Second Advent Experience.
By H. S. GURNEY
It really seems to me that we cannot over estimate the second advent experience which has so fully been manifest in this generation. If we must recognize a divine providence in the affairs of men, then the Spirit of God has made his mark in the second advent movement. And if so, then that position is true which presents a straight-forward, harmonious chain. This we find only among believers in the Third Angel's Message. We have a very clear example of this work in the history of John the Baptist. Prophecy has foretold and prescribed his work. He said himself, I am “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” The Pharisees seemed very willing to learn at this time, even requesting baptism. But a part of John's work was to straighten the road, and this would cross their track very often. Jesus at one time asked them a close question. “The baptism of John, was it from Heaven or of men?” Was John's message which prepared those who received it for the first advent of our Lord, of heavenly birth? Did it bear good fruit? The common people would stone the Pharisees if they openly denied that John's work was of God. Where is the believer in the Bible, or divine providence now, who does not condemn unbelief in the first advent experience. If the Messiah's first advent must be marked by a divine providence as in the history of John the Baptist, then certainly the second coming of our Lord, an event of very much greater importance, inasmuch as the destiny of the world will be fixed by this event, will be marked by a corresponding movement. Does the Bible record the history of the destruction of any city or nation without first sending a faithful warning? The history of the flood; of the cities of the plain; of the departure of Israel from Egypt; the destruction of Babylon, Nineveh, and Jerusalem;—will not all these rise up in the Judgment against this generation? If our Lord could point truly to the spirit of Elijah in John's mission, then most certainly that part of his prediction which says “Elias shall first come,” is most clearly defined in the present generation. The fulfillment of prophecy is always preceded by a special religious movement and thus warnings are given, leaving the world without excuse. How striking are the signs of this time,—signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on earth nations perplexed. The church filled with false professors, crying peace and safety, ripening for the last harvest; religious scoffers saying, “where is the promise of his coming.” All these things and many more are thundering in the ears of the servants of God that the time has come to give the last warning to the world lying in wickedness, that some at least may prepare to meet their God and wear the crowns prepared for those who are to inherit eternal life.