Jesus Is Soon Coming by C. Lawton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 3, 1871

Jesus Is Soon Coming.

By C. Lawton

The church has come to a point in her history when it seems that faith is almost lost in sight. The evidences of Christ's coming are so clear that those who love his appearing can, with unwavering faith, lift up their heads and rejoice, knowing that their redemption draweth nigh. Oh! yes; to the wayworn pilgrim, and the servants of Christ and the church, who have borne the burdens and heat of the day, and are still toiling on, how cheering to know that deliverance is so near.

You that are keeping pace with the work of God, can you not see that the message is rising? that we are living near the time of trouble, and when the refreshing will come upon God's people?

Bro. Smith's piece in REVIEW, Vol. 36, No. 26, “Without Excuse,” is right to the point, also Bro. White's remarks in Nos. 24 and 25. Such writing must have a tendency to arouse the lukewarm in the church. Surely, we are living in a fearful, and yet solemn and deeply interesting, time. Yes, in the Judgment, when the cases of each one will soon come up for investigation.

And while I rejoice that Jesus is soon coming, yet I am sad and burdened most of the time with the thought that many Seventh-day Adventists will come up to the decisions of the Judgment unprepared, and will find themselves deceived when it will be too late to reform. Oh! how dreadful to lose eternal life. But what will be the cause of their loss? Certainly not for the want of light. Oh, no! but because they have not lived it out, but have esteemed the gratification of self, and the pleasure of the world, of more value than eternal life. Others seem to have no sense of the work they have to do to fit them for the Judgment, or the society of the pure and blest. They have never seemed to feel the deep movings of the Spirit of God in their hearts. We do not see them panting after purity, and agonizing to get the victory over sin. But there they stand. I fear they feel that they are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that they are wretched, and miserable, poor, and blind, and naked. Oh! what will arouse them? God grant to anoint their eyes with eye-salve that they may see, that they may be zealous and repent, before their cases are decided. You that have faith in God, and access to his throne, pray much that God may send a spirit of deep conviction for sin upon the church.

I feel to thank God for the spirit of prophecy. As I read the testimonies to the church, and see how fast they are being fulfilled, I feel alarmed for those who are not moved by these things.

“The Lord is coming. Who shall stand? Who shall be found at his right hand? He that hath the white garments on, That Christ our righteous king hath won.”

C. LAWTON.

Jefferson Co., N. Y.