THINGS on earth are not what they ought to be, and all will own it.
Broadly speaking, only two remedies have ever been proposed. One is God's, the other is not. One is by heavenly means agreeable to God's will, the other by earthly means agreeable to man's will.
GOD'S way is to meet man's sinful liabilities in righteousness, and his every need in overflowing abundance.
MAN'S way neither honors God nor fully satisfies himself. The task is totally beyond him. His remedies fail through ignorance of the malady. The real mischief is within, and his great aim is to cure the outer skin.
Take a figure. A certain lovely island, we will suppose, enjoys a most delightful climate. Its soil is unusually fruitful, and its minerals exceedingly abundant. But it has more than one serious drawback. In the first place, the charming spot is sorely infested with leprosy; and the disease appearing means certain notice to quit.
Beside this, a most baneful influence exists, to which all the inhabitants seem peculiarly liable. Its working is hidden and mysterious, but its effects are painfully evident and very various. Sometimes a defiant, quarrelsome spirit gets the upper hand and affects nearly everybody, from the heads of government down to the boys in the street, and even leading to open violence and bloodshed.
Liberal relief-funds may alleviate some of the consequences; but none can get rid of the influence itself.
To put the world right, therefore, there must be a change in man himself. His conscience must be purged, disease removed, his lusts checked, violence stopped, death arrested, and Satan excluded. Who but God can do this? and who but God decide how it shall be done?
Yet man, inflated with the sense of his own ability, sets himself to the achievement!
The MATERIALIST must, to the highest degree, have mental culture, physical training, technical skill, scientific research, safe navigation, and productive land-cultivation. Moreover he must secure such broad-minded legislation as will secure contentment at home, goodwill abroad, and put the horrors of war beyond human possibility.
The RELIGIOUS MORALIST has his own plans. His great idea is the recognition of one universal brotherhood, and every man brought to acknowledge it.
But let every true believer seriously consider what this means. The universal acknowledgment that spiritual brotherhood is by natural birth is really the universal acknowledgment that what Christ taught was not true! He plainly said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." "YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN" (John 3:5,75Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)). And again, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:33And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)).
These religious moralists profess to make Jesus their example, yet flatly deny His word! Perilous inconsistency!
They reason thus: When we can all agree to do to others as we would have others do to us, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, we shall have reached the happy reign of peace and goodwill-the desired millennium!
But to adopt this theory is to beg the whole question. He who sets out to put the whole world right must of necessity be able to put himself right. If, "by takng thought" I cannot add one cubit to my own stature, how, by the same process, can I add one to yours? "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" (Jer. 13:2323Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23)). The young ruler (Mark 10:21,2221Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21‑22)) found, to his sorrow, that a flaw in his own goodness left him outside the kingdom; yet through Christ's merits, a dying robber was made meet for it. The ruler's love to his neighbor fell short. To sell all that he had and give to the poor was too much for him; "for he had great possessions." But "ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich"-"rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom"-"heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (2 Cor. 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9); James 2:55Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5); Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)). Only through the Holy Spirit's work in us, and the Lord's goodness in dying for our badness, can the kingdom be ours.
For nearly six thousand years man has had the chance of trying to make the world what he would have it. Has he done it in the past? Every page of history answers, No!
What about the present? Let us make inquiry.
Not very far distant from the great battlefields of Europe, a great International Peace Conference was held which aimed to influence and control the world for peace! Yet spite of all their professed principles and peaceful speeches, a quarrel soon started amongst civilized nationalities, and again millions of men found themselves in the midst of the most ghastly conflict the world ever witnessed or imagined!
Find, if you can, the grand total of results. Let the havoc of property, the agonies of the suffering, the groans of the dying, the sobs of the bereaved, with every attendant misery-mental anguish, painful forebodings, and the midnight sighs and tears in tens of thousands of once peaceful homes, make their united declaration. Are these the evidences of a world put right? NO!
The truth must be admitted. Man can put right neither himself nor his neighbor. "Their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known" (Rom. 3:15-1815Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:15‑18)). The task is beyond him.
God Himself will do it. He has appointed the Man; He has declared the decree (Psa. 2:6,76Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalm 2:6‑7)); He has "appointed a day" (Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)) and He has sent a multitude of the heavenly host to announce the final result-"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:13,1413And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:13‑14)).
But in view of this great undertaking on the part of God, four great questions naturally arise:
By whom will He do it?
How will He do it? When will He do it?
Why the delay in doing it?
Let us consider each separately: BY WHOM WILL HE DO IT?
God Himself supplies the answer.
The Man of His choice has been before Him from the beginning. All God's foreshadowings in Scripture are in perfect harmony with His promises-"In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," was God's promise to Abraham (Gen. 22:1818And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (Genesis 22:18)) and in his great-grandson, Joseph, we have a beautiful foreshadowing of that time of plenteous blessing. By God's ordering, Joseph was exalted; and all the nations round about, as well as Israel's sons, participated in the fruits of his exaltation. So when Jesus personally reigns.
Of His coming Isaiah predicted, "Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,... The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6,76For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7)).
Of Him David the prophet wrote (Psa. 22:2828For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations. (Psalm 22:28)), "The kingdom is the Lord's, and he is the Governor among the nations." And again in Psa. 2:1-9,1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, 3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. (Psalm 2:1‑9) which speaks of His rejection at the hand of man, Jehovah thus addresses Him, "Thou art my Son;... Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." And all this is confirmed by the lips of the Chosen One Himself: "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand" (John 3:3535The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. (John 3:35)). O happy day, when such a King shall reign!
'Tis JESUS, 'tis JESUS,
Made Lord and Christ above;
'Tis JESUS, 'tis JESUS,
Whose precious Name we love.'
This is the One chosen of God to put the world right, and He will do it.
`JESUS the Name to sinners dear,
The Name to sinners given,
It scatters all their guilty fear,
And turns their hell to heaven.'
He has already given abundant proof of His perfect competency. When here below, He spoke peace to the convicted conscience, and comfort to the troubled mind. He healed every form of human malady.
The blind, the dumb, the paralytic were relieved. Lepers were cleansed and the hungry filled. He commanded the fish, and filled the fishermen's boats. He hushed the storm, gave life to the dead, and bade even devils depart.
Gracious words, kind deeds, tender compassion, lowly meekness, and thoughtful consideration ever marked His sojourn with men; and He is still the Same-"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Heb. 13:88Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)). How suitably will kingdom-glories rest upon His brow; the scepter be placed in His hand (Psa. 45:2,6,9;145:8-162Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. (Psalm 45:2)
6Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. (Psalm 45:6)
9Kings' daughters were among thy honorable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. (Psalm 45:9)
8The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. 14The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:8‑16)).
JESUS SHALL REIGN IN PERSON, and under His beneficent sway shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Yet holy jealousy in judging evil will not be lacking. "With the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." "Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins" (Isa. 11:1-121And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; 3And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. 10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. 11And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:1‑12)).
How welcome will He be to His GROANING CREATION. "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.... His name shall endure forever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun, and men shall be blessed in HIM: ALL NATIONS SHALL CALL HIM BLESSED.... Blessed be his glorious name forever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; AMEN, and AMEN" (Psa. 72:6-196He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. 7In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. 11Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. 12For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 13He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 14He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. 15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. 16There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. 17His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. 18Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. (Psalm 72:6‑19))!
He shall reign from pole to pole With illimitable sway:
He shall reign till like a scroll Heaven and Earth shall pass away.'
The thousand years of Christ's glorious reign will be one undeniable witness that God's holy will and man's true happiness are inseparable. Earth and heaven shall take knowledge of it. Men and angels exultingly admire it.
Who but the willfully blind would miss such a day? What urgency, then, in the question, Shall I miss it?
Now proceed to the next inquiry-
HOW WILL HE DO IT?
He will do it by the exclusion of evil and the influence of good. One thing is very certain, when God comes in, evil must go out. When man is brought to repentance-that is, brought to judge evil in himself-God rejoices (Luke 15:1010Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)).
But when man's heart is hardened, and he refuses to judge sin, it is only consistent with God's holy nature that He should do it. He will "by no means clear the guilty" (Ex. 34:77Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:7)). The King's first herald, John the Baptist, announced this fact, that if man is not brought by the Holy Spirit to judge evil in himself, the coming King will judge it. He shall baptize "with fire," as well as "with the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 3:1111I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11)).
It is a great, but very common mistake, to think that the kingdom cannot come until the whole world is converted through the preaching of the Gospel. But conversion does not heal men's bodies; nor rid the world of Satan's influences. More is needed.
It is true that Isaiah (11: 9) tells us, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea," but he also speaks, in the same scripture, of one very important step toward reaching that happy state of things. The root of Jesse "shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked" (v. 4). Very clear proof that the whole world is not then converted. The fact is, and many scriptures make it plain, that the execution of judgment will assuredly precede the day of blessing. Where evil exists, judgment will sift. Everything distasteful to the Lord must be removed.
If a farmer intended to devote a certain field to the feeding of sheep; and, when he came to it, found goats there as well as sheep, the remedy would be very simple. He would take out every goat. And thus will it be when the Shepherd of Israel shall again visit His flock.
At His first coming He found every possible kind of evil in the land-Jewish and heathen-but, with the exception of using a scourge of small cords to drive abuses out of the temple, He interfered with nothing; submitted to everything. He came in lowly grace. He wept over the hardened state of the people, but showed not the least resentment; not even when wicked Herod imprisoned and beheaded His forerunner. And when the people had done their worst in wickedness against Him, He sent the Holy Ghost from heaven with a message of forgiveness, if they would only repent and receive it.
But when He comes again, it will not be in long-suffering grace, but in righteous government.
"The day of the Lord" will come upon the world suddenly-as a thief in the night. He will clear every bit of wickedness out of the Land, set up His kingdom in power, and reign in righteousness (see Matt. 25:31-4631When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31‑46)). The subduing power of the true "David" will precede the peaceful reign of the true "Solomon." Or, as another once put it, 'The sword of judgment must go before the throne of glory. The earth must be cleared of its corruptions before it can be a garden of holy delights?' "Every plant," said Jesus, "which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15:1313But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (Matthew 15:13)). And in the figure of tares gathered in bundles for burning, He said, "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matt. 13:41-4341The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:41‑43)).
The nations that have not previously heard His "fame" or seen His glory, to whom Jewish missionaries will be sent, will then be separated, as "sheep" from "goats," on the ground of how they have treated the King's "brethren" (Abraham's seed) (Matt. 25:24-4624Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:24‑46); Isa. 66:19,2019And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. 20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. (Isaiah 66:19‑20)). The "sheep" will be allowed to remain on earth for His "Kingdom," and the "goats" be removed by judgment. Even King Solomon foresaw this sifting (see Prov. 2:21,2221For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2:21‑22)).
Then will begin the day of blessing for Israel, and through them it will spread to the ends of the earth. "God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him" (Psa. 67:77God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. (Psalm 67:7)). Here are some of
The Blessings of That Day.
Man's conscience will be thoroughly cleared of all that once troubled it. God's own righteous satisfaction in the perfect sacrifice of Christ will be the unchanging ground of the gracious announcement: "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:1717And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17)).
Man's mind will be brought into full accord with the mind of God. That well-known petition will be joyfully answered, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." And the very One who taught them to ask for it will Himself give full effect to God's ready answer.
Man's body will be constituted for every pure, earthly enjoyment; and this will continue through the whole millennial day. His every disease will be permanently healed, and his youth be renewed like the eagle (Psa. 103:3,53Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (Psalm 103:3)
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:5)). So that in willing submission to his beneficent Sovereign, the happy subject will have no more need to fear the intrusion of DEATH.
Man's neighbor will show him no hostility, not even begrudge him. "Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim" (Isa. 11:1313The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. (Isaiah 11:13)). To love his neighbor as himself will be part of God's will for him; and this will be produced in him by the Spirit through the knowledge of the LORD Himself personally, and through the influence of His moral beauties displayed and admired in His saints relatively. The mighty influence of heavenly love will be felt on earth. Redeemed creation will bask in the light of heaven with its holy myriads. "When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe... in that day" (2 Thess. 1:1010When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:10)). "They shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest" (Heb. 8:1111And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:11)). "All thy children shall be taught of the Loan; and great shall be the peace of thy children" (Isa. 54:1313And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. (Isaiah 54:13)).
Still further, man's enemy will tempt him no more. An angel from heaven will bind SATAN, and shut him up in the bottomless pit; and his destructive, deceptive influence will be exercised nowhere on earth for the whole of the millennium (Rev. 20:1-31And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:1‑3)). No more enemies! No more wars! The Prince of Peace shall reign, and "all iniquity shall stop her mouth" (Psa. 107:4242The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. (Psalm 107:42))! CANAAN, the land given by God to Israel, will be the joyful center of all this blessing. "Living waters shall go out from JERUSALEM" (Zech. 14:88And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. (Zechariah 14:8)). Happy land!
When Will He Do It?
Perhaps no question has been the cause of more needless speculation than this one. Yet a little careful attention to the plain teaching of Scripture would have saved it all.
If, in the later days of autumn a little girl, who had been brought to England from Central Africa, were to ask, 'When shall I be able to see the beautiful fields of buttercups and daisies I have read about?' you would probably say, 'You must not expect to see them until spring.' `But when will spring come?' she asks. `Spring comes after winter; winter follows harvest; and harvest is not yet finished,' you reply. But let her press you to tell her the actual day, so that she may mark it on her calendar, you would have to tell her, that fixing the date was an impossibility.
So with the matter before us. "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming?" asked the Lord's disciples privately. Mark His answer: "Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matt. 24:3,363And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24:3)
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)).
But though the "day and hour" can no more be fixed than the exact date for daisies to cover the fields, Scripture does speak of the season to expect God's conquering King; and speaks as definitely as you can, when you tell the child that spring is the season that brings the daisies, and that winter always comes first.
A particular period of time, or season, is often spoken of in Scripture as a "day." So we may use the same term in comparing three well-defined periods.
The day of grace-depending on the presence of the SPIRIT-the day of the CHURCH, diminishing in brightness; the day of HARVEST, with indications of the approach of Winter increasing to the end. We may call this AUTUMN.
The day of doom-marked by the presence of SATAN-the day of wrath-the day of destruction [WINTER].
In the book of Revelation we have these three seasons in their order:
Autumn-The day of grace, when the Spirit is speaking to the churches (chaps. 2, 3). The church's decline is clearly marked. Love to Christ cools down at the beginning (2: 4) until the church at large has no room for Christ at all! "I stand at the door, and knock." Individual faithfulness is still appealed to (3: 20, 21).
Winter-[Saints, as "elders," are seen already in heaven (chaps. 4, 5).] "The day of wrath" occupies thirteen chapters (6-18).
Spring and Summer-"The King of kings" appears, and His 1,000 years' reign is established (chap. 19; 20: 1-6).
THE SPIRIT'S DAY commenced "suddenly" and will end suddenly. [Compare Acts 2:22And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2); 1 Cor. 15:5252In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52).] It began with a "sound from heaven," and will end with a sound from heaven, the Savior's own voice. "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16,1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17)).
The whole church will then, once more, be "with one accord in one place"-presented "faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 2424Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 24)). There will His saints remain until the day of doom on earth is over. By this act of power He will prove Himself to be their Deliverer "from the wrath to come" (1 Thess. 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)).
Like Enoch, without a sign, the church will be translated before the "flood" of judgment. Like Noah, Israel will pass through it, and sorely feel the storms of "winter," but the faithful will be preserved "to the end," and by given signs assured of the approach of "summer" (Matt. 24:29-3429Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (Matthew 24:29‑34)).
We now come to consider-
SATAN'S DAY OF WICKED OPPORTUNITY AND MAN'S LAST CHANCE OF PUTTING THE
WORLD RIGHT.
To understand it we must remember that God has made the fullest declaration of Himself in His beloved SON; that He has spoken plainly of man's absolute need of such a Savior, and of eternal redemption through His precious blood. He has made known that it is He whom He has given to be the church's Head, Israel's King, and the only One able to order this world for God's good pleasure, and His creature's real blessing.
But with all this light, and while still making very free use of God's holy Name, religious teachers have degraded the beloved. Son to the level of a mere man; and exalted man to some sort of divine being-as having "a bit of God" in him, which only needs development! They have scoffed at the truth of God's eternal judgment of sin, and insultingly counted the precious sacrifice of God's provided Lamb as totally unnecessary! They have ignored the regenerating work of His Holy Spirit; openly denied the authority of Scripture, and claimed the right to make the world what they want it, without any of Christ's interference! [Read Jer. 5:30,3130A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:30‑31).]
What is God's answer to all this? The "day of wrath"-the day of doom. In that day man shall be entirely given up to the working of Satan, and prove what his personal presence on earth will mean. Having set at naught the One who laid down His own life to save them, they will choose the "murderer" instead. Having done despite to the "Spirit of grace," they must prove, when the Holy Comforter has departed to heaven, what the spirit of lawlessness will do for them.
Satan, having been cast out of the heavens, will have a free hand on earth, and many features of distress the consequence.
The nations will be angry, because of the fearful judgments coming upon them; and, above all, there will be the outpourings of the vials of God's wrath.
False Christian profession will get its doom. After the departure to heaven of the true Bride of Christ, a corrupt religious system is prophetically represented as still on earth under the figure of a woman in glaring prominence. Gorgeously arrayed, she is seen sitting on a scarlet-colored beast, "full of names of blasphemy." She is "drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." There can be little doubt as to her real identity-idolatrous, dominating ROMANISM.
Once she attached to herself the name of "The Church." She is allowed that name no longer. Why is this? Take a figure. We can say of a certain ripening cornfield, That is wheat; though the husk is still in the ear. But when the good grain is separated, we call the grain wheat, and the husk chaff. So with this corrupt ecclesiastical system. When what is false is no longer outwardly attached to the true (the true having gone to heaven), the false gets her true name. Her illicit connection with the world has earned for her the repulsive names of "great whore," and "mother of harlots." For a time she rides and influences the Beast, the political Head. (See James 4:44Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4); Rev. 17:1-51And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:1‑5).)
Just when she thinks she has reached the very pinnacle of her glory, her doom is sealed. The ten confederate infidel kings, allied with the Beast, will tolerate her no longer. They will hate her, strip her, burn her-yea, wipe her out of existence entirely (Rev. 17:12-1612And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:12‑16)). So that, before the end of that "day" nothing that once bore the name of Christianity will be left making Christian profession on earth. A solemn consideration for all (Luke 18:88I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8))!
This great political Head should be further noticed. He is spoken of in Scripture as "the beast," who has a powerful agent, the "false prophet."
Four great empires are spoken of in Daniel's prophecy under the figure of "beasts"-the Babylonian, MedoPersian, Grecian, and Roman. Caesar was the great imperial head of the last of these; but in course of time this empire waned, and became divided. At the end it will be revived under one mighty dictator as its head-"THE BEAST" just referred to. He will be represented and supported by "another beast," sometimes called the "FALSE PROPHET." Both will be empowered and authorized by Satan, personally (Rev. 13:2,11-132And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)
11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, (Revelation 13:11‑13)). Both will get their doom at the end of this day of destruction (Rev. 19:2020And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)).
In these two men there will be a sort of repetition of the two that stood out prominently before the minds of those who rejected Christ-Pilate and Cesar. Pilate was Caesar's representative, acting for him in Jerusalem; and to him the Jews cried out, "If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend" (John 19:1212And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. (John 19:12))! It may help in considering these two "beasts," to speak of them in these terms-as "Caesar" and "Caesar's friend."
This latter-day "CESAR" is introduced abruptly, but fits the fancy of the people exactly. He rises out of the "sea"-figure of disorganized masses of men, possibly the result of the preliminary "wars and rumors of wars" which the Lord speaks of just before the end (Mark 13:7,87And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7‑8)). He will evidently be just the man they have been looking for; possibly some successful general or diplomatic statesman; but the dragon's choice!
Rapidly he reaches the very summit of popularity. All the world will wonder after the beast and worship him (Rev. 13:3,43And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:3‑4)). Incomparable, they will regard him-"Who is like unto the beast?" Invincible also-"Who is able to make war with him?" Then to an extraordinary degree he will be influential. Ten kings will come to one mind in putting "their power and strength" at his disposal (Rev. 17:1313These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Revelation 17:13)). Instead of a martial alliance of nations against one great aggressive power, as now, it will be a peaceful alliance of ten nations, under one supreme Dictator, set up by Satan. How natural the gradation!
But this apparently successful combination is marked by open hostility to Christ, and blasphemy against God! But what does that matter to them? They will blindly think they have got their own way at last and flatter themselves by saying, "Peace and safety" (1 Thess. 5:33For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3))!
"CESAR'S FRIEND" of that day will be Satan's special instrument for inducing men to recognize "CAESAR" himself. He gets various descriptive names, "the son of perdition," "the man of sin," "the antichrist," "that Wicked," whose coming is "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish" (2 Thess. 2:8-108And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:8‑10)).
Having set up a blasphemous political head over the Roman empire, Satan uses, through this unscrupulous wicked agent, every conceivable lying device to make men subject themselves to his ruling. "Caesar's friend" will set up Caesar's image, and demand that men shall worship it. He will insist on a death-penalty for refusing, and a distinguishing mark in hand or forehead for those willing to bow. That mark will be the only license to buy or sell in that day (Rev. 13:16,1716And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16‑17)).
By this time there will have been a great revival of one of God's oldest interests on earth, in view of fulfilling His promises to Abraham and to David, through the outgoing of a testimony announcing the coming of
Israel's Promised King.
After the church is gone, Jerusalem will be the center of God's actions on earth. What was heard before in the Land will no doubt be heard again, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:22And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2)). Some will respond to it (see Zech. 12:9-149And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 11In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. 12And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; 13The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; 14All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. (Zechariah 12:9‑14)). Then Hosea states, "The children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim." [Fulfilled today and for centuries past, to the very letter.] "Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king" (Hos. 3:4,54For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: 5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. (Hosea 3:4‑5)). To deceive them at this time by a false Christ, will be Satan's great endeavor. Such miraculous things will this Pretender do before them, that, "if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:2424For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)). And, alas, the many will be deceived, as the Lord has forewarned," Another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive"-wicked blasphemer as he will prove himself (John 5:4343I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43)).
Those who wanted to catch the true Messiah in His words, once asked, "Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar or not?" And you will remember His answer, "Render to Cesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:1717And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. (Mark 12:17)). That answer the false Messiah will practically repeat, but in a most diabolical way; as though he said, If you would render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, worship his image; and if you would render to God the things that are God's, worship me-I AM GOD (2 Thess. 2:44Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4); Rev. 13:14,1514And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Revelation 13:14‑15)).
What the God-fearing Jews are to do under such fearful conditions, Jesus has told them. (Read Matt. 24:14-1614And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: (Matthew 24:14‑16); Isa. 26:2020Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (Isaiah 26:20); Psa. 57:11<<To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.>> Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (Psalm 57:1).)
When this desperate crisis has been reached, Satan's day will be near its end. For we read this wicked impostor shall be destroyed by the Lord Himself-destroyed "with the brightness of his coming" (2 Thess. 2:88And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8)).
Can it be said, that by Satan's personal presence and power man has been able to put this world right? Consider.
The restraining power of the Spirit, and the influence of every true believer will be gone. God's overruling of the governing powers (Rom. 13:1-61Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (Romans 13:1‑6)), exercised while His saints were here, will be withdrawn on their departure. Man's will, for a short season, will be allowed full license.
Into this solemn day will be crowded Satan's desperate rage, man's deepest iniquity, God's righteous wrath, the nations' bitter anger, the worst of all wars, dreadful famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and the most awful of all tribulations, together with the most sanguine of all battles, "Armageddon" (Rev. 16:14-1614For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14‑16)). Think of men crying to the mountains and rocks to hide them; seeking death, and death fleeing from them; and ask your own heart, Are these the evidences of a world put right? The very opposite!
When this day of doom is over, and every item of actual evidence is made manifest to all, men and angels will fully agree that man's last chance was the world's worst calamity.
Why the Delay in Doing It?
Two things have ever marked God's ways with sinful men-tender regard for those who trust Him; patient forbearance with those who oppose Him. Take an example of each. When God sent a special messenger to deliver Lot from Sodom, He said, "Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither" (Gen. 19:2222Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. (Genesis 19:22)). Again, God promised Abraham the possession of the land of Canaan by his posterity; but said that He would delay driving out its present occupiers for 400 years; and gave His reason, "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" (Gen. 15:1616But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Genesis 15:16)).
The other side is a terribly solemn one. "That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (2 Thess. 2:33Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:3)). God waits until iniquity (not of heathen Amorites, but of apostate Christians) has reached its full height, before judging it. But here a serious statement is made: "The mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" (v. 7).
No doubt the great hindering power to full-blown apostasy is the presence of the Spirit of God, and the saints in whose heart He dwells. So that in the light of Scripture we Christians can say:
The World's Worst Cannot Come Till We Have Gone: nor Its Best Till We Come Back.
Iniquity will not reach its full height until "the man of sin" shall sit in the temple and say, "I am God." But the doctrine of 'a bit of God in every man' is a startling preparation for that day; and thousands are being prepared to receive the fatal lie by quietly listening to it (Prov. 19:2727Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. (Proverbs 19:27)).
As Christians, we are not expected to put the world right; but we are expected to keep ourselves "unspotted" from it. How can we have fellowship with the world that more and more rejects Christ, and "love his appearing" at the same time?
"Watchman, What of the Night?"
' Thou art coming, mighty Savior! "King of Kings," Thy written Name!
Thou art coming, Royal Savior! Coming for Thy promised reign.
Oh, the joy when sin's confusion Ends beneath Thy righteous sway:
Oh, the peace when all delusion At Thy presence dies away.'
"Yet There Is Room."
Arise And Make Ready.
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