On the Mount of Olives
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upon them.”
1 Thessalonians 5:3
. Upon all who dwell on the face of
the whole earth, upon all who make this world their home, the day of
God will come as a snare. It comes to them as a prowling thief.
The world, full of rioting, full of godless pleasure, is asleep, asleep
in carnal security. Men are putting afar off the coming of the Lord.
They laugh at warnings. The proud boast is made, “All things continue
as they were from the beginning.” “Tomorrow shall be as this day,
and much more abundant.”
2 Peter 3:4
;
Isaiah 56:12
. We will go
deeper into pleasure loving. But Christ says, “Behold, I come as a
thief.”
Revelation 16:15
. At the very time when the world is asking in
scorn, “Where is the promise of His coming?” the signs are fulfilling.
While they cry, “Peace and safety,” sudden destruction is coming.
When the scorner, the rejecter of truth, has become presumptuous;
when the routine of work in the various money-making lines is carried
on without regard to principle; when the student is eagerly seeking
knowledge of everything but his Bible, Christ comes as a thief.
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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. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is
assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. 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, and the heavens still declare
the glory of God. 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.
Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work