THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST by Francis McClellan Wilcox

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 6, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 18.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.

By Francis McClellan Wilcox

BY ELDER F. M. WILCOX.

SEVERAL important points have already been considered with reference to the manner of Christ's return. We have found that his coming will be both literal and visible. This week we wish to consider the question of the time of his coming. And right here let us note the fact that we do not believe in specifying the exact time of the Lord's coming. In other words, we do not believe in "setting time." Too much of this has been done in the past for the good of the cause of truth. The silly and preposterous claims, based pretendedly upon the prophetic scriptures, have brought the subject of the second coming of Christ into disrepute, so that many otherwise candid minds now attach to this great question but little importance.

It is plainly stated by our Saviour in Matt. 24:36 that NO MAN KNOWETH THE DAY NOR THE HOUR when he shall return to the earth. This forever precludes the idea of "time setting," and stamps upon the brow of him who attempts it the character of an imposter. But while Christ declares that no man shall know the day nor hour of his return, he also tells us in verse 33, plainly and emphatically, that after we see certain signs come to pass, we may "know that it is near, even at the doors." With this knowledge the church of Christ must content itself. It may know by the fulfilling of sign and prophecy that the Day-star is rising, and that soon its effulgent rays will illumine the horizon; but at just what moment it will appear, God has not given to man the power to determine.

As the time draws near for Christ to return, his disciples will be anxiously looking, waiting, and longing for that event. But upon the scoffing, unbelieving world, who are too much engrossed in the pleasures of sin and folly to give sober thought and realization to the herald signs, will the second coming of Christ

COME "AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT."

Paul speaks of two classes who will exist in the last days. One class he designates as "they," and he says of them, "When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape." But to the other class, whom he addresses as "brethren," he says: "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness." 1 Thess. 5:1-5.

Then it is upon those who "sleep," the "children of the night" and "of darkness," those who cry "Peace and safety," those sunken in the sins of the world, and disregarding the portent of the signs given by our Lord, that that day is to come "as a thief in the night." On the contrary, the "brethren" regard the "times and seasons," and for this reason it was not necessary for Paul to write regarding them. By so doing they earn the title "children of the day," know when the Lord is "near, even at the doors," and thus escape the destruction which comes upon the ungodly world as a thief in the night.

But to the child of God is there constant impending danger. Surrounded as he is with sin and iniquity on every side, associating with those who know not God, but in works deny him, there is danger that his own heart will become hardened and careless unless by continued watchfulness and earnest prayer he renews from day to day his spiritual strength. "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." The ungodly are indeed dwellers, or citizens, here, but the people of God are but "strangers and pilgrims," looking for a "better country, that is an heavenly." They, if they watch and pray always, may escape the snare that shall come upon the earth to drown men in perdition.