The World’s Conversion a Fable
By R. F. Cottrell
The World's Conversion a Fable. No. 6.
Jesus Christ, apostles and prophets, are unanimous in predicting, for the last days of the gospel dispensation, times of peril and gross wickedness, in the world and in the church, which will only be terminated by the great day of wrath in which the Son of God shall be revealed from Heaven; and that that day will come upon the inhabitants of the earth, as the flood came upon the world of the ungodly in the time of Noah. And the united testimony of all the great chains of consecutive prophecy, together with their fulfillment, unmistakably proves that we have reached those last days, and consequently that the day of the Lord is just before us. In addition to this, the signs of the times—the present state of the world and the church—verify the predictions of prophecy, by filling up the dark picture of abounding iniquity of the last days. Among the nations, war and strife are the order of the day. And though they are not actually engaged in the great struggle foretold in prophecy, being held in check by the angels commissioned to hold the winds of earth, yet their extensive preparations for war, while they show what we may expect, answer emphatically to the prophetic commandment: "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men," &c., (Joel iii, 9–14) showing unmistakably that the time is at hand when the nations will be gathered to the valley of slaughter, when the "MIGHTY ONES" will come down, the harvest of the earth will be reaped and the wine-press of the wrath of God will be trodden. In society, the testimony comes from every quarter that crime is increasing to an alarming extent. I read it in the daily prints, I hear it by word of mouth. Conversing with some friends in Buffalo a few days since, they told me there was not a night passed but that more or less of house-breaking, stealing and robbery, were committed in that city. And this is a leading characteristic feature of the present time. The earth is filled with violence; and violence is increasing; and this in the most enlightened part of the earth—the land of Bibles, and a land also of a superabundance of religious teachers. Paul expressed it exactly when he said, "They shall heap to themselves teachers," and he did not speak falsely when he added, "They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." The doctrine of the world's conversion is doubtless one of the fables referred to. But are there any signs of the conversion of the world in the present state of society? Not any. Still if the word of the Lord says it shall be, we will believe it "against hope." I call upon those who believe and teach the doctrine, to give us the word of the Lord, which proves it true. It cannot be found. Why then teach the people to expect it? It will not be disputed that while the nations are preparing for war, society is exceedingly corrupt; indicating the very reverse of the conversion of the world to God. But it may be asked, Where is the evidence that the church is in a corrupt and fallen state? I reply: Were it a fact that church members were guilty of none of these abounding crimes, were they guilty of no extortion, and excessive worldliness, yet if they can calmly behold the present state of the most enlightened society, and solace themselves with the anti-scriptural hope of the world's conversion, and a "good time coming," ignoring, if not repudiating and scoffing at the scriptural doctrine of the Lord's coming, it is sufficient evidence that the church is dead, though she may have a name to live. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and the Jews, when he foresaw the desolation and destruction that were about to come upon them. His Spirit now weeps over a doomed world and a fallen church about to drink of the wine-cup of vengeance and sink in irretrievable ruin. And hence the righteous of these days are characterized as those who sigh and cry for all the abominations that are being done. Eze. ix, 4. But while the greatest reason exists that ever did exist for weeping over sinners—while the greatest and most terrible calamity is impending that ever befell the human race—a church, professing the Spirit of Christ, can look on with indifference, and not only not weep and sigh over the impending calamities, but can whisper peace in the sinner's ear, and prophecy of good days to come in which all will share the universal joy. And so confident are they of the truth of this fable, that some of them can say, in the face of the most astounding facts to the contrary, that the world is growing better, and can see, by the help of the glasses they use, the world's conversion at no remote period. Now let those who are holding forth this delusive hope to a world filled with violence, and a church so fallen and so far allied to the world as not to perceive it, bring forth their strong reasons and their Scriptural evidences for the doctrine they hold. If they have none, let them cease crying peace, when there is no peace; but rather let them "cry aloud, and spare not," and show the people their transgression, and the professed church their sins. Oh, that the warning might be given so loud and so clear that it might reach the ears of all who may be saved from this wreck of a world, so soon to taste the cup of unmingled fury which all the prophets have foretold. Oh, that the people of God may be aroused and that they may weep day and night over the slain of the Lord's people, and over the strange infatuation that has hidden the truth from the eyes of the professed church of God!