Avenging of the Elect by D. D. Buck

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 18, 1862

Avenging of the Elect.

By D. D. Buck

(Concluded.)

We find prophecies that relate to two different advents, at different times, in different circumstances, and for different purposes, just as the Hebrews found it in their own Scriptures. And by confounding the two, just as they seem to have done, we become hopelessly embarrassed, and have to resort, as they did, to every imaginable method of reconciliation. It suited their preconceptions to consider one part as literal and personal, and another part as impersonal and figurative, without any established laws of interpretation to guide them. It agrees with our preconceptions to do the same thing, and in the same manner. There is, however, this remarkable difference between our Christian preferences and their Jewish practices in reference to Scripture exegesis: what they regarded as the personal and the literal, we prefer to consider as impersonal and figurative. What was all figurative and impersonal to them, we expound as being personal and literal. And thus—if the figure be not considered too undignified—the revealed truth of God, balanced equally between Jewish and Gentile extremes, has been subject to a perpetual see-sawing between the two opposite, instead of being held in a steady equipoise by both parties.

But the dire calamity of the fatal mistake is this: they clung tenaciously to what they considered to be literal, and spiritualized away what they were pleased to consider as figurative, at the very time when—if we may thus express it—it was more important for them to understand, and to be ready for, the fulfillment of the prophecies which they explained as being figurative and impersonal; and, for this reason, those events came upon them unawares, and found them unprepared for those eventful times.

We just as tenaciously cling to what we believe to be literal, and to have been already fulfilled by Christ in his own proper person; and we theorize and spiritualize away these prophecies which we please to consider impersonal and figurative; being those that relate to the millennial coming and reign, at the very time when it behooves us to be most careful in examining and understanding them, inasmuch as, according to the general conviction, the foretold events, whatever they may prove to be, must be very near. And as the Scriptures declared how it would be in the case of the Jews, at the first advent of Christ, so they just as distinctly declare what will be the result to us at the second advent. At the very time that the first coming took place, through general misapprehension, the people were generally unprepared, and were in expectation of another class of events. Even so, as the Scriptures do always teach, when the second coming shall occur, the world will be unprepared and surprised, and will be looking for events of quite another kind; and so that day will take men unawares.

If the ancient Jews who rejected Christ, and brought upon themselves and their posterity such infinite woe, had fallen into the error that now prevails, it would doubtless have proved far less fatal to them. And if modern Christians should now generally adopt the error of the Jews, it might result far less disastrously than the now general misimpression. But the author of all evil and error, to whom we must ultimately trace all misconception and disbelief, who perhaps as frequently appears as an angel of light, as like a roaring lion, knows how to contrive his far reaching schemes, and how to modify, adapt, and re-modify his plans, so as to work the greatest evil to the greatest number.

The summary and sequel of this portion of our argument may be stated thus:

The Jews expected Messiah would come at the first. We look for his coming again.
The Scriptures showed that they would be unprepared for his first coming; and so it proved. And the same Scriptures declare that people generally will be unprepared for his second coming; and so it will be.
Their source of misapprehension was a radical error in exegesis, where, not the language of the prophecies, but their own imaginations, misled them. Ours is the same.
Their error was in departing from the literal, and substituting the figurative, in order to suit their preconceived opinions. Ours is the same.
Christ came in his spiritual dominion, at the very time he was expected to come, to establish his visible kingdom. He will come in his visible kingdom, it is probable, just when there is a general expectation of his universal spiritual reign. The misapprehension will be less in respect to season and time, than in respect to nature and results.
Their error was generally fatal to them. Ours, as the Scriptures sufficiently teach, will be generally fatal to the world.¹
Their learned rabbis then ignorantly misled the people. Ours, unintentionally, are misleading us, in respect to these things.
There were then a few among the many who had the true faith, and were ready for those eventful times. When the Son of man cometh there will be some in the earth—a few among the many—who will have the true faith, and who will be found in readiness to meet the Lord.
Unto them that waited for redemption in Israel, like Simeon and Anna, the Lord appeared for the first time, with his sin-offering to redeem. And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation.

Lord, have mercy upon us, unbelieving, unwatchful, insensible people that we are, and wake us that we sleep no more!

We remark, in conclusion, that God will in due time arise to vindicate his elect. He has covenanted to do it, and his word shall never fail. We may live to behold the set time for interposing in behalf of his people; but if we shall fall asleep in Jesus, and slumber with the innumerable hosts who have died in the Lord, even our flesh shall rest in hope; and, with Daniel, at the end of the days, we shall stand in our lot; and, with Job, at the latter day, shall behold with our own eyes our great Redeemer standing upon the earth.

When the Son of man came at first, he did indeed find faith in the earth—the true faith—the faith founded upon the words of the divine promises, which are so blended with the prophetical Scriptures. The specimens of the true faith at that period, were as the few visible stars of the firmament, compared with the innumerable multitudes that common vision can not reach.

When the Son of man comes again, he will doubtless find faith in the earth—the true faith once delivered to the saints—the faith that takes God at his word, whether human wisdom coincides with it or not. But the living specimens, probably compared with others, will be as the isolated granite peaks that recent convulsions have thrust out from the deep, primitive foundations through all the disordered accumulations of more recent times. But the melancholy conviction is this: that, as on the morning of the Christian dispensation, the true faith, like the granite hills on the morning of the world, formed the conspicuous Alpine, bathed in the beams of the rising day; so now the isolated summits that have pierced their way up through and above the modern strata of theologic speculation and unbelieving creeds, find themselves the attracting targets of every reckless thunderbolt of ecclesiastic censure and skeptical jeer; and up in the dark, cold heavens are gleaming in the lingering light of our setting sun.

But the night that closes the present aionos shall be immediately followed by the dawn of another. And the evening and the morning will be the Sabbath day. Jesus, the bright and the morning star of the present dispensation, shall then come so near as to be the ever-present sun of that glorious day. The predicted consummation of the gospel aionos will not be the end of the material kosmos. The whole creation that groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now, shall then be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. While we are waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies, the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. When the Lord Jesus shall come in his own, and in the Father's glory, to be glorified also in his saints, and admired in all them that believe in that day, he will receive his faithful ones into his everlasting kingdom, to enjoy the presence of his Person, and the glory of his power forevermore.

In the palingenesia, [regeneration, or renovation,] when the Son of man shall sit upon his glorious throne, those who have forsaken all and followed him, shall be made kings and priests unto God, to reign and rejoice with Prince Messiah.

In that day—that dispensation of the fullness of times—when he shall gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth in him; when all are purified and glorified, and their vile bodies, even, are changed, and fashioned like our Lord's most glorious body—in that day it will cease to be surprising that the Lord has loved his Church with such unchangeable love, and espoused her unto himself in a covenant in all things well ordered

and sure. For she shall be presented unto him without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, blooming in all the loveliness of heavenly healthfulness and fadeless beauty. Her wornout and soiled apparel of earthly servitude and suffering laid aside; her heavenly raiment put on; her bridal diadem upon her head; her immortal jewelry as the glittering stars; she shall look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, majestic as an army with banners. She will be acknowledged as a divine princess. She will be all glorious within. Her clothing shall be of wrought gold. She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needle-work, with gladness and rejoicing shall she be presented. The king shall see and greatly desire her beauty. She shall be praised and admired as one worthy of all the solicitude and love that she had awakened in the heart of the Holy One.

Then shall be heard the voice of a great multitude that no man can number—as the sound of many waters—as the reverberations of many thunders—saying, “Alleluia! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor unto him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his bride hath made herself ready!”

Thus, after long forbearing, shall God speedily vindicate his elect.

Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. Respected reader, these are the true sayings of God. May you be of that blessed number who shall be found with the wedding garment on, and with their lamps duly trimmed and furnished. May you not be among the improvident ones, who shall stand without and knock, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” when once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, never to be opened again. For there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when they shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and they themselves thrust out. May you, dear reader, be among those who come from the east, and from the west, from the north and from the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God!

A FEW WORDS AT PARTING.

Do you believe that “Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope?”
Do you believe that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness?”
Do you believe that, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand?”
Do you believe that God gave and adapted the Scriptures to mankind—to you, and to me, as well as to others—and that these Revelations are a part of those given and divinely-adapted Scriptures that were intended for our learning and spiritual improvement?
Have you—your own self being judge—devoted the time and attention to these momentous and thrilling subjects which they ought to receive, as God's revelations to us of things pertaining to our own and the world’s ultimate destiny?
Yourself being judge in this matter, have you felt and taken as much interest in these divine communications, by which your everlasting destiny will be determined, as you have in the unreliable fictions, and in the unprofitable political controversies of the day?
Will you, intelligent reader, for your own soul’s sake, and out of respect to what the Almighty One has spoken to us—will you, from this moment, awake to these momentous subjects, and study the Scriptures of truth with perseverance and prayer?

God bless you. Amen.—D. D. Buck.