Untitled article by J. C. Ryle

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 1, 1867.

THE GOOD TIME COMING.

By J. C. Ryle

I ACCEPT the prediction that “there is a great improvement and development of human nature yet to take place.” I accept it with all my heart. But how and when shall it be brought about? Not by any thing short of the appearing of the kingdom of Christ. Then, and then only, shall there be universal justice, universal knowledge, and universal peace.

I accept the common phrase of many, “There is a good time coming.” I accept it with all my heart. I do verily believe there shall one day be no more poverty—no more ignorance,—no more grinding competition,—no more covetousness. But when shall that good time come? Never! never, till the return of Jesus Christ at his second advent. And for whom shall that time be good? For none but those who know and love the Lord.

I accept the common phrase, “There is a man coming who will set all right that is now wrong. We wait for the coming man.” I accept it with all my heart. I do look for one who shall unravel the tangled skein of this world’s affairs, and put every thing in its right place. But who is the great physician for an old, diseased, and worn out world? It is the man Jesus Christ, who is yet to return.

Oh! reader, let us realize this point. There is before us all a great change. Surely, when a man has notice to quit his present dwelling-place, he ought to make sure that he has before him another home.—J. C. Ryle, Rector of Christ’s Church, Oxford, Eng.