Signs
of the Times
Arthur W. Pink
Written in 1937
Let us assure the spiritual
reader at the outset, that we are not going
to waste his time nor our space, by a consideration of the latest
political doings. "Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the
earth" (Isaiah 45:9)--the child of God has nothing to do with their
activities. It is something far more solemn than anything occurring in
the political realm that we are now going to write upon, namely--the
soul-deceiving character of most of the "Evangelism" of this degenerate
and apostate generation.
It is generally recognized that spirituality is at a low ebb in
Christendom, and not a few perceive that sound doctrine is rapidly on
the wane--yet many of the Lord's people take comfort from supposing
that the Gospel is still being widely preached and that large numbers
are being saved thereby. Alas, their optimistic supposition is
ill-founded and grounded in sand. If the "message" now being delivered
in Mission Halls be examined, if the "tracts" which are scattered among
the unchurched masses be scrutinized, if the "open air" speakers be
carefully listened to, if the "sermons" or "addresses" of a
"Soul-winning campaign" be analyzed; in short, if modern "Evangelism"
be weighed in the balances of Holy Writ--it will be found
lacking--lacking that which is vital to a genuine conversion, lacking
what is essential if sinners are to be shown their need of a Savior,
lacking that which will produce the transfigured lives of new creatures
in Christ Jesus.
It is in no faultfinding spirit that we write, seeking to make a man an
offender for a word. It is not that we are looking for perfection, and
complain because we cannot find it; nor that we criticize others
because they are not doing things as we think they should be done.
No! It is a matter far more serious than that. The "evangelism" of the
day is not only superficial to the last degree--but it is radically
defective! It is utterly lacking a foundation on which to base an
appeal for sinners to come to Christ. There is not only a lamentable
lack of proportion (the mercy of God being made far more prominent than
His holiness, His love than His wrath)--but there is a fatal omission
of that which God has given for the purpose of imparting a knowledge of
sin. There is not only reprehensible introducing of "bright singing,"
humorous witticisms and entertaining anecdotes--but there is a studied
omission of the dark background upon which alone the Gospel can
effectually shine forth.
But serious indeed as is the above indictment, it is only half of
it--the negative side, that which is lacking. Worse still, is that
which is being retailed by the cheap-jack evangelists of the day. The
positive content of their message is nothing but a throwing of dust in
the eyes of the sinner. His soul is put to sleep by the Devil's opiate,
ministered in a most unsuspecting form. Those who really receive the
"message" which is now being given out from most of the "orthodox"
pulpits and platforms today are being fatally deceived.
It is a way which seems right unto a man--but unless God sovereignly
intervenes by a miracle of grace, all who follow it will surely find
that the ends thereof are the ways of death. Ten of thousands who
confidently imagine they are bound for Heaven--will get a terrible
disillusionment when they awake in Hell!
What is the Gospel? Is it a message of glad tidings from Heaven to make
God-defying rebels at ease in their wickedness? Is it given for the
purpose of assuring the pleasure crazy young people that, providing
they only "believe" there is nothing for them to fear in the future?
One would certainly think so from the way in which the Gospel is
presented --or rather perverted--by most of the "evangelists," and the
more so when we look at the lives of their "converts." Surely those
with any degree of spiritual discernment must perceive that to assure
such that God loves them and His Son died for them, and that a full
pardon for all their sins (past, present, and future) can be obtained
by simply "accepting Christ as their personal Savior," is but a casting
of pearls before swine!
The Gospel is not a thing apart. It is not something independent of the
prior revelation of God's Law. It is not an announcement that God has
relaxed His justice or lowered the standard of His holiness. So far
from that, when Scripturally expounded, the Gospel presents the
clearest demonstration and the most positive proof of the
inexorableness of God's justice and of His infinite abhorrence of sin.
But for Scripturally expounding the Gospel, beardless youths and
businessmen who devote their spare time to "evangelistic effort," are
quite unqualified. Alas! that the pride of the flesh allows so many
incompetent ones to rush in where those much wiser fear to tread. It is
this multiplying of novices that is largely responsible for the woeful
situation now confronting us, and because the "churches" and
"assemblies" are so largely filled with their "converts," explains why
they are so unspiritual and worldly.
No, my reader, the Gospel is very, very far from making light of sin.
It reveals to us the terrible sword of His justice smiting His beloved
Son, in order that atonement might be made for the transgressions of
His people. So far from the Gospel setting aside the Law, it exhibits
the Savior enduring the curse of it. Calvary supplied the most solemn
and awe-inspiring display of God's hatred of sin that time or eternity
will ever furnish!
And do you imagine that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified, by
going to worldlings and telling them that they "may be saved at this
moment by simply accepting Christ as their personal Savior" while they
are wedded to their idols and their hearts still in love with sin? If I
do so, I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel, insult Christ, and turn
the grace of God into a license for immorality.
No doubt some readers are ready to object to our "harsh" and
"sarcastic" statements above by asking, When the question was put "What
must I do to be saved?" did not an inspired Apostle expressly say
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ--and you shall be saved?" Can we err,
then, if we tell sinners the same thing today? Have we not Divine
warrant for so doing? True, those words are found in Holy Writ, and
because they are, many superficial and untrained people conclude they
are justified in repeating them to all people. But let it be pointed
out that Acts 16:31 was not addressed to a promiscuous multitude--but
to a particular individual, which at once intimates that it is not a
message to be indiscriminately sounded forth--but rather a special
word, to those whose characters correspond to the one to whom it was
first spoken.
Verses of Scripture must not be wrenched from their setting--but
weighed, interpreted, and applied in accord with their context; and
that calls for prayerful consideration, careful meditation, and
prolonged study; and it is failure at this point which accounts for
these shoddy and worthless "messages" of this rush-ahead age. Look at
the context of Acts 16:31, and what do we find? What was the occasion,
and to whom was it that the Apostle and his companion said "Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ"? A sevenfold answer is there furnished, which
supplies a striking and complete delineation of the character of those
to whom we are warranted in giving this truly evangelistic word. As we
briefly names these seven details, let the reader carefully ponder them.
First, the man to whom those words were spoken had just witnessed the
miracle working power of God. "And suddenly there was a great
earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken--and
immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were
loosed" (Acts 16:26).
Second, in consequence thereof, the man was deeply stirred, even to the
point of self-despair, "He drew out his sword, and would have killed
himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled" (v. 27).
Third, he felt the need of illumination, "Then he called for a light"
(v. 29).
Fourth, his self-delight was utterly shattered, for he "came trembling"
(v. 29).
Fifth, he took his proper place before God--in the dust, for he "fell
down before Paul and Silas" (v. 29).
Sixth, he showed respect and consideration for God's servants, for he
"brought them out" (v. 30).
Seventh, then, with a deep concern for his soul, he asked "what must I
do to be saved?"
Here, then, is something definite for our guidance--if we are willing
to be guided. It was no giddy, careless, unconcerned person, who was
exhorted to "simply" believe; but instead, one who gave clear evidence
that a mighty work of God had already been wrought within him. He was
an awakened soul (v. 27). In his case there was no need to press upon
him his lost condition, for obviously he felt it; nor were the apostles
required to urge upon him the duty of repentance, for his entire
demeanor betokened his contrition.
But to apply the words spoken to him unto those who are totally blind
to their depraved state, and completely dead toward God--would be more
foolish than placing a bottle of smelling-salts to the nose of one who
had just been dragged unconscious out of the water. Let the critic of
this article read carefully through the Acts and see if he can find a
single instance of the Apostles addressing a promiscuous audience or a
company of idolatrous heathen, and "simply" telling them to believe in
Christ.
Just as the world was not ready for the New Testament, before it
received the Old; just as the Jews were not prepared for the ministry
of Christ--until John the Baptist had gone before Him with his call to
repentance; so the unsaved are in no condition today for the
Gospel--until the Law is applied to their hearts, for "by the law is
the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20). It is a waste of time to sow seed
on ground which has never been plowed or spaded! To present the
vicarious sacrifice of Christ to those whose dominant passion is to
take their fill of sin--is to give that which is holy unto the dogs.
What the unconverted need to hear about, is the character of Him with
whom they have to do, His claim upon them, His righteous demands, and
the infinite enormity of disregarding Him and going on their own way.
The NATURE of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the
present-day "evangelist." He announces a Savior from Hell, rather than
a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for
there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of Fire--who have no
desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness! The very
first thing said of Him in the New Testament is, "you shall call his
name JESUS--for He shall save His people (not "from the wrath to come,"
but) from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
Christ is a Savior for those realizing something of the exceeding
sinfulness of sin, who fell the awful burden of it on their conscience,
so loathe themselves for it, and who long to be freed from its terrible
dominion! He is a Savior for no others. Were He to "save from Hell"
those who were still in love with sin, He would be the minister of sin,
condoning their wickedness and siding with them against God. What an
unspeakably horrible and blasphemous thing with which to charge the
Holy One!
Should the reader exclaim, I was not conscious of the heinousness of
sin nor bowed down with a sense of my guilt when Christ saved me, then
we unhesitatingly reply--Either you have never been saved at all, or
you were not saved as early as you supposed. True, as the Christian
grows in grace he has a clearer realization now what sin is--rebellion
against God--and a deeper hatred of and sorrow for it--but to think
that one may be saved by Christ whose conscience has never been smitten
by the Spirit and whose heart has not been made contrite before God--is
to imagine something which has no existence whatever in the realm of
fact. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matt.
9:12). The only ones who really seek relief from the Great
Physician--are those who are sick of sin--who long to be delivered from
its God-dishonoring works and its soul-defiling pollutions!
Inasmuch, then, as Christ's salvation is a salvation from sin--from the
love of it, from its dominion, from its guile and penalty--then it
necessarily follows that the first great task and the chief work of the
evangelist is to preach upon SIN--to define what sin (as distinct from
crime) really is, to show wherein its infinite enormity consists; to
trace out its manifold workings in the heart; to indicate that nothing
less than eternal punishment is its desert. Ah, and preaching upon
sin--not merely uttering a few platitudes concerning it--but devoting
sermon after sermon to explaining what sin is in the light of God--will
not make him popular nor draw the crowds, will it? No, it will not, and
knowing this, those who love the praise of men more than the
approbation of God, and who value their salary above immortal souls,
trim their sails accordingly. "But such preaching will drive people
away!" We answer, Far better drive the people away by faithful
preaching than drive the Holy Spirit away by unfaithfully pandering to
the flesh.
The TERMS of Christ's salvation are erroneously stated by the
present-day evangelist. With very rare exceptions, he tells his hearers
that salvation is by grace and is received as a free gift; that Christ
has done everything for the sinner, and nothing remains but for him to
"believe"--to trust in the infinite merits of His blood. And so widely
does this conception now prevail in "orthodox" circles, so frequently
has it been dinned in their ears, so deeply has it taken root in their
minds, that for one to now challenge it and denounce it as being so
inadequate and one-sided as to be deceptive and erroneous, is for him
to instantly court the stigma of being a heretic, and to be charged
with dishonoring the finished work of Christ by inculcating salvation
by works! Yet notwithstanding, the writer is quite prepared to run that
risk.
Salvation is by grace, by grace alone, for a fallen creature cannot
possibly do anything to merit God's approval or earn His favor.
Nevertheless, Divine grace is not exercised at the expense of holiness,
for it never compromises with sin. It is also true that salvation is a
free gift--but an empty hand must receive it, and not a hand which
still tightly grasps the world! But it is not true that "Christ has
done everything for the sinner." He did not fill the sinner's belly
with the husks which the swine eat and find them unable to satisfy. He
has not turned the sinner's back on the far country, arisen, gone to
the Father, and acknowledged his sins--those are acts which the sinner
himself must perform.
True, he will not be saved for the performance of them--yet it is
equally true that he cannot be saved without the performance of
them--any more than the prodigal could receive the Father's kiss and
ring--while he still remained at a guilty distance from Him! Something
more than "believing" is necessary to salvation. A heart that is
steeled in rebellion against God cannot savingly believe--it must first
be broken. It is written "unless you repent--you shall all likewise
perish" (Luke 13:3). Repentance is just as essential as faith, yes, the
latter cannot be without the former. The order is clearly enough laid
down by Christ, "Repent--and believe the Gospel" (Mark 1:15).
Repentance is sorrowing for sin. Repentance is a heart repudiation of
sin. Repentance is a heart determination to forsake sin. And where
there is true repentance grace is free to act, for the requirements of
holiness are conserved when sin is renounced. Thus, it is the duty of
the evangelist to cry "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts--and let him return unto the Lord (from
whom he departed in Adam), and He will have mercy upon him" (Isa 55:7).
His task is to call on his hearers to lay down the weapons of their
warfare against God--and then to sue for mercy through Christ.
The WAY of salvation is falsely defined. In most instances the modern
"evangelist" assures his congregation that all any sinner has to do in
order to escape Hell and make sure of Heaven--is to "receive Christ as
his personal Savior." But such teaching is utterly misleading.
No one can receive Christ as
Savior--while he rejects Him as Lord. It is true the preacher
adds that the one who accepts Christ should also surrender to Him as
Lord--but he at once spoils it by asserting that though the convert
fails to do so, nevertheless Heaven is sure to him. That is one of the
Devil's lies. Only those who are spiritually blind, would declare that
Christ will save any who despise His authority and refuse His yoke!
Why, my reader, that would not be grace but a disgrace--charging Christ
with placing a premium on lawlessness.
It is in His office of Lord, that Christ maintains God's honor,
subserves His government, enforces His Law; and if the reader will turn
to those passages--Luke 1:46, 47; Acts 5:31; 2 Peter 1:11, 2:20, 3:2,
3:18--where the two titles occur, he will find that it is always "Lord
and Savior," and not "Savior and Lord." Therefore, those who have not
bowed to Christ's scepter and enthroned Him in their hearts and lives,
and yet imagine that they are trusting in Him as their Savior, are
deceived, and unless God disillusions them they will go down to the
everlasting burnings with a lie in their right hand! (Isaiah 44:20).
Christ is "the Author of eternal salvation unto all those who obey Him"
(Heb. 5:9)--but the attitude of those who do not submit to His Lordship
is--"we will not have this Man to reign over us!" (Luke 19:14). Pause
then, my reader, and honestly face the question--are you subject to His
will, are you sincerely endeavoring to keep His commandments? Alas,
alas, God's "way of salvation" is almost entirely unknown today.
The nature of Christ's salvation is almost universally misunderstood,
and the terms of His salvation misrepresented on every hand. The
"Gospel" which is now being proclaimed is, in nine cases out of every
ten--but a perversion of the Truth, and tens of thousands, assured they
are bound for Heaven, are now hastening to Hell, as fast as time can
take them! Things are far, far worse in Christendom than even the
"pessimist" and the "alarmist" suppose.
We are not a prophet, nor shall we indulge in any speculation of what
Biblical prophecy forecasts--wiser men that the writer have often made
fools of themselves by so doing. We are frank to say that we have no
idea what God is about to do. Religious conditions were much worse,
even in England, one hundred and fifty years ago. But this we greatly
fear; unless God is pleased to grant a real revival, it will not be
long before "the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the
people" (Isaiah 60:2), for the light of the true Gospel is rapidly
disappearing. Modern "Evangelism" constitutes, in our judgment, the
most solemn of all the "signs of the times." What must the people of
God do in view of the existing situation? Ephesians 5:11 supplies the
Divine answer, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness--but rather reprove them," and everything opposed to the light
of the Word is "darkness."
It is the bounden duty of every Christian to have no dealings with the
"evangelistic" monstrosity of the day; to withhold all moral and
financial support of the same, to attend none of their meetings, to
circulate none of their tracts. Those preachers who tell sinners they
may be saved without forsaking their idols, without repenting, without
surrendering to the Lordship of Christ, are as erroneous and dangerous
as others who insist that salvation is by works, and that Heaven must
be earned by our own efforts!