God has taken special care to make himself known to mankind in different ages of the, world; but our fallen race have not desired “to retain God in their knowledge,” and therefore the mass have been given over to a reprobate mind. The antediluvians might have had the knowledge of God, but they chose the way of corruption, violence, and sin, and therefore God gave them, and all future generations, the proof of his existence, his power, and justice, and of the hatefulness of sin and surety of retribution.
Again we find the world given to idolatry, and Abraham and his posterity were singled out, not because of God’s partiality to them in a whole (for most of them proved unbelieving and rebellious), but to keep alive the knowledge of God in the earth; so that all, Jews or Gentiles, might choose the service of God and eternal life, if they would.
And when for their sins Jerusalem was destroyed and the people carried captive into Babylon, the Lord made it a special occasion to make himself known in all the earth. By being brought in contact with Daniel and his companions, Nebuchadnezzar, the king, was humbled, so that he proclaimed the name and wonders of the Most High, the “King of Heaven”, to “all people, nations, and languages, than dwell in all the earth” (Dan. 3 and 4); and after this Darius the Median made a decree that in “every dominion” men should “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,” declaring to all nations that “he is the living God,” who “worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth.” Dan. 6.
It is reasonable to suppose that some were benefited and prepared for salvation by these means; but still the mass of men were willing to ignore God and cleave to their sins and follies, and go on in the broad road to perdition. Many were called, but few chosen.
At length the promised Messiah came, of whom the devout among mankind were in expectation, Gentiles as well as Jews; for the Scriptures containing the promises and appointing the time, had, by God’s providence been translated into the Greek; and by this means the “wise men from the East” were on the lookout, being “in expectation,” as well as devout Jews, “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” And then the mighty miracles of Christ and his tragic death, in which Roman governors as well as Jews took a part, were soon made known in all the earth. Thus the proclamation went to the multitudes far and near, calling them to repent and believe the glad tidings. Many were called, and, thank God, a few of them were chosen. But soon those nations which had enjoyed the light of the gospel relapsed into darkness and idolatry, while others more remote were illuminated with its rising rays. The whole world might now have been in the light, if the light had been cherished; but the carnal mind is enmity again God, and is not willing to retain the knowledge of his ways and requirements.
And now in the closing of the gospel age the light of God, through his word and providence, is illuminating the world as never before. Prophecies fulfilled and fulfilling clearly point to the present time, as the day of God’ preparation. Messages from Heaven, clearly foretold 1800 years ago, are now being proclaimed to “many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Many are being called but, as it has been before, many will reject the glad tidings, while the few, faithful and obedient, will receive, hold fast, and endure, and thus be saved.
And not all who professedly accept the last message of the gospel will be saved. Hundreds, if not thousands, of these will fail to walk in the light; and for this reason will not endure the fiery trials that lie before us. Even, now they shrink from bearing the cross before an evil and rebellious generation, yielding to fashionable folly, rather than to stand boldly for the truth and the right. Many who have for years been connected with the people of God under this message will only be like the chaff—a needful support to the grain while it is ripening—and of no further use. Can it be so? 0 my soul! Yes, dreadful as the thought may, be! But you and I, my brother, my sister, may be saved, if we will. We may be reckoned with the chosen few. God only asks for entire consecration of all that we have and are to serve the interests of his cause. This we can give. We can now give a whole sacrifice of ourselves and all we possess, live out the faith that we profess, and lay hold on eternal life. Will we do it? While in the providence of God, the world is being aroused by the last call of mercy, will we sacrifice all to have a part in the work? Remember that to the saved it will be said “Well done!” not well said, well believed, nor even well prayed for “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will, of my Father who is in Heaven.” See Matt. 7:21-23. Many, the Lord Jesus assures us, will hear the word, Depart! But still it is our privilege so to believe and do that we may hear instead, Come, ye blessed of My Father. May God bless these thoughts to the salvation of some! R.F. Cottrell
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald Feb. 14, 1878
Note: The R.F. Cottrell (Roswell) that wrote this article was the grandfather to the man who was the R.F. Cottrell (Raymond) that went off theologically, Raymond F. Cottrell was not even born in 1878.