THE COMING OF OUR LORD by M. W. H.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1862

THE COMING OF OUR LORD.

By M. W. H.

"One thing seems certain, we are living in a wonderful age. I am watching with intense interest passing events, for I believe they are among the last, preceding the coming of our Lord. I read the book of Revelation with an interest unknown before, and thus, one portion of God's word, seems opened anew to me."

I have copied the above, from an article in a periodical that came under my notice not long since. Though published anonymously it has struck a chord in my heart that would fain vibrate to other hearts. For it is cheering, occasionally to meet such expressions from a source we do not expect them, especially at this time, when the declaration of Peter, that in the "last days" there should be those saying, "where is the promise of His coming, for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation," 2 Pet. iii, 4, is so strikingly fulfilled. Indeed, we meet this sentiment in some shape at every turn. We hear it from the pulpit, and all the way down to the fireside conversation. If any think otherwise, it is because they have, unwittingly perhaps, fallen into the habit of uttering it themselves.

The design of this article will not be lost, if it arouse the attention of even one, who has not heretofore observed it, to note how often is heard these expressions—or, their counterpart in meaning—"ages and ages yet to come,"—"generations yet unborn"—"our children, and our children's children, for centuries and centuries to come." Surely, it seems as if it were already the lullaby, by which mankind are to be soothed into that false security, that the Scriptures may be fulfilled, that "the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night," and "as a snare upon all them that dwell upon the face of the whole earth."

That we are being so lulled, has come over me at times with such power as to send a shudder through my frame. Verily I have feared lest the Christian world, even Protestant christianity, was acting the part of the "false prophet." And what is to be its doom? "And the beast" (which we have always been taught is the Papal power) and the false prophet, these both shall be cast alive into the lake burning with fire and brimstone. Rev. xix, 20. And by verses 10, 14 and 15 of the next chapter, we may see who is to bear them company. But what does that casting "alive" mean, if not that they shall be in full exercise of their power and strength at the winding up of the world's probation?

I know that we have been taught that Romanism, symbolized by the "beast," is to be destroyed, and "peace and righteousness fill the whole earth." But does Jesus, or do the New Testament writers so teach? No, nor yet does the Old Testament, if we will lay aside our preconceived ideas. Otherwise, what did Christ mean by his pertinent inquiry: "Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke xviii, 8. And what does he mean by faith, if not faith in his promises and assurances? Take the one passage, "The just shall live by faith." It occurs in the Old, and is oft repeated in the New Testament, and is a sweet text, even in the sense that Luther and Whitfield taught, "justification by faith." Not long ago, while occupied with my house-hold affairs, I had such a sweet, almost overpowering appreciation of that passage, as meaning living by faith in the words and promises of Jesus, in Jesus as he is, and as he is to be, when his mediatorial work is finished, as I shall evermore rejoice in, and bless God for.

But possibly, the writer of the extract above quoted, did not, after all, mean by the "coming of our Lord," what I understand by it; for I recall to mind how easily another writer, for the same periodical, glided away from the sublime view depicted in the following beautiful language: "Yet once more, will 'He come, then to take to Himself His great power and reign king of nations, as He is king of saints.' Time is hastening on that momentous day, when 'He shall come in the clouds of heaven,' with a glorious retinue of holy angels, and judge the nations from the book of life.' Then, will be awarded to him the glory due unto His holy name, and the kings, and princes, with all the mighty ones of earth shall bow to his allegiance. Even now we seem to hear His coming footsteps in the glorious events of our day. The nations that once sat in darkness, are emerging into the broad light of the Sun of Righteousness, and Satan's power is fast passing away."

What but the spirit of peace and safety so rife at present, could prompt that last sentiment? For when we look at our own beloved country desecrated by war, to say nothing of other evidences of sin, might we not with greater propriety infer, that "Satan has come down among men with great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Rev. xii, 12. The first view is perfectly scriptural, and should not be blended with a conception, which is the result of the fond hopes of Christians. We are filled with astonishment at the Jews for their non-recognition of the Messiah; but I have feared lest many are repeating their mistake. Are we at best acting differently from the Pharisee, in the temple, when he "thanked God he was not like this publican?"

Reader, let us look about us, with our Bible for our guide. But for the thralldom with which our own early training has bound us, we could not fail to perceive that the principal motive used by both Peter and Paul as incentives to earnest Christian warfare, is the "appearing of our Lord," and the reward then to be given, as in 2 Tim. iv, 8, and similar passages. Look at it, you who have been careless in this matter. It is taking other authority than the Bible, that has brought us where we are. We have rested satisfied with notions drawn from others far too long; till in fact it is as much as a person's reputation is worth, to advance in some circles, ideas out of the "beaten familiar highway," in matters pertaining to theology.

More than thirty years ago I committed to memory that beautiful passage, 2 Thess. i, 7-10. "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 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; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe in that day." This passage took a firm hold on my childish imagination, and has grown with my growth and strengthened with my strength. Then, is it any wonder that the language of the angels to the disciples, Acts i, 11, has a real significance to me, which places the resurrection, according to 1 Thess. iv, 14-17, and the restitution, Acts iii, 21, through Christ's coming as the crowning glory of the gospel? Is it any wonder, remembering the words of Jesus, "Whosoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels," Luke ix, 26, that I can but tremble when I observe a growing tendency to glide into a channel of belief which effectually does away the necessity for either the coming of our Lord or the resurrection? M. W. H.

Malone, N. Y., Apr. 1862.