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A Heaven to Win, January 27
Watch ye therefore, and pray always.
Luke 21:36
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The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God
is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth....
The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are
right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict
in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are
common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed
of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men
have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails.
Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are
ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God
is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and
by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every
grade.... Rapidly are men ranging themselves under the banner they have
chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their
leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our
Lord’s appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship
of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a
hell to shun and a heaven to win.
The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens,
passing over its usual round.... Men are still eating and drinking, planting
and building, marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying
and selling. Men are jostling one against another, contending for the highest
place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races, gambling
hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation’s hour is fast closing,
and every case is about to be eternally decided....
Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning
words of our Lord from the Mount of Olives: “Take heed to yourselves, lest
at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness,
and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
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