This is a study on the overwhelming surprise that is about to overtake the people of this world; what we can do about it, and how we can get ready for it. Our text is I Thessalonians 5:2-6: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But 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: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
Notice the words “sudden,” “as a thief in the night.” The day of the Lord is coming as a great surprise to the people of this world. Notice the comment on this in Testimonies, vol. 8, 37: “Soon an awful surprise is coming upon the inhabitants of the world.” And again, Testimonies, vol. 8, 28: “We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.” [Emphasis added.]
Now, Paul says that the “brethren are not in darkness.” God’s children walk in the light, so that which surprises the world is not to be a surprise to us. We’re to know what’s coming and get ready for it; but unless we get ready for it, we will be taken in the snare. The reason for knowing what’s ahead is so we can get ready.
There’s a very interesting point in this Scripture we’ve just read, as to the timing of the overwhelming surprise. “When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” Several of the modern translations put it, “Peace and security.” In the public press these are the two great words. “Peace” and “Security.” Phillips translates it, “You are well aware that the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a burglary to a householder. When men are saying, ‘Peace and security,’ catastrophe will sweep down upon them.” And the New English Bible: “While they are talking of peace and security, all at once calamity is upon them.” Isn’t that what they’re talking about right now, peace and security?
Let me call your attention to the two great world powers that are leading out and will continue to lead out in this talk of peace and security. One is the Pope of Rome, and the other is the United States of America. When we turn to the book of Revelation, we find that the entire thirteenth chapter is devoted to presenting these two great powers. The first part deals with “the beast,” and you and I know that leopard beast represents the papacy. In verse three we read of one of his heads being wounded to death and the deadly wound being healed; and then what? “All the world wondered after the beast.” Doubtless we all thought of that when the Pope made that historic trip to the United Nations where he appeared as the ambassador of what? Peace. Peace—that’s what the world is seeking.
The latter part of the thirteenth chapter of Revelation is devoted to the two-horned beast, and what does that represent? The United States of America. He is pictured in that chapter as joining hands with the Papacy. And that is what is happening right before our eyes. But as the Papacy—watch this point—as the Papacy is taking the lead in the world quest for peace, the United States is in a special sense talking about that word “security.” It’s the great quest of this generation.
Notice how these two fit together and supplement each other. “Security.” What are people thinking of? They’re thinking about this present world. They’re thinking about material possessions. They’re thinking about how they are to be taken care of in sickness and old age. They’re thinking about everything that will contribute to enjoying this present life. And we have now a program that’s supposed to bring to the people of the United States “The Great Society,” another name for “Security.” But the United States is saying that this must be made available, not merely for this nation, but for all the people of the world. It’s a great ambitious program.
The thirteenth chapter of Revelation shows the Papacy and the United States of America joining hands in a great program that is to embrace the world: “All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,” that is, the papacy. And the two-horned beast is the inspiration to get all the world to do that. The twelfth verse says, “He causeth the earth and them to dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed.” The reason that people are interested in these two great powers today is that they’re hunting for peace and security. This is leading to combinations in every phase of life. Look at the Common Market in Europe. What’s the basis of it? They want peace and security.
What is the reason for these labor unions; these trade associations? What’s the basis of the ecumenical movement? Why are the churches trying to get together? Peace and security. And they will think that they have solved their problems by having these associations. With the papacy and the United States leading out, the whole world will think (for a very short time) that they either have this or almost have it.
Now, notice God’s answer to all this in the eighth chapter of Isaiah. This is wonderful. The eye of the prophet looking down the ages saw our time. Isaiah 8:9: “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries [Here’s the whole United Nations]: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.” That is, with the remnant, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Now, notice, they are not to be in these combinations. That’s the thing I want you to see. I read:
“For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Verses 11, 12. What’s driving them? Fear! Fear of want, fear of war, fear of many things. So, with the pope and the United States leading out, there must be combinations. The churches, the trades unions, the nations, the whole world must get together. But God’s people are told in advance, “Say ye not, A confederacy.” Don’t fear their fear, don’t get into that. “Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary,” Verses 13, 14. a place of security.
And so in the sixteenth and seventeenth verses He says, “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples.” Here is the sealing message, the Sabbath put back in the law. “And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him.” While all the world is looking to confederacies, binding together in bundles in order to solve human problems and get peace and security, God says to His people, Don’t get into that, look up. Look to the Lord. See how it is echoed in Isaiah 45:22: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” Right here we have the answer to the problem. This is the faith that will save God’s people and take us through the overwhelming surprise,—looking to God. And it is the opposite course, looking to man, that makes it impossible for these world combinations to solve their problems. (The Great Society cannot solve the problems of man.) They are beyond human help; as the Spirit of Prophecy says, “They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 13. It is impossible for the governments of this world, following the plans they are using, to solve the material problems of men. It’s even more impossible (if we may use such a term), for the papacy to solve the spiritual problems, because the people are educated to look to man instead of directly to Christ.
And so the message for today as He has given it to us in His Book is, “Behold your God.” Notice how Jesus puts it in Luke 21. Pointing past the destruction of Jerusalem and the Dark Ages, He comes to the time of the end. In the twenty-fifth and twenty sixth verses He says, “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars.” Have we seen those? Yes. They are past. “And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” There’s the fear again. That’s what’s driving them to these confederacies. There are thousands of people today who a few short years ago wouldn’t have considered listening to the Pope, that are ready to follow him now. Why? They are afraid of something that they think is far worse than the papacy.
Jesus says that men’s hearts in these last moments of time will be “failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” If we look where they look, we’ll fear their fear and we’ll be drawn into these combinations. We’ll get into situations where we’ll think that the only way out of trouble is to link up one way or another with some of these confederacies. And so what does Jesus say? “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Verse 28. [Emphasis Added.]
Soon, very soon, all the people in this world will be divided into just two camps—those who are looking to man, and those who are looking to God; those who are looking around them, and those who are looking up. Right there the line is drawn. Now, the question is this: If God who knows the future sees that all this is coming, what kind of training will He be giving to His people? Will it not be a training to get them to look up, to look to God instead of to man? And how will He do this? Let us study this point.
If we get into difficulty and we find a certain way to solve the problem, and then that problem comes up again and we find the same way to solve our problem, do we not develop a habit as it goes on day after day? And would it not be difficult to change? Suppose I am thirsty. I think, “Where will I get some water?” Somebody says, “There’s a faucet in the kitchen. Just help yourself.” Tomorrow I get thirsty again and I think, “Where will I get a drink? Oh, yes, I got a drink in the kitchen.” So I go again. And after I have done that a number of days, it’s almost automatic, isn’t it?
Now, if we get in the habit of having men solve our problems (whatever our problems are), what will be built into our characters? Dependence on whom? On man. And the devil has set every agency in operation to get us into that place, my dear friends, where whatever our problem is, whether it’s a financial problem, a health problem, an emotional problem, a happiness problem, a religious problem, whatever it is, that there’s some man or combination of men that can solve it all for us—especially if we will spend some money. The bill-boards, the newspaper ads, the radio, the television, are pouring these ideas into the eyes and ears of the multitudes. That’s the brainwashing that is going on. But God is conducting a different kind of school, and if we will listen, He will teach us something entirely different. “Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 45:22. And that’s in the little things as well as in the big things.
Now, let me touch on a very practical point. “We are prone to look to our fellow men for sympathy and uplifting, instead of looking to Jesus.” The Ministry of Healing, 486. Yes, our natural tendency is to look to people. A little child does that, and of course the little child should. Did you ever stub your toe and run, crying, “Mama, mama?” Is that all right for a little child to do? But how many “grown-up” people there are, my dear friends, that whatever trouble they get into, all they can think of is to run where? To some human being. And all the “father confessors” are not in the church of Rome. Ah, no! Nearly all the members of the human family, if they know anywhere to look for help, it is to some other human being. But if you and I are going to go through this overwhelming surprise and not be destroyed, we will have to learn the lesson of looking to God instead of men.
And so, watch how God brings us to this lesson: “In His mercy and faithfulness, God often permits those in whom we place confidence to fail us, in order that we may learn the folly of trusting in man, and making flesh our arm.” The Ministry of Healing, 486. How is the only way that God can get us to learn that lesson? Ah, by allowing human beings to fail us. Did you ever get disappointed in some human being? What’s the lesson of it all? “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm … blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jeremiah 17:5, 7.
Soon, as this overwhelming surprise breaks upon the world, as they see that they’ve been led to perdition by the dragon and the beast and the false prophet, in the very act of talking peace and security—oh, what a terrible awakening! And there will be a great terror that will spread from east to west, from pole to pole. The whole world will be in utter confusion. Earthquake, hailstones, terrible storms—all the elements of destruction will be turned loose. But hark! In the midst of all those warring elements hear that song from the remnant, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed.” Psalm 46:1, 2. Whatever happens, if men fail us, we’re not building on them. If governments go down, our security is not in them. If the great religious leaders that have led the people to violate the law of God are overthrown, and the whole world breaks up like the French Revolution, our hope is in that Man in the sanctuary, Jesus Christ, who has said, “Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.”
Now, as I have said, He is training us for that very day. So today if somebody disappoints us, let’s remember what it’s for. If it is a big disappointment, then we have a big lesson; if it’s a little disappointment, we can have at least a little lesson. We are learning step by step not to build on man, but to build on Jesus Christ. And thus we are preparing to stand when great Babylon goes down like a great millstone cast into the depths of the sea. God’s children will stand secure because their anchor holds within the veil.
Dear Father, we thank Thee so much for the wonderful searchlight of prophecy illumining the road ahead. We choose to be those who are taught of God. While all the world is talking of peace and security, give us the true peace that comes in Thee and Thee alone. Give us the true security that is found in Thee and Thee alone. Thus may we be prepared for the disappointments of this world because we are anchored in heaven. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
This article is reprinted with permission from Pioneers Memorial which assumes no responsibility for the context in which it appears. Pioneers Memorial was founded by the late W. D. Frazee to collect, restore, and distribute the materials of the pioneers of medical missionary work. For more information, you may contact them at: Pioneers Memorial, PO Box 102, Wildwood, GA 30757; 706-820-9755.