Ready for Christ’s Coming
By N. W. Rockwell
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Having no other way of communication with the dearly beloved scattered remnant, only by writing, I have taken this way of expressing my love to them all, hoping that we shall be found ready and waiting for the coming of our Lord. Have we on the whole armor of God? Have we the mind in us that was in Christ? Are we ready to meet persecution, tribulation and temptation in all the various forms that the wicked can invent? Depend upon it, our faith will be tried, and unless it is more precious than gold that perisheth, we shall be found wanting, in the hour of temptation which shall come on all the world to try them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. The time mentioned by Malachi, when he says: Then shall ye return and discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not, is near.—The servants of our God will be sealed in their foreheads. Then hatred, cruelty, revenge, and all the malignant passions will be manifested, and practiced without restraint by the enemies of our Lord. While all the Christian graces will shine forth with greater luster among his people, who keep his commandments. Then can the dividing line be seen. There will be no neutralists then. They that believe the Lord, he is God will serve him, and delight in his law, and keep all his commandments, which are holy, just and good. No halting then between two opinions. That time is past, and Christ has performed his last office work as High Priest, and Mediator, and now comes to judge the world. If we stand, in that day we must stand without a mediator between us and the Father. Judge ye, whether we shall need on the whole armor of God. Let us give heed to the true Witness, which saith: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see." Rev. iii, 18. May the Lord enable us to see clearly the things that make for our peace, and seek a preparation to meet him at his coming. If any of the dear brethren pass through this region, will they call here if possible? Your brother, in tribulation, hoping to overcome, that I may inherit all things. N. W. ROCKWELL.
East Farnham, C. E., July, 1853.