His Coming Is Personal—Great Display of Power and Glory
ONE of the most remarkable and soul-enrapturing promises in all the sacred volume reads: "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.
"I will come again." How positive and clear is this promise!
Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.
THE SAME JESUS
WHEN His sacred ministry was completed, the Lord, in full view of a company of His disciples, made His ascension to heaven. The record tells the story thus:
"And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, 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: 9-11.
"This same Jesus" will "so come in like manner."
The very last promise in the Bible pertains to the second coming of Christ: "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22: 20.
Many other promises of His return are equally convincing.
COMING IN THE CLOUDS
WE are told that He is to "come in like manner" as He went away. As He went away, the record says, "a cloud received Him out of their sight." Hence we find, among the promises of His return: "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.
Note what the text says: "He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." In harmony with this language quoted from Revelation, we find these words in Matthew: "And 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: 30.
This language is very plain in saying that "they shall see the Son of man," and that He will come "in the clouds of heaven." Neither will He come alone, but accompanied by the innumerable host of angels.
And not only does He say that He will come in the clouds of heaven, but His coming will be "with power and great glory." The glory of His coming is further set forth in this scripture: "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works." Matt. 16: 27. And again we read, "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory." Matt. 25: 31.
As if to answer those who claim that the second coming of Christ is a private, invisible event, we have these words from the Master: "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. 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: 26, 27.
How could language be plainer! How could the glory of that great event be described in words more thrilling, or that would depict in a more striking manner that resplendent and joyful day when the Lord shall return in person to put an end to sin and to reward the righteous!
The Lord has seen fit to give numerous prophecies by which we may know when His second advent is approaching. Many of these prophecies are in the form of signs, which are promised to be abundant in the generation that is to witness the glorious climax. Speaking of these prophecies and predicted signs, the Master says, "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that He is near, even at the doors." Matt. 24: 33, margin. Thus He gives us prophecies and prophetic signs which will enable us to "know that He is near, even at the doors."
But as if to discourage speculation with regard to the definite time when He shall come, He adds, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Matt. 24: 36. This language is specific in showing that we may tell when "He is near," but that we may not know the definite "day and hour" of His coming.
CANNOT PREVENT IT
OUR lack of faith in the event will not prevent it. We may make light of it, we may ridicule the idea, but here stand the great promises of the infinite Jehovah. Rewards that are beyond the comprehension of the finite mind are in waiting for those who are prepared for the event. The prize is so great that we cannot afford to fail of receiving it. "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly." Zeph. 1: 14.
God's word is filled with these "exceeding great and precious promises." Seek them out and feed upon them, for by this means every peril may be seen and avoided. Careful study of the word of God must, in the very nature of things, form a basis of our giving intelligent heed to the Saviour's command to "watch, . . . lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping."
"Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. 24: 44.
