p. 77 | Who are the People! by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1871

Who are the People!

By R. F. Cottrell

“No doubt but ye are the people.”—Job.

We quote the following from W. S., in The World's Crisis, to endorse its sentiment and inquire concerning the people alluded to—the “prophetic people” of our time.

PROPHETIC TRUTH.

“In the great system of truth, we have practical truths and doctrinal truths adapted to all ages of the world; but in addition to these, we also have prophetic truths adapted only to certain periods of time; and whenever those prophetic truths are due, they always develop a corresponding prophetic people—a people called out by these truths to take a new stand before the world. As for instance, the predicted message in the wilderness of Judea was due at a specific point of time, and when that message was delivered, it called out a class of people corresponding with the prophetic proclamation given by John the Baptist,—a people that took a new stand before the world.

“So it has ever been; whenever prophetic truth has been due, it has always developed a corresponding prophetic people. So with the proclamation of Messiah's future coming. A people have been called out to sympathize with the proclamation, and to spread the message far and wide. As it is an unwelcome message to unconsecrated men, it is an unpopular announcement, but none the less truthful. We have really reached the time when the prophetic programme demands the immediate advent of the Messiah to fill the last mold of prophecy; and we are the people to hold up this truth to the world; and we cannot be excused, as we see the sword of wrath coming, if we neglect to give the warning faithfully. Prophetic truth has here developed a prophetic people, and there is no concealing the fact that we are the people.”

Those who heeded the prophetic message of John the Baptist, who was sent before “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” were doubtless believers in the truth that the Christ was about to be manifested, and consequently “were in expectation,” waiting to see him. And it is also very clear that believers in Christ, who live when the signs of his second advent, as given by himself, are fulfilled, will “know that it is near, even at the door,” and consequently will be Adventists. But if Adventists are divided upon vital points of faith and practice, especially on questions of moral duty toward God, the “one Lawgiver,” the question still demands consideration, Who are the people?

The “prophetic programme” which this people are to fill out is most distinctly laid down in the three advent messages of Rev. 14: 6-12. The genuine Adventists will read their prophetic history in these messages, and will be able to show their present position in the fulfillment of this chain of consecutive prophecy. Those who cannot do this, are not the “prophetic people.”

From 1840 to 1844 the Adventists were one people. They were united in proclaiming “the hour of Judgment” and the fall of Babylon, and could point the people to the prophetic programme, and show them where they stood, even in the fulfillment of the first and second of these three messages. But after the ending of the 2300 days in 1844, those who professed faith in the advent doctrine became divided upon the subject of the sanctuary and the third and last message. Who are now the “prophetic people”? They are described in the following language: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

It is a present fact that the most prominent point of difference between professed Adventists, is the question of the perpetuity and immutability of the commandments of God. Can it be possible that those who teach that the commandments of God have been abolished and superseded by the faith of Jesus, as W. S. and his party do, are the ones described in the last prophetic message of probation, as those that “keep the commandments of God, AND the faith of Jesus”? There can be no doubt that the leading question and the distinguishing mark of the “prophetic people” of the final message of probation, will pertain to these commandments. And the question of the obligation of these commandments is now the grand theme in dispute—the bone of contention. Now if our friends who take the negative side on the obligation of these commandments, are “the people,” as they claim, should not the prophetic description have read, “Here are they that break the commandments of God, because they have been superseded by the faith of Jesus”? But the inspired word as it stands describes the opposite class.

Dear reader, can you not see that the only safe position is with those who keep the commandments which are now in dispute, the agitation of which is now developing the last prophetic people? If you are blind to truth so well-defined, will you not be wilfully blind, and justly exposed to the wrath threatened in the last message! With no spirit of denunciation I earnestly invite and entreat you to make a saving choice.

R. F. COTTRELL.