THE smoke out of the bottomless pit, darkening the sun and thus hiding the light of day, seems to be a picture of the strong delusion, which in the righteous government of God is visited upon men who, after having every opportunity to know the truth, have turned away from it. Men love darkness more than light when their deeds are evil. If people will not receive the message of the gospel, which sets forth Christ as the Light and Redeemer of the world, they are in grave danger of being given up to judicial darkness, and so left to perish in their sins.
When this state is reached the pestilential locust-errors from the abyss are let loose upon men, and their minds are tormented by the awful sense of being shut away from the light of life. As God gives light we are responsible to walk in it lest we be given over to the blackness of darkness forever. It is His will that all should receive the light of His truth. Condemnation follows its rejection.
“Darkness gathering, turmoil, doubt,
Satan’s inroads all about,
Scoffers railing,
Men’s hearts failing,
Battles sore, within, without—.
But, Peace! —Because HE IS!
Calvary’s darkness, a cross, a cry!
A risen Saviour gone on high.
Satan defeating,
Redemption completing,
The sinner freed, redeemed, brought nigh—
And Peace! —Because HE WAS!
Darkness preceding the flush of dawn,
Pregnant with hope of the Coming One,
Whose own, preparing,
His sufferings sharing,
Await the light of a new day begun―
So Peace! — Because HE IS TO COME!”
—Elsie K. Wens.