"WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?" 2 PET. 3:4.
By H. D. C.
In addressing the Fraternal Union by appointment of its committee, we have chosen this theme, not because we think ourself master of the subject, but because the second coming of our Redeemer is a promise we love to think of, and is a subject that once was, and should be now, of great importance to the church, and especially to us who stand before the world as advocates of a broken law, and the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. How often do we read such passages as these: "When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Pet. 5:4. "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints," etc. Jude 14. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:12, 13. And especially Acts 1:11, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 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." These, and like words spoken by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, have made the doctrine precious to every watchful and prayerful believer in the Son of God. There is power in them to alarm and arouse the sinner and the lukewarm Christian, and to comfort the faithful. But the more this truth is proclaimed the more we hear the question, "Where is the promise of his coming?" not from unbelievers only, but from millions of professed Christians, who ought to remember that the Lord hath said, "Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour the Son of man cometh." Having become "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof," they say, "for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." That is what the vast majority of mankind are saying to-day, and that is what the apostle declared should be said "in the last days." Do they believe that Jesus once came as prophesied by Isaiah and others? Yes. And that he will come the second time to judge the world? Yes, away off in the future, after unnumbered ages have rolled by; when the world is all converted to him; but not now, while there is such rapid advance made in the arts, in science, in everything that makes the world wiser and better (?). His coming now would bring to an end all our cherished plans. While a worldly church may not openly reject, or scoff at, the Bible doctrine of the soon return of the Lord, yet those who love their divine master and receive the word relative to his coming with all gladness, are, with a reproach not becoming Christians, termed "Adventists," as though to be an Adventist was sufficient cause for such treatment. We do not have special reference to those who are called thus denominationally. But we will here say that we thank that people for their zeal in proclaiming this precious doctrine, and though we may believe they embrace some errors which tend to bring reproach upon the name of Adventist, we love them for their adherence to the broken law of God and their proclamation of the faith of Jesus. If we read our Bible aright, we learn that such as "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" are those who "may enter in through the gates into the city," (Rev. 22:14) and one prominent part of that "faith" is the prophecy concerning Christ's literal coming to reign with those ready for him, and to "destroy with the brightness of his coming" all who reject him. While his chosen ones wait in joyous expectation of speedy deliverance, their Lord saith, "Surely I come quickly;" "Watch and pray," to which they respond, "Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:20. We have no faith in the doctrine which tends to lull the church to sleep, namely: the conversion of the whole world, and union of sects before the second advent. The prospect looks darker at the present time than ever. We do not doubt but that there will be more of the "form of godliness" as years roll by, but that will not be real godliness or genuine conversion. In the words of another let us inquire: "And what are the present prospects of a church that has set out in all confidence to convert the world? How may those now putting on the harness boast of greater expected success than is warranted by the experience of those who have put it off after having fought the good fight? The prophets could not convert the world; are we stronger than they? The martyrs could not convert the world; are we mightier than they? The apostles could not convert the world; can we do more than they? The church for eighteen hundred years could not convert the world; can we do it? They have preached the gospel of Christ; so can we. They have gone to earth's remotest bounds; so can we. They have saved 'some;' so can we. They have wept as so few believed their report; so can we. Has God a mightier Saviour—a more powerful Spirit? Has he another gospel which will convert the world? Where is it? Is there any way to the kingdom other than that which leads through much tribulation? Is there another way to the crown besides the way of crosses? Can we reign with him unless we first suffer in his cause?" If all are converted long before his coming, how can these scoffers spoken of by Peter, arise and deny it, and persecutions and perils exist in the last days? Were they converted at the time Noah entered the ark? But words of inspiration tell us that "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." "When the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30. At the very moment when many popular churches cherish the delusive hope of "the good time coming," destruction, instead of conversion, awaits the world. While they see no danger, those they brand as fanatics, alarmists, will obey the prophetic injunction, "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand." Joel 2:1. When they say "peace and safety," sudden destruction cometh. 1 Thess. 5:3. We are no "timist," but we learn a lesson from the fig-tree, and God promises us "signs" though we ask not for them. See how dark were the features in Noah's time. That "preacher of righteousness" warned them of the swiftly coming destruction, and the works he wrought were calculated to send home to the hearts of unbelievers the truth of what he preached, and was condemnation to the careless, scoffing world. But the time drew nigh and the favored family was alone entering the ark. As the people say now, "Do a few Seventh-day Baptists, or Adventists know more about God's law than the world's popular and esteemed clergy?" so then they no doubt said, "Does Noah and family know more than all the world?" while the wise ones explained away the fears of those almost inclined to believe the "preacher." The shepherd is tending his flock, the mechanic is building, some young and gay, are being joined in holy matrimony, there is feasting and sporting by many, and all are planning for the future years, looking for prosperity, when lo! the heavens blacken, and soon descends the rain in torrents. "The fountains of the great deep are broken up." Every heart then is filled with fear, and as the panic-stricken multitudes flee with their treasures to the highest hills, the floods mount up after them, until no foot-hold is found for man or beast, and soon the teeming millions are still in death. Mercy slighted! The evidences which Noah gave of the impending destruction were considered insufficient for them to base their faith upon. But they were sufficient, and those, too, given by God through the testimony and acts of one man. But how many hundredfold greater, and more convincing are the evidences that are to, and no doubt have already, come to us, telling us of the approach of the Son of man. Prophecy is fulfilling while the church grows lukewarm and the spirit of holiness is departing. Will there be such signs given that the world will be compelled to believe? In the days of Noah no one was compelled to believe. God never thus reveals his truth. Blinded by pleasures, smooth preaching, cares and wealth, men will continually grow careless, and an unbelieving, infidel generation in and out of the church, will say, "Where is the promise of his coming?" until the Lord shall descend with multitudes of his saints and then "shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt." Isa. 13:6, 7. O blessed thought for God's people! Jesus will come, and soon come. Be ready, be anxious, pray for it. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."—H. D. C., in Sabbath Recorder.