THE SECOND ADVENT by WAITSTILL PHILLIPS

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · May 2, 1854

THE SECOND ADVENT.

By WAITSTILL PHILLIPS

It is important that we should believe the testimony of the Holy Scriptures on this as well as on other subjects. But their testimony is one thing, and the opinion of commentators another thing, often very different. It has not pleased the Holy Ghost to give us prophecy, generally plain and easy to be understood. Thus it is written, Dan. xii, 10, “None of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” The apostles were solicitous of their Lord, after his resurrection, of the prospect before them; but he rather seems to rebuke their curiosity, saying, “It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Acts i, 7. Daniel seems not to have understood much of his own revelations. I would not undervalue prophecy, nor the proper study of the prophets. But a wise man will here be very solicitous, for the wisdom that cometh from above. He will remember that God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. So far as I can understand, the second advent or coming of Jesus Christ, must have taken place in the time of the generation that lived when Christ came in the flesh; for Matthew, Mark and Luke record the most positive assertion of Jesus Christ that that generation should not pass, till all these things should be fulfilled, among which was his coming “in power and great glory.” He saith not “in flaming fire taking vengeance,” &c. Lo I am with you, said he to his apostles; and wonderful works followed their ministry. Multitudes were converted. The most formidable strong holds of Satan were demolished. The pride of the Jews was laid in the dust and the gospel preached and believed by many, in every known part of the world. Holy martyrs, (the seed of the church,) were multiplied and new converts took their place for Christ to live or to die. Happy time! Stephen saw the Lord at the time of his martyrdom, and doubtless many thousands that died for the testimony of Jesus Christ, found the same Jesus Christ, a present help in time of trouble. Then religion was the business of believers, and persecution and death no very unexpected or unwelcome visitants.

But there seems to be another advent, another coming of the Lord. 2 Thess. i, 7, 8; 2 Pet. iii, 4–10; 1 Cor. iii, 13, 15. This advent is generally thought to be future, and at the end of the world, and close upon the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men. All this may be correct. I will not dispute about it at least. But there seems to be evidence in prophecy, that the human family are to continue multiplying, till at least a thousand generations shall have existed. See Deut. vii, 9; 1 Chron. xvi, 15; Ps. cv, 8. Luke reckons, from Adam to Christ, only some 76 generations, and from that time till now, can hardly be more than 100 generations. There then remain some 800 generations yet to come, and how many more I learn not. I would entreat disciples of the blessed Jesus, not to be wise above that which is written, nor to be over curious to know what is hidden in futurity, nor to give an undue proportion of attention to a point that is not of a practical nature, and on which many good men may think differently.

WAITSTILL PHILLIPS.

Cuba, Fulton Co., Ill., March, 1854.