Signs of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 39. (10/6/1914)

Signs of the Times

Oct 6, 1914

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 6, 1914

BRITISH BATTERY IN FRANCE BEING PLACED IN POSITION FOR LONG RANGE FIRING

“Stir Up the Mighty Men”

A Thrilling Prediction — Plowshares to Be Made into Swords, and Pruning-Hooks into Spears — Even the Weak Nations to Be Mighty in Battle — Significance of Calamities and Wars — A Shelter from the Breaking Storm

THIS conflagration of war that is sweeping Europe, and involving a large part of Asia, and portions of Africa, is staggering humanity. Thousands of people are earnestly asking the question, “What does it mean?” Instinctively many minds are turned toward the word of God, to know if it offers any suggestions or throws any light upon the terrible situation.

In numerous articles since this war began, various writers have called attention, through our columns, to portions of the prophetic Word which very accurately describe the situation that we find in the world.

One of the plain scriptures upon this subject that has not as yet been presented and commented upon very extensively is the following:

“Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Haste ye, and come, all ye nations round about, and gather yourselves together: thither cause Thy mighty ones to come down, O Jehovah. Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about. Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the wine-press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. And Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but Jehovah will be a refuge unto His people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel.” Joel 3:9-16, Revised Version.

THE TIME OF THE PROPHECY

There should be no mistaking the meaning of this most vivid prophecy, nor the period when it applies. It refers to a time when multitudes upon multitudes are "in the valley of decision," when the day of the Lord is near, and when God is about to judge all the nations. In that awfully solemn hour, we are not only to have great strife among the nations, as is shown by the prophecy, but there will be commotions and upheavals on the earth that will make the heavens and the earth shake as "Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem," in the great day of judgments and calamities. It is the time when God has given the command, "Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the wine-press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great." Joel 3:13, Revised Version.

Great wickedness, barbarous cruelties, and inhuman deeds of men are calling for God to put an end to the scenes of sin, and to bring in everlasting righteousness. In this great Judgment hour the text says, "Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up." Then the proclamation of war, the stirring up of the mighty men, and the drawing near of the men of war to their ferocious combats, will be some of the things that will strikingly characterize the days when God is upon the throne of Judgment, passing upon the actions and deeds of men.

THE AUTHORS OF THE WAR SPIRIT

God is not the author of these scenes of war. The sixteenth chapter of Revelation shows that the spirits of demons will be the powers that go to the kings of the earth and the whole world to gather them to the great war of God the Almighty. God does not create the war spirit. He is not the author of any of this bloodshed and confusion. But He knew in advance what Satan would do, as he is permitted to exhibit himself before the universe. The divine Father has foretold his diabolical workings, so that when these things should come to pass, we might have confidence in God's word, and stand under His sheltering protection.

"BEAT YOUR PLOWSHARES INTO SWORDS"

Not only is war to be proclaimed by these mighty men, but so intense will become their efforts in making everything conserve and advance their war preparations, that it will even be said, "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears." The demon gods of war will seek ruthlessly and recklessly to swallow everything. They will not regard the needs of hungry, suffering humanity; but every resource will be employed to render assistance in preparing for the indescribable carnage of the inhuman wars of the closing days of time.

"LET THE WEAK SAY, I AM STRONG"

To use the language of the text, it is to be said, "Let the weak say, I am strong."

Photo Boston Photo News Co. UPPER PART OF A FRENCH AEROPLANE, SHOWING THE RAPID FIRE GUN MOUNTED ON TOP

Even the so-called weak nations, like Belgium, Servia, Montenegro, and other little kingdoms, will show themselves strong in battle. The furies of war take possession of the minds of men, and madden them for the strife.

Notice that the prophecy calls for the nations round about to gather themselves together to the great conflict. The nations are to bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat. That valley is to the east of Jerusalem, lying very near the site of the ancient city.

This prophecy furnishes added evidence that the operations of the great war of Armageddon will center in Palestine; for while this prophecy calls the armies into the valley of Jehoshaphat, the one in the sixteenth chapter of Revelation calls the armies to the neighborhood of Mount Megiddo, which is in the valley of Esdraelon, something like sixty miles north of Jerusalem.

This prophecy is also Jehovah's prediction of the war conditions that will obtain in the last days, when the great Judgment hour has come.

WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION

We must not allow ourselves to become confused in the references to Zion and the city of Jerusalem, toward the close of the text; for while, as suggested in connection with one of our articles last week, many of these prophecies had a local and incidental reference to things that occurred about the literal Jerusalem, yet the apostle Paul says they all "happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." 1 Cor. 10:11.

God did not write His great prophetic utterances that refer to the Judgment-day, merely for people who lived in Jerusalem two thousand years ago. These prophecies are for us who are living now, and they are being literally fulfilled in the world by conditions that are occurring all about us. We not only have these great strifes of war, but the earth is visited as never before by tornado, hurricane, flood, and fire, that are spreading desolation and destruction everywhere. And we not only have these independent prophecies, such as the one from Joel which we are studying this week, but we have numerous lines of prophecy that point with unmistakable accuracy to this very generation as the one that is to see the consummation of earth's career of sin, and witness the second coming of Christ.

TO THE ONE WHO WISHES TO KNOW

The caviler has always been able to find excuses for disbelieving the word of God, or interpreting away its clear utterances, particularly in prophetic lines. But we address ourselves to the individual who desires to know God's truth, and who is praying that God's Spirit, through His word, may fulfil the Master's promise to guide him into all truth. For all such, the words of inspiration are clear.

NO NEED TO FEAR

There is no need of any alarm or fear to those who recognize the truth of the divine Book; for although we are standing in the presence of the most awful wars and the most fearful calamities that this world has ever seen, yet has God promised definitely that He will protect and care for those who place their trust in Him. To this end, read and ponder carefully the following comforting words of the psalmist:

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all the ways." Ps. 91:1-11.

When the world is visited with deadly pestilence; when there is the terror by night and the arrow by day; when destruction is wasting on every hand, and a thousand are falling in one place and ten thousand in another—God says that even in that time, His protection for His children will be so great that they will not be afraid for any of these things.

Do you know this protection? Do you know this shelter? Are you personally acquainted with this blessed Saviour, who is yearning to protect you now, and to save you in the near-by day of His coming?

Signs of the Times

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA

Victory Over Self

"It is a continual struggle to be always on the alert to resist evil; but it pays to obtain one victory after another over self and the powers of darkness."

Heathen Shocked at "Christian Europe"

By Homer R. Salisbury

Agitation in India to Send Missionaries to the "Christian Nations" — Shocked by Their Spirit of War — Feelings Expressed before the War Broke Out

By HOMER R. SALISBURY Superintendent Mission Work in India

THIS article from Elder H. R. Salisbury was written just as war was breaking out in Europe. His letter that accompanied the article made no reference to the war. He was in the interior visiting some of our mission stations, and without question had not learned that war had been declared between Austria and Servia, which occurred just the second day before the date of his letter. This article, coming under such circumstances, shows in a very remarkable manner how the war spirit of Europe was impressing itself upon the people in India even before the war broke out. As expressed by Elder Salisbury, the people over there recognize the fact that the fearful preparations for war actually mean war.

IT will doubtless come as a surprise to many Christians in the West to learn that heathen of the East are putting forth an effort to send "competent missionaries" to Europe to convert her, and "save her from her threatened doom before her nations destroy one another in a great European war."

THEY THINK IT MEANS WAR

The cable, the telegraph, and the daily paper have brought the West to the East. The raising of new war loans, the launching of super-Dreadnoughts, the increasing of land forces unparalleled in history, the insatiable greed for territory, and the distrust and jealousy existing between countries, receive prominent mention and are critically commented upon by the public press in India. While sentimentalists close their eyes to facts, and prate of the imminence of universal peace at a time when the nations of Europe are beggarning themselves to overreach each other in their preparations for war, the East is learning the facts, and believes that this mad preparation for war means war.

EMPEROR WILLIAM (LEFT), WITH HIS GENERALS, CONSULTING WAR MAP ON THE FIELD

GOD NOT RECOGNIZED

Because the peoples of the West call themselves Christian nations, while by their actions they repudiate the principles of peace lived and taught by the One whose name they have taken, they have subjected themselves to severe criticism by non-Christians, as will appear by the following quotation from the editor of the Amrita Bazar Patrika, a daily paper published in Calcutta, having a large circulation among Hindus:

"France in the height of her prosperity deposed the Almighty God. This was during the great Revolution. Europe has, however, reinstated Him, but with a constitution. God no doubt reigns in Europe now, but He does not rule. He is only a constitutional sovereign there; for as a free people, the Europeans choose to govern themselves, though they accept the need of a king, bound hand and foot by a constitution. "That God has no authority in Europe is evidenced from the fact that even His most pronounced wishes are not respected in that continent. God declared that men were all brethren, and Jesus came mainly to impress that idea on the minds of the people in the West. But the invention of the Maxim gun, and later on, the aeroplane (for war), shows what little regard they pay to the injunctions of the Messiah they profess to love and worship."

Even the non-Christian peoples of India recognize that these conditions exist because Christ does not have His place as Lord and Master in the lives of those who formally profess to follow His teachings, and that peace can never come while men show by their actions that their hearts are filled with greed and hatred. The editor of Patrika continues:

"Europe is in need of a living religion, or that continent will one day disappear from the face of the earth. They have now twenty-five to thirty millions of regular soldiers there. These are trained like bloodhounds, and all humane sentiments are systematically sought to be eradicated out of their hearts. Let there be one great European war now, with each power appearing in the field with its millions of soldiers and thousands of Maxim guns and aeroplanes, and Europe is desolated. "Europe finds itself in this condition because it has no religion. Yet her nations have a superabundance of energy. That being so, what else can they do but slaughter, overreach, and beggar one another when they have no God to control them? Superabundance of energy is good, but when it is not controlled by religion it becomes very dangerous."

It is humiliating to be rebuked by such words, and we could but wish that there were not so much truth in them. It must be evident that such comments as have just been quoted, when put before those who are already too well pleased with their ancient religions, make the already difficult task of the Christian missionary doubly hard.

REPROACHED BY HEATHEN

The missionary has not only to battle with the subtle and pernicious influence of these Eastern religions, whose doctrines are so pleasing to the natural man and so deadly to spiritual growth, but what often seems harder, he must meet the reproaches cast upon his own religion by those who have judged Christianity by its fruit as it appears in the life of those who, while professing to follow the same Christ whom the missionaries exalt as the hope of mankind, put Him to open shame by their words and actions.

But God is jealous of His great name; and though darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, His glory will be seen in the lives of those who delight to exalt Him, and who believe that "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." And so through His blessed providence many are forsaking their idols, devil-worship, and the teaching of the false prophet, and led by the true light, are looking upward with longing hearts for the coming King.

Feeding on the Bread of Life

"If a man wants to be strong in the Lord, he must feed on the bread of life."

Effect of the Mind on the Health

By Mrs. E. G. White

Cultivate Contentment and Joy — The Great Source of Rest and Peace — Help for Every Trial — There Is No Virtue in Continual Mourning

By MRS. E. G. WHITE

THE relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces, and to invite decay and death.

A CONTENTED MIND AND HEALTH

Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. "A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine." Prov. 17:22.

For those who would regain or preserve health there is a lesson in the words of Scripture, "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." Eph. 5:18. Not through the excitement or oblivion produced by unnatural or unhealthful stimulants, not through indulgence of the lower appetites or passions, is to be found true healing or refreshment for the body or the soul.

Among the sick are many who are without God and without hope. They suffer from ungratified desires, disordered passions, and the condemnation of their own consciences. They are losing their hold upon this life, and they have no prospect for the life to come. Let not the attendants upon the sick hope to benefit these patients by granting them frivolous, exciting indulgences. These have been the curse of their lives. The hungry, thirsting soul will continue to hunger and thirst so long as it seeks to find satisfaction here. Those who drink at the fountain of selfish pleasure are deceived. They mistake hilarity for strength; and when the excitement ceases, their inspiration ends, and they are left to discontent and despondency.

THE ONE SOURCE OF REST AND PEACE

Abiding peace, true rest of spirit, has but one source. It was of this that Christ spoke when He said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." John 14:27. This peace is not something that He gives apart from Himself. It is in Christ, and we can receive it only by receiving Him.

THE WHOLE BEING OPENED TO HEAVEN'S HEALING AGENCIES

Christ is the well-spring of life. That which many need is to have a clearer knowledge of Him. They need to be patiently and kindly, yet earnestly, taught how the whole being may be thrown open to the healing agencies of heaven. When the sunlight of God's love illuminates the darkened chambers of the soul, restless weariness and dissatisfaction will cease, and satisfying joys will give vigor to the mind, and health and energy to the body.

UNNECESSARILY HEAVY

We are in a world of suffering. Difficulty, trial, and sorrow await us all along the way to the heavenly home. But there are many who make life's burdens doubly heavy by continually anticipating trouble. If they meet with adversity or disappointment, they think that everything is going to ruin, that theirs is the hardest lot of all, that they are surely coming to want. Thus they bring wretchedness upon themselves, and cast a shadow upon all around them. Life itself becomes a burden to them. But it need not be thus.

It will cost a determined effort to change the current of their thought. But the change can be made. Their happiness, both for this life and for the life to come, depends upon their fixing their minds upon cheerful things. Let them look away from the dark picture, which is imaginary, to the benefits which God has strewn in their pathway, and beyond these to the unseen and eternal.

HELP FOR EVERY TRIAL

For every trial, God has provided help. When Israel in the desert came to the bitter waters of Marah, Moses cried unto the Lord. The Lord did not provide some new remedy; He called attention to that which was at hand. A shrub which He had created was to be cast into the fountain to make the water pure and sweet. When this was done, the people drank of the water and were refreshed.

In every trial, if we seek Him, Christ will give us help. Our eyes will be opened to discern the healing promises recorded in His word. The Holy Spirit will teach us how to appropriate every blessing that will be an antidote to grief. For every bitter draught that is placed to our lips, we shall find a branch of healing.

"LET HIM TAKE HOLD OF MY STRENGTH"

We are not to let the future, with its hard problems, its unsatisfying prospects, make our hearts faint, our knees tremble, our hands hang down. "Let him take hold of My strength," says the Mighty One, "that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." Isa. 27:5.

Those who surrender their lives to His guidance and to His service will never be placed in a position for which He has not made provision. Whatever our situation, if we are doers of His word, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexity, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend.

None need abandon themselves to discouragement and despair. Satan may come to you with the cruel suggestion, "Yours is a hopeless case. You are irredeemable." But there is hope for you in Christ. God does not bid us overcome in our own strength. He asks us to come close to His side. Whatever difficulties we labor under, which weigh down soul and body, He waits to make us free.

He who took humanity upon Himself knows how to sympathize with the sufferings of humanity. Not only does Christ know every soul, and the peculiar needs and trials of that soul, but He knows all the circumstances that chafe and perplex the spirit. His hand is outstretched in pitying tenderness to every suffering child. Those who suffer most have most of His sympathy and pity. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and He desires us to lay our perplexities and troubles at His feet, and leave them there.

SHOULD NOT GO MOURNING

Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings,—as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to our Father's house?

Those professed Christians who are constantly complaining, and who seem to think cheerfulness and happiness a sin, have not genuine religion. Those who take a mournful pleasure in all that is melancholy in the natural world; who choose to look upon dead leaves rather than to gather the beautiful living flowers; who see no beauty in grand mountain heights and in valleys clothed with living green; who close their senses to the joyful voice which speaks to them in nature, and which is sweet and musical to the listening ear,—these are not in Christ. They are gathering to themselves gloom and darkness, when they might have brightness, even the

Sun of righteousness arising in their hearts with healing in His beams.

Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms.

It is a law of nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as we give them utterance. While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have,—the great mercy and love of God,—we should have more faith and greater joy. No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God. Even on earth we may have joy as a well-spring, never failing, because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God.

COME INTO THE CHANNEL OF BLESSING

One of the surest hindrances to recovery of the sick is the centering of attention upon themselves. Many invalids feel that every one should give them sympathy and help, when what they need is to have their attention turned away from themselves, to think of and care for others.

Often prayer is solicited for the afflicted, the sorrowful, the discouraged; and this is right. We should pray that God will shed light into the darkened mind, and comfort the sorrowful heart. But God answers prayer for those who place themselves in the channel of His blessings. While we offer prayer for these sorrowful ones, we should encourage them to try to help those more needy than themselves. The darkness will be dispelled from their own hearts as they try to help others. As we seek to comfort others with the comfort wherewith we are comforted, the blessing comes back to us.

The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is a prescription for maladies of the body and of the soul. If we desire health and the true joy of life, we must put into practise the rules given in this scripture. Of the service acceptable to Him, and its blessings, the Lord says:

"Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, And that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; And that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, And thine health shall spring forth speedily."

ONE OF THE BEST MEDICINES

Good deeds are twice a blessing, benefiting both the giver and the receiver of the kindness. The consciousness of right-doing is one of the best medicines for diseased bodies and minds. When the mind is free and happy from a sense of duty well done and the satisfaction of giving happiness to others, the cheering, uplifting influence brings new life to the whole being.

If those who are suffering from ill health would forget self in their interest for others, if they would fulfil the Lord's command to minister to those more needy than themselves, they would realize the truthfulness of the prophetic promise, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily."

The Sickness of the Soul

AMONG the sick are many who are without God and without hope. They suffer from ungratified desires, disordered passions, and the condemnation of their own consciences. They are losing their hold upon this life, and they have no prospect for the life to come. Let not the attendants upon the sick hope to benefit these patients by granting them frivolous, exciting indulgences. These have been the curse of their lives. The hungry, thirsting soul will continue to hunger and thirst so long as it seeks to find satisfaction here. Those who drink at the fountain of selfish pleasure are deceived. They mistake hilarity for strength; and when the excitement ceases, their inspiration ends, and they are left to discontent and despondency.

Continue reading: The Kingdom of God Is Preached