"Difficulties of Pre-Millenarianism."
By Editor
UNDER this head Dr. Enoch Pond writes an article in the Independent. He says the doctrine is detrimental to missionary work. Those who believe the doctrine as it is taught in the Scriptures know better. Yet if one statement he makes is correct, we can almost sympathize with his feelings. He says:— "I once knew a learned minister of this belief who did little or nothing for missionary purposes, and who actually dissuaded others. 'It is well enough to keep at work; but very little can be accomplished in this way. The world is growing worse and worse. No great changes for the better are to be expected until the coming of Christ to set up his kingdom. Then the world will soon be evangelized.'" We say, Lay on, Dr. Pond; if you know any such Pre-Millenarians, rout them from their unscriptural dreamings if that is possible. But Dr. Pond ought to know enough of the Scriptures, and of the teachings of the Second Adventists, to know that such men and such teachings are the exceptions among Pre-Millenarians. Paul plainly says that one object of the Lord's coming is to take vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel. 2 Thess. 1: 7, 8. The unprepared will not ask for mercy in that day, but will cry for rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. Rev. 6: 15-17. We have ever waged an uncompromising warfare against this Age-to-Come theory, of which Dr. Pond speaks. If that were genuine Pre-Millenarianism, we also should oppose it. That is an error. But over against that we would ask, Does Dr. Pond believe that the day of the wrath of the Lord Jesus will ever come? Does he believe that it will overtake a slumbering world, as a thief comes unawares? Does he believe that we may know when its coming is near, even at the doors? And does he believe it will be as fatal not to know of its coming, as it was to those who, in the days of Noah, did not know of the coming of the flood? And, most solemn question, Does he know that those servants of the Lord who say, My Lord delayeth his coming, when it is impending, shall have their portion with the hypocrites? It is too late to hide from the world the scriptures which teach the literal, personal coming of the Lord. And people are fast becoming instructed in regard to the object of his coming. Doctors of Divinity, who cover themselves with the dust of "authorities," cannot long blind the people in regard to this grand, awful, and glorious event. Lord, speed on this truth, is our earnest prayer. Dr. P. says, "The phrase coming of Christ is used in Scripture and in common life in regard to a variety of events." If he would point out the Scripture usage which justifies this assertion, he would no doubt receive the thanks of many who long to get rid of the unwelcome truth that "the Lord himself shall descend." But there it stands, revealed "by the word of the Lord,"—revealed as "the blessed hope" to waiting ones. 1 Thess. 4: 13-18; Titus 2: 11-14.