Is He Coming Soon? by M. W. H.

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 16, 1883

Is He Coming Soon?

By M. W. H.

A RELIGIOUS periodical, of good esteem, but which I am not accustomed to see, I found lying upon my table. That it had come to me designedly was evident, for conspicuously marked upon the first page I found an article headed with the title I have quoted. The initial signature recalled a conversation held incidentally with a minister of the gospel a few weeks previous. These little circumstances, of themselves so trivial, when combined, have struck a responsive note and started my pen in what may seem not unlike a criticism.

"Is He coming soon? Who? The Son of man. There are some good things transpiring these days that lead us to raise the question, Is he coming soon? Denominational lines are growing very faint." Thus it began with the certain sound of the ringing changes of the "Peace and safety cry" of these last days. And yet I did not dislike the article, though I was very, very far from indorsing, or even admitting, the sentiment; for were I to look through so illusory a medium, no farther quietus would be needed to lull me into profoundest slumber. For, says the article, as it progresses: "Unless I am seriously mistaken, the Son of man will not delay his coming long after his disciples have on all their armor, and show by their activity in his service that they are seeking his kingdom first. . . . Then, depend upon it, 'He is near, even at the door.' . . . . Among Christians there is getting to be almost as much interest felt for the success of Christianity as in the triumph of political parties. When zeal for Christ outgrows zeal for anything else, and puts his cause, everywhere and always, first, then there is evidence that he is drawing near, and we are feeling the pulsations of his great heart."

Yes, undoubtedly, spiritualizing his coming; but where may we see this? Make the coming of Christ only to mean a drawing near by his influences, precious as that drawing near is to my heart, and it were easy to make the whole a myth, unsubstantial and unreal to me. But oh! the joy unspeakable that thrills the heart of those who intelligently receive and love his appearing, when they believe his coming to be near.

Never, even in my early years, could I associate aught but joy with the blessed thought of Jesus' coming again. And when first I knew, by the hearing of the ear, that there were those who looked for that coming in 1843, my first almost involuntary remark was, "I hope it may be so." One older than myself, and one to whom I felt to defer, replied, "Who that has a knowledge of his own heart dare desire it?" Yet I did desire it—do still desire, even though my heart be so sinful—yea, it is even for this that I desire it, for when Jesus comes then comes the end of sin to those who are his.

But that coming to me meant no imaginary, guessed-at theory. It was real; just as the Bible taught; just as the early Christians believed; just such a coming as had been indelibly fixed upon my mind in early years by a Bible-lecturer with magic-lantern views of Bible scenes. He had spoken of and exhibited the ascension, when Jesus led his disciples out to the Mount of Olivet, where "he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Then passing the picture back he repeated the words of the angels, as Christ again appeared among the clouds, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven." Acts 1:11.

M. W. H.