Our Bible Reading

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 17, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 41.

Our Bible Reading

The Hope of the Ages

Proposition 1: The second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is the great event in which centers the hope of His people. Proof: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2: 11-13.

Proposition 2: It was this hope that cheered, animated, inspired, and helped Enoch, who was translated, to walk with God for three hundred years. Proof: Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, . . . saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all. Jude 14, 15.

Proposition 3: It was His coming which cheered the patriarch Job in his sufferings. Proof: For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and tho after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19: 25-27.

Proposition 4: It was to the coming of Christ and the resurrection that David looked as the time when he should attain satisfaction. Proof: As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness. Ps. 17: 15. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. Ps. 50: 3-5.

Proposition 5: Isaiah looked forward to the resurrection, which will occur at the second coming of Christ, as the hope of Israel. Proof: Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Isa. 26: 19.

Proposition 6: It was the promise of the resurrection which God gave through Hosea to cheer His people. Proof: I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction. Hosea 13: 14.

Proposition 7: To that coming James points the suffering, afflicted toilers of the earth. Proof: Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. . . . Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5: 7, 8.

Proposition 8: It was to the same coming that Peter and John looked forward as the end of the Christian's hope. Proof: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4: 13. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5: 4. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3: 2.

Proposition 9: This hope, and the resurrection of the dead at the second coming of Christ, the apostle Paul declares to be "the hope of Israel." Proof: The hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? Acts 26: 6-8. See also 23: 6; 24: 15, 21.

Proposition 10: The crowning event, then, of Christianity, will be the second coming of Christ, in which all His people will rejoice. Proof: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Isa. 25: 8, 9.