prophecy, which has appeared in these latter days? Seventy years ago
power. The days of total, intolerant Mohammadanism seem past and gone forever.
And what says the Scripture? I quote symbolic prophecy with reverence, and readily allow I may be wrong in its application; but the passage I refer to is very remarkable: "The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." (Revelation 16:12-15).
6. What shall we say to the increased attention to unfulfilled prophecy, which has appeared in these latter days? Seventy years ago there were few who paid any attention to the subject. The passages in Scripture which speak of things to come were comparatively neglected, or perverted with curious ingenuity from their simple meaning. Now, on the contrary, the current of public feeling runs strongly in favor of prophetic study. Books on the subject are eagerly bought up. Lectures on the subject are listened to with increased attention. In spite of the divisions which preterism and futurism have created, in spite of the discredit which Millerites in America and Irvingites in England have brought upon the whole subject — the study of unfulfilled prophecy still holds its ground. (Preterism is the system of prophetic interpretation held by those who consider the greater part of the prophecies in Revelation as fulfilled and past already. Futurism is the system of those who consider the same prophecies to be as yet unfulfilled.)
But what says the Scripture? "The words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9). The words seem to be
unfolding. The seal seems to be breaking. Can the end be far off?
Reader, I place these points before you and ask your serious attention to them. I know we are all poor judges of our own times. We are apt to exaggerate the importance of events that take place under our own eyes. I dare say if we had lived in Cromwell's days, or under the first French revolution — we would have thought the end of all things was close at hand. But still, after every allowance, I think the points I have mentioned deserve solemn consideration. I regard them as signs of our times.
I am far from saying that there may not be wonderful changes yet before the end. I think it possible there may be a time of trouble and conflict yet, "such as never was since there was a nation" (Daniel 12:1). I believe there may yet be tribulation for the people of God, "such as was not since the beginning of the world" (Matthew 24:21). But come what will, I see a deep meaning in the words, "the night is far spent, and the day is at hand."
I see in these words, the strongest motive for diligence in the work of doing good to souls. Let us make more haste to spread the Gospel over the world. Let us take more pains in endeavoring to sow truth at home. Let us labor, if possible, to pluck more brands from the burning. The time is short. The night is far spent. The day is at hand.
I see in these words the strongest consolation for the believer in Christ Jesus. Oh, for the heart to lay hold on it more and more!
Yet a little while, and believers shall part forever with sickness and disease! The sick and wearied ones who have mourned over their seeming uselessness to the Church; the weak and infirm who have had the will to labor but not the power; the feeble and bedridden who have waited long-drawn years in quiet chambers until their eyes know every crack and speck on their walls — all, all shall be set free! They shall each have a glorious body like their Lord's.
Yet a little while, and mourning believers shall part forever with their tears! Every wound in their heart shall be completely healed. Every empty place and gap in their affections shall be entirely filled up. They shall find that those who have died in the Lord, were not lost but gone before. They shall see that infinite wisdom arranged every bereavement by which one was taken and another left. They shall magnify the Lord together with those who were once their companions in tribulation, and acknowledge that He did all things well and led them by a right way!
Yet a little while, and believers shall no more feel that they are alone. They shall no longer be scattered over the earth, a few in one place and a few in another. They shall no longer lament that they see so few to speak to, as a man speaks with his friend — so few who are of one mind and travel with them in the one narrow way. They shall be united to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn. They shall join the blessed company of all the believers of every name, and people, and tongue! Their eyes shall at length be satisfied with seeing. They shall see a multitude of saints that none can number — with not one wicked person among them!
Yet a little while, and working believers shall find that their labor was not in vain. The ministers who have preached and seemed to reap no fruit, the missionaries who testified of the Gospel and none seemed to believe, the teachers who poured into children's minds line upon line and none seemed to attend — all, all shall discover that they have not spent their strength for nothing! They shall find that the seed sown can spring up after many days, and that sooner or later in all labor there is profit.
Ah, reader, when shall these things be? Truly we may say, "Lord, God — you alone know." A thousand years in His sight are as one day, and one day as a thousand years. But we do know that yet in a little while, He who shall come, will come and will not tarry. Yet in a little while, and the last sermon shall be preached, the last congregation shall break up. Yet in a little while, and carelessness and infidelity shall
cease, perish, and pass away. The believers among us will be with Christ — and the unbelievers will be in Hell. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand!
And now, in the last place, let me speak of the particular duty of all believers in connection with the truths we have just considered. Practical duty is put before us in plain words, "Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light."
Reader, the word "therefore" is often used by the Apostle Paul in a very striking and forcible way. Take a few examples and you will at once see what I mean. When he finishes the doctrinal part of the Epistle to the Romans and begins his practical exhortations, what is his language? "I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God" (Romans 12:1). When he has preached the resurrection of the body to the Corinthians, how does he wind up his argument? "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain!" (1 Corinthians 15:58). When he has laid a mighty foundation of doctrine for the Ephesian Church, how does he proceed to address them on practical duties? "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called" (Ephesians 4:1).
And here, as in other places, the word "therefore" comes in upon us in a very searching and forcible way. "The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness."
Reader, I love to observe how closely the doctrine of Christ's second coming and kingdom is bound up with personal holiness. I marvel that any can regard the second advent and reign of the Lord Jesus as merely speculative matters, or denounce them as unprofitable subjects. To my own mind, they seem eminently practical — or else I have read my Bible to very little purpose. Does not the Apostle Paul say to the Philippians, "Let your moderation be known unto all men:
the Lord is at hand!" (Philippians 4:5). Does he not say to the Colossians, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear — then shall you also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth" (Colossians 3:25). Does not he bid the Hebrews to "Exhort one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). Does not Peter say, "We look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Therefore beloved, seeing that you look for such things — be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:13, 14).
These texts appear to me to speak with no uncertain voice. I know not how their force can be evaded. They make the coming of Christ and the day of glory, into an argument for increased holiness. And it is just in the same way that Paul says, "Let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light."
Reader, how are you to "cast off the works of darkness?" Listen to me and I will tell you. You ought to lay aside everything in your life and habits, which will not bear the light of Christ's appearing. You ought to make it a principle of conscience, to do nothing you would not like to be found doing when Jesus comes again to gather His people together. This is a searching test indeed! The application of it must be left to every man's own heart. Each must judge for himself. Each must prove his own works. Each must set up an assize within him, and honestly bring his ways to a trial. Oh, for a will to deal fairly and justly with ourselves! Oh, for a daily readiness to judge ourselves that we be not judged of the Lord, and to condemn ourselves that we be not condemned at the last day!
I ask every reader of this address to bring the light of the day of Christ to bear upon his inner man. Set your years, and months, and weeks, and days, and hours in the full blaze of that day — and whatever thing you find within which is akin to "darkness" — pluck it out and cast it away! Keep up no questionable habit. Make no
compromise with doubtful practices. Break down every idol, whether great or small. Cut down every grove and cleanse out every chamber of imagery. Cling to nothing which would cost you a blush under the eye of Christ. Away with it at once, lest He come suddenly and put you to shame! Oh, that He may never say of any reader's heart in that day, "this heart professed to be a temple of the Holy Spirit — but you have made it a den of thieves!"
Reader, try all your employment of time by the test of Christ's second coming. Place in this balance — your amusements, your books, your companions, your manner of conversation, your daily behavior in all the relations of life. Measure all by this measure, "The night is far spent and the day is at hand. Am I living as a child of the night — or as one who looks for the day?" Do this, and you will cast off the works of darkness.
But how are you to put on the armor of light? Listen to me once more and I will tell you. You ought to aim at every grace and habit which befits a believer in Christ, and a child of God, and a citizen of a heavenly kingdom. You ought not to leave eminent holiness and spirituality to a few, as if none but a few favored ones could be eminent saints. You ought to labor to wear the armor of light yourself — the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of hope, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14-17).
Wherever you may live — and whatever may be your trials; however great your difficulties — and however small your helps; nothing should prevent your aiming at the highest standard — to behave like one who believes that Christ is coming again! You should resolve, by God's help, so to live that the day of Christ shall find you needing as little change as possible! You should seek to have . . . your tastes so heavenly, your affections so spiritual, your will so subdued, your mind so unworldly —