CHRIST IS COMING by J. H. Durland

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 3, 1898

He “shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”

CHRIST IS COMING.

By J. H. Durland

Reader, do you believe it? Do you believe we are living in the last days of the Gospel dispensation? Do you know that Jesus said that He would come again? Yes, He has said this very thing: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. This must be so, for His Word endureth forever. “The Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:25. He can not lie about this, for He is the Truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Jesus not only Himself said He would come, but He sent His messengers, the angels, to say when the same thing, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established. When He had ascended into the clouds the angels comforted the waiting, watching disciples with these words: “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. These angels had proved to man that their testimony was to be relied on by not being mistaken when they announced His first advent. Luke 1:26–38; 2:8–18.

When Jesus was about to leave His disciples, He comforted their hearts by promising them the Holy Spirit. John 14:16, 17, 26. Of the Spirit He said, “He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. The Holy Spirit, by the mouth of the apostles, has repeatedly declared that Jesus would come again. “So 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. See also 1 Thess. 4:16; Heb. 10:37. Is not such an event, stated upon such good authority, of vital importance to you?

At His first coming the world rejected Him. He was a despised Nazarene. To-day many are rejecting Him and scoffing at the idea of His return to this world. Many will not have this Jesus, who offers to forgive their sins, rule over them. Reader, are you one of that number? He is soon coming, and will appear as “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” He is coming to sit upon the throne of His glory (Matt. 25:31), and to be admired in all that believe in Him, and to judge all that have rejected Him (2 Thess. 1:10; Jude 14, 15). How glorious it will be to see “the King in His beauty”!

Are you ready to meet Him? If not, you can get ready by confessing your sins and receiving pardon to-day. You need not wait for a minister to visit you, but go to Him who is so soon coming, and confess that you are a sinner, and receive pardon. Will you believe him?

J. H. DURLAND.

Battle Creek, Mich.