The Time of God's Controversy with the Nations — Sore Judgments Invited by Sin
WE are in the time of the most turbulent condition among men that was ever known in earth's history. The spirit of strife pervades every part of the world. And along with this strife among men, there is a growing turbulence in the elements.
One of the greatest dangers in this time is that men will first allow themselves to become dazed and stupefied because of the awful conditions prevailing everywhere, and then, following this, they will become indifferent, and drift into a sort of careless fatalism. Instead of permitting ourselves to come into such a state, we should carefully study the meaning of the tremendous and unusual events in the world. There is a deep significance to all that we see about us, and we will do ourselves a great injustice if we fail to recognize it.
A GREAT CLUSTER OF CATASTROPHES
THE first part of January gave us storms up and down the Pacific coast in which several persons were killed and there was great damage to property. The middle of January, the Pacific coast was visited with another flock of storms, in which gales of hurricane velocity demolished property and killed a number of persons. The dispatches of January 12 also reported storm conditions in the Middle West that demoralized train and street-car service, resulting in loss of property, several deaths, and "scores injured by falling debris blown before the blizzard."
Heavy storms and excessively high tides on the coast of Holland January 14-20 resulted in property losses estimated at $100,000; and the reports also say that many lives were lost.
On the twenty-first of January, the dispatches told of other heavy storms in the Middle West. Toward the close of the same month, a severe storm and flood visited southern California and northern Mexico. The dispatches told of fifty dead in the neighborhood of the Mexican border, as the result of this last onslaught of storms. There were also heavy losses of property by floods in connection with this storm.
The dispatches of February 6 told of storm and flood that created havoc in Arkansas. A number of lives were lost, and considerable property was destroyed.
February 16, storm and flood visited Louisiana.
February 21, fifty-five persons were reported killed, and much damage was done, by storm, flood, and avalanche in portions of Germany. Dispatches of the same date told of storms and floods in Mississippi.
March 21, a tornado visited eastern Illinois, practically demolishing one or two villages, and a number of lives were lost.
The Indiana papers of March 22 and 23 told of a tornado that cut a "wide swath of ruin" and destroyed a number of lives.
March 25, "eight persons were killed in a farmhouse two miles east of Davis, Oklahoma, by a tornado which struck that section."
WIND, FLOOD, SNOW, RAIN
MARCH 29, Great Britain was swept by a storm said by the London Times to have been "the worst snowstorm known for many years. . . . The snow was accompanied by a wind of great violence, and messages from various parts of the country, from Cumberland to the Isle of Wight, report widespread damage." The Times also reported twelve deaths as a result of this storm.
April 8, the dispatches told of a tornado that demolished the town of Belmont, Louisiana, but no lives were reported lost.
The Kansas City Times of April 20 reported that "a succession of violent storms and tornadoes, developing in three extensive storm areas in Kansas and Missouri yesterday afternoon, caused the death of at least ten persons, and injuries to nearly one hundred others. Property damage, especially in central Missouri, southwestern Missouri, and southeastern Kansas, is said to be enormous."
Another dispatch, referring to the same storm, said, "Three separate 'twisters' struck as many parts of Kansas, causing injury and destruction and death."
June 5, a dispatch from Little Rock, Arkansas, said, "Fifty-nine persons are reported killed, and more than a hundred injured, in a series of tornadoes which swept Arkansas this afternoon." The dispatches the next day claimed that even a greater number had been killed by this terrific army of tornadoes.
On June 7, dispatches from New Orleans reported the gulf storm that resulted in many deaths and much loss of property. On the same date, a dispatch from Memphis, Tennessee, reported "more than 167 persons killed by a series of tornadoes which swept sections of Tennessee, Mississippi, southwestern Missouri, Arkansas, and eastern Kentucky." This dispatch from Memphis shows that the tornadoes that swept through Arkansas extended to a large section of the Southern States, reaching clear down to the gulf. The photographs appearing on pages 8 and 9 of this issue will help to tell, more vividly than the tongue can, of the destruction produced by these great storms.
July 5, a "tropical storm" did much damage in several of the Gulf States. The dispatches a few days later stated concerning this storm that about eighty-five persons were dead or missing; and the property loss, mostly crop damage, is estimated at nearly $10,000,000.
July 12, "thirty-one persons were killed, and more than a hundred were injured seriously," in a tornado that visited a suburb of Vienna.
The dispatches of July 16 and 17 told us of "serious floods in North and South Carolina and Virginia," which resulted in a number of deaths and much property damage. This storm is described as a combination of torrential rains, accompanied by a hurricane, which swept whole communities before them.
July 19, wind, rain, and cloud-burst destroyed much property in Kentucky.
During the same time that these larger storms were creating so much havoc in so many different sections, there were numerous "electrical storms" in many localities.
A TEMPEST FROM THE UTTERMOST PARTS
THE foregoing is merely a brief review of but one line of calamities that are appearing in a remarkable way throughout the world. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a time when "a noise shall come even to the end of the earth; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the nations; He will enter into judgment with all flesh: as for the wicked, He will give them to the sword, saith Jehovah. Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest shall be raised up from the uttermost parts of the earth. And the slain of Jehovah shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the face of the ground." Jer. 25: 31-33, A. R. V.523
Observe that the text says that the Lord "hath a controversy with the nations," and furthermore, "He will enter into judgment with all flesh." He gives the wicked to the sword, and a great tempest raised up throughout the earth produces terrific slaughter.
Some individuals scoff at the idea of such scriptures having an application in these times; but nevertheless, it is a remarkable fact that the Scripture warning and present-day conditions most impressively fit together.
Another prophetic utterance reads: "Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. There is naught but swearing and breaking faith, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery; they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away." Hosea 4: 1-3, A. R. V.
BRING CALAMITIES UPON THEMSELVES
NOTE that this text also speaks of the controversy God has with the inhabitants of the world; and the reason why He has this controversy is because they are killing, and stealing, and committing adultery. They have created conditions that God must meet with His judgments; for, as Isaiah expresses it, "when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness;" but "let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord." Isa. 26: 9, 10.
God also speaks of His "four sore judgments," "the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence." See Ezek. 14: 19-21.
Through judgments of this character, God pleads with wicked men and women. He says: "I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord." Ezek. 38: 22, 23.
SENDS JUDGMENTS TO ROUSE THEM
MEN become lost in wickedness; they become oblivious to every appeal; and under those conditions, the only thing God can in mercy do to help them is to send judgments that will arouse them to their condition. In this way, some will be led to see where they are standing, and accept the salvation that God is so graciously and so kindly offering.
Many scriptures that might be given show that sin invites the judgments of God; and with tempest and tornado, with hail and flood, He is seeking to arouse the inhabitants of earth who are drunken with wickedness. These turbulent conditions that are seen all through the world in so many ways, not only in storm and flood, but in the violent strifes of men, will continue to grow worse and worse — indeed, they will grow worse most rapidly as the very last of the last days are speeding us on to the great climax of the second coming of Christ. God's word makes the meaning of these conditions perfectly clear. The Saviour said of the times just before His coming, that "great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." He furthermore adds that "there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; 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: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21: 11, 25-27.
In this time of God's great controversy with the nations, we should awake, and under the great light of prophecy, we should open our eyes to see the meaning of the events that are all about us, and that are so appalling in their significance. But right in the midst of these great convulsions of nature and the mad furies of men, God will save every individual who will permit Him. It remains for each one to decide whether he will have the salvation that is offered by Christ or the destruction that is coming as a thick cloud over every part of this earth.
TO OUR READERS
By Editor
All reasonable effort will be made to preserve accuracy of statement, and to verify all authorities quoted.
Scripture quotations, when not from the Authorized Version, are taken from the American Standard Revised, unless otherwise stated.
Persons receiving copies of this paper without ordering them are not indebted to this office. Such papers are paid for by others.
Manuscripts should be addressed to the editor. Address all business and make all money orders, etc., payable to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, California.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
By Editor
Three months ...................................$0.50
Six months .......................................... .90
One year (50 numbers) ........................... 1.75
With "Questions and Answers" ............... 2.00
Two or more copies to one person, six months,
each $0.60.
Two or more copies to separate addresses, six
months, each $0.65.
Weekly and monthly SIGNS one year, $2.25.
Expiration: The wrapper bears date of the last
issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed
in advance, paper stops with the expiration date.
Change of address: Kindly give both old and new
address.
JAMES COCHRAN, Circulation Manager.
NO TWO OF THEM AGREE
By George B. Thompson
Shall We Stand on the Shifting Sands of Tradition, or on the Eternal Rock of God’s Word?
MANY and varied reasons have been assigned by those who keep Sunday, as to the exact ground for observing the day. The task would be very easy if there were any Scriptural evidence for keeping the day. All that would be necessary would be to cite the text where God commanded man to keep the day, and that would settle the question. But as there is no such text to cite, and not a scrap of Scriptural evidence anywhere available, neither any example of the Saviour nor of His disciples, the case is more difficult. Men are left to guess, and conjure up some reason of their own devising; and like the witnesses who condemned Jesus, no two of them agree.
In a commentary on the book of Acts, I recently ran across the following from a learned expositor of Holy Writ. Commenting on Acts 1: 3, he says:
“‘The things pertaining to the kingdom of God.’ If the things which He spake were things pertaining to a kingdom, they must have been things pertaining to rule, to offices, to organization, to means of transmission, as well as to matters pertaining to internal or spiritual religion. Take, for instance, such a thing as the laying on of hands in confirmation. Such a rite, the inward grace of which is the gift of the Spirit, could not have been ordained by the apostles without some express direction from the Lord. It is first mentioned very early in the narrative (8: 17) in a way which implies that it was a stated rite of the church from the beginning. So with the laying on of hands in ordination (Acts 6: 6). It seems to have been practiced from the first, and so was doubtless one of the ‘things pertaining to the kingdom of God,’ of which the Lord spake before He was taken up. To these we may add the change of the day of weekly religious observance from the Saturday to the Sunday.”—“Acts of the Apostles,” by Sadler, page 4.
DISREGARDING AN EXPLICIT COMMAND
No text cited, no command mentioned, no rock of Scripture upon which to plant our faith! Just a mere guess, a human say-so! This is in line with the statement of another expositor, who gave a similar reason for keeping holy a day for which there is no command of God. Speaking of baptism, Mr. Binney says:
“It is true there is no positive command for infant baptism, nor is there any against it, as there should have been if Christ intended to abridge the rights of Jewish parents under the Abrahamic covenant. Nor is there any for keeping holy the first day of the week, or for family devotion, or for women to receive the Lord’s Supper.”—“Binney’s Theological Compend,” pages 180, 181.
Here is a theological expositor, who, we are told in the preface of the book, spent fifteen years in the sole employment of preparing a popular commentary on the New Testament, forced to admit that there is no command in the Bible for keeping Sunday. Then why keep a day the Lord never commanded, and disregard a day He did command? One can scarce restrain astonishment at the reason assigned by this learned author for keeping the first day of the week as the Sabbath. Here it is:
“Jesus, after His resurrection, changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, thus showing His authority as Lord even of the Sabbath (Matt. 12: 8), not to abrogate or break it, but to preside over and modify, or give new form to it, so as to have it commemorate His resurrection, when He ceased from His redeeming work as God did from His creation work. Heb. 4: 10.
“When Jesus gave instructions for this change we are not told, but very likely during the time when He spake to His apostles of the things pertaining to His kingdom. Acts 1: 3. This is probably one of the many unrecorded things which Jesus did. John 20: 30; 21: 25.”—Id., page 171.
CHOOSING THE SANDS OF TRADITION
THE best he can find is a “perhaps.” This is “very likely” thus and so. It is “probably” one of the “unrecorded things Jesus did.” There is no record of any one’s being commanded to keep the day, he says; to which we quite agree.
Compare this flimsy pretext for the observance of an unscriptural institution with the command of the almighty God, which He handed down amid the grandeur of Sinai, and wrote with His own finger upon the unperishable stone:12“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 manservant, nor thy maidservant, 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.
Upon which will we take our stand? Will we, because of convenience, and to follow the easy, popular course, decide to stand on the sand of man’s tradition, or will we stand on the eternal rock of God’s word? There is a day coming when the lives of men will be tried as by fire. Then, if not sooner, we will wish to have our feet on a strong foundation, and the law of God written by the Spirit in the heart. G. B. T.
The Delusion of Peace and Safety
MANY are declaring that the nations will learn war no more, and that peace and safety is ahead of us. Many have uttered this false assurance ignorantly. It has been taught them, and they have taken for granted that it is so. But the Lord's word is plain, and He is seeking by its mighty power to dispel the delusion. There are many who are beginning to see the danger ahead, and are raising the signal of alarm. They do not all understand the perils that are on either side of us, and that loom up darker in front of us. Nevertheless, they see them. Now as never before we should study the Word.
KOREA IS “CLEANING HOUSE”
By J. E. F.
Japan on the Asiatic Continent
WHATEVER may be thought of Japan’s aggressive policy on the continent of Asia, we should be fair enough to admit the marvelous changes for the better which have been wrought in Korea since that backward country has been annexed to Japan.
On arrival at the port of Fusan, in southern Korea, one observes the good streets, the railway station, the fine public buildings of brick, the parks, and the markets. Everything has an air of up-to-dateness and progress. A pleasing feature in contrast to China, and to Korea as it was, and as it is still in many places, is the fact that Korea is “cleaning house.” There is great room for improvement yet, but there has been wonderful advancement in those centers where Japanese influence has been strongest. Our second visit, at the end of a year, proved beyond a doubt that in so short a time as a year, visible changes for the betterment of Korea could be readily seen. Missionaries to whom we spoke confirm this statement.
Hitherto denuded hills are gradually covered with trees, and almost barren slopes are covered with fruit trees and carpets of living green. On almost everything in Korea, the Japanese are leaving their impress. Natives are required to plant forest trees, and forbidden to cut any down, except under certain conditions.
Along the water front in Fusan, reclamation of land was carried on. A track had been laid; and a donkey engine and trucks were conveying many tons of earth, which is rapidly filling in excellent building property.
JAPAN THERE TO STAY
IT was early springtime as we boarded the train and left Fusan behind. All along the flats of the Rakuto River, we saw Korean men and women in their fields, some plowing, others planting and hoeing. The plows were primitive affairs generally; but in many places, the Japanese have started experimental farms, and are rapidly teaching their Korean cousins better farming methods.
All through Korea, especially along the railways and in large centers, are large and modern public buildings erected by the Japanese. Immense sums have been expended for reconstruction purposes. Korea is putting on a new dress, and Japan is responsible for these changes.
Not only has Japanese influence spread over Korea, but stretching farther north away into Manchuria, the Japanese government has great railroad interests, and has built along its railways large stations, hotels, and other buildings. Its interests along the way are guarded by soldiers, who can be seen at every station, standing with swords and rifles with fixed bayonets.
To the visitor from abroad, there naturally comes the question, What has become of the government? Plainly Japan is firmly planted in Manchuria, and apparently is there to stay. What part she is to act in the great closing drama outlined in prophecy is an interesting study. The revelator saw “the kings that come from the sunrising” gathering their forces for the last great battle. Rev. 16: 12-16.
Japan, the “Sunrise Kingdom,” will be a leading nation there. Quickly she has arisen to be one of the chief military powers of the world. Her navy is rapidly assuming large proportions. Already she is firmly planted on the mainland of Asia. Here she must wield great influence in the Far East, and be a prominent figure in fulfilling prophecy. J. E. F.
The Commandments Personal
By T. E. Bowen
DID you ever notice that each commandment in God’s holy law is directed to the individual? It is God’s code addressed personally to every man that comes into the world.
It is "Thou shalt," "Thou shalt not." "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image." "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them." "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain."
Churches or communities are not addressed as such. The word of God is to each unit making up the multitudes. It lays the responsibility of obedience or disobedience upon every individual. The man who utters oaths is held responsible for the offense. "The Lord will not hold him guiltless." It is the man bowing down to idols or images who is responsible for idolatry. God’s index finger points to the one individual, saying, "Thou art the man."
The rest of the commandments are the same. Every man is made responsible by God for Sabbath observance in his own home. "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 manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." When each man senses his own obligation to keep the Sabbath of the Lord his God in this manner, there is no need for human enactments to enforce Sabbath observance upon communities. All will be Sabbath keepers. But no one is a Sabbath keeper who does not keep God’s Sabbath day. And there is only one Sabbath — the day pointed out in the commandment itself.
The Reward for Obedience
"AND, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" Here is a personal question addressed to the Master by the individual. What shall I do? The answer is, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Jesus makes obedience personal. The individual himself must obey, if he would enter into life. "If thou wilt enter into life, keep" that which is pointed out in the commandments. All is to be done through faith in the personal Christ. He died to save the individual — you and me; not to give any one license to go on in disobedience to His direct personal commands, but by His grace given, that each may obey every one of those divine precepts. And at last, each is to give account of himself before God.
The one who keeps thus God’s commandments shall hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant [singular] . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Individual obedience is rewarded by individual salvation. Thus the hosts of the saved shall be gathered when the harvest of the earth is reaped. It is the individual "thou" who has "been faithful over a few things," who hears, "I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." T. E. BOWEN.
The Path of Duty
“THE path of duty lies in what is near, and men seek for it in what is remote. The work of duty lies in what is easy, and men seek for it in what is difficult.”
"The Lord Is There"
By S. M. S. Haynes
BY S. M. S. HAYNES
BEYOND time's solemn keeping, Beyond earth's toil and weeping, Beyond death's cruel reaping, There is a city bright and fair All decked in gold and jewels rare; And it is called, "The Lord is there."
Beyond earth's strife unending, Beyond all pride unbending, Beyond life's tedious wending, There is a rest from toil and care, The weary load no more to bear. Sweet is that rest—"the Lord is there."
Beyond time's separation, Beyond sin's condemnation, And with that great salvation, There is a home of beauty fair. The ransomed crowns of glory wear. In peace they reign—"the Lord is there."
Opening African Mission Doors
By G. A. Ellingworth
The Place of the School in the Nyasaland Mission
By G. A. Ellingworth
CARRYING CORN TO MARKET. THE LEADER CARRIES NO BURDEN.
The two most important agencies in our work for the natives of Nyasaland are the school and the dispensary. The idea that the heathen of Africa are waiting to accept the gospel as soon as they hear it, is a fallacy. The average native is the most contented person in the world; and if he has enough food, a little cloth, a beer drink occasionally, and some tobacco, he is quite satisfied with his lot. If he is tired of visiting with the people of his own village, he will go off to visit the people of some other village. Should he feel very energetic, he will go to hunt with some of his companions.
The desire for things new is directly traceable to the influence of the school work that has been done by early missionaries. These tell us that they found the native very unwilling to go to school. They had even to bribe him. They had, as they say, "to create wants." Now calls for schools are coming much faster than we can supply teachers. In all these cases, it is seen that boys from fourteen to twenty years of age have come in contact with other schools, or have worked with boys who have learned to read and write, so now they desire a school in their own village.
You will say that this is simply desire for temporal things. That is also true, but we must remember that temporal things are the only things they know. The fact that there is a desire is our opportunity. When the boy or the girl comes to our school, we then have the chance to develop that desire until the pupil asks to join the Bible class and prepare for baptism.
These boys and girls are the hope of Africa. While they are young and impressionable, we can bring to bear on them the power of the Word, and point them to the true life in Christ Jesus. One very seldom hears of an old man's accepting Christ. Another thing that makes education so necessary is that in the native tongue there is no language expressive of sacred things. Many words must take a new meaning, or new words be coined. Every word used has, in the native mind, its original common setting. For instance, the word "cross" is translated mtanda, a cross beam or stick; and the first thought on hearing the word preached will be of the ridge pole of his hut. Any one who tries to see things from a native viewpoint will realize how strange this new message is that comes to them in words taken from the things of their daily life. It is education that is going to enable the native to understand and appreciate the gospel.
STUDENTS AT MALAMULO MISSION, AFRICA
Our great need is workers who have had a good normal training, coupled with "grace, gumption, and go," to train the boys we have here, to build up our present work, and, as fast as possible, establish our work in Portuguese territory lying to the east and west of us. If you look at the map, you will see that we are in just a narrow strip, with broad sweeps of country around us for which we have so far done nothing. The rate at which the gospel travels is limited only by the lack of consecrated workers and consecrated means.
TITLES
By Editor
of Some of the Articles to Appear in the
NEXT ISSUE
DETHRONING THE EMPRESS OF EARTH
The beginning of a splendid series on the absorbing prophecy recorded in Revelation 8 to 10, concluding with the shipwreck of all nations.
By Jean Vuilleumier
RENOVATING AN OLD HERESY
Dealing with the moldy old heresy of antinomianism, which has been revived.
By Carlyle B. Haynes
THE GREAT AWAKENING IN PRINCETON
Another telling series, in a pleasing story form, by the author of "A Peculiar Clause in the Contract."
By Tyler E. Bowen
IS BOOK KNOWLEDGE ENOUGH?
A message for the hour, showing the imperative need for us to know the meaning of these troublous times.
By P. T. Magan
"DEPARTED SAINTS STILL LIVING"
This statement, made by a popular minister, tested at the bar of Holy Scripture.
By L. A. Reed
RECRUITS FOR THE ORIENT
A new epoch in our mission work, — 47 missionaries leave on one boat for the Asiatic Division.
GOOD FOR WHAT AILS YOU
Most excellent advice on the prevention and cure of disease.
By Dr. D. H. Kress
THE LIMIT OF FORGIVENESS
By the late Mrs. E. G. White
CAN THE WAR SPIRIT BE ERADICATED?
By G. W. Reaser
IS THIS WAR ARMAGEDDON?
By E. L. Cardey
PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED
RATES
One copy one year . . . . . . . . . . . $1.75
One copy six months . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Two or more copies to separate addresses, one year, each . . . . . . . . . 1.25
Six months, each . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Two or more to one person, one year, each . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.20
Six months, each . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Single copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .05
