The picture that has been drawn in previous articles concerning religious and cultural trends harmonizes with the prophetic picture of the last days. The course of events which is now taking shape supports the teaching in the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy regarding the final movements among men. God, who sees the end from the beginning, knows the mind of man and his reactions to future events. He has told us of these things before they come to pass, "that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."
There is much in the events of the day to strengthen belief in the advent message. While things to come have not taken on definite form, yet we can see the outlines of that which we have long preached would come to pass. In general, the portrayal of conditions in the last generation up until the end of earthly history, is presented in the Scriptures and the Spirit of prophecy, as follows:
1. Great scientific progress and increased facilities for communication and contacts among men.
2. Paradoxically, these times would become "perilous" and be afflicted with "wars and rumors of wars." This, in spite of great peace movements.
3. It is a lawless generation, one of which it was prophesied, the "love of many shall waxcold." The morals of men do not keep pace with scientific progress. This is the key to the grave difficulties of the last days. Religion is on the wane. Science has taken its place in the hopes of men.
4. As we come nearer to the end, we find a great revival taking shape. In fact, two revivals seem to coincide. One revival is that which comes as a result of the preaching of the advent message. The other revival comes as a result of world conditions. It opposes the advent message and persecutes its followers. At this time, Sunday agitation is revived, the image of the beast is set up, and the mark of the beast is enforced. At the extreme moment, when the world is filled with clashing interests, and blood is being spilled, Christ will suddenly come to deliver His people.
In a world which was growing more and more skeptical and indifferent to religion and public morals, when even the Christian churches were so modifying their views as to make them unwilling to stand firmly on any issue, it has been difficult to understand how the last great revivals could take place, which would result on the one hand in the loud cry, and on the other hand in a great counterfeit religious revival among the popular churches, including the Papacy.
Now we are beginning to see the shape of things to come. We have seen how men everywhere have suddenly become awakened to the peril of a godless world. They now realize that material abundance is not sufficient to give any lasting happiness and security. Many are now declaring that the cultivation of the soul is of far greater importance than the cultivation of the mind and the body. Moral values are the regulators of a peaceful society. Need is felt for more religion in the life of individuals and nations.
These thoughts were recently emphasized in a speech at Swarthmore College by the British Ambassador, Lord Lothian, as reported in the New York Times of November 12, 1939. The ambassador declared that the discoveries of modern science had been so "exciting" that "mankind became almost entirely preoccupied with material values, and has lost sight of the eternal truth that the true foundation for happiness and success is the spiritual life." He said further : "The root disease of modern society is its dethronement of religion as the governing motive in society."
The Christian churches have likewise been shaken by present-day trends. They have seen their own uncertainty in doctrine and belief as extremely dangerous. They see a growing challenge to Christianity arising in the world. The churches now feel the need of combining to combat a common foe. They are declaring that it is absolutely necessary that the Christian churches lay aside their sectarian prejudices, and unite to save the world for Christianity. This is growing into a large issue, and includes some union with Roman Catholicism. Thus we see that there is a growing tendency to seek "a return to religion" outside the churches, and within the churches there is a growing determination that the return to religion shall be a return to dominant Christianity. The key words today are "union" and "revival."
The general disillusionment and religious uncertainty in the world today, and the desire for some message of hope and authority, is opening the hearts of many to the truths ,which we as Seventh-day Adventists have to teach. As hearts are opened for better things, the Holy Spirit endues His messengers with greater power to go forth and witness before men. Thus the work assumes the proportion of a great revival, known as the "loud cry."
While this work is going on independently of other religious movements; the enemy of truth begins a counterfeit revival which will lead people away from the message that God would have them heed. As this counterfeit revival gains momentum, the finger of scorn will be pointed against the advent people. They will be counted as traitors for not joining in the great religious movement that is to banish evil from the earth and bring eternal peace to men. Let us now note statements from Scripture and the Spirit of prophecy which present a true picture of the last days:
1. The Loud Cry, or the last revival of true godliness. Rev. 18:1-4; Joel 2:28-32.
"When the final warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it, and will stand with the people of God through the time of trouble. The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's message, is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold."—"The Great Controversy," p. 611.
2. The Counterfeit Revival. Matt. 24:24. False christs and false prophets attempt to deceive the very elect. 2 Cor. 11:14. Satan comes as an angel of light. Rev. 13:3, 8. All the world wonders after the beast and worships him.
"Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium, Through Spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith."—Id., pp. 588, 589. (See also page 593.)
3. Churches Unite to Save the World. Isa. 8:9-20; Micah 4:1-8; Rev. 13:11-17. The cry is for a confederacy to save the world for the Christian religion. The churches seek a common bond that will be strong enough to face the world. They find this bond in the Pope. Protestant America sets up the image to the beast.
"The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism ; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience." —Id., p. 588.
4. Sunday Issue Becomes A Key Point in this counterfeit revival. Rev. 13:16. All must receive the mark of the beast.
Sabbathkeepers are denounced as enemies of law and order. (See "The Great Controversy," p. 592.)
Legislators will believe that Sunday is necessary to the good of the nation and the world. (See Id., p. 592.)
"The assertion that God's judgments are visited upon men for their violation of the Sunday sabbath, will be repeated."—Id., p. 579. (See also page 590.)
Communication from spirits will confirm this. (See Id., p. 591.)
Sabbathkeepers will be looked upon as traitors and worthy of death. (See Id., p. 615.)
Satan will impersonate Christ and declare that the Sabbath has been changed. This will be a "strong, almost overmastering delusion." p. 624.
World events and religious trends are combining to bring about just such a situation as God has revealed to His people. How necessary it is that we as workers be firm in our convictions and unwavering in our belief. The time is coming when all those who can be shaken will be shaken.
(End of Series)
