p. 522 | Which Is Right? by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 27, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 33.

Which Is Right?

By Stephen N. Haskell

THE doctrine of the second coming of Christ is believed by thousands of people. Many also believe that the event is near at hand. Those who hold these views are not of the unlearned only, but of the educated and of those holding important and high positions. But as to the manner of his coming there is much difference of opinion. The most popular and commonly received view is, that his coming is spiritual. But this view is contradicted by the plain reading of the Scriptures. The Saviour warned his disciples against giving heed to any teaching that would answer to the saying, Lo, he is in the desert or in the secret chamber. He especially declared that "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." The disciples beheld him as he ascended, and the cloud received him out of their sight. On that occasion the angels of God appeared to them and said, "This same Jesus that is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner." They had been with him on the earth forty days after his resurrection. He had told them to handle him and see that it was he himself. This same Jesus is to return in like manner as he went away.

But there are taken two other views of the second coming of Christ, that I wish to mention. One is that he will come to all as a thief, in a still and quiet manner, and take his saints out of the earth, and no one will know anything about it save those who are taken away. Then at the end of the thousand years, which commence at this time, he will appear and destroy the wicked. They also hold that during the thousand years he will, with his saints, reign over the wicked on this earth. The other view is that when he comes every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, the dead will be raised, the wicked then living be destroyed, and the saints go to Heaven, where they will dwell with Christ for one thousand years.

We wish to state briefly some reasons why we do not indorse the former view, but rather the latter. The Saviour warned his disciples not to receive anything as his coming unless they saw him personally. He places them on their guard against being deceived by the doctrine of those that will say, "Lo here" or "Lo

there," or that will say, "See here" or "See there." Of all such the Saviour says, "Go not after them nor follow them," but he adds the following words, "For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day." This testimony is very positive as to the manner of his coming. The light which will emanate from the Son of man when he comes will be visible to the inhabitants of the earth, as the lightning is seen in a dark night. Thus his second coming and his personal appearing are identical and will take place when he comes in the clouds of heaven.

Secondly, the events connected with his coming will be as visible as his personal appearance. The Thessalonian brethren were thrown into great perplexity because some of their number had died. The apostle instructed them as follows: "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope; for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so [in like manner.—Webster], them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." From what place will he bring them? From where they are sleeping in their graves, as Christ was brought from the grave. It is thus evident that the resurrection of all the righteous dead will take place and the change of the righteous living will be accomplished in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, yet it will be as visible as the resurrection of Christ.

Thirdly, the effect of his coming on the wicked will not only be visible but as really destructive. "Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." The wicked cannot endure the coming of the Lord. They behold the light, and it destroys them.

Fourthly, it is explicitly said that the earth will be made desolate at his coming. The prophet Jeremiah describes it to be as it was at the creation, without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. These are the words of the prophet, "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end." The Lord expressly says that this is one thing which he has purposed and that he will not repent, neither turn back from it. When the Lord appears the atmospherical heavens pass away, and are destroyed. "So man lieth down, and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Job 14:12. This is the appointed time. It is then the voice of the archangel (Christ) will be heard, and Job will answer. Jeremiah refers to it when he says: "Then shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black." David also alludes to it in the following words: "The earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken; . . . he bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet." Peter also declares: "The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat." It is well known that it is the reflection of the light of the sun upon the atmosphere that causes light. When this atmosphere passes away, as a matter of course there will be darkness; man will cease to live. The righteous at this time will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so be forever with him. We cannot therefore see the reasonableness or the consistency of separating the second coming of Christ from his appearing. The coming as a thief is not to translate his people as though he was ashamed to be seen, and so steal his saints from this earth unknown to the inhabitants of the world. But "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." This is when he comes with clouds, accompanied by the holy angels, "the second time without sin unto salvation." When the saints are raised, "He shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice [margin] and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Thus it is that Christ will fulfill the promise he made to his disciples as he left them 1854 years ago. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

S. N. H.