Strange Things by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 17, 1863

Strange Things.

By R. F. Cottrell

How can men be blind to the signs of the times? When the prophetic chart is so full and clear in regard to the great way-marks to the kingdom, and the last of these waymarks appearing so clear in the history of our own times, how can the great mass of men, ministers and members of churches as well as open infidels, close their eyes to these things, so that the great day of the Lord shall overtake them as a thief! But so it is; and Jesus knew and foretold that it would be even as it was in the days of Noah—they "knew not till the flood came and took them all away." Notwithstanding the threatening of our Saviour against the evil servant, that he would "come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites;" yet we hear men say, "It makes no difference whether we know anything about the period of his coming, if we are only prepared for it." As if a person could neglect his word, not heeding the signs he has left on record, and consequently not watching according to his command—not obeying his injunction—*"when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."

These are strange things, but true. But still stranger than this it is, that so many that see the signs of the times, in some respects, that are satisfied that the great day of the Lord is at hand, that we are even now entering the time of trouble such as never was, are yet blind to the fact, out of their prejudices against the law of God, that the warning voice of the third angel alone can prepare any one to stand in that awful day; that those that profess faith in prophetic fulfillment should ignore and virtually expunge this most important and thrilling message of the prophetic word, and expect that great day of wrath is immediately coming, and this message, given on purpose to warn men of that day, so that they may prepare for it, not be fulfilled; and though pointed to the fact that the message is actually being given in perfect harmony with the word, that it is developing a people that are keeping more commandments of God than they are, yet will not admit that God is doing this work, so perfectly in harmony with his word.

Nothing could more forcibly remind one of Paul's caution to the Jews, "Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 'Behold ye despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.'"

Jesus said to the Jews, "If ye believed Moses, ye would believe me, for he wrote of me." On the same principle of reasoning, those that believe the apostle John, will believe the third angel's message, for he wrote of it.

R. F. COTTRELL.