COME, LORD JESUS | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 1867

COME, LORD JESUS.

With such appropriate words does the volume of inspiration close. Who cannot fervently respond to this beautiful petition of the apostle? Who that has ever tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come, does not feel less and less desire that this state of evil should continue, and more and more desire that the reign of righteousness should be brought in.

In what a world do we live! Iniquity abounds, sin reigns, evil prevails, pain racks almost every frame, hopes are disappointed, prospects are blighted, sorrow fills every heart! Who is contented? Who is satisfied? Who has more joy than sorrow? who more good than evil? Truly when we take into comparison the good and ill, the joy and sorrow, the pleasure and pain that exist in this world, one is lost sight of in the prevalence of the other. The joy and pleasure can scarcely be found for the evil and distress that everywhere prevails. It is not a false charge when it is said, that this world is indeed a world of sorrow.

Then here is Death plying his cruel task. Closely has he followed the race from Eden down. Six thousand years have nearly rolled away, but scarcely a human being can date the commencement of his existence back a hundred years. Thus stand the race a thin line skirting the borders of eternity, driven like a flock before the relentless destroyer; and the path over which they have traveled is stained with blood and filled with graves. And Death is not content simply with making clean work in the past. Thickly his fatal shafts fly amid the living throng. The young, the innocent, the gay, the sad, the weak, the strong, from all ranks and all classes, fall continually into the silent tomb. Each hour numbers its hundreds, each day its thousands.

The prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus,” looks to an end of all this. Who, then, cannot utter it with sincere heart and fervent lips? Come, Lord Jesus, come, and stay the ravages of the destroyer. Come and put an end to sin. Come and arrest these floods of evil that sweep over the world. Come and put an end to these scenes of suffering, lamentation, and woe. Come and let the transgression of thy Father's law, and the blasphemy of thy dear name, forever cease. Come and let nations learn war no more, but peace spread her bright wings over the world, and righteousness reign. Come and let the expectations of thy long-waiting, yet still hopeful church be fulfilled. Let the heavenly vision, the reflected light of which has lighted up their pathway through long years of toil and darkness, open in all its glorious reality upon their longing sight. Yes, come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

But shall the Lord come, and mankind be no more thoroughly warned? Shall the proclamation of the near coming of the great day be so limited in extent? Shall not the cry be made to ring in every ear, “Behold the plan of salvation draws to its conclusion? The great day of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly! The Judge of all is about to arise and shake terribly the earth!” But where are the men who will take the weight of these great truths fully into their hearts, and go forth to warn their fellows? In every county, town, and village, almost, the way is open for the truth to be spread. Church of God! see ye the fields already white to the harvest? and do ye remember the direction of the great Head of the church, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest?” God will be inquired of by his people in this respect.

It is in his purpose that the warning should be proclaimed. The great Jehovah from his shining throne above, has sent forth a message to call out a people and make them ready for the coming of his Son. He has noted it in his prophetic word. His power is pledged to sustain it, and cause it to accomplish that whereto it is sent. But that does not release us from responsibility and action in the matter. We are not to argue, because God's word is sure, and will certainly be fulfilled, that we can therefore settle down in inactivity and ease, and feel no responsibility in the work.

The prophet Daniel did not do thus. When the seventy years' captivity drew to their close, he understood by books, referring to the prophecy of Jeremiah, that that period of the desolation of Jerusalem was accomplished, and that consequently the time had come for the Lord to begin the restoration of his people to their own land. But he did not sit down and say, Well, this will surely be accomplished; for the Lord has pledged his word for it, therefore I will leave it all to him, and give myself no thought or concern in the matter. Far from it. Rather he set his face to seek the Lord with all his heart, even with fasting and sackcloth and ashes; and he said, “Now, therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary which is desolate, for the Lord's sake.”

So with us. We must rise into communion and sympathy with the plans and work of the Lord, and show it by offering up our petitions to him in accordance with his will. He has workmen whom he can thrust forth into his harvest; but the church must first see the need of their labors. He can and will supply the wants of his cause; but his people must first feel them. Then, only, we can appreciate and thus make a right use of his blessings.

Brethren, look at these things, and let fervency take the place of lukewarmness, and indifference give place to zeal. Pray, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, and then give efficiency to your prayers by engaging heartily in the work which devolves upon us first to do.