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The Coming of the King

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 43.

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The Coming of the King

By L. D. Santee

L. D. SANTEE
WHEN Jesus, with all the glory of the Father and accompanied with his holy angels, leaves heaven and comes again to earth, when “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God,” it will be the greatest event that this world has ever witnessed. His first advent, so wonderfully revealed to the wise men, and heralded by angels to the shepherds, while it was an event of vast importance, yet it pales before that coming when “every eye shall see him, . . . and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.”
The teachings and the sacrifice of Christ during his stay on earth were but preparatory to the time when he should gather the “harvest of the earth.” Even his intercessory work as our high priest in the sanctuary in heaven is all in reference to that time when he shall “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth.” Eph. 1:10. Then will rewards be given to those who, during the ages past, have proved their loyalty to God. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16:27.
Jesus did not promise his followers an easy time in this life,—they were to be hated of all nations for his name’s sake,—but he often pointed them forward to the resurrection, to his coming again, or to the regeneration, as the time when they should be rewarded. Read Luke 14:14: “Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Paul, in his dying testimony, speaks of “the crown of life” to be given at Christ’s appearing. John says, “When he shall appear, we shall be like him;” and to the ends of the earth the disciples carried the good news of the second coming of Christ as the “bow of promise.” Peter, commissioned by Christ to feed his sheep and his lambs, did so by pointing his flock forward to the Saviour’s return, and saying to them, “When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
Perhaps the most striking outline of the events connected with the close of this world’s history is to be found in the book of Revelation. It was handed down, in vision to John, the last of the apostles, and to him is given to see great events in the future. He sees the seven stages of the Christian church, the disruption of the Roman empire, the persecuting powers of the earth, and their final fate. He has a view of the closing work of the gospel (Rev. 14: 6-12), and following these great proclamations of warning, he sees in vision the coming of the Son of man on the white cloud to reap the harvest of the earth.
Other glorious things come before his vision. He beholds the new heavens and the new earth, and the city of God, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. What wonder that in rapture he fell at the feet of the angel. His mind is carried forward to the time when redemption shall be completed; when the tabernacle of God shall be with men; and he sees the fulfilment of the words of the prophet, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Hab. 2:14. He saw the land where death shall be no more, where pain can not enter, where “the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick” (Isa. 33:24); and his heart thrilled as God opened before him the joys in reserve for the faithful. That prophecy of “things which must shortly come to pass” was to be written out, and studied until their fulfilment; and so God commissioned the seer of Patmos, “What thou seest, write in a book;” and in the twenty-two chapters written, though “through a glass darkly,” the gleam of the golden morning shines with its eternal radiance.
As John begins this wonderful revelation, what is first? The city of God? or the music of heaven?—No, no! Following close on the introduction are these words: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.” Here was the door that opened the rest, that exchanged Patmos for Eden, and made the rest of the prophecy possible. With him the coming of Christ was the alpha and omega. He begins with the glad announcement of the advent, and closes with the response, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20.
Properly in point of time, he places the event as immediately following the third angel’s message. Rev. 14:9-14. He had heard the lips of Christ voice the promise, “I will come again.” John 14:3. He had seen his Master ascend from the hills of Bethany to heaven, and he had heard the angelic assurance, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. The revelation showed him in vision, in advance, the return of his Master, and his heart was filled with joy unspeakable. What he saw in vision the saints will soon see in reality. Then the prayer of Jesus will be answered. “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory.” John 17:24. In the rapture of that glad reunion the sorrows and toil of other days will not be remembered in a manner to dim the present joy. Earthly conflicts will be recalled only by the victories that have been won. The saints may now look forward into the glorious future to the time when they will exclaim, Thou hast “redeemed us to God by thy blood.” Hail, glorious advent that brings immortality!
Chicago, Ill.