understood are the proclamations which precede the Second Advent. While mankind—professors of religion, and nonprofessors—are following their idols—wealth, fashions, worldly honor and all the countless objects which occupy the highest place in their affections—the message is heard, "Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come!" The solemn cry is widely heard; and though it causes the world to tremble, it is fully heeded only by a humble few. These turn from the idols of the world, and give themselves to the work of getting ready; and their earthly possessions are given in sacrifice, to speed the cry, and thus confer the greatest benefit on their fellow men. They have a little faith, and are willing to risk their worldly reputation, by walking out upon it.204Worldly-minded and faithless professors of religion are offended. Their earthly schemes are not perfected, and they desire all things to continue as they are. They love the present world, and desire a long life, in which to serve themselves and their idols, and then, if they can, by a death-bed repentance, escape punishment, their objects will be attained. While open infidels deride the message, these evince a hatred against those who proclaim it. Their houses and their hearts are closed against the cry. Now comes the second message: "Babylon is fallen" and how clear is the import of this cry, also. And while men of learning dispute about what Babylon is, the humblest capacity can comprehend it clearly. Does the term, Babylon, mean the nations of the earth? No. "She made all nations drink" of her wine. "The nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad." Jer. li, 7. Does it apply to any one kingdom, city or church? No. Because, 1. Babylon means confusion; it was originally used to signify the confusion of tongues at the building of Babel. 2. The message finds God’s people there, or they could not be called upon to "come out of her." 3. If the woman that was seen sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, having seven heads, and ten horns, is called the mother of harlots, she certainly must have daughters somewhere. In short, the description of Babylon, as given by the pen of inspiration, is so perfect, that it will not apply to any thing on earth, but the very thing of which the Lord would have it applied. Give it the right application, and all that is said of her in the scriptures will harmonize. Apply it otherwise, and the word of God will prove the application false. But the third angel’s proclamation is the most solemn and awful warning the world ever heard. It is the last message of mercy; for wrath "without mixture" is the penalty of disregarding it. And is this threatening of wrath couched in language so dark that the humble child of God cannot understand, and consequently cannot heed it? No, no. If it were so, the poor could not be saved. The burden of this message is the restoration of God’s children, of one of the simplest and plainest truths of the Bible. A truth as old as creation itself, and so plain that a child can comprehend its import. A child can wield the arguments in favor of the Sabbath. 1. God rested the seventh day. 2. He blessed and sanctified it. 3. He commanded man to keep it. 4. By keeping it we say, "God made the world." The Rest-day of the Lord is not changed or abolished, because, 1. The seventh day is the day he rested; and he has not told us that he ever rested on any other day. 2. He has nowhere informed that he has taken his blessing and sanctification from it. 3. He has never taken back his commandment that we should keep it. 4. We are his creatures, and, as such, are in duty bound to remember our Creator. Opposed to the Sabbath law, is the commandment of the Papal church to keep another day, which the Bible nowhere enjoins. The beast, who exalts himself "above God," has thus instituted a rival to the Rest-day of Jehovah. The third angel draws a line between those that worship the beast and his image and receive his mark, on the one hand, and those that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus on the other. How plain the truth! How worthy of our God that this most ancient, most simple truth, a truth which Satan has attempted to overthrow, should be brought up as the final test to prepare a people for translation at the coming of Jesus. Thank the Lord, the poor have the gospel preached to them, and they can understand it. Praise God! Salvation is free!