Signs of Christ’s Second Coming
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” These events were prophesied by the Saviour as constituting signs of his second advent to the earth “with power and great glory.” Luke 21: 25-27. These are the things that are now coming to pass, the accounts of which fill the columns of the daily press. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Verse 28. To those who wait for him, these words of the Saviour are now applicable. In the midst of the prevailing fear and perplexity it is their privilege to rejoice. This privilege should put a marked contrast between them and the people of the world. While they point to these things as manifestations of the judgments of God, the world should have no occasion to apply to them the term “pessimist.” The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is not a pessimistic doctrine. That coming is the hope of the earth. The whole creation, disfigured and cursed with sin, has been languishing and groaning in pain, waiting for the deliverance to be brought by its divine Maker. The very earth sighs for the promised redemption, when there shall be no more curse, when it shall be fair again as the garden of Eden, when the meek shall inhabit it, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. His glorious appearing, awful as it will be to his enemies, will be the herald of a glorious new creation. The belief that this day is at hand is the most optimistic belief which man can hold. And on the other hand, what doctrine can be more truly pessimistic than that which affirms that Christ is not to come, the curse not to be removed from the earth, and that there is to be an indefinite continuance of the deluge of crime and misery with which it is filled? We are the true optimists, and we should let our optimism be known to all men. We should let all men see that our heads are lifted high with hope. Thus will men be led to seek and obtain the same hope and happiness for themselves.