The Peril of Spiritual Delay: Rejecting Christ's Imminent Return

That is an extremely important question that addresses crucial spiritual attitudes and historical events within the movement looking for Christ's return 🧭. While the ultimate reason for the continued duration of time is God’s infinite mercy allowing a larger span for global repentance, adopting the attitude that "My Lord delayeth His coming" is identified as a fatal characteristic of the evil servant10MR 265.2+1.

The crucial message of Christ’s righteousness, known as the Third Angel’s Message, was presented in clear, distinct lines because the church had previously been looking to man rather than focusing on Jesus, in whom all hope of eternal life is centeredARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.11. Resistance to accepting this message of present truth demonstrated a dangerous attitude of spiritual neglect and worldliness, which mirrors the evil servant’s disbelief11MR 284.4+1.

The Danger of Saying, “My Lord Delayeth His Coming”

The sentiment that the Lord is delaying His return is explicitly warned against in Scripture and is associated with profound spiritual peril Matthew 24:48.

• The Mark of the Evil Servant: The individual who says in their heart, "My Lord delayeth His coming," is identified as the evil servant who has been entrusted with solemn responsibilities but is imperiling the Lord's goods18MR 162.2+1.

• Worldliness and Violence: This attitude manifests in actions: the evil servant begins to smite their fellow servants and eats and drinks with the drunken Matthew 24:4918MR 162.2+1. This smiting happens when brethren, influenced by worldliness and self-exaltation, hate those who stand firm for the truth, similar to how Cain slew Abel because he would not be reconciled to God14MR 115.2+1.

• A Soothing, Malarious Influence: It is a serious matter to be noncommittal about the light of present truth, as the resulting attitude suggests delayRH August 23, 1898, par. 4+1. The spirit and influence of this "peace and safety" sentiment is malarious, designed to soothe those who ought to be stirred by the truth and standing faithfully at their post of dutyRH August 23, 1898, par. 4+1.

• Impeding the Warning: When leaders adopt this attitude, they are removing from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly, leading people to a presumptuous, careless delay, confirming them in worldliness and stuporTM 237.2.

Resistance to the Message of Righteousness by Faith

The conflicts over the message of righteousness by faith, championed by Brethren Jones and Waggoner at Minneapolis, demonstrated the presence of the attitude that impedes necessary preparationMMM 318.2.

• Internal Opposition: The righteousness by faith message was a testimony given to God’s servants, but some highly placed brethren, including editors of influential publications, were far from being in harmony with the truths taughtMMM 318.2+1.

• Spiritual Pride: The appreciation of God's promises in all their breadth and fullness is necessary to save believers from self-confidence, criticism, unbelief, and pharisaism11MR 284.4. When self-esteem and customs are disturbed by the message of truth, misunderstanding and misapplication can alienate the hearts of those who should be brethren11MR 293.3.

• The Consequences of Unbelief: Those who enshroud themselves in unbelief often call darkness light and light darkness, and they reject the light given to them, enclosing themselves in impenetrable darkness11MR 287.3. Those who reject the light of the three angels' messages are refusing to accept testimonies they ought to believe, instead accepting gossip and human testimonies11MR 287.3.

The Lord requires us to put away any scriptural exposition or attitude which means, "My Lord delayeth His coming," because the Son of Man comes in a day and hour we do not expect Matthew 24:4420LtMs, Ms 62, 1905, par. 19. It is essential for believers to constantly watch and avoid the worldliness and spiritual pride that lead to this dangerous declaration, lest they be found unready when the Lord appears Matthew 24:4211MR 284.4.