The Coming of the Lord Draweth Nigh.
We are told, on every side, that we are living in remarkable times. We read of it in the newspapers; we hear it in our daily conversation; and we feel it to be true. There is, undoubtedly, a rumbling of some extraordinary earthquake, which, growing more and more distinct, forewarns the thoughtful that a crisis of no slight importance is not far in our advance. We see, indeed, the Christian, the unbeliever, the philanthropist, and the politician all agreeing in the expectation of some gigantic outburst. We find the hearts of men of judgment “failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” The eyes of many turn with anxious gaze towards the observers of the times, the learned, the statesmen, the merchants, and the ministers of the gospel, with the inquiry, “Watchman, what of the night?” But who among the sons of men can satisfy the inquiry? Opinions, various enough, come forth. A rush of many voices gives reply. But who is to be trusted? The only safe response which any man can give, is this, It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power. Yet, for all this, there is a ray of light, feeble, certainly, but not to be neglected, for it comes down directly from the Father's hand of love, and sheds its gentle beam upon this wondrous period in which we live. By this one beam, those men who have the Spirit of the Lord can read a word of warning which diffuses joyful expectation through their willing hearts. That word is, “Watch and pray, for the coming of the Lord draws near.” This ray of light illuminates, moreover, a few signs and portents, and exhorts, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21: 28. Now for this gleam let those of us who know the Saviour render praise; and while we read, and watch, and pray, be humble, looking to the Lord submissively, with patient, waiting hearts; behaving ourselves always circumspectly; being well prepared to leave this bondage whenever our Redeemer's voice shall call us to arise and meet him. I know that there are Christians, not a few, who will agree with me that these are times which ought to lead God's people to be much upon the watch-tower, forasmuch as many things betoken clearly that the coming of the Lord is near. And doubtless there are others, who, although they will not go with me so far as this, will yet agree that these are days when things around forbode a crisis which has scarcely known a precedent. An idea is abroad in Christian society, that through the progress of civilization and the gradual spread of the gospel, a millennium of peace and righteousness will be introduced, and this world will thereby be prepared for the second advent of our Lord. The Word of God has nowhere sanctioned such a notion; indeed, the direct contrary is clearly laid before us. Moreover we ourselves are called to live in days when science and civilization have arrived at wondrous height. Men's talents never were so highly tutored; human skill was never so developed; refinement, also, has attained to exquisite perfection in almost every grade of life. But what of peace? It is needful to speak very cautiously respecting it, and to give all our science a direction which concerns the munitions of war. And what of righteousness? In every circle of society (clothed indeed in seemly garment, but all the more iniquitous by consequence) ungodliness abounds; sin grows in presumption and comes in with gentleness and plausibility, to take possession and to overthrow. We are not, therefore, making progress towards this visionary excellence. Nay, are we not departing farther, day by day, from what is good and holy? I need not surely stay to offer proofs of these positions. They are patent to the most casual observers of the times. No one who mingles with society, or reads the daily newspapers, can help lamenting that the case is even thus. It does not seem, therefore, as if we were at present making progress toward millennial perfection. No one, I should suppose, can say that matters lead to any such conclusion. Our Saviour cheers us indeed by the declaration that, “The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations,” and by other gladdening assurances; but then, on the other hand, he forewarns us that as the end draws near, “iniquity shall abound” and “the love of many shall wax cold.” He reminds us of the days of Noah, when the world was totally regardless of the fear of God; when “every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil continually,” (Gen. 6: 5), and tells us, “So shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Luke 17: 26. He refers, likewise, to the days of Lot, when men were “sinners before the Lord exceedingly,” (Gen. 13: 13), and declares “Even thus shall it be in the days when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17: 30. And elsewhere we find the Saviour asking the conclusive question, “Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18: 8. Paul deals therewith plainly: “Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2: 3, 8–10. Speaking of the “perilous times” which shall come “in the last days,” he says, “Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false-accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Tim. 3: 1–5. Jude also warns us how that in the last time there shall be “mockers” who shall walk “after their own ungodly lusts.” Jude 18. The glorious rest, therefore, which this world shall enjoy, will not be gradually developed; it will not be brought about by education, nor by the preaching of the gospel; nor by the mutual consent of nations, nor by any instrumentality whatsoever which mankind will bring to bear on its direction. “The whole world lieth in wickedness.” It has so lain since Adam fell. It will so lie until the day of its regeneration.—Prophetic Times.