The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-04-12


roarlngs have many times in the past
caused the kingdoms of earth and
their rulers to tremble. But some day,
according to the Scriptures. the final
catastrophe will occur. How near that
day may be who can tell2 Quite
good many earnest Bil-e students con
cur in the thought that such climax
Is indicated in the prophecies, for the
year 1915. But be the date as it may,
the fact remains. The prophecy we
are examining Is nearly three thou
sand years old but 1t is as good, as
sure, and as meaningful today as ever
ii was.
We are not of those who would
harass the minds of our fellows with
fear. Rather we would point them to
the fact that behind this cloud Of trou-
bic there Is a glorious silver lining
of Millennial JOY and blessing for all
the families of the earth. Rather we
would encourage all who have the
hearing car to zeal and faithfulness
In their conservation, that they may
"make their calling and their election
sure" to share in the Kingdom glo-
ries and escape those things coming
upon the earth" duke xxi, 36). In
word the Gospel of Christ Is not
message of damnation and fear and
torture, but, as the angels declared,
"Good tldings of great joy which shall
be unto all people" duke II, 10.
Deliveranee of the Church Pictured.
! In the fourth and fifth verses fol-
lowing our text the Church is sym
bolically pictured as the City or King
dom of God. his dwelling-place. And
the stream of Truth is represented as
river making the City clean and
fresh and glad. The proclamation is
made, God is in the midst of her!
she shall not be movedl God shall
help her early in the morning. early
in the Milennial morning. The Church
Is to be "a frst-fruts unto God" Her
salvation as the Bride of Christ will
be accomplished early in this Mil
lennial morning. Oh, how glad will
be all those accounted worthy of
place in that elect, Church--"the
Church of the First-borns, whose
names are written in heaven" "She
shall not be moved" is in agreement
with the first verse I'm assuring us that
Gods people will be preserved from
fear and doubt and misunderstanding
of the events of that "time of trou-
BILE" and that their faith will enable
them to triumph at time when 9th
ers will be in great distress and per
plexity duke XXI, 26).
The GentiIes Ragged.
Beginning with the 9th verse the
Prophet gives a brief synoptical pic
ture of the time of trouble and its
consummation and the Inauguration OF
universal peace. "The heathen Gen
tile peoples) ragedw These words
describe the tumult which will pre-
VIII amongst humanity in the great
time of trouble before the climax is
reached "Raging," angry voices arise
from public meetings, and III the more
private meetings of the lodges of La
Dor and Capital and through the col
umns of the Press to the extent per-
mitted. In Germany the raging"
Press for some time has been muz-
zed. The same is true in other ma
tions. In Great Britain, in the United
States and In France there Is n fear
of tumult through public Press rag
ing" and everything possible is done
to restrain 1t. Whoever sees that an
archy Is the most dreadful terror con
fronting Civilization must realize the
wisdom of reasonable restraints upon
his own tongue and upon the tongues
of others. Nevertheless the Scriptures
show us that all effort to suppress the
tumult and the angry voices of men
seldshly raging out against each
other win fail.
The prophetic picture continues
"God uttered his voice; the earth melt
ed" The unfaithfulness OF humanity,
! the clamor of greed, both In rich and
In poor, will be answered by the Al
mighty, "Giver OF every good and per-
feet gift" He will utter his voice."
or, as another prophet declares, lie
will speak to the people In his anger"
for their correction, for their reprovaL
The result will be that the symbollcal
earth (society) will melt--the social
structure OF civilization will disln-
tegrate. Another Scripture declares
that that disintegration will be so
great that every mans hand will be
against his neighbor"
But the Prophet hastens TO assure us
that IN the midst of all this tumult the
Lord will be with his consecratcd peo-
pie. We read, The Lord OF hosts Is
with us. The God OF Jacob is our
refuge" This promise applies primari-
ly to the consecrated Church of Christ
Spiritual Israel. But It also sec
ondnrily applies to aeshly Israel. the
Jewish nation, which will participate
In this time of trouble, but be saved
out of il, as the Scriptures declare
Jeremiah Xxx. u. In this time of
trouble the Lords jewels, his saints,
will be gathered to their heavenly
home, after which Divine favor will
begin to return to Israel Qomans xi,
25-30.