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Baptist Editorial on Christ’s Coming

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 54.

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Baptist Editorial on Christ’s Coming

By Editor

In the editorial columns of the Western Recorder (Baptist) for October 21, there appeared such a good article on Christ’s coming that we are reproducing it entire for the readers of the REVIEW. We give this editorial, not because its sentiments are new to Seventh-day Adventists, but because it is encouraging to find that others hold these views:—
When our Master ascended to heaven, he left the promise that he would come again. Through the long, weary years, his elect have waited his coming. Many have fallen on sleep, watching for the coming of their King.
We know not when he shall come, but it seems to us that the day is not far distant when he will come to claim his own. The hour of his advent is not known to man, yea, not even the angels in heaven; yet many signs and prophecies point to his speedy coming. Famine, wars and rumors, and unspeakable apostasy would seem to indicate that the time is near at hand.
Mankind has never known such a war as the one now raging. With few exceptions, the great nations have entered the carnival of murder; and annihilation and extermination are the order of the day. At no time in human history could it be said with so much truth that there are “wars and rumors of wars.”
While it is true that wealth has accumulated, it is equally true that gaunt famine stalks abroad in the world. And while the rich have grown richer, in many places the poor have grown poorer. The cry of hunger, the wildest cry of this world, is heard in the distance, till hushed in the silent grave. With the fearful destruction of the world’s resources, it is likely the world will be forced to face the most fearful famine in its history.
It will hardly be denied, even by the most hopeful, that there is a sad falling away from the faith. Satan seems working as never before, and if possible, would deceive the very elect. Antichrist is having his day, and his subjects are magnifying their opportunity; but his day must die away with the coming of our King.
Whether he shall come at noon or at night, he will come with the suddenness of a thief in the night. As in the days of Noah, the world will be blinded by materialism, eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage.
His coming will be in splendor and power and overwhelming glory. We shall behold him coming in the clouds, and with him, all the retinue of the skies. Once he entered the world as a little babe, with the weakness of the flesh; but now as the Lord of lords and King of kings. Once his ears heard the cruel cry, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” but then shall the whole earth hear the far-resounding shout, “Crown him! Crown him! Crown him Lord of all!”
Knowing that he will come, but not knowing the hour of his coming, it behooves us to watch, for “in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Like friends and loved ones, looking far out over the sea for the long-expected ship, shall we be found watching and waiting?
When next we gather at his table, to partake of the emblems of his shed blood and broken body, let us hear his solemn words, “Ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” May it be to us a solemn pledge and blessed reminder that he will come again.
Nor should we fail to comfort one another with the doctrine of his coming. The night has been dark, but the day shall dawn, and the shadows shall forever fly away. In patience, let us possess our souls, hoping that the day of deliverance draweth nigh. No longer need we ask, “Where are the signs of his coming?” for they are many, and may be easily seen by the eyes of faith.