I HAVE met young men who never gave the subject of religion enough serious, candid thought to recognize their obligation in the matter. But as they have considered the question in the light of the following statements, they have generally become interested:
1. There is a God, a supreme Being, who created the universe, and upholds and maintains all things by His power.
2. This Being created you, and sustains your life moment by moment. He made you an intelligent, reasoning being, endowed with the power of choice.
3. He must have had a purpose in creating you; and since He gave you reason and the power of choice, He must, to be consistent, reveal His purpose to you. Otherwise you might work at cross-purposes with Him, blindly, without any desire to do so.
4. Obviously, therefore, God must have revealed to men His purpose in creation, and that revelation is the whole Bible. No other book even claims to be the revelation of the Creator of all things.
5. I say the whole Bible, for it would not be consistent to think that an Almighty God, who paid the price of His own Son to save all men, should then permit the revelation of His plan to become so mixed with the work of men, and confused, that the great mass of His people could not understand it without the help of an expert.
6. By studying this Bible, we find that God plans to give eternal life to men in a future world as real and tangible as this world, with all its pleasures and blessings, and infinitely more, and none of its curses and sorrows. But this eternal life is only given on conditions.
7. But it is not alone the future life for which this revelation provides. Future salvation requires present good character, which can be secured only through obedience to the instructions in this Book. Character is the only true basis of success and happiness in this life. One may have a pretty fair counterfeit, but never a character acceptable to God, unless the life is connected with Him by obedience.
8. These are strenuous times. Business and pleasure, education, society, money getting, all are pressing. But sound logic and common sense declare that a man owes something to his Maker. He can not afford to go blindly at cross-purposes with the Almighty.
9. As a matter of fact, God's word is not the dry, dull book, centuries behind the times, that many suppose. The inspired prophecies758describe the stirring scenes of our times most graphically, and tell of the crisis of the ages, which is just before us.
10. Both the Bible and all human experience teach that the race has a mighty enemy, the devil, or Satan, who has gathered about him tremendous forces of evil, and is determined to destroy every soul.
In view of all these considerations, are you not convinced that to be a practical, consistent, and reasonable young man, you should get yourself a Bible, and from it seek to become acquainted with God, and with His plan for your life, and strive to learn and obey the conditions that will satisfy Him, and bring you happiness and success in this life, and secure to you eternal life?
MEADE MAC GUIRE.
A “Strange Act” for Jehovah
By T. E. BOWEN
God Doing a Thing out of Harmony with His Nature — Forces in the World Acting Their Part in the Great Drama
By T. E. BOWEN
The “day of the Lord,” as pointed out in a recent article in this paper, is a short period of time as compared with earth’s history. But it is long enough for Jesus Himself — mark this expression — to deal with this rebellious world in a very definite way. Jesus will do it.
The loving, merciful Christ metes out the punishment decreed in the Word. He is still God’s Son. He still lives to carry out the purpose and will of His Father. And when the Father makes known His purpose that certain judgments are to be visited upon those who have spurned the offer of salvation, the meek and lowly Saviour lays aside His priestly robes — in heaven — and clothes Himself with garments of vengeance. The Word says so. “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” Rev. 15: 1.
A STRANGE THING FOR GOD
This will seem “strange” to us, to be sure. It is strange; for God delights in mercy. It is foretold as being strange. Here is the word: “For the Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.” Isa. 28: 21.
What is strange about it? — Why, that God should apparently set aside His merciful kindness for a short time. But, friend, this He does. Yet it is only for a moment, as it were. “He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.” Ps. 103: 9. Were He to do so, with sin going on with a high hand, His very throne would be compromised. No, indeed! It shall be known that God hates sin. And Jesus Christ, the Son, is with His Father in this purpose. “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Ps. 2: 10-12.
BUT FOR A MOMENT
“Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers [apart from the multitude], and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of His place [in heaven] to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” Isa. 26: 20, 21.
Daniel speaks of this same time, this “day of the Lord,” this “little moment” when God does His act, His “strange act,” as follows: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince who standeth for the children of thy people [the people of God, who belong in very truth to Jesus Christ, whose hearts are perfect in their love and obedience to Him, whoever they are, wherever they are]; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12: 1.
DISTRESS OF NATIONS
Down at the end, speaking of this same time, Jesus said: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars [signs that have long since been fulfilled]; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”
We are now in this time, this “distress of nations,” perhaps only at the very beginning of it. When has there been such a commotion among nations as now? Like the sudden appearance of lightning in a clear sky, the nations in Europe began their death grapple with one another. Sudden it certainly was. A world is shocked.
At a time when nearly every one was talking of and expecting peace; at a time when two nations, England and the United States, were just ready to celebrate the centennial of peace between these two great powers, — the crash came. The American delegates to the first meeting of the Church Peace Society were journeying through France to Konstanz, Germany, to open their convention on August 6, when they were called from their sleeper berths by the porter, who shouted to them to be prepared to jump from the train, as the Germans had blown up a bridge just ahead.
Of the horrors of this European conflict, so suddenly throwing many nations into distress, we know but little. Thousands upon thousands have been torn to pieces and slaughtered like beasts. As a sample, here is a brief despatch: “Paris, November 2. — First-hand information of the stupendous carnage which followed the opening of the sluices on the Yser River has just reached me. After eight days of the most sanguinary fighting in military history, the river became choked with bodies, sunken barges, and dead horses. Three entire Wurttemberg brigades were able to cross the river, using the bodies of men and horses as their sole bridges.”
But in this terrible European struggle, we have an earnest, a preface, so to speak, of what is coming when the actual storm breaks among nations — when that time of trouble shall actually come such as “never was” since men began banding themselves together into nations. Then not only Belgium and northern France and eastern Germany will be made desolate, but the whole world will be devastated. Every city will fall during this “day of the Lord” period.
GOD OPENS HIS ARMORY
Joining the terrible engines of destruction of nations, the siege-guns, the fighting monsters of the deep, and devastating armies, God’s artillery will do its work in the terrible plagues mentioned above. Before this time of trouble “such as never was” shall be overpassed, great hailstones, weighing many pounds, will fall. Men’s hearts are now struck with terror as they strain their eyes skyward for air craft loaded with bombs. But think of terrific hailstones of such weight as to crush through any modern structure, coming from high up yonder somewhere. These forces are in reserve. “And Jehovah will cause His glorious voice to be heard, and will show the lighting down of His arm, with the indignation of His anger, and the flame of a devouring fire, with a blast, and tempest, and hailstones.” Isa. 30: 30. “There shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.” Eze. 13: 11. “And with pestilence and with blood will I enter into judgment with him; and I will rain upon him, and upon his hordes, and upon the many peoples that are with him [some think this scripture refers to modern Russia — a little significant, surely, is this expression of ‘the many peoples that are with him,’ since this coalition of France and England, etc., with Russia], an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. And I will magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself, and I will make Myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.” Eze. 38: 22, 23. “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?” Job 38: 22, 23.
Nations have been storing up their ammunition. God has some also in waiting. Heaven is prepared with its agencies of destruction — grievous sores, the sun’s burning heat, hailstones, etc. — for the “day of the Lord,” even the day — time — of His “fierce anger,” “against the time of trouble,” “the day of battle and war.”
WAR PERMITTED OF GOD AS A MEANS OF PUNISHMENT
One of the means of punishment used by the Lord is the wars that are permitted to come. Over and over again has this been demonstrated throughout all history. Opportunity was given the Canaanites to repent and turn from their evil ways. When they would not, God brought Israel into that land, and destroyed those rebellious peoples. Later, Babylon destroyed Israel, laid her fair land desolate, as a direct judgment from God. Then later, Babylon, because of its pride and arrogance, was brought low by the Medes and the Persians. And thus it has been that God has brought nations to realize that He was the supreme Ruler among men.
(Continued on page 9)7
A “Strange Act” for Jehovah
(Continued from page 6)
A CALL TO REPENTANCE
This terrible war now on is another call to repentance to all men everywhere. The door of mercy is still open. A day hastens when it will be closed, and that forever.
Seventh-day Adventists have been telling the world that trouble was coming. They have said that war, with its awful results, would ere long burst upon the world, despite all that was said regarding universal peace. They are not pessimistic alarmists. They simply preach the truth of God, that which He has recorded in His word. And that Word will surely come to pass. This people wish that it might be peace and peace only. But there will be no peace so long as the kingdoms of earth exist in their sinful state. There is no peace in sin. War is bound up in sin. It has always been so. There was even war in heaven, for sin once entered there. When sin is forever wiped out, then, and not until then, will there be peace.
CHRIST ABOUT TO SET UP HIS KINGDOM
We are now down in the time when Jesus is about to receive His kingdom. This, we believe, will take place in heaven during this generation. It will be while Germany, France, England, Spain, and other nations in Europe are living, active nations; for God has said, “In the days of those kings [these kings above mentioned] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people.” Dan. 2: 44. The Lord is getting ready to do this, to take the scepter; and the sure word is that when He does, all earthly nations are to be “broken in pieces together,” and are to become “like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors,” to be carried “away,” “so that no place was found for them.”
These events are beginning to take place. The serious question is, Are we ready for the scenes that are surely to follow?
The “day of the Lord,” this “time of trouble,” is hanging over the world. The definite day when Jesus will return is a secret of God, but the approximate time is foretold. This feature will follow in a later number.
Omens of a Coming Storm of Persecution
By C. S. LONGACRE
A Direct Prophecy Concerning It—Preached for Years Before a Sign of Its Fulfilment Was Seen—Forces Now Working as It Was Predicted They Would
By C. S. LONGACRE
Editor of “Liberty Magazine”
In harmony with the revelation given to the seer of Patmos concerning the final conflict between Satan and God’s “remnant” people, “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus,” an interpretation was given to the prophecy, more than fifty years ago, that the time was not far distant when all nations, including the United States, would persecute those who keep all God’s commandments and refuse to show reverence to the mandates of men which are in direct opposition to the commandments of God.
SCORNED THE IDEA
Many people in the United States scorned the idea of persecution arising in this country against a God-fearing people who keep the seventh day of the week for the Sabbath instead of Sunday. Nobody was at that time agitating the enactment or enforcement of Sunday laws, either before Congress or before our state legislatures. There was not a sign or a suggestion of the possibility of persecution arising in the American government against those “which keep the commandments of God,” outside of what the book of Revelation predicted. But upon the strength of this prophecy of a future and final conflict between God’s commandment keepers and the United States government, as outlined in Rev. 13: 11-18, a prediction was ventured that the United States government would follow in the wake of the nations of the past, and join them in making “war” upon those who keep the true Sabbath and refuse to keep Sunday.
Such a message was preached for more than twenty years, simply upon the grounds of faith in the prophecy, when there was no conflict in sight. But during the last thirty years, great changes have taken place. The cruel hand of persecution has made itself felt in many of the states in the Union.
PERSECUTED IN THIS COUNTRY
Our people have been arrested, indicted, tried, fined, imprisoned in jails, and cruelly afflicted in the chain-gangs, for no other crime than that they dared worship God in harmony with the fourth commandment of the Decalogue and the dictates of their own consciences. The right to the free exercise of conscience in keeping the seventh day holy has been denied them in our so-called land of liberty, with “equal rights to all and special privileges to none.”
NO MORE EXEMPTIONS TO BE GRANTED
The leaders of the Lord’s Day Alliance declared, at a recent convention held in Baltimore, that their organization, together with other affiliated religious organizations, would oppose, in future Sunday bills, all exemption clauses offered for the benefit of Jews and Seventh-day Adventists. They asserted that there were some municipalities and states where the civil officers were under their absolute control, and that they had ideal Sunday law enforcement.
The thirteenth chapter of Revelation states that the commercial boycott will be invoked to compel people to follow the papacy and accept the religious institution that is legally enforced upon all people. The only papal religious institution that is enforced by law is the Sunday rest day, which has been set up in opposition to God’s true Sabbath.
The National Reform Association and the Lord’s Day Alliance are now advocating and employing the commercial boycott in reference to buying and selling.
THE BOYCOTT ORDERED FROM THE PULPITS
At the convention in Baltimore, formerly mentioned, the plan was advocated—and to the writer’s personal knowledge, it is executed in localities where these organizations are in full control—that when a person who caters to public patronage refuses to observe Sunday in harmony with the ideas of these Sunday blue law advocates, his name be publicly read from the pulpits at the following Sunday service, and the people asked to boycott him completely by not patronizing him in any business deals whatever. Besides being notified of the boycott, or interdict, he is warned by a civil officer, at the instigation of the ministerial association, that a repetition of the disrespect for Sunday observance will bring him into the clutches of the law, and he will have to suffer the full penalty.
Reason and justice would say that the Seventh-day Adventist who conscientiously keeps the seventh day for the Sabbath should not be compelled by the state to observe another day, and thus be robbed of one of the six legitimate work days, whereas the Sunday keeper is unmolested during his six working-days. Yet just such an unjust warfare is waged at present in some of the states of the Union. The writer could cite hundreds of cases where this cruel and unjust treatment has been carried on for the past thirty years.
SIX BILLS AND NO EXEMPTIONS
In Tennessee, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, these religious organizations are at present operating strongly. But this is simply a beginning of the conflict. Last year over eighty Sunday bills were introduced in our state legislatures, and five in Congress. So far this year, six Sunday bills have been introduced in Congress, and not a single bill contains an exemption clause for those who conscientiously observe another day.
FINALLY TO INVOKE DEATH PENALTY
The book of Revelation shows clearly that the antagonists’ forces which wage war upon God’s commandment-keeping people will not stop with the boycott. It plainly indicates that they will go the full length finally, and invoke the death penalty. But God intercedes for His people, as He has so often done, and they are triumphantly delivered, to be abased no more.
“I have told you before it come to pass,” said the Saviour, “that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Are you getting ready for the great day of deliverance? The omens are rapidly thickening of the coming storm which is to culminate in the day of final deliverance and destruction.
Which Day Is the Sabbath?
By G. B. T.
THIS is a question over which there is much discussion. The people in the pews are giving it study, and are appealing to pastors for light as to the Scriptural warrant for observing a different day from the one Jesus observed. Just why His example in this matter should be set aside is not clear to them.
The practise of the people, or the opinions of scholars, are not conclusive on the question. In religious matters, the majority are usually wrong. The only source of infallible appeal on this question is the Scriptures of truth.
“What says the Bible, the blessed Bible?
This should my only question be.
Teachings of men so often mislead us!
What says the book of God to me?”
Appealing for light to the rock of Scripture, we read: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Ex. 20: 8-11.
There are some human laws on the statute-books about keeping a day, but this is the only divine Sabbath law in existence. Written with the finger of God, and handed down amid the thunders of Sinai, in glory and majesty unparalleled since the fall of man, God settles the Sabbath controversy by declaring that the seventh day is the Sabbath.
Nowhere in all the canon of Scripture has this divine Sabbath law been changed or abrogated. The seventh day, therefore—not Sunday—is the Sabbath. Its claims are binding upon all men, in all ages, and in all lands; and in the keeping of God's commandments there is great reward.
G. B. T.
False Sentiments of Peace and the Warring Nations
By S. B. Horton
BOTH ARE SIGNS OF OUR TIMES—THE DELUSION OF ARMAMENTS IS BROKEN
By S. B. Horton
ONE OF THE BIG BRITISH FIELD-GUNS PLACED IN POSITION IN FRANCE
The Scriptures give as a conspicuous sign the cry of “peace and safety” among the nations. We read in Micah 4, the first part of the chapter, that in the last days many nations shall come and say certain things, among which will be, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks.” We also find that Paul says, in 1 Thess. 5: 1-3, in reference to the day of the Lord, that “when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.”
DEPENDING ON PEACE TREATIES
It has been thought, before the present titanic struggle in Europe broke upon a stupefied world, that with the existence of international peace treaties, together with the great plans for periodical meetings at the Hague by representatives of the nations, war would be a remote possibility. A large proportion of the peace-loving people throughout the world were unprepared for the coming of the present European war.
A DELUSION BROKEN
But the present death grapple in Europe has swept away several delusive provisions which have been entertained by those looking for universal peace, one of which was that a strong armament is a guarantee of peace. In other words, it was thought that the more heavily the nations armed themselves, the less likelihood would there be of war, because of the fact that the horribleness in prospect would be so great as to dissuade the nations from drawing sword.
Colonel Roosevelt recently gave a pronouncement upon the subject of peace treaties in which he closes a long article with the statement: “Neither the existing Hague court, nor any peace treaties of the existing type, will exert even the slightest influence in saving from disaster any nation that does not preserve the virile virtues and the long-sightedness that will enable it by its own might to guard its own honor, interest, and national life.”
However, many are assuming that the Bible, in the above text from Micah, predicts universal and permanent peace among the nations. European statesmen are quoted as saying that overtures of peace can not be entertained until there is a likelihood of militarism giving way to permanent peace.
CASTING SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES
A very significant incident came to light recently in Washington in connection with the signing of twenty-nine peace treaties by the ambassadors and ministers from as many nations. The secretary of state, Mr. Bryan, secured a number of obsolete swords and scabbards, the blades of which he had made into miniature plowshares, recalling the Biblical text, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares.”
He had the text placed upon these plowshares, and distributed them among the diplomats as paper weights, intending that they should be reminders of “the better way,” as Mr. Bryan expressed it.
We also read, in the daily prints, of some factories in Europe which had heretofore been manufacturing agricultural implements, now turning their energies to the manufacture of war implements. These things must appear to the Bible student as very significant of the times in which we live. It becomes the duty of every individual to study, as never before, God’s revelation with reference to the things of the world and their ultimate end.
Photo by Underwood & Underwood, N. Y.
A STONE CUT WITHOUT HANDS
The prophecy in Daniel 2 says that “a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them in pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”
Again in Revelation this statement: “And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldst give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth.” Rev. 11: 18.
WHEN PEACE WILL FINALLY COME
There can be no international peace until all the units which go to make up the nations shall have the Prince of peace formed within, the hope of glory, and shall follow His teaching in regard to loving their neighbors as themselves. We should be thankful that the time is not far distant when the Prince of peace will come, and bring to those who are looking for Him—and only such—everlasting salvation. Then shall they go with Him to the mansions He is now preparing in the skies.
The present war, while not Armageddon, portends in that direction; and the peace-and-safety cry, together with the war spirit, forms a two-part sign of the times in which we live, namely, the last days.
Peace as a River
O THAT thou hadst harkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.—Isaiah.
The CONDITION of the DEAD
By L. D. SANTEE
The Wicked Dead Are Not in Torments—Dead Christian Mothers Are Not Sorrowing over Their Wayward Sons—Death Compared to Sleep—The Resurrection Breaks the Tomb
By L. D. SANTEE
I DO not want to believe that the dead are conscious between death and the resurrection. It brings in so many unhappy features, that with all my heart I thank Him who has said, “The dead know not anything” (Eccl. 9:5)—who has assured us, in His word, of their unconsciousness.
Those who find comfort in the belief that the dead retain their faculties, have not considered all that it involves. Ever since my earliest memory, friends have been dropping out of my life. Like broken urns, they strew the pathway of the years. “God’s acre” holds them, and I mourn their loss.
NOT NOW IN PAIN
Some died Christians; but by far the greater number were lovers of sinful pleasures, and unconverted. I do not wish to think that they are now in unutterable pain, the nerves quivering in untold agony—that while life is sweet to me, their condition holds horrors that language can not tell or heart imagine.
The larger number of my friends were not Christians. Is not your experience the same? Go out into the graveyard. Visit the familiar mounds. Affection has chiseled their names on the marble. Love calls them up one by one; but while fond memory fills the eyes with tears, and your heart holds them all, you know, of the most of them, that they are peacefully sleeping and unconscious, or that they are now in agonizing torment. Which had you rather believe?
While we hope that our friends are in heaven, we think of those only who are saved, and forget the condition of the rest. Do you not prefer that Christ should say of them as He said of Lazarus, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth”? John 11:11.
NOT BEWAILING THEIR WAYWARD SONS
Have you thought of the real condition of those even who you hope are in heaven? There joy is supreme. “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. 16:11. My imagination shows me the battlements of heaven lined with the blessed, their beautiful eyes dark with the shadow of an infinite sorrow as they look earthward. The mother who has toiled for her children until the vital cord was loosed, sees, from on high, her lessons forgotten, while neglect, degradation, and evil influences are ruining those whom she loves better than her life. Other little ones suffer from cruelty and brutality, while the mother is in glory, and sees it all.
THE MOTHER SEES IT NOT
Such a condition can not be. The woes of earth would darken heaven if the dead were conscious and knew what is transpiring here on the earth. Thank God, this picture will never be realized.
How much better is God’s way! “He giveth His beloved sleep.” Ps. 127:2. Job says of those in their graves, “There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.” Job 3:17. Inspiration generally speaks of death as a sleep.
The book of Job is supposed to be the first book written by inspiration, and it speaks of death in these words: “They shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.” Job 14:12. The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers.” Deut. 31:16. I will copy some expressions from the record of the kings of Israel: “Solomon slept with his fathers.” I Kings 11:43. “Rehoboam slept with his fathers.” I Kings 14:31. “Abijam slept with his fathers.” I Kings 15:8. “Asa slept with his fathers.” I Kings 15:24.
Boston Photo News Co.
Daniel uses the same expression in Dan. 12:2: “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” The New Testament is full of evidence that death is a sleep. Nothing could be plainer than the account of the death of Stephen: “And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:60. Again we repeat the words of the Saviour in John 11:11, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.” The fifteenth chapter of I Corinthians is full of the sleep of the dead, and of the awaking, or the resurrection. Verse 6: “Some are fallen asleep.” Verse 18: “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” Read verse 20: “Them that slept.” Again, verse 51: “We shall not all sleep.”
WOULD NOT HAVE US IGNORANT ABOUT THE DEAD
1 Thess. 4:13: “I would not have to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” Further proof is unnecessary. If the subject is not already plain, language can not teach it. In death we, like Stephen, fall asleep. “This we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” 1 Thess. 4:15. Those who are here said to be asleep, in the next verse are called “the dead in Christ.” In sleep we are unconscious. Read Eccl. 9:6: “Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished.” The preceding verse declares, “The dead know not anything.”
When I walk in the quiet cemetery, I think: “Of all that lie here, not one is suffering. They are sleeping until God shall awaken them in the resurrection.” The psalmist says, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Ps. 17:15. No sainted mother in heaven, grieving over the woes of earth! She rests from her labors. Rev. 14:13. Truly God’s way is best.
Light and Its Source
By Eliza H. Morton
WHEN we speak of light, we naturally think of the sun; but whence does the sun derive its light? Three days before the sun appeared, light shed its rays upon this earth. Gen. 1:3, 16. God is light, and all light comes from Him.
That which we perceive with the natural eye is but a reflection of God's brightness. When we sit down in the sunlight, we are literally sitting in the glory of the Lord. It is sweet to kneel in the rainbow rays from the throne, and to feel in the heart the vivifying, enlightening, and healing beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
Those who read and study the prophecies of God's word daily, have a light which shines in a dark place. 2 Peter 1:19. The world to-day is wrapped in spiritual darkness. The call to the church is, “Arise and shine.” The prayer of every child of God should be, “O send out Thy light and Thy truth.”
