What if It Were Today?
Truth vs. falsehood. Honesty vs. lies. Transparency vs. foggy confusion.
As we rapidly approach the final events of earth’s history, the prevailing confusion—the Babylonian philosophies and practices of modern civilization—are collapsing before our very eyes. Nations are angry, passions are inflamed, leaders are livid. There’s not much time left.
One of the biggest challenges currently facing society seems to be the violation of the ninth commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16). False information reported in ignorance—and disinformation maliciously propagated with an intent to deceive are both rampant, as are other violations of the Creator’s moral law of Ten Commandments. How can God-fearing people face such overwhelming opposition?
The apostle urges, “My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10–13).
None need be surprised at all the darkness. In fact, “the coming of Christ will take place in the darkest period of this earth’s history.”1
We must ever keep foremost in mind: Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is coming to deliver His faithful children from the fierce persecution soon to be unjustly unleashed against them. In His infinite love, He has explained in advance what will transpire, that none need fear. He bids us, “Occupy til I come” (Luke 19:13). “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:2).
“The exact time of Christ’s second coming is not revealed. Jesus said, ‘No man knoweth the day nor the hour,’ but He also gave signs of His coming, and said, ‘When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door.’ He bade them, as the signs of His coming should appear, ‘Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.’ And in view of these things the apostle wrote: ‘Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day.’ Since we know not the hour of Christ’s coming, we must live soberly and godly in this present world, ‘looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.’
“Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. His people are to preserve their peculiar character as His representatives. There is work for every one of them to do. The rich should bring their means, the honored their influence, the learned their wisdom, the poor their virtue, if they would be effective workers with God. They are to bring themselves into right relation with God, that they may reflect the light of the glory of God that shines in the face of Jesus Christ. We read of a class who put far off the day of the coming of Jesus; but upon such His coming will be as a thief in the night, and they will be suddenly overtaken with destruction. How many there are who are willing to be rocked to sleep in the cradle of carnal security; but it is time for us to wake out of sleep. Says the apostle, ‘We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.’ ”2