p. 150 | Facts vs. Unbelief by N. G. Sanders

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 30, 1858

Facts vs. Unbelief.

By N. G. Sanders

UNBELIEF may doubt whether the United States is symbolized in the Scriptures as the two-horned beast, or a beast with two horns; [Rev. xiii, 11;] whether they will do the work assigned that power; and whether they will actually endorse the decrees and persecutions of the first beast. It may doubt whether this is the time and place for the message of the Third Angel; [Rev. xiv, 9; x, 11;] whether here are the people of whom it is said, [Rev. xiv, 12.] Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; whether this is to be the scene of action when the dragon shall make war with the remnant of the seed of the woman [Rev. xii, 17] which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

But it is certain that here has risen a great nation that is acting a fearful part in earth's history. It is a fact that it has laws that directly conflict with the command of God on the subject of the Sabbath; it has, too, a powerful church influence, which is wielded to the support of that law and custom. The commandment of God says the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God; but church and state decree that the first day is, and practice accordingly. It is true that here there is a proclamation being given in the language of the Third Angel, and that a people have arisen in connection with this proclamation claiming it to be necessary to keep the commandments of God as well as the faith of Jesus. It is also true that the people of this nation are actually, one by one, choosing between the commands of God, and the say-so or teachings of the prevailing churches of the land on the same subject, setting all prophecy and all reference to the time and place in which we live, aside. These things are here and now matters of fact.

We read of the woman that fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her a thousand two hundred and three score days. We read of forty and two months that the beast was to continue and wear out the saints; and history testifies to 1260 years of terrible tribulation to the church. Think of it: worn out for 1260 years. Man would have forgotten his promises and purposes: not so with him whose they were. Who can wonder that the slain are represented as crying, How long O Lord holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Comparatively few, they were esteemed as heretics and fanatics; church and state were against them; fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters were separated in the faith, and in the popular eye, were the offscouring of the world.

No doubt their friends often longed to have them lay aside their foolish notions, go to church, say mass or at least keep still, and thus be honored by the world, and secure the privileges of the passing time and be like other folks. But they could not. An impassible barrier was between them. It was the word of God. And did they ever wonder in despondency whether God had forgotten to be gracious? Did their longing eyes look to the God of heaven for redress? Did they ever cry, Lord why is it thus with us? art thou displeased with us? has the letter of thy word misled us, or are we foolishly particular? hast thou brought us into the wilderness that we might be destroyed? And did they then, with holy confidence, yet in anguish, cry, How long O Lord?

Relatives and persecutors looked upon them as unwise. Friends, prosperity, ease and popularity they might have, but for their foolish notions. Their persecutors did not know that this dreadful time of trial was foretold, nor that their own day of triumph was measured in the word of God by days, nor that he that led into captivity must go into captivity. No, no! those few unpopular heretics were not the object of God's special care; the whole world, almost, could not be going wrong. What were they? Frail, human, and erring! But God had regard for his word; for it they lived or died, as seemed best; and for his glory he will ere long avenge their sufferings and blood, when their brethren that shall be killed as they were shall be fulfilled.

Do you, my brother or sister, in anguish, institute similar petitions and inquiries? Do you wonder as you realize the responsibility of your position towards the churches and Christians of your day, and the divisions in your own families, whether it matters or not whether you walk so strictly by God's word? whether in the mass of professors, God would not overlook or wink at your departing a little, just a little, from his word? Do you ask, Is it because I naturally go on extremes, a natural fanatic, so rigid by nature? And must nature weep over the separation, in faith, from those you love? And do you then with certain hope and confidence feel that it is for the word of God, and that, lead to what it may, you will follow. Do you instinctively feel that the river of difference is widening to an impossible ocean? and oh! do you then look back into Egypt, or like Lot in Sodom, tarry and almost resolve to remain and suffer the fate of the city? And then does the angel of mercy hasten you? Do you then reflect that sooner or later their foundation must crumble, their refuge be swept away, and you with them if you stay on forbidden ground? And as nature weeps to differ, do you often look to the quiet rest of the grave and feel that truly, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth?" Alas! that such is our prospect on earth; but the servant is not above his master, nor the disciple above his Lord.

But we look for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. We anticipate a new heaven and earth, according to his promise. And oh! to have every tear wiped from the eyes by Him whom, though Lord of all, it became to be made perfect through suffering; and to have him place the crown of life on those heads that have so often bowed in anguish, were too much for our imperfect lives; but so will Jesus delight to honor those who for the word of God forsake the commands of men. May we wait patiently, and yet say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Even so. Amen. N. G. SANDERS.