SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 1, 1859

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

LUKE xxi. 28.—And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.

READER, your attention is invited to a few thoughts on a momentous and thrilling event, viz., the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. That he is soon to come as a Judge and a King, there is the clearest evidence in the word of God. Examine it for yourself, without delay, and be ready to have part in the first resurrection. You "can discern the face of the sky;" why not then, with equal clearness, "discern the signs of the times?" as both are equally marked by their appropriate characteristics, and both are equally intelligible. Why pretend ignorance of the lessons of instruction imparted by the one any more than by the other? Remember that when an "adulterous generation" was addressed upon the general truths of the gospel, they demanded as a condition of their belief, "a sign from heaven," or that "one rise from the dead." On the same ground thousands now stand when addressed on the subject of those events which are soon to transpire, and ask, How can these things be? or, Where is the promise of his coming? When the truths on the subject of Christ's near approach are presented, as we believe they are taught in the word of God, then professors of religion, almost en masse, accuse us of bringing "strange things to their ears," yea, virtually charge the Saviour with an unmeaning message to his disciples, when he declared that they might know when their redemption draweth nigh. But I pray you heed not the syren song of peace and safety. I ask why the arrangement of "signs," as the precursors of future events, with the predictions which announce them? Are they to be looked upon as an unmeaning ordinance of heaven? If so, then God is trifling with his creatures. We believe they have a meaning, and those which have already occurred and those which are now transpiring, are solemnly and loudly proclaiming, "Behold the end cometh." There were signs which preceded the first advent of Christ, as well as prophecies fulfilled by the event, and to a reflecting mind, guided by the light of revelation, they were calculated to inspire fresh hopes of the near approach of the infant Saviour. And while the King of Judea was disturbed at the fulfilment of those prophecies which he conceived portended his ruin and the loss of his power, and even sent emissaries to inquire whether such a child were really born, in order to destroy him; there was one of the remnant band of Jewish worthies in Jerusalem, Simeon, a "just man and devout," who had long been waiting for the consolation of Israel, and rejoiced in anticipating the promised Messias. Heaven and earth united in filling the moral hemisphere with forerunners of the incarnation of the Son of God, and awakened throughout the whole civilized world expectations of an approaching crisis. At the appointed time, a virgin daughter of Judah gave birth to the Prince of Peace, and the predicted star appeared and piloted the magi of the east to the place of his birth.

There are also signs which God has appointed as the harbingers of Christ's second coming, and the Bible chronometer God has given us in mercy, for the measurement of times and seasons. A double warning is given, that you may not be in darkness, that that day shall come upon you as a thief. The signs which are predicted to precede the second advent of Christ, are:

1. The prevalent unbelief of Christian professors respecting the doctrine of Christ's near approach. Listen to the fearful interrogation of Christ—When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke xviii. 8.

2. A melancholy and general decay of vital piety. A prominent characteristic of the early Christian was, they "loved his appearing." 2 Tim. iv. 8. They loved to hear of it, to talk about it, to pray for it, and the world hated them. It was the "offence of the cross." In the last times, "the love of many shall wax cold." Matt. xxiv. 12. Does not the love of mammon, the spirit of worldliness, conformity to its maxims and fashions, pervade the professed churches? Judge ye. Which is the most apparent, the power, or the form of religion?

3. Unprecedented prevalence of iniquity is another characteristic of the last times. "Iniquity shall abound." Matt. xxiv. 12. In no period of the world's history have the floodgates let out from its exhaustless

reservoir such streams of guilt. Read the dark and awful descriptions in the public journals, under the heads of Perfidy, Fraud, Rapine, Murder, Sedition, and universal misrule. See the description in 2 Tim. iii. 1-5.

4. Scoffers in the last days, at the coming of Christ, is another sign indicative of his near approach. 2 Pet. iii. 1-4. Beware, reader, lest you be found among this class. A professor of religion may be a scoffer.

5. The universal spread of the gospel among all nations is a sign of Christ's speedy advent. Matt. xxiii. 14. The Gospel is to be preached as a witness, and not as the instrument of the conversion of all nations. This sign is fulfilled.

6. Division among professing Christians, (Matt. xxiv. 10,) and opposition to sound doctrine shall distinguish the last days.

7. A practical rejection of the Lord's word. This is evident in the great prevalence of German Neology, the Rationalism and Transcendentalism of America.

8. Signs or wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.

Other prophetical signs might be noted which are fulfilling before your eyes, by which you may know that Christ standeth at the door. Reader, if you would, you cannot evade the truth on this subject. The present signs of the times, considered in the light of evidences of the fulfillment of prophecy, both past and present, may be viewed as the last call, the last act, the last voice of God's long-slighted and abused mercy to man. Will you heed the call, or sleep on till, amid the darkening of the heavens and the clashing artillery of heaven, the voice of mercy ceases, and you are lost eternally?—Ad. Tract.