THE SECOND ADVENT by L. A. Phippeny

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 6, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 32.

THE SECOND ADVENT.

By L. A. Phippeny

The Close of Probation.

THE Bible teaching on the subject of the sanctuary indicates clearly that an end will be reached in the investigative judgment work in heaven. This conclusion is ordinarily referred to as the close of probation. Probation means proving. Theologically, it is the time allotted mankind in which to develop and prove character. The close of probation is the critical moment when the High Priest above steps forth from the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to place upon Satan, the antitypical scapegoat, the confessed sins of the righteous.

To some it may appear impossible for a just decree to be issued deciding the eternal status of every individual. Such fail to appreciate the fact that the present days are the last days of this world's history; that the Gospel has been preached to nearly the entire world, and that individuals in all conditions of life the globe over are deciding their own destinies by their daily conduct and attitude toward divine things. No injustice will be done. There need be no fear that God will make a mistake.

The correct understanding of the sanctuary question also establishes an exceedingly important fact,—that only one probation is or ever will be granted mankind in which to develop character. This truth at once sweeps away a long list of theories and doctrines urged upon the world to-day. Evolution, Theosophy, Buddhism, and other systems of everlasting progression with no ultimate ill to anybody are exposed by the searchlight of this revelation. Any system that teaches a second probation for sinners, or that teaches that sinners are to be saved after Christ leaves the heavenly sanctuary, as noted above, must be classed as false doctrine.

For instance, some claim that Christ has already come, and is present in the air above the earth, fulfilling 1 Thess. 4:17; that the resurrection of the righteous dead has taken place, and the living saints are being caught away—translated in some manner not observed or comprehended by the world at large,—raptured secretly. In this manner, it is said, the kingdom of Christ is augmenting, and that this work will continue, with various changes in the program, until the world, or the greater portion of it, is converted. Such teachings are exceedingly pernicious, and serve to allay the fears of sinners, and to license them to continue their evil ways during the present life rather than to turn to ways of righteousness. The result will be their eternal loss when the day of the Lord overtakes them unawares.

False Theories and the Manner of his Second Advent.

The Bible teaching with reference to the manner of Christ's second coming is also a strong and sure safeguard against a host of false theories and doctrines concerning that event. All of these false doctrines are the result of the studied plan of the devil to weaken faith in the testimony of Scripture touching this and other vital truths. For example, it is claimed that the second coming of Christ refers solely to the coming of Christ to the soul at conversion in the Gospel dispensation. Texts similar to the following are referred to: "If a man love me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him." John 14:23; also Rev. 3:20. These words are worthy of all acceptation in their real application. But the interpretation as urged is subversive of belief in the literal second coming, a correct understanding of which in these latter days is of weighty import to every one.

Another claim is that the second coming of Christ is His coming to individuals at death. This doctrine arises from erroneous views respecting the condition of the individual, or the soul, after the death of the body. Contrast this with the Scriptural testimony concerning the state of the dead and the resurrection, in the article which follows.

Classed with the foregoing theories is the claim of many so-called religious bodies that the second coming of Christ and the setting up of His kingdom meet fulfilment in their messages to the world. Such are Christian Science, Spiritualism, Mormonism, and others. These urge as evidences of the truth of their claims the presence and manifestation of superhuman powers in the healing of diseases and other supernormal phenomena, claimed by some of them to be from God. To these and like claims apply the words of Christ:—

"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders [signs and miracles are not, therefore, necessarily proof of truth or the presence of divine power]; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert, go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers, believe it not." Matt. 24:23-26.

Of false christs and false prophets there have been and are many, and at least two of the specifications predicted by Christ are heard to-day from two of the isms enumerated above. For the reasons for the "nots" in the latter part of the preceding quotation, and as against these various theories, note some of the positive teachings of the Word of God herein adduced concerning the manner and nature of the second coming of Christ.

Immediately preceding the second advent, and following the departure of Christ from the heavenly sanctuary, the earth is to be visited by the severest scourge of divine wrath ever experienced by it. I refer to the seven plagues introduced and described in the fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of Revelation. These were said to be contained in seven vials "full of the wrath of God," and were given to seven angels who poured them out in succession, evidently upon different portions of the earth. The effect of each plague appeared to extend on after its out-pouring until all were poured out.

These scourges visit the earth, it will be observed, after the close of probation. This is indicated from the fact that in them is the "wrath of God" in fullest measure. Before the close of probation, and while Christ ministers in the sanctuary, the Gospel reaches all mankind with its message of love and mercy. When the world rejects the call, there is no possibility for further salvation. Then divine justice metes out retributive punishment upon the unworthy nations of earth. These scourges are not, however, the exact rewards for individual sins, but are the expression of the righteous indignation of a contemned God against sin.

It will only be necessary to read the chapters referred to, to gain a rather vivid idea of the time of terror and suffering that will then prevail. It was during this time that John heard one of the seven angels make the following observation relative to the justice of these plagues: "Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments."

The last plague or judgment visited upon the world is "a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent." In conjunction with this is "a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great . . . . And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found." Associated texts place this terrific convulsion of nature at the moment of Christ's approach to the earth, and the mind is somewhat prepared to appreciate the sublime and awful spectacle that will then be witnessed by earth.

We have now reached the point where can be considered directly the manner of the Lord's coming, and no language can so appropriately speak of this as the language of Scripture. As you read the following simple, plain statements, contrast with them the messages of the false teachers of every ism or creed:—

"For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matt. 24:27, 30. "Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him." Rev. 1:7.

This is in harmony with the promise: "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." The second is: "While they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." Acts 1:9, 11. "The Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him" and "in the glory of His Father." Matt. 25:31; Mark 8:38. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him." Ps. 50:3. "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." 2 Thess. 1:7, 8. "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens [the atmospheric heavens] shall vanish away like smoke." Isa. 51:6. "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens will pass away with a great noise." 2 Peter 3:10. The "day of the Lord" begins when probation closes. "And the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places." Rev. 6:14. These are only a few of the many positive expressions of Scripture that tell the thrilling story of that great day.

And yet the claim is heard that the lightning referred to above is the telegraphic news flashing over the wires announcing Christ's arrival somewhere on the earth! How weak and puerile is such interpretation in the presence of the sublime words of Scripture!

What can be plainer or more easy of comprehension than these expressions of Holy Writ? Comment seems almost needless. The great Light of all the universe is to come to this earth; is it like the lightning?! The whole world is to witness with natural eyes the transcendent glory and majesty of Christ when He shall come to earth the second time. Not only is the world to see, but it is to hear, and to feel, and to appreciate the vivid reality of that event. The shining forth of His glory surpasses the burning strength of the sun at noonday; the fire of God devours before Him; while thunders and earthquakes and loud explosions of subterranean gases lend their voices to add terror and destruction, and proclaim the presence of One before whom nature reels and trembles. No, it will not be a quiet nor obscure affair.

Well, that day hastens its approach. And there are some who shall stand; but they will have made their peace with God. Now is the day of salvation.

[This same subject will be continued in the next article under the subdivision "The Resurrection."]

THIS SAME JESUS... SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN