p. 162 | The Blessed Hope

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 22, 1879

The Blessed Hope.

THE New Testament contains two hundred and sixty chapters. In these chapters the Lord's coming is named three hundred and eighteen times. There are therefore, more allusions to the second coming of Christ than there are chapters. This being so, why is it that the professed disciples of Him who is to return are so reluctant to think and speak of his appearing? Why are they so shy and still, so reticent and dumb, or so apathetic and indifferent—not to say often hostile—when this eminently Scriptural topic is introduced?

In private I have seen their lips instantly close when I spoke of Christ's coming. In public religious meetings I may have been frowned down for quoting Scriptures relating to this last glorious event. There is nothing that will shut the mouths of a company of lukewarm professors, and send a chill to their hearts so quickly as to introduce into a parlor circle this tabooed theme.

Who can explain this state of things with thousands in the church? Can we love an absent Saviour and not desire his presence? Can we love an unseen Lord and not long to see him? Can the thought of Christ far away in Heaven be pleasant, and at the same time the thought of him near at hand and visible, be irksome and dreaded? Is not that Christianity to be suspected that indulges itself in such contrarieties? In fine, is it not a Christian grace to love our dear Lord's appearing? 2 Tim. 4: 8. —Sel.