It may be objected to the view here presented that inasmuch as almost the whole Christian world do keep the Sunday, to declare it to be wrong would appear to contradict the predictions of God’s word respecting the spread of the truth and the triumphs of the church; for it is generally admitted that the whole world will be converted, and will acknowledge the truth and obey the gospel.
We are well aware that the general supposition is that the whole world will be converted; but this supposition is modern, and by no means founded on the word of God. By reference to those scriptures which speak of the triumph of the church, it will be seen that the saints sing their song of triumph on the Mount Zion with the Lamb. Revelation 14:1-5; 15:1-3. Their victory is in the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:54; Revelation 20:4-6. The idea of the universal sway of the church in this present world is inconsistent with the plainest declarations of the Bible. A few considerations will make this plain.
1. The way to life is narrow, and few find it; the way to death is broad, and many walk in it. Matthew 7:13, 14. There is not an intimation in the blessed Book that the way to life will become so wide that all will walk therein, and the way to death so narrow that few or none will find it. See Luke 13:24, 25.
2. The redeemed come out of great tribulation. Revelation 7:9-15. The Saviour told his disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” John 16:33. Paul said, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22.
The Scriptures nowhere present another company who enter into the kingdom of God through great case and worldly prosperity.
3. The Saviour did not promise his ministers that all should believe their word. He did not give them to expect that they should meet with the favor of the world any more than he had. But he said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own.” And “the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:19, 20. And again, when the Jews reviled him, he said to his followers, “If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” Matthew 10:25. Who dares to rise above his Lord and say he will be exempt from persecution? Who seeks to be free from the sufferings of his Master? And shall we reign with him if we do not suffer with him? 2 Timothy 2:12. Be not deceived in this matter. It is not only a plain truth, but a truth having an important bearing on your present position and eternal welfare. Examine yourself; see if you are following your Saviour in cross-bearing, in self-denial, in affliction, and in patience.
4. The gospel was not expected to convert the world, but to call out of the world a people to glorify God. “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” John 15:19. “God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” Acts 15:14. The saints of God are redeemed “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Revelation 5:9.
5. The Saviour taught that wickedness would prevail on earth till his coming, or to the end of the world. In Matthew 13:24-30, is the parable of the tares of the field, which is explained in verses 37-41, wherein it is shown that the tares, the children of the wicked one, and the wheat, the children of the kingdom, shall grow together till the harvest, which is the end of the world; and the reapers, the angels of God, will make the separation at the coming of Christ. See Matthew 24:30, 31.
6. The last days will be days of peril. This could not be true if the church were to triumph on the earth in the last days, or if the world were to be finally converted. When speaking of his coming and of the end of the world, the Saviour said, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:12-14.
We are well aware that the general supposition is that the whole world will be converted; but this supposition is modern, and by no means founded on the word of God. By reference to those scriptures which speak of the triumph of the church, it will be seen that the saints sing their song of triumph on the Mount Zion with the Lamb. Revelation 14:1-5; 15:1-3. Their victory is in the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:54; Revelation 20:4-6. The idea of the universal sway of the church in this present world is inconsistent with the plainest declarations of the Bible. A few considerations will make this plain.
1. The way to life is narrow, and few find it; the way to death is broad, and many walk in it. Matthew 7:13, 14. There is not an intimation in the blessed Book that the way to life will become so wide that all will walk therein, and the way to death so narrow that few or none will find it. See Luke 13:24, 25.
2. The redeemed come out of great tribulation. Revelation 7:9-15. The Saviour told his disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” John 16:33. Paul said, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22.
The Scriptures nowhere present another company who enter into the kingdom of God through great case and worldly prosperity.
3. The Saviour did not promise his ministers that all should believe their word. He did not give them to expect that they should meet with the favor of the world any more than he had. But he said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own.” And “the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:19, 20. And again, when the Jews reviled him, he said to his followers, “If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” Matthew 10:25. Who dares to rise above his Lord and say he will be exempt from persecution? Who seeks to be free from the sufferings of his Master? And shall we reign with him if we do not suffer with him? 2 Timothy 2:12. Be not deceived in this matter. It is not only a plain truth, but a truth having an important bearing on your present position and eternal welfare. Examine yourself; see if you are following your Saviour in cross-bearing, in self-denial, in affliction, and in patience.
4. The gospel was not expected to convert the world, but to call out of the world a people to glorify God. “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” John 15:19. “God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” Acts 15:14. The saints of God are redeemed “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Revelation 5:9.
5. The Saviour taught that wickedness would prevail on earth till his coming, or to the end of the world. In Matthew 13:24-30, is the parable of the tares of the field, which is explained in verses 37-41, wherein it is shown that the tares, the children of the wicked one, and the wheat, the children of the kingdom, shall grow together till the harvest, which is the end of the world; and the reapers, the angels of God, will make the separation at the coming of Christ. See Matthew 24:30, 31.
6. The last days will be days of peril. This could not be true if the church were to triumph on the earth in the last days, or if the world were to be finally converted. When speaking of his coming and of the end of the world, the Saviour said, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:12-14.
