On March 7, 2009 Pastor David Wilkerson, founder of World Challenge, Inc., issued a warning to everyone on his mailing list that "An earth-shattering calamity is about to happen. It is going to be so frightening, we are all going to tremble - even the godliest among us." Pastor Wilkerson went on to describe blazing fires and riots in "major cities all across America." His post closed with the solemn words, "I do not know when these things will come to pass, but I know it is not far off. I have unburdened my soul to you. Do with the message as you choose."
For Seventh-day Adventists these words sound familiar. We were warned long ago about calamities coming to the cities:
For Seventh-day Adventists these words sound familiar. We were warned long ago about calamities coming to the cities:
"I am bidden to declare the message that cities full of transgression, and sinful in the extreme, will be destroyed by earthquakes, by fire, by flood. All the world will be warned that there is a God who will display His authority as God. His unseen agencies will cause destruction, devastation, and death." Evangelism, 27
The troubling fact is that Seventh-day Adventists have not been at the forefront of warning the cities of what is coming to these great population centers. Those who do bring such a warning message about calamities coming to the cities are often labeled as "Alarmists" and discredited as trying to frighten people unnecessarily. Yet here is a pastor, not of our faith, who is, without apology, predicting catastrophic events focused on the cities. So when these calamities do fall, who will be remembered as the one who gave the warning? Who will people turn to as the one who knew it in advance? Could it be that many will conclude that since Pastor Wilkerson knew it was coming, perhaps he has the right answers about how to turn back these judgments? What will Pastor Wilkerson tell them? We can't know that for sure, but we were told long ago that in the face of calamities, men in the popular pulpits of the land would tell the people that the only way to turn back the wrath of God would be to honor Sunday:
"...So completely will men be deceived by him that they will declare that these calamities are the result of the desecration of the first day of the week. From the pulpits of the popular churches will be heard the statement that the world is being punished because Sunday is not honored as it should be. . . ." That I May Know Him, 355
If we think about what's at stake here - what we risk by our silence or fear of being viewed as alarmist, we can see the importance of taking up the task that was given us long ago -
"The inhabitants of the ungodly cities so soon to be visited by calamities have been cruelly neglected. The time is near when large cities will be swept away, and all should be warned of these coming judgments. But who is giving to the accomplishment of this work the wholehearted service that God requires?" Evangelism, 29
That's a question you and I must ask ourselves.