p. 7 | THE BLESSED HOPE by G. W. Rine

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 3, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 35.

THE BLESSED HOPE.

By G. W. Rine

BY PROF. G. W. RINE.

Of all the doctrines of the Holy Scriptures, that of the second advent of the world’s Redeemer is most prominently set forth. A genuine Bible Christian would necessarily expect this doctrine to stand out in boldest relief; for into it all other Christian doctrines converge. From the beginning to the close of time the reaping of the harvest of the earth is in progress, and the return of Him who sowed the good seed constitutes the final ingathering of the sheaves. The crowning work of the church militant is the coming of her Lord “in power and great glory.” For the Scriptures declare that it is then that the saints shall “appear with him in glory;” that then shall he “fashion our vile bodies like unto his glorious body;” that then shall this mortal put on immortality, and this corruption, incorruption; that then the righteous will look up and say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Is it not, therefore, natural, is it not sensible and rational, that the true disciple of Christ should look forward to his Lord’s return, with longing, with eager expectancy? Hence every step forward in the work of the Gospel preceding the advent of Jesus in glory, was taken for the sake of that advent—for the sake of the final, eternal deliverance of the redeemed.

Are not the means always subordinate to the end, inasmuch as they exist for the sake of the end? And is not the end or object of the Gospel to save men? And does not the Bible clearly and repeatedly declare that the final, actual salvation of believers is effected by the coming again of Jesus? Note the following assertion, found in the last verse of the ninth chapter of Hebrews: “And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

In view of all this, is it not strange that to so many who profess Christ the doctrine of his advent in glory, with all the holy angels, should be distasteful? Since to the believers Christ is made righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption, should he not be to them more than father or mother, husband or wife? Since he is their life, should he not be their song and rejoicing, their “all in all”? Loving him supremely, would they not long to be with him? It is patent to every one that a rational being instinctively seeks to enter into personal fellowship with those whom he loves.

When Jesus told his disciples that he was about to depart from them and return to his Father, they, loving him as they did, felt very sorrowful. “Let not your heart be troubled,” said the compassionate Saviour; “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Thus he comforted his disciples with the assurance that he would “come again.”

When Jesus finally did ascend to heaven, how wistfully, how longingly, how sorrowfully, the eyes of his disciples followed him until his form disappeared in the azure depth! Instantly two angels were commissioned by the Father of love to come and administer consolation to the bereaved disciples, with the 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.” Paul declares that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,” and that the dead in Christ shall then be raised, and that they, with the righteous living, should be caught up to meet the Lord in the air; and henceforth they should ever be with the Lord. Observe the significant words with which Paul concludes: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:16–18.

In his letter to Titus, Paul admonishes the church of Christ to live soberly, righteously, in this present world, and then adds: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Observe, then, that the “glorious appearing” of Jesus is the “blessed hope” of his followers. Is it surprising that the beloved disciple, in concluding the inspired record, should express his yearning for the consummation of the work of the Gospel in words so sublimely expressive as, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”?