The Manner of Christ’s Coming by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 27, 1910

The Manner of Christ’s Coming

By F. M. W.

IN these days of doubt, and unbelief, and apostasy from the truth, every effort is being made by the enemy of all righteousness to throw discredit upon the great fundamental doctrines of the Word of God. The necessity of a final resurrection is discounted altogether on the part of many. The doctrine of Christ’s second coming has been so spiritualized and distorted as to be made to mean almost anything or nothing. It is claimed that he comes in the Spiritualistic séance, at the conversion of sinners, or at the time of death. None of these theories have any foundation in the Scriptures of truth. One who is acquainted with the teachings of the Bible need not be confused as to the manner of his Lord’s return. The Bible bears plain and unmistakable testimony regarding this question.

1. Christ’s coming will be personal. This is clearly proved by his own words, as recorded in John 14: 1-3. He says, If I go away, I will come again. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

2. Christ’s second coming will be a literal coming of the Lord himself. He will not come by a representative or in the person of another. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”

3. Christ’s second coming will be a visible

event. “For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” At his ascension “a cloud received him out of their sight.” As to his return, the angels bear this witness: “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.” John adds his testimony to this same truth when he states: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.”

4. He comes attended by the heavenly host. “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.”

Surely such celestial phenomenon was never witnessed at the conversion of a sinner or at the death-bed scene. The world has produced many false christs, and Satan will doubtless seek to deceive the multitudes in the future by representing himself as the divine Son of God; but the manner of Christ’s coming Satan can not imitate. In the midst of the darkness of these last days an unmistakable light shines from the Word of God to all who will follow its guiding rays. Amid the jargon of tongues the voice of God may be heard calling to his children. Let us learn to distinguish the voice of the True Shepherd. “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching.” God will lead and guide safely every trusting child.

F. M. W.