Christ's First Coming

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Feb 21, 1854

Christ's First Coming.

About the time of our Saviour’s first advent, there existed a strong expectation of some great event being nigh at hand. When he appeared the Jews received him not, they overlooked the prophetic Scriptures, which spoke of his humiliation. They had imbibed erroneous conceptions of the character of their Prince, the nature of his kingdom, and the design of his coming; hence, when their long expected Messiah came, they rejected him, they believed not on him, they suffered him to be crucified, and consigned him to the tomb: but he arose again. The massive tenement, the door, the stone, the seal, could not contain him. “He now liveth, that was dead, and is alive forevermore.”

Have any of the rulers believed on him? was a question often asked, and as invariably answered, No: the learned, the distinguished of that day, the expounders of prophecy, the Rabbis, the Doctors, all discarded the true Messiah. Illiterate men—men of humble origin, engaged in secular affairs, became his followers; although enough was displayed to convince the most obdurate, to melt an adamant, yet they acknowledged him not: to their prepossessed opinions, they tenaciously clung; the cherished idea of the nature and design of his coming, they would not yield—they expected an earthly kingdom, as many now expect a temporal millennium. How abortive their hope; how futile their expectation. Soon, ah, very soon, every false impression will be obliterated, every false sentiment which has become entwined in man’s affections, will be dissevered and dispersed. Let no sentiments which emanate only from man’s imagination, govern your mind, but if they derive nourishment and support from the true source, then embrace them. Examine for yourselves, “prove all things, hold fast that which is good.” But beware, be not influenced by sentiments, which will not stand the test of truth, and harmonize with divine revelation, lest ye be not extricated ere the brightness of the coming day, dissipate your errors, result fatal to your cherished hopes, and blast your fondest expectations.—Selected.