FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK by A. S. H.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 1, 1856

"FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK."

By A. S. H.

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke xii, 32.

There has never been a time since these words fell from the lips of the Saviour, when the declaration, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," could with greater propriety be read and reflected upon as a matter of comfort and support, than by those who live amidst the thickening perils of the last days, and are looking for the glorious appearing of the Son of man. To all such these words are peculiarly precious. For, "unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." And unto all such as "love his appearing," he will give the rich reward of eternal life.

Every one that understandingly desires the kingdom and the gift of eternal life, will most earnestly and habitually look for and love the appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; for it is not till then that this gift is bestowed upon the followers of Christ.

We think it would be extremely inconsistent for the inspired writer, to speak of those who "love the appearing" of Christ, and look for it &c., unless the church of God, in the last days, could know and understand those signs which herald his coming.

But proud and worldly-minded divines, and many of their followers, tell us, "We are looking for the Second Advent of Christ," and yet the same moment assert that we cannot determine whether this event is one hundred or one thousand years in the future. Now we give it as our candid opinion, that such people are not looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Saviour. Neither have they any real Bible faith on this point.

It is a clearly established fact in the word of God, that the true church will not walk in darkness respecting the return of their dear Redeemer. No, no, far from this! Even this moment sure and unmistakable evidences are unfolding before us, which announce that he is near, even at the doors. The darkening of the sun and of the moon; and falling of the stars, and many other prominent signs, upon which we may base our faith on this subject, are in the past. So that emphatically it may now be said to the "little flock," "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief!" 1 Thess. v, 4. "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it (he, margin) is near, even at the doors." Matt. xxiv, 33.

It is also clearly sustained in the sacred scriptures, that in the perilous times of the last days, which we have reached, that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." And that "the wicked shall do wickedly;" and shall not understand: also that some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

But to those who are walking in the light as it shines forth from the sacred volume of truth; and have the abiding evidence that their peace is made with God, the exhortation is, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

The three Messages of Revelation xiv, are to purify and prepare the remnant of God's people for the gift of eternal life, when the great Searcher of hearts shall appear.

"Let me among thy saints be found. When o'er the archangel's trump shall sound."

Two of these Messages have been proclaimed to this generation. And they have not been given without their effect. The first Message [verses 6, 7,] contains the solemn warning, "Fear God, and give glory to him:" and announces that the "hour of his judgment is come." This warning was general, extensive: "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." It aroused and stirred the careless, and unbelieving world. Many set about the work of preparation to meet the Just One. Ministers and members of the different churches rejoiced in the rise and spread of this Message. But the sincerity and depth of their love for the return of their Saviour, with their willingness to make the sacrifice at this time required was soon to be thoroughly tested.

The angel with the second Message announces the fall of Babylon. Verse 8. Thousands of the meek, devoted and cross-bearing followers of Christ, left the sectional and sectarian bodies, and took a stand where they could unitedly and boldly proclaim the glad tidings of the immediate coming of the King in his beauty. Praise God forever and ever! These were days of great freedom and unbounded liberty to God's people. But others mocked and scoffed, and walked and stumbled, in bondage and darkness.

The close of this message brought us to the Autumn of 1844, and to the termination of the 2300 days of Daniel viii, 14. At the termination of this great prophetic period the coming of the Lord was looked for with great confidence. A disappointment had been realized with the closing of 1843; but another and sad disappointment follows: an unexpected trial of the faith of those who loved and anxiously desired the second Advent of their Lord from heaven. He did not come with the expiration of the 2300 days.

But notwithstanding this, the confidence of a few was still firmly based upon the unfailing word of truth. "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Heb. x, 35-38.

The reason of such a severe disappointment at this time, was not at once disclosed by our heavenly Parent. Yet it was a matter of great consolation to all those who did not "draw back," but still perseveringly sought the guidance of the holy Spirit, to feel the abiding evidence that the gentle hand of the Lord had led them thus far. And that they had not followed "cunningly devised fables," nor been led by the power of Satan, neither had the influence of "mesmerism" produced this movement.

But as soon as the faith of those who "cast not away their confidence," was sufficiently tried, and their hearts were prepared to receive and appreciate the truth, the Message of the third angel is heard.

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus." verses 9, 10, 12.

In the reception and promulgation of this last and most solemn Message of mercy, we are called to sacrifice no point of Bible truth; we have not passed from liberty to bondage, nor from light to darkness. For we cherish and retain all of the light of the past messages, as well as the present. "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

We claim that the argument for the connection of the seventy weeks of Dan. ix, 24, with the 2300 days of chapter viii, 14, is beyond refutation. And that the date for the commencement of these days (years) is 457 B. C., which brings their termination in the Autumn of 1844. At which season of the year they commenced.

That portion of the Adventists who now deny these plain and well established Bible truths, as many do, instead of going on from strength to strength, have been and still are going on from darkness to darkness. So they now have but little either in faith or practice to distinguish them from the cold, formal, and fallen churches around them.

A mistaken view of the Sanctuary to be cleansed (justified, margin, Dan. viii, 14,) at the ending of the 2300 days formed the basis of this disappointment. A thorough and critical investigation of this subject shows conclusively that the Sanctuary here brought to view, is not the earth, but the heavenly Sanctuary which is the subject of Paul's inspired comment in Hebrews, chapters viii, ix. For a full and complete explanation on this subject, with an answer to the objections urged against this view, see the works published on the Sanctuary at the Review Office.

We say then that the light brilliantly shines in full justification of the proclamation of the first two messages of Revelation xiv. And no less does it shine forth from the word of God in proof that the third angel follows them, and that this Message is now being given.

Dear reader, are you heeding the solemn warning contained in this message? "If any man worship the beast and his image," &c. Are you bowing to the institutions of the Romish Church? Are you habitually in the practice of violating God's holy Sabbath, substituting for it the first-day of the week? If so, I beg of you to turn to God's holy Bible for light, and there read, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." To this commandment render obedience as well as to every other of the ten, and strive for the Faith of Jesus, and you may then look for eternal life at the appearing of Jesus, which will soon take place.

We have conclusive testimony that increasing success will attend the proclamation of this last saving message. Those who hear and obey its warning notes, will render perfect obedience to all of the commandments of God, and have the Faith of Jesus; and thus be prepared to stand in the great and dreadful day of the Lord, which hasteth greatly. To such the Saviour addresses these soul-cheering words, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

"Heir of the kingdom, say why dost thou linger? How canst thou tarry in sight of the prize? Up and adorn thee, the Saviour is coming, Haste to receive him descending the skies! Keep the eye single, the head upward lifted, Watch for the glory of earth's coming King; Lo! o'er the mountain-tops light is now breaking; Heirs of the kingdom, rejoice ye and sing." A. S. H. Barton Landing, Vt., Apr. 1856.