About the time of Christ's first advent, both the Jews, and also many of the heathen nations, were looking for the appearing of some great personage. On this point Nevins, in his Biblical Antiquities, p. 252, says, "Not only was the expectation of the Messiah universal among the Jews, but there was, likewise, a general agreement about the period when he might be looked for. Ancient prophecy had pointed to the time, as well as the place, of his appearance. Gen. xlix, 10; Dan. ix, 24-27. It came to pass, accordingly, that in that very age in which our Saviour appeared on earth, the people were expecting the promised Deliverer as just at hand. The opinion prevailed, that the time was then come for all to look for the speedy accomplishment of the sure word of prophecy on this subject. Thus Simeon and Anna, and many more in Jerusalem, we are told, were waiting. The Samaritans united with the Jews in this hope, and seem, on the whole, to have juster notions than they had of the character of the Messiah. Jno. iv, 25, 29, 42. Nor was the expectation confined to the land of Palestine. The Jews, being scattered at that time into many foreign countries, caused it to take root in other regions; so that there came to be a general idea through the East, that a great prince was about to rise out of Judea in its low estate, who should obtain supreme dominion in the world. This fact is mentioned by two of the most respectable heathen historians of those times. It was foretold also by the Spirit, that the Messiah should have a forerunner, to come immediately before him, and prepare, as it were, the way for his manifestation."
Doubtless God sent forth his Spirit to prepare the minds of men for this great event. These expectations were not disappointed. Christ came the promised Saviour of the world.
With regard to his first advent, several points are worthy of notice. 1. It had been foretold by many prophecies. 2. Prophetic periods were given pointing to about the time when it should occur. 3. At about the time those prophecies were fulfilled, it was a universal belief, that some great man was about to appear in the world. 4. It was prophesied that a messenger should come before him to proclaim his coming. 5. That messenger came at the right time and did his work. 6. Before that time, no such messenger ever came proclaiming the advent of the Messiah; nor did the people, previous to this time, have any expectation that his coming was near at hand. 7. But when the prophetic periods were accomplished, when the messenger had come and delivered his message, when the minds of the people were prepared for it, then Christ Jesus our Lord came and fulfilled his mission.
Now if we notice carefully, I think that we shall see that similar events will occur at his second advent with a like result. 1. It has been foretold by many prophecies. Heb. ix, 28; Matt. xxiv, 30, 31. 2. Prophetic periods have been given, pointing to about the time when it will occur. Dan. ii; vii; viii; Matt. xxiv; Rev. xii; xiv, 16, &c. 3. The prophets declare that just before his coming, a message will go to all the world, to proclaim the approach of that133event, as John proclaimed the first. "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand." Joel ii, 1. The same message is foretold in Rev. xiv, 6, 7, where an angel with a loud voice proclaims to all nations, "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come." 4. The prophetic periods pointing to the second advent have now within a short time been fulfilled. Again we find the same universal belief, or feeling, pervading all minds, that some great event is about to transpire. Thousands are anxiously looking for the advent of their Lord, as was good old Simeon of old. Nor is this expectation confined to Adventists alone. Statesmen, politicians, worldlings, infidels, learned and unlearned, rich and poor, all agree that some great event is just about to occur. This is the universal sentiment of all minds. True they do not all agree as to what that event will be; some think it is one thing, and some another; but all instinctively feel that some mighty revolution is just impending. By turning our eyes to the prophetic word, we may all know what it is: viz., the coming of Christ and the end of the world.
5. The predicted messages of warning to the world which was to usher in the end of the world, and the second advent of Christ has been sounding for over twenty-five years. For this length of time, scores and hundreds of voices have been unanimously proclaiming in tones of thunder, to all nations, that the end of all things is at hand. Papers, books, and tracts, by the million, have been scattered in all parts of the world proving that Christ is about to appear. These are facts which the most determined unbelievers cannot deny.
6. It is a fact worthy of attention, that no such proclamation ever before went to the world. Never till this present generation did a person or persons arise saying that the last generation had come; but now we find thousands everywhere agreeing and saying that the last generation has come.
7. Will all these prophecies, warnings, and expectations, fail? We answer, No. Just as surely as they did not fail in the first advent, so surely they will not fail in the second. Yes, Jesus is coming, his advent is nigh, he will not disappoint his people. Now is no time to be discouraged. Let us watch and pray, and hold on to our faith a little longer, and we shall obtain the victory.