When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains. Matthew 24:15, 16.
The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation [the United States] in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.
For years I have been given special light that we are not to center our work in the cities. The turmoil and confusion that fill these cities, the conditions brought about by the labor unions and the strikes, would prove a great hindrance to our work. Men are seeking to bring those engaged in the different trades under bondage to certain unions. This is not God’s planning, but the planning of a power that we should in no wise acknowledge. God’s Word is fulfilling; the wicked are binding themselves up in bundles ready to be burned.
The trades unions and confederacies of the world are a snare. Keep out of them, and away from them, brethren. Have nothing to do with them. Because of these unions and confederacies, it will soon be very difficult for our institutions to carry on their work in the cities. . . . Educate our people to get out of the cities into the country, where they can obtain a small piece of land, and make a home for themselves and their children. . . .
Erelong there will be such strife and confusion in the cities, that those who wish to leave them will not be able.
We are not to locate ourselves where we will be forced into close relations with those who do not honor God. . . . A crisis is soon to come in regard to the observance of Sunday. . . .
The Sunday party is strengthening itself in its false claims, and this will mean oppression to those who determine to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. . . .
If in the providence of God we can secure places away from the cities, the Lord would have us do this. There are troublous times before us.
Maranatha p. 180
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Prayer Requests
—–D and A have possibilities for better jobs. Please pray that the Lord leads. L
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Dear Friends,
After the Wright brothers invented the airplane, they traveled around the eastern seaboard giving demonstrations. People flocked to these demonstrations as they were amazed that man could finally fly after all the years of failure. One day, my grandfather, Edwin Harmon, saw a crowd walking toward a certain field. He asked one of the men that passed him where everyone was going. The man explained that the were going to see the Wright brothers demonstrate their invention. He had heard of this wonderful flying machine, so he joined the group.
When he arrived at the field, he saw an airplane and two men standing beside it. To his surprise, they called to him. Suddenly, my grandfather’s heart began to beat faster because of the awe and excitement that he felt. The Wright brothers told him that in order to get the plane going fast enough to fly, it had to be pushed by strong men. They wondered if he would be willing to help push. Would he? He was thrilled to be able to actually touch this amazing machine!
After a large crowd had gathered, the Wright brothers began to demonstrate their invention. Motioning for the strong ones they had asked to help, they gave some brief instructions. Then one of the brothers sat in the airplane. At the signal Ed, along with the other men, pushed the plane. Soon it was airborne.
The crowd was amazed! They had never seen anything like this before. The memory of that great event was one of my grandfather’s fondest memories. Indeed, he saw many changes over the years because of the Wright brothers’ invention. He had lived in the 1880’s, a time when there was only horses for transportation, and got to watch a man walk on the moon. That event amazed him, but it did not hold as much of a place in his heart as did his brief part of the beginning of flight.
Even though it was not the first flight, my grandfather, that day so long ago, felt that he had played a small part in history.
Even though we do not realize it, we all are a part of history. Some people’s history is well known: most are not. Yet, every part of each life is written in God’s book. All of our words, all of our actions, all of our thoughts, all of our motives are recorded in the record books above. David spoke of this book that is so detailed in its record of each of us, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb….Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! Ps 139:13-17 Think of it! Even before we are born, the book of the record of our life is begun.
David continues, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” Ps 56:8 Think of it! God even records our tears; tears of heartaches, tears of pain, tears of loneliness. More than this, His great heart of love feels our sorrow, our pain. He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Heb 4:15 Blessed Redeemer!
The names of God’s true followers are written in a special book. Paul speaks of his “fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Phil 4:3 Jesus promises, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rev 3:5
Jesus will deliver all those whose names are written in His book of life. “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan 12:1 “They that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Mal 3:16-18 John saw the books opened in judgment. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” 20:12 How important it is that our name is written in that book of life! How vital to our future!
May we, today, while there is still time, make certain that our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. May we “repent…and be converted, that (our) sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19 May we trust our future to the One Who judges righteously is my prayer.
Rose