Not the World's Conversion! But the Coming of the Son of Man.
THE conversion of the world is utterly beyond the reach of any instrumentality that man possesses.
The following extracts are taken from a work of the Rev. J. C. Ryle, on the Parable of the Ten Virgins. His views on other subjects have been published and widely scattered by the "American Tract Society." It should be known by all that this same J. C. Ryle, is an out and out Adventist.
I see no warrant of Scripture for believing that sin will gradually dwindle away in the earth, consume, melt and disappear by inches, like the last snowdrift in spring. Nor yet do I see warrant for believing that holiness will gradually increase, like the banyan-tree of the East, until it blossoms, blooms, and fills the face of the world with fruit. I know that thousands think in this way. All I say is, that I cannot see it in God's word.
I fully admit that the gospel appears sometimes to make rapid progress in some countries; but that it ever does more than call out an elect people, I utterly deny. It never did more in the days of the Apostles. Out of all the cities that Paul visited, there is not the slightest proof that in any one the whole population became believers. It never has done more in any country from the time of the Apostles down to the present day.
There never yet was a parish or congregation in any part of the world,—however favored in the ministry it enjoyed,—there never was one, I believe, in which all the people were converted. At all events I never read or heard of it, and my belief is, the thing never has been, and never will. I believe that now is the time of election of universal conversion. Now is the time for the gathering out of Christ's little flock. The time of general obedience is yet to come
I fully admit that missions are doing a great work among the heathen, and that school and district-visiting are rescuing thousands from the devil at home. I do not undervalue these things. I would to God that all professing Christians would value them more. But men appear to me to forget that gospel religion is often withering in one place, while it is flourishing in another. They look at the progress of Christianity in the West of Europe. They forget how fearfully it has lost ground in the East. They point to the little flood-tide of Tinnevelly and Krishnaghur. They forget the tremendous ebb in North Africa, Egypt, and Asia Minor. And as for any signs that all the ends of the earth shall turn to the Lord, under the present order of things, there are none. God's work is going forward, as it always has done. The gospel is being preached for a witness to every quarter of the globe. The elect are being brought to Christ one by one, and there is every thing to encourage us to persevere. But more than this no missionary can report in any station in the world.
I long for the conversion of all mankind, as much as any one. But I believe it is utterly beyond the reach of any instrumentality that man possesses. I quite expect that the earth will one day be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. But I believe that day will be an entirely new dispensation: it will not be till after the Lord's return. I would not hesitate to preach the gospel, and offer Christ's salvation to every man and woman alive, but that there always will be a vast amount of unbelief and wickedness until the second advent I am fully persuaded. The gospel laborers may possibly be multiplied a thousand-fold, and I pray God it may be so; but however faithfully they may sow, a large proportion of tares will be found growing together with the wheat, at the time of harvest.
Reader, how is it with your own soul? Remember that till the Lord Jesus Christ comes again, there always will be wise and foolish in the world. Now which are you?
COMING OF THE SON OF MAN NOT DEATH, OR THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM.
Men have got into a habit of putting a strange sense upon many of those passages which speak of the coming of the Son of man, or of the Lord's appearing. And this habit has been far too readily submitted to. Some tell us that the coming of the Son of man often means death. No one can read the thousands of epitaphs in churchyards, in which some text about the coming of Christ is thrust in, and not perceive how wide-spread this view is. Some tell us that our Lord's coming means the destruction of Jerusalem. This is a very common way of interpreting the expression. Many find Jerusalem everywhere in New Testament prophecies, and like Aaron's rod they make it swallow up everything else. Some tell us that our Lord's coming means the general judgment, and the end of all things. This is their one answer to all inquiries about things to come.
Now I believe that all these interpretations are entirely beside the mark. I have not the least desire to underrate the importance of such subjects as death and judgment. I willingly concede that the destruction of Jerusalem is typical of many things connected with our Lord's second advent, and is spoken of in chapters where that mighty event is foretold. But I must express my own firm belief that the coming of Christ is one distinct thing, and that death, judgment, and the destruction of Jerusalem, are three other distinct things. And the wide acceptance which these strange interpretations have met with, I hold to be one more proof that in the matter of Christ's second advent the church has long slumbered and slept.
The plain truth of Scripture I believe to be as follows. When the number of the elect is accomplished, Christ shall come again to this world with power and great glory. He shall raise his saints, and gather them to himself. He shall punish with fearful judgments all who are found his enemies, and reward with glorious rewards all his believing people. He shall take to himself his great power, and reign, and establish an universal kingdom. As he came the first time in person, so he shall come the second time in person. As he went away from earth visibly, so he shall return visibly. As he literally rode upon an ass,—was literally sold for thirty pieces of silver,—had his hands and feet literally pierced,—was numbered literally with the transgressors,—and had lots literally cast upon his raiment,—and all, that Scripture might be fulfilled,—so also shall he literally come, literally set up a kingdom, and literally reign because the very same Scripture has said that it shall be.
COMING OF THE SON OF MAN NEGLECTED BY THE MINISTRY.
And I have long felt it is one of the greatest shortcomings of the church of Christ, that we ministers do not preach enough about this advent of Christ, and that private believers do not think enough about it. A few of us here and there receive the doctrine, and profess to love it, but the number of such persons is comparatively very small. And after all, we none of us live on it, feed on it, act on it, work from it, take comfort in it, as much as God intended us to do.
THE ABUSE OF THE DOCTRINE, OR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, NO EVIDENCE AGAINST IT.
It proves nothing against the doctrine of Christ's second coming and kingdom, that it has sometimes been fearfully abused. I should like to know what doctrine of the gospel has not been abused.
It proves nothing against the second advent of Christ, that those who hold the doctrine differ among themselves on many particular points in prophecy. Such differences need never stumble any one. Luther and Zuinglius differed widely in their views of the Lord's Supper,—yet who would think of saying that therefore Protestantism is all false? Fletcher and Toplady were both clergymen in the Church of England, but differed widely about Calvinism,—yet where would be the sense of saying that all Evangelical religion was therefore untrue? In common fairness this ought to be remembered when people talk of the differences among those who study prophecy. It is possible for men to differ much as to the meaning they place on the symbols in the book of Revelation, and yet on the matter of Christ's coming and kingdom they may be entirely and substantially agreed.
It proves nothing against the doctrine that it is encompassed with many difficulties. This I fully concede. The order of events connected with our Lord's coming, and the manner of his kingdom when it is set up, are both deep subjects, and hard to be understood. But I firmly believe that the difficulties connected with any other system of interpreting unfulfilled prophecy are just twice as many as those which are said to stand in our way. I believe too that the difficulties connected with our Lord's second coming are not half so many as those connected with his first, and that it was a far more improbable thing, "a priori," that the Son of God should come to suffer, than it is that he should come to reign. And after all, what have we to do with the "how" and "in what manner" prophecies are to be fulfilled? Is our miserable understanding of what is possible, to be the measure and limit of God's dealings? The only question we have to do with, is, "Has God said a thing?" If he has, we ought not to doubt it shall be done.
For myself, I can only give my own individual testimony; but the little I know experimentally of the doctrine of Christ's second coming, makes me regard it as most practical and precious, and makes me long to see it more generally received.
And now is there any one among the readers of this tract who cannot receive the doctrine of Christ's second advent and kingdom? I invite that man to consider the subject calmly and dispassionately. Dismiss from your mind traditional interpretations. Only examine the texts which speak of it as calmly and fairly as you weigh texts in the Romish, Arian, or Socinian controversies, and I am hopeful as to the result on your mind. Alas! If texts of Scripture were always treated as unceremoniously as I have known texts to86be treated by those who dislike the doctrine of Christ's second advent, I should indeed tremble for the cause of truth.
COMING OF THE SON OF MAN A SUDDEN EVENT.
I suspect there is a vague notion floating in men's minds, that the present order of things will not end quite so suddenly. I suspect men cling to the idea, that there will be a kind of Saturday-night in the world, a time when all will know the day of the Lord is near,—a time when all will be able to cleanse their consciences, look out their wedding garments, shake off their earthly business, and prepare to meet their God. If any reader of this tract has got such a notion into his head, I charge him to give it up forever. If anything is clear in unfulfilled prophecy, this one fact seems clear, that the Lord's coming will be sudden, and take men by surprise. And any view of prophecy which destroys the possibility of its being sudden,—whether by interposing a vast number of events as yet to happen, or by placing the millennium between ourselves and the advent,—any such view appears to my mind to carry with it a fatal defect. Everything which is written in Scripture on this point confirms the truth that Christ's second coming will be sudden. "As a snare shall it come," says one place.—"As a thief in the night," says another.—"As the lightning," says a third.—"In such an hour as ye think not," says a fourth.—"When they shall say peace and safety," says a fifth. (Luke xxi, 35; 1 Thess. v, 2; Luke xvii, 24; Matt. xxiv, 44; 1 Thess. v, 2.)
"Ah!" I can imagine some reader saying, "this is all foolishness, raving, and nonsense; the man is beside himself. This is all extravagant fanaticism. Where is the likelihood, where is the probability of all this? The world is going on as it always did. The world will last my time." Do not say so. Do not drive away the subject by such language as this. This is the way that men talked in the days of Noah and Lot, but what happened? they found to their cost that Noah and Lot were right. Do not say so. The Apostle Peter foretold eighteen hundred years ago that men would talk in this way. "There shall come in the last days scoffers," he tells us, "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.) Oh! do not fulfill this prophecy by your unbelief. Where is the raving and fanaticism of the things which I have been saying? Show it to me if you can. I calmly assert that the present order of things will come to an end one day. Will any one deny that? Will any one tell me we are to go on as we do now forever? I calmly say that Christ's second coming will be the end of the present order of things. I have said so because the Bible says it. I have calmly said that Christ's second coming will be a sudden event, whenever it may be, and may possibly be in our own time. I have said so, because thus and thus I find it written in the word of God. If you do not like it, I am sorry for it. One thing only you must remember,—you are finding fault with the Bible, not with me.
THE PREPARATION.
If we would grow in grace, and have a more lively hope, we must seek more preparedness for Christ's second coming. I know of no doctrine more sanctifying and quickening than the doctrine of Christ's second advent. I know none more calculated to draw us from the world, and make us single-eyed, whole-hearted, and joyful Christians. But alas! how few believers live like men who wait for their Master's return! Who that narrowly observes the ways of many believers would ever think that they loved and longed for their Lord's appearing? Is it not true that there are many hearts among God's children which are not quite ready to receive Jesus? He would find the window barred,—the door shut,—the fires almost out;—it would be a cold and comfortless reception. Oh! believing reader, it ought not so to be. We want more of a pilgrim's spirit;—we ought to be ever looking for and hastening to our home. The day of the Lord's advent is the day of rest, the day of complete redemption, the day when the family of God shall at last be all gathered together. It is the day when we shall no longer walk by faith, but by sight: we shall see the land that is far off—we shall behold the King in his beauty. Surely we ought to be saying daily, "Come, Lord Jesus, let thy kingdom come." O let us set Christ's advent continually before our eyes. Let us say to ourselves every morning, "The Lord will soon return," and it will be good for our souls.
WATCHFULNESS.
I exhort you to watch against everything which might interfere with a readiness for Christ's appearing. Search your own hearts. Find out the things which most frequently interrupt your communion with Christ, and cause fogs to rise between you and the sun. Mark these things and know them, and against them ever watch and be on your guard.
Watch against sin of every kind and description. Think not to say of any sin whatever, "Ah, that is one of the things that I shall never do!" The spirit may be sometimes very willing, but the flesh is always very weak. You are yet in the body. Watch and pray.
Watch against doubts and unbelief as to the complete acceptance of your soul, if you are a believer in Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus finished the work he came to do;—do not tell him that he did not. The Lord Jesus paid your debts in full;—do not tell him that he left you to pay part. The Lord Jesus promises eternal life to every sinner that comes to him;—do not tell him, even while you are coming, that you think he lies. Alas, for our unbelief! In Christ you are like Noah in the ark, and Lot in Zoar,—nothing can harm you. Doubt it not. Pray for more faith. Watch and pray.
Watch against inconsistency of walk and conformity to the world. Watch against sins of temper and of tongue. These are the kind of things that grieve the Spirit of God, and make his witness within us faint and low. Watch and pray.
Watch against the leaven of false doctrine. Remember that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light. Remember that bad money is never marked bad, or else it would never pass. Be very jealous for the whole truth as it is in Jesus. Do not put up with a grain of error merely for the sake of a pound of truth. Do not tolerate a little false doctrine one bit more than you would a little sin. O reader, remember this caution! Watch and pray.
Watch against slothfulness about the Bible and private prayer. There is nothing so spiritual but we may at last do it formally. Most backslidings begin in the closet. When a tree is snapped in two by a high wind, we generally find there has been some long-hidden decay. O, watch and pray.
Watch against bitterness and uncharitableness toward others. A little love is more valuable than many gifts. Be eagle-eyed in seeing the good that is in your brethren, and dim-sighted as the mole about the evil. Let your memory be a strong box for their graces, but a sieve for their faults. Watch and pray.
Watch against pride and self-conceit. Peter said, at first, "Though all men deny thee, yet will not I." And presently he fell. Pride is the high road to a fall. Watch and pray.
Watch against the sins of Galatia, Ephesus and Laodicea. Believers may run well for a season, then lose their first love, and then become lukewarm. Watch and pray.
Watch not least against the sin of Jehu. A man may have great zeal to all appearance, and yet have very bad motives. It is a much easier thing to oppose anti-Christ than to follow Christ. It is one thing to protest against error: it is quite another thing to love the truth. So watch and pray.
O, my believing readers, let us all watch more than we have done. Let us watch more every year that we live. Let us watch, that we may not be startled when the Lord appears.
Let us watch for the world's sake. We are the books they chiefly read. They mark our ways more than we think. Let us aim to be plainly written epistles of Christ.
Let us watch for our own sakes. As our walk is, so will be our peace. As our conformity to Christ's mind so will be our sense of Christ's atoning blood. If a man will not walk in the full light of the sun, how can he expect to be warm?
And above all, let us watch for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Let us live as if his glory was concerned in our behavior. Let us live as if every slip and fall was a reflection on the honor of our King. Let us live as if every allowed sin was one more thorn in his head, one more nail in his feet, one more spear in his side. O let us exercise a godly jealousy over thoughts, words, and actions, over motives, manners, and walk. Never, never let us fear being too strict. Never, never let us think we can watch too much.
Legh Richmond's dying words were very solemn. Few believers were ever more useful in their day and generation. Of few can it be said so truly that he "being dead, yet speaketh." But what did he say to one who stood by while he lay dying? "Brother, brother, we are none of us more than half awake!"