SIGNS OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM.
By L. C. Kerr
BY REV. L. C. KERR, FREE-WILL BAPTIST. "WHEN ye see these things come to pass know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand."—Luke 21:31. It is thought by many who profess to love and serve our Lord and Saviour, that the second coming of Christ is an event that his church is to know nothing or little about, as to its character or nearness of approach; that it is one of "the secret things of the Lord our God," and hence does not belong to us. But such a position is founded in ignorance of the Scriptures, for they abound with such teachings as that the church is not in darkness that that day and event should overtake them as a thief. (1 Thess. 5:4). And, besides, if we are to judge from past dealings of God, we shall find that it is contrary to his principle to bring any important event to pass without giving his people warning. There is no case recorded of an event occurring which involved the interests of God's people, that was not revealed to them. When God would destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, an event which materially affected the interests of his people of that time, he said, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" In Amos 3:7, there is what seems to be almost the answer to this question of whether it is his design to leave in darkness his people concerning such visitations. The prophet says, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret to his servants the prophets." God did not hide from Abraham that event which involved the destruction of the wicked, and the salvation of the righteous of those cities; but told him, and Abraham made intercession for them. (Gen. 18:23–33). This fact declared by Amos seems to have been God's manner of proceeding with his ancient people from the beginning, and we candidly believe that that God who changes not, still adheres to that same principle. The second coming of Christ is an event of momentous importance, involving the eternal interests of his church, and in view of that fact, can it be treated as a matter unworthy of our attention and regard? In the text he teaches the knowledge of that event, by signs that are to precede it, "When ye see these things come to pass know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." The people of God are to look for a literal kingdom, having Christ at its head as king. This is not that kingdom of grace which is established in the hearts of his people. For that reigning of Christ in the hearts of his followers was inaugurated effectually at his first coming or advent; but it is that kingdom that appears at his second coming. It is referred to by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to Timothy when he says, "I charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and kingdom." It is that one to which Christ refers in Matt. 25. He speaks then of a time when the king shall come in his glory, and sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations, and he will separate the good and the bad, and shall say to the righteous, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." There can be no mistaking the literality of such a kingdom. God's people have not inherited this kingdom yet, but will at the revelation of Christ, if there is any sense in the scripture just referred to. Peter says of the event that ushers in the kingdom of God, and in view of those things which accompany it, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness; looking for and hastening unto the day of God." And again by Paul in Titus 2:13, "Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." If the church are to be in a looking attitude for that event, and there are to be certain signs indicating its approach, how can she close her eyes to them and yet be said to be at her post of duty? "When ye see these things come to pass." The Lord used a parable to illustrate the approach of his kingdom. He said, "Behold the fig-tree and all the trees; when they now shoot forth ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise, when ye see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." The figure is a very familiar one, and cannot be misapprehended. When we see vegetation springing forth into new life, and taking on its robe of green from the life-giving principle imparted by sun, rain, and atmosphere, and the herbage of the surrounding forests shoot forth those germs of life, indicating a waking up of nature from a long repose of a cold and frosty winter, which seems almost like a resurrection from the dead—summer is advancing and close at hand. We have a knowledge of such facts without a shadow of doubt—we know it. So by the signs that are given by the Saviour, when they take place, we can know that the kingdom is near, and very near. The signs that the Lord gives are those in the same chapter. He commences with verse 25, and says, "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars." Some understand this to be figurative language, not meaning the literal sun, moon, etc., but these have been literally fulfilled, in harmony with the prophecy of Joel (see Joel 2:31), and referred to by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:19, 20. "And upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." In verse 28, he says, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." And so it is, these are, and have, been occurring in the earth, and hence the kingdom is nigh.
New Haven, Mich.