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Christ's Second Advent and Gospel Blessings

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 5, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 46.

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Christ's Second Advent and Gospel Blessings

By John N. Quinn

JOHN N. QUINN
THE first advent of Christ is a theme of the prophets of Old Testament times, one hundred and fifty-one definite predictions concerning the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and glorifying of the Messiah having been collected, every one of which has been minutely fulfilled.
The second advent of our Lord is the topic of the New Testament, there being over three hundred references to it, fifty-eight of these occurring in the writings of the apostle Paul. Scarcely a New Testament doctrine can be preached which does not emphasize the return of the Head of the waiting church. The believer who comes to the Communion table in remembrance of Christ's self-sacrifice shows forth 'the Lord's death till he come.' 1 Cor. 11:26. Every one who intelligently partakes of the Lord's Supper confesses himself to be an Adventist, a believer in the return of his Lord. He who goes forth with God's message of repentance bases it upon the fact that God 'hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world' by that Man whom he hath raised from the dead. Acts 17:30, 31.
Conversion and the blotting out of sin are connected with the refreshing to come from the presence of the Lord just before 'he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.' Acts 3:19-21.
The sanctification of body, soul, and spirit and the preservation of the child of God blameless are to be 'unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 1 Thess. 5:23.
The abounding love of one child of God for another, by which the world is to be convinced of the fact that God sent into the world his only begotten Son, is to the end that God 'may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.' 1 Thess. 3:12, 13. Sinlessness is inseparable from the return of Christ. Heb. 9:27, 28.
The eternal inheritance of the saints will be ushered in at 'the coming of the day of God;' and although all things which are earthly shall be dissolved, 'nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.' 2 Peter 3:9-13.
The children of faith will receive the 'crown of righteousness,' 'at that day' of all days, 'when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him.' 2 Tim. 4:8; Matt. 25:31.
Troubled believers, in whom Paul gloried because of their 'patience and faith in all' persecutions and tribulations that they endured, found rest in the hope of the revelation of the Lord Jesus with his mighty angel, 'when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.' 2 Thess. 1:3-10.
The man who despises 'the riches of God's goodness and forbearance and long-suffering,' who is not led to repentance by 'the goodness of God,' is faithfully warned that he is treasuring up 'wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.' Rom. 2:5.
The brother who is oppressed by those who are heaping 'treasures together for the last days,' is advised to bear it patiently 'unto the coming of the Lord.' James 5:1-8.
When the last enemy enters the home and breaks the silver cord, when the clods of the valley rattling on the coffin containing a loved one fall like lead upon the heart of the sorrowing, and human words are as icicles, then, even then, the only words that can comfort are, 'The Lord himself shall descend . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first.'
Just now 'confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. God's people should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an 'overwhelming surprise.' And it will be a surprised world which will behold Him whom they have pierced; but it will be a glad church which will look upon him who is the one altogether lovely, the joy and the rejoicing of their hearts, and which will hear the gracious words, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' 'Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.'