p. 9 | T. E. BOWEN by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1916

T. E. BOWEN

By T. E. BOWEN

Nearing the End — No. 2

T. E. BOWEN

Let us consider what it will mean to the world when Jesus is directed by the Father in heaven to lay down his mediatorial censer as high priest in the most holy apartment of the sanctuary on high.

The Close of Christ’s Ministry

From the day of Adam’s transgression until the last sinner entreats for mercy, hope and salvation have been held out to the lost; but when Jesus ceases his intercession for sinful man, there will be no more atonement for sin, no more mediation through the death of Jesus on the cross.

“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s ink-horn by his side returned from the earth, and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised his hands, and with a loud voice said, ‘It is done.’ And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’”

“Every case had been decided for life or death. . . . As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the tinkling of the bells upon his garment; and as he left, a cloud of darkness covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty man and an offended God. While Jesus had been standing between God and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but when he stepped out from between man and the Father, the restraint was removed, and Satan had entire control of the finally impenitent.”—Early Writings, pp. 279, 280.

We see to some extent even now what it means for the Spirit of God to be removed from men, its restraining influence withdrawn; but we cannot fully comprehend what it will mean to a lost world for Satan to have “entire control of the finally impenitent.” This will come to pass upon the day that Jesus ceases to plead the merits of his spilled blood.

Receiving the Kingdom

Jesus said that he was born into the world to be a king. “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18: 36, 37.

The disciples, led on by Judas, sought to crown Jesus king; but he knew it was not in his Father’s plan that he should become king of the Jews only. His was to be a greater kingdom, and the time of establishing this kingdom was in the Father’s own keeping. Acts 1: 6, 7. The next great event before us is that of Jesus’ receiving his kingdom. In this event center the interests of heaven and earth. It is of supreme importance to every individual.

It must be observed, however, that Jesus is in heaven when he receives the kingdom, not upon earth. This coming to receive his kingdom is at the beginning of the time of trouble. His second personal coming takes place some time later, at the close of the time of trouble, when he comes to earth to get the subjects of his kingdom. It is important that these two events be not confused.

Of the coming at the beginning of the time of trouble, to receive his kingdom, we read: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they [the angels] brought him [Christ] near before him [the Father]. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Dan. 7: 13, 14.

The Father Keeps Secret the Time When Jesus Receives His Kingdom

“Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13: 32–37.

There is no event on earth to mark the close of probation, until the plagues of God begin to fall upon the unsaved. Therefore Christ specially warns us to “watch.”

All Exhorted to Watch

“Jesus has left us word, ‘Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.’ We are waiting and watching for the return of the Master, who is to bring the morning, lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping. What time is here referred to? Not to the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but to his return from his ministration in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, when he lays off his priestly attire, and clothes himself with garments of vengeance, and when the mandate goes forth, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still.’—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. II, p. 190.

It will be seen, therefore, that it is very important that the people of God be prepared for this sudden cessation of the priestly ministration of Jesus. We need to know the character of the event here spoken of, lest we confuse it with the events to take place some time after the closing of the door of mercy, such as the scenes of Armageddon and the actual appearing of Jesus as King of kings.