On the afternoon of October 12, 1956 our fall meeting of the Ladies’ League of the Protestant Reformed Churches was held at Edgerton, Minnesota. 

Our meeting was opened by singing our theme song: Psalter number 298: Then we sang numbers 216 and 124 of the Psalter, after which our president, Mrs. E. Van Egdom, read from Revelation 6:1-8. Our president asked Rev. G. VanBaren to open with a word of prayer, after which our president extended a word of welcome to all the ladies present. The secretary then read the minutes and the treasurer’s report was given. The president then introduced the speaker, Rev. H. Veldman, who spoke on: “The Signs of the Times.” 

In his introduction Rev. Veldman spoke of the signs of the coming of Christ and divided these as follows: I. The signs, II. Their meaning, III. Their practical significance. 

Concerning the signs Rev. Veldman emphasized that they must not be conceived of as pre-millenarian. Those speak of three comings of Christ. First there is the rapture, a secret coming at any time, not preceded by any signs, by which Christ takes the living and dead believers with Him into the air. Also they speak of the Revelation and the final coming on the clouds of heaven. 

We also speak of three comings of Christ: at Pentecost; at the time of our death; and throughout this entire dispensation, culminating in the coming upon the clouds of heaven. 

Among the signs of the coming of Christ we could list: the preaching of the gospel, wars and rumors of wars, social conflict, earthquakes, great apostasy, tribulation, signs in the heavens and finally the sign of the Son of Man. 

Particularly, Rev. Veldman called attention to the signs found in Rev. 6:1-8. There is presented the horse and its riders. The horse is a symbol of war. It shows courage and irrepressible force. That they have riders indicates that the horse is directed in a particular direction and purpose. 

The first horse is white, a symbol of victory. His bow pictures his righteous warfare, and the rider wears the crown of Victory. The second horse is red, a symbol of wrath, anger, passion, and warfare. He goes forth to kill. The third horse is black, a symbol of want and scarcity. The rider has a balance and sp regulates the food supply that the common man gets only his daily bread, while the rich live in luxury. The fourth horse is pale, the color of death. Its rider is death and Hades follows.

The meaning of these horses is as follows. The white horse is the irresistible preaching of the gospel of Christ which is always victorious and proceeds generally from the East to the West. The red horse indicates war, and no man can prevent the progress of that horse. Wars are not accidental, but are all directed. The black horse reveals scarcity and want for many, and luxury for the few rich. This also is directed by Christ. The pale horse is sent by Christ to cause death in this world. 

Why are these horses sent out? The white horse signifies the gathering of Christ’s church from all the earth. The other horses all serve that white horse. The devil seeks to set up his anti-Christian kingdom where Christ establishes His church. The last three horses prevent the antichrist from establishing his kingdom and allow the church to be gathered. The last three horses prevent the world from establishing its kingdom as it desires. 

What do these things mean to us? We must know these signs in order to recognize them when we see them. As mothers and grandmothers we must teach them to our children and grandchildren. Apostasy is increasing and teaching is essential. We as parents must take heed of the hellish character and teaching of the public schools of this world. We must realize that authority is not respected, and that people always depart from the Word. 

Also, we must not fear when we see these signs, It means Christ is coming, and is therefore a source of joy for us. 

After this instructive speech, we were favored with a beautiful piano solo, “He Leadeth Me,” by Mrs. Harold Van Maanen from our Hull society. A collection was taken for the Reformed Witness Hour. After this, Rev. Heys answered six questions submitted to him by the three societies. Then we were favored by a double duet from the Doon society. We sang Psalter No. 266, our president thanked the Edgerton ladies for being hostesses, and then asked Rev. Heys to close with prayer. Afterwards, refreshments were served in the basement. 

Mrs. James Blankespoor, Reporter