The Great Confederation.
By E. G. Rust
“BEHOLD they shall surely gather together, but not by me.” Isa. liv, 15. We hear the report from all quarters from the popular churches, that they are fast becoming more liberal, and that soon the churches are to unite for some great object. We see every effort being put forth to unite all Sunday-observing religionists. Religious journals teem with the glowing prospects of a speedy union. Ministers proclaim it from the pulpit. “We are willing to lay aside our minor points of difference, (doctrine, I suppose), for the sake of uniting to evangelize the world, and thus bring in the millennium.” This seems to be their manner of reasoning. This is very delusive and is likely to mislead many honest souls who are not established in the truth. But it seems to me to be one of the enemy’s masterpieces, and should go hand in hand with his peace and safety cry; for both seem calculated to quiet people’s fears about the approaching wrath of God. But is not this a direct fulfillment of prophecy? The way seems to be fast preparing among the fallen churches, for the image of the beast to be formed, and the decree to be passed. Those fallen and corrupt bodies, “whose sins have reached unto Heaven,” must first unite, before either the image can be formed or the decree passed. Who can doubt, in the light of present developments, the correctness of our position upon the mark of the beast? Rev. xiv, 6–12. Truly, “if any man will do his will he shall know the doctrine.” The warning in the third angel’s message, is the most fearful in the whole word of God, and it is placed there for you and me, dear reader; and God intended it should be understood; and it ill becomes us as consistent Christians to close our eyes to the warning, which God in his mercy has given us. There are many who are thoroughly sick of the pride and vanity which meet their eyes in the popular churches, who have not as yet felt the impelling influence of the call to “Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. xviii, 4; Isa. lii, 11. To such we would say, that the wicked are ripening for the great harvest, much faster than you and I for the heavenly garner, and every effort will be put forth by our common enemy to lead us into delusion and blind us as to our true condition. He would even deceive the very elect were it possible. Our only safety is to be very humble, earnestly desiring the sincere milk of the word; and with an unprejudiced mind, to carefully examine the evidences of the truth, and without desiring to excuse ourselves, obey. We are preparing now for eternity. This is the last message with mercy (Rev. xiv, 9–14), as one like unto the Son of man is seen coming upon a white cloud immediately after its proclamation. Oh, I beseech you by the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to heed the warning voice; for God’s Spirit will not always strive with man. May God save the sincere, and help them, amidst the perils of the last days, to walk in the light, and realize that God has a present truth. The effect of our turning away from the truth, and trying to excuse ourselves from obedience, will be terrible. By rejecting the truth, we cause God to withdraw his Holy Spirit from us and leave us to the fearful delusions of the enemy; and we are led to think we are safe because we are in the channel in which the great mass of mankind are drifting, and because the wise and the mighty and the noble are with us. But the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. The apostle sums up the result of not receiving the truth in the last days on this wise: “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions, that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believed not the truth.” 2 Thess. ii, 11, 12. And this “because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.” What fearful responsibilities hang upon our decision upon the truth of God’s word. What greater delusion can there be among the perils of the last days, than the peace and safety cry which is now sounding from east to west—“a good time coming.” All that profess to follow the blessed Jesus are to be united in the bonds of brotherly love. But the wise shall understand, praise the Lord! Does not God speak to us of this condition of things through his prophet Isaiah. “Associate yourselves together, O, ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries; gird yourselves and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word and it shall not stand; for God is with us.” Isa. viii, 9, 10. And when the time shall come for them to associate themselves together, he thus instructs his true disciples: “For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy, neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Isa. viii, 11, 12. This is at a time when all the commandments of God shall be kept, and the seal, or Sabbath, restored to God’s broken law, as he says in verse 16. “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.” At this time also, he gives us a text by which we may try all classes in verse 20. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” May the Lord give us wisdom and strength in these perilous times, and help us to humbly walk before him, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling.