A Saving Message

This month features an article from June 30, 1903, in the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald in which W. W. Prescott emphasizes the importance of discerning truth in the last days.—Editors.

The Word of God declares that “in the last days perilous times shall come.”* These are the times when “some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” These are the times when some will become “overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,” and thus be unprepared for the solemn events which will occur in this closing generation.

These are the times when everything, even religion, is becoming artificial, and the inventions of the human mind are being substituted for divine revelation. These are the times when Satan is working “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish,” trying to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect.

But all these things were foreseen, and were foretold in the prophecies, and the very message was given for the world which would fully meet the needs of the world in these last days. There is no other message aside from the third angel’s message which will do this. A general presentation of the saving principles of the gospel, while an essential part of this work, will not be a complete work in itself. There must be such an application of these general principles to the particular situation in the world just now, and to the needs of the people just now, as will satisfactorily answer the requirements of these peculiar times, and bring entire deliverance from all the forms of deception and all the varied temptations to new forms of evil which press upon the people of this generation.

An accurate portrayal of these perilous times is given in the prophecies which deal with “what shall be in the latter days,” and we are also instructed clearly concerning the exact setting in which the gospel should be preached in order that the working of Satan may be unmasked, and that the saving grace of Christ may be revealed. And it is only in and through these same prophecies that the closing message can be given.

This is both the incentive and the reward for a diligent study of the prophecies, that we may understand both the nature of the times and the saving message which alone will warn the people of, and save them from, the perils of these last days.

* [W. W. Prescott], “A Saving Message,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, June 30, 1903, pp. 3, 4.