p. 314 | A POPULAR ERROR; THE WORLD’S CONVERSION

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 13, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 20

A POPULAR ERROR; THE WORLD’S CONVERSION.

By N. J. Bowers

BY N. J. BOWERS.

Is the time to come when all men shall await in joyous expectancy the return of the Divine Nobleman? When the Lord comes, will it be without sin unto salvation, to a holy and obedient universe? In that day will earth’s inhabitants lift up holy hands, and exclaim: “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us”? In a word, will all the world be converted to God? Will the knowledge of him (a saving knowledge) cover the earth as the waters cover the sea? Yes, responds the popular ministry; and yes, echoes the popular Christian professor of the day.

But we are satisfied that the Scriptures do not warrant us in expecting any such condition of things. If the world were to be converted before the Lord’s coming, he would certainly not destroy a part of it when he comes. That wicked men are to be on the earth and will be destroyed at his return, is certain.

1. The heathen (the wicked) are to be broken with a rod of iron, and dashed in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Ps. 2:8, 9. This is when the Lord of lords and King of kings rides forth, strong and mighty in battle, to smite the nations, and to tread “the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Rev. 19:15. This is after John saw the Son of man on the white cloud, with a sharp sickle to reap the harvest of the earth. Rev. 14:14-20. “The harvest is the end of the world.” Matt. 13:39.

2. This is when “the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen” (Obad. 15); when war is proclaimed among the Gentiles; when all the mighty men of war are called to draw near; when the heathen are bade to assemble themselves “together round about”; when the Lord sits to judge all the heathen round about; when the sickle is put to the harvest which is ripe; when the press is full and the fats overflow with wickedness. This is in the valley of decision (margin, concision, or threshing). Joel 3:9-14. Here is where the Lord’s decision to give to the sword them that are wicked, is carried out. Jer. 25:31. Multitudes are in this “valley of slaughter.” Jer. 19:6. Many, then, are going to be “cut off” in the day of the Lord’s return.

3. This is the “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation” (Dan. 12:1); this is when Michael (Christ) stands up (reigns); this is the “time of trouble, the day of battle and war,” of Job (chapter 38:23); “the battle in the day of the Lord” of Ezekiel (chap. 13:5); “the battle of the great day of God Almighty,” of John. Rev. 16:14. This is when the Lord “makes inquisition for blood” (Ps. 9:12); when his “sword is bathed in Heaven” and “is filled with blood” (Isa. 34:5, 6); and “when he shall rise up to the prey.” Zeph. 3:8.

4. The seven last plagues (Rev. 15:1) synchronize with all the foregoing. The divine indignation centralizes here; here is where the Lord breaks forth upon the people. Notice the expression “seven last plagues.” There are no plagues to follow this side the resurrection to damnation. These are the last. These plagues have not yet been poured out. They have not yet begun to fall. History records no such thing. When the sixth is poured out, Christ is about to come. Rev. 16:12-15. The great battle is fought under the seventh. Great hailstones fall from heaven, and destroy the wicked and all their defenses. Eze. 13:11-15.

Dear reader, these terrific scenes will certainly be brought to pass. God’s word is sure. Where will you stand in that day? Where will I? Solemn questions. Seek the Lord to-day—now. “It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zeph. 2:3. You may be thus hid, if you will. It is for you to decide. Of this time and of the righteous, David says: “Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Ps. 91:9, 10.

5. There are to be two classes instead of one on the earth when the Lord comes. The tares and wheat grow together—side by side—till the harvest. The tares are not converted into wheat. The crop is not all wheat, but wheat and tares. The crop is not all disposed of in the same way. The wheat is gathered into the Lord’s storehouse—saved; the tares are gathered and burnt—destroyed. Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43.

6. When the stone smote the image and broke it in pieces, the pieces did not become a part of the stone. No; the gold, the silver, the brass, the iron, and the clay did not turn, nor were they turned, into stone. They were still metals and clay, and as such, were carried away, so that no place was found for them. Dan. 2:31-45.

7. When the Lord comes, there will be “kingdoms of this world” on the stage of action. Then these nations will not be righteous; but there will be a righteous nation when the Lord comes. To this nation the gates of a strong city shall be opened. Isa. 26:2, 3. With the kingdoms of this world the Lord has a controversy; he will give them to the sword. Evil shall go forth from nation to nation. “And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth.” Jer. 25:31-33. The kingdoms of the world become Christ’s, just as the heathen become his; viz., that he may destroy them. “On whomsoever this stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Matt. 21:44.