THE BLESSED HOPE by W. A. S.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 9, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 47.

THE BLESSED HOPE

By W. A. S.

His Coming the Climax of Earth's History, and the One Great Desire

Why should the apostle describe the second coming of Christ as the hope of all the churches, past and present? He so declares it, and by inspiration:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13.

It is because Christ’s second coming is the grand climax of the plan of salvation. Not till then are the saved ushered into the kingdom. As the apostle Paul fell in death, it was with his eyes upon that day.

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:6-8.

That is the Christian doctrine of the “blessed hope.” The crowns of life are bestowed when Jesus comes. The saved will go together, through the gates, into the city,—patriarch and prophet, apostle and reformer, and the child of God of this last generation. Of the ancient worthies it is written: “These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Heb. 11:39, 40. We will share together and enter in together.

Taken to a Home Eternal

It is to take His children of all the ages to the saints’ eternal home, that Christ comes the second time. This was His promise to the disciples:

“I go to prepare a place for you. And 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.” John 14:2, 3.

It is only by the resurrection that life and immortality are given to the saints who have fallen in death. True, Moses is in the kingdom; but Jude tells of his special resurrection (verse 9). Also at Christ’s own resurrection a handful of first-fruits of the coming harvest was given Him. When the earth quaked at His crucifixion, “the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection.” Matt. 27:52, 53. But the general resurrection of the righteous is at the second coming of Christ.

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thess. 4:15-18.

This, then, is why the second coming of Christ is the “blessed hope” of the church. Through all the ages, the eyes of the believers have looked forward to the day of His coming.

No Sense of Waiting

To those who “sleep in Jesus,” there is no consciousness. There will be no sense of waiting. It is as though the eyes but closed in death, and the next instant, to the children of God, will be the resurrection of the last day. And as Jesus comes in the clouds with power and great glory, He will send His angels to “gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt. 24:31. Just a little while, and all this will come. And what a gathering that will be! Only to believe that at last the time is close at hand, is to have every spiritual impulse quickened, and the heart set beating with joyful anticipation.

The War Against Sin Is Over

But the second coming of Christ is the climax also of the warfare against sin. The same glory that bathes the righteous in splendor is a consuming fire to sinners who have refused the great salvation.

“When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” 2 Thess. 1:7-9.

Now is the time to turn to God; now is the day of His salvation. Thank God, He wants us every one. He died to open for us the way of life, and by His tender Spirit He continually calls, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” “Just as we are, Lord,” let us respond,—“just as I am, I come.”

In the last words of the Revelation, Christ describes the heavenly inheritance, the river of life, the shining city, the Paradise of God, where nevermore shall death be found, nor sorrow nor tears. And the Saviour, after telling of it, again pleads, “Come.” “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Then as His closing promise, as a last word that comes ring down from heaven, the Lord Jesus says again, “Surely I come quickly.” Heaven is hastening the glad day. And by inspiration the response of the believer is given: “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” W. A. S.