The two events of the greatest importance in the history of this world are the first and second comings of Christ to this earth. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), in order that God in Christ might be “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23). Christ will come the second time to receive us to himself, that we may be with him where he is, in the presence of God. John 14:3; 17:24. God is infinite in justice as well as mercy, and so at the cost of the life of his own dear Son he has made provision “that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Rom. 3:26. In harmony with this plan Christ came in the flesh, lived a life of righteousness in behalf of man and as man, became himself the true sacrifice for sin to which all the sacrifices of the typical system had pointed (Heb. 9:26), and ascended to heaven to be man’s “advocate with the Father” (1 John 2:1).
His promise when here on earth was, “I will come again” (John 14:3); and we may know from the Scriptures that he has given unmistakable signs, that those who desire to understand these things may know when his coming is “near, even at the doors” (Matt. 24:33). But in spite of his plainest warnings and instruction concerning his return to this earth, although he has set the history of the nations for a sign, and has put “signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars,” and has indicated in the clearest manner what would be the condition of society and of many of his professed followers in the time just preceding his second coming, yet many will reject all these evidences, and upon them “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” 1 Thess. 5:2, 3.
We may learn an important lesson concerning these things by a study of the circumstances attending the first advent. Observe how minutely this event had been described in the prophecies. The Messiah was to be the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15); his mother was to be a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23); he was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); the definite time of his manifestation to the world had been fixed (Dan. 9:25); a messenger was to prepare the way for his coming (Isa. 40:3-5; John 1:22, 23); the nature of his work was set forth (Isa. 61:1, 2; Luke 4:16-21), his treatment, his death, and the manner of his death were all in the prophecy (Isaiah 53); even the price for which he was sold into the hands of his persecutors had been mentioned (Zech. 11:12); and his resurrection and ascension had been declared beforehand (compare Ps. 16:10; 110:1, with Acts 2:24-27, 32-35). But notwithstanding all this light, “He came to his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11.
But Why Was He Rejected?
It is plain that the people of that day were looking for a Messiah, but it is also plain that they were looking for a temporal Messiah who should deliver them from the Roman yoke and exalt them again to their place among the nations. In the light of this ambition they read and interpreted all the prophecies, and deliberately shut their eyes to every statement of the Scripture which was not in harmony with their own desires. The true spirit of religion had been lost in a meaningless round of ceremonies, and the true meaning of the Scriptures had been lost in the multitude of their traditions, which had been exalted above the written word of God. So Christ himself said to them, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power7of God.” Matt. 22:29. Their ideas of the character of God had become so distorted that when Jesus Christ, “the image of God,” appeared among them they did not recognize him. This was because they were not willing to open their hearts to the “wisdom of God;” “for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” I Cor. 2:8.
This Lesson Is for Us.
There are no less than ten independent lines of prophecy which deal with the second coming of Christ; besides the numerous scriptures which speak of special events or circumstances and conditions, all of which may be clearly understood. These prophecies cover the ground in the most minute way, and shed the plainest light upon the time, manner, and purpose of our Saviour’s return to this earth; and yet all this teaching is rejected by many who profess to believe the Bible, simply because they have theories of their own in the light of which they interpret all these plain teachings of the word. Such persons read the Bible, not to find out what God says, in order to govern their belief and conduct by it, but rather to find, if possible, some texts which will establish their theories. But this is not the way to receive light from God upon his word. The Saviour said, “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching” (John 7:17, R. V.), and this promise is for us to-day.
It is the concurrent fulfilment of all the prophecies relating to the last days which forces upon the mind of the honest seeker after truth the firm conviction that the end of all things of this world is at hand and that the King is near, “even at the doors.” It is not simply that one specification of the prophecy is met, but that all are met. If one specification were lacking, that fact would vitiate the whole; but the more closely the question is studied, the more clearly will it appear that “the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began,” are just upon us. “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence.” “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.” “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.” “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?” “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
Preparation for His Coming.
The only preparation to receive Christ with joy when he “shall come in his glory,” is to receive him now while he stands at the door of the heart knocking for admittance. God “hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained,” and a character in the likeness of Christ is the only one which will pass the searching test of that great day. Only those will be justified in that day who are day by day “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
God does not require any preparation at our hands for which he has not made the fullest provision. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places inChrist.” “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him.” “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” This is a practical experience which will reveal itself in the daily life. True religion is for the home, for the family, for the neighborhood, in all the relations of the daily life. It is not a garment which is to be worn on the outside for one day in the week, but is a constant experience of the ordinary life. “Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without. He who is righteous within is not hard-hearted and unsympathetic, but day by day he grows into the image of Christ, going on from strength to strength. He who is being sanctified by the truth will be self-controlled, and will follow in the footsteps of Christ until grace is lost in glory. The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven.”
HE "SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER."
This is the preparation needed for “the arrival of the King.” God offers it freely to all through the grace which is in Christ Jesus. O that his love may draw all hearts to him! O that his goodness may lead all to repentance! O that all might be ready to hail his coming with joy! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
