WILL WE KNOW? by J. D. Rice

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1880

WILL WE KNOW?

By J. D. Rice

DEAR READER: God's word teaches us that the end will come sometime, the Judgment will set, probation end, and the Lord return. These are momentous events; and may they not be near? God has given us many waymarks pointing down to these mighty events. Do you know what they are, and how many of them we have passed, and consequently how near we are to the consummation of all things earthly? Our Lord gave some special signs, and said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it (margin, he) is near, even at the doors." And then tells us how near; we are brought to the generation that should not pass till all these things be fulfilled; till the Lord comes with his angels, and gathers his people to himself. And he gives emphasis to these facts by a most positive declaration, and forcible illustration of the certainty of his words. See Matt. 24:32-35. Do you know if these signs have been fulfilled? The Scriptures plainly testify that God's people will not be in darkness, but will know when to look for his coming. See Matt. 24:33; 1 Thess. 5:4. And why will they? Because they are able to "discern the signs of the times." But refusing to investigate these things, will of a necessity leave their minds in darkness. They "shall not understand," Dan. 12:9, 10; and of these are the scoffers to arise, as shown by their query, "Where is the promise of his coming?". They do not "discern the signs of the times," but are "willingly ignorant of them." Matt. 16:3; 2 Pet. 3:3-5.

But, says the scoffer, men have believed the Lord was to come in their day, ever since Christ promised that he would "come again," and they have always been disappointed, so don't be scared, for most probably he will never come, or, at best, not until after the millennium. We do not want the people to be "scared," therefore we ask them to consider the evidence of his near coming, and make ready for it, knowing that those upon whom he comes as a thief will be scared, and then there will be no remedy; "they shall not escape."

Now it is true that some of the disciples believed that Christ would probably come in their day, but John and Paul both reproved them for their belief, by a reference to what Christ and the prophets taught. John says (John 21:23), "Jesus said not," what they were claiming. And Paul told of the great apostasy, etc., which must arise first; 2 Thess. 2:1-12. But they were far from teaching, as any one the least familiar with their writings knows, that that event should never come, simply because some of the disciples had an erroneous belief in regard to the time of that event.

Many since their time have likewise expected his immediate coming. But for the same reasons they have been disappointed. It is because "Jesus said not," and not because any of his words have failed, as we stand ready to demonstrate.

But some will "know when he is near" just as truly as the disciples of our Lord knew that the desolation of Jerusalem was nigh when they saw it encompassed with the armies of Titus (Luke 21:20). It is all based upon the same authority, viz., the words of Christ. They knew the desolation was nigh, notwithstanding Titus, moved by some impulse, withdrew his army from around the city, for they believed the words of Jesus, and obeyed his command to escape in haste out of the city and country. But the unbelieving, of course, remained; and thought, undoubtedly, that their belief was now confirmed; that the followers of Jesus were fanatics and fools, to be rushing out of the city now that the danger was passed as they thought. But God had but provided "the way of escape" for his people, that they might not perish in that terrible siege which the unbelieving Jews had to experience, in which 1,100,000 perished and nearly 100,000 taken prisoners. So much for faith in his words, who said we might "know when he is near even at the doors."

Again the apostle says, "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thess. 5:4. It is evident that there will be just two classes when the Lord is about to come; those who will "know," will not be "in darkness," will not be "overtaken as a thief," and those who will "not know," will be in darkness, will be overtaken as a thief. Among which class are you, my friends? You either know or you do not know. If you do not, are you willing to investigate? We profess to be in the light in regard to this matter, and if so, should you not be also? And will you not investigate our claims to see if they are true or not?

Do you think if you are ignorant of these things you will be excusable, that God will not hold you accountable? Deceive not yourselves, I beseech of you. Listen to the fate of those upon whom he comes as a thief. Paul says, "sudden destruction cometh upon them and they shall not escape." 1 Thess. 5:2-4. See also, Rev. 3:3-5; Matt. 25:50, 51, 37-39, etc. Thus we see your soul's salvation depends upon your knowing these things. Can you afford to be ignorant of them? But will you still say, "If I am only prepared to die, it does not matter whether I know when the Lord is coming or not?"

If this were so, then truly in vain are the words of the Saviour and the apostles, saying His people should "know," that the "brethren are not in darkness" in regard to that day. Furthermore the word of God teaches that a special message is to go forth to prepare a people to stand the test of the Investigative Judgment which decides the eternal destiny for life or death, of every member of the human family, before the Lord comes to execute that judgment. This Investigative Judgment occupies the closing period of human probation. See Rev. 14:6, 7, 9-12, 14; 22:11, 12. Now it is evident that unless we know when these things are to take place, we cannot know that God's message of "present truth" is due, and would therefore give no heed to it. This is why the Lord makes the knowledge of that event obligatory upon those who will be saved at his coming; not merely as a fact of information, but on account of the duties that are immediately connected therewith. Do you say this would exclude all other religious bodies from salvation? We answer, All who are Christ's sheep will hear his voice, and follow him. (John 10:27.) When he sends a message of light and truth to them, they will all give heed to it, and those who neglect it, do so at the peril of their souls, and evidence that they are not his sheep. Says Jesus, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven." Matt. 7:21. God sends by whomsoever he will. He has intrusted this last message to man. It is to go to every people, nation, tongue, and kindred, the whole earth is to be lightened with its glory; it is to be "for a witness unto all nations;" a "savour of life unto life, and death unto death;" and those will be saved who give heed to it, and do what it teaches; while those who reject it, will certainly perish; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

J. D. RICE.