p. 2 | THE ANGEL'S PROMISE by Eliza J. Burnham

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 22, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 12.

THE ANGEL'S PROMISE.

By Eliza J. Burnham

THAT was a memorable day for the disciples of Christ when for the last time they stood on the Mount of Olives with their risen Lord. With them He had walked to the familiar mount, talking by the way. What joy there was in His presence! How precious were His words! When they had gone as far as Bethany, they halted. His parting charge and last gracious promise were given; "and while He blessed them," He was taken up, and ascended higher and higher until "a cloud received Him out of their sight." Luke 24:50, 51; Acts 1:4-9.

As with eager, upturned faces they watched His ascent, "behold, two men 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. This is a positive promise of a literal, personal, visible coming. No doubt in after days memory often recalled the details of that parting scene, and dwelt fondly on the precious words of the angels.

"This same Jesus" will come again. To the disciples He had been their chosen Teacher and Guide, their trusted Counselor, their faithful Friend. He had dwelt among them "full of grace and truth," and they had been happy in His genial companionship. Nothing could give them greater joy than to be with Him again. The promise of the angels on this point was only a confirmation and reminder of what Jesus Himself had told them. He had said: "In My Father's house are many mansions." "I go to prepare a place for you, and . . . I will come again, and receive you unto Myself." John 14:2, 3. A few hours later they heard Him pray, "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am." John 17:24.

The Saviour's prayer will be answered. He has redeemed His people with His blood, and they are precious to Him. Through Isaiah it is said they shall "be called Trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." Isa. 61:3. The time will come that they will be with Him. "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied," yea, He shall rejoice over "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." Isa. 53:11; 62:5; Eph. 1:18. But there is no hint in the Bible that they will be with Him in any other way except by His coming for them. The grave is not the portal through which the Christian enters the "many mansions" of the Father's house. The fruition of his hopes is not given him at death, but at the coming of the Lord. Paul expected that he, with all who "love His appearing," would receive his reward at "that day," and this view is in harmony with the uniform teaching of the Bible. 1 Tim. 4:8; see also 1 Peter 5:4.

Many times the people of God have suffered trial and oppression. The world has hated them, because, like their Master, they "testify of it that the works thereof are evil." But now has come "the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion." For them there is an eternity of joy with their beloved Lord, of whom the psalmist says, "In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

He is coming; and His reward is with Him, "to give every man according as his work shall be"—not the righteous only, but "every man." Some have said by their lives: "We will not have this man to reign over us." Though His rule is loving and merciful, we will not submit to it; for we hate righteousness, and love sin." Instead of these loving His appearing, it will be to them full of terror. They can not endure His presence; for to sin He is a "consuming fire."

Jesus "shall so come in like manner" as His disciples saw Him "go into heaven." He has Himself confirmed this testimony. He says, "Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mark 13:26. See also Matt. 24:30; Luke 21:27. The following texts, with many others, further describe this event:—

"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." Matt. 24:27.

"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him." Rev. 1:7.

"The Lord Himself shall 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." 1 Thess. 4:16.

When Jesus went away, a cloud received Him out of sight; when He comes again, it will be in clouds,—bright clouds of shining angels; for He will come in His own glory and the glory of the Father, and will be attended by all the holy angels. Matt. 25:31; Mark 8:38.

Can anything be more grand and solemn than this event as it is described in the Scriptures? Imagine the retinue of heaven sweeping earthward with the Son of God at its head. How all human hearts will thrill at the sight,—those of His people with rapturous joy, and those of the wicked with unutterable terror and dismay! Bitter will be the mourning of "the tribes of the earth," who will have to take up with the lamentation, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

The day that ends earth's night of sin and wo, and brings deliverance and rest to the people of God, is surely coming; and we know from the sure Word of God that the event is not far in the future. Everywhere, as a poet expresses it—

"Men's hearts, like the autumn leaves, are cast Hither and thither by sorrow's blast; The air is heavy with want and wo, And the fierce war tidings we shrink to know, And a cry of sadness rings through the land; Yet the night is far spent, the day is at hand."

Now is the time to decide whether at His coming we will hail Christ as a Saviour, or fear Him as a terrible Judge. Now Mercy pleads for every repenting sinner, and the arms of Infinite Love are open wide to receive him. But let no one deceive himself with a false hope in the mercy of God; for without holiness no man shall see His face in peace.