In Such an Hour as Ye Think Not by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1909

In Such an Hour as Ye Think Not

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

THE entire passage of Scripture from which the above is taken reads as follows: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 24: 42-44.

In Mark we find the same statement recorded in these words: “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:35-37.

These words are addressed, it must be remembered, to the followers of Christ; for Jesus was talking privately with his disciples upon the mount of Olives. He was answering their most earnest questions, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Hence, these words are addressed to those who are watching for the return of the Master at the time when these signs predicted shall take place.

But will Jesus come unheralded, “suddenly,” upon his own people? Will he come as a thief upon them? Will everything continue in its regular course up to the very hour when, as the lightning shining out of the east, by its sudden flash lights up the west, the Son of man in power and great glory bursts forth upon a surprised and waiting people, including a lost world?—Such a construction of these passages of Scripture does violence to other portions of the Word, upon which shines clear light.

Speaking of the second appearing of Christ, Paul wrote: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thess. 5: 1-4.

To come at once to the point under consideration, let us view these texts first cited as having their fulfilment in that most important of all events, which comes unheralded to saint and sinner alike—when Jesus ceases his work of ministration as high priest in heaven, and throws down his golden censer to exclaim, “It is finished;” “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”

Here is an event that marks the climax in the plan of redemption—an event second to none. The destiny of every human soul is here sealed for eternity. Really, in these solemn words the real end of the world is reached. True, there follow other important events in quick succession; for following these words above quoted, Jesus says, “And, behold, I come quickly.” But these following events are but the outworking, the after-results, as it were, of that other solemn hour when the destiny of every living soul is forever fixed.

The passing of this hour is marked by no event on earth. The sun rises and sets as usual on that day. It is as the approach of the muffled tread of the thief in the night, bent on the spoils of the house while its occupants are entirely unconscious of his presence. Jesus makes this point clear by saying, “If the goodman of the house had known in what watch [time] the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” But he did not know. Neither will the church know the passing of this terrible hour of crisis to the world. Hence, the importance of heeding Jesus’ command to “watch,” and be “ready,” and let not this hour find us asleep spiritually.

Further evidence is given us that the above application in the Saviour’s instruction to the church from Mount Olivet applies to the time when probation closes, rather than to his second personal appearing on the cloud, in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. II, pages 190, 191. Here we find these words: “Jesus has left us word, ‘Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.’” We are waiting and watching for the return of the Master, who is to bring the morning, lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping. What time is here referred to? Not to the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but to his return from his ministration in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, when he lays off his priestly attire, and clothes himself with garments of vengeance, and when the mandate goes forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; . . . and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”

“When Jesus ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are forever decided. This is the time of reckoning with his servants. To those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness, which fits them to be waiting ones to welcome their Lord, the sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. Probation closes; Christ’s intercessions cease in heaven. This time finally comes suddenly upon all, and those who have neglected to purify their souls by obeying the truth, are found sleeping. They became weary of waiting and watching; they became indifferent in regard to the coming of their Master. They longed not for his appearing, and thought there was no need of such continued, persevering watching. They had been disappointed in their expectations, and might be again. They concluded that there was time enough yet to arouse. They would be sure not to lose the opportunity of securing an earthly treasure. It would be safe to get all of this world they could. And in securing this object, they lost all anxiety and interest in the appearing of the Master. They became indifferent and careless, as though his coming were yet in the distance. But while their interest was buried up in their worldly gains, the work closed in the heavenly sanctuary, and they were unprepared.

“If such had only known that the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary would close so soon, how differently would they have conducted themselves! how earnestly would they have watched! The Master, anticipating all this, gives them timely warning in the command to watch. He distinctly states the suddenness of his coming. He does not measure the time, lest we shall neglect a momentary preparation, and in our indolence look ahead to the time when we think he will come, and defer the preparation.”

More might be quoted, but this is sufficient to make clear that this passage in the wonderful prophetic discourse of Christ given on Mount Olivet, which speaks of the suddenness of his coming, applies to that time when he ceases his work of intercession for sinners, and not to his personal second coming in power and great glory. Upon this point it is very important that we should not become confused.