The Day of the Lord

WHEN Jesus ceases his intercessions before the throne of mercy, the great day of wrath commences. The seven last plagues begin to be poured out. Under the sixth vial; the unclean spirits go out, by authority, to gather the armies of the earth to battle. Jesus comes taking vengeance on the nations that know not God and obey not the gospel, the battle in the day of the Lord is fought, the saints are taken to Heaven, and the remnant of the wicked are cut off, and the earth lies desolate, while the saints reign with Christ a thousand years. At the close of this period, Jesus and his people return to earth, the wicked are raised to life, having been judged by Christ and his saints, while they were dead, and they compass the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire comes down from God out of Heaven and devours them. With the destruction of the enemies of the Lord and the renovation of the earth, ends the day of the Lord's wrath, and the day of eternity begins. Then there will be no more evil or curse, but eternal felicity to all the overcomers; and they shall inherit the earth and dwell therein forever. The enemies of the Lord having been destroyed, there will be no more wrath, but all creatures living will join in ascriptions of praise to God. "For yet a little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction." Isa. 10:25. See Rev. 5:13.

Now we glance at some of the evidences that the great and terrible day of the Lord is nigh at hand. A large field opens before us; but we shall only refer to the principal signs, and not go into the details, or argue the points at length. Those who wish to investigate thoroughly, are referred to the publications advertised in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

In the first place, we call attention to the prophecy contained in the second chapter of Daniel. The four great kingdoms represented by the four parts of the metallic image of this chapter, have arisen, the fourth has been divided and nothing remains of this prophecy but that the God of Heaven should set up his everlasting kingdom.

The vision of Dan. 7 presents the same earthly kingdoms under the symbols of four great beasts. Then the papacy is presented by the symbol of the little horn, and the time of its continuance is given—a time, times, and a half a time—or, literally, twelve hundred and sixty years. This period has elapsed since the division of the Roman empire and the establishment of the Papacy in the ancient seat of the dragon. The period commenced in 538, and ended in 1798; its beginning and ending being clearly marked by historical events. What more does the prophecy contain? The taking away of his dominion to consume and destroy to the end. Or, as Paul has expressed it, "Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming."

In harmony with these prophecies, the civil power of the pope has been consuming away, since the taking away of his dominion in 1798, till scarcely a shadow of it remains, and as this power is to remain to the advent, to be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming, it is plain that his coming is at hand. The beasts of this chapter have had their fulfillment in the four great empires. The fourth has been divided, as represented by the ten horns. Three of these have fallen, and the Papacy has been established. This has continued its full time of 1260 years, when his dominion was taken away. Since that event, this power has been consuming, and what remains to be fulfilled? Nothing but the destruction of this Man of Sin by the brightness of Christ's coming. The coming of Christ is the very next event in this prophecy.

The signs which the Saviour gave of his coming the second time have also been fulfilled. The sun and moon have been darkened, the stars have fallen according to his word; and nothing remains in this line of prophecy but such as take place after the close of probation, and after the day of the Lord has actually commenced; viz., the shaking of the powers of heaven, the sign of the Son of man, and his actual personal coming. Says our Saviour, "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree. When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." All in this has been fulfilled, up to the commencement of the day of the Lord; and we are assured that the generation living when this is the case, will not pass, till Christ shall come and send forth his angels and gather his elect.

The preaching of the gospel of the kingdom is another sign that the end is near. As we come down to the close of the great prophetic periods, the closing messages are proclaimed. And though this is fulfilled through the agency of fallible men, yet it is as certain and infallible a sign, as those in the sun, moon, and stars. These messages, recorded in Rev. 14:6-12, are being fulfilled. As the period of 2300 days of Dan. 8:14, was drawing to its close, the first of these was announced: "The hour of his judgment is come." To the believing, who have thoroughly investigated, there can remain no doubt that this prophecy points to, and has its fulfillment in, the great Advent movement of 1840-44. The assertion that that preaching was false—that the hour of judgment did not come, because we have witnessed no change, is sufficiently answered by the fact that the judgment-hour message is not the last—that it is followed by another, and still another, that of the "third angel," before the Son of man appears upon the white cloud. And in this order we see the fulfillment. The second message, and then the third have been announced. And for us to doubt at this stage of the fulfillment, shows a want of faith in God and his word.

The third message warns the people of the coming of the day of the Lord, the great day of his wrath. Now, there is a proclamation that claims to be its fulfillment, and it bears the characteristics of the genuine work. Other signs show that it is now time to expect this message. All who study the prophecies, know that we are living in the last days: and if S. D. Adventists are not fulfilling this prophecy, those who believe that the day of the Lord is at hand, should point to something now taking place which is the true fulfillment. It will not do to expect the coming of that day without a manifest fulfillment of this most solemn message of the word of God. Those who do, will be sadly disappointed—the day will find them unprepared; for those who do not heed the message will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which will be poured out in that great day of wrath.

Now, while the day is at hand, the solemn warning of the third angel is being given. God's word is verified, and his throne guiltless, though men may fail to believe. And of all poor deluded souls, those will be most wretched who profess to believe that the day of wrath is at hand, and still slight the only message that can prepare them to meet it with joy.

The nations are angry, and the wrath of God is sure to follow. Rev. 11:18. In mercy God is warning men of what is coming, and pointing to the means of escape. All who will be saved alive, must "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

Who would reject God's last compassionate effort to save them? The gracious message is addressed to all. Sinners, professors, ministers, will you receive it?