The Imminence of Christ’s Appearing by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 17, 1910

The Imminence of Christ’s Appearing

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

(Reading for Sunday, December 11)

For more than threescore years we have been looking forward to the time when the mystery of God would be finished, probation closed, and our blessed Lord return in all the fulness of his indescribable glory to receive his people to himself. This has been our hope through all these years. For it we have toiled, prayed, and sacrificed. Inspired by this blessed hope, many have given up home and loved ones, and gone to the ends of the earth to unfurl the banner of the message.

While waiting for the consummation of their hope, many faithful pilgrims have fallen asleep, and in the silence of the tomb are waiting the return of the Life-giver. Many more worn and aged pilgrims, who have long been journeying toward the heavenly Canaan, have their eyes upon the signs which indicate the soon return of their King, and are hoping to see him come in glory and power.

And, bless the Lord, we have not followed a false hope, or a cunningly devised fable. The coming of Jesus is a reality. Jesus is coming, personally, and in glory beyond the power of any pen to describe.

And this great event is near, even at the door. That to which prophets and holy ones through centuries and ages past have looked forward, is to be realized in this generation.

Let us review, briefly, some of the many familiar and infallible evidences which show that this is the truth.

In 1844, at the close of the 2300 prophetic

days, or years, of Dan. 8:14, the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven began. This is the judgment, the final work for the salvation of man. Beyond this there is no Mediator nor probation for a lost race. This solemn truth is revealed through the sanctuary, that great center of Christ’s ministry, around which most of the glorious truths of the message radiate.

Let us think soberly of what this means. It should really startle us. Sixty-six years ago the heavenly tribunal, at which we each have a case pending, opened, as described by Daniel and the beloved John. Dan. 7:9, 10; Rev. 20:11-13. Just think! This was before most of those now living on the earth were born. For sixty-six years the record of those whose names are in the book of life has been under the scrutiny of the unerring and faithful Judge. This work can not continue much longer. The verdict, settling forever the destiny of each individual, will soon be rendered. Beyond a doubt the close of probation is near at hand.

To those who really believe this solemn truth, the things of this earth will have but little value. They will live in view of an expected jubilee. Instead of adding house to house, and farm to farm, and increasing the size of a surplus bank account, they will place their treasures in the bank of heaven, to be preserved in eternity, not in perishable gold, but in blood-washed souls.

Are we really living as those who “wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding”? When, if not now, do the words, “Sell that ye have, and give alms,” apply?

When we trace down the long lines of prophecy contained in the Book of God, we find that they all focus in the time in which we are living. For more than fourteen centuries we have been living in the time symbolized by the feet and toes of the image of Daniel 2, waiting for the stone to smite the image, destroy all earthly kingdoms, and establish on earth the fifth universal kingdom—the kingdom of Christ.

The same is true of the seventh, eighth, ninth, and eleventh chapters of Daniel. History shows the fulfilment of the events foretold by the ancient prophet with great accuracy. Not much longer will the militant church wait for the final consummation of these great events. Michael, the great Prince, who standeth for the people of God, is soon to stand up, and the saints of God will be delivered, “every one that shall be found written in the book.”

The events predicted by the exiled seer on Patmos are either fulfilled or fulfilling all around us. Study the seven churches, the seven seals, and the seven trumpets. The fulfilment of these lines of prophecy is traced by the pen of the historian. We live in the midst of the very closing events in these prophetic lines.

The part our own nation is to act in the closing struggle of the prolonged controversy on earth (Rev. 13:11-18), is being rapidly fulfilled. When we took the position, years ago, that the principles upon which this republic is founded would be subverted, there was hardly a cloud as large as a man’s hand to show the fulfilment of that statement. But to-day we see Congress besieged by strong organizations, and efforts being made to undermine the pillars of Constitutional liberty. These efforts, when successful, will result in the formation of an image to the beast, and will fan into a flame the smoldering embers of a religious tyranny, resulting in persecution for the people of God, as foretold by the prophet.

For more than threescore years we have looked forward to this work, knowing it to be a signal of the near coming of the Lord. To-day the mutterings heard indicate that the storm is not to be much longer delayed.

BAPTISMAL SCENE IN PERU, AMONG THE INCA INDIANS

The period when those who revere God’s law can neither “buy nor sell” is near at hand. It is no time now to fix our affections on the things of earth; but, like those who indeed wait for their Lord when he returns from the wedding, we should invest our treasures in the work of God.

The signs in the heavens, on the earth, and in the sea, foretold by the Saviour, which were to appear as heralds of the end, have either appeared or are being fulfilled all about us. History, as well as eye-witnesses, testifies to the fulfilment of the signs in the heavens. The nations are perplexed and angry. Armies are being increased; huge warships are being constructed and navies strengthened. The most deadly implements of destruction are being invented. The world is becoming one vast arsenal. The tramp, tramp, of hundreds of thousands of men training for slaughter is heard. The heathen nations have awakened from the slumber of centuries, and are preparing for the inevitable conflict. It will be a terrible hour when the flower of manhood in every nation meet on the field of battle, with the most improved weapons of slaughter in their hands. Then will appear more precious than ever before the hope which reaches beyond the strife and turmoil of earth.

These events tell us that the end is at hand. When these things are seen, “then,” says Jesus, “shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

But most striking of all signs is that of the warning message sent to all the world, announcing that the book of human history is about made up, and the curtain is soon to drop on the final act in the drama of this world. None, it would seem, could well mistake the import of this sign. Unbelievers may deny the fulfilment of the prophecies, and scoffers may sneer at the heralds of Christ’s coming, and seek to parry their force by some scientific guess. But who can explain this great warning message being sent to the world, announcing that the hour of the judgment has come, and that the Son of man will soon come, except on the basis that the end is near? If the day of God is not at the door, why this message now?

And if this message is not from Heaven, how can the Lord ever warn the world of the end? The proclamation of the flood sent by the Lord through Noah was the surest evidence that the deluge was at hand. And “as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” The clearest sign that Jesus is coming is the warning sent of God of that event. God has sent such a message. It has nearly reached the limits of the earth. As surely as God’s Word is true, so surely will the end come next. It is at the very door.

The recital of these evidences of the soon coming of our blessed Redeemer is a familiar story to this people. We know, in theory at least, that the Lord is soon coming. But we fear there is danger that, knowing these things, we shall let them slip; that our hearts will become cold and selfish; and we, becoming overcharged with the cares of this life, shall allow the day of God to take us unawares.

Some who once believed in the coming of the Master will be found saying, by their actions, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Herein lies our danger. There is danger that the nearness of the end will not seem so real to us as it did years ago. If it does not, there is something wrong with our spiritual perception.

Years ago the servant of the Lord said: “I saw that God’s people are on the enchanted ground, and that some have lost nearly all sense of the shortness

of time and the worth of the soul. Pride has crept in among Sabbath-keepers,—pride of dress and appearance. Said the angel, ‘Sabbath-keepers will have to die to self, die to pride and love of approbation.’”—Early Writings, page 33.

“On the enchanted ground;” “some have nearly lost all sense of the shortness of time;” “pride has crept in;” “Sabbath-keepers will have to die,”—these are solemn statements. Let us take them home to our hearts, and seriously ask, “Lord, is it I?”

The great apostle, looking down to our time, said: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:11, 12.

Who are here exhorted to awake?—Not the unbelievers, nor the nominal professors, but those who know the end is near. The call to awake is given to those who have fallen asleep on the enchanted ground. It is a trumpet call from the Almighty, sounding anew in the ears of those who have “lost nearly all sense of the shortness of time,”—a call to get ready to meet him.

Listen to these stirring words from the Spirit of God: “Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of every soul will be fixed forever. This day of the Lord hastens on apace. The false watchmen are raising the cry, ‘All is well;’ but the day of God is rapidly approaching. Its footsteps are so muffled that it does not arouse the world from the deathlike slumber into which it has fallen.”—Special Testimonies, published 1898.

The great and terrible day of God, the day when he will visit the inhabitants of the earth, approaching with muffled footsteps! How important that we watch, lest we be found among the sleeping virgins! Again I quote: “The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised.”—Ib.

Let me ask, in closing, Are we living as those must live who really expect the Lord to come in a little while? Do our lives testify to our neighbors and all about us that we are really getting ready for the coming of the Lord? Have the cares of life crowded secret prayer and the reading of the blessed Bible from our lives? Do the sleeping virgins without oil in their lamps really represent our spiritual condition? If the day of God should burst upon us, would we be taken unawares, surprised, off guard, unready?

How unspeakably glorious will it be to be found ready and waiting when Jesus comes! How the prospect of that event should cheer our hearts! Then the disappointments and sorrows of earth will be ended, and with Jesus and the faithful of all ages we shall bask in the eternal joys of the heavenly land. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 24:44.