Death vs. Coming of the Lord.
By A. Smith
WHEN the importance of faith in the second advent is urged, we are often met with the objection that a preparation for death constitutes a full preparation for the coming of the Lord, and hence we need give ourselves no concern about the latter event, whether it come soon, or is long delayed. Suppose the same objection had been urged against Noah’s solemn warning of the coming flood. Does any one believe that in the face of such warning one could have been prepared for death, in a scriptural sense, while living in disbelief in, and contempt of, that warning? Who among those who disbelieved John the Baptist’s preaching were prepared for death? But few of the zealous religionists of his time believed that Jesus was the Messiah. How many such were prepared for death? The Bible abounds with the doctrine of the second advent of Jesus, and it is certain that a generation will be reached, if it is not already living, when that event will be as much a reality as was the flood to those who heard Noah’s preaching; and a preparation for death, therefore, at that time, will constitute a belief in, and preparation for, the second advent; or, in other words, no one will be prepared to die in the Lord who knowingly rejects the ample Scripture evidence of Christ’s second appearing. We venture the proposition that every true Christian heart loves the subject of the second appearing of Jesus; and what one loves is quite apt to occupy much thought, and be the principal theme of conversation. Those who love his appearing are to receive a crown of righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:8. How about those who hate his appearing? See 2 Pet. 3:3-7. If some dear friend, a father or brother, were in a distant country preparing for us a home, how anxiously would we remember his promise to return. Every letter would be searched for the much desired information as to the time; and what pleasure we would experience when the period should be near at hand! The house would be put in order, and everything would be in readiness to give him a hearty welcome. Though so much stress was laid upon the subject by Peter and Paul, they regarded it as an event to occur in the, to them, distant future, but still as an incentive to purity and holiness, as we have seen. How strange then, that now, when Paul’s caution has expired by limitation, so many of those who profess to love Jesus, should so lightly esteem his promise to come again. John 14:2, 3. The “day of the Lord,” ushered in by the close of Christ’s ministration in the sanctuary, which is equivalent to the close of probation for man, just previous to his second appearing, is one of awful solemnity, in view of which God requires his faithful watchmen to sound the alarm. Joel 2:1, 2, 15. (The army spoken of in this chapter consists of holy angels. Chap. 1:14, 15.) Upon the world that day will come unawares. Christ said of the antediluvians, that they knew not till the flood came and took them all away. They knew not because they believed not. Noah had faithfully warned them, and the flood came notwithstanding their unbelief. And “so” says Christ, “shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24:37-39. But comparatively few will believe the proclamation of the second advent; but their unbelief will not delay its approach. Christ says that it will come as a snare upon the world; that is, suddenly, unexpectedly. Luke 21:35. “Well then,” says one “we can know nothing about the time, and hence it is unimportant.” But the people of God are not regarded as dwellers on the earth, and hence the asseveration does not apply to them. See Heb. 11:13-16. It will come as a thief in the night. 2 Pet. 3:10; 1 Thess. 5:2. The thief comes in the night, supposing the inmates of the house to be asleep; and such will be the moral condition of the world at the approach of the day of the Lord. But God’s people will be found watching, and, to prevent drowsiness, will keep their lamps trimmed and burning; that is, giving light. Ps. 119:105, 130; Luke 12:35-40; see Eph. 6:14. Exercise also is necessary to prevent drowsiness, and hence activity in warning others of the approaching danger will be a characteristic of the wakeful ones. The object of our waiting or watching is not so much to find out how soon that day will appear, as, in view of the evidence of its proximity, to ascertain our own fitness to meet the peculiar dangers of the times, and to stand the test of the Judgment. “When the Son of man cometh,” says Christ, “shall he find faith on the earth?” Evidently not much. Few will believe the warning, and fewer still will be fitted to stand the final test. The last message of mercy is being given to the world (Rev. 14:9), just before the second appearing of the Saviour. We should beware how we suffer ourselves to be deceived with the idea that we are prepared to die in the Lord while we reject its solemn claims upon us. If we are prepared for the second coming of the Saviour, whether we live to witness the awful scenes that herald its approach, or whether we sleep in Jesus, we shall be accepted of him. “Surely I come quickly. Amen,” are the closing words of the Revelation. Let every true Christian heart respond with the beloved disciple, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”