The World’s Conversion.
By F. Chapman
THE lameness of the various efforts to prove the world’s conversion from the Sacred Oracles, proves the fallacy of that theory. Mere assumption and inference can, in no case, be admitted as evidence. Take the following specimens, which are, in substance, what lately appeared in print, to prove the world’s future conversion in the present dispensation. First, to prove the world’s conversion the following language is quoted: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Rom. v, 20. The most that this scripture proves, is that divine grace so abounds that whosoever will may be saved, and nothing more. Grace provides and reveals the means of salvation, but is not salvation itself, nor does its freeness prove that one sinner will accept of it, much less the whole world. Again, “All things are put under his feet.” Very true; and therefore must submit to be saved by his grace, or fall and perish by his righteous judgments. How does this prove the conversion of this world? Once more: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Ps. ii, 8. Why omit the ninth verse, which explains the meaning of the eighth, and is a part of the same paragraph, and which tells what Christ will do with the unbelieving part of that world given unto him? Certainly not save them, for they will not believe, more than would the Antediluvians or Sodomites. The ninth verse, so carefully avoided, clearly states what shall be the final doom of such heathens, thus: “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel.” Does this prove, or look like, the world’s conversion, when the two verses are read together, as common honesty would dictate? This garbling and perverting the sacred Scriptures, to sustain a favorite, but false, theory, is one of the most alarming signs of our times, for which there can be no excuse or apology. This is not the age or dispensation of the kingdom and reign of Christ, but a preparatory dispensation of the Holy Ghost to illuminate, purify, strengthen, and comfort those who receive him by faith in Christ. Thus is the Lord preparing a people for himself, “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Col. i, 12. The fact that God is now raising up witnesses in all parts of the world to this precious truth, is certainly worthy of the consideration of all. Our limits will admit of the testimony of but one of these witnesses, which is here subjoined. In a letter from Mrs. Phoebe Palmer, dated Barnard’s Castle, Eng., Aug. 9, 1861, published in the November number of the Guide to Holiness, we have the following extract on the period of the world in which we live: “You know something of what have been my views for many years past, in regard to the period of the world in which we live. My convictions deepen that the drama of this world’s history is fast winding up. Is not the great tribulation spoken of by Daniel coming upon us? I have no sympathy with those who would fix the day or hour of the coming of our Lord. But I am free to acknowledge that during the past twenty years I have prayerfully been comparing scripture with scripture on the subject of our Lord’s second coming. All Scripture is given by inspiration. The scriptures on this topic are for our instruction in righteousness. . . . Though it is written, ‘Of that day and hour knoweth no man,’ yet our incarnate Lord, in answer to the inquiries of his disciples, gave certain signs which should precede his coming, and said, ‘When ye shall see all these things come to pass, know that it is near, even at the door.’ And why did he give these signs, if it were not important that we should observe them? He reproved the Scribes and Pharisees who did not take pains to observe the signs of his first coming. Had they done so, they might have been prepared for its solemn issues. Perhaps you wonder when I say that, though I have been so long interested, I have not studied human authors largely on the subject. But to my mind there is that which is so emphatic in the Scriptures of truth on this solemn, yet glorious theme, that I am amazed Christians of the present day do not feel more like early Christians, who would fain have hastened the day by their eager longings for it. They were told that a falling away must first come, and the Man of Sin who exalteth himself above all that is called God, must be revealed. See 2 Thess. ii, 3. Surely, “The plague, the noise, the din of war,
Our Saviour’s swift approach declare,
And speak his kingdom near;
His chariot will not long delay,
We hear its rumbling wheels, and say,
Triumphant Lord, appear.” “Peter, in referring to the solemnity of the age in which he lived, says: ‘We upon whom the ends of the world are come.’ If the apostle, while writing through the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost, could refer thus to the point of time in which he was living, what may we think of that in which we are now living? Are we not living in the Saturday evening time? ‘One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.’ May we not anticipate some wondrous changes, as the seven thousandth year opens upon us? And what shall that change be? As far as the light of the Scriptures beams upon my own mind, I seem to see, in the dim haze, the dawning of millennial glory, the coming of Him whose right it is to reign, the new heavens and new earth, the ushering in of the grand Sabbatic year, the saints’ jubilee, when those who have attained a part in the first resurrection, shall live and reign with Christ a thousand years.” Here we have the result of honest, prayerful searching and comparing of the Scriptures for at least twenty years. It is the testimony of one standing high in the literary and religious world, and occupying a most favorable stand-point. Let others go and do likewise, and doubtless they will come to the same truthful and blessed conclusion.—F. Chapman.