p. 9 | My Lord Delayeth His Coming by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1915

“My Lord Delayeth His Coming”

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

The Lord, in looking down to this very time in which we live, foresaw some of the thoughts his people would think. He has told us what some of his servants will say in their hearts at a time just before the end. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; . . . the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder.” Matt. 24:45-51.

This is a very important scripture. It applies to this time in which we live. It applies also to a definite generation, a special class in that generation. It is clear that it points out the generation in which we now live, and the people who profess to be looking for the return of their Lord; hence in a special manner it must be a message to Seventh-day Adventists.

Observe, (1) Jesus is speaking a parable; (2) these servants have been intrusted with the oversight of their lord’s goods, his household, in his absence; (3) the division among the servants comes over the point of whether or not they are faithfully administering meat (food) to the household, in its season; (4) the performance of this duty is expected by the lord of his servants when he returns; (5) and this very point, as to whether or not the servant is giving to his lord’s household meat in due season when he comes, determines the decision by his lord as to whether he is accounted a faithful and wise servant, or classed as an evil servant to be cut in sunder in the final accounting.

Giving the Meat in Due Season

The subject of this parable, therefore, becomes a very live and interesting question to us upon whom the ends of the world are come, as to our attitude, our relationship, to the work of God—the giving of the truths due this generation, spoken of as “meat in due season.”

It is also evident that there is danger of even a servant’s becoming careless and indifferent in this very particular, and consequently of his meriting the declaration from his Lord, when he comes out from his priestly work in heaven, that he is an “evil servant.” It should be borne in mind that the Master back there on Olivet pointed out that that evil servant would be saying in his heart at the very time his Lord actually did come, “My Lord delayeth his coming.”

He Cometh “When He Looketh Not for Him”

That this time also applies to our High Priest’s coming out of the heavenly sanctuary, rather than to his coming to earth as King of kings, is very apparent because, (1) the servants are at work until this time, giving the household their spiritual meat in due season; (2) the lord comes at a time the evil servant “looketh not for him,” and consequently as unexpectedly to the servant who is faithfully at his work. These points could not be true of the second personal coming of Jesus.

No one knows when the Master of the house shall rise up and shut the door. This very important event comes suddenly upon all—the faithful as well as the unfaithful servant. And when the door is shut, we are told that many will seek to enter and will not be able. The work for souls will then have been done. Therefore we must conclude that this event spoken of is not the coming of Christ on the clouds to earth, but his coming to his Father, from his priestly ministry in heaven, to receive his kingdom.

Being Squared for the Building

Speaking of this time, we find these words in ‘Early Writings,’ page 71:— “O, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation, therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets, and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it.”

Some Cease Their Watching

Another quotation, referring to this same time, reads: “When Jesus ceases, to plead for man, the cases of all are forever decided. This is the time of reckoning with his servants. To those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness, which fits them to be waiting ones to welcome their Lord, the sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. Probation closes; Christ’s intercessions cease in heaven. This time finally comes suddenly upon all, and those who have neglected to purify their souls by obeying the truth, are found sleeping. They became weary of waiting and watching; they became indifferent in regard to the coming of their Master. They longed not for his appearing, and thought there was no need of such continued, persevering watching. They had been disappointed in their expectations, and might be again. They concluded that there was time enough yet to arouse. They would be sure not to lose the opportunity of securing an earthly treasure. It would be safe to get all of this world they could. And in securing this object, they lost all anxiety and interest in the appearing of the Master. They became indifferent and careless, as though his coming were yet in the distance. But while their interest was buried up in their worldly gains, the work closed in the heavenly sanctuary, and they were unprepared.”—‘Testimonies for the Church,’ Vol. II, page 191.

These are straightforward words setting forth a condition seen at this very time. The only safety is in being ready. To entertain these thoughts of putting off the day will be fatal. By confession our sins are to go beforehand into the sanctuary while Jesus is there. Although in the world, by faith we may keep unspotted from the world, as the days go by, up to the very last. This is possible for each one of us through the grace of Christ freely given unto us.

Shall the Greatness of the Task Defeat the Plan?

Another subtle thought is this: Is there not yet a great work to be done in foreign lands? The generation is already getting old, and the work to be done is so great, how will it be possible to accomplish the task within the limits of the generation we have so long been pointing to as referred to by the Saviour in Matt. 24:34?

How it is to be done we do not know, but that it will be done is for us to believe. We must not overlook this one thing: God says there shall be a willing people in the day of his power. God can accomplish great things in a short time, through a consecrated and willing people. Heaven is able to do it.

Israel came out of Egypt, in spite of Pharaoh’s fiercest opposition, and that, too, on time, as foretold more than four hundred years before. All that Christ said should come to the Jewish nation because of its rejection of John’s message and of his own, was fulfilled to the very letter, and those who heard

his warning experienced the awful siege. And why may not we believe that God is able also to perform all that he has written regarding the momentous events to come to pass in this generation?

Let us earnestly seek God with true heart consecration, so that a little from this we shall not be found among those unprepared, of whom this is said: “If such had only known that the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary would close so soon, how differently would they have conducted themselves! How earnestly would they have watched! The Master, anticipating all this, gives them timely warning in the command to watch. He distinctly states the suddenness of his coming. He does not measure the time, lest we shall neglect a momentary preparation, and in our indolence look ahead to the time when we think he will come, and defer the preparation. ‘Watch ye therefore: for ye know not.’ Yet this foretold uncertainty, and suddenness at last, fails to rouse us from stupidity to earnest wakefulness, and to quicken our watchfulness for our expected Master. Those not found waiting and watching, are finally surprised in their unfaithfulness. The Master comes, and instead of their being ready to open unto him immediately, they are locked in worldly slumber, and are lost at last.”—Id., pages 191, 192.