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Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 52.

The New Year

Review and Herald

Dec 30, 1902

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 30, 1902

The New Year

“O good New Year, we clasp This warm shut hand of thine, Loosing forever, with half sigh, half gasp, That which from ours falls like dead fingers twine: Ay, whether fierce its grasp Has been, or gentle, having been, we know That it was blessed: let the Old Year go.”
“O New Year, teach us faith! The road of life is hard: When our feet bleed and scourging winds us scathe, Point thou to Him whose visage was more marred Than any man’s: who saith, ‘Make straight paths for your feet’—and to the opprest— ‘Come ye to me, and I will give you rest.’ ”

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Conducted by the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Company.

A Five Years’ Diary in One Book

“A Line a Day”
The pages in the illustration show the arrangement of the days and the years, also the number of lines allowed each daily record in the $1 books. The $1.50 books contain one line more to each daily record.

How to Use It

Begin under the date of Jan. 1, 1903, and write down to the next date. For the next day use the space under January 2 (on opposite page), and so on through the year. The next year begins in the next lower space under January, 1904, etc.
This arrangement places a record of the same day in every month throughout the five years on each page of the diary, thereby focusing on one page five daily records for as many years. When making our record, it is always interesting and profitable to note what we did just one, two, three, or four years before, and this form brings this survey before the mind each day.
Many people do not wish to make extended records. Only important facts in a concise form are desired. This diary has ample space for such a record, yet is just the size to carry in the pocket.
Substantially bound in fine Russia, gilt edges. The price, postpaid, is $1 and $1.50. Review and Herald Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Mich.

A Fine Bible

Oxford or Nelson Bible, plain type, references in the center, best India paper, maps, bound in genuine sealskin, divinity circuit, calf lined to edges, silk sewed, round corners, red under gold edges, and only 6¾ inches long, 4¾ inches wide, and ⅝ inches thick. Just a good size for ladies’ Bibles, and to fit the coat pockets of the gentlemen. In every way a favorite among Bible students. The regular price of these Bibles is $5. Our price, $4, postpaid. Order of the Review and Herald Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Mich.

Revised Bible

The American Standard Edition is generally conceded to be the best edition now published. The testimony of Bible students affirms that this translation is nearer the divine thought and spirit than any other version in the English language.
These Bibles are printed in large type, and are substantially bound, at the following prices:—
No. 160. Cloth Bound, red edges, $1. No. 167. Egyptian Seal, limp, round corners, red under gold edges, $1.75. No. 173. Egyptian Seal, divinity circuit, leather lined to edges, round corners, red under gold edges, $2.75.

In Very Large Type, Especially Good For Impaired Vision

No. 260. Cloth Boards, red edges, $1.50. No. 267. Egyptian Seal, limp, round corners, red under gold edges, $2.50. No. 274. Persian Levant, divinity circuit, leather lined to edge, round corners, red under gold edges, $3.75. Order of the Review and Herald Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Mich.

Words of Truth Series

Excellent message-bearing literature that ought to be in the homes of the people while the long evenings are generally devoted to reading. Note the titles of the tracts and their prices:—
No. Title No. in Package Price
1. The Coming of the Lord 100 .00¼
2. How the Sabbath Came to Me 25 .03
3. Review of W. S. Gamble on the Sabbath Question 50 .01
4. A Challenge to Protestants 50 .00½
5. Fundamental Principles of Seventh-day Adventists 50 .01
6. Candid Admissions 50 .00½
7. Personal Questions and Answers Concerning the Sabbath 25 .03½
8. The Way, the Truth, the Life 25 .04
9. The Reign of Righteousness 25 .02
10. First a Willing Mind—Then All 25 .01¼
11. The Law in Christ, or the Relation Between the Law and the Gospel 25 .02
12. The War between Capital and Labor 25 .02
13. Last-Day Tokens 10 .10
14. Come, Lord Jesus 100 .00¼
15. The Spirit of Burning 25 .02
16. What to Do with Doubt 50 .00¾
17. It’s and Why’s of Baptism 50 .01¼
18. Sanctification, or Bible Conversion 25 .01
19. A Woman-Ministry, or the Gospel in the Home 25 .05
20. Should Not Christians Keep the Sabbath? 25 .02
22. Is the End Near? 50 .00½
23. The Rest Day 25 .02½
24. Ownership and Tithing 100 .00½
26. An Open Letter and Answer 25 .01
27. Important Questions on Great Events 100 .00½
28. Hypnotism: What Is It? 25 .03
29. The Seven Last Plagues 25 .03
30. Bible Readings on Education 25 .03
31. Church Organization 25 .02
32. Can We Know? 50 .00½
34. Present Truth 25 .02

Easy Steps in the Bible Story

This is the only book we have for children that gives the story of the Bible in the order of inspiration. The stories of the Bible from creation to Sinai are given in the same order of the Bible, but told in a simple, interesting way, which impresses the children. As the child grows up, and reads the same scriptures in the Bible, the order is not disturbed, and the facts are not confused. The Biblical association of facts and subjects is of more importance than many appreciate. This is one of the features of Bell’s Series of Sabbath-school Lessons that has rendered it so successful for the past twenty years. “Easy Steps in the Bible Story” is a book on the right line, and one that lays a good foundation for a thorough, connected knowledge of the Scriptures. It is the best Bible book for children—a child’s Bible in simple form. The children themselves like it. This is its best recommendation. It ought to be in every home where there are children. Prices, 25 and 50 cts.
Order of your State Tract Society, or of the Review and Herald Publishing Co.

Sabbath-School Lessons for the First Quarter of 1903

The International Sabbath-school Quarterly, No. 31, containing the Sabbath-school lessons for the first quarter of 1903, is now ready. These lessons will be “Studies in the Psalms,” under the following general topics:—
The Greatness of Jehovah; The Great Provider; God’s Care for His Creatures; An Exhortation to Make Known the Wondrous Works of God; God’s Care for His People; God’s Power Manifested in Deliverance; God’s Purpose in Deliverance; Experiences of Israel for Our Learning; Experiences in the Wilderness; The Result of Disobedience; Deliverance from Sin; A Saviour from Sin and Distress; The Wisdom of the Righteous.
Price, 5 cents per copy, postpaid. Order of your State Tract Society, or of the Review and Herald Publishing Co.

Good Books for Children

Easy Steps in the Bible Story

A child’s Bible in simple form, illustrated; 160 pages; 25 and 50 cents.

Best Stories From the Best Book

Illustrated; 200 pages; 25, 50, and 75 cents.

Making Home Happy

A book with a mission to every home; illustrated; 200 pages; 25 and 50 cents.

Sketches of Bible Child Life

A biography of the principal children mentioned in the Bible; illustrated; 144 pages; 40 cents.

The House We Live In

Or “The Making of the Body.” A child’s practical physiology; illustrated; 218 pages; 75 cents.

Things Foretold

Prophetic topics simplified for children; illustrated; 112 pages; 50 cents.

Story of Joseph

Illustrated; 64 pages; 15, 25, and 40 cents.

Cats and Dogs

A favorite among children. Original stories about cats and dogs. Thoroughly illustrated; 128 pages; 40 cents.

All Sorts

A high caste storybook filled with interesting and instructive original sketches and stories in great variety. Thoroughly illustrated; 192 pages. Price, 50 cents.

A Nice Present

“The Master’s Greatest Monosyllables” is a faith-making little volume, and a soul winner, and is a good book to present to a friend or to sell to others for a Christmas present. It will accomplish good wherever it goes. Price, 50 cents, postpaid.

Your Redemption Draweth Nigh

By Editor

Editorial

Your Redemption Draweth Nigh

OUR Lord gave very definite signs which were to mark the approach of the time when he would return for his redeemed ones. “There shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.” Over a century has passed since the darkening of the sun and moon, the first of these signs. The ordinary span of a human life has almost been covered since the falling of the stars in 1833. The distress among the nations is growing more and more apparent from year to year, and the roaring of the sea and the billows has been so unusual during this very winter as to attract much attention. The ocean storms seem to increase in severity from season to season. There seems to be a growing premonition in the minds even of those who do not accept it as a Scriptural teaching that some great calamity threatens the world. But while those who reject the truth are fainting for fear, our Saviour encourages those who believe his words to look up with courage and hope in view of a redemption near. How thrilling is the thought that our redemption draweth nigh! That for which a world has waited for six thousand years is just at hand, and we may live to see it. That for which prophets, saints, and
the martyrs have hoped is to be realized in our day. The restoration of all things is to be accomplished in this day of the Lord. O then, let faith be increased and hope renewed and courage revived. The Lord is at hand. We may escape the grave. We may live to witness the coming of our blessed and glorious Lord. What enthusiasm for work there is in this assurance! What an inspiration to renewed zeal and diligence!
“Jesus soon is coming; This is my song;— Cheers the heart when joys depart, And foes are pressing strong.”

The Truth in Jesus

MUCH is said in these days about loving the truth, and seeking after the truth, and teaching the truth. This is well. There is certainly nothing more important; for we are chosen “to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” But much of that which is approved by worldly wisdom as wonderful truth is mere human speculation, the product of that research and that reasoning which leave God and his Word out of the account altogether. This is truth falsely so-called, and it is utterly lacking in the power necessary to change character. That truth which saves is the truth which is a personality, revealed in Jesus, who said, “I am . . . the truth,” and is taught to us by the Holy Spirit, promised to guide us “into all the truth.” The truth which comes to us in this way leads to an utter renunciation of the world and self, and a new life in the power of the God of truth. This will wholly separate us from those “who hinder the truth in unrighteousness,” and who consequently “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature [created things] rather than the Creator.” There is no power in a lie to save one from sin. On the contrary, belief in a lie opens the way for the very excesses of sin. The test of truth is that it saves from sin. “Ye shall know the truth,” said Jesus, “and the truth shall make you free.” This is the truth as it is in Jesus, and the power of this truth revealed in the life marks the difference between heathenism, which is a lie in concrete form, and genuine Christianity, the incarnation of the truth. This difference is clearly set forth in the following scripture: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles [nations, heathen] also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye did not so learn Christ; if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, which after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.” To know the truth as it is in Jesus means a complete change of life, the putting away of the old man and the putting on of the new man. This is the truth which is to be given to the world in this closing message by teaching the pure word of God, the unchangeable law of God, and the unchanged commandments of God. For “thy word is truth,” and “thy law is the truth,” and “all thy commandments are truth.” This message is a message of the truth as it is in Jesus. “O send out thy light and thy truth.”

Nothing New

THE Preacher voiced the truth: “There is no new thing under the sun.” The principles of the gospel of salvation are older than sin. The appearance of sin in the universe of God developed no new element in his character, and necessitated no new plan in the administration of his government. “I am the Lord, I change not.” “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and forever.” There is nothing new in sin since the first sin. In these modern times we are simply learning what sin really is. Much of the so-called new light, which is hailed with so much satisfaction as being the creation of the “new-thought” movement, is simply the error of past ages clothed in newly polished phrases to deceive the unwary and to satisfy the itching ears of the modern Athenians, who spend their time “in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing,” which is, after all, only new in appearance. The character of God has found its highest revelation in the cross of Christ, and the character of Satan has found its highestrevelation in his supreme attempt to cast his hellish shadow over that same cross. “With all deceivableness of unrighteousness,” he seeks to substitute himself, the incarnation of darkness, for “the true Light,” by appropriating the forms and phrases of Love incarnate, or by investing “the King eternal” with the attributes of his own character until he becomes in reality the god of those who accept the conclusions of their own speculative philosophy as more reliable than the plain statements of God’s Word. This new philosophy is as old as the fall of man. Do not be deceived by it. The simple faith of our fathers is infinitely better than this modern rational faith,—a religious name for infidelity.

A Happy Command

By Uriah Smith

“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Rev. 19:9. After all that John had seen and heard, it would be natural for him to feel the need of the assurance of the last clause of the verse: “These are the true sayings of God.” But why should John need a command to write these things? Was he not as interested as any one could be that all should believe these things?—Certainly he was; and for this very reason he would be prompted to write, that as many as possible might be made acquainted with the call. The blessing extends thus far, at least, unconditionally. “Blessed are they which are called.” How many are called?—“Many.” This includes every intelligent being. But few are “chosen.” How many?—As many as choose to heed the call. Here is where our co-operation with the Lord comes in. The prophet says of Christ: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isa. 53:11.
There is a hymn in the popular collection called “Christ in Song,” based on the words of the psalmist, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Ps. 17:15. “When the saints awake in his own likeness, I shall be satisfied then.” So it seems from the words of the prophet that the Lord himself will then be satisfied; for then is the time when he will receive, or bring unto himself, the travail of his soul, the redeemed host.
The fact that men shall thus be called to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb might seem too good to be true were it not certified to by the specific instruction of the angel to John: “Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The statements leading up to this instruction open to view some of the sublimest heavenly scenes (verses 4-7): (1) the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fall down and worship God, that sat on the throne, saying, Amen, Alleluia; (2) a voice comes out of the throne as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters; and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his “wife hath made herself ready.” The saints are all there, and are all arrayed in the wedding garments. Matt. 22:11-14; Rev. 3:18.
Following the historical order, we see that after the false harlot church, that which led true believers after the great tribulation to exclaim, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10), comes under judgment (see the whole of chapter 18), then the true church of Christ is acknowledged and honored in the august marriage festival here introduced.
The Bridegroom is the first party that is entitled to recognition. The title he receives is that of “The Lamb.” This is John’s special name for his Lord. Previous to this time John the Baptist had exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. John continually applies this title to him in the book of Revelation. He appears as “a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8. In this character he most fully displays his love to his church, and hence it is in this form that he appears when his great love triumphs over all forms of opposition, and the festal day of his coronation comes. Ps. 2:6. As a victim for sin he rejoices to display himself to the last to the universe.
The marriage of the Lamb will witness the perfection and completion of the church. “His wife hath made herself ready.” Here is the overflowing of mutual delight and joy. Rev. 3:21. Do we have any desire to contribute to the satisfaction of our Lord? Then let us hasten to spread abroad to earth’s remotest bounds this call to the marriage supper; for when his people shall awake, with his likeness, he, too, will be satisfied. This marriage supper will constitute the greatest display of royal munificence that the universe has ever beheld. For “as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9.
“Blessed are they which are called.” We have that blessedness, even now. It is to be realized fully when we have so accepted it as to show that we are entitled to a seat at that banquet. Then will be fulfilled the promise that Christ made to his disciples: “Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new, in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:25.
Charles Bradley says: “We shall have a provision made for us which befits not our rank and condition, but the rank and condition, the greatness and magnificence, of a glorious God.” In another place he says: “We dare not say that our Lord will love us more than he loves us now; but he will indulge his love for us more. We shall see more of it. We shall understand it better; it will appear to us as though he loved us more. He will lay open his whole heart and soul to us, with all its feelings and secrets and purposes, and allow us to know them, as far, at least, as we can understand them, and as it will conduce to our happiness to know them. The love of this hour will be the perfection of love. This marriage feast will be the feast, the triumph, of love, the exalted Saviour showing to the whole universe that he loves us to the utmost bound love can go, and we loving him with a fervor, a gratitude and adoration and delight, that are new even in heaven.”
U. S.

Christ Crucified

THE cross of Christ is the glory of the gospel. There can be no gospel without Calvary. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
On the cross the divine sacrifice was made for sin. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
The only possible deliverance from sin is by the way of the cross. “The wages of sin is death.” The Son of man, “the last Adam,” paid the penalty in behalf of humanity. “We thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died.” In Jesus, the divine sacrifice, the redemption price was paid. “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Jesus in his humanity passed through the grave, and thus opened the doors of the prison house. Over the rent sepulcher of Joseph he proclaimed, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” He thus made a way of escape for all who are willing to accept the death of the cross. “Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him.”
“The offense of the cross” is found in the fact that “not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us.” “For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, thatno man should glory.” “Far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
“Where'er I go, I'll tell the story Of the cross, of the cross; In nothing else my soul shall glory, Save the cross, save the cross. And this my song shall ever be, In time and through eternity, That Jesus shed his blood for me, On the cross, on the cross.”

Christ’s Second Coming

By L. A. S.

“Christ is coming again, not quietly, but in the clouds, with pomp and glory. He will then be welcomed by a mighty host of saints, both the living and the sleeping. His church has from the beginning looked and is still looking forward to it as the consummation of all its hopes.” Thus writes the Rev. Walter H. Clark in the New York Observer. The truths he thus states are so clearly set forth in the Scripture that no one can fail to acknowledge them without taking the position that the Word of God does not mean what it says. In the various churches there are many who, in view of the plain statements of inspiration upon this subject, believe that the second coming of Christ will be literal and visible, as was his ascent into heaven from the Mount of Olives.
But Mr. Clark feels called upon to defend the popular view that there is a coming of Christ at death. He says:—
But is there not another coming of the Lord Jesus, a personal coming to each of his redeemed ones to take them home to himself? Is not this doctrine found in the unwritten creed of the church? When the little ones of many generations, kneeling each at the mother’s side, have said, “I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take,” into what arms did the mother expect the little darling, if called away, to be taken except those which on earth tenderly received the little ones?
This doctrine is indeed found in the creed of the church, and in the hymn book. But its existence there constitutes no proof of its truth. This seems to be realized by Mr. Clark, for he proceeds with further evidence:—
Are the many cases where the half-freed, saintly spirit, losing its physical and gaining its spiritual vision before the power of speech had failed, has recognized and welcomed the coming Saviour, to be set down as hallucinations of a wandering mind, or creations of the imagination?
Are they? or do they constitute proof of Christ’s coming at death? Mr. Clark answers his own question by his next statement:—
But these human answers cannot settle the question. What saith the Scripture?
Here is the only reliable source of information on this momentous subject. What saith the Scripture? Mr. Clark proceeds to quote from this source:—
To comfort his disciples, “the Lord Jesus said to them, “I go to prepare a place for you, . . . I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” Paul said that he had a desire to depart, that he might be with Christ. Evidently he did not expect to lapse into a state of unconsciousness.
Only a few days after Christ spoke the words here quoted, an angel said to these same disciples, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. Evidently it was this coming of which Christ spoke to them. As regards Paul’s desire to depart and to be with Christ, there is nothing in his statement to show that Christ would come to him at the moment of his departure. The same apostle afterward said, when he was a prisoner at Rome: “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:6-8. From this it appears that at the time when Paul was about to depart, his crown of righteousness was not to be bestowed upon him, but “henceforth”—from that time until some future event—it was “laid up” for him; and the ensuing words make it plain that this future event is the appearing of Christ in glory, to gather to himself his elect.
A long time, as we count time, might elapse between Paul’s “departure”—his death—and his being with Christ, during which time he would be “asleep” in the grave; but this would not count in the purposes of the Eternal One. “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Christ proved before the Sadducees the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, by referring to the fact that God was the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, all of whom were dead; yet God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Luke 20:37, 38. The fact that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been sleeping in death some centuries, and were to sleep some centuries longer, was not taken into account at all. God was then, as he was before and has been ever since, the God of the living, just as though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were then living. They were not living, but they were to be raised from the dead, and before the eternal purpose of God for them, the fact that death for a time held them in his power will fade into insignificance and not be worthy of consideration. It was as though these three worthies were already living. God’s children all “live unto him,” while the living who are not of his family are as though they were already dead. Paul was to “depart,” and to “be with Christ,” and the fact that some centuries of sleep in the grave would elapse between the two events was not one that needed to be considered in his statement.
Mr. Clark makes this further argument:—
If there be not a personal coming of Christ to each individual, what to the many generations of Christians who have finished their earthly work, was the force and point of the many injunctions to be prepared for—to watch for—the Lord’s coming? How piteous must have been and must still be the disappointment of the “beloved disciple,” who, in response to the Master’s message, “Surely I come quickly,” said, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
There are many things written aforetime which were intended “for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11. The Word of God is for us who live in these last days, as much as for any people who have lived before us. Its admonitions to watch for our Lord’s return are for us who shall see him come. Sad would it have been for us if these admonitions had been left out. But they did not signify that Christ was to return in the days of the apostles. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, who had received the idea that the day of God was at hand, that they should not be deceived on this point, for it was not at hand. “That day shall not come,” he wrote, “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God,” etc. 2 Thess. 2:2-4. Definite signs were foretold and described by the Lord in order that the generation which should witness their fulfillment might know that then the great event was “near, even at the door.” No one could expect the coming of Christ before these predictions had been fulfilled.
“Behold, I come quickly,” was the testimony of Jesus to his beloved disciple, whose response was, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus;” but this was not a mere personal matter between Jesus and John. Christ spoke through John to all his people; to one and all he said, “I come quickly;” any other view would belittle his language until it would be ridiculous. Some say he has already tarried too long in view of the promise here recorded; but it is not for us to say just what period of time his word “quickly” may cover. It is “quickly” with him, and it will be all too quickly for those whom he shall find “sleeping” when he comes.
“There is no conflict between this private coming of our Lord to each individual of the church when his work is done, and his public and official coming to the church as a whole, at the set time,” says Mr. Clark. But there is a conflict. The“private coming” doctrine nullifies to a great extent the doctrine of his public coming; for why should Christ come twice to the same individual, and indeed how could he come to an individual whom he had already received to himself? This tinges the whole subject with absurdity. But the view that Christ will come the second time in power and glory to gather his elect, who have been, for the most part, not with him in heaven, but asleep in their graves, is one which partakes of the grandeur of divine truth and of the work of God, and is in harmony with the statements of God’s Word.
Death is an enemy, and not a friend who brings us to Christ. There is no partnership between Christ and death.
L. A. S.
Continue reading: An Earnest Protest