Second Phase of Christ's Kingdom
By H. A. St. John
The Kingdom of Christ—No. 2
Second Phase of Christ's Kingdom
WHEN Christ has made up, from a fallen race of sinners, the requisite number of subjects for His kingdom, and delivered them from their last enemy, death, the first phase of His kingdom will end. He will have left the mediatorial throne above, laid aside His priestly garments, and declared that part of His great work finished. His subjects have each and all become partakers of the divine nature wholly. In character, the lost image of their Maker has been restored. They each become a living and walking kingdom of Christ upon earth, even in the midst of many mighty foes and adverse circumstances. This work will require a period of about six thousand years, then all can lay off the armor, preparatory to receiving a crown. The first period of Christ's kingdom does not come with outward observation, or great show; but its presence is revealed in the godly lives of its subjects. The second phase of Christ's kingdom will come suddenly, and in great power. It will be open to the gaze of all eyes. The heavens above will part, and roll back as a scroll. Then will appear the Lord Jesus, seated upon the throne of His glory, wearing the crown of crowns, bearing a sharp sickle, with the title of King of Kings on His vesture. He will come with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and the trump of God. The prison-house of death will open wide; and at the call of the King of saints, all the subjects of His kingdom will awake, and sing, and come forth as victors over their last enemy, death. Christ, in the air above, surrounded by all the holy angels, will behold all His subjects alive before Him. Then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, by the word of His power, they are all changed. And O, what a wonderful change! Mortal, corruptible, diseased, uncomely, and vile bodies are changed into immortal, incorruptible, beautiful, and glorious bodies, like their glorious King. Then will be heard the first command of the glorious King in the second phase of His kingdom. Harken, angels: "Gather My saints together unto Me." With alacrity and great joy, the angels gather His subjects to Him. He beholds the travail of His soul, and is SATISFIED. And His subjects are all satisfied. It will be a satisfaction full, complete, internal, external, and eternal. With inexpressible joy, all will follow their glorious King to the Father's house of many mansions, where Jesus has prepared places for them. The gates of pearl will open wide and the subjects of Christ's kingdom will come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads. Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, the full measure of the joys of that heavenly home. The half has never, and can never, be told. In that heavenly city, IN HEAVEN, the second phase of Christ's kingdom will continue for one thousand years. H. A. ST. JOHN.