The Strife is Begun by J. M. McLellan

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1856

The Strife is Begun.

By J. M. McLellan

THE four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, [Rev. vii, 1,] are loosing their hold, and the stormy winds of strife and discord are beginning to blow on the earth; and it will continue to blow with greater violence until the just and righteous judgments of God in the seven last plagues are poured out on this devoted world.

The beacon fires of strife are kindling on the top of every high hill. Disunion, strife and disorder, confusion and sedition, prevail to a great extent throughout the land; and who but he who rules in the kingdoms of men, knows how soon they will be blown to a flame, and that time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation upon earth, even to that same time, shall begin? The stern sword of justice hangs fearfully over this doomed earth. The blow will soon be struck, the die cast; and the decree will go forth, He that is filthy let him be filthy still, and he that is righteous let him be righteous still. Rev. xxii, 11.

Evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Tim. iii, 13. The wicked are engaged in the work of deceiving one another, instead of attending to the means of salvation which are now within their reach, but which will soon be removed far away; and when they begin to cry for rocks and mountains to fall on them to hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, they will then think of the sweet offers of mercy that they have so often spurned from them; but it will then be too late. They know not the time of their visitation. They have other things to attend to; therefore it will come upon them as a snare.

Daniel says, The wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Dan. xii, 10. The righteous are wise: they are watching the fulfillment of the signs of the times, and they can see by the stir and restlessness of men’s minds, that the great work of deception is going forward.

The strife is begun; and soon the nations will be gathered together for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. Rev. xvi, 13, 14. Look across the Atlantic at the European States; then turn and take a glance nearer home. Look at Kansas and California, and read the alarming news that is wafted through the land upon almost every breeze, and answer me, Are not perilous times upon us?

J. M. McLELLAN.

Hastings, Mich.