OF THE unes

Our Bewildered World VOLUME 79, NO.13 APRIL 1,1952 Day of Reckoning Your Bible Questions finswered

Peter and the Rock Please explain Matthew 16:13-19. I have been told that this is the time when Peter was given the authority to forgive sins and also was made head of the church. Mrs. M. G. A number of considerations are against the interpretation which makes Peter the head of the church and the exclusive possessor of Editor Arthur S. Maxwell authority to forgive sins. Associate Editor . . . Merlin L. Neff I. Peter's confession, "Thou art the Christ, Assistant Editor . . . Charles D. Utt the Son of the living God" (verse 16), was not Vol. 79, No. 13 APRIL 1, 1952 new at this time, nor exclusively Peter's. Pre- viously, when Christ had stilled the tempest, all in the ship had confessed Christ to be the Son of God. Matthew 14:33. Christ made His CONTENTS reply to Peter because Peter, always ready to speak, had answered His question, "But whom YOUR BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED 2 say ye that I am?" but this did not mean that EDITORIALS : "OPERATION BANKRUPTCY" 3 He gave the power to Peter alone or that He THE BIBLE AND THE WAR 4 meant to place him above the other disciples. 2. Christ said, "Thou art Peter [Petros], DAY OF RECKONING Harry W Lowe 5 and upon this Rock [petra] I will build My TODAY (POEM) Ruth Ladd Gruesbeck 5 church." Petros is a masculine noun meaning IN THE NEWS Donald W McKay 6 "stone." It is the Greek equivalent of Cephas, an Aramaic word meaning "stone." John 1:42. THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS COMING M. L. Andreasen 7 "Rock" is from Greek Petra, a feminine noun OUR BEWILDERED WORLD . . Roy F. Cottrell 8 meaning solid or native rock. IS THE LAW DEAD Francis D. Nichol 10 Christ's church therefore is built not upon Petros, a stone, but upon this Petra, the solid A YOUTH'S PRAYER (POEM) . William R. Harbour 10 rock of truth of Peter's confession that Christ HAND ON THE HELM Louis Halswick 11 is the Son of God. If Christ had intended to FROM EDEN LOST TO EDEN RESTORED Richard F .Farley 12 say that Peter was the rock upon which His church would be built, Greek grammar would WATER OF LIFE Mrs E E Andross 16 have required, "Thou art Petros, and upon this petrO [dative case of Petros] I will build My 4 church." When the Douay (Catholic) Bible states in its footnote on Matthew 16:18, "The OUR COVER words of Christ to Peter, spoken in the vulgar Alone near the battle front, this soldier searches the language of the Jews which our Lord made use of, were the same as if he had said in Bible for an answer to the perplexing problems of our English, Thou art a Rock, and upon this rock time. Millions like him, in every walk of life, yearn I will build my church," it overlooks this im- for the same satisfaction. They want to know why portant grammatical distinction. The same there have to be seemingly endless wars and rumors of difference in the words also appears in the war, despite the heroic efforts of the best of men to Latin of the Vulgate, from which the Douay create world peace and brotherhood. They want to Version is translated. know why, with all the inventions, all the comforts, all 3. That the rock upon which Christ would the laborsaving devices of our day, there remain so build His church is the truth of Peter's words, not Peter himself, is the teaching of the much poverty, unrest, and unhappiness. They want to apostles, including Peter. Paul built upon the know why, after two thousand years of Christianity, foundation of Christ directly, not indirectly there are so much corruption and lawlessness even in upon Peter. 1 Corinthians 3:10, 11. Again, WI; "Christian" nations. Is there an answer? Does the Paul says that believers "are built upon the Bible have it? Read "Our Bewildered World," by Roy foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus F. Cottrell, on page 8 of this issue. Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone." Ephesians 2:20. Peter is only one of the apostles referred to. Peter declared Christ to be the foundation stone. Acts 4:11; 1 Peter CIRCULATION MANAGER K. CHRISTMAN H. 2:4-7. Printed and published weekly (four issues a month) by the Pacific 4. On a later occasion the disciples disputed Press Publishing Association at Mountain View, California, U.S.A. En- among themselves who should be the greatest tered as second-class matter September 15, 1904, at the post office at (Matthew 18:1; Luke 22:24), and the mother Mountain View, California, under Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for of James and John came to Jesus, asking that mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of her sons might occupy the chief places in His October 3, 1917, and authorized September 18, 1918. kingdom (Matthew 20:20). Christ told her RATES in U. S. A.: Single copy, one year $2 25 that these places of preferment were not His to Clubs of five or more to one address, each 2 00 give. Verse 23. All of the remaining ten were To Canada and other countries taking extra postage: indignant at the request. Verse 24. If the Single copy, one year (U. S. funds) $2 75 prince of the apostles had already been desig- Clubs of five or more to one address, each (U. S. funds) . . . 2.25 nated, these questions and disputes would not Please make all checks and money orders payable to Signs of the Times, have arisen; or, if they had, Christ would have Mountain View, California. reminded the disciples that He had already In requesting change of address, please give both old and new addresses. appointed their chief. It is contrary to the No papers are sent except on paid subscriptions. principles of Christ's kingdom to set one above another. "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Matthew 23:8. • • • ''"1,z'i4'%<-,:tX.K.WA:Tong.;',,14" • ' 5. In all the New Testament there is no (Continued on page 14) Page Two SIGNS of the TIMES On a mock invasion beach, Navy medics practice evacuation of wounded by helicop- ter during maneuvers at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Wilson sees the "low-priced" car of to- day costing $4,400 before 196o. A mod- est $8,o0o home will then be priced at $15,000 to $25,000. Wages in "strong demand industries,—steel, auto, coal" will keep pace with inflation; but for mil- lions of people there will be hardship and privation. Edwin G. Nourse, noted economist, summarizes the danger of "Operation Bankruptcy" in these words: "Most tragic of all will be the plight of people who get their income in fixed dollar amounts from bonds, pensions, and in- surance. As prices go up they would have no way of increasing the number of dollars they receive. This group has ply w< ,,,EiRtzeW ACME already been struck hard and it will bear the full destructive force of any rising spiral yet to come." THE FLIGHT OF TimF The economist also points out that economic collapse can come if men "lose faith in the dollar. One sign of weaken- ing faith is heavy investment of Ameri- can dollars in Canadian securities on the ground that Canada has a balanced bud- get. A far more significant sign of weak- "Operation Bankruptcy ening faith in the dollar is the unwill- ingness of people to buy Government NEW and sinister type of destruc- cost $9,000 in World War I. The price bonds... A tion is being accomplished by the tag on a plane in World War II was "If the breakdown comes, the dollar god of war in these hectic times. Mars $52,000. But today the cost of the most might not just drop to half its present has turned upon the nations that are advanced jet fighters has shot higher value. The bottom might fall out of it making the instruments of death and than they can fly, for the government and then we would get a general break- is driving them toward bankruptcy. must pay $600,000 for one jet F89 Scor- down of business relations. . . . It would Whether the world engages in a third pion. inevitably be the end of the U.S. as we global struggle or not, the crash of the How long can nations pour their re- have known it. The government would financial structure and the end of eco- sources into billion-dollar atom bombs, take over the whole fabric of our society." nomic stability is certain if the mad two-hundred-million-dollar airplane Bible prophecy foretells the unstable armament race continues. carriers, three-and-a-half-million-dollar economy of our civilization prior to the The cost of killing has gone up even bombers, and all the other fantastically end of the age. Listen to the inspired faster than the cost of living, Life points priced weapons to keep Mars up to date? words: "Come now, you rich men, weep out. This year $52,1oo,000,000 of the Consider what is happening to Great and shriek over your impending miser- Federal budget is earmarked for mili- Britain. Her dollar in gold reserve is ies! You have been storing up treasure tary spending, unless Congress changes reported to have fallen below the safety in the very last days; your wealth lies the figures. This is what Americans are mark of some two billion dollars. This rotting, and your clothes are moth-eaten; asked to pay for the mad dance of death is a most serious turn of events in post- your gold and silver lie rusted over, and and destruction. war economics. British financial losses their rust will be evidence against you, The scientific weapons of today's war are mounting steadily because of the it will devour your flesh like fire." James are costly beyond the wildest imagina- drop in export sales, the closing of the 5:1-3, Moffatt. tion. Take the cost of a bombsight—the Anglo-Iranian refinery, and the unrest The uncertainty of the times should standard equipment of a bomber. In in Egypt, Iraq, and Malaya. Yet while teach every Christian the truth concern- World War I the bombsight cost $67.85. on the verge of economic disaster Great ing "the deceitfulness of riches." Mark At the close of World War II the Norden Britain tries valiantly to build up arma- 4:19. Men boast of "the security of their bombsight on a B-17 cost $5,000. Today ments and create atomic weapons. investments," they tell how they are "lay- the radar bombsight costs $25o,000. This The armament race is producing ing up savings for old age." Today, how- is an increase in cost of almost 3,70o "Operation Bankruptcy" whether we ever, they realize their wealth could melt times. want to admit it or not. Chief Mobilizer away overnight and that they might be A bombing plane cost the government Charles E. Wilson, watching the spiral left paupers. "The deceitfulness of $11,500 in World War I. The giant Con- of inflation, warns that "economic trou- riches" is proving all too true as the vair B-36D costs $3,5oo,000 today. A ble" lies ahead. Unless inflation, pro- world's economic structure creaks and fighter plane of the most advanced type duced by the armament race, is halted, totters. for APRIL 1, 1952 Page Three May God turn our eyes to the spiritual miraculously protected his life also be- dents, and 822 are enrolled in the Bible values which cannot be swept away. May comes a symbol of the spiritual armor correspondence course. we heed the words of the apostle James, that protects every Christian. The most Chaplain Earle Woodberry, who is who, in the same chapter of his epistle recent incident of this kind, which was working in the prisoner-of-war camps that describes last-day economic condi- reported in the Bible Society Record, oc- in South Korea, writes in the Bible Soci- tions, says, "Be patient therefore, breth- curred on the front lines in Korea. A ety Record (February, 1952) : "We stand ren, unto the coming of the Lord. . . . private found himself the target of Chi- amazed and awed as we look back over Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: nese bullets. Two pierced his New Tes- these past six months, and exclaim, for the coming of the Lord draweth tament which he was carrying in his `What hath God wrought!' The wrath nigh." James 5:7, 8. M. L. N. "book-bulge" with a packet of letters. of man' pitted against the omnipotence One bullet was stopped by the letters of God; result—`things wonderful and after it had passed through the Testa- God-wrought' in an ever-widening se- The Bible and the War ment; and the other, striking the Testa- quence. Prisoners of war have become ment obliquely, went through about prisoners of the Lord Jesus; captives HAT book goes to the battlefield, three inches of the paper and stopped at have become God's freemen; hopeless Wwhen all other books must be left John 12:46, which reads, "I am come a sinners have become new creatures in behind ? The answer appears on the light into the world, that whosoever be- Christ Jesus. . . . front page of this week's Signs of the lieveth on Me should not abide in dark- "Instead of Korean missionaries going Times. It is the book that brings com- ness." One can believe that a truth so to China's masses as they formerly did, fort and hope to millions of men and dramatically called to his attention will China's masses are pouring down into women in every walk of life, and its mes- never fade from the mind of this sol- Korea. Although the door to China was closed to the preachers of the gospel, •<;.., •-".• still 'a door and effectual is open,' and God's Spirit-filled Korean missionaries who speak Chinese stand with their arms of love open, inviting these desperate souls to seek the Saviour." Chaplain Woodberry reports that in the early months of 1951, at the begin- ning of his work among the prisoners of war, his voluntary audiences in the barbed-wire enclosures were from 1,500 to 2,000; now he preaches to as many as 7,000. The chaplain says, "God is taking the Reds' own war and using it to spread the gospel to thousands who never would have heard it behind the Iron Curtain." In other areas of the Far East as well the Bible is finding ready acceptance, and Christian missions are advancing in spite of difficulties. In Japan 36,565 Bibles ACME Equipped with a new type of molded plastic combat suit, these GI's are unsinkable. and 671,009 New Testaments were dis- tributed in 1950, and smaller Scripture sage does not fail the man who must face dier and his buddies who saw the bullet- portions put the total above three mil- the stark conditions of modern war. He pierced Book. In these few words is the lion. In Formosa one hundred thousand can never be alone if he has God's word essential message of the gospel, which Chinese Testaments have been distrib- and lets it speak to his heart. we all should take to heart for the saving uted to military personnel and civilians. The soldier pictured in the midst of of our souls, just as the New Testament Thus under apparently hopeless cir- the desolation caused by war is but one saved the soldier's physical life on the cumstances people hear and accept the of thousands of men in military service battlefield. gospel. We believe that what God says on land and sea and in the air who read Another fruitful field for Bible distri- about His word will be fulfilled in the the Bible. Many men take their own bution is among the Chinese and North lives of thousands in war-torn lands : Bibles or New Testaments with them Korean soldiers now in Allied prison "For as the rain cometh down, and the when they enter the service; and it is the camps. Thousands of both officers and snow from heaven, and returneth not purpose of the American Bible Society,- men have shown an eagerness to learn of thither, but watereth the earth, and mak- the Gideons, and other organizations to the Bible and its saving message for men. eth it bring forth and bud, that it may see that all others who will accept them The great need is for Testaments and give seed to the sower, and bread to the are provided with copies. Some service- Scripture portions in sufficient numbers eater : so shall My word be that goeth men who receive Bibles or Testaments to supply those asking for them. One forth out of My mouth: it shall not re- as gifts have not been Bible readers, and chaplain writes of the prisoners in his turn unto Me void, but it shall accom- have not even had a Bible or a Testa- charge, "They are ready to listen, and plish that which I please, and it shall ment in their hands before; but among we have something to give them in the prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." this group there are many who begin Scriptures. . . . You will be glad to hear, Isaiah 55:10, II. reading and find that the Bible reveals I know, that we have started a Bible We pray that the day may soon come to them their spiritual needs and that it institute here." This institute opened when all whose hearts are troubled will gives the answer to these needs. with thirty-eight in attendance. It now know the peace that God's word has for A soldier's New Testament which has an enrollment of more than 250 stu- them. C. D. U. Page Four SIGNS of the TIMES DAY OF RECKONING

Why the Judgment Is Inevitable How God Will Vindicate Himself Before the Universe

by HARRY W. LOWE r OR reasons of His own, God permitted evil to develop and demonstrate itself as contrasted L. with righteousness. Men were to see a demonstration of things they would not otherwise believe. Perhaps only in this way could mortal beings lose forever the desire to experiment with wickedness and rebellion against God. This involves, sooner or later, a intervention at a specific point of time in human history, such as is pro- through the Bible with this thought in termination in history. "For the hour is vided in the Biblical day of judgment. mind, you would find more than one coming, in the which all that are in the Freedom to choose right or wrong in- thousand references to the judgment. graves shall hear His voice, and shall volves either a final day of reckoning, This teaching came near to disappearing come forth; they that have done good, or eventual universal catastrophe. It from our modern pulpits, but men of unto the resurrection of life; and they resolves itself, in other words, into the the world are bringing it back into our that have done evil, unto the resurrec- justification and triumph of God or of thinking. This is an age of bomb and tion of damnation." John 5:28, 29. the devil. blitz, and impending destruction; and Not once only did He utter such The apostle Paul declared, "For we it is therefore not difficult to understand predictions. On another occasion He must all appear before the judgment the last day of Scripture. Today we dif- said, "For the Son of man shall come in seat of Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:1o. If fer somewhat over the nature of the the glory of His Father with His angels; you had the time and inclination to read events which may end human existence, and then He shall reward every man but not over their inevitability. When according to his works." Matthew 16:27. God vindicates righteousness before the The unpopularity of these things is world, there must of necessity emerge a due to an objection to the idea of retri- righteous world. bution. Men do not wish to meet their TODAY "Final judgment there must be; but past actions or to hear their bygone there must be something beyond it, viz., words.' They have too many skeletons in by RUTH LADD GRUESBECK the fulfillment of God's purpose in a what they hope are fast-locked closets. This day the Lord has given thee, universe which in every corner mirrors Skeptics used to smile when Chris- All clean and fair. and expresses the praise of His good- tians of an earlier generation quoted Let not a stain of selfishness ness," says Dr. Oliver Quick, in Doc- Christ's words, "Every idle word that Be written there; trines of the Creed, widely used in Epis- men shall speak, they shall give account But acts of love and words of peace, And kindness to "the least of these," copalian circles. thereof in the day of judgment." Mat- And humble prayer. thew 12:36. In this radio-conscious age, Jesus and Judgment however, we do not raise an eyelid in Then when the sunlight fades away It is popular to present Jesus as the surprise when science tells us that the And day is o'er, God's peace will bless thee through teacher of morality and the exemplar of human voice, which so easily and the night kindness, peace, and brotherly love. He quickly girdles the globe, rolls on and And evermore. was all that and infinitely more. He ex- out through space for hundreds of years. pounded doctrine and uttered many We can still hear the voice of Caruso So simple is the recipe for happiness: prophecies concerning the end of this and Melba and Clara Butt, long years In living lovingly today, ourselves world. In theological terms, Christ's after their decease. We should no we bless. eschatology, or teaching about the last longer smile at the thought of recording things, was specific that the judgment of angels and of works and words sent on God was to be an intervention and a to judgment, nor of heaven's ability to for APRIL 1, 1952 Page Five reward every man according to his graphs of Hitler, Mussolini, and Petain That day of wrath, that dreadful day, works. are authentic scientific pictures of the When heaven and earth shall pass away, There is a saying attributed to Anne dead, and on the other, that the Creator What power shall be the sinner's stay? of Austria which illustrates the cer- cannot produce these men in person, How shall he meet that dreadful day? tainty of judgment: "God is a sure pay- with all others who have passed this A Day of Deliverance master. He may not pay at the end of way, and by means of a resurrection of We must not, however, allow our every week, or month, or year; but, re- the dead gather all men in judgment minds to think that the day of reckon- member, He pays in the end." before His throne? ing is a day of unrelieved gloom. None This latter gathering before the but the deliberately sinful need fear that The Apostles and the Day throne of God is precisely what John day. To men and women whose sins of Reckoning presents to us: "And I saw the dead, are forgiven that day will bring to frui- Paul preached unequivocally that small and great, stand before God; and tion all their deepest longings and aspi- "every one of us shall' give account of the books were opened: and another rations for a higher and better life. "He himself to God." Romans 14:12. Why book was opened, which is the book of that soweth to the Spirit shall of the should modern man believe, on the one life: and the dead were judged out of Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians hand, that Truman, Stalin, and Church- those things which were written in the 6 :8. ill can be recorded for hearing a hun- books, according to their works." Reve- Heaven has means of recording every dred years hence, and, on the other, that lation 20:12. kindly deed, every act of mercy, every God cannot reproduce the words of That is the reckoning day which man noble word, every sincere effort to up- Pharaoh, Herod, Pontius Pilate, and all can neither delay nor escape. To the hold goodness and truth. All of this, as the other little mortals who have flitted wicked, that is the "Dies Irae, Dies Illa" well as the revelation of evil, will come through the earthly scene? Why should which inspired the great medieval to light before heaven and earth in the we believe, on the one hand, that photo- hymn: great day when God will "declare . . . His righteousness: that He might be • just, and the Justifier of him which be- lieveth in Jesus." Romans 3:26. In the famous passage where Paul d Fri says, "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ," he quotes this pr. prophecy: "As I live, saith the Lord, I Pr 1 every knee shall bow to Me, and every ft _ g tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11. New Peak for Security Offerings ion. This once again proves that man is his In a parallel passage Paul speaks of The value of new securities offered to own worst enemy. In second place, but Christ's willingness to die for the sins lagging far behind people, comes govern- the public in New York City in 1951 was of men, as a consequence of which: the largest for any year since 1929, totaling ment, while "the war situation" ranks third $6,518,117,000, against $6,696,716,000 in in the list of favorite irritations. "God also hath highly exalted Him, and 1929, reports the New York Times. New given Him a name which is above every bond offerings were smaller than in 1950, Air-Express Parcels name: that at the name of Jesus every but stock financing was larger. The average weight of an air-express knee should bow; . . . and that every shipment has grown from 8.6 pounds in tongue should confess that Jesus Christ Atom Submarine 1941 to 27 pounds in 1951, it is reported by is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." An official Navy publication disclosed re- the air-express division of the Railway Ex- Philippians 2:9-11. That will be uni- cently that the giant atomic-powered sub- press Agency. versal vindication for the righteousness marines of the future, one of which is now of God. being built, would attain underwater speeds as high as thirty-five knots, or about forty Hand-Copied Bible In the great reckoning day, lost sin- miles per hour, according to the New York William Gille received a unique Christ- ners will confess—too late—that God Times. The best submerged speed expected mas present—a copy of the Bible written has been righteous. Good men will con- of some of the latest type conventionally in longhand by his mother, reports the fess now and rest in the justice and powered undersea craft, not yet tested, is Associated Press. Mrs. William Gille, a mercy of a loving God. about 25 knots. Seventh-day Adventist of New York, said The philosopher Socrates was ordered that in the project, which took fifteen years, by the Athenian senate to join a band Frozen Plasma she used eighteen bottles of ink and covered sent to arrest and destroy one Leon, a Dr. R. I. N. Greaves, of Cambridge Uni- 1,828 pages of paper. She used only one versity, England, has developed a way to pen. respected citizen of wealth and rank, in preserve blood plasma indefinitely, reports order that the thirty governing tyrants Science Digest. Frozen plasma is whirled More Protein in Pasteurized Fresh Milk might enjoy his estate. "I will never as- by a low-speed centrifuge in a vacuum. Pasteurized fresh milk is still slightly sist in an unjust act!" Socrates answered. Thus 99 per cent of the moisture is ex- higher in protein content than evaporated Chericles tartly asked if he thought he tracted, and there is no foaming. No pre- or dried skim milk, experiments at the Uni- could talk thus and not suffer for it. "I servatives are needed. The plasma is kept versity of California College of Agriculture expect to suffer a thousand ills, but none in hermetically sealed evacuated vessels have shown. Over a sixteen-month period so great as to do unjustly!" was the pasteurized fresh, evaporated, and dried containing dry nitrogen. memorable answer of Socrates. skim milk were fed to rats by Dr. B. B. Pet Peeves Cook of the department of home econom- Long before this, Abraham uttered People are other people's commonest pet ics. The rats fed fresh milk gained slightly the reassuring question, "Shall not the peeve, according to a recent nationwide poll more in eight and sizc than thosc fcd thc rrP ‘111 tit/. i.nrth rin v.; erttO by the American Institute of Public Opin- other two forms, she said. esis 18:25. Page Six SIGNS of the TIMES . ,777z-f.77-777:47,12;,,7,,% THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS COMING

Signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars

by M. L. ANDREASEN

MMEDIATELY after the tribu- American Academy of Arts and Sci- much admiration and delight by one lation of those days shall the sun ences, 1783, vol. 1, pp. 234, 235. class of spectators, or with so much aston- 41 be darkened, and the moon shall "The darkness of the following eve- ishment and fear by another class."— not give her light, and the stars shall ning was probably as gross as ever has Denison Olmsted, in The American fall from heaven, and the powers of the been observed since the Almighty fiat Journal of Science and Arts, vol. 25 heavens shall be shaken." Matthew 24: gave birth to light. It wanted only pal- (1834), pp. 363, 364. 29. pability to render it as extraordinary, as "From the Gulf of Mexico to Halifax, Has there been any fulfillment of this that which overspread the land of Egypt until daylight with some difficulty put part of Christ's great prophecy ? There in the days of Moses. . . . If every lu- an end to the display, the sky was scored has. His statement that the sun shall be minous body in the universe had been in every direction with shining tracks darkened and the moon shall not give shrouded in impenetrable shades, or and illuminated with majestic fireballs. her light does not, of course, mean a struck out of existence, the darkness At Boston, the frequency of meteors was perpetual darkening, but rather a tem- could not have been more complete. A estimated to be about half that of flakes porary exclusion of light, as in an eclipse. sheet of white paper held within a few of snow in an average snowstorm. . . . However, it could not mean an ordinary inches of the eyes was equally invisible Traced backwards, their paths were in- eclipse, for that occurs often and is pre- with the blackest velvet."—Collections variably found to converge to a point in dictable. It must be an event, a darken- of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the constellation Leo."—Agnes M. ing, of such an unusual nature as to 1792 ed., pt. 1, vol. I, pp. 97, 98. Clerke, A Popular History of Astron- constitute a sign. omy, 1885 ed., pp. 369, 370. We refer to the following accounts as The Falling of the Stars Frederick Douglass contributes this: satisfying the conditions of our Lord's In regard to the falling of the stars, it "I witnessed this gorgeous spectacle, and prediction: is evident that Christ spoke in the was awe-struck. The air seemed filled language of the people. When He said with bright descending messengers from The Dark Day that the stars of heaven would fall on the sky. . . . I was not without the sug- May 19, 178o, is known in history as the earth, He did not mean that the gestion at the moment that it might be the "dark day." Professor Samuel Wil- "fixed" stars would fall; for should that the harbinger of the coming of the Son liams of Harvard tells that the darken- happen, the earth would be crushed. of man, and in my then state of mind I ing began "between the hours of ten When we say we have seen a star fall, was prepared to hail Him as my friend and eleven, a.m., and continued until we mean we have seen a meteor. Un- and deliverer. I had read that 'the stars the middle of the next night," with doubtedly Christ had the same thought shall fall from heaven,' and they were varying degrees of intensity and dura- in mind. now falling."—Life and Times of Fred- tion in different localities. In some Concerning the fulfillment of this part erick Douglass, 1941 ed., p. 117. places "people could not see to read of Christ's prophecy we submit the fol- (The preceding quotations may be common print in the open air, for lowing account by a Yale astronomer found in Bible Readings for the Home, several hours," although "this was not who was an eyewitness of the occur- 1949 ed., Pp. 310-312.). generally the case." rence: We are well aware that there are dif- "Candles were lighted up in the "The morning of November 13th, ferences of opinion as to whether these houses;—the birds having sung their 1833, was rendered memorable by an ex- events were supernatural or natural oc- evening songs, disappeared, and became hibition of the phenomenon called shoot- currences. Christ does not say that they silent;—the fowls retired to roost;—the ing stars, which was probably more must be supernatural; He merely states cocks were crowing all around, as at extensive and magnificent than any sim- that they will occur, and that they will break of day;--objects could not be dis- ilar one hitherto recorded. . . . Probably come at a certain time, "immediately af- tinguished but at a very little distance, no celestial phenomenon has ever oc- ter the tribulation." In any case, the and everything bore the appearance and curred in this country, since its first set- phenomena occurred as Christ predicted, gloom of night."—Memoirs of the tlement, which was viewed with so (Continued on page.15) for APRIL 1, 1952 Page Seven fur Wad arid Where Are We Going? While Professing to Seek Peace, the Nations Bank- rupt Themselves to Prepare for War

E LIVE in a strange, by ROY F. COTTRELL city."—Bulletin of the Atomic Scien- unpredictable world. Leaders in the tists, January, 1951. political, business, and educational So they sallied forth with a burning world confess they do not know where civilization itself seemed about to col- message on their lips. They appealed to they are going. What are diamonds to- lapse; but with victory to the Allies, and world leaders, to statesmen, ambassa- day may be dust tomorrow." the birth of the United Nations organi- dors, Congressmen, and all who would Such are the opening words of a small zation, new hope and optimism inspired listen, imploring the nations to become leaflet entitled, Ten Prominent Business- the hearts of a war-weary world. partners in a new utopian age, or else men Look at Life. Throughout the There was, however, a fly in the oint- go down together in a global holocaust. world untold millions hold similar opin- ment of gladness: The United States They cried out, "Live in peace or per- ions; and with brief periods of respite possessed the coveted secret of the atomic ish;" but their voices were drowned in a like state of uncertainty has prevailed bomb and would not surrender it with- the din of international rivalry and the for the past four decades. out adequate and trustworthy guaran- insane scramble for power. They now Prior to World War I the boastful ties of mutual security. So a new and sadly admit the defeat of their beneficent threats of Kaiser Wilhelm caused many unprecedented race began to discover mission. a statesman to tremble; but when that the magic keys to the most deadly of With this failure the new armament conflict was over and the League of Na- lethal weapons. race plunged forward with ever-acceler- tions protocol had been signed by repre- Alarm became universal. In America, ating speed, and even the early prospect sentatives of sixty-one nations, newspa- top-flight physicists left their laboratories of a hydrogen bomb brings little feeling pers throughout all lands carried the to warn the world of the alarming pos- of security. Concerning this, Senator exultant tidings that international war sibilities of atomic warfare. In the tests Brien McMahon, chairman of the Con- had been banished from civilization. observed on desert sands and far out in gressional Atomic Committee, states, Armies were disbanded, navies the Pacific, they felt that they had "Let me warn, with all the solemnity at scrapped, and for a short time many be- "stood at the gates of hell and looked my command, that building hydrogen lieved that the world was at the begin- into eternity," and that man was "play- bombs does not promise positive se- ning of a new golden age. But soon the ing with things that belonged only to curity for the United States; it only pendulum began to swing swiftly and God." promises the negative result of averting, ominously in the other direction. Dicta- They envisioned "the cities of the for a few months or years . . . an attack tors arose in Europe, each brandishing a world, including their own, falling into that might incinerate 50,000,000 Ameri- threatening sword; while, across the dust and going up in flames." They cans—not in the space of an evening, but Pacific, Japan was inspired with prepos- "imagined the sky suddenly lit by a in the space of minutes." terous dreams of destiny. giant fireball, the steel skeletons of sky- These stark realities lead the well- The League of Nations struggled scrapers bending into grotesque shapes known author, Kirby Page, to empha- desperately to preserve peace, but in and their masonry raining into the size the world's defenseless and pre- vain; and erelong World War II broke streets below, until a great cloud of dust carious plight in the following words: out in all its fury. Millions perished; rose and settled over the crumbling "Within a few years every person on the Page Eight SIGNS of the TIMES globe will be living at the mercy of national scene of our day. The first of day of the Lord is near in the valley of Soviet Russia and the United States. . . . these presents the attitude of "many peo- decision." Joel 3:9-14. Let the fact be shouted from the house- ple" in these prophetic words written by These prophecies, penned more than tops that preparedness for the destruction Isaiah: twenty-seven centuries ago, predict that of a high proportion of all human- "Many people shall go and say, Come "many people" would unite in a mighty ity is far advanced. Only a miracle can ye, and let us go up to the mountain of crusade for peace; and in fulfillment be- save us from obliteration in a third the Lord, to the house of the God of hold the peace palaces, organizations, world war."—The Christian Advocate, Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, leagues, treaties, pacts, and covenants Nov. 23, 195o. and we will walk in His paths : for out that the past few decades have produced. In view of such a threat the United of Zion shall go forth the law, and the On the other hand consider the stupen- States Congress voted for the present word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And dous array of armaments that God de- fiscal year a record annual peacetime He shall judge among the nations, and clared would be marshaled throughout defense budget of fifty-seven billion dol- shall rebuke many people: and they the world just prior to the time of the lars, a considerable portion of which is shall beat their swords into plowshares, "harvest," the end of the present world to be expended in the production of new and their spears into pruning hooks: na- order. atomic weapons, which are termed "stu- tion shall not lift up sword against na- John the revelator, in heavenly vision, pendous," "fantastic," and "terrible be- tion, neither shall they learn war any also looking forward to our day, penned yond imagination." more." Isaiah 2:3, 4. these words: But no matter what the future may Such is the burning desire and long- "And the nations were angry, and bring, the true Christian need not be ing of multitudes throughout the world. Thy wrath is come, and the time of the terror-stricken. There is a power still It has also been the cherished goal of dead, that they should be judged, and mightier than all the powers of this many organizations. Contrast, however, that Thou shouldest give reward unto world, and from His eternal throne God God's preview of the nations just prior Thy servants the prophets, and to the sends the message, "Fear thou not; for I to earth's closing harvest: saints, and them that fear Thy name, am with thee: be not dismayed; for I "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; small and great; and shouldest destroy am thy God." Isaiah 41:1o. Yes, every Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, them which destroy the earth." Revela- trustful heart may rest in the assurance let all the men of war draw near; let tion II :18. that "the complicated play of human them come up: beat your plowshares When have the nations been more events is under divine control. Amidst into swords, and your pruning hooks angry than they are today ? The hatred the strife and tumult of nations, He that into spears: let the weak say, I am and animosity between peoples and sitteth above the cherubim still guides strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, races is beyond the power of words to the affairs of this earth."—Prophets and all ye heathen, and gather yourselves to- describe. The inventive genius of man Kings, page 536. gether round about: thither cause Thy has been taxed to the utmost in pro- From many individuals there comes mighty ones to come down, 0 Lord. ducing engines of destruction; while the the anxious inquiry, "May we not ex- . . . Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest wealth and resources of the nations are pect the time to come when wars will be is ripe: come, get you down; for the conscripted for the science of slaughter. banished from the earth ?" Yes, and in press is full, the fats overflow; for their Truly in no previous generation has the Great Book are two seemingly para- wickedness is great. Multitudes, multi- there been such a rumbling of infernal doxical forecasts which depict the inter- tudes in the valley of decision: for the juggernauts; and the words of Long- fellow are more applicable today than ACME when he wrote them: Were half the power that fills the world with terror, Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts, Given to redeem the human mind from error, There were no need of arsenals and forts. The Christian is intensely interested in the trend of world events that herald the coming of the Prince of peace. As he turns the searchlight of Scripture upon this frenzied, discordant age and witnesses the accurate fulfillment of prophecy, he is filled with enthusiasm to tell the peoples of earth what these things mean; for now is the time to qualify for citizenship in that land where "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

"A SINGLE expression of appreciation What an unexpected raid from the air will be like is pictured in this simulated attack by two F-84 and encouragement will at times turn a Thunderjets in Army-Air Force maneuvers at Southern Pines, North Carolina. human life toward an upward path." for APRIL 1, 1952 Page Nine IS THE LAW BEAU?

When "the Old Man" Dies, Does the Law Die With Him?

by FRANCIS D. NICHOL

OBJECTION: Romans 7 :1-7 proves that the law is done away. Under the figure of marriage Paul explains that we are "de- , livered from the law," that, in- deed, the law is dead. LAMBERT Under the figure of marriage, Paul shows the binding nature of the law. ANSWER.--What is Paul discussing there is also the birth of "the new man." man," Paul says we should reckon our- in this chapter? The same general sub- "Therefore we are buried with Him by selves "to be dead indeed unto sin, but ject that he is discussing in the chapters baptism into death: that like as Christ alive unto God through Jesus Christ immediately preceding and following, was raised up from the dead by the glory our Lord." Romans 6:11. the subject of the carnal man, the slave of the Father, even so we also should It is to illustrate this transition from of sin, who is unable to save himself, walk in newness of life." Verse 4. the domination of sin to the rule of and who must find salvation through Paul refers to this changed state of the righteousness, that Paul employs the the grace of God as revealed through Christian when he says, "Lie not one to figure of marriage. There are four prin.= Jesus Christ. another, seeing that ye have put off the cipal parts to the figure he uses: A Paul sets down the premise: "The law old man with his deeds; and have put woman, her first husband, her second hath dominion over a man as long as he on the new man, which is renewed in husband, the law of marriage. liveth." Verse I. In various ways in this knowledge after the image of Him that "The woman which hath an husband epistle he shows that the sinner, because created him." Colossians 3:9, 1o. Be- is bound by the law to her husband so he has transgressed God's law, is under cause Christ's followers have put off long as he liveth; but if the husband be the dominion of sin. In other words, our "the old man" and put on "the new dead, she is loosed from the law of her old sinful nature, which Paul describes husband. . . . If her husband be dead, as "the old man," has dominion over us. she is free from that law; so that she is It is because of this that Paul declared of no adulteress, though she be married to his former state: "For what I would, another man." Romans 7:2, 3. that do I not; but what I hate, that do A YOUTH'S PRAYER The first and most important point I." Verse 15. "The strength of sin is the in this illustration, from which Paul pro- law." i Corinthians 15:56. Once we by WILLIAM R. HARBOUR ceeds at once to draw his lesson, is this: have become transgressors of the moral He is not speaking of the death of the law, which knows no revocation, and Lord, teach me how law, but of the death of a husband. In demands judgment upon the violator, To have fun without folly, fact, there would be no point to his il- we cannot gain freedom, for we have To be cheerful without vanity, lustration if the law were dead, for, in no power within ourselves to escape To have self-respect without that event, there would be nothing to from the domination of sin. pride, hold the wife to either husband, and any Now, how do we escape from "the To be strict without fanaticism, discussion of adultery would be point- old man," that holds us in servitude? To be relaxed without laziness, less. How could there possibly be adul- By the death of this "old man," that is, To be serious without gloom, tery, which is transgression of a precept by our conversion, for at conversion our To be friendly and not fickle, of God's law, if the law containing the old nature is crucified. "Knowing this, To be sunny and not silly. prohibition against adultery were dead? that our old man is crucified with Him Lord, teach me how. The marriage law is not abolished in a [Christ], that the body of sin might be country because a husband dies. It re- destroyed, that henceforth we should mains on the statute books to govern all not cerve cin" Rnmanc there. who are. married c‘r ,,vho seek t— marry. is not only the death of "the old man," Now follows Paul's application of the Page Ten SIGNS of the TIMES figure to the life of the man who has the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." turned from sin to righteousness: sold under sin." Verse 14. Romans 8:3, 4. Christ's death made pos- "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are Paul comes to the climax of his argu- sible our salvation, which in turn re- become dead to the law by the body of ment in the opening verses of the next sults, not in the death of the law, but in Christ; that ye should be married to chapter. He explains that "God sending the implanting of that law in our hearts. another, even to Him who is raised from His own Son in the likeness of sinful Thus we are enabled to "bring forth the dead, that we should bring forth flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the fruit unto God." fruit unto God." Romans 7:4. flesh: that the righteousness of the law Returning, now, to the figure of mar- We have been crucified with Christ, ["the requirements of the law," mar- riage, let us adapt Paul's illustration a His crucified body vicariously ours. All gin] might be fulfilled in us, who-walk (Continued on page 15) the condemnatory claim that the law -4 4- had upon "our old man" ends with the death of that "man." Now we are free from its condemnation and can be mar- ried to Christ; we can put on "the new man." Well do Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, in their Bible commentary, re- mark on this passage, "It is we that are `crucified with Christ,' and not the law. This death dissolves our marriage obli- gation to the law, leaving us at liberty to contract a new relation—to be joined to the Risen One, in order to spiritual fruitfulness, to the glory of God. . . . Believers are here viewed as having a double life—the old sin-condemned life, which they lay down with Christ, and the new life of acceptance and holiness to which they rise with their Surety and Head."—Comment on Romans 7:4. Because of this new union we "bring GALLOWAY forth fruit unto God;" whereas, "when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto HAND ON THE HELM death." Verse 5. In other words, while we were under the dominion of sin, the by LOUIS HALSWICK only fruitage of our actions could be fur- ther condemnation and renewed cer- tainty of death. All this comes because ri 1O THE casual observer many of nant, yet God's kingdom "ruleth over the law of God was in force against us the happenings in the world may all." Psalm 103:19. "The Most High and giving "strength" to sin. seem like a "chaos of incidents ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giv- To prevent his readers from any with no thread, no system, and no line eth it to whomsoever He will." Daniel thought that the trouble was with the of connection running through them." 4:25. When Belshazzar defied the Lord law, rather than the sinful man, Paul One prominent writer has observed, by his impious revelry, a mysterious immediately adds, "What shall we say "There are not many, even among edu- hand traced upon the wall before him then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, cators and statesmen, who comprehend the words of doom, "God hath num- I had not known sin, but by the law: for the causes that underlie the present bered thy kingdom, and finished it." I had not known lust, except the law state of society. Those who hold the Daniel 5:26. had said, Thou shalt not covet." "For reins of government are not able to The same God reigns in heaven today, sin, taking occasion by the command- solve the problems of moral corruption, with the same power to number and ment, deceived me, and by it slew me." poverty, pauperism, and increasing finish any or all of the kingdoms of men. Romans 7:7, ii. The wages of sin—that crime. They are struggling in vain to He is no less cognizant of what is go- is, the wages of lawbreaking—is death. place business operations on a more se- ing on in the world; nor has His stand- That is why Paul says, "The command- cure basis. If men would give more heed ard of right been lowered, for He ment, which was ordained to life, I to the teaching of God's word, they changes not. found to be unto death." Verse io. Then would find a solution of the problems "The world is not without a ruler. to make doubly sure that no one would that perplex them." The program of coming events is in the conclude that anything in his argument The student of Bible prophecy sees hands of the Lord. The Majesty of was intended to throw discredit on the hand of God on history's helm. heaven has the destiny of nations, as well God's law, he declares, "Wherefore the Though the earth is filled with strife as the concern of His church, in His law is holy, and the commandment holy, and disorder, the Creator has not re- own charge." and just, and good." Verse 12. The linquished His rulership. Evil cannot Some time ago a thunderstorm broke trouble, he emphasizes once more, is defeat His beneficent purposes. Though over a town where lived a mother with with sinful man: "For we know that it may seem for a time to be predomi- (Continued on page 15) for APRIL 1, 1952 Page Eleven

ter.

THE GOSPEL IN GENESIS

by RICHARD F. FARLEY

4. From Eden Lost to Eden Restored

When sin first raised its ugly head In what way was the promise of thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk to afflict the human family, what as- future glory and security given to through the land in the length of it and surance was given of the ultimate Abraham? in the breadth of it; for I will give it triumph of right? "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, unto thee." Genesis 13:14-17. "And I will put enmity between thee Get thee out of thy country, and from The promise to Abraham included and the woman, and between thy seed thy kindred, and from thy father's possession of the entire earth. Romans and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, house, unto a land that I will show thee: 4:13• Abraham himself did not receive and thou shalt bruise his heel." Genesis and I will make of thee a great nation, during his lifetime any of the Prom- 3:15. As soon as sin entered and the de- and I will bless thee, and make thy ised Land. Hebrews 11:8, 9. He looked generative process had begun, God name great; and thou shalt be a bless- rather for a city of God's building. Verse promised the victory of good and the ing: and I will bless them that bless ro. The patriarchs all saw the promises annihilation of evil. This is the first ex- thee, and curse him that curseth thee: a great way off, and accounted them- pression of the everlasting covenant of and in thee shall all families of the selves as pilgrims on the earth. peace and mercy to sinners through the earth be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3. sacrifice of Christ, represented by the "And the Lord said unto Abram, . . . In the hour of the disciples' dis- bruising of the heel of the seed of the Lift up now thine eyes, and look from tress and sorrow, how did Jesus seek woman. It assures also the ultimate the place where thou art northward, and to comfort them? destruction of Satan by promising that southward, and eastward, and west- "Let not your heart be troubled: ye the head of the serpent shall be crushed. ward: for all the land which thou seest, believe in God, believe also in Me. In to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for- How was this same everlasting My Father's house are many mansions: covenant repeated to Noah immedi- ever. And I will make thy seed as the if it were not so, I would have told you. ately after the Flood? dust of the earth: so that if a man can I go to prepare a place for you. And if number the dust of the earth, theii shall I go and prepare a place for you, I will "And the Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake." "And I, behold, I estab- lish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you; and with every living creature that is with you. . . . And I will establish My covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to de- stroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth.

And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: and I will remember My covenant; . . . and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every liv- ing creature of all flesh that ic upnn the After the :Flood, God accepted Noah's sacrifice and established riffs covenant earth." Genesis 8:21; 9:9-16. with him and his descendants. Page Twelve SIGNS of the TIMES come again, and receive you unto My- self; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-3. How complete a restitution did KNOW YOUR BIBLE! \NI Peter say would be accomplished in In a world of tumult, strife and despair, your heart may connection with the return of Je- find rest and new hope in the word of God. sus? Let us help you study the Bible and find its gems of truth. "Repent ye therefore, and be con- Send now for our Free Bible Correspondence Course. Just verted, that your sins may be blotted fill out this coupon and mail to Signs of the Times, Moun- out, when the times of refreshing shall tain View, California. Nothing to pay. Nothing to buy. come from the presence of the Lord; Please send me your Free Bible Correspondence Course. and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you : whom Senior 0 Junior 0 the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God Name hath spoken by the mouth of all His Street holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:19-21. City What is to become of our present earth, polluted as it is by sin? "But the day of the Lord will come yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and What miraculous physical change as a thief in the night; in the which the the lamb shall feed together, and the will make men eternally secure heavens shall pass away with a great lion shall eat straw like the bullock : and against degeneracy and death? noise, and the elements shall melt with dust shall be the serpent's meat. They "Behold, I show you a mystery; We fervent heat, the earth also and the shall not hurt nor destroy in all My shall not all sleep, but we shall all be works that are therein shall be burned holy mountain, saith the Lord." Verses changed, in a moment, in the twinkling up. Seeing then that all these things 21-25. of an eye, at the last trump: for the trum- shall be dissolved, what manner of per- Notice the following facts here pet shall sound, and the dead shall be sons ought ye to be in all holy conversa- brought to view: raised incorruptible, and we shall be tion and godliness, looking for and 1. There will be houses of individual changed. For this corruptible must put hasting unto the coming of the day of design and construction, and undis- on incorruption, and this mortal must God, wherein the heavens being on fire turbed occupation. put on immortality." I Corinthians 15: shall be dissolved, and the elements shall 2. There will be gardens and vine- 51-53. melt with fervent heat ?" 2 Peter 3:10-12. yards of indi\iidual planting and per- In what way will God signally The present earth is to be sterilized manent possession. honor this world, which, during the with intense heat, by which every trace 3. There will be uninterrupted con- long drama of sin, has been the cen- of sin and disease will be removed. tact and free communion with God. ter of universal interest and solici- What has God promised to make 4. Formerly wild, ferocious beasts tude to heavenly intelligences? from the molten mass of the old will be gentle. All nature will be at "And I heard a great voice out of world? peace. heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of "Nevertheless we, according to His What will become of the present God is with men, and He will dwell promise, look for new heavens and a desolate places and deserts of earth? with them, and they shall be His people, new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous- and God Himself shall be with them, "And the parched ground shall be- ness." Verse 13. and be their God." Revelation 21:3. come a pool, and the thirsty land springs From what Old Testament proph- of water." "The wilderness and the soli- What will become of pain, sor- ecy did Peter quote his assurance of tary place shall be glad for them; and row, and tears? a new heaven and a new earth? the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as "And God shall wipe away all tears . "For, behold, I create new heavens the rose." Isaiah 35:7, I. from their eyes; and there shall be no and a new earth : and the former shall What will be the physical condi- more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, not be remembered, nor come into tion of the people? neither shall there be any more pain." mind." Isaiah 65:17. Verse 4. "Then the eyes of the blind shall be What will be some of the living opened, and the ears of the deaf shall What are the dimensions of the conditions in the new earth? be unstopped. Then shall the lame man capital city of the new earth? "And they shall build houses, and in- leap as an hart, and the tongue of the "And the city lieth foursquare, and habit them; and they shall plant vine- dumb sing." Verses 5, 6. the length is as large as the breadth: and yards, and eat the fruit of them. They No one will have any physical infirmi- he measured the city with the reed, shall not build, and another inhabit; ties or deformities, and no one will say, twelve thousand furlongs." Verse 16. they shall not plant, and another eat: "I am sick." Isaiah 33:24. We are prom- At eight furlongs to a mile, this would for as the days of a tree are the days of ised that we shall "grow up as calves of make a city almost as large in area as the My people, and Mine elect shall long en- the stall" (Malachi 4:2), which indicates State of Montana. joy the work of their hands. . . . And that we shall regain the lofty, majestic it shall come to pass, that before they stature which man had before sin en- What will be the city's most treas- call, I will answer; and while they are tered Eden (Genesis 6:4). ured adornment? for APRIL 1, 1952 Page Thirteen "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the right- Pictures World Events eousness of saints." Revelation 19:8. T What will assure God's people of uninterrupted life for all eternity? "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Revelation 22:1, 2. Who is invited to be there? "And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Verse 17.

Peter and the Rock (Continued from page 2) suggestion of any authority either claimed or exercised by Peter, or accorded to him, over the rest of the apostles. James presided at the first council of the church and announced the 1-4.4BERT ruling. Acts 15:13-19. James and John are mentioned with Peter as "pillars" of the church at Jerusalem. Galatians 2:9. Paul claimed equality with the "chiefest apostles." 2 Corinthians 11:5. Peter calls himself simply SIGNS THE TIMES "an apostle" and "also an elder." He does not Interprets claim any superiority over other elders or apostles but exhorts (not commands) them to feed the flock. 1 Peter 1:1; 5:1, 2. 6. The interpretation of Matthew 16:18 by the Events many of the early church fathers was that the rock is Christ or Peter's confession of faith in Him as God's Son, not Peter himself. A few of Every day happenings of great import startle the world! They are portrayed on these were Origen, Hilary, Ambrose, Chrysos- telenews, depicted on television, and narrated over the radio. World political move- tom, Cyril of Alexandria, and Augustine. The ments are fast developing. National and international crises bring unrest and uncer- latter, for example, says, " 'Therefore,' he saith, tainty. The most awful disasters follow one another in quick succession. People `Thou art Peter; and upon this Rock' which everywhere are asking, "What do these things mean?" thou hast confessed, upon this Rock which thou hast acknowledged, saying, 'Thou art the SIGNS OF THE TIMES interprets these current world events in the light of Bible Christ, the Son of the living God, will I build prophecy. Hope of a better world to come, peace of mind, and faith in Jesus Christ My church;' that is upon Myself, the Son of as the Redeemer of the world are presented in the world's prophetic weekly. Why the living God, 'will I build My church.' I will not send a gift subscription to your friends? build thee upon Myself, not Myself upon thee." —Philip Schaff, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fa- Gift subscriptions now only $1.85 in the U.S. thers, vol. 6, p. 340. And Chrysostom says, "What then saith Christ? .. . 'And I say unto Countries where extra postage is required, $2.35. thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will Special rate expires June 30, 1952. Ibuild My church;' that is, on the faith of his confession."—Ibid., vol. 10, p. 333. Luther was familiar with this interpretation in the writ- ings of the fathers and used it in his debates with the Catholic theologians of his day, and this ancient interpretation is the one still held SIGNS OF THE TIMES by Protestants. Mountain View, California. The keys of the kingdom of heaven (verse 19) are the gospel message, which opens or Dear Friends: closes heaven, according as the hearer receives or rejects that message. The power of binding Enclosed please find my remittance of $ for a year's and loosing was given to all the disciples (Mat- subscription to SIGNS OF THE TIMES—The World's Prophetic Weekly. thew 18:18; John 20:23); and all were com- missioned on equal terms to preach the gospel Name (Matthew 28:19, 20). At Pentecost all the apostles preached, and Peter's sermon re- Address sulted in the conversion of three thousand Jews and proselytes. Acts 2:4-41. Philip, one of the seven deacons, opened the kingdom of heaven to the Samaritans and to one of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, California first Ge-"1- converts, an Ethiopian. Acts 8. -1111111 5-40. c. D. U. Page Fourteen SIGNS of the TIMES through, painting the edges of the There are two ways of relieving the The Heavens Declare broken clouds with gold. As the boy apparent contradiction and confusion. (Continued from page 7) ran back to the window, he marveled 1. By explaining the clause, "that be- and apparently accomplished what He at the beautiful cloud formations. ing dead wherein we were held," as re- had in mind. Men were impressed that "Mother," he said, "everything will be ferring to the sinful nature, "the old they were harbingers of the coming of all right now, because it's all clear up in man" that has had dominion over us. the Lord. We are therefore not dis- heaven, where God lives." Sin, operating through our sinful na- turbed if some hold that the dark day Yes, "it's all clear up in heaven, where ture, is what "held" us. See verses 24, 25. was caused by forest fires, and others that God lives." And He has not forgotten 2. By taking the position that the they had a supernatural cause. In either the world Christ came to save. He is not clause, "that being dead wherein we event, men were struck by their remark- ignorant of what is going on about us. were held," which is the reading in the able character, and their minds were His hand is still upon the helm of so-called Authorized Version, is not the turned to serious thoughts. world affairs. correct reading. Later versions, which The apostle Luke does not mention draw from further and sometimes older —in this connection—the falling of the manuscripts, give a translation that is stars, but merely says that "there shall Is the Law Dead? consonant with Paul's whole argument. be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and (Continued from page 11) For example, the American Standard in the stars." Luke 21:25. From this little and summarize his argument: Version—generally called the Revised omission some have drawn the conclu- Version—gives the clause thus: "having sion that there will be other signs. Of Even the most perfect marriage law can- not make a marriage a success. Hence died to that wherein we were held." The this we may not be certain. Luke, how- Revised Standard Version gives it thus: ever, mentions one more thing that is of the failure of a marriage is no reason for repealing the law. All that the marriage "dead to that which held us captive." On interest. He says, "Men's hearts failing this point Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown them for fear, and for looking aftef law can do is to set a standard for mar- riage. If the standard is violated, the remark.: those things which are coming on the "It is now universally agreed that the earth : for the powers of heaven shall be violators are condemned, but the law re- mains. true reading here is, 'being dead to that shaken." Verse 26. wherein we were held.' The received Thus with God's moral law. It sets a The shaking of the powers of heaven reading [of the Authorized Version] standard for our lives. If we violate that would seem to indicate the occurrence has no authority whatever, and is incon- standard we stand condemned, but of other phenomena not detailed in the sistent with the strain of the argument; God's law remains. The trouble is not Gospels. for the death spoken of, as we have seen, with the law, which is "spiritual," but The revelator adds a little to our is not the law's, but ours, through union with us who are "carnal, sold under knowledge in this matter. He says that with the crucified Saviour."—Comments sin." "Because the carnal mind is en- "the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, on Romans 7:6. even as a fig tree casteth her untimely mity against God: for it is not subject figs, when she is shaken of a mighty to the law of God, neither indeed can wind. And the heaven departed as a be." Romans 8:7. While we are "sold IN the heart of Christ, where reigned scroll when it is rolled together." Revela- under sin," that is, enslaved by it, we are perfect harmony with God, there was tion 6:13, 14. under the domination of "the old man." perfect peace. He was never elated by Our minds fail to grasp the full sig- That domination is broken by the death applause, nor dejected by censure or dis- nificance of this. Such an event would of "the old man" and the putting on of appointment. Amid the greatest oppo- overshadow all other previous occur- "the new man." In our former state the sition and the most cruel treatment, He rences. Will there be a rearrangement law pointed only a condemning finger at was still of good courage. But many of heavenly bodies to conform to the us. In our redeemed state "the righteous- who profess to be His followers have an new order of things when redemption is ness of the law" is "fulfilled in us," for anxious, troubled heart, because they are completed ? See Revelation 21:3. the law is written in our hearts. afraid to trust themselves with God. Even if we cannot understand all, we We do not know how Paul could They do not make a complete surrender may believe. Our Lord knows the end have been more explicit in the matter. to Him; for they shrink from the conse- from the beginning. He has given us And it is in the setting of the whole quences that such a surrender may in- signs that we may know that His com- context that we examine the only clause volve. Unless they do make this sur- ing is near. Let us rest on His precious in the passage that appears to make render, they cannot find peace. promise. Paul teach the abolition of the law. Ro- It is the love of self that brings unrest. mans 7:6 reads, "But now we are de- When we are born from above, the same livered from the law, that being dead mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the Hand on the Helm wherein we were held." If Paul here mind that led Him to humble Himself (Continued from page 11) teaches the death of the law, he not only that we might be saved. Then we shall her little son. As the thunder rolled confuses the figure of speech he has been not be seeking the highest place. We loudly across the heavens, and streaks using, he also squarely contradicts the shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and of lightning flashed back and forth very literal statements he has made in learn of Him. We shall understand that among the black clouds, the boy fled in the same context. He has spoken of the the value of our work does not consist in terror from the window to seek safety death of a husband, and by application making a show and noise in the world, within the protecting arms of his of the figure, our death. In the fourth and in being active and zealous in our mother. There, held close, he was told verse he speaks of our becoming "dead own strength. The value of our work is about a loving God in heaven who looks to the law." Does he turn around in the in proportion to the impartation of the after His children. sixth verse to tell us that it is the law Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier After a while the storm cleared and that is dead ? We do not wish to charge qualities of mind, so that in patience we the golden rays of the sun streamed Paul with such confused reasoning. may possess our souls.—E. G. White. for APRIL 1, 1952 Page Fifteen

ater of ite

by MRS. E. E. ANDROSS

OMETHING in my reading this morning caused me to recall an experience in the mission field. To- Sgether with other workers, my husband and I left Caracas to visit our training school about three hundred miles in the interior of Venezuela. Soon we left the good highway behind; but the mission Ford bumped merrily along as the driver endeavored to follow the dim, zigzag tracks of the mule carts that carried provisions from the interior to Caracas and nearby towns. The hot tropical sun beat down upon us as we pressed on across the sparsely settled llanos. By and by our water jug was almost empty. The very thought. of our supply vanishing gave me a thirsty feeling; and I still remember how eagerly we sought for a well when we reached an inhabited area. With the memory of that experience fresh in my mind I resumed the reading of my Bible, and somehow it was G RA ?ASTOR F F a very real Hagar that I found in Genesis 21. My sympa- "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thies went out to her as she wandered in the wilderness thirst," said Jesus to the woman at the well. of Beersheba. Homeless! Her child perishing for lack of water! Prospects distressingly discouraging! Death star- Would he go ? Oh, yes, he would go at any cost. With ing her in the face! I do not wonder that she lifted up her a box of gospel literature, his hammock, and a few per- voice and wept. Had God forgotten to be merciful? No, sonal necessities, our young hero set out. He was refused God had not forgotten. He heard her cry. He gave her a room in the only lodginghouse in the village, but he just the help she needed. He showed her a well nearby, swung his hammock between two trees in the public and she filled her bottle. square, and went about his work. His life was threatened, While I meditated on Hagar's need and God's great but he turned not back. He committed his case to the mercy, the still small voice whispered to me, "Your Master whom he served, and worked diligently distribut- sympathies go out to the Hagar who wandered in the ing gospel literature that all who would might drink wilderness of Beersheba long, long ago; but what about freely of the water of salvation. the Hagars of today ? There are multitudes of them who, This young man is only one in the procession. There with their perishing children, are pleading for the water are many others—too many to mention. How wonderful of salvation. God hears their cry. Do you ? Will those it is that God has permitted us to help in His great work who turn to you to quench their thirst be disappointed ? of saving sinners, that He allows us "to be laborers To the woman of Samaria Jesus said, "Whosoever together with the heavenly angels in presenting Jesus drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never to the world. With almost impatient eagerness the thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a angels wait for our co-operation; for man must be the well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14. channel to communicate with man."—The Desire of That is God's plan. Every Christian should have in his Ages, page 297. heart the water of salvation to sustain his own spiritual life and prove a blessing to others. Oh, speed the work of gathering souls, The night is coming on— Before me passes a procession of Christian friends who, A night in which no man can work, it seems to me, have been pre-eminently successful in just A night of awful gloom; such ministry. There was the young Colombian who was A night without one ray of light asked to carry the good news of the kingdom to a remote To guide the wanderer home. mountain village from which had come a Macedonian For mercy's wing is folded then, call. There were many dangers as well as hardships. And closed the book of doom.

tinl*Z6 it* .1 ,M 11. s o ti 0,419 ) ,tl1Lir1 `rq-A ,111;1.W; cf—A N.111.:11 rfittlik t11t 11:1U11 CI ti14111 111111),'.v 1•404mv- ixelditAto"" eatAl"w" 14141.1146'