Our Bible Reading by H. W. Cottrell

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 5, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 10.

Our Bible Reading

By H. W. Cottrell

What the Coming of Christ Means to the Wicked

1. What is God’s historic character sketch of the wicked?

Therefore PRIDE COMPASSETH THEM ABOUT AS A CHAIN; VIOLENCE COVERETH THEM as a garment. Their EYES STAND OUT WITH FATNESS: THEY HAVE MORE THAN HEART COULD WISH. They are corrupt, and SPEAK WICKEDLY CONCERNING OPPRESSION: they speak loftily. Ps. 73: 6-8.

2. How will those unacquainted with Christ regard His coming?

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and HIDE US FROM THE FACE OF HIM THAT SITTETH ON THE THRONE, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev. 6: 15-17.

3. Why is that a day of wrath to the wicked?

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved. 2 Thess. 2: 8-10.

4. What effect will His coming have on those who “receive not the love of the truth”?

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints. 2 Thess. 1: 7-10.

NOTE.—God is waging a relentless warfare against sin, not the sinner. He takes no pleasure in the death of any man. Only those will die at Christ’s coming who, from choice, cling to their sins. The Lord will through Christ free the universe from sin.

5. What then ought sinners to do?

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Acts 3: 19, 20.

6. What heart condition will follow?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will harken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. Jer. 29: 11-13.

Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me. Isa. 27: 5.

7. How only can one meet Christ joyfully at His coming?

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4: 12.

H. W. COTTRELL.