CHRIST COMING AGAIN by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · May 9, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 19.

CHRIST COMING AGAIN.

By G.

WHY do we believe that Christ is coming again in person?—Because He has so promised,—

(1) By His personal promise.—Just before His crucifixion, He gave His disciples this comforting promise: “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3.

(2) By promise of His angels.—Just as He was ascending from earth, and the disciples were gazing after Him, “two men [angels] stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 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.” Acts 1:10, 11.

(3) By apostolic assurance.—As Paul was about to be executed, he wrote: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

As to the manner of His coming, He has told us that it will not be to any special locality, or in any secret manner, but “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.” Matt. 24:23-27. “The Son of Man shall come in all His glory, and all the holy angels with Him.” Matt. 25:31. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” Rev. 1:7.

The result of Christ’s coming will be to take His people to Himself, according to His promise. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. G.