World Events and Thinking Men and Women
Thinking men and women of all classes are
interested in the world events taking place around us. But it is interesting to
note how many professing Seventh-day Adventists don’t seem to fall into that
category and think that world events are far removed from Biblical themes. That
will be the case of the foolish virgins. It truly seems that there are more
Babylonians, in general, who are more acutely interested in and informed about
world events than are Seventh-day Adventists. And that goes for SDA leaders
versus what they regard as “Babylonian” leaders as well.
“The present is a time of overwhelming
interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust
and authority, thinking men
and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking
place about us. They are
watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They
observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and
they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that
the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.” {Ed 179.5}
“Quite naturally, those expecting the near
advent of Christ, being students of prophecy, kept a close eye on world events. This was particularly so
through 1848 as troubles involving many nations suddenly broke out in Europe.
The sweeping, prophetic review given by Jesus on the Mount of Olives, recorded
in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, led to an interpretation of the troubles
in Europe as an immediate precursor of the Second Advent. The words recorded in
Matthew 24:29, 30, with reference to the shaking of the powers in heaven,
seemed coercive:” {1BIO 153.2}
I noticed the following
email to a man named Vilis on an Adventist chat group
who posts a lot of material on important world events. The post to Vilis is a pitiful display of ignorance because most of the
items Vilis posts are related to prophecy and
Revelation 17! A number of folk on the forum in mention,
complained that they wanted to deal only in the gospel. They don’t begin to
understand the length, depth and breadth of the gospel. And when Vilis stopped posting for a few days, the complainers
posted nothing on the gospel whatsoever. I have seen this happen on other SDA
forums as well. Because dim witted foolish virgins cannot discern the
relationships they should be aware of, they protest that which constitutes
important way marks harboring the end of all things.
The Everlasting Gospel of
the three angel’s messages comprehends far more than most are cognizant of.
Vilis,
The point is not that what you do is worthless.
The point is that there are some here who are uncomfortable with much of
what is in or behind SOME OF your postings.
There are also people here who are supportive.
If you therefore set up your own forum and
invite all those who are interested, you will get them to join up and then you
will not get a single word of criticism. I see that as a win-win
situation. Even I see things that from time to time interest me but I am
loath to post them here. I long to get back to the days when we
vigorously study prophecy, like in the days we were into Revelation 17. I
miss that.
So, with a click of a mouse and a few types, you
have that forum. There is no need at all for it to be adventism prophecy.
Mark 13:37 And what I
say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
"The peculiar
work of the third angel has not been seen in its importance. God meant that His
people should be far in advance of the position which they occupy today. But
now, when the time has come for them to spring into action, they have the
preparation to make. When the National Reformers [the title of the ecumenical
movement before it became the Federal Council of Churches in 1908, and then the
World Council of Churches, in 1948] began to urge measures to restrict
religious liberty, our leading men should have been alive to the situation and
should have labored earnestly to counteract these efforts. It is not in the
order of God that light has been kept from our people--the very present truth
which they needed for this time. Not all our ministers who are giving the
third angel's message really understand what constitutes that message. The
National Reform [Ecumenical] movement has been regarded by some as of so little
importance that they have not thought it necessary to give much attention to it
and have even felt that in so doing they would be giving time to questions
distinct from the third angel's message [the Everlasting Gospel of Revelation
14]. May the Lord forgive our brethren for thus interpreting the very message
for this time." E.G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 714, 715.
The Sunday movement is now
making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and
many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent
is tending. . . .They are working in blindness. They do not see that if a
Protestant government sacrifices the principles that have made them a free,
independent nation, and through legislation brings into the Constitution
principles that will propagate papal falsehood and papal delusion, they are
plunging into the Roman horrors of the Dark Ages.--RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888. {LDE 125.3}
—rwb