Earlier text: FIGHTING AGAINST GODTHE following from the Interior of January 20, 1887, gives an excellent view of the condition of Europe. The word of God says that under the sounding of the seventh trumpet "the nations were angry." Assuredly this is the case now. And when the elements do break loose, with such immense armaments, and such multitudes of soldiers, what can the result be but destruction upon destruction? Whether it comes sooner or later the certainty is that it must come, and it can only be as described in Jeremiah 25:32, "A great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth." And yet in the presence of these things men will preach peace and safety, and the speedy coming of a glorious millennium of peace on earth! "The outlook in Europe is not more pacific than it was a week ago, despite the peaceful talk of the powers most interested. With profound peace everywhere, six out of seven great governments, which ought to know what they are doing and why, are arming as if war were only a question of to-morrow. True, the French premier talked peace on Friday and Austria and Germany on Saturday, but if they are only preparing for peace, it is becoming more expensive than warfare in Napoleon's time. The French war minister has made the grant of $30,000,000 for the reorganization of the navy, and still more for the army, a condition of his retention of office, and during the last sixteen years the republic has expended $2,800,000,000 on its military establishment alone. "In the same period Germany has spent $1,016,000,000 on her army, to say nothing of the enormous outlay on her fleet, and yet the disparity between her own expenditure and that of France has alarmed both Bismarck and von Moltke. Despite the emphatic pledge given when the first septenate was voted, they demand its renewal, and so anxious are they for additional soldiers and new batteries that they have antedated the bill. They have done this, too, while admitting that the empire can hardly bear the weight of its armor, and that the increase of the army in time of peace must enormously augment the financial burden. "Austria, hesitant always where outlay is concerned, has obtained a credit of $20,000,000 to buy new rifles, while Russia is steadily increasing her armament and strengthening her weak point—the commissariat. Italy, economical to a degree, is depleting her treasury by extra military preparations, and declares that she is even now so ready that her commissariat arrangements are fully completed. "Turkey somehow finds money for war material, has 150,000 men in Macedonia, and is drafting into its ranks the youth of Asia Minor and Syria and the manhood of its European provinces. Lastly, England, whose people do not want war and do want relief from taxation, has risked the downfall of its government rather than not propose the estimates necessary to place it on a war footing. "All these governments are arming themselves without a popular panic anywhere, and in a time of the most profound peace are exhausting themselves with enormous preparations for war. Doubtless it may be said that they are always doing so, and that mere armament counts for nothing, but there never were so many causes for war in Europe as now, nor so many reasons for ending an intolerable situation. "France has been arming steadily for sixteen years with one plain object in view, and Germany, which dreads nothing so much as a war on its own soil, may at any time prefer to precipitate itself on the republic. The Czar who, in a trying time for his dynasty, stands discredited by public defeat, has undoubtedly considered his way out through a war with Austria, and considered it, too, with favor. Other governments, while not daring to lessen their military preparations, may choose to try the fortunes of war, rather than face continuously the dangers which they may anticipate from the hatreds and discontents of whole peoples. "Even should the nations not mobilize, the question of maintaining European peace by converting every great country into a vast barrack is becoming a financial and industrial problem. The nations are impoverishing themselves with warlike preparations, and the weight of military establishments on a peace footing is rapidly wearing Europe out. Armament cannot go on forever, and even if it can, with the military systems of every nation marking perfection, the question of peace or war must soon be determined by money and population. With every nation equally well armed, and equally scientific as regards war, the turn of the scale must ultimately rest with the heaviest battalions and the largest aggregate of capital." THE BEGINNINGS OF DEFILEMENT.
By John Harvey Kellogg
In 1 Cor. 15:33 we read: "Evil communications corrupt good manners." This sentence has been rendered thus: "Vicious companionships corrupt good morals." Without spending a moment to consider the translation, we do not hesitate to offer the opinion that the above rendering fairly represents the idea of the text. Vicious associates and associations exert an influence over us of which we may be quite unconscious. It is to be doubted that any person ever was or is fully conscious of the danger of evil associations, or of the effect produced upon himself. They blunt the sensibilities, even when they fail to pervert the judgment. A man was brought up in Massachusetts—brought up to abhor slavery as a very great wrong. He spent eight or ten years in Georgia. To test the power of association, we asked him if his views of the wrong of slavery were modified. He said they were not; that he considered it as great a wrong as he did in the days of his youth. "But how do you feel in regard to it? Does it impress your feelings now as it did before you resided in its midst?" "No," he replied; "my judgment condemns it as strongly as ever; but no one can associate with it for years, and keep his sensibilities alive to the greatness of the wrong. Unconsciously I came to overlook that which, at first, shocked me exceedingly." And this is the experience of all, in regard to wrong of every kind. The oft-quoted words of the poet, Pope, are strictly true:— "Vice is a monster of so hideous mien,
That, to be hated, needs but to be seen.
But seen too oft, familiar with its face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace."
While unhallowed associations are confessedly dangerous to all, they are especially dangerous to children and youth. And yet many parents seem quite oblivious of this fact. A lady called at a place where we were once visiting, and as noon approached she said she must go home and prepare dinner for her children, as school would soon be dismissed. In answer to a remark she said she always had her children come home at noon. They enjoyed dinner better; the walk back and forth was as good exercise as playing on the school grounds; and she knew that they were not with evil associates during the noon hour. The lady of the house, whose children were then grown, said that, no matter how near she lived to the school, she always had her children take their dinners, as she was then rid of them through the day! To us this answered as an explanation. One of her children was a firm believer in the truth, a member of the church, and no doubt a conscientious woman. But in cases of trial her sympathies were invariably on the wrong side; there was no manner of iniquity for which she could not frame an excuse, and which she would not shield. So persistent was she in her opposition to discipline that she was the occasion of great trouble to the church. No doubt all this was the result of wrong associations in her early days. And there are many mothers who feel and act as this one did; who risk the ruin of their children for the sake of a little quiet in the house for a short time. Even if children are kept from evil companions, they are in constant danger; for it is dangerous for them to hear profane or obscene words, and they can scarcely go onto the street without hearing them. We will notice a few of the reasons why there is so great danger in children hearing vile language:— 1. The minds of children are easily impressed. They cannot reason in regard to consequences as adults can; therefore they are compelled to take things on trust; to receive their impressions from others. They receive readily that which strikes their fancy or their feelings favorably, without much regard to its nature or tendency. This must be so from the very nature of the case. 2. The memories of children are very tenacious. They readily receive impressions of that which interests the mind, and these impressions are never lost. We have known very old people who had lost the power to receive strong impressions, who could not remember from one day to the next what was told them, yet they would remember and faithfully relate what they had seen or heard in their childhood. We have known those who could not identify their nearest neighbors, or the members of their own church, who would give a clear and intelligent testimony of their early Christian experience, and the reason of their hope. They could not lose the impressions received in early life. 3. It is thus seen that if the impressions received in childhood are evil, they must rise to trouble them in after life, and especially in old age, when new impressions cannot be received. Consider the case of persons whose early years are all spent with evil companions. Day after day, month after month, and year after year, their memories are storing up obscene jests, vulgar stories and songs, and horrid blasphemies. In after years they make a change, profess Christianity, and lead upright lives, but if they live to be old people, the impressions of early years rise up to plague them when they have not strength to repress them. In proof of this, note the following fact: A lady who had many years led an upright Christian life, and was respected by all for her correct deportment, was taken with severe sickness. When her mind was weak, in moments of partial delirium, her friends were deeply mortified to hear her repeat portions of obscene songs which she had heard in her childhood. In all probability she had not thought of them in years; but, though they had been kept in subjection, they had retained their place in the memory.73 A man who had spent a large part of his life in the service of the gospel, said that he could never think of a certain place, where he spent some time in his youth, without thinking of certain persons who had tried to excel in blasphemous expressions, whose words would rush into his mind. More than a thousand times he had wished that he had never heard such language. And such is the experience of many conscientious Christian people, whose seasons of meditation are intruded upon by suggestions of Satan bringing to their minds the disagreeable scenes and words seen and heard in their childhood. They are to be pitied. Many of them were early thrown under evil influences without any fault of their own, and vile words come unbidden to their minds, when they think of certain places and persons, by the involuntary association of ideas. It is an evil against which they have to maintain a constant warfare. God only knows how often and how earnestly our desire has been expressed that, in time of sickness, we may not be bereft of reason, nor our memory be left to the influence of the multitude of vile and profane things which we heard in early life. Now consider the case of a person whose childhood was watched over by conscientious and judicious parents. His early years were passed under the influence of correct teachings and pure associations, and good impressions had undisputed possession of his memory. His active life, the period of manly strength, is marked by a uniform display of Christian graces. When old age comes on, his thoughts are pleasant and profitable, and his words are the utterances of a heart and mind imbued with good things,—with that which is a consolation to both himself and his friends. We highly commend the work of the "White Cross Army." It is doing much to arouse attention to the danger and the sin of harboring impure thoughts. If harbored, they lead to evil as naturally and as certainly as effect follows cause. "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts;" "these are the things which defile a man." The psalmist prayed thus: "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation." "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." Happy is the man whose words and thoughts are all acceptable to God. THE CAUSE IN FINLAND.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
THAT the coming of the Lord is nigh, is most conclusively shown by the fact that events connected with the second advent are already taking place in the earth. The Spirit that God will give to accompany the truth will not only cause it to find its way to earth's remotest bounds, but will give it power to affect hearts and cause people to regard its claims. The straight testimony will be borne for men and women to put away their sins as we near the second coming of Christ, and in proportion as this is done, God will bless the efforts put forth to spread the truth. We have ever looked forward to the time that the truth would find its way to the different nations of the earth. But already it has been circulated far more widely than those realize who have not carefully watched its progress in the last few years. We can remember the time when letters written from a foreign land were few and far between. At one time the International Society had the address, as far as we knew, of every Sabbath-keeper in Europe. But that time long ago passed. We were in correspondence also with every person who was receiving missionary letters from individuals in foreign lands. At the present time we can scarcely visit a church where we do not find interesting letters which members have received from various parts of the world. Those who have taken an interest in remailing our periodicals to different foreign countries, have not only been encouraged by receiving letters in response, evincing an interest in the truth, but in some cases companies of Sabbath-keepers have been raised up in this way. The International Tract Society is in receipt of letters from nearly all portions of the earth. Only a few days since we received a letter from Finland which shows that the truth has found its way to that country. We will give a portion of the letter, changing only a few expressions, as the writer is somewhat unfamiliar with the English language:— "DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD: I write to you to state my views and wishes, and in hopes that some way may be opened for me, whereby I may obey the commandments of God more fully than I can now. I will inform you that we are four in number in this place who half-way keep the Sabbath. I came home last autumn, and was, I think, the first man who ever kept the Sabbath day holy in Finland. The people here very much dislike to have it said that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and the day on which they ought to cease working. For the present, my wife and myself have been given over by former friends, and wholly so by my wife's brother, who is a member of the Lutheran Church. When I married, about two months ago, my wife did not see any difference between Sabbath and Sunday, but now she is obeying with me the commandments of God. Some think me crazy that I do not go to their meetings, and do not accept infant baptism. "Now that I have mentioned the main points of my native place, I will speak of myself. In the spring I bought a vessel of 3,732 tons burden, upon borrowed money. From the beginning I did not get along well. In the first place I got aground, and lost both anchor and cable. Then on the last voyage, I lost a little boat, and the spanker was blown to pieces, and the mainsail torn. "But this is not all the trouble. I cannot fully observe the Sabbath while sailing with a cargo that belongs to another man. While I do not work myself on that day, I know it is not right to let other people work. I translated some tracts from Swedish into my language, but no one will publish them, as it seems to them to be a doctrine of the devil. Then I cannot go as mate or captain on these deep-water ships, and I have now a family to support. I don't understand what to do, but I see it is not profitable for a Sabbath-keeper to go to sea. I can do watch-making work, but it does not supply our needs. I can translate Swedish into Finnish, but have nothing to do in that by which to make a living. "I hope the Lord will open the way for me, and hear the prayers of his children in all parts of the globe. If it suits you there in America to print Finnish, I could come to you and help as much as I can. All I want is that my family have their daily food. The world says I am mad to give up such a good place as mate of a vessel only for the Sabbath commandment, but it is better to obey God than man. May the Lord bless you all. Pray for us that we may not turn to the world." We have also received a letter from one of our city missions, a portion of which we will quote:— "I spoke to you about a young man, a Finlander, who was interested in the truth. He has been a preacher for the Baptist Church, but has now fully embraced the truth. He has been in America three years, and now feels quite a burden for his countrymen. He is writing back to them and sending reading matter. We are teaching him the English so he can read all of our works. He preached to us last Sabbath in English. It is wonderful how the Lord is raising up men to help in this closing work. I write to you that you may correspond with him. He wants to get acquainted with our leading brethren and work in harmony with the message." NEW ZEALAND.
By A. G. Daniells
FROM what has already appeared in the columns of the SIGNS respecting the planting and the growth of the work in New Zealand, I feel certain that the readers of the SIGNS will be interested in a brief sketch of our experience since we came here. On the 24th day of last October, my wife and I sailed from San Francisco for Auckland, at which place we arrived after a safe and pleasant voyage of three weeks. For several months the brethren here had watched the arrival of every boat from America, with the hope that someone would come to labor in this colony. It was great pleasure to meet with those who manifested so much love for the truth and who gave us such a cordial reception. After remaining in Auckland one week, we, in company with Brother Edward Hare, went to Kaeo, where all but four of the Sabbath-keepers of this colony live. During our stay of fourteen days we held sixteen meetings. It was exceedingly pleasant to present the different points of truth to souls so anxious to hear. At first, the attendance of those not of our faith was small; but it increased till the close of the meetings. At the last few services more seats had to be provided to accommodate the audience. We have reason to believe that the Lord was with us and that some prejudice was removed. The Kaeo brethren were anxious to learn all they could about the different points of our faith; also to know just how their American brethren conduct church services, and Sabbath-schools; how they carry on Tract and Missionary work, reckon the tithe, etc. Not that they were wholly ignorant of these things; that was by no means the case; for by reading our publications and holding Bible-readings they had acquired, with the light Elder Haskell had given them, more than an ordinarily clear and correct knowledge of our faith. These brethren have held from one to three Bible-readings every week since they accepted the truth; and it is plainly evident that the Lord has blessed their efforts to serve him and search his word. Not only has every one who started at the first held onto the truth, but their numbers have been increased. When Elder Haskell was here he baptized fifteen and organized them into a church. During my visit I baptized fifteen, all of whom were received by the church. The thirty belonging to the church, with four others who have not been baptized, make up the number of followers we found on our arrival in this colony. Among those who were baptized was a Maori woman, a native of New Zealand. She is the first Maori that has accepted the truths we teach. Her face (partially tattooed) still bears the marks of the darkness from which God has delivered her. All present believed that she was not a stranger to the Spirit of the Lord. The organization of the Kaeo church was completed by the ordination of an elder and deacon. The church elected a committee of three to take the supervision of the work in the colony during the present year. They acknowledged with gratitude the interest and liberality of the brethren in America in sending them a minister and a tent; also of Sister Bond, of California, who donated her organ to this mission. But they do not wish to be a burden and expense to others. They have already paid into the treasury about $225; and nearly everyone pledged to hereafter pay a true tithe to the Lord's cause. They also pledged—$500 to be paid during the present year and used as the committee may see fit. Some attention was also given to the importance of missionary work; that we must74 not only give of our means but that we must put forth personal efforts to get the truth before the half million English-speaking people of New Zealand. One brother, in obedience to his feelings of duty, and in harmony with the advice of the church, decided to devote his time to the canvassing and colportage work. He is with me in Auckland acting as tentmaster. Brother Edward Hare, of this city, will also devote all his time to the sale of our denominational works. It is now expected that one or two of Father Hare's daughters will soon join us and learn the Bible work as it is carried on in America. To all appearance this city will be an excellent field for missionary labor. We hope that at no distant day, a city mission will be established here. The population of Auckland is 65,000. The great majority are English people. Almost every religious denomination is represented here. We began a series of tent-meetings December 29, and have held five services. The attendance has not been large, but we believe that after the holidays it will be better. A great deal is made here of Christmas and New Year's; in fact, the entire week has appeared very much like the fourth of July in America. Those who have attended the meetings are much interested; many remain after the service and appear very friendly. We have sold $3.50 worth of books. By the time another report can be sent we shall be able to speak more definitely regarding the interest here. From what we have seen we feel sure that many in this city are hungering for the truth. It is a consolation to know, as we do, that we have the prayers of so many who love the Lord and his work. We ask to still be remembered at the throne of grace. We shall meet with bitter opposition, but feel that if we do our duty nothing can hinder the work of God. Our faith and courage were never better, for which we feel grateful to the Lord. A. G. DANIELLS. Auckland, N. Z., Jan. 3, 1887. Humanity’s Downward Tendency
The Bible story does not show mankind as rising steadily from a lower plane to a higher, developing by sure progress out of barbarism into an enlightened civilization. On the contrary, it represents the race as tending downward while left to its own devices, even while it had knowledge of a better way. This exhibit is more in accordance with the facts of observed history than with the theories of some modern philosophers. The Bible tells us of man's proneness to evil by his very nature, and of the certainty of his deterioration unless infused with the divine life. All history corresponds with, and confirms, this exhibit of man's tendency.—S. S. Times. The Third Angel’s Message
THAT message is the Third Angel's Message (Rev. 14:9-12): "If any man worship the beast75 and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. . . . Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." And that which follows closely upon the message is the coming of the Lord. For, "I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. . . . And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped." God Reveals His Secrets to Prophets
"SHall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3: 7. And Abraham was a prophet. Gen. 20: 7. He was God's trusted servant, and the Lord would not destroy that city, so fearfully wicked as it was, without telling Abraham; he would not bring the flood without telling Noah; he would not give up Israel without sending them prophets in abundance; he did not at the last destroy Judah till, in addition to all the prophets, he had sent them his own Son, who, as he beheld the city in her stubbornness of spiritual pride, burst into weeping, exclaiming, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." Matt. 23: 37; Luke 19: 42-44. THERE are multitudes of men and women who have not yet begun to comprehend for what they were placed in this world, whose whole life seems to consist of a pursuit of pleasure with no thought of duty or responsibility, whose time is wasted, who avoid rather than do duty, whose recreation is mere frivolity, and what they term pleasure is only another name for sensuality and physical excitement. But men are accountable, not only for what they are, but for what they might become, not merely for the life that they are heedlessly wasting, but for the nobler life that they might attain by a wise improvement of what they now have. It is the interest account of life that will trouble most men at last. They may have kept the principal, like the man who wrapped his talent in a napkin (though there are few who neglect the possible increase that do not also spend the nest-egg), but when the question is asked, How much has been added to the principal by wise and careful use, how many will be compelled to own with shame that the percentage of profit is very small! Property, too, is a gift of God, for which we are as much accountable as for the powers of mind or the emotions of the heart. Have not many of us more than is needful for reasonable wants, have we not more that ought to be used for God than we do use in his service? Is there nothing that we are holding for self upon which God has a prior claim? . . . God has given us life, not that it may be wasted in indolence, or disfigured by evil passions; he has given us health, that the vigor of body and mind may be used in his service; he has given us property, that we may employ it for him in this world; he has given us influence, that we may impress upon others his goodness, his justice, his love; he has made offers of mercy and forgiveness, that the past of sin might not lead us to despair, and his warnings are uttered in our ears, that we may not presume upon his forbearance and hurry to ruin. He has given us the knowledge of himself, that we might rise to fellowship and enjoyment with him; might dwell with angels, and become heirs of a heavenly inheritance. But these gifts are given for use only, and the Giver may at any moment resume that which we have no right to consider ours except in the light of a loan. Life is God's. He may snatch it from anyone who uses it to dishonor him and destroy others. Health is God's, and to those who abuse their vigor by indulging appetite, or reveling in sin while they forget God, he may send disease to weaken, and pain to rack their bodies. Wealth is God's, and if we selfishly hoard or recklessly spend it, leaving God out of account in our avarice or prodigality, he may give riches wings and leave us a prey to poverty and want. Powers of mind, his gift, which may have been used to apologize for sin and devise sinful delights and resist the truth, may be swept away, and with reason dethroned, the unfaithful steward may stare and gibber, a pitiable wreck upon the shores of lost opportunity. All that we have is God's, and if we leave out the idea of our responsibility to God in the performance of that trust, and live for self and for Satan, or drift aimless and useless through life into eternity, we will surely hear the sad sentence of our Lord, "Thou wicked and slothful servant!"—Augustus, in N. Y. Observer. NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
ABRAHAM PLEADING FOR SODOM.
THE time had come when Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, had filled up the measure of their iniquity, and like the inhabitants of Canaan afterward, and the antediluvians before, the earth could bear them, and the justice of God could spare them, no longer. Yet they, as all others, were called, and were given an opportunity to escape the impending ruin. The Lord kept it not a secret from Abraham, and sent Lot to call whoever he could induce to escape. The responsibility for every wicked man's destruction is upon himself; God calls all, and will save all who will give him the opportunity. THAT has been and is the trouble with all, they know not the time of their visitation. The people upon whom the flood came knew not the time of their visitation; the cities of the plain knew not the time of their visitation; nor Jerusalem. Felix knew not the time of his visitation, although he trembled at the message of God. Agrippa knew not the time of his visitation, although, by the earnest words of Paul, he was almost persuaded to be a Christian. Nero knew not the time of his visitation, though God called him twice. It is a fearful thing to be so dulled by the influences of sin that we cannot perceive the gracious visitation of the love of God. "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart." "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." We beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. TEN righteous people would have saved Sodom and the cities of the plain! No community knows, no city knows, no nation knows, the world itself does not know, what it owes to the few humble, pious people of God. They who fear God and walk in the steps of Christ are the salt of the earth. It is they who preserve from destruction the vast multitude of the wicked; they are the light of the world, and God still bears with the wicked in patient waiting that they may in that light see his goodness and glorify him in the day of visitation. The long-suffering of God is salvation. It is the history of the human race illustrated over and over, that as long as there is any possibility of getting any good out of a nation or a people, so long God suffers them to remain, though there be iniquity in them. But when all hope of good is gone, then that people is given over, as were those in the lesson to-day. Sodom and Gomorrah are made an example to all who live ungodly. 2 Peter 2: 6. The Lesson of Sodom for Today
But in this lesson on Sodom, there is a special lesson for all who live to-day. It is a lesson of the greatest importance. Jesus said, "As it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:28-30. The announcement is now being made throughout the land and to the ends of the earth, that the time is at hand when the Son of man will be revealed in a glory that will cover the heavens. Accompanying the announcement is a message of God which will make ready a people prepared for the Lord. If the message is heeded by you, you may be amongst that people. ANGELS—THEIR POWER AND GLORY.
1. WHAT can you say of the power of the angels? "Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word." Ps. 103:20. 2. How is one spoken of in another place? "And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." Rev. 18:21. 3. How does Paul speak of them? "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels." 2 Thess. 1:7. 4. How does Peter compare them with men? "Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord." 2 Pet. 2:11. 5. How rapidly are they said to go? "And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning." Eze. 1:14. 6. What does Daniel say on this point? "Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation." "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee." Daniel 9:21, 23. 7. Show that angels can control the spirits of ferocious beasts. "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." Dan. 6:22. 8. Show that they have power over the fiercest elements. "Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated." "Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego." "He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." "Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God." Dan. 3:19, 22, 25, 28. 9. How was the power of an angel shown in the deliverance of Peter? Acts 12:6-10. 10. Relate another circumstance showing the power of angels. "And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred for-score and five thousand; and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses." 2 Kings 19:35. 11. To whom is the protection of these angels promised? "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7. 12. What must be our connection with Christ, the commander of the angels, to secure their protection? "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven." Matt. 18:6, 10. 13. What kind of words and conduct will repulse these pure and holy ones from our presence? 14. In what form have the angels always appeared when seen? "Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation." Dan. 9:21.
"And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted." Mark 16:5. 15. Do they have hands, feet, faces, etc., the same as men have? "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom; and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night." "But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door." Gen. 19:1, 2, 10.
"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz; his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude." Dan. 10:5, 6. 16. Does the Bible anywhere intimate that this is not their real form and appearance?—It does not. "And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat." Gen. 18:6-8. 19. Will not the glorified saints eat food in the kingdom? "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:29, 30.