IT is more than ever essential to emphasize the scriptures that describe the manner of Christ's second coming. One finds the strangest teaching abroad. And there is danger of being deceived unless the Word be made the guide. It was concerning this very matter that Jesus left the caution, "Take heed that no man deceive you."
In the days of the first advent, wrong views as to the appearance and work of the Messiah deceived many. They looked for the pomp and splendor of an earthly king, and failed to recognize the "Man of sorrows" of the prophecy.
In our time, when the "sure word of prophecy" points to Christ's near approach as King of kings and Lord of lords, more and more there arise voices teaching strange theories of the second advent. Some see it in Christian Science. Others see in the rise of Babism in the deserts of Persia, signs of an approaching revelation of a new Messiah. A lecturer representing a large following urges that we heed the admonition to entertain strangers; for it might be, he says, that Christ is already among men. The newspaper reports put it:
"The ministers of the various churches should pay more attention to the stranger within their gates; perchance he may be the meek and lowly Nazarene. He urged the need of this attention on account of the fact that many believe to-day that Christ is now upon earth for the second time, and man can not distinguish Him."
To a time when such suggestions abound, Christ's warning applies:
"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. 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. 24:23-27.
In the same discourse, Christ further said:
"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."
It is no secret coming. All the world shall behold it. In its suddenness, it breaks upon the unwatchful as a thief in the night. The close of probation, which just precedes it, will overtake men unawares. But the second coming of Christ is described by all the prophets as attended by such glory as earth has never seen. In the Revelation, it is said:
"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." Rev. 1:7.
When He returned to heaven after His resurrection, the disciples watched Him ascending higher and higher, until a cloud received Him out of their sight — and the Master was gone.
"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 1:10, 11.
What is to be the manner of His second coming? — A "like manner" to that of His going, a visible, bodily coming, in the clouds of heaven. The manner will be the same, but the glory of it transcending all human conception.
And some day soon it will burst upon the sight. The heavens will open, the earth will quake, and a glory will be revealed before which no sinner unsaved can endure.
"Then, O my Lord, prepare My soul for that great day."