ENVY NOT THE WICKED by S. Osborn

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1859

ENVY NOT THE WICKED.

By S. Osborn

It is often said now, as in times of old, 'It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?' For, say they, 'now we call the proud happy; yea they that work wickedness, are set up; yea they that tempt God are even delivered.'

This is even applicable to some that profess to live directly under the teaching and influence of the third angel's message. Look around, say they, and see the prosperity, the happiness, and the honor that is conferred upon the wicked and ungodly! Why, they can be exalted to any station in society. The common people look up to them! ministers of the gospel (so-called) bow to them. In short it is of no use to serve God.

But come, let us reason together on this subject a little. The psalmist David was in just such a state of feeling when he declared in psalm lxxiii, 'But as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped. I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish;' carrying the same idea that Universalists carry that man must be punished in this world for all his acts; hence it is no use to serve God.

But hear him a little further. Verse 16. 'When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.' Ah! there is where, my brethren, we shall see the difference between the righteous and wicked. To this agrees the prophet Malachi, chap. iii, 17, 18. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare him as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Yes, bless the Lord! then shall we be delivered from sorrow and pain. No wonder that the apostle John said in his first epistle, chap. iii, 2, that it doth not yet appear what we shall be, for now we see all borne down the stream of time together.

I can think of no better comparison for the course of events than a river above a fall. As a river above a precipice flows more and more rapidly as it descends toward the perpendicular fall, so as we near the coming of our Lord from heaven, the signs of the times will show more and more plainly that we soon shall stand on the brink of the great gulf that will separate us from the wicked and show us their miserable end. Oh may we be ready when that momentous time shall come upon the earth, to be caught up with those that sleep in Jesus, to meet the Lord in the air. Says John, When he shall appear we know that we shall be like him, for we shall see him as his. Go on brethren in the Lord, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

S. OSBORN.

Washington Co., Iowa.