General Conference Bulletin, vol. 3

THE SIGN OF THE FINAL SIGN

L. A. HOOPESA. T. JONES

Reading for Friday, December 29.

When the disciples showed to Jesus the buildings of the temple, he said to them: “See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 93.3

When he stood on the Mount of Olives, weeping over Jerusalem, Jesus exclaimed: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay the even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:42-44. GCB October 1, 1899, page 93.4

But he would not have even one of his children destroyed or even suffer, in the sore calamities that were coming upon that rebellious city. Therefore he gave to them, and through them to all, a sure sign: “When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” Luke 21:20-22. GCB October 1, 1899, page 93.5

When the disciples should see Jerusalem encompassed with armies, then they were to know that the desolation thereof was nigh; and then they that were in Judea were to flee into the mountains. GCB October 1, 1899, page 93.6

The Roman armies—the only armies there were at that time—were a long distance from Jerusalem; and in the nature of things, it must take them some time to reach Jerusalem, even after they had started definitely for that place. GCB October 1, 1899, page 93.7

Yet it was not when they knew that the armies were coming toward Jerusalem, that the disciples who were in Judea were to flee; it was not till they saw Jerusalem encompassed with armies. But when this should be seen, then they knew that the desolation thereof was nigh; and their flight must be so sudden that he who was on the housetop could not come down to take anything out of his house, and he who was in the fields could not turn back to take his clothes. GCB October 1, 1899, page 93.8

Then the time of the approach of the Roman armies toward Jerusalem was the time of preparation, in which all who believed should get all things ready, so that when the armies encompassed GCB October 1, 1899, page 93.9

Jerusalem, the believers could flee suddenly, as they were commanded to do. When Jerusalem was encompassed, the time of preparation was past. Then was the time for flight. Those who were in Judea were to flee, and those who were not in Judea were not to enter thereinto. GCB October 1, 1899, page 94.1

All this was told to the disciples before the Lord’s death; and they were told to pray that their “flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” Thus that subject was to be ever before them and upon their minds. They were to watch for the sign, and pray always with regard to their flight when the sign appeared. In so doing, they were a light to all people in Judea, and had a message for all, that they too might so watch for the sign, and pray with regard to the flight, and be ready when the sign appeared. GCB October 1, 1899, page 94.2

After the Lord’s ascension the gospel was preached with the witnessing of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem and in Judea. And to all in these places the message was given as to the approaching desolation of the land, the deliverance of all who would believe, and the sign by which it should be known when flight was essential in order that they should be delivered from the certainly coming destruction. GCB October 1, 1899, page 94.3

Years passed, with much violence, frequent insurrections, and great slaughter; but yet there were no armies marching upon Jerusalem. At last, however, the approach of the Roman armies began. Cestius, the Roman commander in the East, “removed with his whole army” from Caeserea “and marched to Antipatris.” Next he came to Aphek, which he captured; and next to Lydda, which, being deserted, he burnt. And so he “marched forward; and ascending by Bethoron, he pitched his camp at a certain place called Gabao, fifty furlongs [seven and a half miles] distant from Jerusalem.” Next Cestius “took his whole army along with him, and put the Jews to flight, and pursued them to Jerusalem. He thus pitched his camp upon the elevation called Scopus [or watch-tower], which was distant seven furlongs from the city.” Then “on the fourth day” “he put his army in array,” and brought it into the suburbs, or outer city. The people “retired from the suburbs, and retreated into the inner part of the city, and into the temple.” Cestius burnt the suburbs, or new city, and passed on, and “came into the upper city, and pitched his camp over against the royal palace.” And now the real city was encompassed, and the siege was begun. But after besieging the place five days, when the Jews were fearing that the place would be taken immediately, when a faction had actually started to open the gates from the inside, “and to admit Cestius as their benefactor,” and when, “had he but continued the siege a little longer, he had certainly taken the city, ... that very day,”—just then, Cestius, “despairing of any expectation of taking it,” and “without having received any disgrace,” “retired from the city, WITHOUT ANY REASON IN THE WORLD.” And then “many of the most eminent of the Jews swam away from the city, as from a ship when it was going to sink.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 94.4

The given sign had come to pass. The believers had fled from Judea when the city was encompassed. But those in the city could not flee when it was surrounded. But when the army was withdrawn, then they fled also. Then, as soon as possible, all the armies that could possibly be gathered were brought into Judea, and to Jerusalem; the city was compassed round and kept in on every side; she was laid even with the ground, and her children within her; of the beautiful and massive temple not one stone was left upon another; and the nation was blotted out—and all simply because she knew not the time of her visitation; because that, though she dwelt in the blazing light of the very throne of God, she had not discernment to perceive her opportunity, nor to know, even in her day, the things that belonged to her peace. GCB October 1, 1899, page 94.5

Now, the Lord has given to his disciples to-day signs by which we shall know when the great destruction is near, just as really as to the disciples of old were given signs by which they should know when the destruction of Jerusalem, and the desolation of that land, were near. And, just as they were to study the signs which Jesus had given, and watch for the appearing of the signs, and act when the time came, if they would be delivered, so we must study the subject of these signs for our day,—must watch for the appearing of these signs,—and be ready to act when the signs appear, that we may be delivered. The people who are looking for the coming of the Lord—the people of the third angel’s message—are to flee as really as were the disciples of old; for it is written: “I saw the saints leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 94.6

There is to be a time of trouble in the land, violence of every sort, and finally, utter destruction and desolation, in our time, as really as there was in the time of the disciples in Jerusalem and Judea; for it is written: “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” “Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled.” “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation.” “It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.1

And as those things anciently must be constantly upon the minds of the disciples; as the disciples must be constantly watching for the appearing of the signs that Jesus gave, and must be expecting to flee when the sign appeared which he gave; and in view of it all, must pray that their flight should not be in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day; so it must be now with us who are in the time when trouble and violence are multiplying on the earth, and utter destruction and desolation hasten—so must we watch and be ready, and so must we pray that our flight shall not be in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.2

That there is to be a sign to us, just as there was to the disciples in Judea, is settled by the following words: “As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, SO may” a certain thing “be a SIGN TO US that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of OUR NATION’S iniquity is FULL, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, NEVER TO RETURN. The people of God will THEN be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble.”—Testimony No. 32, p. 207. GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.3

It is, therefore, certain that the situation in Jerusalem and Judea, as described in the words of Jesus, and the signs which he gave to his disciples, by which they should know when to flee, that they might be delivered, and what they were to do in view of that certainly coming time—all this is written for our learning, and is instruction to us in our day, just as it was instruction to them in their day. GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.4

What, then, is this certain thing which, to us in our day, corresponds to the approach of the Roman armies to Jerusalem? Is it not important that we should know? And is not the importance of this matter sufficient to demand that we shall diligently inquire, search, and study, that we may know? For as there is to be this sign for us, just as really as there was that sign for them of old, if any to-day do not know what this sign is, how shall these escape any more than did they of old who did not know the things that belonged to their peace, nor the time of their visitation? GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.5

Only those who fled, escaped; and as their flight was to be so sudden when the sign appeared, only those who were ready, could obey. Therefore they must be so well informed with respect to the sign, that they would be able to mark its first token, detecting even a sign of the sign; and in this time make their preparation so that, when the sign itself appeared, they could obey; having all things so well prepared as to be able to flee so suddenly that they would not need even to come down to take anything out of the house, nor to turn back to take any clothes. GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.6

What, then, is this certain thing in our day which may “be a sign to US that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return,” just “as the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem”? What is it? Read it:— GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.7

“When ... our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, THEN we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.8

And “as the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, SO may THIS APOSTASY be a SIGN to US that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.9

Now, do you see this sign? Do you see any sign of the sign? And, if this sign, or even if only a sign of the sign is sufficiently apparent to be seen, and you do not see anything of it, then where do you stand with reference to being ready, in this time of the end? If all this is so, will there not be danger that you, not knowing this, will be among those who are saying, in their hearts, “My Lord delayeth his coming”? Will there not be danger that you shall not know the things that belong unto your peace, nor the time of your visitation? GCB October 1, 1899, page 95.10

Bear in mind that it was “the approach of Roman armies” that was a sign to the disciples, not only the surrounding of the city, by the armies. The surrounding of the city was the final sign: the approach of the Roman armies was the sign of this final sign. The approach of the Roman armies was the sign by which the disciples should know that they must be ready for instant flight when the final sign, which was but the consequence of this sign of the sign, should appear. And as that approach of the Roman armies was a sign to them of the final sign, so this apostasy of the United States from Protestant and republican principles, is to be to us the sign of the final sign: the sign by which we shall know when we must prepare and be ready for flight when the final sign shall appear. GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.1

Do you, then, see any signs of this sign? Is our country repudiating any principle of its Constitution as a Protestant government? Do you see any sign that it will soon repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant government? Several years ago all Seventh-day Adventists saw plain signs of this. Do you now see these same signs as plainly as you saw them several years ago? Do you see progress in that direction beyond what you saw several years ago? Are there to-day added tokens to those which were so plain to you six to ten years ago? If not, why? Is it because that these signs have ceased? Is it because progress in that direction has ceased, and even been turned to the retrograde? The truth is that there has been no backward move in that matter; there has been no cessation of signs which were then so plain; those all abide, and many have been lately added, and are still being continually added. Do you see them? Are you steadily watching, diligently searching, and thoughtfully studying, the subject of these signs? GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.2

But our nation’s repudiation of Protestant principles is but one part of the sign; for it is written: “Our country shall repudiate” not only “every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant government,” but also “every principle of its Constitution as a REPUBLICAN government.” Both of these together constitute the sign. GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.3

Do you, then, see any tokens of the United States’ repudiating any principle of its Constitution as a republican government? Do you see anything that indicates any tendency in that direction? Do you see repudiated any “principles of the Constitution as a republican government”? Is not this one of the things to be looked for? Is not this a part of the sign which is given? If you are not looking for it, then how much do you believe with respect to the nearness of the coming of the Lord, and the coming of violence, destruction, and desolation in the land? GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.4

But you do believe that we are in just this time of peril, and of the impending destruction. That is why you bear the name Seventh-day Adventist. This being so, and the repudiation of republican principles by our country being a vital part of the sign which the Lord has given, by which we shall know when the time of Jacob’s trouble will break upon the world,—then should you not be looking for this sign? Should you not be interestedly noting whether there be anything of this kind passing? And if it should be that all this is passing just now, and you do not see it, then what? Then how do you really stand with reference to the dangers, and the duties of this present time? If any of this should be passing and you not see it, is there not a fearful danger that you may be of those in this our day who know not the things that belong to their peace, and know not the time of their visitation? GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.5

Have you heard of any such declarations—national, representative declarations—as that— GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.6

“Governments derive their just powers from the consent of SOME of the governed”?— GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.7

That— GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.8

“To-day there are those that wave the Declaration of Independence in our faces.... As to that hallowed document that declares that all governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, if that is to be literally construed, there never was a greater falsehood palmed off by the devil upon a credulous world”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.9

That—the true meaning of the declaration that “governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,” is that “government exist for the benefit of the governed”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.10

That— GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.11

“the Declaration of Independence was made to suit a particular existing condition of things,” and “meant simply that the colonies had become tired of the British domination, deeming it oppressive; and intended to set up a government of their own by the right of revolution,” and that “they were not laying down a principle for anybody except themselves”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 96.12

That— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.1

“the Declaration of Independence was a formal notice that the inhabitants of the colonies consented no longer to British rule”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.2

That—the Declaration of Independence was “simply their manifesto to European powers, and is not law”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.3

That men must— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.4

“resist the crazy extension of the doctrine that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.5

That— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.6

“a constitution, a national policy, adopted by thirteen half-consolidated, weak, rescued colonies, glad to be able to call their life their own, can not be expected to hamper the greatest nation in the world”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.7

That— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.8

“this nation has become a giant, who is no longer content with the nursery rimes which were sung around his cradle”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.9

That, in the matter of supplying good government to people,— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.10

“it matters little whether the ballot has much or little to do with the process”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.11

That—government can be conducted “without the Constitution”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.12

That— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.13

“within the territory now owned by the United States, in spite of the Thirteenth amendment and the war of the rebellion, slavery still exists, ... and it is to be hoped that Congress, when it comes to act, will see the advisability of letting the present treaty stand as it is—at least for the present”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.14

Have you heard of all this, and much more, to the same effect? And do you know that all public affairs are being conducted to-day in accordance with the principle of these quotations? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.15

Have you heard of any of this? If you have heard of all of it, or even of only any of it, and know that the public affairs are being conducted in accordance with this principle, what then, does that say to you? Do you see in it any token of a repudiation of republican principle by this country? Do you see in it anything that suggests the “apostasy” designated by the Spirit of Prophecy? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.16

There are people who see exactly these things in it all. European nations see it. A single quotation from a European thinker, and one from one of the most substantial journals of the United States, will illustrate what candid observers see. A German writer says:— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.17

“If the American republic ever meant anything historically, it meant a protest against Europe. Its Declaration of Independence was a looking backward over European conditions, and a summing up of all the experience thus won. It corresponded politically to Luther’s theses: just as the one was a renunciation of Catholicism, so was the other a renunciation and defiance of imperialism. Over one hundred years it has endured. GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.18

“Europe has not changed essentially meanwhile. It has forms of liberty, but the substantial reality is still militarism, or government by authority and the might of the strongest. So if Europe be unchanged, why should America relinquish her avocation of protestation by turning round and becoming like her? ... Oh, madness! I say, madness! They are doing they know now what,—giving up their birthright for a mess of pottage; surrendering their grand attitude of protest, wherein they commanded the respect of the powerful and the adoration of the idealists of the world.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.19

The Springfield (Mass.) Republican says:— GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.20

“The time has come in this republic when a resolution repeating word for word the preamble of the Declaration of Independence can not be suffered to reach a vote in a religious denominational convention.... Such incidents indicate an apostasy from the Declaration somewhere, somehow, by some one.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.21

Luther’s theses were the origin of Protestantism. The Declaration of Independence was the origin of modern republican government. In this nation not only republican principle, but Protestant principle, has had its fairest field before the world, as a light and an example for the world. And now, when it has come to pass that every principle of the Constitution of this nation, as a Protestant and republican government, is being steadily repudiated, and the nations are seeing it and are noting this “apostasy,” should not we know that the time has almost come “for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 97.22

Now if you have not seen any of this, and do not see any of it now; and it is all going on,-and nothing else on that subject is going on,-then do you believe that there ever is to be any such thing as our country repudiating every principle of its Constitution as a republican government? And, if you do believe that there ever is to be any such thing as the repudiation of republican principle by the United States government, then when you read all these statements, or even any of them, or any of the same purport, and know that the governmental affairs are being conduced according to this principle alone—then is it not time, yes, is it not HIGH TIME, that you began to perceive, in all this, the sign of the FINAL SIGN that is to tell us that the time of Jacob’s trouble is about to break upon the world, and that the end is, indeed, near? GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.1

The truth is that, in the repudiation of republican principle, this nation has gone fully as far as it has in the repudiation of Protestant principle. The two belong together. They came in together; and when one is repudiated, the other must go. The signs of the FINAL SIGN have now become so abundant—so much of the course has been taken—that, in the nature of things, the space between where we are now, and the sign which shall be the appearing of the FINAL SIGN, can be only VERY, VERY BRIEF! GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.2

Do you see the progress of this two-fold movement, as the disciples saw” the approach of the Roman armies”? This is what must be seen to-day, by those who will be ready to-day; for this is the situation as it is to-day. GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.3

This progress has not simply begun, corresponding to the march of the Roman armies from Caesarea to Antipatris. This progress corresponds, rather, to the period when the approach of the Roman armies had reached that “watchtower” station, ready, next, to descend to the suburbs of the city. And every one who will be ready, must awake, arouse, and bestir himself, in preparation, to be ready when the FINAL SIGN shall appear. GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.4

That FINAL SIGN is the repudiation by this country of every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government. At the present station of this progress, it is impossible to be long before every principle will have been repudiated. The FINAL STEP is that “Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power,” and “shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism.” THEN IT IS that “under the influence of this threefold union” “our country shall repudiate EVERY principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.5

And then, when this final step occurs, “THEN we may KNOW that the time HAS COME for the MARVELOUS WORKING OF SATAN, and that THE END IS NEAR.” And “as the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may this apostasy be a sign to us that the limit of God’s forbearance is reached, that the measure of our nation’s iniquity is full, and that the angel of mercy is about to take her flight, never to return. The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress which prophets have described as the time of Jacob’s trouble.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.6

“Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.” Do you see this sign to us as the disciples saw the “approach of the Roman armies? In this time of preparation, are you preparing to depart? In this time of watching are you ready to flee? Are you so separated from this world and all things in the world that you can go suddenly without looking back? So suddenly that you shall not need nor want to go down to take anything out of the house, nor turn back to take your clothes? Are you getting ready for this? And are you praying that your flight may “be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day”? GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.7

And in all this are you yourself a sign, a warning, and instruction to those who know not of the impending destruction? There is a message for all people to-day, as in the days of the disciples in Jerusalem and Judea. Have you this message? Are you giving the message with the certain sound of the trumpet? or are you hesitating, uncertain, and “do not know”? And if you do not know, ought you not to know? And how shall you know but by seeking the Lord with all the heart? GCB October 1, 1899, page 98.8

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let them return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and unto our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 99.1

Now is the time to prepare, to be ready, to watch, and to pray; and to pray “that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 99.2

A. T. JONES. GCB October 1, 1899, page 99.3