p. 3 | The Son of Man Cometh by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1902

The Son of Man Cometh

By Editor

Editorial

The Son of Man Cometh

The disciples asked Jesus, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” His reply, which was full and explicit, is found in the twenty-fourth and the twenty-fifth chapters of Matthew. In seven different forms of expression in this reply our Lord refers to his coming, and in every case he speaks of himself as “the Son of man.” What a comforting truth it is to remember that “in Christ the family of earth and the family of heaven are bound together,” and that “Christ glorified is our brother.” In looking for the coming of the Son of man we look for the coming of One who is related to us by the closest ties. Although exalted to the highest heaven, he has not forgotten us. Although surrounded by the angelic host, who delight to do him honor, he is not ashamed to mention our names before the Father, and to call us his brethren. And although he is in the courts of glory, “angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him,” yet he will not be satisfied until those who have accepted his redeeming grace are with him where he is, that they may behold his glory, and share it with him. What an overwhelming thought it is that the Son of man longs for the presence and companionship of those who have accepted him as their Saviour, and that to delay his coming is to defer the gratification of this desire. For many years we have longed to see him face to face, and to look upon him who has redeemed us with his own blood, perhaps little realizing that during this same time the Son of man has longed to bring the redeemed to Zion, and to have them sit with him on his throne. O wonderful love! “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.” O wonderful Saviour, who loves his own who are in the world, and loves them to the end! O glorious reunion, when Saviour and saved sinners meet “in the air,” to enjoy each other’s companionship forever!

“O how I long to see that day When the redeemed shall come To Zion, clad in white array— Their blissful, happy home.”

The Last Call

Under the first angel’s message a work was done in warning the world of the judgment hour and the coming of the Lord. Under the second angel’s message and the midnight cry the solemn proclamation was made, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.” Under the third angel’s message, and especially under the inspiration of the heaven-sent word that “there shall be delay no longer,” the message of the soon coming of the Saviour, that he is “at the doors,” is now to be given with a loud voice to all who dwell on the earth. This is the third, the last, call to the world to prepare to meet the Lord. Those who profess to believe the third angel’s message should awaken to the tremendous responsibilities of the present hour. Loyalty to the work of God at this time means nothing less than the entire consecration of body, soul, and spirit, the entire consecration of time, talent, and means to this one purpose,—that the warning message of the Lord’s immediate coming and the genuine gospel of full and final salvation from sin shall be sounded throughout the world in the shortest possible time. We appeal to every reader of this paragraph to make this week of prayer the time for just such a consecration. “Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto Jehovah?”

Double It

It is quite likely that many Sabbath keepers have come up to this week of prayer with the general expectation of making about the usual donation for the spread of this message “in the regions beyond.” To all such we wish to say, with the utmost emphasis, DOUBLE IT. The times have changed. We have entered upon a new order of things. God is calling upon his people to co-operate with his purpose to do a quick work. It is our part to pray as though it all hath depended upon him, and then to act as though it all depended upon us. The Lord calls upon his stewards now to use his goods for the hastening of this message. It is time to cut down. It is time to transfer some of the principal, as well as some of the increase, to the bank of heaven. Our faith that this is the last call to a dying world will be shown by our works. Did you give five dollars last year? DOUBLE IT. Did you give ten dollars last year? DOUBLE IT. Did you give twenty-five dollars last year? DOUBLE IT. Did you give fifty dollars last year? DOUBLE IT. Did you give one hundred dollars last year? DOUBLE IT. Whatever amount you gave last year, DOUBLE IT. Answers to the calls for help in the different fields are again and again deferred for lack of means. A double offering is needed this year. If you have made the usual offering before you read this paragraph, DOUBLE IT. A double blessing awaits this people when they will accept their responsibilities as “laborers together with God.” Now is the time to do it.