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Signs of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 4.

Good Cheer and Science of Health
Earlier text: Student Volunteers in General Convention

FACTS CONCERNING THE SEVENTH DAY

By C. P. Bollman

Which Is the Sabbath Day? Why Keep Sunday?
NEARLY all Christian people observe one day each week, with more or less strictness, as a Sabbath, or day of rest. The majority—indeed, a very large majority—keep Sunday, the first day of the week; but a much smaller number observe the seventh day, corresponding as nearly as may be with Saturday, though Saturday is reckoned from midnight to midnight, while the Bible day is from sunset to sunset.
If you, dear reader, are one of the majority who observe the first day, let us ask why you do so. But before you answer even in your own mind, let us give you a few facts regarding the two days.

FACTS CONCERNING THE SEVENTH DAY

God set apart this day at creation to be the Sabbath. See Gen. 2: 2, 3; Ex. 20: 8-11.
This day set apart at creation was observed before the law was given at Sinai. See Ex. 16: 23-30.
The Sabbath law is embosomed in the Decalogue, being closely associated with the other nine moral precepts. It is of this law the Saviour says, “One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5: 18.
Prophecy foretells a reform touching the Sabbath, and exhorts those who are breaking it to cease so doing. See Isa. 58: 13.
The Sabbath will be carried over into the new earth state and will be observed by the redeemed. See Isa. 66: 22, 23.
The Sabbath was observed by Christ. See Mark 1: 21.
He is Lord of the Sabbath. Mark 2: 28.
The disciples rested upon that day while Christ lay in the grave. Luke 23: 56.
In writing of the seventh day, years after the resurrection of Christ, the authors of the Gospels called it by no other name than “the Sabbath.” See Matt. 24: 20; 28: 1; Mark 16: 1; Luke 23: 56.
The apostles uniformly observed it, and in Rev. 1: 10 it is called “the Lord’s day.” The claim has been made in behalf of Sunday that it is the Lord’s day. But interpreting scripture by scripture, we can come to only one conclusion in reference to the matter; namely, that John was in the Spirit, or in other words that he had his vision, upon the Sabbath of the Lord. See Ex. 20: 10; Isa. 58: 13; and Mark 2: 28.

FACTS CONCERNING SUNDAY

Now as touching the first day, or Sunday, it is scarcely necessary to do more than remark that there is absolutely no Scriptural evidence to show that either Christ or the apostles ever attached any sacredness whatever to that day. The texts relied upon to prove otherwise do not prove it, nor do they even intimate anything of the kind. Sunday observance is merely a custom brought into the church of Gentile converts who, as heathen, had been in the habit of keeping that day as a festival in honor of the sun-god. Later the day was styled “the Lord’s day” as a sort of compromise with the heathen. Converts from paganism were permitted to retain their weekly festival, but were taught to observe it in honor of the Son instead of the s-u-n. It was always only a human festival, and is only a human festival to-day.
C. P. BOLLMAN.

The Way of the Lord

By John Norton Loughborough

OUR Saviour said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. This way is designated by various terms in the Scriptures. Among these we note the following:
“The way of God in truth.” Matt. 22:16. “The way of holiness.” Isa. 35:8. “The way of His steps.” Ps. 85:13. “The way of salvation.” Acts 16:17. “A perfect way.” Ps. 101:2. “The way of life.” Prov. 6:23. “The way of Thy precepts.” Ps. 119:27. “The way of the righteous.” Ps. 1:6. “The way of understanding.” Prov. 9:6. “The good and the right way.” 1 Sam. 12:23. “The way everlasting.” Ps. 139:24. “The way of His saints.” Prov. 2:8. The “narrow” way “to life.” Matt. 7:14. “The way into the holiest.” Heb. 9:8. “A new and living way.” Heb. 10:20.
Of another way it is said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:12. But “blessed is the man” that standeth not “in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Ps. 1:1-3.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Providence and Strength

“WHEREVER in His providence God has placed you, He will keep you. ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’”

"A NEW CREATURE"

By Alonzo T. Jones

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17.
A NEW creature! Such is every one who is in Christ. And such must every one become in order to enter the kingdom of God. Praise God for this, the greatest and most precious of all the possibilities within the reach of man.
The only way that man can become a new creature is, to be made new. The only power that can make him new is the creative power of Jesus Christ. And the only process revealed to man by which Christ will make him new is by death, burial, and re-creation.

THE DEATH

It is necessary to die in order that we may live. Jesus said, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24. Said Paul, "When the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." Rom. 7:9. At another time he said, "I die daily." 1 Cor. 15:31.
This death is death to sin. Man is "carnal, sold under sin." Rom. 7:14. "The carnal mind is enmity against God." "It is not subject to the law of God," and it can not be. Rom. 8:7. The only remedy—the only means of deliverance from this bondage of sin—is death. "He that is dead is freed from sin." Rom. 6:7. To die to sin is to repent of sin. It is to abhor that which is evil. It is to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal. 5:24.

THE BURIAL

When the old man of sin is dead, he must be buried. Therefore we are buried with Christ "by baptism into death." Rom. 6:4. This is truly a significant figure. Death and burial mark a radical change of condition and circumstances—a complete separation from the world.
The death and burial does more than to destroy our old man of sin. It unites us to Christ. "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27. The act that buries the old man, and separates from the old life, resurrects the new man, and gives a new life. Says Paul, "We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Rom. 6:4.

THE RE-CREATION

"If any man is in Christ, there is a new creation." 2 Cor. 5:17, R.V., margin. He who is dead and buried with Christ is created anew in Christ. He is separated from that which is evil. He is blind and deaf to the allurements of the world. Though he is in the world, he is not of the world. That which he once hated has become his joy, and that which he once loved now gives him pain. He is dead to sin, and has put off the old man with his deeds. "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Thus we die that we may live. We are buried that we may be raised to newness of life. We put off "the old man, which is corrupt," that we may "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:22, 24. We are emptied of self, that we may be "filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Phil. 1:11. O, wondrous transformation!
This new creation is wrought by the creative power of Christ for the welfare of men and the honor of God. Paul says, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10, R.V. The good works that we are to perform are the works of righteousness—the fruits of the Spirit. These are said to be "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Gal. 5:22, 23.
Reader, do you profess to be a new creature? Be of good cheer. Victory is yours. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. 2:13.
A. G. D.

THE SCIENTISTS AND THE STORY OF CREATION

By R. C. Porter

Confess Their Ignorance of the Mystery—The Proofs of Evolution Still Wanting—Their Hopeless Disagreement Among Themselves

MR. PORTER shows, by his work, that he has devoted much thought and research to the important editorial contributions he is supplying on the subject of evolution and creation. His article next week will present testimony from eminent authorities to show that science is forced, in the last analysis, to accept the idea of a creative power. Editor.
WHEN one writes or speaks of the work of creation, on the authority of the Bible, he often meets the questions: "Is the Bible a scientific work? Can we rely upon its statements as scientific facts?"

WHAT IS SCIENCE?

Let us first inquire, What is science? The term comes from the Latin scientia, "knowledge," or scio, "to know." Science is that which is known. It is not theory, speculation, or hypothesis; it is positive knowledge. God, then, is the Author of all true science. Since He is the Creator of all things, He alone has an actual knowledge of all that He has created. See Acts 15:18; Isa. 46:9, 10. In the Bible, the Lord reveals much in reference to the things that He has created. Hence the Bible, first of all, is essential to the understanding of true science. Without it scientists are ignorant of the creative act which lies at the foundation of all truth and all knowledge. Paul gives this warning: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called." 1 Tim. 6:20. The Diaglott translates the latter part of this text, "the contradictions of that falsely named knowledge."

SCIENTISTS CONFESS THEY CAN NOT SOLVE THE MYSTERY

Scientists confess their inability to know the facts of creation unaided by a divine revelation. Dr. John Tyndall says, "Behind and above and all around scientific knowledge, the real mystery of this world lies unsolved; and as far as we are concerned, it is incapable of solution." ("Fragments of Science," pages 92, 93.) Herbert Spencer, after declaring that a past eternity of matter is inconceivable, adds, "Impossible as it is to think of the actual universe as self-existing, we do but multiply impossibilities of thought by every attempt we make to explain existence." ("First Principles of Philosophy," page 36.)
It is only through divine revelation, therefore, that a knowledge of creation is obtainable.

UTTERANCES OF PROTESTANT COMMENTATORS

Wyclif translates Gen. 1:1, "In the first made God of naught, heaven and earth."
Dr. Gill, commenting on how God created, says, "Caused that to exist which previous to this moment had no being."
Dr. Adam Clarke: "Creation must be the work of God, for none but an almighty power could produce something out of nothing."
John Calvin: "His meaning is, the world was made out of nothing, hence the folly of those is refuted who imagine that unformed matter existed from eternity." This is in keeping with Paul's statement, "Things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

HEATHEN MYTHOLOGY AND FALSE SCIENCE

In proportion as Christians become affected by heathen mythology, they depart from the simple record of creation given in Genesis by inspiration from the God of creation. Darwin, with a display of that false science against which the Bible bears emphatic warning, presents a false scientific view of the creation of man. He boldly asserts that "man is descended from a hairy quadruped, furnished with a tail and pointed ears, probably arboreal in its habits and an inhabitant of the old world, . . . in a series of forms graduating insensibly from some ape-like creature to man as he now exists." ("Descent of Man," volume 2, page 382; volume 1, page 226.) Hugh Miller completes the story as follows: "His great, great, great, great grandfather the sea-pen; his great, great, great grandfather the mussel; his great, great grandfather the herring; his great grandfather the frog; his grandfather the porpoise; his father the monkey." ("Footprints of the Creator," page 319.)

NO HISTORICAL RECORD OF EVOLUTION

What scientist has cited a historical record of such an evolution?—Not one. No such development ever occurred in fact. The Darwinian theory of evolution is in direct contradiction of every fact of natural history, positively hostile to the Bible record, and can not be received by those who accept the word of God. Tyndall, as great an English writer as Darwin, says: "The proofs of evolution are still wanting; the failures have been lamentable; the doctrine is utterly discredited." "For superior knowledge of first things, for clear, plain statements of human origin, for lofty common sense that stamps it as all divine, the Book here asserts itself. Darwin has turned to dust, but 'the word of our God standeth forever.'" God is the Author of all true science. His word is truth. When it speaks on scientific questions, it reveals scientific truth. Truly, "the world by wisdom knew not God." 1 Cor. 1:21. There is no concord between Christ and the Darwinian theory of creation.

DOES THE BIBLE AGREE WITH SCIENCE?

If this question means, Does the Bible agree with man's imperfect knowledge of science? the answer is, No. If it means, Does the Bible agree with true science? the reply is, Yes. If the Bible were to agree with the present, or had it agreed with the past, imperfect presentation of science, the Bible would thus have been proved inaccurate. The teaching of science is constantly changing. The science of to-day, though imperfect, is vastly different from the science of a few decades ago. On this point Sir Charles Lyell said that estimates had been made as to the rate at which the mud deposit in the River Nile, above some pottery found deep in its bed, had formed, and they maintained that the deposit must have been at least thirty thousand years covering the pottery to this depth. This evidence was given to prove that man had been on the earth thirty thousand years, rather than six thousand years, as the Bible record affirms. When the pottery in question was taken to Rome, it was recognized as some quite modern Roman pottery. Needless to say the Bible did not agree with such science.

GEOLOGY AND THE AGE OF THE EARTH

Professor Ramsey made it fully ten billion years old. ("Age of the Earth," by Lord Kelvin.) Eugene Dubois made it about one billion years old. ("Scripture of Truth," Collett, page 246.) Goodchild made it about seven hundred million years old. (Ibid.) Sir Charles Lyell made it about four hundred million years old. (Ibid.) Darwin made it more than three hundred million years old. ("Origin of Species.") Sir Oliver Lodge made it more than one hundred million years old. (Addresses at City Temple, November 2, 1905.) Sir George H. Darwin made it at least sixty million years old. ("The Tides," G. H. Darwin.) Professor Sallas made it about fifty-five million years old. ("Age of the Earth," W. J. Sallas.) Lord Kelvin made it about twenty-four million years old. ("Age of the Earth," Kelvin.)
Dr. Croll made it at most twenty million years old. ("Stellar Evolution.") Professor Tait made it at most ten million years old. ("Recent Advances in Physical Science.") Some of these figures are calculated on the basis of the supposed time it took for the red-hot earth to cool, and others upon the basis of geological estimates of creation week. Which of these estimates is scientific truth? No two of them agree, and the Bible disowns them all. Professor Sayce says: "Surprises are constantly in store for the Assyrian decipherer, and a tiny fragment may suddenly throw new light on a question he had supposed to be settled. In fact, in Assyriology, as in all other branches of science, there is no finality." "We must write our history of Elam all over again. We have been wrong, and the first chapter of Genesis is right after all." ("Scripture of Truth," pages 205, 271.) J. B. Dimbleby says, "It has been the imperfection of our knowledge which seemed to give rise to a conflict between revelation and science." ("All Past Time.") This is a most timely confession of an absolute truth. Another writer says, "The first chapter of Genesis contains standards of truth which scientists have not yet been able to reach." ("Bible's Astronomical Chronology.") Sir Oliver Lodge, in the Hibbert Journal, volume 1, said, "The region of religion and the region of a completed science are one." ("Scripture of Truth," page 307.) Dr. Cheine: "There can be no antagonism between true science and true religion; they clash only when they are false. Their present antagonism is only another word for our ignorance." (Ibid.) Sir J. W. Dawson: "Thus the monuments confirm the Jewish records." (Ibid.) Suppose the Bible had agreed with science before the monumental records were found that have confirmed the Bible statements of historical truth, what would now be its authority? On the contrary, its testimony has been insistent and uncompromising for truth, and to-day it stands vindicated by the monumental records of history.

CONTRADICTORY VIEWS

Sir William Thompson, in the North British Review, No. 3, page 222, after giving clear evidence disproving the ideas of popular geology, says: "Now, here is direct opposition between physical astronomy and modern geology as represented by a very large, very influential, and — I may add, in some respects — philosophical and sound body of investigators, constituting perhaps a majority of British geologists. It is quite certain that a mistake has been made — that British popular geology at the present time, is in direct opposition to the principles of natural philosophy." Prof. G. P. Serviss, of Chicago, and many other astronomers, suppose that the spots seen on the sun prove that the sun is losing its heat, and that they "carry the menace of approaching decrepitude and death to our great orb of day." Prof. E. Larkin, reasoning from the standpoint of geology, presents an exactly opposite view. He says that "mathematicians have often computed the time that the sun could emit heat and light from its 'beginning.' This word is now almost obsolete, and the time comes out from twenty to twenty-two million years. These determinations are all based on the laws of thermo-dynamics and kinetic energy of matter, discovered to date. But all these findings are swept aside by the indubitable evidences of geology. For the sea has been issuing forth its terrible floods of energy for at least a billion years." He bases his arguments on the fossils found in ancient rocks, and remarks, "All doctrines are upset by the wing of the butterfly in ancient rock." Scientific literature is now bristling with such expressions as "The sun is eternal," "Sunlight is perpetual," "The rate of our solar radiation does not change," "The sun has been shining forever, and will shine as now through all eternity."

ASTRONOMY AND GEOLOGY CLASH

Here we have astronomy claiming the honor of being an "exact science," assuring us that the clearest evidence proves the sun has reached that age of its evolution when its energy and radiation are beginning to wane, and that it will finally grow cold and die. The earth will naturally share a like fate, and all forms of life become extinct. On the other hand, the science of geology, claiming the same distinction of "exactness," assures us that all that astronomy has predicted is "swept aside," and "all doctrines are upset by the wing of the butterfly." Shall we give up our faith in the Bible, in God, who created all things, and in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of a fallen race, for theories which are so easily "swept aside," and which are so self-destructive? Scientists differ as widely in their views concerning this planet as they do about the sun and other planets. Speaking of earthquakes, Professor Serviss remarks: "The phenomena of earthquakes have given wonderful information about the internal state of the globe. All observations show that the shocks of earthquakes are confined to a thin upper shell. They originate at a depth of a few miles, at most." (Chicago Examiner, October 6, 1907.)

CHANGING FRONT ON COOLING THEORY

"Prof. T. W. E. David, one of the world's great geologists, of Sydney, Australia, and Professor Milne, one of the world's great earthquake experts, advocate the theory that the earth is 'composed in the manner of an egg, with three different homogeneous substances.' 'The proof,' says Professor David, 'is easy and simple, and the idea is a complete departure from former theories of the earth's interior.'" Their argument shows that the shocks reach the center of the earth. "Mr. Fisher, the distinguished geologist, has lately shown that upon the hypothesis that radium is the source of the earth's internal heat, the globe is not cooling off in the interior, as geologists have hitherto always assumed, and thus a fundamental belief of science is completely overset." — Chicago Examiner, November 11, 1907. This is only a sample of the statements and contradictions which might be produced in great numbers as evidence that the theories of evolutionists are not based on a solid foundation of scientific fact. Are we to receive these contradictory theories as reliable above the unshaken truth of God's word? What was believed by evolutionists a short time ago is abandoned as unreliable to-day. Much that is believed to-day will be discarded to-morrow. Shall a man who does not believe these theories be longer considered unscientific or behind the times?
R. C. P.

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By Editor

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SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS

Our authority for the doctrines we teach is the Bible. Quotations are usually from the King James Version or the American Standard Revised.

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CLAIMING THAT CHRIST HAS COME AGAIN

By L. A. R.

Bewitching, Delusive Story—Will Christ Appear in Secret?—Manner of His Appearing at His Second Advent

JESUS warned the generation living in the time when His coming was imminent that there would be false christs and false prophets, who would deceive the people; and He gave as a reason why they would deceive, that the people would not rely implicitly upon God's word.
For example, we are told just how Jesus will come,—in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, and all the holy angels with Him, as distinctly and clearly as the lightning flashes across the heavens from east to west, as bodily as when He rose from the earth and was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. In like manner He will come again.

A MISLEADING STORY

In the Christian Herald, one of the most popular religious papers of to-day, is a serial story by Mr. Sheldon, entitled, "Jesus Is Here." From the synopsis of preceding chapters we quote the following:
A group of friends "are all commenting upon a marvelous light which has been appearing in the sky, when Martha, Mrs. Maxwell's maid, enters the room with the exclamation, 'Jesus is here!' She declares that He came to the service of the Rectangle Church, a mission founded by First Church, and had gone home with Mr. Grey, the pastor. Mr. Maxwell calls up Mr. Grey by telephone and is informed that the strange guest is now asleep in his home. Mr. Grey himself comes to the Maxwell home, and relates the details of Jesus' visit to his church. All discuss the probable attitude of the press toward Jesus. Jasper Carter, editor and proprietor of the Evening Gazette, is intent upon a sensational story, and sends his best reporter, Barnes, and a 'cub,' Logan, to get the facts and photographs. Both men expose plates, but can get no results. Barnes is almost convinced, while writing his story, that this is Jesus. That night Virginia Page and Rachel Page, her sister-in-law, are in Virginia's home. The conversation turns upon Mr. Stanton, and it becomes evident that Virginia is unusually interested. Mr. Stanton comes in a few moments later, and secures Mrs. Page's consent to sing at the remarkable service which takes place in Mr. Maxwell's church the following morning and at which Jesus addresses the people. Barnes, the reporter, announces his conviction that 'this remarkable person is Jesus.' Several more attempts are made to secure photographs, but without result. Jesus calls upon Jasper Carter, talks with him for an hour, and leaves him a manuscript to read. A conference between Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Grey is interrupted by a telephone message from Rachel Page, announcing that her daughter is very ill. Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Grey reach the Page home just in time to learn that the little girl has died. Jesus is sent for."

IS ASKED TO RAISE THE DEAD

Three days later, all stand at the grave, and the minister finishes reading the service. Rachel recalls the coming of Jesus into her room previously, how she fell at his feet and besought him to give her back her darling, and what followed. This one whom Mr. Sheldon calls Jesus is purported to teach, in the face of death, something like the following. He asks the woman:
"Would she and Rollin lose all their faith in a heavenly Father unless Eloise were brought to life? Did their faith in him rest upon his answer to this one petition, or did it rest upon something more vital and fundamental? If he were to say he did not use his power to bring the child to life on account of reasons they could not now understand, would their faith be shattered? Or would they accept even death as a part of the human life, and go on to live their lives even more strongly and beautifully on account of it? One thing he could promise—that no cloud of doubt would ever obscure their vision of Eloise alive and happy in a world far above this one in joy and beauty. Of that they would always be assured."
In commenting upon these false teachings, the words crowd for utterance. Which shall we mention first? Perhaps we will take the minor heresies, and then, in order, the greater ones.

SHOULD HARMONIZE WITH LIFE AND TEACHING OF JESUS

A man writing a life of Christ, even though it is to be an imaginary one of Jesus' coming again, ought to write it in accordance with that life that was lived on earth about two thousand years ago. Where, in all the records of that life, did Jesus ever stand before the grave and suggest that He would not raise the dead, because the dead are already in bliss, consciously enjoying themselves, "alive and happy in a world far above this one in joy and beauty"? There is not one whisper of such a thing as this from the lips of Christ. It is nothing more nor less than Mr. Sheldon's idea of immortality, which came into the Christian church direct from heathenism, and has not one iota of foundation from the word of God. "The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything." So says the Word. Their love, their envy, their hatred, perish. They have no more any "portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." Of the dead father it is recorded in the Word, "His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them." This, along with many other texts just as plain and clear, shows that in accordance with the Bible, Mr. Sheldon is teaching a doctrine that is spiritistic, and it is furthermore Scripturally false.

WILL COUNTERFEIT CHRIST'S SECOND COMING

Remembering that according to the prophecies, Satan is gradually transforming himself into an angel of light, materializing more and more everywhere, assuming the name and the garments of Christ, while misrepresenting His character and His teachings, and that some day he will appear as Christ Himself, working miracles, and misleading the people, we realize that Mr. Sheldon's articles are but an avant-courier, a herald proclaiming in advance the coming of the miracle worker, him who is to deceive with all power and signs and lying wonders, representing that he is indeed the Christ.
"As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air, 'Christ has come! Christ has come!' The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands, and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying, This is 'the great power of God.'"—"The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan," pages 624, 625.
These articles by Mr. Sheldon are only one of the means of bringing in that awful day of temptation and deception. Jesus will not live among men as Mr. Sheldon pictures Him. He will not come and tabernacle in the flesh, and live in the churches of to-day, and condone their practises nor their lives. Babylon is fallen, and thousands of churches to-day are, in both teaching and life, antagonistic to the spirit of the Master.

WHEN HE REALLY COMES, THERE CAN BE NO GUESSING AT THE EVENT

When Jesus comes again, there will be no speculation as to whether it is Jesus or not, as in this story by Mr. Sheldon. We read that all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of Him. The wicked shall cry for rocks and mountains to fall upon them, and hide them "from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" They behold the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, all the holy angels with Him; and as the Saviour draws near to the earth, His presence destroys the wicked, while with a loud voice He raises the righteous dead and changes the righteous living. They are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, forever after to be with Him where He is.

PERVERTING THE TEACHING OF THE BIBLE

Thus without any apology or compunctions of conscience whatever, Mr. Sheldon is writing a story for the religious young people of the country, and with every word is perverting the doctrine of the soon coming of Christ.
By this setting, Mr. Sheldon would place, as it were, the authority of Jesus upon such doctrines as church federation, and a partial union of church and state—things that, if really consummated, will produce a train of evil and persecution.
Thus we see in this a sign of the times, a token of the day in which we live. Jesus has told us to study the Word, and follow it, for the deceptions of the enemy will be so great that they would deceive, if possible, the very elect. L. A. R.
WE can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.
WE can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.

4254—WHEN WAS SATAN CAST OUT OF HEAVEN?

By Editor

I read in your paper recently that he was not cast out until the resurrection of Jesus. Did God retain him in heaven all those four thousand years? A. S.
The Scriptures would seem to make it clear that there are several successive castings down of Satan. In the opening utterances of the divine Book, we find him in the Garden of Eden, transforming himself into the appearance of a serpent; and no doubt the serpent of that time was much more beautiful and charming than anything seen among creatures of that class to-day, for we immediately read of the curse that was pronounced upon the serpent because Satan had chosen that form through which to work.
When man was created, God gave him dominion over the whole earth. He was the head of this world. But when he sinned, he yielded the dominion to Satan, the deceiver; and so we find that when the tempter came to Christ, he claimed dominion over the kingdoms of the world, offering this dominion to Christ if the Master would only fall down and worship him. Matt. 4:8, 9. The Lord recognized him as the prince of this world, in several passages in the Gospel of John—not that he was a rightful prince, but he had usurped dominion here, and the Master was controverting it. The whole plan of salvation is for the purpose of rescuing individuals from the thraldom of Satan's snares, and restoring to them the lost dominion. As the Lord was approaching His death on the cross, He said, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John 12:31. This scripture would convey the thought that while Satan had already been cast out of heaven, and had invaded this earth with his fallen angels, yet there was a further casting down to be done through the cross of Christ.
Previous to the time of the cross, it would seem that Satan was permitted to attend the councils of heaven. Job 1:6 and 2:1 speak of the "sons of God" coming together, and Satan appearing among them. The sons of God must have been the Adams of all the inhabited worlds; for in the genealogy of Joseph, the husband of Mary, as given in the third chapter of Luke, we find his record traced back to Seth, "which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God." Adam here has the distinction of being called the "son of God." That is, the father of the human family was the direct creation of the great Creator Himself. And since Satan overthrew Adam by leading him into sin, and since he claimed to be the prince, or the ruler, of this world, and since, when the sons of God came together, as recorded in Job, he came among them, it would appear that his effrontery caused him to persist in attending the councils of heaven, to represent the earth, over which he had usurped dominion. This course was permitted because if Satan had been entirely debarred from such privileges, or had been destroyed when he first started his career of sin, the intelligences of God's universe, who could not foresee the great harvest that sin would produce, therefore could not have understood the justice of the divine procedure. But after his awful work in seeking to destroy Christ when He came here as a man among men, and in the cruelties and tortures through which he caused the Master to pass from Gethsemane to the cross, the whole universe could see the real character of Satan, and hence he had another casting down. We understand that he is now debarred from attending the great councils of the Adams of the universe as he evidently did during the old dispensation. A further casting down awaits him, as is shown in the twentieth chapter of Revelation, when an angel is commissioned to confine him to this earth; and when that time comes, he is to remain here a prisoner until his final destruction.
So we conclude that the casting down of Satan embraces at least three distinct steps: first, when he with his angels was cast out in the beginning; second, when he had a further casting down by being exposed in his true character to the universe through the sufferings and crucifixion of Christ; and third, when he is chained to this earth at the second coming of Christ. And final disposition is made of him when he meets his doom in the lake of fire, as recorded in Revelation 20.
Those who have access to the two books "Patriarchs and Prophets" and "Desire of Ages," will find in them some helpful suggestions in the study of this subject. In "Desire of Ages," matter found on pages 490, 761, and 764 will be particularly pertinent.
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