R. F. COTTRELL by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 11, 1865

R. F. COTTRELL

By R. F. Cottrell

The World's Conversion a Fable. No. 2.

WHEN our Saviour was asked of his disciples what should be the sign of his second coming and of the end of the world, he gave a sketch of events reaching over the period of the present dispensation to the end. Matt. xxiv, 5–14. As he approaches the end of the gospel age, after predicting the false prophets of the present day, he says, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

The perceptive faculties of some are so very acute, that they fancy they see the world's conversion in the fact that the gospel was to be preached for a witness to all nations. They forget that the gospel, as a witness, may condemn, and not convert, like the preaching of Noah, of whom it is said, "he condemned the world." Heb. xi, 7. Paul, speaking of the sound of the gospel, which "went into all the earth," says, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" Rom. x, 16.

Again, the context, instead of predicting the conversion of the world in the last days, foretells the very reverse—apostasy from love to Christ, of the "many" professors of his religion. "The love of many shall wax cold," "because iniquity shall abound." This plainly speaks of apostasy; for it cannot be said of those who never so much as professed religion, that their love has grown cold. I think Campbell's version says, "The love of the greater number shall cool;" clearly asserting that the majority bearing the Christian name will be involved in this almost universal apostasy. "But," says our Saviour, "he that shall endure unto the end"—he that shall stem the current of this general declension, and endure faithfully the opposition and persecution coming from the many that have turned against God and his truth—"the same shall be saved," saved from the general wreck, and accepted of Christ at his coming.

In perfect harmony with this, is the testimony of Paul to Timothy. "In the last days perilous times shall come. For 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: from such turn away." 2 Tim. iii, 1–5.

The last days of the dispensation will be distinguished, not by glorious, but by perilous times—not by the conversion of the world, but a falling away from the Christian faith, and by iniquity abounding among those who have the form of godliness; for it is said concerning all the abominable characters described in the text, that they have a form of godliness, but deny the power. Now, none can fail to see, who have any discernment in spiritual things, that this state of apostasy and corruption is prevailing to an alarming extent at the present time. What hope can reasonably be entertained that this state of things will suddenly change, and a corrupted Christianity not only work its own cure, but convert the world that is in the very depths of wickedness and degradation? Is it not self-evident, in the absence of all scriptures teaching the reverse, that the present state of declension and wickedness will increase till the cup of iniquity shall be filled to overflowing and draw

down the vengeance of the day of God? And there are no scriptures which foretell the conversion of the world, but all are harmonious in teaching that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse," and a state similar to that of the antediluvians and Sodomites will call for swift vengeance and sudden destruction from Heaven, making the earth empty and desolate, as predicted in numerous prophecies of the word of God.

Reader, be entreated to make a speedy preparation for the terrible events of the tremendous day of the wrath of God and of the Lamb. Do not be deceived by the deceptive dreams of those who have a name to live and are dead—those who flatter themselves and others that there is a good time coming, that the world is to be converted, while they are lowering the standard of godliness to the very dust. Woe to the world when it shall be converted to such a type of Christianity! "The day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Are you prepared to escape those things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man? Get ready, get ready! Now while mercy lingers for you, while Jesus yet pleads, make haste to avail yourself of offered pardon, by embracing "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The life-boat is out—the last reformation is being preached—the last effort of a gracious God is being made to save men from the general wreck, and bring them into the ark of safety. The days of Noah are upon us, but a message has mercifully been prepared to gather out a people that shall be saved. Rev. xiv, 9–12. This message is doing its work. Hasten to embrace it, and live according to its teachings. So you may escape the wrath of the Lamb, and be able to exclaim with all the living saints in the day of Christ's appearing, "This is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord: we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. xxv.