PART OF THE PLAN by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 6, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 40.

PART OF THE PLAN.

By F. D. Starr

Is the Scripture teaching concerning the second coming of Christ a matter separate from, and in addition to, the plan of salvation designed of God for the final restoration of believers in the Gospel; or is it, rather, a part of that plan? That there was a well-defined plan projected by which this salvation should be secured, no one will question for a moment.

Our Saviour was always using illustrations, parables, in His teachings. “Without a parable spake He not unto them.” Matt. 13:34. One of his noted parables was that of the sower, or farmer. Every prudent farmer has a distinct plan laid out in his mind before he begins to raise his crop. He first clears his ground, fences it, gets it in preparation to break up, then plows it, harrows it, sows the seed, watches the crop to see that it is not destroyed, irrigates and cultivates it if necessary, and gives it his unremitting attention till the golden grain waves to the gentle breeze, and indicates that the time of reaping is come. But is his work now done, and his object secured?—No, indeed. If his work were to cease now, all his past labor would be lost. At no stage in this process could he cease operations, and derive any profit from his efforts. The clearing, fencing, plowing, tilling, and fitting of the land, and the sowing of the grain, irrigating, and caring for the crop, are all performed in reference to an event yet to take place. All this time his mind looks forward to that all-important season, the time of the harvest. He speaks of it when making his calculations with reference to the payment of future obligations, and when anticipating his reward for his labor. “I will pay you when harvest comes,” he often says to his employees and to others. “Immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Mark 4:29. Should this not be done, the entire plan would be a failure. The grain must be harvested and gathered in.

Now the application of this illustration. In the plan of salvation, it was determined that Christ should be born, an infant, in this world. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isa. 9:6. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11. Jesus was born a Saviour. Because He was born a Saviour, was salvation then accomplished? His birth must be followed by a life of obedience, as our substitute and example. “By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” “We shall be saved by His life.” Rom. 5:19, 10. Without this life of obedience, our salvation could not be secured. But is that enough to secure it?

Ah, here we come to the great central fact in the infinite design for human salvation,—“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3); “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9:22. “It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people.” John 11:50. Calvary rises to view as the pinnacle from which faith beholds in the future the complete success of the whole Gospel plan.

But is anything more necessary to accomplish our salvation? Had Jesus remained in Joseph’s new sepulcher, our hope would have been lost. “He must rise again from the dead.” John 20:9. “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Cor. 15:17.

Did His resurrection, without any further act, insure our salvation, so that the work was complete? Said He, “It is expedient for you that I go away.” John 16:7. “We have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” Heb. 4:14. “Such an high priest became us.” “He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:26, 25. “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1. It is just as necessary that we have an infinite High Priest to offer the infinite sacrifice, as it is that we have that sacrifice.

What further act, if any, is necessary in order to complete the plan? The ardent desire of our Lord, as expressed in His memorable prayer to His Father, was that His people might be with Him. “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me.” John 17:24. This was the object of His soul-labor. Nothing else would satisfy Him.

By what means is this to be brought about? How shall His people be gathered to Himself?—In just one way: “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 14:3. As stated in 1 Thess. 4:15-17, “the Lord Himself shall descend,” we shall be caught up to meet Him, and taken to heaven, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

This will be the harvest, the ingathering; for our Saviour said, “The harvest is the end of the world.” Matt. 13:39. Is the harvest an important part of the farmer’s work? How much more important must the Gospel harvest be in the plan of salvation! Is the farmer’s labor without the harvest a lost labor? and shall the celestial seeding have no harvest? That can not be. The harvest must take place and the wheat be gathered in.

So it is plain that the second coming of Christ is not a mere non-essential adjunct of the plan of salvation. It is an indispensable part of that plan. “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:28. Both parts in the great plan must take place, or there will be no salvation. The sacrifice was brought at His first coming; the completed salvation will crown His second coming. F. D. STARR.