The World's Prophet C Weekly

SIGNS OF THE TIMES THE WORLD'S PROPHET C WEEKLY

ol. 65, No. 45 WILL THE NATIONS NOW DISARM?—See page 2 November 15, 1938 INTERNAT Remarkable ure showing an antiair- craft battery of, the 65th U.S. Infantry A SURVEY OF engaging "enemy" planes in recent ma- WORLD neuverslin Puerto Rico.

WILL THE NATIONS By the Editor them again, on .y making them larger NOW DISARM? and deadlier than before. HERE was quite a boom in those At that time it was hoped, of course, As the years have gone by, in the words oxyacetylene burners after the Great that the process would continue until of Mr. Winston; Churchill, "mountains r closed in 1918. Men were seen using armaments everywhere were rendered of munitions" Nave been manufactured. m in all sorts of places, tearing to impotent or completely destroyed. Un- Today armament factories are by far the es the useless paraphernalia of war. fortunately, it largely ceased when the busiest and most; rosperous in the world, uns that were too big to move, ford- weapons of the Central Powers had been working day and night to fill the ever- dons that were no longer needed, ob- dealt with. increasing orders of their respective gov- te battleships, tanks, and armored Then gradually, almost mysteriously, ernments. were all reduced by this means to like the turning of the tide, reaction set But has not another Pact of Peace been nks of metal. It was a burning if not in. Instead of destroying any more signed? Have ive not once more been ating of swords into plowshares. weapons, the nations began to construct assured that the four Great Powers of Europe have no designs on one another's rior to Herr Hitler's historic speech at Nuremberg announcing his policy regarding Czecho- territory? Wells then, will the nations ovakia, this spectacular battle between infantry and tanks was staged before an audience now disarm? I•IPt at all. of one hundred thousand. TOPICAL. Within a week of the Munich meeting, 3.a announcement was made that work on the Siegfried line of fortifications would be carried forward with all speed, and that it would be continued to cover the extreme length of the French and Bel- gian frontiers. Mr. Chamberlain's first pronounce- ment, after reporting to the House of Commons the results of his continental excursions, was to the effect that Great Britain's rearmament program would not only be continued, but intensified. Other nations will inevitably follow suit. And so the mad race proceeds. SIGNS of the TIMES At least it proved that the thought of God has not been banished as completely from the minds of men as some material- ists would have us believe. Brought face to face with stark reality, arrested in their headlong pursuit of pleasure by the thought of sudden and imminent de- struction, millions still look heavenward for help. The situation calls to mind those words of the prophet Isaiah: "When Thy judgments are in the earth, the in- habitants of the world will learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9. What an opportunity this offers to the Christian churches! Before these prayers are forgotten, while the memory of the terror is still undimmed, while hearts are yet tender, there should be a power-filled presentation of the love of God and the divine plan of salvation such as has never

TOPICAL been preached in the land before. According to Mr. Chamberlain, Britain's war preparations are to continue despite the Pact Multitudes are ready to admit today of Munich. Here is one of the many aircraft factories for the mass production of Hawker "Hurricane" Fighters. that in all the tremendous events that have happened of late the hand of God hour. There was a surprising response. has been visibly at work. It is agreed Someday, when the men of peace— that it was in His mercy that war was undoubtedly used of God to hold in Similar scenes were witnessed in Los postponed and that we were all brought check the dogs of war during the recent Angeles and other great cities, many back, as it were, from the edge of the crisis—have passed off the scene and persons entering church buildings for the precipice. Few, for the moment, doubt given place to others more reckless, some- first time in many years. that the winds of strife were held for one will touch, off those "mountains of In London, Westminster Abbey and their sakes because God realized their munitions," and there will be an explo- St. Paul's were crowded with people on unpreparedness and was unwilling "that sion that will rock the universe and de- their knees before God, while all over the any should perish, but that all should stroy the last vestiges of our civilization. United Kingdom there was a like answer come to repentance." 2 Peter 3 :9. That day of final tragedy may not be , to the call to prayer. The quickening of conscience that has far ahead. Let us therefore keep watch In Paris, Notre Dame and scores of resulted from all this may mean to many upon ourselves, upon our daily conduct other churches were filled to capacity their last chance of salvation. The Lord's and our relation to eternal things, "lest with praying multitudes. appeal should therefore be pressed home coming suddenly" it find us sleeping. What a picture it must have presented immediately by every spiritual means. to the eyes of the heavenly watchers—a If the church will seize the opportunity world at prayer! How they must have thus given it from above, it may now longed that this might be but the first reap the greatest harvest in its history. step in a great new Godward movement! The world does not pray like this every A WORLD Would to God that it might be! day. AT PRAYER To protect London from air raids, immense steel nets have been prepared. They are NE of the most amazing and sig- suspended in the air by dozens of these balloons. TOPICAL O nificant features of the recent world crisis, when everybody thought that war was due to break out within twenty-four hours, was the way multitudes went into the churches to pray. All over the United States, in countless cities and villages, people ceased their ordinary duties and hurried to the house of God. Mayor La Guardia actually summoned New York to prayer, requesting every church to ring its bells at an appointed

OUR COVER PICTURE This week our cover picture shows a well-protected workman cutting steel with the latest oxyacetylene blowpipe. Thousands of guns, tanks, and warships were demolished in this way after the close of the Great War. Will this attempt at disarmament ever be repeated on a world scale? for NOVEMBER 15, .1938 FAITH VERSUS FEAR

,Another Inspiring (kadio Sermon. as Given Over ET us read together—I might say, their normal bed," "We are all inclined' rep at together—the twenty-third psalm Station KEX to feel as though; mysterious and malig- —t e psalm• so precious to the heart of A:ant forces, over which the human mind eve y, Christian: by J. L. TUCKER has no control, were bearing down upon the nations," writes Sir Philip Gibbs, in he Lord is my shepherd; I shall not his book, "The Way of Escape." wa, e maketh me to lie down in green David Lloyd George says: "I have In a similar vein another prominent seen the world in some difficulties, but past res: He leadeth me beside the still statesman aptly describes the world situ- wat rs. never in such a :ditch as today;" and " e restoreth my soul: He leadeth me ation: "A hurricane has swept its [the from an official of the British Foreign in :t e paths of righteousness for His name's world's] surface; wild torrents have Office we hear these words: "One half sake broken loose; the ships have been com- of Europe is dangerously angry; the " ea, though I walk through the valley pelled to try partly in vain to reach a port other half is dangerously afraid." oft e shadow of death, I will fear no evil: of safety; the dikes have been swept away Surely there is fear on every side, and, for hou art with me; Thy rod and Thy in several places, the wild floods are inun- as the Master so aptly expressed it, "men's staff they comfort me, dating the country. With great appre- hearts [are] failing them for fear, and hou preparest a table before me in hension we ask ourselves when and for looking after those things which are the esence of mine enemies: Thou anoint- where we are going to stop these wild coming on the earth." We are living in est y head with oil; my cup runneth over. floods, and how it will be possible to "S rely goodness and mercy shall follow an hour of extreme peril, and the pillars bring these uncontrolled waters back into me a I the days of my life: and I will dwell that have sustained our social life during in th house of the Lord forever." earth's mightiest age are tottering. Rum- blings of the coming disaster can be heard Ea h and every verse is replete with in every corner of the world. No wonder confi ence and assurance, but let us con- that on every hand are heard words of sider especially the fourth verse—"I will warning and dire prediction. fear o.evil: for Thou art with me." These men from whom I have quoted Fe r is a prevalent condition; it is are not classed among the so-called ca- every here. It has gripped the hearts lamity howlers; they are sober-minded and. Inds of the great of earth, as well businessmen, worldly-wise editors and as of those of lesser note. Rulers and writers, sincere statesmen and diplomats. states en admit their inability to cope As they view existing conditions from with xisting conditions, and as the omi- every angle, one and all give utterance nous bonds gather, fearful forebodings to words that prove the prophecy that in are e pressed by all. "Fear is on every the last days perilous times would come, side." Jeremiah 6:25. Never were these and men's hearts would fail them for word• truer than they are today; and fear, and for looking after the things that never did words of, Scripture seem more are coming upon the earth. 2 Timothy apt t an do those of the apostle John, ,At Peace With God 3:r; Luke 21:26. . "Fear hath torment." 1 John 4:18. MARGARET W. LOCKE By way of contrast, let us see the atti- We are living in those days of earth's tude of the Christian toward even terri- How sweet it is to be at peace with God; histor to which Jesus looked some nine- To know that if I close my eyes in sleep— fying prospects. "I will fear no evil," he teen undred years ago when He was That dreamless sleep beneath the quiet says; "for Thou art with me." The Chris- upon arth. When asked what would be sod— tian believes God's word, and he knows the co ditions just prior to His return I shall awake again, no more to weep. that these conditions which now exist are and t e culmination of the plan of God How sweet it is to be at peace with God] but the death pangs of the old reign of for h an redemption, He said men's Not always has there been this blessed sin, or, we might say, the birth pangs of hearts would fail them for fear, and for peace; a new era. He lifts his eyes above the lookin • after the things that are coming There have been tumults wild within the fearful sights that are all around him, on the earth. Luke 21:26. He told the heart, Ranklings of wrongs received that would and beholds the rainbow of promise—the discipl s that there would be fearful signs, not cease, promise of "new heavens and a new strang and startling sights; and we have Holding the thoughts of burning sting and earth" wherein righteousness will dwell. surely eached that day. smart; The Christian does as his Master bids One .f Europe's leading statesmen has Receiving not the peace that comes from him in the hour of peril. You remember God. said : he whole world atmosphere at that when Jesus spoke of .the fearful the pre ent time is filled with vague fore- But peace is mine—blest peace found only things that would come upon the earth, boding of, an advancing catastrophe. when causing men's hearts to fail them for fear, He wh. does not realize this, he who I gave it all to Him who calmed, the sea. He said to His disciples—and He also Not until I forgave my fellow men attemp is to deny it, either lives in a fool's Did Jesus calm the tempest within me, says to you and to me: "When these paradis , or lacks the ability to read the How sweet to be at peace with man and things begin to come to pass, then look march of events." Godl up, and lift up your heads; for your re-

"Signs of he Times," November 15, 1938. Volume 65, No. 45. $1,50 a year in the United States. Printed and published weekly (50 issues a year) by the Pacific Press Publishin Association at Mountain View, California, U.S.A. Entered as second-class matter September 15, 1904, at the post office at M,duntain View, California. under Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, and authorized September 18, 1918. Pag Four SIGNS of the TIMES demption draweth nigh." Luke. 21:28: know that my Redeemer liveth," he ence that the natural heart is afraid of; We are not to rejoice in the calamities, in said, "and that He shall stand at the latter that the unconverted man or woman the clouds, in the storm, in the awful day upon the earth: and though after would like never to have to face ?—the things, but to rejoice in what lies just my skin worms destroy this body, yet in day of retribution of which we read in beyond, just around the corner—corn- my flesh shall I see God ; whom I shall see the last chapter of Revelation: "Behold, plete and full redemption, not only for for myself, and mine eyes. shall behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with our poor hearts, but for a lost world as and not another." Job 19:25-27. David Me, to give every man 'according as his well. had the same confidence: "Though I work shall be." Verse 12. walk through the valley of the shadow The second coming of Christ is to one Confidence in God's Promises of death," he said, "I will fear no evil." class a dreaded event; it makes sick the To Paul and to David death was but the The opposite of fear is confidence, heart, all because they are not ready in laying down of the burdens of life to trust, faith. The Christian hears God character, in life, to be ushered into His await the call of the Life-giver and the saying to him today in this world of fear, divine presence. To them it will be a eternal reward. There was no doubt, "Fear not; 'I will help thee." Isaiah 41:13. fearful hour when, arrayed in all the there was no haunting fear, in their ex- Though the immediate future looks dark glory of heaven, the blessed Jesus de- perience; neither is there in the experi- and the angry clouds hang low, yet he scends the sky. The Bible pictures the ence of the true Christian today, Never- fears no evil, for Jesus is with him. He awful .fear that grips their hearts, tells theless, it takes more than a profession has not only the promise, "Lo, I am with what they will do, and even gives the cry of courage to banish the fears that tug at you alway," but the actual experience of that will break forth from their an- the human heart; it takes the abiding having the Saviour with him. And guished souls. You will find it all re- presence of the Holy Spirit. though his way is beset with hardship, corded in Revelation 6:14-17: "The May I mention just one other experi- though disappointments be his lot, he (Continued on page .12) still knows that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Ro-, mans 8:28); he will not cast away his confidence. "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Men fear in the presence of death. The natural man is afraid of death. Death is an enemy; it is a monster, cruel and re- lentless. But in God's great plan of redemption,, which includes a resurrection from the dead, the fear of death has been taken away. In Christ Jesus that cruel thing called death is spoken of as a little rest and quiet sleep until the call to im- mortal youth. The infinite God says: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." He also says: "Blessed are the dead which die in the -Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the • Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." The HOPE of the AGES Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:13. r I love to think of the apostle Paul in EltNEST LLOYD . his relationship with death. All fear was gone. When he came to the place of exe- HE Bible proclaims the doctrine of celebrating the hour when He shall come cution, he could write: "I am now ready Tthe second coming of our Lord Jesus to set up His kingdom of righteousness and to be offered, and the time of my depar-. Christ as it proclaims no other fact or event. everlasting peace. ture is, at hand. I have fought a good It is the great proclamation of Holy Scrip- In the New Testament the announce- fight, I have finished my course, I have ture because it involves the full realization ment of our Lord's second coming occurs on an average of about every twenty verses. kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up of scriptural promise, and the proclamation echoes from one end of the Bible to the "It is bound up with every fundamental for me a crown of righteousness, which other. "It is the first promise made in doctrine and every exhortation to practical. the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give Genesis after the fall of man, and the last Christian living. It is the first utterance of me at that day: and not to me only, but assurance of Malachi." Prophet, priest, and angels after our Lord ascends to heaven, unto all them also that love His appear- king of Old Testament days lift up their and it is His own last utterance from ing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Death had lost voices in united testimony concerning the heaven." In the fifth chapter of Revela- its fear for him; its sting was gone. It coming of the Lord. tion you will find a thrilling picture of our seems I can almost hear the aged apostle The seventh man from Adam was Enoch, Lord in heaven as the One who had been triumphantly cry out: "0 death, where the man who "walked with God" on earth; slain, but is risen from the dead, and now is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy vic- and this is the man who first heralded the carries on His great intercessory work for tory?" 1 Corinthians 15 :55. This ex- message of the coming King. The psalmist, His people on earth. But as Lord of lords David of Bethlehem, looked forward to and King of kings He is coming soon to perience could come only to the man the hour when "the trees of the wood shall remove from His realm all things that of- who could say out of the depths of his be moved and the sea join in the chorus of fend, and to establish His glorious and heart: "I know whom I have believed, praise because the Lord cometh, because eternal reign of righteousness. Thus He and am persuaded that He is able to keep He cometh to rule the earth." Isaiah be- will honor and satisfy the faith and hope of that which I have committed unto HiM holds the day of coming splendor as he His millions of earthly children who have against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12. waits before the Lord in His temple. The long waited for the glad hour of full and Job had that precious experience: "I greater and the minor prophets unite in complete redemption. For NOVEMBER 15, 1938 Page Five he MYSTERY of CREATION

What Does the Bible Say About It?

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by F. C. GILBERT

UMAN skill unaided cannot ex- selves; we are His people, and the sheep Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth plai the mystery of creation. There is of His pasture." "The Lord is a great not, neither is weary? there is no search- no dy of men alive today who' were God, and a great King above all gods. ing of His understanding." Isaiah 4o: pres nt when the earth was brought into In His hand are the deep places of the 25-28. exist nce. There exist no eyewitnesses earth: the strength of the hills is His also. Jeremiah gives us this word: "Thus in t is generation who are able by per- The sea is His, and He made it: and. His shall ye say unto , them, The gods that sona testimony to give accurate informa- hands formed the dry land." Psalms 24:1, have not made the heavens and the earth, flea s to the length of time occupied in 2; 139:14; roo :3; 953-5• even they shall perish from the earth, the eation of this planet; there is but In these few words the sweet singer of and from under these heavens. He hath one eliable, authoritative source of in- Israel has given more valuable knowl- made the earth by His power, He hath form tion. That oracle furnishes us with edge regarding the creation of earth and established the world by His wisdom, the, cessary detailed information as to man than could be written by theorists and hath stretched out the heavens by His the ethod of creation. To set aside this in a whole library of volumes. discretion." Jeremiah to:Yi, 12. sing!. and only true record of the method Here follows a pointed question the From the apostle Paul we have this and 1 ngth of time of creation is a grave Creator asked of Job—and the same record: "Sirs, why do ye these things? error question may well be repeated to the in- We also are men of like passions with Th Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, habitants of this age: "The Lord an- you, and preach unto you that ye, should expla ns clearly how this earth came into swered Job out of the whirlwind, and turn from these vanities unto the living bein . The language it uses is simple but said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel God, which made heaven, and earth, comp ehensive, intelligible, readily un- by words without knowledge? Gird up and the sea, and all things that are derstE od by all. The record says: "In the now thy loins like a man; for I will de- therein." Acts 14:15. begin ing God created the heaven and mand of thee, and answer thou Me. The apostle John states: "I saw an- the e. rth." Genesis r :r. What a volume Where wast thou when I laid the foun- other angel fly in the midst of heaven, these ew words express! There precedes dations of the earth? declare, if thou hast having the everlasting gospel to preach no ex lanation, no apology, no preface. understanding. Who hath laid the meas- unto them that dwell on the earth, and Si ilar declarations relating to crea- ures thereof, if thou knowest?" Job to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, tion re made by other writers in the 38:1-5. and people, saying with a loud voice, Holy Book, who lived centuries apart. In the book of Isaiah we have this Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the Says W avid: "The earth is the Lord's, testimony: "To whom then will ye liken hour of His judgment is come: and wor- and t e fullness thereof; the world, and Me, or shall I be equal ? saith the Holy ship Him that made heaven, and earth, they hat dwell therein. For He hath One. Lift up your eyes on high, and be- and the sea; and the fountains of waters." founded it upon the seas, and established hold who hath created these things, that Revelation 14:6, 7. it upol the floods." "I will praise Thee; bringeth out their host by number: He The united testimony of the writers for I am fearfully and wonderfully calleth them all by names by the great- of the Sacred Scriptures is that this earth, made. marvelous are Thy works; and ness of His might, for that He is strong and all upon it, owes its origin to God that rzy soul knoweth right well." in power; not one faileth. . . . Hast the Creator. "Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is thou not known? hast thou not heard, Very clearly does the Bible declare the He that hath made us, and not we our- that the everlasting God, the Lord, the means the Lord used in the formation of Page Six SIGNS of the TIMES this planet. Says the psalmist: "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and 01 the host of them by the breath of His mouth. . . . For He spake, NEWS FLASHES and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." "Let them praise the name POINTED PARAGRAPHS of the Lord: for He commanded, and OF WORLD INTEREST they were created." Psalms 33:6-9; 148:5. The scholarly apostle to the Gentiles by W. L. EMMERSON offers us additional information in regard to the method of creation. He says: "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." He- brews 11 :3. 0 MODERN MAMMON "For mammon," SLIPPERY Dr. G. F. Fisher, in Chester WORSHIP asserts Canon L. SLOPE Cathedral, likened the world "God Said, Let There Be—" W. Grensted, "we can write the name of crisis "to the plight of a group of people, any other god, or idol, or ideal that we brothers all, who are falling ever so steeply According to the Bible account, God are in danger of worshiping, the god of down the slippery slopes to the precipice brought matter and life into being by power, or of wealth, or of security, or of below. . . . Below, perilously near, is the His word. God spoke, and all came into pleasure, or of the praise of men." brink. . . . For long the family of nations existence. has been on that steep slope, one desperate The description of creation, as stated 0 ULTIMATE "If ever in world history it grip after another failing to check its course. in the first chapter of Genesis, is as beau- REALITIES was vital for the whole hu- . . . Under God, we owe it to the Prime tiful as it is simple. The mind is de- man race that the leaders of the nations Minister that a foothold of some sort has lighted and thrilled as it traces the nar- should act with their eyes on the ultimate for the moment been secured. It is just a rative of the beginning of our earth. realities," asserted Mr. Bullitt, American little precarious ledge, which affords a Says the record: ambassador to France, in Paris recently, breathing space just short of the brink. "that moment is today." Will it hold enough," he asked, "to bring "God said, Let there be light: and there the whole interlocked group to a halt?" was light." 0 NECESSITY OF "I do not believe in be- "God said, Let there be a firmament in BELIEF lid," recently declared Q PEACE ALTAR The restored Altar of the midst of the waters." Mr. E. M. Forster in the London Mercury. INAUGURATED Peace, originally "God said, Let the waters under the But, replies the Church Times, "not to be- erected by Augustus Caesar, and recovered heaven be gathered together unto one lieve is not to live. Not to believe is to be piecemeal during the past four centuries place, and let the dry land appear." unable to love or to hate, to fear or to strive. from, the mud of the Campus Martius in "God said, Let there be lights in the Belief in God is the beginning of wisdom." Rome, was dedicated by Signor Mussolini .firmament of the heaven to divide the at the close of the Augustan bimillenary day from the night; and let them be for SCIENTIFIC "We rely in our discus- celebrations. Eighteen battalions of Italian PRIDE sions," declared Prof. V. G. militia marched past the altar prior to the signs, and for seasons, and for days, and ceremony. years." Childe at the recent British Association "God said, Let Us make man. . . . meeting in Cambridge, "on substantial and public data, not upon any mystic revela- 0 LIEGE ON In May, 1939, a new canal So God created man in His own image, tions, vouchsafed once and irrevocably to THE SEA connecting Liege, in Bel- in the image of God created He him; a prophet or a fijhrer, nor upon the ambigu- gium, with Antwerp will be opened, mak- male and female created He them. And ities of sentences spoken or written by in- ing the former city accessible to vessels up God blessed them." dividuals now dead." to two thousand tons, and reducing the "God saw everything that He had sailing time between the two cities to two made, and, behold, it was very good." In 0 RECORD WHEAT According to the In- and a half days. It will cost 355,000,000. thirty-one verses is told the story of how YEAR ternational Institute the world and its contents were created of Agriculture, the production of wheat BOMBING IN During r,000 bombard- by the Lord God of heaven. Human this year is likely to exceed the average of SPAIN ments in Spain, declared philosophy cannot explain it, archaeol- the past ten years, and may even be an Don Pablo de Azcarate before the League of Nations, 24"o bombs have been dropped ogists cannot determine it, geologists can- absolute record. EurOpe, excluding Russia, will have a crop of about 47,000,000 metric on the civilian population, causing the not dispute it. tons. The Canadian total will probably be death of 7,000 noncombatants and injury to The apostle Paul gives. the correct in the region of 35,000,000 metric tons; 33,000 others. Eleven thousand buildings method of comprehending creation while the total for the Northern Hemi- were destroyed. when he says: "Through faith we under- sphere is likely to reach 105,000,000 metric stand that the worlds were framed by tons. AMORE DINOSAUR A Danish expedi- the word of God." Hebrews 11 :3. He BONES tion to the eastern furthermore declares that "faith is the PROSPECT FOR "I can well under- section of Greenland has brought back, substance of, things hoped for, the evi- YOUTH stand," said Mr. Ken- among other finds, the bones of a dinosaur dence of things not seen." Verse 1. The nedy, the American ambassador. to Great from Scoresby Sound. This would indicate apostle further states: "So then faith Britain, in Aberdeen recently, "the discour- a very much warmer climate in Greenland cometh by hearing, and hearing by the agement which I occasionally hear young in earlier times than at present. people express,—out of keeping as it is for word of God." Romans io :17. the very young to be disillusioned and cyni- 0 GERMAN GRAIN The graft; harvest in As we read in God's word the record cal,—and I feel it is the fault of us, their HARVEST Germany and Austria of creation, as we consider the means elders, that we have let things come to such this year is stated to be in the region of used to bring our world into existence, a pass for them. . . . We must give our 27,558,000 tons, or 980,000 tons more than we are enabled to understand how the young men and women who are just comin 1933, the previous record year. As a re- world was framed. Happy is he who being of age something else to hope for than sult, white bread will again be available this lieves the simple testimony of God's Book. a short life carrying a gun." winter. for NOVEMBER 15, 1938 Page Seven The GREATEST PROPHECY

E MUST all appear before the Have we the right to call a prophetic prophecy is an announcement of the first judgment seat of Christ; that day a literal year? "Thou shalt bear the and the second:coming of Christ; so, nat- everyone may receive the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days : urally, Gabriel was the angel sent to give ngs done in his body, according to that I have appointed thee each day for a the message. h hath done, whether it be good or bad:' year." Ezekiel 4:6. So, in prophetic How long did Gabriel say it would be 2 Corinthians 5:1o. time, God has appointed that each pro- from the beginning of the 2300-year pe- Everybody will one day have to stand phetic day shall represent a literal year. riod to the first advent of Christ? "From b fore God in the judgment. Not a sin- This 2300-prophetic-day period is, there- the going forth of the commandment to g e individual will escape it. Then every fore, 2300 literal years. restore and to build Jerusalem unto the t ought, action, and word of his entire When did this period start? Daniel Messiah . . . shall be seven weeks, and li e will pass in review. There will be no could not understand the vision after he threescore and two weeks;" or, in other f. vorites. There will be no technicalities had received it, so he began to pray for words, it would be exactly 483 years from i the law to serve as a way to freedom. wisdom from God; and God sent the that command to the appearance of ere will be no jury to "buy off," and angel Gabriel to tell him what it meant. Christ. n judge who can be bribed. Each case See Daniel 9:20-23. w'll be decided upon it own merits, and Gabriel is the same angel who an- When Did the Period Begin? al the evidence will be in hand. nounced to Mary that she should give God knows everything about us. He birth to Jesus. He is the official an- In what year was it that this command h. s a faithful record of every act that we nouncer of the advents of Christ. This was given for the restoration of Jerusa- h. ye performed, and every place to which lem? "Now this is the copy of the letter w have gone. The darkest night cannot that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra hide us from God. God's knowledge of the priest." Then is given the decree us is quite vividly described in the fol- granting to the Jews the privilege of leav- lowing verse: "Yea, the darkness hideth ing Babylon and going back to Jerusalem nc t from Thee; but the night shineth as and rebuilding their city. Artaxerxes also the day: the darkness and the light are gave them money to help them in the both alike to Thee." Psalm 139:12. project. Ezra 7:11-18. "There went up When will the judgment take place? some of the children of Israel, . . . unto "He said unto me, Unto two thousand Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxer- and three hundred days; then shall .the The HANDS of JESUS xes the king." Verse 7. This decree to restore Jerusalem was given in the sev- sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14. STANLEY COMBRIDGE These cannot be literal days, for the enth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, king "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My prophecy includes Christ's first coming hands." Isaiah 40:10. of.Persia. That is a very easy date to find and the end of time. "Know therefore "He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He from history, fot Artaxerxes was a prom- and understand, that from the going lifted up His hands, and blessed them." Luke 24:50. inent king. His seventh year was 457 B. c. Gabriel explained to Daniel that if he forth of the commandment to restore I see the hands of One outstretched to bless and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah Ere He ascended to His Father's throne. would count from this date, 457 B. c., Those hands that ministered along life's press the Prince shall be seven weeks, and Are lifted up—but there are nailprints shown; down through the centuries 483 years, For they were nailed upon the cruel tree— he would be face to face with Christ, the threescore and two weeks." "Understand, 'Twas there upon the cross He bore my shame. 0 ion of man: for at the time of the end His arms were opened wide on Calvary, Messiah. Was the prophecy fulfilled? shall be the vision." Daniel 9:25; 8:17. And, graven on His hands, I find my name. Four hundred eighty-three years from Those holy hands were used to bless mankind, 457 B. C. bring us down to 27 A. D. If you And grasped the hands of those bowed down could be carried back to the year 27 A. D., "Each Day for a Year" with grief ; For, by His touch, each suff'ring soul did find and could stand on the banks of the river As seven weeks and threescore and A very present help and sure relief. The children, too, He welcomed to His side— Jordan, you. would see John the Baptist two weeks (69 weeks, or 483 days) were Upon their heads His hands were gently laid; in the act of baptizing Jesus Christ. You And yet those hands were pierced before He died, to elapse between the command to re- And fastened to a tree, which they had made. would then see Christ coming up out st() re Jerusalem and the anointing of of the waters of the river and kneeling How oft those hands were clasped in earnest prayer Christ, we can be sure that they were not As on the mountain height He sighed and prayed! upon the bank. Then, like a flash of literal days; for, in fact, that period of That He might all our trials and sorrows share lightning from the blue, the Holy Spirit, His cries and groans on our behalf were made. time was exactly 483 years. Then it is He overcame temptation for us all; in the form of a dove, came down from quite evident that the days in this proph- And, since ascending to His Father's throne, He succors those who now upon Him call heaven and rested upon the kneeling ecy represent years. And unto Him makes all their wishes known. Christ. To makeithe occasion impressive,

"UNTO TWO THOUSAND AND THREE HUNDRED DAYS (YEARS). THEN SHALL THE SANCTUARY BE CLEANSED." Dan. 8:14 VENTY WEEKS ARE DETERMSNEIPN " IT RELATES TO THE CRISIS AT THE CLOSE." Dan. 8 : 17 (Moffatt) UPON THY PEOPLE' 1.190 YEARS) A D, 34 1844 1260 YEARS OF PAPAL SUPREMACY (Dan. 7.21) Al 17711 27) 34 APOSTASY • I DARK AGES REFORMATION The CRISP

B C.200 400 900 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 if 2 WEEKS oF 434 YEARS L810 YEARS YRS Page Eight SIGNS of the TIMES the BIBLE

Time of Christ's Baptism and Crucifixion R.evealed The Judgment Announced

by JOHN FORD (Broadcast over WOL and ten other stations)

God Himself broke the silence of the ages, and spoke in an audible voice, saying, "This is My beloved Son." Matthew 3:17. This part of the prophecy started at a well-known event, and ended at the great moment when Christ began His public ministry. As the first thirty years of Christ's life were spent in privacy, God had the 483 years end in a great public demonstration at the beginning of our Saviour's public work, in 27 A. D. "He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." Daniel 9:27. Christ would try for one prophetic week, seven literal years, or until 34 A. D., to get the Jewish people to accept Him. But, half- way between 27 A. D. and 34 A. D., or in the midst of the week, He would put an end to sacrifices. In that very year, 31 A.D., Christ was crucified; the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom by God; and the sacrificing of animals became ineffectual, because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, to which they pointed, had taken their place. At the end of the seven-year period, 34 A. D., the covenant INTERNATIONAL. Mastroianni's representation in wax of the sacrifice of our Saviour, whose death marked with the Jews would be terminated; and the end of the antitypical service, as predicted by inspiration six hundred years before. it was, for in that year the Jews stoned Stephen, and Paul was called as an apos- third point, 31 A. D., the crucifixion of What is the cleansing of the sanctuary? tle to the Gentiles. See Acts 7:59; 8:1; Christ, unquestioned; and the fourth In the old Jewish ceremony, when a. per- 9:1-31. date, 34 A. D., the rejection of the Jews by son committed a sin, he brought a lamb With 483 years and seven more years God, sure, it follows positively that the to the sanctuary, and there confessed his (490 years altogether) of this prophecy last date, 1844 A. D., is absolutely certain. sins upon the head of the lamb. Then in the past, having begun with the year In other words, the date 1844 A. D. for the after killing the lamb, the priest took the 457 B. C. and having ended in 34 A. D., we close of the 2300-year period is as certain blood of the lamb and sprinkled it upon still have 1810 years of the 2300-year pe- as the fact that Artaxerxes decreed the the altar. In like manner, the sins of the riod left. Adding 1810 to 34 A. D. brings restoration of Jerusalem in 457 B. c., as whole congregation were transferred by us to 1844 jA. D. certain as the fact that Christ was bap- the symbol of the blood to the sanctuary. If the opening date of the 2300-year pe- tized in 27,A. D., as certain as the fact that Each year, on the tenth day of the riod is correct, we are positive that the Christ was crucified in 31 A. D., and as seventh month, came the Day of Atone- closing date is correct. History proves certain as the fact that the gospel went ment. On that day the sanctuary was unquestionably that 457 B. c. is the open- to the Gentiles in 34 A. D. If you have one, cleansed of its sins. This was done by ing date; so 1844 A. D. is certain for the two, three, four points established beyond bringing two goats and casting lots over closing date. Also, the fact that Christ's a shadow of a doubt in a line of prophecy, them. One goat was for the Lord (which ministry began just 483 years after 457 the last point cannot fail. Therefore, really represented Christ), and the other B.c. proves that we have the right date 1844 A. D. is the close of the 2300-year pe- was the scapegoat. The priest then killed for the beginning of the 2300-year period. riod. Let us read the date right into the the goat for the Lord, took its blood into With the opening date verified; the text: In 1844 A. D., then shall the sanctu- the most holy place, and sprinkled it on. second point, 27 A. D., established; the ary be cleansed. the mercy seat, which acts represented for NOVEMBER 15, 1938 Page Nine th atoning work accomplished by the Christ "neither by the blood of goats and holy is he that hath part in the first resur- bl►od of Christ, through which penitent calves, but by His own blood," "entered rection." Revelation 20:5, 6. si ners find mercy before God. Then the in once ihto the holy place, having ob- The prophet Daniel, looking down bl god was sprinkled upon the altar, and tained eternal redemption for us." He- over the centuries to 1844 A. D., saw the a atonement was made for all the sins brews 9:12. "Nor yet that He should opening of the judgment in heaven. "I co mitted throughout the entire year, offer Himself often, as the high priest beheld till the thrones were cast down, an the sanctuary was cleansed. entereth into the holy place every year and the Ancient of Days did sit. . . . f an individual had sinned during the with blood of others; for then must He Thousand thousands ministered unto ye r and had not brought a lamb and often have suffered since the foundation Him, and ten thousand times ten thou- co fessed his sins and had those sins of the world: but now once in the end of sand stood before Him: the judgment tr sferred to the sanctuary, when the the world hath He appeared to put away was set, and the books were opened." D y of Atonement came, and the sanctu- sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it After the judgment was set in heaven, ar was cleansed, his sins were not there is appointed unto men once to die, but still there were things happening on the to .e cleansed. He had to bear the pen- after this the judgment." Verses 25-27. earth—men and governments were pur- alt for them. Such a person was cut off Some have thought that the day of suing their regular work. And then, fro the camp of Israel. judgment will come after Christ returns finally, Christ returns to this world and to this world the second time; but it must takes over the kingdoms and dominions. The Heavenly Sanctuary take place before He comes. "Behold, I Daniel 7:9-14. come quickly; and My reward is with In this judgment scene Daniel said the he day of the cleansing of the sanctu- Me, to give every man according as his books were opened. What books were ary was considered a day of judgment. work shall be." Revelation 22:12. Christ these? "I saw the dead, small and great, Th Jews at the present time still consider has the reward ready for each individual stand before God; and the books were it 'o. "According to Jewish tradition, when He comes. He could not have pre- opened: and another book was opened, the Day of Atonement marks the sealing pared the rewards beforehand unless He which is• the book of life: and the dead of od's final decree of judgment on had judged each case. were judged out of those things which eve y creature."—San Diego "Union." As the ancient Day of Atonement was were written in the books, according to "T e rabbis of old endowed Yom Kip- a day to decide who should continue on their works." Revelation 20:12. pur (Day of Atonement) with a devout the journey to the Promised Land, so reli ibus atmosphere. They considered this last great Day of Atonement is a Names in the Book of Life this day one when the Supreme Judge time to decide who shall be saved when set is seal on the fate of every creature Christ returns. The earthly Day of What does Paul tell us is written in on arth." Atonement had to do only with the peo- this book of life? "I entreat thee also, B t, you say, "That has nothing to do ple of God, and not with the heathen true yokefellow, help those women wit me. I am not a Jew." Neither does nations about them; so this great judg- which labored with me in the gospel, this cleansing of the sanctuary in this ment day deals only with those who have with Clement also, and with other my pro hecy have anything to do with the at some time in their lives accepted fellow laborers, whose names are in the Jew as a people only. The prophecy Christ. "The time is come that judg- book of life." Philippians 4:3. Only spea s of only one cleansing, and that ment, must begin at the house of God: Christians have their names in the book to t e place at the end of time, or just and if it first begin at us, what shall the of life; therefore, no one needs to be befo e Christ returns to this earth. It does end be of them that obey not the gospel judged in this day of judgment but not efer to the annual Jewish ceremony, of God ?" I Peter 4:17. Christians, whose names are in that book, for t e Jewish sanctuary service ceased, Christ is getting ready for the great for all the rest of the world is doomed, as I r as God was concerned, eighteen resurrection day, when only the righteous and needs no judgment to determine its hun red years before this cleansing was will be raised. The wicked are not raised fate. "Whosoever was not found writ- to to e place. from the dead until one thousand years ten in the book ofi life was cast into the T en what sanctuary is it that is to later—at the close of the millennium. lake of fire." Revelation 20:I5. There is be cl ansed? There is only one sanctuary "The rest of the dead lived not again absolutely no chance for anyone to be spoken of in the Bible other than the old until the thousand years were finished. saved who has not had his name written Jewi h sanctuary, and that one is men- This is the first resurrection. Blessed and in the book of life. But many of those tione in Hebrews 8:r, 2: who have had their names "We have such an High Christ's baptism by John marked the beginning of the special written in that book will period of ministry foretold in Daniel 9:27. Pries , who is set on the have them blotted out dur- right hand of the throne of ing this great judgment the ajesty in the heavens; time. "He that oveccometh, a mi ister of the sanctuary, the same shall be clothed in and f the true tabernacle, white raiment; and I will whic the Lord pitched, not blot out his name out of and ot man." the book of life." Revela- Th heavenly sanctuary, tion 3:5. where Jesus is the high Is there a law by which priest is similar in design we shall have to be judged and s rvice to the earthly on the great judgment day ? sanct ary—indeed, the "Whosoever shall keep the earthl sanctuary was pat- whole law, and yet offend in terne after the heavenly. one point, he is guilty of all. The eavenly sanctuary For he that said, Do not does ot have a yearly commit adultery, said also, cleans ng; its one cleansing Do not kill. Now if thou takes lace before Christ re- commit no adultery, yet if turns the second time. (Continued on page 14) Pa e Ten SIGNS of the TIMES The Message of the Stars-6

The IMMENSITY of SPACE

little less than 93,000,000 miles, or about by J. WALTER RICH four hundred times the distance to the moon. But we want to know something about now we learn that the stars nearest to the how far the stars are from us. The sun are 270,000 times as far away as the method used to measure the distance to sun! In an endeavor to make these vast the sun and moon would hopelessly fail distances intelligible, astronomers have us if we were to try it on the stars. From invented the expression, "light-years." California to Wisconsin is altogether too Light travels through space at the short a distance to detect any change in astounding speed of 186,324 miles a sec- the direction of the stars. We must get ond, eleven million miles a minute— a far wider baseline for our calculations. about six million million miles a year. But how? Where can we go? Nature This is a light-year. Using this unit of comes to our aid. Once each year the measure, we find that the distance of the earth carries us around the sun in a great sun is a little more than eight minutes circle, so that at any minute we are on away, while the two stars in Centaurus, the exact opposite side of the sun from our nearest neighbors, are 4.3 light-years where we were six months previously, or away; that is, it takes light 4.3 years to The nebula in Ursa Major, thought to be travel from Centauri to our earth. a vast universe by itself. r86,000,000 miles away from that position. Using this same yardstick, we find that After moving this great distance of the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, is 186,000,000 miles, we, are able to note a 8.6 light-years away. In other words, the 0 enormous are the distances of the slight change of position in some of the light that shines upon us tonight from stars, in comparison with the size of the stars, and thereby we ascertain their Sirius started 8.6 years ago. Think of all earth, that "no journey we can take over distance. that has happened here on this earth the earth would alter the directions of while those rays of light were hurtling the stars in space," says Sir James Jeans Measurement of Star Distances earthward from Sirius at such terrific in his book "The Stars in Their Courses." speed. If observations taken at Lick Observa- Far down in the Southern Hemi- Let us think of some of the well- tory in California and at Yerkes Observa- sphere, a very dim star by the name of known , stars and of their distances in tory in Wisconsin do not show any dif- Proxima Centauri, and Alpha Centauri, light-years. Think of Procyon and its ference in the position of the stars, but do third brightest star in the heavens, prove distance of 10.5 light-years; of Altair and show a slight difference in the direction to be the nearest of all. But notice how its 16 light-years; of Vega and its 26 light- of the moon, we are led to know that the "near" they are—twenty-five million mil- years; of Arcturus and its 41 light-years; moon is nearer to the earth than are the lion miles away, and this is about 270,000 of Aldebaran and its 57 light-years; of stars. Then, by a process very similar to times as distant as the sun. Achernar and its 70 light-years; but these that of range finding in war, or to that of When we tried to think of the distance are right in our own "yard." Now let us ordinary surveying, we are enabled to of the sun as we were studying that great think of Betelgeuse and its 200 light- find the distance that the moon is from orb, we learned that we should have to years; of Spica and its 230 light-years; of the earth. In the words of Sir James travel 15o miles an hour, day and night, Beta Centauri and its 300 light-years; of Jeans, "we do not need to go to the top for more than 7o years to reach it. And Antares and its 38o light-years; of Rigel of a mountain to discover and Sits 500 light-years; and how high it is, nor need we Only the distances within our own Using the diameter of the earth's of Deneb and its 600 or so go, to the enemy's guns to solar system can be measured by annual orbit as a base line, the dis- light-years. using the earth's diameter as a base tances to the nearer "stars" can be find how far away they are line for triangulation. measured. Can you grasp it all? The from our own." By the light that reaches us from same procedure we find it 0,i3 Rigel left that great sun is not necessary to go to the about the time that Martin al moon to find how far it is Luther was defending his from the earth. Using this 0, faith in God and the Bible range-finding process, we 0 #21 0 at the Diet of Worms! learn that the moon is ap- proximately 240,000 miles But we must be on our from the earth. way. We have scarcely left To measure the distance the portals of our own sys- INS MILLION ARLO EA ILL Li tem. Infinitely beyond this to the sun is a more difficult NAMFEUR Of task than to measure that - - distance must we go to to the moon, because it is so gather even a slight concep- much farther away; but it tion of the immensity of has been calculated to be a space. Sir James Jeans, a for NOVEMBER 15, 1938 Page Eleven noted writer on astronomy, likens the Now we go back to the Bible, and to selves in the dens and in the rocks of the stars, to the lights of a vast city. But we the Creator of these mighty works, and mountains; And said to the mountains do not expect any city, however great, to have Him bring home to our hearts the and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from extend forever. If we go far enough, we astounding measure of His love. "Thus the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, get out of the city, and come to the dark saith the Lord; lf heaven above can be and from the wrath of the Lamb: for open country again. And so it is with measured, . . . I will also cast off all the the great dar of His wrath is come; and the stars. It would be proper to speak of seed of Israel for all that they have done, who shall be able to stand?" ides of stars. The vast city to which we saith the Lord." Jeremiah 31:37. But what a different picture the Bible elong is the Milky Way. But the Milky What does the Lord say? He says that brings to view concerning men and ay is not the only system. Far beyond "if heaven above can be measured," He women who have yielded their lives to ie many other "star-cities" with their will go on record that He has failed. But God, who halve had their sins forgiven ystems of lights. In the great distance He cannot fail; "He shall not fail nor be through the merits of the precious Christ, hey look like dim clouds of light, and discouraged." Isaiah 42:4. "Thus saith who have walked with Him in fellow- re called nebulae, a Latin word mean- God the Lord, He that created the ship and obedience, who have believed ng mists or clouds. heavens, and stretched them out: . . . I His promises of a life beyond, of a new the Lord have called thee in righteous- heaven and a new earth! When they see Vast Star-Cities ness, and will hold thine hand, and will Him descending on the clouds, one great keep thee. . . . I am the Lord: that is shout of triumph bursts from their rap- To give us a concrete picture of the My name: and My glory will I not give tured hearts and lips. Isaiah gives their mensity of space, let us build a little to another." Verses 5-8. Israel will not victorious, cry: "Lo, this is our God; we odel of the universe, adapting our be cast off; therefore the heavens cannot have waited for Him, and He will save stronomer's illustration into an Amer- be measured. One is as, sure as the other, us: this is the Lord; we have waited for 1 an setting. and each is as sure as God. Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His We have compared the great nebulae salvation." Isaiah 25:9. i space to star-cities. Let us take San "Space is immeasurable, and God has taken this fact as the everlasting founda- In which class are you today? Are rancisco to represent our own city of you among those who are fearful and s ars, the Milky Way, the system in tion of one of His promises," says the late Dr. L. A. Reed. afraid because of existing conditions, hich our sun figures as a very ordinary because of the terrible storm that is about Thus do we find God's word and His s reet light. With this as a beginning, to break, because of the dark shadows works linked together; and when we t e two, nearest star-cities in space might into which you are entering, because of think of the infinity of space, it helps us a propriately be compared to San Jose the difficulties that perplex you? Are you to realize the surety of His covenant. As a d Stockton, each inch representing afraid because of the disease that is prey- we look out yonder into the abyss that about one and a half million million ing upon you, because of death's chasm reaches to the stars, that stretches into an iles. yawning before you? Are you afraid to expanse as measureless as eternity, our In our model the yearly path of the appear before the judgment seat of God? souls will rise with the thought that there rth around the sun is reduced to a May I bring to you a message of comfort is no limit to all that He will do for us. I * croscopic speck of eight thousandths and cheer in tl e words of the One who Filled with thoughts of the stupendous an inch in diameter, and our whole loves you with, an everlasting love? power that upholds the soul that trusts so ar system, reaching out to the orbit of "Come unto e," He says, "all ye that in God, like Jeremiah we may say: "Ah P to, is nothing more in size than a labor and are heavy-laden, and I will Lord God! behold, Thou hast made the fa r-sized grain of sand. The great stars give you rest." 43eace I leave with you, heaven and the earth by Thy great power a suns mentioned above—in fact, all My peace I give unto you: not as the and stretched-out arm, and there is noth- th stars that can be seen with the un- world giveth, give I unto you. Let not ing too hard for Thee." Jeremiah 32:17. ai ed eye—would lie within a few yards your heart be troubled, neither let it be of this grain of sand; indeed, most of afraid." Matthew 11:28; John 14:27. th m would be only a few feet away. . , Come to Him today; give your hearts Al 'ha Centauri and its vast system Faith Versus Fear completely to Him who is the one and uld be within eighteen inches away, (Continued from page 5) all-sufficient SaViour. Heed His gracious an Sirius less than three feet. heaven departed as a scroll when it is invitation: "My son, give me thine nce the largest telescope on earth rolled together; and every mountain and heart." Then you will know that "per- re eals about two million regular-shaped island were moved out of their places. fect love casteth but fear." net ulae, we must plan to have about And the kings of the earth, and the great • tw ) million star-cities placed on our men, and the rich men, and the chief DON'T think about how old you are— model. San Francisco, San Jose, and captains, and the mighty men, and every think about being active and doing good. Sto kton represent the three nearest,— bondman, and every freeman, hid them- —Adolph Lewisohn. e , the Milky Way, Triangulum, and An romeda,—but they are rather close tog ther for average star-cities in space. o place the nebula M51 of Canes Comin Next Week Ve atici, which is a distance of 5o mil- in addition to the regular features: lio light-years, it would be necessary, in our small-scale plan, to reach a dis- Will All Good People Go to Heaven? Francis F. Bush tan e of 3,100 miles from San Francisco, wh' h would bring us in the neighbor- "Come Unto Me" I Emil Knauft boo • of New York. The farthest nebula The Gift of Tongues G G Brown in s. ace would be, in our model, a dis- The Seven Last Plagues John Ford tan•e of 8,5oo miles from San Francisco, nea London or Shanghai. The Glory of Orion J Walter Rich E en now these distances leave us be- The Modern Revival of Sabbath Observance C. E. Grant wil ered. They are so gigantic that we can out stand in awe of them. Wage Twelve SIGNS of the TIMES From Sabbath to Sunday-9 Rome's Responsibility Foretold in Prophecy

Attitude of the Reformers N LAST week's article on the tran- of thousands upon thousands of Sabbath- sition of the Sabbath from Saturday, keeping Christians. the seventh day of the week, to Sunday, by That Sunday was a distinctive mark of the first day of the week, during the Mid- C. E. GRANT the papal power was pointed out by Dr. dle Ages, we fodnd that the Jesuit priests, Eck in his controversy with Luther when in their missionary endeavors outside the he said: "The Scripture teaches: Remem- confines of the Roman Empire, found and "wear out the saints of the Most ber that you keep the Saturday; six days thousands upon thousands of persons in High." Daniel 7:25. That the Roman shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but Africa, China, India, and the islands of Church, riding on the strong arm of the the seventh day is the Sabbath of the the sea who observed the seventh day. Roman state, fulfilled these divine pre- Lord thy God, etc. However, the church We found that the Roman Church, in dictions can hardly be questioned by a has transferred the observance from order to heap contempt upon this day, student of medieval history. Saturday to Sunday by virtue of her own commanded work to be done upon it. John says that this ten-horned beast of power, without Scripture, without doubt We found sects maintaining their alle- Revelation 12:i-9 would persecute the under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit." giance to God and His Sabbath in the woman and that she would flee into the "The Sabbath is commanded in various face of persecution and death even down wilderness for "a thousand two hundred places in the Scriptures. But there is no to the seventeenth century. and threescore days." Revelation 12:6. mention of the cessation of the Sabbath We shall endeavor in this article to Following the Bible plan of reckoning a and the institution of Sunday in the Gos- prove that some of the Bible prophets prophetic day as a literal year, this would pels, or in Paul's writings, or in all the foresaw this persecution of God's people be exactly 1,26o years, or the period of Bible; therefore this has taken place by by the Roman Church, and that the Ro- papal supremacy from 538 to 1798 A. D. the apostolic church instituting it without man Church holds that the transition of Scripture."—Dr. Eck's Enchiridion, r533, the Sabbath from Saturday, the seventh Sabbathkeepers Persecuted pages 78, 79. day of the week, to Sunday, the first day This statement was made by Eck be- of the week, is 'a distinctive mark of her You will notice as you study the cause Luther insisted on a scriptural rea- supreme power. twelfth chapter of Revelation that it was son for the holidays and fast days. Eck The prophecies of Daniel and the the church into which Christ was born tried to point out that Luther was incon- Revelation clearly foretell that a power, that was persecuted for twelve hundred sistent in holding to Sunday and reject- arising in Rome after the division of the sixty years. What church was it that was ing the other holy days of the Catholic Roman Empire, shall "think to change persecuted, and by whom was it perse- Church, and he said to Luther: "If you times and laws" of the Most High; that cuted? As we have traced the persecuted omit the latter [the power of the church it shall "cast down the truth to the and the persecutor through the early and to institute days}, and turn from the ground," and shall practice and prosper; middle centuries, we have been con- church to the Scriptures alone, then you and that it shall "have indignation fronted with the fact that the Roman must keep the Sabbath with the Jews, against the holy covenant." Daniel 7:25; Church has acted the part of the perse- which has been kept from the beginning 8:12; 11:3o. All this we have seen ful- cutor, and the early British church and of the world."—/bid. filled in the attitude of the Roman bishop the anathematized Sabbathkeepers of the That this statement on the part of Dr. against God's law and against His holy East and the West, during the Dark Eck became a very disturbing element in Sabbath. Under anathema, the papacy Ages, furnish us a cloud of witnesses as the life of the Reformers is evident from enforced work upon God's rest day, to who the persecuted were. The most a statement made bt Carlstadt when he turned God's day of delight into a day of remote mountain passes also testify to said, "Concerning Sunday one feels un- fasting and mourning, substituted an- the fact that they were the hiding places easy because men have instituted it."— other day—the first day of the week—for "Von dem Sabbat and gebotenen Feier- the seventh day, and perverted the law John's prophecy of the persecution of the tagen," chapter ro. We find also that by trying to apply the fourth com- Christians was verified in the Dark Ages. Carlstadt endeavored to teach Lu- mandment to Sunday. ther that the Sabbath was the In the twelfth chapter of the proper day to observe, and for this book of Revelation, John says that he was called an "incarnate devil" a ten-horned beast stood before the by Luther, and was forced to leave woman, or church, to devour the Saxony in 1524 A. D. and again in Man Child (Christ) as soon as He 1528. Later we find Luther having was born; and there are few today to write a thirty-four-page ,letter to who do not know it was Herod, a a friend to try to suppress the ob- Roman governor, who endeavored servance of the seventh-day Sab- to take the life of Christ when He bath, which was springing up in was but a babe. This same ten- many localities. horned power is pictured by John That the Reformers did not be- as persecuting the woman, or lieve that Sunday was to be ob- church; and Daniel sees a little served as the Sabbath is clear from horn come up among the ten— Article 28 of the Augsburg Confes- representing a power that would. sion, for it reads: "The observance- "think to change times and laws" neither of the Sabbath nor of any" for NOVEMBER 15, 1938 Page Thirteen other day is necessary." It "is not to be The Greatest Prophecy taught necessary to salvation." page 10) Luther must have been influenced to (Continued front SIGNS TIMES some extent by Eck's statements and by thou kill, thou art become a transgressor Advocating a return to the simple of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as gospel of Christ, and a preparation Carlstadt, or he never would have made for His imminent second appearing the following statements: "Since our they that shall be judged by the law of 2:10-12. Lord has come, we have the liberty, if liberty." James EDITOR: ARTHUR S. MAXWELL Sabbath or Sunday does not please us, There may be some persons who do EDITOR EMERITUS A. O. TAIT to take Monday or another day of the not like the Ten Commandments, and think that it is not necessary to obey week and make a Sunday out of it"— SUBSCRIPTION RATES Erlank Augs., 17. Further, "If any- them; but I can assure you that on the In United States: great judgment day each one will have Single copy, one, year $1.50 where the day is made holy for the mere Clubs of five or More to one address, each 1.25 day's sake, if anywhere anyone sets up to give an account of his actions in regard To Canada and other countries taking extra postage: Single copy, one year $2.00 its observance on a Jewish foundation, to those Ten Commandments. Clubs of five or More to one address, each 1.50 then I order you to work on it, to ride on "If we sin willfully after that we have Please make all checks and money orders payable to "Signs of the Times," Mountain View, California. it, to dance on it, to feast on it, to do any- received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS thing that shall remove this encroach- ,Expiration. All Tissues for the month named on ment on Christian liberty."—Table Talk, . . . Of how much sorer punishment, the top line of your address label are included in your subscription. 'Unless renewed in advance, the quoted in Bampton Lectures, page 166, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, paper stops at expiration date. Change of address.' Please give both old and by Dr. Hessey. who hath trodden underfoot the Son of new address. God, and hath counted the blood of the No papers are seht except on paid subscriptions, so persons receiving the "Signs of the Times' with- Catholics Claim the Change covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, out having subscribed may feel perfectly free to accept it. an unholy thing, and hath done despite J. R. FERREN, Circulation Manager Tyndale believed we could observe unto the Spirit of grace ?" Hebrews ery tenth day if we so desired, and Cal- 1 o :26-29. v. played ball on Sunday; so the general All those whO have tried to live as God 0 inion was among the Reformers that God's Standard of Greatness would have them live, and have asked t re was not a divine command for Sun- forgiveness for their sins, will have their y observance, but that it was of only Let us suppose that the name of a man names retained ,in the book of life. All h man origin. of influence is read. From the record of those who have willfully transgressed s to the acknowledgment of the Cath- his life, it will be found that he has taught God's law and have not repented or ol c Church upon this transition of the openly and publicly that people should asked forgiveness will have their names S 'bath from Saturday, the seventh day not observe the Sabbath, and that it was blotted from the book of life. Then the of the week, to Sunday, the first day of not necessary to obey the Ten Command- Judge will make this proclamation: "He th week, I wish to quote the following ments. He has said in his public utter- that is unjust, 14 him be unjust still: and fr m one of their own publications: "We ances that it is a small thing whether or he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: ob erve Sunday instead of Saturday be- not we keep the commandments and and he that is righteous, let him be right- ca se the Catholic Church, in the Coun- observe the Sabbath. Undoubtedly the eous still: and he that is holy, let him be cil of Laodicea (A. D. 336), transferred the prosecuting angel will read from Mat- holy still." Revelation 22:11. There is SO mnity from Saturday to Sunday."— thew 5:19: "Whosoever therefore shall then no opportunity for anyone to he Convert's Catechism of Catholic break one' of these least commandments, change. In a very short time Christ will D ctrine," Rev. Peter Geiermann, C. SS. and shall teach men so, he shall be called return to this woild, bringing His reward R. p. 5o, 2d edition, 1910. the least in the kingdom of heaven: but with Him, "to give every man according t is evident from our study of the whosoever shall do and teach them, the as his work shaq be." Verse 12. tra sition of the Sabbath from Saturday same shall be called great in the kingdom Dear reader, the judgment must be to unday that it was accomplished by of heaven." Thus this man, who should nearly over. It has been in progress now th • power and authority of the Roman have been a leader toward .a higher life, for more than ninety years. The work C rch. has become a stumbling block to others, must be almost finished. At any moment ith the coming Of the Reformation, and on the great judgment day will be the Judge of the universe may make the n people were again permitted to considered as occupying the lowest place, final pronouncements, and dismiss the rea the Book of God for themselves, we even below the murderer and adulterer, court. You may pot think that that time fin Sabbath observers springing up in because he has taught others to disobey ev y land. the commandments of God. It is a very I will be the purpose of our next ar- serious thing to teach others to do what For these troubled times we recommend ticl to trace these Sabbathkeepers in is wrong. The heavenly Father will Eu ope and other countries and finally order this man's name stricken from the "The Impending Conflict" in merica. book of life. In "The Impending Conflict" we have a book that points the way. It speaks in positive tones. Its mesSage is full of courage and hope. CUT HERE Never was such a book needed as it is today. What is God's:plan for those who place their trust in Him?, The Book of books is the ILL IN . MAIL TODAY source book of "The Impending Conflict." It will bring full peace to your heart. It will in- crease your confidence and trust in God. irculation Dept., PACIFIC PRESS Date Its chapter titles are: ountain View, California' Why Was Sin permitted? Snares of Satan The First Great Deception The Impending PLEASE send the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for one Conflict The Scriptures a Safeguard "The ear to the following address. I enclose $1.5o ($2.00 in Canada and foreign). Time of Trouble" God's People Delivered The Controversy Ended. ame Price, 2540, postpaid Order from our' representative or ddress PACIFIC PRESS, PUBLISHING ASSN. Mountain View, California

Page Fourteen SIGNS of the TIMES is near; but you must remember the Unspiritual Homes of the inviting of the guests, of the treat- warning that Christ left to us: "There- ment of the servants, of the division of fore be ye also ready: for in such an hour How we are living on the surface of things everywhere! How we are dealing duties and the laying out of plans, the as ye think not the Son of man cometh." universal question would be, not for the Matthew 24:4+ So I appeal to you to pre- with the flesh and not the spirit of everything! Think what would be the condi- comfort of the bodies, but for the stimula- pare to meet your God. Do not let a tion and the satisfaction of the souls of single moment go by until you have set- tion of any household in which spiritual questions took the place of carnal ques- the father and mother and the boys and` tled it, once for all, that as far as you are girls. Do you know any such household? concerned, you will be obedient to God, tions, and you must realize the state in which we live. Of the daily accidents Yet here are so many households that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all we do know, dull with a deathlike leth- your heart, and trust the Saviour to carry that now mean nothing, the question in argy of intellect and heart, or kept for- you safely through. this family would be: What did God mean by sending this ? Of their inter- ever in a tumult by dispute and restless- course with one another it would be: ness! Surely our unspiritual homes are How can we help one another to the best not so alive and peaceable that we can The Faith of a Child spiritual growth and usefulness? Of the say we do not need for their salvation By'INEZ BRASIER furnishing of the house, of the hanging that spiritual-mindedness which is life ORDON; was in serious trouble. of the pictures,-of the setting of the table, and peace!—Phillips Brooks. Gk-.1 Grandmother's hammer was lost, and she needed it at once. It was not where he had pulled the nails from the orange crates; it was not in the garage where he was building a birdhouse. He -coo L-GADI116 CflUS-ES OF DEflT-F1 hunted everywhere he could think that he might have had it, but without avail. PNIAIMONIA He stood very quietly for a few minutes, 106,y4q DISEASES 71,500 and then he ran to the basement. 64.22o 99,580 "Here it is, grandma!" he said as he laid it on the porch step beside her. "I asked Jesus to help me, and I found it right away." Blessed, unquestioning faith of child- hood that asks in the fullness of trust and HOW IS YOUR HEART? receives without reserve the answers to its petitions! How we need it in the everydaynes's of life, in the little things Another very valuable number of the that seem too small to bring to the heavenly Father! If we would live vic- HEALTH BUILDER SERIES toriously from day to day, if we would receive the "all things needful" He has • Is now ready for you. It is promised to His children, there must be an abiding trust, a sustaining strength, that comes, only in the sureness of that "HOW IS YOUR trust. To abide in childlike faith brings peace and quiet to the anxious heart, for faith H EART ?" is simply trusting Him, knowing that He loves us and will supply what is for By ARTHUR N. DONALDSON, M. D. our good. It is so easy to be our own keepers, to devise and worry and plan, to have more faith in our own working; but these are the ways of trouble and ♦ RE you afraid of heart disease ? Most persons heart unrest. The "whatsoever" promise, A is ours if only we will to receive it. The are; and well they may be, for among the eleven Father bids us ask, not once and then leading causes of death heart disease stands first, as forget, but patiently, constantly. If the shown in the chart above. answer seems delayed, may it not be to test the desires? Are they genuine You ought to know what you can do to protect enough, urgent enough, to concern us ♦ until the answer comes? Then know your heart. Secure and read the new book that, like the importunate prayer of the Syrophoenician woman for the healing "HOW IS YOUR HEART?" of her daughter, our requests will be fulfilled. The price is only 1 O C So may we rest in God's love and trust in His infinite goodness with the faith of a little child, knowing that in His good Order from our representative or time, and as is best for us, the answers will come. This is the way of peace that PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, Mountain View, California is beyond finite understanding. for NOVEIVIBER 15, 1938 Page Fifteen TWO-MINUTE MESSAGE

Thanksgiving scattered ings Thanksgiving indeed.

THANKSGIVING MARTHA E. WARNER

OR 'years I had prided myself upon being a rather better the condition of the little ones who "were packed thankful sort of person. But it took a little dirty, ragged in tight." girl to show me that I had much, so very much, to learn Today with the frost of November in the air reminding about thankfulness.' me that Thanksgiving Day will soon be here, the picture This little girl was selling newspapers in the bus sta- of that little girl stands out poignantly; and I wish that tion, and she stopped to talk with me. Child-fashion she Thanksgiving might mean not merely a feast day but an asked if I were married, how many people were in my all-through-the-year experience as well, a sort of seeing family, where I lived, and how many beds there were Thanksgiving in all the everyday things we take for in my house. granted. I explained to her that at the present time there were Think of our comfortable beds and chairs, our sunshiny Dnly two in the family, but we could make up six beds, rooms, our electric lights, and the coal in the cellar. whereupon she looked at me in astonishment .and ex- Think of the efficient service we receive from the baker, claimed: "My goodness! six beds for just two peoples! the grocer, the policeman, the salesgirl,! the telephone You must have a lot of money. Why, in my family there operator, the postman, and a host of others. Our heavenly are nine people and only two beds." Father "daily loadeth us with benefits." Shall we not re- It was my turn then to look at her in astonishment turn thanks for them? Lnd ask how in the world nine people ever managed to Oh, there is much, so very much, to learn about thank- deep in two beds. fulness. If we would only earnestly and honestly try to Her answer, and, oh, I have thought of it so many see a cause for thanksgiving in everything and everybody, times since, was, "Oh, we're packed in tight, and it takes if we would only scatter thanksgiving all along our way, twenty breads a week to feed us." if we would only open our hearts and our !homes to little Now until this time I had simply taken beds for ones, little children who have never known the luxury of granted, along with many other things; but that night a little white bed, then I am sure, I am very sure, that by before I went to my rest I thanked God for my soft, com- the time another Thanksgiving rolls around, we would fortable bed, and I asked Him to make me willing to help know what it means to be really and truly thankful.