The Condition of the World as the Advent of Our Lord Approaches.
An idea is abroad in Christian society that through the progress of civilization and the gradual spread of the gospel, a millennium of peace and righteousness will be introduced, and this world will thereby be prepared for the Second Advent of our Lord. This is without doubt, a grand theory, and one which is sure to obtain favor; but it is FALSE. The word of God has nowhere sanctioned such a notion: indeed, the direct contrary is clearly laid before us. Moreover, we ourselves are called to live in days when science and civilization have arrived at wondrous height. Men's talents never were so highly tutored; human skill was never so developed; refinement also has attained to exquisite perfection in almost every grade of life. But what of PEACE? It is needful to speak very cautiously respecting it, and to give all our science a direction which concerns the munitions of war. And what of RIGHTEOUSNESS? In every circle of society (clothed indeed in seemly garment, but all the more iniquitous in consequence) ungodliness abounds. Sin grows in presumption, and comes in with gentleness and plausibility, to take possession and to overthrow. We are not, therefore, making progress toward this visionary excellence. Nay, are we not departing further, day by day, from what is good and holy? I need not stay to offer proofs of these positions. They are patent to the most casual observers of the times. No one who mingles with society, or reads the daily newspapers, can help lamenting that the case is even thus. It does not seem, therefore, as if we were at present making progress toward millennial perfection. No one, I should suppose, can say that matters lead to any such conclusion. But let us look, now, at our Bibles, and find what we must expect as time flies on, and the great day of Christ approaches. In the first place, we find that nothing is laid down in plainer terms than this, "Iniquity shall abound" in a peculiar and fearful manner as the time draws near. Our Saviour's words are powerful, which in the twenty-fourth chapter of St. Matthew, and elsewhere, foretell some of the wonders of that "end" for which we look. He cheers us indeed by the declaration that "the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations," and by other gladdening assurances; but then, on the other hand, he forewarns us how that as the end draws near "iniquity shall abound" and "the love of many shall wax cold." He reminds us of the days of Noah, when the world was totally regardless of the fear of God, when "every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil continually," and tells us "so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." He refers, likewise, to the days of Lot, when men were sinners before the Lord exceedingly, and declares, "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." And elsewhere we find the Saviour asking the conclusive question, "Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" But let us see now what the word of the inspired apostles was upon this subject. St. Paul deals therewith plainly, in his second epistle to the Thessalonians: "Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed, the Son of Perdition, . . . whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." So, likewise, in his second epistle to Timothy, we find him speaking of the "perilous times" which shall come "in the last days," when "men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." St. Jude, also, in his short epistle, warns us how that in the last times there shall be "mockers" who shall walk "after their own ungodly lusts." To the same conclusion does the book of Revelation lead us.
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