p. 231 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 15. (4/14/1898)

THE SABBATH.

By John E. Moore

JESUS CHRIST should be man's infallible guide in Sabbath-keeping as in everything else. Jesus faithfully observed the seventh-day Sabbath.

There was no conflict between Christ and the Jews as to the observance of the particular day. It is true that the Jewish people had covered up the Sabbath with such rigorous exactions that it could scarcely be kept without violating some of these traditions, and Christ, in throwing off these unnecessary restrictions, taught what true Sabbath-keeping really was. He said unto them, “Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” Matt. 12:12. The great Teacher exemplified His teaching by healing the sick, the maimed, and the blind, on the Sabbath day.

Christ not only faithfully observed the seventh-day Sabbath, but He pointed out its sacredness for years after His resurrection. In speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, He said to His disciples, “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” Matt. 24:20. This prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70, which was nearly forty years after Christ’s resurrection. If the Sabbath was sacred in the year A.D. 70, it can be no less so to-day. This being true, the seventh-day Sabbath is confirmed in the new covenant as the Sabbath of the Lord our God.

The apostle Paul says if a covenant be confirmed, tho it be but a man’s covenant, it can not be disannulled or anything added thereto. (See Gal. 3:15.) The new covenant was confirmed when Christ died upon the cross of Calvary. “For this cause He is the Mediator of the new testament [covenant]. . . . For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” Heb. 9:15-17. If a covenant confirmed by man is of such inviolability, what shall we reasonably conclude relative to the sacredness and immutability of the new covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ. “In the teachings of Christ the principles of the new covenant were laid down; its ordinances, of baptism, humility, and communion, were all given. The law had been affirmed in both teaching and example to the time of the cross. The seventh-day Sabbath was taught by Christ and kept by Him till He died. Not one word, however, did He speak, not one act did He perform, which showed any other day to be holy. Nor did He predict holiness for any other day in the future. At His death the covenant was sealed. His last will and testament was then confirmed. Nothing could be taken from it. Nothing could be added. The new covenant confirms the seventh-day Sabbath, and no other.

The new covenant reaches down to the end of time, and all can have an interest in the blood of the everlasting covenant by meeting the conditions stipulated in it. Therefore it behooves all Christians to be consistent followers of Christ, not only in one thing, but in all things. The blessed Master has furnished us with a perfect example in Sabbath-keeping, and He observed the seventh day as the Sabbath. Would it not be better in the outcome for us all to follow “the Lord of the Sabbath” in Sabbath-keeping as well as in other things? “But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:5, 6.

JOHN E. MOORE.

Holdingford, Minn.

ETERNAL THINGS.

By M. C. Guild

Nothing of this world is lasting. Earth's pleasures are transient, its joys are fleeting, and the choicest treasures of men are soon gone. Kingdoms rise but to fall again; mighty cities crumble into ruins, and even the sturdy trees grow old and decay.

It is said of Xerxes that, after marshaling his immense army of over 5,000,000 men, he wept at the thought that in 100 years not one of that mighty host would be alive.

“Few of the things we value here Wake on the morn of their hundredth year.”

It is a cheering thought that some things will endure, even after the earth in its present form ceases to be. “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1 John 2:17.

The child of God is more concerned in laying up treasures above than in seeking the fleeting things of earth, knowing that he has in heaven a better and an enduring substance. There we shall have a life that measures with the life of God, and of Him it is written, “But Thou, O Lord, shalt endure forever.” Ps. 102:12. His mercy and love will never change, and surely this should cause us to rejoice.

His kingdom shall never be destroyed, but it will stand forever. Dan. 2:44. The pleasures of those who serve Him will never become wearisome, and their joy will never end.

“In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. 16:11.

“The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” Ps. 111:7, 8.

Truth will last. “The truth of the Lord endureth forever.” Ps. 117:2.

Those who, through love to God, lay hold of these things here, are linking themselves with principles that will carry them safely through eternity. All these things are eternal in their nature. Were God to change or abolish them, His character would be compromised, and His government would be imperiled. Take His law, for example. If God should change the first two commandments, and He should give permission to worship other gods, or bow down to idols, it would be recognizing the right of another to govern, hence His own kingdom could not stand. Satan was cast out of heaven for seeking to take the place of God. Isa. 14:12–14. The first two commandments must always remain, “while right is right and God is God.”

Then if He should change the third commandment, and give permission to take His name in vain, the harmony of heaven would be broken, love and loyalty would disappear. The third commandment, then, will always exist while the honor of God endures.

The Sabbath day can never be changed or abolished, for the authority of God, and that which continually reminds us of Him, would then be destroyed. Hence the Lord has made it a sign between Him and His people forever (see Ex. 31:17), and it will continue, even in the earth made new (Isa. 66:22, 23).

Neither can any of the last six of the commandments be changed. It is simply absurd to think of permission being given to steal, and it would be preposterous to imagine that one could lie or kill with impunity.

The time is soon coming when sin and the perishable things of earth will cease. 2 Peter 3:10; Isa. 51:6–8.

Then the whole universe will be in harmony with God and His eternal truth. See Rev. 4:13.

May each who reads this come into harmony with Him here, laying hold on the hope set before us, and so be among those who receive “a kingdom which can not be moved.”

M. C. GUILD.

THE TRUE HERO.

By Edward Rowland Sill

This I beheld—or dreamed it in a dream: There spread a cloud of dust along a plain; And underneath a cloud, or in it, raged A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince’s banner Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.

A craven hung along the battle’s edge, And thought, “Had I a sword of keener steel,— That blue blade that the king’s son bears,—but this Blunt thing!”—he snapt and flung it from his hand, And lowering crept away and left the field.

Then came the king’s son, wounded, sore bestead, And weaponless, and saw the broken sword, Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand, And ran and snatched it, and, with battle-shout Lifted afresh, he hewed his enemy down, And saved a great cause that heroic day.

—Edward Rowland Sill.

THE WONDERFUL BOOK.

By James E. Gilbert, D.D.

AND now for the “conclusion of the whole matter.” Here is a very ancient volume, produced by many hands working without concert. In structure it is a masterpiece; its parts, like some beautiful mosaic, are laid together as if according to a preconceived pattern. Its truths, varied and far-reaching, meet the needs of every soul in every land, under every circumstance of life. They are “seed to the sower and bread to the eater.” He who feeds on this bread, exclaims with Israel’s songster, “I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey.” The centuries come and go; times and seasons change; institutions rise and fall; civilizations grow old and perish—but this Book liveth and abideth forever. It leads humanity onward and upward, and at each stage of progress points to better things to come. It is, indeed, a lamp unto the feet and a light unto the path of the toiling millions who seek to know that which is highest and best. What shall we say concerning such a marvelous volume? Is it not the BOOK OF GOD?—James E. Gilbert, D.D.

THE PLAGUE IN INDIA.

Dr. E. W. Parker, of Shahjahanpore, India, sends us a statement concerning the plague in that country. Upon its authority it is safe to assume that the plague has not yet been stamped out, and that much remains to be done, and that of a thorough character, before the people of India are relieved of their present physical distress. Dr. Parker says in his statement that on February 1, 201 new cases were reported in Bombay, 122 deaths from the plague, and 269 deaths from all causes. For the week ending February 1: Bombay, 841 new cases, 840 deaths; Poona, 69 new cases, 56 deaths; Surat, 144 new cases, 121 deaths; Thana, 26 new cases, 17 deaths; Sholapur, 205 new cases, 145 deaths; Baroda, 149 new cases, 117 deaths. Total in Bombay district for week, 2,083 new cases and 1,869 deaths. All recorded deaths from plague to date in Bombay city and district, 64,960.—Christian Advocate.

“THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE.”

GOD is the Source of all life. “For with Thee,” sings the psalmist, “is the Fountain of Life; in Thy light shall we see light.” Ps. 36: 9. “The Father hath life in Himself.” John 5: 26. “He is the true God; He is the living God;” and “He Himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Jer. 10: 12; Acts 17: 26.

He is the Source and Giver of life in not only the sense that it springs from Him originally, but in the fullest sense that it comes from Him every moment. He not only made a living creature in the beginning, but He so constituted them as to make them receptive of His life, flowing out in ever-living floods from the great Fountain. He did not give to man to have life in himself, ever precarious, and finally running out at the end of a millennium, or threescore years and ten, but He so constituted man that fresh from the Fountain every day man receives his life. “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17: 28. He is “the God in whose hand thy breath is.” Dan. 5: 23.

God has given us three striking illustrations of this normal, constant giving of life in His Word. These illustrations are in His material works, two of them as they were ordained at the beginning, before sin entered, and as they will be in the re-creation, after sin is forever banished. The other is a pledge of God’s restoring mercy and power. The first is found in Gen. 2: 10:—

“And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.”

The second is found in Rev. 22: 1:—

“And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

The third is as follows:—

“Behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house [of the Lord]. . . . These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea; which being brought forth into the sea, the waters [of the sea] shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live; . . . and everything shall live whither the river cometh.” See Eze. 47: 1—12.

God’s life, like His love, is diffusive, expanding. His river of love does not ever gather to itself the fertility of all lands through which it flows, and pour it out into some great salt sea, but it ever spreads, and divides, and subdivides, carrying richness, life, blessing, wherever its waters flow. The life, the Spirit of God, is likened to the gentle dew, moistening in the time of drought both grass and flower. It is symbolized by rain, poured out in abundant, penetrating, all-pervasive showers. It is said to be as a water spring welling up into each heart open to receive it, and flowing out from thence into others’ lives, blessing, reviving, healing, in its influence.

All this is of the life of God as it comes from Him through Jesus Christ in its own normal way, in harmony with God’s law of life, His moral law. In the carnal heart the law of His life is perverted, by being turned inward. Men use it for selfish motives and purposes. They gather it to themselves for their own profit or pleasure. And as the purest water becomes putrid if it remains stagnant, so the best blessings of God become a curse when selfishly hoarded.

Reader, would you have the life of God?—Give and use for Him what you have. Would you have it more abundantly?—Use more abundantly. Consecrate all to Him; ask for His Spirit, that you may use it, and God will bestow it as the dew, as the rain, as a well-spring of life.

THE TREASURE IN HEAPS.

By T.

In our last issue attention was called to the great “heaps” of treasure that have been accumulated during the last few decades into a small number of individual hands. And in passing, it might be well to again state that the first verses of the fifth chapter of James tell us plainly that “treasure” is to be “heaped” together, “for,” or, as given by the Revised Version, “in” the “last days.” This fact should be kept before the mind; for as we see so much treasure being gathered into “heaps” by a few dozen men in each of the several countries of the world, it gives us one of the unmistakable evidences that we are in the “last days.” This is not set forth as the only evidence that we are rapidly approaching the end. No, by no means. There is an overwhelming array of evidence in addition to the “heaping together of treasure.” And as you see this evidence, line upon line, do not be deceived, but know of a surety that the last days are here.

But there is a phase of the heaping together of treasure that is not shown by the large individual fortunes. And let us proceed to examine it. It is simply wonderful, as was stated in last week’s issue, what vast sums of money a few individuals have been able to accumulate. These fortunes are not merely reckoned by the single million, neither by tens of millions, but hundreds of millions are within the grasping ownership of single individuals. And when, as was quoted recently from Mr. Shearman, we can say that the billionaire, not the millionaire, but the billionaire, is actually in sight and may be expected within a few years, what enormous proportions do the figures assume! And how literally do we see the fulfilment of that most expressive Word of God that “ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.”

“But what is the other phase of heaping together of treasure?” you ask. “Tell us about that.”

You already know all about it. All that is needed is to call your attention to it. You know the history of the corporation perfectly well. You also know that practically every commodity that is in daily use by the people comes to you through some corporation. One corporation supplies your sugar, another your flour, another your matches, another your each kerosene and gasoline, another your coal, another your clothing, another your shoes, and so on, and so on.

“But,” you say, “I buy all these things of the merchants here in the town where I live. I don’t see how any corporation has anything to do with them.”

Yes, it is true that you buy everything you want from your local merchant. But he buys from the big corporation. And so, after all, the corporation controls and handles every commodity known to trade and commerce. In the earlier days of corporations the sums that each corporation controlled did not appear so large. In fact, it is about impossible for any one corporation to become so vastly rich, because competition, occasioned by many other corporations and individuals doing business in the same line, serves to localize the trade of each and keep it within bounds.

But a master mind conceived the idea that if it were only possible to get a monopoly of all the trade in some one of these commodities, then how rapidly could he heap up his millions! And so the scheme of combining the various competing corporations into “trusts” and “syndicates” is launched. At first there are many difficulties to meet and overcome. For some of the corporations as well as private individuals desire to continue in business as they are. But the organizers of the “trust” are persistent. Their watchword is that they must “crush” the corporation or individual that “refuses to come into the combine.” “No stone is left unturned” in accomplishing their purpose. Legislatures are corrupted; justice is blinded by bribes and turned away from her course by intrigue. The monopoly must reign supreme. And neither outraged justice, nor the piteous cry of those being trampled underfoot, seems to awaken a single kindly or generous emotion in the breast of him whose only mission is to “heap together treasure.”

Within the last few weeks there has been organized the Milk trust of New York, with a capital of $15,000,000; the International Paper Company, with a capital of $50,000,000; the enamel-ware manufacturers, with $25,000,000; the American Steel and Wire Company, with a capital of $87,000,000, etc. Thus it has been going on with a rapidly-increasing activity for the greater part of the last two decades.

It should not be overlooked, either, that these trusts and combines have intertwined with each other so that one sustains and helps the other in their hoarding of wealth. The big trust gets special privileges from the railroad, presumably on the ground of their “large volume of business;” they combine the influence of their vast wealth to elect their special men to office so that they may control the government in the interest of “heaping up” larger and still larger mountains of wealth; in short, each trust is linked to every other trust to work in every way they can for their common interest.

Now look at the picture. Not only do we have the individual fortunes outrivaling the extravagant fables of antiquity, but trusts and combines come in to pile still higher the already towering “heaps” of wealth. Thus what men could not do while acting in their individual capacity, or even in the capacity of ordinary corporations, they combine in trusts to accomplish. And it is a truth as literal and clear as a shining sun from a cloudless sky that the whole plan of the organization of business to-day is to pile the treasure of the entire world into

“heaps,” to which just a comparatively few men may point and say, “This is mine.” And if these men could only be induced to leave the shrine of mammon long enough for their understanding to be opened to the words of inspiration, they would also say, I “have heaped” this “treasure together for the last days.” But the mammon-god is so exacting that he leaves no time for his worshipers to study the Word of God. In their furious rush to get rich, even at the greatest sacrifice to themselves and the oppression of others, little do they dream how literally they are fulfilling the Scripture prophecy. Can nothing be done to arrest the attention of at least a few of them, so that they may be turned from the destruction of the blinded course they are following?

“Capital and labor” is one of the topics of the hour. It is discussed extensively and with warmth. Many remedies are proposed. The “single-tax” man is sure his plan would be a success; the bimetalist grows ardent and eloquent in telling how his theory, if applied, would level things up by pouring the bounties of the horn of plenty upon all; the Socialist is sure that his plan is an ideal panacea, and so on, and so on.

We have no discussion with the capitalist or any of these who are so bitterly opposing him in his amassing of wealth. We only call attention to things as they exist to-day, and point you to that sure Word of God which says, “Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” You certainly can not fail to see the fulfilling prophecy. Are you ready for what it portends? T.

THE WAR-PEACE CRY.

By W. N. G.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.” This same Jesus lived a life of unresenting peace, and finally gave His life on the cross, in order that men might have peace with God. This was all done that we might have power to keep these two commandments (on which hangs all the law of God): “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Notwithstanding the great price paid for peace, the fruit of which is such a high degree of love for our fellow-man, we find many popular professed ministers of peace crying out for war. Here is one declaration from a Presbyterian minister of this city:—

There are times in the history of nations when peace would be an outrage, an injustice, a cowardly exhibition of inhumanity. There are times when righteousness demands that the sword shall be drawn.

Whose “righteousness” is it that makes such demand, in the face of the commandment of God? Surely it is not the righteousness of the Prince of Peace; for under His rule, “righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Ps. 85 : 10.

A minister of the Christian denomination expresses his sentiment on the subject as follows:—

The horrors of war are unspeakable, and it should never be engaged in without a righteous cause, and then as a last resort; but we must always remember that honorable war is better than dishonorable peace; and that at times the only way to establish the peace which love demands is through its auxiliary, war.

But what kind of war is the “auxiliary” of peace? “We [Christians] wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” For the reason that our warfare is a spiritual contest, we are to use spiritual weapons. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, . . . having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Eph. 6 : 12–17. We see, then, that the sword which “righteousness demands”—not sometimes, but all the time—is the “sword of the Spirit.” This because, at all times, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.” 2 Cor. 10 : 4.

A Baptist minister of this city also spoke on the same day, on the question, “Shall we fight Spain?” and cited some conditions under which “we must fight.” One condition was the refusal of Spain to make “reasonable and just amends for the loss we have suffered of life and treasure in the destruction of the Maine. We must not let the destruction of that vessel and those brave men go without all the reparation it is possible for Spain to make.” Another condition was, “the refusal of Spain to cease her barbarities in Cuba.”

Now what is the cure which this minister of the Gospel of peace would offer for the “barbarities in Cuba”?—War is his panacea; yet when contemplating war he describes it as “frightful,” “brutalizing,” “terrible.” Verily the people who argue for carnal warfare as the harbinger of peace, are simply catering to the martial spirit of the world rather than furthering the cause of Him who gave His own life that there might be “peace on earth, good-will toward men.” He who is the rightful head of the Christian church, in giving His own life for “peace on earth,” never once advocated the taking of the lives of others. “The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” This is true Christianity; this is the way to “follow peace with all men.” “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3 : 18. All this war-peace theory is a cry of “Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jer. 6 : 14.

W. N. G.

Question Corner

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

753. John 20:17. Why?

“TOUCH Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father.” John 20:17. Why did Christ not want Mary to touch Him? Why did Jesus have to ascend to the Father first? I. O. E.

We can answer this question in no better way than to quote the words of another:—

“Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He knew that His sacrifice had been accepted by the Father, and until He had received the assurance from God Himself that His atonement for the sins of His people had been full and ample, that through His blood they might gain eternal life. Jesus immediately ascended to heaven and presented Himself before the throne of God, showing the marks of shame and cruelty upon His brow, His hands, and feet. But He refused to receive the coronet of glory, and the royal robe, and He also refused the adoration of the angels as He had refused the homage of Mary, until the Father signified that His offering was accepted.”—Great Controversy, vol. 3, p. 202.

754. Luke 22:32. Converted.

KINDLY explain Luke 22:32: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Was not Peter converted when he was sent out with the twelve to preach, heal, etc.? Luke 9:1.

There is such a thing as losing conversion. There is such a thing as a constant growth, a new conversion to new truth, every day. Peter certainly was not converted to the truth concerning the nature of Christ’s work and kingdom till after the resurrection of our Lord. But previous to the time when our Lord used the above words, Peter doubtless had some experience in Christian life.

755. Gen. 9:5. The Curse upon Canaan.

DID this curse give rise to the Ethiopian race? Did the effects of different curses change color of men? If not, why are they not all red like Adam?

The curse was that of servitude. It was the divine statement of what such a character as Canaan’s would surely entail upon his descendants. The color may have gone with it, affected, no doubt, by centuries of climatic conditions. But who said that Adam was red? Dr. Strong defines the Hebrew word Adam as meaning “ruddy, to show blood, to flush or turn rosy,” indicating perfect health. See the word “ruddy” from the same root in the following texts: 1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42; Cant. 5:10; Lam. 4:7.

756. Old and New Style.

RAY’S Higher Arithmetic says that Gregory XIII. in 1582 suppressed the ten days that had been gained, by decreeing that the 5th of October should be the 15th. The Gregorian calendar was adopted in England in 1752, the error then being eleven days. Parliament declared the 3d of September to be the 14th, and at the same time made the year begin January 1 instead of March 25. How does this affect the Sabbath question? E. H. J.

It in no way affects the Sabbath question or the days of the week, but only the days of the month. If Oct. 5, 1582, had been Monday, and it was by law called October 15, it was Monday still. That the change from Old Style to New Style does not affect the day of the week is shown by these facts: (1) The days of the week were the same in England between Oct. 5, 1582, and Sept. 3, 1752, as they were in Italy, the England reckoned by Old Style, Italy by New Style; (2) Russia still reckons by Old Style, but the days of the week correspond with ours. The day of this writing is Tuesday, March 29. If it should be called by law April 10, that would not alter the day of the week; it would be Tuesday still.

757. Kindling a Fire on the Sabbath Day.

“YE shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day.” Ex. 35:3. Is this prohibition binding upon the people of to-day? H.

Its principle is. The children of Israel while in the wilderness were in a warm country. They were all well, and they needed no fire, hence the prohibition. That this command related to the wilderness is shown by its presumptuous transgression. See Num. 15:32–36. “And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day.” It will be seen by the context that the man’s sin was openly presumptuous. Verses 30, 31. The Lord gave not the Sabbath to cause human suffering. He will have mercy and not sacrifice. Matt. 12:7. If a fire is needed for health, if warm food is needed for the sick or feeble, it is in harmony with God and the law of the Sabbath to kindle a fire. But if these things are not needed, should a fire be kindled just to minister to appetite?

758. 1 Timothy, Chapters 1 and 5.

I WOULD like to have you explain the first and fifth chapters of 1 Timothy. I have had many people ask me about it, and I do not know how to explain it. I hope I am not asking too much. B.

It is impossible to reply to such a question. A page of the SIGNS might be devoted to each of these chapters and then they might not be explained to the satisfaction of the querist. Read the chapters, ask God for light, and leave the matter with Him. If people ask you for an explanation, it is no disgrace to say, I do not know. Ask some good servant of God. Follow the apostle’s advice, “Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” It is not that the question is so difficult, but we have not space. Questions should be more specific and cover less ground.

“AND THEN THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE.”

The first two verses of the twelfth chapter of Daniel’s prophecy are as follows:—

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

These prophetic utterances have their application in the very last of the last days. For they fix the attention upon the time when “Michael” shall “stand up.” “Michael” can be none other than Jesus Christ, for the text calls Him “the great Prince, which standeth for the children of thy people.” Jesus is the only “great Prince” who occupies the significant and exclusive position of “standing for the children of thy people.” He who said that “without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5), “standeth for the children of thy people” in the sin-marred places in this world because it is impossible for them to stand without Him. How beautiful, and yet how comforting is this prophetic utterance!

This “standing up of Michael” is “at that time” when “thy people shall be delivered,” and when “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” God’s people are not completely delivered from this earth, corrupted by sin, until the second coming of Christ at the last day. They who “sleep in the dust of the earth” do not “awake” until the second coming of Christ and the resurrection.

Thus from every standpoint we see that these verses quoted from Daniel’s prophecy refer to the very last of the last days. For the text brings us face to face with the time when Michael or Christ “stands up;” and it also shows us that the “deliverance” of God’s people is to be at that time; and, further, the matter is made clear beyond all conjecture by the statement that “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” They who “sleep in the dust” awake at the resurrection, and everybody knows that the resurrection is at the end of the world.

Now note. This prophecy of Daniel forcibly and clearly brings us to consider the time of the “standing up” of Michael, the “deliverance” of God’s people, and the resurrection. The same scripture also tells us that in connection with these great events “there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” And just as surely as the last days of this world of sin are bound to come, and just as surely as the Lord has told us “that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust,” even so surely will that great event be preceded by “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” God’s Word has foretold it. And our God makes no mistakes.

When this “time of trouble” is imminent, the things which cause it will be both seen and felt. And we ask any serious observer of passing events, if there is not a condition of things in the world to-day that is causing the stoutest hearts to quail. You can not meet a man nowadays scarcely but what the conversation will almost insensibly drift into a discussion of the alarming problems that confront the whole world. Criminality, bold, defiant, and high-handed, faces us at every turn. The story of the murderer, the highwayman, the defaulter, and general crime of the most hideous and terrible character, constitutes a large part of the “news” that is given to us in every issue of every daily paper every day in the year. Drunkenness and debauchery are growing worse and worse. Licentiousness does not stop at the brothel, but has invaded the home, and it is no uncommon thing to read of the enraged man or woman who seeks revenge by slaying the unfaithful companion and the seducer who is a party to the sin. Mobs and lynchings are of very frequent occurrence. The general discontent between capital and labor furnishes a problem that is one of the most serious of the age. And in this one question alone every student of history recognizes all the seeds of discontent that preceded the French Revolution, with its reign of terror.

It is useless to enumerate further. It is asked on every hand: What do these things portend? Where will they end? And is it possible to escape what seems to be an inevitable and universal smashing up of everything?

To these questions it may be stated, on the authority of Scripture, that all of these appalling difficulties in the world to-day are the many voices which proclaim that we are even now in the dark shadows of that “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” And there is a sure way of escape from the oncoming destruction. The “great Prince” stands for the deliverance of every case committed to His care. And He is not only a strong but sure Deliverer.

Is your case in His hands? If not, hasten to commit all to Him, “for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.”

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