Modern Devices.
It has been the privilege and duty of the Church throughout her history
to be looking for the return of the One to whom she has been espoused.
Had her eyes never wandered from that expectant gaze, she would have
been saved much sorrow and shame at His coming, for she has lost her
Scriptural character and much of her witnessing power whenever she has
said "My Lord delayeth his coming." It is then that she has fallen to
beating the manservants and the maidservants, and has become drunken
with the wine of this world.
True devotion to Christ must naturally issue in a deep desire to be with
Him and to see Him face to face; and though it is quite possible to have
been misled or untaught in regard to the conditions of His coming, the
contemplation of such a promise from Him can but kindle a glowing hope
in a truly devoted heart. It is a direct contradiction to claim supreme
affection for Him, and yet be careless of His promised return, or wholly
contented while separated from Him. The world, that cannot comprehend
such devotion to Christ, will easily chide the believer, and denounce
him for what they now call his "other worldness" when his affections are
set on things above, "where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God,"
and when his heart rejoices in the certain hope that "when Christ, who
is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in
glory."
It was necessary for Satan to rob the Church, to a great extent, of her
"blessed hope" of Christ's return, before he could attract attention to
his own attempts at world improvement, and establish his own authority
as ruler over this age. Expectation along the God-appointed lines must
be abandoned, for the most part, before humanity can be federated, and
religious institutions be made to co-operate in the Satanic program.
This vital key-truth of the imminent return of Christ was, therefore,
first discredited, and then followed by an attack upon the deity of the
Son of God and His sacrificial death; which attack is ever increasing,
and must increase to the very end. The body of truth concerning the
Lord's return is so extensive that there have always been some humble
and devout souls who have dared to believe His promises, and thus the
real Church, to some extent, her watch has been keeping.
The mighty tool in Satan's hands for the destroying of the hope of
Christ's coming has been a simple one: zealous souls have been found
who, ignoring the statements of Scripture, would attempt to fix the day
of His coming. Then, as their prophecy failed, the world and many in the
Church have laughed them to scorn. Unfortunately they came to laugh also
at the very promise of God, saying, "Where is the promise of his
coming?" and in so doing they have fulfilled some of the very things
that are predicted for the end of the age: "Knowing this first, that
there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own
lusts (desires), and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for
since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of creation" (II Pet. 3:3, 4). Thus Satan's authority is being
established.
The exact time of Christ's return has not been revealed; nor will it be
announced by a prophet. Nevertheless, the "children of light and the
children of the day" "are not in darkness that that day should overtake
them as a thief" (I Thes. 5:4,5). It is their privilege to rejoice in
every promise of His coming, and to recognize every new indication of
His nearness, as eagerly as the betrothed awaits her beloved. The true
believer's glory, as well as his union with loved ones in Christ, is
imminent, and by faith he can look beyond the days of the earth's
greatest anguish, and, seeing the triumph of all blessedness, he can
rejoice in the hope of His Lord's coming, and be praying, "Even so,
come, Lord Jesus."
It is, therefore, impossible to know how much of time yet remains for
the gathering out of the Bride and the development of Satan's rule; yet
it is evident that within the last generation the exact fulfillment of
those things which are predicted for the last days has begun, and is
even now developing faster than the mind can comprehend.
Not all the signs of the times have a place in these pages, but only
such as are directly connected with the working of Satan.
Since the blood redemption of the Cross is the central truth and value
of the true faith, it being the "power of God unto salvation" (Rom.
1:16; I Cor. 1:23, 24), any counterfeit system of doctrine which would
omit this essential, must force some secondary truth into the place of
prominence. Any of the great Scriptural subjects which are of universal
interest to humanity, such as physical health, immortality, morality, or
religious forms, may be substituted in the false systems, for that which
is vital. And while those subjects are all found in their proper
relations and importance in the true faith, the fact that people are
universally inclined to give attention to them furnishes an opportunity
for Satan to make a strong appeal to humanity through them; using these
subjects as central truths in his false and counterfeit systems. Many
are easily led to fix their attention upon the secondary things, and to
neglect wholly the one primary thing; especially is this true since the
secondary things are tangible and seen: while the one essential thing is
spiritual and unseen; and Satan has blinded their eyes toward that which
is of eternal value.
A system of doctrine may, then, be formed which includes every truth of
Scripture save one; exalting the _Person_ of Christ, but not His atoning
_work_, and emphasizing some secondary truth as its central value. This
system will be readily accepted by blinded humanity, though the real
power of God unto salvation has been carefully withdrawn.
Naturally it would be supposed that such Satan-inspired systems would
have no value or power, since there could be no Divine favor upon them.
Such a supposition would be possible only because of the prevailing
misunderstanding as to the real power of Satan. If the description given
of him in Scripture is accepted, he will be seen to be possessed with
miraculous power; able to perform such marvels that the whole world is
led to wonder and then to worship. He is free also to bestow this
miraculous power upon others (Rev. 13:2). So it is no marvel if his
ministers, who appear as the ministers of righteousness, are able to
exert superhuman power when it is directly in the interest of the
Satanic projects.
The great power of Satan has doubtless been active along these lines
during all the ages past; for it is impossible that humanity should have
worshipped other gods blindly without some recompense, and it is Satan
himself who has been thus worshipped (Lev. 17:7; II Chron. 11:15; Rev.
9:20).
It is not final evidence, therefore, that a system of doctrine is of God
simply because there are accompanying manifestations of superhuman
power; nor is it final evidence that the Almighty has responded, simply
because any form of supplication has been answered. The Divine movements
are, of necessity, limited by the laws of His own holiness, and access
into His presence is by the blood of Jesus alone; by a new and living
Way which was consecrated for us through His flesh (Heb. 10:19, 20).
Assuming to come before God in prayer, but ignoring this truth, is but
to insult, with pollution, Him who is infinitely Holy and pure. Satan,
who is aspiring to the place of the Almighty, may answer the prayer of
his own subjects, even though that prayer is blindly addressed to the
Supreme Being. Surely the Satan-ruled world does not come before God by
the blood of Jesus.
Though false systems of doctrine have always existed, counterfeits in
hypocrisy are a distinct characteristic of the last days of the present
age. And it is a most significant fact that within the last generation
such systems have appeared and are rapidly multiplying: systems that
borrow every phase of the true faith, but one, and are conspicuous in
that they emphasize some secondary truth with what seems, at times, to
be miraculous power. Multitudes are being won to these creeds, both
because of their apparent religious aspect, and by the actual results
they accomplish.
There is probably no subject of more universal interest than that of
physical health; and but recently "Christian Science" has appeared,
which chiefly emphasizes physical health. While it gathers into itself
some elements that are foreign both to Christianity and to Science, and
appropriates much from the field of psychology, it assumes to be an
infallible interpretation of Scripture, and makes Jesus its highest
exponent and teacher. Yet it positively denies even the reality of sin
and the need of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Its followers are won and
held by these religious claims, and by the actual physical and mental
transformations that are secured. Nothing but ignorance will attempt to
deny that, to some extent, its claims are real. That it has assemblies,
ministers, and mysteries deep and profound, and that it is able to
demonstrate its claims of physical transformation, does not lift it
above the level of Satan's power. That it denies even the need of the
blood of the Cross, separates it, in spite of its claims, from the God
of the Scriptures, and brands it with every characteristic of Satan's
counterfeit.
Another subject, already mentioned, which is of common interest to
humanity, is immortality. How persistently man has sought to see beyond
the veil! And yet how little of fact has been discovered, beyond that
which it has pleased God to reveal in His Word! How strong is the desire
of the heart to follow the departed into the great unseen! And how
subtle is "Spiritism" in its election of a phase of the immortality
question as its bait to beguile sorrow-crushed souls into a disregard of
their only hope in the blood of Christ.
This system has existed from the earliest ages and has the unqualified
condemnation of Scripture; yet in the last half-century it has taken new
interest and dignity to itself under the modern title of "Psychical
Research." With boldest assumption it claims to be the only safe
exponent of truth, and to be working in the interests of science;
changing science being accepted as more trustworthy than revelation. It
offers as final evidence for its assumptions, what are represented to be
the statements of deceased people.
Less is made of the Scriptures in this system: yet here, as might be
expected, there is violent opposition to the doctrine of Regeneration.
It cannot possibly be denied that there is an intelligent response to
the human appeal from the Unseen; and messages are being received and
mysterious acts are being performed with increasing frequency. It
cannot, however, be proven that this response is from the spirit of the
person named, for a lying spirit could easily know enough of any
person's life to represent him in every detail. That the whole system
could be of Satan is evident, and since it denies man's only hope of
redemption, it is no part of the real truth of God. It, too, bears all
the marks of the workings of Satan.
Another system of thought called "New," but which is as old as human
philosophy, appropriates every phase of metaphysical belief. The central
idea of the "New Thought" is the complete development of man,--body,
soul, and spirit. Every possible human power is utilized; there is
recognition of the Creator; the Word of God is appropriated in
convenient texts; and Christ is claimed by its followers to be the
complete example and embodiment of all their ideals. Newly stated
theories of psychology are included in this system, and the whole
teaching stands as the embodiment of all the ideals of the one who first
suggested to humanity that they, by their own efforts, become as God.
The system wholly denies Scriptural regeneration, both as to its
necessity and as a fact; and is a veritable worship of self, as
predicted for the last days (II Tim. 3:2). It substitutes the
development of the will as a power for victory in the life, in place of
the God-provided victory over sin by the Spirit. Its followers seem to
be utterly blind to the plainest truths of the Scriptures, and are
marvelling at what they suppose to be a discovery; when, perchance, they
are able to comprehend some secondary truth of the Word of God. This
system, like "Christian Science," numbers its followers by the hundreds
of thousands. They support many periodicals, and their teachings are
read and accepted throughout the world.
In all these doctrines there is included much of the precious truth of
God, but this is employed only as a bait to cover the relentless hook of
Satan, by which he seeks to draw human souls away from God and into
perdition. Not one positive word is said of the future state of man, or
of his fitness to meet his God, and any belief in immortality is
borrowed from the revelation of God; for the systems themselves are
given over to distracting and diverting man from the thought of his need
of a Divinely wrought preparation for eternity. It is commonly stated by
the followers of these systems that it is of little importance what one
believes, for it is the _life_ that counts. Thus the great and necessary
fact that any true character as well as any eternal blessedness depends
upon what one believes, rather than on the life, is discredited.
These systems are mentioned only as examples of the almost innumerable
doctrines that are sweeping the world to-day. They often reappear under
new and misleading titles. The truth they acknowledge, and many forces
they employ, are God's gracious provision for His saints; yet when these
truths and forces are used alone, where the real purpose of God is
skillfully omitted, they become only the hypocrisy that covers and
garnishes a lie.
Again, many are deluded by the emphasis upon the mere outward forms of
the visible Church. When these forms are analyzed, they appear to
represent a church ministered to by a recognized ordained minister who
depends upon his own personality for his power; and who preaches ethics
and morality drawn from Scripture texts and other ethical writings.
Prayers are offered, imploring the Almighty to aid humanity in its
attempts to commend itself to Him by a more or less faithful practice of
religion. The pleasures of music as an art are provided at fabulous
cost, in place of the praise that is inspired by the Spirit of God.
Social gatherings are held, to take the place of the unity of the Spirit
and the love of the brethren. Humanitarian appeals for the betterment of
the world are made, in place of the evangelical regeneration by the
Cross; and not one reference to the real Gospel is made from one year to
the next, unless it be in a covered denial. The sleeping congregations
are seemingly satisfied with a mockery of the truth, and are content
with a doctrine that proposes to educate souls into hell, and which
encourages them to make a few efforts toward self-development while on
their certain road to perdition. It is no longer good form in society to
be without some church relations, yet the one and only true basis for
salvation may never have been comprehended or accepted by a multitude of
these members. Truly the god of this world is accomplishing his end, and
his blinded followers are coming to be numbered with the faithful. The
evil birds are flocking to the mustard tree, and the corrupting leaven
is permeating the measures of meal.
The last development of the earth history of the visible Church is
predicted to be a condition in which the Church is saying, "I am rich,
and increased in goods, and have need of nothing." The passage
continues, "and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in
the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest
be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thy eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love,
I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand
at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev.
3:17-20). If Scripture language and figure mean anything, this is a
description of an unregenerate Church over which the Lord is pleading.
It is from this Church that He has withdrawn; and is seen outside,
standing and knocking. His hope is not centered upon reforming the whole
mass of professing members; for his offer is to the individual "any man"
with whom He will then have personal communion and fellowship.
Sad is the spectacle of these churches; meeting week after week to be
beguiled by the philosophy of men, and raising no voice in protest
against the denial of their only foundation as a church, and of their
only hope for time and eternity! Far more honorable were the infidels of
the past generation than these ministers. They were wholly outside the
Church. But now, behold the inconsistency! Men who are covered by the
vesture of the Church, ministering its sacraments, and supported by its
benevolence, are making an open attack upon that wisdom of God which
made Christ Jesus the only ground for all righteousness, sanctification,
and redemption. The predictions for the last days are thus not only
being fulfilled by false systems and doctrines, but they are found in
the visible Church itself. "For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their
ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (II Tim. 4:3, 4).
Great religious activities are possible without coming into
complications with saving faith. It is possible to be more concerned
over the untimely death of one hundred thousand drunkards than with the
Christ-less death of twenty million human beings; or to be wholly
concerned with the educational and physical needs of the heathen, and to
neglect their greatest need in regeneration. Thus Satan may gain his own
ends, even through some so-called missionary undertakings, for in this
manner he can beguile untaught saints to limit their work to the lines
of his highest ideals. It is possible to fight against sin and not
present the Saviour; or to urge the highest Scriptural ideals and yet
offer no reasonable way of attainment.
There is a strange fascination about these undertakings which are
humanitarian, and are religious only in form and title. And there is a
strange attraction in the leader who announces that he is not concerned
with the doctrines of Scripture, because the helping of humanity is his
one passion and care: yet all his passion is lost and his care is to no
real end unless coupled with a very positive message of a particular way
of Salvation, the true understanding of which demands a series of most
careful distinctions.
Recently the word "pragmatism" has been brought into popular use to
denote the test by which the pragmatists measure all systems, theories
and doctrines. The pragmatic inquiry when applied to any system, theory,
or doctrine may be understood to mean, "does it meet its claims in
practice?" Although much is being made of this phase of pragmatism, the
test is as old as the race, and verified by Scripture, for Jesus said,
"By their fruits ye shall know them." However, the burden of testing
claims has never before been so great, for the world was never so filled
with new and strange theories as now. And these modern systems that deny
true salvation in Christ are growing mightily under this test. They
offer comparatively little and are usually able to meet their claims.
"Christian Science" does, to some extent, change the condition of mind
and body. "Spiritism" offers a demonstration from the invisible, and the
demonstrations appear. "New Thought" proposes a development of the whole
natural man, and thrives by the practical test of "pragmatism." The same
is true of all other similar systems and doctrines, and will be true of
those that may yet appear, since it is the very program of Satan as it
is revealed in his last blasphemous counterfeit of the Son of God; for
it is written in Rev. 13:3, 4 that they first wondered at the miracles
of the Man of Sin, and then worshipped. Woe to the untaught soul who
stands wondering to-day at the marvels of this evil age, if he be
without a sense of the importance and value of the priceless blood of
the Cross! The step is not far, for such an one, to the place where he
falls in worship: worship of a being who is supposed to have forgotten
abhorrence of sin and abandoned all eternal covenants of mercy by blood
alone; a being who is supposed to be glad that the world has outgrown
the old unbearable estimates of sin and redemption, and into whose
presence the worshipper is supposed to be free to come on the ground of
his fallen human nature, or the "universal fatherhood of God and the
brotherhood of man."
Who can be the god of these systems? the energizing power in these
people? and the answerer of their prayers? Surely not the God of the
Scriptures, who cannot deny himself, and whose word cannot be made to
pass away! Revelation sets forth but one other being who is capable of
these undertakings; and it not; only assigns to this being a great and
sufficient motive for all such activity, but clearly predicts that he
will thus "oppose" and "exalt himself" in this very day and age.
Much of the secondary truth is the present inheritance of the child of
God: yet, if there is a choice to be made, the deepest wisdom will
perceive that all the combined secondary values that Satan can offer are
but for a fleeting time; and are not worthy to be compared with the
eternal riches of grace in Christ Jesus.