The Second Coming of Christ.
By T. S.
IS IT NEAR AT HAND? GENERAL VIEW.
In our previous articles upon this subject, we have spoken of the importance, the necessity, and the nature of the coming of Christ, and the effect it will have upon the cases of the righteous and the wicked. We have shown that this coming is one of the fixed events in the plan and purpose of God concerning this earth, as revealed in his word; that it is to be personal and visible; that it is attended with the resurrection of the dead and the breaking up of the face of nature, and brings a complete end to the present order of things; and that while the wicked find it the end of all their hopes, and the opening of the pit of eternal night, the righteous find it the radiant gateway to everlasting life and unending joy. These points being settled beyond the possibility of contradiction, we now reach a question of all-absorbing interest: Is that coming with its associate events now near at hand? Are these the last days? Is this the generation upon which rests the responsibility of preparing to meet, personally, this amazing change? All kinds and classes of evidence which have any bearing upon this subject, respond to this question with a decided and emphatic, Yes. There are some considerations of a general nature which may properly be considered at the head of the long list of evidences on this question. 1. There are but few who will contend that the present state of things is to continue forever. Generations are not to succeed each other, each in its turn dropping into the tomb, through an interminable future. God’s word plainly declares this, and affirms that there is a day of Judgment appointed to close up and review all these ages of human probation. 2. This matter being regulated by a fixed plan, we inquire what great features of the plan of salvation were to be developed before this end. The time thus far passed over may be divided into four periods or dispensations: the antediluvian, the patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the Christian. The Christian age is to be the last; for Christ, in his opening sermon plainly intimated that the system he came to introduce should last till heaven and earth should pass. There is no other dispensation in probation to succeed this; and this has already extended over 1800 years, which is longer than any of the dispensations that preceded it. Has not all been accomplished by it which it was designed to accomplish? Why may it not very speedily close? 3. Truth for the world has reached its full development. In various ways God has communicated his will to men. He has communed with them personally, and his instruction has been preserved by tradition among men. He has taught them through types and shadows, gradually leading their minds to the highest forms of perfect truth. Finally the gospel truths of the present dispensation have been taught in all their clearness, and the volume of the Sacred Scriptures completed. And this the world has had for over eighteen centuries. There is no new revelation to be made. What further wait we for in this direction? So far then as the development of this part of the plan of redemption is concerned, who can say that we are not near the end? 4. There are two special covenants brought to view in the Scriptures, called the first and the second, the old and the new. The first was made with Israel when they were brought out of Egypt, Ex. 19 : 3-6, and continued in force till the first advent. The second was introduced and confirmed by Christ. This is to reach to the end, and introduce the church to the perfection of the heavenly state. Heb. 8 : 11, 12. Under this covenant we have lived already about eighteen and one-half centuries. There is nothing further in this direction. Who can say that the time is not near when the perfect blessings of this covenant are to be realized? The conclusion is natural and consistent that that time must now be at hand. 5. The preaching of the gospel has compassed the earth, and penetrated to its remotest bounds. Commencing in Asia, and shedding its light at first upon the remotest East, it has come westward with the course of day, till, having traversed both hemispheres, it now looks from its watch-towers on our western coast, across the Pacific to the cradle of its beginning. What further can it do? But, says one, the gospel has not yet converted the world, and therefore its work cannot be done. We answer that it has never been predicted that the gospel should convert the world. It is said that it should take out of the Gentiles a people for Christ’s name, Acts 15 : 14, and that it should be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end should come. Matt. 24 : 14. And it has already been preached so extensively that the prophetic vision can be abundantly fulfilled which represents some as saved from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. But little, if any, of Matt. 24 : 14, remains to be fulfilled. Surely the gospel has about finished its work. 5. Christ has certain well-defined positions to occupy, and offices to fill in the plan of redemption: 1. As the author and introducer of the hope of salvation from sin. This hope was brought in when it was promised on the threshold of paradise lost that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. 2. As the invisible leader and instructor of the people all through the typical dispensation. 1 Cor. 10:4. 3. As our example and prophet here upon the earth. 4. As our sacrifice upon the cross. 5. As our great High Priest in the sanctuary in Heaven. And 6. As glorified King over all, when the work is accomplished. The first, second, third, and fourth, acts in this great plan, were long ago completed. For over eighteen hundred years our Lord has acted as priest. One change more shall install him as King, and redemption will be finished. No man can show that his priestly work is not about to close. On the other hand, it can be clearly shown that it is now almost finished. The reign of Christ as king is near at hand. T. S.