Our Bible Reading

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 24, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 4.

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Our Bible Reading

What the Coming of Christ Means to the Wicked

1. In what favored condition does this world often find the wicked?

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree. Ps. 37: 35.

2. What do the finally impenitent say by their actions regarding Christ?

We will not have this Man to reign over us. Luke 19: 14.

3. What is said of the glory of one angel, and how did it affect wicked men?

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Matt. 28: 2-4.

And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 2 Kings 19: 35.

4. What then will be the glory of the second coming of Christ, and how will it likely affect the wicked?

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.

5. How did the glory of God's presence affect those who identified themselves with sin in times past?

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Lev. 10: 1, 2.

6. How will the overpowering glory of Christ affect the wicked when He comes?

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. 2 Thess. 1: 7-9.

NOTE:—The only thing in all this universe with which God is at enmity is sin. Sin can not abide in the glory of His presence. Because of sinful men God has for centuries veiled that glory and dimmed the human vision. During this time He appeals to the human to separate from sin and to become identified with Eternal Righteousness. All who thus stand when His transcendent glory shall be revealed, will be made immortal physically. All who by choice are identified with sin, will perish with the sin. Choose now, reader, the righteousness and the life, that you may know the clean universe.

Necessary Qualifications

Let us look in detail at the necessary qualifications for a successful race, as outlined above: self-control in all things, perseverance to the end, keeping the goal in sight, and single-hearted endeavor.

Temperance, or self-control—for that is the meaning of the word—is placed last in the catalog of the fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5: 22, 23. That is no mistake of the writer. It is not an anticlimax, but a true climax, the greatest of all placed last. It means the tempering of the whole character into something strong and true, like finely wrought steel, able to bear any strain, without bending or breaking.

Perseverance to the end, keeping the goal in sight! The reward is bestowed at the end of the race. Can we expect anything short of that? The goal may be reached, but it will be by devious ways unless the eyes are kept on the point we wish to reach—not on our own stumblings, or those of others; not on those who may be observing us; not on the allurements presented by the enemy; but first, last, and all the time on the goal.

And what is the goal?—The perfect stature of full manhood found in Christ Jesus, to be built up in us as we run the race, feeding upon that bread from heaven which is our perfect food.

In the Appointed Way

The last point, single-hearted endeavor, scarcely needs comment, so intimately is it bound up in the one just discussed. It is Paul's "One thing I do," all else subservient to that. If we are on the road which is our Lord's appointed way, let us run as tho we were really interested in it, and expected to reach the end some day.

The Mosaic law made merciful provision that one under the ban of blood-guiltiness could flee to a city of refuge; but he must flee for his life, for the avenger was close upon his track. He was not likely to waste time by taking the wrong road, by waiting for admiration or sympathy, no, not even by stumbling. He kept his gaze straight ahead, where the hospitable gate stood open to receive him.

The accuser of the brethren is close upon the track of every son of man; and it behooves us all not to pause in our running, or he will overtake us.

As the reward at the end is one, so is the gate of entrance at the beginning. He who is called the Author and Finisher of our faith called Himself both the Door into the right road, and the Way itself. The wrong entrance does not lead to the right way; and he who enters in any other way than through that open Door, is unprepared for the difficulties he will encounter. Paul shows in the Roman letter that he who has entered the way of holiness through Christ, has all the help he needs for every difficulty and every trial he meets in that way. If we enter that Door, if we follow that Way, we need have no fear of the end, for "Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you." Isa. 46: 4.

The Isthmian races of old were established in honor of Theseus' victories over the Minotaur, that evil beast who demanded and received an annual tribute of seven youths and maidens from Athens. The way is open to all into this heavenly race, because our Champion won a great and final victory over our "adversary" who seeks to devour us.

The ancient contestants swore that they were free from impiety, blood-guiltiness, and grave violation of the laws. Can we? Nay, rather, we must plead guilty to every charge. Impiety? "Covetousness is idolatry." Blood-guiltiness? "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer." 1 John 3: 15. Violation of the laws? There is not one that we have kept perfectly, and to offend in one point is to be guilty of all. James 2: 10. What then? Is the race hopelessly closed against us? Instead of swearing that we are free from sin, we acknowledge our guilt; and then we can gain through our Sacrifice that righteousness which we can not obtain for ourselves, for our God is just, and yet the Justifier of those who believe in Jesus. The race is open to all who come with hearts sprinkled with the blood of Christ from an evil conscience, and their bodies washed with pure water. Heb. 10: 22.

Let us provoke one another "unto love and to good works," "exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Heb. 10: 24, 25.