p. 90 | Perdition! by J. Dorcas

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 10, 1859

Perdition!

By J. Dorcas

WHAT a solemn thought, that some men are now living, with high hopes of heaven, who are yet in the way of death: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, who mind earthly things. "Is it I," should be the soul-stirring question with us all, since the Scriptures come very close home on this point, to the remnant, "the twelve tribes of the children of Israel scattered abroad." The Apostle says, and doubtless in connection with his judgment-hour work, anticipating a sifting, "But we

are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Heb. x, 39. It is truly a matter of rejoicing and comfort that these words were written. May we then continue faithful to the end, till the Lord comes. He has already declared that "the just," or the saints, "shall live by faith." Verse 38.

Pressed by the world, the flesh, and the devil, we may justly conclude that "yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Finally, then deliverance will come to all the truly faithful, whose faith has saved them from sin, from filthiness, "from fleshly lusts that war against the soul."

The point that the Apostle is making is clearly seen by a reference to the prophecy of Hab. ii, from which he quotes. The vision is now truly being written and made plain on tables; and though (as we see in the prophecy referred to, verse 4) men's souls will be lifted up; that is, they will manifest a spirit of opposition to the work of God, and finally carry out their opposition in settled persecution, yet the just shall live by his faith. Paul's advice, as well as his encouragement, at this point of time is altogether necessary, "Ye have need of patience."

There are many ways that lead to perdition. But it is clearly intimated that to reject the light of the third message of Rev. xiv, is certain perdition. To believe is salvation, is life. Glory to God! It is possible to be saved, even in these last days of peril, even though between us and the new heavens and earth, there is a fiery void in which ungodly men receive perdition. (Utter destruction, Web.) Yet while mercy still lingers, the efforts of those who see the day approaching, should be unmitigated to save some, yea, many. And while thus engaged for others, we must keep under the body, the fleshly lusts that war against the soul. He that overcometh shall inherit all things.

There is yet another way that it might be well for us to contemplate for a moment, which Paul describes as follows: "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." Are we not content and thankful with our common blessings of food and raiment, though poor and common? Let us fear. The world is represented by the apostle James just at the end, when the coming of the Lord is near, as fattening themselves. See chap. v, 5. The Lord also says they shall be eating and drinking as in the days of the flood. If the remnant people would generally retrench their expenses in relation to eating, drinking, and apparel, would it not afford a vast resource for meeting the necessary expenses of traveling messengers?

When we consider what is said of "the Elias that was for to come," as to his eating, and apparel, we should be content to let our moderation be known, in this direction, to all men.

J. DORCAS.

Red Oak, Iowa.