I WILL COME AGAIN by Mary E. Guifford

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1867

“I WILL COME AGAIN.”

By Mary E. Guifford

Centuries after centuries have rolled by since our Saviour spake these blessed words, yet, still we wait his coming. Will the promise fail? that precious promise which has ever been the Christian’s hope and solace amid the cares and turmoils of this weary life? Ah, no! never, never will that fond hope be crushed. Says Jesus, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” That promise, then, will be fulfilled. Yes, our glorious anticipations will yet be realized. And daily do we see the evidences multiplying around us, which proclaim his coming near at hand, “even at the doors.” We have not long to wait. Earth’s drama will soon be over. Its closing scenes will soon be enacted.

Yes, its long career of sin and wickedness is almost done. Soon shall we behold our Saviour upon the white cloud arrayed in heavenly glory, coming to redeem from the power of Satan all those who faithfully do his will, and love his appearing.

Truly we are living in the last days. We have only to cast our eyes about us, to see manifested those characteristics of the latter days which the apostle so plainly describes in 2 Tim. iii, 1–5. Who can fail to see that we are living in “perilous times;” that mankind have become lovers of their own selves, boasters, proud, blasphemers, covetous, despisers of those that are good, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of godliness In short, the whole catalogue of sins here mentioned is applicable to the present time. And, says the apostle, Their folly shall be manifest to all men. Is it not so? Are not these apostolic predictions being literally fulfilled before our eyes daily? Then let us lift up our heads and rejoice, knowing that our redemption draweth near. Yes, in a little while, if faithful, we shall join the redeemed host, and receive the glad fruition of our hopes. A few more days of toil and sorrow, a few more crosses to bear, a few more afflictions and persecutions to endure, then will Jesus come and verify unto us his promise, “I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Oh! glorious hope! precious promise! Our blessed Saviour is coming, and he will loose the icy bands of death and restore to us our loved ones; and, clothed with immortality, we shall together wing our happy, joyous flight from this dreary world to regions of eternal bliss.

“Then let us be faithful! soon Jesus will come, For whom we have waited so long; Soon, soon, we shall enter our glorious home, And join in the conqueror’s song.”

MARY E. GUIFFORD. Castalia, Ohio.