Have any of the Rulers and Pharisees believed on Him?
By E. R. Seaman
THE question was asked in the days of the First Advent, "have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed on him?" as if this intelligence might inspire in them more confidence to inquire relative to the doctrines then promulgated by the Saviour in the opening of the Gospel dispensation, and now in the close of the Gentile, or Gospel age, and the preparatory scenes of the judgment, questions of the same import are often asked. Few, if any of the brethren and sisters have escaped the inquiry, "Who believe and teach your views? Are there any learned ministers preaching the seventh-day Sabbath, and coming of the Lord?" As these questions are very similar in character, they must be prompted by the same cause; viz, ignorance in understanding to whom God has entrusted knowledge of the things pertaining to the kingdom. But it is not surprising that we should be thus interrogated, when we consider the moral darkness that enshrouds the mental vision of the world. Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. This is plainly described in God's Word. A few texts to the point will be sufficient. "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. iii, 13. Compare this with Chap. iv, 3, 4, "For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (Such as the temporal Millenium, immortality out of Christ, probation after the Second Advent, no-devil, &c., with other fables, which we have not space to mention.) While these false teachers of the last days are preaching for hire, and are making merchandise of the Gospel of Christ, their followers are seen, as described by inspiration, so entranced with the popular preaching of the present time, that many of them turn away in derision, when God's truth is plainly presented. This is the lamentable state of the greater portion of professed Christians. Are they not thereby judging themselves unworthy of eternal life? 2 Pet. ii, 1-3. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." These passages are too plain and descriptive to need comment. It is evident that while error is prospering, it is also esteemed above the saving truth of God, which is trampled under foot. "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" Jer. v, 3. "And there shall be like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings." Hos. iv, 9. God pronounces a woe upon those that "eat the lambs out of the flock," and "put far away the evil day," and upon them "that chant to the sound of the viol, and invent themselves instruments of music, like David." Amos vi, 3-5. Never until since the proclamation of the near coming of our Saviour have the Protestant churches depended on instrumental music to assist in their formal worship as at the present day. Some societies have almost an entire band. Is this singing with the spirit and understanding, making melody in their hearts? The Spirit of God has left them, and nothing remains but an empty sound, as lifeless as the funeral knell of the departed dead. "Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols." Amos v, 23. Who can fail to see from the signs of the times that Babylon has fallen, to rise no more? The Lord has spoken, who can but prophesy. Much more might be said in regard to the moral darkness of both priest and people, but lest I trespass on the space that belongs to others more competent than myself, I shall proceed to answer the first question scripturally. For the answer, first, read Matt. xi, 25. "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Read, also, James ii, 5. "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats?" When we understand this epistle as applying to the scattered remnant, as it evidently does to those who are looking for the near coming of the Lord, the importance of the language will be more plainly understood. These questions imply affirmative answers, and refer to the last days. What is the condition of the poor, now as it regards their privilege of worship in the churches? Answer: in many instances the rich monopolize all the seats in their synagogues, allowing the poor to sit in some corner, or stay at home. Hear God by the prophet Amos, "That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes." Amos viii, 6. And further than this, they have exalted themselves, saying, I sit as a queen and shall see no sorrow; but will be found, finally, with the sin in their skirts of dealing in slaves and the souls of men. Rev. xviii, 13. The long-suffering of God is not to last always.—Soon the vials of his wrath must be poured out; for Babylon has fallen, and her sins have reached unto heaven. "Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. xviii, 4. She is now filling up her cup of abomination by receiving the spirits of devils, working miracles, which are now encircling the earth, to gather the mighty host of Satan to the great battle of God Almighty. Seek the Lord while he may be found, believe the testimony of the apostles and prophets, and keep all his commandments pure. "And God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; That no flesh should glory in his presence." 1 Cor. i, 27-29. God is no respecter of persons, and he will hear the small as well as the great. Deut. i, 17. Looking for the blessed Hope, E. R. SEAMAN.