By Frank S. Weston
Taken from Grace and Truth Magazine 1923
The word "iniquity" here is a specific word. There are several words to express wrong doing, — "sin," "transgression," etc., but this word
expresses a definite form of deviation
from righteousness — an opposition to rule and discipline.
"Iniquity," unsubmissiveness to law and authority, is to
"abound" at the close of this age.
"The temper of men everywhere now is that of unsubmissiveness. Few are bowing to authority. There is a general
self-assertion and indifference to
law. It is seen in all classes from
youth to age, and in all countries.
The air is full of it. Lord
Stanhope, speaking of conditions fifty
years ago, says, "It is to be observed
how I far more widely spread in those
I days was the spirit of
obedience. Men were willing to make the best of the present. The laws
were not so good, but the people were better satisfied
with them. The church was not so efficient, but was more
cheerfully maintained."
There has been a marked change
of mind with the masses in recent years. Those
who are familiar with the public fully realize this. Judge
Brawley says, "All these things indicate that the law is
no longer respected by the people — the law has lost its
sanction."
Senator Borah at a dinner in New
York said, "We are now the most lawless of any
nation. There is no country of first importance where there
is so little respect for law." The reason for this is that men
have lost the sense of God. The public regards crime lightly
because it regards God's law so little.
Judge Taft says, "Among our
student bodies, from the lower grades of the grammar
schools, to the classrooms of the university, the boy or
girl chafes under authority. Teachers and principals are
openly blamed for imposing discipline, as though they had
no right to do it; and not infrequently a boy or girl
defies the teacher in the presence of the entire class, and
instead of the others disapproving, the guilty one waxes in
popularity."
Millions have cast of
all authority and trample on all law, human and divine. This is
seen in the attitude of the masses to the Word of God.
Men have no hesitation in putting their own opinions
above Scripture. Those bearing the name of Christian do
not fear to say, "I know Ghost said so, but I do not
believe it on His authority." This is true not only of
historical facts, but of the
great doctrines such as the Trinity,
the atonement, the second advent, and eternal punishment.
I am sorry to say it, but the
church in general is not submissive to the place and work
which the Lord gave her. The saints were to be a lowly company, but at present
the church rebels at this idea and
says, "We must hold a commanding position." "We must lead in social and political matters."
This is the error of the Roman Church. She thinks she should rule. The individual church in
too many instances wants to be a
"big" church rather than a spiritual church. Gideon's band still has
a meaning. God's people are a
little flock. They will be to the end.
The spirit of the times is opposed to submissiveness.
In 1 Peter we read, "Submit" to
government servants, "submit" to masters; wives, "submit" to husbands; youth, "submit" to age, etc. But the trend is in
the opposite direction. "Let
everyone do as he likes." This spirit
ruined Israel of old. It will ruin the nations now.
This spirit in the church
produces coldness and indifference. It causes love to give
out. Because of its increase the joy and gladness of
the Christian life is decreasing.
When you are self-assertive, and
act in independence, you miss God's approval and
prevent the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the humble
soul that is made fat. Because Christ hated
independence. He was anointed
with gladness. Because we allow
unsubmissiveness to come in, we are lean. This abounding
"iniquity" is a sign of the last days.
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