The Home Missionary, Vol. 5 (1893)

1893

August 1893

“‘Anoint Thine Eyes with Eye-salve, that Thou Mayest See’” The Home Missionary, 5, 7, pp. 142-147.

ATJ

FOUTH SABBATH READIN

To be read in the churches, Sabbath, Aug. 26
Sermon by Elder A. T. Jones, preached in the Tabernacle, Sabbath, April 22, 1893

Revelation 3:18. The last words of the counsel of the True Witness. We had not time in the study at the General Conference Institute to over all this counsel; so this part of it we will study to-day. HOMI August 1893, page 142.1

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.” HOMI August 1893, page 142.2

“Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see,” will constitute the study for to-day. HOMI August 1893, page 142.3

Each one of those things which he counsels us to obtain, is to take the place of that which we thought we had, but did not have. He says in the previous verse, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Because we are poor, he wants us to have the gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich; because we are naked, he wants us to have the white raiment, that we may be clothed; and because we are blind, he wants us to have the eye-salve, that we may see. And just as certainly as no one can be rich who has not this gold, just so certainly no one who has not this raiment, can be clothed, but will appear in his nakedness. And just so certainly, too, he whose eyes are not anointed with this eye-salve, cannot see, no matter how much he wants to, or how hard he tries, because that is given in order that he may be able to see. Without it he is blind, and a blind man cannot see. HOMI August 1893, page 142.4

Turn to 1 Corinthians 2, and let us study that chapter on this point:— HOMI August 1893, page 143.1

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught; but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” HOMI August 1893, page 143.2

Now we speak the hidden wisdom in preaching the gospel of Christ, in preaching Christ and him crucified, in preaching Christ the power of God, and Christ the wisdom of God; and in preaching the cross of Christ, which is to them that receive it the power of God. In dwelling upon that, and thinking upon that, and in preaching that, we are thinking upon that, and in preaching that, we are dealing with the mystery, the hidden wisdom, “which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” The time has come for that glory to be revealed, and it will be revealed. “Which [wisdom] none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” That is sure. Had they known the gospel, they would not have crucified the Lord. But did they not profess to have the gospel? Did they not profess to be God’s people? Had they not been recognized as God’s people for ages?—Yes, and that is why their offense was so great. They did profess the gospel. They did profess to be the people of God, and ought to have had the wisdom of God that they crucified the Lord of glory. But did they intentionally crucify the Lord of glory? They intentionally crucified that one whom they saw before their eyes. Was he not there the Lord of glory? Why did they not see him?—They could not. We shall learn why presently, but they could not see him; and the greatest guilt of it all was that they could not. Peter told them that in their ignorance they did it; but the greatest guilt was their ignorance. HOMI August 1893, page 143.3

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man [that is so], but the Spirit of God.” HOMI August 1893, page 143.4

If any man have not the Spirit of God, he does not know the things of God, and cannot know them; he does not see the things of God, and cannot see them. The workings of God may be right before his eyes, the fulfillment of prophecy right in his presence, and yet he cannot see it. HOMI August 1893, page 143.5

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual [not natural things with natural, nor natural with spiritual, but spiritual things with spiritual]. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” HOMI August 1893, page 143.6

Here the apostle presents Christ and him crucified as the only thing to be preached; as the only source of wisdom, the wisdom of God, the hidden wisdom; Jesus Christ, ordained before the world was, the Lord of glory, whom the world did not know, but if they had known, they would not have crucified him. But why was it that they did not know?—It was because they did not have the Spirit of God. HOMI August 1893, page 143.7

And then he goes on to show that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him. And those people there at Jerusalem might have loved him, and seen things, and heard things, and known things, that they did not see, nor hear, nor know. HOMI August 1893, page 143.8

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” And then it goes on to show that he that is natural cannot discern the things of God; because they are spiritually discerned; but he that is spiritual discerneth all things, even the deep things of God; because they are spiritually discerned; but he that is spiritual discerneth all things, even the deep things of God. And who hath known the mind of God to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ to instruct us; because the Spirit of God, the mind of Christ, is the enlightenment, is the spiritual discernment, which everybody in the world needs. HOMI August 1893, page 143.9

But we need not confine ourselves to those who crucified the Lord of glory. There were those who did not crucify him,—his own disciples; and these are the persons to whom Jesus, the True Witness, is speaking now,—to his people, those who are his. It is proper that we should profess to be the people of God; he calls us his. But it is awful for us to profess to be his, and yet not be his. He has made us his people; he has called us his people; but the loss is, and the deplorable condition of things is, that so few of those who claim to be his people are really his people; they will not yield themselves to him, that he may do as he pleases with them. HOMI August 1893, page 143.10

This message to-day is to his disciples: “Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.” At the time of his rejection before, and his crucifixion, not only the world, but his disciples, did not know what was going to come to pass; even they did not see it. There is a straightforward narrative of the events of the last days of the Saviour’s experience in this world, which seems to me to be one of the most peculiar things in all the Bible. Let us look at it. We will read in the book of Mark, because there are put in natural succession the events that occurred during that part of our Saviour’s life, so there is no mistaking the order. Matthew and Luke wrote without any specific reference to the succession of events; but Mark records the events, and the exact order in which they occurred; so that we cannot mistake in regard to it. HOMI August 1893, page 143.11

Mark 8:31-33. There are two parts to each one of these narratives; and we will read the first part of each one of them through to begin with, to get the situation, and then read the second part:— HOMI August 1893, page 143.12

“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.” HOMI August 1893, page 143.13

Now notice. It is recorded there definitely that he told them plainly what was coming upon him. In the next chapter he tells them the same thing the second time. HOMI August 1893, page 144.1

Mark 9:31, 32:— HOMI August 1893, page 144.2

“For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.” HOMI August 1893, page 144.3

They did not understand that saying when he told it to them twice, as plain as words could tell it. Is not that singular? Did he not tell them that he was going into Jerusalem, and there be betrayed into the hands of men, and they should crucify him, and he should rise again the third day? Did he not tell it to them twice, in as plain terms as it could be expressed to them? Then why did they not understand it? We shall discover why, presently. What I want now is to get the fact plainly before you. They did not know what he had said when he told it to them, so he tells it the third time, and this time he gives it in the exact order in which it was going to take place; and yet they did not understand it. Still they did not know what he was talking about. HOMI August 1893, page 144.4

Mark 10:32-34:— HOMI August 1893, page 144.5

“And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles; and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.” HOMI August 1893, page 144.6

The chief priests and the scribes could condemn him to death, but they could not put him to death; so in order to have him put to death, they delivered him to the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were to mock him, and they did; and they were to scourge him, and it was a Roman scouring which the Saviour received, not a Jewish whipping. And he was to be put to death, and the third day rise again. All this so plainly stated, and yet not one of them understood it. HOMI August 1893, page 144.7

Why should they have been surprised at anything that followed? Why should they have thought anything strange when Christ was arrested at Jerusalem, taken and slain? And when he rose again the third day, why were they not expecting it? But they did not know anything about it, did they?—No, sir; they did not know that he was going to be taken, mocked, scourged, spit upon, and killed, and the third day rise again. And mark, these were his own disciples who did not know anything about it. HOMI August 1893, page 144.8

But did they not have a chance to know? Did he not tell them three times over and over, and the last time bring it out in detail in just exactly the order in which it happened? HOMI August 1893, page 144.9

Now I have no doubt but that every one here will say that that was wonderfully strange. Yes, it is. But it is no more strange than what many Seventh-day Adventists are doing to-day, right in this church, and all over the land. What was that written for, do you suppose?—“For our admonition.” Whose admonition?—Ours, “upon whom the ends of the world are come.” That means you and me. “And all these things happened unto them for ensamples,” for our benefit. They understood not, and were afraid to ask him. And there is our danger. Scores of people are doing that very thing to-day. The Lord is telling us over and over the same things, and now he is coming down and giving it in detail, showing just how it is going to happen, and yet, O so many do not know a single thing about it, and are afraid to ask him. HOMI August 1893, page 144.10

Now how could those disciples be so blind? Let us find out. He has told us why it was that those disciples could not understand the words he said and that will bring to us and emphasize the necessity of our having eyes anointed with the heavenly eye-salve, that we may see. For I say again, as I said awhile ago, there are two parts to each one of these narratives. And the other part tells us how we may see what they did not see. Now when we read the word and learn why they could not see, then let us take it right home to ourselves, that we may find out why it is that we cannot see. HOMI August 1893, page 144.11

Let us turn again to the eighth chapter of Mark, and read the second part of the narrative. HOMI August 1893, page 144.12

“When he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” HOMI August 1893, page 144.13

What is the thing to do?—Deny himself. What was the matter, then, that they could not see? that they could not understand what he said to them?—Self was there. Self was there so prominently that they could not understand the plainest word almost that Jesus spoke in all his ministry; for he spoke plainly in order that they might understand. HOMI August 1893, page 144.14

Notice again his word when Peter rebuked him: “Thou savourest not the things which be of God, but the things which be of men.” The natural mind, you see, that could not discern the things of the Spirit of God—not the Spirit of God, not the mind of Christ, that discerns all things, even the deep things of God. HOMI August 1893, page 144.15

Then is it not true, as we said awhile ago, that they could not see? What was the reason?—Self was in the way; and self, the natural man, cannot see the things of the Spirit of God; cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God; they are foolishness unto him as this was to Peter. HOMI August 1893, page 144.16

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it [that is self again]; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world [What is that?—Selfishness again; let self reign and get all the world at once, and what good is it to him?], and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words.”—What is it to be ashamed of the Lord? What will lead a man to act as though he was ashamed of the Lord?—Self all the time. Why, the Lord will never be ashamed of the Lord; God will never be ashamed of his own Son; Christ will never betray the Lord’s Christ; the Spirit will never be ashamed of the Lord. But self will be ashamed of the Lord, and will betray the Lord’s Christ. But the man does not know when he is doing it. Here is the deception, you see. Do you see how deceptive self is, that will betray the very Christ that is before its eyes, and yet does not know what it is doing? “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” HOMI August 1893, page 144.17

Now what did he tell them all that for?—That they might know what was coming, and in the strength of God and the fear of the Lord be able to go through that experience without denying their Lord. Did not the Lord know what was coming? Did he not know what the disciples would have to pass through? and did he not know what he would have to pass through? and did he not tell it to them fully? and did he not tell it to them fully? and did he not give them special warning so that they might have acted another way? Well, says one, if they had acted in any other way, they would all have been put to death. That is probably what they thought; but they were entirely mistaken. The Lord would have delivered every one of them; they could have prayed for deliverance right there, and they might have had the glory of the Lord, and known the power of his salvation, even in the day of his suffering. They never fully realize, I fear, to the day of their death, what they lost on account of not being able to understand what Jesus meant when he told them about what was coming. But what was it that blinded their eyes? Every sentence of that which follows, from the first to the last, shows that it was self, self, self. HOMI August 1893, page 144.18

Now what is self doing? “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” If self does not do that, self will go ahead and compromise to save its life, and then try to gain the whole world; and then putting dependence in that, will finally be led to deny the Lord. See how it is held out before them. See how it is held out before us. Which then would you rather do, deny self or deny the Lord? That is the question. Denying the Lord is in the very act choosing self. And choosing him is in the very act denying self. Choosing self is in the straightforward road to denying the Lord; and denying self is in the straightforward way to choosing the Lord. HOMI August 1893, page 145.1

Let us now read the other passages, and see how entirely it was self, and self only, that blinded their eyes HOMI August 1893, page 145.2

“And he came to Capernaum; and being in the house, he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace; for by the way they had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest.” Mark 9:33, 34. HOMI August 1893, page 145.3

What was it that hindered them from understanding what he said?—Self again, self. Each one wanted to find out if he was not going to be greater than the other disciples. Luke says in his record that they were disputing among themselves “who shall be counted the greatest” in the kingdom of heaven. Each one though thimself [sic.] to be the greatest, and wanted to see if others did not regard him so. HOMI August 1893, page 145.4

But what was Jesus talking to them about?—He was talking to them about the crisis of his life; he was talking to them about the crisis in their lives, and the crisis in the life of the whole world. He was talking to them about his sufferings, about his death. But while he was doing that, what were they talking about?—O, they were talking about who was going to be the greatest. Which one of us, they were saying, is going to be the greatest in the kingdom of God? John, don’t you think I am better than James? Don’t you think I am more worthy of the highest position among the disciples than Peter? Which one of us is going to be greatest? HOMI August 1893, page 145.5

“And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” Verse 35. HOMI August 1893, page 145.6

Good for him, too, is it not? Because that very selfish desire to be first, unfits one to be anything else than the last. The Lord knows where his place is; and that is where he will be. Even though he should succeed here in gaining the highest place, the Lord will see to it there that he occupies his proper place,—“the same shall be last of all.” Well, then, the thing for us to do is to get down low enough at the start. The best place for us to be is where God wants us,—at the feet of Christ, with self dead, and Christ alone to live. HOMI August 1893, page 145.7

“And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them: Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” Verses 36, 37. HOMI August 1893, page 145.8

Then, when we want God to go with us, where are we to be?—Just like that little child. Then whoever receives you and me, receives whom?—Christ; and he who receives Christ receives whom?—Him that sent him. I ask you if there can be any question or doubt as to where we stand, if we are where God puts us and wants us to be? When self is gone, there is no place for any one else but the Lord. Is not that true? That was true in Jesus; and that is true in those who believe in Jesus. HOMI August 1893, page 145.9

And still they could not see. They did not yet understand even what he was telling them. Let us read the next scripture, that brings it out still more plainly yet. Tenth chapter, beginning with the 35th verse. You notice that each one of these second parts of the different narratives follows immediately the first part which I read before, which gives particular force to the reason why they could not see. HOMI August 1893, page 145.10

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” HOMI August 1893, page 145.11

Did they say, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever thou shalt desire; whatsoever thy will is, Lord, that do? Is that it?—O, no. “We would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” What is that? It is supreme selfishness, isn’t it, on the face of it? They were simply asking the Lord to become their servant in all things; instead of humbly yielding themselves to be his servant in all things; and that is the same satanic self that always aimed to exalt itself above the Lord. You know the Lord Jesus always said, “Thy will, not mine, be done;” “It is my meat to do the will of him that sent me.” But their way was, Lord, we want you to do whatsoever we desire. That is nothing but self. HOMI August 1893, page 145.12

“And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy glory.” Verses 36, 37. HOMI August 1893, page 145.13

What had they all been talking about?—Who should be greatest. Now James and John stepped in and got the start of the others, and said to him, Now Lord, we want one to sit on thy right hand and the other on thy left hand in thy glory. The 41st verse: “And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.” Why?—Evidently because James and John had got the start of them. James and John had got in their petition before the others, but the others wanted it all the same. In Matthew we learn that even James and John thought to remain in the background to the extent that they sent in their request by their mother. But they could not hide self behind their mother. No; self will always appear—even in the very means which we may employ to hide it. The best thing to do is, not to try to hide it at all, but to crucify it. HOMI August 1893, page 145.14

What is the matter with the diciples [sic.]? Why could not they see that Jesus was to be delivered into the hands of the Jews, and by them into the hands of the Gentiles, and then be mocked, spit upon, scourged, killed, and then rise again the third day? Self, self, self. That is the sum of it all. They needed the eye-salve that they might see. And this record is written to you and me, to every one of us. HOMI August 1893, page 145.15

Jesus told them plainly that they would deny him; that they would desert him and flee. What did they say?—Every one of them said, No, sir, we will not; but every one of them did. It is not easy for you and me or anybody else to say what we are going to do or not do, in persecution, in the time of trouble that is before us. What you and I want is for the Lord to tell us what HE will do, and believe, when he tells us he will do a certain thing, that he will do it, and then we shall not deny him. believe him and then he will save us from denying him. If he says that we are going to deny him, we are not to deny that we are going to deny him, like Peter and all the rest. Jesus said, You will deny me. They said, No, sir, we will not. Peter was the strongest of them all in his denial, and he said, “Though all men shall be offended in thee, yet will I never be offended.” And they each said, Though I die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. The thing they should have said is, Lord, is it possible that we should flee from thee? that we should deny thee? Save us from it, O save us from it! Would he not have done it?—Of course he would. It is not for us to say that we will or will not do, when we are persecuted; for if we do, we will surely deny the Lord, and not suffer persecution at all when it comes. That is what they did, and it is what we will do also if we start out as they did. Their mistake is recorded that we may avoid it. But it was self that led them into their mistake, and it will lead us the same way if it is suffered to live. HOMI August 1893, page 145.16

“But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can.” Verses 38, 39. HOMI August 1893, page 146.1

Matthew records it thus,— HOMI August 1893, page 146.2

“Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.” HOMI August 1893, page 146.3

Were they? What was it that exalted them in their own eyes?—“We can.” “We are able.” Did they know what that cup was? Did they know what that baptism was?—No; they were blind and could not see. When he did go into Gethsemane, and did drink that cup, and took Peter, and James and John with him, that they might have a real experience for themselves, what then did they do?—They went to sleep. Then Jesus came to them and exclaimed, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” Had he not said unto them, “Watch with me”? But they went to sleep. And then he went away the second time, in his agony fell on his face, and prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” “Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” What were they doing?—Sleeping again. Had he not just said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation”? But their eyes were blinded; they needed to have them anointed with the eye-salve that they might see. They needed the experience he wanted them to have, especially for their sakes, yet also for his own sake. For in that dreadful hour he longed for even human sympathy. But their blindness hid from their eyes what he was talking about; and hid from their hearts also that blessed experience of not forsaking him, and of not denying him; and self caused this blindness. HOMI August 1893, page 146.4

“And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized; but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” Verses 39, 40. HOMI August 1893, page 146.5

Now that means every one of us. That lesson is recorded there for the people under the third angel’s message now. HOMI August 1893, page 146.6

Turn to Luke 22:53; it comes in right in connection with this lesson. When Jesus addressed those who came out to take him, he said, “When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me; but this is your hour and the power of darkness.” That was the hour of the wicked and the power of darkness. Did he not have to pass through it? There is a time for the wicked, through which we shall have to pass. We will turn and read the scripture. HOMI August 1893, page 146.7

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10. HOMI August 1893, page 146.8

Is not there, then, an hour of the wicked and the power of darkness for us to pass through? But are you able to drink of the cup that he drank of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was baptized with, brethren? For that is what this means. HOMI August 1893, page 146.9

Early Writings, 38:— HOMI August 1893, page 146.10

“God has shown me that he gave his people a bitter cup to drink, to purify and cleanse them.” HOMI August 1893, page 146.11

That was the word of Christ to his disciples. Did he not tell them these things before hand that they might have this experience? that they might drink the cup and be baptized with the baptism? that they might be able to pass through that struggle with him, and not be led into temptation, and flee, and at last deny him in that hour of the wicked and of the power of darkness?—Assuredly it was. I read on:— HOMI August 1893, page 146.12

“It is a bitter draught, and they can make it still more bitter by murmuring, complaining, and repining. But those who receive it thus must have another draught, for the first does not have its designed effect upon the heart. And if the second does not effect the work, then they must have another, and another, until it does have its designed effect, or they will be left filthy, impure in heart. I saw that this bitter cup can be sweetened by patience, endurance, and prayer, and that it will have its designed effect upon the hearts of those who thus receive it, and God will be honored and glorified.” HOMI August 1893, page 146.13

What did Jesus say just before the hour of his trial and the power of darkness came upon him? Turn to John 12, beginning with the 20th verse:— HOMI August 1893, page 146.14

“And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: the same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.... Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? [Shall I say that? O no!] But for this cause came I unto this hour. [What shall I say, then?] Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” HOMI August 1893, page 146.15

What are you ready to say? Father, save us from these things? Save us from this hour? No; because for this cause we have come to this hour. What, then, shall we say?—Father, glorify thyself; glorify thy name. That is submission; that is the resignation of self; that puts us into the hands of the Lord, for him to do his glorious will with us and in us. And just so certainly as the time came that the Son should soon come when we shall be glorified with him. For the word is spoken to us, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” HOMI August 1893, page 146.16

But the hour cometh and hasteth great, whom to all outward appearance, the wicked shall prevail, and the power of darkness. And what does the Lord say to us? “But the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” And when that is so, what shall we say? Father, save us from this hour?—No; it is the most glorious hour the sun ever shone upon. What shall we say?—Father, glorify thy name. That is what he wants us to say now; that is the resignation he wants us to have now; that we may, like Jesus, surrender self, that he may glorify his name in us. HOMI August 1893, page 146.17

I will read another passage concerning that hour, from Early Writings, 144:— HOMI August 1893, page 146.18

“It was an hour of fearful, terrible agony to the saints. Day and night they cried unto God for deliverance. To outward appearance, there was no possibility of their escape. The wicked had already begun to triumph, crying out, Why doesn’t your God deliver you out of our hands? Why don’t you go up and save your lives? But the saints heeded them not. Like Jacob, they were wrestling with God. The angels longed to deliver them, but they must wait a little longer; the people of God must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism.” HOMI August 1893, page 146.19

What, then, does this record that was written to the disciples of old, mean to us?—It means that we are in danger of doing what they did; of letting self hide the most precious words of God from the eyes of his people; of letting self hide the most precious of God’s instructions, so that we cannot see or know the hour of our visitation and the time in which we live. I know it. But I know, too, that if the people in this place, as well as in many other places, knew where we are, could realize where we are, they would not rest day nor night until they knew that the Lord had risen upon them, and glorified himself in them. Will you seek the Lord with all your hearts? The day has indeed come when the priests, the ambassadors of the Lord, ought to weep between the porch and the altar, crying, Spare thy people, O Lord. But O, they cannot see! They cannot see, any more than the disciples saw back there. What is the reason?—Self is in the way; self blinds the mind; self dwells in the heart. O I don’t know what to make of it! HOMI August 1893, page 147.1

Here are some words that are to the point in this connection, in an address to the church printed some two or three weeks ago in the Review. Look it up, brethren, and read it, and believe it, and act upon it, because it is true. HOMI August 1893, page 147.2

“Christ, the true witness, addresses the church at Ephesus, saying, ‘I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.’ What effect have these words had upon the church? Have the professed people of God understood the import of the words, ‘I will come unto thee quickly [when you are at ease, careless, filled with spiritual negligence], and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” HOMI August 1893, page 147.3

How often has that been repeated to us? Hasn’t it been said to us over and over again, during the past year? What is the matter? What was the matter with the disciples? Why could they not see? and why can we not see? HOMI August 1893, page 147.4

“When warnings come no more to the people [sic.] of God, when tender admonitions from the Spirit of God are silent, when the candle of heavenly illumination shines no longer upon their pathway, they will be left to kindle their own fire, and to walk in the sparks of their own kindling.” HOMI August 1893, page 147.5

What will you do when the Lord sends no more warnings, no more counsels? Then you will realize that you cannot get along so well without him as you seem to have got along in the past. When God does let his people alone, then they realize that they cannot get along without him. But you will be left to kindle your own fire, and walk in the sparks of it. That is the danger that hangs over the people to-day. This is our condition, and it is a terrible condition. I know that events are happening so swiftly, and time is passing so hastily, and prophecy is fulfilling so rapidly, and things are coming to a focus so suddenly, that our people are not ready to meet them any more than they are ready to fly. Many Seventh-day Adventists are as little ready for what is so soon sure to come as any people in the world, because they have so long slighted the admonitions of the Lord. “Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see.” HOMI August 1893, page 147.6

“O how few know the day of their visitation! How few, even among those who claim to believe in present truth, understand the signs of the times, or what they are to experience before the end. We are under divine forbearance to-day; but how long will the angels of God continue to hold the winds, that they shall not blow? We are convinced that among the people of God there is blindness of mind and hardness of heart, although God has manifested inexpressible mercy toward us. How few there are who are truly humble, devoted, God-fearing servants in the cause of Christ, whose hearts are full of gratitude and thanksgiving because they are called to act a part in the work of God, being co-laborers with Jesus Christ, partakers with Christ of his sufferings! ... Today there are few who are heartily serving God. The most of those who compose our congregations are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. They come and go like the door upon its hinges. For years they have complacently listened to the most solemn, soul-stirring truths, but they have not practiced them. They are less and less sensible of the preciousness and value of truth, because they neglect the practice of those things which are pleasing in the sight of God. The stirring testimonies of reproof and warning do not arouse them. The sweetest melodies that come from God through human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ—do not bring forth from them a response of love and gratitude. Though the heavenly merchantman displays before them the richest jewels of faith and love, though his voice invites them to buy of him ‘gold tried in the fire,’ and ‘white raiment that they may be clothed,’ and ‘eye-salve that they may see,’ they steel their hearts against him, and fail to exchange their lukewarmness for love and zeal; but fold their hands in complacency, make a profession, but deny the power of true godliness.” HOMI August 1893, page 147.7

“The events of the future will be discerned by prophecy, and will be understood.” HOMI August 1893, page 147.8

If we study the prophecy, the word of God, and yield ourselves to Christ, even though at the loss of everything on earth, or in the world besides, he will, by his Spirit, and by his word, enlighten our minds, and we will see what is going to come, by the prophecy and through his Spirit. We cannot be taken by surprise when they come. HOMI August 1893, page 147.9

“O if we as a people had improved our opportunities to gain a knowledge of the word, to obtain a vital experience in the things of God, we would have fulfilled the word, ‘Ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.’” HOMI August 1893, page 147.10

Think of God’s church lifted up to a place where he will not have to rebuke them! And when we as a people obtain a vital experience in the things of God, we will have fulfilled that word, and then we shall indeed shine as lights in the world, in holding forth the word of life. HOMI August 1893, page 147.11

“With such workers the heavenly intelligences will co-operation.’ HOMI August 1893, page 147.12

O that there might be a seeking of the Lord here, that every soul might know the Lord, and know that the Lord is glorifying his name in the people that are now called by his name. I do not care who it is, every soul needs to seek the Lord every day and all the time, that we may know him more and more, that self may be completely gone, and God’s will completely revealed in us. HOMI August 1893, page 147.13

These are the things, brethren, that are revealed for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come; and that is now. That time, the hour of the wicked, and the power of darkness, is to hover over us a little longer, and then we will drink of that cup and be baptized with that baptism. Are you able to drink it? Are you able? Are you able? HOMI August 1893, page 147.14

“The Hour of Watching” The Home Missionary, 5 Extra, pp. 1-7.

ATJ

Sermon by Elder A. T. Jones, preached in the Tabernacle, July 15, 1893

Mark 10:38, 39: “But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” HOMI August 1893, page 1.1

Those who were here the last time I spoke, remember that this is where we stopped that day in the study of the subject. I wish to call your attention to the same subject to-day, only continued farther than we were able to follow it that day; for it is a lesson that we all must learn if we would meet the Saviour in peace. HOMI August 1893, page 1.2

These are the words that the Saviour spoke to the disciples, James and John especially, when they came to him and asked him whether one of them should not sit on his right hand and the other on his left in his kingdonm. HOMI August 1893, page 1.3

“And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized. But to sit on my right hand an on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” HOMI August 1893, page 1.4

For the purpose of keeping the connection, I shall simply read again the passages from “Early Writings,” that were read before, to show that this scripture is for us as well as it was for those disciples these. HOMI August 1893, page 1.5

Concerning the righteous in the time of trouble, we read:— HOMI August 1893, page 1.6

“Great power was with these chosen ones. Said the angel, ‘Look ye!’ My attention was turned to the wicked, or unbelievers. They were all astir. The zeal and power with the people of God had aroused and enraged them. Confusion, confusion, was on every side. I saw measures taken against the company who had the light and power of God. Darkness thickened around them, yet they stood firm, approved of God, and trusting in Him. I saw them perplexed; next I heard them crying unto God earnestly. Day and night their cry ceased not: ‘Thy will, O God, be done! If it can glorify thy name, make a way of escape for thy people! Deliver us from the heathen around about us. They have appointed us unto death; but thine arm can bring salvation.’ These are all the words which I can bring to mind. All seemed to have a deep sense of their unworthiness, and manifested entire submission to the will of God; yet like Jacob, every one, without an exception, was earnestly pleading and wrestling for deliverance.” HOMI August 1893, page 1.7

“Soon after they had commenced their earnest cry, the angels, in sympathy, desired to go to their deliverance. But a tall, commanding angel suffered them not. He said: ‘The will of God is not yet fulfilled. They must drink of the cup. They must be baptized with the baptism.’” HOMI August 1893, page 1.8

Another passage to the same effect:— HOMI August 1893, page 1.9

“It was an hour of fearful, terrible agony to the saints. Day and night they cried unto God for deliverance. To outward appearance, there was no possibility of their escape. The wicked had already begun to triumph, crying out, ‘Why doesn’t your God deliver you out of our hands? Why don’t you go up and save your lives?’ But the saints heeded them not. Like Jacob, they were wrestling with God. The angels longed to deliver them, but they must wait a little longer; the people of God must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism.” HOMI August 1893, page 1.10

Now that you may see how exactly that corresponds to the time that the Saviour was drinking this same cup, I read another passage:— HOMI August 1893, page 1.11

“They (the angels) wished to surround the Son of God, but the commanding angels suffered them not.... They wished then and there to surround their Commander, and disperse that angry mob.”—“Early Writings, 37, 38. HOMI August 1893, page 1.12

Now to proceed with the lesson for to-day. Let us turn to Matthew 26, and read, beginning with the 30th verse:— HOMI August 1893, page 1.13

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” HOMI August 1893, page 1.14

Now notice; he took the eleven to Gethsemane; but he left eight in a certain place, and took Peter, James, and John with him further, near to where he was praying, and called upon them to watch with him. Now all the disciples needed to have a part in what was going on just then; but you can see from this that if there was any difference at all, Peter, James, and John were more in need than the others. HOMI August 1893, page 2.1

Therefore he took them nearer to the place where he went to pray. Still he left them, and went a little way beyond, and then prayed. So we read the same verse again:— HOMI August 1893, page 2.2

“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take [your] rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” HOMI August 1893, page 2.3

For their sakes as well as for ours, though more for their sakes, he wanted them to watch through that hour with him. In that hour he needed and he wanted even human sympathy, but he could not have it, because those upon whom he called for it went to sleep and failed him. What we are studying, however, is what they lost themselves by not staying awake and watching with him that hour. For if they had watched with him that hour, they would not have forsaken him the next hour. Yes, if they had watched with him that hour, they would not have forsaken him the next and denied him the next. HOMI August 1893, page 2.4

Now we all know that they failed. In the time when they needed to stand, more than any other in which they were ever called upon, we know that they failed. But the failure was not n that hour. Peter’s failure was not when he denied the Lord, but when he went to sleep there, when he should have watched with the Lord. James and John and the other disciples who ran away, who forsook the Lord—their failure was not when they ran away; it was when they went to sleep, when they failed to watch in the time of watching. So that if they had watched with Jesus that hour, they would have passed safely and faithfully through the coming hours; they would have obtained an experience that they needed, and which they must have, in order to stand in the time of trial which was coming. HOMI August 1893, page 2.5

Now notice another point here about this hour of watching, and what was to come immediately following. We read right on in the record; it is all one. There is the word, “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” Then he said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Did he not know what they were to meet in the following hour? Did he not know what temptations and trials they were to meet that night? He knew what trials they were to meet; he knew what temptations were to come. They did not know; therefore he said unto them, “Watch here with me, lest ye enter into temptation.” They did not know what he meant, and so they thought they could take that time—whether they thought it or not, they did take that time—for sleep. HOMI August 1893, page 2.6

Turn to the 22nd chapter of Luke, and read another passage there, keeping this place in Matthew. Reading on in Matthew we come up to the place where Luke’s record tells us what Matthew’s leaves out, Matthew 26:45 and onward:— HOMI August 1893, page 2.7

“Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest; behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.” HOMI August 1893, page 2.8

Now Luke 22:52, 53:— HOMI August 1893, page 2.9

“Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” HOMI August 1893, page 2.10

See, he said to the disciples, “Tarry ye here and watch with me;” “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” Then when the high priests and Judas and the soldiers came, he says to them, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” HOMI August 1893, page 2.11

Now we know, and all we need to do is to refer to it, that there is an hour of temptation, an hour of evil, and the power of darkness, through which the saints of God are now soon to pass, and that is to come upon all the world. Turn to Revelation 3:10: “Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” There is an hour of temptation that is to come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth; and that hour is the time of the pow- er of darkness; for you remember, in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10, are these words:— HOMI August 1893, page 2.12

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” HOMI August 1893, page 3.1

There comes a time when Satan works with all power. All the power that this world knows will then be in the hands of Satan, to be used against the saints of God. Well, was not all the power then in the hands of Satan also, to be used against the Lord? Had not the professed people of God forsaken the Lord, and joined themselves to the Roman power, and had not this Roman power carried out against the Lord their designs in putting him to death? So that thus all the power of the world, that the world then knew, was used by the enemy against the Lord. And the time comes just before his second coming, when all the power that this world now knows is again to be banded together at the command of the enemy, to be used against the Lord and against his people. So that there is again the hour of the wicked and of the power of darkness; just the same as at that time through which the Saviour passed, when he said to the wicked, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” HOMI August 1893, page 3.2

Those who are to meet the Lord are likewise to pass through the same kind of time as did our Lord; and again it can be said to the wicked, This is your hour and the power of darkness. But before he went into that hour of the wicked and the power of darkness, Jesus passed through an hour of trial. Not necessarily a literal hour, the measure of time; but a time of temptation, a time of trial. And his disciples, too, should have passed through that time with him, in order to pass through the coming hour of darkness and the time of evil with him. You see plainly that this record of what he there passed through, and through which his disciples failed to pass, is written for us; because those who meet the Saviour are to pass through that same kind of experience. Again the hour of evil and the power of darkness is to be met and experienced by the disciples of the Lord. And there was a time of watching with the disciples to-day? There was a time of watching, that day before the hour of evil and the power of darkness, that came upon him and them there. And there is a time of watching now also before this hour of the wicked and the power of darkness comes, through which those who meet the Saviour will have to pass. HOMI August 1893, page 3.3

All this record was written for our sakes, and it was not written in vain. There is a time of watching through which we are to pass, and we are to pass through it with the Lord Jesus, as they ought to have done. If we are to stand when that time comes,—the powers of darkness working with all the power this world knows,—we are to watch as they ought to have watched. And if we to-day slight that time of watching as they slighted it, we will fail in the time of trial as certainly as they failed. And if we fail in this time of trial to-day, why, the failure is complete, there is no remedy for it, and no recovery from it. HOMI August 1893, page 3.4

There is an hour of watching now through which we are to pass, just as certainly as there was an hour of watching then through which they did not pass, awake; and if we fail in this hour of watching as they failed in that, we shall fail in the coming hour of trial and temptation as they failed in that. HOMI August 1893, page 3.5

Now I read concerning this; and we can tell where it is, too. We can tell whether we are in it or not; we can tell whether we are there or not. I want you to see, brethren, that the Lord has fixed it in his word so that those who believe that word, and have that word abiding in them, shall know just as certainly that the Saviour’s coming is now at the door, and will take place while people are alive who are now living, as that they know that they themselves are alive. He has not left it for his people to guess as to whether his coming is at this time. HOMI August 1893, page 3.6

It is true, people can see with their outward eyes the signs that all people can see; but we need to see with other eyes what other people do not see, and what we cannot see with our outward eyes. It is true, there are signs multiplied on every hand, and all men are seeing them; men of the world are seeing the things that portend greatest disaster,—revolution, and upheaval of everything, and they do not know what is going to come of it. About two weeks ago, when Brother Moon and I were passing through Boston, we went to see a prominent man of that city, and he went on to tell us (he did not wait for us to tell him) of the many signs that show there are crises at hand, which will bring unforeseen events to the world. He did not see the coming of the Lord in it; I do not think that he believes in the Lord, anyway; but he sees all these things which certainly portend an upheaval. HOMI August 1893, page 3.7

Again, at the Fourth of July celebration of the New York Independent at Woodstock, Conn., Justice Brewer made a speech; Senator Hawley made a speech; and President Lowe, of Columbia College made a speech—he was president of the day; Dr. McArthur, of New York City, made a speech; and every one of these men called the attention of that audience to the time of danger in which we now are. Justice Brewer and Senator Hawley especially mentioned it as a time of danger, and Senator Hawley went so far as to say a time of trouble and of distress, “unprecedented.” That is what he says; and he is the man who had the chiefest part in doing that which brings it about. Of course he does not know what he is doing, any more than Pilate did back yonder; but he did it. HOMI August 1893, page 3.8

I simply mention this to show you that men of the world—men who are a part indeed of what is going on—see dangers that mean such an upheaval, such a crisis, and such a time of revolution, such a crisis, and such a time of revolution as nobody ever saw. That is the way they look at it. HOMI August 1893, page 3.9

Now then I say that Seventh-day Adventists ought to be able to see that much, anyway; but we ought to see much more than that. We should see the Lord and the coming of the Lord in all these things. That is where we are. We are in the time when the people who are living will see him coming. That is settled. And he wants us to see what purpose God has in all this, and what is going to come out of it, through the working and the power of God. HOMI August 1893, page 4.1

Therefore in this time of watching, just before the time of trouble, just as with the disciples, he wants us to watch indeed, and to watch truly with him, that we may be able to stand when the crisis comes. Now I read that you may see without mistake that we are in that time of watching NOW; that we are now in a little period corresponding in that “hour” through which the disciples were to pass in watching with him. HOMI August 1893, page 4.2

You saw in an editorial article in this last week’s Review, a little quotation from “Early Writings,” reading thus: “At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.” Now you all know that is being done,—has been done for the last year and more,—in that Christ is in it, and it in Christ, and that is all the meaning that it has; with the fullness of Christ as the fullness of meaning of the Sabbath. Well then, can the Sabbath ever be more fully preached than to preach the fullness of Christ in it? Can any truth be more fully preached than to preach the fullness of Christ in it, and to preach it as the fullness of Christ, and Christ is the fullness of all things. Now that is not saying that we see all in the Sabbath that there is in it; we are to find there more fullness of Christ always; but I say it is impossible to preach the Sabbath, or anything else, more fully than to preach the fullness of Christ in it, and as the living One to us. HOMI August 1893, page 4.3

Now the Sabbath was to be proclaimed more fully at the commencement of the time of trouble. Then I simply make this statement: As it is impossible to preach any truth more fully than to preach the fullness of Christ in it; as the Sabbath is being preached that way now; as the time was to come when the Sabbath should be preached more fully than it has ever been before; and as that was to be at the commencement of the time of trouble,—then I want to know whether we are in that commencement of the time of trouble? I do not care whether you say Yes or No; I want you to think about it. HOMI August 1893, page 4.4

Now for an explanation of what that time of trouble is. It is not the pouring out of the plagues. Here is an explanation by the same one who wrote it:— HOMI August 1893, page 4.5

“‘The commencement of the time of trouble,’ here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary.” HOMI August 1893, page 4.6

What kind of period?—A short period. When?—Just before the plagues are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. Then his last work for us in the heavenly sanctuary is marked by this short period here called “the commencement of the time of trouble.” HOMI August 1893, page 4.7

“At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel.” HOMI August 1893, page 4.8

Anybody who should read that, and see what is going on around us, in this nation as well as in every other nation, will know that trouble is coming on the earth; yet the nations are held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. HOMI August 1893, page 4.9

Now further; that little period just before the Saviour comes, his last work in the heavenly sanctuary, corresponds to that short period through which the disciples passed just before he went to the cross. Think of this: Was not the last work that the Saviour did for his disciples while he was on the earth, done in that last hour in Gethsemane? Immediately following that, he was given over into the hands of the powers of darkness, and taken to the cross. But the cross was involved in that hour; for the Saviour said, “If it be possible, let is pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” And it did not pass; so he accepted it there. The cross was in that hour, and there is where the test was borne; there is where the battle was fought, and the final victory won. And so there is where the last work of Jesus was done for his disciples while he was on earth. That was just preceding that hour of temptation and the power of darkness that came upon him and them. Here is a little period just while the last work is being done for us in heaven, and this is just before this other hour and the power of darkness. Don’t you see, then, that as that little period, while he was in Gethsemane before the hour of darkness and the power of evil, was a short period through which the disciples were to watch with him and be prepared for the hour of temptation that was to follow; so here is a short period for us, through which we are to watch, in order that we may pass through the hour of temptation and the power of darkness that is soon to come—that we may not fail, as they failed? HOMI August 1893, page 4.10

Now can you fail to see that? Please think of it. And when meeting is over, take up the last days of the Saviour, and read them over, and read them over every day, and think of them all the time, and you will see that it is so. HOMI August 1893, page 4.11

Now I will read another passage in connection with this:— HOMI August 1893, page 4.12

“At the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.”—“Early Writings, 27. HOMI August 1893, page 4.13

“‘The commencement of the time of trouble,’ here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.”—“Early Writings,” Supplement pp. 1, 2. HOMI August 1893, page 4.14

So that shows us as plainly as words can, that this little period—his last work for us in heaven—just before the plagues are to be poured out, corresponds precisely to that little hour in which he wanted the disciples to watch with him, that they might be able to stand through that other hour that came upon him and them. HOMI August 1893, page 5.1

There is another thought in that, too. It says, “At that time thought in that, too. It says, “At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel.” Are we in the time of the loud cry of the third angel? Has the latter rain been falling? Has the time of refreshing come? When did the latter rain begin? We had the word direct here at General Conference that we have been in the time of the latter rain since the Minneapolis meeting,—nearly five years ago; so that we are nearly five years along in that “short period” called “the commencement of the time of trouble.” I do not know how many more years are going to come; but I know that so much is gone, and you do too. HOMI August 1893, page 5.2

Well, then, that being so, that commencement of the time of trouble being a short period before the real time of trouble comes, before probation is gone, before the Saviour’s work is finished, and ere the power of evil and the hour of temptation comes to try all them that dwell upon the earth,—that being so, and we being nearly five years along in that period, is it not time for us to inquire whether we, like the disciples, are asleep? Because in that time back there when he called them to watch with him, he went away and prayed, and came back and found them asleep, and woke them up, and said, “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.” He went back again and prayed, and came back and woke them up the second time?—No, that is not it exactly. Let us read:— HOMI August 1893, page 5.3

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy. And he left them.” Matthew 26:41-44. HOMI August 1893, page 5.4

He did not wake them up the second time. “He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest.” HOMI August 1893, page 5.5

He has come with his message, and found us asleep, and woke us up; now if he comes the second time with his message and finds us asleep, when then? There is the danger that he will go his way out of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, and say, Sleep on now;” “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that if filthy, let him be filthy still.” When that hour is passed, all that anybody can do is to sleep; and the whole world will be asleep, because they are in the darkness. But woe be to us if we sleep through that hour. And woe be to all who do sleep through that hour! HOMI August 1893, page 5.6

But if the words of the message of the blessed Christ will not wake us, what can wake us? And if the time in which we live, and the things that are so abundantly shown before us,—if these cannot wake us, and keep us awake, what can do it? He told them over and over what was to come, and they went to sleep under it. He is telling us over and over what is here, and what are we doing? Are we, too, asleep? What was the matter with them? We found it—self. Self was the trouble. It was self that hid their eyes that they could not see. HOMI August 1893, page 5.7

He told them that for their good, and he has written it for our good. Therefore the same message that he said to them is here for us, in the twelfth chapter of John. We read it before; now let us read it again:— HOMI August 1893, page 5.8

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but it if die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24. HOMI August 1893, page 5.9

How, then, shall we bring forth much fruit? Do you know? Do you want to bring forth much fruit? Do you know how to do it? “If it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Are you dead, then? That is the question. Are you dead? Are you bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifest in your body? HOMI August 1893, page 5.10

“Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.” Following out the figure, What is the ground into which we are to fall and die, that we may bring forth fruit? HOMI August 1893, page 5.11

We are rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17), rooted and built up in Christ. Colossians 2:7. Then Christ is the ground out of which we bring forth fruit. He is the ground of “the trees of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3), the trees of love, the love God, the ground in which we are rooted and built up. Well, then, don’t these two things come together, Except ye fall into Christ and die, ye abide alone. But if I am alone, and am found alone, in that time of trouble, what is going to become of me? Can you tell?—I am lost forever. But if I be found with Jesus Christ in the time of trouble, do you know what then will become of me? That is plain enough; if I be found alone in that day, alone I will remain forever, and that is eternal destruction. But, O joy! if I be found that day in Jesus Christ, and with Jesus Christ, then with him I remain forevermore, and that is everlasting life, that is eternal salvation. HOMI August 1893, page 5.12

This, then, is where we are. Are we falling into Christ? Are we dying with him daily? Are we falling upon that Rock? It is the same thing. “Except ye fall upon the Rock and be broken;” “He that falleth upon the Rock and is broken,” is found complete; but if he falls not upon the Rock, and the Rock falls upon him, it grinds him to powder. HOMI August 1893, page 5.13

So the question with us every day and hour is, Am I dying with Christ, Am I dead with Him? And if I be dead with him, then I shall live. If we be dead with him, in that very thing we shall live with him. HOMI August 1893, page 5.14

Because we are not only to reckon ourselves “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11. So if we die with him here, we shall live with him here and hereafter. That is settled. If we stand faithful in this time of watching, and if we watch faithfully through this time, building upon that Rock, we shall stand forever. We need not fear for the hour to come, if we be wide awake, and watchful through this hour. HOMI August 1893, page 5.15

Here is something that has come to me just lately, that seems to me to be about as good an illustration as I can give of this whole thing that is before us right now. You all know that within the last two or three years the United States government has been building a lot of war ships. The government itself does not build them, but contractors build them. They make a bid, and the government accepts the bid, and the contractor builds the ship, venturing all upon its being accepted. And when it is finished, the contractor wants to deliver it to the government. But the government will not accept it until it is tested. Accordingly, it is taken out on the ocean where there is a straight course, and for a certain number of hours every particle of the machinery on that ship is set going at the highest pitch it is possible to stretch it, right straight through, until the test is over. And if it stands that test, then the government says, “That is all right; that is a good ship; we ill take it.” HOMI August 1893, page 6.1

Now the builder, knowing that that ship has to pass through such a severe trial as that, and that if anything about the ship fails; knowing that if a rod breaks, or a beam springs anywhere, it is not accepted,—knowing this, you know well enough that he tests every piece of material that he puts into the ship before it goes in. You know well enough that he does not go about and pick up a piece of iron here and a slab yonder, as it may happen to come to hand. He does not do it that way; he does not go at it in any such hap-hazard way at all. But instead of this, every particle, every piece of wood or steel,—everything that is put into that ship is thoroughly tested and examined beforehand, because if it goes in there weak, the flaw will be found out when the test comes, and the whole ship fail. HOMI August 1893, page 6.2

Now we are to pass through a time of trial such as has never been on this earth, only equaled by the trial through which the Lord Jesus passed. No man ever passed through such a trial as will those who are to be accepted of the Lord in that day. Then isn’t it time that, knowing this, we were examining our building to see what kind of structure we are putting together? To carry out the figure, we may ask, what kind of ship of character are we building; because that is the test that is to be passed, the test of character. It must be such a character as will bear all the temptation that Satan himself can bring to bear upon it, with all the power and all the evil there is in this world in his own hands. HOMI August 1893, page 6.3

What kind of ship of character are we building? Are we picking up this thing here, and another thing there? Are we puttiug [sic.] in such material as happens to be at hand? Are we saying, “I can do this or that, and it will come out all right in the end?” Is that the kind of character we are building? Is that the kind of ship we are putting together? Just as certainly as that is it, when the test comes, the flaw will be found out, the flaw will appear, and there will be a break. We need a character, then, that will stand every possible test, and as long as it needs to be carried on, just like those ships, don’t we? And as that ship-builder examines every particle of material, and tests it before it is put in, so we are to do the same thing,—examine every particle of material that goes into our character building, and see that it is thoroughly tested before it is put in. HOMI August 1893, page 6.4

Well, is there a supply of any such material of character that we can draw from, that has been tested, so that we can put that into the building, and be sure that it will not fail? Is there? Indeed there is. Thank the Lord, Jesus Christ lived in the world; he met every test that we shall ever have to meet. He met it to the full, and as long as the test was given, even a whole lifetime; and he never failed, no not in a single point. Not a flaw is seen in his character from beginning to end. The test is complete in every sense. And that supply was laid up there in Christ, for you and me to draw from, to put into our character building, so that when this time of test comes, it will bear the test again as it bore it then. HOMI August 1893, page 6.5

Are we then putting the character of Christ into our character building each day, each hour of the day, each moment of the day,—Christ instead of ourselves, Christ instead of self, his character instead of ours, his will instead of ours, his way instead of our way, his goodness instead of our goodness, which is only badness, himself instead of ourselves? If we are doing that, weaving Christ in there, every hour of the day, every minute of the day, at every thought,—then we shall know that when the test comes, as severe as it may be, our building will bear the test as long as the test needs to be borne, because all the material of which it is composed has borne the test already, and there is no possibility of its failing. HOMI August 1893, page 6.6

Well, then, brethren, this is where we are. We are on the border of that final testing time. Is your ship of character ready to be presented to the Judge for acceptance? Is it? HOMI August 1893, page 6.7

This is now the question with us all, and this is where we are. Brethren, what are we doing? What are we doing? Do we really realize that this is where we are? Do we? Is that one thought engrossing all the mind? Is that the one thing we are thinking about? Is that the one thing we are living in view of? Is that the one thing we have in mind above everything else? in the place of everything else, Christ in all things, instead of self in anything? His character instead of our own? In view of the shortness of this “short period,” nearly five years of which is gone, in which to prepare and watch through this hour with him, is it not indeed “high time to awake out of sleep”? to “awake to righteousness”—the righteousness of Christ alone—“and sin not”? so that when that time comes, we shall pass safely through the time of trouble, through the test, through the trial, and be accepted forevermore. HOMI August 1893, page 6.8

He has told us all, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come to him, and sup with him, and he with me.” There is the drinking of the cup, you see. You “shall drink of the cup that I drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with.” But O, the blessedness of it is, he says he will come in and sup with us. He wanted them to drink with him. They failed. They said, “We are all right; we are able.” He says now to us, “Are ye able to drink of the cup and to be baptized with the baptism?” Are ye able? Let us not say, “We are able.” Rather let us say, “Lord we are not able. We are not able, except thou drinkest with us. We are not able to go at all a single step, except thou goest with us. If thy presence go not with us, let us not go. But thou hast promised to drink with us. Thou hast promised to go with us. We depend upon thy promise; we trust thee, Lord. And when thou art with us, all is well. Because thou livest, we shall live also. Yea, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for thou art with us; thy rod and thy staff they comfort us.” HOMI August 1893, page 7.1

Thus depending on Him day by day, we shall succeed, we shall bear the test, we shall be accepted forevermore; for in him we are complete, now and evermore. HOMI August 1893, page 7.2