The Lord's Long Suffering, and Signs of His Coming.
By H. S. Gurney
THE Lord does not procrastinate his promises, as some estimate procrastination; but is long-suffering, for your sakes, being not willing that any should perish, but that every one should come to repentance. 2 Pet. iii, 9. (Syriac version.) How often I have thought of the goodness of God in waiting for us to move in the right way. Although he cannot make allowance for sin, yet his condescension is manifest while he extends the call, saying, "Turn ye, turn ye: why will ye die"—not willing that any should perish. We see a manifestation of God's benevolent purposes in regard to his people, revealed by the three angels' messages of Rev. xiv, 6-12. Herein is a judgment revealed, and a warning to escape the many snares of this world, and take a position in keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. As in the days of Noah, so the world must be faithfully warned while God works by signs in heaven and earth to show that the warning is from heaven. We are taught, speaking of the signs in the sun, moon and falling stars, that when these things shall begin to be, to take courage, and lift up our heads, for our deliverance draweth nigh. History of our own times records the events as they were fulfilled, with the general impression that those were the signs foretold by the Saviour in order to arouse his people to a sense of duty in warning the world of a coming judgment; but here is a solemn thought; Noah by his faithfulness condemned the world. Are not the people of God now required to take as conspicuous a stand as did Noah? and will not the same results follow? As we near the closing scene, and evidences are accumulating on every hand, the Lord condescends in still greater love, and by a chain of prophecy in regard to the church, points out a people in the end of church history, [Rev. iii, 14-22.] and in mercy reveals their state, saying, "Because thou art lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit thee from my mouth." (Syriac.) Brethren, escape for your life; tarry not. Let us not lose sight of the goodness of God in revealing to us our true state, whatever means he may employ, nor forget that whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, but remember that he has been long-suffering, not willing that any should perish, but that we should come to repentance. The true Witness calls us to be zealous and repent; the long suffering of God is waiting for us to repent; therefore the command to anoint our eyes, that we may see our faults clearly, in order to understand our duty. Our eye has not been single to the glory of God. Selfish interest has borne rule to a great extent, which has eclipsed our vision and unfitted us for the solemn duties resting upon us, as brought to view in the last warning message. "As many as I love, I rebuke. Be zealous and repent." But I fear there are those who, instead of viewing this plain dealing in the light of God's mercy to them, will be offended, and make an attempt to justify themselves in their blindness and poverty, saying they are rich, &c. Are such watching the state of their own hearts? Are they sure that the love of this world has not gained a seat there? Do they enjoy communion with God? Do they understand that it is not a small matter to be a Bible Christian? In relation to the second advent being an event now to be expected, the Scriptures afford any amount of proof. The signs of the times are echoing evidence that the second advent doctrine is from heaven. The prophetic periods seem to defy every attempt to make them end any where except in 1844. Not a few have proved their folly in attempting to prolong the days. The two classes of servants [Matt. xxiv, 45-51] stand among the most prominent signs of the Lord's coming. One class are giving meat in due season. They see the sword coming and raise their warning voice. They foresee the evil and hide themselves. They proclaim the fulfillment of prophecy. Another class riseth up in opposition, saying My Lord (a class of religionists) delayeth his coming: where is the promise of his coming? Are not these scriptures fulfilling before us? The great portion of those religionists do not hesitate to unite with the most degraded in society in their "feasts of charity," [Jude 12.] for the adorning of their houses of worship. They "eat and drink with the drunken," and their portion is with hypocrites and unbelievers. O their end! their dreadful end!! God save the remnant from uniting with the evil servants' in any of their various forms or principles of opposition to truth. We see from the above that although it is not stated that the faithful servant is proclaiming the Lord's coming, the fact that the evil servant says, My Lord delayeth his coming, proves the sentiment of the faithful, and he is justified while the evil servant is condemned. Says Jesus. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. I will quote the following words of Jesus expressing my faith at this time. "This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." We are now learning the full strength of the parable of the fig-tree, and with the same certainty that we may know that Summer is near, we may know that the kingdom of God is near. "The wise shall understand." "A wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment; because to every purpose there is time and judgment." Yours waiting for the kingdom of God. H. S. GURNEY.
Jackson, Mich., Feb. 3d, 1857.