The prospect of the dawn of better days religiously in our land and in the world has often-times encouraged the hearts of the tried people of God. It is also true, however, that many of the Lord’s people have had sad forebodings of the dark days which might intervene before the Lord was pleased to pour forth His Spirit. Some of the godly were of the view that the period immediately before the breaking of the dawn of better days would be a period of sharp trial and even open persecution of the Church of God. If this view is correct, and if it should be the purpose of the Lord to pour out His Spirit upon the nations of the world around the close of this millenium, then it may well be that we are on the threshold of one of the darkest hours the Church has ever known.
Certainly there are many signs indicative of dark days ahead for our own nation — a nation that has cast off the fear of God. As a nation we are surely ripening for judgment as we continue in our course of open defiance of the Most High. We see many of the godly taken away from time to eternity. In Scripture we read: “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.” Isaiah 57:1. Also, as far as can be seen, men in high estate and in low are being left to themselves more and more. Restraints are being removed. The Lord’s Spirit is being withdrawn. Are not these ominous signs? What dark days may be at hand for the Church of God in our land if it should be the Lord’s purpose to come out against us as a nation. True it is that the Lord will never give over His own, yet they may be called to share in the judgments inflicted upon an ungodly nation — not that these afflictions will come upon the people of God as judgments, but rather as a trial of their faith and as chastisements for their many backslidings and for their unfaithfulness.
How do we view the prospect of such dark days in our land — and especially in view of the fact that they may be imminent? Can we view them with equanimity? If we have any consciousness of our own helplessness and weakness it will not be in carnal vain self-confident boasting that we will consider the prospect of such a season of trial. It may well be that the judgments poured out will be short and severe. If the Lord should permit the unleashing of nuclear attack even on a limited scale on any part of the world — and where is this more likely to fall than on those who have turned their back on Him — its effect would be catastrophic. Millions of souls, not in four or five years as in the First and Second World Wars, but in a moment of time could suddenly be ushered into eternity. What devastation would ensue were the Lord to permit Britain to be visited with such terrible judgments. In such a case what Alexander Peden the Covenanter foresaw of people coming out of holes in the earth after the Lord’s judgments and looking round and seeing nothing but desolation, and hearing nothing, not even the sound of a cock crowing, would be amply fulfilled.
What is the message of the Lord to His people as the shadows of the darkness of night fall? He is saying, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:20, 21. On their part they can say: “Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee:”, and again: “When thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
What need the people of God have of grace to stand in the time of trial. Only grace will be sufficient to meet their need then. “My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” It is only by confiding in the Lord and abiding in Him that they can hope to pass through the fiery trial. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4: 12, 13. When faith and patience are to be tried to the utmost what need for them to heed the exhortation of Scripture: “Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13. May we be found faithful in that day.