Hidden Things of Darkness.
By Rev. L. B. Dennis
THE second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, is an event of no ordinary magnitude. While it will be joyful to the good, it will be a terrible scene to the unprepared. "Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."-Heb. 9:28. But to those whose works are the "Hidden things of darkness," Christ will come "With his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance." 2 Thess. 1:7, 8. But the Apostle says: "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts." 1 Cor. 4:5. Yea, more! Then all deceptions will be uncovered, and the fruits of darkness will be manifest. There are many ungodly men, and many unconverted members of the church, who would desire the coming of Christ, if his second mission was as his first. But when they think of his bringing to light the "hidden things of darkness," and making manifest the counsels of the hearts, then there are efforts of evasion—a vain hoping that God is very merciful. Gladly would they conceal their midnight deeds of darkness, their repeated, covered crimes. There is evidently a manifest unwillingness, that "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, it shall be revealed by fire." 1 Cor. 3:13. How astonishingly strange it is, when God has been so good, made our duties so easy, our moral requirements so reasonable, that any one would be unwilling to do right! and take bitter for sweet, evil for good, darkness for light, or hell for heaven. "Because their deeds were evil." John 3:13. How many such, experience daily, hour by hour, and almost every minute, the significant expression of the apostle. "A certain, fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Heb. 10:27. "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God." 2 Thess. 1:7, 8. Then will the "hidden things of darkness;" yea, and the "hidden things of dishonesty," the "walking in craftiness," and all "handling the word of God deceitfully," be at an end, "by manifestation of the truth," "to every man's conscience in the sight of God." It is an easy matter to hide our sins, or cover our crimes from mortal eyes. "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets." Dan. 2:28. He that loveth darkness more than he does light, God may permit strong delusions to be his portion; for Satan works "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:10. If men prefer darkness to light, God permits them to have their deliberate choice. The Egyptians preferred darkness, and it was given them till they could feel it. So it will be with every free moral agent. Provision has been made for the salvation of all, as "God hath from the beginning chosen you [all] to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." 2 Thess. 2:13. The surroundings of Christ's second coming will be of unusual interest. All will be interested in Christ's next coming to earth. "The Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be gathered all nations." Matt. 25:31, 32. Hence, the good, the true, the pure, and the holy, will patiently, but anxiously wait "Until the Lord come," and "bring to light the hidden things of darkness."—Rev. L. B. Dennis.