Prominent Bible Doctrine.
By Silas Henn
If Christian professors were rightly instructed in reference to the coming of our Lord, we believe that much of the indifference and worldliness which at present prevails, would be put away. How could they regard Christ's appearing as certain, and the momentous event (as far as the best students of prophecy can ascertain) as near at hand, and yet be unconcerned and negligent? Belief in the truth of this doctrine, if, indeed, it is not allowed to swallow up their interest in other important doctrines, must have a salutary effect upon their minds. It must inspire them with a spirit of watchfulness and prayerfulness and holy expectation, and lead them to live in a state of constant readiness. And convinced of the terrible judgments that will come upon the ungodly, they would be led to increased fidelity and earnestness in the discharge of their obligations to a sin-blighted world. This great truth, therefore, should have due attention from every Christian teacher. Let none henceforth ignore this truth, or pass it by in silence. And let none, either through ignorance or prejudice, oppose it; but let all search the Scriptures that right views of this doctrine may be discovered, and when discovered, spread far and wide. But there is a great tendency amongst some to try to fasten the charge of heresy on any who may venture to advocate views of Christian doctrine different from those which they have been taught in early life. But though we may get outside the theology of the sects, if we are still in the company of Isaiah, and Jeremiah, and Jesus, and Paul, what matter? Though we may get out of the beaten path a little, and walk in a way in which but few are found, if we are led there by light of reason and the light of divine revelation, what matter? Better hold the truth in company with the few than cling to error in company with the many. The truly wise, from the beginning until now, have been in the minority. The fact that the greater part of Christendom may believe certain doctrines does not stamp them as infallible. Because some students of prophecy have been foolish enough to fix the date of the second advent, and time has proved that they were wrong, many sneer at the subject and try to turn it into ridicule. But is this wise? Is it not indeed trifling with what is sacred? Christ declares that he will come again, but with equal plainness he declares that the day and the hour of his coming are unknown. Should the great truth, therefore, be sneered at or openly denied, because some, from various prophecies and signs of the times, have erred in trying to fix the time of his coming? But let it be remembered that to question or deny the second advent is a far graver error, and one attended with far more evil consequences, than the one which excites so much ridicule. They make merry with the blunders of a few writers who have given dates (and they are but few who have done this); but they make blunders themselves much greater and far more inexcusable. The second coming of Christ is taught in various promises that are given to the church; it is clearly intimated in many of the threatenings to the wicked; and it is published in a multitude of prophecies. Persons who have not given attention to this subject have no idea of the great prominence which is given to it in the Holy Scriptures. They overlook, it may be unwittingly, numerous passages which refer to it.—Rev. Silas Henn, England.